Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 14256, for Benjamin Norton, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. R.I.
Norton, Benjamin Babbett, Betsey Babbitt (Former widow)
W 14256
CONTENTS
This woman's other husband Abijah Babbett or Babbitt also served in the Revolutionary War. See papers within.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Bristol County ss -
At a Court of Probate holden at Freetown in and for said County on the sixth day of April eighteen hundred thirty eight, personally appeared Edward Babbitt of Berkeley in said County, who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration for him- self, his half brother Benjamin Norton & his sister Betsey Babbitt Norton , in order to obtain the pension or arrears of pension, which Betsey Babbitt late of said Berkeley deceased, was entitled to, for the services of her first husband, Benjamin Norton late of Swansea in said County of Bristol, deceased, in the War of the Revo- lution - That they claim the same as the surviving children heirs at law of the said Betsey Babbitt, deceased, in the sum of the provisions of the act of Congress passed July 4. 1836 & the ex- planatory act passed March 3 d 1837 -
That the said Benjamin Norton, deceased, who was the first husband of the said Betsey Babbitt, deceased, was a private soldier in the War of the Revolution, as is believed, two years

or more — The affidavits of Amos Round and Abner Briggs, hereto annexed are referred to, tending to show when the said Benjamin Norton, deceased performed said services under which — A Muster Roll, hereto annexed, is also referred to, — This Muster Roll was found among the papers of Capt. Jonathan Brown late of Rehoboth in the County of Bristol, deceased, whose widow, is a Pensioner —
That the said Betsey Babbitt, deceased, was first married to Benjamin Norton, aforesaid deceased, as is verily believed, early in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven or Eight — That said Norton, died not far from five years after his said first marriage — That his widow the said Betsey, now deceased, afterwards married one John Marvel, who afterwards died — That the said Betsey, deceased, afterwards married Abijah Babbitt, who died on the sixteenth day of August Eighteen hundred and Seventeen — That the said Betsey Babbitt, deceased, died on the twenty second day of March Eighteen hundred and thirty seven — That the said Benjamin Norton, son of the said Benjamin Norton, deceased, Edward Babbitt and Betsey Paul  Babbitt are all the surviving children

of the said Betsey Babbitt, deceased, and that the said Babbitt Betsey Babbitt, deceased, remained a widow from the decease of the said Abijah Babbitt, to the time of her death, as will more fully appear by the testimony hereto annexed — Edward Babbitt
Subscribed sworn to in open Court on the day and year first above mentioned — Before Oliver Prescott } Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Bristol —
"Paul" was interlined twice before signing —

[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
ristol ss. I Anselm Brunt Register of the Court of Probate in the said County, do hereby certify that Oliver Prescott Esquire whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate is the Judge of said Court of Probate — In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty day of April Eighteen hundred and thirty eight — A Brunt

I Alner Briggs of Dighton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Eighty two years do testify and say, That I was acquainted with Benjamin Norton late of Swansey in said County of Bristol deceased: That said Benjamin Norton served as a private soldier in the war of the Revolution for the term of One year in the Rhode Island service, said service commenced about the beginning of the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six he served in a Regiment commanded by Col. Christopher Lippet and according to the best of my recollection in a company commanded by Capt Simeon Martin. I served in said Martins company and well remember that said Benjamin Norton often spent the evenings with me, I remember this from the fact that he was a good singer and often sung for our amusement, but am not positive that he served in the same company with me, but am positive beyond any doubt that he served in the same Regiment with me, and served the whole year and was then honourably discharged. Part of said service was performed in the State of Rhode Island and part in the State of New York.
Alner Briggs
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. January 22 d 1838 Then personally appeared the above named Alner Briggs who is a credible witness and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed
Before me Barrillee became Justice of Peace

I Amos Rounds of Taunton in the county of Bristol and commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy Three years do testify and say that I first became acquainted with Benjamin Norton formerly of Sweeney in said commonwealth deceased, in the year of our Lord 1780: that said Benjamin enlisted as a Soldier in the war of the Revolution at Boston in said common- wealth in the month of April Seventeen hundred and eighty, as I was about that time informed by him for the term of three years, and the said Benjamin Norton served the first part of the time as a private in a company I believe commanded by Capt Benjamin Haskell in the first Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Dose in the first Brigade, and that said Benjamin afterwards served in a company commanded by Capt. John Fuller in the Regiment under the command of Col. Shepherd, and that he served to my certain knowledge for the term of more than one year having served as a Soldier myself at the same time in the same Brigade and a part of the time in the same Regiment and company with said Norton, afterwards I was detached to serve as one of the life guards to Gen. Washington and had consequently no knowledge how long said Norton served after I was separated from

him or what became of him.
The aforesaid service was performed at West point, Burbanks point, little york and Snake hill (so called) in the state of Newyork in the the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and Eighty and 1781.
witness Betsey Crane
Amos his + Rounds mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. March 1 st 1838 Then the above named Amos Rounds who is a creditable person made Solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed.
Before me Barrillae Crane Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Town Clerks Office Berkley
I Ephraim French Jr. Town Clerk of said town do certify that I have the custody of the records of said town and that it appears from the records for recording marriages that Elijah Babbitt and Betsey Mearuel were married on the thirtieth day of September One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninetytwo. — I do certify that the following is an exact copy of the record of the marriage September 30 th 1792 Then Elijah Babbitt of Berkley and Betsey Mearuel of Dighton were joined in marriage by the Rev d Thomas Mearuel of Berkley
Attest Npollas Toley Town Clerk
Berkley March 31 st 1838 a true copy of Record Attest Ephraim French Jr Town Clerk
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss. March 31 st 1838 Then personally appeared the above named Ephraim French Jr who is the Town Clerk of the town of Berkley and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Certificate and copy of Record by him signed
Before me Barnabas Crane Justice of the Peace

I Sarah Chase of Swansey in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy three years do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Betsey Meking formerly of Swansey in said Commonwealth deceased both before and after her marriage to Benjamin Norton of said Swansey deceased: That I lived within one quarter of a mile of the house where said Benjamin and Betsey lived and kept house together. I was not present when they were married but well remember that said Benjamin and Betsey both said that they were married at Providence in the State of Rhode Island. — Said Benjamin and Betsey always lived together as husband and wife until the time of his death which took place according to the best of my recollection between four and five years after they were married and in the fall of the year Seventeen hundred and eighty two, they had four Children, the youngest of which I believe was born a number of months after said Benjamins decease, and I never heard the legality of their marriage called in question — I further testify and say that according to the best of my recollection said Benjamin Norton while he had his residence in the neighbourhood where I lived was absent as a soldier in the war of the revolution for the term of two or three years.
Sarah Chase

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss. March 27 th 1838 Then personally appeared the within named Sarah Chase who is a credible person and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the within affidavit by her signed
Before me Barrilleau, Clerk Justice of the Peace.

I Sarah Buffinton of Swansey in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty four years do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Betsey Mckins formerly of said Swansey that I resided within about three quarters of a mile from the house where said Betsey was brought up, that I distinctly recollect of having heard that said Betsey Mckins went to Providence with Benjamin Norton and that she was there married to said Norton and I have a perfect recollection that they had several children children afterwards and that said Benjamin and Betsey always lived together as husband and wife until the time of his death, and that I never heard the legality of their marriage questioned and I also remember of his being absent from home for some time I do not recollect how long (being young) and remember very well of his returning home to his family as it was then said for soldiering, it being at the time of the Revolutionary war. I lived within one quarter of a mile from the house the house where said Benjamin and Betsey lived after they were married
Sarah Buffinton
I Certify that the word children in the eleventh line and the words the house next to the bottom line were erased before this affidavit was signed or affirmed to and also the word remember between the fourteenth and fifteenth line from the top and the word from between the seventeenth and eighteenth line were interlined before said affidavit was signed or affirmed to
Barribald Crane Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Bristol ss. January 24th. 1838 Then personally appeared the within named Sarah Buffinton who is a credible person and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the within affidavit by her signed. Before me Barnabas Crane Justice Peace

I Job Buffinton of Swansey in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Sixty nine years do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Norton and Betsey Melkings both formerly of said Swansey before their marriage as well as afterwards, that said Benjamin first became acquainted with said Betsey while she resided in my fathers house at said Swansey where I then lived, and I always understood that they went to Providence and there were married, said Betsey at the time of her marriage to said Norton was about eighteen years of age and made it her home at my fathers house, and I have a perfect recollection of frequently visiting them after they began to keep house which was a quarter of a mile from where I lived said Benjamin and Betsey had three or four children, always lived together as husband and wife as long as he lived, said Benjamin served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution both before and after his marriage to said Betsey, but I cannot recollect how long he served; said Benjamin died according to the best of my recollection between four and five years after his marriage and was near the close of the Revolutionary war, and I believe one of his children were born at some time after his decease, — said Betsey after having remained a widow for some time was again married to one John Neeble of said Swansey. Job Buffinton

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss. March 27th 1838 Then personally appeared the within named Job Buffinton who is a credible person and made affirmatory solemn oaths to the truth of the within affidavit by him signed,
Before me Barrilleis Crane Justice of the Peace

I Betsey Pull of Berkley in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged forty three years do testify and say that I was personally acquainted with Betsey Babbitt late of Berkley aforesaid widow deceased, from my earliest years, having always resided in the same family with said Betsey from my childhood until the time of her death which took place on the twenty second day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty seven, that said Betsey Babbitt has frequently told me that she had been married three times in the course of her life, that her Maiden name was Betsey McKim, and that she was married to Benjamin Norton her first husband in the month of March or April in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and seventy eight that she was then eighteen years of age that said marriage was solemnized by a Justice of the Peace at Providence in the state of Rhode Island and that she the said Betsey and the said Benjamin had their residence in Swansea in said Commonwealth and that they continued their residence at Swansea until her said husbands death which happened in about four years and a half after their marriage and that she had four children by said Benjamin one of which was born about seven months after his death.

I also further testify and say that I have often heard said Betsey say that said Benjamin her husband served in the war of the Revolution previous to their marriage; and that he also served as a soldier in said war after their marriage the greatest part of his time while he lived. I also testify and say that I have heard said Betsey say that in about three years after the decease of her first husband she was married to one John Marble of said Swansey with whom she lived about one year when said Marble her second husband deceased and that she was again left a widow with one additional child. — and that after remaining a number of years in that situation she was again married to her third husband by the name of Abijah Babbitt by whom she had two children. And I further testify and say that I am personally knowing to the fact that said Betsey's last husband died on the eleventh day of August eighteen hundred and seventeen and that she remained a widow ever afterwards until the time of her death. Betsey Pull
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. March 6th A.D. 1838 Then the above named Betsey Pull who is a credible witness personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by her signed Before me Barrillai Crane Justice of the Peace

I Ephraim French jun. of Berkley in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged about forty years do testify and say that I was personally acquainted with Betsey Babbitt late of Berkley dec d widow of Abijah Babbitt having always lived in the immediate neighbourhood with her the said Betsey dec d that said Betsey was the widow of Abijah Babbitt who died about twenty years ago that she remained his widow until the time of her death which happened about the twenty second day of March Eighteen hundred and thirty seven - that I have frequently heard the said Betsey in her lifetime speak of her first husband Benjamin Norton having served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution and that I always understood the reason why said Betsey never applied in her life time for a pension was owing to the supposition that her claim could not be sustained, in consequence of her subsequent marriage to her second and third husband;
I also further testify and say that said Betsey Babbitt deceased sustained a good moral character always having had the reputation of being a person of undoubted truth and veracity.
I also testify and say that I am well acquainted with Betsey Paull of said Berkley the deponent named in the affidavit of the two preceding pages that said Betsey Paull has always sustained the reputation of being a person of truth.
Ephraim French jun.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss. March 31st. 1838. Then personally appeared the above named Ephraim French jun. who is a credible person and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed.
Before me Barrillee Crane Justice of Peace

I Benjamin Norton of Swansea in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged fifty seven years do testify and say, That I always understood my fathers name was Benjamin Norton and my mothers maiden name was Betsey Mehling and that I know of no Record containing the births of my fathers children, but know that I had two brothers and one sister one of which was about fourteen months older than myself and that I am now the only surviving child of said Benjamin Norton deceased, That my mother always told me that I was Born July 25 th in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and eighty and that my father Benjamin Norton served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution both before and after their marriage. Benjamin Norton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. February 23. A.D. 1838 Then personally appeared the above named Benjamin Norton who is a credible person and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed.
Before me Barrillai Brane Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Bristol ss. - I Asahel Barrett Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County do hereby certify that Barzilla Crane whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the Peace in for said County - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this thirteenth day of April Eighteen hundred and thirty eight - A Barrett

3541.
Betsy Babbitt da farming in law of Benj Norton da. Married 1778 died 1782
Allaw f80 per ann from 4 Mar 1831 to Mar 22 d 1837, the time of her death certificates given to Benj Norton, only surviving child of Benj Norton da.
A Babbitt Taunton Mass

City Clerk's Office Providence January 4 th 1838
I Certify that I have examined the Books wherein Marriages are recorded, and cannot find any record of the Marriage of Benjamin Norton & Betsey Melvin. I also Certify that very few of the Marriages heretofore Solemnized have been recorded; and very few of those which were taken place and recorded.
Witness Richard M. Field City Clerk.
State of Rhode Island &c
Providence Sc. In Providence on this 4 th of January, A D 1838. Personally appeared the above named Richard M. Field and made oath that the facts contained in the above certificate are just and true, and I do hereby certify that Richard M. Field is Clerk of the City of Providence.
Before me.
Leo H. Mann Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode Island &c
Providence Sc. The foregoing is a true and correct copy of the record of the foregoing proceedings, and for said proceedings, being a true and correct copy, do hereby certify that George Mann, before whom the foregoing was sworn, is a Justice of the Peace in the City of Providence in said County, and that by law he is duly authorized and empowered to administer oaths & take depositions & that the signature of the Justice above, written in January. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court at Providence this fourth day of January, A D 1838. Dexter Kearydall Clerk.

22 17 Maria Russell
Betsy Babbott deceased widow of Benjamin Norton etc.
who died in the year 1782 at Bristol in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Wesson of the Regt. commanded by Lt. Col. Smith in the Mass. line for 2 years Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of - 80 - Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Ending 22 March 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of July 1838 and sent to Mrs. Betsy Norton Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $480.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 22 nd March 1837 the day of her death } 4.00 $484.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd and 4 th 3 rd March 37 } M. M. Clerk, Vol. 2 o Page 46
payable to Benjamin child of the late Ben- ry his wife
to Mr. James Putnam, No. 11/55 Same Rec 8/59.

Benjamin Norton (Mass.)
W. 14 2 56
Muster roll of Capt Jonathan Drown's co. Lt. Col. William Smith's regt for the month of May 1778 has been removed from this claim to be sent to the War Dept.
D. G.
Feb. 28, 1911
Sent to War Dept. Jan. 16, 1913

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
No. 14256
Betsey Warbell
Widow of
Norton
Benjamin Warbell
Pr. Rev War
Act: July 4 th 86
ex:—Vol. a , Page 35
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts October 31 st 1859 Bristol County
I Nehemiah Newhall of Berkeley in said County & State, do hereby depose & say that I reside in the town of Berkeley, County & State aforesaid, was born & have ever resided in said town & that my age now is Ninety years & Eleven days that I was well acquainted and lived a near neighbor to Abijah Babbitt of said Berkeley who was a Revolution- ary Soldier and who deceased August Eleventh One Thousand Eight Hundred & Seventeen, in his Seventy seventh year of age I well remember of said Babbitt, going & serving at Providence in said State for the term of Three Months and after said service, he went & served in the Army of Gen. Washington and was at New York when the English Army drove Washington's army from New York, and then retreated to White Plains, and while on the retreat he the said Babbitt lost all his clothes in consequence of the excessive heat of the day & he then sent home and the Neighbors made & sent him a supply of clothing In that service he served Six Months after serving the above terms he returned home and then went to Norlandbury in the state of Rhode Island and there served for the space of Three Months

The reason of my knowing & being able to state the time of service & where the service was performed, is the fact that my Brother was with him at Roxbury & our Neighbour Samuel Hathaway, at White Plains my Father & Grandfather, who was Carpenters building Boats for the use of the army at Newbern Ferry in Rhode Island.
Nehemiah Newhall
Bristol S.S. Decmber 31 st 1859 The foregoing deposition was taken at the request of Edward Babble the son of Abijah Babble the person named in the foregoing deposition which was wholly written by me the subscriber and then distinctly read to the said Nehemiah Newhall who, having subscribed the same made solemn oath that the statements contained in said deposition were true
Before me Ephraim French, Justice Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF BRISTOL.
SS.
I, John S. Brayton, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, within and for the County of Bristol aforesaid, do hereby certify that Ephraim French Esquire, before whom the annexed Affidavit was made, was at the time the same was taken, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Bristol aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit. And I know that his signature thereto is genuine. And I further certify that the annexed deed is duly executed and acknowledged in accordance with the laws of this Commonwealth.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this Twenty Fifth day of November in the year eighteen hundred and fifty nine .
John S. Brayton , CLERK.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Bristol
October 31 st 1859
I Ephraim French by whom the foregoing deposition of Nehemiah Newhall was taken and ever have been a resident of the town of Berkleigh and of the age of sixtyone years, residing near the residence of Nehemiah Newhall aforesaid, and well acquainted with him and now upon say that since Newhall has ever and now has the reputation as a man of veracity and a strong and retentive memory, possessing good bodily health and performing daily labour, that since Newhalls statements in the deposition, correspond with what has ever been understood to be the fact in regard to the service performed by Elijah Babbitt in the service of the United States. I would further state that I was well acquainted with Elijah Babbitt and have heard him relate the facts stated by the said Newhall, was at the funeral service of said Elijah Babbitt and further, that Edward Babbitt (the person now applying for a pension under his father Elijah Babbitt) resides in said Berkleigh and is (as I believe) the only child son of said Elijah Babbitt, now living
Ephraim French

I Nhemiah Newhall do depose and say that I do now and ever have resided in the town of Berkeley County of Bristol and state of Massachusetts that my age now is Eighty five years, and that I was well acquainted with Abijah Babbitt of said town, County and state That that said Abijah Babbitt and myself were born and lived untill the time of his death, within the distance of one hundred rods, said Abijah Babbitt died August 11 th 1817 and that said Abijah Babbitt served in the Revolutionary War, that he served at Roxbury as a soldier Three Months & that he was in Sullivan expedition at Rhode Island and served there as a soldier & in constructing scows & barges for the transportation of troops & articles of warfare, Three Months & that he was a soldier in Washingtons Army on Long Island N.Y. when the British captured New York and was in the retreat to White Plains, and in the retreat said Babbitt lost all his clothes and baggage and sent home for clothes which was made by his neighbors & his mother and sent him, that this term of service was Six Months Making the whole term of service in said War Twelve Months all the above facts stated are in my recollection perfectly.
Berkeley July 30 th 1855
(Nhemiah Newhall)

Bristol to wit, Nehemiah Newhall named in the July 30 th 1855 } annexed deposition personally appeared before me and being sworn to testify the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth relating to the cause for which the deposition is taken, was examined by me the justice on all points deemed material, the deposition being wholly written by me the said justice and was carefully read to and by said deponent, since then was subscribed by him.
The said deponent Nehemiah Newhall I am well acquainted with, is a man of truth & veracity so considered & esteemed in the neighbourhood where he resides, and a man that retains his Physical & Mental powers in a remarkable degree.
Ephraim French Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston,
Feby. 4 th 1854.
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 Nijah Babbit is borne on muster roll of Capt. Poley Peirce Comp. Col. John Daggitt's Regt. Stationed at Warwick R. Island Service from January 9. to April 1. 1778. 2 Mos. 21. days. Also on roll of Capt. Abel Babbit's Comp. Col. John Hathaway's Regt. marched on alarm to R. Island from Augt. 1. to 8. 1780. 8 days to Colonel.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. U. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The Papers of Mr. Edward Babbitt of Berkeley Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, Nov. 17, 1857.
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 Abijah Babbitt is borne upon a master roll of Capt. Peleg Pick's company, Col. John Daggett's regiment, stationed at Warwick, R. I. , for three months, from Jan. 1, 1778. Service as a private, 2 months and 21 days from Jan. 1, 1778.
Also, on a muster roll of Capt. Abijah Babbitt's company, Col. John Stark's regiment, which marched to the state of Rhode Island in alarm, pursuant to an order of the 22d of July, 1780. Service as a corporal, 9 days from Aug. 1, 1780, trail in charge. (The preceding evidence is embraced in a certificate dated Feb. 4, 1854.)
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Oliver Warner Secretary of the Commonwealth.

11/20
PAID
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Taunton Mass April 16. 1838
Sir
Accompanying this, is the application of the children of Betsey Pabott, deceased whose first husband was Benjamin Norton, for arrears of pension — Any communication which you may please to make relative thereto may be made to me —
Yours Respectfully J. Bassett
H. Edward Esq Commissioner of Pension Washington D.C.

I Ephraim French of Berkeley County of Bristol Mass. State, hereby certify & say that I am Clerk of the town of said Berkeley, that the record books of said town are in my possession that I find recorded in said books the following viz "September thirtieth Seventeen Hundred Ninety two. Then Abijah Babbitt of Berkeley and Wetsey Marvel of Dighton were joined in Marriage by the Rev d Thomas Andrews of Berkeley
Attest Apollos Goley Town Clerk ss
And I further certify that the above is a true and exact Copy of the original, record with this exception that the Date in the original record is expressed in fair & legible figures thus "Sept r 30 1792,"
Ephraim French, Town Clerk
Bristol ss. Berkeley December 29th 1853 Then the within named Ephraim French who is the Town Clerk of said Berkeley made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed was true
Before me William D. Crane { Justice of Peace

I Ephraim French of Berkeley County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts do hereby say. That I was acquainted with Elijah Babbitt of Berkeley and his wife Betsey Babbitt. That he the said Elijah Babbitt died about the year 1817 leaving but two children by his marriage viz. Betsey and Edward. Betsey died about the year 1845. Their other child Edward Babbitt is still living. That the said Betsey Babbitt was the wife of Elijah Babbitt and that the said Betsey Babbitt remained a widow after the death of her husband, the said Elijah, until her death in March 1839
Signed Ephraim French
Bristol ss. December 29th 1853
sworn to before me William S. Crane Justice of Peace

Papers relative to Abijah Babbitt's service

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by M. Rice
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant Abijah Babbett
Soldier or Babbitt
Service Rev. War.
Additional Service _____
No _____ claim, State records _____, 191 _____
No claim, combination records _____, 191 _____
REMARKS:
No Surv. Wid. or Resid. claims found based on service of above soldier
MAR 1 - 1911