Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,963, Nathaniel Chamberlain, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Chamberlain, Nathaniel
N. 15963
Jenny, Prudence
(Former widow)
CONTENTS

New Hampshire No. 434
Prudence Tenny, formerly the widow of Nathaniel Chamberlain
who died on the — 1795 — of Cheshire (in the State of N. H.) — who was a Musician in the company commanded by Captain Brigham of the Reg't commanded by Genl: Ward — in the Massachusetts line for 7 mos: 8 days —
Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord — at the rate of 26 Dollars 63 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of March, 1846 and sent to Jacob Waley-Fitzwilliam, N. H.
Arrears to the 4th of March '46 $399. 45 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. 13. 31
$412.76
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d —
Recorded by Abel Stearns Clerk Book 6 — Vol. 1 — Page 35.
Reps 31

6654
R d Jan 19, 1846.

(Declaration)
In order to obtain the benefit of the 3 d section of the act of Congress of the 4 th of July 1836 State of New Hampshire
Cheshire County ss
On this third day of January 1846 personally appear- ed before me Horace Chapin - Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Cheshire the Widow Prudence Fenny a resident of Troy in said County aged ninety years who being first duly sworn, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the prov- ision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. That she is now the Widow of Abel Fen- ny late of said Troy deceased, that the said Fenny died in said Troy November the 10 - 1829, that she has remained a Widow ever since, that her first Husbands name was Nathaniel Cham- berlin for whose services she now claims a Pension. That she was married to said Nathaniel Cham- berlin in the Town of Westborough in the Cou- nty of Worcester and State of Massachusetts by a justice of the Peace by the name of Edward Whipp- le, in the month of January, seventeen hundred and seventy five, but that she has no record of the marriage and therefore cannot give the exact day of said January, but that she was published

the latter part of the month of December 1774 the 24 th day of said December as appears by the certificate of E. M. Phillips town Clerk of said Westborough, and that she well remembers that she was married very soon after she set pub- lished, that she had one child by said Cham- berlin whose name she called Eli at the time he marched to Lexington at the alarm in April 1775, she further says her husband the said Nath l Chamberlin died in the town of Southborough in said County of Worcester where they were then residing in the month of April 1795 but that she has got no record and therefore cannot give the exact day, she further says she had ten children by her first husband the said Nath l Chamberlin whose births and names are as follows by an old record which she has in her possession (viz) Eli born April 12 th 1775, Hannah Dec 12. 1776, Edward Feb y 10. 1779 William Augt 5. 1781, Sally October 9. 1783 Prudence Nov r 14. 1785, Lucy Sept r 14. 1788, Polly Nov r 30 1790, Nathaniel Augt 30. 1793. and Submit January 23 d 1795, that about five years after the death of her first husband the said Chamberlin, she married a man in said Southboro by the name of Abel Penny, then moved to Hubbardston Mass where they resided

a number of years, then to Said Iroy where she has resided ever since. That her first husband the said Chamberlin for whose services she now claims a Pension as before stated, was a Soldier in War of the Revolution and as he always told her and from the best recollection she now has of his services, served nine months or more in all at several different towns. That he was at Lexing- ton in 1775 when the British came out of Boston that she well remembers he was at Dorchester Point, but cannot tell the exact year, was at Bannington Battle, and served two or three months at that time, was at New York, at the time the British left that place, that at the time she made a Declaration before Luther Chapman Esquire of Said Iroy by which she obtained a cer- tificate of a part of her said husbands services, she at that time made the best statement of his services & different towns, that she was capable of, from recollection naming such Officers as she then thought of, but after having the name of Capt Edmund Brigham mentioned to her she recollects one of this being an officer and that her husband was under him more or less of the time he was out, she further says that her husband was a Drummer & Fifer and she thinks served in that capacity more or less when out, she further says that her husband the said Chamberlin originated from Said Westboro, and

resided in that place during the war but she is not there but that he might move over the line into Said Southboro before the war closed, she further says the reason why she did not make application under said act for a Pension before is, that until within about four she did not know years that the Widows of Soldiers were intitled, and after she learnt that they were intitled, she made an attempt to get it, and sent by a man to Mr Edwards of Keene and he sent her word that she must prove what officers her husband was under, her marriage &c, and that she was unable to it herself and no one volunteered to assist her and she did nothing further about it until last spring when she employed Mr Wales to assist her Prudence her Henry Mark
Subscribed and sworn to on the day and year above written
Before me Horace Chapin } Justice of the Court of Common Pleas
The age and infirmity of the person making this declaration is a sufficient reason for its being taken out of Court.
Horace Chapin } Judge of C. P.

State of New Hampshire
Medford.
I Lemuel Risso Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature, of said State, within and for said county of Medford, do hereby certify that Horace Chapin whose name is subscribed to the annexed certificate, is one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, of said State, within and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that his signature as aforesaid are in my belief genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Superior Court of Judicature this ninth day of January A.D. 1846.
Lemuel Risso. Clerk

I Polly Collins of Southborough, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, fifty six years of age the 30 th day of the present month of November 1845, testify and say, That I am the daughter of Nathaniel Chamberlain and Prudence his wife, that my first recollections are living with them in said Southborough, and I lived with them untill my Father's death which was in 1795, when I was near five years of age, I well remember his death, and what he said to me just before he died, my mother had ten children by her first husband the said Nathaniel Chamberlain, to wit, Eli born in 1774 or 1775, Hannah 1776, Edward 1779, William 1781, Sally 1783, Prudence 1785 Lucy 1788, myself named Polly 1790, Nathaniel 1793, Submit 1795, that my mother married Abel Tenny when I was near ten years of age, that I was present at the marriage, that said Tenny and my Mother went to live in Hubbardston Mass., that I went with them and lived with them at said Hubbardston near three years, that my Mother and said Tenny then moved to Troy New Hampshire where she now lives, that said Tenny died, as near as I can recollect, twelve years since, that my Mother has remained a Widow since his death, & that I have always understood that my Father the aforesaid Nathaniel Chamberlain was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and that

I visited and spent a week with my mother, in September last, at Troy in the State of New Hampshire.
Polly Collins
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
ss Worcester ss. November 22 1845
Then the above named Polly Collins made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed, And I certify, from personal knowledge, that she is a credible witness.
Before me
Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace

David Brigham of Westborough, in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, eighty four years of age, testify and say, That I am a native, and have always lived in said Westborough, that I was acquainted with Nathaniel Chamberlain and Prudence Rice of said Westborough, prior to the time they were reputed to have been married and afterwards, and I well recollect the time they were reported to be married, and have no doubt they were married at that time, which was when I was near fourteen years of age. Said Nathaniel Chamberlain worked occasionally at my Fathers with me near that time, and according to my best recollection both before and after his marriage with said Prudence Rice, that he, the said Nathaniel Chamberlain, moved from this Town to Southborough in said county of Worcester. And I well recollect his going into the service of his country in the War of the Revolution two tours while he lived in said Westborough, and according to my best recollection he served under Capt Edmund Brigham, that there was no other person by the name of Nathaniel Chamberlain living in said Westborough during the Revolutionary War, that said Chamberlain was a Drummer, but whether he served

in that capacity in the war of the Revolution I cannot state,
David Brigham
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss November 22 1845. Then the above named David Brigham appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by him subscribed. And I certify that he is a person of truth and a credible witness.
Stillman Gay Justice of the Peace.

I Elisha Phillips of Westboro in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, depose & say, That I hold the office of Clerk in said Town of Westboro, having been duly elected and qualified according to law, and have in my care and keeping the Documents and Records of said Town. And I further certify that from an examination of the Records of said Town the following intention of Marriage is recorded
"Nathaniel Chamberlain and Prudence Rice entered their intention of Marriage Dec 24. 1774 "
a true Copy of Record attest Elisha Phillips Town Clerk
I further certify that Marriage of the aforesaid Nathaniel Chamberlain and Prudence Rice is not found on the records of Westboro in my possession
Elisha Phillips Town Clerk
Worcester ss. November 22 1845.
Sworn to by the above named E. M. Phillips, Before me Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace

Hon. J. L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions
Washington

Fitz Williams S r M c January 11 th 1846 Hon. J. L. Edwards Com r of Pensions
Sir enclosed is the Declaration of the Widow Prudence Tenny, for a Pension under the act of 1836, on account of services rendered by her first husband Nathaniel Chamberlain, you will find on examining the papers that she does not prove her marriage by Records, but she has made the best proof she can, and I trust you will be satisfied that she was legally married as she set forth, as to Chamberlains services, the Widow stated that he served about nine months in all, and stated the different Towns, and where her Husband was stationed as near as she could remember, but could not give the names of his Officers very correctly, but from the evidence I trust you will allow her for between nine and twelve months if his tour at Bannington was three months, as I think it must have, as the Town paid him $21 75 dollars, I make his three tours, two under Capt. Weyhans, & one at Bannington under Capt. Warren 9 months & nine days, and it appears from the records which you will examine, that he served two months for Solomon Maynard, and if so, I make eleven months & nine days, but you will carefully examine all the papers and allow the old Lady all she is intitled to, as she is in destitute circumstances living wholly upon the charity of the people. enclosed is a $5.00 Continental Bill which she says her husband always kept, and which was a portion of his pay when in the service.
Yours Respectfully Sarah Wales

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester County, ss.
I, Joseph G. Kendall , Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, That Sullivan Gay, Esquire , is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature to the certificates on the depositions of E.M. Phillips, P. Collins, D. Brigham, S. Maynard, S. Maynard, E.M. Phillips hereunto annexed, is genuine; and that said Sullivan Gay was such Justice, on the day of the date of his said certificates.
GIVEN under my hand, and the seal of said County, this seventh day of January , in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
Joseph Kendall

I Charles W. Whetney of Gray in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged fifty four years I depose and say that I have resided in said Gray ever since 1815 and have been a practising Physician in said Gray during that time I further say that I am well acquainted with the Widow Prudence Tenny of said Gray I further say I was well acquainted with her late Husband Abiel Tenny he died in said Gray about sixteen years ago I well remember the time of his death but cannot give the exact time, I further say that I attended him as a Physician in his last sickness, I further say his Widow the said Prudence has remained a Widow ever since the death of the said Tenny I further say the said Prudence is very infirm and I should think unable to go at this time to Rome to make a Declara- tion in open Court C. W. Whetney
State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss Gray January 5 th 1846 day & year above written Subscribed and sworn to the B. Dorr and Luther Chapman Just. Peace

I further certify that the before named Charles W. Whitney the deponent is a person of truth
Luther Chapman Justice of the Peace
State of New Hampshire Grafton ss. Leonard Bixby Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature of said State within and for said county of Grafton, do hereby certify that Luther Chapman is a Justice of the Peace within and for said county of Grafton duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that his signature as above and within written are in my belief genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this seventh day of January A.D. 1846.
Leonard Bixby Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Sep. 10. 1845.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Nathaniel Chamberlain of Westborough is borne upon a Muster roll of the Company of Minute Men that marched from said town, on an alarm the 19 th of April 1775, under command of Capt Edmund Brigham, Major Genl Warding, as a Rifle M th 2 days. Upon a List of said Company for Service at New York, and against his name in a column headed "Months" are the figures 5 3/4. — Not upon rolls of Captains Seth Morse & Moses Wheelock and the above is all the evidence of service which can be identified, as that of the individual named in the annexed application.

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

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15963 Prudence Lenny Wid of Nathaniel Chamberlain Inst Rev War
Act July 4 th '36 Index: Vol. M , Page 279
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sunny, for a day - Prudence Chamberlain
4 July 1836
75 Mus = 16 N. G. 76 — 5.22 76 77 - sq. 1 = 7 - 8
24.172 26.63
M. 1774
Jacob Waters Esq. Fitzwilliam N. H.

1 J. E. M. Phillips of Westborough, in the county of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, depose and say that I hold the office of clerk in said Town of Westborough, having been duly elected and qualified according to law, and have in my care and keeping, the Documents and Records of said Town. And I further certify that from an examination of the Documents relating to services in the War of the Revolution I find the following, an extract from a Document containing an account of 34 tours or periods of service from the 19 April 1775 to June 22 1780, To wit, ...
"Memorandum of what the Town gave each man in the present War since the Nineteenth of April 1775. July 27 1777 - 17 Men that went with Lt. Levi Warren to Bennington £6 = 9 = 0 each 109 = 13 = 0"
Another Document is as follows.
"Westborough July 23 1777. ~ Agreeable to Orders Received from Col. Job Cushing to Raise one half of the Alarm List & Training band within said Town in order to march in defence of the United States I the subscriber hereby Order the following named persons to appear at the Meeting House in S d Westboro on the 24 day of this instant July at 11 o'clock A.M. compleet in Armes and Ammunition as the Law Directs with six Days provition in order to March to Grafton and there remain till further Orders.
M r . Moses Wheelock Lt. Col.
Militia } Capt Edmund Brigham Officers } Lieut James Godfrey Sergeants } Imasa Maynard Daniel Stockwell

Drummer } Nathaniel Chamberlin Fifer } Corporals } Briah Ware
William Wood Edmund Entwistle Abijah Gale Jr. George Andrews Jr. Solomon Wood Asa Forbush Rufus Forbush Stephen Bartherick Jonathan Frost John Becton William Bennett Daniel Reed Jonathan Cook Jr. Jonathan Fairbanks
Jacob Brodes Calvin Maynard Daniel Maynard Daniel Oak Seth Brigham Ebenezer Gleason Elisha Gay Simeon Smith Joshua Wilder John Baker Paul Lambson Timothy Warren Richard Barrs Nathan Maynard "
From the Memorandums on the back of the Document, of which the last is a full copy, I extract the following.
" Serjt. Amasa Maynard
Rufus Forbush Jacob Brodes Daniel Reed Great Lock John Baker Ebenezer Gleason Stephen Bartherick Benj m Hot Maynard Joshua Wilder Nathaniel Chamberlin Enoch Greenwood
Names of men who are gone to the northward Department
"

The following is a copy of another of said Documents. —
"The names of those men who went to Bennington on alarum and tarryed untill discharged.
Lieut. Levi Warren
Amasa Maynard
Rufus Forbess
Jacob Prodis
Enoch Greenwood
Daniel Reed
Benj. Gott Maynard
Adradick Lock
Benjamin Fay Jr.
Benj a Tainter
Stephen Tainter
12 Dollars each man total $38-8-0
James Mc Collar
Ebenezer Belknap
Abra m Beeman Jr.
Moses Warren
Phinehas Forbes
Elijah Hardy
Samuel Wiggins
Simeon Smith
Joshua Wilder
Stephen Bathrick
Ebene r Gleason
Nathanil Chamberlin
21 1/2 Dollars each man - total $77-8-0
"

The right hand end of the following order appears as if torn off, it reads as follows.
"Westborough ye 7- 1779
To Barnabus Newton Town Treasurer or successor in a ordered to pay Nathaniel Chamberlin six pounds nine Towns money - it being for his service in going to Ben Allarm & his receipt shall be your discharge for the
£6-9-0
Abijah Gale Edmund Brigh Seth Morse
The above is filed, and endorsed on the back of the same as follows. -
"Nathaniel Chamberlin Receipt £6-9-0 he received for going to Bennington"
"Nathaniel Chamberlin"
"Westborough July ye 17 th 1776
We who have here to set our names have this day Received of the Town of Westborough the sum of nine Pounds in full of which sum said Town Promist to pay us for our Enlisting into the Continental Service and passing muster, Rec d by us
Wil m Sinnihan Eliaz Weelock
Jonathan Cook John Harrington

5 Hananiah Parker Beziah Ware Solomon Woods Nathaniel Chamblin Edward Brigham Jst Henry Marble Corp. Isaac Forbush Peter Maynard Benj m Ball Samuel Stone Rice James Fay William Bennet
Amsden Gule Samuel Andrews Phineas Hardy Jurs Samuel Williams Jonathan Cook Junr Thomas Hay Edmund Enlowstill Ezra Bokeer Ebenezer Belknap William M Fuller "
The above is endorsed or filed on the back of the same as follows.
"A Receipt for men hired 1776 that went with Lt James Godfrey £ 9-0-0 each"
"Westborough July ye 9th 1776 The account of what I have done In the service since the 19 day of April 1775 I gave Edward Brigham seven dollars and he served two months for me — Jonathan Cooke "
"My account for given one pound of money to Nathaniel Chamblin for two months service in the war for me Solomon Maynard "
"these are to certify that I have done 8 months service in the war at Cambridge for my selfe William Bennet "

I further certify that on an examination of the records of said Town of Westborough I find that Abijah Gale, Edmund Brigham, and Seth Morse were legally chosen Select men of said Westborough in March 1779 and that they served in that capacity.
E. M. Phillips Town Clerk
Worcester Is. December 27 1845
Sworn to by the above named E. M. Phillips Before me Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace

1831.

Whereas I Prudence Tenny of Troy in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, widow of Abel Tenny late of said Troy deceased, and formerly widow of Nathaniel Chamberlin late of Southborough in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts deceased, and whereas my first husband the said Nath l . Chamberlin was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and served about nine months in all at different times, as he always told me in the Massachusetts Militia, and whereas I am entitled to a Pension on account of services rendered by the said Nathaniel Chamb- erlin I therefore now make the best statement of his services that I am capable of making at this time from recollection. I well remember he always told me that he served about nine months in all at different times in the Mass. Militia, he always said he was at Lexington when the British came out of Boston in 1775, and was stationed at Dorchester Point one tour that he was out, I think that was in 1776, but I am not sure but it was in 1775, and was out at the time of the Banning- ton Battle about two months and was in that Battle, and was at New York at the time the British left that place. I cannot for certainty give the names of the officers that my husband the said Chamberlin was under, but I remember the names of officers that lived in said Southboro and

Westboro at that time one by the name of Moses Wheelock who was born at that time, and a Capt Brigham, and a Capt. Sill Morse, but I am not sure that my husband was out under them nor am I sure that they were any of them out but I think they were, and I think my husband was under them if they were out, or at least one or more of them some portion of the time he was out, my husband the said Chamberlin was a resident of said South boro and Westboro, at the time he went into the service the above is the best description I can give of his services at this time from recollection. Therefore know all men by these presents that I the said Prudence Tenny do hereby constitute and appoint Jacob Wales my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to obtain from the Hon. J. G. Palfrey Secretary of said State who now has the old muster Rolls in his possession the evidence of my said husband's services in order that I may obtain a Pension. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of June A.D. 1845.
Signed Sealed and delivered in presence of
Luther Chapman
her Prudence Tenny mark

State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss Gray June 14 th 1845 When personally appeared the before named Prudence Tenny and made the foregoing declaration and Power of attorney and acknowledged the same to be her free act and Deed. Before me Luther Chapman Justice of the Peace
I further certify that my Husband the said Nathaniel Chamberlin was a & Fifer Drummer and I think went out as drummer or Fifer every tour he was out. Prudence Tenny mark Witness Luther Chapman
State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss. I Leonard Rice, Clerk of the Supreme Court of Judicature of said State, within and for said county of Cheshire do hereby certify that Luther Chapman whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Certificate is a justice of the Peace within and for said county of Cheshire, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that his signature as such is in my belief genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this seventh day of January A.D. 1846. Leonard Rice. Clerk

I Luther Maynard of Westborough, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, eighty years of age testify and say, that I am a native of Westborough aforesaid, and that I lived in said Town untill I was twelve years of age, and then I went to live in Southborough, near the line of Westborough, that I was acquainted with Nathaniel Chamberlain and Prudence Rice before they were reputed to have been married, and afterwards, and I well recollect going to school near the house of said Chamberlain, and occasionally going into his house and I recollect that they then had two children the oldest named Eli and the other named Hannah, that there was no other person by the name of Nathaniel Chamberlain living in said Westborough during the war of the Revolution, excepting the one that married Prudence Rice, according to my best knowledge and belief.
Luther Maynard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss December 24 1845 - Then Luther Maynard made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by him subscribed, and I certify that he is reputed to be a person of truth.
Before me Sullivan Fay Justice of the Peace.

I Sarah Maynard of Westborough in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, eighty six years and seven months of age, testify and say that I am a native of Westborough and lived there untill fifty years of age. I then went to Southborough in the same County, and from thence returned to Westborough, That I am was acquainted with Nathaniel Chamberlain and Prudence Rice of said Westborough both before and after the time they were reputed to be married, which was when I was near sixteen years of age, and I have no doubt they were married, as they afterward lived in said Westborough several years as husband and wife, and had two children, while living in Westborough, the oldest of which was named Eli, that after said Chamberlain died his widow, the said Prudence married Abel the said Chamberlain Tenny. And I well recollect that he went into the service of his Country in the war of the Revolution, that said Chamberlain was a drummer, but whether he acted in that capacity in the service I cannot state, that to my best knowledge and belief there was no other Nathaniel Chamberlain living in said Westborough during the war, except the husband of said Prudence.
Sarah her X Maynard mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss. December 27 18215 Then Sarah Maynard made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her subscribed, and I certify from personal knowledge that she is a person of truth.
Before me. Sullivan Jay Justice of the Peace.