Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5654, for Richard Kent, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Kent, Richard
S. 5654
Carded
CONTENTS

2468
Massachusetts
Richard Kent
of Essex in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain  of the  by Col Gerrish in the  time for 13 (May)
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 45 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of Nov 1832 and Supt William Wort Newburyport Mass
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $ 64.99 Pension allowance ending 4 Mar 33 21.66 $ 86.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. C. Clerk Book D Vol. 2 Page 62
Deed
Paid at the Treasury under Act of the 11 th April 1838 from 4 March to 23 May 1839. age Notified 29 June 1840

Richard Kent
14051

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
State of Massachusetts: County of Essex ss.
On this nineteenth day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Solomon Strong, one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of Record.
Richard Tiert, a resident of Newbury, in the county of Essex, and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy years (one of the undersigned 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated:
He first enlisted November 1 st 1777 in the company commanded by Captain Gules Hunt in the regiment commanded by Colonel Jacob Green, Massachusetts line under General Heath, in which company he served until the 2 nd day of December 1778 - being Thirteen months - enlisted at said Newbury and served at Winter Hill near Boston, and was discharged at said Winter Hill had no written discharge - first first months of said term, he served as a substitute for one William Currier, who was wounded.
That soon after the passing of the Act of Congress of the 18 th March 1818 he made application to the Secretary of War for the benefit of the provisions of said Act, accompanied his application with evidence of his said service (under Certificate from General Danforth of Boston, White Bridge of Newbury for said service but the same were returned to him by reason of his not having served an Continental Establishment.
That he again made application for the benefit of said Act last mentioned of June 7th 1832, and his evidence was before the said Department.
That he was born in Newbury in the year - 1762 lived at Newbury at the time he voluntarily enlisted - first served as a substitute, is known to Silas Little and Samuel Newman Ely who to whom he refers for testimony, as to his character for veracity, and their belief in his revolutionary services, now resides in Newbury aforesaid, has always resided there - has a record of his birth in his family - and it is also on the town records - the said Silas Little and Samuel Newman Ely both reside in said Newbury.
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.
Richard Tiert
Sworn to and subscribed the 19 th day of September A.D. 1832
S. Strong J. G. G. R.

We, Reverend Leonard Withington a clergyman, residing in Newbury aforesaid, and Samuel Newman Esquire, a magistrate, residing in Newbury aforesaid, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Richard Kent, who has subscribed and sworn to the within declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age and upwards, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood, where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed and sworn to, before.
W m Woodhull Justice of the peace L Withington Sam d Newman
And the said court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment that the above-named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the said court further certifies that Rev d Leonard Withington, who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman, resident in said Newbury, and that the said Samuel Newman Esquire who has also signed the same is a magistrate, resident at said Newbury, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I John Prince Esq r Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, for the county of Essex, aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Richard Kent, for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, this nineteenth day of September, A D 1832.
John Prince Esq r Clerk

Richard Hunt Massachusetts
11057

BRIEF in the case of  Richard Kent  Mass  600 of Essex  in the State of  (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? 70  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.     Novem In 1794 enlisted 1. 1. Genl. Putnam Col. Gerish  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Newbury Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  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.
His papers are in the Department with a former Application made in June 1832.
George Payson
Examining Clerk.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 24 th , 1840.
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 Richard Beuk, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Forty Three Dollars and 33 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 23 rd May 1839, the day of his death.
Respectfully yours,
Edward B. Tassie Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

To Honorable Lewis

To Honorable Lewis Cass.
Secretary of War Washington.
FREE
Enfin. Office August 4 1832

Perkins
5654
INVALID.
File No. 5654
Richard Bents
Print BW War
Act: June 7 th 1837
Index:—Vol. M , Page 202
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Dunbar Hunt 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? 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? yes 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? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? 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.

Richard Kent. N o 4237
Private
Admitted
13 Months
$43.33
Gen Hoart Esq Newburyport Mass

BRIEF in the case of Richard Kent of the County of Essex in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he?  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 1777 Nov. 19 th to the 2 Dec r 1778 1 1 2 As a Private Gen. Col. Gervish, Capt. Kimball  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions -  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.
Levi B. Dyer Examining Clerk.

No 4237
Plan
To
Honorable Lewis Cass.
Secretary of War
Washington?

To the Honorable Lewis Cass, Secretary of War.
Richard Kent, of Newbury, in the county of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, begs leave respectfully to represent.
That he served in the army of the United States, and in the war of the revolution, in the years 1777, and 1778, the full term of thirteen months. — That soon after the passing of the act of Congress, of the 10th March 1810, he made application to the Secretary of War for the benefit of its provisions, and accompanied his application, with his declaration, and evidence of his said service, which he then verily believed to be an continental establishment, and made in conformity to the regulations of said department. —
That his claim was refused, and his papers returned, by reason of his not having served on continental establishment, and he was not considered entitled to the benefits of said act. — That now, understanding, and believing, that provision has been made for said services, in and by the act of Congress, of 7th June, A.D. 1832, he would respectfully request, that his said declaration, and accompanying documents, which he asks leave to annex to this application, may be examined, and if deemed satisfactory, that his name may be inscribed on the pension list, roll of the Massachusetts agency, in such amount as you shall consider him entitled to receive under the said act, and that certificate therefor, may be forwarded for him to the War Department Newbury.
That he is now seventy years of age and upwards, resides in said Newbury, and has always resided there except while in said service. — That he hereby relinquishes all claims to pension, except such as you shall consider him entitled to receive under this application. —
Newbury July 28th 1832.
Richard Kent
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex ss. Town of Newburyport, July 28th 1832. Then personally came Richard Kent, above named, who is personally well known to me, and made oath, in due form of law, to the truth of the facts & allegations stated in the above written application by him subscribed in my presence — before me.
Wm. O'Neil, Justice of the Peace.

Richard Kent
Richard Kent Mass line Col o Genish o Regmt 1 st Novem r 1777 1 Dec r 1778
Rejected Col o Genish not being on Continental establish- ment.

I Richard Kent of Newbury in the County of Essex Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath do testify and declare that I served in the Army of the United States, in the war of the revolution on the continental establishment as follows viz I enlisted the first of November 1777, in Col. Caleb Kimball's Company Colonel Jacob Gerrish's regiment, Massachusetts line under General Heath, in which Company I served until the 2 d day of December 1778, making thirteen months during which time I was never absent from duty except on furlough, the said Regiment at that time did duty on winter hills in the neighbourhood of Boston.
I do further swear that by reason of my reduced circumstances in life I am in need of the assistance of my country for support.
Newburyport Dec r 30 th 1818.
Rich d Kent
I Samuel Huse of Newburyport in the County of Essex do hereby certify and declare that in the year 1778 I commanded a Company in the above named Colonel Gerrish's Regiment and do well remember the above named Richard Kent. I am unable to say when he enlisted - but to the best of my present recollection it must have been as early as November 1777. I well remember seeing him on duty and I feel confident that he served until December 1778. I know that he was on duty from April 1777 to December 1778, at which time I was present and have no doubt he served the full time stated in his application above written. I have no interest whatever in said Kent's application for a pension. Sam. Huse
Jan y 27 th 1819
Before me Newburyport January 27 th 1819. Then Samuel Huse above named personally came Samuel Huse above named and made oath to the truth of the above written affidavit by him subscribed. And I do certify that the said Huse is a credible witness & believed by me to be disinterested. W. Washburn

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Essex ss:
I Daniel Albee Judge of the Court of Probate for Middlesex County, do certify that Richard Kent aforesaid personally appeared on the thirteenth day of December A.D. 1810, and made the declaration aforesaid by him signed under oath before me, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Kent served in the revolutionary war as set forth in his said declaration, & that by reason of reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his country for support.
Given under my hand & seal of office this third day of June A.D. 1810.
D Albee.