Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15180, for Benjamin Peters, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Peters, Benjamin Martha
W. 15180
CONTENTS

Rep d .
2 Certs.
let to Sam l Merrill,
Nov. 3, 1846,
Pen ty let to re-sent to S. Merrill, Andover, Massachusetts, Feb 1. 1847. which was from from Duncan let to Hon. H. Duncan Oct 14. 1850.
7938.
Massachusetts.
Martha Peters — widow of Benjamin Peters who was a Private — Mass. in the Massachusetts Line
Husband died Aug 25. 1815.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 28 — Dollars 88 — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Sept. 1846. and sent to
Samuel Merrill, Esq. Boston Mass.
[Acts of March 3, 1843.] and 17. June 1844.
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 2. Page 36.
D. H. Wood, Clk.

12971. —
Martha Peters widow of Benjamin Mays act 7 July 1838 Married 1783 husband died 1815

The following is an Extract from the Church Record of Marriages of the first Church in Reading, now South Reading, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts viz - "Benjamin Peters jun r of Andover & Martha Brown of Reading" the ninth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty three."
Thereby certify that the above Extract is a true copy of the Church Record of marriages of the First Church in Reading, now South Reading under the pastoral care of the Rev d Caleb Prentiss, with the exception of the date, which is expressed in fair legible Figures, as follows - viz - "1783 "Oct: 9:"
Reuben Ernerson.
Pastor of the First Church in Reading Now South Reading
I Reuben Ernerson, above named, depose and say, that I hold the Office of Pastor of the First Church in Reading, now South Reading, County and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true Extract from the Records of said Church

now in my custody & keeping, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Preacher Emerson, } Pastor of the First Church in Reading now South Reading
State of Massachusetts Middlesex County ss: Aug. 6, 1846.
Sworn before me,
Silly Eaton
Justice of the Peace.

I Hannah Peters of Middleton in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath depose & say That I am seventy nine years of age - That I was born in Andover in said County of Essex - That my Brother Benjamin Peters went into the Army - That I well remember my Mother was much grieved at his departure - That he came home sick of Dysentery - That he remained at home several weeks during which time my Sister died - That shortly after the death of my Sister my Brother Benjamin returned to the Army - That he was in the Army as near as I can remember about eight months - That at another time he was in the Army about four months Hannah Peters
Essex ss. Jan. 11- 1845
Then the said Hannah Peters made oath that the above statement made by her is true Before me
E. S. Phelps Justice of the Peace

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay & pensions to certain Widows"; also of the Act of March 3 d 1843, and June 17th. 1844. State of Massachusetts } ss.
On this second day of June in the year 1845 personally appeared before me James C. Merrill Esquire, one of the Justices of the Police Court of the City of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts Martha Peters, a resident of Andover in the County of Essex and State aforesaid, aged eighty one years the 10th day of December last, who being first 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 7th, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows," - also of the acts of March 3 d 1843, and June 17th 1844.
That she is the Widow of Benjamin Peters, deceased, who was a private Soldier in the Army of the Revolution and served as such, in the Company of Capt. Samuel King, Lieut. Joshua Lovejoy, in Col. Josiah Whitney's Regt. from June 21, 1775, one month and ten days, also in the same Company and service continued from August 1st to November 1st 1775 - 3 Months, and also in the same Company from the 1 st November to Dec r 1 st of the same year, including 3 days allowed for travel, one month and three days, also in the Company of Capt. Nathaniel Gage, Col. Jacob Gerrish's Regt., service at Winter Hill, from December 19th 1777 to February 3 d 1778 - one month and 15 days - also in the same Company from February 3 d to April 3 d 1778, including allowance for travel, 2 months and 1 day, making in all eight months and twenty nine days service.
She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Peters on the ninth day of October

in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three, that her husband, the aforesaid Benjamin Peters, did on the twenty fifth day of August in the year 1815, ————— that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated.
her Martha X Peters mark.
June 2d 1845 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex County ss; June 2d 1845. Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid before me; and I further certify that the applicant by reason of bodily infirmity and sickness was unable to appear personally in open Court.
James C. Merrill Justice of the Police Court of the City of Boston —

We the undersigned, Citizens of Andover, viz, Nicholas Noyes, aged eighty three years the 5th day of July next, and Ariel Peters aged 83 years on oath testify, that we know and are well acquainted with Mrs Martha Peters, we know that she is the Widow of Benjamin Peters, deceased, who was a Sol- dier in the Revolutionary War, that he died some- time in the year 1815, and we know that she has not since been married, but is now his widow.
Witness George Hodges Jr - }
Nicholas Noyes his Ariel X Peters mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Efsex County ss: } Personally appeared Nicholas Noyes May 27. 1846 } and Ariel Peters above named, whom I certify to be credible witnesses, and made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit, by them sub- scribed before me,
Samuel Merrill, Justice of Peace.
I also certify that the word (Royal) in the above affidavit was erased & the (word) Ariel, substituted in its place before it was signed & sworn to.
Sam Merrill. Jus. Peace

Re WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15180
Martha Peters Widow of Benjamin Peters Pr. Rev War
Act: (March 8 th / June 1 st / 1844)
Index:—Vol. M , Page 122
[Arrangement of 1870.]

11093.
Massachusetts.
Martha Peters
Widow of Benjamin Peters who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 28 th August 1815 of Boston in the State of Mass. who was a Pri in the Compy commanded by Captain King of the Regt commanded by Col. Whitney in the Mass line for 8 months 29 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 18 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of Sept. 1840 and sent to S. Merriew, Esq. Boston, Mass.
Total amount, $114 4.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. Hennywood Clerk, Book D. Vol. 1. Page 65.

Feb 1 47
dead letter
7938 map r/k
Mount Peter
Pension Office.
20
Samuel Merrill Esq.
Boston,
Massachusetts

Maria Petri widow of Benjamin, Map act 3 March 1843 117 Mue 44 $28 87 / 100 per
To what time was the last paid? G. L. A.
Pension Office October 9. 1850 } Has not been paid

The Name of the Soldier is Benjamin Peters—
APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, MADE BY THE WIDOW OF THE PARTY WHO RENDERED THE SERVICE.
State of Massachusetts County of Essex Town of Andover,
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of my husband's service in the war of the Revolution.
He enlisted from the town of Andover in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts in the year 1775 1776 or 7 as a Private in the Company commanded by Captain King, Lieut Joshua Lovejoy in Col o Gericke's Regiment, as is believed and he served as follows,* viz:— in Cambridge & Charlestown and afterwards at Nantasket for a period of eight or nine Months.
He also served another tour in the Army of about 4 months, and was at this time, as is believed, at Winter Hill guarding Burgoyne's Troops, the Capt y and Lieut of the Company were Twins of the name of Richardson , of West-Cambridge , as is believed..
*Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank &c. of the soldier, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

BY THE WIDOW OF THE PARTY WHO FURNISHED THE EVIDENCE APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE
State of Massachusetts County of Berkshire
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:
He enlisted from the town of Adams in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
and in the company commanded by Captain James H. Collins
and in the service of the United States
and in the battle of Chippewa
and in the battle of Lundy's Lane
and in the battle of Beaver Dams
and in the battle of Queenston Heights
and in the battle of Chrysler's Farm
and in the battle of Fort Erie
and in the battle of Red Bank
and in the battle of Red Bank
and in the battle of Red Bank
and in the battle of Red Bank
and in the battle of Red Bank
and in the battle of Red Bank
and in the battle of Red Bank
1053
I am now eighty one years old, and my memory does not enable me to state my husband's services more fully than above stated.
WITNESS my hand, this twenty eighth day of February
A. D. 1845
Signed by said Martha Peters in my presence,
Sam Merrill , JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Martha Peters

No 12971 Martha Peters Widow of Benjamin Map 9035- 1205- act 7 July 1838
Adm d 8 mo 29 days per $28 88 per ann
Adm d , acts 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844 $28 88 per ann
Samuel Merrill Boston
No 10

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 7 th 1826
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the Attestations hereto attached, Samuel Merrill was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex. Lilley Caten a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, and James C. Merrill, one of the Justices of the Police Court for the County of Suffolk City of Boston 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.
John G. Palfrey, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
March 20. 1845.
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 Benjamin Peters is borne upon a pay roll of Capt o Samuel King, L t Joshua Lovijoy, in Col. Josiah Whitney's Reg t , as a private, 1-10 from June 21. 1776 — 1 month, 10 days; — dated, Camp at Hull, Oct r 15; — Upon a pay Roll of the same Comp y . and Service continued, from Aug t 1. to 3 — Nov r 1. 1776, — 3 months; — and further upon another pay Roll of the same, from the 1 st Nov r to Dec r 1, of the same year, including 3 days allowed 1-3 for travel, 1 month, 3 days; — Upon a pay Roll of Capt o Nathaniel Gage, Col. Jacob Gerrish, service at Winter Hill, from Dec r 19 1777 to 1-15 Feb y 3. 1778, — 1 month, 15 days; — and upon another of the same from Feb y 3 to April 3. 1778, including 2-1 allowance for travel, 2 months, 1 day. The name 8-28 of said Peters is not borne upon rolls of any officer.

of the name of Richardsen, and the preceding is all the evidence of service in the case.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sawyer,
Secretary of the Commonwealth. X

I Mary Richardson of Middleton in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath depose & say That I was born in Andover in said County of Essex. That I am eighty eight years of age - That my name before marriage was Mary Peters - That my Brother Benjamin Peters went into the American Army in the Spring of 1876 or 1877 as I was nineteen or twenty years of age at the time he went into the army - That in the summer following he came home to Andover where myself & my family then lived sick of Dysentery That he remained at home several weeks during the time he was at home a Sister of mine died - That he returned to the army where he remained several months the precise time I can not recollect Mary Richardson
Essex ss. Jan. 11 - 1845
Then the said Mary Richardson made oath that the above statement made by her is true according to the best of her knowledge & belief
Before me
E. S. Phelps Justice of the Peace

Martha Peters: Widow of Benjamin Peters — Andover — Lieut. Joshua Loring Captain — Fling.
Mrs Mary Richardson of Middleton, aged 87 yrs Brother of Benjamin Peters, says she remembers her Brothers going in the Spring into the Army & coming home back with the Dysentery in the Fall, & some of the rest of the family had it, & the youngest died. and after he got well he returned again to the Army she is confident eight or nine months if not more
Mrs Peters says her husband went to Cambridge & from there to Nantasket.
Can she get a Pension.
Mrs Peters says her husband was at winter Hill to guard Bennington — The Captain and Lieut. and of the Company were towns of the name of Richardson — & were from West Cambridge

Mrs Martha Peters
1844. Sept 15.
Gerrish's Richardson Richardson's little Sister used to please him by saying he belonged to the Regiment of Cowards.

Nov 2. 1846
J. H. Lewis, M rs M ary E. Edwards, Comm ee of Pensions,
Recd
Washington, City, D.C.

Boston, Ms. Oct. 30. 1846
J. L. Edwards Esq r
Dr. Sir,
On enquiring at the Pension Office in this City, I am informed that a pension has been granted to the Widow Martha Peters - but I have not received the Pension Certificate. Please forward the same direct to me, Andover, Mass ts .
Very respectfully yours &c Samuel Merrill.
7938
Ms. March 22 1843

12971. Aug 10. 1886
Dr Martha
Jul 7. 1883.
40.
Edwards, Egbert Comm: of Delegates
Washington City D.C.

Boston Mass ts Aug t 7. 1846.
J. L. Edwards Esq: Com tee of Pensions
D r Sir, I enclose
The Application of Mrs Martha Peters. Please enclose her Pension Certificate to me, at Andover Mass ts
Very respectfully yours Samuel Merrill.