Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23537, Ambrose Bates, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Bates, Ambrose Priscilla
W. 23537
CONTENTS

15576
Massachusetts
Ambrose Bates
of Norfolk in the State of Mass a who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Miller of the R o commanded by Col Gill in the Mass a line for the  Revolutionary Service 1 " 13 Days Service
W.H.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 30 - Dollars - 50 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Aug 1833 and sent E. G. Deland Mayhew Mass n
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $61.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept r 15.25 $76.25
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. W. Atkinson Clerk, Book E Vol. 9 Page 8
74 Norfolk
See letter to Ambrose Bates E. D. Leland Roybury Drap
Nov 12/1833
J. G.

Ambrion Bates 1875
Edwin S Leland

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss. On this twenty eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Justices  the  Hezekiah  Head of the Court of Probate now sitting at  now sitting at Cohasset in and for said County, Amos Bates a resident of Cohasset in said County, aged seventy two 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, A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at said Cohasset on the third day of September A. D. 1760, and that there is a record of his birth in the records of Cohasset : that he was in the United States service from the first  day of September A. D. 1777, to the first  day of December A. D. 1777 three months as a private in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was residing at Cohasset when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Theophilus Wilson of Colonel Major Gill's Regiment through Northampton from them to Manchester Vermont from them to Lake George from them to Saratoga : that he served with many of the regular troops; and General Lincoln & General Gates regular officers were known to him: that he was in the battle of Saratoga and at the end of his service received no discharge in writing : that he left the service on or about said first day of December 1777 and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at said Cohasset.
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from about the first  day of August A. D. 1770, to about the middle  day of September A. D. 1770 43 days as a sergeant in the Massachusetts Militia that he was residing at said Cohasset when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Joseph Baxter of Colonel William McIntosh's Regiment : that he marched from Cohasset to Rhode Island over Howlands Ferry : that he served with Jobson's Regiment of the regular troops; and
General Sullivan of the regular officers was known to him: that he was in the battle of Rhode Island that at the end of his service he received no discharge in writing and left the service on or about the fifteenth  day of September 1770 & that he has no documentary evidence of this service
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the first  day of October A. D. 1781 to about the first  day of February A. D. 1782 as a private in the Massachusetts Militia that he was residing at said Cohasset when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer by a resolution whereupon he was and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Sergeant John Folsom of Colonel William Durfee's Regiment : that he marched from Cohasset to Rhode Island over Howlands Ferry : that he served with  Jobson's  Jobson's  Regiment of the regular troops; and
no regular officers were known to him; that he was in no battle that at the end of his service he received no discharge in writing and left the service on or about the first  day of February 1782 & that he has no documentary evidence of this service

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.
Ambrose Bates
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
We Jacob Flint , a Clergyman and James C Boane residing in the said town of Cohasset residing in said Cohasset hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ambrose Bates who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Jacob Flint James C Boane
And the said court  judge do hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as  as the time he states. And the court  said judge further certifies that it appears to them  him that Jacob Flint and James C Boane who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the said Cohasset; and that who has also signed the same is a resident in said Cohasset and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit, & the said judge further certifies that said Ambrose Bates , by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend court for the purpose of making the foregoing declaration. Sherman Leland judge of Probate
I Samuel Havin , Register of the Probate of Plymouth do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Ambrose Bates for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Samuel Havin

I Aaron Pratt of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk aged seventy two do hereby testify and declare that I entered the service of the United States about the first day of May 1775 in the company commanded by Capt. Job Hushing until about the first of January 1776, that I do personally know Nathaniel Nichols and that he was a lieutenant of the company of which I was a private and that he served the period of eight months as set forth in his decl.
I Aaron Pratt of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk aged seventy two do hereby testify and declare that I entered the service of the United States about the first of August 1778 in the company commanded by Capt. Joseph Dexter and served until the middle of September 1778. That I personally know the within named Ambrose Bates, that I entered and served with him during the time as set forth in his declaration within
Aaron Pratt
Norfolk, August 28 th 1832 Subscribed & sworn to
before S. Leland Judge of Probate

Ambrose Dates
Sept 19 th 13 days Prod 70
8 13 14 16 06
March 22 1835
I 310
88 1/5
  200  2533    16  5.00     2.17    216  30 50  
E. D. Leland Esq Roxbury Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Ambrose Bates  County of Norfolk — in the State of  Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72  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.     1st In 1774 3 private Genl. Wilder Col. Gill   August - 1775 1 13 Sergeant Genl. Barstow Col. McIntosh   Octo - 1775 4 private Genl. ... Col. Turner  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Norfolk Co. Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional documentary and two living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not attached according to the regulation. The credibility of witnesses not certified over the official character of the magistrate. 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Day
Examining Clerk.

798
Massachusetts
Priscilla Bales
widow of Andrew Bales decd.
Mass who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 5th April 1833 of Apoplexy in the State of Me. who was a Rgt Sgt in the Comp. Y commanded by Captain Wilder of the Rgt. commanded by Col Gill, in the Mass. line for 7 Mos. Private " 13 days Surgeon
Inscribed on the Roll of Me. at the rate of 30 Dollars 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1832
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of Feb. 1838 and sent to H. C. Hoane Cohasset Me.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838 $76.25 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar. 39.15.25
$115.50
{ Act July 7, 1838 }
Recorded by H. C. Hoane Clerk Book 9 Vol. 1 Page 70

1089 Priscilla Bates of Auburn Massachusetts
admitted Probat- p 3052 papers 1900
died 5 April
James C. Doane Cohasset. Mass.

State of Massachusetts } Norfolk County ss. } On this ninth day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before the Honble Sherman Leland Judge of the court of Probate within and for the County of Norfolk Priscilla Bates a resident of Cohasset in said County aged seventy seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pension to certain widows, That she is the widow of Ambrose Bates who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution the particulars of whose service were fully set forth to the War department in his declaration by which he obtained a pension under the act of June seventh Eighteen hundred and thirty two, to which evidence your petitioner now refers in support of her claim. She further declares that she was married to the said Ambrose Bates May the twenty sixth seventeen hundred and eighty two That her husband the aforesaid Ambrose Bates died on the fifth day of April A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty four That she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four (viz) at the time above stated — Priscilla her Bates Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me Priscilla Bates who by reason of bodily infirmity, is unable to attend court to make her declaration.  Before me S Leland Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk
I Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate for said County hereby certify that Sherman Leland is Judge of said Court of Probate & that James C. Deane is a Justice of the Peace within said Court & that their respective signatures to their papers are genuine & true.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1838
Jonathan H. Cobb

Seventeen hundred and eighty two. May twenty sixth. Ambron Bates and Priscilla Lincoln - married Per me John Broome."
I certify that the above is a true copy from the Records of the First Parish in Cohasset now in my pos- session with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures as follows "1782 May 26 th "
H. G. G. Phipps - Pastor of the First Parish in Cohasset.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss.
I, H. G. G. Phipps above named do hereby certify that I hold the office of Pastor of the First Parish in Cohasset in the State and County aforesaid, and that the above is a true copy from the Records of said Parish with the ex- ception above named as certified by me -
{ H. G. G. Phipps - Pastor of the First Parish in Cohasset.
August 10, 1838
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. - August 13 th 1838 Then personally appeared the above named H. G. G. Phipps and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me
James C. Doane Justice of the Peace

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 28637 Priscilla Bates wid of Ambrose Bates Sergt New Mar
Act: July 7 th 38 Index:—Vol. A , Page 140
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Thomas Bourn of Cohasset in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy Do testify and say; That I was well acquainted with Ambrose Bates of Cohasset who died in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty four and with Priscilla his wife, and that for more than forty years and until the time of his death they lived together in good repute as man and wife, and that said Priscilla has never been married since the death of said Ambrose, but now remains his widow, and that said Ambrose at the time of his death was reputed to be a pensioner of the United States for revolutionary services.
Thomas Bourn
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. August 20 th 1838 Then personally appeared the above named Thomas Bourn and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me James G Boane Justice of the Peace. I Certify That the above deponed Thomas Bourn is a Deacon of the First Church in this place and is a credible witness. James G Boane Justice of the Peace
Ambrose Bates Mass. Act of June 1832 to what time paid?
Due 5 th April 1833 Pen: Office 5 th that period
Oct: 27. 1838
018

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Aug 31 st 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 Ambrose Bates is borne upon the Pay Rolls of Capt Theophilus Wildes in Col Benj. Lillie's Company for the period of three months & nineteen days from the twenty fourth day of Aug.
1777 —
Edward D. Bangs. Secretary
4 0 3 19 1 01 1 13 6 3

James L. Edwards Esq. Com te of Pensions Washington

Roxbury Nov 8 th 1833
Sir (a Pensioner under the Act of June 7, 32) The name of Ambrose Bates, whose Certificate was recd 4 or 5 months ago, has not been returned reported to the Pension Dept.
Yours with Resp t E. J. Leland
James L Edward Esq Com r of Pensions Washington
65.876

8875- Ambrum Bates
Ambrum E. J. Leland Esq. Roxbury Mass

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ambrose Bates which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy 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? yy 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? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy 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? yy

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?
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? No
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 a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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.
* Certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, substitutes for the Deponens —

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept 26 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 Ambrose Bates is borne upon the Pay roll of Capt Raymond De. Guiscard's Company for in Col. Furness Reg't for the period of three  one months & one day from the twenty seventh of 8 th mo (October) 1781 to the twenty seventh of 9 th mo (November) 1781
Edward D. Bangs Secy
Secretary's Office March 29 th 1833
I also certify that the name of Ambrose Bates is borne upon a pay roll of Capt Joseph Baxter's Company in Col. McIntosh's Reg't, & is therein stated to have served for the period of one month & thirteen days, commencing August 5 th 1778. Said Bates appears upon Guiscard's roll as a private & upon Baxter's as a Sergeant.
Edward D. Bangs Secy