Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1617, for Jonathan Kettell, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Ketell, Jonathan No. 1617 Mary
CONTENTS

Dis. May 6th 1834 74 11 33
150215  MASSACHUSETTS Jonathan Pillsbury of Essex in the State of Mass who was a Sifer in the Company commanded by Captain Morrill of the Reg t commanded by Colonel in the Mass line for 5 months Sifer of Infantry " " " of Art
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 22 Dollars - 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of May 1833 and sent to Mr M rs Mary Pillsbury
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $40.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1/14 th " 11.33  $51.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. C. Robinson Clerk, Book E Vol 2 a Page 45

Republca
688. Massachusetts.
Mary Nettell, widow of Jonathan Nettell
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Fifer 6 months Mass. Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 22 Dollars 67 .
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March , 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of Nov r 1850 and sent to
John Merrill Newburyport Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 28/48, Page 41 Vol. 1
July  Book A

13582
Joseph Woodman
Abraham Jonathan Nettill Mass.
Muscum of July 1 Month " " July 5 6
4.33 11.00 7.34 22.67
N. Woart Newburyport Mass

BRIEF in the case of Jonathan Kettle  Co of USCA in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72  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.     Mass Militia June 17/6 enlisted 5 Serf Gen. Cap Nourse   1843. more than 1 - Artillery. Serf. Cap Thomas  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Newburyport, Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional two living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Fayth
Examining Clerk.

Jonathan Hettete
13,582
Journalism Ethics
Dear Sir,

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1852.
State of Massachusetts: County of Essex, s.
On this day personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Daniel Appleton White, Judge of the Court of Probate for the county of Essex, a foreman, now residing at Newburyport — Jonathan Tethill, a resident of New- buryport, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy two years, and upwards, who being first duly sworn, according to law, did, on his oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832:
The insurrection at Farmington, in the month of June - 1776 - in the company commanded by Captain Moses Mather, Massachusetts militia, raised as guards on the sea coast, and served in said company, as a private, until the first day of November following, discharged on the 1st of November, 1776, and no written discharge -
Also enlisted in said Company, in the year 178, in company of volunteers, and volunteers engaged in connection with Captain Sherman, for the term of six weeks, and marched with said company to Liberty Island, and duly there in said company as a soldier, march to Annapolis, when he recd his discharge. —
was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts in the year 1759. has his family moved, but tradition is to be on the town records - lived in Newtonville when he enlisted, voluntarily offered to Salem. It brought him credit for sincerity of his ministry and belief in his revolutionary services —
That he now resides in the Hampshire part of Massachusetts and has resided there for more than fifty years, previous to which he lived in Chakutta (or in Waltham ), in Massachusetts. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity except the pension and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. —
Given to and subscribed this day and year above said. Yours affec ly Wellell —
Dr. Wm. Price Judge of Probate

We Daniel Dana, a clergyman, residing in Newburyport aforesaid, and William B Benister Esquire, a magistrate residing in Newburyport aforesaid, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Hattin, who has subscribed and sworn to the aforesaid declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age and upwards; that he is respected in his neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Daniel Dana W B Benister
Subscribed and sworn to before me
W Worthy Justice of the Peace
And the said Court having delivered its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after perusing the information presented to the War Department, and the aforesaid affidavits, do hereby certify that the aforesaid Jonathan Hattin, was a soldier of the Revolution, and served as such a soldier. And the Court further certifies that Lieut Daniel Dana (D.P.) who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman residing in said Newburyport, and that the said William B Benister Esq. who has also signed the same, is a magistrate residing at said Newburyport, and is a credible person, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Dr H White Judge Probate
I Nathaniel Lord San, Register of the Court of Probate for the county of Essex aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Hattin for a pension. Also that William Worthy is a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Essex and that his subscription to each of the affidavits hereto annexed is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.
Given under my hand this Eleventh day of September A.D. 1832. C Wm. Lord Jr.

2 1 2 1
I Stephen Cross, of Newburyport, in the county of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy one years, and afterwards, on oath do testify and declare, that I am well acquainted with Jonathan Kelle of said Newburyport, and do know, that the said Jonathan Kelle, was a officer, in the company commanded by Captain Thomas Thuman, a company of volunteers, raised in said Newburyport, in the year 1778, and marched with said company, and did duty therein at Rhode Island, the full term of One month; - the engagement when we marched was for six weeks, but the service performed at Rhode Island as aforesaid, has not till now one month. - I was a private in the same company; marched with said Kelle from said Newburyport; did do the same term of service, and returned with him - a corps of Artillery raised in 1775 or 1776 knows continues.
Steph Cross
Newburyport - August 27th 1832.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Newburyport August 27th 1832. True Stephen Cross above named, to me personally known to be personally same and inside of each and every part of him to be true to the best of my knowledge and belief. The above written deposition by him subscribed is my personal knowledge. I do also testify that said Stephen Cross is believed by me to be a man of integrity.
Wm. G. D. ...

2 1 2 1
I Moses Cheney, of Newton in the county of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify and declare, that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Kettell of Volendam in said county, and do further declare that said Jonathan Kettell was a officer in the company commanded by Captain Simon Newcomb, in Colonel Saltonstall's regiment, and that he came thither at Lynn's Island, at the entrance of the river Neumack, in the year 1776 - Three months Massachusetts Militia from June 1. to November 1. of that year. I was acquainted with said company, and served therein at that time, and afterwards.
Moses Cheney
Newtonport August 3 1832.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. I am a Notary public in and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Then Moses Cheney above named who is personally known to me, personally came, and made oath in due form, that to the best of his knowledge and belief the above written deposition is true and correct. - I do further certify that said Moses Cheney is believed by me to be a credible witness.
W. O. H. G. L. of the P.

I, Eleazer Johnson Jr Clerk of the Town of Newburyport in the County of Essex Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that it appears by the records of said Town now in my custody that "Jonathan, Hottell and Mary Noyes were married in Newburyport January first A.D. Seventeen hundred eighty seven by Rev d Samuel Spring Pastor of the Third Religious Society in Newburyport." And that "Mr Jonathan Hottell died at Newburyport May sixth A.D. Eighteen hundred forty eight aged ninety years."
Given under my hand at Newburyport this twenty third day of April in the year Eighteen hundred and fifty Eleazer Johnson Jr Town Clerk.
I, Eleazer Johnson Jr above named on oath, do declare that I hold the Office of Clerk of the Town of Newburyport aforesaid and that the above is a true Extract from the records of said Town now in my possession with the exception only that on said records the date is expressed in fair, legible figures thus January 1 st 1787 and May 6. 1848.
Eleazer Johnson Jr Town Clerk.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } County of Essex } ss.
On this twenty third day of April A.D 1850, personally appeared before the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace and Law-

run for each of the Counties of the Commonwealth aforesaid the aforesaid Deponent Eleazer Johnson Jun r . of Newburyport, Esquire and in due form of law made his Oath that the foregoing declarations by him subscribed are true: and I certify that he is personally known to me as Town Clerk, as aforesaid and that he is a credible and respectable witness.
John Merrill, Justice of the Peace &c Dro. through the state.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Essex ss.
I, Stephen W. Marston Clerk of the Police Court within and for the District of Newburyport, in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, being a Court of Record, do certify that Hon ble Daniel A. White at the date of his annexed attestation was Judge of Probate for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid; and also that John Merrill at the respective dates of his annexed attestations was a Justice of the Peace and Quorum in and for all the Counties of the Commonwealth aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified: that his Commission was dated on the nineteenth day of July A.D. 1849 and will expire on the nineteenth day of July A.D. 1856: and that the respective signatures of the said D. A. White and of the said J. Merrill to the papers, hereto annexed, are genuine.
And I the said Clerk do hereby further certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that Jonathan Kettell was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of twenty two dollars and sixty seven cents per year during life; that he was a resident of Newburyport in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid; that he died in Newburyport aforesaid on the sixteenth day of May A.D. 1848: that he left a widow whose name is Mary Kettell,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Newburyport this twenty third day of April, in the year One thousand eight hundred and fifty.
SW Marston Clerk of the said Court.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 29th July 1848.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Essex ss.
On this twenty sixth day of March in the year One Thousand Eight hundred and fifty personally appeared before me
Daniel A White Esquire, Judge of Probate for the County of Essex, Mary Kettle a resident of Newburyport in the County of Essex, aged eighty one years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed the 29th July A.D. 1848.
That she is the Widow of Jonathan Kettle, who was a Sayer in the Army of the United States in the Revolutionary War and served as she believes, in the Companies of Capt. Moses Norwell - Col. Tilton and Captain Thomas Thomas Artillery, for the term of nine months or more.
She further declares that she was married to said Jonathan Kettle in Newburyport, by Rev. Samuel Spring D.D. on the first day of January A.D. Seventeen hundred and Eighty Nine.
That her husband the aforesaid Jonathan Kettle died at Newburyport aforesaid on the sixth day of May A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty Eight; that she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the second of January Eighteen hundred viz: at the time above stated; that the said Jonathan Kettle was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of twenty two dollars and sixty seven cents per Annum; that the Pension Certificate was dated 21st May 1833 and recorded in the Pension Office in Book E. Vol 2nd page 45, by D.S. Addison, Clerk.
She further swears that she is now a Widow, and that she has never before made any application for a pension; and further that she is prevented by bodily infirmity from appearing in Court.
Witness. John Merrill.
Mary Kettle mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written, before me, the Judge of the Court aforesaid, being a Court of Records of the County, in which the above declarant resides; and I certify that the said declarant cannot, from bodily infirmity attend the court.
D A White
Judge of Probate for the County of Essex.

Det.
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1617
Mary Kettell Widow Jonathan Kettell Life Rev. War
Act: July 29, 1848
Index:—Vol. a , Page 390
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 704 April 26. 1850
Rev. Mr. Clarke
Marblehead
Massachusetts
Feb 24 1854
L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner Washington D.C.

13 5 82
Jonathan Kittle
W. Noor 5

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Johnathan Nottell which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? 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? 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?
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? yes
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.

Newburyport, Mass. 24 th April, 1850.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington D.C.
Sir,
I herewith respectfully transmit the Declaration and evidence deemed necessary to establish the Claim for Pension, of Mary Hottell of this town Widow of Jonathan Hottell deceased , who was a Revolutionary Pensioner. His Certificate of Pension has been returned to the Fin. Auditor, according to regulations, to procure arrears of pension. If the evidence shall be satisfactory, be pleased to forward to me or to my order, the Widow's Certificate.
I have the honor to be Sir respectfully.
Yrs Mr. Wilson
John Merrill.

Mary Ketchum, widow of Jonathan - Mass -
Aa 29 th July. 1848 - Ad - 6 mo. Fifer - $22.67 per ann. from 6 th May. 1848, when her husband died -
her wife sent to John Merrill Newburyport Mass -

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston :
January 11. 18 59.
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 Jonathan Kettell is borne on a pay roll of Capt. Moses Kneeland's Co. from Newburyport, stationed at Plum Island, as a fifer from July 9. to Nov 19. 1776. 4 mo. 14 days.
Also on an order to the Treasurer, dated Newburyport Oct 25 1785, to pay his wages for service in Capt. Thomas Thomas Co. of Artillery, on an expedition to R.I. in 1778. It appears from Capt. Thomas' order for the same, that the service was contained in two rolls, but there appears to be no roll among the military records in this office which shows the length of the service.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth the date above written.
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "M. B. Waldo".
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Essex - Town of Newburyport - ss.
The deponent of the Commonwealth hereby requested to furnish evidence from the rolls in his office of the service of my late husband Jonathan Nuttall of Newburyport deceased, in the war of the rebellion. He was a native of the Town of Charlestown in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts. He enlisted from the Town of Newburyport in the County of Essex A.D. 1875 in the Company commanded by Capt. Moses North C.O. 1st Regiment, in the Military of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was stationed at Plum Island and served for months in service.
That he afterwards enlisted in a Company of Heavy Artillery Company commanded by Thomas Thomas, in which he did duty as a fireman. I am not certain about the year, but think it was 1878. and went to Rhode Island. He died 6th May 1848. He was after service of the Union States from 4th March 1831 to the time of his death at the rate of Twenty two Dollars per Month. I have no paper to write evidence. I am now eighty one years old and in my ninety day and unable to write the services more fully than above stated. Witness my hand the twentyfirst day of December A.D. 1849.
Witnesses.
Mary Nuttall.
F. Nuttall.
Signed by Mary Nuttall in my presence
John Kendall, Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, } ss. County of Essex — }
In this twenty sixth day of January in the year One thousand eight hundreds and fifty before me John Merrill a Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, within and for each of the Counties of the Commonwealth aforesaid personally appeared Richard S. Spofford M.D. of Newburyport in the County aforesaid and on Oath deposed, that for many years, he has been well acquainted with Jonathan Kettell late of Newburyport aforesaid a Revolutionary Pensioner deceased and also with his wife Mary Kettell; that said Jonathan Kettell and his wife, have always since he knew them, resided in Newburyport aforesaid; that deponent was their family physician and attended the said Jonathan Kettell professionally in his last sickness; that he died on the sixth day of May A.D 1848 at Newburyport aforesaid and that he left a widow the said Mary Kettell; also that he is disinterested.
Richard S. Spofford
Sworn to and subscribed by the abovenamed deponent Richard S. Spofford, the day, month and year first above written: and I certify that said deponent is personally known to me as a Physician, in extensive practice and as a highly-respectable citizen.
John Merrill, Justice of the Peace & Quorum Throughout the Commonwealth.