Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,529, for John Thurber, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Thurber, John
S. 21,529
CONTENTS

15248
Massachusetts 15248
John Thurber
of Bristol in the State of Mass ts who was a priv. inf t & art l in the company commanded by Captain Sherman of the ————— commanded by ————— in the Mass ts time for 14 mos & 14 days
R I State Arch ve Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 56 Dollars 57 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of June '33 and sent A. Bapett Dighton Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 — 11 3.08 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept " — 28.27
$141.35-
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 84
Date of death not on AB
77 Bristol County

Town Clerks Office Swanney Mass. Aug 10. 183
John Thurber the son of Luther Thurber and of Mary his wife was born August the 11 th 1757. —
I certify the above to be a true copy of Record. —
Attest Joseph G. Luther Town Clerk

Nov 18. 74
John Thurber Massachusetts
Wadsworth pri. Inf. Am. 140th. 14 88 " Colts 10 mo. 41 66  $56.54
Yours J. L. Hedges
13 33 1 55 14 88

BRIEF in the case of  John Thurber  County of Bristol  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? 75 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.     In 17 1 — 14 Private Gen. Putnam Col. ... .. Capt Sherman   " 2 — 3 — — Capt Peck   Enlisted 3 — 10 — Artillery Capt Sayer & Elliott   4, N.H.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
M. L. Gage Examining Clerk.

John Thurber
18743
Send report to A. Bratt Dighton Mass.

John Thurber

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Bristol, ss. 3
At a Court of Probate holden at Dighton in said County on the seventh day of September in the year Eighteen Hundred and thirty two, before the Honorable Hodijah Bayley Judge of the Probate re. said County, personally appeared John Thurber a resident of Swanzy in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832, make the following declaration.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served in the manner herein after stated, to wit, under Col. Robert Elliot, Lieut. Col. Flagg, Capt. Joshua Sawyer, Lieut. Glad-ding, Lieut. Rice, & Lieut. Reuben Johnson. He thinks that Col. Elliot was the Col. of the Regiment to which Capt. Sawyer's company belonged and that Flagg was the Lieut. Col. A man by the name of Evans was a sergeant in said company; also under Capt. Peleg Sherman and Capt. Beck the first name of Beck was either Peleg or Loring which he cannot certainly tell: And for a statement of his services as particular as he can recollect he would refer to his answer to the fifth interrogatory below: and he further declares as follows to the interrogatories prescribed by the Secretary of War; to wit,
1. Where and in what year were you born?
Ans. I was born in Swanzy in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year Seventeen hundred and fifty seven on the fourth of August
2. Have you any record of your age; and, if so, where is it?
Ans. My birth is recorded on the town Records of S d Swanzy, an attested copy of which is herewith forwarded
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Ans. I was living in said Swanzy when at the several times I entered the service, since the war I have lived in Middleborough & Mattapoisett (Ry) Hancock, Pittsfield (Richmond & Swanzy Mass) in which last named town I now have my home where I have lived since January last.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom?
Ans. I voluntarily enlisted at all times.

5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
I have before stated the names of all the Officers that I can now recollect under whom I served. Besides these I recollect to have heard mentioned, while I was in the service, the names of Lieut. Col. Boinell, Col. Bippitt, Col. Carpenter and Lieut. Philip Trafton with many other officers whose names I could probably on reflection recollect. I was in the service at three different times. My first term of service in the Revolutionary War was under Capt. Pleg Shearman in whose company according to the best of my recollection I served six weeks or longer. My next term of service was in Capt. Peck's company with which company I marched from said Providence to Warwick in the State of Rhode Island where said company was employed in guarding the town & shore. I think I served in Capt. Peck's company for the term of three months. I am unable, however, from my own recollections to state either the months or years in which I entered or was discharged from Capt. Sherman's or Capt. Peck's company. I well recollect of serving in the two companies last named and have stated the length of service according to the best of my recollection. For proof of my service in these two companies I would refer to the deposition of John Snell (which is hereto annexed) whose recollection of dates and other circumstances attending this service is more particular than my own. My next and last term of service during the Revolutionary War was in a company of Artillery commanded by Capt. Joshua Lacy. Sometime in the Spring, the year I cannot tell, (it was the same year however with Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island) I enlisted into the company last named for the term of Ten Months. In this company there were four commissioned officers viz. Capt. Lacy who had the title of Capt. Major Lieut. Gladding who had the title of Capt. Lieut. Lieut. Rice & Lieut. Johnson who were called 1st & 2nd Lieuts. There belonged to this company four brass four pounders, and each of the commissioned officers aforesaid had the command of one piece. At the time I enlisted as aforesaid the company was stationed in Providence where I joined it. I afterward went with a part of Capt. Lacy's company to be stationed at Fall River to guard the place & prevent the enemy from coming in there & destroying the mills there situated. Subsequently to this, according to my recollection, we marched down to Howlands Ferry in Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island where we passed over to the Island of Rhode Island. While upon said Island I went with a part of Capt. Lacy's company and took possession of the Fort out far from Howlands Ferry in order to prevent the British Fleet from passing said Ferry and going round the north end of the Island. We had at said Fort four pieces, being two double fortified twenty four pounders, and two eighteen

pounders. There were about fourteen men belonging to Capt. Lacy's Company at said Fort. While there we had occasion to fire upon some British armed vessels and did prevent their passing the Ferry. This was done to prevent the British forces from surrounding the American Army upon the Island & thus cut off their retreat by the way of Howland's Ferry. While I was in the Fort aforesaid there was an engagement between the Americans and the British upon the Island in which Vincent Peubens Johnson of Capt. Lacy's Company was (as I was told) accidentally killed by a discharge from his own piece while in the act of passing before it. Soon after said engagement the American forces retreated from the Island by the way of Howland's Ferry, excepting that part of Capt. Lacy's Company which was in the Fort aforesaid; in this part being that in which I then was, came off, as I think, by the way of Bristol Ferry. From Bristol we went to Warren (R.I.) where a part of our Company was stationed. Here I remained until I had served out the full term of Ten Months for which I had enlisted, and I was discharged, as near as I can recollect, about the last of Winter at P. Warren. I understood that our Company was the oldest Company in Col. Elliot's Regiment. I recollect that Benedict Smith was a drummer & that Samuel Flagg was, or pretended to be a fife in P. Company. Said Flagg was a little fellow not a good fife. I understood that he was a son of Lieut. Col. Flagg, whom I recollect to have seen at said Warren. Although I am unable to fix with any greater precision than is above stated the time at which I entered & was discharged from Capt. Lacy's Company, yet I know that I belonged to & served in P. Company the full term of Ten Months, which was the term for which I enlisted, and for proof of my services I would refer to the Depositions of Stephen Luther and Philip Luther which are hereto annexed.
6. Were you a soldier or an Officer? if a soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and, if so, by whom was it given, & what has become of it? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, & if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
Ans. I was a private. I always entered the service for a stated term of time and will know when my term of service had expired. I never received any other than a verbal discharge given at each time, as I think, by the person who then had command of the Company.
7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity, & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
I would name John Gibbs and Benjamin Luther
And the said John Thurber doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. H. T. Gaylies, Judge of Probate
John Thurber
We, John Gibbs residing in & having my abode in the County of Bristol, and Benjamin Luther residing in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Thurber who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
John Gibbs Benjamin Luther
H. T. Gaylies, Judge of Probate

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 named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Benjamin Southwick who has signed the preceding certificate is _____ resident in the town of Swanzy in said county of Bristol, & that John Gibbs _____ who has also signed the same is a resident in said town. They are credible persons, that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol, ss.
I Anselm Barrett _____ Register of the court of Probate in said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Thurber of Swanzy in said county for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the said court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Barrett
John Thurber

March 8, 1939.
Mrs. J. W. Boyce 612 Madison Avenue Albany, New York.
BA-J/ILL John Thurber S. 21529
Dear Madam:
The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 21529, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of John Thurber.
John Thurber, the son of Luther Thurber and his wife, Marcy, was born August 4, 1757 in Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts; his birth was recorded in that town.
While a resident of Swansea, Massachusetts, John Thurber volunteered early in April 1777, and served about six weeks as private in Captain Peleg Sherman's Massachusetts company; he volunteered about the first of January 1778, and served three months as private in Captain Peleg Peck's company, Colonel Daggett's Massachusetts regiment; he enlisted in the summer of 1778, and served ten months as private in Captain Joshua Sayer's company, Colonel Elliott's Rhode Island regiment of Artillery, during which he was in General Sullivan's Expedition.
After the Revolutionary War, the soldier resided in New Lebanon and in Steventon, New York, and in Hancock, Pittsfield, Richmond and Swansea, Massachusetts.
John Thurber was allowed pension on his application executed September 7, 1832, at which time he resided in Swansea, Massachusetts; he had resided there since January of that year. No reference was made to wife or children of this soldier.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of

of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite the following data-
John Tharber Certificate #15248 Issued June 4, 1833 Rate $56.54 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Revolutions
21529 INVALID.
File No. 21529
John Thurber
His Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 417
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Aug. 2, 1929. Hist. To Esther Barron
30-Sept 22. Hist. to Helen E. White - EEL
35. May 6 - Hist To Ruth Fleming - EEL
39. March 8 - Hist. to Mrs. J. Boyer - JLL

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Thurber 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? c 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? 2 Citizens
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? Living Witness
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? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? 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.

I John Snell of Dighton in the county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts age twenty three do on oath testify and say to the first of January in the year seventeen Hundred and seventy eight I joined Capt Pley Peck's company in Swanzy in said county from which place I marched through Rehoboth in said county through Providence & Pawtucket in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations to Warwick in said State, at which last place I served in said Peck's company the term of three months in guarding the town and shore. Capt. Peck's company belonged to Col. Daggitt Regiment. John Hathaway of Birkly was the Lieut. Col. Pley Slade of S. Swanzy was Major. I also further testify and say that the men belonging to said Capt. Peck's company were discharged verbally on the or about the first of April in the year aforesaid. I further testify and say that I distinctly recollect that John Thurber of Swanzy aforesaid joined said Peck's Com- -pany in S. Swanzy and marched with me to Warwick aforesaid where I fully believe that he served in said company until it was discharged as aforesaid. I frequently saw said Thurber in said Com- -pany when quartered in the same room with me at said Warwick. I also further testify and say that in the year seventeen Hundred and seventy seven the first of April I joined Capt. Pley Sherman's Compa- -ny at Nades Ferry where I served in said Sherman's company until the first of June after, when I was dismissed with said Sherman's company. I believe said Sherman's company was not attached to any Regiment, but was raised for the purpose of guarding the shore. I further testify and say that I distinctly recollect that the said John Thurber was in said company at the time that I joined it as aforesaid and that I believe he was in it until the company was dismissed.

on the first of June as aforesaid, that I frequently saw him in said company and never heard of his leaving the company until the company was dismissed as aforesaid John Snell
Dighton August 30. 1832.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol Js. August 30 th 1832.
Then the above named John Snell, personally appeared before me, and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Benjamin B. Tifft Justice of the Peace
I also certify that the above named John Snell is a credible witness.
Benjamin B. Tifft Justice of the Peace

I Stephen Luthr of Swansey in the county of Bristol & commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy one years, do on oath testify & say, that in the time of the Revolutionary war, I enlisted into a company of artillery or Matrosses, commanded by Capt Sayer - that I distinctly recollect that John Thurler of said Swansey was a soldier with me in said company that I cannot say precisely how long he served; Should think however nearly or quite one year - that to my certain knowledge he belonged to the company when it was stationed in Swansey, aforesaid; and at and afterwards on Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition. Swansey Sept 4 th 1832. Stephen Luthr
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bristol ss. Sept. 4 th 1832.
Then the above named Stephen Luthr, personally appeared before me, and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Benjamin B. Sisson Just of the Peace

I Phillip Luther of Swansey in the county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty four years, do on oath testify & say, that I perfectly well remember that in the time of the Revolutionary war, a company of Matrosses commanded by Capt Sayer was stationed in Swansey on a farm, on Garden neck (so called) occupied by my father. And that John Thurber of said Swansey was a soldier in said company & that I frequently saw him doing duty in the same. This was in the spring & summer of the year 1778, as near as I can recollect. That a part of said company, as I was told, went with one of the commissioned officers to a place called Fall River, leaving the remainder of the company on the farm aforesaid near my father's house - how long the remainder of said company staid there, I do not recollect. I think they were there in marching time, & probably went away in season to join Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island.
That at the time the company was stationed near my father, as aforesaid, Capt. Sayer, Lieut. Johnson, Gilfred Green the orderly sergeant, Benedict Smith the drummer, and Samuel Blagg the piper, were belonging to said company boarded at my father's house. Philip Luther
Swansey Sept 3 d 1832.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol for Sept 3 - 1832.
Then personally appeared the above named Phillip Luther, before me, and made oath, that the above affidavit, by him subscribed, is true.
Benjamin D. Elson Just of the Peace

I also certify that the within named Phillip Luther is a credible witness
Benjamin B. Sisson Just of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. I Anselm Barrett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County, hereby certify that Benjamin B. Sisson is a Justice of the Peace for said County & that the signatures which are affixed to the foregoing affidavits purporting to be the signatures of the said Ben- jamin B. Sisson, are the proper signatures of him the said Benjamin B. Sisson. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court this 22 d day of October A. D. 1832
Anselm Barrett

William Wilkinson of Providence R.I. on Oath Testifies that he served in the Rhode Island Brigad. of State Troops in the War of the Revolution from July 1777 to March 1780 - The Brigade was composed of Two Regiments of Infantry commanded by Col. Cramp & Stephen and one of Artillery by Col. Elliott. The Brigade was first raised for fifteen Months from Dec r , 16. 1776 - then for one Year from March 16. 1778. - and for one Year from March 16. 1779. - That he has in his possession the copy of a list of the names of those who served in said Brigade which by an Act of the General Assembly passed in Oct. 1785 was made from the pay Rolls in order to ascertain the Depreciate of their wages but no time of service is specified therein. The copy in his possession was made in 1792 and he fully believes from his own personal knowledge on the subject as well as from other sources that it is substantially correct. The name of John Thurler as a Soldier in Elliott's Reg t is on said list with the sum of £20.7.10 Lawful Money attached thereto. From the amount he probably served but one of the three periods for which the Reg t was raised. The Deponent has no personal knowledge of the said John Thurler
William Wilkinson
Sworn to this sixth day of September A.D. 1832 by the above named William Wilkinson before me
John Potman
District Judge of the R.I.
for the Rhode Island Dist t .

612 Madison Av
Albany N.Y.
Jan 2 d
Pension Office
Washington 6
Dear Sirs: -
Will you please send me any record you may have of a John my name was Thurber of Rehoboth, Mass.

Thank you so much for any help you can give me
Yours truly
Mrs J. M. Joyce
Also Hendrick Bratt or Bradt of Albany N.Y.

Mass. during the War of the Revolution. I am especially interested in one of Capt. Allen's co.
Also any record of Joseph morey Allen of Burlington R.D.,
William Dwight  morey of East Green- wich R.D. or Burlington Vt. may have been on a privateer.

Chicago, February 25, 1935.
Pension Department, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
I would appreciate it very much if you would advise me if you have any record of wife and children of the following Revolutionary War soldiers:
David Cowden Pelham, Mass. William Cowden " " John Thurber Jr. Rehoboth, " James Irvine Albany Co. N.Y. 18th Regiment
Also service and family data of
Isaac Vosburgh, Albany Co. N.Y.
Thanking you for any data you are able to furnish me, I am
Very truly yours,
Ruth Herring
1251 N. Dearborn
Chicago Ill.

43 Dean St., Attleboro, Mass.
Sept. 7, 1930
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen;
Will you kindly look thru your records and advise me if you have any record regarding a pension being granted to the widow of John Thurber , of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, who served in the Revolutionary War. If so, what the widow's name was.
Thanking you, Sir,
Yours very truly,
Helen E. White,
Registrar Attleboro Chap. D. A. R.

19 Pine Street Waverly, N.Y.
April 25, 1929.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I would like to know, if there is anything in the pension department concerning the John Thurber who was born at Rehoboth, Bristol County, Mass. Feb. 25, 1748. He was the son of John and his second wife, Mary (Thrasher) Thurber. He married Lucy. Am not able to give the full name or date.
The Rehoboth records give the children of John & Lucy Thurber as follows-
Hannah, Martha, Bethany, Oliver, Abigail, John & William.
Swansea which joins Rehoboth records a John Thurber as serving in the Revolution. Some of my John Thurber's relatives en- listed there so I thought that might be my ancestor.
Thanking you, I am
Yours respectfully
Esther Barnum

March 8, 1939.
Mrs. J. W. Boyce 612 Madison Avenue Albany, New York.
BA-J/ILL John Thurber S. 21529
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Joseph Allen of Barrington, Rhode Island, Hendrick Bratt (Bradt) of Albany County, New York, John Thurber of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and William Weaver of Rhode Island or Vermont.
With the information given by you, it has not been possible to identify the record of the particular Joseph Allen or William Weaver in whom you are interested. The approximate dates of birth and death of each one is essential, also, residence of each after service in the Revolutionary War. No claim for pension has been found based upon service of a Hendrick Bratt (Bradt) of Albany County, New York; if you are able to furnish some definite information in regard to that soldier, another search will be made of the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The record has been found of a John Thurber of Rehoboth, Massachusetts; his record is furnished you herewith from pension claim, S. 21529.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
There is a Henry Bradt - rec. fr. Am. St. Papers - Domingo Conk

March 6, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/REL John Thurber-S.21529
Ruth Hennings 1251 N. Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of David and William Cowden, of Pelham, Massachusetts; John Thurber, Junior, of Rehoboth, Massachusetts; James Irvine, of Albany County, New York; and Isaac Vosburgh, Albany County, New York; soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of claims for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon the military service in that war of James Irvine or Isaac Vosburgh, as described by you or of David Cowden or William Cowden, all spellings of the surnames searched. The record of a John Thurber, of Swansea, Massachusetts, has been found, the only soldier of that name that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office. His history is given below as obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.21529, based upon his military service in the Revolutionary War.
John Thurber, the son of Luther and Marcy, his wife, was born August 4, 1757, at Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of Swansea, Massachusetts, John Thurber volunteered early in April, 1777, and served about six weeks as a private in Captain Peleg Sherman's Massachusetts Company; he volunteered about the first of January, 1778, and served three months as a private in Captain Peleg Peck's Company, Colonel Daggett's Massachusetts Regiment; he enlisted in the summer of 1778, and served ten months as a private in Captain Joshua Sayer's Company, Colonel Elliott's Rhode Island Regiment of Artillery, and was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island expedition.
After the Revolution, the soldier lived in New Lebanon and Steventon, New York; Hancock, Pittsfield, Richmond and Swansea, Massachusetts.

John Thurber was allowed pension on his application executed September 7, 1832, while residing in Swansea, Massachusetts, in which place he had resided since the preceding January.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

September 22, 1930
Helen E. White 43 Dean Street Attleboro, Massachusetts
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section FEL
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.21529, that John Thurber, the son of Luther Thurber and Marcy, his wife, was born August 4, 1757, at Swaney, Bristol County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of Swaney, Massachusetts, he enlisted early in April, 1777, and served about six weeks as a private in Captain Peleg Sherman's Massachusetts Company. vol.
He enlisted about the first of January, 1778, and served three months as a private in Captain Peleg Peck's Company, Colonel Daggett's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in the summer of 1778, and served ten months as a private in Captain Joshua Sayer's Company, Colonel Elliott's Rhode Island Regiment of Artillery, and was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island expedition.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 7, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Swaney, Massachusetts.
There are no further family data.
The above is the history of the only soldier named John Thurber found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section EEL
August 2, 1929
Esther Barnum 19 Pine Street Waverly, New York
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 21529, it appears that John Thurber, the son of Luther Thurber and Marcy, his wife, was born August 4, 1757, at Swansey, Bristol County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of Swansey, Massachusetts, he enlisted early in April, 1777, and served about six weeks as a private in Captain Peleg Sherman's Massachusetts Company. He enlisted about the first of January, 1778, and served three months as a private in Captain Peleg Peck's Company, Colonel Daggett's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in the summer of 1778, and served ten months as a private in Captain Joshua Sayer's Company, Colonel Elliott's Rhode Island Regiment of Artillery, and was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island expedition.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 7, 1832, at which time he was a resident of

Swanzey, Massachusetts.
There are no further family data.
The above noted is the only soldier named John Thurber that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH, Commissioner.
Date of death not on H.B.