Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,152, for Benjamin Parker, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Parker Benjamin Elizabeth
NUMBER
W.15.152.
CONTENTS

11.135 Massachusetts Elizabeth Parker widow of Benjamin Parker who died on the 25 th April 1828 of Middlesex in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the Reg t commanded by Col in the Mass line for 18 months 21 days Mass.
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 60 Dollars 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of June 1837 and sent to R. Clark Esq.
Arrears to the 4th of Brighton Semi-annual allowance ending Mass.
wid died 25 April 1842
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act July 7, 1838.
Recorded by A. Weightman Clerk Book L. Vol. 1. Page 75

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed 7 th of Ju- ly 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
State of Massachusetts } County of Middlesex } ss.
On this fourth day of Decem- ber, year one thousand, eight hundred thirty-eight personally appeared before the Hon. Samuel P. D. Gray, Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Mid- dlesex, State aforesaid, Elisabeth Parker a resident of Dun- stable County and State aforesaid, aged seventy two years, who after 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 on the 7 th July 1838. entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" that she is the widow of Benjamin Parker late of Gynnsborough. County and State aforesaid deceased, who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution - She further states that according to the best of her knowledge and belief said Benjamin her late husband served three years, as a private soldier, as aforesaid, from the seventh day of April in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, to the seventh day of April seventeen hundred and eighty; that he enlisted under Capt Sylvanus Smith; that he served in the ninth Massachusetts Regiment, a part or all, of said three years. That he was some portion of said time attached to Regiments commanded either by Colonels Gilley or Johnson - That said Benjamin enlisted at Groton, County and State aforesaid - That said Benjamin performed sundry other services the particulars of which she cannot now state -

That the only evidence, documentary or other, which it is in her power to procure is herunto annexed - viz - the said Capt Smith's Certificate of said Benjamin's enlistments, and the Muster roll of James Barrett Muster Master - That she knows of no other evidence except what may be in the court departments -
She further declares, positively, that she was married to Benjamin Parker aforesaid, at Groton County & State aforesaid, by Josiah Sawtell Esquire, then a Justice of the Peace, legally authorized by law to solemnize marriages, on the fourteenth day of June in the year seventeen hundred and eighty four. That she has not any record of said marriage and none can be found among the records of the town of Groton aforesaid or among the papers of said Josiah Sawtell Esquire - She also declares further, that the dwelling house of said Josiah Sawtell Esquire was burned, with many of said Sawtells effects, a short time subsequent to the time of her marriage to said Benjamin Parker. That the person, whose deposition is herunto annexed, viz - Elisabeth Gilson was present, and witnessed her marriage to Benjamin Parker -
She further declares that, said Benjamin Parker her late husband, died on the twenty fifth day of April in the year eighteen hundred and eighteen - That she has not been married since said Benjamins decease, having remained a widow from that period to the present time - That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz - at the time above stated - That her name previous to her marriage to said Benjamin was Elisabeth Green -
Elisabeth Parker

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County ss.
I Elizabeth Gilson
resident of Groton, County & State aforesaid, aged seventy one years do upon oath depose & say that I was present & witnessed the marriage of Benjamin Parker, late of Tisbury County & State aforesaid, deceased, to Elizabeth Green - That said said Benjamin & Elizabeth were married at Groton aforesaid, on the fourteenth day of June, year seventeen hundred & eighty four by Josiah Lawell Esquire then a justice of the Peace legally authorized by law to solemnize mar- riages - That said Elizabeth Parker is still living & has not been married since the decease of said Benjamin — Elizabeth Gilson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex ss. October 19th A.D. 1838.
Then personally appeared the abovenamed Eliza- beth Gilson, and made oath, that the above deposition by her subscribed in my presence, is true. And I hereby certify, that said Elizabeth is a credible person, worthy of full credit and belief in the matter by her deposed —
Before me. Caleb Butler, Justice of the Peace

Subscribed & sworn to by said Elizabeth Parker in open court the day & year first above written before
J. P. P. Day judge of Prob. for County of Middlesex
[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

3883 Elizabeth Parker mother of Henry Made. act 7. July 38
on Rules 15 Regs. enlist 25 March 77 for 3 years - dis- red 25 Sept 78
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County ss.
I Isaac Dike Register of the Court of Probate in & for the County of Middlesex hereby certify that Samuel P. May Esq. is the Judge of said Court & that his signature written on the Paper hereto annexed is his genuine signature. I also certify that Caleb Brattle Esq. is a justice of the Peace within and for said County duly sworn & qualified & that his signature written on the Paper hereto annexed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court of Probate the seventh day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
Isaac Dike Reg.
3883

Extracts from the Records of the Town of Groton in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
" Benjamin Parker Son of Benjamin Parker and Elizabeth his Wife born at Groton October 22 d 1784
Jonathan Parker Son of Benjamin Parker and Elizabeth his wife born at Groton October 19 1786
Thomas Green Parker Son of Benj a Parker and Elizabeth his wife born at Groton April 2 d 1789
Anna Parker Daughter of Benj a Parker & Elizabeth his Wife born at Groton October 2 1791
Sally Parker Daughter of Benj a Parker and Elizabeth his wife born at Groton March 16 th 1794
George Parker Son of Benjamin Parker and Elisabeth his wife born June 14 th 1797
Jonas Parke son of abovenamed Benj a & Elisabeth born August 11 th 1799
Charles Parker son of aforesaid Benj a & Elisabeth born May 27 th 1802
Eliza Parker Daught r of said Benj a & Elisabeth born July 13 th 1804
Fidelia Parker daughter of said Benj a & Elisabeth born at Groton Feb y 13 th 1807
Phineas Parker son of Benj a & Elisabeth born at Groton Febr y 17 1810 "
I John W. Parker depose and say that I hold the office of Town clerk of Groton aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the original Records of the town and that I am not able to find a record of the marriage

of Benjamin and Elizabeth above named John W. Parker } Town Clerk }
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex ss. Grafton, March 31. 1857.
Then personally appeared John W. Parker Town Clerk of Grafton and made oath to the truth of the foregoing by him made and subscribed, the words "at Grafton" in the oath being first interlined. Before Elijah Clark, Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, April 2 d 1857
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Elijah Clarke was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; 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.
Susan Walker Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Middlesex ss.
On this twenty-second day of November, eighteen hundred and fifty, personally appeared before, Elijah Clark a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Middlesex & State aforesaid, Anna Spalding, a resident of Dunstable in said County of Middlesex, being fifty eight years of age, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration as well for herself, as for Jonathan Parker, Thomas G Parker, Sally Parker, George Parker, Jonas Parker, Elizabeth Parker, Abigail Parker, and Phoebe Parker, surviving children of Elizabeth Parker, late of said Dunstable, at the time of her decease. That her Mother the said Elizabeth Parker, was the widow of Benjamin Parker, a native of Groton in said County of Middlesex, and that he was in the service of the Revolution, in Capt. Lawrence's Company on the 19th of April 1775. said days. That in the Spring of 1777, he enlisted into the Continental Service of the United States, for three years and served near eighteen months, when he was not allowed a furlough, which had been promised him. He left the army and returned home, that as soon as a pardon, was issued by Genl. Washington for the return of those who had left the service before their time had expired, he returned to the American Army and served out all the time for which he engaged and also, some time for another man, belonging to the army.

She therefore for herself and in behalf of her Brothers and Sisters, claims the amount of Pension due her said Mother at the time of her death under the law of Congress of July 7. A. D. 1838. She being the widow of the deceased Benjamin Parker, and that Henry Parkhurst Esq. of said Danstable was Executor of her last Will and Testament. To whom it would be convenient for all the heirs of said Elizabeth Parker, to receive the amount of Pension due for them in their behalf.
Anna Spaulding
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written. The word "her" in the last line but one on this page being first intended.
Before me. Elijah Clark. Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, November 23 1850.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Elijah Clark was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; 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.
W. H. Waltham
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Re WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15152
Elizabeth Parker Widow of Benjamin Parker Pre Rev War
Act: July 7 th 38
Index:—Vol. M , Page 112
[Arrangement of 1870.]

This may Testify that Benj a parker Caleb Blood John Blood & Benj a peirce he mustered before me James Barrett {mustermaster}

12- Glasgow April 19 1891 Friends of British Banishment for Independence etc Each of us ... in April 1891 ... we say here by ... record off ... John ... Calcutta

Croton April 20 th 1877 This may certify that it was learned that I have in my house a number of cats and a dog blood for the purpose of growing a beard of three years J. B. Smith Capt.

Dec 5/50 Resp's Com of Elizabeth Parker Infinite Nobblers in ple will you please to be register J. G. Wilson Commission of Resolutions Washington City DC

April 8 - 1857
Add Eri: in case of Elizth Parker wid: of Benjamin
Elijah Clark Brighton Mass.
Wm. J. P. Heath
Commission of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
Copy to

March 27-1857
Asking a copy of laws passed at last Session Congress - also a letter rel: to claims of Joseph Reed and Rachel Gragg & others
Elizah Clark
Brighton
Miss -
J. L. [unclear] Commissioner of Pensions Washington City, D.C.

Rev. Doc. Del 7 July 1838 Dec 11 Map. 3883 7 July 1838 Garker
Exton Dec 10
Free
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions — War Department Washington — D. C.

Groton Middlesex County Mass s December 10. 1838.
Dear Sir; Enclosed is the declaration of Elizabeth Parker for a pension under Act 7 July 1838. - When an examination shall have been made you will please communicate to me -
Geo. J. Boutwell
J. L. O'Callaghan Esq. Com. of Pensions - Washington D. C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss.
I Isaac Tike Register of the Court of Probate hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that Benjamin Parker formerly of Groton in the County of Middlesex died at Dunstable in said County on the twenty fourth day of April A D 1838 & left a widow whose name was Elizabeth Parker, who resided in said Dunstable & died in said Dunstable on the twenty fifth day of April A D 1842, who had made application for a Pension on account of the services of her said husband in the Revolutionary war; & that she left at her decease nine children only being at her decease, whose names are Jonathan Parker, Thomas G. Parker, Anna Spaulding, Sally Parker, George Parker, Jonas Parker, Elyza Parker, Indeha Parker, & Deborah Parker who are all of full age & now living.
I further certify that at a Court of Probate held at Groton in said County, Henry Parkhurst of Dunstable in said County, was duly appointed administrator of the estate of said Elizabeth Parker, which appointment remains in full force; - the said Probate Court was held on the tenth day of May 1842 at which said appointment was made. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty third day of November A D 1850 Isaac Tike. - Register

Brighton. Mass s March. 19. 1887.
Dear Sir,
I have recently been informed that the last Session of Congress passed some new Pension laws, for Revolutionary Claimants, by a Resolve, or an Act. Of Sir, there is such new law, or a late decision, & construction, of the Revolutionary Pension law, will you Sir, please to forward to me a copy,
Very Respectfully Yours G. H. St. John Elijah Clarke
Hon. J. P. Keith Commissioner of Pensions Washington City, D. C.

Brighton, Mass: November. 25 th 1850.
Dear Sir,
Your letter of date February. 15 th 1839. in answer to George S Boutwell Esq. of Grafton respecting the claims of Mrs Elizabeth Parker widow of Benjamin Parker. is before me. I enclose herewith the claims renewed by her children for the amount due her. at the time of her death. They understand that although she left the army by reason of a disappointment in not receiving a furlough which had been promised him, yet as soon as there was a chance. she did return, and served out all the time for which she engaged, and some time as a substitute for another man.
In addition to the enclosed, I would respectfully refer you to an act passed by the Massachusetts (so called at that time) of June 5. 1780. respecting those who had deserted, and also to the Proclamation Pardon issued by Genl Washington, Commander in Chief, immediately after the passage of that act, and to the Rolls of the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment in the city of Washington.
Very Respect
Your Ob t S er vt Elijah Clark
Hon. J. L. Edmonds Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

Elizabeth Parker (died) wife of Benjamin
Map
Set 7 July 1838-
Set - 18 m 1 d Pri. $60.11
from 4 - Feb 1836 to
4 Feb 1841-
Payable to Henry Parkhurst, Admrs. of the estate of Jonathan Parker, Mrs. G. Parker, Anna Spaulding, Sally Parker, Mrs. Parker, Lois Parker, Eliza Parker, Si- delia Parker, & Phoe- be Parker, her only surviving children
Cash now to
E. Clark Brighton Mass-

Brighton, Mass. April. 3 d 1851
Dear Sir,
Your letter of date March 21 st by A. D. Evans, respecting the claim of Elizabeth Parker of Danatobk, widow of Benjamin Parker, a native of Lynton, has been received, as there is no record of her marriage. I enclose herewith, the Town Clerks certificate, record of the births of the children, showing the relation, by record as husband and wife prior to 1794. I beg leave to suggest, that in as much as it is proved, that Parker did return to the service, it is but just, to refer to a record of his discharge in the Pension office, or in the Washington Papers, which, in like cases of service as to date, has formerly been done, and which will show that he served in all, more than three years.
Very Respectfully your B. B. S. & C. Elizabeth Clark
Hon. J. P. Heath, Commissioner of Pensions Washington, City, D. C.

Brighton, Mass. March. 19. 1857
Dear Sir,
As there are a number of cases claiming for Revolutionary Pensions which I forwarded to the Commissioner of Pensions some months since & now on file in your department, which have not been answered, I feel it my duty to the claimants to inform you of the facts.
The claim of Charles H. Warren, administra- tor of the estate of the late Judith Reed, late of Townsend, deceased, for an increase, forwarded to the Commissioner, Nov. 19, 1850.
The claim of Rachel Gragg, of Pepperell, widow of Samuel Gragg, forwarded to the Com- missioner of Pensions on the 25 th of Nov. 1850.
The claim of the children of Elizabeth Parker of Dunstable widow Benjamin Parker, was forwarded to the Commissioner on the 25 th of November 1850.
Very Respectfully yours Caleb St. G. Elijah Clarke
Hon. J. P. Heath Commissioner of Pensions Washington City, D.C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston :
September 19 1850.
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 Benjamin Parker is borne on a muster roll of Capt. Asa Lawrence's Co. marched from Groton Apr 19. 1775. as a private. 6 days.
On Army books as a private in Capt. Smith's Co. Col. Bigelow's Regt. from March 25. 1777 to Sept 26. 1778. 18 mos. 1 day. marked "deserted."
The following certificate is appended to his account. "I do certify that the above named Benjamin Parker joined from desertion Feb. 4. 178- and is now in actual service in ye 5th Mass. Regt."
Ezra Newhall. Lt. Col. Commandt.
The last figure of the date is illegible. — His account was balanced Aug 8. 1782 & his wages allowed for the 18 mos. & 1 day service.

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.
M. H. Saltonstall, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I, Anna Spaulding of Danstable in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of South- age. Do request for myself & for my Brothers & Sisters the Secretary of this Commonwealth to examine the files and documents in his office for proof the service of Benjamin Parker in the War of the Revolution, and according to the best of my knowledge he was a native of Groton in said County of Middlesex, and that he engaged from said town of Groton, was in the service at Cambridge in the year 1775, in Lake Bridges Regiment, and that he afterwards engaged or enlisted for the War, and continued in the service for three years, and was then absent from the army for some time, then returned to the Continental Army, and remained until the war closed, and that he remained in the service after the war, when he was discharged, and rendered service for one John Bond or Brumal. The request being made for in behalf, of myself & the surviving children of Elizabeth Parker deceased, widow of the aforesaid Benjamin Parker
Anna Spaulding
Middlesex ss. Subscribed to by the said Anna Spaulding at her residence this 6th day of Sept. 1850. Before me T. Flish - Clerk, part of the Rev.