Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19980, for Moses Pearson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass N. H.
Pearson, Moses Louis
No. 19980.
CONTENTS

241 Massachusetts
Lois Pearson widow of Moses Pearson decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 27th August 1836 of Middlesex in the State of Mass o who was a Sgt. Pri. in the Company commanded by Captain Putnam of the Regt. commanded by Col. Baldwin in the M s . H. line for 9 Mths Sergeant 3 " Private
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass o at the rate of 55 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 27th August 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Sept. 1838 and Lieut. Newman Richardson Woburn Ms.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838 $110.00
Semi-annual allowance ending Mar. 30, 27.50
$137.50
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by N. Addison Clerk Book A. Vol. 12. Page 119

80 Moodys
110 27 50 137 50
21 7 3 4 Massachusetts Mooses Pearson
of Milbury in the State of Mass who was a Sergt. &c in the Comp. commanded by Captain Patnam of the Regt. commanded by Col. Baldwin in the New Hamp. line for 9 Mths a Sergt. } 3 " private }
Concl. of War
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass'tts at the rate of 55 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Oct. 1833 _____ and Keturah Richardson Woburn
Arrears to the 4th of Sep '35 $132 50 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Dec 27 50 $160 00
Revolutionary Claim, At June 7, 1832. } G. C. [Signature]
Recorded by _____ Clerk, Book E, Vol. 2, Page 66.

Lois.
Reamson Wilmington
no fee Archbishop call in Pa

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County, S.S.
On this eighteenth day of August A.D. 1930, personally appeared before me the subscriber judge of the Court of Probate in & for said County, Lois Pearson, a resident of Wilmington in said County of Middlesex, aged seventy six 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 7, 1930, entitled an "act granting half pay pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Moses Pearson, late of said Wilmington who was a private & sergeant, in the army of the Revolution. & served, as stated in his own declaration made to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of the 17 th of June 1932, - That he did obtain a pension, & was a pensioner when he died. That she has never been married since the death of his said husband, Moses Pearson, and still remains his widow.
She further declares that her maiden name was Lois Holt, of Andover. That she was married to said Moses Pearson on the fifteenth day of December A.D. 1784 1784, as she believes. That her husband the said Moses Pearson died on the twenty fifth day of August in the year A.D. 1936. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the remme. L

service, but the marriage took place pursuant to the rites of Yarmouth convention November 2, 1842, having at the time above named. And she claims the same pension which was allowed to her said husband while living & such further sum as the evidence of his service may entitle her to.
her Lois X Pearson mark
Subscribed & sworn to, by said Lois Pearson on the day & year first above written, at a special court at Woburn.
J. C. P. Day Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex
I Isaac Fisher Esquire of the County of Middlesex and in the County of Middlesex hereby certify that Samuel D. D. Day Esquire in the County of Middlesex of Middlesex & that his signature written on the foregoing paper is his genuine signature: -
I also certify that William Richardson Esquire is a justice of the Peace within & for said County duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature written on the foregoing paper is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight.
Isaac Fisher Esquire

Luis Ramon
1880

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Town Clerk's office Wilmington County of Middlesex. } Is August twentieth one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight.
I Walter Blanchard, in town, County and State aforesaid, make the following extract from the record of Marriages made by Cadwallader Ford Jr. now in my possession
" One thousand Seven hundred and eighty five January " fourth - Moses Pearson of Wilmington and Lois Scott late " of Andover. Now resident in Wilmington were married ,,
" Attest Isaac Morrill
" A true record Attest Cadwallader Ford Jr Town Clerk
I certify that the above 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 "1785 January 4 th "
I Walter Blanchard 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
Walter Blanchard clerk of the town of Wilmington aforesaid.
Sworn before me, This Twentieth day of August A.D. 1838. } Justus Nathan Richardson } of the Treasurer

Lois Peabody
712
712
Lois Peabody
Wid of Moses,
Mass.
Marr. 1781
Died 29 Aug 1836
Atd 7 July 1835
Altar. $55 - in
one from 27 Aug
1836.
Mrs. Richard E. Woburn
Charles H. Peabody

I Moses Pearson of Middlesex County of Middlesex & State of Massachusetts, fifty six years of age. Certify that Lois Pear- son who had the foregoing paper, made application for a pension under the act of Congress of July 4 th 1830, is my mother in law. That she resides in Wilmington in said County, & has never been married since the decease of my father Moses Pearson late of said Wilmington who died October August 25, A.D. 1836, and was a pensioner under the act of June 7. 1832. —  Moses Pearson
State of Massachusetts Middlesex County, ss.
On this twentieth day of August A.D. 1837, personally appeared the above named Moses Pearson & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed & he is a credible witness & his testimony entitled to full confidence.
Before me, William Richardson Justice of the Peace

Maxis Peamm
10,628.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss.
On this twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honourable Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, now sitting, Maria Hanson a resident of Wilmington in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy eight 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 7, A. D. 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
in 1776. sometime in September, I engaged, in the Revolutionary army, for the term of three months, in the campaign of 1776 commanded by Captain Putnam, of Newton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire - the Lieut. name was Fields, I then lived in Manchester, in said County of Hillsborough - Col. William  Brigadier  Brigadier marched to White Plains, N. York State, where then I was most of the time, attending upon Genl. Dubois , then commander as a quartermaster, or waiter to him. I was in several skirmishes, & regularly this winter, the last part of December, same year - having served three months.  for 1778 - sometime in May as near as I can remember, I served as a Sergeant in the State service of Massachusetts; I then lived in Wilmington , County Middlesex, where I now live or was just prior I entered Capt. James M'Nabb's Company, at Hartford in the State of Connecticut, in Col. Michael  Joseph  Joseph Regiment - then marched to Fishkill, N.Y. where remained about two months - then to Verplanck and was then in Col. Tucker's Regiment, then returned to Fishkill & soon to a river, I worked on a bridge I believe in Delaware - then marched to Hartford, Connecticut - then returned to Fishkill, in December I believe, the river was several inches deep, I was then in the Company of Capt. where name of

do not remember, Genl the Dagle of Belgium, commanded the Brigade - of then went into winter quarters, at Pennsylvania after being serving nine months as a Brigade was dismissed at Pittsburgh same time in February as near as I can remember or first printed March 1779.
I have no evidence except the Depositions here to annuities & the affidavits of Jonathan Nichols & Charles Nichols both of said Wilmington, connected them being no to whom I am answer Pennsylvania attorney said County where is sitting fifteen miles from my residence.
I was born in said Wilmington in 1754, where my house is recorded always lived in said Wilmington, & I left a few months at a time - I volunteered into the service Genl Sullivan - Genl the Dagle - Col. the Dagle - were officers Jonathan Nichols - William the Dagle - of Wilmington
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state,
Moses Pearson
We, Jonathan Nichols a clergyman, residing in the town of Wilmington and Charles Nichols residing in said Wilmington hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with Moses Pearson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; - that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age: that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Jonathan Nichols Charles Nichols
8th day and year aforesaid. Capt James Banecraft of Reading - Mass. who was in Col. Michael the Dagle Regiment of Pennsylvania nat, Delaware or was in the Continental line, & undoubtedly, Moses Pearson's name who states that he was in said the Dagle Company in the the Dagle may be found on the rolls of the Regiment at the time in which he engaged as he says, in the the Dagle Hymn the Dagle June 1779

do not remember, Genl. the Duke of Heliun, commanded the Brigade - of then went into winter quarters, at Pauhkeepsie after being serving nine months as a Brigade was dismissed at Pauhkeepsie some time in February as near as I can remember or first printed March 1779. I have no evidence except the depositions here- to annexed & the affidavits of Jonathan Nichols & Charles Nichols both of said Wilmington, annexed, them being no to whom I am answer clergyman attending said Court, which is sitting fifteen miles from my residence. I was born in said Wilmington in 1734, where my name is recorded - always lived in said Wilmington, & left a few months at a time - I volunteered into the service Genl. Sullivan - Genl. the Duke - Col. of the Continental were officers Jonathan Nichols - William of the Continental He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the one now receiving to my present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state,
Moses Pearson
We, Jonathan Nichols a clergyman , residing in the town of Wilmington and Charles Nichols residing in said Wilmington hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with Moses Pearson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; — that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age: that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Jonathan Nichols
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Charles Nichols
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-named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify, that it appears to them that Jonathan Nichols who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, is resident in Wilmington and that Charles Nichols who has also signed the same, is a resident in Wilmington and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. P. Bay
I Isaac Liske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Moses Pearson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Isaac Liske

10628
Moses Pearson
Mr. Bangs's Certificate signed 16 Augt 1833
14. 16 06
Mayh 1833
P. 376
Sept 9 Martha Pine 3
M
Myron Richardson Esq Noburn Mass

BRIEF in the case of Moses Pearson  of Wilmington  in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 78 years.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     Sept In 1776 3 — — Privates Capt Putnam Col Baldwin   May 1778 — 9 Sergt Col Barnes Col Jackson Col Tucker  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Ambert New Hampshire  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Cotts Examining Clerk.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19980
Sarah Pearson Widow of Moses Pearson deceased
Act: July 7 th 1858
Index:—Vol. M , Page 123
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Woburn, Mass s . Sept r 14 th A.D. 1833
Dear Lewis Capt. Secy. of War.
In the enclosed case of Moses Pearson. Brief Objections. No 11. A certificate of a clergyman & another do. is annexed.
No. 12 - see the declaration -
14 - Character & signature of the Magistrate, are certified, by Registrar of Probate in in other cases. The note or Dept e of W m Plume head, I did not expect to have much weight. His son, the Jus- tice, who wrote it, did not know, how
In compliance to the written note. I applied to the Secy. of War & obtained a release his certificate respecting the nine months service, & have seen the applicant, who explains, by saying, he, in 1790, was a member of a Militia Company, commanded by Capt. C. D. Bond in said Wilmington & in 1791, commanded by Col. Fox (as I have abundant evidence. There were such Militia Officers in command, at that period & said Fox's Company was included in Col. Fox's Regt.) That he & others, were encouraged to go, with the promise of being put under command of Mass s Officers, & being acquainted with Capt. James Brannan of Wadsworth, had permission to join his Company, but still considered as Militiamen, & never enlisted into the Continental establishment. This may account for his name, & the names of others with him

not being found on rolls of Col. Jackson's Thos. The time I remain stated in the declaration, must, I think be the same referred to, in C. D. Bangs certifi- cate, & by the same person although the name is spelled differently; for it was not uncommon formerly & even now, by illiterate persons, to spell Person for Pear- son. I hope the whole evidence is now sufficient, according to the regulations, for the time claimed. & that the Department will not be further troubled with this case.
Respectfully, Your A. S. Seal Norman Richardson Attorney to Mr. Pearson

Wadsworth, Mass. R. Aug. 23. 1887.
J. L. Edwards. Commission of Pensions Sir: six applications of widows for pensions are included.
Lois French & Mary Thompson whose husbands had pensions under the Act of 1872. & were assisted by Saml Danner & Mrs. C. Gerrin.
Sam Richardson? husband, Ezra Richardson, had a pension under the Act of 1840 & 20. of $8.00 per month, by my estimation.
Abigail Simmons.
Rhoda Simmons.
Lois Reamans - whose husbands were pensioners under Law of 1872. & were assisted by me.
Lois Reamans is an illiterate woman not being able even to write her name; & was sworn before the Records of her marriage was examined - I had no family Records or written mem o whatever of her marriage, & did not seem to be quite certain that her recollection was correct as to the date of it - I therefore stated it - as she believed , in her declaration. By the Records of her marriage appears to have been a few weeks later - but I believe there is no question but that she is the same person named in the Records of her marriage.
Thos. P. Sprague, B. S. Glynman Richardson
Please make return to me: Encl. 2nd Return - 2nd Return - 2nd Return -

Moses Pearson, f. Mass. Oct 1832 $55.- per am - when paid
H. H.
Due 27 th Aug 1836 for that period J. H.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Septem r 6 th 1833.
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 Moses Person, is found in a Book of Nine months men raised in the Town of Wilmington in 1778 — for service at Fishkill, under the command of Captain Ford, in Colonel Fox's Regiment. —
But no time of actual service is mentioned on the Book aforesaid, for said Person.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy
Hartford west Division.

We Francis Norwood, a Geryyman, settled & residing in the town of Wilmington, county of Middlesex - Massachusetts, & James Gages, Esq. also residing in said Wilmington, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Moses Pearson, who now resides in said Wilmington & who has subscribed & sworn to his declaration, hereto annexed, which we have read & examined, respecting his services as a Revolutionary soldier, & that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age or more, & that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood, where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion.
Francis Norwood James Gages
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. May 22. A.D. 1815.
Then personally appeared Francis Norwood and James Gages who are credible witnesses & their testimony entitled to implicit credence. & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by them signed.
Before me William Wilkinson Justice of the Peace

Middlesex ss.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Isaac T. Perkins Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, hereby certify that William Richardson whose own proper signature is set to the last Will of Francis Warren & former papers, is a justice of the Peace within said County of Middlesex; I also certify that the papers hereto annexed contain the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Moses Pearson for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto my hand and seal of office this twenty ninth day of May AD 1833. Isaac T. Perkins Reg

I William Blanchard of Wilmington in the county of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire do testify & say - that in the month of December in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & seventy six - I saw & conversed several times with Moses Pearson - at a Place called White Plains - that he was a soldier in the continental service & that he then stated to me that he lived in General Sullivan's family -
William Blanchard Middlesex Jo. Wilmington July 10 - 1832 Personally appeared the above named William Blanchard & made oath to the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me - William Blanchard Jus. of Peace

Heimer Blackman for Misses Peunyan 9 Nov. 1940.

I, Hemen Blackman, of South Reading in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do depose say That sometime in the year of 1777, or 1778, Moses Parsons of Wilmington in said County was a soldier in the American Revolution and was out in the Army with me five months and tho' he enlisted as a private he did sergeants duty four months , he belonged to Col Jacksons Regiment and left Farms Bancrofts company, we were a part of the time at a place called Fishkill and a part of the time constructing a bridge and doing such other duty as the Officers directed, and further I say not.
Hemen his mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex ss. July 30. 1832 Then the above named Hemen Blackman personally appeared and made oath, that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. before me, Haddams Standing Just. Pacis

Middlesex, May 11 th 1833. I certify that the within named Warner Blackman who has signed the within affidavit is a credible witness, & his testimony entitled to credence.
Thaddeus Spaulding Justice of Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. I Isaac T. Dyer of the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that Thaddeus Spaulding whose own proper signature is set to the within certificate & William Blanchard for whose own proper signature is set to the certificate on the detention of William Blanchard hereto annexed, are Justices of the Peace within said County of Middlesex.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal at Oxford this 11 th day of September A D 1832 Isaac T. Dyer
Thaddeus Spaulding for Warner Blackman a witness

10628 Mauri Pearson
Nyman Richardson Noburn Map

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Charles Pearson Wilmington - Wyo which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
The name of the claimant does not appear on the Rolls of Service of Colonel Jackson's Regt - which are deposited in this office. Application must therefore be made to E. D. Bangs Esq. Secy of the State of Mass for evidence of the claimants service.