Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 27857, for Benjamin Richardson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
NUMBER
Richardson, Benjamin Bethiah
W. 27857
CONTENTS

215 Massachusetts
Benjamin Richardson
Dana in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Richardson of the Regt. commanded by Col. Walker in the Massachusetts line for 2 Years
No 71 a 2 Sept 37
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Novem- ber 1832 and sent to G. Folsom of Worcester Mass, Present.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 — $120.00 Pensional allowance ending 4 Mar '33 40.00
$160.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Geo. C. Hiles Clerk, Book D Vol. 5 Page 79

Massachusetts
Bethiah Richardson.
widow of Moses Benjamin Richardson, Decd. who died on the 20th. February, 1837 — of Worcester in the State of Mass: — who was a private in the company — commanded by Captain Richardson of the Regt — commanded by Col. Walker — in the Mass: — line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 — Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the last day of March, 1834 . 21st: February, 1837 — — — — —
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th: day of May 1839 and sent to Fred Weed Petersham, Mass: —
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 1839 $162.22 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept: 40 —
$207.22
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d & }
W. M. [unclear] Joint Resolution Clerk,

We Ephraim Whipple & Benjamin Skinner both of Dana in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age, do severally testify & say, that we have for thirty years or more been well acquainted with Benjamin Richardson of Dana aforesaid, that he has during the time aforesaid resided in Dana, & has commonly reported to be a soldier of the revolution - that we concur in that opinion -
We further state that the said Richardson calls himself & is generally considered to be eighty two years of age, & we believe him to be of that age -
Ephraim Whipple his Benj'a + Skinner mark
Worcester ss. August 22. 1832 Then personally appeared Ephraim Whipple & Benjamin Skinner & severally made oath that the above deposition by them subscribed, is true -
Jos. Knapp Jus. Peace
I hereby certify that I consider the above depositions persons of truth & veracity - Jos. Knapp Jus. Peace

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before Hon. Nathaniel Paine Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting Benjamin Richardson a resident of Dana in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he marched to Lexington as a minute man, on the alarm, and served to the first day of May 1775 when he enlisted as a private in Capt. Caleb Richardson's Company in Col. Walker's Regiment for eight months and was stationed in Roxbury near Boston and at the end of his service as aforesaid, he was verbally discharged, being the last day of December 1775 - That in July 1776 he enlisted for the term of five months as a private in Capt. Caleb Richardson's Company in Col. Gage's Regiment and was stationed first in the City of New York, then moved up the river about two miles to a place called Chelsea, and remained there till the battle on Long Island; then at Harlem Heights, and was near to White Plains at the time of the battle, within hearing - and was near Croton bridge at the end of his enlistment, where he was verbally discharged -
That some time in June 1777 he enlisted as a private in Capt. Israel Snow's Company - for three months and was stationed first in Providence, and that then at South Kingston near Point Judith, where he was verbally discharged - he cannot recollect the name of the Colonel -
That in August 1778 he was drafted in Capt. Elisha May's Company in Col. Daggett's regiment for and served from Monday to the next Saturday night in General Sullivan's expedition when the Americans were driven from the Island of Rhode Island -
That in July 1779 he enlisted in Capt. Adam Fish's Regiment Company, in Col. Bradford's Regiment for nine months, on the Continental establishment. That his time commenced at Springfield Mass. from thence to West Point on the North River, he cannot recollect the number of the Regiment - that he was regularly discharged - which discharge he has lost - That he obtained a pension certificate for the last service under the act of March 18, 1818 - numbered 1508 - That he does not know of any person who can testify as to his personal knowledge of his having performed the Militia Services aforesaid - That he was born in Attleboro Precinct in the County of Bristol March 22, 1750 old style, he understood his age was recorded on the records of Attleboro - That he resided in Attleboro when he performed the said Militia Services, and at Rehoboth when he performed the service on the Continental establishment - That he gives the names of Apollos Johnson Esq. and Ephraim Whipple Esq. of Dana who will testify as to his character for truth and veracity and of their belief of his services as a Soldier of the revolution - That he was stricken from the pension roll on account of property - That he removed to Dana 1797 when he has resided ever since - and at the time he made the application
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on

We Apollos Johnson  a Clergyman residing in the Town of Dana and Ebenezer Arnsden residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Richardson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
By me Nathl. Ames, Judg. of Probate for the County of Worcester
Apollos Johnson Ebenezer Arnsden
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 above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Apollos Johnson who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman , resident in the Town of Dana and that Ebenezer Arnsden who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Dana and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl. Ames Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Joseph Wheeler Regt. , Clerk of the Court of the County of Probate for  the County of Worcester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Richardson for a pension. That Joseph Wheeler before named is a Justice of the Peace in the County of Worcester in full court - That the foregoing is a true copy of the original TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand affixed the Seal of the Court of Probate this 25 day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Joseph Wheeler Regt. of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts
Benj. Richardson

Wass Bethiah Richardson widow of Benj c die May
David Wass Esq. Newbern N.C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester ss. Probate Office
I certify that Ira Barton is Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester duly appointed and sworn, and that his name subscribed to the Papers hereto annexed are, in each case, written by himself; and that Jared Weed, and Apollos Johnson are, both of them Justices of the Peace for the County of Worcester duly commissioned and sworn; and that the name of each of the said Justices subscribed as such to papers hereto annexed, was written by himself.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the said Court this 19 th day of May 1837.
Frederick Wheeler Register of the said Court.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.
I James Sprout, clerk of the County Court therefor said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Maria Gilbert Estlin, whose signature is affixed to the within certificate, is a Justice of the peace, in for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this twenty fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
J. Sprout

Mansfield April 17 th 1837
Mr. Benjamin Richardson of Norton and Miss Bethiah Skinner of Mansfield were joined together in Marriage the 25 th of July 1771 by the Rev. Roland Green
A True Copy of Record
Attest W m B. Bates Town Clerk
Bristol ss Mansfield April 17 th 1837
Then personally appeared the above named W m B. Bates and made oath to the above Certificate by him subscribed and that the same is just and true in all its parts
Before me David Gilbert Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with the above named William B. Bates, and that he is a man of truth & veracity
David Gilbert Justice of the Peace

I Benjamin Richardson, of Dana in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, testify and say that my father, Benjamin Richardson, late of Dana aforesaid, died, on the twentieth day of February, now last past, leaving my mother Bethiah Richardson, his widow; and that the said Bethiah Richardson, now is, and has remained, a widow ever since that period - Bethiah Richardson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss, May 18 1837 -
Then Benjamin Richardson personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, by him subscribed. And I certify that the said Benjamin Richardson is a person of undoubted truth and veracity -
Before me
Jared Weed Jus: Peace.

Dear Richardson
Let me congratulate his excellency to forest wear by P. S. ...
Yours

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester County ss.
On this eighteenth day of May, A.D. 1837, personally appeared before Ira Barton Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate in said County of Worcester, Betsy Richardson, a resident of Dana in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged ninety 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 provisions made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836:
That she is the widow of Benjamin Richardson late of Dana aforesaid, deceased, who was a private in the army during the war of the revolution, and was a pensioner of the United States for revolutionary services at the time of his decease. And that the evidence of his services as aforesaid is particularly set forth in his declaration and the documents annexed thereto, now on file in the War Department at Washington, to which she refers in support of her claim in right of her said husband.
She further declares that she was lawfully married to the said Benjamin Richardson on the twenty fifth day of July in the year seventeen hundred and seventy one, through I consider that the exact day of our marriage and that her husband, the aforesaid Benjamin Richardson, died on the twentieth day of February now last past. And that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and in the year above written before the  Mr. Barton Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester. X Richardson

And whereas the Court do declare it as their opinion, that the said Benjamin Nick- erson was a soldier of the Revolution; that he was married to the said Bethiah; — that he hath since deceased; and, that she now survives him as his widow as she hath done on oath declared; — She being in my opinion a person of truth, and entitled to full Credit —
Mr Boston Judge of said Court of Probate

I Benjamin Skinner of Dorce county of Worcester and commonwealth of Massachusetts testify and say that Bethiah Richardson widow of Benjamin Richardson a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States late of said Dorce deceased that said Widow Bethiah is my sister that she was Lawfully Married to said Benjamin Richardson in the Town of Mansfield about the year A.D. 1771 that I have been knowing to their having lived together as man and wife ever since until the death of said Benjamin which took place last February (Dated at Dorce this sixteenth day of May A.D. 1837 his Benjamin Skinner mark
Worcester ss May 16th 1837
Personally appeared Benjamin Skinner above named and made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true I further certify that said deponent is a man of undoubted truth and veracity Before me Apollos Johnson Justice of the peace

Resg
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 27.857
Bettiah Richardson Wid. of Benjamin Richardson Rev. War
Act _____
Index: Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Massachusetts Roll.
1,508
Benjamin Richardson
Private,
Massachusetts
line 79 - 9 months.
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 14 th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 of June 1818, and sent to the Hon. Isaac Parker, Worcester, Mass.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818.
Served all the time
4 months 21/30
$37.60
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Dana, Worcester Co.

State of Massachusetts
I, Benjamin Richardson, a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Dana, in the County of Worcester, in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the revolution at the commencement of it, in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and seventy five I entered and was engaged in the land service of Massachusetts for the term of eight months, against the Common Enemy; and afterwards from time to time, until A.D. 1779, I was engaged in said service in short excursions. I further on oath do testify and declare that in the month of July A.D. 1779, I entered and was engaged in the land service of the United States on the continental establishment for the term of nine months, and served accordingly from that time to the end of said term in April following, as a Private, against the common Enemy, without any interruption or absence: that I belonged to the company, under the command of Capt. Adam Fish in Col. Bradford's Regiment, in the Massachusetts line. And that I left the service in the month of April A.D. 1780 when I was regularly discharged; 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 sixty eight years, and I have lost or mislaid all papers accompanying my enlistment and discharge from the service. 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.
Benjn Richardson
Be it remembered that on this fourteenth 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 appeared before me Isaac Parker Esquire, Chief

Richardson 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 duly made by me (the said Judge), it appeareth to my satisfaction, that the declaration is true. Witness my hand & the seal of said Court the day & year aforesaid Isaac Parker C.I.H.
Worcester ss. April 14. 1818. Personally appeared Thomas Stimpson David Stowell, and made oath that they well knew Benjamin Richardson of Dana, and that they verily believe the statement by him made is true. Before me. David Stowell
We Thomas Stimpson and David Stowell both of Dana in the County of Worcester, testify and say, that we have for a long time been well acquainted with Benjamin Richardson of said Dana. That his pecuniary circumstances are not any good, and that we verily believe the within statement by him made is true.
Thos Stimpson David Stowell
Worcester ss. April 14. 1818. Personally appeared Thomas Stimpson and David Stowell, and made oath to the above certificate by them subscribed. Before me. Pardon Newton Justice of the Peace
Joseph
Deane

Benja Richardson Payable on the 4 March & 4 Sept er of each year at the Mr. Bank, U.S. at Boston. Mass —
Recorded

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claims
I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the Law of the UNITED STATES,
of the 18 th March 1818 - Benjamin Richardson late a - private - in the Army of the Revolution -
is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Eight - dollars - cents per month, to commence on the 14 th day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen -
GIVEN at the WAR OFFICE of the UNITED STATES, this Thirteenth day of June - one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
J. C. Calhoun Secy of War

Aug 4
Bethune Richardson
Esq. Hon. M.P.
113 4
James L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions. Pension Office City of Washington

Petersham, Mass, July 31. 1838
Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Sir
In the Spring of 1837 I transmitted to the Pension Office the application of Bethiah Richardson of Dana, the widow of Benjamin Richardson, for a pension in right of her deceased husband. — I was informed in answer that her declaration had been examined and placed on file. but the certificate was withheld, because she was not a widow on the fourth of July 1835 —) If the late Resolve  law of Congress extends the benefit to her, and her papers are regular. You will oblige by enclosing her pension certificate to me —
I see by a late law the act of July 4 1836 is extended to widows, whose marriage took place previous to 1774 — By enclosing a copy of the rules of evidence &c applicable to such cases, you will confer a special favor upon. Your Obe. Serv t Jared Weed —

Pay - Richardson Maf June 7.
When paid
Dec 20 th Feb 1837 p st to that period HAH 1A

Ordeal Richardson widow of Perry & Co Mess Ref d to Friend Weed. June 27 1837. same Aug 4. 1838.
At 4 July 1836

Bethiah Richardson
Wid of Ben a
Mass s Joint Reso.
Act July 4 1836
Manu d 1771
due Nov 20 1837
Allas $80 per ann y
from 20 Feb 1837
Mass s line. Capt Richardson & H rs Walker
Sarah Weed
Pelham
Mass s

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
22 V. 19. 80.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Ira Barton is the Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified - and that his signature to the paper hereto annexed is true and genuine.
I further certify, that Francis Weed is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified - and that his signature to the paper hereto annexed is true and genuine.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, this twenty-fourth day of October, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-eight.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester County } ss.
On this nineteenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, Bethiah Richardson, a resident of Dana, in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged ninety one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth at on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions 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 Richardson, late of said Dana, deceased, who was a private in the Massachusetts continental line and state troops for a term in the whole, of more than two years; that the said Benjamin Richardson was inscribed on the pension list, Roll of the Massachusetts agency under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832, at the rate of eighty dollars by the year for revolutionary services; that she is unable to specify the particular services he performed, or to give the names of the officers under whom he served, and that she refers to the declaration of the said Benjamin Richardson and the evidence, which accompanied it, now in the War Office, for evidence of his services.
She further declares that she was lawfully married to the said Benjamin Richardson on the twenty sixth day of September, seventeen hundred and seventy one; that her aforesaid husband, Benjamin Richardson, died on the twentieth day of February in the year, seventeen eighteen hundred and thirty seven, and that she has remained his widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear, by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Witnesses
Bethiah Richardson
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written, before.
of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester. M. D. Weston Judge

Sept. Twenty Sixth One Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy One, Married Each to the Other Mr. Benjamin Richardson of Norton and Miss Bethiah Skinner of Mansfield by the Rev. Roland Green
I Wm B. Bates Certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of the Records of said Town of Mansfield with the Exception of the date which is expressed in fair legible figures as follows Sept. 26 th 1771
Wm B. Bates Town Clerk of Mansfield
I Wm B. Bates above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town of Mansfield, County of Bristol, and State of Massachusetts, and the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town, with the above named exception as Certified by me
Wm B. Bates Town Clerk of Mansfield Mansfield Sept. 10 th 1838
Bristol ss. Sept. 10. 1838 Then personally appeared the above named Wm B. Bates Clerk of the Town of Mansfield and made oath that the above Certificate by him subscribed is just and true in all its parts
Before me David Gilbert Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
23. 10. 21 I James Spratt Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that David Gillett Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within certificate is a S. & P. of the peace, within said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Taunton, this thirteenth day of September, in the Year of our Lord, One thousand Eight hundred and twenty-eight.
James Spratt

I Benjamin Skinner of Dana in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty two years testify and say that Bethiah Richardson of Dana aforesaid is my Sister: That she was married to Benjamin Richardson at Mansfield, and afterward removed to Dana, where she resided many years near me; that Benjamin Richardson is dead. And that she now remains his widow.
Wilbur Jared Wood.
Benjamin Richardson
Benjamin his Skinner mark
Worcester ss. October 1 1838 Then personally appeared before me Benjamin Skinner and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed. And I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Benjamin Skinner and that he is a person of truth and veracity.
Jared Weed Jus: Peace -
I Benjamin Richardson of Dana in the County of Worcester testify and say that Benjamin Richardson late of said Dana deceased was my father; that the said Benjamin Richardson died on the twentieth day of February in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven. That Bethiah Richardson is my Mother, and that she remains the widow of the said Benjamin Richardson deceased.
Benjamin Richardson
Worcester ss. October 1 1838 Then personally appeared Benjamin Richardson and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed. And I hereby certify that the said Benjamin Richardson is personally known to me, and that he is a person of truth and veracity.
before me Jared Weed Justice of the Peace -