Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8422, for Benjamin Pratt, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Pratt, Benjamin Jemima
R. 8422
CONTENTS
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9093
Massachusetts.
Benjamin Pratt, of Middleboro' in the state of Mass ts who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Sproat, of the Mass ts line, for the term of three years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 7. of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7. of April '19, and sent to Abner Mitchell, judge, Bridgewater, Mass ts
Arrears to 4th of March, 1819. - 87.43 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4. Sept. 1819. 48 " 10 mo. \frac{24}{30} } 1819. 8/135.43. 8/4/31 } { Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
See letter to S. B. ...
Discontinued Plymouth Mass
Joseph Pratt to John D. Sleeper Esq. 4 May 1821 Plymouth Mass

Benjamin Pratt Middleboro

I Benjamin Pratt of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts now in the fifty fifth year of my age depose and declare that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary war with Great Britain in the Massachusetts line & Continental establishment enlisted in March AD 1781 for the term of three years as a private soldier into Capt Judah Alden's Company and Col. Ebenezer Swift's Regiment. I marched to West Point & I served until the twenty second day of December AD 1783 and then had an honorable discharge in writing which I have procured & now exhibit. In the Spring of the year 1780 I enlisted into Capt Luther Bailey's Company & Col John Bradley's Regt for six months, which term I served nearly out & was honorably discharged but not in writing - I further depose & say that I am induced in my circumstances & stand in need of my country's assistance for support - And I hereby release all claim to any pension which is now allowed me by the laws of the United States & that I am a citizen of the United States -
Benjamin Pratt
Sworn to and declared April 7. 1818.

Benjamin Pratt.
9093
Middlebury
Jan
Clerk of the Court for the County of
W. B. Chapin
J. H. Merrill

SCHEDULE.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Plymouth ss.
On this Seventeenth day of July 182 c , before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, having a power also of fine and imprisonment, and keeping a record of their proceedings, personally appeared in open Court, being a court of record for the said County Benjamin Pratt aged Wife six years, resident in Middleborough in said County, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. for the term of 2 years & upwards in the company commanded by Col. Israel Olsson 1st Massachusetts Line and that he has received a pension certificate dated April 7 th 1819 and numbered 9093 — in pursuance of his original Declaration made April 7 th 1818 before the Hon. Judge Mitchell and also takes and subscribes the following oath, viz.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 28th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
My occupation is that of a day labourer upon the ordinary business of husbandry as I can find employment & have generally been able to labour but find my strength failing & my capacity to endure labour to lessen My family consists of my self & wife 56 years of age & one daughter who is about 30 years of age My wife has always & still continues feeble & sickly & unable to do the work of the family & I have to pay Physicians bills for them to a considerable amount yearly in Schedule..
A small house or cottage & hovel, & 30 acres of land - 15 of which there is no income being mostly bushes, the other 15 acres I have not been able for 12 years past to raise more than 15 bushels of corn or other grain, 1 small Cow - 2 sheep & 1 Lamb - 1 swine & 1 pig - crockery & iron ware
Benjamin Pratt

My occupation is that of a day labourer upon the ordinary business of husbandry as I can find employ- ment & have generally been able to labour but find my strength failing & my capacity to endure labour to lessen My family consists of my self & wife 56 years of age & one daughter who is about 30 years of age My wife has always & still continues feeble & sickly & unable to do the work of the family & I have to pay Physicians bills for them to a considerable amount yearly in Schedule..
A small house or cottage & hovel, & 30 acres of land - 15 of which there is no income being mostly bushes, the other 15 acres I have not been able for 12 years past to raise more than 15 bushels of corn or other grain, 1 small Cow - 2 sheep or lamb - 1 swine & 1 pig - crockery & iron ware
Benjamin Pratt
Sworn to, and declared, on the 17 th day of July A.D. 1820. before
Nahum Mitchell & Justice of said court
I, John B. Shorras, clerk of said court do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto an- nexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify, that 225.00 it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibit- ed in the aforesaid schedule is Two hundred & twenty five dollars and cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this Twenty sixth day of December A.D. 1820
J. B. Shorras Clerk of the Court for the County of Plymouth

5836
W Lemina Pratt Mass ts Act 4 1 st July 1836
Eliza Ward Middlebury Mass ts .

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Hon. Willies Wood is Judge of Probate for said County & a Justice of the Peace for said County & that Arad Thompson Esq. is also a Justice of the Peace for said County & that the signatures to the annexed affidavits pur- porting to be signed by them in their said respective official capacities are their true & genuine signatures
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this twenty seventh day of December 1838.
Jacob H. Lord

Jemima Pratt
[Faint, mirrored cursive text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

The following Marriages Solemnised by Joseph Barker at the times specified by the dates as followeth viz
Seventeen Hundred Eighty five November Twenty Seventh
Benjamin Pratt Plimton & Jennima Bryant Middleboro.
Attest Joseph Barker.
I Allen Shaw certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Record of the Town of Middleborough with the exception of the date which is expressed in fair legible figures as follows. (1785 Nov r 27)
Allen Shaw Town Clerk
I Allen Shaw above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town of Middleborough County of Plymouth Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me Middleborough Nov 23 d 1838.
Allen Shaw Town Clerk of Middleborough
Sworn before me
Abad Thompson Justice of the Peace
Middleborough Nov 23 1838

Jemima Pratt

I Samuel Shaw of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty seven years, do testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Pratt late of Middleborough in said County of Plymouth and Com- monwealth of Massachusetts deceased, and also with his wife Jerimiah Pratt. I further testify and say, that the said Benjamin Pratt died on the (18 th ) eighteenth day of October in the Year Eighteen Hundred and thirty eight, and that Jerimiah Pratt the Wife of the said Benjamin has remained a widow ever since that period.
Samuel Shaw
Plymouth County. ss. December 25 th 1838 Then personally appeared the above named Samuel Shaw Subscriber to the foregoing affidavit and well known to me to be a Creditable Witness and made oath to the truth of the same.
Before me Willers Wood Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County, ss
On this twenty fifth day of December 1838, personally appeared before the Honorable Wilkes Wood, Judge of Probate, in and for the County of Plymouth, Jennima Pratt, aged Seventy four 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, and the joint resolution of July 7. 1838.
That she is the Widow of Benjamin Pratt, late of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth, deceased. Who was a Soldier of the Revolution and who drew a pension under the Act of Congress, passed March 18. 1818, and whose papers are on file at the Pension Office at Washington. and reference is to be had to the aforesaid papers, for a description of the said Benjamin Pratt's Service.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Benjamin Pratt, on the Twenty Seventh day November, in the Year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty five.

That her husband, the aforesaid Benjamin Pratt, died on the eighteenth day of October 1838 and that she has remained a widow, since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Jeremia X Pratt's mark.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written - before William Wood judge of probate.

Fanny Pratt Maf. Suspended Case
* See W. Cole about this case
B. Pratt died Oct 1855 Widow died Oct 1883
Mary Tracy Widow ack 1836 N.B. adn. 46 Col Berrill

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth } ss.
Be it known, that on the 7th day of November A. D. 1851 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Benjamin Pratt of Middleborough in said county and made oath according to law, that he is the child of Jemima Pratt of said Middleborough deceased widow of Benjamin Pratt of said Middleborough (who was a private in the War of the Revolution .) and a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $8 per annum ; that he has reason to believe that the said pension ought to be granted and that he is directly interested in the same, and makes this affidavit to be filed by his attorney, with any additional evidence or arguments he may deem necessary in the prosecution of said claim.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned, before me
Benjamin Pratt
Eliah Ward
Justice of the Peace.
State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth } ss.
Be it known, that before Eliah Ward a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, personally appeared Benjamin Pratt of Middleborough in said county who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, that he is the child of Jemima Pratt of said Middleborough deceased widow of Benjamin Pratt of said Middleborough (who was a private in the War of the Revolution .) and a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $8 per annum ; that he now makes this declaration to recover any arrear of pension, that may be due, on account of the services of Benjamin Pratt as aforesaid, for the benefit of himself & Elizabeth Churchill under any acts or resolutions of Congress applicable to the case.
Sworn and subscribed this 7th day of November 1851 before me.
Eliah Ward
Justice of the Peace.
Benjamin Pratt
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS. That I Benjamin Pratt of Middleborough, Massachusetts a child of Jemima Pratt of said Middleborough deceased widow of Benjamin Pratt deceased (who was a private in the War of the Revolution .) do hereby constitute and appoint Robert W. Young of Washington, D. C. my true and lawful attorney for me, and in my name to prosecute my claim to any arrear of pension that may be found due on account of the services of said Benjamin Pratt as aforesaid; and I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all papers and documents touching my claim, on file in the departments at Washington or elsewhere and file any additional evidence or arguments he may think proper, to ensure the recovery of the same.
Witness my hand and seal this seventh day of November A. D. 1851
Signed and sealed in the presence of
WITNESS,
Eliah Ward
Benjamin Pratt
{ L.S. }
WITNESS,
Mahala D. Morse
State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth } ss.
On this 7th day of November A. D. 1851 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared Benjamin Pratt above mentioned and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
Eliah Ward
Justice of the Peace.

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth } ss.
Be it known, that on the 7 th day of November A. D. 1851 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Mahala Morse and Hulah Dayney two disinterested and respectable witnesses, and made oath according to law, that they are well acquainted with Jemima Pratt of Middleborough in said county deceased, widow of Priscilla Pratt deceased (who was a private officer in the Revo- lutionary War,) and that Mary Ann Pratt  Elizabeth Churchill are her only surviving children. And that she the said Jemima Pratt departed this life on the 4 th day of October A. D. 1843
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned, before me,
Eliab Ward
Justice of the Peace.
Mahala Morse Hulah Dayney
I Wm H Whitman clerk of Supreme Judicial Court in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts do hereby certify that Eliab Ward before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly authorized by law to minister oaths; and his name thereto subscribed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 11 day of November A. D. 1851,
Wm H Whitman Clerk

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. R. 8422.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
March 23rd, 1899.
Madam:-
In response to your recent communication you are advised that Benjamin Pratt made an application for pension on April 7th, 1818, at which time he was 55 years of age and residing in Plymouth County, Mass., and his pension was allowed for three years' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war. Place of his enlistment not stated. He served under Capt. Alden and Col. Sproat.
This is the only Benjamin Pratt found upon the Revolutionary war pension or bounty land records which in any way corresponds with the data you furnish.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mrs. Ellen R. Sawyer, Wellesley Hills, Mass.

Suspended
No decision can be had in this case, until the attachment referred to in the within sched: is decided on by the court.
See letter to
J. B. Thomas, Esq.
Plymouth
Mass s

NA
RG 15
Pratt, Benjamin R 8422
TR 17/6

BY THE HONOURABLE MAJOR-GENERAL KNOX,
Commanding the AMERICAN FORCES on Hudson's River.
Benjamin Pratt Soldier — in the Second Massachusetts — Regiment, being enlisted for Three Years, is hereby honourably DISCHARGED from the Service of the United States.
Given in the State of New-York,
the 22 — Day of
December 1783
By the General's Command,
H. Knox
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
C. Tupper Adjutant

Wellesley Hills, Mass.
Com er . of Pensions, Washington. D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly tell me what you have on your files concern- ing a Revolutionary Soldier named Benj. Pratt of Weymouth

Mass. An early re- ply will greatly oblige Yours very truly (Mrs.) Ellen R. Sawyer.
January 31, 1899.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
Mar 23 '99 Mrs. E. H. Sawyst. Wellesley Mills Mass
REJECTED
8422
P. O. _____
Emima Pratt
Service: Benjamin Pratt
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
wife of Benjamin
Re-enlisted: _____
April 1818 Middlesex
aged 54 Col 9th Inf + B Bty
36746 C.A. H. Bty
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Affidavits

I Thomas Buttevant of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Physician, of lawful age to give testimony, do testify & say, that I am a neighbour of Benjamin Pratt of said Middleborough, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army & has made application for a Pension under certain acts of Congress, & am well acquainted with him and his family & their circumstances & estate, & that I have seen the original schedule of his property, the whole amounting to two hundred & twentyfive Dollars, dated July 1820, which I think a just valuation; since which time said Pratt has continued a slender man as to labour & his wife has been constantly unwell, & has had several severe sicknesses which have required the attention of Physicians & nurses; & the debts contracted by him on account of these sicknesses constitute the foundation of the judgment of the Court against him in my name, & the execution which issued thereon was levied on the estate of said Pratt, amounting to one hundred Dollars; and all the residue of the estate of said Pratt cannot exceed in value one hundred & twentyfive Dollars, & his wife is still unwell & unable to assist in obtaining a livelihood, & said Pratt himself is a feeble man & obtains a livelihood with the utmost difficulty: This deponent further saith that the judgment aforesaid undued was for a real bona fide debt, which was justly owing by said Pratt to the full amount of said judgment.
Thos. Buttevant Physician Med. Society
Plymouth p. Com te Mass. October 26, 1824
Thomas Buttevant above named made oath to the truth of the foregoing & above affidavit by him submitted before me. Zehariah Eddy, Justice of Peace.

I Nathaniel Eddy of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Gentleman, of lawful age to give testimony, do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Pratt said Middleborough, who has applied for a Pension under certain laws of Congress, I well acquainted with his family & estate, & know him to be a slender man, & only able to obtain a livelihood by great effort, & I consider him emphatically a poor & an honest man; I know that his wife has been almost constantly sick, & many times has had severe illnesses which brought said Pratt into debt for Nurses & Physicians; & the execution recovered on account of the expenses of those illnesses, & above what said Pratt was able to pay otherwise than by a levy of the execution upon his little homestead. The portion of his homestead now left affords him a poor shelter, but otherwise the extreme barrenness of the land he lives on is out of very little, if any, help to him by way of obtaining a livelihood.
Nath l Eddy
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth p. October 26, 1824
Nathaniel Eddy, who has subscribed the above affidavit, made solemn oath to the truth thereof & of the matters therein contained, before me
Lehariah Eddy
Justice of the Peace

Mass. Suspended cases
Act 1836.
1 st Jemima Pratt, widow of Benj n Middleborough Mass.
Eliab Ward only correspondent.. alive in 1843 - in Alms House.
He was a pensioner under Act of 1818.
2. Hannah Robinson widow of Moses. Letter to L Marcy. Greenwich, Mass. July 25 40 - Married in 1780 - She was living at Enfield in Oct. 1839. He was a pensioner and died in May 1839.
3. Molly Sawyer widow of Samuel Newbury, Essex Co. Mass.
Letter to William Woart. March 27. 1837. He was a pensioner at $96. Married 1779. Decla n made in 1837. No service proven after marriage. She can claim under act of 1838.

4. Hannah Wheeler widow of David.
Lanesborough, Berkshire Co.
Service proven for 5 mo. 2 days. Daniel Conra. a Witness testifies that he served 18 mo.
5 Martin Boomer of Mass. Try and find his name on the roll as Lieut.
6 Sarah Alger, widow of —
Abington, Plymouth Co. Letter to J. H. Lord July 6. 1839. Decla n made in 1837. 2 years as a Sergeant. Testimony abundant.
7 Susannah Higgins widow of Timothy Wrentham. Letter to H. Stevens, Oct 13 th 1839. He was a pensioner Married in 1780 - Declaration made in 1839. He died in 1838.
8 Elizabeth Astell daughter of Ephraim Miner - a Seamster Married in 1778. Letter to J. Rockwell March 22, 50
9 Cath. Ansart, widow of Col. Louis Ansart alias Louis Ansart de Marretquille.

Reuben Baldwin a correspondent in 1837. Decla n made in 1846.
10 Ruth Davis dec d widow of Daniel Act. of 1838 of Haverhill. Essex Co. She died in 1842.

South Abington, Mass., June 1 1855
Sir,
We herewith enclose the application of Benj' Pratt, (Son of Benj' Pratt who was a Revolutionary Soldier & recd a pension of $96, per annum at Boston under the Act March 1818, until his death which occurred at Middleboro Mass. Oct 18 th 1838,) for the amount of pension to which Leonisa Pratt widow of Benj' Pratt was entitled and never received on applied for,
Soldiers in the company commanded by Capt.
for bounty land under the Act of March 3d, 1855, and you will please forward the certificate of pension  certificates to which they may be entitled to our address, Benj' Pratt & Elizabeth Churchill are the only children & heirs at law of Benj' & Leonisa Pratt Yours, very respectfully,
E. D. & C. A. DYER.
Hon. L. P. Waldo,
Com. of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Middlebaugh, May 5. 1843
Dear Sir,
I send the papers of Mrs. Termina Pratt, who were made out some time since, - it being supposed at that time, that she was entitled - but at that time, it was supposed, after looking at the law closely, that she might not be allowed a pension - and we thought it then not best to send the papers although made out -
But by a late decision of the department, such cases are allowed to come in - I therefore send the papers, that were then made out - as the parties remain the same, as they did then, she being a widow, and still alive
Yours with much Respect Caleb Ward,
Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions

Middleborough, November 15, 1824
Sir,
I enclose you two affidavits on the subject of Benjamin Pratt's application for a Pension, which I wish you to present to the Secretary at War. I would not give you nor myself the trouble, if I did not believe his application ought to be granted, & that the bounty would really relieve a poor & honest man. His revolutionary services were never questioned, he having served nearly three years & to the close of the war. He obtained a grant of a pension under the law of 1818, but under the law of 1820 he was not allowed it, because his property amounted to $228.00. Under a subsequent law he applied, & the reason was that sickness involved him in debt, & he was sued & half of all his little home was taken from him. He received a letter from the Secretary that "he could not be restored to the pension list as he had not satisfactorily accounted for the decrease of his property." The precise view which was necessary for the Secretary to have he did not know. A copy of the judgment & execution I procured of the Clerk & sent to the Secretary of War. But there were no affidavits respecting it but Mr. Pratt's declaration, before the recovery, that he owed the money. I personally know that the decrease of his estate was his wife's sickness, as stated in then affidavits, & that he could not pay the debt otherwise than it was paid, i.e. by the levy of the execution. Twenty more affidavits might be obtained in a day in proof of the same facts, & the more minutely the evidence should be gone into, the more it would appear that among all the applications, a fairer case cannot be found than Pratt's, nor one whom a pension would more benefit.
Yours &c
Leah Eddy

May 4
Ans May 7. 1835.
John B Edwards Esq.
Commiss rs of Pensions Washington City DC
Ms. B. 1. 6 v. 2 p. 10 to the President of the Senate

Weymouth Mass. Apr 27. 1835.
Sir By your favor of the 11th of March I find, that, "original papers, containing proof of admitted claims" cannot be surrendered. I hope I do not trespass by requesting, that a copy of Benjamin Pratts discharge, to be found among his documents to procure a pension in 1818, may be sent me, as soon as convenient. He has made oath, that he performed the last three years service finally in Israel Aldens Co. Baley's regt. & finally in Sprouts.
John Gannons too rec d a pension for three years service, Joshua Bursons Co. Putnam's Regt.
This State has made a gratuity to soldiers of this description; but our records do not come below 1776.
If you can furnish a copy of the record to sustain his claim also, I will

—a favor to the poor, & to your ob- Lachey Bartlett
P.S. May I be permitted to add, without indelicacy, that a compensation shall be remitted to the office for these copies if customary L B
as that

Middleborough, October 2, 1843
Dear Sir
I sent to the Pension Office at Washington, last April, the papers of Mrs. Jermina Pratt, - an Application to draw a Pension under the Act of July 7, 1838, and I have heard nothing from them since.
There is some apprehension, lest the papers never reached the office, and for that reason I write you a line, desiring information in regard to them. Mrs. Pratt is in the Almshouse in Middleborough and she feels rather impatient about her pension.
If you will have the goodness to reply to this letter on its receipt I should feel under many obligations.
Yours with much Respect
Chas. Ward,
To Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Jun 30 - 28 June '43

W No 836 Jemima Pratt Mass to, Rejected
let to E. Ward June 28/1843 " " " Oct 9. 1843 EDW. A. Dyer June 9/1855-1855
8422
July 4 1835

Massachusetts Sept 1819 Benjamin Pratt, prior from Mar: '81 to Dec: 1783.
1 st Sched: 17 th July 1820. 30 acres of land & a small house - 15 acres of which is worth little or nothing. Some personal property. Total am t of Sched: $225.00
2 nd Sched: under act Mar: 1823. to commence 6 Jan: 7. 1824. Real Estate — $200.00 Personal do — 25.00 Total $225.00 Indebted — $120.00
It appears that his property is completely at the mercy of his creditors — is now attached by one of them, an authen- ticated copy of the attachment, within — His age 59 y s . a labourer firm. Wife 59 y s
has been in ordinary health for a number years & is still under the physicians hands. — states that the Physician bill & nursing, would more than counterbal- ance, his estate in de- pendence of his other debts.
Dead. See letter to E. Ward, 20 th 7 Apl June 1839
B. Thomas Esq
2.58 Plymouth
Discharge copied & sent to J. Bartlett, May 7. 1835.
son: Aaron Hobart, Boston July 18. 1825, Conn. N. H.
20. Oct 1824 and sent and over
see letter April 20. 1824.
to A. Hobart

about, on the 16th Dec in affidavits of Thomas M. Medical Society. The former states, that to the claimant, and with him, his family and estate - that he
par. 225, a just valuation of exhibited in his schedule - that since the date of schedule, he has been a slender man as to labor, and his wife been constantly unwell, and has had several severe sicknesses, requiring the attention of Physicians & nurses, and that the debts on account of which the Affiant obtained a judgement of the Court against claimant, for $100, were contracted on account of those sicknesses - that execution has been levied for said amount on claim- ant's estate, and that all the residue of the estate cannot exceed in value, $125 - and that the wife is still un- well, and unable to assist in obtain- ing a living.
Edely's affidavit is to the same effect with that of Dr. Sturtevant.
Hon. A. Hobart, H. R.
Sept. '19.

Benjamin Pratt
Middleborough. Ms
Col o . Spotts regt.
Mass. line - 3 years.
7. April, 1818.
Admitted

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
On this 7 th  ss. day of April 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared Benjamin Pratt Middleborough aged fifty four years, resident in the said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on his oath made the following declaration, by him signed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," viz.
That he served the last 3 years, so called, in said war as a private soldier in Capt. Judah Alden's Company & Col. Ebenezer Sproat's Regiment in the Massachu- setts line. —
/See his said Declaration enrolled/ /and also his discharge/
And I do certify that the said Pratt is poor and needs the assistance of his country for support. —

And I, the said Judge, do also certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Benjamin Pratt did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Nahum Mitchell
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ss.
1818.
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, consisting of the Counties of Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket in said Commonwealth—that the same Circuit Court of Common Pleas is a Court of record—that the signature to the above certificate is the true signature of the said Judge, and that the seal thereunto affixed is the seal of the said Court.
} Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County of

Benjamin Pratt. Statement & Schedule
Sept. 1819.
No decision can be had in this case, under which the "attachment" without referred to is decided.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
1823 59 1764
County of Plymouth. Supreme Judicial Court May Term 1823
On this thirteenth day of May, one thousand, eight hundred and twenty three, personally appeared, in the said court being a court of Record, Benjamin Pratt, a resident of Middleborough, in the County of Plymouth, aged fifty nine years last March, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of 18th March 1818, and 1 st May, 1820. That he the said Benjamin Pratt enlisted as a private soldier for three years, [as stated in his original declaration made before, Hon Nahun Mitchell Judge, in April 1818] and joined the company commanded by Cap Judah Alden, in the Regiment, commanded, as he believes, by Col. Bailey, and was part of the time in a Regiment commanded by Col Ebenezer Sproat, in the Massachusetts line, on Continental establishment, and that he continued to serve there, until after the peace, & thinks in the month of December, was discharged honourably, & sent his discharge accompanied by his original declaration aforesaid, before Judge Mitchell, that his name has been placed on the pension list and dropped therefrom on account of his property.
And in pursuance of the act of 1820. May 1. I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th March, 1818, & that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war, passed the 18th March 1818. & that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property, or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained, in the schedule hereto annexed & by me subscribed

My occupation is that of day labourer upon ordinary business of husbandry, as I could find employment; but I find my capacity to labour, and endure labour greatly diminished. I do not find myself able to do half a days labour compared with my ability a few years since. My family consists of myself & wife, she is fifty nine years of age. My wife continues feeble and sickly, unable to do any thing whatever. For a year or two past her sickness has been continual & long, and her nursing and Physicians bill, and my necessity of bringing things into the family to support her and the nurses have involved me in debt, to an amount so near the worth of all I possess, that I have no means of preventing all my little property passing out of my hands, but by being replaced on the pension roll. Sometime ago I undertook to make some of my Creditors easy, by mortgaging my little homestead, but before the mortgage was put on record, others attached my homestead, by virtue of a writ of attachment, which is now pending, and if that action goes through Court, and the levy of the Execution be made on my real estate. I have reason to believe I shall be destitute of any home for myself & wife. I now owe debts to the amount of one hundred & twenty dollars, near ninety dollars of which are now due , and my homestead attached as aforesaid; The said mortgage not having been recorded at the time of said attachment, my other Creditors consider it no security to them
Benjamin Pratt
Schedule
There has been no material alteration in my schedule as delivered into the Court in July 1820, except as aforesaid, and said schedule stands as then—
Homestead — $1,200.00 Cow, pig, two sheep and all things as before } 25.00
Benjamin Pratt

Sworn to, and declared, on the thirteenth day of May, before the Supreme Judicial Court. —
Attest J. B. Thomas Clerk
I, J. B. Thomas Clerk — of the Supreme Judicial Court, do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court, that Benjamin Pratt, did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declara- tion, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the Continental establishment — I also certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule hereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court. And I do further certify that it is the opin- ion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property, exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Two hundred and twenty five dollars
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, on this thirteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty three
J. B. Thomas — Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Plymouth —

Execution of Thomas Sturtevant vs Benjamin Pratt Copy

(Seal) Plymouth ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To the Sheriff of our County of Plymouth or his Deputy Greeting, Whereas Thomas Sturtevant of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth Physician by the Consid- eration of our Justices of our Court of Common Pleas holden at Plymouth for and within our County of Plymouth aforesaid, on the second Monday of August instant recovered judgment against Benjamin Pratt of said Middleborough Yeoman, for the sum of Eighty nine dollars & seventy three cents damage, and Eight dollars & fifty three cents. costs of suit as to us appears of record, whereof Execution remains to be done, We command you therefore, that of the goods, chattels or lands of the said Benjamin within your precinct you cause to be paid & satisfied into the said Thomas at the value thereof in Money, the afore said sums being Ninety eight dollars and twenty six cents in the whole with twenty five cents more for this Writ, and thereof also to satisfy yourself for your own fees; and for want of goods, chattels or lands of the said Benjamin to be by him shewn unto you or found within your precinct, to the acceptance of the said Thomas to satisfy the sums aforesaid. We command you to take the Body of the said Benjamin and him commit unto into our Gaol in Plymouth in our County of Plymouth afore said, and detain in your Custody within our said Gaol until he pay the full sums above mentioned, with your fees, or that he be discharged by the said Thomas the Creditor, or otherwise by order of law. Hereof fail not. and make return of this Writ. with your doings therein, into the Clerks Office of our said Court of Common Pleas, at Plymouth, within our County of Plymouth afore said within three months from the date hereof, Witness Artemas Ward Esq re at Plymouth, the Eighteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three,
In o P o , Thomas Clerk
The cause of action accrued after March 15th, 1820. In o P o , Thomas Clerk

Plymouth ss September 6 th 1823 Personally appeared Nehemiah Cobb Esq r . Joshua Eddy Jun r . Esq r . & Southworth Ellis & made Oath that they would appraise such real Estate of the within named Benjamin Pratt as should be shewn them to satisfy the within Execution & all fees & charges faithfully & impartially and according to their best skill and judgment before me Dech: Eddy Jus: of Peace
Plymouth ss. Middleborough September 6 th 1823. We the subscribers being sworn as above, have by direction of the within named Creditor & of Thomas P. Harrup deputy Sheriff, viewed the homestead farm of the within named Benjamin Pratt, situate in Middleborough in the County of Plymouth, one portion of said homestead farm lying on the Southerly side of the road leading from the house of John Freeman to the house of Levi Morse, & bounded Easterly by the land of said Levi Morse Southerly by the lands of Alfred Soule, & Westerly by the land of John Bryant & Northerly by said road. We do appraise at the sum of One hundred & thirteen dollars. reserving the small building thereon to the owner thereof, said to be Benjamin Pratt Junior - being in the whole fifteen acres,
Neh m Cobb
Joshua Eddy Jun r .
Southworth Ellis
Plymouth ss. September 6 th 1823. In obedience to the within Execution, I have caused three indifferent & discreet persons freeholders of said County of Plymouth, to be sworn as above certified, to wit, Southworth Ellis chosen by the within named Debtor, Joshua Eddy Jun r . Esq r . chosen by the Creditor within named & Nehemiah Cobb Esq r . chosen by myself, who afterwards viewed the above described premises which were shewn to them & me by the said Thomas Sturtevant the Creditor within named, as the Estate of the said Benjamin Pratt the within named Debtor, and I have extended this Execution on the said lands above described by the said appraisers, appraised by them

at the sum of One hundred & thirteen Dollars, which is the Amount of this Execution with all fees & charges. and I have delivered, seized & possession of the same with the appurtenances thereof to Zechariah Eddy, Attorney to the said Creditor. to have and to hold the same to the said Thomas Sturtevant and his heirs and assigns forever, in satisfaction of this Execution in full, all which more fully appears by the receipt writings above,
Tho s B. Harrub Def t Sheriff Plymouth ss September 6 th 1823 This day received of Thomas B. Harrub one of the deputy Sheriffs for the County of Plymouth seized & possession of the premises described on the back of the within Execution,
Zechariah Eddy Attorney to & in behalf of Thomas Sturtevant the within named Creditor Plymouth ss September 8 th 1823 Received & Recorded with the Records of deeds for the County of Plymouth. Attest Rosester Cotton Reg d
This is a true copy from said records of deeds for said County of Plymouth. Attest Rosester Cotton Reg d
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. Clerks Office of the Judicial Courts.
I John B Thomas, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County of Plymouth hereby certify that Rosester Cotton Esq r is Register of Deeds, for said County of Plymouth, duly appointed and qualified to discharge the duties of said Office, and that the signature to the foregoing Attestation is the true signature of said Register of deeds.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed the seal of the Court this Sixth day of January in the year eighteen hundred and twenty four.
John B Thomas { Clerk of the Court for the County of Plymouth

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, May 31 st 1855.
I Hereby Certify , That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed,
Peter H. Peirce, Cyrus A. Dyer, and Zaphariah Eddy were Justices of the Peace for the County of
Plymouth, and Aaron Hobart Judge of Probate for the County of Plymouth
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth,
On this twenty eighth day of May A.D. 1855, personally appeared before the Probate Court, held at Plymouth within and for the County and State aforesaid, Benjamin Pratt a res- ident of Middleboro in said County, and hav- ing been duly sworn according to law, upon his oath declares,
That his father Benjamin Pratt, late a resident of Middleboro in the aforesaid County, and State, deceased, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war that when he entered said service he was a resident of the town of Plympton or Middleboro, that he received a pension of ninety six dollars per annum under the Act March, 1818, at the Pension Agency in Boston, for proof of which and for evidence of service the Commissioner is referred to the evidence on file at the Pension Office in Washington.
He also declares that his father the said Benjamin Pratt died at Middleboro afore- said, on the eighteenth day of October, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight; and that his mother Jerimiah Pratt who was the widow of the said Benjamin Pratt lived about five years after the death of her said husband and died at Middleboro afore- said on the fourth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and forty three, without receiving or making any applica- tion for the pension to which she was entitled.
He further declares that his parents the said Benjamin and Jerimiah Pratt were married by the Rev. Joseph Barker in Mid- dleboro aforesaid on the twenty seventh day of November, in the year seventeen hundred, and eighty five, that the name of his mother before her said marriage was Jerimiah Bryant, and that from and after the date of her said husband's death she remained unmarried.

And he also declares that his sister Elizabeth Churchill, a resident of Plympton, Mass. and himself are the only children and the only heirs at law in fee to the aforesaid Benjamin Pratt and his widow the aforesaid Jennissa Pratt;
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the pension to which his mother was entitled the said Jennissa Pratt was entitled under the Act of July 20 th A.D. 1838, Aug. 23 rd 1842 - & March 3 rd 1843. and he prays that a certificate of said pension be sent for him and his sister to E. T. T. C. S. Dyer, South Abington, Mass;
He further declares that the foregoing is the only application that has been made for the aforesaid pension.
Benjamin Pratt
We Joseph S. Beal and Cyrus A. Dyer residents of Kingston and Abington, County of Plymouth in the State of Mass, upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Benjamin Pratt in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that he is the identical person he represents himself to be.
Joseph S. Beal Cyrus A. Dyer
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written, and I certify that I believe the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be, and that I have no interest in his claim,
Aaron Hobart Judge of Probate,

State of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth,
I hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to me to prove that Benjamin Pratt the within applicant, and his sister Elizabeth Churchill, both residents of the County aforesaid, are the only children and the only heirs at law in fee to the late Benjamin Pratt a Revolutionary pensioner who died at Middleboro, Mass., about fifteen years ago, and his widow De- minna Pratt who also died at said Middleboro about eleven years ago,
Given under my hand and the seal of the Probate Court on this twenty eighth day of May A.D. 1855,
Ebenezer Root Judge of Probate,

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth Town of Middleborough
[Date of Marriage wrote out in words]
Benjamin Pratt Died October eighteenth Eighteen hundred and thirty eight
I CERTIFY that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date and figures which are expressed in the record in fair legible date and figures as follows: Oct 18 th 1838
[Date of Marriage in figures.]
Andrew M Eaton Town Clerk of Middleborough
I Andrew M Eaton above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town, County, and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town, with the exception above named as certified by me.
Andrew M Eaton Town Clerk of Middleborough
Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this 16 th day of May A. D. 1858; and I certify, that I have no interest whatever in the prosecution, or result of the annexed claim.
Peter R Pierce Justice of the Peace.
Mr Dyer Sir Mr Pratt's age is not given on the record. My Fee sent Mr Eaton

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth Town of Middleborough
[Date of Marriage wrote out in words]
Marriage Solemnized by Joseph Barker
November Twenty seventh Seventeen hundred and Eighty five Benjamin Pratt of Plummer and Jemima Bryant of Middleborough
I CERTIFY that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date and figures which are expressed in the record in fair legible date and figures as follows: Nov 27 th 1885
[Date of Marriage in figures]
Andrew M Eaton Town Clerk of Middleborough
I Andrew M Eaton above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town, County, and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town, with the exception above named as certified by me.
Andrew M Eaton Town Clerk of Middleborough
Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this 16 th day of May A. D. 1855; and I certify, that I have no interest whatever in the prosecution, or result of the annexed claim.
Peter K Pierce Justice of the Peace.

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth.
I Abishai Wood, having been duly sworn according to law depose and say that I am the superintendence of the almshouse at Middleboro, Mass., that I have in my official custody a book purporting to be an account of the deaths which have occurred in the aforesaid almshouse since A D 1831, and that I find therein recorded that Lemmina Pratt died at said house on the fourth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and fortythree, and that I believe said record is true, and that she was the widow of Benjamin Pratt. Abishai Wood.
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this nineteenth day of April A D 1888, and I certify that I examined the above named record and found the death of Lemmina Pratt therein recorded as above stated, and that I have no interest in the annexed claim. Cyrus A. Dyer, Justice of the Peace.

State of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth,
We, Nathaniel Eddy aged Sixtyfour years and Ebenezer Fuller aged Sixtyfive years residents of Middleboro, County, and State aforesaid, having been duly sworn according to law, upon our oaths, declare that we well knew Benjamin Pratt, a Revolutionary pensioner, who died at Middleboro aforesaid, on the eighteenth day of October A D 1835, and we also declare that we well knew Remissa Pratt who died at the Colons house in the said Middleboro on the fourth day of October A D 1843, that we knew they died as above stated because we were their neighbors, and we know from personal acquaintance that the said Remissa Pratt was the widow of the said Benjamin Pratt whose children now make an ap- plication for the pension to which their Mother was entitled, and we know that she was never married again after the death of her said husband, and that we are disinterested, said Fuller resides in Carver, tho' now in said Middleborough.
Nathaniel Eddy Ebenezer Fuller
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this Twentyninth day of May A D 1855, and I certify that satisfactory proof has been exhibited to me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace by the affedafib of Nathaniel Eddy and Ebenezer Fuller of the said County and State whom I certify are credible witnesses and who swear they have no interest in the annexed application; that Benjamin Pratt a revolution- ary pensioner died at Middleboro as above stated, that Remissa Pratt died also at Middleboro as above stated, and that the said Remissa Pratt was the widow of the said Benjamin Pratt, and I also certify that I have no interest in the annexed claim, Zechariah Eddy Justice of the Peace