Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B. L. Wt. 92,010-160-55, James Bragdon, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Bragdon, James Ruth
B.L.Wt. 92010-160-55-
CONTENTS

297, 2nd flr Ack 3 Mich/53- Janry 22/59
Ruth Bragdon da Mrs of James Bragdon Princ
Revolutionary War 160 Acres
Original brief inside Hon. E. C. Chaffee Willards Hotel Present
2211 11th Jan 23/59

297.241

Berwick January 12 1859.
Mrs Cheney & Packard
Get your two letters are at hand and I have examined with care the old records of the Town of Berwick from 1800 to 1812 and find no record of James Bragdon and Ruth Sargeant. married by Joseph Savage Esq or by any body else he must have omitted the recording the same. Mr. Savage has made between these periods two entries that is all
Yours Respectfully
Job Harris
Town Clerk of Berwick

APPLICATION FOR BOUNTY LAND.
STATE OF Maine COUNTY OF York } ss.
On this Twentyeighth day of December A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fiftyeight personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Ruth Bragdon aged Seventy years, a resident of Wells in the State of Maine who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the Widow of James Bragdon deceased, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Ebenezer Preble in the Regiment of Militia commanded by Col George D. Dorr in the war with Great Britain , declared by the United States on the 18th day of June , 1812, the Revolution
that her said husband was drafted at York on or about the Second day of April A. D. 1778 for the term of three months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of three months and was honorably discharged at Winter Hill on the third day of July A. D. 1778.
She further states that she was married to the said James Bragdon in Burwick on the first day of January A. D. 1807 by one Clavage a Justice of the Peace and that her name before her said marriage was Ruth Sargeant out that her said husband died at York on the tenth day of August A. D. 1830 and that she is now a Widow. I further declare that after diligent search there can be found neither Town, Parish or Family record of the marriage of myself & husband.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Acts approved March 3d, 1855, and May 14, 1856. She also declares that she has not received a Warrant for Bounty Land, under this or any other act of Congress
Revoking and countermanding all former authority that may have been given, she hereby constitutes and appoints Olney & Packard of Orange, Massachusetts, her lawful attorneys to prosecute said claim and receive the Warrant when issued.
Ruth Bragdon Mark

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston,
January 13, 1839
I Hereby Certify, That 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 James Bragdon of York, is borne upon a pay roll of Capt. Esaias Preble's Company, Col. Jacob Gerrish's Regiment of Guards, Stationed at Winter Hill and detached from the militia to serve from the 2d day of April, 1778, to the 3d day of the succeeding July. Service as a private, 3 months and 7 days.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Oliver Warner
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

STATE OF Maine COUNTY OF York
} ss.
Aaron Bragdon
We, Caroline Bragdon and Joseph W. Wain residents of Wells in the State of Maine upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Beth Bragdon in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of  know from personal acquaintance the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and the widow of James  Bragdon decd the aforesaid soldier  Aaron Bragdon Caroline Bragdon
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and the widow of the aforesaid James Bragdon decd and that I have no interest in this claim.
John Gray
Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF COUNTY OF
}
I,
certify that
whose genuine signature appears above, is and was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified; that his Commission is dated on the _____ day of _____ A. D. 18____ that all his official acts as such, are entitled to full faith and credit.
Given under my hand
this _____ day of _____
A. D. 18____

Rev. War Section. Wt. 92010-150-55. Ans
Feb. 6, 1923.
Mrs. L. E. Daldwin, Norfolk, Va.
Madam:
In response to your letter of the 20 th ultimo, you are advised that from the records of this Bureau it appears that James Bragdon was born at York, Me. and resided there during the Revolution, the date of his birth is not on record. He served as a private, from April 2, 1778, to July 3, 1778, in Captain Esaias Preble's Company, Colonel Jacob Gerrish's Regiment of Mass. Guards. He died at York, Me. August 10, 1839.
He married at Berwick, Me. Jan. 1, 1807, Ruth Sergeant, and she was allowed bounty land in full satisfaction for the services rendered by him, on her application executed Dec. 28, 1858, at which time she 70 years old and a resident of Wells, Me. It is not stated whether they had children.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

1/23 Feb 6. Recd. of Mrs. L. E. Ballou - Cal
No. 297241
ACT OF March 3, 1805.
Received _____, 18
Ruth Bragdon, dec'd Wid of James Bragdon Private
Revolutionary War.
Issued Jan 23. 1860
Warrant No. 92010
For 160 acres. Land
Hon. C. C. Chaffee
Williams Hotel
Present.

up Cheney & Packard Feby 25th 1859 Same Mar 28, 1859 Same May 14/59  Sept. 22/59 Same Nov. 17/59  Same Dec. 22/59 
297. 241 act Mar 3/55 Jan 22/59
Ruth Maggs Wid 1 James Bradon dec 92.010.1 Pinate
Revolutionary war AD 1600s Jan 12/59 Steel.
Vol B2 page 116.
the original H. Dr. C. C. Chaffee Willard Hotel. Wash
 Cheney & Packard  Tracy 60

P 92.010
to Acers

Orange Mass Nov 3 rd 1859.
Sir
Will you please furnish us with a copy of the affidavit of James Bragdon of Wells. Me. filed in the claim's of Amos Waine and David Littlefield, for a pension as Revolutionary soldiers under act of 1818, or 1832.
For evidence that we have a right to apply for said evidence, reference is made to a power of Attorney executed by Mrs Ruth Bragdon, widow of said James, and attached to a Certificate from the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts filed in the application of the aforesaid Ruth Bragdon N o 297. 24 th . Will the affidavits of said Bragdon be received as evidence of his service in the absence of record evidence to establish his widow a claim to a pension under Act of 3 rd Feb 1853.
To
Respectfully Yours
Commissioner of Pensions.
Cheney & Packard

Additional Evidence N o 297,241.
Ruth Bragdon widow of James Revolutionary War.
Cheney & Packard Agts. Orange Mass.

State of Maine County of York } ss May 23 d 1859.
We Josiah Winn and Eleazer Bedell, both residents of Wells, in the County of York and State of Maine, of lawfull age depose and say that we are personally and well acquainted with Ruth Bragdon, of Wells, in the County and State aforesaid, that we were personally acquainted with her during the lifetime of her husband James Bragdon deceased, that we were residents of the same town and were at that time, and knew them to live together as man and wife, and that they were so considered and treated by their townsmen, and that the fact of their marriage was never questioned to our knowledge.
Josiah Winn Eleazer Bedell
York ss. May 23 d 1859.
On this twentieth day of May 1859, personally appeared Josiah Winn and Eleazer Bedell to me well known as persons entitled to credit and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by them subscribed is true.
Before Me Joshua Hurlburt } Justice of the Peace.

State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Franklin }
We M rs Cheney & Packard, of Orange in the County of Franklin and State of Massachusetts do depose and say, that after diligent search no Town, Parish, nor Family record furnishes evidence of the marriage of James Brangdon and Ruth his widow, neither can eye witnesses be found -
Cheney & Packard.
Franklin ss.
On this nineteenth day of May A.D. 1859, personally appeared M rs Cheney & Packard to me well known as persons entitled to credit subscribed and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by them subscribed is true -
Before me
Edwin Stone
Justice of the Peace
Evidence that Edwin Stone, is a magistrate filed in an affidavit in this claim against Cheney Packard

Ruth Bragdon widow of James Bragdon, soldier in the Revolutionary war N o 297. 241c Bounty Land.

State of Maine.
YORK, SS.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court, }
Alfred, October 31 th A. D. 1859 }
I, CALEB B. LORD, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, in and for said COUNTY OF YORK, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that
Joshua Hubbard.
at the date of his certificate to the paper hereto annexed, was an Acting Justice of the Peace , within and for the County of York — as appears by the paper hereto annexed ; that he is Duly Qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgments of Deeds and other instruments in writing in the county aforesaid ; and that the following Signature purporting to be his is Genuine .
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT, for said State, the day and year first above written.
C. B. Lord. Clerk.
of York and have Taken the said James Bragdon's affidavit for other Soldiers of the Revolutionary war and have frequently heard him talk of being in the army of the Revolution at Winter Hill Charlestown Massachusetts Feb 1, 1859

State of Maine, County of York I Johnson M. Bragdon resident of Wells in the County of York and State of Maine do depose and say that I am personally and well acquainted with Ruth Bragdon of this our said Town of Wells That I was personally and well acquainted with James Bragdon deceased husband of Ruth That James Bragdon was a resident of York at the time of his decease and that he was a resident of York in the County of York and State aforesaid at the time of the war of the Revolution that he had the general reputation of being a soldier in said war I also depose and say that I have been a magistrate for the County of York and have taken the said James Bragdon's affidavit for other soldiers of the Revolutionary war and have frequently heard him talk of being in the army, of the Revolution at Winter Hill Charlestown Massachusetts Johnson M Bragdon
York ss October 22 nd 1859. On this twentyeth day of October A.D. 1859 personally appeared Johnson M. Bragdon to me well known as a credible person and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me Joshua H. Hobbey Justice of the Peace

Ruth Bragdon widow of James Bragdon. War of the Revolution application No. 297.241
Cheney & Packard Atty. Orange Mass

State of Maine.
YORK, ss.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court, }
Alfred, November 1st A. D. 1859 }
I, CALEB B. LORD, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, in and for said COUNTY OF YORK, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that
Joshua Hubbard
at the date of his certificate to the paper hereto annexed, was an Acting Justice of the Peace , within and for the County of York as appears by the paper hereto annexed ; that he is Duly Qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgments of Deeds and other instruments in writing in the county aforesaid ; and that the following Signature purporting to be his is Genuine .
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT, for said State, the day and year first above written.
C. B. Lord Clerk.
I am disinterested in this claim Johnson W. Bradburn

I Johnson M. Bragdon of Wells in the County of York, and State of Maine, do depose and say I was personally and well acquainted with James Bragdon of York, in his life time. I further depose and say that I have heard James Bragdon talk about being a Soldier in the Revolutionary War. I also have known persons to go to James Bragdon, to obtain proof of their being in said War. I further swear that the said James Bragdon was a native of York Maine and that his Widow Ruth Bragdon is living, and and a resident of Wells in said County, and that this affidavit was made at the Instance of Muns Cheney & Packer of Orange Mass, as evidence to procure county land and that I am disinterested in this claim.
Johnson M. Bragdon
York SS October 29 th - 1859
On this twenty ninth day of October A. 1859. Personally appeared Johnson M. Bragdon to me well known as a credible person, and made oath that the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me Joshua Hubbard } Justice of the Peace

Know all Men by these Presents, That we Cheney & Packard of Orange and State of Massachusetts, the legally consti- tuted attorneys, to prosecute the bounty land claim of Ruth Bragdon N o 297241. and Hannah H. Mitchell N o 297.969. — We hereby constitute and appoint the Hon. R.C. Chaffee, our lawfull attorney to prosecute the said claims and to re- ceive the warrants when issued.
Witness our hand and Seal This 20 th day of December A.D. 1859.
Cheney & Packard
Franklin 58.
On the day and year above written person- ally appeared Cheney & Packard, to me well known and acknowledged the foregoing power to be their free act and deed.
Niran Woodward Justice of the Peace

Application N o 297241. for bounty land -
Ruth Bragdon widow of James, a soldier in Revolutionary war.

The official capacity of Joshua H. Hubbard, is set forth in an affidavit previously filed in this claim -
We William Parsons and Johnson M. Bragdon, residents of Wells in the County of York, and State of Maine, do depose and say that we were personally and well acquainted with James Bragdon dec d formerly a resident of York Maine. That we have heard him talk of being a Soldier in the Revolutionary war, that we often heard him speak of his adventures, and of events that happened while he was in the war, and that he had the general reputation of being a Soldier in the revolutionary war, we further swear that we are acquainted with Ruth Bragdon widow of the aforesaid James, and that we have no interest in the bounty land claim of the said Ruth Bragdon -
William Parsons Johnson M. Bragdon
York ss. January 3 d - 1860.
On this thirteenth day of January A D 1860. personally appeared William Parsons, and Johnson M. Bragdon to me well known as credible persons, and in whose statements entire confidence may be reposed, and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by them subscribed is true.
Before Me. Joshua Hubbard { Justice of the Peace

NEW BEDFORD MAY 30 1859

Orange May 27. 1859.
Sir
We have applied to the Town Clerk of Berwick Me. for the marriage of James Bragdon & Ruth Sargeant, and he informs us that there is no such record, we also applied for a search of the Parish record with the same result, neither can any eye witnesses be found.
Resp Yours Cheney & Packard.
Com te of Pensions,

Genl. Adm. Office, May 14 th 1859.
Gentlemen,
The claim of Ruth Bragdon, for bounty law will be favorably considered as soon as proof of marriage is filed.
Yours Respectfully, Mac Culloch
Commissr.
Evidence that Joshua Hubbard, is a justice of the Peace, filed in an affidavit to prove widowhood of Mrs Theodocia Hulchins, formerly widow of John Hann, for half pay Pension Act of Feb 3 rd 1853, transmitted as "Additional Evidence" on the 24 th inst.
Messrs. Cheney & Packard, Charges, Mass.

The Pensions Office, Sept. 22 d , 1859.
Gentlemen,
I will admit the claim of Ruth Bragdon, to bounty law, as soon as proof is filed that her husband was a native of York, Maine, or that he resided there during the war of the rebellion and, that he had the reputation, generally, of being a revolutionary soldier.
Yours Respectfully, W. A. D. King
Commissioner.
Messrs. Cheney & Packard Orange, Mass.
217

Orange June 28. 1859.
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I wish to call your attention to your letter of 15 th May in which you informed us that the claim of Ruth Bragdon, N o 297,241, the widow of James, a soldier in the war of the Revolution would be favorably considered as soon as proof of marriage was filed there being no records of the Town of Berwick in which her marriage was solemnized  recorded . We on the twenty first day of May to you transmitted the affidavits of parties who knew them to live together in the lifetime time of her husband and our affidavits that there was no Town or Parish record of their marriage - Not hearing from you since we thought it possible the additional evidence might have miscarried, if the evidence adduced is sufficient to establish the marriage, you are respectfully requested to issue the warrant as soon as the business of your department will permit.
Resp Yours
Cheney & Packard

Orange March 2 nd 1859.
Sir:
Your letter of the 25 th Feby. in relation to the claim of Ruth Bragden, widow of James, N o 297. 246. is at hand, I suppose you think I have had access to the records in the Office of the Secretary of this State, for the purpose of procuring Land Bounty, on a fraudulent claim, but be assured such is not the case. I will now give you a truthfull statement of the case and leave you to judge concerning the same.
When I was in the State of Maine, Mrs Ruth Bragden informed me that her husband was a soldier in the Revolution under Captain Prebble as she thought, and in his life time had often heard him remark that he could get a pension if he should do as his neighbors but he would not that was to swear he was possessed of a less amount of property than he actually was or give his property away which would be necessary in order to procure a pension as the law then existed. She was anxious to know if Land Bounty could be procured for her, I informed her it could if the service could be proved, she then said she had heard her husband state that he was stationed at Charlestown or Cambridge under Captain Prebble, to guard British prisoners (or to use his expression the red coats) she then gave me power to search the records and by referring to it which is appended to the Secretary's Certificate you will see she sets forth the service in Captain Prebble's Co-

and stationed at Cambridge or Charlestown as a guard she then made her declaration for Land Bounty setting forth the service in Captain Prebble's Co. war of the revolution a term of more than fourteen days, leaving a blank for the name of the Colonel, and the time and length of engagement of service, with a request for me to fill up. I found the service as she described it. I then made application to the Secretary for service in writing by a in a circular form to the one enclosed observing the instructions therein required, in the course of two weeks, I recd the certificate dated subsequent to the declaration and for Land and the power for search of the records. I then filled in from the Sec- retary's Certificate the Colonel's name the time and length of engagement, supposing it a perfectly harmless transaction, not altering her declaration in the least.
I have given you the facts in full, for your further consideration, and pray that the above named transaction may not deprive Mrs Ruth Bragdon of her Warrant , or deprive me from doing further business with the Department should the opportunity be presented.
I can't get the Secretary's affidavit that application was made to him by us for the service, without our knowledge or Mrs Bragdon's or any other person outside of the department what the records contained Very Resp Yours Comt. of Pensions } Cheney & Packard

Pension Office, Novr 17. 1839.
Gentlemen,
In reply to your letter of the 3 rd instant, you are informed that James Bragdon did not make an affidavit in the case of David Littlefield a pensioner under the Act of 7 th June, 1832.
No papers appear to have been filed in this Office for a pension in behalf of Amos Waine.
Very respectfully, &c W. G. W. King Commissioner.
Messrs. Cheney & Packard. Orange, Mass.

Orange Mass Nov 21 st 1859.
Sir,
Yours of the 17 th is rec d in relation to the affidavit of James Bragdon -
We now desire that an examination in the application of David Littlefield may be had under act of 1818. Also in the application of Amos Maine, under both the act of 1818. and 1832, and if his affidavit can be found please send a certified copy, and at the same time inform us if his affidavit can be used as evidence to establish his widow a claim for a pension -
Respectfully Yours Cheney & Packard
To
Commissioner of Pensions. Washington D C }.

Orange Massachusetts Nov 15 th 1859.
Sir
The affidavits executed by James Bragdon are supposed to be filed in the application's of Amos Maine and David Littlefute for a pension under act of 1818 or 1832. Please forward us a certified copy of those affidavits to us. Will his affidavit on which other pensions are established be sufficient to establish a claim for his widow, we have requested you to furnish a copy of the affidavits previous to this, not hearing or receiving them we renew the request.
Respectfully Yours Cheney & Packard.
To
Commissioner of Pensions } Washington D C }

Additional Evidence N o 297.248c

Orange Massachusetts December 7 th 1859.
Sir
About the first of October you informed us that you would allow the claim of Ruth Bragdon to bounty land, as soon as evidence was filed that James Bragdon, her husband was a native of York Maine and had the reputation of being a soldier in the revolutionary war -
About the 20 th of October we transmitted the affidavits of two Mr Bragdons as evidence to establish the proof you required one of the affiants stated that he had been a Magistrate, and that James Bragdon had been before him to make oath to an affidavit for persons that was with him in the service to procure a pension the persons names he thinks was David Littlefield, and Amos Maine -
Have you see d the evidence in said claim if so is it satisfactory, and sufficient to establish said claim - This claim was filed on the 22 nd January 1858.
Very Respectfully Commit ee of Pensions, Cheney & Packard

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, April 3, 1858.
Sir :
Be pleased to file the declarations in this office, agreeably to the accompanying regulations, and search will be made for the revolutionary services of Benj. Porter, John Moores, John Williams, Timothy Shaw and Isaac Howe, and the result forwarded to your address. Particular attention is called to the second regulation.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Oliver Warner. Sec'y.

The following REGULATIONS, to be observed in the examination of the Revolutionary Rolls in this office, have been rendered necessary under the rules which are established in the Pension Department at Washington, viz:—
1. Every application requiring search or certificate must be made to the Secretary, in writing, by the claimant, or by some person duly authorized by the claimant; and the signature to the application must be attested by some magistrate.
2. In all cases where the application is made by any person other than the claimant, a power of attorney, attested by a magistrate , authorizing such person to act in the claimant's behalf, must accompany the application.
3. The application must set forth, as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence and service of the soldier, and the names of the officers under whom he served; and no search will be made until after the filing of such written application.
“Regulations to be observed in the examination of the Massachusetts Revolutionary Papers in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.”
“The application must be made to the Secretary, in writing, by the claimant, or by some person duly authorized by the claimant, by a written power of attorney, attested by a magistrate. The signature of the claimant must in all cases be attested in like manner.
“The application must set forth, as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence of the soldier, &c., at the time of the service, and the names of the various officers under whom he served, as well as the nature of such service.
“The certificate of the Secretary must show that the search was made, after the filing of such application, by himself, or by one of his Clerks, alone, and must be accompanied by the original application of the claimant or of his attorney, and by a detailed statement, under the signature of the Secretary and the Seal of the State, of the circumstances which satisfied that officer of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.”
The following is an extract from a letter received by the Secretary from J. E. Heath, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions, dated March 19, 1852:—
“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3d inst., accompanied by a copy of the Regulations now in force in your office in the examination of your Revolutionary Rolls; and, in reply to your questions, have to state that, in my opinion, the said Regulations could not be relaxed in any particular without serious injury to the Government and the rights of individuals justly entitled to the benefits of the Revolutionary Pension Laws. Indeed, even with those guards around your rolls, I am satisfied they are frequently used by unscrupulous individuals to sustain applications not embraced by the laws, and as a means of obtaining exorbitant fees.”

Rev. Sec
3B Western Hall Apt. West Ghent Blvd.
Norfolk, Va., Jan. 20th/23
Pension Department, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen;
I am a descendant of the family of Theodore Bragdon of Maine, and am trying to get a record of his service in the War of 1812.. The following entry appears in the Probate Records of York County, Maine;
"Case 21359
State of Maine
York County
SS
We Lyman Furbish and Rhoda Littlefield residents of Wells in the State of Maine, do depose and say that we are personally acquainted with Catherine Stephens resident of Wells in the County and State aforesaid and that we know her to be the Daughter and only surviving child of Theodore Bragdon, a Soldier attached to the 4th Regiment of the United States Infantry during the War of 1812, and who died in the service of the United States, and that his widow Rhoda Furbish died at York on or about the fifteenth day of September A. D. 1838
(signed) his Lyman X Furbish mark
Rhoda E. Littlefield.
York SS
The foregoing affidavit was sworn to and subscribed to before me on this twelfth day Jany 1859 by Lyman Furbish and Rhoda Littlefield to me well known as persons entitled to credit.
(signed) George W. Wallingford Justice of the Peace.
If you can give me any official information from your records of his service, I will greatly appreciate it..
I am also informed that James Bragdon, father of Theodore Bragdon served in the Revolutionary War, his home being in Wells, Maine or that neighborhood. B.L. W. 92010. Rev. 55
Family tradition is that his widow Rutha Sargent Bragdon received a grant of land from the Government. This allotment must have been made between the years 1835 (when James Bragdon died) and 1866 (the year his widow died). If you have this record would
no negative info relative to 1812 inquiry.

"2"
be very glad to have it also.
Thanking you in advance for your prompt and kind attention
Yours truly, Mrs L. E. Baldwin
Mrs. L. E. Baldwin
3B
Western Hall Apt.
West Ghent Blvd.
Norfolk,
Va..

State of Maine.
YORK, ss.
CLERK'S OFFICE, SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT,
I Caleb B. Lord Alfred, January 19 th A. D. 1859
I, JAMES O. MCINTIRE, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court,
In and for said COUNTY OF YORK, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that
John L. Dyer
at the date of his certificate to the paper hereto annexed, was an Acting Justice of the Peace , within and for the County of York as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that he is DULY QUALIFIED to administer oaths and take acknowledgments of Deeds and other instruments in writing in the county aforesaid.
and that the following SIGNATURE purporting to be his is GENUINE.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT, for said State, the day and year first above written.
C. B. Lord Clerk.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES,
Made by the Widow of the party who rendered the service.
County of York State of Maine Town of Wells
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of James Bragdon private in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of York in the County of York and State of Maine
He enlisted from the Town of York in the County of York and State of Maine in the year 1788 as a private in the Company commanded by Captain Preble in Regiment and he served as follows,* viz:—
Cheney & Packard Attorneys for Ruth Bragdon
* Here describe, as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c., of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

I am now more fully than above stated.
years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services
Witness my hand, this A. D. 18
day of
Signed by said in my presence,
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. }

State of Maine . York
County, ss.
I, Ruth Bragdon of Wells in the County and State aforesaid, doth make oath and say that  he is the lawful widow of James Bragdon deceased, a private in Coast Company Preebles (Inf) , of the Militia or State Line  the U. S. Infantry during the late war with of the Revolution, that said James Bragdon was enlisted on the or drafted day of from York Me A. D., 18 4 6 , for the term of _____ and died at York Me Dec. 1833 on account of  in the line of  his duty, while in the service of the U. S., as he verily believes.
I HEREBY constitute and appoint Cheney & Packard  DALESON B. CHENEY , of Orange, Massachusetts, my true and lawful Attorney to demand and receive from the proper Department of the Government of the U. S. or elsewhere the time and length of the said Bragdon's enlistment, the time and place of his discharge and all other information that may be necessary to establish my claim to a pension to which I may be entitled on account of said  service.
WITNESS my hand and Seal, this twenty eighth day of December A. D., 185 8 .
Aaron Bragdon James Warren
Two Witnesses.
Ruth Bragdon mark
York
County, ss.
On the day and year above written personally appeared Ruth Bragdon to me well known, and made oath to the foregoing declaration, and at the same time acknowledged the power of Attorney to be her free act and deed; and I certify she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
John Gray
Justice of the Peace.

Ruth Braydon widow of James N o 297.241.
Cheney & Packard Lgts Orange Mass —

State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Franklin }
Cheney & Packard, of Orange in the State of Massachusetts, on oath depose and say that they are the legal constituted attorneys of Ruth Bragdon, of Wells Maine, to prosecute her claim for bounty land, as the widow of James, a soldier in the war of the revolution - That application was made to your deponents, while at the house of one Josiah Winn, in Wells Maine, by Ruth Bragdon, with representations which was as follows. That her husband while living, often spoke of being in the revolutionary war under the command of Col. Preble, and stationed at Cambridge or Winter Hill, as a guard over British prisoners, or to use her expression redcoats, that he might procure a pension by adopting the same course, some of his neighbors had, who were in the same service, that was by giving his property away or making a false oath that he was possessed of a less amount of property than he actually was which would be necessary as the law then was in order to entitle him to a pension - That upon the above representations and the request of Ruth Bragdon, your affiants wrote an application for bounty land, and leaving a blank space for the Colonel, and No of Regt and the length of service, and at the same time a declaration and an application was made to the Secretary of State of Massachusetts for the service in writing and if such could be found to fill the blank space and do such acts as might be necessary to fill the blank space to establish her claim, that after the official certificate of the

space and do such acts as  can proper might be necessary to establish her claim, that after the official certificate of the
Secretary, was received which was in about two weeks the blank space was filled in the application, from the Secretary's Certificate, and then sent to the County Clerk for his certificate of magistracy, and from thence transmitted to the Commissioner of Pensions. That your affiants further swear that the above trans-action was considered to be a perfectly innocent act, and in no way to alter the substance of the declaration, and that this affidavit was made at the instance of the Commissioner of Pensions, for a purpose to them unknown.
Cheney & Packard.
Franklin ss.
On this fifth day of April A.D. 1859, personally appeared Miss Cheney & Packard to me well known as credible persons. Subscribed and made oath that the above declaration is true.
Edwin Stone Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston. April 8 th 1859.
❧ Hereby Certify , That at the date of the attestation hereto annexed
Simon Stone was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Franklin
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted: and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony of which, I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH, the date above written.
Oliver Warner
Secretary of the Commonwealth.