Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,208, for Peleg Shearman, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Sherman, Peleg or Sherman, Mary
N. 22, 208
CONTENTS

Dead. See letter E.E. Williams May 26. 1837-
Massachusetts 113
Mary Shearman, Mats widow of Pleg Shearman
who died on the 20th day Nov 1811 of illness in the State of Mass who was a Captain in the Cont'l Army commanded by Captain M'Nult of the Reg't commanded by Col. Greenough in the Mass. line for Militia
Amount per $11.33
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 480 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of May 1831 and seal of the Williams, Sale Res. M
Arrears to the 4th of March 1831 28. Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 1831 2 40
$3120
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by E.C. Gylfe, Clerk, Book a Vol. Page 68

I David Anthony of Somerset in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy six years, do on oath testify & say that I will recollect Peleg Sherman late of Swanzy in said County deceased. The father of the s d Peleg, Robert Sherman of s d Swanzy deceased, lived near where my father lived. I will recollect of being near the road at play with other boys when it was said "there go the wedding guests" it was said then that the s d Peleg was married to Mary Heath yesterday being the day before. The guests were on horse back & then going to the house of Robert Sherman, the father of the s d Peleg. I was then about ten years old. I knew the s d Peleg & Mary his wife from the time aforesaid until the death of the s d Peleg which was, as I should think, about twenty five years ago. I watched with the s d Peleg in his last sickness & saw him when he died. I knew the s d Mary from the time of her marriage as aforesaid until within three years from this date for about which s d term of three years she has, as I understand, been living with her son-in-law Doct r Richmond in Westport in s d County. Soon after the death of her s d husband the s d Mary went to reside with her son-in-law John Gray now of s d Swanzy, in whose family

she resided for about twenty years and continued even after the death of her S p husband single & unmarried. The S p Peleg & Mary had seven children all of whom I well knew. Said Peleg was the captain of a company in Col. Dea Carpenter Regiment of which company I was a member. Went with him upon a secret expedition from S p Swanzy to Howlands ferry in the State of Rhode Island. Our service at this time continued six days being from October 13 th 1777 to the 18 th of the same month, including one of those days. I fix the time with precision from a pay roll on the back of which is my name signed by me at about the time of S p service. I knew that the S p Peleg acted as Forage Master in the war of the Revolution for a long while - the precise length of time I cannot state. I knew of his being employed with several assistants in pressing hay in a meadow near where he lived, which hay was, as I then understood, procured for the use of the Army, and I should think he procured hay that it pressed there for the use of the army for several seasons. According to my recollection the S p Peleg Sherman was in the service of his country in the war of the Revolution most of the time from about the first of January 1777 to about the close of February 1781. The S p Peleg Sherman commanded a sloop, called the Lydia, which sailed from Swanzy after said

to Newport Rhode Island where he took in about Eighty British Prisoners whom he carried to New York for the pur- -pose of exchanging them for American Prisoners who were on board the prison ship Jersey, then lying near New York. The S p Sherman performed the voyage aforesaid in little more than one month. I was a hand on board of S p Sloop under S p Sherman. I think the S p Sherman left S p Swanzy with S p Sloop in January 1781 returned in the month of February following. and further S p deponent saith not Somerset Sept r 7. 1836.
David Anthony
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. September 7. 1836. Then personally appeared the above named David Anthony, who is a credible wit- -ness, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me, Eliab Williams justice of the Peace.

I John Snell of Dighton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy seven years do on oath testify & say that I was well acquainted with Poley Sherman late of Swanzy in said County deceased; that I served under him as Captain at Slade Ferry in the war of the Revolu- -tion commencing my term of service according to my recollection about the first of April 1777 and ending said term about the first of June 1777. Said Sherman had, as I understood commanded had command of a company at S d Ferry for three months previous to my joining his company; - I further testify & say that S d Sherman had command of a company at Sharra- -ganset in what is in the town of North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island where during parts of the months of July & August 1777, & continued to command S d company at S d North Kingston, according to my recollection, for the term of one month; I further testify & say that I enlisted to serve under S d Capt. Poley Sherman & was enlisted by him to serve for six months commencing on the first day of July 1778 & ending on the last day of December the same year, that I did serve under S d Sherman for the term of one month next following my enlistment

quartered at Capt. Sherman's house, during which time I wd wd employed in guarding the Shore & during the nights a part of us cruised with a boat in Mount Hope Bay, our Company being divided into two gangs for 8 p purpose, & each gang went every other night, during 8 p month I was also employed under Capt. Sherman in picking up & gathering all the boats & oars we could find along the Bay & Taunton River, after the expiration of 8 p month 8 p Sherman was taken from the command of his Company and appointed a Forage Master in which capacity he served until the expiration of my 8 p term of six months, & how much longer I know not. After Capt. Sherman's appointment as Forage Master I was turned over to & served under Capt. Richardson & went on to Rhode Island, where I frequently saw 8 p Sherman in the performance of the duties of his office as a Forage Master. My brother Anthony Knell was employed as a waiter by 8 p Sherman when 8 p Sherman was on the Island, but he 8 p Anthony having left 8 p Sherman was dismissed by 8 p Sherman from his employ. I also further testify & say that during the time I quar- with Capt. Sherman as above stated in 1778 he was a married man then having at least two children, a

son and a daughter: And the widow of the s d Sherman, who was then his wife, is now living. and I never heard or understood that she had married or has married to any other person. and further said deponent saith not. Dighton August 26. 1836. John Snell
Bristol ss. August 26. 1836. Then personally appeared the above named John Snell, who is a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed,
Before me Eliab Williams Justice of the Peace.

I Joseph Dyer of Taunton in the County of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire, aged Eighty six years do on oath testify & say that I was well acquainted with Simeon Martin formerly of Newport in the State of Rhode Island but more recently of Rehoboth in the County of Bristol, deceased, and also with the signature of the s d Martin having frequently seen him write, and that I believe the signature of s d Martin upon the paper on which I have placed & signed my name for the purpose of identifying it, is the true and genuine signature of the s d Simeon Martin. I do also testify & say that General Cornwall Brigade continued at Taunton & on Rhode Island in the State of Rhode Island for the term of at least three years, according to my recollection, & I think more, commencing in January 1777. and further the s d deponent saith not. Taunton August 27. 1826.
Joseph Dyer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bristol ss. August 27. 1826. Then personally appeared the within named Joseph Surfee who is a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed - Before me Eliab Williams, Justice of the Peace.

I John Winslow of Swansea in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Physician aged Second sixty nine years do on oath testify and say that I will recollect Pelag Sherman late of 8 th Swansea, deceased, that I attended upon him during his last sickness which I find from an examination of my account day book to have been in the month of November 1891. my last charge on the day book is on the twenty eighth day of November 1891. I also find that it is stated in my ledger to be stated in his last sickness. The nature of the complaint was, according to my recollection, a lung fever; & further the 8 th deponent saith not and Swansea August 26. 1896- JOHN WINSLOW.
Bristol ss. August 26. 1896 Then personally appeared the above named John Winslow, who is a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. Before me Eliab Williams Justice of the Peace.

Pelez Shearman - Mary Heath both of Swansea was married September 2 nd 1770 by me Russell Mason Clerk of a church of Christ in Swansea
I John Mason of Swansea County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire of Lawful age do hereby certify and declare that I am the duly elected and qualified Clerk of the said Town of Swansea that I have carefully exam- ined the original record of the Marriage of Pelez Shearman and Mary Heath as the same is recorded on the town record of Swansea now in my custody and that the foregoing Copy is a true copy of said record as the same is found recorded and that I have no doubt that the original record aforesaid is an ancient record Swansea 11th September 7, 1836. John Mason
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. September 7, 1836 - Then personally appeared the above named John Mason who is a credible person and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. Before me Eliab Williams Justice of the Peace -

I John Gray of Swansey in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged sixty six years, do on oath testify & say that my late wife Elizabeth was the oldest child of Col. Peleg Sherman late of S d Swansey, deceased, & Mary the wife of S d Peleg, that I was well acquainted with the said Peleg Sherman, who died, according to the best of my recollection, between twenty four & five years ago, leaving the said Mary his widow, that soon after the death of the S d Peleg his S d widow came to reside in my family bringing with her most of her furniture & her husband's papers, that she continued to reside in my family most of the time after she first came as above stated, according to the best of my recollection, for twenty years or more & until within less than three years from this date, that when she left my family she went to live with her son-in- law Doctor Thomas Richmond of Westport in said County, that since the death of her S d husband Peleg Sherman she had ever lived single and unmarried. The papers above alluded to were contained in an old chest which was, with its contents, placed in the garret of my house where they have remained as I believe, unexamined, until within one week from.

this date when, upon inquiry for papers relating to services of the S p Peleg Sherman in the war of the Revolution, S p Chest containing probably more than a bushel of papers, was brought down & said papers looked over, when those papers, which are thought to be of the most import- -ance & marked by me with the letter, p. b. for the purpose of identifying them, were found & taken from S p Chest. I have marked such only as it is supposed may need identifying. There are many others the appearance of & signatures to which, it is supposed, will prove their authenticity without being identified by me. and further S p deponent saith not. Lewiston, August 26. 1836. John N. Gray
Bristol S d . August 26. 1836. Then the above named John Gray personally appeared, who is a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me Elias Williams, justice of the Peace.

I Mary Richmond of Westport in the county of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged fifty years, do on oath testify & say that I am the wife of Doct. Thomas Richmond of s d Westport & the daughter of Peleg Shearman late of Swansea in s d County, deceased & of Mary his wife; that the s d Mary had resided in my family the whole of the time for about three years now last past, that my father the s d Peleg died according to the best of my recollection twenty five years ago coming November next and that ever since that time the s d Mary my s d mother has ever remained single & unmarried.  Further s d deponent saith not.  Dated Sept r 7. 1836
Mary Richmond
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. September 7. 1836. Then personally appeared the above named Mary Richmond who is a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed. Before me Eliab Williams Justice of the Peace.
of and will said about my road and go Peleg the day to the Peleg. s d Peleg the think, s d Peleg id. I says as date for I under- Richmond of her s d  her son. whole family

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. I Andrew Barrett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that Elias Williams of Full River in said County, is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that the foregoing signatures, to the foregoing affidavits, purporting to be his, are genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twentieth day of September eighteen hundred and thirty six —
A. Barrett
ty of aged I will is said Robert and my road there go Peleg the day to the Peleg. S. Peleg the think, S. Peleg id. I says as date for I under- Richmond of her S. her son. Cole family

State of Massachusetts } ss.
On this tenth day of September in the year of our Lord before the Hon. Oliver Prescott Judge of the Court of Probate in the County of Bristol Eighteen hundred & thirty six personally appeared Mary C. Hear- man a resident of Westport in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts aged ninety years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4. 1836. That she is the widow of Peleg Hearman who was a Lieutenant in the Massachusetts Militia & performed the duties of a Captain in s d Militia having had the command of a Company of Soldiers in actual service in the war of the revolution stationed at Nades Ferry in the town then called Swanzy in s d County of Bristol as a guard from the 6 th day of January 1777 to the 5 th day of June of the same year, includ- ing one of those days, being a period of five months; and for proof to confirm her foregoing statement she refers to the affidavit of John Inell, the three several Pay Rolls marked e No. 1. e No. 2. e No. 3. the Commission of the s d Peleg a Lieut t , all herewith forwarded; that the s d Peleg commanded a company of Soldiers in actual service in s d war belonging to Col. Thomas Carpenter's Regiment for the term of one month & four days, commencing July 23 d 1777 & ending August 25. 1777 & that s d Company was stationed at North Kingston in the State of Rhode Island for one month of s d time for the purpose of guarding the shore there. Also proof to confirm her statement as to this time she refers to the Pay Roll herewith forwarded marked No. 4. & to the s d affidavit of the s d Inell; that the s d Peleg commanded a Company of Soldiers belong- ing to s d Col. Carpenter's Regiment in actual service in s d war for six days from Oct r 13 th 1777 to the 18 th day of the same month one of the s d days included, being then engaged in a private expedition & marched from s d Swanzy to Goorland's Ferry in Linton in the State of Rhode Island, also proof to confirm her statement as to this time she refers

to the Pay Roll marked No 5 & to the affidavit of David Anthony a soldier engaged in S p expedition both which papers are herewith forwarded; that the S p Peleg commanded a company of soldiers in actual service in S p war for the term of one month next following the first day of July 1778 during which term he held a Commission also as Captain , when a part of S p soldiers were quartered at the house of S p Peleg & employed in guarding the shores of Mount & Cape Bay bordering on S p Swansy, and for proof of this service she refers to the original articles of enlistment herewith forwarded marked No 6 & to the aforesaid affidavit of the S p John Knell, thus making a period of seven months & six days during which the S p Peleg performed the duties of a Captain having had command of a company of soldiers in actual service in S p war, & for one month of which time he held a Captain's Commission and that the S p Peleg actually performed the duties of a Captain during the whole of the time aforesaid is still further confirmed by an original letter from Col. Thomas Carpenter to Maj r Peleg Slade bearing date Sept r 21 st 1777 marked No 7 & herewith forwarded; that the S p Peleg Shuman on the tenth day of August 1778 1778 received the appoint- ment of Brigade Forage Master in General Cornell's Brigade & continued in the active performance of the duties of S p office from S p tenth day of August to the twenty ninth day of February 1780, a period of Eighteen months & nineteen days, & also served during the whole of the period last named as Assistant Deputy Quarters Master General; that the S p Peleg was appointed & served the United States as A. S. B. G. Forage Five months & twenty four days from July 7 th to December 31. 1780; for proof to confirm her statement with respect to the two periods of service last above named periods of service she refers to the aforesaid affidavit of the S p Knell, to that of Col. Ephraim Brown, & the original certificate of appointment marked No 8 and to the paper marked No 9. Also to the deposition or affidavit of Col. Joseph Durfee, all of which S p papers & documents are herewith forwarded; and that the S p Peleg was employed as a master of the

Sloop Lydia probably in the months of January & February 1781 for at least one month for the purpose of carrying British Prisoners from Newports R.I. to exchange for American Prisoners on board the prison ship Jersey then lying near New York. For proof of this service she refers to the affidavit herewith forwarded of David Anthony a mariner then on board said Sloop; from all which papers & documents before alluded to there- with forwarded it will appear, as is believed, that the s d Betsy Shearman was in active service in the war of the Revolution for a period of more than two years holding a rank the whole of that time entitling her to pay at least equal to that of a Captain in R. War.
She further declares that she was married to the s d Betsy Shearman on the second day of September in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & seventy; that her husband the aforesaid Betsy Shearman died on the twenty eighth day of November in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & eleven; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Mary X Shearman
Sworn to & subscribed, on the day mark here above written Before Oliver Prescott Judge of the Court of Probate for Bristol County.
Bristol to September 10 th A.D. 1856. I hereby certify that Mary Shearman who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration is a credible person, and that it appears to me that she cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court.
Oliver Prescott Judge of the Court of Probate for Bristol County.
# See Mary's Will 17th Oct 1856 Ad. Probate Reg. 1778 No 107 Sub. Probate Reg. 75 X 6 m 23 d Vol. 1 p 109

Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Bristol ss - I Anselm Basset Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, being a Court of Record, do hereby Certify that the Hon. Oliver Prescott of New Bedford in said County is the Judge of said Court of Probate, and the signatures to the within certificates, purporting to be his, are genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twentieth day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty six - - -
A Basset

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Secretary's office Sept. 9. A D 1836.
I certify that at the session of the General assembly of said State in May last. James Fisher was elected a Justice of the Peace for the town of Warwick for the term of one year, and has been commissioned accordingly: as appears of record in this office.
Witness Henry Bowen Secy
I further certify, that the signature James Fisher to the certificate annexed is the proper hand writing of the aforesaid James Fisher.
Witness Henry Bowen Secy.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode- Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name "HENRY BOWEN" to the afore- written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation, full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Provi- dence, this ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- six and of Independence the sixty- first
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secy.

January 23, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Peleg Shearman--W.22208
BA-J/AWF
Miss Leah W. Burrell 295 Montgomery Street Fall River, Massachusetts
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Peleg Sherman, and to his widow, Mary, who received pension on account of his services in the War of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W.22208, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Peleg Shearman.
He was the son of Robert Shearman, the name of his mother and the date and place of his birth are not shown.
Peleg Shearman, while residing in Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts, was commissioned, March 28, 1776, First Lieutenant in Captain Caleb Hill's Second Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's First Regiment, Bristol County, Massachusetts Militia; he was commissioned, June 17, 1778, Captain in the same company and regiment; he was appointed, August 10, 1778, Forage Master of General Cornell's Brigade; he was commissioned, February 8, 1779, Major in Colonel Thomas Carpenter's First Regiment, Bristol County, Militia. He served one month in January and February, 1781 as Master of the sloop Lydia, and carried British prisoners from Newport, Rhode Island to exchange for American prisoners on the prison ship Jersey. He was appointed, July 1, 1781 Lieutenant Colonel and April 20, 1785 was appointed Colonel of the Militia.
Peleg Shearman married September 2, 1770, Mary

Heath, they were both then of Swansea, Massachusetts.
The soldier, Peleg Shearman, died November 28, 1811.
His widow, Mary Shearman, was allowed pension on her application executed September 10, 1836, then ninety years of age and living in Westport, Bristol County, Massachusetts. She died March 21, 1837.
Peleg Shearman and his wife, Mary, had seven children: Elizabeth, the eldest, married John Gray, and Mary married Dr. Thomas Richmond, were the only names of children given. John Gray aged sixty-six years in 1836 and living in Swansea, Massachusetts, referred to his "late wife Elizabeth". Mary, the wife of Dr. Thomas Richmond, was fifty-five years of age in 1836 and living in Westport, Massachusetts.
It is stated that the widow, Mary Shearman, at her death left three children, and grandchildren by a daughter then deceased, but no names were shown. It also appears in the claim that Robert Shearman, the father of Peleg Shearman, was commissioned, October 10, 1748 an ensign in the British Army, no further details given
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Pleg Sharman Mass. N. 22, 208
An order to Maj Pleg Shad to equip his detach- ments for a secret expedition to march Sept. 25 and and Oct. 30 "next", and to extend the order to Capt. Sharman and Capt. Shad, their propor- tion being 32 and 30 men respectively; signed Tho m Carpenter Col.; dated P'keepsie Sept. 21, 1777.
A list of enlistments as soldiers for 6 mos. for the town of Swansey; signed by Pleg Sharman and 11 others, July - 1777.
An order to Maj. Sharman D.F.H. from John Jacob Col. Comd. to confer with the latter in relation to forage; dated Camp, But Hill, Sept. 16, 1780.
The above papers have been removed from said claims to be sent to the War Dept. a.m. May 3, 1911
Sent to the War Dept. Jan. 16 th 1913

Massachusetts No 3
Sarah Sherman, widow of Peleg Sherman,
who died on the 28 Nov 1811 of Westport in the State of Mass. who was a Captain in the Comp y commanded by Captain Hunt of the Reg t commanded by Col l Carpenter in the Mass s line for Wiltshire
Increased from $241. 83
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass s at the rate of 180 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of March 1831 and Seal (Enal) Wiltshire, T. R. Rorer Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1831 28 80 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 2 40
$ 31 20
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by A. H. Hylton Clerk, Book A Vol. Page 15

1912 Dec. 12 Mrs. E. W. Beatty furnished history. V. L. M. (Minnie E.) Hist. to Mrs. E. W. Beatty 1916 Sept. 30. Hist. to Mrs. E. W. Beatty with correct date. 1925 March 3 Hist. to Mrs. W. G. Jackson. See request in Samuel Sherman S. 19463 Aug. 1933 Jan. 23. Leish to Miss Leah V. Pierrell and
Rev 22208  WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 22208  Mary Sherman  Widow  Deleg Sherman  Capt Rev War 
Act July 11th 36 Index: Vol 16 Page 209 
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Col. Hon. N. B. Borden Dec. 30. 1836. do do July 2 nd 1837
Massachusetts 113
Mary Spearman widow of Joel Spearman late of Bristol Co. in the State of Mass. who was a 1 st Lieut in the Army commanded by Captain Merrill of the Regt. by Col. Carpenter in the Mass. line for 13 months & 3 days. Lt 1. Captain
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 211 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of Oct r 1835 and Seal of Bristol Newton Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $1437.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept 1837 130.00 $1567.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. H. Addison Clerk, Book Vol. Page 18

Payments to be made at Boston Mass. a by Presdt Commonwealth Pa. Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Massachusetts
Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book Vol.
Page by H. H. Addison
Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, Mary Spearman of Massachusetts widow of Deleg Spearman deceased who was a Lieutenant Captain in the War of the Revolution is entitled to receive Two hundred & Sixty One dollars and Thirty Three cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Twenty Fifth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Six
B. F. Butler
Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

113

order for wages from Morton to C. Brown
to first day of year one month and half

This may certify that Maj. Pleg Shannon late A. D. C. Forage is Intitled to wages Subsistence Horse Ride $ 1 from Sep. 15 to Dec. 31 1780 three Months and half as he hath drew none from me — S ir Yrs Hon. Sir.
Simeon Martin
Newport Dec. 31 1780 —
late A. D. C. Forage
Col. Bowen D. Q. M. Genl.

Mary Shearman Widow of Percy Shearman Mass
Ephraim Bowdoin 9 th 1836. September 6 th 
memor G. L. Loring 31 1/20 me in will 2Mgnd.
Ad 18 th in Lon 248.33 1 u Cy 20.   268.53 $261 33 June 4. Me 1834 Joseph Dyer
bapt is marked Aug 9. A Babbitt Taunton Mass

Dr The United States in Acct. with Peleg Sherman
Dec 31 st 1780 To my wages 5 Months & 24 days as A.D.C. & Forage from July 7 th to £69 12... Dec 31 st 1780 at £12.0.0 per month. To my 2 Retained Rations 1 st day the above time.
SS

Colo P o Sherman bill of S o Martins Certificate Aug 20 1791
Mary Sheaman Widow of Peleg Sheaman Mass
Ephraim Bowen 9 th 1836. September
This may certify that the within mentioned Peleg Sheaman was appointed and served the United States as a D o l y Storage Vice master & Twenty four days from July 1 st to Dec r 31 st 1790 and Received no Depreciation but Settled his acct s with me in in the Nominal Sum in Continental Money which will appear by my acct s Settled with Capt m Bowen Esq r D o l y M o ney Feb y 1 st 1793.
Newport R d 30 th Officered August 20 1791 To whom so Confined
Simeon Martin Late D o l y Storage  Signature
Ad 18 18 th m o Lee 248.33 1 " Cy 20  268.33 Jan 4. Me 1834 261.33 Joseph Dyer
This paper is marked No. 9. A Babb Taunton Mass

I Ephraim Bowen of Warwick in the County of Kent in the State of Rhode Island aged eighty three years, do on oath testify & say that, I was acquainted with Pilez Shearman late of Swansey, deceased, and that he was appointed by me, Quartermaster in the year 1778. August 10 th which will appear by the original appointment of that date, bearing my genuine signature, which has been shown to me, and upon which, and a certificate bearing the genuine signature of Simon Martin, with which I am acquainted, I have this day set my signature for the purpose of identifying the further testify & say that the said Shearman came to serve under said appointment from the date thereof, up to February 29 th 1780. The said deponent further testifies and says that the said Pilez Shearman also acted as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General, under him the said Bowen the whole of the time above stated. And further the deponent saith not. Warwick September 9 th 1836. Ephraim Bowen
State of Rhode Island.
Kent. ss. September 9 th A.D. 1836. Then the above named Colonel Ephraim Bowen who is a credible witness, personally appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed.
James Fisher Justice of the Peace

Fall River January 19. 1837-
Dear Sir,
I have taken the affidavit (herewith forwarded) of David Anthony Esq. Hon. John Mason and Mr. Samuel Gardner gentlemen of intelligence & integrity, with whom I presume you are well acquainted, for the purpose of satisfying Mr. Edwards the Commissioner of Pensions, that the claimant Widow Mary Shearman had not been guilty of attempting an imposition upon the Pension Office by claiming pay for service which her husband did not render: Also for the purpose of satisfying him that there was but one individual by the name of Peleg Shearman, who was known by the aged people of Swansea to have taken any part in the war of the revolution; and that that Peleg Shearman was the husband of the Mary Shearman the claimant, & the son of Robert Shearman. Mr. Edwards states that "it appears from the papers & the muster rolls that Peleg Shearman was a 5 th Lieutenant in Captain Bole's Company, Colonel Pabco's regiment, & that he served from the 27 th of June 1778 to the 31 st of December, six months & three days" "that Peleg Shearman was commissioned a Captain on the 17 th June 1778 in Col. Carpenter's regiment, and that Peleg Shearman was appointed on the 10 th August 1778 Brigade Forage Master, in which capacity (he says) it is alleged he served more than 18 months." Now the difficulty which arises from the above facts is in understanding how Peleg Shearman could have served as 5 th Lieutenant in Capt. Bole's Company when he at the same time held a Captain's Commission in another regiment & also during most of the time an appointment of Brigade Forage Master upon the duties of which last office it was believed he entered immediately after receiving the appointment. If he did not enter upon the discharge of his office as Forage Master until the beginning of the year 1779, perhaps the difficulty would be in some measure obviated; but I confess I am at present unable to satisfy myself, after considering all the affidavits & papers I have seen, what were the public service the said Peleg actually performed from the 27 th June 1778 to the end of that year & consequently to what pay he was entitled. It would not probably, considering the circumstances of those times, be singular that the said Peleg should have held an office in different regiment at different times. It appears, as I think,

from the papers which accompanied the declaration of the said Mary that the company of which the said Peleg had the command while at Slade's Ferry in 1777 were a part of the time in Col. Carpenter's regiment and a part of the time in Col. Hathaway's regiment. But it does appear extraordinary that he should have served as 2 d Lieutenant when he held a Commission as Captain and an appointment as Forage Master. As, therefore, the kind & amount of service rendered by the said Peleg during the time above named, to wit, from 27 th June 1778 to the end of that year are in some degree uncertain and as there are other services, about which I can perceive no reason to doubt, sufficient to make out a period of two years, I think the claimant in this case will not be prejudiced by laying the whole of that time out of the account. The only document which I have found among the papers of the said Peleg tending to shew that he was subject to the commands of Col. Jacob is an order herewith forwarded heretofore marked by John Gray with the initials of his name, directed to the said Peleg as Captain Shearman and dated July 25. 1778. There were also among said papers two letters purporting to be from Col. Jacob to the said Peleg, one dated Camp Butts Hill Sept. 16. 1780 & the other dated Camp Butts Hill Oct. 10. 1780, but both treating of matter coming within his the said Peleg's business as Forage Master only. I think it is proved satisfactorily by the papers now in the Pension Office that Peleg Shearman the husband of the claimant had the command of a company at Slade's Ferry in Scituate in the State of Massachusetts, at North Kingston and at Howland's Ferry in the State of Rhode Island more than 6 months. I think it is also proved beyond question that the said Peleg was appointed a Brigade Forage Master August 10 th 1778. And I think it will appear from the papers herewith forwarded that he served as Forage Master, or as As- sistant Deputy Quarter Master General the whole of the year 1779 and the four first months of the year 1780. It would seem from the Journal of Accounts of the said Peleg herewith forwarded that he acted as Assistant Deputy Quarter Master General during a considerable part of the time in which he also served as Forage Master: and this is believed to agree with the recollection of Col. Ephraim Brown as stated in his affidavit now on file in the Pension Office. The Journal is forwarded in the same condition in which it was when it came first into

my hands is the only one of the P. Peleg which I have seen, and it is believed that there is no other. The Journal appears to have been well kept from the time of its commencement until about the last of August 1779. This portion of the Journal I infer from a letter from Mr. Norton dated Aug 23. 1779 herewith forwarded & marked by me with the letters G. R. was kept by a son of Major Sumner probably James Sumner & who it would seem officiated as Clerk to the P. Peleg. The papers herewith forwarded which are relied upon & which have not already been referred to by marks are marked No 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. and 11. No 4 includes April 1779. The Journal commences in May 1779 & continues to the last of August same year. No 5 is relied upon as showing that the said Peleg was a Field Master in Sept r 1779. I have not yet found any document showing that the P. Peleg acted as Field Master in Oct r 1779. The Journal, however, shows that he was then officiating as Assistant Deputy Quarter Master General, the pay of which office I suppose would be at least equal to that of a Captain. And it seems probable that he also officiated as Field Master during that month for No 6 shows that he held that office in Nov r 1779 & the 5 following numbers that he retained that office for the five following months. The Certificate of the late Governor Simon Martin heretofore forwarded is also relied upon to show that the P. Peleg served in the capacity of A. Q. M. Gen l for 5 months & 24 days during the latter part of the year 1780. From all which it would seem that the P. Peleg was in the service of the United States during the war of the revolution, in a capacity entitling him to pay at least equal to that of a Captain, for more than two years. In the above statement no allusion is made to the services of the said Peleg as Master of a Flag of Truce, because it is now believed to be unnecessary to do so. As it is presumed the affidavits herewith forwarded, to wit those of the said Anthony, Mason & Gardner, will remove from the mind of Mr. Edwards the impression which it seems once existed, viz. that there were in the time of the war two officers in the militia of Massachusetts both inhabitants of the town of Leominster by the name of Peleg Shearman, relied as now placed upon the records in the War Department, because it is believed that if any records do exist, they must confirm the above statement of facts. The order in which the Commissions of the said Peleg bear date, is as follows. His commission as first

Lieutenant, now in the Pension Office, is said to bear date in March 1776. His Commission as Captain on the 17th June 1778. His appointment as First Major bears date August 10th. 1778. His Commission as Second Major bears date the 8th of February 1779. His Commission as Lieutenant Colonel bears date the 14th day of July 1781 and his Commission as Colonel bears date the 20th day of April 1785. The three last named Commissions are now in my possession. I also found among the papers of the said Peleg a Commission to Robert Shearman as Ensign, bearing date the tenth day of October in the twenty second year of the reign of His Majesty King George the Second, Anno Domini 1748 signed by W. Shirley. The said Robert was the father of the said Peleg as appears by the deposition of David Anthony herewith forwarded, as I believe, by the deposition of the said David Anthony now on file in the Pension Office. I have been thus particular in the foregoing statement that all suspicion of fraud or concealment in behalf of the applicant may be removed. And you are requested to have the goodness to present the papers herewith forwarded together with this communication to Mr. Edwards, that such additional allowance may be made to the claimant (Mary Shearman, widow of the said Peleg) as law and justice seem to require.
Hon. Nathl. B. Borden. Very respectfully Your Obedt. Servt. Eliab Williams.
P.S. I have not yet recd. the Pension Certificate of Cornelius Davis. C.P.
(Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page) 11 Feb Jan 2 13 Boston evening as to Boston Mass

May 26
FREE
Rev. Mayhew
E. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions Washington (D.C.)

Fall River May 22. 1837.
Sir, Some time, as I think, in October last a Pension Certificate was issued in favour of Mrs. Mary Shearman of Westport for $261.33 per annum commencing on the 4th of March 1831. The amount payable by virtue of said Certificate on the 1st of Sept. last was, as I understand, paid to her at time during her life time. In consequence of representations made to the Pension Office subsequently to the date of the Certificate aforesaid, that Certificate was returned and a new one granted, bearing date about the middle of March last for $480 per annum commencing on the 4th of March 1831. The Certificate last above named did not reach Westport until the 18th of March last and the widow Shearman died on that day. Now the question which I wish to submit to the Government is, to whom is the amount which was due the widow by virtue of the last certificate on the fourth of March last payable. The widow died leaving, as I understand, three children living and grandchildren by a daughter who died before the date of either of the Certificates aforesaid. I am sure that the 4th Section of the Pension Act of 1832 provides, that in case of the death of any person entitled by the provisions of the Act, or of the Act to which it is supplementary, during the period intervening between the semi-annual payments directed to be made by said Acts, the proportionate amount of pay which shall accrue before the last preceding semi-annual payment and the death of such person, shall be paid to his widow, or, if he leave no widow, to his children. But this act, clearly, would not seem to come within the provision above quoted. If the amount payable, in consequence of the Certificate last issued, on the 4th of March last, descend as other property does by the laws of the State then and a quarter of said amount would come to the share of each of the three surviving children and the remaining greater part to the children of the deceased

daughter, which would seem to be the most equitable mode of distribution: And I am not aware of any law which may prevent such a division of the amount then payable. Your views of the law applicable to this case, given as soon as may be, are requested, in order that proper measures may be taken to secure to each of the persons legally entitled his or her proportion of the amount due.
I am, Sir, Very Respectfully Wm. B. L. B. T. Eliab Williams.
P.S. I shall write to the Agent at Boston, for paying Pensions, in the Agency of Massachusetts that he may have notice of the question which arises in this case. C.P.

I Anthony Snell of Dighton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy four years, do on oath testify that I was well acquainted with Peleg Shearman late of Swanzy in said County, deceased; that in July 1778, at which time I resided in said Swanzy, I together with my brother John Snell now deceased & I think ten others, enlisted to serve under the said Peleg Shearman who was Captain for the term of six months. Our first service was in guarding the shores about Mount Hope Bay. There were at this time under S d Capt. Peleg Shearman twelve men. Six of said number went in a guard boat each every night, thus making each every man take his turn of service every other night in said guard boat. We then had our Quarters at the house occupied by the said Peleg Shearman, who was at that time a married man having two or three children. & I then became acquainted with his wife. After serving as above about one month, orders were received for us to go on to the Island of Rhode Island. Our men were turned over to & joined a Company commanded by a Capt. Richardson of Attleborough, this however was after we were on the Island. We went on to the Island under Capt. Shearman. At Howlands ferry in Dighton we joined Col. Jacobs Regiment, General Cornals Brigade. Soon after we went on to the Island, Capt. Shearman received an appointment as Forage Master; and I then his men were turned over to Capt. Richardson's company as above stated. As I was the youngest of the twelve men who had enlisted under the S d Capt. Shearman I was taken out & served as the water of the S d Shearman after his appointment as Forage Master until near the time we left the Island. As I turned out the horses of the S d Shearman on the Common on the Island & could not afterwards find the S d horse, said Shearman was affronted with me and took for his waiter Philip Brown, another of the men who had enlisted under him. The Company of the said Richardson & the men who had enlisted as above staid on the Island about three weeks, after which they crossed over Howlands ferry to the main land in Dighton in the State of R. I. At said Dighton I together with six others were taken out as a guard out of S d Richardson's Company & went down to Little Compton to guard the Continental cattle. We continued at Little Compton (that is the S d six men) until some time in November, when the cold weather came on so as to make it necessary to feed the cattle. We had orders to turn the cattle in wherever we found feed where the owners of the feed were willing to out. After continuing the guard for cattle as long as it was needed which was until November as above stated, I returned to Swanzy, once & joined the Company then under Capt. Joseph Cook who belonged to Bridgewater in the State of Massachusetts, in which S d Company I found all the

men who had enlisted with and under S p Shearman excepting two men one of whom had gone home sick, the other was dismissed as unfit for service. After we came off the Island as above stated Capt. Richardson was dismissed went home and his men together with the men who had enlisted under Capt. Shearman were turned over to service under Capt. Joseph Cole on Swanzy creek as above stated until their term of six months was expired. When on Swanzy creek under Capt. Cole we quartered at the house several houses as one house would not hold us all. There were as I should think under Capt. Cole near one hundred men. Then were two Companies turned into Capt. Cole's, to wit, Capt. Shearman's & Capt. Richardson's as above stated. I don't recollect to have seen Capt. Shearman in Capt. Cole's company nor any one by the name of Shearman, excepting Jonathan Shearman, who was a son of Caleb Shearman at his whose house a part of us quartered. I expect & believe the S p Capt. Shearman still held his appointment as foraged Master & was away collecting forage. My S p term of six months, for which I had enlisted under S p Capt. Peleg Shearman as above stated, expired about the first of January 1779. I was afterwards in 1781 taken prisoner, first carried to the West Indies, afterwards to England, and after being liberated in England I went to France and was absent from this County in Europe until the last of the year 1786. Soon after my return home I understood that the said Capt. Peleg Shearman was then a Colonel in the Militia and I was soon afterwards well acquainted with him until the time of his death with his wife, a daughter of whom was married to John Gray now of S p Swanzy. I never knew or heard of any other Peleg Shearman than the one above named who ever took any part in the war of the Revolution. Of the twelve men who enlisted under the S p Peleg Shearman as above stated, I am now the only one who is now living. The said Capt. Richardson's first name was Caleb. Further this deponent saith not.
Dighton February 21. 1837.
Anthony Sorell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. February 21. 1837. Then the above named Anthony Sorell, person who is a credible witness, personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit before him subscribed. Reverend Eliab Williams, Justice of the Peace.
I certify that Eliab Williams is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that I believe the above to be his signature.
Nath l B. Burden M.C.
Washington City July 28 th 1837.

add pff Mrs Mary Sherman widow of Teleg.
Mass.
(Increased)
Also as capt in Col Carpenter Regt Mass State line $480 per ann; no deduction
Col Hon N.B. Borden 1 Mar '77
Hon. N.B. Borden AR

Full River - February 22 d 1837
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 18 th inst. with the papers accompanying it came duly to hand. I have now the satisfaction of forwarding to you & through you to the War Department the affidavit of Mr. Anthony Snell, which with the evidence now on file in the War Department will, I confidently believe explain & remove every material doubt which has heretofore arisen in the investigation of the claim of the widow Mary Shearman. The difficulty has been in understanding how Peleg Shearman could have served & held a rank as Lieutenant in a Captain Goble's Company when he had previously received & then held a Captain's Commission in another Regiment & when during the time he was apparently so serving he received an appointment as Brigade Forage Master. Such was the difficulty presented by the state of facts as ascertained by the Department. Now an examination both of the evidence forwarded by the applicant & of the Rolls & documents found upon the file of the Department that, although will satisfy that there was but one individual by the name of Peleg Shearman who was either an officer in the militia or who took part in the war of the Revolution, yet in my letter of the 19 th of January etc. I candidly confessed I was then unable to satisfy myself what was the service the s d Peleg did actually perform from the 27 th June 1778 to the end of that year; & consequently proposed to lay the whole of that period out of the account in ascertaining & determining the length of the service of the s d Peleg. But it now seems to me that after examining the affidavit herewith forwarded of Mr. Anthony Snell in connection with the evidence now on file there will remain no longer even the shadow of a doubt. If I recollect rightly John Snell (who has recently deceased) states in his affidavit that he will know Peleg Shearman who was the husband of the claimant, that he knew that he commanded a Company at Slade Ferry in 1777, that about the first of July 1778 he (s d John Snell) enlisted under the s d Peleg Shearman for six months, that he served under s d Shearman about one month next following his enlistment, that the s d Shearman received an appointment as Forage Master about that time & that he the s d John Snell was transferred to another company etc. He states too that his brother Anthony Snell also enlisted for the same time, & that the s d Anthony was a wait for s d Shearman on the Island. Now Anthony Snell confirms the statement of his brother in every important particular & gives the additional important information that the Company of the s d Shearman having been ordered on to the Island, joined at Woodland's Ferry Col. Jacob's Regiment. That after they had passed on to the Island the Company was transferred to the command of Capt. Caleb Richardson & that the s d Peleg Shearman, under whom he had enlisted & served for one month & whom he identifies as the husband of the claimant by saying that his daughter the daughter of the s d claimant married to John

Gray now of Swanzy, was appointed Forage Master. He (S d Anthony Snell) also communicate the important information that these men who had enlisted under the S d Shearman for six months, who had been transferred as above stated, after having continued on the Island for about three weeks only, were again transferred to a company commanded by Capt. Joseph Cole of Bridgewater now in the County of Plymouth in this State. the S d Cole taking the command of three companies & proceeding with them to Swanzy now called Fort-ent-neck. Now it seems to me obvious from the foregoing statement & other facts in the case that in consequence of the S d charges & transfer of his men the S d Shearman assumed a rank as Lieutenant & perhaps as 2 d Lieutenant in Capt. Cole's company. The Commission of the S d Capt. Richardson may have been prior in point of time to that of the S d Shearman. And that there was no other P el ey Shearman in S d Cole's Company will appear from the affidavit of S d Anthony Snell. Again it will be found upon examination that David Anthony states in his affidavit that he was well acquainted with the S d P el ey Shearman (having been a near neighbor) that he (S d David Anthony) served under the S d Shearman in the fall of 1777 on a private expedition to Howland's ferry that he knew that the S d Shearman was, afterwards, a Forage Master, that he recollected when Capt. Cole quartered on the Neck which he believed to have been in 1778 & that he thought the S d Shearman had a forage yard there (on S d Neck) at the same time, as he doubtless had after August of that year - the last of August being the time too when the S d Shearman came off of the Island. Samuel Gardner, in his deposition states also that he knew that the S d P el ey Shearman was a Forage Master. The identity of the said Shearman would therefore seem to be completely proved if oral & documentary evidence can prove it. But it is said that a P el ey Shearman was a Major in the Militia Feb. 8 1779 the very time when, as the Gage papers show, he was acting as Forage Master. True, & this Major Shearman was the husband of the claimant - the same individual who was commissioned as Captain June 1778 & who was appointed Brigade Forage Master August 10 th . Same year. He was commissioned as Maj. Feb. 8 1779 but did not qualify as such until 12 th August following. As proof of this I forward the S d Commission from which these facts will appear. Now it does not appear that his office as Major in the Militia of Mass s interfered with the discharge of his duties as Forage Master which was an appointment as a Subaltern in the Continental Service. The office of a Major in the Militia would not ordinarily interfere with any other business or pursuit for more than three or four days in a year. And further that Major Shearman the young individual who was was the Forage Master will appear as I think from the Certificate of Simeon Martin herewith forwarded. This Certificate has not been forwarded heretofore inasmuch as a Certificate from the same individual, granted probably for another object, heretofore forwarded covers a longer period.

of time. There are numerous other suggestions, which it probably is not necessary to make, inasmuch as they cannot fail to present themselves, upon an examination of the evidence now furnished, all going to show that there could have been but one individual by the name of Peleg Shearman who was an officer in the Militia in the town of Leominster & who took part in the war of the Revolution. That individual truly, was the husband of the claimant. The town of Leominster as it existed at the time of the Revolution comprised only the territory now included in the towns of Leominster & Lowell, which are small towns both as it respects territory & population - not exceeding seven miles square. And strange indeed would it be that there should have been two officers in the Militia in the town of Leominster at any time during the war - & such fact should never have been known or heard of either by David Anthony, Saml. Gardner, John Mason, Anthony Bell or any other person who, upon the most thorough inquiry, can be found. Besides the abundant positive testimony as to the service of the husband of the claimant would now seem to put the question beyond dispute, or to avoid its effect if any doubt can be supposed to remain respecting it. Please have the goodness to forward the enclosed papers with the communication to Mr. Edwards, who, I doubt not, will be as highly gratified in awarding to the claimant her just dues, as I was in obtaining from the only survivor of the twelve men who enlisted under Peleg Shearman a statement which seems to me to explain & remove all the real difficulties which had arisen in the case. As I wish to forward this communication to you without any unnecessary delay I have forwarded my own Commission as a Justice that you may be able to satisfy the Department upon that point. And I hope you will be able to bring information of a favorable decision.
I remain Sir, Very respectfully, G. B. Dutton. Hon. Nathaniel B. Dutton. Elias Williams.
* See John Gray's Affidavit. also the two affidavits of David Anthony.
A. B. You will please recollect to bring home with you my Commission herewith forwarded to you - G. B. D.
C. S. You will receive the papers above alluded to in two envelopes.
The Commission above alluded to was sent with this communication and the papers accompanying by which I know Mr. Williams to be one of the Justices of the Peace for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Washington City Feb'y 28 th - 1837
W. H. B. B...

Santa Rosa, Rev. Sept. 22, 1916
Sept. 22, 1916 Sec. 1 m.
Commissioner Bureau of Pensions Dept. of the Interior, Washington, D.C. Dear Sir:
I am in receipt of a communication from your office dated Dec. 12, 1912 in answer to a request of mine which you received Dec. 7, 1912, asking for information regarding the record of Colonel Peleg Shearman.
Your last paragraph says:
"It is also alleged that soldier's father, Robert Shearman, was commissioned, October 10, 1848, an Ensign in the British Army."
The date of this commission is palpably incorrect, as I have

information that the son, Riley Shearman, was born about 1746. His widow received a pension for his services in the Rev. War. The claim is Sur. File # 22, 208.
I will greatly appreciate the receipt of the correct date of the commission of Robert Shearman, and also any other informa- tion regarding him and his family which may be on file in your office.
Thanking you for both past and future favors, I remain,
Sincerely Yours
Mrs. E. W. Beatty!
# 519 Sebastopol Ave Santa Rosa Calif.

VERNON DEC 2 1912 OFFICE

M/ Santa Rosa,
Dec. 2, 1912
J. R. Davenport, Commissioner —
Dear Sir: Can you give me statements of military history of the following, who served in the Rev. War?
Nathaniel Cheney, born in Newbury, Mass., Oct. 7, 1747, died Aug. 3, 1833. Served under Capt. James Sawyer, and Col. James Frye. Also under Capt. Thomas Cogswell and Lieut.-Col. Cromni

Baldwin. Believe he was a resident of either Newbury, Mass., or Haverhill, Mass., at time of enlistment, and think he resided at Haverhill, Mass., and Sanbornton, N. H., after his discharge. He married Elizabeth Ela. He received a pension.
Would like record of Peter Sherman, Col. of Plymouth Regiment, who was born, I think in 1746, and died Nov. 20, 1811. He died either in South Somerset, Mass., or in Swansea, Mass. His wife's given name was Mary, and she received a widow's pension.

Thanking you in advance. For your courtesy, I remain Yours Truly (Mrs. C. W.) Minnie E. Beatty 519 Sebastopol Ave Santa Rosa Cal.

295 MONTGOMERY STREET FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS
The Pension Bureau Washington D. C.
Gentlemen:
Will you kindly let me know what information you have on file regarding Mary Heath Sherman, the widow of Col. Peter Sherman of Swansea, Mass. At the time of her death (Westport, March 21, 1837,) she was receiving a pension. She was my great grandmother.
Thanking you, I am
Yours respectfully,
Leah H. Burrell
January 11th., 1933.

12 M Rev. War Section.
September 30, 1916.
Mrs. E. W. Beatty, 519 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa, Cal.
Madam:-
In response to your letter dated the 22 d instant, you are herewith furnished the Revolutionary War pension record of Peleg Shearman, W. F. No. 22,208, in lieu of the one forwarded to you December 12, 1912.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 22208, it appears that Peleg Shearman or Sherman, while residing in Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts, was commissioned March 28, 1776, First Lieutenant in Captain Caleb Hill's Second Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's First Regiment, Bristol County, Massachusetts Militia.
June 17, 1778, he was commissioned Captain of the
He died November 28, 1811.
Soldier married September 2, 1770, born 9 Summer Mary Heath, and she was allowed pension on her application executed September 10, 1836, while a resident of Westport, Bristol County, Massachusetts, aged ninety years. She died March 21, 1837. leaving 3 children & 10 grandchildren by a daughter married Nov 2 1836
There were seven children, Elizabeth, the eldest married John Gray, and Mary married Dr. Thomas Richmond, are the only names mentioned.
It is also alleged that soldier's father Robert Shearman was commissioned October 10, 1748, an Ensign in the British Army. There is no further data on file as to family.
The above noted Peleg Sherman (Shearman) is the only soldier by that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
The first part of this letter is in Samuel Sherman's S. 19463. addressed to Mrs. H. G. Jackson, 413 Emory St. East Cl...

December 12, 1912.
Mrs. E. W. Beatty, 519 Sebastopol Avenue, Santa Rosa, Cal.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 2" and received the 7" instant, you are advised that in the claim, Sur.  17.7 File No. 22,208, Rev. War. it appears that Peleg Shearman, who was a resident of Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts, was commissioned March 28, 1776. First Lieutenant in Captain Caleb Hill's 2d company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's First regiment. Bristol County. Massachusetts Militia; June 17, 1778, he was commissioned Captain of the above named company and regiment; August 10. 1778, he was appointed Forage Master of General Cornell's brigade, and February 8, 1779. he was commissioned 2d Major in Colonel Thomas Carpenter's First regiment. Bristol County Militia. July 1, 1781. he was appointed Lieut. Colonel, and April 20, 1785, Colonel; names of organizations are not stated.
He married, September 2, 1770, Mary Heath, and died November 28, 1811.
His widow was allowed pension on an application executed September 10, 1836. while a resident of Westport. Bristol

County, Massachusetts, aged ninety-years. She died March 21, 1837.
There were seven children, Elizabeth the oldest who married John Gray, and Mary who married Dr. Thomas Richmond, are the only names stated.
It is also alleged that soldier's father Robert Shearman, was commissioned, October 10, 1748  1848 , an Ensign in the British Army.
There is no further data as to family.
Very respectfully,
J. C. Clapp
Commissioner.
The error in this letter was arranged according to his commissions, details given in letters and affidavits too vague to use. A.W.

STATE of MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. }
The Major Part of the COUNCIL of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England.
To Deleg. Sherman Greeting.
YOU being appointed Second Major of the First Regiment of Militia in the County of Bristol whereof Thomas Carpenter Esquire is Colonel
By Virtue of the Power vested in us, WE do by these Presents, (reposing Special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly.—You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Major in leading, ordering, and exercising said Regiment in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline: And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Major and you are yourself, to observe and follow such Orders and instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Major Part of the Council or your Superior Officers.
GIVEN the 28th
under our Hands, and the Seal of the said State, at Boston Day of February in the Year of our LORD, 1779
By the Command of the Major Part of the Council.
James Bowdoin Pres. assisted by his Excellency the Hon. Thomas Pelham Sherman Esq. and his Excellency Thomas Carpenter Esq. the performance of his Office as by law required Before Thomas Carpenter Lt. Col. Nathl. Carpenter Major
Gen. Brant W. Brant
Appine Mowatt B. White Jabez L. Dyer N. Cushing Josiah Stone Edw. D. D. D. Sam. D. D. D.
Joseph Dyer Eleazer Brooks Oliver Wendell Sam. Baker Oliver Priscott
John D. D. D.

Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay.
The
Part of the COUNCIL of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England,
To
Pelely Shearman Esquire Greeting.
James Otis
YOU being appointed the first Lieut: of the By Virtue of the Power Confidence in your Loy therefore carefully and and exercising said C good Order; and you and you are yourself, Time receive from the
First Lieut: of the second Company whereof Caleb Hill is Captain Citizens in the County of Bristol whereof Thomas Carpenter Esquire is Colonel vested in us, WE do by these Presents, (reposing special Trust and Courage, and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly.—You are to discharge the Duty of a first Lieut: in leading, ordering, in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in and they are hereby commanded to obey you as their first Lieut: and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to for part of the Council as your superior Officers.—
W. Spooner
Caleb Cushing
John Dyer
John D. Dyer
John D. Dyer
John D. Dyer
John D. Dyer
John D. Dyer
John D. Dyer
John D. Dyer
John D. Dyer
John D. Dyer
John D. Dyer
GIVEN under Twenty Eigh
By the Command of Major Part of the Co
Peter Moss
our Hands and the Seal of the said Colony, at Watertown this the Day of March — in the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of his George the Third, Anno Domini, 1776.
Dear
Bristol ss Rehearsal April 4 th 1776 The above Named Pelely Shearman (Gentleman) Personally appeared & took the Oath for y e Faithfull Performance of his Office as by Law Required Thomas Carpenter Esq r (Col l ) Before Luther Shurber Esq r (Lt Col l )

Aug. 10 th 1825.
Wiley Shearman of Colo. Falls Reg t in Genl. Cornell's Brigade is hereby appointed forage Master to said Brigade and is hereby invested with all the powers and authorities of a Forage Master and also to be entitled to the pay & rations of a forage Master during the continuance of his Brigade. Ephraim Bowen.
Septm 9 th 1826. Ephraim Bowen. His pay - is marked No 8.

STATE of MASSACHUSETTS } PAY.
The Major Part of the COUNCIL of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England.
To Peleg Shearman . . . Gentleman . . . Greeting.
Y OU being appointed Captain of the Second Company in the First Regiment of Militia, in the County of Bristol whereof Thomas Carpenter Esq rs is Colonel
By Virtue of the Power vested in us, WE do by these Presents, (reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct,) Commission you accord- ingly.—You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Captain in leading, ordering, and exercising said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline: And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Captain. . . and you are yourself, to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from
The Major part of the Council, or your Superior Officers.
G I V E N under our Hands, and the Seal of the said State, at Wadsworth the twentieth Day of June . . . in the Year of our LORD, 1778.
By the Command of the Major Part of the Council. John D. Sleeper
Bristol & Swansey June 20
The within named Peleg Shearman Captain the Second Company of the First Reg t of the County of Bristol personally appeared & took the Oath for the faithful performance of his Office as by Law Required Thomas Carpenter Esq rs Colonel Peleg Shearman
Peleg Shearman Arturus Ward Caleb Litchfield Job Fisher Moses Gill Benjamin Philip H Gardner Dan Davis H. Perkins Sam Litchfield Abner Dyer Sam Baker John Miller Oliver Wendell