Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19426, for Ebenezer Taft, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Daft, Ebenezer Molly
W. 19426
CONTENTS

5731 Massachusetts
Molly Taft widow of Ebenezer Taft who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 71 — Dollars 30 —
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Aug t 1849, and sent to
Geo. M. Prentiss, Worcester, Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1843, Page 165 Vol. 2 ,

payable to Leonard Taft Ellis Taft, Millens Taft Polly Hayward, Sally Denson Phila Staples, only surviving children & heirs at law.

2154 Massachusetts
Ebenezer Taft
of Mendon in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Peters of the Regt. commanded by Col Reed in the Massachusetts, time for 21 months 12 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 71 Dollars 30 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Novem- ber 1832 and sent to G. Folsom of Worcester Mass. Present.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $106.95 Pension allowance ending 4 Mar '33 35.65 $142.60
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk, Book D Vol. 5 Page 86

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss , Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that Mrs. Taft, widow of Ebenezer Taft , was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of Twenty-one Dollars and thirty-cents per annum, under the acts of June 17. 1844. was a resident of the County of Worcester , in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and died in Blackstone, in said county , in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight , on the fifteenth day of August , that she left six children only, surviving, whose names are Leonard Taft, Ellis Taft, Millen Taft, Polly Hayward, Sally Benson and Phoebe Staples.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Worcester, this Thirteenth day of August , in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine .
Chas. G. Prentiss , Register.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester, On this eleventh day of September in the year eighteen hun- dred and thirty eight, personally appeared Mary Patton wife of the Court of Pleas for said County of Worcester, Mary Last a resident of Mendon in said County aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the fol- lowing 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 pension to certain widows.
That she is the widow of Ebenezer Last late of said Mendon deceased, who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States under the law of 1832. They both belonged to said town of Mendon when he went into the service, and that has always

been their place of wisdom. She knew that her own husband was in the service but she cannot of her own knowledge state when or how long. For the evidence of this she must refer to the rolls in the war depart- ment, and to the papers filed in her husband's service case, where will be found the only documentary evidence of his services the proofs of
She further declares that she was mar- ried to the said Elmer Tapp at her home den by Edward Nauman Esquire a justice of the Peace, on the last Sunday in May in the year nineteen hundred and twenty nine.
Deacon John Nelson and the widow Hollings The mother was present at her marriage, and she thinks some others, but there are none of them living. She understands that her marriage is not recorded. But she trusts that the evidence of it is ample, and drawn from the records of her publication, the birth of the mother of a large family of children, and the testimony of her neighbors whose opinions are necessary this

her declaration. She further declares that her husband the aforesaid Ebenezer Taft died at some place on the third day of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty six, and therefrom as his widow she claims the balance of the pension due to him; and that she has never been married since his death, but is now his widow. That she has not married him previous to his being the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January in the year eighteen hundred and ninety four. Witness at the time above stated -
Molly X Taft her mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year above written
Upon me J. B. Benton
Judge of the Court of Pensions for said cause.
first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety four. was entitled in the cause and subscription. J. Benton J. P.

Seventeen hundred Seventy nine March thirteenth

"Entries of the Intention of Marriages. Seventeen hundred seventy- nine March Thirteenth.
Between Mr Ebenezer Taft & Miss Molly Hayward both of Mendon"
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows: "1779 March 13".
Stephen Taft Clerk of Mendon
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester ss.
I Stephen Taft above named, depose and say: that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County, Town and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town of Mendon with the exception above named, as certified by me Mendon Sept. 11. 1838. Stephen Taft.
And I further depose and say that I have made search on said records and find they afford no proof as to the period when the marriage between the said Ebenezer and Molly took place. Attest, Stephen Taft.
Worcester ss. Sept. 11. 1838.
Sworn to before me.
Warren Rawson Justice of the Peace

Ebenezer Taft
21 Nov. 12 1797

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss. On this twenty eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before Nathl Paine Judge of Probate for the county of Worcester - Ebenezer Traft a resident of the Town of Mendon in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy three years who being first 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 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated viz. He entered the service in April 1775 by enlisting for eight months in the Company commanded by Capt Andrew Peters & Col. Reed Regiment and was stationed at Roxbury near Boston, and continued there until my time of eight months expired, when I enlisted again in said Peters company for one year in the Continental service, and served during the year, in and about New York - In 1778 I enlisted and served six weeks in Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island, in the Company commanded by Capt. Thomas Marshall Baker in Col. Hawes Regiment, and was in an engagement with the enemy on Rhode Island in which Capt. Baker was wounded in his shoulder. I further declare on oath that I have been previously on the pension roll under the act of March 1890, and have been dropped therefrom on account of property - my original pension certificate is herewith transmitted.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State - Sworn & subscribed to me this 28 th day of August 1832. Ebenezer Traft Before Nathl Paine, Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester

Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Taft for a Pension, and that Benedict Taft Jr. and Warren Rawson, before whom the annexed affidavits were taken, are Justices of the Peace in & for the said County of Worcester in full credit & that they signed the same.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court of Probate this 28th day of August A.D. 1832.
Theoph: Wheeler Register of the said Court of Probate

4194 Oberener Dept.
Solo: Strong George Worcester, Mass.
Rec. June 28. 1879.
Admitted.
The service performed previous to '76 was for Sm only. The testimony of one dis- interested witness. Service performed in 1776 when credibility the magis- trate who administers the oath will certify: The official character signature of the magis- trate will be duly authenticated
Oberener Dept. Boston

State of Massachusetts
I Ebenezer Tuft a citizen of the United States now resident at Mendon in the county of Worcester in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare that in the war of the Revolution, in the Month of April Anno. Domini 1775 I entered and was engaged in the Massachusetts line in the service of the United States on the continental establishment for eight Months as a private soldier in Capt. Andrew Peters company and Colonel Joseph Reads Regiment and in the month of December of the same year 1775 I reengaged in said Peters company in said Reads Regiment for one year from the first day of January 1776 as a soldier I continued as a soldier in said continental army against the common enemy without any interruption or absence from April 1775 to about the the first of January 1777 when said Regiment was disbanded. and that by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my Country for support being now of the age of sixtyone years - and I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States if any may be or hath so allowed Ebenezer Tuft
I remembered that on this twentysecond day of June 1819, pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" made and passed on the 18th March 1818, personally appeared before me Solo. Strong, Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Western Circuit, Massachusetts the above named Ebenezer Tuft and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence, and on examination duly made by me the said judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true. Given under my hand & seal of said Court the day aforesaid Solo. Strong

I certify that the within named Ebenezer Taft is in reduced circumstances in life, poor and stands in need of the assistance of his country, for support.
Solo. Hovey, Judge L -

I Enos Taft of Mendon in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawfull age testify and say that I am personally knowing that Ebenezer Taft of Mendon in the County of Worcester aforesaid served as a soldier against the common ene- my in the land service of the United States on the Continental establishment in the war of the revo- lution in Capt. Andrew Peters Company in Col. Joseph Regiment in the Massachusetts line from the last part of April A.D. 1775 to the last part of December A.D. 1776 without interruption of absence I was in said Peters Company the whole time above stated June 17 th 1819 Enos Taft
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester. ss June 17 th 1819 Personally appeared Enos Taft above named and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed and I certify that he is a credible disinterested witness and is intitled to full credit and belief in my opinion.
J. D. Hastings, Justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Worcester.
Ms. A. 9. 2. 10

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, ss.
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Judicial Courts held within and for said County of Worcester, certify, that Seth Hastings , before whom the annexed affidavits have been made, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified for the purpose, acting under the authority of this Commonwealth, and that his name subscribed thereto is his own proper signature.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County seal, this twenty third day of June , A. D. 1819.
Application of Reverend Duff. }
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk.

July 11, 1933.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MMHF/ADY
Miss Grace E. Taft, The Carteret, 425 Central Avenue, Orange, New Jersey.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter with which you enclosed money order to cover cost of the record of Ebenezer Taft, Revolutionary War soldier, W.19426, which was mailed to you on May 20, 1933.
No charge was made for furnishing said record. One dollar, the amount of your remittance, will be refunded in due time.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

May 20, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL
Ebenezer Taft-W.19426
Miss Grace Ellis Taft The Carteret 425 Central Avenue Orange, New Jersey
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that there seems to be some confusion in regard to the records of the Taft family and in which you state that you have received the record of Ebenezer Taft, W.8776, which was furnished Mrs. Clara L. Weatherbee, on May 3, 1933, by this office. It is noted that you refer to another Ebenezer Taft of the Revolutionary War. The records of that war have been searched and the record of one other Ebenezer Taft has been found. His record is given below as found in the pension claim, W.19426. It is hoped that this will aid you in your research.
The date, place of birth and the names of the parents of Ebenezer Taft are not shown in the papers on file in the pension claim.
While residing in Mendon, Massachusetts, he enlisted in April, 1775, and served eight months as a private in Captain Andrew Peters' Company, Colonel Joseph Read's Massachusetts Regiment; he enlisted January 1, 1776, and served one year in same company and regiment; and again enlisted about August 1, 1778, served six weeks in Captain Thomas Marshall Baker's Company, Colonel Haws' Massachusetts Regiment, was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition and in the battle on Rhode Island.
He was allowed pension on his application executed June 22, 1819, at which time he was aged sixty-one years and resided in Mendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
He died October 3, 1836, in said Mendon.
The soldier married the last Sunday in May, 1779, Miss Mary or Molly Hayward. Both were then of Mendon, Massachusetts, where they
Soldier in Mass Book Vol 15 page 357
All officers in Mass A & S.

were married. The intention of marriage of Ebenezer Taft and Miss Molly Hayward was dated March 13, 1779, and was recorded on the records of the town clerk of Mendon, Massachusetts. The date, place of birth and the names of her parents are not shown.
Soldier's widow, Molly, was allowed pension on her application executed September 11, 1838, at which time she was aged seventy-seven years and resided in Mendon, Massachusetts.
She died August 15, 1848, at Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
The following children survived her: Leonard Taft, Ellis Taft, Millens Taft, Polly Hayward; Sally Benson, and Phila Staples. The names of no other children appear.
In 1818, one Bezaleel Taft, Junior, was a Justice of the Peace for Worcester County, Massachusetts: in 1819, one Enos Taft was aged seventy-six years and resided in Mendon, Massachusetts: in 1838, one Stephen Taft was town clerk of Mendon, Massachusetts: in 1848, the name Leonard A. Taft appears: no relationship of any of the above named persons with surname Taft to the soldier and his wife was shown.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Official business. } 3
4002 class
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

Probate Office, Worcester, Mass., Aug. 14, 1849.
James L. Edwards, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir,
I have
the honor to enclose to you the Declaration of the widow of Mary Saft, for purpose of obtaining the Pension to which she would have received had she lived. The Declaration was filled by Mr. Dufresne, Pension Clerk at Boston. The Certificate will you please forward to me.
Respectfully, your Obedt Servt. Geo. M. Prentiss,

Massachusetts 4222
Molly Taft widow of Ebenzer Taft who was a Private in the Massachusetts line for 21 mo. 12 days.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of seventy one Dollars thirty Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the twelfth day of January 1844 and sent to C. G. Prentiss Plymouth Massachusetts
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 55

24-9 Massachusetts
Molly Taft-
widow of
Ebenezer Taft, Decd. who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832 and who died on the 3 d October 1836 of Worcester in the State of Mass:— who was a private in the Company—commanded by Captain Peters—of the Regt—commanded by Col: Reed in the Mass:— line for 21 months & 12 days private
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts— at the rate of 71 Dollars 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. At the: October, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of April 1839 and sent to G. G. Prentiss, Worcester Mass:—
Arrears to the 4th of March 1839 $172.31 Semi-annual allowance ending 35.65
$207.96
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by Book A
M c Stewart Clerk, Vol. — 1 — Page 136 —

Filed at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 Sept 1836 to 3 Oct 1836 the day of his death. Agt Notis - filed 15 th June 1839.

2.439.
Massachusetts
Molly Taft
widow of Ebenezer Taft
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 3 rd October 1836. of Worcester Co in the State of Mass. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Peters of the Reg t commanded by Col Read in the Mass. line for 21. Vols. 12 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 7 1 / 2 Dollars 30. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836 ending 4 th Oct 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of March 1843. and sent to Eliza Clark, Brighton, Mass.
Arrears to the 4 th of Semi-annual allowance ending
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by H. J. Evans. Clerk, Book 2. Vol. 1. Page 136.

Reparted
A new Certificate was issued in this case under the opinion of the Attorney General of the 5 th Sep 1842, which was given in consequence of the Resolution of Congress of the 16. Aug 1842.

44.641 Massachusetts.
Abenezer Taft
of Mendon in the state of Mass s who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Read of the N Hampshire line, for the term of 1 year.
Inscribed on the roll of Massachusetts. at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 22 d of June 1819.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st of Sept 1819 and sent to Colonel Strong Esq. Merces, 1819.
Arrears to 4th of September 1819 - $19.26 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 6 March 1820 48.00
Due 13/30.
Net 67.26
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
R a

Eben. Fast Mass. June 7. '37 when paid 2 / 1 p st to 4 days 1836
LH
AHS

Molly Taft, dec d Adm o Act 2 Feb '48 at $71.30 per annum ending Augt 15, 1848, payable to Leonard Taft, Ellis Taft, Millers Taft, Solly Hayward Sally Benson & Nula Staples, only surviving children (died 15, Augt. 1848.)
Geo. M. Prentiss Worcester, Mass.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss. Worcester COUNTY, }
On this Seventh day of August 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, Leonard Taft  Ellis Taft  Millers Taft , Polly Hayward  Sally Benson & Phila Staples only surviving children of Mary Taft who was  was a resident of Blackstone in the county of Worcester aforesaid aged at time of her death about 87 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she was the widow of Ebenezer Taft who was a resident of Mendon part of which is now Blackstone and who was a private in the War of the Revolution and was the identical person who drew a pension
under the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late husband aforesaid, at the rate of seventy one dollars and thirty cents per annum.
They She further declares that she was still a widow until the day of her death which took place the 15th August 1848
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, In presence of
Before me, Jeruel Benson
Leonard Taft Ellis Taft Millers Taft Polly Hayward Sally Benson Phila Staples
James M. Howland Eliza Hayward Leonard Taft
Jeruel Benson Justice of the peace
* Certify, That the said Mary Taft was  declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner, as she declared above.
Jeruel Benson Justice of the Peace.

Molly Taft Mass.
act 7. July 38. Apr. 30 from March 36 to 3 Oct. 36
Elijah Clark Brighton Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss.
On this eighteenth day of January, eighteen hundred and forty three, Personally appeared before me David Benson a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Worcester, Molly Taft, a resident of Mendon in said County, eighty one years of age, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the amount of pension which she claims from the fourth of March 1836, to the fourteenth day of October A.D. 1836, from which period she has been already paid, under the act of the seventh of July 1838, and the declarant further alleges that she is still the widow of Ebenezer Taft who was a private in the Revolutionary War, that her pension was allowed at the rate of seventy one dollars, and thirty cents per annum, and was paid to her at the agency at Boston in the State of Massachusetts, and for the sum of one hundred and twenty five dollars.
Molly her Taft Mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written. Before me, David Benson Justice of the Peace. Waverly Feb 18th A.D. 1843 I hereby certify that Molly Taft who has signed and made oath by her mark is well known to me to be the widow of Ebenezer Taft of Mendon deceased, and that she has received formerly a pension from the United States.
David Benson, Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary's Office January 23 d 1843.
I hereby certify that at the date of the within attestation, Jared Branson was a justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester.
Witness the Seal of the State
Jno A Dole
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Molly Swift ██████████
Ag 1.30
4222
55-
G. E. French Plymouth Mass.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss. On this Fourteenth day of September A. D. 184 3 personally appeared before the subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for the County of Worcester, Molly Taft — a resident of Mendon — in said County, 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 benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3d of March, 1843, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.
That she is the widow of Ebenezer Taft who was a private soldier in the army of the Revolution, and who was a pensioner of the United States; to whose declaration filed in War Office, I would hereby refer for his services — I would also refer to my own declaration made previous to my obtaining my former pension
and that she received a pension under the act of July 7, 1838, of $ 71.30 3/4 per annum. She further declares that she is still a Widow. her Molly Taft
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me; — and I certify that the said Molly Taft — is personally known to me.
Warren Rawson Justice of the Peace.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
WORCESTER, ss.
I, CHARLES G. PRENTISS, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify that Warner Rawson is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature to the foregoing certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, this twenty first day of September one thousand eight hundred and forty- three .
Chas. G. Prentiss Register.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss.
I, JOSEPH G. KENDALL, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, That Warren Rawson, Esquire,
is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified ; and that his signature to the certificate, on the deposition of  Declaration of Molly
raft, hereunto annexed, is genuine, and the said Rawson was such Justice, on the fourteenth day of September last.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said County, this sixth day of December, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three.
J. G. Kendall Clerk

Molly Dafft 2305 Wid of Eben. Mass Oct 24 th 1838 Munroe 1779 died Oct 2. 1836 Allens & 71 30 per ann per Cent 8 o 1836.
E. G. G. G. Worcester Mass

I Jared Benson of Mendon in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age, depose and say that I was well acquainted with the late Ebenezer Taft of said Mendon deceased. He was a Revolutionary Pensioner. He died October 3 rd 1836. I was present when he died - I am also well acquainted with his Widow Molly Taft; she is still alive, and is still his Widow - I have seen her to day. I have known Mr Taft & his Wife for forty years; they always lived & cohabited together, since I can remember, as Husband & Wife, have been reputed as such, by their Neighbours & acquaintances.
Jared Benson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts ss. Sept. 11. 1838 Then personally appeared Sarah Warren who is known to me as a man of truth, and made oath, that the above deposition is true.
Before me Jno. Badger of Public Notary Public

I believe Warren of Mendon in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts will do as you and say that I have known Ebenezer Tift and his widow Molly Tift for forty years. No one in my family can give evidence their being husband and wife. They were as respectable people as any I have in Mendon. He died about two years ago, and the said Molly Tift still remains as his widow and has never been married since his death. She has filed with the Judge of Probate of said County satisfactory evidence of her being the widow of said Ebenezer Tift, and an official certificate of that fact has been made and she seeks a commission of dower to send to Boston for the administration of her dower due her upon the death of her said husband. She is a person of unimpeachable truth.
Warren Rawson
herewith is a communication of this matter to you, and I certify that said Warren is well known to me as a man of integrity and means of truth. See the certificate of Probate for more evidence of facts.

Molly Taft
1818
Molly Taft

I Artemas Thayer of Mendon in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy years depose and say; that I was well acquainted with the late Ebenezer Taft of said Mendon deceased, and also with his Wife, Molly Taft, formerly Molly Hayward, who is now alive and is the Widow of the said Ebenezer. I was not present at their marriage, but the said Molly lived at my father's for a long before that period, and I remember, when I was a Boy, that said Taft frequently visited her, at my father's, previous to their marriage. They soon went to keeping House together, and I have known them living with each other, ever since till he died, as Husband & Wife, and have had a large family which they have brought up. The said Ebenezer & Molly have always been reputed, by their neighbours & Townsmen, as Husband and Wife. I was present at the funeral of the said Ebenezer Taft, and acted as one of the Bearers. He died October 1836, and I understood he was a Revolutionary Pensioner, at the time of his death. His said Wife, Molly, still remains his Widow.
Artemas Thayer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Spts. Sept. 11. 1838. Same to be given me, and I certify that said deposition is a true copy of truth for Ballou Esq. of Palota for said County

I Elijah Thayer of Mendon in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy years, do hereby and say, that I was acquainted with the late Ebenezer Taft of said Mendon, deceased; and also, with his Wife Molly Taft, formerly Molly Hayward - They have always lived together, since I was a Boy, as Husband and Wife, and been always reputed as such, by their Neighbours & Townsmen, and have had a numerous family - said Taft died about two years ago, and his said Wife Molly still remains his Widow - He was, as I understood, a Revolutionary prisoner, at the time of his Release - Forty nine years ago, I lived in their family as a hired man, and can say, they exhibited exemplary lives in their family & among their Neighbours -
Elijah Thayer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss. Sept. 11. 1838 I do hereby certify that the above Elizabeth Thayer is a man of truth
In Boston July 1. of 1838 before me a Notary

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
May 9 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of Ebenezer Taft, dec d , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Seventy one Dollars and thirty — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept., 1836, to the 3 rd October, 1836, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
J. Seaman acting Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

I Enos Taft of Mendon in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of the age of seventy six years, do testify and on oath declare, that Ebenezer Taft of said Mendon on the last of April A.D. 1775 enlisted in the company command- ed by Capt Andrew Peters in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Read in the Continental line of the Revolutionary Army and served out his term of enlistment with the main Army at Roxbury near Boston in this State, and was discharged about the first day of January A.D. 1776.
He again enlisted under the same Captain and Colonel in the Continental line and served for one year from the first day of January A.D. 1776 with the main Army near Boston and after in the vicinity of the City of New- York and was discharged at PEEKSKILL ON Hudson river on the last of Dec r A.D. 1776.
I enlisted and served for the same term of time, and we served in the same company & were discharged together. We then belonged to the same town & have since resided in the same town -
And further the Deponent saith not. Enos Taft
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester p: Mendon Aug t 28 th 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Enos Taft and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed - And I certify that the said Enos Taft is a man of un- doubted veracity & a credible witness Wm G. Hastings Justice of the Peace

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818,
Ebenezer Dift
late a private
in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the twenty second day of June one thousand eight hundred and Ninety .
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 28. day of Sept. one thousand eight hundred and Ninety .
J C Calhoun
Secretary of War.

Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of March next, in Boston , at the U. S. Branch Bk.
Recorded

I Samuel Warfield of Milford in the county of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say, that in the year 1778 I served a term of service of six weeks in Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Hawes, in the company commanded by Capt. Thomas Marshall Baker; it was a Regiment of Massachusetts militia - our Regiment was in an engagement, or skirmish with the enemy in which said Capt. Baker was wounded in the shoulder. I am well acquainted with Ebenezer Taft, who then and now resides in Mendon in said County; said Taft served in said six weeks service, and I think he was in said skirmish; we entered upon the latter part of July, or beginning of August of that year, and were discharged in September following. Gen. Sullivan commanded the Troops - said Taft served during the whole term of said six weeks, as I remember he marched down & returned in our company -
Samuel Warfield
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester ss. August 20 th 1832 - Personally appeared the above named Samuel Warfield, and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition, by him subscribed - I further certify that I have long been well acquainted with said Warfield, and that he is a person of truth and veracity and a credible witness - Attest - Warrenne Rawson Justice of the Peace for said County of Worcester -

I Gideon Leavitt of Mendon in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Yeoman of lawful age do testify & say that Ebenezer Taft of Mendon in said County of Worcester yeoman was a soldier with me in the war of the Revolution in the company commanded by Capt Andrew Piter, in Col Joseph Read's Regiment, in the Massachusetts line, during the years seven, in the year of our Lord Eighteen  Seventeen Hundred & Seventy Six — Gideon Leavitt
Worcester 6 May 7 th 1810
Personally appeared Gideon Leavitt above named personally known to me & entitled to full credit and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me Benjamin Taft Justice of Peace

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24 May 1933.
In Re:- BA- J/EEL Ebenezer Taft - W.19426
Mr.A. D. Hiller, Asst.to Administrator, Veterans Administration, Washington,D.C.
Dear Mr. Hiller:-
Your letter of May 20,1933 is received,and I wish to thank you for its valued contents.
Through my efforts from June,1930,I have copied the records from all Taft sources,including the Taft Book mss., till I have this nearly 6,000 names of Tafts; also,this is by my own expense,as well as the English records,that I am paying for,hoping still to publish a worthy Book.Whether this is ever achieved or not, I am very grateful to you,for sending, "free for nothing",the valuable records of Mr. Ebenezer (5)Taft (Ebenezer-4,Robert-3-2-1). If I ever get to the point,of paying extra for past services,I shall be glad to send that dollar in,to the Veterans Administration.
This seems to settle his Revolutionary record nicely; though I still have the two extra 1777 records for him,which either are meant for the other Ebenezer(3)Taft(Robert-2, Matthew-1),or must be from some book. Many records in print are wrong,as to genealogy at least. The marriage date,too,is a few days different from mine,as to the intention,and I did not have the actual marriage date before with Miss Mary Hayward.The other Taft data are appreciated,though two are of different lines.
Thanking you,
Very Sincerely yours, (Miss) Grace E. Taft

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16 May 1933.
Veterans Administration Mr. A.D.Hiller, Asst. to Administrator, Washington, D.C,
Sir:-
RE-BA- J/EEL
Ebenezer Taft-W.8776
Letter to Mrs. Clara L.
/Weatherbee, May 3, 1933
Since I have been undertaking to go over Taft Book mss. since 1930 and later years, I have had hundreds of correspondents, some of them very good in sharing their old records with me, and some have even looked over those they could not send, and many have been copyists in assisting, all have been good where they could in answering. The few left have usually moved away, etc. Mrs. Weatherbee, one of my most faithful correspondents, has again kindly loaned me your letter and sent me information.
Now, I have a peculiar problem. This old Taft Book mss. has many errors, the records from which it was supposedly copied were lost by the copyers, so I have no authorities; and I have had a pile of reading to do; even one correspondent in England, sent me for cash, the name of one lost authority, a book published in England, and rather rare.
I cannot afford to pay one dollar for every record, so I am going on the theory that published records, like the "Mass. Soldiers and Sailors," and others, are correct. However, I found this:-
In old "Taft Book mss":- For, - Ebenezer (3) (Robert-2, Matthew /-1); Ebenezer Taft, born 28 April 1751, d. 2 Feb. 1840 Townshend, Vt.; married twice; /Upton, Mass./ m. (1) Susanna (Fish) Tyler, of course not in your records; m. (2) Mary Eldridge, 1826. Children. He served Conway, Capt. Robert Oliver's co., Col. Ephraim Doolittle's regt., service 2 mos. 3 days, paid June 27, 1775; also, Private, same co. and regt.

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enlisted May 1, 1775, discharged Aug. 1, 1775, service 3 mos./company to Charleston; Oct. 26, 1775 Matross(?) (Your letter gives "bombadier") in Capt. Joseph Chadwick's co., Col. Richard Gridley's (artillery) regt.; Fort No. 3, Charleston (near Boston), Sept. 30, 1775; s order for bounty, Fort No. 3, Nov. 21, 1775; Aug. 1, 1775, 26 days from July 6, 1775; private, from Upton, Capt. March Chase's co., Col. N. Sparhawk's regt., Oct. 7 to Dec. 12, 1778.
My query in the "Boston Evening Transcript" was, How could this all be one Man?
The other part of it, is:-
In old Taft Book mss. (1912):-
Ebenezer Taft (Ebenezer-4, Robert-3-2-1); born Dec. 17, 1759 at Mendon, Mass.; died, Oct. 3, 1836 at Mendon; married March 19, 1779, Mary daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Thayer) Howard; b. 1760, d. 1848. Children. He served several times:- Mendon, private, Capt. Andrew Patrick Isaac Peters' co. Col. Joseph Read's (20th) regt., Ap. 29, to Aug. 1, 1775; co. return, Roxbury, Sept. 25, 1775; Private, Capt. Isaac Martin's co., Col. Joseph (Josiah) Whitney's regt.; 4 May to July 4 or 9, 1777, under Maj. Gen. Spencer at R.I.; Capt. Peter Penniman's co., Col. Job. Cushing's regt. 17 Aug. to Nov. 29, 1777; (I wonder if this is your record, of Captain Nelson's co., Colonel Whitney's Mass. regt.)
No 1776 records at all;
Capt. Thomas Marshall Baker's co., Col. Benj. Hawes's regt., 2 Aug. to Sept. 12, 1778; roll dated Upton, Mass.; (I bought a postal-guide to get my states straight, as it is hard sometimes, with mixed records) private Capt. Benjamin Read's co., com. by Lieut. John Benson; Col. N. Tyler's (Worcester county) regt. July 28 to Aug. 1, 1780.
I hope that one is right, but cannot pay your Bureau for this

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information. There is a peculiar problem, here, too; and it seems to me curious that the worthy late Judge R.S. Taft of Vermont,
The father of this Ebenezer Taft (5), is Ebenezer Taft (4) according to the Taft Book ms., and the letters from several descendants. But the statement is made:- Ebenezer Taft (4), born Dec. 8, 1735 was the son of Robert Taft (3) (Robert, 2-1); and Mary Chapin, he d. somewhere probably in Northbridge, Mass., after 1809, when he was last heard of there; he married as stated (1) Bethiah Fletcher, who continued to live in Mendon, is buried in the Chestnut Hill church cemetery, died on April 4th, 1816, in the 81st year of her age. She is said to have been the mother of Ebenezer Taft (5) in 1759; is so reported; and yet though the son had the full name, she herself is not reported as taking the name. In another source, the "Live-Forevers" are reported having murdered a Mr. Fletcher, after his wife had criticized them, or he was found slain by the side of the road; they had some ceremony of marriage, which might not have been accepted, but which was some factor in this church. I cannot get these facts put together more than this; no proof. Yet I am supposed to accept Ebenezer Taft (5), a perfectly good New England farmer, who supported his mother, Bethiah Fletcher, as told by their descendants, all her life; he was the one who served in the Revolution also. His father Ebenezer Taft (4) (Robert-3-2-1) married (2) Lydia (Taft) Taft, his cousin, whose husband Major Josiah Taft (of Daniel-2 Taft line), died born May 10, 1733 at Uxbridge, Mass., died on Aug. 18, 1761; m. June 11, 1758 his cousin Lydia Taft (4), daughter of Thomas Taft (2). They had two children, Eunice, and Josiah; b. in 1756, and 1758. She She then, made 1762 this second marriage, to "Captain" Ebenezer Taft (4) (Robert-3-2-1); and had two more children, Marvel, b. in 1763, and Lydia, b. 1766. At her passing, also Lydia (Taft) Taft Taft, was called "Widow of Captain Ebenezer Taft", d. Jan. 29, 1829, Northbridge, Mass.
I cannot trace a Northbridge record of "Capt." Ebenezer Taft of Revolutionary date, b. 1759 1735; could not be earlier. Some say, when 1735;

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They were good enough NOT to reply, to that part, (I told Chief-Justice Melville) (in 1891 or 2) (H.H.Fuller, 1st)- even in Mr. Hoover's administration, Jan. 1931.
have money enough (I just hope Mr. Roosevelt will allow our Orange National Bank, to resume, for we are some of the people who are just now suffering for lack of cash; and I suppose "Hohenzollern" who even invaded the "Genealogy" columns of the "Boston Evening Transcript" must be in it, somewhere; and it seems to me "house of Orange", is some wrong word used in it, also, causing great mental pain, and apparently illness to a policeman Mr. Schotte, who recently died, by shock Nov. 1, 1932, and to whom I had told one or two thinks of this line).
Thank you for letting me write you, though possibly I might need an answer; yet I do not know. You could not tell me, unless the record of "Captain" Ebenezer Taft (4) (Robert-3-2-1) was kept; and I should think Lydia would have had a pension.
There are two Ebenezers reported died young; one other Ebenezer disappeared; and a series of three Ebenezers were too young; besides this supposedly wandering "Captain" Ebenezer. There are two "Captain" Roberts, supposedly mixed up, but one is a Captain in the Revolution; the other one in New York state, by Gov. DeWitt Clinton, the appointment papers lost, just after the Revolution.
Pardon this rather long disquisition, on one subject, but it is a puzzle. As I wrote to the B.E. Transcript, and Mrs. Weatherbee sent me your letter, I thought I might venture to write to you.
Sincerely yours, (Miss) Grace Ellis Taft
P.S. Merely for identification, and NOT for any reply, I might say, in writing the War Dept. or Bureau of Veterans, I mentioned my 1918 letter -s to President Wilson, also other reports since, up to January, 1931, when I wrote last postscript, and to various relatives, some of whom, were or, are in the War Dept. I merely keep track of my own data on the subject. The whole complete report, I did not send after 1920, to Gen. Pershing, because he was ill; but I have kept track of it. Psychology being a danger to life.

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16 June 1933.
Mr. A. J. Hiller, Assistant to Administrator, Veterans' Administration, Washington, D. C.
48251
Dear Sir:-
Thanking you, please find I have enclosed one m. c. dollar in return, for information recently sent me, on the subject of Taft Genealogy.
Sincerely yours,
(Miss) Grace E. Taft.
enc L

1933-May 20-Visit to Miss Grace E. Taft, E.E. 1933-July 11- Miss Grace E. Taft add- no charge for hist. & dup. fees would be refunded - M.W.H.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19428
Molly Taft Widow of Ebenezer Taft Prim Rev. War.
Act: Febry 2 nd  1/48
Index:—Vol. M , Page 266
[Arrangement of 1870.]