Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 30009, for Joseph Nichols, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Nichols, Joseph Thankful
W 30009
CONTENTS

Massachusetts - 1673
Thankful Nichols, widow of Joseph Nichols, deceased
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 25 th Augt. 1836 - of Worcester in the State of Mass ts - who was a Sergeant in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ 4 th Regt - commanded by Col. Nixon in the Mass ts - time for 8 months Sergeant
Enscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts the rate of 40 Dollars _____ Cents per annum commence on the 14 th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Jan- uary 1839 and sent to Hon. John Davis, Senator
Arrears to the 14 th of Sept. 1838 - $100:00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Mo. 39. 40:00
$140:00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by S. D. Elliott Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 1, Page 115

State of Massachusetts County of Worcester
I Joseph Nichols
a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Grafton in the County of Worcester in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, in April AD 1775
(A)
I entered and was engaged in the land service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to March AD 1776
as a Quartermaster Sergeant against the common enemy, without any interrup- tion or absence: that I belonged to the non commissioned staff in Col. John Nixon's regiment in the Massachu- setts line - I was also in the campaign against Burgoyne for months as an adjutant & Quartermaster in Col. Henry & Col. Brooks regiments
and that I left the service in March AD 1778 having been honorably discharged in like manner as all others in the same service and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of 62 years - having served in the United States army as above 16 months
I enlisted as a Sergeant, and was afterwards promoted to be Quartermaster Sergeant.
And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed.
Joseph Nichols
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this 15 th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18 th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me,
Isaac D. Bangs Judge P. C. C. Corn Pleas Worcester County
the abovenamed Joseph Nichols and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination du- ly made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of said Court, the day of the date aforesaid.
Isaac D. Bangs

I Fortunatus Harrington Nichols of Worcester ough in said County of Worcester, declare on oath that in April 1775, I knew that my brother Joseph Nichols enlisted into the Army on the Continental Establishment, and returned in 1776 in the month of March; having undoubtedly served as he states as I repeatedly received let- ters from him while in the army. Fortunatus Nichols
Jos. Nichols Grafton Rejected - not having served 9 months at any one period of enlistment.
Worcester, April 15. 1818 —
Personally appeared Fortunatus Nichols above named and made solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed.
Before me, Edw. D. Bangs, Justice of the Peace

Rep.
189.
Massachusetts.
Thankful Nichols widow of Joseph Nichols who was a Sergeant in the Massachusetts line for 8 Months.
File 30,009 small packet
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40. Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of May 1843 and sent to
L. M. Stone Boston Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1. Page 49.

Shelburne Md. Sept 21
Mr Peter Thannum Thannumsville
Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Middlesex Town of Sherburne I Alpheus Clark hereby certify that the following is a true copy from the Records of the Town of Sherburne now in my possession "Joseph Nichols and Thankfull Winch both of Framingham were Married August twenty sixth one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine by the Rev. Elijah Brown" with the exception of the date which is expressed in the Record in fair legible figures as follows "August 26 1779"
I Alpheus Clark, above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the County Town 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 Sherburne September 20, 1838
Alpheus Clark Town Clerk of Sherburne
Sworn before me. (Dalton Goulding Justice of the Peace)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Seig. Office Sept. 20. 1838.
I hereby certify that the above extract containing is a true copy of the Record for the County of Middlesex within the State of the State. John P. Bigelow Seig of the County

I Peter Tammum of Grafton in the County of Worcester and State of Mass- achusetts do hereby announce, that my wife is the daughter of Joseph Nichols and Thankful Nichols his wife. The said Joseph Nichols died about two or three years ago, and the said Thankful who now resides in said Grafton has never been mar- ried since his death.
Peter Tammum
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable Sept. 25. 1838. Known to me to be a true copy of the foregoing and to be known to me as a true copy of the other. Life...
The Boston press of Public for some time

1673 V 2187
Thankful Nichols
Wid of Joseph
Mass
Adl July 7 1835
adm D
On roll Vol 14 p 81
adm
Smo Sergr
40th
no deduction
Hon. Jn. Davis
Senate

Commencement of Massachusetts Army of Volunteers.
On this twenty sixth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared John H. Hatten Esq. of the Court of Probate in said County of Worcester, Trustee of the estate a resident of Grafton in said County aged thirty eight 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 8, 1838, en- titled an act granting half pay and pen- sions to certain widows.
That she is the widow of Joseph H. Hatten late of Grafton of previous residence, who was a sergeant, quartermaster and sergeant, since admitted in the Army of the United States. They both belonged to the town of Framingham in the County of Middlesex when he went into the service. She knew that he was in the service, but she is unable of her own knowledge to state the particulars of it.

She always understood him, that he was out in the beginning of the war, that he was at the battle of Hunker Hill, and afterwards at the taking of Bunker Hill. Whether he was out any more she cannot state. When the pension law of 1818 was made, he applied for a pension, and his application, marked (A) is hereto annexed, showing that period he was in, but since application was rejected for want of proof of service by a recommendation on the last thread. For the evidence in her case, she must rely upon his said application, the deposition in the lack of it by Titus Nichols, and the other deposition in her case, and upon the rolls in the war department.
She further declares, that her husband's name was Nathaniel which; that she was married to the said Nathaniel at Shelburne a town adjoining Framingham, by the Rev. Mr. Brown, on the twenty-sixth day of August in the year eighteen hundred and twenty nine; that he has since, the aforesaid Nathaniel, died at said Grafton on the twenty-fifth day of August in the year eighteen hundred

and twenty six; since that she has never been married since his death. That she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January in the year nineteen hundred and ninety four, to wit at the time when she was. She has no documentary evidence, that could prove to disprove her case.
I seem to come whither
the day came you. Thankful for X Nichols just above written mark
Before me
See Brattle paper of the last of October for some account of my mother

Hon. J. Davis Senate

Farnsworthville Oct. 1. 1838
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I herewith enclose the declaration of Thankfull Nichols together with deposition No showing very clearly I believe that she is entitled to a pension under the new law. have enclosed the application for a pension of her husband which was rejected for reason which appear on the back of it. have previous to this have shown clearly that he was Quarter Master Sergeant, that his oath would be taken as to Adjuutant's Service on that the rolls would show it. I trust that shall have from

you know as the old lady is now quite feeble and her income is not one half equal to the cost of her support
Yours Respectfully Peter Furman
please direct
Freemansville
Monroe County
N.Y.

Hammusville Jan. 10-1839
Dear John Davis Sir
Permit me to trouble you once more to call on Mr. Edwards and request him to forward me a certificate for Mrs. Thankful Nichols for Pension for services already proved of her husband in the war of 1775. I had supposed they would receive Mr. Nichols oath as proof for the Bunkerhill service if I could not procure further proof as there can be no question about the service, but cannot find any testimony to the point as have not as yet been able to find a person living

That was in that service, the outth of Mr Nichols Mr Edwards has in his possession but if he cannot take that as proof please send me the certificate as above requested as the money is much needed for her support. I have knowledge the receipt of Mr Edwards letter to you saying Mrs Nichols could take £1775 certificate for 8 mos & 8 days services
Yours Respectfully Peter Harrison

Mabel Nichols Wid of Joseph M. A. P. St. Ann's Parish Dec 29 1938
Ad July 7 '38

Ebenezer Eaton's Affidavit
Wadsworth 80 1/2 1842
for 14 1/2 for 14 1/2

I Ebenezer Eaton of Framingham in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty eight years testify & say that in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five I was a sergeant in the Company of Infantry commanded by Capt Thomas Drury & was at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The company belonged to a Regiment of which Thomas Nixon of Framingham was Lt. Colonel, & John Nixon of Sudbury (afterwards Gen. Nixon) was the Colonel - I enlisted for eight months & did duty in that Company about seven months, being obliged to leave on account of ill health. The Regiment was stationed principally at Cambridge & remained in that vicinity till I left. At that time, it was on winter hill so called.
Joseph Nichols, a native of Framingham, was doing duty in the same Company during said seven months. He was on duty when I left. I always understood & have no doubt that he remained till the expiration of his term of enlistment , which was eight months. Said Nichols enlisted as a sergeant, & did duty as such for a very short time, when he was appointed a quarter master sergeant and did duty as such for the remainder of the time I stayed; & was acting as such when I left - I well remember his dealing out provisions to the soldiers - The Quarter Master was Charles Dorsey.
I did not receive any discharge & understood it was not the practice in that Regiment - I am now receiving a Pension, for the services rendered as herein stated.
Said Nichols removed from the town of Framingham, many years ago, to some town in the adjoining County of

Worcester. Before his removal he was married to a daughter of Nathan Welch of Framingham — Ebenezer Eaton
I am not able to call to my recollection any person now living who was a member of our Company, or any of the other Companies of our Regiment. Jonathan Maynard Esq., who testified for me, has since died — I can not state positively the time when said Nichols was appointed quarter master sergeant; but I have no recollection of his doing duty as sergeant, & think he was promoted almost immediately — I am quite confident that it could not exceed a week.
Ebenezer Eaton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. Sept. 19 th 1838. This day Ebenezer Eaton subscribed the foregoing affidavit, & made oath that the same is true according to his best recollection, & belief knowledge, & belief, before me. And I certify that said Eaton has, for many years, been known to me as a man of truth, & that he is still in the possession & exercise of a good memory and a sound understanding.
Jonah Adams Justice of the Peace
Commissioned Justice of the Peace
Seal's Office Sept. 19. 1838.
I hereby certify that the above Jonah Adams is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex. Witness my Seal of the State.
John P. Bigelow
Seal of the Com'ty

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester County } S.S.
Be it known that on this twenty seventh day of March A D 1843 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county Mrs Thankful Nichols of Grafton aged eighty two years, who, being first, duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3 rd day of March 1843.
That she is the widow of Joseph Nichols deceased who was a Quarter Master Sergeant in the Revolutionary War and served as she verily believes as stated by her in her original declaration for a pension under the law of 7 th July 1838. To which declaration, and the papers accompanying the same now on file in the War Department. She would refer for a more particular statement of services and for the proof of her marriage identity, and the time of her husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said act at the rate of $40.00 per annum. which amount she received from the 4 th day of March 1836, to the 4 th day of March 1841, at the agency in Boston Massachusetts, and at the time of receiving her last payment surrendered the Pension Certificate granted to her under said act. to the Pension agent at said city of Boston of foresaid agreeably to the rules of the Department.
and the declarant further alleges that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said husband but is now and ever since has been the widow of said Joseph Nichols deceased as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed.
and further she saith not. Witness Samuel Houghton Thankful Nichols her mark Sworn and subscribed on the day and year first above written.
Before me Sara Leland, Just. of Peace.

I Samuel Houghton of Grafton in the County of Worcester do hereby on oath testify and say that I am well acquainted with Hannah Nichols the person named in the foregoing application and have been for many years last past. I know that she was the wife and is now the widow of Joseph Nichols dec d . and that she was a pensioner under the act of 1836, as stated by her.
Samuel Houghton
Com th of Mass s Suffolk County ss. Boston, 4 th April 1843. Personally came Samuel Houghton, a credible witness, and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me
W. Bulfinch Justice Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office Boston April 4 th 1843
Thereby certify that Jonathan Seland is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester and Thomas Bulfinch is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth aforesaid, duly constituted and commissioned.
Witness my Seal of the Com- monwealth.
Jno A. Dole Seal of the Commonwealth