Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29628, Ebenezer Besse, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Besse, Ebenezer or Bessee
S. 29628
CONTENTS

Ebenezer Besse
Private, Hamblen Co. Cotton's Reg.
April 1775 to Feb. 1776. 9. —
Sept. to Dec. 1776 Parker's Co.
Cushing's Reg — 3. —
12. —
Proof E. D. Bangs, Nathan Norris.
contd
12 mo. pri
$40
R. C. Rose Augusta, Me.
BESSE, EBENEZER

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. KENNEBEC COUNTY, }
On this twenty first day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, of said State, Ebenezer B. Dyer a resident of Ripley in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, aged Seventy nine 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 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1775 with Captain Edward Hammond and served in Col. Cotton's regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers: Hammond and Captain Cotton Colonel , that in April 1775 he enlisted as a private in that company and regiment for the term of eight months. That this period he fully served out, and by request of his officers, some time longer, and was finally discharged at Dorchester, Massachusetts, in February 1776, having served over nine months. That the latter part of September 1776, he again enlisted as a private for the residue of the year in Capt. Joseph Parker's company and Col. Cushing's regiment of the Massachusetts troops. That he continued to serve until the last of December 1776, when he was finally discharged at New Port.
And to the interrogations proposed under the instructions of the department, he answers: That he was born at Wachusett, Massachusetts in 1753, where he supposes his age is recorded, and where his home was during his revolutionary services. That in 1779 he removed to what is now Wayne, Maine . That in 1822 he removed to Ripley , where he now lives. That in his first service, he was with the main army, to which Nathan Norris now deceased has testified. That his lieut. Col. was Alden and Spauld his Major. That his second service was at New Port, Rhode Island , where Hall he thinks was his lieut. Colonel, and that he does not now recollect the names of other officers. To this service Nathan Norris has also testified.
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Ebenezer B. Dyer
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, B of one Nathan Weston Jun. Just. J. C.
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states, and he further states that he has known the applicant many years, and that he has sustained the character of a man of integrity and truth.
Nathan Weston Jun.
Aug 21.

State of Maine.
KENNEBEC, ss.—I, JOHN A. CHANDLER, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Kennebec, hereby certify that the HON. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Belfee for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this 21 st
A. D. 1832,
day of August
J. A. Chandler

5390 Maine
Ebenezer Besse*
Resident in the State of Maine who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Stearns of the Regt commanded by Col. Estlin in the Mass — line for 12 months
* Besse
W.D. 9. May 10, 1909.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 40 Dollars Grts per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Feb. 1833 — and sent to Robt Augusta
Arrears to 4th of Sep. 1832 $ 60 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4th '33 20
$80
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book D
Geo. C. Stiles
Clerk,
Vol.
Page
76
Let to Eben Bes
Let. to G. W. Norton Apr. 6, 1837.
Pen Agent. Apr 6, 1837.

Phoebe B. Dyer Maine
Adm d
B. C. Vose Agent

BRIEF in the case of  Abenezer Bessee  County of Kennebec  in the State of Maine  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? before a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? no  3. How old is he? 79  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.     April In 1775 enlisted 8 — Private Gen. Hammond Col. Cotton   Sept 1776 " 4 " Gen. Parker Col. Cushing   12 m  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Marcha Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary - documentary and one living witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

Ebenezer Dyer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War of the United States.
I the subscriber, being Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do hereby certify to your Honor, that Ebenezer Besse , a citizen of the United States, now resident in Wayne , in the said County of Kennebec , in the District of Maine, on the eleventh day of May , A. D. 1818, made application to me to receive his declaration under oath, and such other evidence, as was in his power to produce; and to transmit the same, and the proceedings had thereon, to your Honor; that he might be placed on the pension list of the United States, agreeably to the provisions of an Act, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," passed March 18, A. D. 1818, which declaration, and the other evidence produced by the said applicant, is hereunto annexed.
And I do further certify to your Honor, that after a full examination of the said applicant, and a careful consideration of the evidence in the case, it appears to me that the said applicant did serve as a Private Soldier , in the war of the revolution, against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, for more than nine months, as stated in his declaration aforesaid; and that from his reduced circumstances, he needs the assistance of his country for support.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the Court in which I preside, to be hereunto affixed, this eighth day of June in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Nathan Weston Jun C.J. C.C.C. Pleas 2 E. Circuit

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Ebenezer Beman, aged sixty five years, a citizen of the United States born in Wareham, Massachusetts, now resident in Wayne, in the District of Maine, upon oath testify and declare, that in April 1775 I enlisted as a private soldier, in the war of the revolution upon the continental establishment, for the term of eight months, the first eight months service, in Capt Edward Hammond's company and Col Cotten's regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops, - this period I fully served out, and by request of my Officers, sometime longer, and took my verbal and honorable discharge at Dorchester, in February 1776 having served more than nine months.
The last of September 1776 I again enlisted as a private soldier for the remainder of the year in Capt Joseph Parker's company and Col. Cushing's regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops. This period I fully served out, and took my final and honorable but verbal discharge at New Port Rhode Island, the last of December 1776.
From my reduced circumstances, I need the assistance of my country for support. And I do hereby relinquish all my claim to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the U States, if any; but I am not to my knowledge on any pension list whatever. I request that I may be placed upon the pension list for the District of Maine.
Ebenezer Beman

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Kennebec Co.
On the eleventh day of May A D 1818 Ebenezer Dyer within named, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the within declaration by him subscribed.
Before me, Nathan Weston Jur.
Chief Just. C. Court
C. Pleas, Second Eastern Circuit.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I Nathan Norris, aged fifty eight years, of Wayne in the District of Maine, upon oath testify and declare, that being a near neighbor to the within named Ebenezer Bapce at the time, I know of his enlistment and going into the first eight months service of the revolutionary war, as he was within stated, and I know that he served sometime after his time expired.
I know also that he went and served the second period by him within mentioned. Nathan Norris
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Kennebec Co.
On the eleventh day of May A D 1818 Nathan Norris above named, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed.
Before me, Nathan Weston Jun r
Chief Just. C. Court C.
Pleas Second Eastern Circuit
State of Maine
August 21 1832 Nathan Norris now deceased was a credible witness.
Nathan Weston Jun r

October 11, 1959.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Roger E. Phelps 58 Hobart Street Hingham, Massachusetts
BA-3/afy Ebenezer Besse S. 29628
Dear Sir:
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.29628, based upon the military service of Ebenezer Besse in that war.
Ebenezer Besse, the name is shown also as Bessee, was born in Wareham, Massachusetts, in 1753, day, month, and the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Wareham, Massachusetts, Ebenezer Besse enlisted in April 1775, served as private in Captain Edward Hammond's Company, Colonel Cotton's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged in February 1776. He enlisted the last of September 1776, served as private in Captains Joseph Parker's and John Gibbs' Companies, Colonels John Cushing's and Ebenezer Sprout's Massachusetts Regiments, and was discharged the last of December 1776.
In 1779 he moved to Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine, and in 1822, he moved to Ripley, Maine.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 21, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Ripley, Somerset County, Maine.
There are no family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the death date of soldier you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following data: "Ebenezer
BESSE, EBENEZER

Besse. Certificate No. 5390, issued February 8, 1833, rate $40.00 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Lot of June 7, 1832, Maine Agency".
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
BESSE, EBENEZER

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
KENNEBEC, ss:
THE Subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the said County of Kennebec, hereby certifies, that the Honorable NATHAN WESTON, Junior, Esquire, before whom the annexed proceedings were held, is Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset ; and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed unto his Certificate bearing his signature, the seal of the said Court in which he presides.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand : Dated at Augusta, in said County of Kennebec, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
KENNEBEC, ss:
THE Subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the said County of Kennebec, hereby certifies, that the Honorable NATHAN WESTON, Junior, Esquire, before whom the annexed proceedings were held, is Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset ; and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed unto his Certificate bearing his signature, the seal of the said Court in which he presides.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand : Dated at Augusta, in said County of Kennebec, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

29628 Rev. INVALID.
File No. 29,628
Ebenezer Besse Besse Rev Rev Mr
Act: June 1 st 29, 2
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 39
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1909 May. 10. History to A. M. Cashman p. 8
1939 Act. 11. Hist. to Roger B. Phelps. see letter in Jabez Besse claim, W. 8127. A.D. 7.

Augusta Me. March 9. 1837
Sir
I herewith enclose the pension papers of Mrs Ebenezer Befus for eighteen months pensions due him, and also the papers in case of Mrs Abigail Dix widow of William Dix. They are desirous of receiving the payment at Portland. Should their papers be satisfactory to you be pleased to return them to me with directions for the payment of their pensions at Portland
Very Respectfully Yr Obed Servt Geo. W. Morton
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Ellen Doyce

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, November 28. th 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 the name of Ebenezer Bessey is borne on "a pay roll of Capt. Joseph Parker's company in Col. John Lurking's regt. of Militia stationed at Rhode Island: Nov. 18 th 1776," as having been paid as a private for forty seven days service from Oct. 2. d 1776. And that the name of Ebenezer Bessey is borne on "a muster roll made up for Capt. John Noble's company in Col. Eben r Sprout's regt. for marching to the State of Rhode Island on alarm Dec. 10 th 1776" as having been paid as a private for thirteen days service. And that there are no rolls of Capt. Hammond's company in Col. Cotton's regt. for 1775. or 1776. to be found in this office.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

Boston, Mass. April 27, 1909.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Please give me information as to record of Ebeneezer Bessie, a Revolutionary soldier in Massachusetts troops as to service and pension and dates therefor.
Also the same information as to Abel Hodgman of the same troop.
Respectfully,
54 Court House, Boston, Mass.
a. m. Cashman

In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of Ebenezer Besse a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, pension as Bessee you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
S. File 29,628
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apl. 70 to Feby 76 Priv. Edward Haminson Cotton Mass.   Last of Sept. 1776 Last of Dec. 76. Joseph Parker Cushing N.H.        
Battles engaged in, /
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Marshfield Mass.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 21. 1832.
Residence at date of application, Ribley, Somerset Co., Me.
Age at date of application, 79  1753 at Marshfield, Mass.
Remarks: His claim was allowed.
(Office note: Application of Nov. 11, 1818 incorporated in that of Aug. 21, 1832. ) With the latter are not used on this document.
BESSE, EBENEZER

October 11, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/ndy
One
Mr. Roger E. Phelps 33 Hobart Street Hingham, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
The records of the only Jabez Besse and the only Ebenezer Besse that are found on the Revolutionary War records of this office, all spellings of the names searched, are furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
BESSE, EBENEZER