Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S.12161, Thomas Beal, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Beal Thomas
S 12161
Carded
CONTENTS

4875 Massachusetts
Thomas Beal
of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Holman of the Regt. commanded by Col. Colittle in the Mass line for 8 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 40 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Jan'y 1833 and sent W. H. Kendall House of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832  $60.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4th Mar 33  20.00
$80.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. H. Austin Clerk Book D Vol. 2a Page 90
86 March

9098 Thomas Beals
Declaration
His Sargents Warrants
John Norton's Deposition
Silas Church's Deposition
Thomas Davis
Worcester
Mass -
Attorney for Applicant

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss. Thomas Beal ON this fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before Nathaniel Paine Judge of Probate at a Probate Court now sitting at Worcester in said County a resident of Noyalston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty-five 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 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.
He states that he was born in Ipswich in the County of Essex - on 20 th day of March A.D. 1747 (old style) - he states he has a record of his age which was made by his Father, which gives his age as above stated - when he was called into ser- vice, he was living in Noyalston in the County of Worcester, State of Massachusetts. he states that from the Revolution, he has been a Resident of said Noyalston - he states that he volunteered as a soldier on 20 th day of April 1775 & marched with others to the Town of Cambridge in the County of Middlesex State of Mass. he states that he passed through Winchendon, Ashburnham, Fitchburg, Shirley, Har- vard, Acton, Concord, Lexington, to Cambridge - At Cambridge he enlisted into John- athan Holman's Company for the term of eight months, said Company was at- tached to a Regiment under the Command of Col Ephraim Doolittle - he states that he remained attached to said Company during the whole term of his enlistment - On the 26 th day of April 1775 he received a Sargent's Warrant in said Company, which is annexed to this declaration - he states that he was not in any battle, that he marched for Bunker's Hill, but the battle was over before he reached the Hill - he states that he remained with the Company in the vicinity of Boston, that he left the service the 20 th day of December A.D. 1775, his term of service having then expired - he states that he received a ver- bal discharge from his commanding officer - he states that John Norton of Noyalston & Silas Church of Templeton can testify as to the term of his service whose depositions are attached to this declaration - He states that the Amos Pikes & Jonathan Pierce & others can testify as to his reputation for truth & veracity, & that he is reputed & believed to be a soldier of the Revolution -
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.
Before NATH Paine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Thomas Beal

We Jonathan Pierce a Clergyman residing in the Town of Royalston and Benoni Peck residing in Royalston hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Peck who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty five years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Nathl. Dames Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Jonathan Pierce Benoni Peck
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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Thomas Peck  Jonathan Pierce who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the Town of Royalston and that Benoni Peck Esquire who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Royalston and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl. Dames Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Theophilus Wheeler Register , Clerk of the Court of Probate for Worcester County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Peck for a pension. That Franklin Gregory  Sworn before whom the annexed affidavit was made and subscribed by the said Peck in the County of Worcester in full credit.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Probate Court - this
5th day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Theophilus Wheeler Register of said Court of Probate in Massachusetts -
Thomas Peck
Declaration - His deponent knows not plus Northern Department files Church's Department
Deane Davis
Worcester
Mass -
Attorney for Applicant

96 98 Thomas Beal
8 Mar Sergeant
Attn
$40-
Jan 1898

2698  BRIEF in the case of Thomas Beal County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts (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? 85  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.     Vol. In 1775-76 April — 8 — Sergeant Gen. Capt. Jonathan Hoshman, Col. Ephraim Doolittle.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Worcester City. Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional & witnesses & documentary  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
F. Waugh Examining Clerk. Jan'y. 23. 1833.

Rehran
12.161 ✓ INVALID
File No. 12,161
Thomas Beal
Sergt. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 29
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Thomas Beal
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
yes
V. * Has he mentioned 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?
yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 2 citizens XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? witness & document XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 5. 7.
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

Ephriam Doolittle Esq r Commander of the 24 Regiment in the Continental army to Thomas Beale in Capt Jonathan Holmans Company
Greeting
By Virtue of the Power and authority to me given by the Continental Congress & do by these Presents Reposing special trust & confidence in your Patriotism Valour Conduct & fidelity Constitute & appoint you the Thomas Beale Second Lieut in a Company Commanded By Capt Jonathan Holman in the Regiment wherein I am Colonel Raised for the Defence of American Liberties & for Repelling Enemy Hostile invasion thereof & Brod in or there in under the Command of the Commander in Chief of the Continental army in North America you are hereby faithfully and Diligently to discharge the Duty of a Lieut in said Company for which this shall be your sufficient warrant
Given under my Hand and Seal at Camp on Winter Hill in Charlestown
this 26 Day of April Anno. Domini 1775
Eph m Doolittle Col l

I John Norton of Royalston in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Twenty five years - Deposeth and says that in the month of April in the year 1775 I volunteered as a Soldier in the War of the Revolution for a term of eight months service in Capt. Wilder's company - said company was stationed in the vicinity of Cambridge near Boston in Colonel Ephraim Doolittle's Regiment. Genl. John Sullivan's Brigade (and Maj r Genl. Lee's Division) and performed the duty of a Soldier during said term of eight months -
Thomas Beal of said Royalston Volunteered as a Soldier at the same time with deponent in Captain Jonathan Holmans Company - (and performed the duty of a private Soldier and Orderly Sergeant during the whole of said term of eight months in the same Regiment with Deponent)
John Norton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester County ss August 23. 1832
Came before me, the above named John Norton, and made Oath to the truth of the facts in the foregoing deposition by him - Subscribed -
Franklin Gregory Justice of the Peace
I hereby further certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named John Norton who subscribed the foregoing deposition and that he is a person of truth and veracity - Franklin Gregory, Jr. of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. I Abijah Bigelow, clerk of the Judicial Court, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that Franklin Gregory, Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of John Norton; and that Samuel Lee, Esquire, before whom the annexed Affidavit of Silas Church, were made and sworn to, are Justices of the Peace, within and for the County of Worcester, and that their signatures thereto appear to me to be in their own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County Seal, this twenty ninth day of August in the Year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk.

I Silas Church of Templeton in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Eighty years. Do on my oath testify and declare. That I am knowing to Thomas Beals being a Soldier in the Revolutionary War - That he was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Capt Jonathan Holman of Templeton & Regiment commanded by Col. Ephraim Doolittle. That he joined the Army at Cambridge on or about the twentieth of April 1775. and that he did duty as a Sergeant in said Company during his term of service which was Eight Months. That his term expired about the last of Dec. 1775 - my knowledge of this fact was in consequence of my being belonging to the same Company and employed in the same tour of duty. Silas Church
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss. Aug. 24 th 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Silas Church and made oath to the truth of the above Declaration by him subscribed. Before me. Saml. Lee. Jus. Peace
I hereby certify, that full faith and credit is due to the testimony of the above named Deponent - Saml Lee. Jus. Peace

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Beal William GRADE Private LINE Virginia
WARRANT NUMBER 11946 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED November 14, 1794 To — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.