Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13807, for Obadiah Perry, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Perry, Obadiah Mary
No. 13807
CONTENTS

I Abijah Read of Westford in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty nine years on the fifteenth day of July now last past do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Obadiah Perry and Mary Perry wife of the said Obadiah Perry before they were married - her name before the marriage was Mary or as she was called Pol Lovejoy Obadiah Perry was in the eight months service service as I was told at that time and that a letter was sent to Obadiah Perry to come up and be married as his girl Pol Lovejoy was in a family way and it was said at that time that they went to Dunstable N.H. or Massachusetts is unable to which to be married and was within a day or two after the marriage sent for to go to Cambridge to join the Army It was about the time of the battle of Brinker Hill that the marriage was said to have taken place Obadiah Perry and Pol Lovejoy always lived together as man and wife and I knew Obadiah Perry as long as he lived and had a large family of children
Abijah Read
Middlesex ss. November 18 th 1843 Then personally appeared the above named Abijah Read and made the the best oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit before me
John W P Abbot Justice of the Peace

Set to G.S. Bowdoin No 4/1823
4386
Massachusetts
Mary Perry widow of Jonathan Perry of Mass
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 16. Novr 1827 of Middlesex in the State of Mass. who was a Corp t in the com d commanded by Captain Lord of the reg t commanded by Col Bridges in the Mass. line for 8 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 29 Dollars 33 Cents per an m to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Oct r 1839, to Jonathan Adams, Lawrence, Mass.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept r 1839 $102.66 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar ch 40 14.66
$117.33 { Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by Book A.
D.M. Curdy, Clerk, Vol. 1. Page 121.

To the Honorable Secretary of War of the United States - Sir.
I hereby relinquish all claim to a Pension under the Act of Congress, passed July 4th. 1835; and I do hereby request, that I may be allowed a Pension (as I am the widow of Obediah Perry late of Watford, deceased) under the Act of July 7th. 1838 -
Watford July 27th. 1839.
her Mary X Perry
Attest Reuben Leighton mark

I Mary Prescott, late from Concord, Mass. now resident in Lowell in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Sixty Three years, on oath depose and say, that I am the daughter of Abideah Perry late of Woburn in the County of Middlesex, deceased, and Mary Perry, who was the wife, and is now the widow, of said Abideah - That I was born on the tenth day of October in the year one thousand seven hundred and Seventy Six - The said Mary Perry, my mother is now the widow of said Obediah Perry, that she has never been married since my father's death - And I do further testify and say, that I have many times heard my father and mother speak of the circumstances of their marriage, how he came home from Army, and that was married, and returned again - I think I have many years since seen a record of the births of our family, but I have not seen it for many years and do not know where it can be found, I think it was in a very old Bible - My father had fourteen children of whom I am the oldest - I think he died in Nov r 1828. or 9 -
Mary Prescott
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. Lowell August. 15th. 1839 - This day personally appeared the above named Mary Prescott, (who is known to me a person of truth and credibility) and made oath, that the facts, set forth in the foregoing Affidavit, by her subscribed, are true.
Before me Jack Adams , Just. Peace.

V (3875). Mary Pery
Mass. Act 4 July 1836
alleged marriage June 75!
Book 14 p 44 75 Corp 8 mo
Oct. 12, 1838. Joel Adams, Lowell, Mass. See Salem

State of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex } 55
On this first day of September in the year, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before the justice of the Police Court in Lowell, being a Court of Record in said County of Middlesex, Mary Perry, a resident of the town of Westford in said County of Middlesex, aged eighty one 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 4th 1836. That she is the widow of Obediah Perry, who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution; said Obediah enlisted from the town of Westford, as a private for eight months in Capt. Joshua Parker's Company of Infantry in Col. William Prescott's Regiment, in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy five, He marched to Cambridge and Charlestown in this State, was in the Battle of Bunker's hill on the 17th of June 1775, and remained in the Service until the expiration of the term of his enlistment, as she has always understood and verily believes, and that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim - She further declares that she was married to said Obediah Perry on or about the tenth day of June in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy five, while the said Obediah Perry was in the Service, and previous to his leaving the Service; that her husband the aforesaid Obediah Perry died on the second sixteenth day of November in Eighteen hundred and twenty seven; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed -
Mary Perry. -
Sworn to & subscribed on the day and year above written before Joseph Locke. { Justice of the Police Court of Lowell.
I, Albert Locke, Clerk of the Police Court of Lowell in the county of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby certify that Joseph Locke Esquire, whose name is above subscribed is a justice of a court of record, & that the signature above is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I hereto put my name and the seal of said court this first day of September in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
Albert Locke Clerk P.C.L.

1 Declaration, in addition to a declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th of July, 1836.
State of Massachusetts, } County of Middlesex } ss.
On this twenty third day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three, personally appeared before Luther Prescott, a justice of the Peace, for the county aforesaid, Mary Perry, a resident of Westford, county and state aforesaid, aged eighty nine years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oaths make the following declaration, in addition to a 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 Obadiah Perry, formerly of Westford, aforesaid, now deceased, who was a private, corporal or sergeant in the army of the Revolution; that according to the best of her knowledge and belief said Obadiah Perry, served eight months in the army of the Revolution, in the neighborhood of Boston, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five; that said Obadiah was in the battle of Bunker Hill; that the particulars in relation to said service will more clearly appear by reference to the declarations made by said Mary in order to obtain the benefits of the acts of Congress of July 4, 1836 and July 7, 1838; and the papers and documents therewith transmitted to the Department; that she received a pension for five years under the act of Congress of July 7, 1838, of about twenty eight dollars per annum; that the precise amount of said pension she does not now recollect; that she originally made a declar-

ation in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of July 4, 1836; that application was rejected, as she believes, from the insufficiency of the testimony in relation to her marriage; that said application and the accompanying papers, she believes, are at the Department, having never been returned to her; that, subsequently, upon application, the pension for five years, aforementioned was granted to her; she further states that she believes that she was, and still is, entitled to a pension under the act of July 4, 1836.
She also states positively, that she was married to her late husband, the said Obadiah Perry (previous to the battle of Bunker Hill): that the marriage took place the day before, or the day but one before the battle; that after the marriage and before the battle of Bunker Hill her late husband the said Obadiah Perry received orders to return to his company; that said Obadiah left home for the purpose of joining the company, and at the expiration of said eight month's service he returned home; and said Obadiah repeatedly and uniformly stated to her that he was engaged in the erection of the fortifications at Bunker Hill and that he was in the battle of Bunker Hill. She also further states that her eldest child, Mary Perry, was born in wedlock on the tenth day of October, one thousand, seven hundred and seventy five; that her said daughter, Mary Perry was married to a man of the name of Prescott, and is now a widow; she further states that she was the mother of fourteen children, by her late husband the said Obadiah Perry; that she was married at Dunstable N. Hampshire or Dunstable, Mass, but which she does not now recollect; that she went there to be married because the minister at Westford was sick; that she has no record of her marriage

1. neither has she been able to find one; neither does she know of 2. any person now living who was present at her marriage to 3. the said Obadiah Perry; that the only evidence within her knowl- 4. edge in addition to that which was transmitted to the Department 5. with her former declaration, is herunts annexed.
5. with her former declaration, etc. 6. She further stated that her late husband the said Obediah Perry 7. left home in the year 1777 and according to the best of her 8. knowledge and belief went to Fredericksburg and there performed 9. service in the army of the United States, — but the nature and 10. duration of that service she cannot state. She also stated that she was a widow on the 4th of July 1836, and that she still is a widow having never been married since the decease of her late husband the said Obediah Per- ry. Hannah Perry
Mary Perry
Westford November 23 rd 1843
Then personally appeared Mary Perry above named, and made oath that the above statement, by her subscribed is true before me. Luther Prescott Justice of
Luther Prescott } Justice of the Peace
I also certify that the erasures made in lines six - seven - eight nine & ten of page 3 d in the foregoing declaration were made before it was signed by Mary Perry and I also certify that she is a credible witness
Luther Prescott Justice of the peace.

Rey WIDOW, &c.
File No. 13807
Mary Perry Widow of Obadiah Perry Corp. Mass. Line
Act: July 7 th 1838
Index:—Vol. M , Page 122
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V 3875 Mass.
Salt Islet Adams, Apr 17-39 do - do - May 23-39 same, Sept 10-39
at 4 July 36.

Set to Hon. Wm Parmeter, H.R. Jan. 19. 1844.

6148 Mary Perry Mass.
Act 7. July 38.
adm'd
Stmo Corp. $129.33. } 87/19
no deduction
Joel Adams - Lowell Mass.

State of Massachusetts. ss.
On this tenth nineteenth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine, personally appeared before the Justice of the Police Court in Lowell, the same being a Court of Record within and for the County of Middlesex within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mary Perry, a Resident of the Town of Westford in said County of Middlesex, aged eighty four 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 7th. 1838, entitled, An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows. That she is the widow of Obediah Perry, deceased, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, and who, according to the best of her knowledge and belief, entered the service of the United States in the Spring or Summer of 1775, as a private in Capt. John Ford's Company in Col. Bridges Regiment, as a volunteer for the term of eight months, and was in the Battle of Bunker's Hill at Charleston - and served eight months in the vicinity of Boston in Massachusetts, after which time he was discharged - At the time of his enlistment the said Obediah resided in said town of Westford, and that she has no documentary evidence of said facts.
She further declares that she was married to the said Obediah Perry on or about the sixteenth day of June in year 1775; that her husband, the aforesaid Obediah Perry died on the sixteenth day of November 1827, and that she was married to said Obediah Perry previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated.
Mary Perry
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before
Joseph Locke, - Justice of the Police Court of Lowell.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex ss. District of Lowell.
I, Albert Locke, clerk of the Police Court of Lowell in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Joseph Locke Esquire abovenamed is a justice of a court of record, to wit, of the Police Court of Lowell aforesaid, which is a court of record because it proceeds according to the course of the Common Law, is a new tribunal having the power to fine and imprison, and because that a writ of error lies to it from the Sup. Jud. Court, and it has also by Law a seal and clerk.
And I further certify that his signature above is mine.
In witness whereof I hereto put my name and the seal of said court this nineteenth day of September in the year 1839
Albert Locke clk. P.C.L.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston September 21 st 1838.
I hereby Certify, That Joel Adams Esq r is a _____ Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court; and he was a justice as aforesaid at the date of his attestation.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John O. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Hannah Corey of Wistford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty four years on oath depose and say that I have lived in Wistford aforesaid for the last eighty one years and have always known Obediah Perry of this town. Mr Perry entered the Army at the commencement of the Revolution- ary War as a private soldier for eight months as I understood and went to Cambridge. I understood he was engaged to Mary Lovejoy before he went into the Army, and a short time previous to the Battle of Bunker's hill said Perry came home on a furlough, as was then said, to be married to said Mary Lovejoy, and it was then said and believed by all the neighbors that said Obediah and Mary went into the State of New Hampshire and were married by license , and I never heard it doubted that they were legally married - Mr Perry returned to the Army, and after the eight months were out he came home, and built him a house in this town and went to keeping house with his wife and they lived to- gether as man and wife until his death about twelve years since. Mr Perry had four ten or fifteen children by this woman; I never heard it doubted that they were law- fully married
Elliot, Fall Season,
her Hannah + Corey mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex County ss. Sept. 1. 1838. Personally appeared the above named Hannah Corey, who is personally known to me to be a person of truth and credibility, and made solemn oath that the foregoing Affidavit by her subscribed was true -
Before me - Joel Adams. Just. Peace

I John Hildreth of Westford in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, seventy five years of age, on oaths depose and say, That I was born in Westford, have always lived there and have been acquainted with the late Obediah Perry from my childhood and always lived near him until his death - Said Perry lived in Westford before the Revolutionary war and in the year 1775, he entered the service as a volunteer and private soldier in the Army of the Revolution for the term of eight months I think, and marched to Cambridge, and while there in the service he came home to Westford on a furlough to be married to Mary Lovejoy as I then understood - It was then said and believed, and never doubted, as I have known, that said Obediah Perry and Mary Lovejoy went into the State of New Hampshire and were married by a Minister - He immediately returned to the Army and was in the Battle of Bunker hill after their marriage, as was always said and never doubted, as I verily believe - After the expiration of the eight months service at Cambridge, Mr. Perry came home to Westford, built him a small house, went to keeping house with his wife, and they always lived together as man and wife until his death, about twelve years since - They always resided in Westford and had fifteen children - I never heard it doubted that they were lawfully married, and I have no doubt at all they were married at the time he came home on a furlough a few days previous to the Battle of Bunker hill -
John Hildreth
Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Middlesex ss. August 31. 1838 - Personally appeared John Hildreth above named, who is personally known to me as a man of credit & truth and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed was true - before me - Joel Adams. Just. Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, September 27 th 1838 —
Certify, That Joel Adams Esq. is now and was at the date of his attesta- tion a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; 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.
John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I, Cyrus Johnson of Westford in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, sixty years of age, do depose and say. That Obediah Perry, late of said Westford, deceased, died at said Westford about the 10th or 12th of November in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty six - I married a daughter of said Perry. He was the father of fourteen children by his wife, now his widow - Mary Perry, who is now living in said Westford
Cyrus Johnson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. Sept. 25th. A.D. 1838. This day the above named Cyrus Johnson, known to me as a man of truth and credibility, and made solemn oath that foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed was true -
Before me.  Just. Peace

I Abijah Read of Westford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts yeoman aged eighty three years do depose and say that Obediah Perry of said Westford enlisted into a Company of Infantry commanded by Capt Joshua Parker in Col William Prescott regiment for the term of eight months as I think in the year 1775. Said Perry was with me in the same Company and while in the service at Cambridge was seized with the small pox and was carried to that part of Cambridge now called West Cambridge where he staid until he recovered when he returned again and joined the Company as I now recollect:- When said Perry died I was present Abijah Read
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss On this seventh day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared the above named Abijah Read and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit; and I further certify that said Read's character for truth and veracity is good and unimpeachable
John W m Abbott Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. I Elias Denny clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the County of Middlesex, do certify that John W. P. Abbot Esquire is a Justice of the Peace, within said County of Middlesex, duly qualified, and that his name subscribed to the within certifi- cate is his genuine authentic signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & af- fixed the seal of said Court the twenty sixth day of March 1838.
E. Denny

Louise Mass. August 15. 1839
Dr. Sir.
I have procured a release from Mary Perry of her claim to a pension under the act of July 4 th 1836, and have taken the affidavit of her oldest child, Mary Prescott, who is now a widow, residing in this place. I am not able to find or procure any documentary evidence of Mrs. Perry's marriage. I can do no more. I am confident there is no record of her marriage - she was not published. The circumstances of their case are a sufficient explanation of the matter - they were married but a few days before the battle of Bunker's Hill, and their first child was born in Oct r following - It was a case of necessity then, and I think her case now is entitled to every consideration, which can possibly be made in her favor - I hope you will feel justified in allowing her a small pension, and that soon -
In relation to my other applications, viz. Mr. Buttsfield's - Mrs. Parker's, Mrs. Hodgman's and Mrs. Robbins. I have not yet been informed of the result - I lately received a part of my cases, granted - and am at a loss how a part only should be attended to, as they were all forwarded at the same time, I think -
Respectfully your ob d . Servt. Jacob Adams Hon. J. L. Edwards, Secy.

(Mary Perry's case)
South Mfs. April 22 d 1839 -
J. L. Edwards Esq. Com te of Pensions }
2 nd hr
Your favor of the 17 th inst. is received, in which it appears, that the evidence of the date of the Marriage of Mary Perry to Obediah Perry is not satisfactory. I presume you are satisfied, that a great number of the Marriages in Salem used, about the time of the Revolutionary War, were not recorded, and if they were, in some instances, no record can be found. Many Pastors of the Pres. never preserved any records, and scarcely any ever have their records lodged with the County Clerk, as they ought to be - And in this case, I am at a loss to know what I can do to satisfy you, as to the time of the Marriage: As to the fact of the Marriage, I have not a shadow of doubt, and the time, and circumstances of the pastor, are a sufficient explanation of the case - The pastor was not published, and as the laws of Mass. required the publication of the intention of Marriage, they went over the State line into New Hampshire, only a few miles, and were married, Mrs. Perry thinks by a Congregationalist - Perry immediately returned to Cambridge, and was in the Bunker Hill Battle after the marriage - These facts are well known to the surrounding neighbors, most of whom are dead - It is immaterial, whether they were married before or after the term of his Service, as she will be entitled in either case under the law of 1836. or 1838 - Mr. Perry and his wife were both, as I am informed, members of the

Church in Wootton, which is evidence, that they were received as husband husband and wife - I am confident we shall not be able to find any record of the marriage, as we have already done all we can to find it - I cannot but flatter myself, that if this case, with all the facts , is revised and considered, the proof already offered will be accepted as satisfactory - If I had the least reason to suspect, they were not married, as I have stated, I would not say one word in favor of her claim - I know all the witnesses in her case, and have heard their statements, and I believe them - My mother also, who lived in Wootton at this time, (her native town) will remember the fact of Perry's coming home from Cambridge, and being married as I have stated, but she can state no more than have already proved - I have only to ask the favor that this case may be submitted to the consideration of the Hon. Mr. Poinsett, with all due respect to you - I still hope for a favorable result -
I hope you will not deem this letter disrespectful, as I have not the slightest intention to be guilty of such an offence I have no doubt you intend to do right, and so do I, and I must beg you to receive this case, and submit it to the special consideration of the King's Society - I can assure you in truth, this woman's claim is a just one, a righteous one. if her claim is finally rejected, it will be part of major cases, which has been rejected - unless you reject some of them, from which I have had no reply -
Yours respectfully J. Hall Adams

Lowell Mass. Sept. 20th. 1839.
Dr. Sir. In making the Declaration of Mary Perry, widow of Obediah Perry, deceased, under the Act of July 7th, 1838. I am obliged to omit that clause in the printed form, viz: "That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the Service" to conform to the truth, as the marriage actually took place a short time before the Battle of Bunker Hill. Mrs. Prescott, the eldest child of Mrs. Perry, whose Deposition you have, stated that she was born in October after the Battle of Bunker Hill, and I rudely stated it to be in Oct. 1776 - instead of 1775 - I wish you take informed of the true state of this case, and I have endeavoured to give the truth, and nothing more nor less - I have forgotten how I took down Mrs. Prescotts testimony, and am willing to take it again, if it is material; She will say that she was born in Oct 1775 - The judge of our Police Court has been to Watford and taken Mrs. Perrys Declaration, and I shall forward it herewith, trusting you will dis pose of this case, as I have no doubt you do all cases, as you shall think your duty and justice require -
I remain very respectfully your Hb. Servt.
J. L. Edwards Esq Com r of Pensions
Isaac Adams

Nov 3 rd 1843
Mass.
Wm. Perry
FREE
J. L. Edwards, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

Croton, N.Y. Oct. 30. 1843.
Sir:-
I have been requested by Mrs. Mary Perry of Westford to call the attention of the Department to an Application which she made some time since for a pension under the act of July 4, 1836. She was refused a life pension but a pension was granted her under the act of July 7, 1838. The reason, as she understands it, is that she failed to prove her marriage before the last term of her husband's service. Some additional evidence has come to her knowledge and she now believes that she can satisfy the Department on that point. Will you give the case another hearing? and if so inform me what course will be proper for her to pursue? Her husband's name was Obadiah Perry.
Yrs. most H. servt.,
Geo. T. Bowdwell.
J. L. Edwards, Esq., Washington D.C. }

State of Massachusetts } County of Middlesex } ss. On this twenty third day of Novem- ber in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three personally appeared before Luther Prescott a Justice of Peace, Henry P. Herrick a resident of Westford, County and State a- foresaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, Asth, upon oath depose and say, that he was formerly well acquainted with Obadiah Perry, late of Westford, upon said deceased, and also with his wife, Mary Perry, who is now a widow never having been married, according to his knowledge and belief, since the decease of said Obadiah Perry. He also further stated that it is more than twen- ty years since he first heard that Obadiah Perry was in the battle of Bunker Hill; and that Obadiah Perry and his wife Mary Perry were married previous to the bat- tle of Bunker Hill. And he also further states that he never heard it doubted that said Obadiah and Mary were le- gally married.
H. P. Herrick
Westford November 23 d 1843 Then personally appeared Henry P. Herrick and made oath that the above statement by him subscribed is true. I hereby certify that he is a credible witness
Luther Prescott Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston November 28. 1843
I hereby Certify , That at the date of the annexed attestation Luther Prescott (and John W. P. Abbott) were Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their 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.
James A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.