Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 22,008, for Matthew Pratt, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Pratt, Matthew Chloe
W 22,008
CONTENTS

3473.
Massachusetts
Matthew Pratt
of Norfolk in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by Col Pratt in the Mass line for 20 Mo 15 Ds
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 68 Dollars 32 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Dec 1832 and sent to S Isaac Roachy Mass Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 $102.48 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 Mar 33 32.16 $136.64
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H B Blair Clerk Book D Vol. 27 Page 75

Matthew Pratt 1672.
Edwin S. Leland

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
On this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Quincy in and for said County, Matthew Pratt a resident of Weymouth in said County, aged eighty years , who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Weymouth aforesaid on the twentieth day of May A. D. 1752, and that there is a record of his birth in the Town records of Weymouth that he was in the United States service from the month day of April A. D. 1775, to the month day of October A. D. 1775 as a Soldier in the Massachusetts militia : that he was residing at Weymouth aforesaid when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Joseph Trafton
: that he marched from _____ to _____, from _____ to _____ from _____ to _____ : that he served at said Weymouth with none of the regular troops ; and no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge : that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Weymouth & Braintree
Latter part ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the month day of August A. D. 1776, to the latter part day of December A. D. 1776 as a Soldier in the Massachusetts militia : that he was residing at said Weymouth when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Nathan Belcher  Lieutenants Elihu Lane & Jonas Bap : that he marched from Weymouth to White Plains, from Weymouth to Hartford from N. Haven to Fairfield : that he served at White Plains with some of the regular troops ; and none of the regular officers were known to him : that he was in the battle at White Plains and at the end of his service received no written discharge.
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the month day of January A. D. 1777, to the month day of April A. D. 1778 in the Massachusetts militia : that he was residing at Weymouth aforesaid when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of captains Joseph Root and Joseph Trafton : that he marched from Weymouth to Hull , from _____ to _____ from _____ to _____ : that he served at Hull with none of the regular troops ; and no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge.

Also that he was in the United States service in Shomer's Pensylvania company. And also in Capt. Nathaniel Bickford's company & also in Captain Joseph Dufour's company as stated in the application to be offered by the certificate of the Secretary of War commonwealth hereto annexed
For the first and second terms of service I know of no person living that was in either of those terms of service with me and I have no documentary evidence for those terms of service.
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 first aforesaid.
Matthew Pratt
We John B. Hollis Clerk, one of the Selectmen of said Weymouth, a clergyman, residing in the said Weymouth
and Samuel Humphrey one of the Selectmen of said Weymouth residing in said Weymouth hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Matthew Pratt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty years 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 as aforesaid.
John B. Hollis
Samuel Humphrey
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Matthew John B. Hollis, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the said Weymouth; and that Samuel Humphrey who has also signed the same is a resident in Weymouth and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathan Saltonstall Judge of Probate
I Samuel Haxon, Reg d , of the Court of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Matthew Pratt, for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Samuel Haxon Reg d

I David Srefont of Wymouth in the county of Norfolk being seventy one years of age, do testify and say that I served at Hull in company with the within named Matthew Pratt and believe that the statement by him made in relation to his third term of service is true David O. Srefont
Norfolk ss August 14 th 1832 Subscribed & sworn to before S. L. Cull judge of Probate

Massachusetts 88
2
Chloe Pratt widow of Matthew Pratt late of Norfolk Co in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Mass of the Regt commanded by Col. Ball in the Mass. line for 20 mos & 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 68 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. ampt. wh Sept 1835 to be deducted
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Feb 1836 and sent to Leland Roxbury Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $375.87 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 57 34.17 $410.04
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk, Book Vol. 1 — Page 64
msu 29-1838 A.13

194
adm?
20. nos. 152.5 pri
68.32/100
deduct.
S. Leland Esq Roxbury Mass.

I Silverus Pratt of Weymouth in the county of Norfolk and state of Massachusetts, age seventy eight years testify and say that I was acquainted with Matthew Pratt late of said Weymouth deceased, he married my sister Chloe Pratt who is now the widow of the said Matthew, she I believe is now about eighty two years of age. I was present and saw them married by the Rev. William Smith of Weymouth. I cannot state the day or the month of the marriage as I have no memorandum of it, but I think it must have been about sixty years ago Silverus Pratt
State of Massachusetts Norfolk county S.S.
Be it known, That on the fifth day of September 1836. before the subscribers, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, personally appeared Silverus Pratt, above named, and  and subscribed the above and made oath that the same is true Samuel Humphrey, Justice of the Peace

We Josiah Pratt Polly Pool and Abigail Helson all of Weymouth in the county of Norfolk and state of Massachusetts, of lawful age testify and say that we were well acquainted with Matthew Pratt late of Weymouth aforesaid deceased, and also that we have knowledge of his death which took place on the sixteenth day of October A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty four. We saw him a corpse on the sixteenth and seventeenth days of October aforesaid, and also saw the corpse interred on the said seventeenth day. We also have knowledge of his being a Pensioner for service performed in the Revolutionary War, we have seen at several times his Pension certificate from the War Department, and have seen Pension money paid to him by his attorney that he authorized to draw for him. We are also well acquainted with Chloe Pratt Widow of the said deceased and know that she is now living as she is at the time of our subscribing her name in our presence We know that she remains the Widow of the said Matthew Pratt and has not been married since his decease. The said Matthew Pratt at the time of his decease was about eighty three years of age, and the said Chloe Pratt is now about eighty two years of age
Josiah Pratt Polly Polly Abigail Nelson

Worsth. ss. September 3 d 1836 Then appeared then within named Josiah Pratt, Polly Tool and Abigail Stetson and subscribed the within affidavit and made oaths before me that the same is true - For truth they are persons of good standing. Samuel Humphrey Justice of the peace
1836

I Solomon Dyer of Weymouth in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy nine years, testify and say that I was well acquainted with Matthew Pratt late of Weymouth in said county deceased, and am also well acquainted with his widow Abiah Pratt and was well acquainted with each before their marriage, and was present and saw them married by the Rev. William Smith — the time of their marriage I cannot state with certainty as it is a long time since, but think that it must have been in the year 1775 or 1776. The marriage was at her Father's house in Weymouth whose name was Samuel Pratt. They have lived together since that period until the decease of the said Matthew about, or nearly one year since at the age of eighty three years. The said Abiah Pratt is yet living and I think is about eighty two years of age, and remains the widow of the said Matthew Pratt, and has not been married since his decease. Solo mon Dyer
Norfolk ss. September 3 d 1836. Then personally appeared the above named Solomon Dyer, and subscribed the above affidavit, and made oath before me that the same is true. He appears to have and doubtless has a very strict regard for truth. And in my opinion is a credible and substantial witness.
Samuel Humphrey Justice of the Peace

[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a formal letter.]

This Certifies that as stands recorded on the records of the Town of Weymouth that an intention of Marriage between Matthew Pratt and Chloe Pratt both of Weymouth was published accor- ding to Law March the 9th 1795. but no record of the Marriage is to be found upon the Town records
Weymouth September 3 d 1836.
John B. Holliston Clerk
Norfolk ss. September 3 d 1836. Then the above named John B. Hollis who is clerk of the Town of Weymouth subscribed the above and made oath before me that the same is true
Samuel Humphrey Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk ss.
On this thirteenth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, personally appeared before the Sheldon  Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County Chloe Pratt a resident of Weymouth in the County aforesaid, aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4, 1836. That she is the Widow of Matthew Pratt, who was a Private, and also a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution: And that she has heard him state his service as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War as follows to wit: That he served at Weymouth guarding the shores of Boston Harbour in a Company commanded by Captain Joseph Prescott several months in the year 1775. Also that he served at Hull under the same Captain in 1776. Also that he served at Hull as a Sergeant a part of the year 1776. and a part of the year 1777. in a Company commanded by Captain Joseph Pool. Also that he served as a Soldier in Capt. Nathaniel Belcher's Company at two different periods, and that he marched to New York and White Plains. Also that he served as a Soldier in Capt. Thomas Duncumb's Company, she believes in the year 1778.
She further declares that she was married to the said Matthew Pratt on the twenty first day of December in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy five: that her husband the aforesaid

Matthew Pratt died on the sixteenth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty five: And that she has remained a Widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Also that he the said Matthew Pratt was a Pensioner for services rendered the United States in the Revolutionary War, as a Private and sergeant , under the Act of June 7 th 1832. At the rate of sixty eight dollars and thirty two cents per annum
Chloe her X Pratt mark
I sworn to and subscribed the day & year above written and I hereby certify that in consequence of bodily infirmity the said Chloe Pratt was unable to attend before a court to make the above declaration
Heal and Juley of Providence

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Norfolkss.
I Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Norfolk & Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Sherman Leland Esquire is the judge of the Court of Probate aforesaid and that Levi Humphrey is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Norfolk & that their several signatures in this & the annexed papers are genuine & true.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of September A.D. 1836.
Jonathan H. Cobb

4672
Matthew Pratt Norfolk Co Mass
Pranch 20 Mo & 15 days
Adm
$6882
E. J. Leland Norfolk Co Mass.

BRIEF in the case of  Matthew Pratt  of Norfolk Cty - in the State of Mass - (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 80 years 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 17 75. April — 6 — private Gen. Capt. Jos. Prufunt -   76. Aug. 11 — 3 — " Nathan Belcher   77. Jan. 7 — 3 — " " Jos. Root -   76. Jan. 4 — ✓ 2 8 " " William Pratt -   80. Oct. 11 — ✓ 3 1 " " Thos. Newcomb - Col. B. Pratt   79. Aug. 27 — ✓ 3 6 " " Nathan Belcher -   20  
5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains - 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Weymouth - 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence, Rolls - 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct -
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. H. McBlain Examining Clerk.

August 14, 1937
Matthew Pratt W. 22008 BA-J/AWF
Grace Pratt Bonsall 158 Presidents Lane Quincy, Massachusetts
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Matthew Pratt of Weymouth, Massachusetts.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W. 22008, based upon the military service of Matthew Pratt in the Revolutionary War.
Matthew Pratt was born May 20, 1752 in Weymouth, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. The names of his parents were not stated.
While residing in Weymouth, Matthew Pratt enlisted in the month of April, 1775, and served until in the month of October, 1775 in Captain Joseph Trufant's Massachusetts company. He served from January 1, 1776, two months and eight days in Captain Joseph Trufant's company. He enlisted late in August, 1776, and served until in December, 1776 in Captain Nathaniel Belcher's company, and was in the battle of White Plains. He served from sometime in January, 1777 until sometime in April, 1778 in Captains Joseph Pool's and Joseph Trufant's companies. He served from October 11, 1780, three months and one day in Captain Thomas Newcomb's company, Colonel Ebenezer Thayer's Massachusetts regiment.
He lived after the Revolution in Weymouth and

Braintree, Massachusetts.
The soldier, Matthew Pratt, was allowed pension on his application executed August 14, 1832, then a resident of Weymouth, Massachusetts. He died in Weymouth, October 16, 1835.
Matthew Pratt married December 21, 1775 in Weymouth, Massachusetts, Chloe Pratt; they were both then of Weymouth. The intention of marriage was published March 9, 1775. Chloe Pratt was the daughter of Samuel Pratt of Weymouth; the date of her birth is not given, nor was the name of her mother stated.
The widow, Chloe Pratt, was allowed pension on her application executed September 13, 1836, at which time she was eighty-two years old and living in Weymouth, Massachusetts. She died May 29, 1838.
There is no reference to children.
Silvanus Pratt, brother of the widow, Chloe Pratt, was seventy-eight years old in 1836 and living in Weymouth, Massachusetts. One Josiah Pratt was living in 1836 in Weymouth; it was not stated that he was related to the family.
Very truly yours
GEORGE H. SWEET Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22,008
Chloe Pratt widow of Matthew Pratt Dis' Nov Mas.
Act June 7 th 32
Index: Vol 16 , Page 142
 [Arrangement of 1870.] 

To what time was Matthew Pratt pri. 68.32/1000 ft paid at Mass agency act 7. June '32 ?
was paid to the 4 Sep 1835
Glo. 6. 12. Oct. 36
JH

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
alt
July 26, 1928
Mrs. Daniel F. Potter 485 Auburn Ave. Buffalo, N. Y.
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 22008, it appears that Matthew Pratt was born May 20, 1752 in Weymouth, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
While residing at that place, he enlisted and served as a private in the Massachusetts Troops, as follows-
From April 1775 to October 1775 in Captain Joseph Trufant's Company; from August 1776 to December 1776 in Captain Nathaniel Belcher's Company, and was in the battle of White Plains; from January 1777 to April 1778 in Captains Joseph Pool's and Joseph Trufant's Companies; and later served in Captains Thomas Newcomb's and Nathaniel Belcher's Companies, length of service not given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 14, 1832, at which time he was living in Weymouth, Massachusetts. He died October 16, 1835.
The soldier married December 21, 1775 (intention of marriage)

marriage published March 9, 1775), Chloe Pratt, daughter of Samuel Pratt of said Weymouth.
She was allowed pension on her application executed September 13, 1836, at which time she was living at Weymouth, Massachusetts, aged eighty-two years.
It is not stated that they had children.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Aug. 4, 1937 158 President's Lane Quincy, Mass.
Pension Department Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
Have you on file the record of a pension granted to Matthew Pratt of Weymouth, Mass.? According to the history of Weymouth, he was receiving a pension in 1831, as a veteran of the Revolutionary War.
Will you please send me a summary of his papers? He was my great great grandfather, and I would like to check his record of service, or whatever information he may have given, with my own records.
He lived in Weymouth most of his life, but a period of fifteen years in Braintree - Suffolk County. He was born in Weymouth  Braintree , May 20, 1752, and died Oct 16, 1835 in Weymouth. He was married Dec. 21, 1775 to Chloe Pratt (she was born June 8, 1754 and died May 29, 1838). Yours truly - Grace Pratt Bonsall

National Society New England Women
HONORARY PRESIDENTS GENERAL
Mrs. Henry Clarke Coe 30 Fifth Avenue New York, N. Y.
Mrs. Robert Fowler Cummings 833 South Flower Street Los Angeles, California
Mrs. Eugene J. Grant 379 Washington Avenue Brooklyn, N. Y.
HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT GENERAL
Mrs. Augustus C. Dexter 151 East 61st Street New York, N. Y.
DIRECTORS
Mrs. Charles W. Newton 461 Farmington Avenue Hartford, Conn.
Mrs. S. O. Richardson, Jr. 2051 Collingwood Avenue Toledo, Ohio
Mrs. Robert Franklin Ives 962 Ocean Avenue Brooklyn, N. Y.
Mrs. William H. Britigan 6950 Euclid Avenue Chicago, Ill.
Mrs. Robert D. Smith 57 Kenwood Street Brookline, Mass.
Mrs. Anne Burt Norton Terrace Park, Ohio
Mrs. William G. Frost 44 North Mountain Avenue Montclair, N. J.
Mrs. L. L. Dodge 2000 Aldrich Avenue, South Minneapolis, Minn.
MRS. WILLIAM GERRY SLADE, FOUNDER
PRESIDENT GENERAL
Mrs. A. Willis Bryne 79 Linnmoore Street Hartford, Conn.
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT GENERAL
Mrs. J. Woolsey Shepard 312 West 93rd Street New York, N. Y.
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT GENERAL
In Charge of Organization of Colonies Mrs. Daniel Frederic Potter 485 Auburn Avenue Buffalo, N. Y.
RECORDING SECRETARY GENERAL
Mrs. Flynn Guernsey Austin 780 Riverside Drive New York, N. Y.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY GENERAL
Mrs. Herbert W. Harvey 18 Brookfield Avenue Nutley, N. J.
TREASURER GENERAL
Mrs. Franklin M. Danaher Burkewood Road Bronxville, N. Y.
REGISTRAR GENERAL
Mrs. Jacob P. Marshall 305 West 87th Street New York, N. Y.
DIRECTOR GENERAL
SONS AND DAUGHTERS Mrs. Augustus Ostrom 5514 Hyde Park Boulevard Chicago, Ill.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
I am writing to ask you for the military record in the Revolutionary War of Matthew Pratt whose name appears on the list of pensions 1832 as serving from Norfolk Co - Massachusetts -
I would like that any family data in the papers be included -
Thanking you in advance I am Yours truly
Georgia Field Potter
September the sixth -
1927

Matthew Pratt

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Aug t . 6 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that
the name of Matthew Pratt is borne on a roll of Capt. Joseph Trufant's Company in the State Service; and is therein stated to have served two months and eight days from Jan y . 1. 1776—
Also on a Roll of Capt. Thomas Newcomb's Company, Col. Ebenezer Thayer's Regiment in the State Service; and is therein stated to have served three months and one day, commencing Oct. 11. 1780.
Edward D. Bangs. Sec y —
Also on a Roll of Capt. Nathaniel Belcher, and is stated to have served on Castle Island under Maj Gen Hancock from Aug. 27 to Dec. 1 st 1779 - Payroll made up for 3 months 6 days
Edward D. Bangs. Sec y