Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37,478, for Richard Sweetser, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Suretser, Richard
NUMBER
S. 37,478
CONTENTS

6.315 Maine
Richard Sweetser
of Kennebec Co in the State of Maine who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Williams of the Regt commanded by Colonel Phinney in the Massachusetts line, for the term of one year from January 1 1776 to February 1777
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, commence on the 10 day of April 1818 and
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 of February 1819 and del d to R. C. Rose
Restored to the Roll on 23 d day of August 1830 and notification sent to R. C. Rose , at Augusta , Pension commencing on the 23 d of August 1830
Amount due on 4th of } $ 3. 38 Sept r 1830 }
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, May 1, 1820. 4 1 March 1823.

Declaration & evidence in the case of — Richard Sweetser of Waterville, private Col. Phinney's Mass's Reg. from May 1775 to Dec. 1776 —
April 10. 1818
Admitted
Richard Sweetser

I Richard Sweetser of Waterville in the County of Humboldt & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being a native citizen of the United States do on oath testify & declare - That I served in the War of the Revolution for the term of about eighteen months, & from reduced circumstances in life I now need Assistance from my Country for support. In May A.D. 1775 at Falmouth in the District of Maine I first enlisted as a private in the company commanded by Captain Samuel Noyes, of the Regiment commanded by Col. Phinney, of the Massachusetts line for the term of eight months. & Marched at Cambridge where I did service until the expiration of my term, when I again enlisted for the term of a year into the company commanded by Capt Williams of the same Regiment & line before men- tioned - we remained at Cambridge until about 2 near Boston until August A.D. 1776 when we were marched to Ticonderoga where I served, & at Fort Independence, & Lake George, until the expiration of my term; & I also remained with 17 others for 25 days after, on account of the reduced number of the Troops - I then had a Sargent's Warrant which I had rec d at the beginning of the year - I received no discharge, the Col. had returned home before me, & many of the Officers were sick & I have not preserved my Sargent's Warrant, & I know not how it has been lost - I did not think it was of much consequence & I have not seen it these 20 years since
Richard Sweetser

Henniker Is Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
On this 10 th day of April A.D. 1878 The within named Richard Switzer after having been carefully examined made oath to the truth of the within Declaration by him subscribed - before me -
Sam. S. Wilde
Gen. Sup. Jud. Court for S d Com th
I Salathiel Penny of Waterville in the County of Henniker of lawful age testify & say that I was a private soldier in Col. Phinney's Regiment & that I recollect one Sargent Switzer in the same Regiment but I do not recollect in what company he served. I first saw him at Boston in the year seventeen hundred & twenty six, & that he marched with us to Saint Arvoga & to Lake George; he served in said Regiment until my time was expired which was the last of the year seventeen & twenty six. I have no doubt the within named Switzer is the same man, tho' I cannot swear to his identity - not having seen him since until about three years ago - but I have frequently conversed with him within the last three years about the events of the War & the campaigns to the Northward & I have no doubt from said conversations that he is the same man I knew in Col. Phinney's Regiment -
Salathiel Penny

Kennebec ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
On this 10 th day of April A.D. 1818 the before named Salathiel Penny, after having been carefully examined made oath to the truth of the said Deposition by him sub- scribed in _____ before me. S. S. Wilde
Just. Sup. Jud. Court, for S. P. Com th
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Kennebec ss.
The subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the said County of Kennebec, hereby certifies, that the Honorable Samuel J. Wilde Esq., before whom, the foregoing proceedings were had, is one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of this Commonwealth, and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed, unto this Certificate, bearing His Signature, the Seal of said Supreme Judicial Court. —
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand: Dated at Augusta, in said County of Kennebec, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred & eighteen. —
John Davis

178
Richard Sweetser
6315
235/4
17th 1819
Discontinued
Mar. 1819
St. John. Augusta. Maine.

State of Maine.
I John Davis Clerk, for the County of Wennebec of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the second Eastern Circuit, embracing the counties of Lincoln, Ken- nebec and Somerset, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court ; and that the original was exhibited in open Court ; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, including debts due to the declarant therein stated, is Two hundred  thirty five dollars and  cents ; and deducting therefrom the amount of what the declarant owes, as set forth in said Schedule, the value of said property in the opinion of said Court, is One hundred ninety dollars and  cents .
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twentieth day of June 1820.
John Davis Clerk of said Court for the County of Wennebec

Copy
State of Maine.
198
KENNEBEC COUNTY, ss.
ON this twentyninth day of May , 1820, personally appeared before Nathan Weston  Esq. Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Richard Sweetser aged Seventy years, resident in Waterville in the County of Kennebec within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Captain Williams and Regiment commanded by Colonel Phinney of the line of the State of Massachusetts upon the Continental Establishment, for the period of one year ,
that his original declaration was made before Judge Richard  Wade on the tenth day of April 1818; that he is now on the Maine Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 6315 . And I, the said Richard Sweetser do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Richard Sweetser
The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, viz: one old horse of the value of twenty dollars Three cows of the value of forty five dollars one yoke of oxen of the value of fifty dollars Three heifers two years old of the value of thirty six dollars. Three yearlings of the value of eighteen dollars, Two calves worth five dollars. Ten or twelve sheep & three lambs of the value of twenty four dollars, one swine worth five dollars, old household stuff not exceeding twenty dollars in value. Implement of husbandry of the value of twelve dollars. I have no debts due to me that can be collected and I owe as moneys forty five dollars. I am by occupation a farmer, but from age and infirmity am wholly unable to labor my family at home consists of three persons viz. myself, my wife Mary aged forty five years Something weakly.

Our daughter Catharine aged six years. My income does not exceed thirty five dollars a year.
Except the foregoing, and my necessary clothing and bedding, I have no property or income whatever.
Richard Sweetser
Subscribed, sworn to and declared both the oath and schedule on the twenty ninth day of May 1820.
Before me
Nathan Weston Jr CJ 666 Pleas.
A true copy
Wm Davis clk.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D. C.,
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Richard Sweetser , a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1775 8 mos Pri Samuel Rogers Phiney Mass   Jan 1776 1 yr Sgt Williams " "                          
Battles engaged in, None Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted at Falmouth Me. Date of application for pension, April 10, 1818. Residence at date of application, Waterville Maine Age at date of application, 68 yrs.
Remarks: In 1820 he had a wife Mary aged 45 years and a daughter Catherine aged 6 years.
Very respectfully,
Mrs James Brigham 299 Park Ave East Orange N.J.
Commissioner.

Rich Sweeten
Richard Sweeten

I Mark Morse of Gray testify and declare, that I was a private soldier in the revolutionary war in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy five & seventy six, that I know Richard Sweetser now of Waterville, that said Sweetser first enlisted in seventeen hundred & seventy five for eight months & that on the expiration of the said eight months on the last day of December one thousand seven hundred seventy five the said Sweetser enlisted for one year in the company commanded by Captain Hart Williams in the regiment commanded by Colonel Edmund Phinney, & that said Sweetser served in the said company from the first to the last day of the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy six when he was discharged Mark Morse at Fort George.
I Richard Stubbs testify and say that the facts stated above by Mark Morse are true Richard Stubbs
United States of America District of Maine ss. May. 1. 1818-
Mark Morse and Richard Stubbs personally appeared and made oath that the facts above stated are true — Before me
Albion H. Parrie
Judge of the United States in and for the District of Maine

To the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War, of the United States. I the Subscriber being one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify to your Honor, that Richard Sweetser, a citizen of the United States now resident in Waterville in the County of Kennebec and Commonwealth aforesaid on the tenth day of April in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighteen made application to me to receive his Declaration under Oath and such other evidence as was in his power to produce and to transmit the same & the proceedings to be had thereon to have Honor that he might be placed on the pension list of the United States agreeably to the provisions of an act entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war passed March 18 th 1818 - which Declaration and the other evidence provided by the said applicant is hereto annexed. And I do further certify to your Honor that after a careful examination of the said applicant & a full consideration of the evidence in the case it appears to me that the said applicant did serve as a private soldier in the continental establishment against the common enemy in the war of the revolution for the term of more than nine months, as stated in his Declaration aforesaid and that, from the recited circumstances he merits the assistance for support -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and endorsed the seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court to be hereunto affixed. This six th Day of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighteen.
J. S. Wilde
For Sup. Jud. Court
for S. P. from the

State of Maine. Declaration,
(Vennebee) In order to be restored to the Pension list under the act of first March, 1823.
On this fifth day of June 1830. personally appeared in open Court, before the Supreme Judicial Court, being a court of said State Richard Sweetser , resident in said county, aged eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress, of the 18 th March 1818, and the 1 st May 1820; that he the said Richard Sweetser , enlisted for the term of one year, on the last day of December in the year 1775. in the State of Massachusetts, in the Company commanded by Captain Williams, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Phinney, in the Troops of the State of Massachusetts, on the Continental establishment, that he continued to serve in the said Corps, until February 1779. when he was discharged from the Service at Ticonderoga, in the State of New York, that his name has been placed on the pension list, and dropped therefrom on account of his property; that his pension Certificate is numbered 6315. and that he has made several attempts to be restored to the Roll, but has failed, for reasons he is unable to state. — And, in pursuance of the act of the 1 st May, 1820. I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818. and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval services of the United States in the revolutionary War," passed on the 18 th day of March 1818. and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed,

and by me subscribed — Schedule . — of the Real and personal Estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to me the subscriber — viz: No Real Estate I have not owned any for the last fourteen years — my personal property consists of    one yoke of Steers — $30 —  2 Cows worth 24$ —  8 Sheep — 10$ —  64.00    2 Swine over dollars — 7$ —   7.00    old horse hold stuff — viz — 5 chains — 2 old Tables — 1 desk  1 Iron Pot — 1 Kettle — 1 Tea Kettle — a few articles of crockery  10.00    6 old knives, forks, and a few spoons, all not exceeding in value  81.00    I have no debts due — and owe as much as eighty dollars.
Schedule of my family — Mary, my wife aged 53 Caroline, my wife's daughter aged 12 and Mary my daughter over nine years — That, since the exhibition of my first schedule, the following changes have been made in my property viz: The cows oxen, heifers and sheep have been sold and disposed of from time to time for the support myself & family & in payment of just debts against me.
Richard Sweetser
Sworn to, and declared, on the fifth day of June Anno Domini 1830. before
Prentiss Mellen
Chief Justice S.J. Court
I John Matthews, aged forty seven years, do upon Oath declare that I well know Richard Sweetser of Waterville an applicant for a Pension, & I have lived a near neighbor to him for upwards of eighteen years last past. I have seen his schedule above by him signed and believe there no doubt it contains a schedule of his whole estate and income. I further depose and say that to my knowledge the said Sweetser, has from time to time since 1820, held

and disposed of the cattle mentioned in his first schedule and the same has been applied to the support of him said Sweetser & his family & has been their principal means of support for the last five years - said Sweetser has owned no Real estate for the last fourteen years to my knowledge -
Kennebec Co. Augt. 17. 1830 - Subscribed and Sworn to, the deponent being in my opinion a credible and disinterested witness - before me Robert C. Vose, Just of Peace
I Jedediah Morrill, aged Fifty two years upwards do depose and say that I have been acquainted with Richard Sweetser, of Waterville an applicant for a Pension for the last twelve years - said Sweetser is a poor man, very aged and in firm, and has no other property, other than what is mentioned in his schedule - Had he any other, I am sure, I should have known it, as I have debt of small amount against him, and I know of other small debts which said Sweetser has no means of paying, to my knowledge - That said Sweetser is a very poor man I have not the least doubt.
Jedediah Morrill
Kennebec Co.
On this seventeenth day of August A. D. 1830 personally Jedediah Morrill, above named, to me well known as a credible and disinterested witness, made oaths to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed - In testimony
I subscribe my name & affix the seal of said Kennebec County, the day & year last above mentioned. - R. C. Vose Clerk.

State of Maine.
I Robert C. Vose, clerk of the Judicial courts of Kennebec do hereby certify, that it appears to the satisfaction of the said Supreme Judicial Court, that the said Richard Sweetser, did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the continental establishment.
I also certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property in the aforesaid schedule is Eighty one dollars. —
In Testimony
Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this seventeenth day of August Anno Domini 1830.
R. C. Vose,
Richard Sweetser, Fruit Maine Roll N o 6. 315.
Aug t 17. 1830
Restored - per: to com: Aug t 23. 1830.
R. C. Vose Augusta, Me.

see letter to R.C. Vop May 19. 1829
Application sent July 12th 1829 R.C. Vop Esq. Anguilla
6315.
Maine.
Richard Sweetser
private
Massachusetts line — 1 year in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
inscribed on the Roll of the District of Maine at the rate of — 8 — Dollars per month, to commence on the 10 th of April 1810
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st of Febry 1819 and att d R.C. Vop
Arrears to 4th of Sep. 1818: 4 mos 25/30 38.66 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 March 1819 48.00
$86.66
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 19th March, 1818. }
Waterville
W. Smith

37 478
INVALID.
Reoy
File No. 37 478
Richard Sweetser Rev Rev Mo
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 410
[Arrangement of 1870.]

May 12/94 Will. Hist. to Mrs. Jas. Brehann, 299 Park Ave. E. Chicago. Jan. 31/95 Will. Hist. to F. P. Van Valkenburg, Milwaukee Apr. 2/95 Will. Hist. to C. W. 250 W. 23 rd St. Chicago, Ill.
Feb. 11/98. Mr. A. B. Matthews Breckenridge - Minn. (see Hist. 22.655)
C N.J. Mrs. M. El. Wells M. El. Matthews Minn.

299 Park Avenue.
East Orange N. J.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:
Could you give me any information upon the military record of Richard Sweetzer who lived in North Farmouth-Braine

in 1780.
He knew that he was soldier during the Revolution & always received a pension but in what capacity he served & c me an ignorant & would like any inform- ation that you could give
Yours truly
Mrs James Bingham

J. H. M. WIGMAN: U. S. ATTORNEY, RESIDENCE, GREEN BAY, WIS. F. P. VAN VALKENBURGH, ASS'T U. S. ATTORNEY, TELEPHONE 1925. MILWAUKEE, WIS.
United States Attorney,
Eastern District of Wisconsin.
MILWAUKEE, 11/3 - 1895
Commission of Pensions Washington D.C. J. 37478
Dear Sir:
Can you kindly let me have information in regard to Richard Switzer - a soldier in the Revolutionary Army - who received a pension - paid to him at Augusta Me. I think he enlisted in some Mass. troop - and I understand the pension was either $7 00 or $8 00 per mo. —
I shall be very much obliged to you for any information and am very resp ctfully yours -
F. P. Van Valkenburgh "

Bay Shore, L. I. Nov 16/94
S. Judge Loughran Dear Sir
Will you please send me the record of Richard Sweetzer who was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary War.
Very respectfully, Gertrude W. Cushing

MILLS AT ESCANABA, MICH.
The I. Stephenson Co. WHOLESALE LUMBER Manufacturers.
250 WEST 22 nd STREET.
Chicago, Feb 28 th 95
To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send me a copy of the Military record of Richard Sweatser, who was in the Revolution .
I have the following information at present but wish a more complete record.
   Date of enlistment Length of service Rank Capt. Col.     May 1775 8 mo. Private Samuel Myer Phinney   Jan. 1776 1 yr Sergent Williams Phinney  
Battles engaged in none Residence of soldier at enlistment Farmouth Maine Date of application for pension April 10 th 1818 Residence at date of application Waterville Maine Age at date of application Sixty eight years Remarks - In 1820 he had a wife Mary aged 45 yrs and a daughter Catherine aged 6 yrs.

MILLS AT ESCANABA, MICH.
The I. Stephenson & Co. WHOLESALE LUMBER Manufacturers.
250 WEST 22 ND STREET.
Chicago,
Please give me what facts you have as to the service rendered and on what ground the pension was granted. Do you know whether Richard Sweetser fitted out a privateer after he left the army?
Any information you may be able to give me will be duly appreciated.
Yours truly C. W. Wells

WAR & NAVY MAR 7 1895 FILES, 35
*PENSION* H. MAR 6 U. 1895 S. *OFFICE*

O. W. & N. Division.
F.S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., December 7, 1894.
Miss:-
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of RICHARD SWEETSER 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May, 1775 3 mo. Pri. Samuel Noyes Phinney Mass.   Jan., 1778 12 mo. Sgt. Sgt Williams Phinney Mass.  
Battles engaged in,
None.
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Enlisted at Falmouth, Maine.
Date of application for pension,
April 10, 1818.
Residence at date of application,
Waterville, Maine.
Age at date of application,
Sixty-eight years.
Remarks: In 1820 he had a wife, Mary, aged forty-five years, and a daughter, Catherine, aged 8 years.
Miss Gertrude W. Cushing, Bay Shore, Long Island.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.