Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2074, Joseph Cobb, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Cobb, Joseph
R.2074
CONTENTS
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Bristol
A.D. 1836 On this seventeenth day of October the personally appeared, in open Court, being a Probate Court for the said County of Bristol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, now in session, Joseph Cobb a resident of Fall River in the said County of Bristol aged seventy eight years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declarations, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832; Viz. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - He entered the Compa- ny of Militia commanded by Captain Oliver And of Freetown in the said County of Bristol of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph Durdan as a volunteer in April of the year A.D. 1818 four months before Sullivan's Expedition on Rhode Island, that he was in the service on the Island at that time and remained in the Company of Captain Reed till the close of the year. The next Spring he went to New Bruns- wick in the County of Worcester, and entered the Company of Captain Joseph Livermore, and served in Rutland three months in guarding the army of General Burgoyne stationed there in Barracks - Soon after, returned to Freetown and resumed his station in Captain Reed's Company. Captain Reed resigned, and the Company was commanded by Henry Brightman, and he continued in the service of the United States till the close of the war, two years or more of which he was on the Island of Rhode Island. Part of the time when not on duty under arms he assisted in repair- ing gun carriages and other Blacksmith's work as he had served part of an apprentice- ship at that business, but received the

pay of a soldier as when not at work in the shop as aforesaid. - He further declares that from the great length of time and the infirmities of age, he does not remember the names of any other officers in his company or field officers in the Regiment than those he has already named to wit Colonel Joseph Dunfee, Oliver Reed, Captain Joseph Live- more, Captain, and Henry Brightman Captain - That he was never in any battle - that he never received a written discharge as he now remembers, and served the whole time as a private soldier -
That he was born in New Braintree in Worcester County in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 30 th of May A D 1758 but there is no record of his birth - That he lived in the same town till he was about fifteen years of age - I mean there he went to Foxborough aforesaid and remained there till he en- tered the service as before mentioned - That after the war he soon became a mariner and followed that occupation for nearly forty years sailing for the greater part of the time from the Ports of New York & Providence - That about nine years ago he went to the town of Cohasset, Sussex County, State of New- York, where he resided till about two years ago, when he returned to this town where he has resided here and in this vicinity ever since - While at Cohasset, he was con- fined a long time with a broken thigh bone and the bone of his right arm; and that he did not know that he had a right to a pension by any Act of Congress till about two years ago - From that time he has made all the exertions in his power to procure evidence of his services - That thus from his ignorance of the Act of Congress, from extreme poverty, and the infirmities of age, it has not been in his power to pre- sent his claims for a pension sooner than he has done. And he names John J. Cottom, Henry D. Wood & Phil- Hathaway who will testify to his character for truth & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

whoever 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 Joseph Cobb. Subscribed and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Oliver Prescott. J. Probate-
We Philip Hathaway residing in the town of Freetown aforesaid and Almer Davol residing in the town of Fall River aforesaid hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Cobb who has sub- scribed and sworn to the above declar- ation; that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age, that he is respected and believed, in the neighborhood where he has resided, to have been a soldier of the revo- lution, and that we concur in that opin- ion.
Philip Hathaway Almer Davol
Bristol 11 th October A.D. 1836 Then the above named Philip Hathaway and Almer Davol each separately, personally appeared and on oath declared the above certificate by them subscribed to be true.
Before me Cynus Alden Justice of Peace
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, that the applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that to it appears to them that Philip Hathaway who has signed the proceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Freetown in said County of Bristol & that Almer Davol who has also signed the same is a resident in said town of Fall River & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit — Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Bristol ss. Daniel Bannett Register of the Court of Probate in the said County do hereby certify that the fore- going contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Cobb of Fall River in said County for a Pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this fourth day of November 1836 A Bannett

34007 Joseph Carr Bristol Co.
Mass.
7 June 1832
Report
A. Bapett, Taunton Mass
u s Nov 24 th
commence of Massachusetts - Asst. Charles Bennett Register

Joseph Cobb of Fall-River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in reference to my declaration of services in the Revolutionary War and other documents forwarded to the Commissioners on Pensions and now on file in that office, for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the laws of the United States in such cases made and provided, having been informed that it appears from the returns made by Capt Livermore that I deserted from the service, I now on oath most solemnly declare that I did not desert from said Livermore's company or from the service at any time during the war - that I can not account for such an erroneous record unless the mistake was made under some impressions growing out of the following statement of facts. While I belonged to said company I was taken sick with a fever, and a part of the time during my sickness was delirious, that my father lived within a few miles of the place where I was stationed; and during my sickness I was carried home, as I always believed & still verily believe, by leave of the commanding officer; and that I was not restored to health till the term of the my enlistment, for which I enlisted had expired, and of course I did not

again join the company - And in reference to my services during the war of the Revolution under both Brightman, I must positively aver that I did serve under him. and was in the service on the Island of Rhode Is- land, sometimes in the capacity of a soldier doing guard duty and at other times at work as a blacksmith on gun carriages, and other work for the army and navy - I was then very young and inexperienced and now old and infirm, and names of officers and persons are not distinctly recalled, and I am aware that I may not always be correct as to dates, as I have no writings, or memoranda of my own of the transactions of those times; and I wish it be distinctly un- derstood that my former declaration, and this supplement, are to be con- sidered under these qualifications. But as to the facts of the services, being actually rendered, I cannot now be mistaken for they are true - Joseph Cobb
Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Bristol ss. Great River May 5 th 1837 The the above named Joseph Cobb signed the above declaration and made solemn oath that the same is true -
Before me by me, Alden Jewett

Joseph Cobb of Colerain the County of Franklin Commonwealth of Massachusetts Testify & Say I lived in the vicinity of Joseph Cobb (and his father's family) of the Town of New Braintree in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts and was informed by them (viz his father's family) he (viz) said Joseph Cobb had left into the United States & served & was gone from home & was stationed at Nuttall Guarding General Bragg's Army who was in the Brannan's prisoners then in the Summer season of the year 1862 - I have seen said Joseph Cobb in Deerfield - Franklin March 18 1836 in Franklin County in the month of February Last past Colerain 18 March A.D. 1836. J. L. B.
Commonwealth Massachusetts
Franklin ss. March 18. 1836.
personally appeared the above named and Signed Joseph Cobb and made oath to to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed and (I certify to the D. Joseph Cobb is a man of undoubted truth & veracity) understood before me
Charles Thompson Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Charles Thompson Esq. before whom the within affidavit purports to be made and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to his acts and attestations as such; and that his name subscribed to the within certificate is his genuine signature;
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Greenfield this fourteenth day of October A. D. 1836
E. Alvord Clerk

REJECTED
2074
P. O.
Joseph Cobb
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

(none) April 78 5 Ol. Reed . Heclaw 4 mo 60 Bufo R. from the head of the year 79 In Livermore , Scotland For. a part Heclaw , Bay Brighton  Reel res continued head clear of the Coar  Dynam West Wackernick
Vol. 25 p 169 desribed Aug 1779
Not a Bryson work Ol Reed was a Lat ~ 1780 -
1 40 17-96 1 p 821 1 118

Joseph Cobb Map.
Rejected. In lot 4.
A Bapell March
27 11/37 H. Lynn Alden
Boston — do a July
13 1837
2074
Act 7 June 1832

FREE
L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington (D.C.)
W.D.H.
Ms. A. 9. 2. 20. 13 at 18 3/4 recd 58 3/4

Fall River, Bristol County Commonwealth of Massachusetts
J. L. Edwards Sir,
I send you enclosed, additional evidence to the claim of Joseph Cobb for a Pension. I am satisfied his additional de- claration is true. - You say that the Rolls show no other service than such as was rendered under Capt. Liv- emore - If I understand the circumstances , other evidence, beside the Company Rolls, may be sufficient to entitle a soldier to a pension - The evidence already furnished, if believed, is all that is required by the circular from the War Department, to entitle a soldier to a pension -
I send you also a statement upon the merits of the case, made by our Representative to Congress who lives in this town, which I hope will have its due weight. - Whosoever knows Mr Bander, knows he would not lend his aid in an unrighteous affair -

I know what I have discerned in opposing Mr Cobb in this business. I am satisfied, if any portion of the Revolution merits a pension he does - For he never had any compensation at the time, for his services, except partial payment on Rhode Island - And much of his services were of great peril, and of such a nature as not at this late day, to be susceptible of proof - I hope therefore his case may be re-examined, and the addi- tional information of said merit with a favourable consideration -
Respectfully Yours &c Cyrus Hamlin Atty for Joseph Cobb -

Fall River June 8 th 1837
Dear Sir
I have recently had some conversation with Mr Joseph Cobb of this town, a Revolutionary Soldier, in relation to his services in the Revolutionary war. He informs me that he has made application for a Pension, but has been refused, the Department alleging that he deserted the Service. He denies that he ever deserted, but says that while at old Rutland he was taken sick, and with the consent of the commanding officer, his father took him home, and that the Capt. assisted his father in getting him into the waggon, and before he was restored to health, the term for which he enlisted had expired. Mr Cobb is wholly destitute of the means of supporting himself. He is very feeble, borne down with age, and infirmities, and in all human probability cannot live long; and from his manner of relating the story and his child-like earnestness I am inclined to think his statement is correct. He further gave me some relation of services at and about Rhode Island. He was in Sullivan's expedition and remained at the Island for a considerable time; and to avoid being sent to the South and a sickly climate he obtained a place as assistant Blacksmith. To what extent he rendered services I am unable to form a very definite opinion. I hope however that his case will be re-examined, and if the facts will warrant, a Pension will be allowed him.
Most Respectfully
J. L. Plumb Esq.
Your Obedt Servant Wm B Borden

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

I Benjamin Orswell of Inverness in the County of Noopack & State of Rhode Island on oath declare that I am well acquainted with Mr Joseph Cobb of Fall River, being of family connection of his - that when he came from Cohasset in the State of New-York, I think about two years ago; knowing that he had served as soldier in the revolutionary war, I asked him why did not get a pension? He replied that he did not know he was intitled to it. And I have no doubt but that was the first information he had of the provisions of the law of Congress made by the Act of June 1832 in favour of the soldiers of the rev- olution - As soon as circumstances and his feeble state of health would permit he went to Worcester County to procure evidence to establish his claim; and he has ever since been making what advances he could to get his pension - And while in Cohasset in New-York he sent me a letter stating his long confinement by a severe

of broken bones. It is commonly believed, by those who have known him a long time that he served as a volunteer in the revolutionary war, and the inquiry has frequently been made why he did not get a pension - And I have no doubt from facts within my knowledge but that he is entitled to one -
Benjamin Crown Jr
Affidavit ss. On this seventeenth day of October A.D. 1834. personally appeared the above named Benjamin Oldfield and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true -
Before me Cyrus Alden Jr. Clerk

I John Reynolds of Fall River in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts do testify and say that I am acquainted with Mr Joseph Cobb and have seen him within a few months, and I believe he served in the Revolutionary war from some time in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and seventy or nine until the close of the war. He was a volunteer in the Militia. Such was the conversation of people many years ago and also lately, and I believe the facts above stated to be true for I have been acquainted with said Cobb about forty years and some of the time lived in the same house with him and am about six years younger than he is - J. Reynolds
Bristol ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. October 14 th A.D. 1836 - Then personally appeared the above named John Reynolds and made oath to the foregoing deposition. Taken at the request of Joseph Cobb and to be used as evidence of his right to a pension for revolutionary services - and I do certify that the said Reynolds is considered a man of truth and veracity - Before me Cyrus Alden Justice of the Peace -

I Benjamin Bowen of Giverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations do testify and say that I am now over seventy eight years of age that I am well acquainted with Joseph Cobb of Fall River and have seen him within a week, that I know him in the time of the American Revolution; he was in Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island, and I was at that time what was called a minute man and in service guarding the coast saw Sullivan, Mopes; the said Cobb belonged to the Militia from Bristol and was in the service from the time of that expedition to the end of the war -
Benj. Bowen
Bristol ss. October A.D. 1836 Then personally appeared the above named Benjamin Bowen and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him sub- scribed - Taken at the request of Joseph Cobb as evidence of his right to a pension for revolutionary services. And I further certify that the said deponent is considered to be a man of truth and veracity -
Cyrus Alden Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss. I Andrew Bourn Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Cyrus Alden of Fall River in said County is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Bristol aforesaid & that the signatures to the foregoing certificates purporting to be his are genuine —
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court This Seventh day of November 1836 J Bourn

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, fs.
I, Joseph G. Kendall, clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that Apollo Johnson, Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified to take Dep- ositions, administer Oaths, &c. in said County, and was such Justice, on the seventh day of December, 1835; and that his signature to the certificate of the oath, &c. of Stephen Witt to the Deposition hereto annexed, is in the proper hand writing of said Johnson.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name, and affix the County Seal, at Worcester, the twelfth day of October, in the year 1836.
Jos. G. Kendall, Clerk.

I Stephen Will of Dancie County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do testify and say that Joseph Cobb then an inhab- =itant of West Brantree in said County, and now a resident of Fall River in the County of Bristol - was a soldier in Capt Joseph Levermore Company of Infantry, in the United States Service, and was stationed at Rutland in guarding General Burgoin, Army for the space of three months during the summer of season of A.D. 1779, and further the deponent saith not (Dana December 7 th 1835) Stephen Will
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester ss (December 7 th 1835)
Personally appeared the above named Stephen Will and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed - and I Certify that the said Stephen Will is a man of undoubted truth and veracity
Before me Apollo Johnson Justice of the peace