Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,815, John Dearborn, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Dearborn, John
NUMBER
R. 2815
CONTENTS
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Application of John Dearborn for a Pension
No 5494.
Not found
enlist 16 April 177
in 3 year
deserted
Dec 1880

United States of America
State of Maine. Jp.
On this fourteenth day of August, 1832. personally appeared before Albion K. Parris Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of the State aforesaid John Dearborn a resident of Scarborough in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged seventy six 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 enlisted in the Army of the United States on the sixth day of April 1777 with Captain Izaiah Lane & served in the second Regiment of the Massachusetts Line under the following Officers - The Regiment was commanded by Colonel Nixon and formed a part of General Nixons Brigade - the Company was commanded by Captain Lane - Lieutenant Matthew Chambers - That he enlisted at Saco for the term of three years - from thence he marched to Saratoga and joined the Army - that he was present under Genl Schuyler & Genl Gates in the actions which terminated in the surrender of Burgoyne - that at the expiration of the three years he re-enlisted in Lanes Company for during the war and continued to serve till he was discharged on Boston Common at the end of the war - that his discharge is lost - that during the latter part of his second term of enlistment he had the direction of a traveling forge attached to Nixons Brigade and while at work, he received a bullet wound thro the left arm by the accidental discharge of a musket - that he marched thro a large part of the state of New York & some other states - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present & he declares that his name is not on any pension role of any agency in any State.
John Dearborn's mark I now to subscribe the day & year aforesaid before Albion K. Parris, Just. Sup. Jud. Courts of Maine
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. Albion K. Parris, Just. Sup. Jud. Courts of Maine.

Supreme Judicial Courts. I William S Vaughan Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of the State of Maine do hereby certify that the above contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of John Dearborn for a pardon
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this seventeenth day of August. A.D. 1832.
Wm S Vaughan
State of Maine
Cumberland County ss.
I William S. Vaughan, clerk of all the Judicial Courts for the County of Cumberland, do certify that Albion K. Parris is a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of the State of Maine, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Sup: Jud: Court, and subscribed my name this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord 1832.
Wm S Vaughan

State of Maine. County of York }
Be it known That on this twenty third day of November A.D. 1852. Before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Dorcas Patterson, William H. Dearborn, Mary Lane Edgcomb and Hannah  Hannah L. Dearborn all residents of Saco in said County, and Elmina Lord a resident of Portland, and Hannah Lunt a resident of Scarborough both in the County of Cumberland in said State, and made oath according to law that they are the legal heirs of the identical John Dearborn late of Scarborough in said State deceased, intestate, who was a soldier in the war of the revolution, and who heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of the 18th of March 1818.
That they are directly interested as claimants in said Pension, and make this application affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as our said agents or their substitutes may use in prosecuting said claim; countermanning and revoking all powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, we hereby constitute and appoint Daniel W.  James Loring of Saco aforesaid our true and lawful Attorneys to prosecute the claim of the said John Dearborn for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due; and we hereby authorize our said Attorneys to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for our  very exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which

certificates which made payable at the Portland, Maine,  the Kastanapson City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under them for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that we might or could do were we personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that our said Attorneys and Agents shall lawfully do in the premises. Witness our hands and seals.
Attest Nahum McKimble Phineas Libby Phineas Libby C. G. Burleigh William Stevens C. S. Woodsum
Dorcas his Patterson mark William H. Dearborn Elmina her Lord mark Mary Jane Edgcomb Hannah L. Dearborn Hannah her Bunt mark
Sworn to, subscribed and acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Dorcas Patterson, William H. Dearborn, Elmina Lord, Mary Jane Edgcomb, Hannah L. Dearborn and Hannah Bunt to be directly interested in said claim as set forth and to be the identical parties herein alleged.
Moses Emery Justice of the Peace

Maine District ss: Office of the Clerk U. S. D. C.
I hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, clerk of the Circuit Court of the United States for Maine District that Dorcas Patterson, William H. Dearborn, Elmina Lord, Mary Jane Edgcomb, Hannah L. Dearborn and Hannah Sunt. the persons who have sworn to and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney are the identical children and grandchildren and the legal heirs of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify that Moses Emery Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was at the time of so doing a justice of the Peace in and for said County of York and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this first day of December 1852.
Geo. F. Emery } Clerk Circuit Court } U. S. for } Maine District

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

Kindly inform me if a pension was granted John Dearborn of Scarboro, Maine, a Revolutionary soldier, or to his heirs, also to Samuel Edgecomb of Saco Ferry, Maine.
Yours truly,
Ethel Peck 51 Spring St., Saco, Maine.
March 7, 1921
Rev X

1921, Apl. 12 hist. to Ethel Resk - - En.
2815
REJECTED
P. O.
John DeArbo
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: The printed list of 1852 gives cause of rejection
Re-enlisted: as "deserted"
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Peoria John Barlow
Registered 2875
described the 2000
in letters to Lafayette 1832
1832
It is now in the possession of the Library of Congress

P.O. 5494
Aug 28 '33
Man
Washington City D.C.
To the Hon James Cag Secretary of War

To the Hon. James Calf Secretary of War
Washington City D.C.
Aug 28-34 P.O. 5000
Mrs. [Signature]

Portland August 20. 1832
To the Honorable the Secretary of War
Sir,
I herein enclose the application of John Deumborn for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7. 1832. to which I beg your attention at your earliest convenience.
With respect I have the honor to be your Obedt Servt
Stephen Longfellow Esq.

Saco. March 24, 1853.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir,
Having some- -time since sent to the Pension Office the required power of Attorney, and affidavit of the children of John Dearborn, I now transmit to you a number of affidavits in support of his claim to a pension.
It will appear by the Rolls at Washington and by these affidavits, that John Dearborn enlisted in the army of the Revolution in April 1777, for three years, ser- -ved out his term and was honorably discharged in Ap. l 1780, then enlisted for "during the war," got wounded, was assigned to the Invalid Regiment, and, there being little hope of his recovery in the camp, received a furlough to come home in Sept. 1780. - That he did not get well enough to return to the army, but became a cripple for life - that he applied for a pension under the act of 18 th March 1818, and was informed that an entry was found on the rolls of one of the Reg'ts to which he belonged, that he deserted in Dec. r 1780.
John Dearborn was too poor and too much broken down to make any attempt to have that entry corrected or counteracted  counteracted , and his claim has lingered along

without there being any one to prosecute it, till the present time, when his grand children have come forward to assist.
Besides the direct testimony, in the affidavits, that Dearborn did not desert, you will find much indirect evidence. He could have no motive to desert at that time. He came home in company with a Lieutenant in Carlton's regiment. His companions in the army from Scarborough all denied that he deserted. Dearborn practiced no concealment while at home, but wore his military dress and associated with those from the army, on leave of absence.
Military gentlemen tell me, that if Dearborn did not return when his furlough expired, his officers would be likely to set him down as a deserter, on the rolls, unless informed, that he was unable to return - but that they always correct such entry upon reason shown. The affidavits show the reason. It will appear probable that Dearborn was told by his Captain not to return, till he got well enough to do duty, and that he had reason to believe that his officers had notice of the state of his health by men going from Scarborough to the army, and that they acquiesced in his continued absence.
The entry of Dec r 1780 is attributed to a failure to receive the notice of his inability to return, or else

to a misapprehension on Dearborn's part, or on the part of the officers, as to which regiment he belonged, after he was wounded. That Dearborn supposed he had a right to do as he did, is believed to be perfectly certain
Respectfully Yours Obed. Smith
S. V. Loring.

15 th December 1832
[Large stylized initial 'P' or 'R' with a long horizontal line extending from it]
Recorded Vol. 8.
Page 149.
P161.

War Department Pension Office 15. December 1832.
Sir,
On examination of the Rolls of Colonel Nipon's regiment of the Massachusetts line, it appears that John Dearborn, whose decla- - =ration was forwarded by you, enlisted, as he stated, into Captain Lane's Company; and deserted from the service. He is, therefore, not entitled to the provisions of the pension law, and his claim is rejected. His papers are retained on file.
I am, respectfully your ob. Servt.
Stephen Longfellow, Esq. Portland, Maine

[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original text.]

Saw Jan'y 13. 1853.
Hon Moses McDonald,
Dear sir,
I sent you some six or eight since the Affidavit and Power of attorney of the heirs of John Dearborn a revolutionary soldier whose application for a pension made many years ago was rejected or suspended, with a request that you would ascertain the reason of the rejection or suspension and have not yet been favored with the information desired. From conversation with several old men, who were John Dearborn's neighbors we are satisfied that the claim will be allowed if the facts are made known to the Department.
John Dearborn had his arm dreadfully shattered by the bursting of a gun while in the service and had a furlough which he took to come home. While so at home, peace took place, and from their ignorance, did not apply for a discharge. He was never able to do military duty after the injury. We suppose the want of a discharge was the cause of the failure of his application. Yours respectfully, Emery H. Loring.

Hon J S Westcott Sir
On the other side you will find letters of Miss Emery & Loring making enquiry for proper daily tips. I hope with your permission we can reply
Yrs truly John Mansfield Biddeford Me

I Joseph Pillsbury of Cape Elizabeth in the state of Maine aged Ninety seven years on attestation that I was a soldier in the continental army in the War of the Revolution and have a certificate securing me a pension for my service in that war under the act of Congress passed the seventh of June 1832. I do not now remember the names of persons and places so well as I used to; but I will remember John Dearborn who was in the Army of the Revolution with me. We were both brought up together in the Town of Scarborough and were always well acquainted with each other. I also remember that John Dearborn while in the service in said army got wounded in his left arm. It was broke and he had a furlough to come home and did not return to the army. After peace was made I was discharged and came home. When I got home, I saw said John Dearborn and his arm had not got well & he was not then able to work. The reason John Dearborn did not go back to the army was that he had not got well enough to do duty before the peace. His arm was so badly broke & splintered up that the Doctors could do nothing with it for a good while. It couldn't be set. There couldn't be a better soldier than Dearborn was. He didn't fear any thing. He'd gone back if he had thought it necessary. Attest Elias C. Knowlton. Joseph Pillsbury mark

State of Maine
York County ss December 1st A.D. 1852. Then personally appeared before me Joseph Pillsbury and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same. And I certify that the affiant is reputed to be of the age in said affidavit stated, and that he is a credible witness.
Moses Emery
Justice of the Peace
State of Maine
County of York ss. On this tenth day of March A.D. 1853,
personally appeared before me Doreas Patterson aged sixty years, a resident of said County and State who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is a daughter of the aforesaid John Dearborn deceased; - That she well remembers hearing her father and mother say that her father came home on the 25th of September A.D. 1780 with his arm badly broken. That one of her sisters was born on the 12th day of July 1781. That she knows her father came home on a furlough from his commanding officer, for the furlough was kept in the desk for many years; that she often saw it. It was on thick, coarse, yellowish paper. It got lost in moving. The reason always given for my father not going back, was, that he did not get well enough. He said his Captain told him to stay at home, till his arm got well enough to do duty. This was certainly the understanding of those who were with him in the service. They used to meet at our house, and often spoke of it, among other things.
Attest. S. V. Loring.
Doreas Patterson. mark
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written.
Moses Emery Justice of the Peace

I learned brother of Scarborough in the State of Maine on oath declare that I am in the eighty fourth year of my age, - was born and brought up in said Scarborough and have lived there all my life. I further say that though only about eleven years old at that time, I well remember John Dearborn when he came home to Scarborough in the summer or fall of 1780. Dearborn had quite a military turn, wore a large military cocked hat and some articles of uniform to distinguish him, he was besides a man of wit and anecdote. The boys all knew him, and were anxious to learn all about him, and he was communicative and social. From what I then learned, I think I can safely state the following facts, which were then well known by all the people in Scarborough.
First That said Dearborn was a very ingenious man, and something of a gunsmith and that the elbow of his left arm was dreadfully broken and and fractured by the bursting of a gun barrel in the fire of a forge, and that the bones could not be properly set.
Second, That said Dearborn had a furlough to come home and did come home on account of the said injury in the summer or fall of 1780. Of this fact I feel sure. We knew at the time when the furlough was dated and when it was out, and that Dearborn

State of Maine
was extremely anxious to get well enough to return to the army, when his leave of absence expired.
Third, Dearborn did not get well enough to go back or to do military duty when his furlough expired. This I know. His arm had not got well, when Pease took place in 1783. He was not able to do any work with it till after the peace. When at least it did get well, he was a cripple. The fingers of his left hand were drawn forward and set apart. He could not raise his left hand to his head without the help of the other hand.
I further say, that I remember the above facts better, than I otherwise should, because they were brought distinctly to my mind, when I heard, that Dearborn had failed to get his pension a good many years ago. Dearborn & his relations were then all very poor and could not forward money to press his claim. No one, who knew him ever doubted, that Dearborn would have gone back if his arm had got well before the peace . I am sure.
Frances A. Leavitt
State of Maine, County of York ss. February 15th A.D. 1853. Then personally appeared Lemuel Coolbroth and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath that the same is true before me. And I certify that the said affiant is well known to me and that he is a credible witness.
Moses Emery, Justice of Peace.

I Stephen Milliken of Saco in the State of Maine aged eighty seven years, on oath declare, that I was acquainted with John Dinsmore of Scarborough in said State before he enlisted in the continental army in the War of the Revolution, and I remember well when he came home on a furlough in 1780. He got home I think the last of the summer or first of the fall. It was not so late as December I think. It appears to me to have been in the latter part of the fall or latter part of the summer. His left arm was disabled badly by the bursting of a gun which he had undertaken to repair not knowing that it was loaded.
We all understood at the time that he came home on a furlough from his or the officer original. When those who were with him in the army got back after the war was over we all had the same understanding. I never heard it doubted or contradicted by any one in my life. Dinsmore was pleased with his military life, delighted to be talking about it. He was not well enough to go back to the army till after 1783. He was never able to do military after he was hurt. He was always a cripple in his left arm. Attest I Milliken Stephen Milliken Martha S Milliken

State of Maine
County of York ss. February 15th A.D. 1883. Then personally appeared before me Stephen Milliken and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath that the same is true. And I certify that I believe the said affiant to be of the age then stated that he is a very respectable man & a highly credible witness. Moses Emery.
Justice of the Peace.
I Jerimiah Milliken of Scarborough in the State of Maine, aged eighty five years, on oath declare that I lived less than a half a mile from John Dearborn before he enlisted in the War of the Revolution, and was always well acquainted with him to the time of his death. After he had been absent in the War for some time, he came home to Scarborough with his left arm very badly broken and in a sling. He had leave of absence from his or other officer, for three captain for six months, I think it was. John Dearborn attracted a good deal of attention among the young people & children. He appeared to be very fond of a soldier's life. But he did not get well enough to go back to the army and do duty before the war was over. I often saw his arm. It was so shattered that the bones could not be regularly set. The part of the elbow was broken in, flattened. He could not raise it. He had not the use of his hand. I
Moses Emery

are ours, John Dearborn would have gone back to the army, when his furlough was out, if he could have done any good, for had thought it was expected of him. There were a good many men from this town in the War with Dearborn whom I knew, and I never heard a man of them say or intimate, that Dearborn had, as a soldier, acted improperly in any respect. All understood, that he came home on leave of absence from the proper officers. All knew, he was not able to go back till after the war was over. Since the pension law was passed, we have been sorry, he did not report himself, but then, he was a cripple and poor, and did not know it was necessary. Dearborn was a proud man, and would have loathed the name of a deserter.
Attest.
Jemima Millikin
Hannah Milliken James O'Harmon
State of Maine } County of York } ss. February 15 th A.D. 1853. Then personally appeared before me Jemima Milliken and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath that the same is true. And I certify that I believe the said affiant to be of the age above stated and that she is a highly respectable woman and a credible witness.
Moses Emery
Justice of the Peace.

are ours, John Dearborn would have gone back to the army, when his furlough was out, if he could have done any good, we had thought it was expected of him. There were a good many men from this town in the War with Dearborn's company. I knew and I never heard a man of them say or intimate, that Dearborn had, as a soldier, acted improperly in any respect. All understood, that he came home on leave of absence from the proper officers. All knew, he was not able to go back till after the war was over. Since the Pension law was passed, we have been sorry, he did not repeat himself, but then, he was a cripple and poor, and did not know it was necessary. Dearborn was a proud man, and would have loathed the name of a deserter. Attest.
Jemima Millikin
Abraham Milliken James O'Harmon
State of Maine } County of York } ss. February 15th A.D. 1853. Then personally appeared before me Jemima Milliken and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath that the same is true. And I certify that I believe the said affiant to be of the age above stated and that she is a highly respectable woman and a credible witness. Moses Emery Justice of the Peace.

I John Henderson of Saco in the State of Maine on oath declare, that Pelatiah Henderson late of Scarborough in said State, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, in Colonel Jacksone's Regiment and Captain Hastings Company, I think and received a pension for his service until his decease, was my father. That I have often heard my said father speak of John Dearborn. He told me, that Dearborn was a soldier in the army with him, that he was employed sometimes as a gunsmith while in the service . That a gun was brought him to be repaired with a charge in it. That Dearborn not suspecting it, put the gun in the fire in order to get the breech off, and that it went off, at least and fractured his left hand. That Dearborn, after being in the Hospital a while, had leave of absence, or a furlough to come home, and, that he did not get well enough to go back until after the war was over, and that he was marked on the rolls as a deserter, because he did not go back, when his furlough was out. My father said this was wrong, because Dearborn was not able to go back, and could have done no good if he had gone back. Gideon Rice, who was also a revolutionary soldier and received a pension, gave the same account of Dearborn. That my father did, Rice was for nearly twenty years, one of the most worthy persons

I Moses Libby of Scarborough in the State of Maine, aged eighty four years, on oath declare, that I well remember the time when John Dearborn came home from the army in 1780. Lieutenant Jonathan Sibley of this town came home at the same time with him. Sibley was in Colonel Carlton's Regiment, and two or three others from this town came home at or about the same time. I often heard Jonathan Sibley and the others, who were with Dearborn in the war of the Revolution, speak in high terms of him, as a good & brave soldier. I never heard it breathed by any one, that Dearborn was a deserter. until After he applied for a pension - it was said that news had come from Washington, but all those all, who knew Dearborn best, denied it, - especially those, who were with him in the service.  Moses Libby
State of Maine } County of York } ss. February 18th A.D. 1853. Then personally appeared before me, Moses Libby and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath that the same is true. And I certify that I believe the said affiant to be of the age above stated and that he is a credible witness.
Moses Emery Justice of the Peace
for many many years, and many many years more

I Samuel Libby of Scarborough in the State of Maine aged eighty four years on oath declare, that I was always well acquainted with John Dearborn having lived near him always until his death. I well remember the time when he enlisted in the continental army and when he came home wounded in 1780. I further say, that having heard the annexed deposition of Samuel Goodbrother read and carefully considered the same, I can fully attest to the truth of the statements therein. My recollection agrees perfectly with Mr Goodbrother in all material particulars.
Attest Hephzibah Libby J. A. M. & Libby
State of Maine York County I ss February 18th A.D. 1853. Then personally appeared before me Samuel Libby and subscribed the foregoing affidavit and made oath that the same is true. And I certify that I believe the said affiant to be of the age above stated and that he is a credible witness.
Moses Emery
Justice of the Peace
I Mary Jane Edgcomb, of Biddeford in the State of Maine on oath declare, that John Dearborn, named in the foregoing papers, was my grandfather and that

I assisted my grandmother in taking care of him during several of the last years of his life. I further say that it was well understood in our family that grandfather came home from the army, after he got wounded on a furlough in his arm and did not get well enough to go back before the war. My grandfather and grandmother often said so - and I heard a Mr. Snow, who was in the army with him, say he had a furlough to come home. I think my grandfather did not preserve his papers, as I never saw any in his desk. State of Maine York Co. ss. Feby 25. A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me Mary Jane Edgcomb who being duly sworn, deposes and says that the above affidavit is true to the best of her knowledge, information and belief. of the same. Moses Emery Justice of the Peace.
State of Maine, County of Cumberland,
I certify that Moses Emery, before whom the accompanying affidavits were made and sworn, and who signed the foregoing certificates of the same, was, at the dates thereof, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of York, duly authorized to administer oaths, and that his signatures thereto are genuine, and that it has been made satisfactorily to appear to me, that the affiants therein named, are respectable persons and credible witnesses.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 23 d day of March A.D. 1853
J. H. F. Emery Clerk Circuit Court U.S. for Maine District
S. V. Loring, Agent. Saco, Maine