Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6246, for James Tilson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Tilson, James
S. 6246
carded
CONTENTS

15492 15402 Massachusetts
James Tilton
of Halifax in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Williams of the Reg t commanded by Col Bailey in the Mass line for 13 months & 12 days
Concord
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $4 Dollars - 17 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of June 1833 and sent to Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $89.34 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 29.33 $118.67
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { As of June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. D. Madison Clerk, Book E Vol. 2a Page 84
78 Hymns

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for the County of Plymouth, do hereby certify that Dexter C. Morrison & Lebariah Eddy Esqrs. are Justices of the Peace in & for said County & that the signatures to these papers purporting to be theirs are true & gen- uine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this fifteenth day of May A.D. 1833
Jacob H Lord

I, Ephraim Tilsen, of Halifax in the County of Plymouth, being in the seventy third year of my age, do testify & say, that I was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution; that I served six months in the year Seventeen Hundred & eighty, at West Point & other places in the vicinity & in New Jersey - I had knowledge that James Tilsen, then of Penobscot in said County, enlisted about the time that I did & I saw him at West Point in the Army. I returned to West Point & was there discharged: I say saw said James Tilsen at West Point on my return from Jersey, & he was discharged but a day or two before I was discharged. I understood he was at one time in Capt. Williams' Company, & at another time in Capt. Bayley's Company & Col. Bayley's Regiment. Said James is my brother & I had opportunity to know more of his entertainment & of his service as aforesaid & of his return. Said James Tilsen now resides in said Halifax.
Ephraim Tilsen
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth ss. April 20, 1833 - Personally appeared the above named Ephraim Tilsen & made solemn oath that the foregoing statement by him subscribed is true. I also certify that said Ephraim Tilsen is a man of truth & a credible witness.
Zeraiah Eddy Justice of the Peace

Mr. Elbridge G. Howe, a Clergyman, residing in the Town of Halifax in the County of Plymouth & Lelandiah Thompson & John P. Thompson, resi- ding in the Town of the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Tilton, of said Halifax, who has made application for a Pension under the late law of Congress, to the Probate Court of said County held August 8, 1832; that we believe said James Tilton to be Seventy seven years of age; that he is re- puted & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion.
Halifax May 7, 1833
Elbridge G. Howe.
Lelandiah Thompson John P. Thompson
Plymouth ss. May 9, 1833 Personally appeared the above named Elbridge G. Howe, Lelandiah Thompson & John P. Thompson & made oath to the truth of the above de- claration by them subscribed. I further certify that they are credible witnesses
Deputy Clerk
of Justice of the Peace

7801 James T. Wilson
Putt 13 Mar 17 days
14 ob
March 20 1935
P. 303
45331/2 1.333 44 17
J. H. Lord Plymouth Mass.

BRIEF in the case of James Tilsen of Halifax 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 six 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.     enlisted In 1776 6 weeks As a Gen. Capt Turner, Col Cary.   6 weeks Capt Partridge, - none   1780 for 6 Capt Witham, } Col Bayley   1778 6 weeks Capt Partridge.   3 12 Capt Robinson Col Hall.  
 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? Affidavit of J. B. Hemenway certify to traditional evidence. Bp. Tilsen proved before me in 1780. Joseph Koon proved 6 weeks in 1778. Jacob Strong proved the 6 weeks service. Sylvanus Leach proved 6 weeks with Capt Turner in 1776.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? unexecuted - absent - a defect. The last 6 weeks term not stated in the declaration but is proved by J. Koon a witness. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Keith Examining Clerk.

James Tillson 4801
...the Governor's application... ...the Court... ...who has signed the... ...the Governor's application...

No 76.
REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this eighth day of December 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate now sitting at Wadsworth within and for said County of Plymouth, James Wilson a resident of Halifax in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy six 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 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. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
For the year 1776 I enlisted into Turner's  Hanson's Company, & Col. Clegg's Regiment for the term of six weeks & served that time & was discharged - I was on Dorchester Hill near Boston, & was there when the British troops left Boston - I was regularly discharged, but not in writing - I further say that I enlisted & served six weeks in Capt. Packard's Company, - in Little Compton in Rhode Island - the company kept guard there there was no field officers - I further say that in the year 1780 I enlisted for the term of six months, & served chiefly at Westport - I had the care of an ammunition wagon, and three horses - I think I was in different companies

Our Captain was at one time, Williams, and it seems some we had another Captain, Bayley also the name of our Colonel was Bayley - I first went to Springfield - It was continental service.
Also in the 1778 I was called out as a militia man & was encamped in the town of Little-Campton in the state of Rhode Island - Capt. Packard, then of Dubuque commanded our company - we had no field officers that I know of - we were on the farm of Army -
Also I was called out as an Alarum - I went to Bristol in Rhode Island, & there I need not mention, in Capt. Meara Robinson's company, & Col. Hall commanded the Regiment - Lieut. Col. & Francis Thomas was adjutant - JAMES TILSON
I was born in Kalafat but at the period of the above mentioned service resided in Providence in the same County I now reside in said Kalafat I was born A.D. 1776. my birth is now can now in Kalafat. - there is no clergyman now in Kalafat JAMES TILSON
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Albert Jacob H. Lord Register

We, Lebadiab Thomson Esq a Magistrate  a clergyman , residing in the town of Halifax and James P. Thomson Esquire residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James Tilton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six 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. Lebadiab Thomson
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. James P. Thomson Attest Jacob H. Loud 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 Lebadiab Thomson who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman  Magistrate resident in the town of Halifax and that James P. Thomson who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and an credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court. Attest Jacob H. Loud Register
I, Jacob H. Loud 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 James 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. Loud

Revolutionary Pensioners. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Plymouth, ss.
On this eighth day of May 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned, Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Plymouth, James Tillson a resident of Halifax in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy seven 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, 1832. In the year 1776 I enlisted into a company of infantry commanded by Capt. Turner and Colonel Carey's Regiment, to serve in the Army of the Revolution for the term of six weeks, I think this was in the month of June, but by reason of my infirmities I cannot be positive as to the month. I marched to Dorchester in the neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, and was there when the British troops left Boston, and I served out the full term of six weeks and was discharged but not in writing.
Also, in the year seventeen hundred & seventy eight, as I think, but my recollection as to the year is not clear to my mind, I enlisted into a company commanded by Capt. Partridge of Duxbury in said County, to serve six weeks in the State of Rhode Island - and I did serve under him the full term of six weeks in the town of Little-Compton in Rhode Island, where we kept Guard, there were no field Officers, to my knowledge. We were stationed on Almy's Farm .
Also, in the year 1780 in the month of May or June, as I think, I enlisted into the Revolutionary Army to serve the term of six months, and I did serve the full term of six months in said Army in compliance with the terms of my enlistment; I was chiefly at West Point in the State of New York, and had the charge of an Ammunition Wagon and three horses. My recollection is not clear as to the Captain under which I served. I think I served in different companies: our Captain at one time was named Williams; at another time our Captain was Capt. Bagley and Colonel Bagley's Regiment. I went first to the town of Springfield & State of Massachusetts. At the end of my respective term of service I was regularly discharged, and had a written discharge at the end of this term of service, but I lost it soon afterwards. At the several times of my enlistment as aforesaid I resided in the town of Pembroke and County of Plymouth aforesaid.
Also, in the year and time when the town of Bristol, Rhode Island, was burnt by the British troops I was called out as a Militia man upon an alarm, & went to said Bristol and there I served three full months in the in the Company commanded by Capt. Inman Robinson: Col. Hall commanded the Regiment, and Lieut. Cushing

was Lieut. Col. and Isaiah Thomas was Adjutant
According as my Father and Mother always informed me, I was born in the year 1756 January 28 in the town of Halifax in S o County of Plymouth, and I find the record of my age on the town records of Halifax aforesaid, & it is agreed therewith. When I was ten years of age my Father removed to the adjoining town of Pembroke, where I resided at the respective times of my S o enlistment. I lived in said Pembroke eighteen years and returned to Halifax aforesaid where I have ever since resided. My name has never, to my knowledge, been on any pension roll of any agency. I am well known to Deborah Thompson, Esquire, and Isaac D. Thompson of said Halifax, and also to my clergyman, Elbridge P. Horve, who has been called and settled since I gave in my first declaration.
I further say that in my original application for a pension Aug t 8, 1832 there is a mistake in this, to wit, that I have stated two terms of service in the town of Little Compton and State of Rhode Island; whereas I was there but once, and that for six weeks as above stated in this amended declaration. The mistake, I think, was caused by my scrivener not understanding or my want of apprehension when it was read to me.
James Wilson
Sworn & subscribed by the above named James Wilson this eighth day of May one thousand eight hundred & thirtythree - before me
Jeremiah 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 Deborah Eddy Esq. before whom the above affidavit was made is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the foregoing is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this fifteenth day of May A.D. 1833.
Jacob H. Lord

Perkins
6246 INVALID.
File No. 6246
James Tilton Brit Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. M , Page 375
[Arrangement of 1870.]

The Deposition of Samuel Briggs, taken by me & filed with the application of Ephra- im Tilton, proves some facts applicable to the application of James Tilton, & as both Ephraim Tilton & James Tilton's cards & applications for Pensions are to be transmitted at the same time, I did not think it im- portant to take two Depositions, thinking that the Secretary at War would refer to the Deposition in the examination of both cases —
Leahica Eddy
Middleburyville May 8, 1833
Justice of the Peace
To the Secretary of War

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County ss--
July 31 st 1832 Then personally appeared before the subscriber the within named Sylvanus Leach and Made oath that the within deposition by him subscribed is true I further certify that said deponent is a credible witness
Jonathan Parker Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court 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 the County of Plymouth & that I believe his name subscribed to the certificates in the several depositions by me here annexed are his true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord
Sylvanus Leach for James Leach

I Sylvanus Leach of Halifax in the County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts aged eighty three years testify and say I was at Dorchester as a Soldier in the war of the American Revolution six weeks in Capt Harbours Company Colo Gorges Regiment I knew James Tilton of Halifax and was at the same time at Dorchester in Capt James Tiltons Company and in said Gorges Regiment the same term of time of six weeks in the year 1776 - Said Tilton always has resided in Halifax to the Present time July 31 st 1832
Witness Jonathan Parker
This Sylvanus S Leach Mother

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County ss
August 7th 1832 Then Personally appeared the within named Jacob Loring before the Subscriber and Made oath that the within Deposition by him subscribed is true said Deposition is a credible witness
Jonathan Parker Justice of the peace

Jacob Loring of Plymouth State Massachusetts of the age of twenty one years testify and say I was in the war of the American Revolution and was at West Point in the State of New York near North in Capt Boyle's Company and Col. Boyle's Regiment in the year 1780 I further testify and say I knew James Telfer of Halifax who was in the same Boyle's Regiment and a part of the time in Boyle's Company and lived the same time of the North and South Telfer always resided in Halifax
Jacob Loring

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County ss.
August 7th 1882 Then Personally appeared
the within named Isaiah Keene before the Subscribers and Made oath that the within Deposition by him subscribed is true And Deposition I believe is a credible witness
Jonathan Parked Justice of the Peace

I Josiah Thorne of Hanson in the County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts of the age of seventy two years Testify and say I was a Soldier in the war of the American Revolution and was at Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island six weeks in Col. Colver Partridges Company as a Metehamman to guard the Sea Shore I think in June 1778. I further testify and say I knew Samuel Telfer of Holiston who was in said Partridges Company and served the same term of time of six weeks and said Telfer always resided in Holiston. Josiah Thorne

7801
James Tilton
J. H. Lord Plymouth 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 James Tilsen which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? _____ IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

 XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 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? no in part 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? no  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?  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 2 5 7 
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.