Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1997, for Abel Prescott, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Prescott, Abi. Hannah.
No. 1997
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

10.747 Massachusetts
Abel Prescott of Groton in the State of Mass who was Private in the Company commanded by Captain Parker of the Reg't commanded by Col. Peabody in the Mass line for 10 months & 27 days
Cont'd on Next
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 36 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of April 1833 and Real  Samuel Diana  Ex  Groton  Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $ 72.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st Sept " 18.17 $90.83
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. N. Garrison Clerk, Book 2 Vol 2a Page 63
Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 1 st April 1838 from 4 th Sept 1838 to 4 March 1839. Agt Notified 24 Jan y 1840
75 M c Adams

Declaration of Abel Prescott
Please to address Sam Dana Esq. Groton Vt.
24 5 32
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex ss. A.D. 1852.
On this seventeenth day of August personally appeared Abel Prescott  Common Pleas  probate now sitting at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth aforesaid of Groton in said County  Abel Prescott aged seventy three years
Who being 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 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
 1. In A.D. 1776. He enlisted for six months and marched to Ticonderoga . He was in Capt. Joshua Parker's company. Parker was Lieut. The Serjeants were Rogers and Johnson . He does not remember any other company officers. He was in Col. Jonathan Hoad's regiment. He thinks he was mustered by Capt. Porter of Gilbertown . He marched from Westford to Ticonderoga , was at that fort, and on MOUNT Independence , until his time was out and he was discharged.  2. In A.D. 1777. he went after  Burgoyne , he enlisted for six  five months he believes, under Capt. Aaron Jewett . Gibson of Ashby Lieut.  Alsworth was a Serjeant. He was in the regiment of Col. Brown of Feedingbury ; John Porter was Adjutant. He marched to Bennington , and thence to Stillwater and was at Diamonds Island . He was in an engagement between Lake George and Lake Champlain , took the enemies stores , and several prisoners. He was commanded by Col. Warner ; he was in another engagement at Diamond Island , but did not succeed: he was in the engagement at Stillwater , and having served six  five months was dismissed and returned home. 
(over)
He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever except, the present, and declares that his name is not, on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, the day and year aforesaid Sworn to and subscribed
We Charles Robinson  Abel Prescott
Groton a Clergyman residing in the town of Groton in the county of Middlesex and Calvin Baynton of the same  same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abel Prescott who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me a justice of the Peace for all the Counties in said Commonwealth Sam. Dana  Charles Robinson  Calvin Baynton

And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion, that 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 The Rev. Charles Robinson who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Boston and said County and  Salmon Boynton Esq. is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Isaac Fisher  J. P. P. Gray  W. B. B. Probate Court and the family of Middlesex Clerk of the Court of hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Abel Prescott for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
Isaac Fisher
(Attest over)
3. In 1781, he served on board the Dean Frigate. Capt. Samuel Nicholson. One Frost was a Marine, on board said vessel, and had a furlough, but was unwilling to return, and he procured him to take his place, which he did, and went on board. They accepted him, and he served out the time of Frost's engagement and was discharged at Boston, having served six weeks. The commander of Marines was Lieut. Reed. Mss. Ames was a Serjeant William Parker was a Corporal. — Cockrain was a Boatswain. —
I, Isaac Tiske, Register and Clerk of the same Probate Court, hereby certify that Samuel Dana Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for all the counties in said Commonwealth, and that his signature to the above certificate and that his signature to the caption on the Deposition of William Parker is his genuine signature; and that Jonathan Prescott Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, and that his signature to the caption on the Deposition of John Prescott is his true signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office. Isaac Fisher

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit,
At the Court of Probate — — — — — begun and holden at Concord — — — — — within and for the County of Middlesex on the seventeenth day of August — — — — — A. D. 1832 On the application of Abel Prescott — — — — — claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1 Where, and in what year, were you born ?
Answer, I was born in Westford Ms., on the 12 Dec 1759.
2. Did you ever receive any written discharge from service? Answer I never received any such discharge.
3. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, I have no such record by me, but there is one on Westford Records —
4. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer, I was living in Westford, & continued to live there until about the year 1798 when I came to live in Groton, where I have lived ever since —
5. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer, The first service I was a volunteer, the second I was a Substitute for Israel Prescott who was drafted the third time I was drafted by Draft to take his place on board the Dean Regate
6. 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 service?
Answer, Capt. John Field, Capt. Job Shattuck Genl. Brown & Genl. Mr. Joseph Patten of Westford Ms. —
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?
Answer, Dr. Amos Bancroft, Samuel Danforth, Buckley Ames by Wld. Livermore, Caleb Butler Esq. Bony Moore Esq. & Mr. Nathaniel Sawtell Abel Prescott
Sworn to J. P. Fay Prob.

493 Massachusetts
Nannah Prescott widow of Abel Prescott
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private Mass Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 36 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Feby 1850 and sent to
Geo. S. Bonwell, Groton, Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 75 Vol. 1
July
Burke
Reported

State of Massachusetts, County of Middlesex
On the fifth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty nine, personally appeared before the Honorable Samuel P. P. Fay, Judge of Probate for the said County of Middlesex, Hannah Prescott, a resident of Groton in said County of Middlesex aged seventy five years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of 1832, passed on the twenty ninth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight. That she is the widow of Abel Prescott who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution; that said Prescott was inscribed on the Pension Roll under the act of the 7th of June 1832, at the rate of thirty six dollars and thirty three cents per annum; That said Pension Certificate was numbered 10. 747 and is herewith annexed; That according to her best knowledge and belief, her late husband, the said Abel Prescott, enlisted in the year 1776 from the town of Westford in said County of Middlesex, in the company of Capt. Joshua Parker, Col. Jonathan Reed's Regiment, marched in said company to New York, and was employed at or near Swindings; That in the year 1777, the said Prescott enlisted from said Westford in the company of Capt. Aaron Jewett, Regiment of Col. Samuel Byland , marched to Saratoga; That said last named term of service commenced on the 15th of August and ended on the 29th of November 1777. That the only evidence she has in relation to said term of service is herewith annexed; and she is not aware of any other evidence unless it exist in the War Department.
She further declares that she was married to the said Abel Prescott on the seventh day of October in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety four; that her husband the said Abel Prescott died on the eighteenth day of September A. D. 1841.
That she was not married when prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the second of January, eighteen hundred, 43; at the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a pension.
Hannah Prescott
Subscribed & sworn to by said Hannah Prescott in open Court on the day & year first above written. before
S. P. P. Fay J. Prob.

Middlesex ss. I Isaac Pitke Briggan of the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that the Hon. S. P. P. May whose name is subscribed is within the lawful limits of the Judge of said Court.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of November in the year Eighteen hundred and forty nine.
Isaac Pitke Briggan

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, November 21. 1849
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereto attached, George G. Parker was a Justice of the peace for the County of Worcester.
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.
William B. Sleeper Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Town Clerk's office Ashburnham Worcester County, Massachusetts June 8-1849
I Charles Stearns Clerk of the town of Ashburnham aforesaid hereby certify that the Records of said town are in my possession, and that the following is a true extract from said records, viz:
"Abel Prescott of Groton and Hannah Spaulding of Ashburnham were married by Rev. John Cushing Octr. seventh, seventeen hundred ninety four." with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair and legible figures as follows "Octr. 7-1794"
I Charles Stearns above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town, County & State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town of Ashburnham, with the exception above named as certified by me
Worcester - } Charles Stearns Clerk of said June 8-1849 } Town of Ashburnham Sworn to & subscribed before me by Charles Stearns who is known to me to be the Clerk of the said town of Ashburnham
Geo. G. Packer } Just Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
August 2 nd 1849.
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 on a pay roll of Capt. Aaron Jewett's Co. Col. Samuel Bullard's Regt. additional to Continental pay, is the name of Abel Prescott, private, - marched to Saratoga - Service from Aug 15 to Nov. 29, 1777. - 3 mo. 15 days. £8. 15. 0.
The above is all the service that appears on the rolls. - the name of Abel Prescott does not appear on the rolls of Capt. Joshua Parker.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W m S. Crafts Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.

3785 7
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page.]

The Secretary of the Commonwealth is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the rolls in his office, of the service of my late husband, Abel Prescott, in the war of the Revolution.
He enlisted either from the town of Westford or Lyndon County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, in the year 1777 as a private in the company of Capt. Joshua Parker, Col. Read's Reg. and served as follows; viz; In the campaign against Heindenberg, about six months. And also about six months in addition, but the nature of that service is unknown to the applicant.
I am now seventy six years old, and my memory does not enable me to state my husband's services more fully than above stated.
Witness my hand this ninth day of June 1849.
Signed by said
Hannah Prescott
Hannah Prescott
in my presence - J. H. Bowdwell Jus. of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston: September 24. 1849.
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 there is an abstract of Capt. Joshua Parker's Co. Col. Jonathan Reed's Regt. for mileage on their return from Saratoga to their homes in Co. of Middlesex. - total 90 men - to Westford 212 miles - a 1 day's pay for each 20 miles, + 1 st per mile - sworn to. Jany 18. 1777.
This roll contains no names or time of Service , stating merely the N o of men of each class, and there appears to be no other roll of this Co. in 1776. The officers of this Co. appear on an abstract of rations at Ti-Conderoga from about July 1 to Nov. 30. 1776.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W m L. S. Swift Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Abel Prescott $36.32 yearly
Payments to be made at Boston Mass by the State Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Mass
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 2 Page 63 by W.C. P. D. W. Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Abel Prescott of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the army of the Revolution Thirty Six dollars and Thirty Three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of 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 Tuesday day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Three Lewis Cass
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

I Peter Wright of Littleton in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts & in the twentyfourth year of my age do hereby certify that in the early part of July A.D. 1776 Ethel Prescott of Groton in said County & myself enlisted into the United States Service there in the company commanded by Capt. Joshua Parker of Watford & in the Regiment commanded by Col. Jonathan Hild of Littleton & that about the same time we marched to Lincenborough & were there engaged in said United States Service until the early part of December in said year when we were discharged - & I the said Peter Wright further certify that I have no interest whatever in the application of the above named Ethel Prescott for a pension Littleton March 15-1833
Peter Wright
Middlesex ss. March 15-1833 Then the above named Peter Wright (who is considered a man of good moral character, & a man of truth) personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above Instrument before me
J. Timothy Prescott Just. Peace

No 570
Hannah Prescott
mo of Abel
Mass
act 29 July 1848
Mamm. 1794
Instand d u 18 Sept 1821
adm d of 31 st p ann
pm 4 March 1848
Geo. S. Bontwell
Groton
Mass

Abel Prescott
21532
March 10 Mr 27 days
allw
14 of
Feb 28
1883
P 281
Samt Dana Esq.
Groton map:

BRIEF in the case of Abel Prescott of Groton in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In Open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy three  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 1776 6 Private Col o S. Read Hoap: Parker   1777 6 Private Col o Brown Warner and   Aug 15. 1777 3 15 " Capt: Aaron Dewart   1781 1 12 Marine the Dean Frigate as a substitute Capt: Sam l Nicholson  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? At Bi amond Island and Stillwater  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? In Westford, Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correctly authenticated 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

October 12, 1937.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Howard W. Kent The Concord Antiquarian Society Concord, Massachusetts
BA-J/ady Abel Prescott W.1997
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Abel Prescott, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The record of the only Abel Prescott that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office is furnished you herein as found in the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, W.1997, based upon his military service in that war.
Abel Prescott was born December 12, 1759, in Westford, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Westford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in July 1776, served about six months in Captain Joshua Parker's Company, Colonel Jonathan Reed's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted in 1777 and served as a substitute for Jonas Prescott, relationship not stated, five months as a private in Captain Aaron Jewett's Company, Colonel Samuel Bullard's Massachusetts Regiment and in Colonels Brown's and Warner's Massachusetts Regiments; was in an engagement between Lake George and Lake Champlain and in the battles of Stillwater and Diamond Island. In the summer of 1781 he entered on board the frigate "Dean", Captain Samuel Nicholson, commander, and served six weeks or more as a marine under Lieutenant Reed.
About 1798 he moved from Westford to Groton, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application ex-

outed August 17, 1832, while a resident of Groton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
He died September 18, 1841, place not given.
Soldier married October 7, 1794, in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, Hannah Spaulding of Ashburnham. Soldier was then a resident of Groton.
His widow, Hannah Prescott, was allowed pension on her application executed November 6, 1849, while a resident of Groton, Massachusetts, aged seventy-six years. She died August 17, 1854, place not stated.
No reference is made to children.
One John Prescott was living in Westford, Massachusetts, and aged eighty years in 1832, relationship to soldier not stated.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Wm Parker for Abel Prescott

I William Patten of Gulton in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy years, do depose and say, that I served in the war of the Revolution as by my Declaration on file in the Pension Of- fice, will appear: And I do further testify and declare that Abel Prescott
then of Westford, but now of Gulton in Massachusetts on board the Dean , afterwards called the Naselle  Marine served as a Soldier in that war, that he was a private Soldier, in the Company of in Colo.
Regiment, in which Company, & also served.
I entered on board the Dean  Frigate some time as I believe in 1781. Samuel Nicholson, Commander, and while said Frigate lay in Boston harbor there was a marine by the name of Jonathan Frost, who procured a furlough, but while absent was taken sick and he procured the said Abel Pres- cott to go on board, & take his place, as a marine, I was a Corporal then serving on board and knew that said Prescott was received as a substitute for said Frost and that he served a period of six weeks to complete the engagement of said Frost I belonged to the said Frigate for two years and remember that said Prescott came into service in the summer of 1781. and having labored with him some part of the time, in the ser- vice of Capt. Nicholson I can affirm that he served not less than six weeks to complete the term of said Frost's engagement off Worms  Bank
E.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Middlesex to wit December 10  15 AD. 1832.
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for all the Counties in said Commonwealth William Patten a credible witness
who subscribes the above deposition and made solemn Oath, that the same is just and true in all its particulars,

Pension Office Washington D. C.

MRS. FREDERICK F. JOHNSON 17 BLOSSOM STREET LEOMINSTER, MASS.
Jan 31. 1933
Region Office Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs; Will you kindly advise me if one Abel Prescott (Boston or Watford probably) was on the pension lists of the Revolutionary or 1812 War? Any information you may give me will be greatly appreciated, and awaiting your reply. I am.
Very truly yours
Carrie H. Johnson
(Mrs) F. F. Johnson 17 Blossom St Leominster Mass

1933 Oct. 16. Hist. to Mrs. Frederick Z Johnson, A.D.Y. 1937 Oct. 12. Hist. to Mrs. Howard W. Kent, A.D.Y.
Israel
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1992 Hannah Prescott Widow Abel Prescott Pre Rev War.
Act: July 29. 1848.
Index: — Vol. M. , Page 139
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Abel Prescott, Map act 7 June 1832 p 36 33 pan
To what time was he last paid? 926 A
Pension Office February 8 th 1850 3 Ans: Sep: 4, 1841—

Boston, Mass., November 22, 1879.
Sir: I enclose here with the application of Hannah Prescott for a pension, with accompanying papers. The deposition of Peter Wright was taken as I suppose, when Mr. Prescott made application, & was found among his papers. It being in the possession of Mrs. Prescott, I have annexed it to her declaration. Also Mr. Prescott's Pension Certificate.
Respectfully, G. A. S. Bowditch.
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Comm. of Pensions, } Washington } D. C. }

Affidavit of John Prescott in the case of Abel Prescott.

I John Prescott of Westford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being eighty years of age do depose and say that in the year 1776 Abel Prescott of Groton in said County then resided in Westford and enlisted in to the United States service and marched with the Army to Trenton, I believe he was in the service six months, the next year in 1777 I was knowing to his enlisting into the United States service and marched with the army to Stillwater I think at this time he was in the service five months; I was also knowing to his entering into the United States service aboard of the Dean Frigate under Capt. Nickason. I think from two to three months.
John Prescott
This Deposition
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. Westford August 14 th 1832
Then the above deposition was sworn to and subscribed before me
John Prescott Justice of Peace
And I do hereby certify that the above named John Prescott is a respectable disinterested and credible wit- ness.
John Prescott Justice of Peace

February 16, 1933.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Frederick F. Johnson, 17 Blossom Street, Leominster, Massachusetts.
BA-J/ADY Abel Prescott W.1997
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to one Abel Prescott, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, W.1997, based upon his military service in that war.
Abel Prescott was born December 12, 1759, in Westford, Massachusetts.
While a resident of Westford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in July 1776, served about six months in Captain Joshua Parker's Company, Colonel Jonathan Reed's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted in 1777 and served as a substitute for Jonas Prescott, relationship not stated, five months as a private in Captain Aaron Jewett's Company, Colonel Samuel Bullard's Massachusetts Regiment and in Colonels Brown's and Warner's Massachusetts Regiments; was in an engagement between Lake George and Lake Champlain and in the battles of Stillwater and Diamond Island. In the summer of 1781 he entered on board the frigate "Dean", Captain Samuel Nicholson, commander, and served six weeks or more as a marine under Lieutenant Reed.
About 1798 he moved from Westford to Groton, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 17, 1832 while a resident of Groton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
He died September 18, 1841, place not given.

Soldier married October 7, 1794 in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, Hannah Spaulding of Ashburnham. Soldier was then a resident of Groton.
His widow, Hannah Prescott, was allowed pension on her application executed November 6, 1849 while a resident of Groton, Massachusetts, aged seventy-six years. She died August 17, 1854, place On a B. not stated.
No reference is made to children.
One John Prescott was living in Westford, Massachusetts, and aged eighty years in 1832, relationship to soldier not stated.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

ADY
CONCORD · MASSACHUSETTS
September 30, 1937.
A. D. Hiller, Executive Assistant to the Administrator, Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Hiller:
Some time ago you very kindly helped me and I wonder if it is asking too much to ask for help again.
Did Dr. Abel only one Prescott, Concord, Massachusetts, ever receive a Revolutionary War pension? He took the oath of allegiance and cared for the wounded.
I shall greatly appreciate any help you can give me, or if this is an imposition, please do not hesitate to tell me.
Sincerely,
Marion E. Kent
(Mrs. Howard W. Kent)
The Concord Antiquarian Society

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 7 th , 1840.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Abel Prescott, ————— a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of thirty six Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1838, to the 1 st March 1839.
Respectfully, yours,
William P. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Dear Brother D. S. 32
Returned base March 12. 1833 —
Dear Brother D. S. 32

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Wm Prescott further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
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? Yes
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? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
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? Yes

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? Yes
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? yes  no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
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? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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 shewn 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.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov. 28 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
Abel Prescott is borne on a roll of Capt. Aaron Jewett's company in Col. Samuel Bullard's regiment of Massachusetts Bay Militia, for the space of 3. months and 15. days, time to return home included, from the 15. th of August — Discharge dated Nov. 29. th 1777 —
I further certify that there is no roll of Capt. Joshua Parkes company in service at the Northward, on file in this office —
Edward D. Bangs Secy