Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24775, for Abijah Richardson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Richardson, Abijah Elizabeth
No. 24775
CONTENTS

27449 Massachusetts
Abijah Richardson
of Woburn in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Minot of the Reg t commanded by Colo Baldwin in the Mass line for
6 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 20 Dollars and Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate & Pension issued the 31 st day of May 1834 — and sent to. Wm. Richardson Esq r Woburn Middlesex Mass
Arrears to the 14th of Mar 1834 — $ 60 Pension allowance ending 4 th Sept r 11 — 10
$ 70
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book 6, Vol. 2, Page 79

Repealed Feb 13/49
3827 Mrs. Katherine Carr Elizabeth Richardson widow of Abijah who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Feb 1849 and sent to
Wm. Wilson H. H. B.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 121 Vol. 1

Abijah Richardson Woburn. Mass.
27.025
All communications in relation to the inclosed application may be made to Isaac Fiske, Mgr. of Pub. East Cambridge, Mass.
Abijah Richardson Woburn Mass.

We Joseph Bennett, a Clengyman, settled & residing in Woburn, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts; and Benjamin Wymen, Esquire, sixty five years of age, also residing, & has from his birth, resided in said Woburn, hereby certify that we are acquainted with Abijah Richardson, who was born, & a resident in said Woburn, until about the year seventeen hundred & ninety; He then removed to the town of Dublin, Cheshire County N.H. where we believe, he has ever since re- sided, excepting a few days lately, he has been in said Woburn - He is a man of veracity of good moral character, & his testimony & declarations entitled to full confidence. We believe him to be seventy two years of age, or more; & he is reported & believed, in said Woburn, where he lived, during, & long after the Revolutionary war, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, as stated in his declara- tion - signed & sworn to by him, & hereto annexed, & which we have seen & examined, & that we concur in that opinion.
Benjamin Wymen Joseph Bennett
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. for Woburn, June 10 th A.D. 1833
Then personally appeared the above named Joseph Bennett, & Benjamin Wymen, who are credible wit- nesses & their testimony entitled to full confi- dence, & made oath to the truth of the foregoing

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. Probate Office
On this twenty ninth day of May — 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, Abijah Richardson a resident of Moburn — in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy 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 7, A. D. 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
He enlisted, as a soldier, in the war of the Revolution, as near as he can recollect in September, or October in the year 1777, for the term of three months, & was stationed in Cambridge, Massachusetts, & performed guard duty & was there at the time Burgoyne's army marched into Cambridge & Charlestown under guard. He remained in the service about two months after that time.
In 1778. The last of the winter or first part of the spring, he again enlisted, as a soldier for three months, & was stationed on Winter Hill in Charlestown to guard Burgoyne's troops, & remained there till those troops were exchanged or moved away.
He remained in the service till the expiration of his enlistment, or longer — but, being then only about seventeen years of age, & the long lapse of time since, & from old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot recollect the precise number of days he served, but is confident & believes it was not less than three months under each engagement. And for the same reasons, he cannot remember the names of his Captain & Officers, & is not certain that he was under the same Officers, the whole of each term of service, as the guards were sometimes in small parties — believes the troops were not formed into Regiments — don't remember any Colonel, or large parties, — Major Brown was our Inspector, or Muster master, & believes Genl Gates was the Chief Commander in that section. He was honorably discharged at the end of each engagement, but has no documents, or evidence except the affidavits annexed, and knows of no person living who can testify to his services. He claims a pension for six months service & reli-

years after. He then removed to Dublin County of Dorset. D. H. where he has ever since time since resided
He is well acquainted with Dea. Benjamin Wymen-Wyman, Richardson, Bazzur & then Joseph Bennett, of said Woburn and with Isaac & Francis Appleton Esqs, & Richard Strong of said Dublin.
He has made his declaration in said County of Middlesex, be- cause he there resided, during the Revolutionary War & for many years after - His services were performed in that County & he expected there to obtain the best evidence of it.
He knows of no Congyman, living within ten miles of the sitting of the Court, who can testify as to his age & his reputed services, & therefore, could not procure the attendance of one, without too great an expense.
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,
Subscribed Sworn to the day Abijah Richardson year aforesaid. J. P. P. Ray Judge of Probate.
We, _____ a clergyman, residing in the and residing in _____ hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with _____ who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; — that we believe him to be 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
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 Joseph Bennett , who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Woburn — and that Benjamin Wymen Esq who has also signed the same, is a resident in said Woburn and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. P. Ray  V. Root
Isaac Fish 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 Abijah Richardson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid. I also certify that Wymen Richardson whose own proper signature is at the end of the certificate on the deposition of Benjamin Wymen & Joseph

27025
Abijah Richardson of Woburn Mass
6 Months pri bef. Hunt Colo. Baldwin
Return to Wymen Richardson Woburn Middlesex 60 Isaac Liske Mass East Cambridge Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
No 20-1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Abijah Richardson
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1777 3 Priv No officers mentioned 72   1778 3 " do do  
He must state the names of the officers under whom he served & apply to the Secy of the State of Mass for evidence of his service
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

8913
Eliza Richardson

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By his Excellency MARCUS MORTON, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
To all whom it may concern:
Know Ye, That William Winn is now and has been for the month last past a justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex.
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commission- ed, and that to his Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court; that the within Attestation is in due form, and by the proper officer.
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this thirty first day of March, A. D. 1843, and in the sixty-seventh Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor.
Ino. A. Bollen Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Extract from the Record of Marriages in the town of Woburn in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts March fifth seventeen hundred and eighty nine.
Mr. Elijah Richardson and Eliza Richardson were married. Saml. Sargent Clerk.
I Martin L. Converse Clerk of the town of Woburn in the county of Middlesex and state aforesaid certify that the above is a true extract from the original Record of marriages with the exception of date which is expressed in fair legible figures on the margin as follows. 5 th March 1789. Attest Martin L. Converse Town Clerk.
I Martin L. Converse depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the town of Woburn in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that the above is a true extract from the original Records as above certified by me.
Martin L. Converse Clerk of the town of Woburn.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. Woburn March 22. 1843.
Then Personally appeared the above named Martin L. Converse and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true
Before me
Woburn March 22. 1843.
Wm. Winn Just of the Peace
M. L. Converse T. Clerk
Woburn March 22. 1843
Mr. Thomas M. Edwards to M. L. Converse Esq.
To certificate and justice fee P. 1.00.

8913
Elizabeth Richardson
St. Mary's
Act 7 th July 38.
Admitted 6 months Private $20 per An.
S
Thomas M. Edwards Heard New Hampshire

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838. Entitled "An act granting half pay and pension to certain widows,"
State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss.
On this Ninth day of March 1843 personally appeared before me, Nathan G Babbitt one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas of Said County, Elizabeth Richardson a resident of Dublin in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged Eighty years, who being 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 th 1838, Entitled "An act granting half pay and pension to certain widows" That she is the widow of Abijah Richardson who was a private in the Revolution, and a Pensioner under the act of 1832, on the New Hampshire  Massachusetts list - at the rate of 20 dollars per annum, for a statement of whose services she refers to his declaration under said act, -
She further declares that she was married to the said Abijah Richardson in the month of of March Seventeen hundred and eighty three that her husband the of said Abijah

Married to him prior to his leaving the Service but that the Marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated.
The word "New Hampshire" not erased & the word "Massachusetts" inserted before the word "Everesting"
attest { John C. Hatch Abijah Richardson
Elizabeth X Richardson marks
Subscribed and sworn to on the day and year above written Before me
Nathan G. Babbitt a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Cheshire
I certify that the foregoing declaration was made at the residence of the said Elizabeth Richardson in the Town of Dublin she being unable by reason of bodily infirmity to appear in Court
Nathan G. Babbitt a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Cheshire

State of New Hampshire Like Vice County ss -
Court of Common Pleas. I Leonard Bisco Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for and within said County of Cheshire, do hereby certify, that Nathan G. Babbitt is one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified and that his signature as within written is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of said Court of Common Pleas this third day of April A.D. 1843.
Leonard Bisco Clerk

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24,775-
Elizabeth Richardson
Widow of
Abijah Richardson
Dis Nov 1842
Act: Feb 2d 48
Index:—Vol. M , Page 165
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Reported
7283
New Hampshire
Elizabeth Richardson widow of Abijah Richardson
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 12 th July 1840 of Cheshire Co. in the State of who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Merrill of the regt. commanded by Col. Baldwin in the Mass. line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord N. Hampshire at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d day of May 1843. and sent to Thomas W. Edwards, Keene, N. Hampshire
Total amount, $100
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book 9. Vol. 1. Page 53.

For the papers on which a pension was allowed under the act of July 7, 1838, see within. Referred to Pnc. Agt. 24. Oct. 1843
Concord New Hampshire 159
Elizabeth Richardson
widow of Abijah Richardson who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d day of May 1843, and sent to Thomas M. Edwards, Keene, N. Hampshire
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 1. Vol. 1. Page 20.

505 Declaration of Elizabeth Richardson class of Adopt Mar. 3 rd 1843
Admitted basso prior $20 per an.
E
Thomas M. Edwards Keene N Hampshire

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the Act of July 7, 1838.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, } Cheshire COUNTY, ss. }
On this Twentyfifth day of March 1843 personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Cheshire and State of New-Hampshire, Elizabeth Richardson a resident of Dublin in the County of Cheshire and State of New-Hampshire, aged Eighty 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 3d of March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Abijah Richardson who was a Private in the Revolution and a Pensioner on the Massachusetts List at the rate of Twenty dollars per Annum under the Act of June 7th 1832, and served as she believes as stated in his declaration under said act to which she refers. That he died on the 12th day of July A.D. 1840. That she believes herself entitled to five years pay under the Act of July 7th 1838 and made her declaration under said act on the ninth day of March 1843. She further declares that she is still his widow, and that she is Elizabeth Richardson.
Adlia M. McIntire
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written,
Before me,
Rufus Piper
Justice of the Peace.

We Malachi Richardson and Adelia M the Intire of Dublin in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire of lawful age depose and say that we were acquainted with Abijah Richardson late of Dublin in said County deceased. That he was a Revolutionary Pensioner. That he died on the twelfth day of July A.D. 1840. That he left a Widow, Elizabeth Richardson who still survives and remains his widow.
Malachi Richardson Adelia M the Intire
State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss March 25 1843.
Subscribed and sworn to before me Rufus Piper Just Peace
I certify that the above deponents are credible persons
Rufus Piper Just Peace
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss. I Elijah Sawyer Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Rufus

Piper is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Cluskin, duly commissioned and qualified, that his Commission is dated June the Twelfth A.D. 1841, and will expire in five years from the date thereof, and that his foregoing sig- natures are genuine. — In testimony whereof he unto office the seal of said Court this Thirteenth day of April A.D. 1843.
Elijah Sawyer Reg.

Elizabeth Richmond
1859
Ms. A. 9. 2. 25 C. 17

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of second of February, 1848, entitled "an Act making further provision for surviving widows of soldiers of the Revolution?"
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, CHESHIRE COUNTY, ss.
On this Twentieth day of July 18 48 personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Elizabeth Richardson a resident of Dublin in the County of Austin aged Eighty six 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 second day of February, A. D. 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; that she is the widow of Abijah Richardson who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution
and a Pensioner under the act of June 7th 1832 , on the N. Hampshire Roll, and served, as she believes, as stated in his declaration on which his pension was granted.
That she received a pension of Twenty dollars her cents per annum, under the act of 17th of June, 1844.
She further declares that she is still a widow. Elizabeth X Richardson mark Attest Anna Piper Sarah Richardson
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, CHESHIRE COUNTY, ss.
Sworn and subscribed to, this Twentieth day of July 18 48 Before me, Rufus Piper Justice of the Peace.
I CERTIFY that the above deponent is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing affidavit.
Rufus Piper Justice of the Peace.

State of New Hampshire Grafton County ss.
I Leonard Risico. Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature, of said State, for said county of Grafton, do hereby certify that Rufus Pease is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified according to law; that his commission was dated on the seventeenth day of June A.D. 1846 and will expire on the seventeenth day of June A.D. 1851 and that his signature within written are in my belief genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty fifth day of September A.D. 1848.
Leonard Risico. Clerk

Woburn, Middlesex Co. Mass. May 24 1834.
To J. L. Edmands, Commissioner of Pension R ry
Sir. I return the case of Abijah Thaxter with additional evidence - Not being able to name his Officers, it was difficult to find evidence of his service any where - Search by myself & Clerk in Col. Office, has been made in such that it could be found of the Rev. Captain belonging to Woburn & adjoining towns. The result was a substantial confirmation of the applicant's original statement . Tho' not perfectly so - could it be expected a man of 72, whose mind as he said, & as his brother Isaac informed me, is more than 70 years of age & troubles, would relate facts as to time & place & circumstances with perfect accuracy, after 55 or 60 years - He state originally that the guards were sometimes in small parties & he believed not under same Officer all the time, as a general he could not remember them all. The intended  list seems to confirm his impressions.
The date of Capt. Jan y 2 nd 1784 shall should have been given, it was a different time (preamble) to the others, as seems from being a different Company & Col. Bradburn resided in Woburn & Leland Twp. of Milford - Left 80th new Company of Reading, adjoining W. only one that of his was formed - The Guard of 12 men under Serg t Jan y 2 nd 1784 were all of W. -
I offer them remarks as explanation - Our Records are not perfect & in some instances only one return & that is not in full.

Please return papers to me & W. H. Hudson

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, May 20 th 1834.
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 Abijah Richardson, is borne on a Roll of Capt. Jonathan Minott's Company, in Col. Baldwin's Regt. to receive one penny per mile for their Rations from their Respective Places of Abode, and their return to the same, where he is allowed for fifty two miles. £ 0 = 4 = 4. —
Abijah Richardson's name is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Nath l Cowdry's Company, in the Regt. of Guards, on Winter Hill, Com d by Col. Jacob Gerrish, where he is allowed from the 2 d to the 16 th of July 1778, both days inclusive, seventeen days. —
Abijah Richardson's name is borne on a Muster Roll of a Party of Men detached from Woburn by a Resolve of the General Court, Pasp. D. May 14 th 1779, Com d by Serjeant Jonathan Brooks, to do duty at Bunker Hill from the 25 th of Jan y 1779, to the 1 st of March, over

"one Month and seven days for their State pay at eight pounds per Month" where he is allowed £9 = 17 = 4
Ed. R.
Edward D. Damp. Esq.

70 in of of yarrow, laurel, etc. etc. in Williamstown, etc.

We Abijah Richardson and Malachi Richardson of Dublin in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire of lawfull age depose and say that we were acquainted with Abijah Richardson late of Dublin in said County deceased That he died on the Twelfth day of July A.D. 1840 That he was a Revolutionary pensioner That he left a Widow Elizabeth Richardson who still survives and remains his Widow Abijah Richardson Malachi Richardson
Cheshire March 9 th 1843.
Subscribed and sworn to Before me Nathan G. Babbitt Jus Peace
I certify that the above Dependants are credible persons
Nathan G. Babbitt Jus Peace
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss
I Elijah Sawyer Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Nathan G. Babbitt is a justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qual- ified; that his Commission was dated on the 12 day of June A.D. 1841 and that his signatures above written are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand

Oct 24. '43
Eliz Richardson Concord N.H. N.H. Oct 18 '43.
not with Mr Brown
J. J. Colwell Concord N.H. Oct 24 '43

Klene Pth 19 1843
Sir
The agent at Gannys informs me that he has no no authority to pay Elizabeth Richardson, under the act of 1843. —
Respectfully
M. M. Edwards