Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,845, for Nathaniel Nichols, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Nichols, Nathaniel
No. 21,845
Zebrab
CONTENTS

21.329 Massachusetts
Nathaniel O. Nichols of Cohasset in the State of Mass. who was a Lieutenant in the Company commanded by Captain Cushing of the 1st Regt commanded by Col Beaton in the War line for 8 months
Mt
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 106 Dollars 67 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Sept. 1833 and Nat L. O. Selena Roybury Nichols
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $266.67 Semim. allowance ending 4th March 53.33 $320.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Johnson Clerk. Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 65
Letter to Jas. C. Doane, Feb 25, 1837.
84 Norfolk

Other Asso Nichols
10,909.
Ezra Beaman 1 st Asa Rice 2 nd Mass. Rolls Vol 14 p. 57
Edwin S. Leland

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss. On this Twenty eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Board of Probate  sitting at  in for said County, of Nathaniel Dyer a resident of Cohasset in said County, 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, A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Cohasset on the tenth day of August A. D. 1749, and that there is a record of his birth in the town records of Cohasset ; that he was in the United States service from the third  day of  May A. D. 1775, to the first  day of  January A. D. 1776 8 months as a Lieutenant in the Massachusetts Militia ; that he was residing at Cohasset when he entered the service; that he volunteered and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt. Jos. Gushing of the Regiment commanded by Colonel John Grooten ; that he marched from Cohasset to Nantasket from then to Cambridge
: that he served with some of the regular troops; and General Washington  regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no discharge in writing : that he left the service on about the last  day of  January 1776, and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Cohasset . He has a Continental pension which is lost & that he has no other documentary evidence of his service
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17  , to the  day of A. D. 17  as a  in the  that he was residing at  when he entered the service; that he  and served for the period aforesaid under the command of 
: that he marched from  : that he served with  of the regular troops; and 
regular officers were known to him: that he was in  battle  that at the end of his service he received a discharge  and left the service on 
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17  , to the  day of A. D. 17  as a  in the  that he was residing at  when he entered the service; that he  and served for the period aforesaid under the command of 
: that he marched from  : that he served with  of the regular troops; and 
regular officers were known to him: that he was in  battle  that at the end of his service he received a discharge  and left the service on 
that at the end of his service he received a discharge  and left the service on 

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 first aforesaid. Nathaniel Nichols
We Jacob Flint a Clergyman residing in the said Lohoput and James G. Boane residing in said Lohoput hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Nichols 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 Lieutenant of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Jacob Flint James G. Boane
And the said court  judge do hereby declare their  his opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary officer and served as he states. And the court  judge further certify that it appears to them  him that Jacob Flint who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the said Lohoput ; and that James G. Boane who has also signed the same is a resident in said Lohoput and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit. Nichols, by reason of his infirmity is unable to attend court. Herman Island judge of Probate
I Samuel Hovey, Register of the Court of Probate of Litchfield do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Nichols for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Samuel Hovey

I Isaac Battles of Scituate in the County of Plymouth do testify and say that I entered the service of the United States in May 1775 in the company commanded by Capt. Job Cushing and served until Jan'y 1776 a period of eight months. That I do personally know the within named Nathaniel Nichols and that he was a Lieutenant of the company of which I was a private therefore that he served the kind of service as set forth in his declaration.
Isaac Battles
2. Norfolk, August 20 th 1832 Subscribed & sworn to before me Isaac and Judge P. Pitkin
I further certify that said Isaac Battles is a credible witness, I Peter Nichols Isaac and Pitkin

Massachusetts 549
Zebiah Nichols
widow of Nathaniel Nichols
Mass
who died on the 23 January 1833
at Norfolk in the State of Mass.
who was a Lieut. in the Company commanded
by Captain Cushing of the Regt. commanded
by Meadon in the Mass. A.P.
line for 7 mos 121 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 103 Dollars 56 Cents per m.
to commence on the 5th day of March, 1831 and
to 3 Jan. 1833 when terminated.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of March 1836 and sent to
Hannah Hassett Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $569.00
Semi-ann. allowance ending Feb 1837 56.95
$621.36
Ref. C. 6.
3. Sec. 4. Act
4. July '36
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the
Recorded by N. M. Gaddison Clerk
Book Vol. Page 62.

195 Zebiah Nichols widow of Nathl.
Marries in 1774. establish?
Not on Job Cushing's roll for 75. It named Beane & Rice No Cohasset men on Cushing's roll.
On Roll Job Cushing of Newton Regt
adm? Lieut. 7 mo. 21. ds for
deduct - died 3 rd Jan 1833 of age up - S. & Land
Honbury Jus. C. D. Drake Cohasset

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. On this twenty day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty six Personally appeared Lebah Nichols of Cohasset in said County aged eighty before the Honorable Sherman Leland Judge of the court of Probate in and for said County & being first duly sworn according to law made upon oath the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed July fourth Eighteen hundred and thirty six That she the said Lebah Nichols is the widow of Nathaniel Nichols late of Cohasset deceased to whom she was married on the fifteenth day of December Seventeen hundred and seventy four, That her said husband was a Lieutenant in the United States service in the Revolutionary Army, That according to the best of her recollection he belonged to Capt. Job Cushing company of infantry in Col. Estlin Regiment of the Massachusetts Militia That he entered the service at the commencement of the war and served about ten months, and at the expiration of his said service he was honorably discharged, That he was a pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress of the second of June Eighteen hundred and thirty two as a Lieutenant in the Army of the Revolution, That he died on the twenty third day of January A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty three, and that she has ever since remained his widow for a more particular account of his services she refers to the rolls and documents now in the war department at Washington.
her Lebah Nichols mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written And I hereby certify, that the said Lebah Nichols in consequence of bodily infirmity was not able to appear before a court to make the above declaration. I Second / Probate
I David Beal of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy six years do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Nathaniel Nichols late of said Cohasset deceased, that he died between three and four years ago, that he was in the United States service in the first part of the Revolutionary war, that he was a Lieutenant in Capt. Job Cushing's company - I am also well acquainted with Lebah Nichols the widow of said Nathaniel and that they were married many years ago and lived together in Cohasset until his death and that she has remained his widow ever since. David Beal Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. September 7 1836 Personally appeared David Beal a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me. I Second / Probate

I James C Doane of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Nathaniel Nichols late of Cohasset deceased that he died about three years ago and left Libbie Nichols his widow who is the same person who has subscribed and sworn to the within declaration That said deceased was a Pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 and that the said Libbie still remains his widow
James C Doane
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. September 1834 Personally appeared James C Doane a credible witness and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me
Isaac J. Drown
I Harrison Gray Otis Phipps pastor of the First Church in Cohasset do hereby certify the following to be a true copy from the records of said Church now in my possession "1774 Dec r 15 th " Nathaniel Nichols and Libbie Bates married by me John Brown"
I also certify that it appears by said records that John Brown at the time said record was made was pastor of said First Church in Cohasset
H. G. O. Phipps
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. September 12 th Eighteen hundred and thirty six Personally appeared the above named Harrison Gray Otis Phipps pastor of the First Church in Cohasset and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me James C Doane Justice of the Peace
James C Doane Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Norfolk ss.
I Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate of the County & State aforesaid hereby certify that Sherman Leland Esquire is the Judge of the Court of Probate aforesaid and that James C. Doane is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Norfolk and

that their several signatures above written are genuine & true.
In Testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of September A.D. 1836.
Jonathan H. Cobb

10909
Nathaniel Nichols
Leant 8 Mrs
1406
May 15 1893
P 398
E G Leland Esq
Washington
Mass

BRIEF in the case of  William Nichols  in the State of  Miss  of  Coahoma  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? no  3. How old is he? 23 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     May In 1775 8 lieut Col. Washington Col. Greene  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Coahoma Miss  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses & others  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? None 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Dutcher Examining Clerk.
80  2666  10666  106 6 3/4  313 34  53 33  266 67

Office of Dr. J. E. White Dr. Carrie Noble White
Urbana, Illinois, May 10 th 1904
U.S. Commission of Pensions Dear Sir:
I received this notice from the Librarian of Congress - in regard to said party -
In the statement of Invalid pensioners from Burlington Co., Vermont, given in Vol. 1 of the "Report from the Secretary of War, in relation to the pension establishment of the United States", Washington, 1830
Elnathan (or Nathan as sometimes spoken of) Nichols is entered as a lieutenant with a pension commencing March 4 th 1789
Can you give me the date and place of death of said party - if not where could I get it? Any expense attached to this will be promptly met by me - Respectfully - Carrie U. White.

450 West 152 St., New York, City.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly send to above address any information you may have of Nathaniel Nichols, who paid taxes in Greenfield, Mass., in 1775. It is mentioned in The Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of

the Revolutionary War.
Thanking you in advance for your courtesy I am, Sir,
Very respectfully yours,
Miss Elise H. Brown
January 15, 1908

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21845
Deliah Nichols widow of Nathaniel Nichols Lieut Genl War
Act: July 4 th 36
Index:—Vol. Me , Page 86
[Arrangement of 1870.]

May 25 - 1904 & His W Dr. Carrie M. White Urbana
Jan. 27, '08, Hist. to Miss Elvira H. Bronson.

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by S. D. Lamparter
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Nathaniel Nichols
Service Mass.
Additional Service Rev. War
No _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No claim as above found except Wid. # 21845 & Ind # 43080, Try that

To what time was Cathl. Nichols d r 106.67/100 p. and paid at Mass. agency act 7. June 1832? Due 3 rd Jan y 1833 unrecd paid — G.W.C. 12 oct. 36 To Mrs. Persia
JH

at the Nichols St. Mass. act 1832 when cash paid
Feb 28. '37
Due 3 Jan 1833 paid to Prob period JA

10909 Nathaniel Nichols
E. J. Leland Esq. Roxbury Mass.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathaniel Nichols  before set forth " 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? yes  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?  XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes   If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no  Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

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

Cohasset Ms Feb 2
25
to Hon James C. Drown respecting Claim of Mrs Nichols. For Grant
J. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Cohasset Mass Feby 1 st 1837
J. L. Edwards Esq Sir
I am requested by Mrs. Libbah Nichols Widow of Nathaniel Nichols late of this Town who was a Lieutenant in Job Cushing's company of infantry Mass State troops, to enquire if there be any want of evidence to support her claim to the pension which was allowed her husband. It is now more than four months since her application was forwarded by Judge Leland to your department.
The evidence of her marriage (previous to the service claimed) was forwarded with her application and also the evidence of her remaining the widow of the person under whom she claims. Upon the files of the Massachusetts rolls marked C there was, while they were in Boston one of Job Cushing's rolls, I am certain, having repeatedly examined it, which bore the name of Nathaniel Nichols as Lieutenant, who is the same person named in the application. As there is yet remaining some living witnesses of his service, she is desirous of awaiting half of their testimony if it be necessary before some casualty which may be daily feared shall remove or disqualify them. Your kind and early attention to this claim will confer a favor upon a very deserving old lady who has yet some hope that she may be more fortunate than her late husband, and receive her pension certificate before she dies.
Very Respectfully
Your Old Sol James C. Dows

Letter to J. C. Doane, Feb 25, 1837

for a statement of the military history of Nathaniel Nichols a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Decr 1. 1775 8 mos. Lieut. Job Cushing John Greaton Mass                                                                 
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cohasset, Norfolk Co Mass
Date of application for pension, Aug. 28. 1832. His claim was al.
Residence at date of application, Cohasset Mass.
Age at date of application, B Aug. 10. 1749 at Cohasset, He died Jan. 23. 1833.
Remarks: He was at Cohasset Mass Dec 15. 1774, by Elijah Bates.
She was al. pension in an application ex Sept. 7. 1836 while 80 yrs old and a res. of Cohasset Mass.
The above noted is the only Nathaniel Nichols found on the Rev War pen. records. Very respectfully,
S. P.