Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19742, for Azariah Orton, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass
Orton, Azariah
NUMBER
S 19742
CONTENTS
carded

Rep.
Massachusetts 32,184.
Azariah Orton
Roxbury Co. in the State of Mass.
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Langdon of the reg't. commanded by Colonel in the Mass. Mil. for 8 months & 20 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 28 Dollars 88 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of July 1844 and sent to John D. Bidwell, Tyringham, Berkshire Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Septem. allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D Brown  rk. Book E. Vol. 52. Pag

35746

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE, ss.
ON this third day of April 18 44 , personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. Lemuel D. Walcutt, Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Greenfield in said County  a resident of  Hezariah Orton of Tyringham in the county of Berkshire and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged Eighty three 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.
viz , He entered the service in the Company of Militia of Massachusetts Line, commanded by Captain Nahum Ganchrow (or Ganchrow now unlabeled & called Ganchrow ) — He was drafted about the first day of April in the year 1777 , and marched through Albany to Saratoga in the State of New York and was there stationed for some considerable time, and continued to do duty in that vicinity until the surrender of Burgoyne — During the period of his service, he was at Fort Ann & Fort Edward & other places, the names of which he does not recollect. — He recollects that after the news that Burgoyne had surrendered he was ordered to a fort & did a part in destroying Bridges & blocking up the Roads with trees &c. — During the above period between his being drafted & his final discharge he visited his home twice , for a few days, by leave of his Commanding Officer. — The Company to which he belonged during the latter part of his term of service was assigned to Genl. Fellows Brigade — Before the Battle at which Burgoyne  surrendered , he was marched to the Eastern side of Saratoga Plains , where a fortification was thrown up, & discharged on settlement upon the Enemy as they appeared. Soon after the Battle, he came to conclude his term — he did not receive a written discharge but was honorably discharged .

During a part of his term of Service, Captain Herrick commanded the Company to which he belonged. — The said Lambert & Herrick were both residents of Fyringham aforesaid, when the said Order was made & when he was drafted.
By reason of old age, & the consequent loss of memory he cannot say positively on what particular day his services commenced nor on what particular day he was discharged but his service commenced about the first of April & he was discharged about the 17 th October 1864. — for the same reason he cannot state the names of his officers except as before stated — He  He does not know of any living Witness, who can testify as to his services. — he was born in said Fyringham in the year 1761, on the 5 th of March & was always residing there. he has a record of his age in his Bible & there is also a record in the Town Clerk's Office, as he is informed.
He is acquainted with John D. Beals Esq. Esq. of said Fyringham, and Doctor Miller Laban, now formerly of Berne, formerly of said Fyringham. — He does not know any Clergy- man in Fyringham, therefore he knows no other Minister in said Town. — Soon after the passage of the Act June 4 th 1832 he applied to those in his vicinity, who were in services with him, for evidence of his services but none of them could testify that he had served six months, and he did not know until recently, of any record evidence of his services. — for the reason therein reasons, he

has not heretofore made a application for a pension — He refers to the Certificate of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, heretofore transmitted to the Pension Office for evidence of his service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Isaac Orson
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Before me, William P. Walker Judge of Probate
We, John D. Bedwell of Tyringham & Milton Sabin residing in the town of Orson in the and County of Berkshire aforesaid hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Isaac Orson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty three 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.
Milton Sabin John D. Bedwell
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. by the said John D. Bedwell and by the said Milton Sabin on the Third day of April A.D. 1844. Before me, William P. Walker Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and 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 John D. Bedwell is a resident in the town of Tyringham and that Milton Sabin who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Tyringham and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts ss William P. Walker Judge of Probate
I, Henry W. Bishop Regista of the Court of Probate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Isaac Orson for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Third day of April in the year Eighteen hundred & forty four Henry W. Bishop Reg. Prob.

Bound Volume 19742
INVALID.
File No. 17,742
Azariah Orton
Rev. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 104
[Arrangement of 1870.]

July 15-1840 Furnham July 12 th Mr. Stewart
for Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Syringham South July 11 1814
Respected Sir
I wish to make some enquiry respecting the application for a Pension by Mr. Uzariah Weston, for his military services in the Revolutionary War. In the month of April last he made out his "Declaration" and forwarded it to you, in compliance with the direction just then received from your office. You will confer a favour, by communicating to me the conditions and prospects as soon as convenient. I wish not to conceal the fact that I have an anxious solicitude in the successful result of his application, not that I have any personal ends to answer, but that he, with others of that noble band should receive the token of his country's gratitude.
I am your humble servant
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington
John D. Biddwell

Dear
Against Orton Esq So Fyningham Mid.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov 21 1843
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 Zariah Orton as borne upon a certificate dated August 16. 1843. should be Zariah Orton .
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Chas. A. Bolles.
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Zariah Orton Esq. South Tyngsborough Mass

House of Representatives
March 5, 1844.
Dear Sir
I take leave to enclose to you the letter of John S. Bidwell Esq., of Tyringham, Massachusetts, in relation to the Fennion Papers, in your Department of Amherst Orton. Will you please inform me what is the condition of the case.
Respectfully Yours
Julius Rockwell
To J. L. Edwards Esq
Com d of Penning.

Hon. A. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Syringam South Berkhire Co. Mass.
Nov 27 1843
Respected and Dear Sir
Immediately upon the receipt of the documents that I had forwarded to the Pension office, to procure a pension for my military services in the war of the Revolution, with your letter accompanying the same, I wrote to the Secretary of Massachusetts, informing him that your letter first called my attention to the fact, that he, the secretary had in his certificate written the name Azariah Orton, assuring him that I had always written my name Azariah Orton, suggesting to him there might an error on the rolls in his possession, for I could not believe it possible that a person bearing a name so much resembling my own could belong to the same company and I not know it, I also stated that Capt Noah Langdon, about sixty years since, assumed the name of Langdon, this can be proved by the town records, for he lived and died in this town, his descendants are very numerous. In answer to my enquiry, the Secretary sent me another Certificate, dated Nov 21 st which I herewith forward to you, together with my former documents.
In your letter you ask that I should assign some reason why I delayed so long to apply for a pension, in answer, I would say, that at or about the time the law was passed to allow pensions to all those who had served in the army six months or more, I made an effort to secure one for my self, by applying to my old associates in the army, a number were then living in this town and vicinity, — remembered well the fact of my being out, but could not recollect the length of the time definitely, to testify to the fact that I was out six months or more, I supposed this point to be indispensable, that the fact must be proved by living witnesses, from this time, I nearly gave up the hope

hope or expectation of success, concluded that I must submit to my misfortune, until the Hon. J. A. Brooks Secretary of Massachusetts published in the newspapers that he had in his possession papers, which might enable him to render important services to those that were entitled to a pension who had hitherto been unable to obtain one for the want of evidence, this prompted me to make a statement of my services in the Revolutionary war under oath, and forward the same to the Secretary, the result you are herewith made acquainted.
I am dear Sir your very obedient and humble servant
Agarich Estlin

35746 Mass. Jeremiah Olin 7 June 1832 April 9 1844 Tyngsborough Mass April 5
free
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D C

Azariah Orton Mass.
Act 7 June 32
Adm me : 8. 20 days - private c $28-88 per ann:
Capt: Saunders co. Mass:
Mil me ?
E
John D. Bidwell Tyngsborough South Massachusetts
SV 10 99

Secy's certificate from 26 Apr 77 to 15 Jan'y 78
- 5 8.15 8.20
Hen J. Rockey -
10/10/78
to 1/15/78

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 11 1843.
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 B. Weston is borne upon the rolls of Col. B. Sanborn as a private of and that he enlisted April 26. 1777. & is upon the rolls of said Col. for May 1777.
The name of Abijah B. Weston is borne upon the roll of Col. Ebenezer Herrick for the months of June & July 1777.
The name of Abijah B. Weston is borne upon the rolls of Col. D. Sanborn for August 1777 to Jan 15. 1778. dated at Springfield Mass.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this
my time of War, which took place, those upon the rolls of Col. B. Sanborn as a private of and that he enlisted April 26. 1777. & is upon the rolls of said Col. for May 1777. The name of Abijah B. Weston is borne upon the roll of Col. Ebenezer Herrick for the months of June & July 1777. The name of Abijah B. Weston is borne upon the rolls of Col. D. Sanborn for August 1777 to Jan 15. 1778. dated at Springfield Mass. was listed & was at a my Burgein We used

to h l g a ay a Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone: and that said application and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno. A. Bolles Secretary of the Commonwealth.
C h h O e Mr Agassiz Oyster Tyngsboro

July 31. 1843.
Dear Sir,
Social Beings often require social aid, therefore I write to you, humbly requesting some assistance from your honor, long has the time gone by since we were engaged in the perils of War, enduring all sorts of hardship and deprivation, fighting for Liberty against a foreign foe. In which I took an active part. And as the laws of our happy Land, and every principle of gratitude justly say that those who thus served in the Revolution Service, ought at least, to be partly rewarded for their service, I among others am desirous to know if I am entitled to a Pension. It seems that you, by your kindness, can inform me. I will now state the facts as near as I can recollect, concerning my being in the army.
I was first drafted in Tyringham in this state the first of April, I think, at the age of a little more than 16. I believe it was in the year 1777. We were called out and went to Saratoga, in N.Y. near where Burgoin was taken. We said some months, don't know exactly how long, in that place. under I think, Capt. Langdon. I am lost who was our Col. Inclined to think it was Col. Giles Jackson, at this first time can't think who was our General. After a while we were permitted to go home on parole verbal parole some of us, I was one that was permitted to go home but to return at a moment's call. I had hardly got home before I was called back again, not half rested from my fatigue. But the enemy was fast approaching, Burgoin we understood, I think, had landed at Ticonderoga. We marched to Short Creek or Edwards. We were employed tearing up Bridges, felling trees criss-cross across the road and putting every thing we could of in the way to stop the progress of the enemy. We were then too few in number to give them battle. Indians were annoying us on every side. We so obstructed the progress of the enemy that they halted. The Indians attacked us and we fired a cannon among the trees and they fled. After which we had a little rest again and some of us were permitted to go home again to see our Fathers and Mothers, but was soon called out again, and marched to Stillwater and was put under Gen. Scller, I think, to cut off Burgoin's retreat, while under Gen. Scller we heard the Hurrah! our army has gained the victory. This put new life in us. But we were not permitted

to leave the army until Gen. Burgoine had signed the articles of capitulation, after which, we had liberty to go home or stay to see him march in and give up his arms. I with some others did not delay a moment to start for home to see my dear mother again, my father saw none of the war, having died a few years before the commencement of the Revolution. So I remain your very humble servant and well wisher. Hon. John C. Bolles. Asahel Orton
P.S. At one time my Capt. was a Herrick, and I was under Col. Nixon and Gen. Nixon, his brother, but can't say certain, but it seems so to me. Time has much impaired my memory and I kept and have no minits of the then passing events. I am, yours, &c.
J. C. B.
Please direct your Letter to me in South Tyringham, Berkshire, county Massachusetts, for I reside in said Tyringham, above named.
Berkshire ss. August 1 st 1843.
Then the above named Asahel Orton personally appeared before me & made oath to the truth of the above statement Egbert B. Garfield Just of Peace

Waverly, Oct 18
Hon.
Friend
John A. Bolles.
Sir,
Secretary's Office, Boston. Ma
Boston.
Mass.
W. Springfield Ma Sept 13
Friend  12 1/2
Yours best to of the ever
Yours
Yours the