Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15408, for William Sumner, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Sumner, William Susanna
W 15408
CONTENTS

21.395 Massachusetts William Sumner of Norfolk in the State of Mass who was a Mate in the Company commanded by Captain Myers of the Co commanded by Col Read in the Mass line for 8 mos 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Norfolk at the rate of 28 Dollars 54 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Sept 1833 and Supp N. Everett  Wentworth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $ 70.85 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 30-1834 14.17
$85.02
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. W. Woodworth Clerk. Book 2 Vol. 210 Page 79

Reported
1584. Massachusetts Susannah Sumner widow of William Sumner who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Major Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 28 Dollars 34
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of August 1848 and sent to
G. S. Balfinch Boston Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 134 Vol. 2,

9068
Wm Sumner
Private 8 Mr 15 days
14-15-06
May 10 1885
P. 391
26.67
1.67
28.34 2
56.68
14.17
70.85
Milwaukee Overland
Wrenham
Cambridge
mass

9068  BRIEF in the case of  William Sumner  of Norfolk Co  in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? ys  3. How old is he? 77  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.     19 to 24 th Apr 75 5 private Gen. Capt Pratt   about 1 st Jan 75 to 1 st Jan 76 8 " Capt Payson Col Reed   about middle Jan 78 to the latter part of Dec 78 10 " Capt P. Loring  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 
None mentioned
 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
Stoughton
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
Secy of War's certificate  no living witness
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Papers not properly authenticated nor do they properly certify to the official character of the magistrate  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. C. Easton Examining Clerk.  16 July 1833

350 William Sumner 18 Jit 9068
Melatiah Everett Wrentham

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Aug 31 st 1832
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of William Sumner is borne upon the Musters Pay Rolls of Capt Samuel Payson's Company in Col Joseph Read's Reg d for the period of three months & seven days from May second 1775
Edward D Bangs. Secy
It appears that the above is all the documentary evidence in this case to be found in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. See also page of P. 106
I further Certify that for the 8 months service in 1775, there are no rolls in this Office beyond the beginning of the month of August of that year; a fact which has been repeatedly certified to the War Department. Edward D Bangs Secy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss. On this Twenty three day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Probate Court  now sitting at  in for said County, William Sumner  able to attend court before me a resident of Foxborough in said County, aged sixty four years 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, A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Stoughton and Foxborough on the fifteenth day of January A. D. 1757, and that there is a record of his birth in the records of Foxborough : that he was in the United States service from the 19 day of April A. D. 1775, to the twenty fourth day of April A. D. 1775 5 days as a private soldier in the Norfolk County Militia : that he was residing at Stoughton now Foxborough when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Josiah Pratt
: that he marched from said Stoughton then Foxborough to Needham : that he served with no of the regular troops; and no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received a discharge : that he left the service on the 24th day of April 1775 and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Needham
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the first day of May A. D. 1775, to the last day of November A. D. 1776 as a private soldier in the Norfolk County Militia that he was residing at said Stoughton then Foxborough when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Samuel Dyer : that he marched from Stoughton then Foxborough to Needham : that he served with no
of the regular troops; and no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle that at the end of his service he received no discharge in writing and left the service on the first of December 1776  he in the office of the secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the about November day of November A. D. 1776, to the last day of January A. D. 1778 as a private soldier in the Norfolk County Militia that he was residing at said Stoughton then Foxborough when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Josiah Pratt : that he marched from Stoughton then Foxborough to Needham : that he served with no
of the regular troops; and no regular officers were known to him; that he was in no battle that at the end of his service he received no discharge in writing and left the service on about the last of January 1778

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK ss.
I, JAIRUS WARE, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby Certify that
David Gilbert Esquire, before whom the annexed Deposition was taken  was at the time of the taking thereof is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid  Bristol , duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that his signature to  on the same is genuine and true.
In Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this
Twenty sixth day of July A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty Three
Jairus Ware

I Benjamin Billings of Mansfield in the County of Bristol and commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and declare that I was a Soldier in the Company of Capt Samuel Payson and Regiment of Col Joseph Reed in the eight months service near Boston in the Army of the Revolution in the Massachusetts line and that William Sumner of Foxborough did the duty of a private Soldier in the said company and the said company enlisted for the term of eight months as aforesaid in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred & seventy five Benjamin Billings
Bristol J. August 14 th 1832 Then the above named Benjamin Billings made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
before me
David Gilbert Justice of the peace -
Bristol J. Aug. 27 th 1832.
I further certify that the above named Benjamin Billings is a credible witness and that full faith and credit is to be given to his testimony
David Gilbert Justice of the peace -

evidence of said service  service as may be found in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and know of no person living who can testify to the last 2 last periods of service within named and that  his Brother John Sumner served a herein  term of one of the time mentioned in second head of service within named as a select tate for one year  year not exceeding two months.
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.
William Sumner his mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
We Willard Pierce a Clergyman residing in the  said  For the  benefit of Dea Ebenezer Forster residing in the  said  the  town of  town of  Brookfield and William Sumner who has hereby certify that we are well acquainted with seventy seven subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age 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. of the
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Eliza Forster
And the said Judge  Judge do hereby declare his 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 said  Judge further certify that it appears to him that Willard Pierce who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the said  said  town of Brookfield ; and that Eliza Forster who has also signed the same is a resident in said  said  town of Brookfield and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the said Judge further certifies that said William Sumner, by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to appear in court to make the foregoing declaration. Thereunder his and judge's initials.
I Samuel Haxon Reg t of the court of  said  State  court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Sumner , for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Samuel Haxon

I Benjamin Billings of Mansfield in the county of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy seven years of age do hereby give evidence testify & say that I was in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war with William Sumner of Foxborough in the county of Norfolk in said state of Massachusetts. We were marched to Roxbury near Boston & served eight months in the year 1775 or 1776 which year I am not now certain. Our Captain was Samuel Payson in Joseph Reed's Regiment.
Benjamin Billings
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County } ss
Be it known, That before me Noland Green a Justice of the Peace within & for said county of Bristol personally appeared the above named Benjamin Billings & made solemn oath that the above statement by him subscribed is just & true in all its parts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & quality this fourteenth day of August A. one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight.
Noland Green Justice of the Peace
Bristol Aug 14. 1838. This may certify that the above named Benjamin Billings is a credible person.
Noland Green Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk, I Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate within & for said County of Norfolk hereby certify that Sherman Letton is Judge of said Court of Probate & that John Sherman is a justice of the Peace within & for the County of Norfolk, & that Roland Green is a justice of the Peace within & for the County of Bristol & that their respective qualifications to their respective offices are on file in my office.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1828.
Jonathan H. Cobb

Town Clerk's Office Foxborough, County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts August 20. th 1838.
I hereby certify that the following appears among the Records of Marriages in said Town of Foxborough returned by Rev. R. Green, March Thirteenth — Seventeen Hundred and Eighty Two, then Mr. William Sumner and Miss Susanna Turner both of Foxborough aforesaid, were joined together in marriage. — And I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair legible character figure as follows, 13. March 1782.
Attest. Warren Bird, Town Clerk of { Foxborough.
I Warren Bird abovenamed do hereby say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town of Foxborough aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town, with the exception abovenamed as certified by me. — Warren Bird, Town Clerk of Foxborough.
Norfolk ss. August 20, 1838
Sworn before me John Morrison Justice Peace

I Warren Bird, Town Clerk of Foxborough County and State within named, do testify and say that it appears from the Records of said Town that William Sumner within named Died November Twenty Sixth, One Thousand and Eight Hundred and Thirty Two, leaving a Widow, viz. Susannah Sumner within named, who is still living in said Foxborough, and that the said Susannah Sumner has never been married since the decease of the said William Sumner Foxborough August 20. 1838
Warren Bird, Town Clerk of Foxborough.
Verfalle for August 20. 1838 then personally appeared the above named Warren Bird & made solemn oath on due form of law that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true (And I further certify that said Warren Bird is a credible witness) Before me John Sherman John Dunn

Susanna Sumner
1718 Susanna Sumner mother of 10 th
Mass. died 7 July 38
Married 1782. Died in 1832
admd 2 mo. 17 ds pri 8 mo. 11 ds Ensign $92.23/100
No deduction
S. Leland Roxbury Mass.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows,"
State of Massachusetts, } County of Norfolk } ss
On this twentyfirst day of August A D 1830
Count of Pilsbrite now in Lisbon at Wrentham in Hampshire personally appeared before the Subordinate  the  Subordinate a resident of Stoughton in the county of Norfolk aged 75 — years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" That she is the widow of William Sumner who was a * soldier in the revolutionary army & served 8 months near Boston in 1775 as a private, for which service a pension was granted him under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832, for a particular description of the service & the officer  under whom it was received she refers to the application made by him at the time the pension was granted
She further declares that she was married to the said William Sumner on the 13 th day of March in the year seventeen hundred and eighty that her husband, the aforesaid William Sumner died on the 26 th day of November A D 1832
that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz. : at the time above stated.
Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me, Sayward Sumner
S. Seland Pilsbrite
* Here insert the rank the husband held in the army, navy, or militia, as the case may be, and specify the service performed, as directed in rule numbered one of these regulations.

Massachusetts - 583.
Susanna Sumner widow of William Sumner, dec! who was a pensioner under the Act of June 7. '32 and who died on the 26. Nov. 1832 of Norfolk in the State of Mass who was a Pw. & En in the County commanded by Captain Nason of the Regt. commanded by Robinson in the Mass line for 10 mo 28 dys
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 92 Dollars 22 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1832
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Oct o '38, to the and S. Leland Roxbury, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r 230. 57 Semi-annual allowance ending 46. 11
276.68
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Burrows Clerk Book A Vol. 1 Page 129

Massachusetts - 1833
- Sarah Lumber - widow of William Lumber who who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 th June 32 and who died on the 20 th Nov 1832 - of Amherst in the State of Mass who was a P. in the Comp y commanded by Captain Payson of the Reg t commanded by Gen l in the Mass s line for 8 mos 7 1/2 - 241
Re due
Inscribed on the Roll of M - 1834 at the rate of 28 Dollars 34 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of Feb y 38 and sent to S. Lumber Roxbury Mass
Arrears to the 4 th of Sep r $ 70. 85 - Semi-annual allowance ending 10. 17
$ 85. 02
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Burdick Clerk Book A Vol. 1 - Page 129

Massachusetts, 3927-
Susannah Sumner widow of William Sumner who was a private in the Massachusetts line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 28 Dollars 34 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 - day of Decr. 1843 and sent to Thos. B. French Boston Massachusetts
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 4 Vol. 1 — Page 54.

Ms
Per WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15408
Susannah Sumner Widow of William Sumner Rev. Rev. Mr.
Act: Feb. 2 d 1848
Index:—Vol. B2 , Page 264
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Norbury October 15 th 1838
Sir
I herewith return the Pension certificates to Maryann Knapp, widow of Moses Knapp, Susannah Sumner widow of William Sumner & Jewish or Newcombe widow of Charles Newcombe. which were received by me a few days since - Moses Knapp the husband of Maryann Knapp was a Major in the Revolutionary army. & not a private or soldier in the certificates. William Sumner, the husband of the said Susannah Sumner was not an Ensign or soldier in the certificates, but a private only. There were two William Sumners, in that county of Norfolk, who were pensioners under the acts of Congress of June 7 th 1832. One lived in Dunton & the other in Hotbrough - the one in Dunton was an Ensign & the one in Hotbrough a private. The latter was the husband of the said Susannah. I have never to believe that Charles Newcombe, the husband of the said Jewish or Newcombe, was a Sergeant, a part of the time, at least, that he was in the service. When you shall have made such corrections in the certificates as they shall require, please return them to me at Norbury J. L. Edwards Esquire
Yours obedt Servt J. L. Edwards

Payment to be made at - Boston - by J. Mason Esq. Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Massachusetts
Payable on the 4th March and 4th September in each year thereafter. First pay- ment to be made 31st De- cember, 1838
From New Certificate 8 mo 15 days. pri 28.34
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A Vol. 1 Page 129 by
R. Burdin Clerk
S. Leland

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Five years Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Susanna Sumner widow of William Sumner , deceased, who was a Private during the Revolutionary War, and died on the twenty sixth day of Novr 1832. is entitled to receive five years' pension at the rate of ninety two dollars and twenty three cents per annum, commencing on the fourth day of March, 1836; and in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension will cease on the day of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this sixth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
J. Poinsett
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

ad copy Admitted
G. S. Bulfinch Boston Mass

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss.
Norfolk COUNTY, }
On this Eleventh day of August, 1848, personally appeared
Susannah Sumner
a resident of Foxborough in the county of Norfolk
aged Eighty five years, who being first duly sworn, according to
law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the
provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to
widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of
William Sumner who was a resident of Foxborough
and who was a private
in the War of the Revolution
and is the identical person who drew a pension
under the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late hus-
band aforesaid, at the rate of twenty eight dollars and
thirty four cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Susannah Sumner
mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day } Before me,
and year above written, }
Warren Bird,
In presence of
Mary A. Wallace Justice of the Peace.
I Certify, That the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner,
as she declares.
Warren Bird, Justice of the Peace.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss.
COUNTY, }
I, Clerk of the
Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly
commissioned and qualified ; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said Court, this
day of 18
CLERK.

4158
Susannah Sumner
$28. 34
Thos. Bulfinch Boston Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Norfolk County } 553
Be it known that on this Second — day of September 1843, personally appeared before me the subscriber, a justice of the Peace in and for said County and Commonwealth Mrs. Jemima Jemima Freeman a resident of Dorchester in the County of Norfolk aged Eighty — years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3rd of March, 1833 granting pension to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of Mr. Freeman who was a Private in the Revolutionary War, and served as she verily believes as stated by her in her original declaration for a pension under the Law of the 7th July 1838, to which declaration and the papers accompanying the same now on file in the War Department she would refer for a more particular statement of his services for the proof of her marriage, identity, and the time of her husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said Act at the rate of Twenty Eight 34 / 100 per Diem per annum which amount she received from the 4th of March 1836, to the 11th March 1841, at the Agency in Boston Massachusetts and at the time of her receiving her last payment surrendered the Pension Certificate granted to her under said Act to the Pension Agent at the said City of Boston agreeably to the Rules of the Department.
And this declarant further alleges that she has not intermarried since the decease of the said Husband but is now, and ever since has been the Widow of said Mr. Freeman deceased as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed.
And further she saith not.
Witness, Nathan Bird.  Jemima Freeman

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year first within written and I certify that the applicant is personally known to me to be the person within described
Before me
Warren Bird, (Justice of the Peace)
Mehetiah Carpenter of Roxborough in the County of Norfolk of lawful age on oath, testify and say that I have been well acquainted with, Mehetiah Turner the applicant named in the within declaration for many years last past. I know that she was the Wife and is now the Widow of Mr. Turner deceased who was reputed to have been a Soldier in the Revolutionary War and that she was a pensioner under the law of 7 th July 1838. as stated by her.
Mehetiah Carpenter
(Commonwealth of Massachusetts)
Norfolk Co. ss. Sept. 2 nd 1843.
Then came Mehetaiah Carpenter who is known to me to be a credible witness, and made oath, that the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed is strictly true.
Before me, Warren Bird, (Justice of the Peace)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston Septem d 5. 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation, Warren Birds was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk.
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
N. A. Pills
Secretary of the Commonwealth.