Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7758, for John Oaks, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Oaks, John Abigail
P 7758
CONTENTS

John Oaks 4 of Bangor in the state of  Dist of Maine who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bailey of the Keapst line, for the term of three years
Inscribed on the Roll of the Dist of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 4 th of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th of Apr y 1819 and sent to M. Finsley Esq Hampden, Maine.
arrears to 4th of Mar 1819 - 31 mo 1 / 30  88.26 emi-anl. all'ce ending 4 th Sep r 1819.  48.00
$136:26
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
Notified first to Jacob McCaw. 14 July 1870. Bangor, Maine

Los Can
May 27, 1844
U.S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pension Washington City
May 25 44

Bangor May 20 th 1844.
Sir
Your letter of the 15 th inst has been received in relation to a pension for Abigail Dake. —
She is dead — can her children have the benefit of the Pension from the decease of John Dake to the decease of his widow provided such evidence can be obtained as will be satisfactory of the marriage if not it will be throwing away money for nothing to expect any more in endeavouring to obtain such evidence — her poor son has all but spent all the money he could obtain they are very destitute
I am very respectfully Your Obt. Servt
H. L. Edwards Esq m
Joseph Carr
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Deposition of Pamela Lambert

I Jesse Washburn of Canaan in the County of Somerset & State of Maine do depose & say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the Town of Canaan, & that I have carefully searched the Books of Records in the Town Clerks Office in the Town of Canaan, & that I find no Records whatever of the Plantation, that was incorporated into a town by the name of Canaan whereof I now am Clerk. That if there ever were such Plantation Records Records kept they are lost consequently I find no record of the marriage of John Baks to Abigail Lamberts in any book of Records in the Town Clerks Office in said Canaan
Jesse Washburn } Clerk of the } Town of } Canaan
State of Maine Somerset County ss Augt 31 st 1843
Subscribed & sworn to by the above named Jesse Washburn before me Joseph Barritt Justice of the Peace
I the above named Justice of the Peace certify that the above named Jesse Washburn is well known to me & that he is a man of truth & veracity & that his statements under oath are entitled to full credit Joseph Barritt Justice of the Peace

State of Maine
Somerset County ss August 31st A.D. 1843
I Joseph Barrett before whom said Pamela Lam- bert made oath to the truth of the within Deposition do hereby certify that the said Pamela Lambert is well known to me that she is a person of truth & veracity & that her statements under oath are entitled to full credit.
Joseph Barrett Justice of the Peace
State of Maine.
Somerset County ss. I Joshua Gould, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the State of Maine within the County of Somerset do hereby certify that Joseph Barrett Esq. is a Justice of the peace for said County of Somerset duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature above written is genuine. In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said Court, and subscribed my name this fifth day of September A.D. 1843.
Joshua Gould, Clerk of said Court.

State of Maine
Somerset ss. I Pamela Lambert of Canaan County aforesaid twenty six years of age the Widow of Sherbick Lambert late of Skowhegan in said County of Somerset do depose & say that I was at the wedding of John Oakes & Abigail Lambert which was sol- emnized on the thirteenth day of December A.D. 1783 it being sixty years ago the thirteenth day of Dec- r next it was on Thanksgiving day & the marriage of said John Oakes & Abigail Lambert was solemnized by the Reverend Mr. Ezekiel Emerson who resided down the Kennebec river at the dwelling house of Mr. Sherbick Lambert father of my late husband in a Plantation which was afterward incorporated into a town by the name of Canaan but the farm wherein said Lambert then lived is now in the town of Skowhegan County of Som- erset aforesaid. Mr. John Oakes the Bridegroom was my brother & a revolutionary soldier. after my Brother John Oakes was married he settled in said Canaan he afterwards moved to Mecklenburg County of Washington & from thence to Bangor County of Penobscot & from thence to Exeter County of Penobscot aforesaid where he died said Abigail Oakes lived with her husband until his decease & now resides with her son John Oakes of said Exeter who is her eldest son.
Attest Joseph Barrett
Pamela X Lambert mark
Ebenezer Dorr
Martha Dorr
Somerset ss. August 31 st 1843
Then personally appeared the within named Pamela Lambert & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by her subscribed before me.
Joseph Barrett Justice of the Peace

John Oakes. 17 9 17
Private Col Bailey's Regiment 1777 - 3 years
Correct
Hunt

I John Dakes of Bangor in the County of Penobscot and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Yeoman, aged sixty three, do hereby testify & say, that on or about the month of January 1776 I enlisted as a soldier under Capt. Gilbert (then of Littleton) & Col Prescotts Regt. for one year: I served this time out; and at West Point I immediately enlisted again for three years under Capt. Sam l Derby (of Old York) & Col Baileys Regt. I served this time out: And then enlisted again under Capt. White in Col Brooks's Regt. for nine months: during which time I was ordered by Capt. White to take the charge of about sixty invalids, which I took on to Fishkill, & put them under the care of Doct. McKnight: Who ordered me to continue there as an Assistant in taking care of the sick: This I did; and continued, with him till the close of the war. —
I hereby relinquish all claim to any pension or new pension on account of my services: I am now reduced & need the assistance of my country for support. — JOHN DAKES My Discharges are all lost.
Apr. 4

John Oakes' Declaration etc. Copy
Continued
9174
8 Apr 1819

STATE OF MAINE.
COUNTY OF PENOBSCOT, ss. The Circuit Court of Common Pleas, begun & held at Bangor, in & for the County aforesaid, on the fourth Tuesday of June A.D. 1820. ON this twenty seventh day of June in the year
of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty, personally appeared in open court, being a court of record within and for said County, and State of Maine, established by a law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, made and passed on the eleventh  twenty first day of June, A. D. 1811, and recognized by the Constitution of the State of Maine.
John Oakes , aged, sixty six years, resident in Bangor in said County of Penobscot, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows; vizt as a private soldier in the Company commanded by Captain Samuel Gilbert, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Prescott, during the whole of the year 1776, in the Massachusetts Line upon the Continental Establishment, and was then regularly discharged. All which will more fully appear by my original Declaration, made on the fourth day of April, A.D. 1810. On which declaration my certificate of Pension, numbered 9174, was granted.

AND I John Oaks do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, 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 schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
(Signed) John Oaks Schedule of all the estate belonging to me the subscriber, necessary bedding & clothing excepted. viz: Real estate - None -
Personal estate. 1 old Cow, & 1 sheep & lamb - 1 Pig - 1 brook-cut Saw - No furniture other than indispensable for house-keeping.
I owe seventy dollars that I have no means of paying. The family residing with me the subscriber, whose occupation is that of a day-labourer, but which I am now unable to pursue except part of the time, by reason of ill health - viz: My wife, aged 64 years - feeble - My son, aged 20 years - Sick, and has been so for three years last past.
(Signed) John Oaks . Sworn to and declared, on the twenty seventh day of June, A.D. 1820, before the Court. Att. Tho: Cobb Clk.
I, THOMAS COBB, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Third Eastern Circuit, in the County of Penobscot and State of Maine, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records 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 aforesaid schedule, is twenty five dollars and . cents..
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty seventh day of June A. D. 1820.
Tho: Cobb Clerk of the said Court for the County of Penobscot.

9772
Abigail Cooks
Me
Act 7 th July 58
Rejected
The husband, died 25 th June 43
7758

State of Maine Penobscot County S.S
On this fourth day of October A.D. 1843. Personally appeared before Frederic H. Allen of Bangor one of the Justices of the District Court for the Eastern District, for the State aforesaid Abigail Oaks resident of Exeter in said County of Penobscot 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 benefit of the provision made by an act of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838 and the 23 rd of August 1842 granting Pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war. That she is the widow of John Oaks of Exeter who was a Revolution soldier enlisted about the commencement of the war and served five years or more of its duration. At the time of his entering the service he resided in the town of Harvard in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She has no documentary evidence in her possession of her husband's service, but refers to the records of the War department. Her husband was a pensioner for several years the evidence of which may be found upon the records of the War Department.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Oaks on the thirteenth day of December A.D. 1783.
That her husband the aforesaid John Oaks died at said Exeter on the 25 th day of June 1842. That she was not married prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four - to wit at the time above stated and that she has never since been married.
Witnesses, Fred H Allen
E. H. Allen,
Abigail her Oaks mark
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written and I hereby certify that she was unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity
Recd: H. Allen
} Justice of the District Court for the Eastern District

State of Maine Penobscot ss
I hereby certify that the Hon. Frederic H. Allen of Bangor before whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed and sworn to is a Judge of the District Court for the Eastern District in & State duly commissioned and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 18 th day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty three
Wm H Williams
} Clerk of the Courts in Penobscot County State of Maine

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
4458
P. O. _____
Abigail Oakes
Service: _____
wid. of John
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

9772
Abigail Oaks Me
J. C. Harris, Nov. 12/46.
1. Rejected unmarked
34.
34 Claim restored as in 3 rd 43 - 44 let Joseph have May 15 " " " " 29 " " " " 45 Oct. 7 th July 38

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
PENOBSLOT, ss.
ON the 4 th day of April A. D. 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Third Eastern Circuit, of the Court of Common Pleas, in said Commonwealth, including the Counties of Hancock, Washington and Penobscot : Personally appeared John Oakes who, being by me first duly sworn according to law, on his oath made the statement and declaration by him subscribed, and hereto annexed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war."
And thereupon, I the said Judge do certify that I am satisfied the said John did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in his said declaration, against the common enemy, and that he has made it appear to me, that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
Which proceedings and the testimony annexed, being all he has been able to produce, I now transmit to the Secretary, for the department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and caused the seal of said Court to be hereto affixed M. Kinsley Esquire, Judge of the Court as aforesaid.

State of Maine Piscataquis, ss
I Henry Sewall of the town of Sangerville County of Piscataquis State of Maine. Depose and say that I was personally acquainted with Rev Ezekiel Emerson of Georgetown State of Maine who is now dead that I attended his meeting for a number of years with my Father who was a member of his church, have seen him administer the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's supper. I also know of his being a member of councils to ordain ministers, and he was a member of the association of ministers that licenced me to preach Henry Sewall
Ebenezer G Oakes } witnesses to the Amasa T Pond } signature
Piscataquis S.S. August 23 rd 1843.
Then personally appeared the above named Henry Sewall and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me.
Henry Sewall In Justice of the Peace

I the foregoing named Justice of the Peace certify that the within named Henry Sewall is well known to me, that he is a person of truth & veracity, & that his statements under oath are entitled to full credit.
Henry Sewall In Jus. of the Peace
September 2 d 1843 The words, which are now added, were interlined with the consent of the said Sewall in the foregoing deposition, this day by me.
H Sewall In Justice of the Peace
Pembec. S d State of Maine.
I William H Williams Clerk of all the Judicial Courts for said County of Pembec hereby certify that Henry Sewall Jun. whose name appears in the foregoing instrument is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County duly qualified and commissioned and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of our Supreme Judicial Court this twentieth day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two.
Wm H Williams Clerk.

Nov 7 18
26
10
J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions Washington D.C.
H.

Vermont
Wallingford Nov 2 d 1846
J. L. Edward
Com of Pensions
I received returns from Mrs Sarah Harvey case for a pension and find she applied after the 30 th of April 1844 I have got a list as I supposed of all the widows that were entitled to the benefit of the resolution of 23 rd January 1845 I supposed my list was correct and never thought to ask the question. when they set up their declaration I wrote the declaration and sent them by mail and they signed them & returned them to me I wish to explain to you the reason of these errors so I shall not be censured My list that I have says— The act of the 30 th April 1844 prohibited a widow from drawing a pension for the same period during which her husband was paid as a pensioner; All therefore whose husbands received pensions after the 4 th of March 1841 are excluded from the benefits of the act of July 7 th 1838 these remarks apply to all on this list except such as are otherwise designated And I supposed the resolution of the 23 rd January 1845 embraced this class of widows I also sent to the pension Office Mrs Judith Parson declaration which I think now she applied after the 30 th of April 1844 I wish to ascertain if Mrs Abigail Oaks & Mrs Mary Gaps both of Maine are entitled to the Benefits of the resolution of the 23 rd January 1845 I am respectfully your obed- John B Harris J L Edward com of Pensions sent

Also please inform me when the time for locating bounty land expires for soldiers in the late war
Yours
John G. Harris
J. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions

Certificate of the Selectmen of Exeter, Maine, in relation to the marriage of John & Abigail Oaks.

We hereby certify that we have, for the last eighteen or twenty years, been acquainted with Mrs. Abigail Oakes of this town, widow of John Oakes, a Revolutionary Pensioner, who died in this town in June 1842, that the said John and Abigail lived together as husband and wife, and that we have no doubt of their having been lawfully married. Given under our hands at Exeter this 2 d day of October A. 1843. John Cullen } Selectmen of Andrew Shaw } Exeter
State of Maine.
Penobscot ss. October 2 d , 1843. Then personally appeared the above named John Cullen & Andrew Shaw and took solemn oath that the above certificate by them signed is true.
Before me
Nath Barker } Justice of the Peace
State of Maine.
Penobscot ss.
I William H. Millard Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in said County of Penobscot hereby certify that Nath Barker Esquire whose name appears in the foregoing instrument is a Justice of the peace in said County duly qualified and commissioned and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of our Supreme Judicial Court this fifth day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty three.
Wm H Millard

Bangor Oct. 10, 1843
J. L. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Enclosed are the papers in relation to the claim that the widow Oaks makes for a Pension — She is very aged and infirm and also very destitute it is therefore desirable that the case should be acted upon as soon as possible or the good intention of Congress will be defeated — as it cannot be but a very short time before she will not need a pension —
I have forward to you five sets of Papers of Widows, that have received five years pension commencing as early as June to wit Mrs Wardwell, Mrs Severance, Mrs Parsons, Mrs Stewart & Mrs Fisher, and have not had any returns from them They are all extremely impatient to hear from them and some one of them call on me almost every day — You must be aware that they must be aged and but a short time to stay in this World If therefore the good Acts of Congress are to be carried into effect it is necessary that the business should not be delayed — I therefore Sir Pray you to take up their cases forthwith — Will you be so kind as to have the matter looked into shortly —
This case makes six — and as the applicant is very feeble I hope & beg it may be acted upon as soon as possible —
I am Sir respectfully your Obed t Serv t Joseph Carr