Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32972, for Francis Lester, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Lester, Francis Lestre or
S. 32972 B.L. 75-1551-105
CONTENTS

Wadsworth June 28/53
Notation in left margin: Wadsworth June 28/53 Revolutionary War Massachusetts New Hampshire Line Greenfield Mass
3,894
Massachusetts Roll
Francis Lester Capt. Morris m ch 8 Private New Hampshire Line In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts — at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 8 th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th of October 1818 and Sent to Jonathan Leavitt Esq r Judge Greenfield Mass s
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818 4m th  \frac{27}{30} — 39:20 Semi-ann. all ce ending 4 th March 1819 — 48:
$ 87:20
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
6 Years
War
Continued

Intd. June 28/53
Massachusetts Roll of Pensioners Francis Lester Capt. of Artillery Mass. 8 New Hampshire Line in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
3894 Massachusetts Roll
Francis Lester Capt. of Artillery Mass. 8 New Hampshire Line in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 8 th of April 1819.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th of October 1818 and sent to Jonathan Leavitt Esq. Judge Greenfield Mass.
  Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818  4m. 27 / 30  39:20    Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 th March 1819   48:     $87:20  
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
6 Years
War
Continued
field

Secured of Hon John H Eaton land warrant No 15551 issued in the name of Francis Lester a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution in the United States. Independent Regiment com- menced by Colonel Hazen.
Winton Oct 5 th 1829
Friend Lee.
For Fr Lester

Francis Lester
Concord

I Francis Lester a citizen of the United States and an inhabitant of Greenfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts labourer on oath testify and declare, that in the month of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty five I enlisted into the Massachusetts militia (being at that time a resident in Deerfield Mass) to serve for the term of six months and served out that time in Cambridge Mass and the vicinity - that afterwards in the summer of the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty six I again enlisted to serve in the Massachusetts militia for the term of six months and served during that time at Ticonderoga and the vicinity - Previous to the expiration of the last mentioned term I went to Albany in the State of New York, and there in the former part of December 1827 I enlisted into the continental service for three years unless sooner discharged. The officer enlisting me was Capt Torrey of Massachusetts under whose command I joined the Regiment in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Shortly after joining the Regiment Capt Torrey was appointed Major, when Capt Moses White of Boston Mass took the command of the company. Capt White I have been informed is now living in Haverhill (N.H.). The Regiment to which I belonged was said to have been raised for the Congress Guard, and was known in the army by the name of the Congress Regiment. When in service it was principally if not wholly attached to the New Hampshire line, and belonged to Gen. Poor's Brigade. It was commanded by Col Moses Hazen of Haverhill (Ods). I served the three years for which I enlisted and at the expiration of that time when I applied for my discharge, I found that through some mistake or design I was held to serve during the war. Accordingly I did serve until the close of the war. Col Hazen commanded the Regiment to which I belonged during the whole time of my service, and Capt White commanded the company to which I belonged all the time except a

bout a year, at the close of the war, when upon Capt White leaving the army, Capt Richard Lloyd of New Jersey took the command of the company and continued in command until I was discharged. I left the army in June in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight seven hundred and eighty three upon furlough and in April one thousand seven hundred and eighty four received my discharge upon the back of said furlough. This discharge was signed by a person of the name of Trumbull who I understood was aid to Gen. Washington; and it was destroyed about twenty years since, by my children when I and my wife were absent from home. I further testify that I am now twenty six years old, am destitute of property and from my reduced circumstances I need the assistance of my country for support.
Dated at Greenfield in the County Commonwealth aforesaid this eighth day of April A.D. 1818 —
Attest Saml Wells Jr —
Francis Lester
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss
I Daniel Wells of Greenfield in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid do testify and say that Francis Lester signer to the foregoing declaration is poor and in reduced circumstances in life — and that he has ever been considered, until I have known him, a person who served in the United States army during the revolutionary war. I have always from my infancy been acquainted with him, and I am now twenty seven years old. Dated at Granfield aforesaid this eighth day of April A.D. 1818
Daniel Wells
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. April 8th A.D. 1818
The above named Francis Lester made oath that the foregoing Declaration by him subscribed was true.

I was the same day the within named Daniel Wilks made oath that the within affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me Jos. Leavitt, Judge of the Great Court of Common Pleas
Q
To the Secretary of the Department of War
I the undersigned, Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Western Circuit in the State of Massachusetts, which includes the County of Franklin of said, do hereby certify that upon the petition very aforesaid, it appears to my satisfaction that the before named Francis Lester gen- eral in the Revolutionary War as he has set forth in his Declaration aforesaid, & that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his Country for support.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court aforesaid, the eighteenth day of April AD 1878
Jos. A. Leavitt
And I further certify that for many years past I have per- sonally known F. Lester, & that he has uniformly had the appearance & character of a poor man, & a faithful labourer
Leavitt

3894
Francis Lester
Greenfield
3894
Oct 1818
Cont Sep 20
1820
GM
Mar 1819

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN ss.
At a Special Session of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Western Circuit, began and holden at Greenfield, within and for the County of Franklin, on Monday the tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty, et de die in diem to the fifteenth day of the same month,
P ERSONALLY appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Franklin, established as such by the Constitution and Laws of said Commonwealth, Francis Lester aged seventy eight years, resident in Greenfield in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows:
I entered the service in the month of December A.D. 1776 for the term of three years in the company commanded by Capt Torry in the Regiment commanded by Col Moses Hazen, being the Congress so called, and I continued to serve in the same until A.D. 1781 or 1782, when I was transferred to Capt Lloyd's company in the same regiment, where I continued to serve till the close of the war, being in all about seven years and was finally discharged at a place called Pump town in the State of N. Jersey.
My certificate is dated October 24 th A.D. 1818 and the pension to commence on the 8 th day of April A.D. 1818, and is numbered 3,894.
I am by occupation a labourer but my age and increasing infirmities prevent my following any business steadily. I have now no family but am dependent upon my pension for support. I have no property except the clothes I wear

and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818 ; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled " An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818 ; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Francis Lester
Sworn to and declared, on the tenth day of July A. D. 1820, before the said Court.
Attest, E. Alvord CLERK.
I ELIJAH ALVORD, Clerk of the aforesaid Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is  Francis Lester has no property required by law to be exhibited
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this fifteenth day of July, 1820.
E. Alvord CLERK.

of Francis, Lester.

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
State of Massachusetts COUNTY OF Franklin } ss.
Know all Men by these Presents,
That I, Francis Lester of Greenfield in said County & State do hereby authorize, constitute and appoint L. M. Dorr of Canandaigua in the State of New York my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute for me and on my behalf, all and singular, claim or claims, I may have against the General Government of the United States, in account of the service of my father Francis Lester deceased, in the war of the Revolution; the said power of Attorney to be irrevocable for the space of three years from the within date; and the said L. M. Dorr is hereby authorized to take all necessary and proper steps in the prosecution of said claim or claims on my behalf.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 16 th day of November 1852
Samuel O. Lamb J. P. his Francis X Lester (L. S.) mark
State of Massachusetts COUNTY OF Franklin } ss.
Be it Known, That on the sixteenth day of November A.D. 1852 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorised by law to administer oaths, personally appeared Francis Lester above named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed.,
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year last above mentioned.
Samuel O. Lamb J. P. Justice of the Peace,
State of COUNTY OF } ss.
I, _____ of the County and State aforesaid do certify, that _____ Esquire is now, and was at the time of the date of the foregoing, a Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned and qualified to act as such in and for said County; and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal, this
18
day of _____

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN, ss.
Geo. Grennell I, HENRY CHAPMAN , Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Franklin, do certify, that Samuel O. Lamb Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the Certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is, and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Samuel O. Lamb and believe his signature to said Certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this Seventeenth day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty two
Geo. Grennell Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Franklin } ss.
Probate Court of Franklin County.
I Samuel O. Lamb. Register of the Court of Probate of the County of Franklin in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify. That satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court of Probate. That Francis Lester was a Revolutionary Soldier and a Pensioner of the United States, at the rate of Ninety Six dollars per annum. That he was a resident of Greenfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. That he died in said Greenfield on the twenty third (23 rd ) day of November, in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty two (1832) that he left no widow surviving. And that he left only one child him surviving, whose name is as follows. to wit Francis Lester.
In testimony whereof. I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court of Probate at Greenfield, this sixteenth day of November in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty two.
Samuel O. Lamb. } Register of Probate for Franklin County

Canandaigua, N.Y. March 28. 1833
Sir:
Hewith is presented the claim of Francis Lester for an income under the act of 7 th June 1832. at the rate of $240 per Ann. for services, it is supposed, as an Artificer.
I am not certain that any claim at all exists in this case.
Lester is put down on the list of Pensioners published in 1833-4 as belonging to "Col. Hazen's Artificers".
I was not aware that Col. Hazen had any Artificers. but it is possible the records in the Department may show that Lester belonged to the Regt. of Artificers.
Very respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
L. M. Grumy
Hon. S. P. Waldo Comm ee of Pensions Washington D. C.

32972 Rev INVALID.
File No. 82,972
Francis Lester
In Rev War
Act: 18 th March 1818 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Francis Lestre
N o 1551

Windham Sept 17 th 1829
Sir I here with forward you Mr. Lestre papers for bounty Land. who was a Soldier in the Independent Regt commanded by Colonel Hazer of the United States line, you will please if he is entitled to forward me his warrant my receipt I will acknowledge for the same by complying with the above you will oblige your friend.
Respectfully yours
Dan Lee
Hon John H. Eaton.
Secretary of War

STATE OF Massachusetts } Greenfield Sept 26 th 1829 County of Franklin
I, Francis Lester - - - aged Eighty Eight years, do, upon oath, testify and declare, that, in the year one thousand seven hundred and Seventy Six - - - I enlisted for the term of "during the war," and served in the regiment No. 10 under the command of Colonel Hoaren of the United States line; and that I continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the war, when I was regularly discharged from the Independent regiment, commanded by Col. Hoaren
I further declare, that I have never received a warrant for the Bounty Land promised to me on the part of the United States; nor have I ever assigned or transferred my claim in any manner whatsoever: therefore,
KNOW all men by these presents, That I Francis Lester aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint Samuel Lee Esq. of Norwich State of Connecticut to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, a warrant for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purpose above expressed.
Attest. Daniel Wells  F Lester
I, William Thompson aged Seventy Six years, do, upon oath, declare, that I have been long acquainted with Francis Lester who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence, and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be; and further, I know, or do believe, that he did perform the military service therein stated.
Attest. William Thompson
Before me, Daniel Wells personally appeared the above named Dr Lester subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined, to be his free act and deed; and likewise, personally appeared William Thompson who has subscribed the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectively subscribed, this 26 th day of August 18 29 Daniel Wells Justice of the Peace.
In testimony that the above written Daniel Wells was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgments, &c. in the State of Massachusetts at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the county seal, and subscribed my name and quality, at Greenfield this twentieth sixth day of August 18 29
E Alvord C. Clerk, &c.