Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,992, for Abel Richardson, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Richardson, Abel
S 5,992
carded
CONTENTS

2293
Massachusetts
Abe Richardson
Sterling in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain of the Regt commanded by Col Sawyer in the Spal here for 8 Mos
Entered on the Roll of Spal at the rate of 20 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Nov 1832 and sent Abijah Bigelow Worcester Mass
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 $ 39.99 Semi-annual allowance ending 14th Mar 33 13.33 $53.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. H. sp Blair Clerk Book D. Vol. 2 nd Page 79.
Duplicate Certificate issued 15 March 1842 and sent to Hon Charles Hudson - Chair of Rep.
See letter to Hon C Hudson, H.R. 28 March 1842.
A duplicate Certificate improperly issued in this case was returned and destroyed April 20. 1842.

Abel Richardson
Forwards by Abijah Bigelow.
Worcester
Mass
No 1757
Private
8 Months
66 Dollars
$2666
Abijah Bigelow Esq Worcester Mass

BRIEF in the case of Abel Richardson of Sterling in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7 June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? Twenty one 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.     September In 17 97 2 = Private W m Ephraim Sawyer   June 30 6 = " Col s Sproat  
5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Leicester County 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses & documentary proof 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct  Safe does not pass under these
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
A. H. Adams Examining Clerk.

We
a Clergyman residing in the residing in
certify that we are well acquainted with
and hereby
who has subscribed
James Wilder's Affidavit for Abel Richardson

Abel Richardson.
Declaration & evidence to substantiate the same.
No 1757.

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate, within and for said County now sitting Abel Richardson a resident of Sterling in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy one 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. That he volunteered his service as a private soldier in September 1777 in the company of militia, of the line of the State of Massachusetts, commanded by Fortunatus Eager . The Lieutenants names were Nathl Sawyer and Elisha Sawyer , and in the Regiment commanded by Col. Ephraim Sawyer who then lived in the west Parish of Lancaster, now Sterling . that he marched to Fort Edwards , through Montague and over the Connecticut river into Bennington , thence through Charlemont , over the Green Mountain into Bennington , thence to Botten Hill river , thence called and up the east side of said river to said Fort , where he remained until a few days before the surrender of Genl. Burgoyne , when he was ordered to Manhatten to Saratoga , where he remained until some days after the surrender of Burgoyne , when the company was dismissed and he returned to Lancaster , being a service including going and returning of more than two months. That some time in the month of June 1780. he enlisted as a volunteer and private soldier for the term of six months, in the Army of the United States, in the company commanded by Captain Abraham Williams in Colonel Shroyer's Regiment and Nixon's Brigade , and that he served in said company, being a company in the Continental Establishment the full term of six months for which he was enlisted, and was discharged on the ninth day of January 1781 at West Point , as will appear by his original certificate of discharge which is hereto annexed. He further states that he was born in that part of Lancaster which is now Sterling , that he has no record of his age, that he was living, when called into the service, in the second parish of Lancaster , now Sterling , where he then and has ever since lived, and that he enlisted into the service on both the above occasions as a volunteer, that the principal part of said six months service was in the State of New Jersey . He is well known to the inhabitants of Sterling and that Samuel Sawyer , John Robbins and Alexander Austin of said Sterling Esquires would testify to his character for truth and veracity as being good. One of the Lieutenants in Capt. Williams company, was Richard (of Sherburne he believes) to whom he served as writer most of the said term of six months.
Abel Richardson
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 the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before Nathan Hovey Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester  Abel Richardson

We _____ a Clergyman residing in the _____ and residing in _____ 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 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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that _____ who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that _____ who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
NATHL DANE Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Josephus Wheeler Register , Clerk of the Court of Probate for Worcester County , do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abi Richardson for a pension. That the said Alexander Dutton is a Justice of the Peace in for the County of Worcester . IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this said Court of Probate day of the 15th day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two
Josephus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts

Of Nathaniel Houghton of Sturminster in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of seventy three years, testify and say, that in Sturminster Sept r 1777. I volunteered my services as a private Soldier in the Company of Militia commanded by Fortunate Eager. Nath l Sawyer & Elisha Sawyer, the Deut s all then of Lancaster in said County, said Eager & Elisha Sawyer being then of the West-Parish of said Lancaster, now Sturminster, in Col. Asahel Sawyer's Regiment, also then lived in said West-Parish of Lancaster, that Abiel Richardson, then of the said West-Parish of Lancaster, was a private Soldier in said Company, that he marched from said West Parish with said Company, through through Montague then crossed the Connecticut River into Deerfield, then through Charlemont, over the Mountain into Bennington in the state of Vermont. thence to Botten-Kill, River they so called then passed up on the east side of the River to Fort-Edward, and there we remained, until a few days before the Surrender of Burgoyne when we were ordered to march down to Saratoga, where we remained some days after the surrender aforesaid, when the said Company was dismissed. Said Abiel Richardson continued in said Company from the time we marched from said West Parish until we were dismissed as aforesaid, after having completed the term for which we volunteered as aforesaid. Nathaniel Houghton
Worcester ss. August 13. 1832. Then personally appeared Nathaniel Houghton abovesaid and in my presence submitted and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, I certify that said Houghton is well known by me and that his character for truth is good.
Abel D. Austin Justice of the Peace

Nath. Houghton officiant: for A. Hubbardston

Elijah Burpee of Sterling in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of seventy one years, testify and say that I returned into the Army of the United States in the Month of June 1780. in the company commanded by Capt. Seth Banister of Brookfield in said County, in the fourth Massachusetts Regiment commanded by William Shepard Esq.; that Abel Richardson then of the West Parish in Lancaster in said County, now Sterling, who now lives in said Sterling, enlisted  to Springfield, where he had a master, there in company with me from said West-Parish to Pigeon Hill and there remained one night, and crossed the Hudson River and marched to West-Point; after we arrived there he left me and went into another Regiment  another Regiment as I under- stood; not long after this, I also understood that he was a leader to one of the Continental Regiments, his name I now do not recollect.
Elijah his Burpee mark
Worcester ss. August 13, 1832. Then appeared the above named Elijah Burpee, and in my pre-
sent affidavit to Abel Richardson six months levy from the town of Lancaster having serv'd for Col. Sprout's Regt. the full term for which he engaged is discharged the service of the United States and permitted to return home
Given under my hand at West Point this 9. day of Jan'y 1801
Hugh Maxwell Major (C. M.)
Commissary

Elijah Burpee of Sterling in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of seventy one years, testify and say that I volunteered into the Army of the United States in the Month of June 1780. in the company commanded by Col. Seth Banister of Brookfield in said County, in the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment commanded by William Shepard Esq.; that Abel Richardson then of the West Parish in Lancaster in said County, now Sterling, who now lives in said Sterling, marched to Springfield, where we passed muster. They were in company with us from said West-Parish to Pigeon Hill and there remained one night, and crossed the Hudson River and marched to West-Point, after we arrived there he left us and went into another Regiment  the Continental Line as I understand soon; not long after this, I also understood that he was a baker to one of the Continental Officers, his name I never do not recollect.
His Elijah X Burpee mark
Worcester ss. August 13. 1832. Then appeared the above named Elijah Burpee, and in my presence made his mark to the above affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same. I certify that said Burpee is well known by me and his character for truth is good.
Alex. Dustin, Justice of the Peace.

Col. R. H. H. (H. H. H.) Officer Fort Union
100. Fortified about 10 miles from the instant. Jan 10. 1881 - at 10 AM West point
I found two nations W. H. from A. L. W. H. A. L.
125 I found three days station for 1000 men and 1000 horses
Wintering 1881 Found on return 1000 men and 1000 horses

Abiah Bushee Affidavit. for J. Underwood
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcesters. I Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Judicial Court, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that Alexander Dustin, Esquire, before whom the within Affidavit of Elijah Bushee and the annexed Affidavits of Nathaniel Houghton and James Miller were made and sworn to is a true copy of the same within and for the County of Worcester, and that his signature thereto appears to me to be in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County Seal this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk.

James Wilder of Sturtevant in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of the age of sixty nine years, testify and say that some time in the month of June 1780, I volunteered into the Army of the United States for the term of six months as a private soldier. I then lived in the West Parish of Lancaster in said County, now Sturtevant; that Abiel Richardson then of said West Parish, who now lives in said Sturtevant marched with me from said West Parish to Springfield, where we passed muster; thence to Fish-Kill, where we were both put into Capt. Abraham Williams's Company, one of the Litchfield name was Ballard, in Colo. Shroyer's Regiment & Moxim's Brigade; thence we marched to West Point, and in a short time after I was detached into a Light Infantry Company, commanded by Capt. Pray, in Colo. Shepard's Regiment. Gen. Poor's Brigade & De la Fayette's division; after my detachment as aforesaid, I did not see said Richardson until I returned to West Point, when I was returned into said Williams's Company, & I then saw said Richardson; and in a few days after that, our said term of six months having become completed, said Richardson & myself with the rest of the company, were discharged on the ninth day of January 1781. I have this day seen said Richardson's discharge, which he now holds of the above date, and he is the identical Abiel Richardson, who was discharged with me as aforesaid, & he returned home with me.
Worcester ss. August 13. 1832.
James Wilder
To the above named James Wilder in my presence signed I made oath to the truth of the above affidavit and certify that I know said James Wilder, & that his character for truth is good. Moses Austin Justice of the Peace.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. W. 26148, I. 5982.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
October 9th, 1899.
Madam:-
In response to your recent communication you are advised that Jeduthan Wyman made an application for pension on January 1, 1819, at which time he was 86 years of age and residing at Reading, Vermont, and his pension was allowed for one year's actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war. He enlisted at Leominster, Mass., and served under Capt. Perkins and Col. Knox. His widow, Dorcas, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
A careful search fails to show the name of Jonathan Wyman upon the Revolutionary war pension records.
Abel Richardson made an application for pension on August 15, 1832, at which time he was 71 years of age and residing at Sterling Mass., and his pension was allowed for eight months' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war. He enlisted at Sterling, Mass., and served under Capt. Williams and Col. Nixon.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Mrs. Sidney O. Hiner,
Brattleboro, Vermont.

Oct 9 '99 Mrs S O Miner Bracevilleboro Veit
Rev War
5992 INVALID.
File No. 5992
Abel Richardson
Print Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 315
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Abel Richardson
no 1757
A. Lyman Bigelow Mr Certen 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 Abel Richardson 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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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? he has no documentary proof of his service
XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes
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? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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 the 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.
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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.

10/10/44 Pension & Settlement
Rev. Lewis Cope Supt of Miss Washington St. Columbia
FREE Aug 27 32 PM P.M.

Wouster August 16. 1832.
Hon. Lewis Cass.
Secy of War,
Sir,
By request of Mr. Abel Richardson I forward his declaration, and evidence in support of the same. It seems he served two months in the Militia service, and six months on the continental establishment. I put them both into one declaration hoping he would be allowed for eight months. If they cannot be joined the claim for two months must be rejected, as the lawyers say, as sui plurage, and he be allowed only for the six. I hope he may have the whole, and entertain not the least doubt of his services as stated. He wishes the return may be made to me.
With much respect,
I am, Sir, Your Ob. Servt. Abijah Briggs.

DW TM EOL
Will you kindly inform me if
59927
Abel Richardson
of Mass. was a Revolutionary War pensioner
also if
20148 W.
Jonathan Myman of Mass was pensioner & oblige
Mrs. Sidney A. Miner Brattleboro.
Vermont.

PENSION U. S. OFFICE MAY 5 1899
O. W. & N. DIVISION MAY 8 1899 RECEIVED