Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15612, Benjamin Butterfield, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
NUMBER
Butterfield, Benjamin Sarah
W. 15612
CONTENTS

8153 Massachusetts
Benj m Butterfield of Lowell in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Ford of the company commanded by Col Bridges in the Mass line for 9 mo 13 ds
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 31 Dollars 43 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of March 1833 and sent to Hannah Dana
Arrears to 14th of March 1833 $62.86 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept 13.71 78.57
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk, Book R, Vol. 2 Page 4.
Dead. See letter to Joel Adams, 23. Aug. 1838.
74 Midolery

3937 Massachusetts
Sarah Butterfield widow of Benjamin Butterfield, decd. who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 31 August 1837 of Middlesex (in the State of Mass) who was a private in the Com d commanded by Captain Foss of the reg t commanded by Col Bridges in the Mass. line for 9 mo 13 ds
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 31 Dollars 43 Cents per annum, to commence on the 21 st day of Aug t 1837.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Aug t 1839, & sent to Joel Adams, Lowell, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1839 $47.49 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep r 39 15.71 $63.20
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. M. Curdy Clerk, Book 1. Vol. 1, Page 73.
For Joel Adams, Sep r 12 '39 Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 March to 29 th July 1840. Agt notified 26. May 1840.

Declaration of Benjamin Butterfield plead to desert to Sam Dana Groton Ms
20705
No fees for

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex ss.
On this seventeenth day of August  Probate Concord personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting at within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth aforesaid
Benjamin Butterfield of Lowell aged 73 years
Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
That he entered the service on the nineteenth day of April A.D. 1775 when the war commenced and he pursued the enemy from Concord to Cambridge, where his Company was encamped - And he very soon engaged for eight months service and fought in the Company of Capt. John Ford of Chelmsford in Col. Bridges Regt. L. Col. Moses Parker who was slain in the Battle of Bunker Hill and Major John Vose's New Eng. Regt. he was in the Battle of Bunker Hill, saw his Col. mortally wounded, after this Battle he continued with his Company and did duty until he completed a term of eight months and was discharged in December following.
2 In the Fall A.D. 1777 he engaged to go to oppose Burgoyne's progress and enlisted for six weeks in the Company of Capt. John Ford in Col. Jonathan Read's Regt. he repaired with his Company to the Northern frontier, and was at the Capture of Burgoyne's Army, and having been with his Company doing duty until his term of six weeks was finished, and returned home with his Company.
Jonas Pierce of Chelmsford is the only person now living, unless Geo. Pierce who lives at a distance from him in the State of New Hampshire, together who served with him in the first eight months service by whom he can prove his service.
He
Sworn to J.W. May Jr.

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Sworn to and
J. P. Pease  Benja Butterfield
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex
the Rev. Wilkes Allen a Clergyman residing in the town of Chelsea in the county of Middlesex and William Adams of the same Chelsea do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Butterfield who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Before me Sam d Dana a Justice of the Peace within and for all the Counties in said Commonwealth.
Wilkes Allen W m Adams
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he stated.
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that The Rev. Wilkes Allen who has signed the preceding Certificates is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Chelsea and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. Pease Clerk of the Court of
I Isaac D. Dana a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Middlesex do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Benjamin Butterfield for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
Isaac D. Dana
And I further certify that Samuel Dana is a Justice of the Peace for all the Counties in said Commonwealth and that his signature to the above affidavit Certificate of the Rev. Wilkes Allen and William Adams and to the Caption on the Deposition of Jonas Peirce are his true and genuine signatures.
Isaac D. Dana

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit,
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex on the seventeenth day of August A. D. 1832 On the application of Benjamin Butterfield claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit :
1. Where, and in what year were you born ?
Answer,
In Chelmsford Mass. May 25. A.D. 1759.
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it ?
Answer,
I have no record, but my name is recorded on the town book of Chelmsford
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live ? Answer,
I lived in Chelmsford, and continued to live there, till Lowell was formed into a town, and it is in my farm, on which I now live
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom ? Answer,
My services were always voluntary and on my own motion.
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental, and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service ? Answer,
I saw Col. Gerrish. Col. Bricket. Lieut. Col. Moses Parker, who was mortally wounded and died. Capt. Walker of Chelmsford was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bunker hill.
6. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution ? Answer,
Rev. Dr. Packard of Chelmsford. Dr. Dalton and Rev. Mr. Allen of Chelmsford. Capt. James Fletcher. Mr. Simon Parker. Deacon Noah Spalding of Lowell. Did you ever receive any discharge from Service ? Ans. I never rec. any such discharge.
Benja Butterfield
Sworn to J. W. Fay Jr.

(2392) Sarah Butterfield of Benjamin Massachusetts
papers
admitted Pgms 13 day #31. \frac{43}{100}
died 31 Aug t - 1837
at 7 July 1838
Joel Adams Dowell mats Parker Adams

State of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex } ss.
On this eighth day of September in the year, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before the justice of the Police Court in Lowell, being a a Court of Record in said County of Middlesex, Sarah Butterfield, a resident of the City of Lowell in said County of Middlesex, aged Twenty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on her oath make the following Declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7th, 1838. entitled "an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows," That she is the widow of Benjamin Butterfield , who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution and served under several engagements and at different periods during the Revolutionary War, as she has understood and verily believes; The length of said services, and the particulars in relation to the same are set forth in the Declaration of the said Benjamin Butterfield made before a Court of Record, under the Act of Congress of 7th of June 1832, and are proved by the Documents accompanying the same Declaration; and for which services he received a Pension until his death. The Certificate of which was surrendered to the Pension Agent at Boston, on the payment of the arrears of said pension after the death of said Benjamin. All which Documents she believes are now on file in the Pension Department at Washington, and to which she refers for the particulars of the services of said Benjamin, as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and the proof of the same - She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Butterfield on the thirteenth day of May in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy nine; 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: viz at the time above stated: and also that her husband, the aforesaid Benjamin Butterfield died on the thirty first day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
Sarah Butterfield Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before Joseph Locke, Justice of the Police Court of Lowell.
I, Albert Locke, Clerk of the police court of Lowell in the county of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby certify that Joseph Locke Esquire abovenamed is a justice of a court of record & that the signature above is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I hereunto put my name and the seal of the said court this eighth day of September in the year eighteen hundred & thirty eight.
Albert Locke Clerk. P.C.L.

Sarah Butterfield

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex County ss.
Town of Chelmsford Sept. 22. 1835 It appears by the Records of the first Congregational Church in Chelmsford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that "Benjamin Butterfield and Sarah Chamberlain, both of Chelmsford, were joined in Marriage covenant, on the thirteenth day of May, seventeen hundred and seventy nine" by the late Rev. Ebenezer Bridge, Pastor of said Church.
I William Andrews, Pastor of the first Congregational Church in Chelmsford aforesaid do hereby certify that the above is a true extract from the Records of the Church aforesaid, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures as follows, viz - "May 13th. A.D. 1779" -
William Andrews.
Pastor of ye first Church, Chelmsford.
I William Andrews above named depose and say, that I hold the office of Pastor and Clerk of the first Congregational Church in Chelmsford aforesaid, and the Records of said Church are now in my possession; and the above is a true extract from said Records, with the exception above named as certified by me.
William Andrews.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex County ss. Sept. 24th 1835
Subscribed and sworn to, before me Jacob Adams. J. P.

Benj Butterfield Lowell 20705
Private 9 mos 13 days Alm't $31.43
Lord Bridges
Sam Dana Esq Boston Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Benj. Butterfield  of  Lowell  in the State of  MASS -  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73 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.     Ap 19 In 17 95 " 8 " Private Gen. Lord Col. Bridges   Dec 17 97 " 1 12 " " do " do   9. 13d, macc  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Chelmsford Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 1 Living Witness, traditional evidence, & Documentary proof  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct in every respect 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
A. H. Adams
Examining Clerk.

you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Benjamin Butterfield
N. 15612
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 19. 71 8 mos John Lord Moses Parker Mass   Sep. 27. 79. 6 week " " Bridge   Jonathan Read          
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill, at capture of Burgoyne.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Chelmsford Mass
Date of application for pension, Aug. 17. 1832
Residence at date of application, Lowell Middlesex Co Mass.
Age at date of application, b. May 24-174-9 Chelmsford Mass
Remarks: mar Sarah Chamberlin May 13-79. at Chelmsford Mass. He died Aug 31-1837.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

1905 Oct. 11. hist. to L. D. Savage letter in Rev. File 39177.
Map
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. _____
15612
Sarah Butterfield
Widow of
Benjamin Butterfield
Priv. Mass. Sime
Act: _____
July 7 th 1838
Index:—Vol. _____
a
Page _____
103
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sarah Butterfield Moapachunth
Suspended
See let. 25 th April 1839 Joel Adams
Acty July 1838

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
May 2 nd 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The child ren of Sarah Butterfield a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Thirty One Dollars and 43 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th July 1830, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 29 th July 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Wilson N. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Benjamin Butterfield Baps. Act of June 1832 to what time paid?
Rev. Office
April 24, 1839
p d to 4 Sep 1836
JH

2/169
Mr. [unclear]
Edward Egan
Box 2 of Prison
Washington City
"

Lowell Sept 4. 1839-
Dr. Sir.
I find that the Certificate of Sarah Butterfield, widow of Benjamin Butterfield, allows her a pension only from the time of her husband's death. (Augt 31. 1837). While the Act of 1838 allows it from March 4. 1836. The Act is very clear and admits of no doubt, as to the time when the pension shall commence -
I have been requested to inquire of you when Mrs. Butterfield's pension is to expire - and whether she is entitled to it from March 4. 1836 - I suppose she is entitled to five years pension according to the Act - and she wishes to know how much she is entitled to - I am sorry to be obliged to trouble you with so many enquiries, but I must do it to satisfy the claim of the good old Widows - Otherwise I should not trouble you nor myself -
A word more as I writing - I have three cares still in suspense - and have been so for nearly eleven months. Mrs. Robbins - & Mrs. Parkers cares I presume admit of no doubt as their husbands were pensioners - Mrs. Perry's care is different, yet her claim is a just and honest one - we can find no record of her marriage, but we give a good reason , as I think - Perry had entered the service for eight months gone to Cambridge; but Mrs. Perry finding her circumstances better suited to the marriage state, than that of single Clyfordsville, sent for her intended, to come home & marry her - which, like an honest Yankee, he did - and not having been published as the law required & wishing to return to the army immediately, they went over into N.H. and were married - There is no doubt of this in the mind of one of the old inhabitants, nor in any one of the neighbors. - Perry returned immediately to the Service. remained there his time

out. to wit eight months - Then came home & lived with his wife until his death (in 1825 I think). and now his widow asks for the Bounty of her Country allowed by law - but she can produce no record of her mar- riage - but she produces proof that she was the mother of ten foreign children, the first born in Oct. 1775 - surely the mother of fourteen children has done something for her Country's Service —
I hope the evidence already produced in Mrs. Pinnys case will satisfy you that she is intitled to her pension —
Respectfully your Mt. Son
Jack Adams
Hon J. L. Edwards Clerk of Pensions

I, Ira Tye of Lowell in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. of lawful age. do depose and say, that for many years past I have known the late Benjamin Butterfield, and his widow, Sarah Butter- field, who is now living in this City. The said Sarah has not been married since the decease of the said Benjamin her late husband, and is now his lawful widow, and, as I suppose, entitled to all the Pension, allowed by Congress to the widows of Revolutionary Pen- sioners - The said Benjamin Butterfield, at the time of his death, was a Revolutionary Pensioner -
Ira Tye
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. Lowell May 1. 1839. Personally appeared the above named Ira Tye, who is well known to me as a man of truth and credit, and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed was true - Before me Joel Adams, Just. Peace

Aug 14
Cow
J. S. Stewart, Esq.
Bay Butterfield Maple
8135
Room 2 of Prussian -
Washington City
D.C.

Lowell Mass. August 8. 1838
J. L. Edward Esq. Comr. of Pension.
Dr Sir: I have been applied to by Sarah Butterfield, widow of Benjamin Butterfield, deceased, to assist her in obtaining a Pension under the late Act - Her husband was a pensioner under the Act of 1832, and died in August 1837 - Is his widow entitled to a pension from March 4. 1836 - or from the time of his decease -? or not any?
I would also enquire whether new proof of the Service will be required in those cases, where the husband has been on the Pension list - The having once proved the Service to the satisfaction of the Department, it seems to me that the proof of actual Service may be dispensed with. - It is quite difficult for these old ladies to find witnesses as most of the soldiers are dead. - I am sorry to give you so much trouble, but I wish to know how to proceed. before I begin -
Respectfully yours &c. Jacob Adams, late of Chelmsford, Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, September 27 th 1888
I hereby Certify, That Joel Adams Esq r is now, and was at the date of his attestation a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Oct. 25 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that
Benjamin Butterfield served as a private soldier in the Company of Capt. John Lord, in the regiment of Col. Jonathan Read, for the space of 43 days, from the 21 st of September 1777.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy
Secretary's office Nov. 28 1832
I certify that from further examination the name of Benjamin Butterfield is borne on "a Muster roll of Col. Moses Packer's company. Lieut. Benjamin Walker, for the year 1775." for the space of 7 days, from the 19 th of April 1775.
Again, his name is borne on "a Muster roll of the company under the command of Capt. John Lord, in Col. Eben. Bridge's regiment, to the 1 st August 1775." for the space of 3 months.
over

and 15 days, from the 25 th of Aprce 1775 — I further certify that there is no other rolls of the company of Capt. John Lord, on In service in A.D. 1775. After the 1 st of August — are contained the names of the following names are contained, on file in the office —
Edward D. Bangs Secy

Affidavit of Jonas Pierce in the case of Benj a Butterfield

I Jonas Pierce of Chelmsford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty two years, do depose and say, that I served in the war of the Revolution as by my Declaration on file in the Pension Office, will appear:
And I do further testify and declare that Benjamin Butterfield then of Chelmsford a person last seen by Lowell in Mass a
served as a Soldier in that war, that he was a private Soldier, in the Company of Capt. John Ford in Colo. Bridges
Regiment, in which Company, I also served. in A D. 1775
I well remember the said Benjamin Butterfield at Cambridge and the latter part of the eight months, summer the Company was stationed in the Colledges and I well remember him during the whole eight months service which terminated the last of Dec r A D 1775, in Capt. John Ford's Company .
Jonas Pierce
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Middlesex to wit October 19 th
AD. 1832.
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for all the Counties in said Commonwealth Jonas Pierce well known to me as deserving full faith and credit and
who subscribes the
above deposition and made solemn Oath, that the same is just and true in all its particulars, according to the best of his knowledge and belief. Saml Dana