Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26358, for Robert Rankins, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Rankins, Robert Abigail
N 26358
CONTENTS

14.229 D  NAME
Robert Rankins of Hancock Co. in the state of Maine who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Wese — of the Mass: line, for the term of one year
Inscribed on the Roll of Genl. 15: of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 11 th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th of Sep: 1819 and sent to William Crosby Esq. Belfast Maine
Arrears to 4th of Sep: 1819 $134.40 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1820 48. $182.40  16 mo 24 / 30
{ Revolutionary claim, { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
Copies of papers sent to Hon. H. J. Andrew, June 28 1835.
Robert Rankins sent to William Crosby Esq. Feb. 1820 Belfast Me

Maine - H. 008.
Abigail Rankins widow of Robert Rankins who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 th Mar '18 and who died on the 6 th May 1829 of Waldo in the State of Maine who was a P er in the Com ty commanded by Captain  of the Reg t commanded by B ose - in the Mass s line for 12 m ths .
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 40 Dollars 75 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of Aug t '39, and sent to Hon ble J. H. Gorman, Camden, Maine
Arrears to the 14th of March - $ 120 00
Semi-annual allowance ending 20 00
$ 140 00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R Burdine Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 - Page 22

Camden Jan y 21, 1862 Mr H. Godman Esq Dr Sir
My Father Robert Rankins was an old Revolutionary Soldier and entitled to pension, none has ever been received by the Heirs unless my Brother Mr Rankins has, as we have some reason to believe he has had aid from some unknown source we should like to know if possible whether any money has ever been paid over by Government and to whom, any information you can give me in regard to the same I will duly appreciate and pay the bills
Resp. Moses Rankins
Grandfather

V
5763
Abigail Rankins widow of Robert Me
act 7 July 38
m. 89 a 29.
adm 12 mo fri 40 H
No deduction
Wm. A. Hodman Camden Me

State of Maine. — Waldo County ss.
At a Court of Probate held at Belfast within and for the County of Waldo on the first Monday of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty nine personally appeared before me the Hon Alfred Johnson, Judge of said Court, Abigail Rankins a resident of Lincolnville in said County aged sixty seven years who being duly sworn according to law made upon her oath the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision 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 Robert Rankins who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of the Congress of the United States passed March 18 1818 as will appear by the records of the War Department. She further declares that she was married to the said Robert Rankins on the Seventh day of June in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine, — that her maiden name was Abigail Gray, — that her said husband Robert Rankins died at said Lincolnville on the sixth

day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine — that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January in the year seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated. —
Attest
William Bodman
Abigail her X Perkins mark
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Abigail Johnson Judge Probate
State of Maine Waldo County ss. —
I the Subscriber Register of Probate for said county hereby certify that Alfred Johnson Esquire before whom the above proceedings were had is Judge of Probate for said county of Waldo.
I also certify that the above contains the original proceedings of the said Alfred in the matter of the application of the above named Abigail Perkins for a pension and the above signature purporting to be his is genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this first day of April A.D. 1839 — William H. Bodman Reg d Probate

"June seventh one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine Then the within named Robert Rankins and Abigail Gray came and declared themselves husband and wife before God and a number of ev- idences, repeating over the marriage covenant, each one by and for themselves"
"Before me Jonathan Buck Esqr"
I Samuel M Pond depose and say that I had the office of Judge of Probate and that the above is a true copy of record in my office with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, to wit: "June 7th 1789, and the following is a true copy of their publication, viz "Washington June 5th 1789 this is to certify that Mr Robert Rankins and Miss Abigail Gray both of this plantation are lawfully published and now stands bound for marriage"
"Ephraim Grant, Clerk"
Samuel M Pond
State of Maine
Hancock County ss March 16. 1839 The above affidavit subscribed and sworn to
Before me Samuel Little Justice of the Peace
I further depose say that I have in my possession between forty & fifty records of marriages by Jonathan Buck Esqr, and they all have the appearance of ancient records, and are made in a similar form of the one above copied that is the records of marriages are made on the back of the certificate of publication by the town clerk, and that I verily believe that these were filed, and have been preserved by the late John Buck Esqr, who was at the time of some of the marriages, "Jonathan Buck Just Town Clerk" and were among his papers at his decease, and that I verily believe them to be true and original records.
Samuel M Pond Judge of Probate
Subscribed & sworn to March 16. 1839 Before me Samuel Little Justice of the Peace State of Maine
Hancock ss I Joseph A Dean Clerk of the Courts for the County of Hancock, certify that Samuel M Pond is Judge of Probate for said County, and that Samuel Little is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. That the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the Supreme Court for said County the ninth day of March A.D. 1839.
Joseph A Dean
Clerk of the S. Court for Hancock County

Robert Rankins
1823
Franklin ville
6 Sept 19

STATE OF MAINE.
At a Circuit Court of Common Pleas, begun and holden at Castine within and for the County of Hancock on the second day of July , A. D. 1820.
Hancock SS.
On this Eleventh day of July , 1820, being the first day of said term, personally appeared in open court, being a court of record by the laws of said state, with power of fine and imprisonment Robert Rankins aged 57 years, resident in Lincolnville in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows, to wit: asa private three years from 1780 in Capt. Williams Company, in Col. Dimes Regiment in the Massachusetts line.
of all which I made declaration before the Honorable George Crosby , on the eleventh day of April 1818, and have received my pension certificate therefor, No. 14229 and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen in the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Robert Rankins  his mark
Sworn to and declared on the Eleventh day of July , before the court
Attest Nason Shaw Clerk

(Schedule)
I, Robert Rankins on oath, say and declare that I have no real or personal estate nor any income whatever. Am necessary bedding and wearing apparel excepted —
Except — One Cow — 2 Heifers — 1 Steer — 2 Cattle — one Swine —
I am a farmer but by reason of age and infirmity I am unable to labour — I have Children under age — viz.
 John 11 years old  Samuel 5 "  James 8 "  Hebe 10 "  Robert 9 "  Abigail 3 " 
Am unable to support myself without my pension.
State of Maine. Robert Rankins his mark
Hancock ss
I, MASON SHAW, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Third Eastern Circuit, in the County of Hancock and State of Maine, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said Court : And I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is forty nine dollars and — cents.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twentieth day of July A. D. 1820.
Mason Shaw Clerk of the said Court for the County of Hancock.

Rob t Rankin Private, Col Mose's Regt. Massachusetts Line. 1782 1 year dec 11 th Apl 1818
This certificate of the Judge as to the eligibility of the witnesses granting - Adm l Office character of the history must be from
Perkins a copy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HANCOCK, ss.
ON the eleventh day of April A. D. 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Third Eastern Circuit, of the Court of Common Pleas, in said Commonwealth, including the Counties of Hancock, Washington and Penobscot : Personally appeared Robert Rawlins who, being by me first duly sworn according to law, on his oath made the statement and declaration by him subscribed, and hereto annexed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war."
And thereupon, I the said Judge do certify that I am satisfied the said Robert Rawlins did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in his said declaration, against the common enemy, and that he has made it appear to me, that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
Which proceedings and the testimony annexed, being all he has been able to produce, I now transmit to the Secretary, for the department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and caused the seal of said Court to be hereto affixed by Massee Shaw Esquire, Clerk of said Court for said County of Hancock.
William G. Dyer Judge

Simeon Simpson of Winslow in the County of Kennebec Commonwealth of Massachusetts do on oath testify and say that Robert Rankins now of Lincolnville in the county of Lincoln in said State enlisted in the Month of July A.D. 1782 into the service of the United States in the continental establishment for the term of three years - that he enlisted at the same time that I did, that he served to the end of the war received his honorable discharge at West Point and returned with me in December A.D. 1783 - Simeon Simpson
State of Massachusetts Kennebec County ss - July 6 th 1819 Then the above named Simeon Simpson made solemn oath that the facts stated in the foregoing deposition were true. And further certify that the above deponent is in my opinion a credible witness. - Moses Appleton Justice of the Peace for Kennebec County.
I Reuben Simpson of Winslow County of Kennebec State of Massachusetts do testify and say on oath, that I have known Robert Rankins now of Lincolnville in the County of Lincoln in said State of Massachusetts, from a child, having formerly lived in the same town with him. - That he enlisted into the service of the United States on the Continental Establishment, in the summer of the year

AD 1782 That I was present at the time of his enlistment, that he left Winslow with the troops - and remained in the army to the end of the war, that he returned to Winslow at the end of the war, and that I have frequently seen him since and well knows him to be the same person who served as above stated -
attest
Moses Appleton
Reuben his X Simpson mark
State of Massachusetts } County of Kennebec } ss July 6 th 1819 Then the above named Reuben Simpson made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed was true before me. And I further certify that the above deponents is in my opinion a credible witness. -
Moses Appleton Justice of the Peace for Kennebec County
State of Massachusetts } Kennebec County } ss
I John Davis Clerk of all the Judicial Courts of the said County of Kennebec do hereby certify that Moses Appleton before whom the foregoing depositions were taken was a Magistrate acting under the authority of this State and that his name thereunto subscribed is his own proper signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Courts this seventh day of July AD 1819 -
John Davis

Robert Granham of Lincolnville in the county of Franklin and District of Maine on oath say and declares that I am a native citizen of the United States and that I served more than nine months as a private soldier in the late association war against the common enemy - That in the summer of 1862 I enlisted as a private soldier for three years and was embodied at West Point in Col d Williams corps in Genl Vose's Regiment in the Mass s Line and served in several battles and regiments till the end of the war and was discharged at West Point.
But I have lost my discharge I am now poor and stand in need of the assistance of my country for my support - I am fifty two years old.
Rob t Granham his mark

Reg WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26.388
Abigail Rankins Wid of Robert Rankins New Hampshire
Act July 7 th 1838
Index : Vol 2 , Page 151
[Arrangement of 1870.]

5163
St. John H. Codman
July 19 '39
Act. 7. July 38

185-108
June 27, 1838

Copy of declaration of Robert Rankins late of Lincolnville in the State of Maine upon which his Pension was allowed for
Robt. Rankins

Camden Aug 7. 1839
Hon J. S. Edwards Sir
I herewith transmit the deposition relative to Mrs. Perkins' property certified.
In reply to the inquiry in the last letter I received from the Department as to the date of a letter which I said was written over two months, I find upon examination of my records I was mistaken and readily acknowledge the mistake. At the time I wrote May 13 th I supposed that Mrs. Perkins was near to her election at the Probate Court in March & the papers transmitted about the 12 or 13 th . She was not sworn until the April Term and the papers were not transmitted until about the same date of that month. I am happy to correct an error of my own. —
respectfully yours H. S. Beddome
Hon J. S. Edwards

Abijah Perkins -

Camden April 8, 1839
To the Commissioner of Pensions Sir
The certificates of Lydia McFarland and Hannah Richards have just been received from Mr Anderson by whom they were accidentally transmitted to the wrong prison. They were promptly sent by the Department to Mr Anderson - but they have been forwarded at the same time with the certificate of Elizabeth Harkness some misconception on my part would have been prevented.
Will you oblige me by examining the papers of Lydia McFarland. Her husband's pension was $76- per annum. Her certificate is for $80 - I would inquire if she is not entitled to the same amount her husband received. If so, as she has not yet drawn any money on the present certificate it still remains in my possession I will return the certificate as a new one may be issued, or take any other course the Department may direct.
If not contrary to any rule of the Department will you give me a certificate of the amount of service proved in favor of John Harkness - distinguishing that proved by the Records from that proved by the accompanying deposition, if distinct periods, to be
Ans. May 15. 1839.

from the State of Maine used in an application for a grant of land, provided sufficient service can be proved to bring the case of his Widow within the provisions of the Resolutions.
I forward herewith the papers of Abigail Rankins - One deposition accompanies it in which my official character is not certified by the Clerk of the Courts because I did not consider the deposition essential.
Of similar proof is required & can forward as many depositions to the same facts as Abigail Rankins has neighbors. She is poor aged & infirm but as far as I can learn, of strict integrity & good moral character. A speedy decision is therefore desirable, as the amount she will receive during the five years, will probably make her comfortable for life.
very respectfully
Yours
Wm H. Codman
The certificate may be directed, should her claim be allowed to William H. Codman Camden Maine

I Michael Steel of Lincolnville in the county of Welds on oath depose and testify that I am well acquainted with Abigail Perkins of Lincolnville in the county of Welds having lived a near neighbor to her for a period of twenty years. I was also well acquainted with her late husband David Perkins who died about ten years since. She is the identical person who was always acknowledged and reputed to be his lawful wife - I further state that she is a person of good moral character and strict morality. She is in indigent circumstances & has received assistance from the town. Michael Steel
Welds April 6 1837 Sworn to before me -
W m H. Codman Jus Peace
I hereby certify that Michael Steel is a resident of Lincolnville and a person of morality & respectability.
W m H. Codman
I have not procured the certificate of the Clerk to my official character, as that is already on the files of the Department in the case of Elizabeth Blackwell, Hannah Richards & etc. and as the papers of the present applicants are complete without the above certificate, if any proof of a similar kind is wanted, the whole of her neighborhood will attest to the same facts.
W m H. Codman

I John Clark of Lincolnville in the County of Wolde on oath depose & testify that I am well acquainted with Abigail Rankins of said Lincolnville & was also well acquainted with her late husband Nathaniel Rankins who was a Revolutionary pensioner & died here person on seven years ago. She is the identical person who was always acknowledged & reputed to be his lawful wife & who lived with him as such until his death. I further state that she is a person of good moral character & strict veracity & is in indigent circumstances. I further depose & testify that I hold the office of Postmaster at "Lincolnville Center".
John Clark
Wolde Jy July 31 1839 Personally appeared the above named John Clark and made oath to the above affidavit - the word "person" being inserted before the same was signed & sworn to -
Wm H Coburn J. P.
I hereby certify that John Clark Esquire is a person of respectability & veracity & that he holds the office of Postmaster as above
Wm H Coburn
Jus Pease

State of Maine
Waldo ss
I William H. Brannell Clerk of the Judicial Court, in said County certify that the before named Hon. H. Goodin is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Waldo, & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine —
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this sixth day of August A. D. 1859
W. H. Brannell Clerk

Moses Rankin
July 18

Pension Office.
February 18 th 1862.
Sir,
The letter of the Mrs Rankins Esq. is herewith In reply to your letter of the 24 th ult. returned, and in reply to his enquiry. I have the honor to state, that the files of this Office have been examined, and it does not appear that a pension was ever allowed to a man by the name of Robert Rankins, or that an applica- -cation was ever made.
to
Mrs Rankins, Esq.
Camden.
Maine.

Robert Rankins
4042

Washington City February 6 1861.
Sir,
I would respectfully request that the information requested by the letter herein inclosed may if proper be furnished the writer.
The reply may be addressed to
Moses Martin Esq Cassideen
Maine
Very respectfully &c W. H. Cadmus
To
Commissioner of Pensions Washington