Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 812, for Joseph Priest, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Priest, Joseph Sally
H. 812
CONTENTS

Warrant for 11,660
Joseph Seriat of Orleans, Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Dr in the Company commanded by Captain Walker of the Regt. commanded by Col. Varnum. in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
9 No Drift. $30.00
Inscribed on the Roll of, Vermont at the rate of 30 Dollars c  cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of June 1833 and sent to Pensioner, Coventry. At Arrears to the 1 st of March 1833. 60.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st Sept r 15. " 75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { No. June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by John S. Sprague Clerk, Book E - Vol. 3 - Page 83 -

citizens & State of Vermont, At Loundon in said County. On this fifth day of District of Orleans ss. October A.D. 1832 person- ally appeared in open court before the Honorable John Winchell Judge of Probate for the District of Orleans Joseph Priest a resident of Coov- entry in the County of Orleans and State of Vermont aged sixty seven years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. In the month of March 1780 he resided in the town of Vespelboro in the district of Maine & Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts the fore part of said month his brother Jonas Priest of the same town was drafted to serve nine months in the Massachusetts troops and he the said Joseph Priest took the place of said Jonas as a substitute. His Captains name was Solomon Walker his Lieutenants name was Benj. Thompson his Ensigns name was Jeremiah Colburn, Capt Walker was a resident of Woolwich and Lieutenant Thompson of Verm Meadows both towns on Kennebec River now in the State of Maine. He was marched under Ensign Colburn the fore part of April 1780 from Vespelboro to Longreach to be mustered was there mustered & from thence what troops were collected marched to Woolwich where they met with the Captain from Woolwich he marched with the rest of the troops to the head of the tide waters at St. Georges river and arrived he thinks at Thomaston the fore part of April 1780 at head quarters. At head quarters he met the General whose name was Peter Macpherson and a Major whose name was Shute Ulmore

also the Adjutant whose name name was George Whmore - after staying at head quarters about a week. Capt Wallis and Capt Coombs Company were ordered to Campton about seven miles east said Priest belonging to said Wallis Company went with the rest to Campton, the above named two companies with one other the Capt. name not remembered, remained at Campton till the first of January 1781. While said companies were stationed at Campton, the business of the troops was to watch the motion of the enemy, who were at the place now called Castine about thirty miles from Campton, continually sending out Scouts by water and land, There was stationed about a mile from our quarters a company of three months men, when Capt. Wallis Company first went to Campton, said Company was commanded by John Blunt from Winthrop in the Province of Maine, which company had about one month to stay when Capt. Wallis Company arrived there, and while said Company was there word came by the way of our ship that a British Vessel had gone up Penobscot River to plunder the Shiping which was destroyed by the enemy the year pre- vious, volunteers were called for, for the purpose of going and if possible to take said Vessel, said Priest volunteered for said service and went for the purpose with the rest of the troops to take said Vessel. Capt Blunt commanded the said force which consisted of about fifty men said force went up the river in five whale boats to Oak Hill the place on which now stands the town of Bangor. There the troops encountered the British Vessel and after the Americans had fired into the Vessel and a shot or two returned from the cannon of the enemy. The said forces boarded her and took her myself with about a dozen, Frederick W. Herman of the aforesaid Country was the first man that stepped on board and took the arms from the Captain whose name was Nat. Gardner a Jory. The Vessel was taken by said Herman down the river with all the

Troops aboard, by the British for in the day time, while going by the British fort we hoisted British colours and after going a short distance took them down & hoisted the American Flag was chased immediately by a British guard ship of twenty two guns, we hoisted all sail, was pursued by said ship to Hampton about thirty miles - from them after the guard ship went away said prize was taken to Portland or Boston, she was fitted out as a Privateer as was understood went to sea & never returned as said Priest understood said Priest began his march in the above service the first of April 1780 and served as above till the first of January 1781. and was then honour- ably discharged by General Peleg Wadsworth said discharge is now lost & has no docu- mentary evidence, making the whole service nine months as a private soldier - said Joseph Priest says he was born in Groton in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts lived there till his eighth year & then went to said Vapsboro, where he lived till he went into the said service returned to said Vapsboro after his discharge and there remained till the year 1809 which year he removed to the town of Co- ventry the place of his present residence. Knows of no record of his birth or age, but gets his age from hearsay. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Joseph Priest

We Ralston A. Watkins a residing in Collymans and Pastor of the Congregational Church & Society of Coeymans and Charles Story residing in the same Coeymans Representative Elect of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Priest who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be 67 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion — Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid —
Ralston A. Watkins
Charles Story
Frederick William Heerman a resident of Coeymans in the County of Orleans do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph Priest who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration and am knowing that he served as a private in said Capt. Walker's company as he has set forth in his declaration & myself belonging to the same company during the whole of said service and he being with me from about the in said company from about the first of April 1780 until about the first of January 1781 when he with myself was honorably discharged by Genl. Peleg Wadsworth — Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Frederick William Heerman
And the said court do hereby certify that in giving notice of the annexed copy of the motion and after reciting the authorities prescribed by the War Department that the within annexed affidavit was a legal and satisfactory proof and served as the Statute. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Ralston A. Watkins who has signed the preceding certificate is a legal resident in the County of Orleans and that Charles Story and Frederick William Heerman are persons of credit and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I John Hinckley Register of the District Court for the District of Orleans aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Priest for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office.
This 5 th day of October 1832
John Hinckley Register
Joseph Priest
Declaration
19119

2129 Vermont, Burlington Sally Priest widow of Joseph Priest who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Pirate
1857 May 26. Transf d to Bradford Vt from March 4. 1857 (See letter Book)
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 3 rd February 1853 Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of Sept r 53 and sent to S. M. Thayer Boston Mass ts
Reg 3 m 55-58298-Reg 1850-100413
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 22 nd , Page 32 Vol. A 3753
1832

D. Sally Priest widow of Joseph, Vermont
act 3 d Feb. 1863, Henry Lee,
Joseph Priest was a pensioner act 3 d , Vermont
J. M. Thayer Present.

I Silas Sears of the age of sixty four years, of County in the County of Orleans & State of Vermont do depose, testify & say that from A.D. 1828 to A.D. 1841 I was personally acquainted with Joseph Priest & his wife Sally Priest, that during all that time the said Joseph & Sally lived together as husband and wife and raised a family of children.
The said Joseph Priest died in 1841 and I attended his funeral. I further say that the said Sally has remained a widow ever since the decease of said Joseph, and is still living unmarried.
Silas Sears.
State of Vermont (At County in said County Orleans County ss) this 12 th day of April A.D. 1853. personally appeared the said Silas Sears who is personally known to me & who signed the above in my presence and made solemn oath that the above statement is the truth & nothing but the truth. I further certify that the said Deposition is entitled to credit and that I have no interest in the above matter.
John Wallbridge Justice of the Peace

Silas Sears affidavit
State of Vermont Orleans County p. J. Hubbard Hastings Clerk of the County Court in the County of Orleans aforesaid do hereby certify, that John M. Mosey Esq., before whom the within declaration was made is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified and authorized by law to administer oaths, and his signature thereto is genuine —
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said County Court, at Basingh in said County this 12th day of April A.D. 1853
Hubbard Hastings Clerk as aforesaid.

I Abraham H. Hancock of the age of thirty seven years, of Newport in the County of Orleans and State of Vermont do depose, testify & say that as early as A.D. 1830 and from that time to A.D. 1841, I was acquainted with Joseph Priest and his wife Sally Priest, and during the aforesaid time they the said Joseph & Sally resided in Coornty in said Orleans County, as husband and wife and had family of children. The said Joseph died in 1841. I was present and assisted in laying out the body of the deceased.
I further say that the said Sally has remained a widow, since the death of said Joseph and is now living a widow.
Abraham H. Hancock
State of Vermont (At Coornty in said County this Orleans County p. 8 12 th day of April A.D. 1853. personally appeared the said Abraham H. Hancock who is personally known to me, & who signed the above in my presence, and made solemn oath that the above statement is the truth and nothing but the truth. I further certify that the said Deponent is entitled to credit & that I have no interest in the above matter.
John W. Murphy Justice of the Peace

A. H. Hancock affidavit
State of Vermont Orleans County ss. I, Hubbard Haskings Clerk of the County Court in the County of Orleans aforesaid do hereby certify that John W. Muzzey Esq. before whom the within declaration was made is an acting Justice of the Peace within & for said County duly commissioned & qualified and authorized by law to administer oaths, and that his signature thereto attached is genuine - In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said County Court at Basingburgh in said County this 12th day of April A.D. 1853 Hubbard Haskings Clerk as afs.

act 3 d Feb. 1853
STATE OF Vermont District } ss. COUNTY OF Orleans }
Be it known, that on this 12 th day of April , A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty three , before Isaac N. Cushman , Judge of the Probate Court in and for the District and State aforesaid, personally appeared Sally Priest , a resident of Cornbury in said County, and made oath according to law, that she is the widow of Joseph Priest who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States at the time of his death at the rate of $30.00 per annum—that she was married to the said Joseph Priest on the 13 th day of January eighteen hundred and twelve , in the town of Salem and State of Vermont that her said husband died on the 31 st day of August eighteen hundred and fortyone , that she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining such a rate of Pension as may be due under any of the Laws, Regulations, or decisions that have been or may hereafter be adopted.
The said Declarant further states, that she hereby constitutes and appoints John M. Thayer her true and lawful Attorney and Agent to prosecute said claim, with power of substitution, to examine all papers and documents in relation to it, and to do all things necessary and lawful in the premises; except drawing the money, which will be hereafter provided for.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me, Isaac N. Cushman Judge as afor d .
Sally Priest mark
I, Isaac N. Cushman Judge of Probate in and for the District and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Sally Priest , above named, is a respectable resident of this County, and is the same person she represents herself to be in the foregoing declaration; she has this day appeared before me and acknowledge the above Power of Attorney to be her act and deed.
I. N. Cushman, Judge
STATE OF Vermont Orleans District } ss. County, ss. } Register
I Thomas Jamison  Clerk of the Probate Court for the District and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Isaac N. Cushman before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, was at the time of execution, is Judge of Probate in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name, this 12 th day of April in the year 185 3
Chas. Jamison  County Clerk Register of Probate

19.107 Joseph Priest Orleans District Accts.
Admitted Imo's $30
Pensioner Coventry 80

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Joseph Priest
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     March 1780. 9 Private Capt. Wilbre Genl. Washington Major General Almer From Nashua to Thomaston to Cooptun 67 years at present Maine Testimonial of Clergyman Solomon W. Knight  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
 [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons, one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

1939-Oct. 17. Photo mailed to Miss Alice L. Priest from 3 claim - Levi Priest, Wm Priest - his Joseph Priest J.L.L.
Rey WIDOW, &c.
File No. 812
Sally Priest, Widow Joseph Priest, Pris. Rev. War.
Act: Feb. 3. 185-3.
Index: — Vol. M. , Page 139
[Arrangement of 1870.]

N o 1263 Sally Priest widow of Joseph Vermont.
Lt. J. M. Thayer 28 th June 1853
Act. February 3 rd 1853

April 27 1853
App. of Sally Priest widow of Joseph
Vermont
11660
Act 30 Febry 1853.
$30 00 Per An —
Com Feb. 3 d 1853 —
Rev.
J. M. Thayer Boston Present Massa
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business

Ebenezer Mearns, Coventry R. Co. Abn: H. Hancock, of Newport. Co: S. Silas Dean of Gov.

Rest

Brief in the case of Sally Priest, widow of Joseph Orleans County and State of Vt. act 3 d Febry: 1853
Claim, ("original," or "for increase")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of 7 th June, 1832. Parole proof of marriage of Ebenezer M. Gray, & Silas Sears of Coventry, in L d County, & Abram H. Hancock, of Newport, in said County, all credible witnesses,
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
J. M. Hayer, Esq., Resident, Name and residence of Agent Boston Mass te
J. B. Boynton, Examining Clerk

Pension Office, 22. Sept. 1853.
Sir.
Please Certify the time to which the within named pension was paid, on the date of his death,
Being Respectfully,
S. M. Wells
Commissioner.
Joseph Priest act 32 $30. p. an. - Died 31 st July 1841, Paid to his death.
F. Burt Auditor
Francis Burt Esq. } Their Auditor, Inademy }

October 17, 1939.
Miss Alice L. Priest 16 Brewster Terrace Brookline, Massachusetts.
BA-J/ILL
Dear Madam:
You are furnished herewith, as requested, photostatic copies of the originals pages thereof, in the claims for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary War of the soldiers names below.
Abel Priest, W. 26342 - 3 pages Job Priest, S. 33517 - 3 pages Joseph Priest, W. 812 - 4 pages Levi Priest, W. 15939 - 2 pages Samuel Priest, W. 26937 - 2 pages William Priest, S. 11267 - 2 pages.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

BA-J/ILL Rev.& 1812 No. 485
October 9
9
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
Navy, Br. 970
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Revolutionary War claim for pension of Joseph Priest-W. 812
Actual
1 of each page
$1.00
4 pages
Soldier's appl. Oct 5-1832, with affid. on reverse side of last page
Copies to Miss Alice Priest Her request herein -
Kindly leave margin of 1\frac{1}{2} inch at top of each page and return papers in case in folder with corresponding name and number.
Chief, Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

October 9, 1939.
Please furnish photostatic copies of the following pages-
Rev. War. Joseph Priest- 4 pages
Rev. War. Levi Priest - 2 pages
Rev. War. William Priest- 2 pages
Very truly yours,
Alice L. Priest
16 Brewster Terrace Brookline, Massachusetts.

additional evidence in case of Lally Priest widow of Joseph , W.T. susp. act 3? Feb. 23 Rev. Pension,
J. M. Thayer, Boston Mass.

State of Vermont Orleans County ss } I Abram H. Hancock of Newport in said County & State of lawful age depose and say that I have thoroughly exam- ined the Records of the Town of Salem in said Orleans County including the Records of marriages in said town & cannot find any record of the marriage of Joseph Priest & Sally Morrill. & I also further state that I have been acquainted with the said Joseph & Sally since A.D. 1830 and that they lived together as man & wife & were reputed as such since that time & since . & further I say not. Abram H. Hancock
Subscribed & sworn to this 24 th day of August A.D. 1853, Aloral
Before me
John W. Foster Question of Peace,

State of Vermont
Orleans County ss }
I Ebenezer M. Gray of Coventry in said County & State of lawful age depose and say that I was present and saw Mr Doseph Priest and Mrs Sally Merritt Married and that they were married at Ephraim Blake's house in Salem in said County by said Ephraim Blake then a justice of the Peace and I also further state that I have been acquainted with said Doseph & Sally Priest ever since and that the said Priest died in this town about ten or twelve years ago I should think and that the said Sally has remained a widow ever since, and I also further depose and say that the said Doseph & Sally were married as near as I can remember in the latter part of the year A.D. 1813 or early in the year A.D. 1814 and I am positive that it was during the war of 1812 and soon after the term of his service in the early part of said war. I also further state that I am now in my 73 rd year, and further I say not.
Ebenezer M. Gray
Subscribed and sworn to this 13 th day of August A.D. 1853 Before me
John M. Murphy Justice of Peace
and I further certify that Ebenezer M. Gray and Abraham H. Hancook the above named witnesses, are credible persons.
John M. Murphy
Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont & S county of Orleans
At Coventry on this 24 th day of August eighteen hundred and fifty three, before me, a justice of the Peace in and for said county, perso- nally appeared Sally Priest, and made oath in due form of law that she is the widow of Joseph Priest who was a pensioner of the United States of that she is now a widow and has continued such since the death of the said Priest, — that she is now an applicant for a pension, — that she has no knows of no Record evidence of her marriage in existence.
Sworn to and subscribed by Sally Priest the day and year above Mark
written, and I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Sally Priest, — that she is the widow of the aforesaid Joseph Priest, who was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $30. per annum residing in the state of Vermont, — that the said Sally Priest and Joseph Priest lived together, to my certain knowledge, as man and wife for many years, and were known and recognized as such in this com- munity. I certify to the truth of the above statements, as a justice of the Peace under the solemnity

of my official oath,
John W. Foster
Justice of the Peace.
Mussey is already authenticated of a p. 10.
Additional evidence

State of Vermont, I Isaac Muselman, Judge of the Orleans District, ss. Probate Court within and for said District of Orleans, do hereby certify that at the time I took the Declaration of Sally Dorst widow of Joseph Priest for a pension in April last, the said Sally appeared in open court at the Probate Office in St. Albans in said District at the time aforesaid, and then and there made such declaration.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at St. Albans aforesaid this 14 th day of September A.D. 1832. I Muselman Judge