Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6248, for Ephraim Tilson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Wilson, Ephraim
S. 6248.
Warded.
CONTENTS

74 Phms
15490 Massachusetts
Ephraim Tison of Waltham in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Webb of the Regt commanded by Col Cushing in the Mass line for 9 Months
Mrs
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 30 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of June 1833 and sent to South Plymouth, Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835 $ 60.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep 1834 15.00
$75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. Addison Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 2 Page 84

7802
Ephraim Tolson
Plot 9 Mrs
1406
March 20 1835
P. 303
J. B. Lord
Plymouth
(Mass.)

BRIEF in the case of Ephraim TILSON (Tilson) of Halifax County in the State of Mass. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy two years  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.     In 1780 6 As a Gen. Capt Geo Webb.   until 1776 fall 2 Capt Turner (Col Cushing)   in 1777 or 1778 1 do Col Collins  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Pembroke.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 4 collagists. J. P. Thompson, Collyb. trading evidence? Ebenezer Thompson privy 2 info in 1776. James Tilton privy 6 info in 1780 from May or June.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. A. N. H. Examining Clerk.

Ephraim Tillson 1812
Whereas, the within copy of the foregoing application is a true copy of the original now on file in the office of the Secretary of the Navy, and the same is hereby certified to be a true copy of the original now on file in the office of the Secretary of the Navy. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 10th day of March, 1812. Ephraim Tillson Secretary of the Navy

No 75
REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this seventh — day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Pleas now sitting at Middlebury within and for said County of Plymouth, Ephraim Fison a resident of Halifax in said County of Plymouth, and Common- wealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy two 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, 1832. He hereby relinquish- es 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. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
I enlisted into the Army in the year 1780 & then lived in Pembroke in said County, where thirty men were raised, & marched to Springfield, and there we passed muster, & then went to West Point & then to Robison's farms along the River, we joined the Regiment & went into Capt. George Webb's Compa- ny, & stayed there a week or two, I was drafted into the Right Infantry & marched to King's Ferry & passed over the Jersey side, & were there all summer I served six months, & was discharged, but not in writing we were discharged at West Point —
Also in the fall of the year seven hundred & seventy six I enlisted into a Company commanded by Capt. James, for two months to serve in Rhode Island, and we did serve the full time, at first in New Bedford

on the Island & afterwards at Howland & Pung - Col. Cushing commanded the Regiment & I belonged - King Lapham was a Lieutenant in the Company
Also I was also in the service one month more in the State of Rhode Island, either in the year 1777 or 1778 - under the same Col. Turner & same Lieutenant Sir Col. Letter's Regiment - I enlisted for a month & served the full time & was discharged. We went to Howland's Pung & afterwards were stationed a mile or two below that place, in Truro - Ephraim Tabor
I was born in Halifax forward but at the several times in which I entered the service of the State I lived in Pembroke but now reside in Halifax forward
That my name is not on the pension Roll of any agency of any state - have never received a pension - hereby renounce all claim to a pension except the pension
Ephraim Tabor
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Attest Jacob H. Lord, Register,

We, Lebadiah Thomson Esquire  a Magistrate  a clergyman , residing in the town of Halifax and Jabez P. Thomson Esq residing in the Same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Ephraim Tilton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion. Lebadiah Thomson Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Jabez P. Thomson
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Lebadiah Thomson who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Magistrate  clergyman , resident in the town of Halifax and that Jabez P. Thomson who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Same town and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court, Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
I, Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ephraim Tilton for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two . Jacob H. Lord

Revolutionary Pensions.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth, ss.
On this eighth day of May 1833, personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within & for the said County of Plymouth, Ephraim Tillson, a resident of Halifax in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy two years, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on his oath, make the following amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
I enlisted into the army of the Revolution, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty. I then resided in the town of Pembroke in the county of Plymouth. At the time I enlisted, thirty men were called for & raised, and marched according to my recollection, in the month of May or June to Springfield, Massachusetts. The term of my enlistment was six months. We passed muster at said Springfield, & marched from thence to West Point in the state of New York, & then to Robinson's farms across the River, we joined the Regiment & went into Capt George Webb's company & there a week or two, & I was then draughted or picked out, as understood, by Baron Steuben, for the light infantry: we marched to King's ferry & passed over the Jersey side, & were on that side of the river all the residue of my term of enlistment; I served the full term of six months & was discharged at West Point, honorably, but had no discharge in writing, to my recollection: If I had, I soon afterwards lost it. Also in the fall of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, I enlisted into a company commanded by Capt John Turner, to serve two months in the State of Rhode Island, & did there the full term of two months in said Turner's company, at first in Newport on the Island, & afterwards at Howlands ferry. Col Cushing commanded the Regiment to which said company belonged, also King Lapham was a Lieutenant of the company. Also I served one month more in the Revolutionary army, either in the year 1777 or 1778, but by reason of my age & infirmity I cannot recollect the year. This month I served in the State of Rhode Island, when the British were on the Island. I enlisted for this last month into the company commanded by the same John Turner. I then lived in said Town

of Pembroke & the company was raised partly in said town of Pembroke & partly in the adjoining town of Marshfield, in the same county. The same Lieutenant, to wit King Lapham, was Lieutenant in this last service & the name of the ensign I have forgotten.
I was born in the year seventeen hundred & sixty, the twenty third day of May, in the town of Halifax, in the county of Plymouth aforesaid. My Parents informed me of this, & I find my birth on the records of the town of Halifax, agree therewith. When I was very young, so young that I can but just recollect it, my parents moved to said town of Pembroke & I with them, I lived in Pembroke at each and all the respective times & times of my enlistment aforesaid. At about the age of twenty two I went again to reside in said Halifax, & have lived there ever since. Halifax & Pembroke were adjoining towns. My name has never been on the pension roll of any agency of any state, & I have never received any pension, I further say that I am well known to Debadiah Thompson Esquire, & Ebenezer Thompson of said Halifax, & also to Elbridge G. Hove my clergyman, who has been called & settled in said Halifax, since I gave in my former declaration.
Ephraim Gilson
Sworn & Subscribed by the above named Ephraim Gilson this eighth day of May one thousand eight hundred & thirtythree - before me
Lucarius Gove
Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H Lord Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Lech. Eddy Esq is a Justice of Peace in & for said County, & that I believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this fifteenth day of May A.D. 1833.
Jacob H Lord

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Tech. Eddy & Dexter C. Thomson Esq s are Justices of the Peace in & for said County & that the signatures to the annexed paper purporting to be theirs are true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this fifteenth day of May A.D. 1833
Jacob H. Lord

I Ebenezer Thompson, of Halifax in the County of Plymouth, being now in the eightieth year of my age, do testify & say that I have always known Ebenezer Tomson, of said Halifax, who has applied for a pension, that in the year 1776 I know of his being a soldier in the army of the Revolution & of his serving therein  two months in the State of Rhode Island - at first at Newport on the Island of Rhode Island & afterwards at Howland's Ferry - where in Capt. Turner's Company & Col. Cushing's Regiment - I was myself in the same service at the same time - I belonged to Capt. Washburn's Company & Col. Cushing's Regiment. Ebenezer Thompson,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Myndate 10 th April 7 th 1833 - Then the above named Ebenezer Thompson personally appeared before me the subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Plymouth & State of Massachusetts & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by him believed and I further certify that said Thompson is a man of veracity & a credible witness (Depts. C. Thompson Justice of the Peace

J. James Tilton, of Halifax in the County of Plymouth, being Twentyseven years of age, do testify & say that I am Brother to Ephraim Tilton of said Halifax, & we both united in Pembroke in said County in the year Seventeen Hundred and eighty, & we both enlisted that year, in the month of May or June & served six months in the Army of the Revolution; we went into different companies, but I had opportunity to see him & to know that he went on to New Point, & tho' at first in a different company, was draughted into the light infantry - Capt. George Wells was Captain. I remember he was at one time in Col. Shepard's Regiment. He was at New Point the full part of said six months there, & he was there at the time of my discharge, & we arrived home not many days from the same time.
J. James Tilton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Plymouth p. April 1833 Personally appeared the above named James Tilton & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. And I further certify that said James Tilton is a man of good reputation for truth & veracity & a credible witness Duraeus Eddy Justice of the Peace

We, Elbridge G. Howe, auryman, residing in Halifax in the County of Hants, and Zebadiah Thompson, & Jabez P. Thompson, residing in the same town, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Ephraim Tilton, of said Halifax, who has made application for a Pension under the late law of Congress, at a Court of Probate for said County of Hants, held the eighth day of August, one thou- sand eight hundred & thirtytwo, that we believe said Ephraim Tilton to be twenty two years of age; that he is respected & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Rev- olution, & we concur in that opinion.
Halifax May 7, 1833
Elbridge G. Howe.
Zebadiah Thompson Jabez P. Thompson
Then attf. May 7, 1833 - Personally appeared the above named Elbridge G. Howe Zebadiah Thompson & Jabez P. Thompson, & made oath to the truth of the above decla- rations by them subscribed; I further certify that they are credible witnesses. Capt. C. H. Hovey } Justice of the Peace

Plymouth J. Court of Probate at Middleborough May 7. 1833
It was made to appear to the satisfaction of said Court that Rev Elbridge G. Howe who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the town of Halifax & that James P. Thompson & Lebadiah Thompson the subscribers to the within certificate are also highly respectable citizens of said town & credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit
By the Court Attest J. H. Lord Register
Plymouth J. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that this is the original paper produced before said Court & that Dexter C. Morrison Esq. before whom the within affidavit was sworn is a Justice of the Peace for said County & that the within signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this fifteenth day of May A.D. 1833
Jacob H. Lord

I, Samuel Briggs, of Hampton in the County of Plymouth, Massachusetts, aged Sixty-nine years, do testify & say, that in the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty, I lived in the Town of Halifax in said County, & was acquainted at that time with Ephraim Tilton, then of Pembroke in said County, & now of said Halifax, & that in the month of June of that year I enlisted to serve in the Revolutionary war for the term of six Months, & did serve out the said term: we marched to Springfield in July of that year & then to Red-Point in the State of New York, & served part of the time in New York State & part of the time in the State of New Jersey: I served in Vose's Regiment. About the time of my enlistment, about the same month, said Ephraim Tilton enlisted & served in said Revolutionary war - He arrived at Springfield the day after  before 10 th day of July, 1780 - I saw him opposite West Point on the Highlands - He was in Col. Shepard's Regiment; he afterwards went into the light infantry - I saw him nearly every day till he went into the light infantry - & did not see him afterwards till we returned home.
I also further say that I was marching to a company being raised in the Towns of Mansfield & Pembroke & under the command of Capt. John Turner in the year 1776 to march to Red-Point, & that I saw said company when they marched & said Tilton

was a soldier in said Company & marched with them.
I also further say that I was acquainted with James Tilton, now off said Halifax, in the said year 1780: he then lived in said Pembroke with said Ephraim at their Hattus House. I saw said James Tilton in the time of my said Service; he was a soldier & had the care of some Ammunition Waggons. I think it was in the month of August 1780 when I saw him there. I did not see him afterwards till my return. I have always been acquainted with said Ephraim & James & am satisfied they both served five months each in the said year 1780 1780
Samuel Briggs
Hannover ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts April 20, 1833
Then the above named Samuel Briggs personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by him subscribed: I further certify that said Briggs is a man of good reputation for truth & veracity & a credible witness — by Zerariah Eddy Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H Lord Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth, do hereby certify that Lecha- riah Eddy Esq is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the foregoing signature pur- porting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & seal of office this fifteenth day of May A.D.
1833.
Jacob H. Lord

7802
Ephraim Tilden
J. H. Lord Esq. Weymouth Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ophraim Wilson 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? yes 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? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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? no
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? yes (for 8 mo/yr)
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? no
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which 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 shown 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.

Reuben
6248 INVALID.
File No. 6248 Ephraim Tilson Print PW War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. M , Page 373
[Arrangement of 1870.]