Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,120, Jonathan Dickinson, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Dickinson, Jonathan
5 29, 120
CONTENTS

82
Hampshire
10.775
Massachusetts
Jonathan Dickinson
Hampshire in the State of Massachusetts who was a Sergeant in the company commanded by Captain Dickinson of the reg't commanded by Col Woodbridge in the service of the State for Sixty Days
Sept 8 - 18 Days
Recorded on the Roll of Pensions at the rate of 147 Dollars 32 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of April 1833 and paid to Mary Baker Amherst Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $294.60 Semi-annual allowance ending 11 Sept " 73.60
$368.30
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J H M c Blain Clerk Book 8 Vol. 2. Page 16.

Jonathan Dickinson Amherst, Mass-
Militia
No 5514.

DECLARATION, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF THE 17 th OF JUNE, 1832. STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss. COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE. }
ON this sixteenth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court, before me Samuel Hinckley Judge of the court of Probate now sitting, Jonathan Dickinson a resident of Amherst in the County of Hampshire, and State of Massachusetts, aged sixty one 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 provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That immediately after the alarm of the battle at Lexington in April 1775 he repaired to the head quarters of the army at Cambridge and voluntarily enlisted in a company of Infantry of which Reuben Dickinson of Amherst was captain, Zachariah Droker of Shutesbury was lieutenant and Daniel Shays of Pelham was Ensign; that he was a sergeant of the company and received a warrant authorizing him to act as such, which is herewith transmitted; that his company was annexed to the 25 th Regiment of which Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge was colonel, Col Brown was Lt colonel and Stacy of Sunderland was Major; that he continued to do his duty in said company, during the whole of the period of his enlistment, without any interruption except about three weeks when he was confined by sickness, till the first of January following when he was discharged honorably from the service after a service of eight months and about ten days - and for confirmation of this statement he refers to the depositions of John Dickinson and Phineas Stacy which are herewith transmitted.
And he further states that early in April A.D. 1777 he then living in Shutesbury, joined a company of volunteer militia, commanded by Capt Bullard of New Salem, that he himself served as lieutenant of said company by virtue of a commission from the major part of the council of the colony of Massachusetts Bay, which is herewith transmitted, and that he believes one Baker of Sunderland was Ensign of said company; that the company rendezvoused at Sunderland in Massachusetts and proceeded through Leominster and Westminster in Massachusetts to Bennington in Vermont and thence through Skeneateles to Ticonderoga - that Col Benj. Ruggles Woodbridge commanded the regiment to which his company was annexed and that he believes though he was not precisely recollect that one Whitmore of Sunderland was the Lt colonel or Major - that he remained doing his duty until Ticonderoga was surrendered; that when the fort was evacuated he was charged with the duty of getting about thirty invalids to Skeneateles  Bennington on board some boats which were there, but he was unable to get them on board although he effectually assisted them to escape by land, and the boats were taken by the British Army in pursuit - that his time being out when the disaster occurred at Ticonderoga he and his company returned to their homes - after a service of three months .
He further declares that about the middle of August, after he had been at home about one month he heard the alarm of the battle at Lexington, he immediately joined a company of volunteer militia of which Capt Harry of Sunderland

doing his duty until Ticonderoga was surrendered; that when the fort was evacuated he was charged with the duty of getting about thirty invalids to Skeneborough where on board some boats which were there, but he was unable to get them on board. Although he effectually assisted them to escape by land, and the boats were taken by the British army in pursuit - that his time being out when the disaster occurred at Ticonderoga he and his company returned to their homes - after a service of three months .
He further declares that about the middle of August, after he had been at home about one month he heard the alarm of the battle at Bennington, he immediately joined a company of volunteer militia of which Capt Harry of Sunderland was captain and himself lieutenant - he does not recollect the name of the Ensign, - that the company immediately proceeded through Greenfield & Williamstown, to Bennington where it was annexed again to Col. Benj. Ruggles Woodbridge's Regiment that he was detained in bringing up some recruits and did not arrive at Bennington till after the Regiment had left that place for Ticonderoga: that he was ordered to follow them with his company, which he did, as far as Skeneborough where he received orders to return to Pownal which he did and thence proceeded across the river to Brattleboro. that he was constantly in the service in that vicinity until the surrender of Burgoyne, after which he was ordered to Albany and thence to White Plains, where he was honorably discharged on the last of December, or first of January, as near as he can recollect, after a very fatiguing service of about five months; and for confirmation of the statement in relation to the two last terms of duty he refers to the dispositions of Gen. Ebenezer Mather and General Clark which are herewith transmitted. His service as a sergeant was eight months & ten days - and as a lieutenant eight months - in all sixteen months and ten days. He further says that he has no written discharge from either of the terms of service above-mentioned nor any other documentary proof to exhibit in support of his claim.

And the said Jonathan Dickinson further says that he was born in the town of Shutesbury in the county of Franklin (then Hampshire) on the day of September A.D. 1750 and that the time of his birth is recorded in the public records of said town. That he lived in said Shutesbury until after the time when the services above mentioned were completed and that he removed, in the year 1778 or 1779, to Amherst in the county of Hampshire and the same state of Massachusetts, and that he has lived in said Amherst ever since.
The names of the persons to whom he is known and who can testify to his character for veracity and to their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution are the Rev. Nathan Perkins and H. Wright Strong Esq. P.H. both of Amherst aforesaid.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency in the State of
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Samuel H. Hildreth Judge of Probate for S.P. County
We, Nathan Perkins a clergyman residing in the town of Amherst and H. Wright Strong Esq. residing in Amherst hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Dickinson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one 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, the day and year aforesaid.
Samuel Hildreth Judge of Probate { Nathan Perkins H. Wright Strong
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Nathan Perkins who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Amherst and that H. Wright Strong Esq. who has also signed the same, is a resident in Amherst and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Samuel Hildreth Judge of Probate
I, Samuel H. Hildreth Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Dickinson for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Samuel H. Hildreth Register

N o 5514
Jonathan Dickinson
Sent 8 Months Sent 8 or 10 days
16.06
Jan'y 12/1873
(Signature)
$45.00
$147.32
p 216.
Osmyn Baker Esq Mount Mtn Hn H B B... AR

BRIEF in the case of Jonathan Dickinson of the County of Hampshire in the State of Mass. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 81 years.  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.     In 1775 — 8 10 Sergeant Col. Woodbridge, Capt. Dike   " 79 — 3 — Lieut. Same Col., Capt. Bullard   " " — 5 — ditto Same Col., Capt. Harvey  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Shutesbury  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions & roll occur with  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
19 29120
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Jonathan Dickinson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1775 5 mos 10 days 3 Lieut. Reuben Dickinson Benjamin R. Woodbridge Mass.   May 10, 1776 ✓ Lieut. Jeremiah Crocker Phineas Wright "   Apr. 1777 3 mos. Lieut. Ballard Benjamin R. Woodbridge "   Aug. 1777 5 mos. Lieut. Parsons Benjamin R. Woodbridge "  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Shutesbury, Hampshire Co. Mass.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 16, 1832  He was alive
Residence at date of application, Amherst, Hampshire Co. Mass. Since 1775
Age at date of application, born in Sept. 1750 at Shutesbury Mass.
Remarks: {died Feb. 22, 1835- } from A.B.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Benja. Ruggles Woodbridge Esq.
Colonel and Commander in Chief of v. th XV. th Regiment of foot in the Continental Army Raised for the defence of our Just Rights & Privileges against Ministerial Tyranny & Oppression
To Jonathan Dickinson Greeting
Reposing an Special Trust & Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, Skill, and Faithfulness, I do hereby Appoint you the S. d Jonathan Dickinson to be the 3. d Serjeant in the Company Commanded by Capt. Reuben Dickinson in the Regt. whereof I am Colonel
You are Therefore With the Greatest Vigilance and Fidelity to Execute the Office of a Serjeant in the Company aforesaid Carefully Observing and Obeying all Orders & Commands, you shall from Time to Time receive from Your Superior Officers, Exercising and Ordering the Inferior Officers & Soldiers according to Duties of your Station as by Law Established for the Regulation of the Army of the United American Colonies For which this shall be your Sufficient Warrant
Given under my Hand at Cambridge 17. th of Decr 1775

Martin
July 7 th 1919
Rev Ser Rev 1
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
I would like to know if Jonathan Dickinson Jr. of Amherst Mass, and David M c Clellan (or M c Clellan) of Petersham or probably Amherst, made application for pension for service in the Revolutionary war .
Address
Mrs Homer Martin Bowling Green, Missouri

29120 Rev INVALID.
1917 July 19 Hist. to Mr. Homer Martin
File No. 29120
Jonathan Dickinson
Saint Rev. Rev.
Act: June 7 th 1894
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 498
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Amherst March 14. 1833
Hon. L. Cags
Capt Jonathan Dickinson returns his application, with the accompanying papers to the War Department, having corrected his papers in the only particular in which they were found defective. He hopes it will suit the convenience of the department to forward his certificate or warrant without further delay. It would be particularly agreeable to him, if, after his application has been finally acted upon, the enclosed correspondence might be returned to him, as he sets a high value upon it.
Please enclose the pension certificate and direct to Osborn Baker, Amherst, Hampshire county, Massachusetts
Respectfully, Yours &
Osborn Baker

Hon Lewis Caste Secretary of War Washington

No 5514 Jonathan Dickinson
Asneyer Baker Esq Amherst Mass 100 State Street A.R.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jonathan Dickinson 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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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? yes 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 the 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.
†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. Modes of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.

Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay. }
The Major Part of the COUNCIL of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England,
To Jonathan Dickinson Junr. Gentleman Greeting.
YOU being appointed first Lieutenant of the third Company whereof Zachariah Crocker is Captain in the twelfth Regiment of Militia in the County of Hampshire whereof Phinehas Wright Esq. is Colonel —
By Virtue of the Power vested in us, WE do by these Presents, (reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly.—You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a first Lieut. in leading, ordering, and exercising said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline:—And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their first Lieut. and you are yourself, to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Major Part of the Council or your Superior Officers —
GIVEN under our Hands and the Seal of the said Colony, at Watertown the Tenth Day of May in the Year of our Lord, 1776.
By the Command of the Major Part of the Council.
John Lowell Esq. Secy P.C.
James Otis W. Spooner Caleb Cushing Winthrop Benedict Bourn Fluelling John Whitehead Jed. Foster James Dickey D. D. Tappan Michael Torrey J. Hotten Moses Lill B. White Zabed Fisher

Leaves blank.
Disposition

I John Dickinson of Amherst in the county of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that on the twenty first day of April A.D. 1775 I left my home, immediately after the battle of Lexington, and proceeded to the head quarters of the army at Cambridge, and I enlisted into Capt Reuben Dickinson's Company in Col. Benj. Ruggles Woodbridge's Regiment. and served until the first of January succeeding; that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Dickinson of Amherst who was in the same company, and upon the organization of the company he was chosen one of the sergeants and he served as such until we were all discharged on or about the first of January succeeding after a service of eight months and about ten days. John Dickinson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire June 12. 1832 Personally appeared John Dickinson by the subscriber of the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein stated -
Before me Osmyn Baker
Justice of the Peace
I further certify that I am well acquainted with John Dickinson by the subscriber of the above deposition and that he is a person of good character for truth
Osmyn Baker Justice of the Peace

I John Dickinson of Amherst in the county of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts depose and say that on the twenty first day of April A.D. 1775 I left my home, immediately after the battle of Lexington, and proceeded to the head quarters of the army at Cambridge, and I enlisted into Capt Reuben Dickinson's Company in Col. Benj. Ruggles Woodbridge's Regiment. and served until the first of January succeeding; that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Dickinson of Amherst who was in the same company, and upon the organization of the company he was chosen one of the sergeants and he served as such until we were all discharged on about the first of January succeeding after a service of eight months and about ten days. John Dickinson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss June 12. 1832 Personally appeared John Dickinson by the subscriber of the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein stated -
Before me Osmyn Baker Justice of the P. a
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
HAMPSHIRE ss. I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Osmyn Baker Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition s (4) were taken, is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Sixteenth day of August A. D. 1832.
Sam F. Lyman Register of Probate.

I Phineas Clary of Leavitt in the county of Hampshire then and Commonwealth of Massachusetts before, and say that upon the alarm of the battle of Lexington in April A.D. 1775. I left my home in Leavitt and joined the army at Cambridge; that I enlisted to serve for eight months in Capt Reuben Dickinson's company and Col. Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge's Regiment, and did serve during all that time; that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Dickinson then of Shutesbury now of Amherst; that he was the third sergeant of the company in which I served, and, during all the period aforesaid, according to the best of my recollection, he served with us and was dis- charged with us, on or about the first of January following after a service of about eight months.
Phineas Clary
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss June 22. 1832 Personally appeared Phineas Clary the subscriber of the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing therein stated.
Before me Osborn Baker Justice of the Peace
I further certify that Phineas Clary the subscriber of the above deposition, is a person of credibility
Osborn Baker Justice of the Peace

I Ebenezer Mattson of Ashurst in the county of Hamp- and Commonwealth of Massachusetts before me say that I was in the service with the northern army in 1777 - that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Dickinson of Ashurst, that I saw him frequently at Ticonderoga, Pawlet, Stratton and White Plains - that he the said Jonathan Dickinson joined the army in spring of 1777 and continued with it about three months, when he left and returned again to the army in the latter part of August - that he served in that year according to my recollection about eight months, and during all that time was a lieutenant of Infantry - and further this deponent saith not.
E Mattson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss June 12. 1832 Personally appeared Ebenezer Mattson the subscriber of the above instru- ment and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein stated
Before me Osmyr Baker Justice of the Peace
I further certify that Em. Ebenezer Mattson the subscri- ber of the above deposition is a person of credibility
Osmyr Baker Justice of the Peace

I Lemuel Clarke of Winchester in the county of Litchfield in the state of Connecticut, do hereby certify that sometime between the tenth and fifteenth of August in the year 1777. I underwent with a company of militia under the command of Capt Harry at Sunderland in Massachusetts and proceeded thence to Bennington in Vermont and joined the regiment of Col Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge and that I continued with said regiment through all its service in the vicinity of Saratoga and afterwards at White Plains until we were discharged at the latter place about the first of January following - that I was well acquainted with late Jonathan Dickinson of Berkley, Massachusetts, that he was a Lieutenant of the company in which I served, and continued in the service until the regiment was discharged, and I well recollect remaining some days at the White Plains after the regiment was discharged to assist him in making up the payroll of the company - that the term of service of said Dickinson to which I am now testifying could not have been less than about five months.
I do further say that at the time of rendering the service above mentioned, I was an resident of Sunderland in the state of Massachusetts Lemuel Clarke
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire ss. July 20. 1822 Personally appeared Lemuel Clarke the subscriber of the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein stated
Before me Osmyr Baker Justice of the Peace
I further certify that Lemuel Clarke the subscriber of the above deposition is a person of credibility -
Osmyr Baker Justice of the Peace -