Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,888, for Jacob Phillips, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Phillips, Jacob Deborah
11 26,888
CONTENTS

3417.
Massachusetts
Jakob Phillips
of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain of the Reg't commanded by Col Walker in the Mass line for 8 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Meas at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of Dec 1832 and sent to Bassett Taurton Mass
Arrears to 4th of Febr 1832 $39.99 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 June 33 13.33
$53.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H B Blair Clerk Book D - Vol. 2 nd Page 75.
A. Bassett. March 25, 1837. Set to Pen Agt. Mar. 25 '37.

Massachusetts - 550
Deborah Phillips - widow of Jacob Phillips, dec.
who was a pensioner under the Act of Jan 7: 1832 and who died on the 27: Aug: 1835 of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Priv in the Co. commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by [blank] in the Mass line for 8 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Oct. '38, and sent to and A Report Jan 10, 1839.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept $ 66.65 Semi-annual allowance ending 13.33
$ 79.98
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Burdick Clerk Book A Vol. 1 - Page 119

3480
Jacob Phillips
Penah
8 mo
M.C.E
Notes not properly authenticated, entries not capable to be made
$26.66
Amelia Bapst E
Amelia Bapst
Taunton, Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Jacob Phillips of Taunton  Bristol Co in the State of Mass. (Act 7th June, 1839.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court of Probate  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —  3. How old is he? 75  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. Gen. Col.     apt or May '78 — 8 — private Capt Soper Col Walker  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Taunton  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 2 living Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers are not connected by a ribbon underneath 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. C. Easton Examining Clerk.

Jacob Phillips
Jacob Phillips -
N o 3480

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, } BRISTOL, ss.
At a COURT of PROBATE holden at Taunton — By Adj. from the 10th day of the same August in and for said County on the thirteenth day of August — one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the Honorable HODIJAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Jacob Phillips  about a resident of Taunton — in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated; to wit: under Captain Oliver Soper, H. Thomas Williams, Rufus Barney, in the regiment commanded by Col. Walker whose name I do not remember; Lt. Col. Nathaniel Leonard; I do not know the Major's name ; I served eight months & will state the particulars of my service in my answer to the fifth interrogatory herein after contained;
and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Taunton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven .
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? I have no record of my age, and only know it from what my mother told me.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? I have always lived in Taunton, except when on service or a prisoner to the enemy, having been taken in a private.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? I enlisted voluntarily.
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. I enlisted I cannot tell certainly whether in April or May, but believe it must have been the latter part of April, for it was immediately after the news arrived of the attack of the British Troops on the militia at Lexington; We marched from Taunton to Dorchester and were in the army blockading the enemy in Boston; I saw there Gen. Putnam, and I believe that Gen. Thomas had the command of our Brigade; I do not recollect any other officers or regiments, our principal duty was standing guard on the neck; my station as sentry was next to the enemy; we were also occasionally employed on the fortifications; we had no engagement. I served eight months. I refer to the deposition annexed of Isaac Washburn as proof of this service; I have no documentary evidence other than this. During the time I was there, I was sent with a party of about four hundred under Major Tupper to take possession of the Light-house on the Island in the harbour; we drove off the British and took possession of the Light-house & took some prisoners; with a party of about two hundred; for proof of this service I refer to the annexed depositions of Isaac Washburn, & Benjamin Landon Hood.

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and, if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
I was a soldier, when our time was out we were dismissed; but had no written discharge.
7. State the names of the 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.
I refer to the Reverend Luther Hamilton and the hon. James L. Hodges; both of said Taunton.
And the said Jacob Phillips doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of  Jacob Phillips
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.
August 14. 1832 -
WE Luther Hamilton residing in Taunton - in said County of Bristol and James L. Hodges residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Phillips who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about Seventyfive 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.
Luther Hamilton James L. Hodges Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
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 certifies, that it appears to them that Luther Hamilton who has signed the preceding certificate is Clergyman - resident in the Town of Taunton - in said County of Bristol, and that James L. Hodges who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies , Judge of Probate. Register of Probate.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, BRISTOL, ss.
August 14. 1832
I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jacob Phillips of Taunton in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first last above written.
Anselm Bassett

I Benjamin Landon Hood of Taunton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged about eighty three years do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Jacob Phillips of said Taunton, and was in the Revolutionary army at Red Bank  Red Bank near Boston that the year Boston in the winter year seventeen hundred and seventy five with him; we were in different Companies; he was under Captain Oliver Soper, and I under Capt Francis Luscombe; we were both in the same Regiment commanded by Col. Walker whose first name I do not recollect; I believe he served there eight months; I saw him almost daily while we were there together; we were both in the expedition to Squantum to destroy the Lighthouse; under Majors Mitchell & Sapper, we succeeded, and captured about thirty officers & privates. Benj a Landon Hood
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. August 13. 1832. Benj a Landon Hood made oath to the truth of the above instrument by him signed - Before me A Bassett Just. of the Peace.
Bristol ss. Nov. 26. 1832. I certify that I am acquainted with the above named Benjamin Landon Hood and that he is a respectable and credible person - A Bassett Just. of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss.
I James Sprout, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Charles Bassett Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within Certificate, is a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this fifteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirtytwo
Ja. Sprout

I Isaac Washburn of Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy Seven years last February, do testify and say that soon after the battle of Lexington in April A. D. One Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy five, Isaac Phillips , of said Taunton, and myself enlisted into a Company of Militia Commanded by Captain Oliver Dyer of Taunton, in the eight months service, so called, and marched from Taunton to Dorchester near Boston and in that vicinity served out our enlistment of eight months aforesaid together in the same Company — I further testify and say that a man by the name of Williams whose first name I think was Thomas, served as Lieutenant in said Company during said time and that one Barney whose first name I do not remember was Ensign to said Company during said time — I further testify and say that I have been acquainted with said Phillips ever since the year 1774 & we have resided we made it our home in Taunton aforesaid from that time to the present & within two miles of said Isaac Washburn Other —

Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Bristol ss. August 11. 1832. Isaac Washburn made oath to the truth of the within or foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed.
Before me Anselm Barrett Just. of the Peace
Bristol ss. Nov. 26. 1832. I hereby certify that I knew Isaac Washburn (late deceased) and that while living, he was a respectable and credible person - A Barrett Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Bristol ss. I Anselm Barrett, Register of the Court of Probate in & for said
county of Bristol, do hereby certify that I am a Justice of the Peace for said county of Bristol and duly qualified to administer oaths and that I signed the above certificates - In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Probate Court this twenty sixth day of November eighteen hundred & thirty two.
Anselm Barrett

860
Deborah Phillips
Deborah Phillips widow of Jacob
Mass.
abt 1838
Gyans
married in 1781 died in 1835
Vol 16 p. 25.
abt d Smaphri
Ableble
no deduction
ABapett
Taunton Mass.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
On this eleventh day of August eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before Oliver Prescott, Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Bristol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Deborah Phillips a resident of Taunton in the county of Bristol aged seventy five 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 provisions made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:" That she is the widow of Jacob Phillips, deceased who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, but where or under whom she cannot now state, by reason of old age, loss of mem- ory and lapse of time and also for want of a knowledge of the facts thereof.
She further says that her husband the said Jacob Phillips was a Pensioner of the United States under the act of June 7, 1832. That he resided in said Taunton at the time he was so pensioned & continued to reside there to the time of his death - She therefore refers to the declaration of the said Jacob Phillips made made under said act and to the evidence therewith, to prove his said services in the war

of the Revolution —
She further says that she is not aware that she can prove the said Jacob Phillips' services in the war of the Revolution, in any other way than by a reference as aforesaid
I James Sprout of Taunton in the County of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I am Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, Court of Common Pleas & Court of County Commissioners within for the County of Bristol — That I have in my possession, a small book purporting to be records of marriages in said County of Bristol, entitled "Marriages Records began August 13 th 1787" in which among other things is the following viz. (“List of marriages from Berkeley Rec. Sept. 6 th 1791”)
“Jacob Phillips Jr. of Taunton & Deborah Phillips of Berkeley were married June twenty first seventeen hundred eighty one”
(“By Samuel Avery Justice of Peace”)
And I certify that it is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows viz.
“June 21 st 1781”
Ja s . Sprout } Clerk as } aforesaid
I James Sprout, above named, depose and say that I am Clerk of the Courts as above stated & that the foregoing is a true extract from the records of the book aforesaid, with the exceptions above named as certified by me
Ja s . Sprout } Clerk as } aforesaid
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. Aug. 21. 1838
sworn to — Before A. Barnard Just. of The Peace

I am Part of Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged forty one years, do testify and say that I resided near Jacob Phillips late of said Taunton deceased at & long before his said decease - That he died in August Eighteen hundred and thirty five, leaving a widow viz. Deborah Phillips, who is still living at that she has not been married since the decease of her late husband the said Jacob Phillips — Enoch Priest.
June 21 st 1781 Jacob Phillips & Deborah Phillips both of Berkley were married by Samuel Soley Justice of the Peace
Attest Samuel Soley Town Clerk
Berkley January 13 th 1837 A true Copy of Record Attest Ephraim French J. F. Black of Berkley

I Enos Priest of Taunton in the County of Bristol and commonwealth of Massachusetts aged forty one years, do testify and say that I resided near Jacob Phillips late of said Taunton deceased at & long before his said decease - That he died in August Eighteen hundred and thirty five, leaving a widow viz. Deborah Phillips, who is still living at that she has not been married since the decease of her late husband the said Jacob Phillips — Enos Priest
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. August 13. 1838 Enos Priest a credible witness made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed Before me A. Barrett Just. of the Peace

I William S. Phillips of Taunton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged thirty five years do testify and say that I well knew Jacob Phillips late of said Taunton decd. who was a Revolutionary Pensioner - That the said Jacob Phillips died on the twenty ninth day of August eighteen hundred and thirty five, leaving a widow viz. Deborah Phillips who is still living - and that the said Deborah Phillips has not been married since the decease of the said Jacob Phillips — Wm S Phillips
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. Aug. 13. 1838 - William S. Phillips a credible witness made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed - Before me A Barron Just Peace August 13. 1838

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. I Amos D. Dowsdell Register of the Court of Probate in for said County do hereby certify that Amos D. Dowsdell is a Justice of the Peace in for said County and that the signature to the foregoing certificates, purporting to be his, are genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty fifth day of August Eighteen hundred thirty eight - A. Dowsdell

She further declares that she was married to the said Jacob Phillips on the twenty first day of June in the year seventeen hundred and eighty one - that her said husband, the aforesaid Jacob Phillips died on the day of  twenty ninth day of August eighteen hundred thirty five .
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.
Witness
A. Bassett
Her Deborah Phillips
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year above written.
Before
Oliver Prescott
I Oliver Prescott Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Bristol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
do certify that Deborah Phillips the above named applicant for a pension, cannot by reason of bodily infirmity, attend the court.
Oliver Prescott
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Bristol ss. I, Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that the Hon. Oliver Prescott is the Judge of said Court, which Court is a Court of record, and that the signature annexed to the above certificate are is his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof , I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twenty fifth day of August eighteen hundred and thirty eight -
A. Bassett

M. Phillips
Range
Mar. 16, 1906. Hist. to a.
WIDOW, &c.
No. 2477 26888
Deborah Phillips
wid of
Jacob Phillips
Pris Rev War
Act: July 7th 88
Index:—Vol. ps , Page 129
[Arrangement of 1870.]

3480 Jacob Phillips
Anselm Bapett Esq New Bedford Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jacob Phillips which require 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 ? [Handwritten line] 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? [Signature]
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? [Signature]
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? 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? Yes
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? 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 the 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.
†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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed. }
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.

Jan 21. Jacob Phillips Maple
3417
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Taunton Mass. Jany. 17. 1837
Sir. Deborah Phillips, the widow of Jacob Phillips late of said Taunton, deceased, says, that the said Jacob had not applied for his Pension for more than a year before his decease — Will you please examine the inclosed & if found satisfactory, order the balance due to be paid on said Power — Very Respectfully Merrill D. Albee
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

81 Ralph St Brooklyn N.Y.
Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir
I am desirous of obtaining information concerning my Grand - Father named Jacob Phillips who, I am informed, served in the Revolutionary War. I wish to learn his Nationality, Birthplace, and the name of the Regiment he served in.

If you can give me any information on the subject, I will appreciate it very much indeed.
Respectfully Yours Ada M. Phillips
March 6th 1906.

F. B. F.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Mid. File 26888
Bureau of Pensions,
Rev. War
Washington, D. C., Mar. 16, 1906
Madam:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Jacob Phillips , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his x for his widow's application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr 1775 8 mos Pvt Oliver Doper Walker Mass           
Battles engaged in, At taking of lighthouse on island in Boston Harbor Residence of soldier at enlistment, Taunton, Bristol Co. Mass Date of application for pension, Aug 13, 1832. His claim was allowed Residence at date of application, Taunton, Bristol Co. Mass. Age at date of application, Born 1757 at Taunton, Mass. Died Aug. 29, 1835 Remarks: He married Deborah — June 21, 1781 at Berkley, Bristol Co., Mass. She was 75 years of age in 1838. His claim was allowed. Soldier is referred to in claim as Jacob Phillips Jr. No other data.
Very respectfully,
Ada M. Phillips
81 Ralph St
Brooklyn N.Y.
Commissioner.