Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,903, Ziba Cheesman, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Chesman, Ziba Mehitable
R. 1903
CONTENTS
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V (1564)
Mehitabel Cheeseman Wid of Liba Mass.
at 7 July 38
m 83. a 96-
Benjn Richards Esq. Randolph Mass
of Septmbr 1838 Jonathan H. Cobb

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk.
Jonathan H. Cobb Register of the Court of Probate for said County of Norfolk hereby certify that Sherman Geland is Judge of said Court of Probate and that Benjamin Richards is a justice of the same within said County of Norfolk and that their respective signatures to their papers are genuine & true.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court of Probate the eighth day of September A.D. 1838.
Jonathan H. Cobb Reg.
1364
1564
Elizabeth Cheeseman
Chas.
all of Quincy
m 83. a 96-
Benjamin Richards Esq. Randolph Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. On this Twenty second day of August 1838. Personally appeared before me, an officer of the Court of Probate in for said County.
Mehitabel Cheesman a resident in the Town of Braintree in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth On her Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838. entitled "An Act granting half pay and Pensions to certain Widows, that she is the Widow of Ziba Cheesman late of Braintree in the County of Norfolk and State aforesaid deceased; who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution; that her said husband Ziba Cheesman enlisted into Captain Isaac Thayers or Captain Nathaniel Belders Company in the year 1775 and served a short period of time as a private with the Massachusetts Militia, around the shores of Boston, according to the best of her knowledge - she believes according to the best of her knowledge he enlisted into Captain Stephen Pennimans company or Captain Silas Wilds as a Private and served with the Massachusetts Troops around the shores of Boston a number of Months of the same year 1775. He commenced his term of service in the spring of that year and served eight months in the said Belders, Penniman, Wilds and Thayers Companies according to the best of her knowledge he resided at Braintree when he enlisted and marched into the service in those Tours; That the said Ziba Cheesman again enlisted and served as a private in Captain Nathaniel Belders Company in the year 1776 around the shores of Boston, several months with the Massachusetts troops, she thinks a part of the time in this year he was under Captain Stephen Pennimans Company in Col. Francis Dyles Regiment - she cannot say how long he was in the service this year but according to the best information she can obtain he served four or five months; That the said Ziba Cheesman again enlisted according to the best information she can get into the Company commanded by Captain Stephen Penniman in the year 1777 and served four months, around the shores of Boston as a private with the Massachusetts troops he resided at Braintree when he enlisted into the two last mentioned Tours; That the said Ziba Cheesman again enlisted into Captain Nathaniel Belders Company as a private and marched from Braintree to the state of New York with the Massachusetts troops and served three or four months she believes it was in the year 1778. but she would not be positive, One other short Tour of service was performed she thinks in Captain Isaac Thayers Company but she cannot say as to the year nor the period of time - That the said Ziba Cheesman according to the best information she can obtain served in all his Tours in Companies of Infantry. She further declares she has no documentary evidence to offer in support of her

claims other than what may be found in the Pension Office or War Department at the City of Washington She further declares she was married to the said Ziba Chessman in the month of February Seventeen hundred and eighty four, by the Rev. Moses Taft the then minister of Brownstown and on that part which is now Randolph, and she further declares that the said Ziba Chessman died the twenty seventh day of March seventeen hundred & ninety six. that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the Marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four (vix) at the time above stated. She further declares she has not been married since the death of the said Ziba Chessman her late husband and that she now is his widow ME Melitable CHESSMAN
I swear to the substance of the above written by the said Melitable Chessman who by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend court to make her declaration Before me S. L. S. / Probate

I Susannah Wild of Braintree in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being in my seventy second year of my age do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Ziba Chesman of Braintree in the County of Norfolk and State of said, that he the said Ziba Chesman, married Mehitable Belcher, of Braintree now Randolph, I was at the Wedding and saw them married, by the Rev. Muns Taft of Braintree, that part where the Taft was the Minister is now Randolph this was in February 1784 that the said Ziba Chesman was married to the said Mehitable Belcher They were married at the dwelling House of my Father who lived in Braintree now Randolph my Father's name, was Joseph Belcher I distinctly remember them and the circumstances & time of their Marriage as I was sixteen years of age the June before the Marriage took place I then lived with Doctor Ephraim Wells in Braintree, now Randolph and well remember coming home at the time they were married to see them married her Susannah X Wild Mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk ss. August 9th 1838 Then the above named Susannah Wild who is a person of truth and veracity personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by her subscribed Before me Benjamin Richards Justice of the Peace

I Sylvanus Ludden of Braintree in the County of Norfolk & State of Massachusetts being eighty four years of age, do Testify & say that I was acquainted with Ziba Chessman of Braintree in said County who was a revolutionary soldier, said Ziba Chessman, Died upwards of forty years ago, and has left a Widow whose maiden name was Mehitable Belcher who resides now in said Braintree, and has never been married since her husband's death, I always lived in the same neighborhood with him the said Ziba Chessman - and was in the army of the Revolution with him two months as I stated in a former deposition Sylvanus Ludden
State of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. September 5th 1838
Then the above named Sylvanus Ludden who is reputed to be a man of truth & veracity personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me,
Benjamin Richards Justice Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. Town of Braintree August 14th 1838 I Judson Stoddard Town Clerk of Braintree, hereby certify that it appears by the Registry of the intentions of Marriage in the said Town of Braintree; there is the following record of intention of Marriage; viz. Liba Cheesman and Mehitable Belcher, both of this Town November fifteenth, seventeen hundred and eighty three. That the Above is a True Copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows Nov r 15. 1783.
Attest Judson Stoddard Town Clerk
I Judson Stoddard above named, depose & say that I had the office of Town Clerk in the Town of Braintree in the County of Norfolk & State aforesaid & that the Above is a True Copy or extract from the record of Intentions of Marriage entered and published in said Braintree with the exception above named, as certified by me - And I further depose & say, that I have examined the Registry of Marriages & do not find the marriage of the above named persons recorded; nor do I find any return of Marriages made by the Rev. Moses Taft by whom it was made as it is said.
Judson Stoddard Town Clerk
State of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. August 14th 1838
Subscribed & sworn to
Before me Benjamin Richards Just. Peace

1913
REFLECTED
P. O. _____
Mehitable Cheesman
Service: Widow of Giba Cheesman
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

 75. Stephen Penniman - Silas Wilder Lexington Isaac Thayer vs Nathl. Beecher - Emo  76. Nathl. Beecher - or Stephen Penniman Francis or Dyke. 4  77. S. Penniman - 4  78. Nat. Beecher NY  3  79. Isaac Thayer - short term witness says 2 
Isaac Thayer

22-29 Col Francis-Capt Panniman 76-X
23-192 Golls — 78-X
25-115 — 75-X
26-427-6- Dyke 76-X
Belcher Capt vol 1 p 89 — was in service from 1 July 2012 Oct 78
vol 17- 82 — on holidays June 13, 76
25-19-21 — Castle 2- 79-
Capt Hollis
Vinson-75 vol 2-102-X
vol 16- 54 X

of negation,
militia service of
Adm. M. G. JUNE 10 1864
Free
J. P. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions at the City of Washington

J. Aldworth Con. W. of Pension,
Mrs. Mehitable Cheesman, Braintree, Massachusetts.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
18
SIR:
To relieve this office in some measure from a most laborious correspondence, this circular is published; and I now send it to you, not only in reply to your inquiry, but with a view of affording you information which will, in all probability, save you the trouble of addressing other inquiries to this office.
All claims are taken up in the order in which they are received here. Reports, in writing, are made to the persons who transmit or present the papers. But as claimants are often uneasy, if their claims are not immediately attended to, it very frequently happens that in a short time after papers are sent to the Department, letters are sent to urge immediate attention. This course, so far from expediting an investigation, retards it, because it increases the labor of those who are employed here, and, in numerous instances, occasions mistakes, and consequently dissatisfaction to the parties concerned. It is, therefore, respectfully requested that every applicant will wait a reasonable time before making application to know what has been done in relation to his or her claim. But should any reason exist for supposing that unnecessary delay has taken place, or that the papers have been lost or destroyed, and the claimant, or the attorney employed, should deem it proper to ask information, this letter will be sent with a brief answer written on the margin.
The rules of this Department forbid my giving such information respecting military service as is frequently sought. If, in any case, however, information is asked as to the service of a particular individual, for the purpose of substantiating a claim not to be presented to the executive offices at the seat of Government, and the regiment, company, and line to which the claimant belonged, be clearly set forth, as well as the rank which he held, the necessary proof will be furnished, if within the reach of the Department, and not incompatible with the regulations. In some cases, applicants for pensions, before transmitting their papers, ask for information in order to assist them in preparing their claims. In such cases information is generally withheld for very obvious reasons. But there may be a few cases in which information may be afforded to claimants before they make an effort to perfect their claims. Some persons may be so situated that they may find it impracticable to procure the testimony of any living witness, and may resort to the Department for information. If such persons should seek information, they must make a declaration under oath, and so describe the service performed, as to enable the Department to effect the necessary search of the rolls, books, or records of this office, when all proper aid will be afforded them in bringing their claims to a due investigation, and they will be informed whether or not the office contains such proof as will tend to establish their claims; but the answer conveying such information will not specify the service which the rolls may contain.
Supposititious cases are very often stated to this office, and information asked as to the construction of certain acts, when no benefit whatever can be derived to any one from answers to such inquiries. To put a stop to such unnecessary correspondence, it is sufficient to say, that it is out of our power to bestow time in answering inquiries of this nature. But where an individual has a claim of a doubtful character, and first wishes information for his guidance, before subjecting himself to the expense of taking evidence, if the individual be named, and all the facts connected with the case be clearly set forth, the party will be informed as to the course most advisable to pursue.
Much solicitude is often manifested by pensioners when they remove from the limits of one agency to those of another, and apply to have a change in the place of payment. On their making proper application, according to the prescribed rules, steps are taken to make the necessary arrangements for a transfer. It cannot, however, be immediately effected, because we have to wait, in most cases, till we can hear from distant agents, from whom information is derived as to the time to which the pensioner was last paid.
The regulations of September 29, 1836, as to the vouchers required to be presented at the pension agencies, when the pensioners or their attorneys demand their stipends, must be strictly adhered to, because they are deemed essentially necessary in order to guard more effectually against a repetition of fraud, as heretofore practised by the production of forged papers.
Persons frequently transmit papers to this office without any letter showing by whom they are sent. All such papers will hereafter be placed on our files, and there remain until the necessary inquiries be made by the parties concerned. This rule is found to be necessary to prevent frauds as well as mistakes. All correspondents are requested to be particular in writing their names legibly, and to give the name of the post office or post town to which they wish answers to be addressed.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Commissioner of Pensions.
The papers in my packet received here in September last, but no letter accompanied them to show by whom they were sent to a pension were

Randolph May 31. 1839
Hon. S. L. Edwards Esq. Comr. of Pensions
Sir. This circular was handed to me a few days ago. by Honorable Chessman. in which you state that no letter accompanied her pension papers, I sent them in Sept. last, if there was no letter accompanying them from me it was my mistake - I wish you would as soon as may be convenient, to transmit to me your decision in her case, and direct the same to Benjamin Richards of Randolph State of Massachusetts
Yours respectfully
Benj. Richards

Cheesman

Randolph July 3 d 1839.
Dear Sir, the within communication was rec d from the War department relative to Mehitable Cheesman's claim for a Pension of her deceased husband's services in the War of the Revolution, stating that her declaration was indefinite and imperfect & calling for some corrections of Witrupg; &c) I would briefly state that the Widow of Ziba Cheesman; always understood by her husband that he was a soldier in the War of the Revolution it is so stated by many of the Aged People in her neighbourhood that this was the fact, and he commenced his services in 1775 and continued in several campaigns till about the last of 1778 or 79 - amounting to something like 16 to 20 M th she not being married to him at that time and having no documents or direct testimony as to the exact names of the officers in those tours of Service but those she has heard spoken of by her dec d husband & others who lived at the time of the War in his neighbourhood - she thinks she could not with certainty tell their names or all of them - The facts I believe to be as follows that he Ziba Cheesman did serve in the War of the Revolution sufficient length of Time to have  have entitled him to a pension - as he was the only Person that I can learn of at that time in Braintree by that name and those Captains named in her declaration.

were all of the town of Braintree when the deceased soldier lived I do not know now what Captains names or at least all of them she did state supposing them or believing them to be his officers, but I believe that Captain Stephen Purniman in Dikes regiment was one as also Captain Nathaniel Belcher, & Captain Isaac Thayer were two others and where as Captain Silas Wild and Hollis were two Captains, who were neighbors to him who served in the war as Captains now if Ziba Cheesman's name should be on any of those Captains' rolls in the service around the shores of Boston and one tour at New York under S p Belcher - I should place more confidence on those circumstances of his being so involved then in the testimony of those aged and broken down persons to know who might testify as to his particular services from 1775 to 1779. I believe if you upon the examination of the rolls should find his name a sufficient length of time to entitle her to a pension under those Captains; you will grant her one; if other ways; I shall so advise her to say nor do any thing more about the same I have for some time been of the opinion that the War depart- ment could not be safe in granting pensions solely on the statement of claimants and oral testimony in support of the same without some papers or documents showing the correctness of their several statements; persons 80 to 100 years of age testifying to facts 50 years & upwards past, with strong sympathies for their friends & perhaps other causes or  under  means might be incorrect with out any view to make false statements or to commit fraud; I submit her case to you under this communication, wishing you to return to Benjamin Richards of Randolph, Massachusetts the final decision in her case as soon as may be convenient and at the same time wishing all your investigations; in any case of mine to be conducted strictly by your rules in the department & that the same be consistent and satisfactory before any stipend are allowed
Yours respectfully
Benjamin Richards
N o 93 Oct 16. 52 I would state that Captain John Tilton was stationed near the Braintree shores in 1775. 8 mo. with a company of men; and if it is not improper, I should wish you to look at his roll which you have in your department and see if the Ziba Cheesman is not on his roll, if so please to make such use of it as you shall think proper. Your H. S. B. Richards

War Department,
Pension Office
June 7: 1829
Sir,
In the case of Mr. M c Intable Chacseman, widow of Ziba Chacseman, dec d , the statement of the service is indefinite and imperfect. Unless the name of the particular Cap t under whom he served is furnished, the examination of the rolls is unsatisfactory as to such term. In the service of '78, several names are given as probably that of the Cap t under he rendered 8 months service. It does not appear that the designated persons commanded 8 months men in '78. The witnesses should be re-examined, and after all the information in the mail of claimant is obtained, a corrected statement, showing the period, length, and grade of each term, with the full name of the Cap t , should be forwarded with a view to another examination of the rolls.
Very respectfully
Benjamin Richards, Esq., Randolph, Mass.
Yours Geo. M c Guire

Power of Attorney.
Know all men by these presents. That I Ziba Cheesman of Weymouth in the County of Norfolk, son of Ziba Cheesman of decceased Braintree do hereby appoint Chas. C. Tucker of Wash- ington City, D. C. my true and lawful agent and attorney to prosecute the claim of Ziba Cheesman against a Revolutionary soldier for any amount of Revolutionary pension or increase of pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of 1818 or any other Act or Resolution of Congress and I do hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all papers and doc- uments in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the certificate which may be issued for said claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do,

were I personally present.
Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises.
Witness my hand seal this twentieth of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.
Ziba Chessman
In presence of John McHakins ss.
Fisher A Kingsbury
State of Massachusetts ss. County of Norfolk ss.
On this twentieth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty four, before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State above mentioned, personally appeared the above named Ziba Chessman and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his free act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned.
Fisher A. Kingsbury Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts } b. County of Norfolk }
On this twentieth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred & fifty four, before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Ziba Cheesman a resident of said County and made oath according to law that he is the identical Ziba Cheesman who executed the foregoing power of attorney and that he is directly interested in said claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evi- dence or arguments as said attor- ney may use in prosecuting said claim.
Ziba Cheesman
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
Fisher A. Kingsbury Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, March 24 th 1854
I Hereby Certify , That at the date of the annexed attestations Fisher A. Kingsbury was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court. The signatures of the Justices are genuine
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. H. Dighton
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Revolutionary Pension claim
Act of July 7. 1838.
Mehitable Cheesman widow of Ziba.
(Map)
Power of Attorney to examine claim
Charles C. Tucker Attorney present

1566
W. B. B. Richards
Jan 7 '29
Jan 20 '29
1908
alt 7 Aug 35

I Levi Wild of Braintree in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. aged eighty years this month August 1838. I do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Ziba Chessman late of Braintree in the County and State aforesaid, he was with me at Braintree now Quincy near the shores of Boston Braintree in the Revolutionary war under the command of Captain Isaac Thayer as a private in his company one month, said Chessman was in the service when I first went and joined the company and I left him in the service after I served only one month and returned home how much longer he continued I do not know in the service at this time I believe this Ziba was in the year 1775 or 1776 in the Spring of the year - the word Braintree was erased before signing - Levi Wild
State of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. August 20th 1838
Then the above named Levi Wild who is a competent Witness personally appeared and made Oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me Benjamin Richards Justice Peace

I Silvanus Ludden of Braintree in the County of Norfolk, and State of Massachusetts being eighty four years of age do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Ziba Chesman late of Braintree in the County & State aforesaid; that he was a soldier in the War of the Revolution; that he served two months as a private in the Spring of the year 1776. in Capt. Isaac Thayer's Company near the shores of Boston; I served in the same Company with him, with the Massachusetts Militia; the said Ziba Chesman married, Mehitable Bletcher of Braintree which was then Braintree and that the said Mehitable Chesman his widow now resides in Braintree and has not been married since the death of her husband & is now a widow -
Silvanus Ludden
State of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss. August 20 th 1838
Then the above named Silvanus Ludden who is reputed to be a person of truth and veracity personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed
Before me. Benjamin Richards Justice Peace

I Micah White of Randolph in the County of Norfolk & State of Massachusetts. being eighty four years of age do testify and say that according, to the best of my recollection Ziba Chessman of Braintree in the County and State aforesaid, served in the war of the Revolution with me a number of months in the year 1775 or 1777. which I am not now positive if it was in 1775 it was in Captain Silas Wells company & Col John Eratons Regiment. if in 1777 it was in Captain Stephen Pinniman, Company the 1775 campaign was at Cambridge & around the shores of Boston, & so was the service in 1777. he served as a private I believe -
Micah White
-Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. September 8th 1838
Then the above named Micah White who is a person of truth and veracity personally appeared and made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me Benjamin Rich and Justice of the Peace