Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,801, John Caswell, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Caswell, John
R. 1801
CONTENTS

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
State of New Hampshire County of Grafton ss— on this 25 th day of September 1837 personally appeared before me David C. Churchill one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire John Gossnell a resident of the town of Grafton in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire aged eighty seven 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 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated: at Taunton Massachusetts on or about the 20 th of April 1775 he volunteered and joined a company under Capt James Williams and marched to Roxbury where he was stationed with said company at least one month was dismissed and returned home to Taunton—his further status that at said Taunton in the summer of 1776 (the month not recalled) he volunteered and joined a company under Capt Joshua Wilker and marched to Dorchester Heights where he was stationed four months having served the full term of four months according to his enlistment he was discharged and returned home. He further states that under an alarm that the British had landed at Warren N. J. (The year and month does not recollect) he volunteered with others and joined a company under Capt Ebenezer Dean (he thinks) and marched to said Warren where he was stationed at least one month from there marched to Bedford & to Mansfield making at least two weeks more service on this service was dismissed and returned home. He further states that at the time the British landed on Rhode Island troops

were called for at said Saunton and he again volunteered and joined a company as order ly Sergeant under command of Capt. James Blameker and marched to Rhadiland and was stationed at Tiverton at least two months was then dismissed and returned home he does not remember the month nor the year of said last term of service - he further states that from the last term of service above mentioned he was occasionally employed in the United States service as transfer from Bedford to Cambridge & other places as much as three months or more - he further states that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his 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. He further states that he was born in Saunton Massachusetts June 26 th 1750.
There is a record of my age in said Saunton.
He lived in said Saunton when called into service and continued to live there until the year 1807 in February he removed from said Saunton to the Town of Grafton in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire where I arrived on the Second Day of March the same year, and have since resided in said Grafton and now reside there.
He volunteered - he thinks Capt. Richardson's Company was at Roxbury with him - Capt. Isaiah King's Company was with us at Tiverton. He further states that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot be more particular as to names of Officers or terms of service than he has above stated.
He thinks he had a written Discharge but does not know by whom it was signed or what has become of it -
He refers to Elder Ephraim Brackett and Eli Haskins who are his neighbours and who can

testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
John Caswell
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me
D. C. Shewell J. C. C. Pleas
I hereby certify that by reason of old age and bodily infirmity the said John Caswell cannot attend the Court
D. C. Shewell J. C. C. Pleas
We Ephraim Crockett a clergyman in the Town of Grafton and County of Grafton and Eli Washburn residing in the same Town of Grafton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Caswell who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be eighty seven years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Ephraim Crockett
Sworn to and subscribed
Eli Washburn
the day & year aforesaid before me
D. C. Shewell J. C. C. Pleas
and I do hereby declare that in my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolution any Soldier and served as he states. and I further certify that it appears to me that Ephraim Crockett who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said Town of Grafton and that Eli Washburn who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Town of Grafton and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
D. C. Shewell J. C. C. Pleas

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss.
I Nathan B Felton, Clerk of the Superior  Common Pleas Court of jurisdiction for said County of Grafton hereby certify that David L Churchill, whose name is subscribed to the four certificates written on the preceding pages of this sheet, was on the twenty fifth day of September current, and has ever since been a judge of said Court, and that his name so subscribed is his genuine signature, being in his own proper hand writing -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court the twenty seventh day of September Anno Domini 1837 N B Felton Clerk

16872 Ex'r.
OLD WAR.
No. 1801
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
RECEIVED
John Gassell
P. O.
ATF
Service:
Revolutionary
Enlisted:
, 18
Discharged:
, 18
Application filed:
, 18
Alleges:
List of rejected claims printed in 1852 shows cause of
Re-enlisted:
rejection as follows:
"He did not serve six months."
Attorney:
P. O.

No 38. 543
John Caswell
W.H.
Rejected. see let to to Genl. Phelps Esq. Hill N.Y. March
16 1837. (do a Ha. Hill do Oct 1 37 not found did not serve 6 mo)
Elisha Morrill 18 June 1853
Ad 7 June 1872

38.543, Feb: 28. 1852
Asst. of John
Caswell decl.
N.H.
Act 7 th June 1832
Elisha Mount Concord N.H.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
May 27 1857.
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 John Caswell is borne on a pay roll of Capt. Jonathan Wilbore's Co. Col. Francis' Regt. at Dorchester, as a private of Taunton, from Aug t . 1776. 3 months. _____
On a pay roll of Lt. Noah Dean's Co. Col. Williams Regt. on alarm at Warren, as corporal of Taunton from Dec t . 8. 1776. 10 days. _____
On a pay roll of Capt. Caleb Richardson's Co. Col. Keyes Regt. at R.I. for one month from Aug. 26. 1777. as a private. _____
On a muster roll of Capt. Sylvanus Martins Co. Col. Williams Regt. as a private, from Sept. 29. 1777. 1 mo. 2 days. Co. from Rehoboth & Taunton. _____
On a muster roll of Capt. James Macomber's Co. Col. Mitchell's Regt. as a Serg t of Taunton, from Aug t . 2. 1780. 8 days. _____

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
William Walker Secretary of the Commonwealth.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES,
made by the Son of the party who rendered the service.
State of New Hampshire County of Belknap Town of Concord
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of John Caswell now deceased in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Taunton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts .
He enlisted from the Town of Taunton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year 1775 as a Private in the Company commanded by Captain James Allen in Genl. Ward's Regiment of Massachusetts and he served as follows, * viz:—
He served under Genl. Col. Williams afterwards he served under Capt. Joshua Wells at or near Dorchester Heights , under the Command of Col. Sargent was stationed at Warren, Bedford, and Marshfield . That he volunteered and marched under Capt. James MacKinlay to Rhode Island and River Town He was employed a part of the time as a Teamster for the United States the the peculiar Caswell traced from Bedford and Cambridge in State of Massachusetts .
* Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c. of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

I am now 45 and son of John Caswell die years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated. from the recollections of what I have heard my father say of his services in his Cape Town
WITNESS my hand, this 14 th day of May — A. D. 1867.
Tho. J. Caswell
Signed by said in my presence,
Thomas J. Caswell
L. D. Stevens, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

State of New Hampshire Merrimack County
Concord May 9. 1857.
Thomas J. John Caswell of said Concord son of John Caswell deceased, do hereby constitute and appoint Elisha Merrill of said Concord my attorney to procure evidence and a Pension from the United States for the services of my deceased father who served in the Revolutionary War. I further authorize my said attorney to do all other acts and things necessary to procure what may be com- -ing to the heirs of said deceased. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 9th day, May 1857 Osgood Dole in presence of, William Kent                      Tho J. Caswell
State of New Hampshire
County of Merrimack May 9. 1857.
Personally appeared Thomas J. Caswell and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his free act and deed. Erasure or substitution before signing Before me -                      William Kent Jus Peace
law c h 9

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the act of being of service June 7 th 1832.
State of New Hampshire ss. 16. August 1836. On this 16 th day of August 1836. personally appeared in open court before the Judge of Probate now sitting John Casmell a resident of Grafton in the County of Grafton in the state of NH aged eighty 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 act of being of service June 7 th 1832.
That he intends the service of the United States under the following named officers served as herein stated. That he was born in Farmington Massachusetts on the 26 th day of June 1750 and resided at said Farmington until March 1807 when he removed to Grafton NH where he now resides. That about the 20 th of April 1775 he enlisted as a volunteer into the United States Service at said Farm- ington under Capt James Williams and marched to Roxbury where he remained about one month under the command of General Ward. That in the year 1776 (the time he does not recollect) he again enlisted under Capt Joshua Wilbar and marched to Dorchester Heights where he remained under the command of Col. Sargent about four months when he was discharged. He was then called on & stationed one month at Warren and about one half month at Bedford & Marshfield but under whose command he does not recollect. That he again volunteered & marched under Capt. James Mawcomb to Rhode Island at Vineyard where he remained two months & from that time until the close of the war he was employed in the service of the U.S. as a teamster from Bedford to Cambridge & other places as much as three months or more. That he does not know that there is any record of his age. That if he ever had any written discharge (and he thinks he had) it has long been lost. That he has no documentary evidence of his service above named & knows of no one who can testify to the same.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the...

...uin of the U.S. as a teacher  seaman  for  to Cambridge & other places as much as three months or more. That he does not know that there is any record of his age. That if he ever had any written discharge (and he thinks he had) it has long been lost. That he has no documentary evidence of his service above named & knows of no one who can testify to the same. He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state.
Grafton August 13 th 1836
This may certify that we the undersigned acquainted have been personally with John Garwell of Grafton for about thirty years and we believe him to be a man of truth and veracity and we have often heard him tell of being in the Revolutionary war Standing as a minute man guarding the sea coast at a number of different places also we have heard him tell of being in various situations for the soldiers in the United States Service or for the army and we believe him to be entitled to a pension.
Horace Barney John Johnson Benjamin J. Collins Nehemiah Smith Ezra Barney Christopher Smith

Affidavit of John Cagwell

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 - estate of Newton John Grafton County, ss. 16 August 1836 -
On this 16 day of August 1836 personally appeared in Open Court before the Probate Court now in session in said County, John Grafton a resident of Grafton in said County aged eighty six years who first being 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 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as hereinafter stated viz. That he was born at Taunton Massachusetts on the 26 day of June 1750 when he resided until March 1807 when he removed to Grafton where he now resides. That about the 20 th of April 1775 he enlisted as a volunteer into the United States service at Taunton under Capt James Williams & marched to Roxbury Mass s where he was stationed under Genl Ward one month & that in the year 1776 (the month he does not recollect) he again enlisted under Capt Joshua Wheeler & marched to Dorchester Heights where he remained under the command of Col. Sargent about four months & was discharged he was again called on & stationed as a volunteer one month at Watertown Mass s & nearly a month at Bedford & Mansfield Mass s (under whose command he does not recollect) soon after he again volunteered & marched under Capt James McMillan to Doverton Rd. where he remained in the service for months and from that time until the close of the war he was employed in the service of the U.S.
as a teamster transporting provisions &c from Bedford to Cambridge & other places three months or more - That he does not know that there is any record of his age That if he ever had any written discharge (as he thinks he once had) it has long since been lost - That he has no documentary evidence of his service above named & knows of no one who can testify to the same
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, John Grafton
Sworn to and subscribed, the
We, Otis Barony residing in Grafton and Christopher Smith residing in Grafton hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Grafton , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 86 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a sol- dier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the
Otis Barony Christopher Smith
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court certifies, that it appears to them that Otis Barony who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the Grafton and that Christopher Smith , who has also signed the same is a resident in the Grafton and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Moses Dow Clerk of the Court of Probate passed County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Grafton for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this sixteenth day of August A.D. 1836-
Moses Dow

New Britain W.H. Aug 27/92
Aug 27/92
J. J. G. G. G. G. G. G. G. G.
Thomas G. G. G.
Washington City
2. 2.
W.H. original
Map Rolls M. G. G. W.H.

321004 M c Lapsell W.H.
Rejected, let to G.W. Phelps. Hill. NH March 16. 1877 (did not sum 6 mo.)

Newbedford D.H. August 16 1836
In the included Application of John Coffin for the benefit of the Pension Law, is rather late but if he is found deserving it may help him a short time.
If the applicant's name is not found on your record I suppose you will suggest such instructions for him as will enable him to procure the necessary evidence (if to be obtained)
Respectfully yours &c
Grace Phelps

Pension Agency Concord, N.H. Oct. 24. 1837.
L. Edwards, Esq. Dear Sir,
At the request of Judge Churchill I send you the application of John Gaspell for a pension of the pension I can say from my own knowledge of the last thirty years that he has been a respectable citizen of the town of Grafton, county of Grafton, and State of New Hampshire.
I am, respectfully, sir Your obedient servant, Nath Hill

Elisha Morillo June 18/53.

Pension Office 18 June 1853
Sir
The claim of John Caswell acc d of N.H. under Act of 7 June 1832 was rejected 16 March 1837 on the ground that he served less than six months.
The certificate of the Secy of State, of Mass, now filed as additional evidence, removes all doubt of the propriety of that decision if any could have been entertained.
Eliza Morrill Concord N.H.

G. M. Phelps
16 March 1837
OB.
Rec. Vol. 45. pa. 215

Dept of War Pension Office March 16. 187
Sir
I have examined the claim of J. B. Caswell of W.H. for a pension @ $100 per m th entitled. His name is found upon the rolls of such officers as he has named, but for much less periods than he claims for; for instance, he claims for 2 m th . at Trenton, the rolls show 8 days only; from certain period entries upon the rolls. It is apparent that his names have been before the board upon the roll @ found to be, as is the fact, less than 6 m th . The papers remain on file. I am
Wm. Phelps Esq Dear Sir JHC

75 — William 1 mo —
76. William 4 mo.
Dean — 1 mo
14
McCumber — 2 mo — large.
————— By Dec. 8, 14
75. William. 1 mo.
76. William. 4 mo.
1
————— McCumber 2 mo
————— 5