Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 34,590, Abijah Cheever, Continental Mass. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass Sea Service
Chewer, Abijah
S. 34,590 B.L.M. # 1512-300
CONTENTS

19m 11/2 State of Massachusetts. County of Essex ss.
Paragon
I, Abijah Cheever , aged sixty eight years, do upon oath testify and declare that about or in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine I was appointed Surgeon's Mate in the Military Hospital of the United States and continued in the service in that capacity till 1780 when the new arrangement took place and was then commissioned anew in the same service and served under Dr. John Warren Hospital Surgeon, and that I continued in the service aforesaid till the end of the War in the manner at large set forth in my Declaration dated Nov. 20. 1828 now on file in the Secretary of the Treasury's office with my Commission.
I further declare that I have never received a warrant for Bounty and promised me on the part of the United States, nor have I ever assigned or transferred my claim in any manner whatever.
Therefore know all men by these Presents, That I Abijah Cheever aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint Col. Joseph Watson of Washington City to be my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States a Warrant for the quantity of land due to me as aforesaid; and my said Attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him for the special purposes above expressed.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal this fourth day of April A. D. 1829.
Abijah Cheever
I, William Mansfield aged 67 years, do upon oath declare that I have been long acquainted with Abijah Cheever who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence and well know that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be; and further I know, or do believe that he did perform the military service therein stated.
Attest
W Mansfield
State of Massachusetts. Essex County ss: -
Before me Benjamin Merrill a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared the abovenamed Abijah Cheever subscribed to the aforesaid declaration and in my presence acknowledged the power of Attorney therein contained to his free act and deed; and likewise personally appeared William Mansfield who hath subscribed the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectively subscribed this fourth day of April, 1829
Brj. Merrill Justice of the Peace
the above cancelling made by me
Merrill J.P.

State of Massachusetts. County of Essex ss:
In testimony that the afore written Benjamin Merrill was a Magistrate authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments &c in the State of Massachusetts at the above date and that his name there subscribed is his genuine signature, I have hereunto affixed the County seal and subscribed my name at Salem in said County this seventeenth day of April, 1829 in my capacity as Clerk of the County aforesaid.
John Prince Clerk.

Massachusetts 32,197
Abijah Cheever, dec?
(Suffolk Co. in the State of Mass.)
who was a Surgeon's Mate of Hospital surgeon in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded _____ in the for Continental & Mass Sea Service
Payable to Elizabeth S. Cheever and Charles A. Cheever, only surviving children,
scribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
the rate of 600 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. to 21 st April 1843, when he died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of August 1844 and sent to L. M. Stone, Boston, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of
Termant. allowance ending
Amount paid under act May 15. 1828 after 4th 1831 at $ 480 per annum to be deducted
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. Vol. 2. Page 15.
Ref. to Agent, see letter
How N. Parmenter May 17 1845
by line

David P. Williams
Will
July 12 th 1818. -
Recorded Book III. Page 402
copy
1-95

In the Name of God, Amen, I David Pearce Williams of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Gentleman, being in good bodily health and of sound and disposing mind and memory, being deeply impressed with the uncertainty and frailty of human life and conscious that man knoweth not the hour or day of his departure hence to render an account to his God and final Judge, of the deeds done in the body, and desirous as much as in me lies, to avert the miseries and calamities of life from those to whom I am bound, though not by nature, yet by the ties of friendship, and who have supplied the place of natural relations, and believing that while I am thus gratifying my feelings and wishes, I am not working a wrong to Robert Williams, Ann Tameson, and Susanna Codman, who are by law my heirs, with whom I have no acquaintance.
I therefore make, publish, ordain and declare this to be my last Will & Testament, as follows. I resign my immortal soul into the hands of him who gave it me, being fully sensible of my numerous sins and transgressions, and humbly relying and trusting upon his mercy thro' the merits and sufferings of my Saviour for the pardon of all my sins and transgressions. — Of the worldly goods with which by the bounty of God I have been blessed, I dispose as follows. First, I give and bequeath unto Robert Williams the sum of Five Hundred dollars. I Give and bequeath unto William S. Wait, the like sum of Five Hundred Dollars; — And also unto Emily Cheever, daughter of Abner Cheever, the like sum of Five Hundred Dollars, these three legacies to be paid in six months after my decease, in case of the death of either of them before that time then the legacy of that one is to be null and void. — I Give and bequeath unto my Grandfather David Pearce the sum of Three Hundred Dollars annually during his natural life, & then to be extinct, the same to be paid in quarterly payments, commencing three months after my decease. — I Give and bequeath unto Thomas P. Wait the sum of One Thousand Dollars the income of which he is to use; after his decease I Give the same to his four daughters to be divided equally between the survivor or survivors of them at the time of the decease of their father, but in case that he should survive them

I give the same to him, his heirs and assigns forever. After the payment of the above legacies and my debt, I give, devise and bequeath unto my much esteemed Guardian, Abijah Cheever, in whom I have always found a father, the one half of all my real, mixed, and personal estate to be holden by him during his natural life, and the income only of which he is to use; and after his decease I give, devise, and bequeath the same to his children, Charles A. & Elizabeth S. Cheever, their heirs and assigns forever, the same to be equally divided between them. — I Give, devise, and bequeath unto the said Elizabeth S. Cheever, the one third of all my real, mixed, and personal estate to be holden by her, her heirs & assigns forever, I Give, devise, and bequeath unto the said Charles A. Cheever the remaining one sixth of all my real, mixed, and personal estate, to be holden by him, his heirs and assigns forever. — It is my wish and desire that Arnold Welles Esq. of Boston should hold in trust what I have bequeathed unto Abijah, Elizabeth S. and Charles A. Cheever, during the natural life of the first and the minority of the other two. — And I do appoint the said Arnold Welles trustee as aforesaid and likewise to be the sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament. — In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen. David P. Williams (L.S.)
Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the Testator to be his last Will and Testament, in our presence and in testimony whereof we hereunto subscribe our names in the presence of the said Testator. — H. Redfield, Phin. Spelman, Geo. M. Coffin.
Suffolk ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. At a Probate Court holden at Boston within and for the County of Suffolk, on the twelfth day of July in the year of our Lord 1813. By the Honorable Thomas Darrow Esquire, Judge of the Probate of Wills, & The annexed Will being presented by Arnold Welles Esquire the Executor therein named, for Probate, George M. Coffin and Phineas Spelman appear and make oath, that they saw the said David Pearce Williams the Testator sign, seal, & heard him publish the same Instrument as his last Will & Testament; and that he was then, to the best of their discernment, of a sound disposing mind & memory and that they said Coffin & Spelman subscribed their names thereto as witnesses, in the presence of said Testator and of each other; and Henry Redfield also appears and makes oath, that he saw the said Testator, David Pearce Williams sign, seal, and heard him publish the same instrument as his last Will

and Testament; and that he said Williams was then, to the best of his said Redfield's discernment, of sound disposing mind and memory, and that he said Redfield subscribed his name thereto as a witness in the presence of said Testator, and I do prove, approve, and allow the same and order it to be recorded. Given under my hand and seal of office the day and year above written. — Thomas Davies Judge Prob.
True copy,
Attest John Howard Jr. Reg.
Annexed to the deposition of Amos Welles, Esquire, by me James Savage Justice of the Peace

Pension
Hon. J. H. Eaton Secy of War Washington
By J. D. Sleeper 15 Sept 1829

Sayre, June 9. 1829 County of Cork, Mass.
Sir
I have the favor of receiving your Lord Warrant dated May 28 th 1829. Dec. 1812. (To the hands of Mr. Stephens) for Three hundred acres of land, pursuant to an Act of Congress, passed 15 th day of April 1806. as Surgeon's Mate in the Military Hospital of the United States of the Revolutionary War.
I have the honor to be, Sir, with high consideration Y. H. S. Abijah Dyer

35826.
Abijah Cheever dr.?
Mass.
Act. 7. June '32 -
Surgeons Mate Hospital Surgeon on Board the Tartar - Captured & in captivity to 1883.
increased 2 yrs Hospital Surg- on Mate
$600. to 21 ap. '43. the day of his death to Elizabeth S. & Charles A. Cheever only surviving children - deduct what was paid under act of 15 May 28
L. M. Stone Esq. Boston Mass.

May 3, 1829-
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk County } ss.
Be it known That on This Twenty ninth day of December A. D. 1823. before The Hon. Abiel A. ASHLEY one of the judges of The Police Court for The City of Boston, The same being a Court of Record, personally appeared Elizabeth S. Cheever late of Sangus in The County of Essex, but now residing temporarily in Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth aforesaid aged forty eight years, who being first duly sworn doth on her oath make the following declaration; -
That she the said Elizabeth S. Cheever is the daughter of Abijah Cheever late of Sangus in The County of Essex deceased, that her said Mother was a Surgeon's Mate in The General Hospital during The War of The Revolution and also Surgeon of The Frigate "Tartar" belonging to The Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, John Cuthbert Esqr. Commander, in the year 1783. and for a full and perfect description of his services would refer to his original declaration on file in The War Department. She further declares that her said Mother was pensioned under The law of Congress passed on the 15 th day of May 1828. at $480. per annum, that his Pension Certificate was

numbered 834. and that he continued to receive his pension until the semi-annual payment prior to his decease which took place on the twenty first day of April more last past (1843.) and that after his death the balance of pension was paid to her the said Elizabeth S. and to her brother Charles A. Cheever of Portsmouth N.H. only surviving children of said Abijah Cheever dec d .
Now the object of this declaration is to obtain an increased rate of Pension from Four hundred & eighty to six hundred dollars per annum under the law of 7 th June 1832. which amount the said Elizabeth S. believes to be due to her and to the said Charles A. on account of the services, pay, & rank of their said Father and which is hereby claimed under any decision of the Department which has been or may hereafter be made touching this or other claims of a similar nature. =
C. S. Olney
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Elizabeth S. Cheever on the day and year first within written in open Court - before me
Abel Askins

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston January 6, 1874
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation, Abel Cushing, was a Judge of the Police Court of the city of Boston (an Court of Suffolk - and Nathl Lord Jr. was Register of Probate for the County of Essex.
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Thos A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

February 25, 1932
BA-J/MLB
Mr. Charles F. Penney North Raymond Maine
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Dr. A. Cheever, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 34590, of Abijah Cheever, based upon his military service in that war.
Abijah Cheever was a student of medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, under Dr. John Warren, and July 16, 1779, was appointed surgeon's mate and served in the military hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, under said Dr. John Warren, Senior Surgeon, until in the spring of 1782 when he was appointed surgeon of the frigate, "Tarter", commanded by Captain John Cathcart, was taken prisoner the last of November, 1782, and held in New York until peace was declared.
In 1809 he moved from Boston, Suffolk County, to Saugus, Essex County, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 18, 1818, while a resident of said Saugus, Massachusetts, aged fifty-seven years.
He continued to live in Saugus, Massachusetts, and died there April 21, 1843, leaving no widow.
In 1843 the only surviving children of Abijah Cheever were Charles A. Cheever, a resident of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Elizabeth S. Cheever, formerly a resident of Saugus, but then temporarily residing in Boston, aged forty-eight years.

In 1813, one David Pearce Williams, son of Abijah Cheever's deceased wife by a former husband (her name not given), was living in Boston, Massachusetts, and died there in June of that year.
Reference was also made to Emely Cheever, daughter of Abner Cheever but relationship to soldier not shown and no details given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Revolutionary Claim.
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an Act "An Act for the relief of certain surviving Officers & Soldiers of "of the Revolution", approved on the 15 th May 1828, I, Abijah C. of Saugus in the County of Essex in the State of Massachusetts, do declare that I was an Officer in the Continental line of the Army of the Rev. and served to the end of the War as is hereinafter mentioned: I was appointed on 16 th July 1779 a Surgeon's Mate in the Hospital Department of the States under John Warren, Senior Surgeon, by Commission of that date of which I have lost, but for proof refer to documents annexed in Oct r 1780 when the new arrangement of the Hospital took place, I reappointed Surgeon's Mate as aforesaid by a Commission, the original is now on file in the War Department, and a copy of which is annexed as N o 3: on a sudden emergency in May, 1782, I acted as Surgeon of the War Tartar, John Cathcart Esq r Commander, the enemy having invested our coast, was taken and kept prisoner of war in New York till peace was - I had previously given Dr. Warren a power to receive my pay & emoluments for own use, he having advanced to me the consideration for it: his widow now has at my request searched among his papers for the commutation certificate but cannot find it, but does not doubt of his receiving it and the amount due with his own pay in the Final Settlements, so called.
And I do further declare that I have received of the United as a Pensioner since the 3 d day of March 1826 no money.
Hy. M. Deever
Before me Benjamin Merrill Justice of the Peace in the County Essex in the State of Massachusetts, duly qualified to administer oaths personally appeared this day William Mansfield & Isaac N. Southwick of the said County, who did severally make oath that Abijah C. by whom the foregoing Declaration was subscribed is generally reputed believed to have been an Officer in the Army of the Revolution in manner therein stated.
Witness my hand this twenty sixth day of November
By Merrill Justice of the Peace

I, John Prince Junior, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts of the County of Essex in the State of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that Benjamin Merrill, before whom the foregoing Affidavits were sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Courts this twenty sixth day of November in the year 1828.
John Prince Jr. Clk

My dear friend,
Doubtless you are surprized, not to have heard from me before this time, but your surprize will be at an end, when you hear my reasons for not writing sooner.
You must know, dear Sir, that after I left you at Cambridge, nothing material occurred till I arrived in Camp, (which was on Tuesday the 15 th of April) only, one of my Pistols went off in Chadbury, by which accident a dog was unfortunately shot thro' the centre of his body, of which he instantly desisted to exist on this terraqueous Globe, and took his flight, thro' the air, to Worlds unknown!
On Thursday evening, I delivered your letter to Dr. Eustice, at a Concert, had not an opportunity to ask him about the order. On Saturday saw him again, then asked him, he had forgot the letter I had delivered him in the crowd, Thursday evening, but said he had your order at his own Quarters, had once applied for the money, but could not procure it, he would immediately and apply to the pay office, and obtain it, if possible. I acted.
Monday Morn April 21 st I was violently seized with a bilious fever, similar to the that caught me last Summer, equally as severe. I'm not so durable,

In the evening took an emetic, which operated as could be wished, but I found little or no relief therefrom. Tuesday, Cathartics, no better. Wednesday, as the preceding day. I found, I could not stay in Camp, that I could not be provided with necessaries there. in the afternoon, I out of bed, and mounted my horse, set him out on a walk, and rode more like a dead man than a living one to Capt. Clarke my old Quarters 4 miles from Camp, escorted by Lieut. Col. Vose & Lieut. Mason. That night took a violent sweat, and Thursday morning found myself much better, my fever greatly abated. from that time to this, have been growing better, except one day in four or five. I have been very unwell. I cannot remove the original cause, the pain in my breast, I have been taking Soap full, this 3 weeks, am going to take Antimonial Wine, I am live on light diet, and hope soon to be better.
But to return to the 100 Dollars, as soon as I was able to ride (about 8 days ago) I called on Dr. Eustice, he told me, as the money could not be procured at the time of the order being given; after its laying by him some time, he recollected he had destroyed it for fear it might fall into somebody's hands. — I produced the order you had given me, he that day made

application to Mr Wetmore Deputy Paym Genl. who told him, that what money came into the Pay-Office was always appropriated to particular purposes, that if there was any money remain- ing, after a proper time, it was returned into the treasury at Philadelphia, that there was money in the pay-office 12 months ago to sufficient to pay the two months pay to all con- cerned, that as Doct r Warren had neglected to get yours at the time, (which by the way was very wrong) the surplus was returned a long while since. There is money now in the pay office but is appropriated as above mentioned, that it can- not be obtained. Mr Wetmore pointed out a way to obtain it. viz. to send on the order to the Secretary at War, he will grant a Warrant on the Treasury for the money. I left the Order with Doct r Custis to obtain from Doct r Cochran a certificate on the certificate on the Back thereof. That you was a Long Hosp d Surg n Mate in actual service at that time. The first convenient opportunity that I can have, to send it to Philadelphia, by a trusty person, I shall improve. You must wait with patience, as I know not when I may have such an opportunity but depend on it, I shall en- deavour to procure the money, as soon as possible.

Nothing new, that is extraordinary. We are impatiently waiting, the definitive ratification of peace, at which time the War Men will be all discharged, the three years men (which comprises near half the Army) will be kept in the field, at least, till next fall, but when the war Men are discharged, it is more than probable that half the number of the regiments will be reduced, if so, I shall come home if possible.
Without doubt your brother Joshua has got home before this time, as all the prisoners are liberated, you will be pleased to make him my best compliments, and my ordinary ones to all other friends. Write soon as you can. You might have wrote before now!!!
I shall not scat this till I write some other letters, if any thing occurs extraord. ry I shall insert it.
Nothing new, or extraordinary.
Believe me to be with every sentiment of esteem, your friend & humble servt.
Trish Hills May 18. 1783
J. Hays
Dear Abijah Cheever
CHEEVER, ABIJAH CONT. S-345-90

Sir,
To Mr Abijah Cheever Gentleman
By Virtue of the Power & Authority to me granted by an Act of Congress, bearing Date the 30 th Day of September 1780, You are hereby appointed Surgeon's Mate to the Military Hospital of the United States of America; you are therefore carefully & diligently to discharge the Duty of Surgeon's Mate aforesaid, by obeying such Orders as you may receive from the Commander in Chief, or any other your superior Officer agreeable to the Rules and Discipline of War. Your pay to commence from the 6 th Day of October 1780, when the new arrangement of the Medical Department took place.
Given under my hand, at New Windsor this 30 th Day of June 1781
John Cochran Direct r of the Military Hospital
Certificate on the other side
Please turn over.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. April 13 th 1818 Personally appeared Frederic Hays Esq. formerly a commissioned officer in the Army of the Revolutionary War, & made solemn oath that the within is a true copy in his own hand writing of the original appointment of Abijah Cheever "Surgeon's Mate to the Military Hospital of the United States of America," which original he the said Frederic thinks he was required to leave in the Pay office in Philadelphia some time in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty three, when he received one hundred dollars in part payment for the aforesaid Cheever's service in said capacity; and that he at that time took the within copy of said original; also, that he knows the aforesaid Cheever was, in the Military service of the United States of America in the aforesaid capacity more than nine months at one period in the War of the Revolution on the Continental Establishment.
copied for Mr. Hays March 1823 and certified March 1823
Before me John Phillips, Justice of the Peace & Lisorum etc.
CHEEVER, ABIJAH (CONT.) S-34590

North Raymond, Maine.
January 14th, 1932.
Director of Pensions, Washington D. C.
Abijah - S. 34 590
The War Department at Washington, have referred your department to me to look up the record of a Dr A. Cheever , of Saugus, Massachusetts, who served as a surgeon during the Revolutionary War. If the story told me is true, he was a distant relative of mine, and was a personal friend of Gen George Washington. Any information that you may have of his record in that war, will be appreciated by the writer. Think the "A" is Albert, or Asa, which is a common family name in the Cheever family.
Respectfully,
Charles F. Penney. North Raymond, Maine.

D r Abijah Cheever Massachusetts.
Suspended.
vide letters 3 rd & 14 th June 1820.
vide letter to A.C. 10 th Oct. 1820.
The original commission to Abijah Cheever, as Sur- geon on board the Ship Hartford, signed by John Hancock, Governor of the Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts, on the 13 th May 1782, was sent to the Hon. John F. Parrot, Sen. U.S. on the 4 March 1824. See letter to Hon. J. F. P. of that date.
13 May
(Sept: 1818.)

1932 Feb. 25 - H. J. to Mr. Charles J. Penney - M.L.P.
Rev. War.
1650
✓ INVALID.
Dup of File 34090
File No. 1650
Heigh Freeman Jury Mute. Miss. Smt.
Act: June 7, 1859
Index: — Vol. a, Page 64
[Arrangement of 1870.]

34590 REV. INVALID.
File No. 34,590
Abijah Cheever
Dis Rev and
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 581
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Boston, 6 th Jan y . 1824.
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith the application of the Heirs of the late Dr. Alijiah Cheever for an increase of pension.
I am, very respf.
Your obt. Servt.
L. M. Stone
J. L. Edwards Esq r Comm te of Pensions Washington D.C.

Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
14 Jany 1829.
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of Abijah Cheever — under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether it appears, by any records in the War Department, that the claimant has received, or is entitled to receive, the bounty in land granted by Congress for service in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution; and, if so, whether he became entitled to the same by service to the termination of the war, or in what other manner.
R. Rush.
The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.
War Depart:
Bounty land office
The records of this office do not show that Abijah Cheever as a surgeon's mate in the Mass. a line was ever received or is entitled to bounty land of the United States.
Robert Taylor 17 Jany 1829

To the Honorable the Secretary of War.
Respectfully represent Charles A. Cheever of Portsmouth, in the State of New Hampshire and Elizabeth S. Cheever of Langus in the State of Massachusetts, that they are the children and heirs of Abijah Cheever late of Langus aforesaid who was a Hospital Surgeon's Mate in the War of the Revolution, and a pensioner of the United States under the law of Congress passed on the 15 th May 1828, receiving a pension at the rate of $400. per annum. That the said Abijah died on the 21 st April 1843. and that subsequently your petitioners obtained an increase of pension due him at the time of his decease, amounting to $120 - per annum, but computed and payable under the provisions of the law passed June 7. 1832.
Your petitioners would further represent that the object of this petition is to set forth their claim to an increase of pension due to them as heirs of the said Abijah, but to be computed according to the law under which he was pensioned, the law of May 15 th 1828; and to commence therefore on the 3 rd of March 1826. Your petitioners are well aware that the rule of the Pension Department has been, to allow an increase of pension only under the law of 1832. but they would respectfully urge that in their opinion this rule is arbitrary, and cannot upon fair construction be limited to said law of June 1832. in computing the increase to those who were pensioned under the former law.

Your petitioners would bring to your attention the similarity in the provisions of the two Acts, which seems to preclude the confinement of the benefit of increase of pension to one alone. The law of May 15 th 1828 provides that
"Each of the surviving officers of the Army of the Revolution, in the Continental line who was entitled to half-pay by the Resolve of October 21 st 1780, be authorized to receive out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated the amount of his full pay in said line according to his rank in the line , to begin on the 3 rd day of March 1826 and to continue during his natural life. Provided that under this act no officer shall be entitled to receive a larger sum than the full pay of a Captain in said line" &c
The law of June 7 th 1832, provides that,
"Each of the surviving officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, soldiers, and Indian spies, who shall have served in the continental line of State troops, volunteers or Militia at one or more terms a period of two years during the War of the Revolution, and who are not entitled to any benefit under the act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution, passed the 15 th May 1828, is authorized to receive out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated the amount of his full pay in said line according to his rank , but not exceeding in any case the pay of a Captain in the said line. Such pay to commence from the 1 st day of March 1831

And to continue during his natural life." &c
Your petitioners cannot find that the residue of either act so qualifies what is here quoted as to afford any ground for the construction, which the rule of the Pension Department requires, and they would urge that the pensioner is entitled to " his full pay, according to his rank " equally by one as by the other law.
Your petitioners would then submit, that their father the said Abijah Cheever, having been pensioned under the law of May 15 th 1828, was entitled to his full pay under said law, and they therefore respectfully claim the amount of increase of pension due to their said father (to wit from $480, to $600 per annum,) at the time of his decease, deducting therefrom the amount already received under the rule of the Department.
Chas. A Cheever.
Elizabeth J. Cheever.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Essex, ss. Probate Office.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that Abijah
Cheever, late of Saugus in said county, esquire, deceased, intestate, was a pensioner of the United States; that he died on the twenty first day of April, A. D. 1843; that he left no widow; and that he left two children, and no more, viz. Elizabeth S. Cheever and Charles A. Cheever, and they both are still living, and of full age;
as appears by the records in said office.
Given under my hand and seal of office, this sixteenth day of May, A. D. 1843.
Nath. Lord jr.

To the Hon d John C. Calhoun Sec'y of War of the United States
Washington

Saugus February 26. 1820
Sir,
Pursuant to your letter of the 7 th Instant, I here inclose four Depositions, with the Judge's Certificate, (before whom I made my Declaration) which is on the second page of Gen. 8 Weller's Deposition, immediately following it, which with the Will annexed to it, shew the impossibility of a "Schedule" as stated in your letter. In this Will I think you will discover in some measure, the motive of the Informant, who I can not conceive to be any other, than a distant family connection of mine, having a figure to satiate, and who, Sir, after you may have examined the annexed Will, and Depositions, I think, will stand in your Mind, as he does in the minds of those, to whom his private Character is known.
Perhaps, Sir, you will not consider it altogether irrelevant if I add that while discharging the duties of a Mate I took a putrid Fever in the Hospital which entailed to me an infirm constitution. And while Surgeon of the Tartar, after she was converted into a Letter of Mark I was made a prisoner, when she was captured by a British Frigate, after a close engagement of six hours, and lost all my property, that when I returned Home, I was obliged to sell my Final Settlement, (which I received from the United States in payment for my services as Hospital Mate) for one seventh of the face of them to support myself.
When then, Sir, you may have examined the inclosed Documents, I feel confident, you will no longer hesitate to continue to me the payment of the Pension, allowed to me, by my Country, for my youthfull services.
I am Sir, with high consideration your hum le Serv t Abijah Cheever
To the Hon: John C. Calhoun Sec y of War } of the United States
28. 15. The attested Copy of my Warrant of Hospital Mate from John Grahame Esquire Esq n of the Military Hospital at Gen l H d , now here with my Declaration and first Deponent

I, Abijah Sleeper, (an applicant for the benefit of the Act of Congress of 15 th May 1828)
Do on oath declare as follows
That the Continental Hospital of which the late Doc r John Warren was Senior Surgeon in which I served at that time Surgeon's Mate to the Military Hospital of the United States, was located in Boston for the purpose of receiving the sick & wounded Prisoners of War from the Guard-Ships in the Harbor, from that Port the Ship of War Tartar was suddenly fitted out suddenly fitted out for the Protection of the defenceless condition of the Eastern coast and the depredations of the Enemy thereon upon our commerce, our Fleet of Armed Vessels having been all either captured or blown up in the memorable Penobscot Defeat —
That I know not, where I could obtain the testimony of any individual that could testify to the circumstances of my volunteering myself from that Hospital and going aboard of the Ship Tartar to act as Surgeon though that on emergencies of danger at that time the Persons employed in the Continental Service and in the State service, had not their duties and

and spheres of Action very clearly or exactly de- fined, but all often were called on to cooperate for the general cause. The State seemed to have some claim, to the services of the Continental Congress on such an emergency because the State paid them at that time. as appears by their Records, annexed to my Claim. marked No. 1. 2. That Col. John Warner, now deceased was my commanding Officer, count er manded my conduct on that occasion. That at this distance of time, I cannot recollect whether he gave me any thing in writing on the subject, and if he did I can not now find it —
And that I never was discharged by, or resigned to the Government of the United States, any Commission of Surgeon's Mate to the Military Hospital of the United States, to my recollection. —
Abijah Cheever
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex ss. On this ninth day of February A.D. 1829 the above named Abijah Cheever who is well known to me to be the same person whose application for the

The benefit of the Act of Congress is now on file in the Treasury Department at Washington subscribed and made oath to the above written affidavit before me
Geo. Merrill Justice of the Peace & Quorum

I, James Savage of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Counsellor at Law, do testify and declare, that in the autumn of the year eighteen hundred and eleven David Pease Williams, having then lately been graduated at Harvard University, entered my office as a student at Law under my direction, and so continued till a few weeks before his death in June eighteen hundred and thirteen, and that his estate was administered by Arnold Welles, Esquire, who represented to me his inability to pay the usual fee for such tuition, as his testator enjoyed at my office, from the personal estate of said Williams, and that in fact it remained unpaid until November last, when money was recovered in consequence of a suit at law against Robert Williams, Esquire, who, being tenant in common of an estate in this town with said Williams the testator, had received all the rent and income before and since his death, and that my fees for advice and services relative to said estate remained unpaid for the same time; that the sum recovered against said Williams was nine hundred forty eight dollars \frac{5}{100} .
James Savage
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Suffolk ss. Boston March twenty second AD 1820. Then James Savage Esquire personally appeared before the subscribers one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County of Suffolk & after being carefully examined & cautioned made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. Taken at the request of

Dr Abijah Cheever, to be used in an application to the Honorable the Secretary of War. And I certify that said Department is well known to me as a person of great respectability & veracity.
W m Merrill
Suffolk ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I certify that the said William Merrill aforementioned is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Suffolk, and that the above figure = = here is his hand writing
EHW
N o Tucker Clerk of the Judicial Courts in and for said County of Suffolk

I, Thomas Wallcut of Boston, do testify and declare that I was steward in the war of the revolution during a large part of its continuance in the Hospital department while John Warren, Esquire, late of this town was surgeon at the United States Hospital established in Boston and acted there in said capacity, and that I well remember that Abijah Cheever, now of Saugus, served as a mate in said Hospital under Dr. Warren more than nine months at one period during the said war on the continental establishment, and that his nation as a mate on said establishment were received by me.
Suffolk ss. Boston.
Thomas Wallcut
In this twentysecond day of February A.D. 1820 the aforementioned deponent, well known to me, as a gentleman of veracity and honour, personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. Taken at the request of Abijah Cheever of Saugus, and to be forwarded to the Honorable the Secretary of War of the United States for his information in the premises.
Before me James Savage Justice of the Peace.

I, Abigail Warren of Boston in the county of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, widow of the late John Warren, Esquire, do testify and declare, that Dr. Elijah Cheever of Saugus was a student in medicine under my late husband in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine, and did the duty of a mate under my said husband, who had the charge of the Hospital on the continental establishment in this town of Boston as a surgeon in the Army of the United States, and that I well remember he received a warrant from Dr. John Cochran Director General of the Hospitals appointing him a mate in said establishment, and that said warrant was inclosed under cover of a letter to my husband to be delivered to said Cheever, and that he performed the duties of mate after receiving said warrant but do not recollect  more than nine how long, yet feel confident he continued without interruption of his duties in the Hospital until he went on a voyage at one period on the continental establishment, and after  wards was appointed Surgeon of the Fanny, and that my knowledge of the appointment by my husband of said Cheever as his mate before receiving his warrant arises from paper in my said husband's own handwriting now before me
Suffolk ss. Boston
A. Warren
On this twenty fourth day of February A.D. 1820 The aforementioned deponent well known by me several years as a lady of veracity and great respectability personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the deposition foregoing by her subscribed. Taken at the request of Abijah Cheever abovenamed to be forwarded to the Honorable the Secretary of War of the United States for his information in the premises
Before me James Savage Justice of the Peace

Lynn Oct 5 John L. Calhoun
Free
John L. Calhoun Secretary War. U.S. Washington
ans. Oct. 10. 1820.

Sanzur Octob r 4 th 1820
near Salem Massach ts
Sir
For my letter to you of the 19 th July last, to which I have not received any reply, I asked for, a review of the evidence in my case, (This is not unusual in the highest Tribunals) because it was admitted in the last letters to me from your Dept t ; that the material part of the rep- resentation made ag t my pension was false , and because the payment of it, is bottomed upon all the requisites of the Law, made & provided in the case, and that to attempt to furnish further proof, would be doing violence to the honor, and integrity of any honorable attestation and to my own, as also to the opinion of the Judge of the Supreme Court of Massach ts ; and because that I can not attribute this further demand from your Dept t , to any other cause than the want of leisure, to give my testimony full consideration, arising from the increased duties of your Dept t , by the new Pension Law, and your late long absence from the seat of Government Since then Sir, your authority has been exercised, upon representations which

which have been proved false , to bar the last payment, under the first Pension Law, the justice & legality of which, has been tested by its Law, I feel in a case like mine, I have a right, (altho' it is not to be supposed you have leisure to reply to every complainant, specially,) to expect you will quiet my solicitude, on this subject, as soon as it is possibly convenient.
I am Sir, with high consideration very respectfully yours Sir
Abijah Cheever
Hon John C. Calhoun Sec'try War

20 July
Yrs
Hon. John C. Calhoun
Sec'y of War. U.S.
at the seat of Government -
Washington
The Sec'y of War thinks no answer to this letter is necessary -

Sir
Saugus, near Salem, July 19 th . 1820
Nantucket
Having been absent from home some time, and at a considerable distance, I did not receive the Letters from the War Dept t of the 3 d and 14 th Ult o , till I returned a few days since. In the Letter of the 3 d , it was stated, I need not give myself any uneasiness, on account of any representations which may have been made in your Dept t . and that when you should have been returned, my case would be decided on —
yet in the next Letter of the 14 th , I unexpectedly learned, that further evidence of my circumstances was required, notwithstanding it was admitted in those Letters, that the representation of my not being an Officer, was false, which in Courts of Law would render those Informants not worthy of any credibility in the other part of their representations. In addition to this, You have the positive and full Testimony of Gen l Welles and James Savage Esq. that the other part of their representations, was false also, they being

being peculiarly and competently situated to know every thing in the case, the one Execut. to the Will annexed to my former paper, and the other attorney to the Execut., and Gentlemen of the first standing in Society, as may be very readily ascertained — I therefore flatter my- self, Sir, that on reviewing the case, you will be satisfied, and place me in the same situation, as if no misrepresentation had been made, and not deem it necessary, to should be at any more expense or labor in the case
I am Sir, with high consideration very respectfully
Hon John C. Calhoun Secy. War. } your Hon. Secy. Abijah Cheever

Abijah Cheever, Additional, evidence =
Hon. John C. Calhoun Sec'y War of United States, at the seat of Government
Washington

Saugus March 23. 1820 -
Sir,
Massachusetts.
In compliance with your requisition of the 7 th Ul o I forwarded on the 26 th of the same, the Documents you demanded, which Sir. I have not yet learned, have been received by you. I beg Sir, you will honor me with information whether you have received them or also the Deposition I now inclose, which ought to have accompanied them, as it further confirms my "needy circumstanced" and gives more light to the motives and character of the Informants, and their exaggerations, I ought also then, to have stated, that Mr. Robert Williams has been for many years a most implacable enemy to me, because he was compelled by Law, to do that justice, which his aversion had with-held for many years; so also has been Mr. John Page for similar causes, & some others, who I have good reasons to believe to be the Informants of the correctness of their representations, and motives, the several Documents will enable you Sir. to judge

I am Sir, with high consideration very respectfully Yours Thur Ser - Abijah Reece
Hon John C. Calhoun Secy of War - U.S.

Lynn 27 May
Free
The Hon. ble John C. Calhoun Secy of War of the United States,
at the seat of Government,
Washington.

Saugus May 29 th 1820 — near Salem Massachusetts
Sir /
Having complied with your Directions of the 9 th of February last, by sending to you on the 26 th of the same and on the 23 rd of March last, the Testimony required in the case; and in the last earnestly requested to be informed, whether they were received by you Sir, which I have not yet learn'd, I am therefore anxiously concerned, that they may have miscarried by some cause or other, as I can not conceive Sir, you would for one moment delay quietude, where Reputation was implicated, as it was, by your doubting a Declaration , made under Oath, on the ipse dixit, of some one or more Men, whose character & standing in society you Sir, must be ignorant of, which Declaration is supported and confirmed, in those two communications of mine, by the lex testimonium , of Persons of the first respectability, for integrity, honor, and standing in society, I must therefore Sir, repeat the request to be informed as soon as possible —
Hon: John C. Calhoun Secy of War —
I am Sir, with high consideration very respectfully your Friend & Servt Abijah Cheever

Hon. J. C. Calhoun
Secy of War
Washington City
On the 22nd of July 1844
John Quincy Adams

Boston Jan y 29 th 1820
Sir
From a sense of Duty I owe my Country — I now inclose you the within — It can be fully proved that Dad r Abijah Cheever is a Man of no small property
Your Obedient
humble Servant
By the Hon ble J. C. Calhoun } Rob t Williams Sec y of War — Washington

Arnold Welles of Boston in the county of Suffolk and commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, do testify and declare, that for thirty years or more I have been well acquainted with Dr. Abijah Cheever, formerly of said Boston, now of Saugus in the county of Essex, and that in the autumn of the year eighteen hundred and nine by the bankruptcy of a man to whom said Cheever had intrusted his whole property he was reduced in his pecuniary situation to put all his estate out of his possession to make good the estate of his ward, David P. Williams, a son of a deceased wife of said Cheever by a former husband, and that the whole property of said Cheever, real, personal or mixed, and his shares in action, was thereupon conveyed, assigned and transferred to said David P. Williams, including the demand against the said bankrupt, to whom said Cheever had intrusted his own money and that of his said ward, and that the whole property thus assigned was not sufficient to make good the sum in which said Cheever's deficiency in his office of guardian to said Williams was ascertained and acknowledged, and that said Cheever thereupon retired from Boston to reside at Saugus, where he has ever since lived, and that said Cheever was soon after afflicted with disease, which forbade him for about the space of seven years to go abroad or enjoy the company of his friends, that he then derived his support entirely from said David P. Williams, and that from that day to the present the said Cheever has never had any property or income, as from intimate knowledge of his affairs I confidently believe, except what was or is derived by him under the will of said David P. Williams, of which a copy duly certified by the proper officer of the Probate of Wills in this county of Suffolk is annexed, and that the devise in said will to said Cheever, of which the testator appointed me trustee, has not been adequate with just regard to prudence and economy to the support of said Cheever, as has fallen within my own certain knowledge, because in my said office as trustee I have been compelled often to be in advance for a long time to said Cheever out of the income of the half of the residue of said Williams estate so devised to said Cheever during his life; and that I know he has no property, real, personal, or mixed, nor any debts due to him, nor any income, except as

Before related, that which passes through my hands as trustee, and that since I have been trustee I have been often in advance out of my own private funds to the amount of several hundred dollars for his support,
Suffolk ss. Boston
Arnold Welles
On this twenty fourth day of February A.D. 1820 the aforementioned deponent well known to me several years, as a gentleman of veracity and honor, personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the deposition foregoing by him submitted. Taken at the request of Abijah Cheever abovenamed to be forwarded to the Honorable the Secretary of War of the United States for his information in the premises.
Before me James Savage Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss Feb. 25. 1820 I hereby certify that in my opinion Deft. Abijah Cheever named in the within deposition was in needy circumstances when he made his application before me for a Pension.
In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my hand,
S. Putnam Just S. L. Court of Mass
to the Hon. John C. Calhoun Secy of War

The Honorable Daniel Webster
Boston
ans. May 31. 1891.

Boston May 14 th 1821
Honorable Sam d Webster
Sir
At a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Society of the Cincinnati of this State, of which I am a member; in the Autumn of 1820, to distribute the interest of their Funds to their destitute members — After having finished our business — we were led to converse on the Pension Act — Doct r Hart of the Town of Reading, observed that his neighbour Doct r Abijah Cheever of Sagu had got a Pension — As he himself did not know of any service, he had performed — He enquired, if either of us knew of his having served the United States in the revolutionary War — He observed if he had performed Service — by the Act of Congress, he could not be entitled — as he was a man of property — and had only himself & one Daughter, to support — This information, you must suppose excited attention — most of us having been in actual service during the War — An investigation, was determined on — and I was requested

To make it — I forwarded such evidence, to the Secretary of the War department, that Cheever was struck off the Pension list — for not having serv'd, or as having Property — — — —
Now Sir the design of this is particularly, to request your advice, how I shall obtain a copy of the original Papers, by which he obtained this Pension — by which you will much
Oblige your humble Servant
Rob t Williams
AG

Dr. Abijah Cheever Surgeons Mate in y e Mass
1780.
   Dr.   P s d     To Balance for Clothing delivered by the Board of War, &c on account of the three Years service - - - - - 24 13 2   To Interest on the above Balance from January 1 st to December 31 st 1780, - - - - - 0 0 0   To Cash paid by the United States on account of his Wages for the year 1780, - - - - - 0 10 6   To Amount of small stores delivered in Camp at the prime Cost and Charges of Transportation, - - - - - 0 0 0   To Amount of Clothing delivered by the Board of War, &c since January 1 st 1780, - - - - - 0 0 0   To Balance of Cash advanced for the purpose of recruiting Soldiers - - - - - 0 0 0   To Cash paid by the Commonwealth on account of the last three months Service in 1780. - - - - - 36 0 0   61 3 8   Dec 31 To a Certificate for the Balance - - - - - 82 16 4   £ 144 0 0   Nov. 18 To a Certificate for y e Contra - - - - - £ 9  
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I do hereby certify that the above account, is a true transcript of an account of the Continental Army, now placed in the

1780
   L S d L S d     By Depreciation on additional Pay as Staff Officer from 177 to ————— 177 is ————— Months Days, at £ ————— 0 0 0   By the Depreciation on the delay of Payment of his Wages, to Dec 31. 1779, 0 0 0   By Interest on the above Sum from Jan. 1 st to Dec 31. 1780 one year ————— 0 0 0   By his Service from the 1 st day of Jan y to the 31 day of Dec r 1780 is 12 Months Days, at £12 per Month —————                              
12 th Nov r 1782
£ 144 0 0 9 0 0
By his pay last 3 M th short. Ex above
Office Boston 8 th August 1828, This certifies that all stated in the original Books of the Massachusetts Office Attest Geo. W. Robinson Panel Agent for the Comm te of Maps

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I certify that George W. Coffin Esq r is Law Agent of the Commonwealth aforesaid, having in his custody the Documents of which the within are copies, and his signatures on these two copies are genuine. Nov. 18. 1828
Edward D. Bangs. Secretary

19 th - Elijah Cheever - Surgeons Mate in yr. Hos,
  To Cash paid by the State agreeable to a resolve of May 7. 1778 in current Money (value) } - 0 0 0   To his proportion of small stores delivered in Camp, at requisitioned prices, deducting the value of what he paid towards them } - 1 18. 0   To Cash or Notes advanced by the State at two different times, agreeable to the resolve of Court of the 6 th of Feb. 1779, First moiety, £. Value £. Second Moiety, £. Value £. } 0 0 0   To 5 Months 15 days Wages paid him by the Continent at £12 per month £66. (value) } - 2 18. 6   To the amount of two Notes advanced by the State towards the Depreciation of his wages, agreeable to a Resolve of the 14 th of March 1780. £. (Value) } 0 0 0   1779 Dec r 31 To Balance £ 4 16. 6 61. 3. 6 £ 66. 0. 0 
The above Balance £ 61. 3. 6 multiplied by 32 1/2 to make good the Depreciation, is in Current Money £ 1988. 3. 9 Ex o J.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, In the above account, is a true transcript of an account of the Continental Army, now placed in this Office

Hospital Medical Department
1882
By his service from July 16 th 1779 to Dec 31 st 1779 is 5 Months, 15 days, at £12. per month, for which the nominal sum has been paid him by the Continent
66. 0. 0
✓
D. J. Certified March 18. 1782
Pay Office Boston 8 th August 1828. This certifies that is stated in the original Books of the Massachusetts line
Attest - Geo. W. Cotsin. Paymaster Agent for the Comm tee of Massachusetts

Act 1828 Settled at Treasury log d with Invalid file # 34.590

Rec d 14 Feb 1829
Washington Feb y 13 th 1829
A. Dickens Esquire
Dear Sir. I now enclose the affidavit of Dr. Cheever, stating the facts relative to the manner in which he left the Hospital in 1782 and entered on the an armed vessel. He is a gentleman of great veracity, and high respectability, and there can be no doubt of the truth of his statement. As he was regularly commissioned and never discharged, and as he left the land, I went upon the water by the direction, or consent of his superior officer, I think he must be entitled Will you have the goodness to examine his case again.
With respect &c
Your H. Servt
John Adams

Mr Robert Williams
Mentham
Present

Wm Robert Williams
Boston Jan 27 th 1820
Sir,
You requested me to give information which entitled Dr Cheever to a pension. When observed to you and was satisfied all the Officers & Soldiers, that were instrumental in effecting our Revolution richly deserved a pension, to which you approved, ... but said Cheever in your opinion, merited it not, which is my opinion; I called on Dr Eph m Eliot, & made enquiry of him, on the subject, he said he & Dr Webster, were surprised by what means he had procured it. I observed,
That Cheever procured an Appointment as a Surgeon on board the ship Tartar, belonging to the State of Mass s commanded by John Cathcart Esq and made one Cruise. The ship Tartar on her Return was sold, & purchased by In o Jones. I sent as a letter for Virginia, but was captured & carried into New York, the peace soon followed, & the crew returned to Boston, thus ends the meritorious desert of Dr C, to his pension. I cannot recite the Law of 1818 March, providing a pension for those officers & soldiers then living... but no one was entitled to a pension but such as were in real want of their Country aid confirming it with an oath, & in indigent circumstances, on which I observed that Doc Cheever never was an Officer or soldier in our Revolution, & that he was studying with Dr Warren from the year 1799 until he entered as surgeon on board the Tartar which gave him no claim, for only those who were in the Continental service, were entitled to a pension.

This statement of these things, being made the 2 nd of the navy, the then Mr. — — he will give immediate orders to have the pension stopped, & direct the att y to call for a refund of what has been paid — & perhaps a prosecution for saying he needed the support of his country & swearing to it. — you will make the statement to the secretary of war — But at any rate of the most favorable one I can suppose an order of rescission will take place, which, I presume, will not produce any thing very favorable to D r —
Your humble servant
John Page
N o 3, the screw I left with your sons your sons was hardly worth
See the pension Law passed March 1818 I think you can find in any of the news papers of that date in any of the offices The statement ought to be made the secretary immediately as the pensions I think are payable 5 th March next in order to stop to N. J. payment. Doctor Abijah Wheeler of Sagus, is not the only person, in a pension, whose circumstances require no aid from his country, but there are others perhaps hundreds in the same condition,
your humble
John Page

Abijah Cheever,
Surgeon
18 th April

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Spex: On this eighteenth day of April A. D. 1818 personally appeared before me Samuel Putnam, a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth and in my presence subscribed and made upon Oath the aforesaid Declaration the said Doct. Abijah Cheever: and I being convinced the annexed affidavit of Frederick Foye is genuine it being taken before the Hon. John Phillips, whose hand writing I have often seen, and it appearing to my satisfaction that said Doct. Abijah Cheever did serve in the Revolutionary War as he has afore declared, I hereby certify the testimony the last of the proceedings had thereon to the Secretary of the Department of War. Given under my hand and the Seal of said for this Eighteenth day of April A. D. 1818
S. Putnam Just. S. J. Court of Mass. }
I, Ichabod Tucker, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts of said State and for said County of Essex, do certify that the Hon. Samuel Putnam is a Judge of said Court, that the above signature is his proper hand & that the Seal hereto affixed is the Seal of said Court.
April 20. 1818
Attest Ichabod Tucker, Clerk

Doct. Abijah Cheever
of Saugus, E/18 x 60 } Mass ts }

No. of Original pay sheet 903
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
1 Dec 1828.
Abijah Cheever of Langus, in the County of Essex in the State of Massachusetts has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such to the end of the war,
at which period he was a Surgeon's Mate in the Hospital regiment of the Department line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing dollars, paid to him by the agent in the State of
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary J. H. Dickinson
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
4. December 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for the commutation of five years full pay to the line, amounting to dollars.
It further appears that Abijah Cheever is now on the pension list of the any - agency, and has been since the 3d March 1826 at the rate of per month.
It does not appear by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for the commutation of five years full pay to Abijah Cheever - on the 11. May 1784, Joseph Tucker appears to have signed a receipt for a certificate for Two Hundred Dollars on interest from the 1. July 1782, being in full for the pay of Abijah Cheever's Hospital mite" Peter Hagner Secy

I Benjamin Weld of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, do testify and declare, that in the war of the revolution, in which I served as Commissary of the General Hospital, Abijah Cheever now of Saugus, in the County of Essex, was a Surgeon's mate in the Hospital under Dr John Warren, late of said Boston, deceased, and that I well remember the said Cheever (having constantly known him ever since) served more than nine months at one period during the said war on the Continental establishment, and that I furnished the rations to said said Cheever, while he had the Charge of the Hospital under Dr Warren and while said Warren had the Charge thereof.
Benj. Weld
Suffolk ss. Boston On this twenty Second day of February A.D. 1820 the aforesaid deponent, well known by me, many years, as a gentleman of veracity and honor, who served a long time as Deputy Collector under General Benjamin Lincoln in the Custom House, and who is now the Treasurer of this County of Suffolk, personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the deposition foregoing by him subscribed. Taken at the request of Abijah Cheever aforesaid, to be forwarded to the Honorable the Secretary of War of the United States for his information in the premises.
Before me James Savage Justice of the Peace

Pensions Office The Honble Rec. 22 April 1829. By J. P. [?]
[Signature] John H. Eaton
Secretary of War
Washington - City
April 1829
Abigail Shriver

(Copy)
Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 24 Feb 1829.
SIR :
Your claim, under the abovementioned act, having been examined, you are found to be entitled to the pay of a Captain of Infantry . — in the Continental Line. The amount which may be due, accordingly, will be remitted to you by the Treasurer of the United States.
I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
(Signed) Richard Rush.
D r Abijah Cheever. Saugus.
Essex Co. Mass. Surgeon's state in the General Hospital. F.A.D.
established — his name is not returned as entitled to land
28 May 1829
True Copy J. H. Bicknell Treasury Department 28 May 1829

To the Honble Secretary of War,
Sir
Having observed a notice published that your Department has no connexion with any Agents, I have cancelled the Power of Attorney originally contained in the foregoing,
Please to address your reply to me at "Saugus".
Yr. obedt Servt
Saugus. Mass ts Ap r 15. 1829
Abijah Cheever
C. Stephens will thank Mr Dickson for the usual Certificate, if Surgeon Cheever's claim for pay is established — his name is not returned as entitled to land —
28 May 1829

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7. June 1832, Abijah Cheever, dec d . late of Massachusetts, who was a Hospital Surgeon's Mate, in the Revolution, was entitled to a pension at the rate of $600 per annum; and having died on the 2 31 st of April 1843, the amount due from the 4 th March 1831 to the time of his death, is payable to Elizabeth S. Cheever and Charles A. Cheever, only surviving children of said Abijah Cheever, dec d . The amount paid after the 4 th of March 1831 at $480 per annum under the act of May 15. 1828 to be deducted.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 24 th _____ day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty-four.
Secretary of War.
Examined and ? Countersigned. 5
Commissioner of Pensions.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
By His Excellency Levi Lincoln Esq. Governor and Commander in Chief in and over Commonwealth.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Levi Lincoln
KNOW YE, That Geo Agent of the Com. Having in his c which, the within tures on these, two copies are
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted, commissioned, and that to His Attestations, as such, full faith and credit and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In Testimony, Whereof, I have caused Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed twenty first day of November A. D. 1820. Fifty third year of the Independence of the United of America.
By His Excellency the Governor.
Edward D. Bangs
Secret

To Mr. Abijah Cheever, Gentleman,
Sir,
By virtue of the Power & Authority to me granted by an Act of Congress, bearing date the 30 th day of September 1780, You are hereby appointed a Surgeon's Mate to the Military Hospital of the United States of America: You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Surgeon's Mate aforesaid, by obeying such orders as you may receive from the Commander in Chief, or any other your superior officer agreeable to the Rules & Discipline of War. Your pay to commence from the 6 th day of October 1780, when the new arrangement of the Medical Department took place.
Given under my hand at New Windsor this 30 th day of June 1781.
John Cochran, Direct r of the Military Hospital.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
E/SSX/3: April. 13. 1828 Personally appeared Frederick Foye Esq., formerly a Commissioned Officer in the Army of the Revolutionary War and made solemn oath that the within is a true copy in his own handwriting of the original appointment of Abijah Cheever Surgeon's Mate to the Military Hospital of the United States of America, which original he the said Frederick thinks he was required to leave in the Pay Office in Philadelphia some time in the year 1783, when he received one hundred dollars in part payment for the aforesaid Cheever's service in said capacity; and that he at that time took the within Copy of said original: also that he knows the aforesaid Cheever was in the Military Service of the United States of America in the aforesaid Capacity more than nine months above period in the War of the Revolution on the Continental establishment. before me
John Phillips Justice of the Peace & Quorum meum.
Copy

Suffolk ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts — I certify that the within named James Savage, is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Suffolk, and that the within signature is his hand writing, In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Boston Court of Common Pleas of which I am Clerk this twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty
Wm. J. Fletcher Clk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Be it remembered, That Abijah Cheever of Saugus in the County of Essex in the Commonwealth aforesaid, doth make upon oath the following DECLARATION, to wit,
That in the Spring of A. D. 1780 he was appointed a Surgeon's Mate and was stationed and served in the Military Hospital of the United States at Boston under Doct. John Warren dec d the brother of Gen. Warren and he continued to serve in that station till the spring of 1782 when he was appointed Surgeon of the Ship Tartar , of twenty guns, which was a Frigate duly commissioned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and commanded by John Bathurst Esq r dec d . - and served in said Frigate till the last of November 1782 when she was sold by the State: he held his Commission till peace:
The Declarant has lost his Original Certificate of Ap- pointment as Hospital Surgeon's Mate: a true Copy is annexed, as is proved by the affidavit of Frederick Frye Esq, which was given in presence of the Declarant before the Hon: John Phillips, and the Declarant knows said Phillips signed the same as it purports.
Since the giving of said affidavit, the Declarant has found among his papers the annexed letter from said Frederick Frye, explaining the cause of the loss of said Certificate, which letter is genuine The said Cheever is fifty seven years of age.
That the Declarant is infirm; that from his reduced circumstances in life he is now in need of assistance from his country for support; and that he hereby relinquishes his claim to every pension heretofore allowed him by the laws of the United States.
Abijah Cheever
enrolled for Mr. Parnot, Sen. U.S. and cut off 5 March 1825

AFFIDAVIT.
I _____ of _____ in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, _____ do on oath depose and testify, That

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Massachusetts Roll
Abijah Cheever Continentals & Mass sea service Surgeon's Mate
U.S. Milit ry Hosp l Boston. 1780. 2 years In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War Surgeon on board Ship of War Tartar. 1783
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month, to commence on the 18 th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th of May 1818 and sent to the Hon. Samuel Put- nam, Salem, Mass.
Arrearages to 4 th Sept r 1818 4 months 17/30 $ 91.33
{ Revolutionary claims, } { Act 18th March, 1818, }
Surgeon's Mate