Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10943, for Asa Keith, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Keith, Asa
S10943
CONTENTS
carded

4672 Massachusetts
Asa Keith
of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Marshall in the Mass line for 11 Days 15 Days
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 38 Dollars 32 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of Janry 1833 and sent to Nicholas H. of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $57.218 Semi-ant. allowance ending 21 Mar 33 119.16
$76.64
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. McBlain Clerk, Book D - Vol. 25 Page 62.

14077 Asa Keith Private
11 Mo & 15 days
adm
$38.32
Hm: J. G. Kendall DR

#40774  BRIEF in the case of  Asa Reith  County of Worcester  in the State of  Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? _____  3. How old is he? 76.  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.     Vol. In 1776 June 6 Private Gen. Daniel Snow, Capt. A. Soper   enlisted 1777 Decr. 3 " Col. Thomas Marshall   enlisted 15 " Capt. Abraham Washburn, Col. R. Sprout   enlisted 1778 Spring " Capt. Allen, Major E. Carr   enlisted 1780 Octr. 1 " Capt. A. Washburn, Col. Williams   enlisted 1777 Novr. 1 " Capt. Soper, Col. Washburn  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Plymouth Co. Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional, & 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.
J. Waugh Examining Clerk.  Jany. 22. 1833.

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this 14th day of September in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Justus Paine Judge of Probate now sitting Issa North a resident of Dudley in the County of Worcester 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 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
He enlisted as a volunteer private at Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts, sometime in the month of June A.D. 1776, under Lieut. Daniel Brainerd for the term of six months. He immediately marched to the Island of Nantasket below Boston where he was enrolled in the Company of Capt. Amasa Dyer and attached to Thomas Mawkes Regiment. Remained at Nantasket about twelve days and then marched to Castle William, where and where stationed the remainder of the term. He was discharged by the officers sometime in December of the same year having completed his said term of service of six months. He again enlisted as a private at said Bridgewater in December A.D. 1777, under Capt. Shamer Washburn's Company, passed muster at Worcester Rhode Island, and then marched to North Kingston where he was stationed in said Company and in Col. Robert Snapp's Regiment, and served in the same three months, being discharged sometime in March 1778. He further says that he again enlisted as a private in Capt. Amasa Dyer's Company and attached to a Regiment commanded by Major Ephraim Cady at said Bridge-water and served at Bristol Rhode Island fifteen days, sometime in the spring 1778, a few days after his return from North Kingston. That he again enlisted in Capt. Shamer Washburn's Company in the year 1780, about the month of October for one month and served in said Company at Block Island Rhode Island one month in said Company, and in Col. Williams Regiment he thinks. He also enlisted at said Bridgewater in December 1777, for one month in Capt. Dyer's Company, and served in Col. Mawkes Regiment he thinks and served there one month at Castle William near Boston. Said services were all in the Massachusetts Militia as he supposes. He was born in Bridgewater South Parish in said Massachusetts, in December 1756, and he supposes that a Record of his age may be found there. He lived in said Bridgewater at the time of his said services, and has resided in the same since the Revolution, excepting sixteen years last past during which time he has resided in Dudley. He was a volunteer in his said term of service. He reflects beside the above named officers Col. Bradford and Major Cady while in his first service - Major Shaw in his three months service & Gen. Greene never received any written discharge. John Gilmore and Theodore Knowland are witnesses of his services in Capt. Dyer's Company. John Willis in Capt. Washburn's Company. Ebenezer Dyer Esq. and the Rev. Abiel Williams of said Dudley can testify of his character for truth and their belief in his said services.
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 to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Nathl. James. Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester.
Issa North
Issa North

We Abiel Williams a Clergyman residing in the Town of Dudley and Aaron Tufts residing in said Dudley hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asa Keith 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Present Nathl. Farnes Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Abiel Williams Aaron Tufts
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 above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Abiel Williams who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Town of Dudley and that Aaron Tufts who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Dudley and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl. Farnes Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Theophilus Wheeler Reg d , Clerk of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Asa Keith for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Third day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two
Theoph l Wheeler Reg d of said Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts

Daniel Hartwell of West Bridgewater, in the County of Plymouth, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being seventy six years of age, do testify & say that in the spring of the year 1778, - Isaac Keith now of Dudley in the County of Worcester, served with me, for fifteen days at least, & perhaps a day or two longer, at Bristol, in the State of Rhode Island, as a soldier in the revolutionary war, in a company commanded by Capt. James Allen; - Eliphalet Cary having the command as a Major, of the troops there stationed at that time.
Daniel Hartwell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. September 22 d - 1832 - Then personally appeared the above-named Daniel Hartwell & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, by him subscribed.
Before me, Amyntas Shaw Justice of the Peace And I hereby certify that the above named Daniel Hartwell is a man of truth & veracity & so reputed & entitled to full credit - Amyntas Shaw Justice of the Peace

I John Willis of West Bridgewater, in the County of Plymouth, & Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts, being seventy four years of age, do testify & say, that in January 1778, Asa Smith now of Dudley in the County of Worcester, (was stationed at North-King- ston in the State of Rhode Island,) & served with me then, as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, for three months following, in a company commanded by Capt. Abraham Washburn, — Robert Sproul having the command as a Colonel at that time. John Willis
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. September 22, 1832 — Then per- -sonally appeared the above-named John Willis & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposi- -tions, by him subscribed.
Before me, Amyntas Shaw Justice of the Peace
And I hereby certify that the above-named John Willis is a man of truth & veracity & so reputed, & entitled to full credit.
Amyntas Shaw Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. I James Spratt Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that Benjamin Shaw Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within and annexed certificates is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Bristol and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Twentieth day of September Eighteen hundred & thirty two
Jas. Spratt

I John Gilmore of Raynham in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Mas- achusetts, being Seventy-four years of age, on the twenty-eighth day of August now last past, do testi- fy & say that, (on the first of June, of the year 1776) — Cha Keith now of Dudley in the County of Worcester, served with me, for the space of six- months at Castle-Island (in Boston harbor) as a soldier in the revolutionary war, in a Company Com- manded by Anasa Soper as Captain, & in the regi- ment Commanded by Col. — — — Marshal in the States service of the troops there stationed at that time.
John Gilmore
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. — Sept. 1 st — 1832 — Then per- sonally appeared the above named John Gilmore & made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition — Before me,
Ameytas Shaw Justice of the Peace.
Personally certify that John Gilmore who signed the above deposition is a man of truth and generally well respected, and free and not under any bias or statement.
Ameytas Shaw Justice of the Peace

Asa Keith.
14077
La Grange
Logan County, Tenn.

I Shaddens Howard of West Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth, & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being Seventy six years of age. Do testify & say that on the first of June, of the year 1776. (at a Keith now of Dudley in the County of Worcester, served with me, six months at Castle Island (in Boston Harbour) as a soldier in the revolutionary war, in a Company commanded by Amasa Soper as Captain, & in the regiment commanded by Col — Marshal in the States service of the troops there stationed at that time. Shaddens Howard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol SS. Sept. 1 st 1832 Then personally appeared before me the subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace, in & for the County of Bristol, Shaddens Howard, above named, & made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed.
Before me, Amyntas Shaw Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that Shaddens Howard who has signed the above deposition is a man of truth & integrity and so reputed, and that full credit may be given to statement.
Amyntas Shaw Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dist. Ct. I James Sprout, clerk of the County of Common- pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Augustus Shaw Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within & annexed certificate, is a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qual- ified to administer oaths -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twentieth day of September. Eighteen hundred & thirty two - Jas Sprout
14077
for Kirt.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Asa Keith a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 10943
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     + June 1776 6 mos Pvt. Amasa Soper Thomas Marshall Mass   + Dec 1777 3 mos Abram Washburn Robert Sproat   Spring 1778 15 days James Allen Major Ephraim Bangs   Oct. 1780 1 mo Abram Washburn Williams   + Nov 1777 1 mo Tupper Marshall  
Battles engaged in, None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bridgewater, Plymouth Co. Mass
Date of application for pension, Sept 4, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Dudley, Worcester Co. Mass
Age at date of application, born in Bridgewater, South Parish, Plymouth Co. Mass
Remarks: in Nov 1755 died Aug 17, 1841
There is no family data on file.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

343 Cabot St. Newtonville, Mass., Aug. 6, 1914.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
According to family records Asa Keith , who died at Dudley, Mass. in 1841, was granted a pension in 1831, for Revolutionary War Service. Will you kindly furnish me with such facts concerning him and his family as the files of your Department may have, and greatly oblige.
Very truly yours Morgan H. Stafford ✓

1914. Aug 13: History to Mr. Morgan R. Stafford. M.B.H.
Rev. War
10943 INVALID.
File No. 10943
Asa Keith
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. a , Page 203
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rev Lewis Cram.
Meeting at Han-
Dear Sir In regard to the application of Asa Root for admission - any communications may be addressed Geo. A Duffie Dudley, Mass
Yours Respectfully Geo. A Duffie
Dudley Oct 4 th 1832

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Isa Reith 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? no 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? 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? witnesses XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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? yes 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? 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 the 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.
†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 authenticated 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 end 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.