Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,867, for Benjamin Peirce, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Peirce, Benjamin or Pierce,
N. 26,867
Rebecca
CONTENTS

10,061 R Vermont
See letter to Benj Swan 24 April 1829 & 29 June 1829.
Benj s Pierce of Cavendish in the state of Vt who was a Sergeant in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bigelow of the Mass line, for the term of 3 yrs
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 21 st of April, 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st of May 1819 and sent to Judge Beald.
Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1819 — 83.69 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 1 Sept. 1819 48.
$131.69
10 m. \frac{10 \ 4}{30 \ 38} Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }

Page 26
1569.
Vermont - estate
Rebecca Pierce widow of Benj. Pierce who was a giant giant in the Mass line for
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 120 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of Augt 1843 and sent to
Amos Weld Chester Vt.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 2 Vol. 1, Page 29.

Benjamin Pierce Serjt 79 to 80 Bigelow Majo to Regt.
(Admitted)
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

State of Vermont Windsor County ss.
Benjamin Pierce of Cavendish in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, a resident Citizen of the United States, aged sixty three years, and an Applicant for a Pension from the United States under the Act entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," maketh Oath, that he served in the War of the Revolution, on the Continental establishment principally, as a non-commissioned Officer for three years and upwards, in the manner following, to wit, that about the first of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five, at Cambridge in the State of Massachusetts he enlisted for the term of eight months, and served from that time in Captain Ezra Lawrence's Company, in the Regiment, commanded by, Colonel William Prescott in the Massachusetts Line, until the next September, and then at Cambridge aforesaid he enlisted into Captain William Goodridge's Company, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Arnold, and marched to Quebec, and on the thirty first day of December the same year, in the attack upon Quebec, was taken a prisoner by the enemy, and continued a prisoner, until the twenty fourth day of September in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six, and was then set at liberty, on parole; and afterwards, on the first of April in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven at Groton in the State of Massachusetts he enlisted again for the term of three years, and served

the term out in Captain Silvanus Smith's Company, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Timothy Bigelow, being the fifteenth Regiment in the Massachusetts Line, and on the first of April in the year seventeen hundred and eighty he at the camp on the High-Land on North River in the State of New-York he received an honorable Discharge from the service of the Army , but has since lost his Discharge. And he further maketh Oath that he is in such reduced circumstances in life, as to be in need of assistance from his Country for support.
State of Vermont                      Benj c Dine Windsor County ss.
Gavendish April 21 st A.D. 1810
Subscribed, Sworn to, and declared before me, Amos Fleeche One of the Judges of the County Court for the said County of Windsor.

I Amos Heald, one of the Judges of the County Court for the said County of Windsor, as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Benjamin Pierce, did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the Common Enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony, taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid Act of Congress.
Gavendish April 21 st 1818.
Certified By Amos Heald Assistant Judge of Windsor County Court.
I Amos Heald, Judge, as aforesaid, do further certify, that, from evidence to me adduced, it appears to my full satisfaction, that the said Benjamin Pierce is in indigent circumstances; and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support -
Amos Heald Assistant Judge of Windsor County Court.

State of Vermont } Woodstock County Clerk's Office June 12 Windsor County ss } A.D. 1818 - I Benjamin Swan Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Windsor - Do hereby certify that Amos Hale is one of the Assistant Judges of Windsor County Court, and that the within signa- tures are in the hand writing of said Judge In memory whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court the day above - Benj Swan
Benjamin Swan Seal 79 to 80 Bigelow May 10 Reg. Hamilton

Benj o Peirce, Declaration
1 May 1820
Vermont.
(Apr. 1819)

State of Vermont ) At a Supreme Court of Judicature begun & holden Windsor County ) at Woodstock within & for the County of Windsor on the fourth Tuesday in February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & twenty nine -
On this twenty sixteenth eighteenth day of February 1829, being the fourth day of the said Term, personally appeared in open Court, the same being a Court of record agreeably to the Laws of this State, having the power of fine & imprisonment & Benjamin Pierce formerly a Sargeant in the Army of the Revolution, aged Seventy five years, Resident in Cavendish in said County of Windsor, who being first sworn according to Law doth on his Oath, declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows that he enlisted for the term of Three years, on the first day of April 1777 in the Company commanded by Captain Sylvanus Smith, Colo. Bigelows Regiment in the Massachusetts Line, on the Continental establishment, then being a resident Citizen of Groton Massachusetts that he continued to serve in said Corps until the first day of April 1780, when he was discharged from said Service at a place called High Lands in New York; that he made his origi- nal Declaration on the 21 st day of April 1818, and now holds in his possession a Pension Certificate bearing date the first day of May 1819 numbered 10,061: - And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by Gift, Sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18 th March 1818, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is con- tained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed
Benj m Pierce
Schedule
The real & personal Estate in his possession the 25 th day of February 1829 - Farm consisting of Sixty five Acres of high, Hill Land - Mowing, pasturing, tillage & wood Land with ordinary Buildings, situate on the south line of the town the south line

of Cavendish Valued at $300. at 10% of it is . . . 30- Personal property. 1: Horse 75- 2 Cows 30. $105- 2 two year old Steers $28- 2 yearly Heifers $18. . . 46 2 Calves $10-15 Sheep 20- 2 Swine 6- . . . 36 1 Harrow 3.50 - 1 Aye 1- 1 Scythe & track 1- . . . 5.50 1 Hoe, 50 1 pair Chisels, 50 - 3 Augers .60 . . . 1.60 1 Shave & plains, 67 3 old Hammers, 34 1 Sable 3- . 4.01 7 Chains 1.75 1 Iron Pot, 34- 1 Bake pan, 45- 1 small Kettle, 75 29
$201.40 at 10% of it 20.14
Real Estate . . . 300 $501.40 50.14
I also further state, that I am now Indebted the following sums - To Bridget Peirce . . . . . 200- To several Merchants & Mechanicks . . . . . 50 $250
My Family consists of myself & wife only, one being sixty five years of age, infirm, and out of health, and able to do but little labour - and I myself aged Seventy five, by reason of age & infirmities, am unable to labour but very little as a husbandman, that being my occupation. —
Benj: Peirce
Sworn to, and Declared on this 28 th day of February. 1829 Before said Court . . . . . Attest Benj o Swan Clerk
State of Vermont } I Benjamin Swan Clerk of the Supreme Court of Judicature Windsor County } for the County of Windsor, Do hereby certify, that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Benjamin Peirce did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preced- ing Declaration against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the Continental establishment; I also certify, that the foregoing Oath and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of said Court, that the total am- ount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is Five hundred & one Dollars & forty Cents - exclusive of the Debts due. —
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Supreme Court on this sixth day of March 1829 —
Benj o Swan Clerk Sup. Court Windsor County

Rebecca Pierce
3242
Vt
act 7. July 38
m 82. d 29.
adm'd 2 yrs. feist.
1204
No deduction copy, age 97. 3 yrs. Scrgt Jan'y 78—
Amos Heald Chester Vt

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of July 7 th 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay & pension to certain Widows."
State of Vermont ss On this 23 rd day of October 1838. Personally appeared before the court of Probate for the District of Windsor. Rebecca Pierce a resident of Chelsea in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont; aged seventy four years. — 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 7 th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pension to certain Widows." That she is the Widow of Benjamin Pierce, late of Cavendish in the County of Windsor; who was a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution, and a Pensioner of the United States, now deceased; That according to her best knowledge & belief the said Benjamin Pierce. Voluntarily enlisted and entered the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War at Groton Massachusetts — Served at Cambridge eight months in the year 1775. — And also enlisted & served three years was — in the Battle of Monmouth.
That Application was made by the said Benjamin Pierce under the Act of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818. for a pension; which was granted him — in consideration of his said service, by Certificate number 10.061. bearing date the 8 th day of May one thousand eight hundred and nineteen. forty five Dollars per month and signed by J. C. Calhoun Secretary of War; which certificate is herewith transmitted to the War department that the said Benjamin Pierce's name was stricken from the Pension list Roll of Vermont Agency — pursuant to the Act of Congress passed the first day of May one thousand eight hundred & twenty. and has not since been restored. Reference being had to the files, Certificate, & records of the War department for proof of the service of the said Benjamin Pierce.
She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Pierce on the 21 st day of July 1782. at Groton Massachusetts, that she has applied to the Town Clerk of Groton for a certificate of her marriage, but no record can be found. That she was married to said Benjamin Pierce by the name of Rebecca Wright, by a Justice of the peace.
That her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Pierce died on the 7 th day of November 1829. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service; but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January eighteen hundred & twenty four; (to wit) at the time above stated. That she has not since intermarried but still continues the widow of the said Benjamin Pierce.
Rebecca Pierce
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written — before me.
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of Probate Court.

We John Pierce of Swanton and Stephen Pierce of Chester in the County of Windsor State of Vermont, of lawful age depose and say that we were well acquainted with Benjamin Pierce named in the foregoing Application, in his life time that he was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States.
That he died at Chester on the Seventh day of November one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine. That Rebecca Pierce was his reputed wife and lived with him as such prior to his decease, that she has not since intermarried, but still continues his widow and that the said Rebecca Pierce is the identical person who has subscribed the foregoing Application.
John Pierce Stephen Pierce
Sworn to and subscribed this 23 d day of October 1838. The word Seventh being first written on erasure.
Before me Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of said Probate Court.
I hereby certify that the above named
State of Vermont, District (or County) of Windsor, ss.
October 23 d A.D. 1838
I hereby certify that Rebecca Pierce, who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing Declaration, and John Pierce and Stephen Pierce, who have sworn to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit, are severally persons of truth and veracity, and that their respective statements are entitled to full credit and belief.
Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of sd. Probate Court.

I, Thomas Bixby, of Ludlow, in the county of Windsor and state of Vermont, aged seventy six years, depose and say, that I have been acquainted since my youth - for more than sixty years - with Benjamin Pierce, formerly of Groton, and Rebecca Wright, formerly of Westford, in the county of Middlesex, and commonwealth of Massachusetts, the said Rebecca being afterwards the wife of the said Benjamin Pierce and now his widow, who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing Declaration. I was well acquainted with the said Benjamin and Rebecca some years before they were married. They used to visit at my Father's house in said Westford before their marriage, which took place I should think towards sixty years ago. I was at mating when they were published at said Westford - I was not at their wedding, but I knew of their going to Esquire Hubbard's, of Groton aforesaid, in order to be married, and well remember to have heard their marriage talked about, and it was universally believed in that vicinity, that they were married - I never had the slightest suspicion, nor did I ever hear a doubt expressed by any one but that they were married. After they, the said Benjamin and Rebecca were married as aforesaid, the said Benjamin took a lease of Pelatiah Wright's farm in said Westford, and carried the same on upon shares for two or three years. The said Pelatiah Wright was the Father of the said Rebecca, and while the said Benjamin carried on his farm as above mentioned he and the said Rebecca lived together as husband and wife in the said Pelatiah's dwelling-house, occupying a room by themselves. I moved my family from said Westford to Ludlow, Vermont, about fifty one years ago, and the said Benjamin and Rebecca moved to Laurenskill, adjoining said Ludlow, some six or seven years afterwards, and continued to live together as husband and wife to the day of his death, which took place several years ago, and since the death of the said Benjamin the said Rebecca has ever remained and now is sole and unmarried - For a great many years previous to his death, I should think for more than thirty years, the said Benjamin was a public preacher of the Gospel - I have heard him preach very often, and never heard ought against him. I have always been well acquainted with the family of the said Benjamin Pierce, some of whose children by the said

We John Pierce of Swanton and St. Albans, Vt.
Rebecca are now fifty years of age. I have never heard the marriage of the said Benjamin and Rebecca questioned by any one, and I confidently say, that I have no manner of doubt, but that they were legally married. I was knowing to the said Benjamin's being placed upon the Pension-list under the act of March 1818.
Thomas Bixby
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Thomas Bixby, on this twenty fourth day of October, eighteen hundred and thirty eight. Before me, Thomas F. HAMMOND, Judge of said Probate Court.
I Timothy Adams, of Caledon, in the county of Windsor and state of Vermont, aged seventy six years, depose and say, that I removed from Westford, Massachusetts, where I was born, to said Caledon, more than fifty years ago. When I lived at said Westford I well knew Benjamin Pierce, of Grafton, who afterwards moved up to said Caledon, and Rebecca Wright, who then lived at said Westford, & was married to said Pierce as it was commonly reported before I left Westford, and who is now his widow and has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing Declaration. I was not present at their wedding, but recollect hearing about it at the time it was said to have taken place. I talked with said Pierce about it and he told me that he and the said Rebecca were married - They were married out at Esq. Hubbard's in Grafton - and the matter was then common about and well understood in the neighborhood as such things always are. I heard no intimation at that time nor have I since but what their marriage was in all respects regular and legal - In Westford and Caledon aforesaid they have always lived together as husband and wife, and have uniformly been reported to sustain that relation - They have raised up a large family of children.
Timothy Adams
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Timothy Adams on this twenty fourth day of October, A.D. 1838, before me.
Thomas F. HAMMOND, Judge of said Probate Court.

I, Elnathan Reed, of Cavendish, in the County of Windsor, and State of Vermont, aged eighty three years, depose and say, that I have been well acquainted with Benjamin Pierce, formerly of Groston, and Rebecca Wright, formerly of Westford, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for sixty years - the said Rebecca being afterwards the wife of the said Benjamin, and now his widow, who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing Declarations. I was well acquainted with the said Benjamin and Rebecca, when they were very young and some years before their marriage, which took place according to my best recollection between fifty and sixty years ago. I was at meeting when they were published in said Westford - I was not at their marriage. The said Benjamin told me he was going to Groston to be married, and afterwards told me he was married to the said Rebecca. I understood at the time, that they were married by Esquire Hubbard, then of said Groston. I was knowing to the said Benjamin and Rebecca living together as husband and wife at the dwelling house of Petahiah Wright the father of the said Rebecca at the time the said Benjamin carried on his the said Petahiah's farm in Westford, as stated in the foregoing affidavit of Thomas Bixby. I moved to Cavendish where I now reside about thirty one or thirty two years ago, when I found the said Benjamin and Rebecca at said Cavendish with their family, where they continued to reside until the death of the said Benjamin, which took place several years ago. Since the death of the said Benjamin the said Rebecca has remained the widow of the said Benjamin, and is now sole and unmarried and I know her to be the identical person, who formerly lived at Westford aforesaid, and whose name before her marriage to the said Benjamin was Rebecca Wright. I know the said Benjamin once to have been on the Pension-list of the United States.
Elnathan Reed
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Elnathan Reed, on this twenty fourth day of October, eighteen hundred and thirty eight, before me.
Thomas H. H. Merrill, Judge of sd. Probate Court.

State of Vermont, } October 24 th 1838, District & County of Windsor, ss. } I hereby certify that Thomas Bixby, Timothy Adams and Elnathan Reed, who have severally sworn to and subscribed the foregoing affidavits, are severally persons of truth and veracity, and that their respective statements are entitled to full credit and belief. Thomas F. Hammond, Judge of sd. Probate Court.
State of Vermont. } Probate Office for said District. District (& county) } of Windsor - ss - } I, Salmon T. Dutton, Register of the Probate Court for the District (& County) of Windsor aforesaid, hereby certify that Thomas F. Hammond, before whom the foregoing Declaration of Rebecca Pierce, and the foregoing affidavits of John Pierce and Stephen Pierce, Thomas Bixby, Timothy Adams, and Elnathan Reed were respectively sworn to and subscribed, and who has certified to the credibility of the said Declarant and the said Affiants, is Judge of the Probate Court for the District (& County) of Windsor aforesaid, which Probate Court is a Court of Record - and that the signature annexed to the respective certificates of the oaths of the said Rebecca Pierce, and of John Pierce and Stephen Pierce, and Thomas Bixby, Timothy Adams, and Elnathan Reed, as well as the signature annexed to the certificate of their credibility, purporting to be the signature of him the said Thomas F. Hammond is his own proper and genuine signature.
In Testimony whereof, I hereunto affix the seal of said Court of Probate, and subscribe my name at Carefree, in said District, this twenty fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty Eight.
Salmon T. Dutton, Register -

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section AWF/eel
He died November 7, 1928 at Chester November 5, 1928
The soldier married, July 24, 1752, at Groton, Massachusetts, Deborah Wright, daughter of Pelatiah Wright, of Mrs. Bertha Russell Mt. Pleasant, Iowa County, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application executed Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 26867, it appears that Benjamin Peirce or Pierce, enlisted at Cambridge, Massachusetts, May 1, 1775, and served in Captain Asa Lawrence's Company, Colonel William Prescott's Massachusetts Regiment until in September when he enlisted in Captain William Goodrich's Company, Colonel Arnold's Regiment, was taken prisoner at the battle of Quebec and held until September 24, 1776, when he was released on parole.
While residing at Groton, Massachusetts, he enlisted, April 1, 1777, and served as a sergeant in Captain Silvanus Smith's Company, Colonel Timothy Bigelow's Fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment, he was in the battle of Monmouth and was discharged April 1, 1780.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 21, 1818, at which time he was living at Cavendish, Windsor County, Vermont, aged sixty-three years.

He died November 7, 1829 at Chester, Vermont.
The soldier married, July 21, 1782, at Groton, Massachusetts, Rebecca Wright, daughter of Pelatiah Wright, of Westford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
She was allowed pension on her application executed October 23, 1838, at which time she was living at Chester, Vermont, aged seventy-four years.
It is stated that they raised a large family of children. John Peirce, of Ludlow, Vermont, and Stephen Peirce of Chester, Vermont, testified in the case in 1838, no relationship shown.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Vermont - 2791
Rebecca Peirce
widow of Benjamin Peirce,
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 th March '18 and who died on the 7 th November 1829 of Windsor in the State of Vermont who was a Serg t in the Comp y commanded by Captain  of the Reg t commanded by B g General  in the  line for
Inscribed on the Roll of B allow's falls at the rate of 120 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of May '39, to  and  Jr (Gals) Eston, Me.
Arrears to the 4 th of March - $ 360.00 Semi-annual allowance ending  60.00  $ 420.00
{ Act July 7 } 1838.
Recorded by R. Benjamin Clerk, Book A Vol. 2 - Page 2

Ref  WIDOW, &c.
1928-Nov-5-Track to Mrs. Martha Russell Gray
File No. 26867
Rebecca Pierce wid of Benj a Pierce Sergt Mass Line
Act: March 3 d 48
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 124
[Arrangement of 1870.]

This is to certify to all to whom it may concern that Benj a Dine of Caledon in the State of Vermont was a Serjt in the Company under my Command three years in 1778 & 79 in Col o Timothy Bigelow Regt
Shirley Oct r 3 d 1818
Silvanus Smith

State of Vermont } Be it Known, that before me Amos Windsor County ss } Heald one of the Justices of the peace in the County of Windsor aforesaid Personally appeared Benjamin Pierce of Cavendish in s d County, and made solemn oath, that he is the identical Benjamin Pierce named in an original Pension Certificate, now in his possession bearing date the first day of May 1819 - Number 10.061. & signed by J. C. Calhoun Secretary of War Sworn & Subscribed this 3 d day of February A.D. 1829.
Benj a Pierce
Before me Amos Heald Justice of the Peace -
State of Vermont Chester February 3 d 1829. Windsor County ss
Conformably to the rules & Regulations of the War- Department, of the 19 th of June 1824. I Amos Heald a Magistrate in the County above named, do hereby Certify, that I have the most satisfactory evidence (viz). my own personal knowledge, having been for a long time both previous & subsequent to the time of receiving his pension certificate; acquainted with Benjamin Pierce, for a number of years a resident in Cavendish in s d County - That the said Benjamin Pierce, who has this day appeared before me to take the oath of Identity, is the identical person named in the Pension Certificate, which he has exhibited before me, numbered 10.061. and bearing date at the War Office, the first day of May 1819. That the said Certificate was originally issued for him; that he now holds the same in his possession, and claims all the Benefits arising therefrom. Given under my hand at Chester on the day & year above Written. Amos Heald Justice of the Peace
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of the County Court for the County of Windsor, do hereby certify that Amos Heald is a magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court and subscribed my name, this 28 th day of February in the year - 1829.
Benj a Swan

1766
Rebecca Peirce
$120 per am
Amos Heald Chester Vt.

Declaration
State of Vermont } On this 15 th day of May Anno Domini Windsor County ss. { 1843. Personally appeared, before the sub- -criber a justice of the Peace in and for said coun- -ty of Windsor, Rebecca Pierce a Resident of Chester in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont; aged Seventy Nine Years. who being first sworn according to Law: doth on her Oath Make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by act of Congress passed on the 3 rd of March 1843. Granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolution- ary War. ~ ~ ~ That She is the Widow of Benjamin Pierce who was a Sargeant in the army of the Revolution; That She cannot at the present time recollect the Regiment or company in which he the said Benjamin Pierce served: Reference is therefore had to the files and records of the department of War, for evidence of the same.
That she was entitled, and did receive a pension of one hundred and Twenty Dollars per annum for five years from the 4 th of March 1836. to the 4 th of March 1841. under the act of July 7 th 1838. — and she the said Rebecca Pierce further declares, she is still a Widow. Rebecca Pierce
Sworn to and — subscribed on the day and year first above written.
Before me Amos Glead Justice of the peace. —
I Amos Glead the same Magistrate above named do hereby certify

That the above named Rebecca Pierce is personally known to me to be the identical person named in an original pension certificate issued for her bearing date the 14 day of May 1839 signed by J. R. Poinsett Secretary of War which certificate has been returned and may be found in the files of the department. The number of said certificate not recitated Certified by me Amos Heald Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } S. Norwood Williams, Clerk of the Windsor County ss. } County Court within and for the County of Windsor, in the State of Vermont do hereby certify that,
Amos Heald,
is an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly com- missioned and qualified that his commission was dated on the ninth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two, and will expire on the thirtieth day of November next, and that his signatures above written are genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court this 25 th day of May A.D. 1848.
S. Williams, Clerk

3242 Nov 21 7 July 1838 Price
Robert Price
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington
FREE

Chester, Vermont, Novem r 15 th 1838.
Sir
I enclose for examination the Application of Rebecca Pierce, with necessary Affidavits - &c. The Original certificate herewith transmitted, & your Records, are relied upon for proof of the service.
I also enclose a letter from the Town Clerk of Westford barely to show that the Marriage was not recorded there - Only the publication of such Intention -
The Applicant has furnished the best proof of her marriage in her power - which we hope will be Acceptable.
The Pension was stricken from the Pension Roll, on account of his property - as stated in the application, and now restored during his life, and the Widow is now aged, and Poor, as to property.
Please to enclose return paper to my care & address.
Yours with high Esteem
Amos Heald
James L. Edwards Esq r Com te Pensions

Benje Perin
Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of September next, in
Burlington by Heman Allen, Esq.
Agent "B"
Recorded

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818,
Benj r Pierce late a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Vermont- Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to com- mence on the 21 st day of April one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen .
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 1 st day of May one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.
J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War.

Sept 4 th 1819 Mr Paine had lived in Cavendish 15 years & previous thereto he lived Grafton

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Jan. 26, 1928.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, W. C.
Dear Sir: -
Have you any record of the services of Benjamin Pierce in the Revolutionary war? I think he entered the war at the age of sixteen years and served six years.
He was buried near Ludlow, Windsor Co., Vermont.
His wife was Rebecca Wright and they were the parents of fourteen children.
One of their sons, Stephen Pierce was born Aug. 21, 1804, died Sep. 21, 1883.
He was my grandfather, being the father of my mother, Estella Pierce Harris, who is still living.
If you haven't any record of the services of Benjamin Pierce, could you refer us to any one whom you think could give us any information in regard to him or his family? -
Yours respectfully, Mrs. Bertha Russell

Westford Mass Oct 13
10
Mr Amos Heald
Chester
Vt

Westford Oct 12 1838
Mr Amos Hild
Sir
I have examined the town records of Westford and find the following Benjamin Pierce and Rebecca Wright both of Westford were entered in order for marriage April 8 1782
There is no record of the marriage upon the town books
Respectfully &c
J. W. Wood

Benjamin Peirce N. 26,867. Mass.

Camp at Providence Oct r 13 th 1778 This may Certify that my Serg ts are all present and Serg t Benj a Peirce being absent on a furlough his Behaviour thereat a good Soldier has my approbation for the same. Silv s Smith Capt n to Timothy Bigelow Esq r
Permitted for Twenty days
Dr. Glover General

Benjamin Peirce W. 26867. Mass.

Recd of Benjamin Pierce of the 13th Mass ts Regt One French fire Arm and Bayonet One Cartridge Box and Bayonet Belt. which was his own Private Property.
Highland March 21 st . 1780. —
Joseph Pierce M aj Quarter Master to the 13th Mass ts . Regt. —

Benjamin Peirce W. 26, 867 Mass.

Permit the Bearers hereof, Serg t Pierce & Caleb Blood to pass from hence over over Schuylkill. and repass; they behaving as becometh the character of Soldiers GIVEN under my Hand at Valley Forge. this Twentieth Day of April 1778
Sim l Bigelow Col. Comm d

Station in the Army of the U.S. AMERICA Greeting True and Gracious in your Patriotic Fidelity, B.O. by Virtue of the Powers and Appeals you have been and are now under my Command YOU by Virtue and Power And I do hereby charge and require all your Officers and Sergeants and Fellow Soldiers and all men of every rank and condition to be And this is your
Benjamin Reince W. 26867 Mass.

Bigelow, Esquire, Battalion in the Army of the United States of AMERICA :
Pierce, Greeting.
Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Fidelity, DO, by Virtue of the Powers vested in me and Appoint you to be Sergeant Regiment under my Command. YOU
are, theretofore Sergeant
Manner of Things thereunto belonging, under your Command to be obedient to Sergeant . And you are
and diligently to discharge Duty of by doing and performing all And I do strictly charge and require all your Orders, as their observe and follow such Orders and Directions, from Time to Time, as you shall receive from me, or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War. And this is your
GIVEN under my Hand this fourth Day of May , 1778.
Sim o Bigelow Co