Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,385, Elisha Dexter, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental
Dexter, Elisha
S. 30,385
Mass.
CONTENTS

No 448 Massachusetts
Elisha Dexter
of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Haskell of the Reg t commanded by Col. Shepherd in the Massachusetts line for eleven months from May 1782 to April 1783 during the war and for several months afterwards.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per ann. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Sept r 1832 and sent to Jacob Holond Esq. Plymouth Mass
Arrears to 4th of March 1832 36.66 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833
$54.29
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. D. A. Clerk, Book D Vol. 2 Page 16
See letter to Har. I. Recd July 7. 1833

Elisha Dexter's Application for a Pension & the proceedings of Probate Court thereon.

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this third day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Hon. Wilkes Wood Judge of the Court of Probate for said County now sitting at Rochester within and for said County of Plymouth, Elisha Dexter a resident of Rochester in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Sixty Seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He first declares that he was placed on the Pension Roll under the Act of 18 th March 1818 & was dropped therefrom on account of his property. his certificate was dated June 10 1819 N o 11.747. He enlisted in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War in April or May 1782 into a Company commanded by Ethan Haskell then of Rochester aforesaid, marched to West Point & joined the 4 th Regt. commanded by Col Shepard & continued in his Regiment one year & more, and was then transferred to the "American Regiment" so called commanded by Col. Henry Jackson & served in that Regiment one year & more until said Regiment was disbanded making the service two years & three months in the whole & was, then honorably discharged, which discharge he kept for twenty years & then lost it. In his former application for a Pension he forwards the Depositions of John Randall & Robert Post

to the Department of War both testifying to his services & the length of time. Which Depositions or copies of them he presumes are now in the War Office at Washington. The Deponents are both since dead. He was born in said Rochester in the Year 1765. He has no record of his birth. He has always lived in said Rochester. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present, & he declares that his name has been stricken from the Pension Roll as aforesaid, and that he has not rec d any pension for several years.
Elisha Dexter
Sworn to and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
Attest
Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for said County
Elisha Dexter is a man of truth and his word may be depended on, I have found him to be such after fifty years acquaintance with him. his age is sixty seven years the 4 th of march last and has a certificate from the war office dated June 10 th 1819 -
Semue Sebason Minister of Christ in Rochester
Aug t 2. 1832 -
Annexed to the declaration of Elisha Dexter Per J. H. Lord Reg t of Probate May 3. 1832

We, Oliver Cobb a clergyman, residing in the town of Rochester and Joseph Meigs also residing in the said town hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with Elisha Dexter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Sixty Seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion, that he is the person named in the pen- sion Certificate alluded to in the foregoing declaration.  Joseph Meigs Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Oliver Cobb Attest Jacob H. Lord Reg r
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Oliver Cobb who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Rochester and that Joseph Meigs Esquire who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest Jacob H. Lord Reg r of the Court of Probate for said County
I, Jacob H. Lord, Register of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elisha Dexter for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court , this third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Elisha Dexter a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. 30,385
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apl. 1782 June 1784 Private Ebenezer Haskell Shepard 4 th Mass. regt.   Henry Jackson "and his regt."        
Battles engaged in, none stated Residence of soldier at enlistment, Rochester, Plymouth Co. Mass. Date of application for pension, Apl. 8, 1818. His claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, Rochester, Mass. Age at date of application, born in 1765 in Rochester, Mass.
Remarks: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
There is no family data on file.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. War Section.
February 23, 1918.
Mrs. Noble C. Shumway, 4436 North Robey Street, Chicago, Illinois.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the twentieth instant, you are herewith furnished the history of Elisha Dexter , Survivor's File No. 30,385 Rev. War, and advised, that in the year 1838 he stated under oath, that he was born in 1765 and was sixty-seven years of age.
An examination of the papers in the claim fails to show any reference to his age in 1838 , or that this Bureau furnished any information regarding his age in that year.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. I. 30385.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
April 13, 1898.
Madam:-
Replying to your recent communication you are advised that Elisha Dexter made an application for pension on April 8, 1818, at which time he was 53 years of age and residing at Rochester, Mass., and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Haskell and Col. Shephard. He enlisted at Rochester, Mass.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mrs. H. R. Barker,
93 Melrose St.,
Providence, R. I.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. I. 30385.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
March 21, 1898.
Sir:-
Replying to your recent communication you are advised that Elisha Dexter made an application for pension on April 8, 1818, at which time he was 53 years of age and residing at Rochester, Mass., and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Haskell and Col. Shepherd. He enlisted at Rochester, Mass.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Mr. E. H. Dexter,
45 Bloomingdale St.,
Chelsea, Mass.

To Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C.
I want very much to know if there is a record of the pension which my great- grandfather , Elisha Dexter, of Rochester, Mass. received for service during the Revolutionary War.
We know that he received this

pension but have no written proof.
Mrs H. R. Barker.
93 Melrose St.
Providence
R. I.
April 3, 1898.

Chelsea Mass Boston, Mar 12 th 1898
Pension Office,
Gentlemen:
Will you kindly inform me if Elisha Dexter } served in the Revolutionary War and of Plymouth Co. Rochester Mass } if he drew a pension, and greatly oblige
Yours truly
E. H. Dexter,
45 Bloomingdale St.
Chelsea Mass.

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Chicago Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution
MRS. NOBLE CLEMONS SHUMWAY, REGISTRAR 4486 NORTH ROBRY STREET TELEPHONE EDGEWATER 639 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Rev Dec am
Feb. 20 19.8
Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Gentlemen
(Please send me copy of the Pension Certificate of Elisha Dexter who enlisted from Rochester Mass. and served under Col. Shepard and Col. Capt. Haskell. The applicant states that some relative had a statement from Washng stating that he was allowed a pension in 1828 when he was 53 years old. As she states he was born in 1765. April. That doesn't agree and if he was born in 1775 he could not have served and received a pension. She does not know where he died but it was in 1834. A mistake has been made in copying evidently and a copy of the certificate would give all necessary information.
Thanking you for it in advance
Yours Very Truly (Mrs. Noble C.) Frances E. Shumway Registrar

ter.
30 385 INVALID.
Rev
File No. 30 385-
Elisha Dexter
Rev Mr
Act: June 1 st 88 th
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 107
[Arrangement of 1870.]
March 21, 98. E. H. Dexter Chelsea, Mass.
Apr 18'98
Mrs H. R. Barket.
Providence R.I.
1918 Feb. 23. Hist. to Mrs. Noble C. Shumway. F.

11. 747 R Massachusetts.
Elisha Dester,
of Plymouth M Co. in the state of Mass ts who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Shepherd, of the Massach ts line, for the term of two years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts. at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 8. of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10. of June, 1819. and sent to Nahum Mitchell, Judge, East-Bridgewater, Mass ts .
Arrears to 4th of March, 1819. -- 87.16. Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4. Sept. 48 " 10 mo. 23 1819. $135.16. 30 & 4 31 } Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }

Sir,
I herewith enclose to You the application of Elisba Dexter for a Pension. I beg that You will have the goodness to examine the case as soon as it may be convenient & return me an answer.
House of Rep Jan 5 th 1829
I am With Respect Mr Oh o Serv r . John Read
A. Dickinson Esq

Elisha Dexters - Application for a Pension
For 1828/29 Rec Adm In File
# 30,385
C 11

Revolutionary Claims.
[ B. ]
Form of a Declaration to be made by the Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians, and Privates.
For the purpose of obtaining 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, I, Elisha Dexter of Wadsworth in the county of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, (for and during the war) and continued in its service until its termination; at which period, I was a * private in Captain Ebenezer Dyer's Company, in the 4th Regiment, of the Massachusetts Line. And, I also declare, that I did not afterwards received certificates for the reward of eighty dollars; to which I was entitled, under a resolve of Congress, passed the 15th of May, 1778. But I served during the war & was Honorably Discharged And I further declare, that I was not, on the fifteenth day of May, 1828, on the Pension List of the United States. But have drawn under the act of 1818 and was struck off on account of the property act
Witness my hand, this twenty third day of September , in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight Elisha Dexter
Before me, Joseph Meigs Justice of the peace in the county of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts personally appeared, this day, Gideon Bastow and Isaac Hammond of the said county, who did severally make oath that Elisha Dexter by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand, this twenty third day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight Joseph Meigs Justice of the peace
I, W. D. Manning Clerk of the Court of the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts do hereby certify, that Joseph Meigs Justice of the peace before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time, a Justice of the peace and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, this seventh day of October A.D. 1828 W. D. Manning
Corporal, Musician, or Private, as the case may be. and, though not on the pension list on the 15th May, 1828, may have been on the list on or since March, 1826, and afterwards stricken off: if so, he will add, and that I have received of the United States, as a pensioner, since the 3d of March, 1826, the sum of dollars, paid to me by the Agent for paying pensions in the State of
* Here insert a Justice of the Peace, or other Magistrate duly empowered to administer oaths. § Justice of the Peace, or otherwise, as the case may be.

Deposition Ichabod Burgess for Elisha Dester —
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

I Ichabod Burgess of Rochester in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts legally qualified to give evidence, do testify & say, that I was a soldier in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution I entered the Army in January 1776 and was discharged in 1783. While I was in the Army I knew Elisha Dexter of said Rochester who was likewise a soldier in the service of the United States. In early in the winter of 1783 I left the Army on a furlough to visit my friends and I received a letter from said Dexter who was then in the Army to his friends in Rochester. When I rejoined the Army, I again saw said Dexter in the service and, I am confident I left him there when I was discharged. I always understood said Dexter was in the late class of those who enlisted for three years - We belonged to the same Brigade, but to different regiments - I was in the first and he in the fourth regiments in the Massachusetts line.
Ichabod Burgess
Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Plymouth ss May 8 th 1819 Personally appeared Ichabod Burgess and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition before me the undersigned - And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said deponent, and that he is of good reputation for integrity & veracity Charles J. Holmes, Justice of the Peace
Plymouth ss May 13 1819. This may certify that the said Charles J. Holmes is a magistrate in this County and authorized by law to take deposition and the foregoing is his genuine handwriting.
Nehemiah Mitchell: Judge

Deposition Country Board for Elisha Dexter -

I boundary Beard of Rochester in the County of Plymouth Commonwealth of Massachusetts. legally qualified to give evidence do testify & say that a number of years ago I lived with Ebenezer Dester of Rochester in said County; that while I lived with said Dester he shewed me a paper purporting to be his discharge from the revolutionary service, as a soldier. It was partly printed & partly written. I am not able to state when it was dated, or by whom it was signed. To the best of my remembrance it is seven or eight years since he showed it to me -
Pamphrey D. Dean Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Plymouth July 7 th 1819. Personally appeared boundary Beard and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed, before me the undersigned - And I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with said deponent and that he is a man of fair character for truth - Charles Holmes Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. May 13 1819. This certifies that the said Charles Holmes is a Magistrate in this County and authorized to take Depositions. That the above is his genuine handwri- ting and signature. Nahum Mitchell: Judge

Deposition Robert Foot for Elisha Dexter. Col. Shepherd

I Robert Foot now of Rochester in the County of Plymouth late of Bradford in the County of Essex in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, legally qualified to give evidence do testify and say that I was a soldier in the service of the United States during the revolutionary war. In the last of the spring or beginning of the summer 1782 Ebenezer Dexter of Rochester in the County of State of Massachusetts, joined the Army of the United States at New York. He entered the company to which I belonged, of which Ebenezer Haskell was captain, the said Haskell then acted as Adjutant to General Howe of all the Dargal. We belonged to the regiments commanded by Col. Shepherd. I was discharged from the service in the 1782. During all the time of my service after said Dexter joined the Army, he continued in the service, and I left him in the service when I was discharged. He was one of the soldiers who were ordered to go and take possession of New York at the time. It was evacuated by the British and returned from their New York with Army.
Robert Foot
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. May 3 rd 1819. Personally appeared Robert Foot and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed before me the undersigned. And I hereby certify that I have but little personal acquaint- ance with the deponent, but I know nothing in deroga- tion of his character for veracity. What he has testified he relates with the appearance of sincerity & truth. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army at parts of the time a winter in the immediate service of Major Ebenezer Haskell. — Charles Holmes Justice of the Peace
Plymouth ss. May 13 1819. This may certify that the said Charles Holmes is a Magistrate in this County & authorized to take depositions and the above is his genuine signature Nahum Mitchell: Judge De

1818 & 1819 - to be returned to the owner
Yours sincerely, Elisha Dexter Rochester
1818 & 1819 - to be returned to the owner Elisha Dexter Rochester

I Elisha Dexter of Rochester in the County of Plymouth & Com- monwealth of Massachusetts and a citizen of the United States and now resident therein set forth and declare on oath that I was a private Soldier in the land service of the war of the revo- lution for more than nine months on the Continental establish- ment - that from my reduced circumstances I need the as- sistance of my country for support, and am therefore solicitous to obtain a pension from the United States agreeably to the late Act of Congress of the 18 th of March last. - that I entered the service in April 1782 in a company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Haskelle in the fourth Regiment in the Massachusetts line com- manded by Col. Shepard and served till after Peace and was discharged in June 1784, being engaged in the last three years service. I had a discharge in writing and kept it till within a few years, but have now lost it. I do relinquish all my claim to any pension (if any) heretofore allowed by any law of Congress. — Elisha Dexter
Subscribed & sworn to April 8. 1818.

Elisha Dexter Rochester Ms
Proof of services required.
Adm o . #

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
88. On this eighth day of April A.D. 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared Elisha Dexter of Rochester aged _____ years, resident in the said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on his oath made the following declaration, by him signed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," viz - That he served in said war as a private soldier (in the last 3 years service as it was called) in Capt. Elnathan Haskell's company and Col. Shepard's Regi- ment and Massachusetts Line for 3 years - See his said Declara- tion enclosed —

The said Elisha Dexter is poor & needs the assistance of his country for support —
And I, the said Judge, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Elisha Dexter did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Nahum Mitchell
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ss.
1818.
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, consisting of the Counties of Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket in said Commonwealth—that the same Circuit Court of Common Pleas is a Court of record—that the signature to the above certificate is the true signature of the said Judge, and that the seal thereunto affixed is the seal of the said Court.
} Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County of