Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B.L.Wt. 56506-160-55, Reuben Blair, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Blair, Reuben
B.L.Wt. 56506-160-55-
Hannah N.
CONTENTS

267. 739 Cons mtk 214 637
Adm Mar 3/57 Feb 1/57
Stannard W Blair Died of Reuben Blair Jan 12
Capt John Carpenter Ad: 160 Ac Feb: 7 1857
Mass Mil
Entd Oct 17 1779 Dis Jan 6 1780 Rev War
Specie Voluntary Jan 29 1779 Good Blank Care of Clerk Court Wampden Co Vol. B. 170. Mass
Exempt

241077 Reuben Blair application for Land Bount,
War of the Revolution
Declaration filed by Leonard Lewis attorney Westfield Hampden Co., Mass.

State of Massachusetts } S.S. County of Hampden }
On this 17 day of August A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within & for the County & State aforesaid Reuben Blair aged 92 years a resident of Blandford in the County of Hampden & State of Massachusetts who being duly sworn according to law declares that he is the identical Reuben Blair who was a private in the Company correspondingly Captain Carpenter in the Regiment of Infantry commanded by Colonel Samuel Sipher in the Revolutionary war - that he was drafted at Blandford aforesaid on or about the fifteenth day of December 1779 for the term of Three Months & continued in actual service in said war for the term of fourteen days & was honorably discharged at Springfield in said County of Hampden on or about the fifteenth day of March A.D. 1780

He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855. He also declares that he has not received a warrant for Bounty land under this or any other act of Congress nor made any other application therefor.
Reuben Blair
We Davis G. Richards and Isaac Richards residents of Blankfield in the County of Hampshire & state of Massachusetts upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by Reuben Blair in our presence & that we believe from the appearance & statements of the applicant that he is the identical person he represents himself to be.
XX.
Davis G. Richards Isaac Richards
The foregoing declaration & affidavit were sworn to & subscribed before me on the day & year above written

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPDEN, ss.
I, George B. Morris, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that
David Shuttleff"> David Shuttleff Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is, and ought to be given, to his acts and attestations, done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said
David Shuttleff and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine: also that the instrument hereto annexed, purports to be duly executed and acknowledged, according to the laws of this Commonwealth, for the purposes therein expressed.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas, for said Commonwealth, this eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fiftyfive
Geo B Morris
Clerk.

2 I certify that I know the affidavits to be credible persons that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be & that I have no interest in this claim
(David Shurtleff Justice of the Peace)

Hannah N. Blair

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPDEN, SS.
I, George B. Morris, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampden, do certify, that
David Rootliff Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit, and ought to be given, to his acts and attestations, done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said
David Rootliff and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine: also that the instrument hereto annexed, purports to be duly executed and acknowledged, according to the laws of this Commonwealth, for the purposes therein expressed.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this Seventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty Seven
GEORGE B. MORRIS Clerk.

State of Massachusetts } County of Hampshire } ss
On this fifteenth day of December A. D. one thousand eight hundred & fifty six personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within & for the County & State aforesaid Hannah N. Blair aged seventy eight years a resident of Blandford in the County of Hampshire and State of Massa- chusetts who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Reuben Blair deceased who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain John Carpenter in said Company of Guards stationed at Springfield in said County of Hampshire in the War of the Revolution that her said husband enlisted volunteered or was drafted (she does not know which) at said Blandford on or about the seventh day of October A. D. 1779. for the term of three months & continued in actual service in said war for the term of three months & was honably discharged at said Springfield on the sixth day of January A. D. 1780
She further states that she was married to the said Reuben Blair in Blandford in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts on the

Twenty first day of January A.D. 1805 By me Rev John Root a settled and ordained minister of the Gospel of Blandford and that her name before her said marriage was Hannah Noble that her said husband died at said Blandford on the sixteenth day of July A.D. 1836, and that she is now a widow. And she further declares that search has been made for public record of her marriage & that none can be found - that a certificate of intention of marriage between her deceased husband & her record a copy of which is herewith filed.
The intention of marriage between Mr. Ebenezer Blair and Mrs. Hannah Noble was legally published January 3 rd 1808.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the county pension to which she may be entitled under the act of March 3 rd 1855. And she further declares that she has not received or applied

for young land under this or any other act of Congress - but that her deceased husband applied under said act as will appear by his declaration on file in your department No 214,637 & which was suspended for want of evidence of alleged service as appears by your circular or letter of Sept 11 th A.D. 1854
Hannah M. Blair
Sayre
We Bennett Richards and Cornelius M. Blair Residents of Bloodford in the County of Hampshire & State of Massachusetts upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by Hannah M. Blair in our presence & that we believe from the appearance & statements of the affli- ant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be & is still a widow
Cornelius M. Blair Bennet Richards
Sayre
Sayre
The foregoing declaration was aff'd & read before us & subscribed before me on the day & year above written & I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, & is still a widow & that I have no interest in this claim
Daniel Shurtleff Justice of the Peace

The residents of Bedfordshire aforesaid being duly sworn according to law testify on oath that the said present at

We Davis Richards and Ely Brackett Residents of Blandford aforesaid being duly sworn according to law testify & say that we are personally acquainted with Reuben Blair of aforesaid in his life time & with Hannah N. his widow of one name applicant - that we personally know that they lived together as husband & wife & were recognized as such in community that we were present at the time of their marriage & attended their wedding & know that they were married as before stated by his widow - that we have never heard of the said Hannah N. being again married since the decease of her said husband & from our acquaint- ance with her do not believe that she has since intermarried with any other person & have no doubt but that she is still the widow of said Blair
Dated December 13 A. D. 1856
Davis Richards Ely Brackett
Hampshire December 13 A. D. 1856
Personally appeared the above named Davis Richards and Ely Brackett over whose oath that the above declaration by them subscribed was true before me & I further certify that on this page between 2d & 3d lines some words were interlined before signing & that the affidavits are known to me to be credible & trustworthy David Rootledge Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts } ss County of Hampshire }
On this fifteenth day of December A.D. one thousand eight hundred & fifty-six personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within & for the County & State of said Bennet Richards and Chauncy S. Brown Residents of Blandford in said County who being duly sworn according to law testify & say that we were personally acquainted with the afore- named Reuben & Hannah N. that we live in the same neighborhood with them that they were known to here living together as husband & wife & that they were generally & universally reported as such & we never heard it called in question by their acquaintances
that we have frequently seen the said Hannah N. since the death of her said husband that from our intimate acquaintance with her
we know that she has not again married since the death of her said husband but that she still remains his widow
Bennet Richards Chauncy S. Brown

Subscribed & sworn to before me the day & year first above written & I certify that I know the officers to be credible persons & that I have no interest in this claim
David. Shurtleff Justice of the peace
I Timothy R. Boies Testify & say that I held the office of Town clerk of the Town of Blandford in the County of Hampden & State of Massachusetts that I have examined the records of mar- riages & deaths of said Town & that the following are true & exact copies of the intention of marriage of Reuben Blair & Hannah Noble & of the death of Reuben Blair as found on the town Records of said Town so said
Intention of marriage
"An intention of marriage between Mr. "Reuben Blair and Miss Hannah "Noble was legally published "January 3 rd 1808 (both of this Town)"
Death
"Mr. Reuben Blair. Farmer died at "Blandford July Sixteenth A.D. "Eighteen hundred and fifty six Timothy R. Boies Town clerk of Blandford died
Hampden Decmber 13 th 1856 subscribed & sworn to before me the day & year last above written
David. Shurtleff Justice of the peace

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWF/eel
May 16, 1929
Mrs. Earl Meserve 27 No. Pine Avenue Albany, New York
Madam:
I advise you that from the records of this bureau it appears that Reuben Blair enlisted at Blandford, Massachusetts, October 6, 1779, and served three months as a private in Captain John Carpenter's Company of Guards stationed at Springfield.
In 1855, he was ninety-two years of age and residing at Blandford, Massachusetts. He died there, July 16, 1856.
The soldier married, January 21, 1808, in Blandford, Massachusetts, Hannah Noble.
She was allowed one hundred and sixty acres of bounty land on Warrant No. 56506, on her application executed December 15, 1856, at which time she was living at Blandford, Massachusetts, aged seventy-eight years.
There are no data as to family. ?
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

August 21, 1934.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/ady
Mrs. Earl Meserve 27 North Pine Avenue Albany, New York
Reuben Blair B. I. Mt. 56506-160-55
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Reuben Blair of Blandford, Massachusetts, born February 12, 1763, died July 16, 1856, married Hannah Noble, whose service you cite as "corporal Captain Ebenezer Newall's Company, Colonel Danforth Key's Regiment".
The records of this office show that on May 16, 1929 the record of Reuben Blair of Blandford, Massachusetts, who married Hannah Noble, and died July 16, 1856, was furnished you.
He was not the Reuben Blair who rendered the service cited by you. That Reuben Blair was of Worcester County, Massachusetts, and Hannah Noble Blair's husband was of Hampden County, Massachusetts.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Commissioner of Pensions
U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
27 No. Pine Ave.
Albany N.Y.
Aug. 9-1934.
Dear Sir, I write to ask if there is a record in your bureau of the service in the Revolutionary War of Reuben Blair , son of Martha Gilmore + Jacob Blair
Born Feb. 12 1763 Blandford Mass
Died July 16. 1856 Blandford Mass
Married (1) Tryphena Moses, who died Dec. 15. 1806 Blandford
(2) Hannah Noble, " " Sept. 18, 1863 Blandford.
I refer especially to the following service
Reuben Blair, enpl Capt. Ebenezer Newell's Company Col. Danforth Key's Regiment.
Pay abstract for bounty for service Oct. 10. 1777 to Jan. 4, 1778, 2 mo. 25 days. enlisted July 10. 1777
Trusting to hear from you and thanking you Sincerely
Betty Blair Meserve
(Mrs. Earl Meserve) 27 No. Pine Ave Albany N.Y.

27 No. Pine Ave. Albany N.Y.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir --, I would be very grateful if you could advise me in regard to the following.
✓ Jacob Blair , son Matthew + Mary Blair Born April 13. 1735 Hopkinton Mass. Died Nov. 18. 1815 Blandford Mass.
Jacob Blair is listed among those from Blandford as served in Rev. War from (Hampden County Mass) by Copeland.
Also is listed in "Mass Soldiers + Sailors of the Revolutionary War" as a private in Capt. Slope's (of Blandford) Company.
also ✓ Reuben Blair, son of Jacob + Martha Blair Born Feb. 12. 1763 Blandford Mass Died July 16. 1856 "
Reuben Blair is listed as private in Capt. John Carpenters Co. enlisted Oct. 6. 1779. discharged Jan 6. 1780 service 3 mo. with guards at Springfield.
Thanking you Sincerely (Mrs. Earl Meserve) Betty Blair Meserve 27 No. Pine Ave. Albany N.Y.

26. 506
S
Neo Amis

Salt Leonard & Lewis Sept 11/56
24637 - Sept 27/55 247539 Meribeth Blair Pitt
Capt Carpenter Col Saml Sloper Mass mil Ent Dec 15-1779 Dis Mar 15/1780 Revolution
Map to Papers
Leonard & Lewis Westfield Hampden Co Mass

Special case
Dijon 16th Aug
May 24/57

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston. November 11 th 1856.
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 Reuben Blair is borne on pay roll of Capt. John Carpenter's Company of Guards, stationed at Springfield for 3 mos. from Oct. 6. 1779 to Jan'y 6. 1780, 3 mos. as private.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Francis D. Wilk Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Application for certificate of Revolutionary Services made by the widow of the party who rendered the service.
State of Massachusetts, County of Hampshire } S.E. Town of Blandford }
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the rolls in his office of the service of Reuben Bliss in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Blandford in said county of Hampshire.
He enlisted from the Town of Blandford in the County of Hampshire 2 State of Massachusetts in the year 1777 as a Private in the Company commanded by Captain
in the Regiment commanded by
and he served as follows from the 10th of Dec 1777 to an unknown date the last of March A.D. 1778

Jan. 1856 She & my sister-in-law were very ill & my sister-in-law was not well me & also the other women were very ill - she is better Which may have the best health day of Oct. 4th 1856 Hannah Black Yours very affectionately your brother John