Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,333, for John Shepard, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Shepard, John Bally
N 15,333
CONTENTS

Dead Paid at the Treasury under the Act of April 6 th 1838 from 4 th March 1836 to March 4 th 1841. Agt notified May 18 1842
Rate of death not m o
6352
Massachusetts Sally Shepard widow of John Shepard dec d
who was pensioned under the Act of and who died on the 6 th December 1810 in Suffolk in the State of Mass s who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Newcomb of the Reg t commanded by Col t Webb in the Mass s due for 2 years.
Enrolled on the Roll of Mass a at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 5 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Sept r by Agent to Penn y H. Piermont House of Representatives Arrears to the 5 th of March 1841 $400.00  from current allowance ending
$400.00 { Act July 7, } { 1838. }
Recorded by Adams Clerk Book 4 Vol. 12 Page 131

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
May 14 th , 1842.
Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Nancy Abree, one of the eight children of Sally Shepherd, dec d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Boston, Mass: Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th July 1838, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March 1836, to the 1 st March 1841.
Respectfully, yours,
William H. Parris
COMPTROLLER
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

I William Ellis of Dedham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being of lawful age and requested to state what I know of John Shepard formerly of Dedham and late of Boston etc and of his place of residence before he resided at said Dedham hereby depose and say, that I was personally acquainted with said John Shepard and his family during a period of fifteen or sixteen years when he resided a neighbor to my Father's family at said Dedham, and recollect that he and his family removed to Boston I think a year or two previous to the year 1810, that his wife Sally Shepard was a niece of my Mother and many times visited our family while she and her said husband resided at said Dedham. That from statements I have heard from said John Shepard and from other men of his age and standing many years ago, I can say, that in the neighborhood where he then resided, the said John Shepard was respected and believed to have been a Soldier of the Revolution in the Continental line, and that I concurred in that opinion. and I further say, that I distinctly recollect about the year 1800, at a public Annual celebration of American Independence at Dedham, the said John Shepard rose and spoke on the occasion and at the close of his remarks, gave a volunteer sentiment or toast, in which he named General Burgoyne with an allusion to the Battle and surrender his Army at Saratoga in the year 1777. by which I understand that said Shepard, took an active part as a Soldier in that transaction.
And I further say I well recollect that a little previous to the year 1800, Samuel Shepard a brother of said John, came to Dedham from Maine and remained in the employ of John for two or three years and returned home to said Sheepscot River in Maine, where, (as I have been informed) he remains to the present time, I also recollect the youngest Brother of said John Shepard viz Collins Shepard came to Dedham after Samuel had returned home, and that he resided here a year or more, with his Brother John and returned back to Maine - that I was intimately acquainted with said Samuel & Collins Shepard while they resided with their Brother John as aforesaid, that I also remember of hearing said Samuel or Collins, or both, when speaking of occurrences and transactions at Sheepscot their home, make mention of the town of Pownalborough, which as was well known, was situated on the west side of the Sheepscot River, and nearly opposite of the town of New Castle, on the easterly side of the same. - but my impression is, that the name of Pownalborough has been changed within the last forty years.
That I well recollect also, that a little after the year 1800, the aged father of said John Shepard came to Dedham and passed several weeks at the house of his son John Shepard on a visit, that I had several conversations with him, and clearly remember his mentioning about his place of residence at Sheepscot in Maine.
I also know the fact, that said John and Sally Shepard had two sons while they resided at Dedham, and one of which they named James, and the other William, and (as was then said by the family) they were thus named, after two elder Brothers of said John Shepard who resided in Maine.
State of Massachusetts ss August 27 1841 I do hereby certify to and subscribe by And William Ellis whose name is above written this twenty seventh day of August 1841 who is a credible witness before me Justus D. Dorrington Justice of peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
I Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Norfolk hereby certify that Erastus Worthington Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said Office, and that his signature on this paper is genuine and true. In Witness whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court of Probate hereunto at Dedham in said County this twenty seventh day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred & forty one.
Jonathan H. Cobb Regj. Probate Co. of Norfolk

Ms. Sally Shepard Widow of John Shepard deed
Suffolk Co. Boston. Mass ad 1. July 30
adm 2 years pri. 808
No deduction
H. W. Parmenter A. R.

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, ss. County of Suffolk
On this tenth day of August, in the year Eighteen Hundred and Forty one. Personally appeared before the Subscriber Judge of the Municipal Court within and for the City of Boston in said Commonwealth Sally Shepard a resident of Boston in the county of Suffolk aged Seventy eight 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 John Shepard late of Boston deceased: That said John Shepard her late Husband, and his late brother James Shepard Enlisted into the Army of the Revolution, for the term of Three years at the Town of New Castle in Lincoln County and now State of Maine, and served full Three years in Colonel Smiths Regiment and Captain Woodbridges Company, untill the year 1780. at which time He said John Shepard, received an honorable discharge from the service which discharge is lost. again my late Husband. John Shepard performed a further term of Military service for the Town of Scituate, Norfolk County, of Three months, and upwards in the year 1781 and in Captain Thomas Newcombs Company of Colonel Webbs Regiment of Massachusett's Militia. said John Shepard became an Inhabitant of Scituate after the termination of his first mentioned term of Three years service, where he married this applicant. She further declares that she was married to said John Shepard on the ... day of ... in the year one hundred and eighty three ... and, the aforesaid John Shepard died on the ... day of ... in the year Eighteen hundred and ... that she was ... to her after his leaving the service, but the ... previous to the ... of January, seventeen hundred and ninety ... viz: at the time above stated.
Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me
Further Certificate of the said Sally Shepard by reason of age and infirmities is unable personally to attend ... Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.

I Betsy Freeman, wife of William Freeman of Boston, county of Suffolk and Commonwealth Massachusetts, aged Forty four years. Being sworn do on Oath testify and say that I am the reputed daughter of John Shepard deceased and Sally his wife, now his widow.
That I have always understood that my late Father & his Brother James Shepard were soldiers together in the Army of the Revolutionary War, and served several years in the Massachusetts line of said Army, and were at the time of their enlistment inhabitants of that part of New Castle, since set off and called Jefferson in Lincoln County, in the new State of Maine. My late Father John Shepard became an inhabitant of Scituate, as I have always understood, before the termination of the Revolutionary War, where he married my mother, whose name was Sally Fairbanks. That subsequently my Father & Mother, said John and Sally Shepard removed to this city where my late Father said John Shepard died on the Sixth day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and Ten, and left said Sally his widow who is still living and has not intermarried since the death of my late Father, said John Shepard.
Betsy Freeman
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

"Marriages"
at top of Page
"M c John Shepard & Miss Sally Fairbanks, both of Dedham" - one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, December second.
I Richard Ellis of Dedham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, hereby certify, that the above extract showing the marriage of John Shepard and Sally Fairbanks, is a true copy thereof from the Book of Records in my possession with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record, in fair legible figures and letters, as follows, viz
"1783 Decem r 2 d "
Richard Ellis Clerk of the town of Dedham
I Richard Ellis above named, do hereby say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk, in the Town, County, and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town of Dedham, with the exception above named, as certified by me -.
Richard Ellis Clerk of the town of Dedham
State of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss.
August 4 th 1841. Then Richard Ellis above named and Clerk of the town of Dedham in said County, subscribed to, and made oath, that the matter by him certified and set forth in the foregoing statements by him so subscribed, is just and true -.
Before me, W m Ellis Justice of Peace

Carmelhurst & Naparuto
Seal Office Aug 4. 1841
I hereby certify that the within William Ellis is a justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk. Witness the Seal of the Office.
John Wiggin Secretary to the Commission

I Enoch Harris of Dedham in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being seventy-four years of age hereby testify and say, that I was personally acquainted with John Shepard formerly of said Dedham but late of Boston Massachusetts die in the year A.D. 1781 and many years afterwards, and I further say that I am knowing to the fact that said John Shepard engaged and served as a soldier for a term of three months at Peekskill and other places in that vicinity, in the State of New York, in Capt. Newcomb, Company, Lieut. Ebenezer Shepard an Col. Webb's Regiment - That this service began about the middle of September A.D. 1781 and ended about the middle of December the same year, and the reasons why I know these facts are because I served as a soldier in said Capt Newcomb's Company and Col. Webb's Regiment with said John Shepard, during the three months tour of military service aforesaid in the year A.D. 1781.
Enoch Harris
State of Massachusetts } County of Norfolk ss } June 28 th 1839. Then the above named Enoch Harris a credible Witness, subscribed to, and made Oath that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by him so subscribed, is true.
Before me W m Gellis. Justice of Peace

I David Weatherbee of Dedham in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being seventy six years of age hereby testify and say, that I was personally and intimately acquainted with John Shepard formerly of said Dedham, and late a resident of Boston, where according to my best recollection, he died some time in the year 1810, That according to my best recollection and belief - the said John Shepard first came into said Dedham in the year 1779 or 1780, and visited a connection of his by the name of Fales, that I well remember when first acquainted with said Shepard and several times afterwards that I heard him state, that he had previously served some time as a Soldier in the Continental Army, and stated the particulars about his service as Soldier at the surrender of General Burgoyne's Army at Saratoga in Saratoga in the month of October in the year 1777. but how long said Shepard served as Soldier in the Revolutionary war, or the Officers names under whom he rendered this service, I do not recollect, if ever knew - and I further testify and say, that I distinctly recollect that about the close of the Revolutionary war, the said John Shepard married to a young woman of my acquaintance, by the name of Sally Fairbanks at Dedham, and afterwards purchased a house and lot of land of my father Benjamin Weatherbee, where he the said John Shepard resided a near neighbor to my father's family, for a term of twenty years or more, and then removed to Boston where he died as aforesaid. What particular town said John Shepard resided in when the Revolutionary war began I can not positively say, but remember to have heard him state that it was at Sheepscot, or some town or place on the Sheepscot River in the State of Maine, where his father and brother resided; and it occurred to mind, that I was informed in those days either by said John Shepard, or by his father or brothers when on a visit at Dedham, that two of said John Shepard's Brothers - viz James and William Shepard had also served in the Continental Army, and having heard both the said John Shepard and his brothers, when speaking of transactions at Sheepscot River, often mention the Towns of Missiscot New Castle, and Waldoborough, my belief is, that the residence of this Shepard family was in one of these Towns before and during the Revolutionary war - and I further say that I have occasionally seen Sally Shepard the widow of said John Shepard her late husband since the death of her said husband, the last time I saw her she was at the City of Boston, where I believe she resides at the present time - David Weatherbee.
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss. August 3- 1841. Then David Weatherbee - a man of known respectability and a credible Witness, subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by him so subscribed, is true in every part thereof.
Before me Wm Ellis Justice of Peace
Note. The interlined words "with his Family" were inserted by me, before the signing of this instrument was signed or otherwise authenticated - Wm Ellis

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss: I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of said Municipal Court of the City of Boston hereby certify that Peter O. Thacher Esquire, is sole Judge of said Muni- cipal Court the signature hereon written purporting to be his, is his gen- uine signature. Witness my hand and the seal of said Municipal Court hereto set this tenth day of August. A.D. Eighteen hundred & forty one. Thomas W. Phillips Clerk.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Suffolk ss. On this tenth day of August. A.D. 1841, personally ap- peared before me the subscriber, Mrs Betsey Freeman, wife of William Freeman of the city of Boston, Merchant, and personally known to me as a person of respectability and veracity, and made solemn oath to the truth of the contents of the aforesaid affidavit which she signed in my presence - Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the city of Boston, and Justice of the Peace throughout said Commonwealth.

May 28, 1934
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
John Shepard-W.15333 BA-J/AWF
Mr. William L. Allen 89 State Street Boston, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Shepard or Shepard of Massachusetts.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 15333, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John Shepard, as the name appears in the claim.
The date and place of birth of this soldier are not shown in the claim, nor are the names of his parents given. His father and brothers resided during the Revolution at New Castle, Lincoln County, District of Maine and at Sheepscott, after the Revolution.
While residing at said New Castle, John Shepard enlisted and served as a private in Captain Woodbridge's company, Colonel Smith's Massachusetts regiment, was at the surrender of Burgoyne and was discharged in 1780, having served three years. He moved to Dedham, Massachusetts and enlisted about the middle of September, 1781, served three months in Captain Thomas Newcomb's company, Colonel Webb's Massachusetts regiment.
John Shepard married December 2, 1783 at Dedham, Massachusetts, Miss Sally Fairbanks; they were both then of said Dedham. He died December 6, 1810 in Boston, Massa-

chussets.
The widow, Sally Shepard, was allowed pension on her application executed, August 10, 1841, then aged seventy-eight years and living in Boston, Massachusetts. The names of her parents are not shown.
Eight children were referred to, the following are the only names stated: Nancy Albree; Betsey, aged forty-four years in 1841 and the wife of William Freeman of Boston, Massachusetts; James Shepard, and William Shepard, both born at Dedham, Massachusetts.
James and William Shepard, brothers of the soldier, John Shepard, both served in the War of the Revolution; he also had brothers- Samuel and Gulliver (?) Shepard.
William Ellis a resident of Dedham, Massachusetts in 1841, stated that the widow, Sally Shepard, was a niece of his mother, he did not give the name of his mother.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address to whom sent, and possibly the date of death of the pensioner, Sally Shepard, you should apply to The General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., citing the following data-
Sally Shepard, widow of John Shepard Certificate # 6352 Issued September 3, 1841 Rate $80.00 per annum To commence March 4, 1836 Act of July 7, 1838 Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
1923 Feb. 21 hist. to Mrs. Gertrude Miller En. 1934 May 28 " " Wm. S. Allen en g
File No. 15333
Sally Shepard Widow of John Shepard prior to her death
Act: July 1 st 38
Index:—Vol. M , Page 204
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 7965 Sally Shepard Widow of John Shepard. Suffolk County Mass at to Hon. W m Parmenter August 18. 1841
Act 7. July. 1838

Washington August 31. 1841
Sir
I enclose you the affidavit of Mrs. Eliza Dyer in the case of Miss Sally Phelps about which we conversed a day or two since. As I have the greatest confidence in the correctness of the parties I hope this with the other evidence already adduced will be sufficient to satisfy you.
I am very respectfully
Yours obedt Servt
James L. Edwards Esq. Mr. Pomeroy

John Shepard
Barnstable also given New Castle & Booth Bay.
Joined Capt. Davis Co., Col. Wigglesworth regt. term during war. Also private Capt. Woodbridge Co. Col. Cabri Smith regt.
Continental Army pay acct., for services from Feb. 1777 to Feb. 6. 1780

Rev 212
Rochester N.Y. Jan. 20-23
Pension Office, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen, I am trying to get a record of John Shepard, an American Revolutionary soldier.
Will you kindly inform me if the enclosed record of John Shepard was on the pension list? If so, have

you a record of his parents name and where he was born?
Or have you on your list a John Shepard born Aug. 24. 1763 died Oct. 14. 1857 buried Port Byron, N.Y.
Enlisted about 1777 and was with Director General at Valley Forge in 1778.

Thanking you for any information you can give me, I am.
Sincerely,
(Mrs.) Gertrude Miller
117 Millbank St., Rochester, N.Y.

John Shepard + James d 1820
Sally m 1783 S
77 gr. New Castle Lincoln Co
81 m. fa. Dithow The Newcast Co
M' Shephard Capt Stone - Brown born 1678 q m. d. Nov 75
Sister Shephard -
M' Shephard 2nd dau. M'glinth
Vol 11 p 43
M' Shephard Pownalboro. Capt Israel dau. Co. M'glinth
Annalsland Co - Eng ad
fa. David n. Pownalboro
James Shephard poss New Castle Lincoln Co Va Vol 11 p 39

Parnallboro (ms) New Castle 10th belongs to Sinclair Co → Danny McWatt

WM. L. ALLEN 68 FRANKLIN STREET BOSTON
89 State St.
TELEPHONE. LIBERTY-4062
Lafayette 0087
Boston, Mass.
May 17 th 1934
To the Commissioner of Pensions.
War Dept. of U.S.A.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
According to family information or tradition, John Shepherd or (Shepard) enlisted at New Castle Maine for three years, as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, was discharged in 1780, and enlisted at Dedham Mass. for 3 months in 1781.
Do your Records confirm this, and do they show where he resided at the time of his enlistments, & also when and where he died, and to whom, with dates, his Pension, if any, was paid.
Any information which your records disclose, I shall be very glad to have. parentage, vital records of date and place of Birth and Death, Residence or occupation as well as beneficiaries of any Pension.
He was the Great Grand father of my wife, and while I have some reason to think he died about 1810, I have nothing authoritative or confirmatory of this, or of any of the other Vital Records I mention, residence or occupation.
Very Truly yours,
If I have not addressed William L. Allen this to the proper Department, 89 State St., Kindly send it where it should go, Boston, Mass.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Shepard a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Ending 1780 3 yrs. Pvt. Woodbridge David L. Mass.   Sept 1781 3 mos. Thos Newcomb Webb.        
Battles engaged in, ✓ Residence of soldier at enlistment, New Bedford, Lincoln Co. Me. Date of application for pension, Aug 12 1841 Residence at date of application, Boston Mass. Age at date of application, she was 78
Remarks: Sol. mar. Dec. 2, 1782 in Sullivan's Island  he d. Sept. 1810 in Boston Mass.  They had 8 ch. Nancy, Abner,  Betsy, ac. 49 in 1841, wife of Wm Freeman of Boston Mass.; James and  William are the only names stated. His father named Abner  lived in Sheepscot, Me. about 1800. Respectfully,
Commissioner.