Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14948, Nehemiah Bessy, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Bessy, Nehemiah or Bessy
NUMBER
S. 14948
CONTENTS
carded

New York N o 28,590
Nehemiah Bessey of Genesee Co. in the State of N York who was a Private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg't commanded by Col. Cotton in the Mass. Troops time for 8 months & 12 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 27 Dollars 98 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23. day of April 1834 and sent to Moulton Farnham Attica Genesee Co. N. Y.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 83.94 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st Sep. " 13.99 $97.93
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E, Vol. 4 Page 116

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
State of New York } County of Genesee } ss
On this Sixteenth day of October in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty, I was personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting Mehuniah Bessy a Resident of the Town of Darien in the County of Genesee and State of New York aged Seventy Seven years and three months who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
That in the month of January in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy five but on what day of that month he does not recollect but he enlisted as a minute man under John Bradford Captain of the Militia Jesse Sturdevant Lieutenant and one Sampson Busyn - That he so enlisted under the said Officers as such minute

man at the Town of Halifax in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts - That the said minute company was raised in the said Town of Halifax and the Town of Plympton adjoining the said Town of Halifax That the said company under the said officers was drilled and exercised twice and three times in each week for military improvement either in Halifax or Plympton aforesaid after he so enlisted till into the month of April next following but what time in the month he does not know but that it was about three months from the time he so enlisted - That he always exercised and drilled as aforesaid with the said com- pany - That he found his own musket, and uniform - that he got his uniform in the month of January aforesaid which consisted of a blue coat with red facings - That when he so enlisted he enlisted as a private soldier That there was a Regiment of such minute men raised at the same time to which the said company was attached and the reason of raising the said company and Regiment was because a Regiment of British troops was Stationed at Marshfield which was within the bounds of the Militia Regiment of Halifax aforesaid - That in the month of April next after he so enlisted which was in the year 1775

but what time in the month he has forgot- ten the said company of minute men were called into actual service - That he joined the said company then and there and when he had so joined the said company at Halifax aforesaid they marched immediately from there on the direct Road to Roxbury near the city of Boston in the State of Massachusetts which was forty miles from Halifax aforesaid - In marching from Halifax aforesaid to Roxbury aforesaid he marched with said company through Bridge water - That as soon as the said company arrived at Roxbury aforesaid and he with them the said company joined and was attached to a Regiment of Militia under the command of Colonel Theophilus Cotton - Lieutenant Colonel Alden and Major Ebenezer Sprague - The Number of said Regiment he has forgotten - That the said Regiment soon or in a few days after he so arrived at Roxbury aforesaid joined and was attached to the Brigade of Militia under the command of General Thomas - That he has forgotten the number of said Brigade - That he served in said company Regiment and Brigade at Roxbury aforesaid till some time in the month of November next following which was in the year 1775 but what time in the month of November he has forgotten at which time and place he was discharged from the service and received a written discharge

signed by the said Colonel Theophilus Cotton and he thinks how date the very last of November 1775 and that he retur- ned home at Halifax aforesaid in the latter part of November 1775 or the first of December next following - That he frequently saw General Putnam during the time he so served at Roxbury aforesaid - He thinks his said discharge was lost or destroyed soon after he returned from the service as aforesaid - Josiah Thompson was the first Sergeant of said company in which he served as aforesaid - Maceus Loren was fifer and Elisha Faxon drummer of said com- pany - He was stationed at Roxbury aforesaid when the battle of Bunker's Hill was fought and was in sight of the battle during the time it was fought - That there was a British Man of war and a floating battery was in the Bay between Roxbury where he was stationed and the battle ground - That there was a Regiment of troops (whether Regulars or Militia he does not know) that was ordered from Roxbury side to the Battle on Bunker's Hill; but at the time it was supposed the firing of Cannon from the said British Man of War and a floating battery in the Bay north of Bunker's Hill or the cowardice of the Colonel of said Regiment prevented the said Regiment from crossing the neck - That at the time he was so stationed

at Roxbury the British had the possession of Boston - That while he was so stationed at Roxbury as aforesaid the British fired with their cannon into it frequently and greatly injured the village of Roxbury - That when he enlisted and entered the the service in the army as aforesaid he resided in the said Town of Halifax. -
That he has stated all the facts relating to his revolutionary services as far as he can remember the same and also the names of the officers -
That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person who can testify as to his services in the Revolutionary war except Abigail Tullham who has subscribed and sworn to the affidavit herunto annexed -
That he was born in Wareham aforesaid

in the year 1755
That he has no written record of his age -
That since the Revolutionary War he has lived in Woodstock Windsor County Vermont - Pen- broke Genesee County New York and Darien in said County of Genesee.
That he now lives in Darien aforesaid
That the names of persons to whom his known in his present Neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution are Hugh Wallace a clergyman and Almon Tinkham residing in Darien aforesaid -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Sworn to and subscribed } the day and year aforesaid } in open Court
Glenn H. Briggs
Trinity Tithe Clerk

18038
Nehemiah Bessey
— C. G.
Admitted Private 8 mo & 12 days
Harlyco W. Luy Home Rep U.S.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Archemiah Bessey Genesee County New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Jan'y 1775- 11 10 20 priv Capt J. Bragdon Col Cotton Lt Col Gen Thomas none Roseburg Bruges - etc Halifax Plymouth County Massachusetts age 77 years 3 months statutory  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you 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?  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 services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. 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.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; and that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Mehemiah Bissell Pension papers.
First certificate to Mehemiah Bissell Genesee County N. York

Sworn to and subscribed this 12 day of June 1833 before me James Sutherland Justice of the peace
I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Simon Tinkham who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit before me and that he is a credible person and reputable for truth and veracity and strict integrity. Dated June 12 th 1833 James Sutherland Justice of the peace.
State of New York } ss. On this 12 th day of June Genesee County } 1833 personally appeared James Sutherland before me the undersigned, James Sutherland a Justice of the peace in and for said County Nehemiah Bissy of the Town of Darien in said County who being duly sworn deposed and saith that he is the very same identical Nehemiah

Bussey who has subscribed and sworn to the declaration for a pension hereunto annexed - And further in the said Nehemiah Bussey deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he can not swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his memory and recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades That he served as a private as a minute man for the full term of two months as stated in said declaration - That in the latter part of March and in his position it was as late as the 25 th day of March 1775 he enlisted into the said Captain John Brad- ford's company of Militia as a private soldier at Halifax aforesaid for the term of Eight months precisely and in a week or fortnight after he so enlisted into said company which was  and in the forepart of April 1775 he marched with said company to Roxbury as stated in his said declaration and joined Colonel Cottom's Regiment and General Thomas's Brigade of Massachusetts Militia - That he served in said company Regiment and Brigade in Garrison as a private soldier for the full term of Eight months which was the term of his enlistment besides what he served as a minute man as above stated and at the expiration of said term of Eight months he was duly discharged at Roxbury as stated in his said decla- ration - That the said term of Eight months service does not include any part of his service as a minute man - That he served the said Eight months at

Raphury aforesaid. That when he made his said declaration he was informed and believed that the service which he rendered as a minute man would count as a part of his time for a pension and for that reason he did not state the service separately. That he served the said Eight months under the officers whom he has mentioned in his said declaration. That he claims no pension for the service which he rendered as a minute man. That he served the said term of Eight months with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority and for the term of the said Eight months during which the said service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit. And for such service he claims a pension which is for the said Eight months service.
Hezekiah Bage
Sworn to and subscribed
this 12 th day of June 1833
before me
James Sutherland Justice of the peace
State of New York Genesee County ss
J. Timothy Fitch Clerk of said County Certify that James Sutherland before whom the foregoing affidavit and proceedings purport to have been taken, had and made was at the date of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and only believe his name subscribed to said affidavit and proceedings to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of office this fourteenth day of June 1833.
Timothy Fitch Clerk By B. Pringle Deputy

Rev. 1870
14948 INVALID.
File No. 14 948
Wochniak Bessey Rev: Peter War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 30
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1 1 We Hugh Wallis a Chryyman residing in the Town of Darien in said County of Genesee and Almon Tinkham residing in the said Town of Darien hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nehemiah Bissy who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy 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 -
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court
Hugh Wallis Almon Tinkham
Timothy Fitch Clerk
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 revolu- tionary soldier and served as he states - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Hugh Wallis who signed the preceding

certificate is a clergyman resident in in the Town of Darien in said County of Linn and that Almon Linscomb who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Town of Darien and is a cred- ible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Isaac Wilson James Taggart Robert Ward William Mitchell
I Timothy Fitch Clerk of the court of com- mon pleas in and for the County of Linn do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Nehemiah Bessy for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Sixteenth day of October in the year 1832 -
Timothy Fitch Clerk

State of New York } Genesee County ss }
Abigail Tinkham of the Town of Darien in the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn deposes and saith that she was Seventy three years of age on the Eighteenth day of last March and that she is well acquainted with Nehemiah Bessy the applicant for a pension in the declaration named and mentioned herunto annexed - And further this Deponent saith that in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy five she resided with her Brother William Perry in the Town of Halifax in the County of Plymouth in the State of Mass achusetts, that the above named Nehemiah Bessy resided with her said Brother at the same time in the said year 1775 - And fur ther this deponent saith that in the month of January Seventeen hundred and seventy five the said Nehemiah Bessy enlisted as a private Soldier in to a company of Minute men raised in the said Town of Halifax and the Town of Blympton adjoining thereto which company was commanded by Captain Bradford

as she understood from all her then Neigh- bourhood - And further that soon after he so enlisted in the said Betsy equipped himself with a uniform musket cartridge box and bayonet - That she frequently saw the said Betsy go away from her said Brothers to attend the drills as he said and as it was said by others in the said Neighbourhood with his musket cartridge box bayonet and with his uniform on which consisted of a blue coat with red facings - and that he went away from her said Brothers to attend the said drills twice or three times in each week from the time he so enlisted till the first of April next follow- ing at which time orders came for the said Betsy to go to Roxbury near Boston - And further this Deponent saith that on the first of April 1775 the said Betsy left her said Brothers with his uniform and equipage aforesaid and was gone till the latter part of November or the forepart of December next following - And further this Deponent saith that it was said and believed in her then Neighbourhood that the said Betsy served as a private soldier in the said Company at Roxbury at the time he was so absent as aforesaid - And further this Deponent saith not -
Sworn to and subscribed Abigail + Tuckham mark

this 20 day of August 1832 before me by the said Abigail making her mark in my presence
James Sutherland Justice of the peace
- I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Abigail Tinkham who has subscribed and sworn to the the above affidavit before me and that she is a credible person and reputable for truth and veracity and strict integrity - Dated June 12 - 1833
James Sutherland Justice of the peace
State of New York } ss Genesee County } the Town of Darien in the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquaint- ed with Abigail Tinkham named in the above affidavit and who has signed her name by making her mark thereto - And further this deponent saith that the said Abigail does not write her name but makes her mark - And further saith he -
Almon Tinkham
Sworn to and subscribed this 20 th day of August 1832 before me
James Sutherland Justice of the peace
- I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Almon Tinkham who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit before me and that he is a credible person and reputable for truth and veracity and strict integrity - Dated June 12 - 1833
James Sutherland Justice of the peace

State of New York
Genesee County ss: I Timothy Fitch clerk of the said County of Genesee do hereby certify that James Suckland before whom the foregoing affi- davits of Abigail Finkham & Almon Finkham purport to have been taken was on the day of taking said affidavits respectively, a Justice of the peace in & for the said County of Genesee & that full faith and credit are to be given to his acts in that capacity & further that I am well acquainted with the signature of the said Justice & verily believe that his signature subscribed to the said affida- vits respectively is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & seal of office this twenty second day of October 1832
Timothy Fitch Clerk
Pension papers of Nehemiah Bessey
18038
V

State of New York Genesee County ss
Abigail Tinkham of the Town of Darien in the County and State of New York aforesaid being duly sworn deposith and sith that she was seventy four years of age on the Eighteenth day of last March and that she is well acquainted with Nathaniel  Nathaniel Bessy the applicant for a pension in the declaration named and mentioned hereunto annexed. And further this Deponent saith that in the year seventeen hundred seventy five she resided with her Brother William Perry in the Town of Halifax in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts that the above named Nathaniel  Nathaniel Bessy resided with her said Brother at the same time in the said year 1775. And further this deponent saith that in the month of January seventeen hundred and seventy five the said Nathaniel  Nathaniel Bessy enlisted as a private soldier into a Company of minute men raised in the said Town of Halifax and the Town of Plympton adjoining thereto which Company was commanded by Captain Bradford as she understood from all her then neighbourhood And further that soon after he so enlisted he the said Bessy equipped himself with a uniform musket cartridge box and bayonet. That she frequently saw the said Bessy go away from her said Brother to attend the drills as he said and as it was said by others in the said neighbourhood with his musket cartridge box bayonets and with his uniform on, which consisted of a blue coat with red facings and that he went away from her said Brother to attend the said drills twice or three times in each week from the time he so enlisted till the first of April next follow- ing at which time orders came for the said Bessy to go to Roxbury near Boston. And further this Deponent saith that on the first

of April 1775- the said Bessy left her said Brother with his uniform and equipment aforesaid and was gone till the latter part of November or the part of December next following. And further this Deponent saith that it was said and believed in her then neighbourhood that the said Bessy served as a private soldier in the said Company at Roxbury at the time he was so absent as aforesaid. And further this Deponent saith that she was gone Eight months
but whether he was in the service or not sworn to and subscribed during all that time she this 20 th day of August 1833 before does not know; but has no doubt he served eight months, besides what he served as a minute man as aforesaid.
Sworn to and subscribed this 12 th day of June 1833 before me James Sutherland Justice of the peace
Abigail Tinkham mark
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Abigail Tinkham who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit before me and that she is a credible person and reputable for truth and veracity and strict integrity. Dated June 12 th 1833. James Sutherland Justice of the peace
State of New York
Gensee County
ss Alman Tinkham of the Town of Darien in the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn deponeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Abigail Tinkham named in the above affidavit and who has signed her name by making her mark thereto. And further this deponent saith that the said Abigail does not write her name but makes  marks her mark and further saith not
Almon Tinkham

State of New York } ss. Genesee County }
Almon Tinkham and Orin Tinkham of Durian in the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn severally depose and say that they and each of them have been acquainted with Mehimeah Bissy for more than twenty years last past and that they have lived a near neighbour to him for Seventeen years last past and have been since that time have been intimately acquainted with the said Mehimeah Bissy who has subscribed and sworn to the declaration for a pension herunto annexed - And further we say that they  we have heard the said Bissy frequently state before the passing of the late pension law that he the said Bissy served as a private in Captain Bradford's Company Colonel Stephen's Battalion Regiment in the year 1775 for the term of Eight months - And they have heard him make such statement frequent- ly more than ten years ago and he the said Bissy now makes the same statement that he did then - that he enlisted in March or April 1775 and was discharged the winter following and that he served and was discharged at Roxbury as he has

Stated in his said declaration - And we further say that Nathan Tinkham our father died about ten years ago and that the said Nathan Tinkham was a Revolu- tionary pensioner under the act of 1818 And further we say that we have heard the said Nathan Tinkham in his life time frequently say that he the said Nathan Tinkham served as a private soldier with the said Nehemiah Bessy for the term of Eight months in Captain Bradfords Com- pany in Colonel Cotts Regiment in 1775 that they enlisted together and were dis- charged together and that they went from the same neighborhood - And we also heard a conversation between the said Nathan Tinkham and Nehemiah Bessy relation to the said Bessys obtaining a pen- sion and we heard the said Nathan tell him that he could not get one in as much as he only served 8 months and that he the said Nathan told the said Nehemiah he could make affidavit that he knew he served Eight months in said Bradfords Cotts Company and that was all he could make affidavit to - And further we know that the said Bessy is a man of truth and veracity and believe he would not state that he served in the Revolution longer than he served - that he is a very honest upright man - And the said

you in a several - That he is a very honest upright man - And the said
Nathan was a man of truth and veracity And further we state that we have not the least possible doubt but that the said Nehemiah Bessy did serve as a private for the term of 8 months in cap- tain better Bradfords Company Colonel Cottons Regiment in the year 1775 as he has stated in his said declaration - And fur- ther the said Orrin Tinkham one of the deponents is forty four years of age and the said Almon Tinkham the other Depo- nent is thirty nine years of age - And fur- ther this Deponent doth  say not -
Orrin Tinkham Almon Tinkham
Sworn to and subscribed this 5 day of March 1834 before me Manton Farnham Justice of the peace
I the above named Justice of the peace do hereby certify that I am well acquaint- ed with the above named Orrin Tinkham and Almon Tinkham who have subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit and that they are men of credibility and reputable for truth and veracity and full confidence may be given to their affidavit Dated March 5 1834 - Manton Farnham Justice of the peace

State of New York } Genesee County }
James Hyde James Sutherland Benjamin Webb and Benjamin Webb being duly sworn sincerely depose and say that they reside in Darien in the County and State aforesaid and are neighbors to Muhammad Bessy who has subscribed and sworn to the declaration for a pension hereto annexed and that they are now well acquainted with the said Bessy - And the said Hyde and Sutherland have been intimately acquainted with him for about twenty years last past and the said Webb about fifteen years and the said Adams about nine years last past - And they further say that they have frequently heard the said Bessy say he had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War - And he always stated his Revolutionary services alike at all times - And they further depose and say that the said Bessy is now and always has been since their ac- quaintance with him a man highly reputable for truth and veracity and a man of strict honesty and integrity in his deal and the community where he has been acquainted have always put the greatest confidence in him for truth and veracity on all subjects related by him These Deponents believe the said Bessy would not make any statement with or without oath which was in the least 16 12 19 18

untrue in order to obtain a pension And further these Deponents say that they have not the least possible doubt but that the said Bessy served as a soldier for the term of Eight months in the Revolutionary War in Colonel Cottons Regiment in the year 1775 and believe he ought to have a pension for such service - And further these depo- nents say not
Sworn to and subscribed this 7 day of March 1834 before me
William Farnham
Justice of the peace
James Hyde James Sutherland B.C. Adams Benjamin Webb
William Farnham, the above named Justice of the peace do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named James Hyde James Sutherland Benjamin C. Adams and Benjamin Webb who have subscribed and sworn to the next preceding affidavit before me and that the said James Hyde has been a Colonel that the said James Sutherland is now a Justice of the peace and was elected one of the presidential electors at the last presidential election The said Benjamin C. Adams is now a post Master and the said Benjamin Webb is a very respectable citizen and of high standing in society and that they are all men of the first respectability

in Genesee County and are men upon whom for truth and veracity and credibility and that the greatest confidence may be placed in their affidavits.
Dated March 7, 1834
Manlton Farnham
Justice of the Peace
State of New York } Genesee County } ss
I Timothy Fitch Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Manlton Farnham before whom the foregoing affidavits and proceed- ings purport to have been taken had and made was at the several times of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and truly believe his name subscribed to said affidavits and proceedings to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of office this 25 day of March 1834
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 the or quest Land to in
March or April 1774 and served the winter following and that he served and was discharged at Roxbury as he has

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, November 16, 1833.
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 the name of Nehemiah Bessee as a private is borne on a Roll of the Company Commanded by Capt John Bradford in Col. Stephen Colton's Regt. who marched the 19 th of April 1775. where he is allowed twelve days.
m d =12
Nehemiah Bessee's name is found on a Muster Roll of Capt John Bradford's Company in Col. Colton's Regt. where he is allowed from May 2 d to August 1 st 1775. three Month and seven days for services and travel
Nehemiah Bessee claims for further service under Capt. John Bradford in 1775. the rolls of which after the first of August in 1775. are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs Secy
to d
to the justice
d
the center following are to be served and was discharged at Roxbury as he has