Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30738, for Ebenezer Tomson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Tomson, Ebenezer or Thompson
S. 30738
CONTENTS

Dead Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 March to 4 Sep 1840. Age notified 13 th July 1841.
81
Plymouth
10.956- Massachusetts
Eleazer Thompson of Plymouth in the State of MASS who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Markburn of the Regt - commanded by Col Cushing in the Mass line for 10 months & 15 days This Certificate is issued in her name dated May 4, 1833 { Loan Account }
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 32 Dollars - 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of May 1833 and sent to Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4 th of March 1833 $105.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Sept r 26.25 $131.25
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. G. Dorman Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2 a Page 83

Ebenezer Thompson 8922
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, the in the matter of the application of the petition of the said for a petition to the Court of
person and that their statement is entitled to credit
also signed the same, is a resident in the town of and is a competent
and that
who has signed the foregoing certificate, is a resident in the town of the Court further certifies that it appears to them that

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this eight - day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Problems now sitting at Wadsworth within and for said County of Plymouth. Ebenezer Thompson a resident of Halifax in said County of Plymouth, and Common- wealth of Massachusetts, aged Twenty nine 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.
That in the year 1776 he enlisted in the company under command of Capt. Ebenezer Washburn, Elijah Bissell, Lieutenant, Esraill Loring, Ensign, belonging to Col. Cushing's Regiment for two months, and that he served said term of two months at New-port in the State of Rhode Island, and that he was a Sergeant in said company.
That he enlisted in the month of October in the year 1777 for five months, in Capt. Ebenezer Washburn's company, Richard Cooper 1 st Lt. Stephen Church. 1 st Lt. and that he served said term of five months at Cambridge in the State of Massachusetts in guard of Burgoyne's troops, being Sergeant of a company the company entered camp the 2 day of November and was discharged 2 d April of the ensuing year.
That previous to the service last named, viz, in the winter of 1776 he enlisted, or was drafted (he cannot state with certainty which), in a company under command of Lieutenant Judah Wood - this was what was called

The Bristol Alarm - and that he served in said company for the term of Two weeks at Warren in the State of Rhode Island.
That in August 1780 he enlisted in a company under command of Captain Jesse Sturtevant, Nehemiah Cobb 1 st Lieut. and Job Weston 2 d Lt. for the term of three months - and that he served said three months in said company at Butts Hill and Bristol Ferry. said company belonged to Col. Jacob's Regiment. and that he was a Sergeant in said company.
That the Declarant served the full period of ten and a half months in the above several enlistments, and that he never had any written discharge. That he was born in Halifax and has always lived in that Town, and the record of his birth is on the town Books of said Town. That he is known to the inhabitants generally of that Town, and especially to Lehe- diah Thornton and Obadiah Lyon Esqrs of that Town, and there is no settled clergyman in Halifax.
Ebenezer Thompson,
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Attest Jacob H. Lord Register

We, Lebadih Thomson  a clergyman , residing in the town of Halifax and Zabed P. Thomson residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with Ebenezer Thomson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy nine 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. Zebadiah Thomson
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Zabed 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 Zebadiah Thomson Esq. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman  Magistrate resident in the town of Halifax and that Capt. Zabed P. Thomson who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, 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 Ebenezer Thompson for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth " 3 day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Jacob H. Lord

Benjamin Thomson was born October 18 th 1753
A true copy of Record as taken from the Town Book of Halifax this 6 th day of August 1832.
Attest Lock Thomson Town Clerk of Halifax
1832 1753 79

Ebenezer Thompson
Private
10 Mo 14 days
Sergeant 10 mo 4/15 days
$34.88.
8922
J H Lord Esq Plymouth Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Ebenezer Thompson  County of Plymouth  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? 79  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 1776 2 Private Gen. Washington Col. Greenleaf   1777 5 " Col. Washburn   1776 14 " Lt. Wood   1780 3 " Col. Sturtevant  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wallis Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional - living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor 3
Examining Clerk.

FREE
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington D. C.

J. L. Edwards Esq. Plymouth May 15. 1833 Sir
Ebenezer Thomson claimed a pension as a Sergeant and his certificate is as a Private . Will you examine the Papers and see if there is not an error in this particular. And you will oblige him &
Your ob t Servant
Jacob H d Lord

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss.
July 31 st 1832 Then Personally appeared the within named Holmes Leavitt before the subscriber and made oath that the within Deposition by him subscribed is true I believe said Leavitt to be a credible witness
Jonathan Parker Juror of the house
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Jonathan Parker Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for said County & that I believe his name subscribed to the several certificates on the Depo- sitions by me annexed together are his true & genuine signa- tures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of said Court this eighth day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Jacob H. Lord
Holmes Leavitt for Ellen Leavitt

I Holmes Sear of Halifax in the County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts of the age of seventy five years testify and say that I was a soldier in the war of the American Revolution and was ordered out at an alarm called the Bristol alarm returned at Warren in the State of Rhode Island in 1776 and was there three weeks I further testify and say that Ebenezer Shambaugh of Halifax was at Warren the same time of three weeks under Lieut Judah Wood of Halifax commander said Joseph Wood resides in Halifax and always resided there  Holmes Sear

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss. July 30th 1882 then Personally appeared the Within Named Judah Hood before the Subscriber and Made oath that the within Declaration by him subscribed is true So I Believe is a Credible witness
Jonathan Parkes Justice of the peace
Judah wood for his own business

I Judith Wood of Halifax in the County of Plymouth State - Massachusetts of the age of Seventy one years testify and say I was in the War of the American Revolution and in the year 1780 was at Rhode Island three Months in Col. A. J. Perry's Connecticut Light Artillery Battery. Colonel Jacob's Regiment Stationed at Bunker Hill and Bristol Ferry. I Further testify and declare that I knew Ebenezer Thompson of Halifax who was in said Connecticut Battery and a Sergeant of said Battery and continued the same time of three Months which was the time of Enlistment and always have known said Ebenezer since and has resided in Halifax
Judith Wood.

Plymouth County ss.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
July 30th 1832 then personally appeared the within named Jonathan Nye before the subscriber and made oath that the the within deposition by him subscribed is true I further certify said Nye is a man to be believed
Jonathan Parker Justice of the Peace

I Jonathan Nye of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts of the age of eighty seven testify and say that I was a Soldier in the war of the American Revolution in the year 1776 at Rhode Island two Months Stationed at Newport in Capt. Washburn's Company and Col. Cushing's Regiment. I Further testify and say I knew Ebenezer Thompson of Halifax who was in said Washburn's Company and was a sergeant of said Company - and served the term of two months which was the time of enlistment. I have known said Thompson and has Resided in Halifax to the present time.
Jonathan Nye

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County, ss.
July 31 st 1832 then personally appeared the Witness named Holmes Leeds before the Subscribers and made oath that the within Deposition by him subscribed is true I believe said Leeds to be a credible witness
Jonathan Parker Justice of the peace
Holmes Leeds To: Eben Danson

I Holmerson of Halifax in the County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts of the age of Seventy five years testify and say that I was a Soldier in the war of American Revolution and was at Cambridge Fide North in the year 1777 & 78 in Colt Benzer North Carolina Company under Col. Brooks Regiment I Further testify and say I knew Benzer Thompson of Halifax who was a Sergeant in said North Carolina Company for the same term of time of Fide North and I have always known said Thompson and his kindred in Halifax to the present time.
July 30 - 1832
Holmserson Secures

Payments to be made at Boston Mass by the Payn & B Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Mass.
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book R. Vol. 2 Page 83, by J H McBlain Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Ebenezer Thompson of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution, is entitled to receive Thirty Four dollars and Eighty eight cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Ninth day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.
Levi Woodbury
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Thompson which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy 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? yy 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? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy 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? yy

 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 ?  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? yy  Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yy    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 ? yy  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ? yy  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ? yy 
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.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 23 d 1841.
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 child of Ebenezer Thompson, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Fifty two Dollars and 50 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 4 th Sept. 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William L. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

10.956.
Massachusetts
Ebenezer Thompson of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by Col [blank] in the [blank] line for 10 mo (31 Days)
Inscribed on the Roll of [blank] at the rate of 321 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of May 1833 and sent J H [blank] Found Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $69.76 Semi-ant. allowance ending 21 Sep " 17.44 $87.20
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H N Blair Clerk, Book No. Vol. 2, Page 83,

30738 Rev  INVALID.
File No. 30,738
Ebenezer Thompson Seiz Rec Mar
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 31
[Arrangement of 1870.]