Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15939, for Levi Priest, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Priest, Levi Mary
W. 15939
CONTENTS

11. 920 R
New Hampshire
Levi Priest
of Hancock in the state of N. Hamp. who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Marshall of the Mass ine, for the term of three years
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 18 Dollars per month, to commence on the 27 th of March 1819.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th of June 1819 and sent to Levi Woodbury Esq. Amherst E.S.H.
Arrears to 4th of Sep r 1819. 5 mo. 1/2 mo. 42.35
Semi-annual account ending
$42.35
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Done and delivered
Patent Office sent to Parker and Darling Pension - N.H. July 31. 1820

Levi Priest, Hancock. N.H.
Adm. o #
Correct by roll.

I Levi Priest of Hancock in the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire Husbandman of formerly of Sterling, Massachusetts, depose that on or about the twenty second day of March A.D. 1777 I enlisted into Capt. Warner's company in Col. Marshals Regiment, in Gen. Patterson's Brigade for the term of three years and there as a private soldier faithfully served against the common enemy during said term was was honorably discharged & received written evidence thereof which I have since lost. Said service was in the Massachusetts Line.
I further depose, that I never received any Pension from the United States -
I further depose that I am now in the 80th year of my age - have a large and expensive family - have become almost entirely unable to labor - am worth but little property - not more I think than two hundred dollars - and therefore need assistance from my Country for support.
March 27th. 1819 -
Levi Priest
Hillsborough ss: March 27th. 1819 - State of New Hampshire -
I hereby certify, that said Priest personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me - and it has satisfied me, that he served as a private soldier more than nine months when paid in the Massachusetts Line in the Continental service in the Revolutionary War and that said Priest is in such reduced circumstances as to need assistance from his country for support -
Levi Woodbury As. Jus. Sup. Ct. (n.x).

copy 9 Leve Priest
N o 11920
continued
Not Ent l
15 June 1819

STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
HILLSBOROUGH, SS.
At a Court of Common Pleas for the first district, holden at Amherst in said county of Hillsborough, on this fourth day of July, 1820, being a court of record; having power of fine and imprisonment, and unlimited Jurisdiction in point of amount.
PRESENT
The Hon. { JOSHUA DARLING, } Justices. JEDIDIAH K. SMITH,
Personally appeared, in open court, Levi Priest aged 59 years, resident in Hancock 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, to wit: — That he enlisted in March 1777 into capt. William Warner's Company in Col o — Marshall's Regiment in the Massachusetts line for the term of three years and that he served from the time of his enlistment until about the twenty second day of March 1780 when he was honorably discharged at West Point in the State of New York and was at the battle at Bemis Heights at the taking of Burgoyne
the date of my original declaration was on the twenty seventh day of March Anno Domini, 18 19 I have received a pension, the certificate of which is numbered 11.920 on the back thereof.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th 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 the act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land or 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 following schedule, by me subscribed,
  Real Estate - valued at $ 1170.00   1 Horse 50.00   1 Do. 25.00   1 Pair of Oxen 60.00   1 Pair of Steers 35.00   1 Pair Do. 25, 3 year old Cattle - 18, 43.00   4 Cows 56.00   3 Heifers 26, Swine 20, 40 Sheep 30, 76.00   Cart 6.00 - Waggons 5.00 - Chains 4.50 - Hoes 1.25 15.75   Axes 1.50 - Sleigh & Harness 11.00 - Horse Traces 1.50 14.00   Chains & Pin 1.25 - Scythes 2.00 - Iron bar 4.00 Saddles 12.00 18.25   Brush scythe .75 3 Rakes .50 Carpenters Tools .75 2.00   Case of Drawers 2.00 - Chest of Drawers .50 - Work Table 1.00 3.50   Looking Glass .25 - Block 4.00 - 1 Doz. Chairs 3.00 7.25   Table 2.50 Brass Kettle 4. Iron ware 3.50 10.00   Brown ware 1.00 - Crockery 1.50 Andirons 2.00 4.50   Shovel & Tongs 2.25 2.25   5 bushels of Corn 3.75 100 lbs of Pork 7.00 10.75   25 lbs of wool 8.00   $ 1611.25 

And that he is indebted to sundry persons to about the sum as near as I can judge of $1000.00    to wit to Levi Priest for about the sum of 400.00  400.00    to Doct Peter Tuttle as near as I can judge  100.00    to John & Henry Whitecomb about the sum of  30.00    to Matthew A. Fisher as near as I can judge  16.00    to Benja a Whittimore about  30.00    to Thos. K. Breed about  8.00    to Michaijah Moores about  15.00    to the town of Sterling about  90.00    to Joseph Priest about  220.00    to John Washburn about  28.00    to Benja a Priest about  63.00    Amounting to  $1000.00    Besides a large number of small debts the amount of which I do not know.
My occupation is that of a Farmer but am not of sufficient ability to pursue it by reason of ill health, having had several shocks of the Numb Palsy which has so much affected my health and limbs that I can labour but very little
My family, residing with me, consists of my wife Mary, aged fifty six years, and who has been for four years last past so much out of health that for that period she has been generally under the care of one Physician and a great proportion of the time of two Physicians. Her complaint is a Dropsy. I have five children residing with me in my family as follows - Betsy, aged 21 years, who is very weakly. Eurice aged 17 years who is also very weakly. Jonathan aged 15 years whose health is pretty good. George W. aged 13 years who is very slender health. Rhoda Evelina aged 11 years who is a very weakly child all of whom are dependent on me for support.
Levi Priest
fifth
day of July
Sworn to and declared in open court, on the Anno Domini, 1820.
M c Eastman Clerk
I MOSES EASTMAN, Clerk of the above named Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing declaration and oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited, in the foregoing schedule, is $1611, 25 and that the applicant owes as above $1000.00 $1000,00
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, on this
fifth
day of July, 1820.
M c Eastman
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Hillsborough.

1179. New Hampshire Concord Mary Priest, widow of Levi Priest,
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Map Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4. day of August 1848. and sent to
Luke Woodbury Antrim N. H.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 118 Vol. 1
Reported

Declaration (1982) Mary Priest Widow of Levi 17th Marina 1784 died 1829
I am requested to forward the enclosed papers. Please add up any communication on picture of the same to me at Antioch County of Hills. borough New Hampshire
Luther Woodbury
Allow $80 per annum
Hor N. Pierce U S S

I Betsy Bowers of Hancock in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire depose and say that I was well acquainted with Levi Priest late of said Hancock deceased that said Levi Priest died at said Hancock on the nineteenth day of December A.D. 1829 that I am also well acquainted with his widow Mary Priest, that she has remained a widow ever since the decease of her husband the aforesaid Levi Priest. that I have been a near neighbor to them for about forty years past that they lived together as man and wife and have a large family of children. Betsy Bowers
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County ss. September 10. 1838.
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Levi Woodbury Justice of the peace I testify that the aforesaid deposition of the deponent is in my belief a credible testimony
Levi Woodbury Justice of peace

State of New Hampshire Secretary of States office
I hereby certify the within named Luke Woodbury is Judge of Probate for the County of Hillsborough and also is a Justice of the Peace for said County is duly commissioned and his signature to each of said papers is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have this 20th day of September Anno Domini 1838 caused the seal of the State to be hereunto affixed.
J. Morrill Deputy Secy

Mr Levi Priest

War Department,
PENSION OFFICE,
July 31 1820.
SIR,
You are hereby informed that the Secretary of War does not, on account of the amount of your property, consider you entitled to a Pension under the Acts of the 18th March, 1818, and 1st May, 1820 ; and has, therefore, directed your name to be stricken from the Pension List.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
To Mr. Levi Priest
Hancock
N H

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough County ss. On this tenth day of September in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty eight at Hanover in said County personally appeared before me Luke Woodbury Judge of the Court of Probate of Wills &c within and for said County Mary Priest, a resident of Hanover aforesaid aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth in her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows": That she is the widow of Levi Priest late of Hanover aforesaid deceased who was a private soldier in the army of the Revolution, and was placed upon the pension list under the act of 18th March 1818 and was stricken therefrom on the thirty first day of July 1820 as will more fully appear by the certificate of pension and the order from the Pension Office which are hereto annexed. That she relies upon the proof furnished by him for evidence of his services.
She further declares that she was married to the said Levi Priest at Sterling, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the eighteenth day of January in the year seventeen hundred and eighty four, that her husband, the aforesaid Levi Priest died at said Hanover on the nineteenth day of December in the year eighteen hundred and twenty nine; that she was not married to him prior to his having the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of
(over)

January, nineteen hundred and ninety four vfg. at the time above stated. That her maiden name was Brews. that she has remained a widow ever since the decease of her husband aforesaid.
Mary Priest
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
Leah Woodbury Judge as aforesaid.
I certify that the aforesaid Mary Priest is, in my belief a credible witness; and that the cause of taking and executing the aforesaid declaration at the present time and place is, that the said Mary Priest, the declarant is, from bodily infirmities unable to attend Court without serious inconvenience and exposure of her health.
Leah Woodbury Judge as aforesaid.

I hereby certify, that in the record of marriages kept by the Rev. Nathan Holcomb of Sterling I find the following entry.
One thousand seven hundred and eighty four, January eighteenth, "Love Priest and Mary Brooks."
And I further certify that the above record is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair, legible figures, as follows "1784, Jan. 18."
Peter Osgood.
Sterling Aug. 22. 1838.
I, Peter Osgood, above named, do here and say, that I hold the office of Pastor of the first Congregational Church in Sterling aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Church, with the exception above named, certified by me.
Peter Osgood, Pastor of the first Congregational Church in Sterling.
Massachusetts State Worcester County } 2d August 22 d 1838 Town of Sterling }
Sworn to before me Moses Thomas Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Worcester ss. I, Jos. G. Kendall Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within and for said County, certify that Moses Thomas within signed is a justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified to act as such. and that the signature of his name, within written, appears to be in his own hand writing - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Worcester, this twenty third day of Au- gust A.D. 1838. — Jos. G. Kendall, Clerk

1939. Oct. 17- Photos mailed to Miss Alice L. Priest - See Rev. claim of Joseph Priest - W. 812 - J.L.L.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15939 Mary Priest Widow of Levi Priest Phila Nov 1847 Act Feb 20 48 Index: Vol. M , Page 141
[Arrangement of 1870.]

834
New Hampshire. Concord
Mary Priest widow of Levi Priest who was a Private in the U.S. line for 2 years
Rev July 7
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of July, 1843. and sent to
Luke Woodbury Latrim, N. Hampshire
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1. Page 20.

1818
Concord N. Hampshire
Mary Priest widow of Levi Priest deceased
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 19 th December 1829 of Hillsboro co. in the State of N.H. who was a Private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg t commanded by Col Marshall in the Ms. time for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord N.H. at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Feb. 1839 and Supt Henry F. Pierce Senate U States
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept 1838 $200.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 39, 40.00
$240.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by M. Addison Clerk, Book 9 Vol. 128 Page 50

October 17, 1939.
Miss Alice L. Priest 16 Brewster Terrace Brookline, Massachusetts.
BA-J/ILL
Dear Madam:
You are furnished herewith, as requested, photostatic copies of the originals pages thereof, in the claims for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary War of the soldiers names below.
Abel Priest, W. 26342 - 3 pages Job Priest, S. 33517 - 3 pages Joseph Priest, W. 812 - 4 pages Levi Priest, W. 15939 - 2 pages Samuel Priest, W. 26937 - 2 pages William Priest, S. 11267 - 2 pages.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

BA-J/ILL Rev. & 1812 No. 487
October 9
9
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
Navy- Br. 970
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Revolutionary War claim for pension of Levi Priest -W. 15939
Actual 1 of each page
$.50
2 pages
Sacred's appl. July 4, 1870 - his schedule etc 2 ff
Requested by Alice L. Priest Her neg. in Joseph Priest - W. 8/2
Kindly leave margin of 1½ inch at top of each page and return papers in folder with corresponding name and number.
The word "Omit" written in pencil on page not to be copied.
Chief, Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

Series B Cert.
(Hancock)
Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of September next, in Portsmouth at the Branch Bank Ltd.
Severn

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818:
Levi Priest late a private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the New Hampshire Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to com- mence on the twenty seventh day of March one thousand eight hundred and nineteen .
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this fifteenth  June day of one thousand eight hundred and nineteen .
J. S. Edwards
in the absence and on behalf of the Secretary of War.

699 Mary Priest.
Admit, private $80.
Concord Agency
Send to
Luke Woodberry
Aurora
N. Hampshire

State of New Hampshire.
Hillsborough County ss. On this first day of April A.D. 1843 personally appeared before me, Luke Woodbury, a Justice of the peace and of the quorum throughout said State Mary Priest a resident of Hancock in said County of Hillsborough aged twenty eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth in her acts, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3 d March, 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Levi Priest formerly of Hancock aforesaid deceased, who was a Private in the Revolutionary Army and was a Pensioner under the act of 1818 on the New Hampshire List and was stricken from the List of pensioners in consequence of his property, that she has no doubt he served under the Officers status in his declaration, that she cannot possibly recollect the officers names. That she received a pension under the act of July 7, 1838, amounting to Eighty dollars per annum. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Mary Priest
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
Luke Woodbury Justice of the peace &c as aforesaid
I hereby certify that the aforesaid declarant is personally known to me and that she drew a pension under the act of July 7, 1838.
Luke Woodbury Justice of the peace &c as aforesaid

State of New Hampshire Hillsborough County y Set I Lemuel N. Patten Register of the Court of Probate, of the County aforesaid State aforesaid do hereby certify that Suke Woodbury is an acting Justice of the Peace and of the quorum throughout said State duly commiss- ioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the twenty first day of May 1839, and will expire on the twentieth day of May 1844, and that his signatures within written are genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this nineteenth day of April 1843
Lemuel N. Patten Register

Mary Priest
Ad
834
admitted
Luke Woodbury Matrium W.D.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled "An Act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. )
County of Hillsborough ss. )
ON THIS twentieth day of July 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Mary Priest a resident of Hancock in the County of Hillsborough aforesaid aged Eighty three years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War: That she is the Widow of Levi Priest who was a Private in the army of the Revolution and drew a pension I think under the act of 1818, and he served, as I believe, as stated by him in his application for the pension of procuring the same that she has drawn a pension under the act of Congress of June 17, 1844 of eighty dollars per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Attest R. Eucline Priest
Mary Priest mark
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written—Before
Luke Woodbury Justice of the Peace
I FURTHER CERTIFY, That the above Declarant is personally known to me.
Luke Woodbury Justice of the Peace
State of New-Hampshire.
Hillsborough COUNTY, ss
I, Purley Dorr Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Luke Woodbury is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the Twentieth day of May 1844 and will expire on the Nineteenth day of May 1849 and that his signature above written is genuine.
Under my hand, and the seal of said County, this 24th day of July 1848
Purley Dorr CLERK