Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8051, for Zechariah Pease, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Pease, Jechariah.
R. 8051
CONTENTS

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dukes County ss.
At a Court of Probate held at Edgartown in and for the County of Dukes County on the fourteenth day of Sept. one thousand eight hundred and thirty five before the Hon. George Athearn, Judge of Probate, for said County, personally appeared Zechariah Pease a resident of Edgartown in the County & Commonwealth aforesaid, aged eighty five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of 1832 make the following declaration.
That he entered in the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated; to wit: under Zerakiah Bapett of Falmouth, Massachusetts, Colonel, and enlisted under in the Company under the command of Capt. Benjamin Smith of Edgartown, and Matthias Davis, Lieutenant.
A more particular account is set forth under the fifth interrogatory. And further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1 Where and in what year were you born? Ans. That he was born in Edgartown, in the County of Dukes County & State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty.
2 Have you any record of your age, and if so, when is it. Ans. It is on the Town Record of Edgartown.
3 Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Ans. I was living in Edgartown at the time I entered in the service of the United States & have lived in said Town ever since that period.
4 How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom?

Ans. to 4 Inter. I volunteered into the service of the United States.
5 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Ans. I enlisted in the service of the United States agreeable to the orders of the Council of the Colony of Massachusetts for the defence of the sea-board on the Island of Martha's Vineyard & vicinity the first of Sept. 1776 in the Company under the command of Benjamin Smith of Edgartown; Matthias Davis was the Lieutenant and attached to Regiment of Colonel Berakiah Bassett of Falmouth and continued in the Regular Service untill the discharged by Col. Berakiah Bassett which was in the month of November 1776.
Furthermore I volunteered my services under Colonel Beriah Norton of Sand Town of Edgartown for the defence of the Harbour of Holmes Hole & the adjacent shores in order to prevent the landing of British Barges which frequently invaded Holmes Hole and attempted to plunder the inhabitants; in which service I was engaged as a Volunteer from sometime in 1775 untill the British came and dispossed us of our arms which was I think in Sept. 1778. Before the expiration of my volunteer service, I was drafted to go to Secondaroga agreeable to the orders of the Council of Massachusetts, but when dispossed of our arms a petition was sent to the Council for the privilege of this Island remaining neutral, which petition was granted, and in that case I did not go. I was engaged in the volunteer services under Col. Beriah Norton & sometimes under Capt. Matthew Mayhew from the summer of 1775 till Sept. 1778 with the exception of less than three months that I served in the regular Service under Capt. Benjamin Smith.

6 Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it signed, & what has become of it?
Ans. I was a Soldier in the company of Capt Benj. Smith & Orders came for the disbanding of the troops and we were all discharged by the commanding officers. I received no commission nor had I any written discharge.
7 State the name of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Ans. Cornelius Marchant Esq & Mr Noah Pease.
And the said Zachariah Pease doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State to his knowledge. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Zachariah Pease
George Athearn Judge of The Court of Probate
We Cornelius Marchant & Noah Pease residing in Edgartown in said County of Dukes County and State of Massachusetts and residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Zachariah Pease who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about eighty five years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Cornelius Marchant Noah Pease
Before George Athearn Judge of The Court of Probate

I believe the within named, Lechariah Pease, is of a fair moral character.
(David Tilton
Minister of the Gospel.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Cornelius Marchant, Esq & Noah Pease who have signed the preceding certificates are very respectable men, resident in the Town of Edgartown in said County of Dukes County and that David Tilton who has also signed the above certificate is a resident in said Town, and is Minister of the Gospel, is a respectable person, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
George Athearn Judge of The Court of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dukes County ss. Cornelius Marchant Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Lechariah Pease of Edgartown in said County for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court this the day and year above written
Cornelius Marchant
Register of Probate

38448 Dec 11. 1861 Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Peace, for the County of Dukes County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Zachariah Pease of the aforesaid County & Commonwealth, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that, by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot state the exact date, nor precise length of each tour of duty which he performed while in the Volunteer Company under Col. Beriah Norton (and in the absence of Col. Norton the command involved on Captain Matthew Mayhew.) Said Volunteer Company was raised for the defence of the Island of Martha's Vineyard & vicinity. He testifies that he enlisted in said Company, and under the above mentioned Officers the twenty-fifth day of June 1775 and was not discharged from said Company until the first day of September 1776; when he was verbally discharged in order to fill up the Continental Company under the command of Capt. Benjamin Smith &c as is set forth in his previous Declaration as Regular Service in order to distinguish it from Volunteer Services . And he further testifies that on being discharged from the Volunteer Company, he enlisted on the first day of September 1776 in the Continental Company under Capt. Benj. Smith which was attached to Col. Beriah Bapitts Regiment, of Falmouth, and was not discharged from this Company until the twenty first day of Nov. 1776. when this Company was disbanded. Then, as there were no troops except the Volunteer Company to defend the seaboard of this Island from the landing of troops from the British Barges which were constantly reconnoitering the Vineyard Sound for plunder, especially after they took possession of Newport which was he thinks the sixth day of December 1776, he testifies that he again enlisted (it being necessary to increase the number of Volunteer Troops) on some of the first days of December 1776 in the Volunteer Company under Col. Norton &c and was not discharged from said Company until on or about the eighth day of September 1778 when the Company was discharged by the commanding Officers on account of the requisition of their arms by the British. And he further states that
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as the Company was not in actual Service every day, especially in stormy weather as in that case they were in no fearful apprehension of the arrival of British Barges, yet they were under actual engagement to go when called for; but on account of loss of memory, and the numerous tours of duty which he performed he cannot state precisely the length of time in which the corp was duly embodied in the field or garrison and subject to the daily discipline of Soldiers. But according to the best of his recollection he was in actual service and subject to the daily discipline of soldiers not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades:-
From the twenty fifth day of June 1775 to the first day of Sept. 1776 I served as a Soldier in the Volunteer Company under Col. Norton not less than seven months:-
From the first day of Sept. 1776 to the twenty first day of Nov. 1776 I served as a Soldier in the Company commanded by Capt. Benj. Smith & attached to the Regiment of Continental troops commanded by Col. Benkiah Bapett of Halmouth two months and twenty one days. S d service given in my declaration as Regular Service to distinguish it from Volunteer services:-
From the first days of Dec. 1776 to the eighth day of September 1778 when the company was disbanded I served as a Soldier in the Volunteer Company under Col. B. Norton and in his absence under Capt. Matthew Mayhew not less than fourteen months: making in all twenty three 21 / 30 months of actual service for which I claim a pension.
And the S d Zachariah Pease further deposeth and saith that the reasons why he did not apply for a Pension before, were on account of old age & infirmity of Body & living in a remote part of the town, he did not know till a few months since that Volunteers were entitled to the benefit of the Pension Act. And having, previously to the passing of the Act which entitled Volunteers to a Pension, made enquiry concerning Pensions and finding the time of service which he performed in the Continental Company of Capt. Smith to short to entitle him to a Pension, he made no further enquiries..
Zachariah Pease
Sussex County fr. Edgartown Nov. 9. A.D. 1835. Then personally appeared the above named Zachariah Pease and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed before me Theodore G. Mayhew Justice of the Peace

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the Peace for the County of Dukes County (and Commonwealth of Massachusetts) Noah Pease of the S d County & State aforesaid, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that from his personal knowledge of the service of Zachariah Pease as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, & as set forth in the foregoing affidavit of said Pease, that said affidavit is true & correct in all its parts. And he testifies to the same — and further the Deponent saith not
Noah Pease
Edgarton, Nov. 9. 1835.
Then personally appeared the above named Noah Pease and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed before me Theodore G. Mayhew Justice of the Peace
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Peace for the County of Dukes County and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Benjamin Stewart of the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that from personal knowledge of the services of Zachariah Pease as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and as set forth in the foregoing affidavit of Zachariah Pease that said affidavit is true and correct in all its parts. And that he testifies to the same. And furthermore the Deponent saith not.
Benjamin Stewart
Dukes County J s . November 14 th 1835.
Then personally appeared the above named Benjamin Stewart and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed before me William Jerreghan Justice of the Peace

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace of the County of Dukes County Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Cornelius Huxford of Said County & State who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that from his personal know- ledge of the services of Zachariah Pease as a soldier in the Revolutionary War and as set forth in the preceding affidavit of Zachariah Pease that said affidavit is true in all its parts and that he testifies to the same affidavit and furthermore the deponent saith not. Cornelius Huxford
Dukes County Is. November 14 th 1835.
Then Personally appeared the above named Cornelius Huxford and made oath to the foregoing declaration by him Subscribed before me William Jernegan Justice of the Peace.
I Cornelius Marchant, Clerk of the Common Pleas Court do hereby certify that Theodore G. Mayhew is a justice of the Peace for the County of Dukes County & commonwealth of Massachusetts and that the within is his true and genuine signature. And that William Jernegan is a justice of the Peace of Said County & Commonwealth Commission'd third February one thousand eight hundred & thirty one and will expire the 2 d day of Feb 1838 and that the annexed signature is his true and genuine signature. Given under my hand and seal of the Court this 16 th day of Nov. one thousand eight hundred & thirty five. Cornelius Marchant, Clerk.

2.31 M.V.
Hon. Lewis Cass Secretary of War Washington D.C.

Hon Lewis Cap,
Edgartown Dec 16, 1835
Sir, I received by the favour of John R. Norton documents certifying that the claims of Cornelius Huseford & Zachariah Pease were suspended and the papers placed on file until the claimants should affirm on oath the reason why they delayed their application for a Pension, narrate each item of alleged service as specifically as the regulations require, and procure from the Sec y of War, a certificate as to the Proof which his records afford of each item of service claimed for.
I have therefore forwarded you the additional affidavits of the claimants & testimony of witnesses and also a traditional account of the situation of this Company during the years set forth in their affidavits attested to by respectable gentlemen, most of whom have personal knowledge of the company but not of the individuals who composed the company. They have stated in their additional affidavits the reasons why they delayed their application, and the time as definitely as can be ascertained on account of loss of memory and as is required by the Regulations of the Department of War.
I have forwarded you no certificate from the Sec y of War as his records afford no information respecting this Militia Company. For the service which Zachariah Pease performed in the Continental Company under Capt Smith you now have

a certificate, but for Volunteer services none can be obtained.
I have forwarded you as full a Statement of facts as can be gathered, relative to the claims of the applicants & the situ- ation of the Company that you might be enabled to draw your references as to the title of the claimants. You will readily perceive from the situation of this place that it would be impossible to give the exact date of every tour of duty. And you will also perceive that it was necessary that they should be under constant enlistment.
Please to Report on the same as soon as convenient so that if any thing more is wanted to substantiate their claim it can be forwarded. For it will be difficult for the claimants to get about in cold weather.
I have the honor to be Very Respectfully your
Obt Servt
David Davis { Attorney to the Claimants
Hon L. Colp Sec of War Washington D.C.

As the former witness of Cornelius Stafford are very much out of health and could not be obtained with the expense of a justice of the Peace going to their dwellings I have for- warded you only one positive deposition. If more is absolutely required you will please to inform me.
Yours affectionately D. Davis
Hon L. Colp Sir of W or

#33448
Massachusetts
Zachariah Pease
Rejected Susp.
let to Hon. C. C. 16 '35
let to John S. Norton 30 Nov 1835
Hon John Keck 13 July '36
do. to same Jan. 17. 1837
Set to Mrs. P. Norton, Aug. 23 - '38.
8057

REJECTED
8057
P. O.
Jacchariah Place
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

33418
Zachariah Pason
Map
Act-1832
rejected —
reported to Sec. of War Oct 16, 1855
9m 21/6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept r 18 th 1835.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of "Dechriah" Pease, as a private, is borne on a pay-roll of Capt. Benj m Smith's Company, where he is allowed from Sept r 1 st to Novem r 21 st 1776. two months and twenty-one days. — 2-21
Edward D Bangs Leg
Ed. M.

I Benjamin Stewart of Edgartown in the County of Dukes County and common wealth of Massachusetts. yeoman of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say that I was born in the Town of Edgartown in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty six. and have always lived in said Town of Edgartown, and am well acquainted with Zachariah Peare having always lived within a quarter of a mile of his residence. I have repeatedly seen the said Zachariah Peare with his gun between the years of 1775. & 1778. going as a volunteer to join the volunteer troops at Holmes Hole under Col. Beniah Norton, and sometimes under Capt. Matthew Mayhew, which was for the purpose of de- fending Holmes Hole and its vicinity from the invasion of British hanges.
This service he continued in, untill the British came to the Island of Martha Vineyard and disarmed us, which event occurred in Sept. A.D. 1778. and further said Deponent saith not
Benjamin Stewart
Dukes County Jr. Edgartown. Sept. 14, A.D. 1878 Then personally appeared the above named Benjamin Stewart and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition.
Before me Theodore G. Marham Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dukes County ss
I Cornelius Marchant Clerk of the Common Pleas Court of the County & Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Theodore G Mayhew is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly commissioned and sworn. that his Commission was dated January 25 th 1832 and will expire on the twenty fourth of January 1839.
The within is his true and genuine Signature —
Given under my hand and Seal of the said Court this third day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty five —
Cornelius Marchant - Clerk

I Cornelius Huxford of Edgartown in the County of Dukes County and Common- wealth of Massachusetts Commonwealth of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say, that, I was born in the Town of Edgartown in said County, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven. I have always always resided in said Town of Edgartown and am well acquainted with Zachariah Pease.
I have always lived near the dwelling of said Zachariah Pease. I very well knew him when a soldier in the Volunteer Companies, in the United States Service in the Revolutionary war under the command of Col. Beniah Storton and Capt. Matthew Mayhew alternately from some time in the year of our Lord one thou- sand seven hundred and seventy five, until Sept. A.D. 1778 when the Troops were dis- banded in consequence of the requisition of their arms by the British at that time. I frequently marched in company with said Pease to Holmes Hole to prevent the landing of the British Troops from their Barge, and frequently tarried there until the departure of the British cruisers. And further the Deponent saith not.
Cornelius Huxford
Dukes County fr. Edgartown. Sept. 19. A.D. 1830.
Who personally appeared the above named Cornelius Huxford and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed Before me Theodore G. Marsh Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dukes County ss.
I Cornelius Marchant, Clerk of the Common Pleas Court of the County and Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Theodore G. Mayhew is a justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and sworn that his Commission was dated the 25 th of January 1882 and will expire on the twenty fourth of January 1889.
The within is his true and genuine Signature.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the said Court this third day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty five —
Cornelius Marchant Clerk

I Noah Pease of Edgartown, In the County of Dukes County and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Cordwainer, of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say that I was born in the Town of Edgartown in said County in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four, and have always lived in said Town of Edgartown. I am well acquainted with Zachariah Pease of said Edgartown having always lived near his Residence, I knew him when a soldier, in the Revolutionary War, nearly three months, in the Company commanded by Benjamin Smith of Edgartown aforesaid. Said Company was attached to the Regiment under the command of Col. Zachariah Basset of Falmouth. I do furthermore testify that said Zachariah Pease was a volunteer in the United States Service, for the defence of the Island of Martha's Vineyard and its vicinity in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy five, till the disbanding of the Troop in Sept. A.D. 1778, in the Companies under the command of Col. Beniah Norton, and Capt. Matthew Mayhew, alternately, with the exception of the time which he served as a soldier under Capt. Benjamin Smith in the regular service. And further the Deponent saith not.
Noah Pease
Dukes County ss. Edgartown. Sept 19. A.D. 1835. Then personally appeared the above named Noah Pease and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. Before me. Theodore G. Mayhew justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dukes County ss.
I Cornelius Marchant Clerk of the Common Pleas Court of the County and Common- wealth aforesaid hereby certify that Theodore G Mayhew is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn to be that his Commission was dated January 25 th 1832 and will expire on the twentyfifth day of January 1839
The within is his true and genuine Signature.
Given under my hand and seal of the said Court this third day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty five
Cornelius Marchant Clerk