Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8349, Benjamin Basset, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Basset, Benjamin Bassett, "
W. D 349
Weary
CONTENTS
[Ruled lines for entry]
[Ruled lines for entry]

4,434
Massachusetts 4
Benjamin Bapst H. Garrison Regt. } Private War } Massachusetts Line. Massachusetts Line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 27 th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th of Nov 1818 and sent to John Hooker Esqr Chief Justice Stockbridge Berkshire
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 - 4 50 . . . 34.13. Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 March 1818 48 -
$ 82.13
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
6 years to end of War.
Westot. Berkshire Esqr

91
Benjamin Bapeth -
CH
4434
[Large stylized signature or initials]
[Vertical text, possibly bleed-through from the reverse side]

District of Massachusetts, ss :
ON this Third day of July 1820 ; Personally appeared in open Court before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, begun and holden at Lenox, within and for the County of Berkshire, in the Western Circuit, on the 4th Monday of June 1820, the same Court, being a Court of record for said Circuit ; proceeding according to the course of the common Law, with a jurisdiction, unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment,  Benjamin Bapett aged Sixty years, resident in Becket in the County of Berkshire aforesaid, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows ; that he enlisted in the company commanded by Captain Brown in the regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Jackson in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental establishment. That his original declaration is dated April 27 th 1818 and that his pension certificate is numbered 4,494
And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident Citizen of the United States, on the 18th 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 and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of 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 contained in the schedule, hereto annexed, and by me subscribed—schedule of property, necessary clothing and bedding excepted—to wit :
Twenty acres of Land all unimproved except Eight acres  one cow,  one swine  one yearling  1 pine table 1 broken dish kettle 1 spinning wheel 4 old pewter plates  3 tea cups & saucers, 3 knives & forks 1 old pewter tea pot - 3 Earthen  plates - 1 old broken pot, 1 old spider 1 p st money bought in the  Revolutionary war 1 p st lumber etc. 3 old chains 1 old hundredweight  of iron bolts to repair house with, one old axe, 1 hoe, 1 shovel,  1 wash tub, one flat iron, 1 shear & tongs, a note on which now  due against Gains Center $38
The following sums are due from me to the persons hereafter named (to wit) :
  Brewster Dicks  1-71    Dea Alden Fowler  18-50    Daniel Wilson  49-    Stephen Childs  7-43    Oliver Millard  5-    Joshua Stone  3-    Stephen Wadsworth  3 88    Moses L. Baird  7-03    Robert H. Millard  3-53    Phraim Sheldon  1 25    Parks Millard  1 25  
(Sgn d ) Benjamin Bapett

That I am by occupation a Husband and that I am in firm durable labour I have had assistance from the town of Lingham in County that the number of my family residing with me is One that their names and ages are as follows my wife Mary aged sixty two years - who has been infirm for several years and now is taken care of by me & is wholly dependent upon me for a nurse
(Sign) Benjamin Bapett
Sworn to, and declared on the 3 rd day of July 1820, before the said Court
Parker L. Hall C.M. pro tem.
I Parker L. Hall Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Berkshire do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Two hundred fifty six dollars and thirty nine cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this ninth day of August 1820.
Parker L. Hall
CLERK OF THE COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE.

Henry Bapfield
H Jackson M.P. 25 th
Correct, except Bapfield's certificate
I John Hooker within named do hereby certify that from the evidence of some respectable colored neighbours of the Applicant, I am satisfied that Bapfield in very poor is in indeed circumstances in life & stands in need of assistance from his country for support — Oct 26 th 1840
John Hooker

District of Massachusetts.
BERKSHIRE COUNTY, ss.
ON this twenty seventh day of April in the year of our Lord 1818 before the subscriber personally appeared Benjamin Basset aged fifty eight years, resident in the Town of Becket in the County of Berkshire aforesaid, in the said District—who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provisions made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war:" That he the said Benjamin Basset enlisted in Boston in the State of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Brown of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Jackson son of him in the fall of 1777
That he continued to serve in the said corps, in the service of the United States, until the close of the war in the year 1783
when he was discharged from service in near Newburgh in the State of New York. That he received his discharge to a Mr. Francis of Housatonic in the County of Barnstable to whom he sold his County Land. That he was in the battles of Monmouth, & Rhode Island & at the taking of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown so called; -and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support;
And that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services. Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid.
John Hooker
Benjamin Basset
I John Hooker Clerk of the Grand Court in the State including the County of Berkshire do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Benjamin Basset 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 aforementioned act of Congress.
John Hooker
I JOSEPH WOODBRIDGE, Clerk of the Court
do certify and attest, that the abovenamed John Hooker is Clerk of said Court and that the foregoing is his signature.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court, the day and year first above written.
J. Woodbridge

14
2953
Massachusetts
Mary Basset
widow of Benjamin Basset
Major
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars —
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Dec r '48 and sent to
Wm. J. Rockwell Heir of Reps
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 53 Vol. 1
July 29 th .
Book C.
Report
Letter to Hon. J. Rockwell
Dec 19. 1848.

N 22
Mary Russell Wid of Remy
Map
Act 29 July 348

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss.
On this fourth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundreds forty eight personally appeared before the Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County at her dwelling house in Becket in said County Molly Bassett a resident of said Becket in said County aged ninety two, she being unable by reason of bodily infirmity to appear in open court who being first duly sworn according to law, on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision, made by the Act of Congress, passed July 29 th , 1848, entitled an Act for the relief of certain surviving widows of Officers & Soldiers of the Revolutionary Army, that she is the widow of Benjamin Bassett late of said Becket deceased, and at the time of his decease a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress passed March 18, 1818, and for evidence of his services, she refers to the proofs on file, in the Pension Office connected with his declaration.
She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Bassett on the twenty third day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven at Tyringham By the Rev Joseph Avery, and that her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Bassett died at said Becket on the fourth day of August one thousand eight hundred & twenty eight, 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 one thousand eight hundred viz at the time before stated and that she has not intermarried since the decease of the said Benjamin but still continues his widow.
Sworn to and subscribed this day & year aforesaid Before me W. P. Walker Judge of Probate
Molly Bassett mark -

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss. I Henry W Bishop Registrar of the Court of Probate within & for said County of Berkshire do certify That the Hon. William P Walker is the Judge of said Court duly commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this eighth day of November in the year Eighteen hundred & forty Eight.
Henry W Bishop
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. I William P Walker Judge of the Court of Probate within & for said County do certify That it has been made to appear to me by satis- factory evidence that Benjamin Bassett late a person of the United States at the rate of ninety six dollars per annum died at Becket in said County on the 14th day of August AD 1828 leaving a widow whose name is Molly Bassett residing in said Becket & that said Molly ever since the death of said Benjamin has remained & now is sole & unmarried
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this ninth day of November 1848
William P Walker

I Hubbard Bartlett Town Clerk of the Town of Lee in the County of Berkshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereby certify that the following to wit
The intention of Marriage between Benj Basset of Tyringham & Molly Winslow of Lee was made public January eighth one thousand seven hundred & ninety seven by D Wilson P Clerk and married January twenty third one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven by Jos Avery
is a true copy of the record of said Town of Lee with the exception of the dates which are expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows
Jany 8, 1797 & Jany 23 1797,
Hubbard Bartlett Town Clerk
I Hubbard Bartlett above named depose & say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town of Lee in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exceptions as certified by me
Hubbard Bartlett Town Clerk of Town of Lee
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss
On this thirty first day of October A.D. 1848 Personally appeared Hubbard Bartlett to me known as Town Clerk of the Town of Lee and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true
The word "copy" interlined before signing.
Before me Ransom H. Hulman Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire. I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the common- wealth for the County of Berkshire do Certify, That Hanson Hiram Esq. of the , was on the 31 st day of October 1848 and now is one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and his signature to the foregoing Certificate is genuine.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas at Leeds this ninth day of November 1848. Charles Sedgwick Clerk

BASSET, BENJAMIN

Benjamin Bayliss much of many things
B
Small stamp or mark

State of Massachusetts } ss Berkshire County }
Mary Basset of Becket in said County of the age of Eighty five years in February last left and says that she is the Person who Did in November make a Declaration for the Purpos of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress Passed July 7 th 1837 Granting Pensions to Widows of Revolutionary Soldiers and she further says that she has Recently found among the papers of the said Benjamin a paper containing a Record of her Marriage to the said Benjamin Basset her late husband and for whose services she Claims a Pension and that she had forgotten at the time that she made the Declaration aforesaid that she had such a Record and she now attaches it to this affidavit Marked B and she further says that said Record is in the hand writing of her said husband the said Benjamin Basset and that the names of Joseph Basset & Hannah Basset which appear on the said Record are the Children which the said Benjamin had at the time she married him all of whom are now Dead and that she had no Children by this marriage and she wishes they may be placed on file with her papers now in the Pension Department
Mary X Basset mark
Berkshire ss. July 2 nd 1844
Personally appeared Mary Basset and made solemn Oath that the above affidavit by her subscribed is true
before me Gains Carter, Justice of the Peace
the word last and Benjamin was underlined before the signing of the above Instrument
Attest Gains Carter
This may certify that Mary Basset who has this day sworn to the truth of the above affidavit retains her mental faculties well for a person of her age and is considered a credible Witness July 2 nd 1844 Gains Carter

I Gains Carter certify that I am an acquaintance with the hand of writing of Benjamin Basset Late of Bucket Diseased and I certify that I have no hesitancy in saying that I have no doubt the Recd letter attached to the + within affidavit is the hand writing of the said Benjamin Basset July 20 1844 Gains Carter

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss.
I Charles Sedgwick, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Berkshire, do certify, that James Cushing Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Cushing and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
noted A have attested my
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Courts of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty.
Charles L. Sedgwick Clerk.
BASSET, BENJAMIN
BASSET, BENJAMIN

9915
Mary Bassett
Mass.
Act 7 th July 38
Repealed March 1838
Manu 1797 N 22
Act 29 May 48
Henry, Fin $80 00 - Paid
on 4 March 1848
Hen. Julius Rockwell House of Reps,

State of Massachusetts Berkshire County 3 d on this fourth Day of November in the year one thousand Eight hundred and forty three personally appeared before the Honorable William P. Walker Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County Mary Basset a resident of Beckett in the said County aged Eighty four years who being first duly sworn according to law on her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pensions made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows - That she is the widow of Benjamin Basset late of said Beckett Deceased who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and at the time of his death a pensioner of the united states on account of his Revolu- tionary services under the act of Congress passed March 18 th 1818 at the rate of Ninety Six Dollars per annum his pension Certificate was transmitted to the pension agent at Boston - in order to draw the arrears of pension due at the time of his death she also declare that she was married to the said Benjamin Basset in Tyringham in said County on the Twenty fourth day of March the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety three

By the reverend Joseph Avery of said Tyngsborough the said Avery is now dead that her said Husband the aforesaid Benjamin died at said Beckett on the Eight Day of August in the year one thousand Eight hundred and Twenty Eight that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four I was at the time and place aforesaid and that she still remains the widow of the said Benjamin Bapett deceased the said Benjamin my husband never kept any family Record.
her Mary E Bapett Mark
S. Nov. 4. 1843
Subscribed and sworn to, by the said Mary Bapett, on the fourth day of November 1843. at her residence in Beckett in said County, she being, by reason of old age and infirmity, unable to attend in open Court.
Before me William T. Walker Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire County ss I. Henry W Bishop Register of the Court of Probate within & for said County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Judge of said Court in the matter of the application of Mary Bassett for a pension. That the Hon. William P. Walker is the Judge of said Court duly commissioned and qualified & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court, this fifteenth day of November in the year Eighteen hundred & fifty three Henry W Bishop Regr Prob.

Town of Tyringham } County of Berkshire } ss. State of Massachusetts }
On this 13 th Day of November A D 1843 Personally appeared before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for s d County Charles Cargil who being first Duly Sworn according to Law Doeth on his oath Depose and say that he is the Clerk of the Town of s d Tyringham and as such has the Charge of the Records of s d town and he further says he has Carefully Examined the Records of s d town and can find No Record of the Marriage of Benjamin Basset to Mary Winslow and further saith Not
Charles Cargil
Berkshire ss. Nov. 13 th 1843.
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above named
Ebenezer B. Gaspill Justice of the peace.
I Ebenezer B Gaspill the magistrate above named certify I am acquainted personally with Charles Cargil the deponent above named that his character for truth is good
Ebenezer B Gaspill Just. peace
Tyringham Nov. 13. 1843.

Town of Tyringham County of Berkshire } ss State of Massachusetts
On this 13 th Day of November A D 1843 Personally appeared Before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County Elisha Garfield who being Duly Sworn according to Law Doeth on his oath Depose & say that he is a member of the Presbyterian Society in said Tyringham and has the Charge of the Records of said Society and he further Says that he has Carefully Examined the the Records of said Society and Can find No Record of the marriage of Benjamin Basset to Mary Winslow said to have taken place in the year 1793 and says there is no Record of marriages of an Early a period in his possession and further Says his Knowing to the fact that the Reverend Joseph Strong was formally Pastor of said Society and further Saith Not Elisha Garfield
Berkshire ss. Nov. 13 th 1843.
Sworn and Subscribed on the day above mentioned
Before me Elisha B. Garfield Justice of peace
I Elisha B. Garfield the Magistrate above named certify I am personally acquainted with Elisha Garfield the above deponent & know his character for truth & morality good.
Tyringham 13 th Nov. 1843. E. B. Garfield Justice of peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Peksbury
Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth for the County of Peksbury, do certify that James Carter and Eben P. Garfield Esqrs whose signatures are affixed to the foregoing certificates, were at the date thereof Justices of the Peace within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and acting under the authority of said Commonwealth. and that I believe the signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas this fifteenth day of November 1843. Charles Sedgwick Clerk

State of Massachusetts
Berkshire County 3 d I Alden Sowler a resident of Beckett in said County age Sixty five years do testify and say that I was well acquainted from my Childhood with Benjamin Basset late of said Beckett deceased in said County and my acquaintance continued to the time of his death which was on the Eight Day of August in the year one thousand Eight hundred and Twenty Eight I was his physician before and at the time he died and I was present at the time he died and I also know that at the time the said Benjamin Basset died that he was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of ninety six Dollars per annum under the act of Congress passed March 18 th 1818 I was also acquainted with Mary Basset the said Benjamin's Widow before the said Benjamin married her the said Mary formerly Mary Winslow I well recalled the time when they the said Benjamin and Mary were married and that they were married in the town of Tyringham in said County by Joseph Overy a Presbyterian Clergyman and I also know the said Joseph Overy at that time and I have heard said that the said Overy died a number of years ago and I lived and was at home when the said marriage took place which was only a short distance from where the said Benjamin and Mary were married I did not hear the marriage ceremony solemnized but I saw the wedding party go to and from the house where the said Benjamin and Mary were married as was said at that time which was on or about the Twenty fourth Day of March in the

year one thousand seven hundred and ninety three They immediately commenced house keeping together as man and wife and continued to live together as such to the time of his death Since his death she has remained his widow and still continues unmarried most of the time since there said marriage till his death they lived in my neighborhood and the said Mary has lived since his death and now lives in my neighborhood
Alden Dwole
Berkshire ss. Becket Nov. 2. 1843
Personally appeared Alden Dwole and made oath that the facts contained in the above declaration by him subscribed are true before me
Gaius Carter Justice of the Peace
Becket Nov. 2. 1843
Gaius Carter a justice of the Peace for the County of Berkshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify and say, that I have been for many years personally acquainted with Alden Dwole who has made oath before me that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true is a man of the best character as to truth and veracity and is so considered in the vicinity where he lives
Gaius Carter

Sheffield August 17 th 1844
Hon J L Edwars
Sir your Communication of July 29 th in Relation to the Pension Claim of Mary Bassett Widow of Benjamin Bassett has Come to hand Requiring Documentary Evidence to prove the marriage
At her Request I would say to you that she was informed in June Last that her Claim Would Probably fail Without Such proof and she being aware that No Such Evidence had been transmitted she searched the old Papers of her Late Husband the s d Benjamin Bassett and found a Record of her marriage in the hand Writing of her Late husband and on or about the 2 d of July she made affidavit which was transmitted to your office together with the Record
if the Post office Department has Done its Duty the Evidence which you require must be in the Pension office
Will you Please Examine soon and forward to me the Result of the Examination as the Claimant is Dependat on her friends for Support and they are in very Limited Circumstances
Truly Yours Royal Crane Sheffield mass

Home of Representatives Dec 13. 1848.
J. L. Edmunds Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I am requested to return to you the Certificate which you transmitted to me some time since for Mary Bussell. Her agent Eli Tainter thinks that the pension should be Ninety six  Ninety six dollars per annum, instead of $80. The husband being recd $96 per annum. & the Act of July 28. 1848, entitling her to a pension of equal amount with that which her husband received. If he is correct please issue a new certificate - if not please return the enclosed
Very resp. d
Your obt servt
Julius Rorhauer

J. L. Edwards Esq. Coun. of Prisons.

J. A. Edwards Esq. Counr. of Prusings
As I herewith transmit to you, the Prusings Declarations, &c. of Mrs. Elizabeth. — Mary Bourn. — Sarah Lawrence & Mary Bassett. — Please communicate the result to me
Very Resp ly . Yrs &c. Geo. S. Tucker
Greenfield Dec. 8, 1843. }

9915 Mary Bassett Mass
Suspended Set to R. I. Tucker July 29 '45 Set to R. Crane Aug 24 44
Act July 7 th 38
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 8349
Mary Bassett Wid
Benjamin Bassett Print. Rev. War.
Act: July 29 th  1848.
Index: Vol. A , Page 31
[Arrangement of 1870.]