Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,866, for Elisha Perkins, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
mass
Perkins, Elisha marcy
V. 26,866
CONTENTS

4280.
Massachusetts
Mercy Perkins,
widow of Elisha Perkins,
who died on the 19 May, 1802, of Essex Coy in the State of Massachusetts who was a private - in the company: - commanded by Captain Brown of the Regt: - commanded by Col: Wade in the Massachusetts line for 6 months & 7 days -
Rept 20
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston, at the rate of 20 Dollars 77 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th: day of October, 1845, and sent to Pensioner, at Lafayette, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept: 45 $290.00
Semi-annual allowance ending March 10.00
$300.00 -
{ Revolutionary War, } Act July 4, 1840 } Section the 3d }
Recorded by W. H. Stewart Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 1 - Page 62

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ESSEX, ss.
I, JOHN PRINCE, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Essex, do certify, that Hon. Daniel A. White is Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County. That
John G. Hood Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, and that their signatures hereon are genuine.
WITNESS MY HAND, and the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas,
August 28, A. D. 1839
John Prince Clerk.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Third Section of the Act of Congress of the 4 th of July, 1836.
State of Massachusetts, County of Essex, ss. On this seventh day of May in the year eighteen hundred & thirty nine, personally appeared, in open court, before the subscriber Judge of the Court of Probate for the county aforesaid Marcy Perkins, a resident of Topsfield in the County of Essex & State of Massachusetts aforesaid, aged Eighty years and upwards 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 4. th 1836. That she is the widow of Elisha Perkins now deceased, who was a private in a company that was raised from the Towns of Topsfield, Wenham and Boxford in the County of Essex aforesaid, and that said Company was commanded by Capt. Simeon Brown and in the Regiment commanded by Col. Nathaniel Wade and were in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight, and according to the best

of her recollection he went a substitute into the said company from the Town of Wenham aforesaid, and that said company and regiment were stationed at Rhode-Island on a campaign of six months.
She further declares, on oath, that he the said Elisha Perkins, was in the service previous to their marriage in the early part of the year of seventeen hundred seventy six and was stationed at Prospect Hill at Cambridge in the State of Massachusetts on a two months campaign. And for further and more positive proof of these services she respectfully refers to such rolls and papers as are supposed to be on file at the war office in Washington and also to the affidavits hereto annexed.
She further declares that she was married to the said Elisha Perkins on the twelfth day of December in the year seventeen hundred seventy six; that her husband the aforesaid Elisha Perkins, died on the nineteenth day of May in the year Eighteen hundred & two, and that she now is, and has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.

She further declares that she has been unable, until this period of time, to obtain sufficient evidence - viz. the affidavits hereto annexed, - for memorialising for her pension since the passage of the Act of July 4 th 1836.
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid Marcy Perkins before J. H. White Judge of Probate

I Elijah Perkins of Salem in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts aged eighty two years, and upwards, on oath, do testify and declare, that I was well acquainted with Elisha Perkins of Topsfield in said County, now deceased, And I do further testify that in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six we both enlisted as privates into the company of Militia commanded by Capt. Joseph Gould and were stationed on Prospect Hill in Cambridge as a reinforcement to Washington troops, previous to the British leaving Boston. And according to the best of my remembrance the campaign commenced on the first of February and closing at the latter part of March of that year.
Salem August 24. 1839. Elijah Perkins
State of Massachusetts County of Essex. ss: August 24 1839 Personally appeared Elijah Perkins above named and made oath to the truth of the above written deposition subscribed by him in my presence. I do further certify that he is known to me and is a credible witness.
John G. Hood Just. Peace

I Samuel Hood of Topsfield in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy seven years, on oath do testify and declare, that I was well acquainted with Elisha Perkins late of Topsfield in said county, now deceased, and do know that he served, with me as a private in a company commanded by Captain Simeon Brown, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Nathaniel Wade in the service of the United States, in the war of the Revolution, in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy eight. and that the said Elisha Perkins served in said company at Rhode Island, in a six months campaign, commencing at the first of July and closing on the last day of December of that year.
I always knew and was well acquainted with said Perkins, from a youth, lived in the same Town and being in the same service, do know that he served faithfully therein the full term of six months and was then honorably discharged.
Topsfield May 1. 1839. Samuel Hood
State of Massachusetts County of Essex ss: — May 1. 1839. Personally appeared Samuel Hood above named and made oath to the truth of the above written deposition, by him, subscribed in my presence. I do further certify that he is well known to me and is a credible witness.
John L. Hood Just. Peace.

I Elijah Cummings of Topsfield in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy seven years, on oath, do testify and declare that I was well acquainted with Elisha Perkins late of Topsfield in said County, now deceased, and do know that he the said Perkins served with me in the service of the United States and war of the Revolution in a company commanded by Capt. Simeon Brown in the Regiment commanded by Col. Nathaniel Wade in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy eight. and that the said Perkins served with me in said company at Rhode-Island the campaign commencing at the first of July and closing on the last day of December of that same year. And I do further testify on oath as aforesaid, that the said company was raised from the Towns of Boxford, Ipswich Topsfield and Wenham, and that the said Elisha Perkins at that time, lived in the Town of Wenham and joined the company from there.
My reasons, for knowing and testifying to the above statements, are that he the said Perkins was born and lived in Topsfield with me when a youth, and being in the same service with me in the war, and after its termination he removed back to Topsfield where he lived until the time of his death.
Elijah Cummings
Topsfield May 22 d 1839.

State of Massachusetts) County of Essex } ss:
May 22 d 1839. Then personally appeared the within named Elijah Cummings and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the within written deposition by him subscribed in my presence.
I do further certify - that the said Elijah Cummings is known to me and is a credible witness.
John G. Blood Just. Peace.

4698
Mary Perkins. Mass.
Act 4 July '36
m 76. d. 04
Vol. 71-77 pri 5. 6 days. No roll of Capt. Gould for Mar. 76. 6. 7
Admited $ 20. 77
Mrs. Marcy Perkins, Topsfield, Mass.
111111 111111 111111 Mass.

I Ross Master of Wenham, in the State of Massachusetts, on oath do testify that I am Clerk of said town and have the custody of the records of marriages, and the following is a true copy therefrom viz:
"One thousand seven hundred seventy six - Decm r twelfth. Mr. Elisha Perkins of Salisbury & Miss Mary Kimball of Wenham." Joseph Swain, Clerk.
The foregoing is a true copy from the records with the exception of the dates which are expressed in fair legible figures thus: "1776 Decm r 12 th " instead of written words.
Mrs. Foster S. Clerk
State of Massachusetts County of Essex: ss. Wenham April 30 th 1839
Sworn to and subscribed before me.
John G. Hood Just Peace

We testify and declare on oath that we were well acquainted with the late Elisha Perkins of Topsfield in the County of Essex, who was a United States soldier in the war of the Revolution: whose widow Marcy Perkins is now applying for a pension. we know that she now is a widow and that she has not since the decease of her husband, Elisha Perkins, been married but is now unmarried and remains his widow.
He died on the nineteenth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and two.
Thomas Perkins
Woody Andrews
State of Massachusetts
County of Essex. ss:
May 15. 1839 Then the above named Thomas Perkins and Woody Andrews, who are credible witnesses, made oath that the above written affidavit by them subscribed is true.
Before me
John G. Hood Just. Peace

large WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26866
Marcy Perkins Widow of Elisha Perkins Br. Rev. War
Act Aug 4 th 1836
Index: Vol. 9 , Page 124
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Map. #4698
Marcy Perkins widow of Elisha Perkins.
Lev let. to Benj. Merrill, Oct. 12. '39
Lt 6 Bm D.P. King May 29. '45
To Marcy Perkins, Sept 16. /45.
act 4 July 36

Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
D.P. King H.R.

Popafield Essex Co. Mass. January 15. 1845.
Sir -
I have here enclosed a Declaration, made by Widow Marcy Perkins, with its accompanying papers - in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed July 4. 1836. According to your return letter, a Declaration, with its accompanying papers, made by her in May 1839 is now on file, which return substantiated only the service of her husband, Elisha Perkins, under Capt Simeon Brown. In addition to that, evidence has been obtained of his service under Capt Ephraim Jennings, which services she thinks brings her within the provision of the law.
After your examination, you will please forward your return addressed to me.
I am very respectfully your obt. Servant
Hon J. L. Edwards Washington D.C.
John G. Hood

38 Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Nov 15 1811/11.
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 Elisha Perkins is to be found a pay roll of Capt Ephraim Jennings, Col Wells, from Sept 22. 1777 to the month of 1 day; upon a pay roll of Capt Samuel Drown, Col Wade, from July 1778 - Nov 16 days.
There are no rolls of Capt Dunt after the Lexington Alarm in 1775 and no rolls of Capt Nehemiah Herrick in this Office. There is no service found in 1775 at Little's Brook Hill of said Perkins.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this 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 within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sleeper; Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I therefore pray that your Honor will cause the Revolutionary Documents in your Office any way relating to said services, to be examined (and) that a certificate of such facts as may be found, touching the premises may issue - in order that I may obtain such relief as law (and) justice may afford.
Marcy Perkins
I am now Eighty five years old, and my memory does not enable me to state my husband's services more fully than above stated.
WITNESS my hand, this twenty second day of February
A. D. 1844.
Marcy Perkins
Signed by said Marcy Perkins in my presence,
John G. Hood JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, MADE BY THE WIDOW OF THE PARTY WHO RENDERED THE SERVICE.
Marcy Perkins State of Massachusetts County of Essex Town of Topsham - Widow of Elisha Perkins Deceased.
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of my husband's service in the war of the Revolution.
He enlisted from the town of Topsham or Winham in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts in the year 1775 as a private in the Company commanded by Captain Simeon Brown (and in Col. Nathaniel Wade's Regiment of Infantry) and he served as follows,* viz:— a Campaign of about six months from the last of June to December of that year. And also a Campaign of about two or three months duration in the Spring of the year 1776. And that he was joined to a Company of Guards under the command of Capt. Joseph Gould or Nehemiah Herrick and was stationed on Cobble or Prospect Hill near to Boston. previous to and at the time the British left Boston. other particulars I am not now able to describe.
*Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank &c. of the soldier, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Sep 18 1845.
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 names of Aaron Lyon & Elisha Perkins are borne upon a Pay Roll of Cap t Ephraim Jennings Company, Col David Wells' regiment as privates from the 22 nd of September to the 18 th of October 1777. inclusive 1 month & 1 day. The service above credited to Elisha Perkins was given in a certificate issued November 15 1844

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this 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 within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sawyer;
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I John Perkins of Wenham in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged ninety two years on oath, do testify (and declare) that I was well acquainted with Elisha Perkins, who formerly lived in Topsfield in said County of Essex, now deceased - (and do know - that he, the said Elisha Perkins, performed services in the War of the Revolution of the United States (and to the best of my remembrance he served in or about the years Seventeen Hundred Seventy seven and eight - but, as he did not serve with me I cannot now remember with whom or under whom he did serve.
I further testify that said Elisha Perkins was married to Marcy Kimball of said Wenham previous to the performance of those services in the War.
And I further testify (and declare, that I knew (and was acquainted with a soldier of the Revolution by the name of Aaron Lyon who performed some service in one of the Regiments, with me, but not in the same company.
Dated at Wenham this 12 th of August A.D. 1845.
JOHN PERKINS

State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Essex - }
August 12. 1845. Then John Perkins within named, personally, made oath, to the within written deposition by him subscribed in my presence. And I do further certify that the said John Perkins is a credible witness.
John G. Hood Justice of Peace

Hon. J. G. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D. C.

State of Massachusetts, Essex Co. Topsfield 22 Sept. 1845.
Hon. J. L. Edwards - Sir
I herewith transmit, as further proof of my claim for the services of my late husband, Elisha Perkins, - a Deposition from John Perkins (and a Certificate from the office of the Secretary of State - by which I now think that my claim will be established, so far, as proof can be now obtained of his services, - inasmuch as the living witnesses are all now deceased. and my pecuniary means are so limited - with the infirmities of my advanced age - that it is with great difficulty that I can obtain evidence.
I am very respectfully
your Obt. Servant
Mary Perkins

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third Section of the Act of Congress of the 4 th of July 1836.
State of Massachusetts ss: County of Essex ss:
On this fourteenth day of January in the year Eighteen Hundred and Forty five personally appeared before the Subscriber a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County aforesaid Marcy Perkins a resident of Topsfield in the County and State aforesaid, aged Eighty five years and upwards, 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 4. 1836: That she is the widow of Elisha Perkins, who was a private in a company of Infantry commanded by Capt. Ephraim Jennings under Col. Wells, in the year 1777, of a term of one month (and one day). And that he was also in a company commanded by Capt. Simeon Brown, under Col. Wade in the

year 1778 of a term of five months and six days - and that said companies were in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution. And for more positive proof of these services - she re- spectfully refers to such papers as are sup- posed to be on file at the war office at Washington (and also to such as are hereto annexed. She further declares that she was married to the said Elisha Perkins on the twelfth day of December in the year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy six - and that her husband the aforesaid Elisha Perkins died on the nineteenth day of May in the year Eighteen Hundred and two. and that she has remained a widow ever since that period - as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed, (and by the marriage certificate now on file at the war office at Washington.
Harvey Perkins

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex county to wit I Joshua H Ward Judge of the court of Common Pleas of the said Commonwealth - which Court is a Court of Record in & for said County of Essex do certify that the said Mary Perkins this day signed the annexed application & statement in my presence & before me out of Court & made solemn oath in due form of law that all the facts therein in stated are true And I further certify that she is unable from bodily infirmity to attend the Court - Witness my hand this fourteenth of January. 1845 Joshua H Ward Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
I certify that said Joshua H. Ward is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Massachusetts and the above is his genu- ine signature. Daniel P King Washington Jan. 22. 1845 JMC

We the subscribers, testify on oath that we knew, and was acquainted with Elisha Perkins late of Topsfield, who was reputed to be a Soldier of the Revolution whose widow Marcy Perkins is now applying for a pension. We know that she is his widow, and that she has not since his decease been married - and that her husband the said Elisha Perkins died about forty years since.
Isaacus Gould William Hubbard
State of Massachusetts - Essex County ss: January 8. 1845. Then the above named Isaacus Gould and William Hubbard, who are credible witnesses, made oath, that the above affidavit by them subscribed is true - Before me
John G. Hood Just. of Peace
I certify that said John G. Hood Esq re . is a Justice of the Peace for said Essex County, and his signature above is genuine.
Daniel P. King
M. K.
Washington Jan 22. 1845

Salem, 28th Augt 1839
James L. Edwards Esq & Com ee &c
Sir,
The inclosed Application for a Pension of Mrs Mary Perkins, widow of Elisha Perkins, are forwarded for your inspection.
(Very respectfully
Yours Sincerely
Benj. Merrill
Please reply to me,

287
July 8. 1848.
Hon. Leon Perkins. Commissioner of Pensions.
FEB
10
J. L. Edwards Washington D. C.

Topsfield Essex Co. Mass. July 4. 1845.
Sir. I herewith forward you a statement by which, I can make an amendment to the Declarations already before you - in order to obtain the benefit of the third Section of the act of Congress of the 4 th July 1836 - and to identify the service performed, by my late husband Elisha Perkins now Deceased under Col. Wells & Capt. Jennings with that performed under Col. Wade & Capt. Brown.
The testimony of individuals who had a personal knowledge of that service under Capt. Jennings - I am now unable to obtain, as there is not one probably now living.
There is a soldier of the Revolution & pensioner living in Wenham, in sd County, by the name of John Perkins, who is ready (and willing to testify, on oath, to these facts. - "That he well knew my late husband Elisha Perkins, that he served in the war at various times. And that there was one Aaron Lyon whom he also knew performed service in the war - but cannot now remember under whom or where either of them performed the service."
Proof can be obtained that the name of Aaron Lyon is borne on the roll of Capt. Jennings with that of my late husband. If such proof of identity will be sufficient

it can be immediately forwarded, to substantiate my claim. If not I do not now know how it can be.
With great respect I am your humble and obt. servant
Signed before me John G. Hood.
Marshall Perkins