Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17270, Ebenezer Beard, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Beard, Ebenezer
S. 17270
CONTENTS
carded

15210
Massachusetts
Ebenezer Beard
Midshipman in the State of Mass who was a Prisoner in the company commanded by Captain  of the  by Col. Brooks in the Mass time for 12 May .
Miln
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 40 Dollars  Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of June 1833 and sent Hon  Present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $ 40  Semianual allowance ending 4/Sept  20  $100 
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. M. Blair Clerk Book  Vol. 2 Page 7 1 / 2
82 Middley

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex ss.
On this Seventeenth day of August A.D. 1839
personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas  Probate , now sitting at Concord — within and for the County of Middlesex — in the Commonwealth aforesaid Ebenezer Deward of Suckabury in said County of Middlesex Commonwealth aforesaid aged Eighty years
Who being 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. That is to say That in 1775, on the 19th of April, he went to Concord as a Militia man, was in the fight there — immediately after he enlisted for eight months into the Service aforesaid, under Capt John Warner of Wilmington, Lt. M c Blanchard of said Wilmington and Elazer Stickney of Suckabury Ensign, marched to Cambridge, was then attached to Col Ebenezer Dridge's Regiment, Major John Brooks, during this time was in the Battle of Bunker Hill, was wounded in his right hand. General Putnam commanded. — at the end of eight months, was discharged, returned home to said Wilmington, about the first of January according to his best recollection —
Again in the winter of 1776, he enlisted at said Wilmington, into said service for two months to go to New York, under Capt Belnap of Woburn he thinks. Lt Joshua Hornsdell of the same Wilmington, marched to the White Plains in New York, there joined the Army under Genl Washington and the next day after the Battle of White Plains was attached to Col Elazer Brooks Regiment he thinks. Served out his two months & was discharged returned home to Wilmington does not recollect any of the Field Officers names —
Again in the winter of 1777 & 1778, he enlisted at said Wilmington for the term of two months to go down to Charleston to guard the Hessian Prisoners under Capt. Cadwallader of said Wilmington, served two months in that duty was stationed on White Hill does not recollect that there were any field officers there —
Has no documentary evidence and knows of no person, upon testimony he can produce to prove the 2 d term of service, the other terms are proved by the deposition annexed. — never received any discharge

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever 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
Ebenezer Beard
We
Jacob Goggin a Clergyman residing in the town of Scituate in the county of Middlesex & Amos Foster  Scituate hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ebenezer Beard who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be Eighty years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Jacob Goggin Amos Foster
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Jacob Goggin who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the said Scituate & Amos Foster .
who has also signed the foregoing certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I J. P. P. Ray Clerk of the Court of Scituate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Ebenezer Beard for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
Jacob Goggin I also certify that Marshall Preston & James Jaques whose own proper signatures are set to the certificates to the Disbursing Agents annexed are just trust of the Reverend within the said County of Middlesex
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty two
Jacob Goggin

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit,
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex on the seventeenth day of August A. D. 1882 On the application of Ebenezer Beard claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, In Wilmington. 23 d of February, 1752
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, His birth is recorded in Wilmington Town Records he believes -
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer,
Lived in Wilmington when he enlisted & lives in Lowbury now, where he has lived about forty five years last past.
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom? Answer,
Went to Concord as a Militia man, when the alarm was given. The other times he enlisted, or there being a call for men he engaged to go -
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service? Answer,
At Cambridge - Genl Washington, Genl Lee, Genl Putnam, Major Root. At White Plains - Genl Washington - Saw Col Brooks there -
6. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution? Answer,
Rev. Jacob Coggin, Amos Foster. Ebenezer Beard
Middlesex ss. August 17. A D 1882 Signed & sworn to me the Open Court A. H. Jacobson Prof of Prob.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
AWT/HBM
April 28, 1930.
Mr. Austin F. French Lowell, R.F.D. 1 Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 17270, it appears that Ebenezer Beard was born February 23, 1752 at Wilmington, Massachusetts.
While residing at Wilmington, Massachusetts, he served with the Massachusetts troops as follows:
April 19, 1775 he went to Concord as a minute man and was in the "fight there", and immediately afterward enlisted and served eight months in Captain John Harnden's Company Colonel Ebenezer Bridges' Regiment. He was in the battle of Bunker Hill where he was wounded in his right hand. In the fall of 1776 he served two months in Captain Belknap's Company Colonel Eleazer Brooks' Massachusetts Regiment; in the winter of 1777 and 1778 two months in Captain Cadwallader Ford's Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 17, 1832, at which time he was living in Tewksbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
There are no data as to family.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

17 270 INVALID.
File No. 17 270
Ebenezer Beard
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 423
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1936-Opn. 28-1928-1. Custodian F. French Army.

7/13
Ebenezer Beard
Return this with the papers
Pay to Mrs. Capt. Belknap Col. Brooks's Post Mts
16.10-
$20
For J. Nelson

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ebenezer Beard which require 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? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?
XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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 each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†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 authenticates 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 ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Amos Foster Deh In. Elm. Brind
Mr. Amos Foster Dear Sir I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th inst. and in reply to inform you that the same has been forwarded to the proper authorities for their consideration.
Yours faithfully John D. Sleeper

I Amos Foster of Leeksbury in the County of Middlesex Commonwealth of Mass a churched of Seventy eight years of age, on oath, testify to say, that Ebenezer Bean of Leeksbury in said County, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served with me at Cambridge, in the Eight months service in the year 1775 - that we both served the said eight months then, in the same Regiment but not in the same Company - he served in Capt John Herndons Company - that he, at the time he enlisted was resident in Wilmington - that I was well acquainted with him while there & have been ever since -
Amos Foster
Middlesex ss. August 17 th . A.D. 1832 - Then personally appeared the above named Amos Foster and made solemn oath to the truth of the Statement by him above subscribed
Before me Marshall Preston. Jus of the Peace
I further certify that the above named Deponent Amos Foster is well known to me, is a credible witness & his testimony entitled to full confidence
Marshall Preston. Jus of the Peace

I Daniel Gowing of Wilmington in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the County of Eight years of age do hereby testify to say that Ebenezer Beard of Saugusburg in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, & served the term of two months in the same company with me, in the year 1777 & 1778 guarding the Hessian Prisoners at Charlestown under Capt. Cadwallader Jones of said Wilmington - that I was well acquainted with the said Beard at the time and have been ever since and well recollect his serving with me as above stated. - That the said Beard was resident in said Town of Wilmington at the time he went into the service as aforesaid - Daniel Gowing
Middlesex ss. August 25 th A.D. 1832 Then personally appeared before me, the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within & for said County Daniel Gowing, who subscribed the above deposition and made solemn oath that the same is just & true in all its particulars according to the best of his knowledge & belief
James Jacques Jus. of the Peace
I further certify and say that the above named Deponent Daniel Gowing is well known to me, is a credible Witness and his testimony entitled to full confidence. James Jacques Just Bus

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex County, ss.
I Isaac Isaks, Register of Probate, within the said County of Middlesex, do hereby certify that the foregoing copy of the Will of James Fagins Esq. whose true and proper signatures are set to the certificate of the deposition hereto annexed, are just and true to the best of my knowledge within the said County.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court, this nineteenth day of April A.D. 1833.
Isaac Isaks
Eliza B. Bicknell Applicant's Attorney for
Eliza Bicknell
7113.
[Faint, illegible signature or mark]

Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
These are the names of some of my ancestors. I should like in some way to connect them up with the men of the same name who fought in the Revolution. Have you any records that might help me or could you tell me where to obtain such information that I seek? The names are.
Reuben French
born May 15. 1741 wife Anna Frost
died Nov. 26. 1808
Newbury
Ebenezer Beard
born Feb. 12. 1752 wife Lydia
Wilmington
Daniel Kimball all spelling
born July 7. 1759 wife Mary Mudgett.
died Feb. 25. 1847
Woburn

If you can help me in any way, I will be most happy.
Very truly,
Austin F. French.
Lowell, Mass.
R.F.D., #1