Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13,819, for Zeba Plympton, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Plympton, Zeba or Ziba or Tabitha
No. 13,819
CONTENTS

8310 Massachusetts Tabitha Plympton, 23. widow of Bena Plympton Mass who was a Private in the Revolution Husband died 15 Oct. 1821.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 Dollars 43
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843, and terminating 15th March 1846.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Jany 1848, and sent to
William Ellis Esq., Dedham, Mass.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book 36 Vol. 2 Page
Reported
Payable to Bena Plympton, Fanny Strong and Mary Wainwright, my turning children. Letter to Mrs. Maria (Mann) June 30 th 1848. 1 William Ellis Aug 25 1848.

No 13.361 Tabitha Plympton Widow of Ziba Map act 7 July 1838
married 1780 husband died 1821 Widow died 15 March 1846
1775- 1 Mo 12 1776- 5 - - 1777 1 Mo 7 7 Mo 19 days

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston May 12 th 1847.
I hereby Certify , That at the dates of the annexed attestations Sherman Seland was judge, and Jonathan H. Cobb, was Register of the Court of Probate; and William Ellis was a Justice of the Peace all for the County of Norfolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their 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.
John G. Sleeper
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk S.S. On this sixth day of April - A.D. 1847, personally appeared in open Court, before Sherman Leland Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Norfolk, Mary Hearn a resident of Sharon in said County, aged Fifty six years, and in behalf of herself - and the other surviving Children of Sabatha Plympton late of said Sharon widow, deceased, and in the right or stead of said Sabatha Plympton dec, and after being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the Acts of Congress passed July 7 th A.D. 1838 March 3 rd A.D. 1843, and June 17 th A.D. 1844. entitled, Acts "granting full pay and Pensions to certain Widows", so far as the said Acts guarantee an allowance to be due to said Sabatha Plympton dec at the time of her death, as the Widow of Ziba Plympton her late husband dec, who is claimed to have rendered military services as a private Soldier and Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War -.
Viz - I Mary Hearn of Sharon in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being fifty six years of age, hereby, in behalf of myself and the other surviving Children of Ziba Plympton and Sabatha Plympton late of said Sharon deceased, declare and say, that from inquiry and the best evidence I can obtain, and in my own belief, the said Ziba Plympton was a native of the town of Foxborough adjoining the southerly limit of said Walpole, that in the time of the Revolutionary war he the said Ziba resided in said town of Walpole, and that from Walpole he the said Ziba Plympton engaged and served in the military service of the Country in the aforesaid war, and the military services of said Ziba Plympton were rendered as follows - viz - six weeks service as soldier at Boston Neck in the year 1775 - Also five months service at or near West Point in the State of New York in the year A.D. 1776 - as Soldier and Lieutenant, and the evidence in the case favors the fact, that part of said five months service at York, was rendered in the capacity of Lieutenant - Also one months service as Soldier, believed to have been rendered in the year A.D. 1777 at Rhode Island - Also, one month and seven days service as Soldier at Rhode Island in Capt. Oliver Clapp's Company, Col. Rowes Regiment in the year A.D. 1777 - And whether the one months service at R. Island, credited to said Ziba Plympton on the Walpole Records is or is not, a part of the one month and seven days service, above stated under Capt. Oliver Clapp, I am not able to determine -.
With regard to the marriage of said Ziba and Sabatha Plympton I would say that on several occasions in my remembrance, I recollect that said Sabatha Plympton my late mother dec. to have stated in my hearing, to persons of near her own age, that they were married at said Walpole in the early part of season or spring of the year 1780, by Joshua Clapp Esq. since my belief is, that they the said Ziba and Sabatha Plympton were lawfully married at said Walpole, in the month of May or June A.D. 1780. That the entry of this marriage is not found on the Walpole Records as was expected, and the deposition of the town Clerk of Walpole herewith transmitted, will shew the state of the marriage Records of that Town at that period of time - That said Sabatha Plympton's maiden name was Sabatha Hart, that for one or two seasons after their marriage, said Ziba and Sabatha Plympton resided together and kept house at what was called the short place in said Walpole, and thence removed to the farm a short distance within the limits of the adjoining town of Sharon, where they uniformly resided with their family many years, and all the death of said Ziba, That my late father, the said Ziba Plympton (who it is believed, never received any pension or gratuity from the United States nor from any State for his Revolutionary services), died at said Sharon on the fifteenth day of December A.D. 1821. That his widow, the said Sabatha Plympton, remained a widow till her death, that she also died at Sharon aforesaid on the fifteenth day of March A.D. 1846 - That some years before her death and directly after the passage of the Act of Congress, of July 7 th A.D. 1838, I well know the fact, that said Sabatha Plympton, from a belief she was justly entitled to a Pension under that Act for the Revolutionary services of her said deceased husband, made considerable effort and expense, to ascertain and establish those Revolutionary services for that purpose, as will be seen by the papers in the case, but succeeded only in part. That since the death of said Sabatha Plympton, some Record evidence has been discovered which appears to justify this application, and under these circumstances, I would respectfully request the U.S. Pension Department to examine this Claim, under the provisions of the Acts of Congress, passed July 7 th A.D. 1838 - March 3 rd A.D. 1843, and that June 17 th 1844, and to award to the surviving Children of said Sabatha Plympton deceased, such allowance of Pension or arrearage of Pension, as may be found justly due to said Sabatha, at the time of her death. And I herewith transmit, all the proofs and evidence at my command, in aid of this Claim -.
Mary Hearn
Sworn to and Subscribed, before the subscriber, on the day and year, first above written.
S. Leland Judge of Probate

To whom it may concern.
I, Seth West of Sharon in the County of Winden and State of Vermont and formerly of Walpole in the State of Massachusetts being eighty six years of age hereby depose and say, that before and during the revolutionary war I was personally acquainted with Hiba Plimpton formerly of Marlborough and late of Sharon in the State of Massachusetts deceased, and that said Plimpton married to my sister Tabetha West at said Walpole I think in the year 1780 or 1781 And I further depose and say, I am knowing to the fact, that said Hiba Plimpton rendered military service to this Country in the Revolutionary war, because I distinctly recollect that when I was serving as a soldier at New York in the Month of April in the year 1776, the said Hiba Plimpton arrived there in a company and Regiment whose officers names I do not now recollect; but I do recollect that this regiment to which said Hiba Plimpton belonged made but a short stay at New York, and while there the Lieutenant of the company in which said Plimpton served died, and that said Hiba Plimpton was appointed Lieutenant of the same company, and that soon afterwards this regiment was ordered and marched off to Bemis Heights and Red Point that according to my best remembrance, said Plimpton served two or more terms of service other than said service in the State of New York but I have no means to determine how long he served in either term of service nor do I now recollect of meeting said Hiba Plimpton at any place while in actual service but at New York in 1776 as above mentioned. The officers I served under were Col Joseph Reed, Lieutenant Col Clapp Major Smith and Captain Payson. Seth West
State of Vermont } Sharon September 16 1844 Then personally County of Winden } appeared the above named Seth West known to the subscriber as a credible witness, and subscribed to, and made oath to the truth of the matter set forth in the foregoing deposition.
Before me. Samuel Shattuck - Justice of the Peace

STATE OF VERMONT, ) I, Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court of the County Windsor County, ss. Sty of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that
Samuel Shattlerworth
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 31 st day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four and will expire the thirtieth day of November next, and that his signature to the foregoing certificate is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this 19 th day of September A. D. 1844 N. Williams Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston; Nov. 9. 1811.
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 Ziba Hingham is borne upon a pay roll Capt. Abner Dyer, Col. Haines from Sept 25. 1777 - two days.
There are no rolls of Capt. John Boyden, or Ephraim Abenethy, and the rolls of Capt. Percy Cushing, Subin Mann and Moses Adams, do not bear the name of said Hingham.
The only roll of Capt. Joseph Daniel (after the Lexington alarm) is for travelling, with only the members of Officers & men in his Company under a Resolve of June 23. 1775 made at Jan. 10. 1777.

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.
John G. Paver,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

66 696 Zhu Plympton
47

Sharon Mass. October 19 th 1846.
Sir
I would hereby respectfully state, that I am the widow of Liba Plimpton late of Sharon deg. who rendered military service in the capacity of a private, and for a time as Lieutenant, and my belief is, that said Liba Plimpton my late husband rendered sufficient military service in the Revolutionary war to entitle me to a Pension under the Act of Congress of July 7 th 1835. If I could identify and make proof of the service actually rendered by said Plimpton. I well recollect of hearing my said husband state while living that he served in the army, at White Plains and West Point, and believe this service was in the second year of the War, 1776 - also, it appears from several statements I have heard; said Liba Plimpton served at the camp at Roxbury or Cambridge near Boston, the first season of the War, 1775, and was taken ill at the camp, and was in the Autumn of that year brought up to Walpole sick, and there resided with his sister Hartshorn, for several weeks till he recovered, and although I have made enquiry for five or six years past on this subject, I have been unable to find with certainty, how long said Plimpton my late husband served in said War, or the Officers names under whom he then served, and understanding you have military Rolls and Records in your possession at Boston, I hereby request that the Rolls of the following named Captains (if in your possession) May be examined, for the Revolutionary services of said Liba Plimpton either as private or Lieutenant viz - the Rolls of - Capt. John Boyden - My Rolls Capt Perez Cushing - Capt. Sabin Mann - Capt Joseph Daniell - 1775 Capt Oliver Clapp - and Capt. Ephraim Chenery capt Moses Adams - and should the said Revolutionary service be discovered on said Rolls or on other Records in your possession, please to make a proper certificate thereof and deliver the same to William Ellis Esq. of Dedham Mass ts who I have requested to pay you whatever expence may be incurred by the examination requested -
Hon. John G. Palfrey Secretary of Mass ts ; Respectfully your Obed t Servant
Sabatha Plimpton
She above communication was subscribed to by the above named Sabatha Plimpton, in my presence.
W. Ellis - Justice of the Peace

I Palmer Morey of Walpole in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts hereby depose and say, that I hold at this time, the Office of Town Clerk of said town of Walpole and have in my custody and keeping, sundry ancient Record Books of said Town; That on one of said Record Books it appears, that a Record was made of many terms of military service rendered by the Soldiers of said Walpole in the Revolutionary War, in connection with the Taxes assessed by said town on their Polls and property. And I further depose and say that on one of said Record Books where sundry men are credited for military services, I find an entry, crediting Ziba Plympton for three terms of military service, with the name of Michael Baker credited next above, and that of David Lawrance next below, that of said Ziba Plympton, in the exact words, figures, and form, or position following viz:
  " Michael Baker, one years service  £ 44 " 2 - 0 22    " Ziba Plympton, 6 weeks at Boston, 5 months at York     1 Month at Rhoad Island,  £ 31 " 4 " 0 - "    " David Lawrance 5 months at Sicendaroga,  £ 25 " 0 " 0 - "  
And I further say, that I do not find the Officer names entered on the Record Book from which the above extracts were taken, under whom the Soldiers rendered the services thus credited.
Palmer Morey } Town Clerk
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss { April 30 th 1847. Then personally appeared the above named Palmer Morey Clerk of the town of Walpole in said County, and subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter by him set forth in the foregoing deposition, is just and true.
Before me. Wm Ellis } Justice of the Peace

I William Bacon of Walpole in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being Eighty three years of age, hereby depose and say, that during the Revolutionary war and ever since that period, I have resided in said Town of Walpole and that I was personally acquainted with Ziba Plympton late of Sharon in said County dec. for many years, and it occurs to my mind, that said Plympton's place of nativity, was in the adjoining town of Foxborough. And I further depose and say, that the first knowledge or acquaintance I can recollect to have had of said Ziba Plympton was at Wals Walpole, and as I believe, in the first or second year of year of the Revol n war 1775 or 1776; at that time, said Plympton attended our meeting of Public worship at Walpole Centre, where, I well remember of many times seeing him when a young man tho' older in years than myself, and at that time, according to my best recollection and belief said Plympton resided with his sister Harts horn towards the northerly part of Walpole. And I further depose and say, that from what I remember about Soldiers going into the war service from Walpole, my belief is, that said Ziba Plympton served two or more terms as Soldier in the Revolutionary war, and it clearly occurs to my mind and memory, that said Ziba Plympton engaged, and served as Soldier, one tour of duty under Capt. Oliver Clapp of Walpole at Rhode Island, in the year 1777 or 1778, but how long said Plympton served in this, or any other term of service, I can not determine, for I never served with him. And I further say, that from what now occurs to my mind of the events and doings of that day, my belief is, that said Ziba Plympton married to Tabatha Hart at Walpole somewhat before the close of the Revolutionary war, and soon afterwards removed from Walpole to a farm in the westerly part of Sharon, and where said Plympton and his family resided for a great number of years, and until said Plympton's death, which happened over twenty years ago. that said Tabatha his widow survived him several years, and died, as I was informed by her friends; at Sharon aforesaid, in the spring season of last year, 1846. That I was sundry times at said Plympton House while he was living, and both he and his family were industrious and accumulated very considerable estate, for the means they had to do with, and I further say, that I was never acquainted with any other man by the name of Ziba Plympton, but the one above named, except his son of the same name, who I believe is still living.
William Bacon
State of Massachusetts
Norfolk County S.S. April 30 th 1847, Then personally appeared William Bacon above named, a man of sound mind, and known to the Subscriber to be a credible witness; and who subscribed to, and made Oath that the matter set forth in the foregoing deposition by him so subscribed, is just and true.
Before me
Wm G. Ellis
Justice of the Peace
Note - The words "was at" in the above document were erased by me, before the same was authenticated - Wm G. Ellis

I Lylpha Smith of Walpole in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being eighty nine years of age hereby depose and say, That I resided with my Uncle Samuel Warshorn at the northerly part of said town of Walpole during the period of the Revolutionary war, and being requested to state what I recollect about Liba Plympton late of Sharon in said County , etc. I further say, I well remember the circumstance, that said Liba Plympton was for a considerable time at the House of Richard Warshorn in a sickly state of health, I think it was the first year of the War 1775, and remained there till he recovered. Richard Warshorn's wife was the sister of said Plympton, and according to my best recollection the said Plympton came, or was brought up to his said sister's home at Walpole in a sick state, from some of the soldier Camps at or near Boston. That I believe said Liba Plympton after he recovered from the sickness above mentioned, went into the war service once or twice from said Walpole, but where, or how long he served I do not recollect, so many went into the service from Walpole, and the confusion of that period were such, I can not from memory, state the service of individuals with any certain correctness. And I further depose and say, that I distinctly remember, that some time after said Liba Plympton recovered from his aforesaid illness, he again boarded at, and made it his home at said Richard Warshorn's House with his sister for a considerable length of time, and worked at the shoe making business, and occupied a Shop on the opposite side of the road and very near the House where I then resided, that I often saw said Plympton passing from his boarding House on the easterly side, to and from said Shop he occupied on the westerly side of the road. And I further say, and my belief is, that said Liba Plympton, left the said Richard Warshorn's House two years or more; before the close of the Revolutionary war, and a short time afterwards, married to Sabatha Hart of Walpole, a young woman I was well acquainted with, that they soon began house keeping at what was call'd the Hart place, at the westerly part of said Walpole, where they remained that season, and I think till they had one child, and there removed to the place in said Sharon, where they resided many years, and until the death of said Liba Plympton, I visited said Plympton's family, during the long period they kept House at Sharon, on several occasions. That said Sabatha Plympton survived her husband several years, and died at Sharon as I hear from her acquaintance, a little more than a year since, And I do not remember any other man by the name of Liba Plympton but the one above named, except the son he left, of the same name.
Lylpha Smith
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss May 7th A.D. 1847. Then personally appeared the above named Lylpha Smith a person of sound mind and memory and a credible Witness, and who subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing deposition is just and true.
Before me, W. Gellis Justice of the Peace
Note. The interlined word "County" towards the top of the above Deposition, was inserted by me, before the same was subscribed to, and authenticated - W. Gellis

“Liba Plympton of Roxbury and Sabatha Hart of Walpole intend marriage, Published April ye twenty third, one Thousand seven hundred and eighty—.”
I Palmer Morey of Walpole in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts hereby certify, that the above Extract showing the intention and Publication for marriage between Liba Plympton and Sabatha Hart, is a true copy thereof, from the Book of Town Records in my possession, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the said Record in fair legible letters and figures as follows viz.—“April ye 23. 1780”
Attest—Palmer Morey } Town Clerk
I Palmer Morey above named, hereby depose and say, that I now 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 Walpole, with the exception above above named, as certified by me. And I further depose and say, that I have examined the Record Books of Marriages of said Walpole and find no Record of the marriage of said Liba Plympton and Sabatha Hart entered thereon, and though the records of marriages appear regular and intelligible previous to the year 1779, and after the year 1782, yet from March 11. 1779 to May 13 th 1782, no marriages are recorded on the Walpole Records; and I know not the cause or reason of this deficiency of said Records, during that period.
Palmer Morey } Town Clerk
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss—
On April 30 th A.D. 1847 then personally appeared the above named Palmer Morey Clerk of the town of Walpole in said County, and 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. G. Clis— } Justice of the Peace
Note. The above word “March 11 th ” was altered from “May 11 th ” and the word, “above” was erased by me, before the above Document was subscribed and authenticated.
W. G. Clis

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Norfolk, ss.
I Sherman Leland judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to me to prove that Ziba Plympton late of Sharon in said County deceased was a soldier of the Revolution, and who died at said Sharon, on the fifteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty one and left a widow by the name of Tabatha Plympton who survived till the fifteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and forty six, when she also died at said Sharon and left Ziba Plympton Catharine Strong and Mary Hearn her only surviving children, who are still living and all over twenty one years of age.
In Witness whereof I the said Sherman Leland have hereunto set my Hand and Affixed the seal of said Court on this fourth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty seven.
S Leland judge of Probate.

I Foster Boyden of Walpole in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being seventy one years of age, hereby depose and say, that I was for many years personally acquainted with Ziba Plympton late of Sharon in said County dec., and also acquainted with his wife Tabatha Plympton and family; my father with whom I resided when a youth, resided in said Walpole, but one mile distance from said Plympton's place of residence in Sharon, where he remained with his family till his death, he died about twenty five years ago, and I attended his funeral ceremonies, but I have no date at hand to determine the precise day of his death, that his widow the said Tabatha Plympton lived in said Sharon till her death, where she died (as her friends informed me) in the month of March or April last year 1846. And I further depose and say, that the first I recollect of said Ziba Plympton, was at the time he removed from said Walpole with his family, to his place or farm in Sharon aforesaid; and that from circumstances which occur to mind, my belief is that said Plympton removed and come onto said place in Sharon in the year 1781 or 1782; I well remember of being at said Plympton's House soon after he came there, and for several years afterwards, I went over and labored for said Plympton for short periods of time on his farm, and I recollect that said Plympton worked occasionally at making shoes, and my impression is, that many years ago, I heard said Plympton and other men of near his age, mention about his doing service in the Revolutionary war; and I am certain, I many times heard elderly persons when they spoke to said Ziba Plympton call him "Lieutenant Plympton" but whether he ever served as Lieutenant or otherwise in the Rev. war, I have no knowledge or means to determine. And I further say, from personal knowledge, that I am certain of the fact, that said Ziba and Tabatha Plympton resided together as husband and wife at said place or farm in Sharon, for a term of forty, or near forty years, and until said Plympton's death, and had a family of four children, that I well recollect that said Ziba Plympton and family for many years attended public worship at the religious Society at Walpole centre where our family and myself attended, and I further depose and say, that I do not recollect any other man by the name of Ziba Plympton either in Walpole or the neighboring towns; but the Ziba Plympton aforesaid, except his own son who is still living.
Foster Boyden
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County, S.S. April 30 th 1847, then personally appeared the above named Foster Boyden long known to the subscriber as a man of respectability and a credible Witness, and who subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing deposition by him so subscribed, is just and true in every part thereof.
Before me. Wm G Ellis } Justice of the Peace

Plainfield Liba Will removed
January 1. 1822.
Copy

In the name of God Amen.
I Liba Plimpton of Sharon, County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, Gentleman, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, to make and publish this my last will and Testament in the manner and form following viz:
First, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Judith Plimpton all my household furniture together with my clock, to be at her disposal, also the improvements of my dwelling house during her life, also to be provided and paid yearly by my Executors hereinafter named the following articles viz: one cow, to be kept for her use, ten bushels of Indian corn, four bushels Rye, seventy lbs beef seventy lbs pork, one hundred lbs cheese thirty lbs butter and eighty lbs wood. Also saws, cider, and apples what she naturally wants for her use and wood cut off at the door sufficient for one fire and horn and chaise for her use when necessary, and ten dollars in money.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my son David Plimpton one cow and one half of my wearing apparel, I also give him my dwelling house after my wife's decease, together with one acre and a half of land adjoining, said house bounds to be as follows beginning at the road at the South East corner of said house, running Northwardly three rods from said house parallel with the house, thence westerwardly two rods from said house, parallel line with north side of said

house, thence on the said Westerly line then South to Fayrerough line then East to the first mentioned road to include the said acre and a half. Also the improve- ment of thirty six acres of land lying in said Shaver known by the name of the Elijah Munn place be the same more or less also the improvement of eleven acres of Woodland in said Shaver known by the name of the Welch lot be the same more or less, said Daniel Plimpton to improve the two last described lots of land during his life then to be equally divided between his two sons Shepard & Chauncy Plimpton.
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Catharine Smith the wife of James Smith the sum of Five hundred dollars, in addition to what she has already received to be paid in three years after my decease by my Executor herein after named.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Polly Hearn the wife of Joel Hearn the sum of four hundred dollars in addition to what she has already received to be paid in two years after my decease by my Executor herein after named.
Lastly, I give and bequeath unto my son Silas Plimpton all the rest & residue of my estate both real and personal, Goods & Chattels of whatsoever name or nature or wherever it may be found that I may die possessed of, by her paying my just debts and funeral charges and the legacies herein before

named, whom I do appoint sole Executor of this my last will and testament, herein revoking all former wills by me made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto my hand and seal this twenty second day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty one.
Liba Plimpton Seal
Signed, sealed, published & declared by the above named Liba Plimpton, to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at his request, and in his presence and in presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses to the same.
Joseph Canvold
Nathan Canvold
Asenath Canvold
A true copy as appears of record
Given to H. Cobb Register of Probate for the County of Norfolk

10395
Reported
Massachusetts
Tabitha Plympton, decd. Widow of Betta Plympton who was a pensioner under the Act of — and who died on the 15th Oct 1821 of Norfolk in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain — of the Regt. commanded by — in the Revolution time for 7 Mos. 19 dy
Tabitha & Betta Plympton, late of — and — only surviving children.
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 25 Dollars 43 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Feby, 1848 and sent to W. Ellis Dedham, Mass.
Total amount, $ 127 15
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Th. R. Gannett Clerk. Book 2 Vol. 1. Page 65

New WIDOW, &c.
File No. 13879
Sabitha Plympton Widow of Beba Plympton Priv Reer War
Act: Mar. 3 rd 1843
Index:—Vol. M , Page 133
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V No 13.361.
Tabithe Plympton
Map
Lot 6 w. 8th, May 28. '47
to same, July 13, '47
to same, July 16, '47
Lot. to same Oct 11 '47
Act July 1838

July 25/48 Kledham Mass. July 18/48.
Wm Ellis.
Return pension certificate of of Tabitha Glynpton to be altered.
C. 82. Rec July 24/48, Pension Office.
Evans

Hon. W m Marcy.
Dedham Mass ts July 18 th 1848.
Sir
At the request of Mary Hewins of Sharon Mass ts . I herewith transmit her request or petition, that the Certificate by her returned, may be so altered or a new one issued, as will bring the Pension allowance therein granted, to a just termination and settlement, among the surviving Children of Tabatha Plympton dec d . It is well understood by all interested, that such Pension allowance, although granted in the name of Tabatha Plympton; can not be legally appropriated or applied to the payment of her debts, furthermore it appears, that the debts of said deceased were few, and were all adjusted and paid more than a year ago, from her effects left.
In viewing the Act of Congress, approved June 19 th 1840, I am not able to see any just cause, why the Officer of the U.S. Treasury, should neglect or refuse to give instructions to the U.S. paying Agent at Boston, to pay over the amount of this claim to said Tabatha Plympton's Executor, as first suggested and sought by that Agent.
And Sir, if any explanation or illustration, on any points of this subject be required, and not furnished by the papers in hand; our Representative in Congress, the Hon d . Horace Mann, will explain, answer such such inquiries as you may have occasion to make in relation to this Plympton subject.
Yours Hon. W m D. Marcy. Washington City
I am Sir, very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant
Yours W m Ellis

Washington, D. C.
No. of Representation, June 29 th 48
Hon. Wm L. Marcy,
Secretary of War. etc. etc.
Sir,
The accompanying papers are re-enumerated, but they present a very simple question, I think I can state it, so as to supersede the necessity of your reading them.
Jabitha Nympton, as the widow of Ziba Nympton, was entitled to an act of Pension. See copy of certificate marked A.
She died. Labor & expense to the value of $60, were incurred by Mary Hewins, one of Jabitha's children, in obtaining evidence & securing the pension.
Ziba Nympton, another of her children, refused to pay any part of this expense, or to have any thing to do with the subject. See paper marked C.
Mary Hewins now desires to have

The pension money paid to the executor of Tabitha, so that the above charges of obtain- ing the pension, may be deducted from the gross amount, before a division among Tabitha's heirs is made.
But the 2 nd Comptroller declines to order the Pension Agent at Norton to pay the amount to the executor of Tab- itha, because, in the pension certificate it is ordered to be paid to the "surviving children." If this part of the certificate can be stricken out, he will then order the money to be paid to the executor of Tabitha, & equity will be done to all parties. See paper marked, E
The object of this application to the Hon ble Secretary of War is, to have the names & designation of the children of Tabitha stricken out, according to the suggestion of the 2 nd Comptroller.
Very respectfully & & Horace Mann.
P.S. Will the S cy please return the papers, with his decision.

folios 9400 No 13361 Salitha Plympton decd know of Ziba Map Act 7 July 1838
Adm 7 mo 19. aays for $ 254 3 per ann from 4 March 1836 to 4 th March 1841 the day of Payable to Ziba Plympton Bathaine Sturgis and Mary Harris, executors of the will of Salitha Plympton decd Adm Acts 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844 $ 254 3 per ann from 4 March 1843 to 15 March 1846, the day of her death. Payable to children above named
Mr Ellis Durdham. Map

Dedham Mass ts September 19 th 1847.
Mr Edwards
Sir Your letter of July 16 th in relation to the Tabatha Plympton claim was received and shown to the party interested, and that further inquiries have been made, and that several respectable people are still living in Walpole Mass ts and the adjoining towns viz. Medfield, Wrentham, Swaborough & Sharon, who would give their testimony in this matter if required, that they were for many years personally acquainted with Ziba Plympton late of Sharon dec; that said Plympton resided at said Walpole all or a part of the time during the Revolutionary War, and during that Period married to Tabatha Hart at said Walpole, and that they were never acquainted with, or heard of any other man by the name of Ziba Plympton, at said Walpole or in that vicinity but the same Ziba Plympton above named; excepting his own son of that name, and as the stagnable testimony above mentioned, is already in the case, I have taken but one deposition, and that is the deposition of Elijah Barden, the same man I stated to you last winter who informed said Tabatha Plympton soon After the Act of July 7 th 1838, that he served a tour of duty with said Ziba Plympton her dec. husband at Rhode Island in Capt Oliver Capps company in the year 1777. It was expected that said Barden's deposition would have been obtained in aid of this claim, when the Application was forwarded last May, but his feeble health then prevented, his health is since improved, and his deposition taken and herewith transmitted. on examination of the State Register, I find that the territory now the town of Foxborough, was but a place called "Foxborough settlement" within the corporate town of Dorchester, and that the same was set off and incorporated into the town of Foxborough by the State Authority, in the year 1778 - hence, the place of said Ziba Plympton's nativity appears to have been at this Foxborough settlement yet at the same time, his place of nativity was within the corporate town of Dorchester, hence if the Walpole Selectmen had stated the place of said Plympton's nativity at the time they credited him for military services rendered, they must have stated that he the said Plympton come from Dorchester, for there was no town of Foxborough in the State till some years after the service was rendered, but this circumstance is not perhaps material. and from my own conviction I must again state, that after said Ziba Plympton left his father at said Foxborough settlement in the town of Dorchester in 1767 or 8, no other place of his residence afterwards can be found but within said towns of Medfield - Walpole & Sharon, And Sir, in view of the whole testimony, the circumstances or traditions attached to this claim, I must say that I am totally unable to discover any Evidence to justify a belief, or the least suspicion, that any other man by the name of

Liba Plympton has resided at said Wolfpole or in any other town in that vicinity, (for a term of eighty years last past) but the same identical Liba Plympton who married Tabatha Hart and removed from Wolfpole to Sharon with his family in the year 1781 or 1782, excepting however, his own son of the same name —.
We believe this claim to be just for an allowance up to the time of Tabatha Plympton's decease, and that the testimony of Capt. Seth Hart William Bacon &c &c. taken in connection with the statement of s d Tabatha Plympton for the search of Mass s Rolls and the Secretary's certificate in answer, together with the transcript proofs from the Wolfpole Records, & viewed as a whole, furnishes reasonable evidence to sustain this claim —.
I am Sir, very Respectfully Your Obe t Servant
James S. Edwards Esq. Washington City
W. (G. Ellis)

Mr Edwards
Dedham Mass. November 20 th 1847.
Sir.
Agreeable to The request of your last letter; Mary Hewins the Applicant in this case, requested a search of the Mass. ts Rolls at Boston October 16 th 1847, but from some cause unknown to me, the answer has been delayed till now, this day I received the Certificate from the Secretary's Office which is herewith transmitted. As the same Evidence was already in the case, I am unable to see that this can have any other effect than to strengthen the former, which appears not to have been doubted; The testimony of Capt. Seth Hart, taken in connection with that of the roalpole Records discovered some years afterwards, seems to be sufficient and conclusive in favor of this small claim.
Please to report the result to the subscriber at Dedham Mass.
James L. Edwards Esq. Washington City
I am Sir, very Respectfully, your Obed Servant W. Ellis

Dedham Mass ts June 28 th - 1847.
Mr Edwards.
Sir I have received your letter of the 28 th Ult o in relation to the Application of Mary Hewins, for a pension allowance in the right of Tabatha Plympton her late mother dec d , who was the Widow of Ziba Plympton late of Sharon Mass ts dec d ; and from engagements abroad, I have been prevented answering till now; I am glad to see that the evidence adduced, is satisfactory as to the timely marriage of Ziba and Tabatha Plympton; but a conclusion is made, or rather an objection is raised to the allowance of this claim, on account of said Plympton's place of settlement or habitancy, at the time he rendered the service claimed for; you say, "It appears from a transcript of the publication of their intention of marriage, furnished by the Town Clerk of Walpole, as well as from the testimony of some of the witnesses, that Mrs. Plympton's husband belonged to Foxbury, if so, the service of the soldier, bearing his name, for which an assignment was made by the Town of Walpole, could not have been rendered by him." It is also stated in the claimants declaration, that said Ziba Plympton's place of nativity was (in her belief) at Foxborough a small town adjoining the southern limits of s d Walpole. but whether s d Ziba Plympton was or was not a legal inhabitant of s d Foxborough at the time above mentioned, may be considered a doubtful question. yet no one could reasonably doubt he was a legal inhabitant of Foxborough at that time, by his nativity, and his fathers settlement there, unless he had (during the twelve years after he left his father) acquired by his own act, a legal settlement in some other town. Nor am I able to see how the question of habitancy, can justly effect the claim in hand in the way set forth in the above quotation. Nor do the provisions of the U.S. Pension Laws appear to furnish any prominent grounds for such conclusion or objection in relation to the settlement or "legal Domicile" (as our judicial authorities term it) of the men who rendered faithful Revolutionary services. Also from a brief view of the judicial decisions or common rules of jurisprudence of this country, it is obvious, that conclusions or objections to any definite matter, must be founded upon, and necessarily deducible from some certain known premises in hand, or otherwise have no just foundation to sustain them.
This caution about habitancy, began in this State as early as 1630, and has since been the cause of much litigation in the New England States. At first, a man acquired a legal settlement, by the vote of the Church, the Parish or the Town where he wished to be admitted, afterwards many other modes of acquiring settlement were prescribed in the Laws of Mass ts , and not necessary to describe here - and to a considerable extent these cautious traits about settlement are seen in the Laws of Mass ts up to the present day. For a century past, it has been the practice of Assessors in the towns of Massachusetts to tax the Polls

Polls (and property if they had any liable ) of all able bodied male persons of sixteen years of age and upwards, found to be Residents in their respective towns on the first day of May - and at the same time; these Residents were entitled to the privilege of voting for Governor and Senators of the State, provided they had any property in the state of the value of two hundred dollars, and finally such Resident who had paid any tax in the state, for two years next preceding, could give his vote for Governor and Senators of the state, in the town where he then had resided a term of six calendar months - but to vote in Town affairs, - a man must have had a constant residence in that town for a term of one year - A man of large personal property might reside in a town a term of forty years, pay a heavy tax, and exercise his privilege of suffrage, yet such man, or the Residents before mentioned, could not by such residence be acquire a settlement (or as the law defines it) a legal Domicil; in such town; - hence such town would not be liable to support any of these Residents or their children should they come to want. It appears that said Ziba Plympton resided in Walpole a sufficient length of time to have gained a settlement therein, provided he paid only the Poll tax to which he was liable, and a Poll tax was somewhat burdensome to individuals of small means, during the Revolution War. But to establish said Plympton's legal settlement or habitaney at Walpole if the fact be so, would at this distant day, be a work which the worth of the claim might not justify - It is obvious that for the last forty years, the Town clerks of Mass ts have been cautious to state the legal Domicil of the parties in their publications of Intended Marriages, with a view to relieve their Town from the liability to support such parties should they come to want - The Town clerk of Walpole in 1780, might or might not have made the inquiry to ascertain whether said Plympton had (during twelve years or more since he had left his father) acquired a settlement by his own act at Walpole or elsewhere - and stated his habitaney, to be at Foxborough as appears in the publication Record, as it was well known his place of nativity was at that place - I will here state one fact that seems applicable to the subject in hand. it appears clearly on the military town Records of Medfield, that that town granted funds and also raised sums of money by voluntary contributions of their people, for the express purpose of meeting the expenses and paying bounties to such Soldiers as were raised or furnished by the town of Medfield, to meet the requisitions of the "continent, or state" to go into the war service that on one occasion when Medfield was called upon for a quota of twelve men for a tour of duty westward in the state of New York - it appears by the Record, they raised but eight men in Medfield, but engaged four men from other towns to make out the quota of men called for, and allowed them; or credited them with £10.00 - against each mans name - and it has so happened that after the passage of the U.S. Pension Act, of March 1818. I was personally acquainted with two

The said four men viz - Asa Kingsbury and Ebenezer Farrington and know the fact, they were both pensioned under the U.S. Act of June 7 th 1832, and at the same time were allowed by the Pension Department for this term of service rendered by them for the town of Medfield, when their names stand recorded on the same Record as belonging to Walpole their native Town - . If this fact be admitted it must necessarily do away the objection with regard to the home or legal Domicil of said Ziba Plympton - . Under the foregoing circumstances, and from fifteen years personal acquaintance with said Ziba Plympton next preceding his death and from enquiries made, together with the evidence in the case, the following is the most rational and just conclusion I am able to make on this whole matter, of which, I doubt not you will rightfully judge - . viz - . That 3 Ziba Plympton was a native Inhabitant of Foxborough Mass m - where his Father lived or belonged; that some years before said Ziba left his Father, his elder Sister married to Richard Hartshorn and settled in the northerly part of said Walpole - , That in the year 1767 or 1768 said Ziba Plympton then a minor left his Father's place at Foxborough, and went a distance of seven miles to said town of Medfield an older Town and much more populous, and adjoining the Westerly side of 3 Walpole and there resided and labored with James Richardson, who was, both a farmer and shoe maker, for several years and as believed, till he was twentyone years of age; or more, that said Plympton came of age either in the year 1772 or 1773 - whether he remained at Medfield or resided at Walpole or some other place after he came of age, is not yet certainly known; but no evidence is found to justify a belief that he ever resided at said Foxborough after he left it at the time above mentioned, That in the Autumn of the year 1775, there was a call for several companies of men in the vicinity of Boston to supply the vacancy of Guard at Boston Neck for a term of two months, on account of Gen l Arnold's detachment from that point, as I have fully explained on former occasions. That Ziba Plympton through the agency of the town of Walpole engaged in this 2 months Service and after serving "six weeks" at Boston Neck or "the lines" as often call'd, was taken sick and went up, or was carried up to the house of said Richard Hartshorn at Walpole, where he remained with his Sister Hartshorn till he recovered - the next spring April 1776, said Plympton marched with some of the companies of recruits, call'd to reinforce the Army in the state of New York, and there rendered five months service as private or lieutenant, and Sir. if the Rolls of 1776 in the War Office do not clearly shew that this five months service was rendered in the capacity of Lieutenant, this grade of service must be set aside and that of Private substituted, (there is no Roll of this term of service among the Massachusetts Rolls) and while I have no doubt that said Plympton did act as lieutenant for a few days as stated by Seth Hart, yet there is reason to doubt whether he carried his term of service through in that capacity, after they joined the main Army; unless some Roll be found to confirm such fact - . That said Ziba Plympton went to Rhode Island as Soldier from Walpole once or twice in the year 1777. he certainly went once to R. I. under Capt. Oliver Clapp of Walpole that year, for a term of one month and seven days - . That in the whole enquiry there appears no just cause or reason to doubt the fact, that said Ziba Plympton lived not a legal habitancy at

at the Town of Walpole) was a constant resident in that town from the year 1775-- to the year 1781 or 1782 when he removed with his wife Sabatha, from Walpole to Sharon the place of the long and last residence of both. That by the testimony in the case it appears there was no other man known in Walpole or the neighboring towns by the name of Ziba Plympton, but that same Ziba Plympton who married Sabatha Hart, and I must say that this evidence is from People of intelligence, and worthy in character. That I remember Capt. Seth Hart before he removed from Walpole to the State of Vermont; he held a Captain's Commission for years after the close of the Revolutionary war with honor to himself and it is believed with the full satisfaction of his command, and well sustained his reputation for intelligence and veracity , afterwards - his testimony of Ziba Plympton's service in the the State of New York in the year 1776, is strengthened by the Walpole Records, discovered near three years after his deposition was given. I will mention one other circumstance, which perhaps is not essential. That in the year 1815 & 1816, there was a U.S. direct tax assessed in Mass ts that I happened to be the Assistant of the principal Assessor of our County of Norfolk, and consequently had a copy of the U.S. Record of the valuation and assessment on all the individuals who paid any direct tax in the twenty two towns in the County of Norfolk arranged in alphabetical order, and since I received your last letter I have examined the names of the men entered on the tax list in said Records, and find no other name of Ziba Plympton in said twenty two towns in said County, but the same Ziba Plympton and his son of the same name, both of said "Sharon". I suppose the Secretary of Massachusetts has the same Records, and I would get him to certify the same fact in due form, it could be received as proper evidence at the Pension Department.
The foregoing hasty remarks should have been written over again and corrected in some instances, but the preparation to receive and and bestow proper respect to his Excellency President Polk - who is expected to arrive in this part of Mass ts this afternoon and early to morrow, has not left me sufficient time to do so, therefore forward it as it is.
James L. Edwards Esq. Washington City.
I am Sir, very Respectfully Your Obedient servant W. G. Ellis

Dedham Mass 10 May 12 th 1847
Mr Edwards Sir.
Herewith is transmitted the claim of Mary Hewins for herself and other others, in the right of Tabatha Plympton late of Sharon Mass. 10 dec d . the origin and outlines of this claim I stated to you by letter dated Dec r 29 th 1846. and at the same time made some inquiry, to which, I was favoured by your answer of Jan. y 23 rd 1847. As to the submitted Evidence of Liza Plympton's Revol t services from the Walpole Records; it may not be amiss to state, that so far as I can judge from a view of those Records, it appears that said Records of military services and credits, extend only, to such Officers and Soldiers (state or continental) as the Town had agency in raising and furnishing: some of the pages of said town Records are lined off into spaces and headed in Table form, and some pages are filled with credits to individuals for services, one after another in the form shewn by Mr Morey's certificate among the papers, and all written, in the same ancient hand writing.
That after most of the papers in this claim were prepared, it was discovered that no marriages were entered on the Walpole Records from March 11 th 1779, to May 13 th 1782, a term of more than three years, hence the desired Certificate of marriage has not been furnished, nor has any cause or reason for such deficiency of Record yet been found. I trust however, that the Evidence adduced on the point of marriage, & taken all together; will be satisfactory, that said Liza Plympton and Tabatha Hart were lawfully married at s Walpole, either in the month of May or June in the year 1780.
— With regard to said Liza Plympton's 5 months service in the State of New York in the year 1776, in the capacity of Lieutenant, I can only say, that the testimony of Seth Hart in the case, favors such a grade of service by s Plympton. also I know that said Tabatha Plympton the original mover in this claim, stated to me long before Mr Hart's testimony was taken at Vermont, that said Liza her late husband dec d , served in the Army at or near West Point N.Y. & whether she made this assertion from her own memory or otherwise does not now occur to mind, but gave me no evidence of that fact. Also one of the surviving daughters of s Plympton has more than once stated to me, that she clearly recollects that towards fifty years ago when young, she was shewn a paper or document among her late father's Papers , which had some Picture or Escutcheon upon it, and which she was told was a commission of her father in the Army, nor do I doubt the sincerity in this woman's belief, yet no such paper is now to be found — one

one other circumstance has some bearing on this point. It will be seen that in the Will of Ziba Plympton dated in the year 1821, he is styled "Gentleman" and it is well known that in Massachusetts for more than a century past, it has be the usual and customary practice, in Wills and Land conveyances, to give the title of "Gentleman" to those who hold or have held a military Commission, and it seems hardly possible that that said Ziba Plympton could wish anything to be inserted in his last Will and Testament which might carry any erroneous impression to his family or descendants; and certainly the Magistrate or Attorney who wrote this Will, could have no rational motive to insert any words in this serious Instrument, which he did not believe strictly proper and correct and truly conformable to the wishes of the Testator — but the foregoing, is but circumstantial Evidence and must go for what it is worth —.
My own conclusion is, that this 5 months service of said Plympton in the state of New York in 1776, was continental service; and therefore, not found on the Massachusetts Rolls. but may be found on the Rolls of 1776 at the U.S. Pension Department, and if so found, the Rolls will probably shew clearly whether the said Ziba Plympton did or did not render the most part of said 5 months service in 1776. in the capacity of a Lieutenant.
Should further Explanations be necessary in said Mary Warrens Claim I will promptly give them as far as practicable, so soon as made known, —.
Please as usual, to direct the result of this application, to the Subscriber at Dedham Massachusetts —.
I am Sir, very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant
James L. Edwards Esq. near Washington City
W. Ellis

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston September 11 th 1847.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation William Ellis was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; 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.
John G. Sleeper.
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To whom it may concern
I Elijah Barden of Walpole in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being eighty eight years of age hereby depose and say, that I resided at, and had my home in said town of Walpole during the Revolutionary War, and that I still reside in said Walpole. And I further say, that I well recollect, and was personally acquainted with Ziba Plympton late of Sharon in said County dec d , and I know the fact that he the said Ziba Plympton resided in said town of Walpole in the time of the War above mentioned, and that according to my best recollection and belief; the said Ziba Plympton married to Tabatha Hart at said Walpole; and removed with his family from Walpole to Sharon aforesaid, before the s d War ended, - and I further say, that the same Ziba Plympton above named, engaged and served as Soldier for a term of four or five weeks at Little Compton in Rhode Island State, in Capt. Oliver Clapp's Company from s d Walpole, and that I myself, served as Soldier in said Oliver Clapp's Company for the same term, and at the same place, and believe I was also in for the same term of service when my  and was  acquainted  B. and that this term of service in s d Capt Oliver Clapp's Company was rendered in the fall of the year 1777. That the reason why I distinctly remember this tour of service at Little Compton in the fall of 1777, is because, one of our Company viz., John Day of Walpole, was killed by a cannon shot from the enemy in the night time, when in a Boat. And I further depose and say, that I was never acquainted with any other man by the name of Ziba Plympton, nor do I recollect of hearing of any other many by that name, either in s d Walpole or the neighboring towns, during the Revolutionary War, but the same identical Ziba Plympton above named —
Widow in Bardenhipsham Elizabeth  X Barden Witness Deborah Sparbanks
State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk ss - August 31 st 1847. Then personally appeared the above named Elijah Barden, long known to the subscriber as an honest man and credible witness and who subscribed to and made oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing deposition by him subscribed, is true -
Note 1 st The interlined words "this" and "man" in the above deposition were inserted by me, before the same was authenticated.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
November 16 18 17.
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 names of Elijah Barden and Tila Wimpson mentioned in the annexed application, are borne upon roll of Capt Oliver Clapp's Company in Col Benjamin Haws's regt for service at Rhode Island, as privates each from September 23 1777 1 Month 27 days. No loan is mentioned upon said roll. The name of Elijah Barden appears upon other rolls as belonging to Walpole.

50. 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.
Wm Tufts Dept. Secretary of the Commonwealth.

3076
[Handwritten flourish or signature]
[Small handwritten squiggle]

Sharon Mass to October - 18 th 1847.
Hon. Sir:
The subscriber would respectfully state, that a few months ago, she made application to the U.S. Pension Department, in the right of Tabatha Plympton her late mother dec d , for an allowance believed to be justly due to said Tabatha at the time of her death; as the widow of Ziba Plympton her late husband dec d , who rendered Revolutionary services. That after examination of this claim and its proof, in aid thereof, the Hon d Mr. Edwards at the head of the Pension Department, requests that a search of the Mass s . Rolls at Boston be made, to ascertain if Elijah Barden of Walpole Mass s . (one of the Witnesses in the case) served with said Ziba Plympton one month and 7 days, as private at R.I.; in Capt Oliver Clapp's company Col. Benj t . Hawes Reg t . in the Autumn of the year 1777, as said Barden has deposed, And should it appear on the Rolls, that both said Barden and Plympton served in said Capt Oliver Clapp's company at the same time and place above stated, Mr. Edwards requests it may be certified (if the Rolls shew such fact) whether either said Barden or Plympton belonged to said town of Walpole, or elsewhere; at the time this term of service was rendered. Please to deliver the result of the search requested, to William Ellis Esq., at Dedham Mass s . who will pay the expenses incur d by said Examination -.
Hon. John G. Palfrey. Secretary of Massachusetts Boston —.
Mary Hewins
I hereby certify, that at the date above written, the above named Mary Hewins made and subscribed to the foregoing request for the search of Rolls, in my presence
W m G. Ellis
Justice of the Peace

Sharon Massachusetts, July 17 th 1848
Hon Sir.
For myself, and as Attorney of my sister Catherine P. Strong, I would hereby most respectfully state, that our late mother Tabatha Plympton made an effort to obtain the requisite proofs to sustain the military services of her late husband Liba Plympton dec. with a view to obtain a Pension under the Act of Congress of July 7 th 1838, but failing to find proof of the term of continental service of 1776; she died without making application; March 15 th 1846. It happened soon after her death; that this evidence of service in 1776 long sought for, was discovered on the Town Records of Walpole, where said Plympton resided in the period of the Revol n war. The Judge of Probate was then consulted, and advised that some one of the surviving children make application in the right of their deceased mother for such pension allowance as might be found due her, at the time of her death. Being encouraged by this advice, and after consulting by letter, said Catherine P. Strong at a distance, who was willing to be at a third part of the expenses incurred in the pursuit, and after our Brother Liba Plympton had been consulted and declined the management in the pursuit of this claim, but did not object to having such application made hence, it fell to my lot, and I made the application as prescribed by the Judge of Probate, in behalf of said surviving children, thereby subjecting myself to the responsibility of paying the expenses incurred in this matter, whether successful or not, which circumstance, I did not much consider at the time. Soon after my application went forward, I was informed the amount of service, the Period of the marriage, with the proofs thereof &c, were satisfactory to the Pension Department, but from some cause, which I do not well understand, the Department raised a question with regard to the identity in person of said Liba Plympton, for whose military services, such allowance was claimed, which caused several months delay, and subjected us to much additional expenses, but was finally allowed. so soon as the Certificate of this allowance was received, a magistrate was requested to call on said Liba Plympton at his residence several miles distant, to get him to act for himself, or to authorize by power of Attorney, some other person to act in his behalf, in making a final and just settlement of this pension claim, but from some cause, he did not see fit to avow, and which I am unable to explain with any certainty, he declined doing anything himself, or giving any other person power to act in his behalf in this pension matter, as will appear by the deposition of the Magistrate who call'd on him, and that said Liba, to my knowledge , charged me with any fault or any improper act, in pursuing the claim thus allowed. In this state of things the U.S. Pension Agent at Boston was consulted, as to the proper course, to bring

to final settlement, this pension allowance granted, the Agent directly expressed his opinion, that the amount due on this claim, ought to be paid over to the Administrator or Executor of said Tabatha Plympton dec., for the use of her children, and that such Administrator could legally and justly apportion the same among them, and said he would write to some of the Officers of the U.S. Treasury, for an approval of that course, he did so, and received an answer as appears, which raised doubts as to the legal and just course that ought to be pursued in the settlement of the claim in question, and thus the subject remains at the present time. It will be seen that the amount of said pension allowance is about two hundred dollars, that one third of which is due to me, which I can receive on application; but, as the case is now situated; it will also be seen, that this third part if received, can but little more than repay me for the I have Expenses, actually paid, and am holden to pay, and which would leave but little, if anything, for me to receive as Share, in the aforesaid allowance. Under these circumstances, and desirous that some measure may be adopted, to terminate this matter equitably; I herewith return the original Certificate granting the Pension allowance aforesaid; and for myself, and as the Attorney of said Catherine P. Strong, I hereby most Respectfully request your Honor to examine this case, and either order an Amendment to be made in the Certificate returned, or that a new one be issued, —so that the clause now exhibited in the following words—viz—“The amount is due, and payable to her only surviving children viz. Ziba Plympton, Catherine Strong and Mary Hewins” — may be changed as to read thus, — She amount due, is payable to the Executor or Administrator of the Estate of said Tabatha Plympton dec., for the sole benefit of her surviving children viz. Ziba Plympton, Catherine Strong and Mary Hewins or any other alteration in the Certificate, which the wisdom of Your Department may deem preferable, to bring this pension matter to a reasonable and just termination.
Whatever report it may be necessary to make on the result of this application, please to direct the same to Wm. Olin Esq. at Dedham Mass. —
Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, U.S. Secretary at War Washington City
As in duty bound, Respectfully Your Obedient Servant
Mary Hewins