Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,538, for Ebenezer Morse, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
Morse, Ebenezer
NUMBER
S. 15,538
carded.
CONTENTS

33346
Rhode Island.
Ebenezer Morse, decd.
of private in the State of who was a drummer in the Mass commanded by Captain of the  Revolution by in the line for
Inscribed on the Roll of Providence at the rate of 59. Dollars 59. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. and end 25th November 1831-
Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd day of May 1856 and sent to
Arrears to the 4th of Ebenezer Cowell Semi-annual allowance ending Providence
R.I.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. C. Getty Clerk, 7. W. Vol. 1. Page 23.

I Fanny Harris of Coventry in the County of Kent in the State of Rhode Island aged forty years do testify & say that I am a grand daughter of the late Ebenezer Morse a soldier of the Revolution, I have often heard him say that Rochester in the State of Massachusetts was his native town that he lived in that town in the time of the Revolution, that entered the service from that town & lived there until he came to Rhode Island, & he then lived in Providence & Coventry up to the time of his death - I never knew or heard of any other man by the name of Ebenezer Morse, & when I was young I so often heard him speak of his services as a drummer and I have often so often heard him beat the drum myself, that I have not the least doubt, that he was a drummer in the war of the Revolution as he used to tell me & others
Fanny Harris

Providence Is In Providence the 22 d day of January 1845. Subscribed and sworn to before me. And I certify that the within Named Fanny H. Curtis is a credible Witness.
Attest Henry L. Brown Justice Peace

State of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth
I Nahum Leonard Jr, Clerk of the Town of Rochester in said County being duly sworn on oath depose & say that I have the custody and possession of the records of marriages in said Town and that in said records is the following.
Ebenezer Morse Anna Nelson Dec. 26 Twenty Sixth, Seventeen Hundred and Seventy one by Rev. J. Morse.
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of said record & with the exception of the date to the same which is expressed on the record in fair and legible figures as follows.
Dec 26 1771 Nahum Leonard Jr. Clerk of Rochester

Subscribed and sworn to this Twenty Third day of November A.D. 1884.
Brig. A. P. Austin Justice of the peace
Fees $1.50

Coventry Friday Evening Nov 25 th 1891. Respected Friends
I regret to inform you that Grandfather Morse departed this life a little past seven o'clock at my father's house. Where the funeral solemnities will take place Sunday at 12 o'clock (Noon) Nov 27. It is our wish for you to come out as soon or as early as convenient tomorrow or next day Morning. Please give all our Friends information
Mr G. Fullman & S. Hoswell
Thine Affectionately. Charles Morse Washington Village

Eliza Warne

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On this fourth day of December A D 1855 personally appeared in open Court being the Municipal Court in the City of Providence a court of record exercising Probate jurisdiction Cynthia Tallman of the City aforesaid who makes the following declaration as well for herself as her brother Charles Morse of County in said State in order to obtain all arrears of pension which were due their father Ebenezer Morse deceased a soldier of the Revolution under the acts of Congress of June 7 1832 and July 4, 1836 granting pensions to those officers & soldiers who served in the war of the Revolution in case of their decease to the widows & children.
The said Cynthia declares & says that during the war of the Revolution her said father resided in Rochester in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts and performed sundry tours of service as drummer in Massachusetts Troops as set forth in the Certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts here in Court produced. And the said Cynthia further declares that her father the said Ebenezer Morse was married to Anna Hultson on the twenty sixth day of December A D 1771 as will appear by the Certificate of the Town Clerk of said Rochester hereto annexed. And she further declares that their mother departed this life in the month of November A D 1829.

And she further deposes that her father the said Ebenezer some time after the war came to Rhode Island to reside & he continued to live in said State until he died, that he died in Providence on the 25 th day of December 1831, leaving two children only to wit, this applicant and the said Charles Morse and having no widows they are entitled to all annuities of pension under said acts of Congress before mentioned
Cynthia Tallman
In Municipal Court
the City of Providence,
December 14 th 1855.
Subscribed and sworn to, by Cynthia Tallman, in open Court.
Albert G. Greene, Clerk,

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston. October 20 th 1855.
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 Ebenezer Morse is borne on return of 8 mos. men in Capt. Edward Hammond's Comp. Col. Cotton's Regt. dated Oct. 7. 1775. Name borne on Cont roll dated Roxbury Nov. 11. 1775. as Drummer from Rochester.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Nathan Smith's Comp. Stationed on Martha's Vineyard, sea coast service, from June 6 to Nov. 21. 1776 5 mos. 16 days, as private.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Joseph Parker's Comp. Col. Ebenezer Sprague's Regt. R. Island service, from Jan'y. 1. 1778. 3 mos. as Drummer.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Samuel Briggs Comp. Col. Ebenezer Sprague's Regt. on alarm at Bristol, R. Island, from Dec. 8. 1776. 15 days, as Drummer.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Chas. M. Sargent Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To the Hon Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts My father Ebenezer Morse of Rochester Mass - was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, But I cannot name the officer under whom he served. He went from Rochester Plymouth County, I think he was a drummer as well as a pioneer, & I think I have heard him say he was stationed at West Point part of the time. I wish the records of Massachusetts examined & a Certificate of his services, he died over forty years ago - P.S. Received Aug 17 1885
Cynthia Tallman
Witness Henry L Brown Justice Peace.
C

I Cynthia Warren of the City of Providence in the State of Rhode Island and forty one years, do testify & say that I am the grand daughter of Ebenezer Morse formerly of Rockport in the State of Massachusetts. I have a distinct recollection when I was a little child old enough to not more than ten or twelve years, take me up in his lap & tell me about his being a drummer in the war of the Revolution, & used to take a tin pan & holding lap & drum upon it. He died in Coventry at a place called "Washington Village". He was unexpectedly killed in November, 1831. His wife died a year or two before him. Cynthia Tallman & Charles Morse are now his only surviving children
Mrs Cynthia Warren
On this day personally appeared Cynthia Warren to me known to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing statement and acknowledged that she executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed.
Henry J. Brown
Justice Peace

I Phebe Morse of the City of Providence in the State of Rhode Island aged Forty three years do testify & say that I was acquainted with Ebenezer Morse formerly of Roxbury in the State of Massachusetts I married his Grand son Henry Morse of Coventry, Rhode Island After my marriage the said Ebenezer lived with me in said Coventry and I have often heard him speak of his services in the war of the Revolution as a drummer He died in Coventry in November 1831 He was acci- -dently killed by a loaded Team His wife died before him, one or two years Cynthia Tallman and Charles Morse are now his only surviving children
Phebe Morse
Providence I do hereby certify the 10 th day of December 1855. Subscribed and sworn to before me: and I certify that the said Phebe Morse is a credible Witness
Henry J. Brown Justice Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Providence fr. 8
Municipal Court of the City of Providence, in the County of Providence, in said State, exercising Probate Jurisdiction. December 18 th 1855.
Be it remembered, that satisfactory testimony has been this day, produced before this Court, that Ebenezer Morse formerly of Rochester in the State of Massachusetts, and County of Coventry in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, was lawfully married to Hannah Hutson, on the twenty sixth day of December A.D. one thousand, seven hundred and seventy- one; that they lived together, as man and wife, until her death; and that the said Ebenezer Morse survived her, and lived until the twenty fifth day of November, A.D. one thou- sand eight hundred and thirty one, when he died, leaving two surviving children, to wit, - Cynthia Tallman of said Providence widow, and Charles Morse, of Coventry in the County of Kent in said State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; and that both of said children are now twenty one years of age.
And be it further remembered, that satis- factory testimony has been produced before this Court, that said Ebenezer Morse was a soldier of the Revolution, and that he served, as forenamed, in various Regiments of Massachusetts Troops, as set forth in the Certificate of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, here now in Court produced.
In attestation whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the seal of said Court, this 18 th day of December A.D. 1855.
And I do hereby certify, that Henry L. Bowen, before whom the annexed

Affidavits of Cynthia Warren and Phebe More were made, upon the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace within and for said City of Providence.
Albert G. Greene, Clerk

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
PROVIDENCE, SC.
CLERK'S OFFICE, COURT OF COMMON PLEAS,
PROVIDENCE,
April 8 th A. D., 1856
I,
Amasa S. Westcott
Clerk of the COURT OF COMMON PLEAS of said State, within and for the County of Providence:
DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That
Edwin Metcalf is a Justice of the Peace for the aforesaid County of Providence
duly appointed and qualified, and authorized to administer oaths and take depositions and the acknowledgment of deeds and other instruments, and that the signature to the annexed Certificate, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN ATTESTATION WHEREOF, I hereto subscribe my name, and affix the Seal of said Court, the day and year above written.
Amasa S. Westcott Clerk.

LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION.
The State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Kent sc.—By the Court of Probate of the town of Coventry in the county of Kent ————— and state aforesaid.
TO Cynthia Tallman of the City of Providence & County of Providence  in the county and State aforesaid. GREETING.
You having been appointed by this Court, Administrator on the real and personal estate of Ebenezer Mouse — late of Coventry ————— deceased, intestate, and having given bond as the law directs, are hereby authorized and em- powered to receive, recover and take possession of all and whatsoever real and personal estate, which to the said Ebenezer Mouse ————— at the time of his — death, did appertain and belong, and the same fully to administer according to law.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, we have caused the seal of said Court to be hereunto affixed, this Thirtyfirst — day of March ————— in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Six —————
Signed and sealed by order and in behalf of said Court.
Anthony Ladd — Probate Clerk.
The foregoing letter of Administration is recorded in Book No. Page ————— of the records of said Court for recording said Letters.
Witness:
Probate Clerk.
Executors and Administrators are required by law to return to the Court of Probate their accounts, at the end of one year, and annually thereafter to settle their accounts with said Court, relative to the Estates in their hands, with a statement of the liquidated balance, that may be due to or from such Administrators or Executors, at the time of every such settlement.

Letter of Adm o Estate of Ebrunyn House - for Cynthia Tallman

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
Cynthia Tallman widow, now personally appears before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace within said County & declares that she has been duly appointed by the Court of Probate in the town of Coventry in the County of Kent in said State, Administratrix on her father's estate the late Ebenezer Morse who was a soldier in the war of the the Revolution. The evidence of her said appointment is hereto annexed and she now further states that the evidence of her father's & mother's marriage as well as his services in the war of the Revolution, have already been stated & proved in her former application & also the dates of her father's & mother's decease - and also the names of his surviving children to wit, Charles Morse & this affidavit all of which were are duly certified & proved before the Court of Probate of the City of Providence & to which certificate & the evidence upon which it was based she now refers for further proof of her claim.

Wherefore she now requests that all the arrears of pension which were due her father at the time of his death may be ordered to be paid to her in the said capacity.
Cynthia Gallman
The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Providence, ss. In Providence this eighth day of April A.D. 1856 personally appeared Cynthia Gallman, known to me to be a credible person, and subscribed the foregoing affidavit in my presence, and made oath that the statements therein made are true. I further certify that I have no interest in this claim.
Edwin Metcalf
Justice of the Peace.

Ebenezer Morse dec d ,
R Island
adm d ? June 7 1832 + 2 Dec 4 1835
11 mo 4 1/2 d Drum $42.16 5 " 16 " pr 17.43 $59.59
per annum from December 1831 to 25 Nov 1832 when he died
Pay to Cynthia Tallman - administratrix for herself and Charles Morse - or any others of his children who may be alive,
Certs Benj Gould Esq Providence R Island

I Martha Willard, of Cranston in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, aged Forty Seven Years, do testify and say; That I was well acquainted with Ebenezer Morse late of Coventry in said State deceased, — I knew him from the time I was a child up to the time of his death. I always understood that he came from Rochester in the State of Massachusetts to Rhode Island, and I have heard him a great many times speak of his services as a soldier during the war of the Revolution. I have heard others also speak of his services. He the said Ebenezer, and my father, Ephraim Hoswell, who was also a soldier in said war, used to talk together a great deal about their services. When said Morse moved to Rhode Island he lived in Providence. He lived in this city many years, as I have understood, before he moved up into Coventry. I have heard said Morse often speak of his being a drummer. I have also heard said Ebenezer Morse say that he also applied for a pension at the time my father did, neither of whom obtained a pension, as I have understood. Why said Morse did not obtain a pension I do not know, but my father could not obtain it, on account of his owning property, as I have understood.

And I further testify and say, that Charles Morse, of said Coventry, and Cynthia Fallas are his only surviving children,
Martha Willard
The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Providence, Ye. In Providence this Twenty eighth day of April A.D. 1856 personally appeared before me, Martha Willard and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by her signed. And I further certify that she is a lady of respectability and high standing in this Com- munity, and her testimony entitled to full credit.
Alvin Metcalf Justice of the Peace

Charles Morse Cynthia Tallman Cynthia Tallman 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829
12/85 7 33 3/4 3 66 3/4 11 40 26 1 84 7/8 $ 42,16 17 43 $ 59.58
Married 1771 8 sons 3 " " 15- 11. 15-00 Doz 85.76 " pr 12 18 1/2 12 1/2
333 3/4 5- 16,66 3/4 16 1/2 176 176 17,143

Providence May 2 1856
Sir
I have received your letter of 23 rd ult o respecting the claim of Ebenezer Morse under the act of June 7, 1832 or rather of his children for arrears of pension and in reply to which and in further reply to your letter of 29 th of Jan y last I have to say, that Ebenezer Morse the father of the claimant, removed from Rochester to Providence more than sixty years ago, and it is utterly impossible to find any one who had any personal knowledge of his services in the Revolutionary war. Not one is living who served with him and there is not one solitary soldier living in this State with whom he became acquainted after his removal here, nor in fact, is there one living in this State, who was a Revolutionary soldier, acquainted or unacquainted — But the Certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, shews that Ebenezer Morse belonged to Rochester, the town he came from as does the Town Clerks Certificate of his marriage. It is also clearly proved that this same Ebenezer Morse came from Rochester to Providence, where he

resided many years, before he moved up to Coventry where he lived & died, and the Court of Probate of this City have certified the time of his death and also the names of the surviving children and the affidavits upon which this certificate was founded; & these affidavits were sent to you agreeably to your regulations -
But in addition to the evidence sent I now enclose the affidavit of a highly respectable Lady, the widow of Hezekiah Willard Esq who died a few years since while Collector of this Port. The reminiscences which she has detailed cannot leave a shadow of a doubt of his identity - The Secretary of State of Massachusetts certified to his being a "drummer" in several companies and the affidavit of Mrs Willard proves that this same soldier often spoke of his being a drummer, thus does the record & traditional evidence perfectly agree touching this fact, and it is a fact most conclusive of identity. Mrs Willard's father Mr Ephraim Hovey was also a Revolutionary soldier and applied for a pension under the act of March 18, 1818 but could not obtain it, on account of his property, and she also says, she has heard said Morse say, that he also applied for a pension but does not know the reason

he did not obtain it, The probability was, perhaps, he did not serve nine months at one time in the Continental army as the above law required Hoping and expecting the evidence is now satisfactory I am very Respectfully yours Ott Lest Benjamin Lowell
P.S. The official character of the Magistrate has already been certified in this case -
Henry Minot

Providence April 9 1856
Sir
I received your letter of Jany 29 th respecting the pension of Ebenezer Morse or rather of his children under the acts of June 7, 1832 & July 4 1836. In obedience to your direction an administratrix has been appointed on the estate of Ebenezer Morse & a Certificate is herewith enclosed together with a supplemental declaration of the Administratrix. By the laws of Rhode Island Administration on a deceased persons estate must be taken out in the Town where the person died Mr Morse died in Coventry of course Administration had to be taken out in that Town - The marriage the death the names of surviving children & heirs of the deceased are all certified in a former Certificate & decree of the Court of Probate in this City to which reference is made in supplemental declaration, and I also have to state, that I have an indistinct recollection that Ebenezer Morse when living made an application for a pension more than thirty years ago under the act of March 18, 1818

which was not granted but for what reasons I do not remember, I am informed that ever since his removal from Rochester to Rhode Island, he resided either in this city or in Conway where he died. There is not now a single soldier of the Revolution alive in this State. Trusting the inquiry produced will be satisfactory I have to request that the claim be allowed.
I am Respectfully Yours afft. Servt Benja Towne
Hon J. Millard

Providence Jan'y 22 1856 Sir
Your letter of the 10 inst respecting the claim of the children of Ebenezer Morse has been read, you observe that "the evidence upon which the Court based its certificate must be sent to this office." I have to say, that this was done, the Court based their certificate 1 st as to services on the certificate of the Secretary of War, 2 d as to the marriage on the Town Clerk's certificate, 3 d as to identity on the affidavit of two witnesses, Phoebe Morse & Cynthia Warren agreeably to your Rules & Regulations both of which were sent - and I now enclose another affidavit, that of Fanny Harris, a granddaughter, who often heard him speak of his services as a drummer & often heard him beat a drum; a fact which proves identity as much so as it is possible for identity to be proved at this great length of time. It indeed, seems conclusive.

The Secretary of Massachusetts certifies that Ebenezer Morse of Rochester was drummer in the war of the Revolution & the evidence produced shows that the Ebenezer Morse whose children now apply for annuities of pension not only spoke of his services as drummer but proves he was a drummer in part I think this is conclusive proof of identity & believing it will be satisfactory I hope the claim will be allowed —
Yours Respectfully your obt Servt Benja Russell
The official character of the Magistrate before the affiant is sworn has already I believe been certified on other affidavits in this case
Hon J. Mindt

Brief in the case of Ebenezer Morse dec d
County and State of R Island
act June 7 1832 4 th Section of act July 4 1836
Claim, ("original," or " for increase. ")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Record evidence of service with which he is identified by various witnesses who have often heard him speak of his services as a drummer and that he continued the practice of drumming after the war, and by the additional fact that the Record of service shows that the soldier went from the Town of Rochester Massachusetts from which
(If for increase)  Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? Town it is found that Morse moved to Providence R Island and died in a neighboring town on the 25 th Nov 1831 - leaving no children, his wife to whom he was married in 1771 having died in 1829.
The identity of the surviving children, his death and the administration shown especially to our Replantation,
Name and residence of Agent
Benj Cornell Esq Providence R Island,
Thornton Dipple Examining Clerk.

3-595. Record Division. O. W. AND N. DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Nov. 18, 1908
Searched by A. C. Pope.
Original No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant, he died 1831.
Soldier, Ebenezer Morse.
Service, Mass.
Left no widow Rev.
Remarks: No War. or ref. claim except: S.F. 15538. *his heirs S.F. 29985 not identical Soldier alive in 1832.
Chief of Division.

N o 39.035
Ebenezer Moore decd. Rhode Island
Lt. Benjamin Cornell Jan 10, 1856. The same Jan'y 29, 1856. Same Apr 23/56
Act June 7. 1832 B Jul 4. 1836

I
15538
INVALID.
File No. 15538
Ebenezer Morse
St. Peter Minn.
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 266
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Prisdam Dec 31 / 1855 Sir
I herewith enclose the claim of the children of Ebenezer Morse for annuities of pension under the acts of Congress of June 7 1832 and July 4 1836 & request the same to be allowed. He served 17 months & one day as appears by the Secretary's Certificate. I am Respectfully Yours etc etc B. B. Lowell
Howell's Mill