Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 14429, John Bird, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Bird, John
W 14429
Bunce, Joanna
(Former widow)
CONTENTS

1230
Massachusetts
Joanna Bunce Yarnall widow of John Bird
who died on the _____ 1777. of Norfolk Co., in the State of Massachusetts who was a P st Drum in the Company commanded by Captain Payson of the regt. commanded by Col _____ in the Mass ts line for 17. 22. Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts, at the rate of 60 Dollars 77 Cents, per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Oct 1837 and sent to Benj Richards Esq. Randolph.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1837 $ 401. 50 Semi-annual allowance ending 20 Mch 30. 88
$ 432. 38
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d
Recorded by H. S. Allison Clerk Book A, Vol. 2 Page 45

Joanna Bunce's Application under The Act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 — For a Pension State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss
On this seventh  June day of May A. D. 1857, personally appeared Joanna Bunce a resident of the town of Stoughton in said County of Norfolk, aged eighty four years, before the Honorable Sherman Leland Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County, and who, first being sworn according to law, doth on her Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 4 th A. D. 1836 — and March 3 rd 1837 —
Viz. I Joanna Bunce of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being eighty four years of age, DECLARE, that my first husband, John Bird, rendered military Services to the United States in the capacity of a Drummer or Soldier during most of the two first years of the Revolutionary war, and died of sickness in the Hospital as Providence Boston a little before the expiration of his second engagement in this service, that after the death of said John Bird my first husband, March 16 th 1777, I remained his widow, for the space of twenty six years, and then married Abraham Bunce my second husband and resided with him at Sangers and Walcott in the State of New York till his death July 28 th A. D. 1821. I have remained the widow of said second husband till the present time, my second husband informed me, he engaged in the military service from Connecticut and ser- ved nearly three years in the Revolutionary War, but I claim not for his services; his death in the year A. D. 1821. I returned from my residence in the State of New York to my connections in said Stoughton where I now reside —
That when the revolutionary war began, my first husband John Bird, and myself resided in Stoughtonham (now Sharon) in said County of Norfolk —
That on the commencement of hostilities April 19 th 1775, said John Bird belonged and turned out with, a company of minute men under Capt. Samuel Payson said Stoughtonham, and immediately marched to the scene of action near Cambridge and remained in this service one week, and returned home to Stoughtonham, and in this first service, he the said John Bird my first husband, engaged in and performed the first eight months service, I believe as a Drummer, and marched into this service in a company commanded by said Capt. Samuel Payson in Col. Joseph Reed's Regiment. This service was rendered at Roxbury near Boston and in the neighboring towns the early part of May A. D. 1775 and the first part of January 1776, from this said John Bird was honorably discharged and returned to his said home —
Again about the last  middle of April A. D. 1776 the said John Bird, my first husband, engaged in the military service of the country, as a Private  Private and served eleven months  at least ten months at different works viz. at Fort Hill Boston, Dorchester Heights, Castle Island &c, till carried to the Hospital, and on March 16 th 1777, this term of service was rendered in Capt. Payson's  Payson's Company The Col. name I have forgotten —
making the amount of service thus performed by John Bird my first husband, Eighteen months and one week on which my claim is founded —
And I would here say, that I have not at my command, any Army Bills, or discharges from military service to offer in support of my claim, three letters from said John Bird, to me while in the said year's engagement are herewith transmitted which I trust will be received as evidence in my favor. — I believe that all the military service as aforesaid, was performed by said John Bird my first husband as a Volunteer — and that I have never received any Pension or gratuity in consideration of the said services, from any State or the United States.
And I the said Joanna Bunce further declare that my maiden name was Joanna Esty, That I was lawfully married to the aforesaid John Bird my first husband, on the tenth day of April A. D. 1777, by the Rev. Phillip Curtis of said Stoughtonham, that the aforesaid John Bird my first husband, died of the small-pox when in the aforesaid service March 16 th 1777, at the soldiers Hospital at Sewell's Point, at Brookline, situated between Roxbury and Cambridge. That I continued the widow of said Bird for the term of twenty six years, and married Abraham Bunce as aforesaid, that said Bunce my second husband, died in the town of Walcott in the State of New York July 28 th A. D. 1821; and that I have remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof herewith annexed —
Joanna Bunce mark
Sworn to, and subscribed, before the subscriber on the day and year first above written — And I hereby Certify, that by reason of old age and bodily infirmity, the said Joanna Bunce, was unable to attend before a Court, to make the foregoing declaration —
Sherman Leland Judge of Probate

I Betsey Talbot of Shouglton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, wife of Isaac Talbot of said Shouglton, being in my sixty fifth year of my age, do testify and say that I am the daughter of John Bird of Shouglton harn near Sharon in the said County of Norfolk, who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, that my mother name Joanna Eddy before she married John Bird my father who is now deceased; that after the decease of my father John Bird my said mother married Abraham Burne & resided with him at Sanger- field in the state of New York and at Walcutt in the same state, my said B. my said Father John Bird Died 16th March 1777 - in the service of the War of the revolution, to the best of my knowledge my said Mother's second husband died viz. Abraham Burne the 21 day of July 1821 - and the said Joanna Burne his widow has remained a widow ever since and is now a widow, living in the Town of Shouglton in said County of Norfolk - I further say that the three letters which are annexed are in my father's own hand writing according to the best of my knowledge and understanding as it respects his writings - and that the same letters have been in my possession for many years which I kept for my mother and have no doubt they are genuine & true
State of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. June 7th 1837. Then the Above named Betsey Talbot who is a person reputed to be of truth and veracity and whose word may be relied on personally appeared and made Oath to the truth of the Above affidavit by her subscribed oath Before Me Benjamin Richards Justice of the Peace

Isaac Talbot of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being in my Sixty-seventh year of my Age do hereby affirm that Joanna Burne who married John Bitt my wife's father for her first husband & who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution — & died there) married Abraham Burne for her second husband that her second husband died a number of years ago, and that the said Joanna is now a widow and has not been married since the death of the said Abraham Burne her second husband and resides in the Town of Stoughton at this time her name before marriage was Joanna — Isaac Talbot
State of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. June 17th 1837.
Then the above named Isaac Talbot who is reputed to be a person of truth & veracity personally appeared and made Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me Benjamin Richards Justice of the Peace

2174
Joanna Bunce widow of John Bird Norfolk Co Mass
Capt Payson Co 7 days Jan 15 Apr 1775 - Pk
vol 15 page 93 C. & H. Payson 8 months due
admitted 7 days Pk. 2 78 8 mo. Summa 29. 33 30. 11

I Philip Curtis of Sharon, in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty one years, testify and say, that I was well acquainted with John Bird of this town, then called Stoughtonham. In the time of the Revolutionary war, he was a near neighbour to me, I well remember that he enlisted into Capt. Samuel Payson's company in the spring of 1775. and marched from this town with said company the 19. th of April 1775. and I understood they marched to Roxbury and were afterwards stationed at Ponantam in Dorchester during eight months. This same John Bird was married to Joanna Esty April 10 th 1771. by my father Philip Curtis, late of Sharon dec d who was then minister of Stoughtonham (now) Sharon, as appears by my father's records of marriages now in my possession which was kept by my father in his own hand writing, and she now lives in Stoughton.
Philip Curtis
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk ss. June 9 1837. Subscribed and sworn to before me, and I hereby certify that the said Philip Curtis is a man of veracity and a

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14 429
Joanna Bunce Former Widow of John Bird Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 4 th 1836
Index:—Vol. a , Page 103
[Arrangement of 1870.]

let 27 July 1837 to Benj Richards. To same Sept 22, 1837.
1230  Massachusetts Joanna Bunce, formerly widow of John Bird
who died on the 16 th March 1777 of Norfolk Co in the State of Mass ts who was a R d Drummit in the Company commanded by Captain Payson of the reg t commanded by Col  in the Mass ts line for eight months & 7 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 30 Dollars 11 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of July 1837 — and sent to Benj Richards Esq r Randolph
Arrears to the 4th of March 1837, $180.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 37 15. 5
$195.78
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d Claim 3 March 1837 }
Recorded by Wm Allison Clerk Book A Vol. 1 Page 48

[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]
L. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

Randolph Sept. 30th 1837.
James L. Edwards, Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir having rec d from the Pension Office, your communication and decision in the case of Joanna Burns, formerly the Widow of John Bird in which you allow an addition to her Pension of nine and half months service as a private as soon as her Pension certificate shall be returned to your office. I herewith return said certificate and would wish the other may be returned to the subscriber, as soon as convenient, as the old Lady is now very sick and helpless, and causes a great expense and trouble to those who have the care of her.
I am, respectfully Your Ob t &c
Benjamin Richards

James L. Edwards Esquire,
Sir, I rec d a Pension certificate for Widow Joanna Bunce formerly the Widow of John Bird and in your communication of July 27 th 1837. you state that there is no evidence in your office of the Alleged service of one year or the time he enlisted for - & that from January 1775. in Capt. Eastwick's or Lyons Company and that if hereafter satisfactory evidence or proof be exhibited an increase of Pension may be allowed. The Alleged service I think was from April 1775 to Feb y or March 1777. and not from January 1775. perhaps some mistake might be made in drawing the declaration but it ought to be & I think it is from April 1775 to 1777. I here transmit the evidence or Affidavit of Doctor Capen whose memory and faculties, are is remarkably good, he states the circumstance of his serving near Boston in 1775 & 1776. and that he hospital near Boston - the above said John Bird was a neighbor of the said Dr Sam l Capen, and was a near relation of S r Bird, the character and standing of the evidence in question with his knowledge of the facts I deem is favorable to the case & the traditional evidence of Miss Elizabeth Johnson who is one of the old inhabitants in Sharon where S r Bird resided gives so far to prove S r Bird died of Small Pox in the United States service - taking these two evidences

together with the three old letters transmitted with the declaration, will no doubt, go to corroborate the old lady's declaration which I deem correct. I would respectfully request for the old lady, that the rolls of Captain Dugald B. Sands and Captain William Bents may be searched and it may be likely that he enlisted in Payson's Company again. & one pt. of the Company went on to the west & the other went with the left to the north and I cannot find who did command at the castle in 1776. & beginning of 1777. I think if you will be so good as to turn to some of the old documents you have in your office belonging to the castle at that time it is in all probability his name may be found. I have no doubt but the claim is good if it is consistent with the rules of your department to decide favourable on such evidence, the great length of time and the few now living who were acquainted with the events of the revolution make it very hard to get such evidence & one in 1777 - with the evidence of Capt. Capin minor etc. If you then there is no intended deception on the part of the widow to obtain what she does not reasonably ought to have by law. Please as soon as convenient decide on the remainder of her claims and make known the result to me the Sub-Decker at Randolph, (Miss)
Yours O. Henry Yes Humble
Benjamin Richards

James L. Edwards Esquire,
Sir I rec d a Pension certificate for Widow Joanna Bunce formerly the Widow of John Bird and in your communication of July 27 th 1837. you state that there is no evidence in your office of the Alleged service of one year or the time he enlisted for - & that from January 1775. in Capt. Eustis or Lyons Company and that if hereafter satisfactory evidence or proof be exhibited an increase of Pension may be Allowed. The Alleged service I think was from April 1775 to Feb y or March 1777. and not from January 1775. perhaps some mistake might be made in drawing the declar- ation but it ought to be & I think it is from April 1775 to 1777. I here transmit the evidence or Affidavit of Doctor Capen whose memory and faculties is remarkably good, he states the circumstances of his serving near Boston in 1775 & 1776. and that he well remembers S r Bird died of Small Pox in the hospital near Boston - the above said John Bird was a neighbour of the said Dr Samuel Capen, and was a near relation of S r Bird, the character and standing of the evidence in question with his knowledge of the facts I deem is favourable to the case & the traditional evidence of Miss Elizabeth Johnson who is one of the old inhabitants in Sharon where S r Bird resided gives so far to prove S r Bird died of Small Pox in the United States service - taking these two evidences

together with the three old letters transmitted with the declaration, will no doubt, go to corroborate the old Lady's declaration which I deem correct. I would respectfully request for the old Lady, that the rolls of Captain D. and B. Sams and Captain William Bents may be searched and it may be likely that he enlisted in Payson's Com'y again - & one pt. of the Company went on to the castle & the other went with the Capt. to the northward - I cannot find who did command at the castle in 1776. & beginning of 1777 - I think if you will be so good as to turn to some of the old documents you have in your Office belonging to the castle at that time it is in all probability his name may be found. I have no doubt but the claim is good if it is consistent with the rules of your department to decide favourable on such evidence, the great length of time and the few now living who were acquainted with the events of the revolution make it very hard to get such proofs as are desirable. but I would repeat again that these old letters & I think from castle in fall of the year 1776 & one in 1777 - with the evidence of Capt. Capen must satisfy you there is no intended deception on the part of the widow to obtain what she does not reasonably ought to have by law. Please as soon as convenient decide on the remainder of her claim and make known the result to me the Sub. Clerk at Randolph, (Mass)
Yours &c. Very Humble Stk.
Benjamin Richards

Payment to be made at Boston by J. H. Simpson Esq. Agent for paying Pen- sions in the Agency of Massachusetts.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 1 Page 46 by J. H. Allison Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1830, & the law 3 March 1837 Joanna Burre of Massachusetts, formerly widow of John Bird who was a Private & Drummer in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive thirty dollars and eleven cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September:
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 27 th day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.
J. P. Kirtland Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

J. L. Edwards Esq d Commissioner of Pensions

Randolph June 22 d 1837.
James G. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Sir, I hereby transmit to your department the Papers in the case of Joanne Bunn a widow who claims a Pension under the Acts of Congress of July 1836. and 3 March 1837. I would take the liberty to state briefly to you Sir, that I have transmitted all the papers I deem necessary to support her claim - the claimant is an old lady of very correct morals, and scrupulously careful in her declaration while under the Oath to state none but the facts, the Affiants are persons of the most exemplary honest  class who from a personal knowledge of them myself induces me to believe they are true statements made by them, together with the three old letters that bear the impress of old times, and written from the camp, makes it evident that there is no imposition intended, on her part to deceive or do wrong - the old lady retains her memory well and her mental powers - But by a very unfortunate Accident she met with a number of years ago, she is deprived of the use of her limbs - and is poor and an unfortunate old lady - I do not make these remarks as tho' your department, was a Charitable Institute or society - well knowing your are under the Lures of the U.S. and under the regulations as laid down for your Guide - But under the existing circumstanees of the old lady who probably will not live long - I would request that her papers may be attended to as soon as consistent - and if her claim is deemed good, We wish you to decide and we leave it wholly with you - if you on the examination should not be satisfied with the Allowance of the whole claim, Please to give her what in your judgement you shall deem proper - as I am fully persuaded, by all the papers in the case you will decide upon something in her favor; as we know of nothing more that could be proved, if the papers are rightly made out, as to the last service the old lady and not so clearly remembered the Captains name - but we think the letters with the Oath of the old lady that the services were performed, and as the beginning of the war, such are some times found in an imp. of the not be taken as proof - your decision in station related to them to claimants - (Your most obedt Servt) Benjamin Richards
(N.B. or some other stuff) (MS 1)

Castle October 25: 1776. Dear wife These lines may inform you that I am well through the goodness of God, by his his kind protec- tion I hope they will find you so my Dear I desire you would write to me as soon as you can. I want to hear from you & our folks — and I want also to hear from Ticonderoga for I hear there has been fighting there, if you have heard from any of our People I wish you would inform me especially of my Brother Enoch — I would inform you that our People were very glad to see me when I came down, I had no fault found with me that from Officers or Soldiers — I have not time to write much for I am going up to Milton mills for Lieut. Buffey — remember me to all my Relations & friends. I am your Loving Husband till Death —
John Bird
BIRD, JOHN (MASS)

To Mrs Joanna Bond M. Houghtonham

Castle Sept 21: 1796: Dearest Creature These lines may inform you that I am well hoping they will find you well also through the goodness of God in whom we live move and have our being: I should be glad to hear from you in writing , but had neither you would bring me word your Self: Some Stoughtonham People were here last week Monday & I sent you some love by them though you sent none to me: but I suppose you did not know of their Coming — I shall not write any news for I expect you are have more than I, living. So hardly — we have bin very much disappointed about our money but I expect it to night or before I have an opportunity to send it to you: give my love to all my Relations & Friends but mind & save a double Portion to your Self: I am your Loving Husband John Bird
BIRD, JOHN (MASS.)

BIRD, JOHN (MASS)
To Mrs Joanna Bird in
Stoughtonham
with Care

Boston Jan y 1777. Dear wife:
These lines are to inform you that I am well, as to health, as ever I was in my life, & I hope these lines will find you & your Children well likewise, thro' the goodness of God, who is the giver & bestower of every good & perfect gift: my dear I would inform you that our Company removed from the Castle to - Boston ye 10 th inst: I did not like it at first, but I have got very well settled now, my two two more board at Mr Hayward, where we live as well & Comfortable as we can desire, God enable me to make Sutable Returns to him therefor. Dear Companion I have a great desire to see you, & I hope the time will not be long first: but I shall not come till I get some money, which we shall have next week without doubt. & then I intend to get a furlough if possible or hire some body to take my place for a week. my Dear Remember me to all my relations & inquiring Friends: & I hope they will remember you in kindness, that your life may be Comfortable. I have nothing remarkable to write unto you: & I wish that we could live so near together that our verbal conversation might extinguish the use of the pen in this manner, I pray God to preserve us till it shall come to Pass.
I am your Loving Husband in the Strongest -
Effections
John Bird

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By His Excellency EDWARD EVERETT, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
To all whom it may concern:
Edward Everett
Know Ye, That Eliz. Whitman Esq rs is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth; - And Benjamin Richards Esq rs is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk;
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commission- ed, and that to their Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court; that the within Attestations are in due form, and by the proper Officers.
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this first day of September A. D. 183 2 , and in the Fifty Second Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor.
John A. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Samuel Capen of North Bridgewater, in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts Physician - do testify and say that I am now eighty years of age - I was well acquainted with John Bird late of Sharon in the County of Norfolk dec - that he was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, in he served according to the best of my knowledge around and near the shores of Boston, I think it was in 1775 & 1776, and I well remember that he was taken with the small pox and while in the United States service, and died of the same disorder at the hospital near Boston, I think according to the best of my knowledge it was in the last of winter or beginning of the spring of 1777 - he was a neighbour of mine in Sharon at the time, he has now a Widow now living in Houghton, whose last husband was named Bunn -
Samuel Capen
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss Sept 1. 1839 Personally appeared the above named Samuel Capen and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. And I certify that I am personally acquainted with the aforesaid Deponent and that he is reputed and considered to be a gentleman of truth and veracity before me.
Eliab Whitman justice of peace

I Elizabeth Johnson of Sharon off in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts Widow, being in my eighty fourth year of my age do testify and declare, that I was acquainted with John Bird late of Shurton then now Sharon, I understood that he enlisted into the Service of the War of the Revolution and that he died in the service of the Small Pox, his widow is now alive in Shurton as I understand, and that for her second husband she married a Burn - her maiden name was Joanna Esty - Elizabeth her Johnson Mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss } - September 1st. 1837.
Then personally appeared Elizabeth Johnson above named who is reputed to be a respectable person and whose word may be relied upon for truth and veracity and made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her subscribed -
Before me Benjamin D. Richands Justice of the Peace

I Oliver Drake of Mansfield in the County of Bristol, being eighty three years old, do testify and say, that I knew John Bird, formerly of Stoughton - then, so called, and that the said Bird served in the army of the revolution, as drummer, in the Company of Infantry of which Samuel Payson was Captain for the term of eight months, beginning in April in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred & 2 seventy five, and ending in January following. The reason why I have know the above facts, is because, I served in said Company, eight months, with said Bird -
Oliver Drake
Bristol J. June 1 st 1887. Then the above named Oliver Drake made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed, is just & true in all its parts. Before me David Gilbert Justice of the peace -
I hereby witnes that I am well acquainted with the above named Oliver Drake, and that he is regarded as a man of truth and integrity -
David Gilbert Justice of the peace -

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss.
I Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate within & for the County & Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Sherman Leland is Judge of said Court of Probate & that Benjamin Richards & Jeremiah Gould are Justices of the Peace within & for said County of Norfolk & that David Gillett is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Bristol in said Commonwealth & that their several respective signatures to the papers annexed are genuine & true.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal & offered this twenty third day of June A.D. 1837.
Jonathan H. Cobb Register of Probate Co. of Norfolk