Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17281, Zepheniah Bishop, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Bishop, Zephaniah Zephaniah
S. 17281
carded
CONTENTS
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15375. Massachusetts
Zephaniah Bishop of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain  of the  commanded by  in the  line for  Days Service 
Inscribed on the Roll of  at the rate of 50 Dollars 77 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of June 1832 and  
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1832 $101.54 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept.   25.38  $126.92
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by  Clerk, Book  , Vol. 2, Page 6.

I certify that Zephaniah Bishop was born in the town of Middleborough June 19 th A.D. 1745 as appear by the records of said town
August 28 th A.D. 1832
Elkanah Briggs Jr Town Clerk

Z. Bishop ~
10. 280 Zephaniah Bishop N.C. ~

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Bristol ss
At the Court of Probate held at Taunton In and for said County on the Twenty Seventh day August one thousand eight hundred and thirty two by Capt before the Honorable Hadijah Baylis Judge of the Probate for said County Personally appeared Zephaniah Bishop a resident of Milborough In the County and Commonwealth of said State Aged Eighty seven years Who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 make the following declaration.
That he was born at Milborough In the County of Bristol Commonwealth aforesaid on the tenth day of June A D 1745 and that there is a record of his birth
That he was in the United States Service from the 19th day of April A D 1775 to about the ninth or tenth of May following He served under Capt Moses Wilmarth of said Milborough he left home and Marched for Roxbury on the evening of the day the battle was fought at Lexington and served there and about there for about three weeks as near as he can recollect there were a number of my townsmen that marched with me but they are the most of them dead, I think Capt Elkhart Wilmarth was with me and is now living in said Milborough
Also that he was in the United States Service at another time He enlisted and served in the United States Service five months as a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Capt Caleb Richardson of Milborough & Benj s Tingley Lieutenant We left home about the last of June in the year A D 1776 and Marched to Newhaven in Company Connecticut Went on board a Schoop to New York where he joined Col Gageys Regiment In Gen. Fellows Brigade on the 15th of September marched to Harlem heights where there was a battle He thinks the next day he was not in the battle but in sight of it he marched from there to Mile Square. There to White Plains and was there during the engagement though not actually in the fight from there to South castle then Thence to Croton and encamped at Muttetotter Hill where he was dismissed with a written  an honorable discharge about the first December about two hundred

Miles from home
Also that he was in the United States Service One month in the  Spring of  1877 (said) the dates he cannot recollect he served under Alexander Foster Capt, Michael Sweet Lieutenant he enlisted and served as a Sergeant there at Middleborough when he enlisted and marched from there through Rehoboth to Howland's Ferry in the State of Rhode Island and was stationed there and elsewhere in that region until his term of service as above said expired and when discharged he thinks this campaign was in the Spring or Summer of A 1877 but cannot be positive
Also that he was in the United States Service three months in the later part of Winter and the first part of the Spring of A 1878 he enlisted as a Sergeant and served under Capt Moses Wilson of Middleborough Col. John Doyette's Regiment, he resided at Middleborough when he enlisted and he marched from there to Providence and from there to Warwick and was stationed there with the other regular troops and served there and about there until the expiration of the said term of three months he expired and was then honorably dismissed without any written discharge
Also that he was in the United States Service at least one month in the Summer of A 1878 in Sullivan's Expedition he served he enlisted and  there at Rhode Island he enlisted and served the above term under Alexander Foster who was a Lieutenant in the militia Capt Stephen Richards on being engaged on a six months campaign at Rhode Island at the time —
Also that he was not at all or nearly all the alarms while the Army was at and about Rhode Island at short campaigns he says a large number of times to the amount of at least three months he was under Capt Moses Wilson at some times and others under Capt Caleb Richardson and others. He was in the capacity of a Sergeant in all the campaigns in which he served

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 army of any State. Stephenah his X Bishop mark
Sworn to & subscribed the day & date first above mentioned
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
Sept. 4. 1832
We John Ferguson a clergyman residing in Attleborough - - - - and Noah Claflin - - - - residing in the same Town - - - - hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Stephenah Bishop who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about eighty seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. John Ferguson Noah Claflin
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
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 named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Ferguson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Attleborough in said County of Bristol, and that Noah Claflin who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Bristol ss.
I Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephenah Bishop of Attleborough in said County for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court the day and year first last above written. Anselm Bassett

10280
Zephaniah Bishop
9 Mr Killings Supt - 1 Do Purah
5. 13 14 ob
May 6 1839
P. 372
900.77.
A. Bapett & Tannula Maf

(10.280)  BRIEF in the case of Zephaniah Bishop  of Attleborough in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court of Probate  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 87 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.     19 April In 1775 — about 14 27 Serg — Capt M Wilmarth L o enli d etc Mil a   June 1776 — ✓ 5 do — Capt C Richardson } Col o Carey's — Reg t   thinkes Spring or Summer 1777 — 1 do — Capt M. Sweet Co s   Spring 1778 — ✓ 3 do — Capt M. Wilmarth } Col o J n Gage Reg t   Summer do — 1 Private Lieut Alex Foster — Co s  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated —  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? not stated  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 2 & 4 th terms by one Witness — & the traditional of others — one a Clergyman — the latter certified to be credible persons —  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  The signature of the Magistrate not verified by the Clerks 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Peace in and for the county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Lephaniah Bishop, who being duly sworn deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age, the consequent loss of memory & lapse of time, he cannot swear more positively as to the precise length of his service in the Revolutionary war unless it can be so considered from the following — That as it respects the first term of service mentioned in his declaration, he served as a Sergeant  private under Capt Moses Wilmarth not less than fourteen  twenty days. As to His second term of service in sd declaration mentioned, he served as a sergeant under Capt Caleb Richardson not less than five months, the precise dates he cannot recollect any more particularly than is expressed in his declaration — As to the third term of service in sd declaration mentioned he has nothing more to add that  only there is no living witness that he can think of by whom he can prove that term of service. As to the fourth term has nothing more to add — As to the fifth term of service, he served not less than one month under Lieut Alexander Foster, but cannot recollect the precise date. As to the sixth term of service he has no knows of no line and for the above services he claims a pension . Any witness by whom to prove the same nor has he any documentary evidence, and for these services he claims a Pension. In answer to the second Interrogatory prescribed by the war department, he says, there is a record of his age in the Town of Attleborough, a certificate of which is annexed to the declaration. In answer to the third he says he has always had his residence in Attleborough. In answer to the sixth Interrogatory he says he never had a written discharge. In answer to the seventh he refers to Rev. John Ferguson & Deacon Grafton of Attleborough whose names are affixed to the certificate on the declaration. Lephaniah Bishop

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol May 18 th 1833 Personally appeared Zephaniah Bishop and Subscribed and swore to the truth of the within Statement by him Subscribed before me
Noah Clappin Justice of Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. I Anselin Pratt Register of the Court of Probate in For said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Noah Clappin Esq. whose signature is affixed to the above certificate is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Bristol & qualified to administer oaths — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty first day of May Eighteen hundred and thirty three — Anselin Pratt

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
February 20, 1924.
Claude S. Phillips, 6362 Stony Island Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Sir;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 17281, it appears that Zepheniah or Zephaniah Bishop was born June 19, 1745 at Attleborough, Bristol County, Massachusetts, and while residing there, he enlisted and served as sergeant in the Massachusetts Troops as follows-
From April 19, 1775, fourteen days in Captain Moses Willmarth's Company.
From the last of June 1776, five months in Captain Caleb Richardson's Company, Colonel S. Carey's Regiment.
Spring of 1777, three months in Captain Alexander Foster's Company, and winter and forepart of spring of 1778, three months in Captain Moses Willmarth's Company, Colonel

Daggett's Regiment.
In the summer of 1778, one month under Lieutenant Alexander Foster, was in Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island. He was also out on several alarms at various times.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 27, 1832, while a resident of Attleborough, Massachusetts.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

17281 INVALID.
1924 Feb. 20 Hist to Claude S. Phillips cert.
File No. 17281
Zephaniah Bishop
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 33
[Arrangement of 1870.]

First House and lands down in J. Blyth's lot

I Joel Read of Alleborough in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age to give Evidence do testify and say — That Zephaniah Bishop Served  was with me five months, in the revolutionary Army at New York in the year 1776 under, Gen l Fellows in Col S. Cares Reg t in a Company Commanded by Capt Caleb Richardson and that the said Bishop served as Sergeant and did the But the duty faithfully Joel Read
Bristol ss July 26. 1832. Then personally appeared Joel Read and made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me. Lemuel May Jus. of P. Peace
Bristol ss. May 18 th 1833. This certifies that the subscriber is well acquainted with Joel Read who has subscribed to the above deposition: that he is a respectable man & a credible witness. Lemuel May Jus. of P. Peace

I See ...
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a continuous letter or note.]

I Jacob Ide of Attleboro' in the State of Massachusetts engaged according to Law, do testify & say. That I was a soldier of the army of the revolution in Warwick in the State of Rhode Island and that Zephaniah Bishop served with me in the Company commanded by Capt. Moses W. Smith & Col. Eben d Duggets regt. for the term of three months in the year 1778 & I further say that I was on Rhode Island as a teamer at the time of Sullivan's expedition & at that time the said Bishop was in the service at that time but how long he served at that time I am not able to say & further I say I was at the battle of Lexington & said Bishop was with me there about two weeks. Jacob Ide
Bristol ss. July 26. 1832. Then personally appeared Jacob Ide & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed before me
Levi May Jus. of P. Peace
Bristol ss. May 18. 1833. This may certify that the subscriber is well acquainted with Jacob Ide who has subscribed & sworn to the above deposition that he is a respectable man and a credible witness
Levi May Jus. of P. Peace Levi May

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. I, James Spratt, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify, that Sumner May Esq., whose signature is annexed to the annexed certificates, is a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty. J. Spratt

6262 Stony Island Ave., Chicago, Ill., Jan. 19, 1923.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
Dear Sir:-
I am desirous of obtaining what information I can relative to two Revolutionary ancestors of mine, namely; Zephaniah Bishop, of Bristol County, Mass., presumably of Attleboro, and Leonard Bettes, of Sandisfield, or Otis, Berkshire County, Mass. I find reference to them in the list of pensioners in the Report of the Secretary of War of 1835, on the page (double paging) quoted, as follows:-
Under "A statement showing the names, rank, &c., of persons residing in Bristol County, (Massachusetts) in the State of Massachusetts, who have been inscribed on the pension roll under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832", is found-
" ZEPHANIAH BISHOP , private, annual allowance $50.77; sums received $152.31;
on page 46-47 double paging-(514)
Mass. militia; placed on roll June 11, 1831; commencement of pension March 4, 1831; age 88."
" 233
In the list for Berkshire County, Mass., under pensioners under the Act of March 18, 1818, on pp. 14-15, double page 514, is found:-
" LEONARD BETTES , private; annual allowance $96.00; sums received $1518.66;
Mass. line; placed on roll Sept. 18, 1820; commencement of pension May 9, 1818; age 68."
Please give me as complete a statement of the termination of these pensions, the military record, and in fact everything the record shows regarding the soldiers, their successors in the pension, if any, and where paid, on separate sheets , if possible.
very respectfully,
Claude S. Phillips
Claude S. Phillips, 6262 Stony Island Ave., Chicago, Ill.