Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13946, for John Symmes, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Symmes, John Elizabeth
N 13946
CONTENTS

13 948 Massachusetts
John Symmes
of Medford in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Hall of the Regt commanded by Col. Sumner in the Mass a line for 15 months & 20 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 50 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Aug 1833 and sent Land Warrant No. 10144 Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $114.44 Semi-annual allowance ending 1st Sept., 1833 25.11
$139.55
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. H. Wilson Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 79
79 Medford

N 6.321 Massachusetts. Elizabeth Symmes. decd widow of John Symmes who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars 22.
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. and ending 18 th July 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of February 1848. and sent to
S. M. Knight Present.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page / 38. Vol. 2

Declaration 7
John Symmes
Please direct "Sam l L and Esq." Groton No.
20830
read

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex
SS.
On this Twenty Second day of August  Probate personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas , now sitting at Charlestown within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth
aforesaid
John Symmes of Medford in said County aged seventy years
Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
 1 That he entered the service at the commencement thereof, and enlisted for eight months in the Company of Capt. Isaac Hall of Medford  2 In A.D. 1776 he engaged for five months to go to Placerville, he enlisted in the Company of Capt. Joseph Warren of Cambridge, never left Boston, but went into Capt. Mages Company of Artillery and worked on the Barracks until his term expired the first of December & he was dismissed.  3 After the Capture of Brandywine Creek in 1777 and they were stationed at Winter Hill he was drafted for 3 months, & ordered into the Company of Capt. Barry of Malden, in Colo. Jerrish. Rest. he was stationed on the South side of River Hill and served out his three months and was discharged. 
He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, the day and year aforesaid
Sworn to and subscribed
J. P. P. Pay  Wrote John Symmes
we Caleb Stetson Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Medford in the county of Middlesex and John L. B. as part of the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Symmes
who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before me Saml Dana Jus Peace for all the Counties in said Commonwealth.
John L. B. Basset Caleb Stetson

And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Caleb Stetson who has signed the preceeding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Medford that John Le Poosquet resident in said town is is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Isaac Fisher  Asiatic  Probate in aid for the county of Middlesex  J. C. O'Neil Clerk of the Court of John Symmes for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two .
Isaac Fisher
And I do further certify that Samuel Danahy is a justice of the Peace for all the Counties in said Commonwealth and that his name to the foregoing Certificate is his proper signature, And that Edw d D. Dows Esqr. Clerk of the Commonwealth is a justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk and that his signature to the caption on the Deposition of Gail Diox is his proper sign Isaac Fisher .
Isaac Fisher
John Symmes Isaac Fisher J. C. O'Neil

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit,
At the Court of Probate within and for the County of Middlesex begun and holden at Charlestown on the 22 nd day of August A. D. 1832 On the application of John Symmes claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1 Where, and in what year, were you born ? Answer, I was born in Medford Ms on the 15 th of August 1753
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it? Answer, I have not exactly read, or other that I know of.
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer, I was living in Medford where I always have lived same and now do live —
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, my two first loans were voluntary the last I was drafted —
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental, and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service? Answer, I saw Genl. Washington, Lee and Greene at Cambridge —
6. State the names of 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? Answer, Rev d Caleb Stetson, Mr Eben Hall Nathl Hall Esq s John Symmes jun r Mess rs Park & Jesse Crossley Select men of Medford. —
7 Have you any discharges. I had discharges given to me, but they are all lost by time and accident. — John Symmes born to the S.P.P. May 1753

4855
E. Symmes
$ 50. 22 pa an
Thos Bulfinch Boston Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } 1843. Middlesex County }
Be it known that on this Sixth day of November 1843, personally appeared before me the Subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said County and Commonwealth, Mrs. Elizabeth Symmes a resident of Medford in the County of Middlesex aged eighty sixty six years who being first duly sworn according to Law Doth, on the oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3 rd day of March 1843 granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of John Symmes who was a Private man in the Revolutionary War, and served as she verily believes as stated by her in her original declaration for a pension under the law of the 7 th July 1838, to which declaration and the papers accompanying the same now on file in the War Department she would refer for a more particular statement of his services for the proof of her marriage identity and the time of her husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said Act at the rate of Fifty 22 per Doll r per annum which amount she received from the 14 th of March 1836, to the 14 th March 1841, at the Agency in Boston Massachusetts and at the time of her receiving her last payment surrendered the Pension Certificate granted to her under said Act to the Pension Agent at the said City of Boston agreeably to the Rules of the Department.
And this declarant further alleges that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said Husband but is now and ever since has been the Widow of said John Symmes deceased as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed
Attest John Spurrill
John Symmes
And further she saith not
Elizabeth
Her X Mark
Symmes

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year first within written and I certify that the applicant is personally known to me to be the person within described (the date being first altered)
Before me John G. Russell
Justice of the Peace
I John Symmes of Medford in the county of Middlesex of lawful age on oath testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Elizabeth Symmes the applicant named in the within declaration for many years past. I know that she was the wife and is now the widow of John Symmes deceased who was reported to have been a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and that she was a pensioner under the Law of 7 th July 1838, as stated by her.
John Symmes
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Middlesex County } ss. December 5 th 1843.
Then came John Symmes who is known to me to be a credible witness and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is strictly true (the date altered to November)
Before me John G. Russell
Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston November 20 th 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation John Sparrell was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Thos. A. Byles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Massachusetts County of Middlesex } ss.
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me the Clerk of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex and State aforesaid, which evidence is hereto annexed that Mrs. Elizabeth Symmes was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under Act of 17 th June 1844, and that she died on the 18 th day of July 1848 leaving surviving her seven children whose names and ages are as follows, to wit: Abby Tufts aged 63 ; Betsey Stowell aged 61 ; Marshall Symmes aged 59 ; Charles Symmes aged 50 ; John Symmes aged 67 ; Mrs. Symmes aged 57 ; and Eleanor Symmes aged 55 years, who are residents of the State of Massachusetts.
I further certify that John Sparrell, Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and acknowledged and who has thereunto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace duly authorized and commissioned and the signature thereto purporting to be his I believe to be genuine. * And it is further certified that the above named are the only surviving children of the said Elizabeth Symmes.
In testimony whereof, I have by order of said Court hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court. This thirty first day of January — 1855.
Alfred A. Prescott Clerk.
* This fact certified to the 7 th day of Feb. 1855.
Alfred A. Prescott Clerk.

State of Massachusetts. } County of Middlesex } ss.
On this 19 th day of January 1855
personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County John Howe and Henry Withington who are to me well known, and who are credible witnesses, and who being by me duly sworn, deposed and say that they were each well acquainted with Mrs. Elizabeth Symmes late a pensioner of the State of Massachusetts under act 17 th June 1844; that they were acquainted with her for forty years previous to her death, which occurred on the 18 th day of July 1848, and that the said Elizabeth Symmes at her death left surviving her seven children whose names and ages are as follows vizt. Abby Tufts aged 65; Betsy Stowell aged 61; Marshall Symmes aged 59; Charles Symmes aged 50; John Symmes aged 47; Eleanor Symmes aged 55; and Mrs. Symmes aged 57 years, who are residents of the State of Massachusetts. Deponents further state that in the within named claim they are in nowise interested.
John Howe. Henry Withington
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
John Sparrell, Justice of the Peace

John Symmes
20.630
Plants 15 Mar & 2 days
at 11 1/2 to
11 March 1833
P. 291
50.22
Sand. Dana Esq. Croton map.

BRIEF in the case of  John Symmes  of Medford in the State of Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In Open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy Seven  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. As a Gen.     In 17 commencement of the war 8 private Col o Gardner Col o Hall   1776 5 private Col o Wheelock Col o Warner   1778 # 3 2 private and Thayer Col o Garrison Col o Blaney  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? In Medford, Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living and traditionary evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correctly authenticated. Witness not stated as credible 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[Signature] Examining Clerk.
#  The certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shows John Symmes is found on the rolls of said Commonwealth.

Brief in the case of Elizabeth Gynnes wid widow of John
County and State of Mass
act 2 o Feby 1848
Claim, ("original," for increase." )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
She was pensioned under the acts of 1838, 1843 $1846 at $80 22 a year, she died 18 th J ly 1848, without having made application for the benefits of the act of 2 o Feby 1848, as it at that time was required by the Office, because she was pensioned long before that act was passed, and as the pension under 1843 ceased on the 4 th March 1848, the Office had no means of knowing whether she should be continued under the act of 1848, unless direct application was made — (If for increase.)  Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
The children apply for the pension from 4 th March 1848 to 18 th J ly 1848 when she died, they are entitled, proper share of death & heirship,
Name and residence of Agent Will Knightley Present
Thornton L'Platt Examining Clerk.

John Symmes
20.630
James Dana Esq. Present

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Symmes 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? 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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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?
 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
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 authenticates 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 ends 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Elizabeth Symmes dec d widow of John Mass
ad d 2 d Feby 1848 15 mo 12 ds pri $50 22
per annum from 4 March 1848 to 18 July 1848 when she died, Pay to Abby Tufts 1 Betsy Howe 2 Marshall Symmes 3 Charles Symmes 4 John Symmes 5 William Symmes 6 Eleanor Symmes 7  only children
Cert te Will Knight Esq Present

Washington D.C. Feb 10 1855
Hon Secy of Pensions Sir
Under the provisions of the Act of Feb 3 1848 I have the honor herewith to enclose in behalf of the minor children of the late Elizabeth Byrnes of Mass. for Pensions under Act (of 17 June 1844) which application for the amount of Pension to which she was entitled at her death since deceased has now intitled to under the Act first above named -
The power of Attorney authorizing me to act in the premises has been filed in the Office of the 3 d Auditor -
Very Respectfully Yours obedt Servt L. M. Briggs

Application of Elizabeth Ret Symmes.

Medford Aug. 23 d 1838
James L. Schuch Esq.
I herewith transmit for you in specimen a allowance. The papers in sup- -port of the application of Mrs. Elizabeth Symmes of this Town, widow of John Symmes late of said Bedford deceased, and late a Pensioner under the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
I am respectfully, Sir, Your
Huber Invt. Abner Bartlett.
letter for the applicants

Marriage Certifi cate of Elizabeth Symmes

I Daniel Darrow of Westbury in the County of Middlesex a Commonwealth of Mass Church Clerk, do hereby certify that I was then in my custody the Records of the Congregational Church & Society in said Town of Westbury. That in said Records as kept by the late Rev. Samuel Cushing formerly Pastor of said Church & Society under the Article "Marriages" is the following, "Twenty hundred & eighty, October thirty first. John Symmes Junr. of Medford & Elizabeth Wright, Woburn."
That the above is a true copy of the Records with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in four legible figures as follows "1780. October 31."
I Daniel Darrow above named do hereby certify that I held the office of Pastor of the Congre- gational Church & Society in the Town of Westbury formerly of said, and that the above is a true copy an extract from the Records of Marriages as kept by the late Rev. Samuel Cushing formerly Pastor of said Church & Society with the exception above named as certified by me. David Darrow

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex August 14 th A.D. 1853. Then the within named Daniel Duran personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed Before me James Russell Justice of the Peace for Middlesex County
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Isaac Hooker Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that James Russell Esq. is a justice of the Peace within the said County duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature above written is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three Isaac Hooker Esq.

Rep 8 Jan 1844
4241
Massachusetts
Elizabeth Symmes widow of John Symmes who was a Private in the Massachusetts line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of January 1844 and sent to Thomas Balfinch Boston, Massachusetts
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 53.

Elizabeth Symmes John May - 8 - 1843
W. L. C.
Hon S. P. Waldo. Court of Pensions. Present.

John Symmes Deposition

I John Symmes of Medford in the County of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts depose and say that I am the eldest son of John Symmes late of said Medford gentleman deceased by Elizabeth his wife, who is now living a widow in said Medford, that the said John Symmes was in the receipt of a pension from the United States at the time of his death under the act of Congress passed the seventh day of June 1832 entitled, "An act supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the revolution". That the said John Symmes my father died on the twenty fourth day of June, eighteen hundred & thirty four, that I was duly appointed Executor of his last will and administered his estate accordingly and received at the Pension Office in Boston, the pension money which had accrued at the time of his decease, and have receipt therefor after that event took place.
I recollect well my grandfather John Symmes who also resided in said Medford and died there in May seventeen hundred & eighty five

previous to the death of my grandfather my father was called & known by the name of John Symmes Junior. my mother the said Elizabeth Symmes who is now an applicant for my father's pension by virtue of the act of Congress passed on the seventh day of July 1838 was never married after the death of the said John Symmes her husband as aforesaid but now remains his widow at Medford aforesaid
John Symmes
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. In Medford on this eight day of August in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared John Symmes, subscriber to the above affidavit well known to me to be a person of truth and veracity, and was sworn to the truth of the same Before me Abner Bartlett Justice of the Peace
I certify that the words, "eighteen hundred and thirty," in the above certificate were cancelled by me A. Bartlett J. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Isaac Fisher Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that Abner Bartlett Elyon is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature written on the foregoing Paper is his genuine Signature,
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this fourteenth Day of August in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty eight
Isaac Fisher By

818 Declaration of Elizabeth Symmes widow
Elizabeth Symmes mother of John Mass.
Act 7. July 38.
Marryed in 1780.
Died in 1834
aged 15 mo 2 days in
$50.22
no deduction
Abner Bartlett Medford Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex ss.
On this Thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before the Judge of the Court of Probate for the said County of Middlesex, at a Special Court in Cambridge — Elizabeth Symmes a resident of the Town of Medford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid aged eighty one years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of John Symmes who was a private in the Army of the United States in the revolutionary War, and a Pensioner, under the act of Congress passed the seventh day of June eighteen hundred and thirty two, entitled "an act supplementary to the act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the revolution;" that he enjoyed the said pension until his death which took place at Medford aforesaid on the twenty fourth day of June eighteen hundred and thirty four.

This Declarant not being personally acquainted with the services of her said husband would refer to the evidence then - of upon which he was pensioned, as afore said.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Symmes on the thirty first day of October, seventeen hundred & eighty, that he was then called John Symmes Junior, having a father then living in said Medford of that name, who died there in the month of May seventeen hundred and eighty five
that her husband, John Symmes who had served in the Army and was pensioned as aforesaid died at said Medford on the twenty fourth day of June eighteen hundred and thirty four; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety

four, to wit at the time above stated, and that she was never afterwards married.
She further says that her maiden name was Elizabeth Wright that she was married to the late John Symmes Junior by the Rev. Samuel Cooke then pastor of a Parish in Cambridge since in- corporated by the name of West Cambridge
Elizabeth Symmes
Subscribed & sworn to by said Elizabeth Symmes, on the day & year first above written before
J. P. P. Fay Judge of Probate for said County of Middle
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Isaac Fisher Deputy of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that said J. P. P. Fay Esq. is the Judge of said Court of Probate duly sworn & qualified & that his signature above written is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight Isaac Fisher Jr.

John Gwynn

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov. 28 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that
John Symmes is borne on an Abstract for pay due to Capt. Benjamin Blags company in Col. Brooks regiment, as a Bounty for the guards at Cambridge, taken from February 2 d to April 3 d 1778
I further certify that there is no roll (excepting a roll of Minute men) of Capt. Isaac Halls company, on file in this office.
Edward D. Bangs Secy

I Joel Dix of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy six years, do depose and say - That I lived in Waltham until the year A.D. 1808. When I removed to Boston. I further say that in the Spring of A.D. 1775 John Symmes of Medford in the County of Middlesex  the County of Middlesex and who, I understand, has applied for a Pension - was an apprentice, to my half brother, Jonathan Dix who lived in Waltham, and worked as a wheelwright; said Jonathan Dix was also uncle to the said John Symmes - I well remember that my half brother Jonathan, not having much work at that time, proposed to, and was urgent that the said John Symmes should enlist into the army in the eight months service, and offered him half of his pay, if he would enlist, I well remember that my brother Jonathan, told my father John Dix in my presence, that 'said John Symmes, enlisted and was gone', and that my father was indignant, and told Jonathan, that John "had gone into his country's service, that he was his own sister's son, and that he ought to give him his whole pay" - He was gone eight months from Waltham, and I remember of when he returned to Waltham, and called at my father's; My father and a Mr. Laurence agreed to supply a regiment with milk for 8. months - I was employed to carry it from Waltham, to the colleges, and one morning as I was carrying the milk across Cambridge common, I saw the said John Symmes the common, and bowed to him - I always understood that he was employed as an Artificer in the army -
And

I further testify that I remember, that in the following year, the said John Symmes called at my father's house one evening, and told him, that "he was going into the service again" he staid over night, and I remember that I changed money with him, and gave him 5. Spanish dollars for paper bills. He had his uniform on, and a horse, proceeded on, and said he was going to the southward, with his company who lodged in Waltham that night. I heard that he had joined Capt. Thayer's company, and should think he was gone 4 or 5 months — I have this day seen Mr. Symmes, and verily believe that he served 8 months, at the commencement of the war, and after, his tour to the northward —
Joel Dix
Secretary's Office. Suffolk ss. November 14. th 1832.
Personally appeared before me, the above named Joel Dix, and made solemn oath, that the foregoing deposition, is true —
before me Edward D. Bangs, Secretary of Court just. of peace
I further certify that the above named Joel Dix is a credible witness, and worthy of belief Edward D. Bangs just. of peace

Massachusetts - 672.
Elizabeth Symmes widow of John Symmes, who who was a pensioner under the Act of June 7. 32 and who died on the 24 th June 1834 of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Hale of the Regt. commanded by General in the Massachusetts line for 1st Regt 2 nd Div.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $10 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Oct. 38, and sent to Mrs. Abigail B. Symmes Madford, Mass.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept. - $125 55- Semi-annual allowance ending
25. 11
$150.66
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by Book A
R. Bunsin Clerk Vol. 1 - Page 129.

Rev  WIDOW, &c.  am
File No. 13946
Elizabeth Symmes Widow of John Symmes Pri Rev War
Act: Act 2 d 48
Index:—Vol. M , Page 260
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Oct. 22, 1901 Helen T. Wild -
Midford Mass

Pen Off. Feby 14 1855
h m 48
Sir
Elizabeth Symmes. Mass Rolls. Acts 38:43 T 16, at $50 22 To what time paid.
R. H. Atkinson
Shd Auditor
Very Respectfully
S. Cole,
Chas. Penoff
Triplet

Elizabeth Symmes paid to 4 March 1845
Robt. D. Mason
Auditor