Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13744, for Nathaniel Leonard, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Leonard, Nathaniel
S13744
boarded
CONTENTS

Nathaniel Leonard Jr son of Nathaniel Leonard and Mary his wife was born in Taunton March 25 1755
As appears on Record
Attest Alfred Williams Town Clerk

1089. Massachusetts Michael Leonard of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Pirate the company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by Capt. _____ in the _____ line for _____ D o Sept 5 Major " " 15 " " " " " " " " 120
Inscribed on the Roll of Mr. A. D. at the rate of 34 Dollars 48 Cents per annum, to commence on the 1 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Jan y 1833 and due to be paid J. L. Hodge (Ft. of Creek) Arrears to 14th of Sept r 1832 $51.72 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 33. 17.24
568.90
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. F. [Signature] Clerk Book D. Vol. 115 Page 97.

Nathl Leonard
71.6.8
  Sergt Major  1 Mo 8  2 days    Sergt  4 " "  15 "    Proc  2      7  17  
adm
9024.48.
Gen. L. Hodges AR

BRIEF in the case of  Nathaniel Leonard of Taunton  of Bristol Co in the State of  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? alleged  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Apr '55   Dec '76 15 Minuteman Capt. Giffman   Dec '76 1 15 Private Capt. do Gen. Godfrey   Winter '78 3 Sergeant Capt. Randall - det. mounted & other officers   Dec '77 1 2 Sergeant Capt. Bicknell, Spence's Expedition   In Spring of '77 1 Sergeant Capt. Barney   Detached when 15 do Capt. Eddy  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Taunton  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 3 living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Right  A. C. Easton Examining Clerk.

Nathaniel Leonard
he sic

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, } BRISTOL, ss.
At a COURT of PROBATE holden at Dighton in and for said County on the fifth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the HONORABLE HODIJAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Nathaniel Leonard a resident of Taunton in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged Seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated; to wit: under Capt. Robert Crossman and Lieut. Edward Blake at Boston in the year 1775 , under Brig. General Geo. Godfrey, Capt. Robert Crossman and Lt. Ben a Shores at Warren and Newbern, N.C. in the year 1778 and in other expeditions which shall be noticed in my answer to the fifth interrogatory.
and further declares as follows; in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Taunton in the County of Bristol and State of Mass a in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty five
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? — Answer. The record of my age appears in the Book of the Town Clerks of Taunton aforesaid; a copy of which record will accompany this declaration.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? In Taunton, aforesaid.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer. For part of the Service I performed, I was drafted, for a part I volunteered, and for none was I a Substitute.

4 How were you called into service ; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer - For part of the Service I performed, I was drafted, for a part I volunteered, and for none was I a substitute.
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served ; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
At the time of the Battle at Lexington of April 19 th 1775, I joined a number of my fellow townsmen who constituted what was called a minute company , and repaired to Roxbury near Boston, under the command of Capt. Robert Crossman and Lieut. Edward Blake, both of Taunton aforesaid. We were detained in this
27 more days 0. 0. 15
Service, two weeks, and then orally and honorably discharged.
0. 0. 15
I also served in the War of the Revolution, in the fall of 1778, when I joined the company commanded by Capt. Robert Crossman and Lt. Ben a Shores both of
0. 1. 00
Taunton aforesaid. We marched thence to Warren, R.I. where we tarried about two weeks ; thence we marched to Howland's Ferry where we were
0. 3. 00
stationed, one month , at the expiration of which we were honorably discharged. I remember George Godfrey of Taunton aforesaid, to have command
0. 5. 00
of the Brigade to which the company in which I served was attached. I also served, as sergeant, three months , at Warwick and Providence
Rhode Island in the winter of 1778-9, under the immediate command of

74 120. Days
0. 5. 00 Capt. Matthew Randall, Lieut. Nathan Root and Ensign John Godfrey. The other officers are not in my recollection. I also served in the War of the Revolution, in the fall of 1777, one month and two days , in what was called Spencer's Expedition on the Island of Rhode Island and its immediate neighbourhood, under the command of Col. George Williams, Capt. Edward Blake and Lieut. David Caver. The company to which I was attached marched from Taunton aforesaid to Tiverton, R. Island, thence to Fogland Ferry and thence to Hobbs Woods, in Tiverton where we were honorably discharged. On this occasion I acted as Sergeant Major of the Regiment .
I also served in the year 1777 after the British took possession of the Island of Rhode Island, I think in the spring of the year, in Warren R.S. one month in the company commanded by Capt. Elisha Barney, Lieut. Lebelon Field and Ensign Pelatiah Eddy all of Taunton, aforesaid. I was duly appointed and acted as Sergeant , during this campaign.
I was also in the service of my country in the War of the Revolution about fifteen days , acting as Sergeant in the company commanded by Capt. Pelatiah Eddy. We were stationed at Tiverton - Rhode Island. 15 Days..

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
Answer. I was a Soldier acting as Sergeant or Sergeant Major for the most part of my service, as is stated under the 3rd interrogatory. I was discharged by the oral declaration of the Commanding officer of the respective Corps to which I was attached, as were all others who served with me.
7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Rev. Alvah Cobb and Hon. James L. Hodges -
And the said Nathaniel Leonard doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of  Nathaniel Leonard
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.
WE Alvah Cobb a Clergyman - residing in Fauntler and James L. Hodges - residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Leonard - who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about Seventy seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Alvah Cobb James L. Hodges
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.

WE Alvan Cobb a Clergyman — residing in Taunton and James L. Hodges — residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Leonard — who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about Seventy seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Alvan Cobb James L. Hodges. H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.
AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Alvan Cobb — who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman — resident in the Town of Taunton — in said County of Bristol, and that James L. Hodges who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and is a credible person, and that their — statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies , Judge of Probate. Register of Probate
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } BRISTOL, ss. }
I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Leonard — of Taunton — in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first above written
Anselm Bassett

Rev War
13744 INVALID.
own
File No. 23744
Nathaniel Leonard Sergt. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 227
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Wathe Leonard
Wm P. L. Forbys

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathan C Leonard which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [Handwritten line] IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  _____
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  _____
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

I Thomas Lincoln of Taunton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy three years of age do hereby testify & say, that I have long been acquainted with Deacon Nathaniel Leonard of Taunton, and that he the said Leonard Served in the army of the American Revolution two several campaigns. the first was in the year 1777 & the first of the year, & soon after the British got possession of the Island of Rhode Island, in a Company commanded by Capt. Elisha Barney & Colonel Field & Pelatiah Eddy were our other Company officers, and we were stationed at Warren in the State of Rhode Island, & this campaign was one month, the second campaign or alarm was in the year 1780 1780, & in a Company commanded by Capt. Pelatiah Eddy and we were stationed at Tiverton in said State of Rhode Island, and we served at this time about fifteen days. I served in the same company with him at both of the above campaigns & know that he the said Leonard served as a sergeant in both of said campaigns. Dated at Norton September 21 st 1832
Thomas Lincoln

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol } ss. Before me one of the Justices of the Peace County } within for the county of Bristol personally appeared Thomas Lincoln subscriber to the within affidavit and made oath that the same is true (according to the best of his knowledge & belief) in all its parts. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this 27 day of September, A D 1832.
Colonel Leonard Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss:
I, Anselm Bassett, Register of the court of Probate in and for said county do hereby certify that Cromwell Leonard is a Justice of the Peace for said county of Bristol & that the signature to the within Affidavit purporting to be the his, is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court, this thirty first day of October, eighteen hundred & thirty two.
Anselm Bassett

I Jonathan Ingell, a Resident of Taunton, in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, aged Seventy Six years, do hereby and oath testify, that I served as a private in the same company with Nathaniel Leonard, of Taunton aforesaid, at Roxbury near Boston, immediately after the Lexington Battle in April 1775, under the command of Capt. Robert Cushman, who commanded a company of minute men, & Lieut. Edward Blake, both of Taunton aforesaid. This service was during two weeks - when we were discharged, orally, by our commanding officer. - Jonathan Ingell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. - Taunton Sep r 26 th 1832 Then personally appeared Jonathan Ingell and made solemn oath, that the foregoing statement by him subscribed, is just and true, according to best knowledge & belief - Before me, James L. Stickney Jr. P.M.

I further certify that the within named Jonathan Dyer is a credible person —
James L. Rodys Jr. Bearer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss.
I Anselm Basset, Register of the court of Probate in for said County do hereby certify that James L. Rodys  James L. Rodys is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Bristol & that the signature to the within Affidavit purporting to be his, is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said court this thirty first day of October, eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Anselm Basset

I John Presbrey a resident of Taunton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, aged Seventy two years do under oath, testify that I am acquainted with Nathaniel Leonard of Taunton aforesaid and served with him both being privates, in the War of the Revolution, firstly in the fall of 1776 under Brigadier General George Gage, Capt. Robert Crossman and Lieut. Benjamin Shores. In this campaign we marched to Warren R.I. where we tarried about two weeks and thence we marched to Howland's Ferry and there tarried one month and were then dismissed. This service, I believe to have occupied one month and fifteen days. I also served with the said Leonard in the same company under the command of Capt. Matthew Randall, Lt. Nathan Hark and Ensign John Godfrey, at Warwick and Providence R.I. where three months in the winter of 1778-79. three months. In this campaign the said Leonard acted as Sergeant. I also served with the said Leonard in Spencer's Expedition so called in the fall of 1777. We marched from Taunton aforesaid to Scituate R.I. thence to Fogland Ferry and thence to Fall River Taunton R.I. where Capt. Samuel Blake and Lieut. Woods, under Col. George Williams, Capt. Samuel Blake and Lieut. David Carver; one month and two days was the time of this service, in which the said Leonard acted as Sergeant Major.
John Presbrey

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Bristol ss. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas, on this day personally appeared John Presley and made solemn oath that the foregoing statement by him subscribed is just and true, according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before me
James L. Wodges, Jus. Pacis.
I further certify that the within named John Presley is a credible person.
James L. Wodges, Jus. Pacis.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bristol ss.
I, Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that James L. Wodges is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Bristol & that the signature to the within Affidavit purporting to be his, is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this thirty first day of October, eighteen hundred & thirty two.
Anselm Bassett