Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,375, for Amasa Richardson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental
Richardson, Amasa
N. 26,375
Mass.
Lydia
CONTENTS

15.822
Massachusetts Emma Richardson
of Norfolk in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Ellis of the Regt. commanded by Col. Crane in the Mass. line for 6 mos. antiq. } 4 " 24 d. dit }
Cont. Arty Vols. Mass.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 40 Dollars 97 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of July 1833 and sent to E. J. Leland. Roxbury
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $81.94 Semest. allowance ending Septm 20.48
$102.42
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 72
72 Norfolk

to E. Clark July 7. '43 to same July 9. '43
Massachusetts $85
Lydia Richardson widow of Anasa Richardson
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 7. 1832 and who died on the 7 th March 1835. of Norfolk in the State of Mass ts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Ellis of the Reg t commanded by Crane in the Mass ts line for 10 m th & 24 d ys
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass ts at the rate of 40 Dollars 97 Cents per annum. to commence on the 8 th day of March, 1835
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Dec r '38 and subscribed S. G. D. Roxbury, Mass ts
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept r $ 20. 48 Semi-annual allowance ending 20. 48
$ 40. 96
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by R. Brown Clerk. Book A Vol. 1 - Page 126.

Thomas Richardson
Prob City 6 mo " Infy 6-240 10 24
14. 14 06
March 22 1883
S 310
88 3/4      25 13 37 4 41 97
E. J. Leland
Roxbury Mass

BRIEF in the case of Amasa Richardson County of Norfolk — 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? 70  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.     Sept In 1797 1 2 Private Gen. Putnam - Col. Howe   July 1798 X 22 " Gen. Ellis " "   June 1799 6 " Gen. Seward Col. Crane   1801 3 " Gen. Lincoln Col. Noble  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Franklin Mass 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional Documentary and Living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not attached according to Law, credibility of witness not certified nor the official character of the Magistrate
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Dyer
Examining Clerk.

Amasa Bicknell
1871
12
Edwin S Leland

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept 8 d 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 Capt Isaac Fairbanks upon the pay roll of Col Benjamin Haws's Regt for the period of one month & two days from Sept 30 th 1777, also upon the pay rolls of Capt Amos Ellis Company in Col Benjamin Haws's Regt for the period of twenty two days from the twenty sixth day of July 1778 Edward D Bangs. Secy
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the month day of June A. D. 1732 , to the month day of December A. D. 1730 as a Private in the Continental Army : that he was residing at ... when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt ... Edward D ...

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
On this twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judges of the Court of Probate now sitting at Wrentham in and for said County, Amasa Richardson a resident of Franklin in said County, aged seventy , 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 Franklin then Wrentham
on the twenty ninth day of December A. D. 1767, and that there is a record of his birth in the Town Records of Wrentham that he was in the United States service from the last day of September A. D. 1777, to the last day of October A. D. 1777 (one month) as a Private in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at Franklin aforesaid
when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Amasa Packard in the
Regt commanded by Col. Benjamin Hance : that he marched from Franklin to Stillbury , from there to Nashawtucket from there to Little Compton R.I.
with none : that he served at Little Compton 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 Dutton & Franklin
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the month day of July A. D. 1778, to the month day of August A. D. 1778 (one month) as a Private in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at Franklin aforesaid
when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Amos Ellis in the Regt
commanded by Col. Benjamin Hance : that he marched from Franklin to Stillbury , from there to Nashawtucket from there to Swanton R. Island
with none : that he served at Swanton 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 from the month day of June A. D. 1779, to the month day of December A. D. 1780 (6 months) as a Private in the Connecticut Army : that he was residing at Franklin aforesaid
when he entered the service ; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Seward in the
Regt commanded by Col. Crary : that he marched from Franklin to Worcester , from there to Litchfield from there to Dorchester from there to West Point from there to Stony Point : that he served at West Point & Stony Point with none of the regular troops ; and
no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept 10 th 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 Amasa Richardson is borne upon the Pay Roll of Capt John Lincoln's Company, in Col. Col. Joseph Webb's Regt for the period of three months & twenty two days from the twentieth day of August 1781—
Edward D. Bangs. Sep 7
a one who has also one their statement is entitled to credit.
Sherman Leland Jr. & Wife
I Samuel Henson, Regt. of the court of Probate of Litchfield do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the

Amasa Richerson
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. Amasa Richerson
We Nathaniel Emmons a clergyman, residing in the said Franklin
and Herman C Fisher residing in said Franklin
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Amasa Richerson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy 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.
Nathaniel Emmons Herman C Fisher
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 Nathaniel Emmons to, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the said Franklin ; and that Herman C Fisher who has also signed the same is a resident in said Franklin and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Herman C Fisher Judge of Police
I Samuel Hemen, Regt of the last of the estate of Amasa do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the

Lydia Richardson
(96)
Mass.
Act of July 38
Married in 1787.
Died in 1838.
aged
6 mo 10 days
4.2409 pr
$40.97
deduct. Died June 1838. Rev. Comm. 18 March 1838.
S. Leland
Roxbury
Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk. On the thirteenth day of August A.D. 1838, personally appeared before Sherman Melanch, Esquire, Judge of the Court of Probate - in and for said County Lydia Richardson a resident of Franklin in said County, aged seventy years, who, be- ing first duly sworn, doth on her oath make the following de- claration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the Act of Congress, entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows. - That she is the widow of Amos Richardson late of Franklin in said County, deceased, who was a soldier in the service of the Revolution and served according to the best of her information and belief, one year & five days or a period in the army of the revolution, at some different periods, for which period a pension was granted him under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 at the rate of forty dollars & sixty two and a half cents per annum for a more particular description of the different periods & of service & the officers under whom he served, she respectfully refers to the declaration made by him at the time the pension was granted
She further declares that she was married to the said Amos

Richardson on the third day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, and that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place pre- vious to the first of January, one thousand eight hundred and thirty- four, six, at the time above stated. Lydia Richardson
Sworn to and published, on the day and year above written, by the said Lydia Richardson, who by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend court to make her declaration before me I Selene J. Peabody
I Eli M. Richardson of Franklin in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged forty six years Testify and say that the abovenamed Amasa Richardson was my father and the said Lydia Richardson is my Mother that the said Amasa Richardson was a pensioner of the United States as a private in the Army of the Revolution at the rate of forty Dollars and Ninety Seven Cents per annum under the act of Congress of July Seventh one thousand eight hundred and thirty two Eli M. Richardson
Norfolk ss. August 20 th 1838 Sworn to and subscribed by the said Eli M. Richardson who is a credible Witness Before me I Selene J. Peabody

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk and Town of Franklin I Wilkes Gay Jr of the town aforesaid hereby certify that the following is a true copy of the record of said town with the exception of the date which is expressed in five legible figures as follows, to wit "1787 April 3" in letters thus, seventeen hundred eighty seven April third "Married by Rev. Nathaniel Emmons Amasa Richardson and Lydia Richardson both of Franklin" And further certify that the following is a true copy of the record of the town aforesaid to wit "Mr Amasa Richardson Died March 17 th 1838"
I Wilkes Gay Jr abovenamed, depose and say that I hold the Office of town clerk in the county, town, and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception abovenamed as certified by me Wilkes Gay Jr Town Clerk of Franklin
Norfolk ss. August 20 th 1838
Sworn before me
Willis Fisher Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk.
I Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate within & for the County aforesaid hereby certify that Sherman Leland is Judge of said Court of Probate and Willis Fisher is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Norfolk & that their respective signatures to these papers are genuine & true.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & caused the seal of said Court of Probate to be affixed this twenty fourth day of August A.D. 1838.
Jonathan H. Cobb
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, including the date '24th day of August' and the name 'Jonathan H. Cobb']

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk. ss
On this 11 th day of December, eighteen hundred and forty two. Personally appeared before me William Pitkin a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk. Eli M. Richardson, a resident of Franklin in said county, fifty years of age, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain arrears of pension allowed to his deceased Mother Lydia Richardson. That he is the lawful child of the said Lydia Richardson who died in the aforesaid town on the thirteenth day of July eighteen hundred and forty one and left the following children who now survive, Proutus Richardson, and Eleanor Miller. That his Mother the said Lydia Richardson was pensioned under the act of the seventh of July 1838, and her pension commenced on the day of the death of her husband Amasa Richardson which took place on the seventh day of March in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight, and he now claims in behalf of himself and the above named lawful children of the said Lydia Richardson, arrears of pension from the fourth of March 1836, to the eighth day of March 1838, at the rate of forty dollars and ninety seven cents per annum, and that the pension was paid to his said Mother at the agency at Boston in the state of Massachusetts, and further he saith not.
Eli M. Richardson
Sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year above written.
Before Me
William Pitkin

Norfolk ss. Frankfort December 12 th 1842 I hereby certify that Elizabeth Richardson who has signed and attested to the foregoing declaration is a person of full confidence and that the Elizabeth Richardson, Esther Richardson & Mrs Frances Miller are the only surviving children of Lydia Richardson deceased who received a pension from the United States for the services of her husband, Asaph Richardson deceased prior to the Revolutionary War.
Willis Fisher Justice Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary's Office Dec. 16. 1842
I hereby certify that at the date of the within attestation Willis Fisher was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk.
Witness the seal of the Commonwealth.
John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth

Kept  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26,375
Lydia Richardson
wid of
Amasa Richardson
Pr. Mass Line
Act: July 1 st 38
Index:—Vol. 23 , Page 165
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Amasa Richardson Mass. act 7 June when last f. d? G.M.C.
3 Oct 38
p'to 11 March 1838
JH

Payments to be made at Boston by Pres d U. S. Br. Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Napaehunt
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book C Vol. 2 Page 72 by W. L. Williams Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Amasa Richardson of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Revolutionary war
is entitled to receive Forty dollars and Ninety Seven cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this Twenty eighth day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Three
John B. Buel Secretary of War.
Exam. Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

I Nathaniel Emmons of Franklin in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts sayeth Herewith three years Do testify and say; That I was well acquainted with Amasa Richardson and Lydia Richardson his wife that the said Amasa Richardson died last March that the said Amasa and Lydia lived in Franklin in good repute as husband and wife until the time of his death that the said Lydia Richardson has not intermarried since the decease of her said husband but still remains the widow of the said Amasa Richardson, that they brought up a family of several children three of whom are now living.
Nathaniel Emmons.
Norfolk ss. August 20 th 1838 Sworn to and subscribed by the said Nathaniel Emmons who is a credible witness Before me Willis Fisher justice of the Peace

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 Lydia Richardson, widow of Amasa Richardson, late of Franklin in said County, deceased died on or about the thirtieth day of July 1841: that she left Eli M Richardson, Erastus Richardson, and Ellinor Miller, her only surviving children who are still living and all over twenty one years of age. And I the said Judge do further certify that the said Eli M Richardson has been duly appointed, and admitted, Executor of the last Will and Testament, of the said Lydia Richardson, and that he is now fully authorised to act as such.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the said Judge, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, this thirteenth day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty three .
S Leland

8870
Mrs. Richardson
Rev. Luther D. Lee
E. S. Leland Roxbury Mass

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Imasa Richardson which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yy V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yy
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no *
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yy
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yy
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
* The certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth is substituted for the deposition -