Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17483, John Hosmer, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Hosmer, John
NUMBER
S. 17483.
CONTENTS
bearded

13216
Massachusetts
John Hosmer
of Middlesex in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Brown in the Mass line for 10 (My 15) Days
Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 34 Dollars 99 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of June 1833 and sent Hon Nelson Present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $69.98 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep " 174.9
$87.47
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H M Blair Clerk Book 2, Vol. 2, Page 33,
76 Middlesex H. d. Sept. 19. 1833 A.B.

John Hoxner Application - 7/12.
Also To Memoranda
Joseph Wheeler Esq. 100 York Row

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex
ss.
On this Seventeenth
day of August
AD 1832
Concord
personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas  Probate , now sitting at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth
aforesaid John Hosmer , a resident of Bedford in the County
Commonwealth aforesaid
aged Seventy four years
Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say.
On the morning of the 19th of April 1775, he was one of the Lexington Company of Militia, drawn up on the Common, when the British advanced and fired upon them - after skirmish, followed them to Concord, then in their retreat followed them back to Cambridge, where he served about a fortnight as near as he can recollect. - Again in 1776 in the month of March, he was called out, the Lexington Company of Artillery, under Capt. Brown, marched to Roxbury & there served 10 days or a fortnight more - was then attached to Col. Brown's Regt called the Concord Regiment. An attack on the redoubt under Fort Dorchester Heights was hourly expected, the Enemy made the attempt one night been driven off by the tempest. In 1776, in the first part of July, he enlisted at Lexington, into the service under Lt. Edmund Meason of Lexington, for five months, to go to Canada. marched to Concord, then followed the Company under Capt. Hildreth. There marched to Groton then to Charlestown N.H. There inspected, then to Tienderoga, where they joined the Army under Genl. Gates - was attached to Col. Jonathan Reed's Regiment, Lt. Col. Brown & Major Hildreth Brackett were Brigadiers Generals - Then served out his time was discharged at Tienderoga & returned home to Lexington the last of November - During this time was often out scouting the woods.
In 1777 he again enlisted in the first part of July, at Lexington, for five months, under Capt. George Merriam of Concord, marched immediately to Concord, then through Northampton, Paulet, Manchester, on to Bennington, Vermont, and arrived there the day or day after the Battle, then to Skene'sborough, tarrying there 3 or 4 weeks, then to Stillwater, where they joined the Army under Genl. Gates, the day or day after the Battle at that place. After Burgoyne's surrender, marched to Albany then through Saratoga, to White Plains, then down towards New York, to a place called Scarsdale, where he was discharged to return  to go to Lexington with the latter part of the  time  time - which at Skene'sborough was one of a party of about 60 volunteers, who went up to the narrows between Lake George & Champlain, under Col. Brown and took a number of British Officers prisoners - Brig. Genl. Warner.
Has no documentary evidence - knows of no person, upon testimony he can prove, who can testify as to his two first terms of service - The two last are proved by depositions hereto annexed. - Never received any discharges.
Tru

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whenever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
We Samuel Stearns
John Hosmer
a Clergyman residing in the town of Bedford in the county of Middlesex, and David Lane of said Bedford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Hosmer who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy four years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Samuel Stearns
Middlesex p. Aug. 17. 1832
David Lane
soon to be our Marshall Preston Jr. of the Peace
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Samuel Stearns who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Bedford David Lane
who has also signed the same is resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Isaac Fisher Register of Probate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Hosmer for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two.
Isaac Fisher
I also certify that Reuben Bacon & W. Mulliken Esqrs. whose own proper signatures are set to the certificates to the Depositions hereto annexed, are justices of the Peace in and for said County of Middlesex.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office, this seventeenth day of August. A.D. 1832
Isaac Fisher
P.S. The Rev. Mr Stearns was sick & unable by reason thereof, to attend Court.
Marshall Preston Jr. of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit,
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Concord ————— within and for the County of Middlesex on the Seventeenth ————— day of August ————— A. D. 1832 On the application of John Hosmer ————— claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, In Medford in said County of Middlesex - the 20 th day of May, A.D. 1758
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, His birth is recorded in the Town Records of Medford.
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer, Lived in Lexington when he enlisted - Since the war lived in said Lexington, Marlborough, Bolton, Shrewsbury & Bedford where he now lives & has lived for about 10 years last past. -
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom? Answer, The 2 first terms he was called out, as a member of the Militia Company of Lexington - The other terms - he enlisted -
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer, At the North Genl. Gates - Brigadier Genl. Benedict -
6. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Answer, Rev. Samuel Stearns, David Lane, Thompson Baccary
John Hosmer
Middlesex ss. August 17. 1832 In probate court.
Sworn to in open court. Isaac D. May

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex S s
On the twenty fifth day of July 1832 Personally appeared before me Reuben Baron one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said county of Middlesex. James Cogswell, of Concord in said county of Middlesex, now seventy eight years of age, hereby testify to the following facts viz. That John Hosmer now of Bedford in said county of Middlesex did enlist and serve on or about the first day of July A. D. 1776 for the term of five months in a company of State troops commanded by Charles Miles of said Concord under the command of Col Jonathan Reed of Littleton in said county Lieut. Col Brown of Reading, & Major Fletcher of Acton both in said county, and that he the said John Hosmer did actually serve said term of five months from the time of his enlistment in the war of the American Revolution James Cogswell
Subscribed and sworn to before Me
Reuben Baron Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above named James Cogswell is well known to me, is a credible witness & his testimony entitled to full confidence
Reuben Baron Justice of the Peace
Peace

I Joseph Munroe of Lexington in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts depose and say that John Noomer of Bedford in said county enlisted into the service of the United States in the month of July 1777 under Capt. George Minott of Concord and Lieutenant Daniel Harrington of Lexington and that he marched with me to Stillwater and to the best of my knowledge, and belief served the time for which he enlisted. Joseph Munroe
Middlesex ss. July 11-1832 personally appeared the above named Joseph Munroe and made solemn oaths that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true.
Before me D. D. Mullen Justice Peace
I further certify that the above named Joseph Munroe is well known to me, is a credible witness & his testimony entitled to full credence.
D. D. Mullen Justice of the Peace

Rev. and 1812 War Section
awf
June 22, 1926
Charles B. Hosmer, American Consul Sherbrooke Quebec, Canada.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 17483 , it appears that John Hosmer was born May 10, 1758 at Medford, Massachusetts.
While residing at Lexington, Massachusetts on the morning of April 19, 1775, he was one of the Lexington Company of Militia, drawn up on the Common, when the British advanced and fired on them, and was also in the battle of Concord, and followed in the retreat to Cambridge, and served at this time, eight days, no officers stated; and in March 1776, he served seven days in Captain Brown's Company, Colonel Brown's Regiment.
He enlisted in July 1776 and served five months as

private in Captain Charles Miles' Company, Colonel Jonathan Reed's Massachusetts Regiment, and went to Ticonderoga.
He enlisted in July 1777 and served five months as private in Captain George Minott's Company, Colonel Bullard's Massachusetts Regiment, and was at the surrender of Burgoyne.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 17, 1832, while a resident of Bedford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He died September 17, 1839.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

ms. C
P
17483
INVALID.
May 3/94 Nat. Hist. Soc. Capt. G. A. Lymn. Bureau of Rev. 1926 June 22. Hist. to Chas. D. Horner airt.
File No. 17483
John Horner
Ex Rev War
Act: June 7" 82
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 181
[Arrangement of 1870.]

7112
John Hoamer
28 Return this with the papers
March 10 Mar. 15 day Capt Mendi's Compy Mts
5. 14. 16-
P. 288
$ 34.99
Hon L. Nelson

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Hosmer further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? _____ IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? _____ VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? _____
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? _____
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex ss.
On this tenth day of April. A.D. 1833. personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County of Middlesex, John Hosmer of Bedford in said County who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively, as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades.
For Eight days, in the year 1775, I served as a private at Cambridge. For Seven days in the year 1776 I served as a private at Roxbury. For Five months in the Northern Campaign in 1776, I served as a private.
For five months in 1777, at the North, at the taking of Banzene I served as a private - and for which terms of service I claim a pension -
John Hosmer
Sworn to & subscribed this tenth day of April A.D. 1833
Before me Marshall Preston. Jus. of the Peace
I further certify that the above named John Hosmer is the same person, who made oath to & subscribed the original declaration to which this is annexed.
Marshall Preston Jus of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex County. ss. -
I Isaac Tike, Register & Clerk of the Court of Probate, within the said County of Middlesex, do hereby certify that Reuben Baccan Esq & Nathaniel Mullett Esq, whose own proper signatures are set to the Depositions hereto annexed, and Marshall Preston Esq, whose own proper signature is set to the affidavit of John Horner, hereto annexed are all Justices of the Peace within the said County of Middlesex.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Cambridge this nineteenth day of April A.D. 1833. -
Isaac Tike

PERSONAL
AMERICAN CONSULAR SERVICE Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. June 15, 1926.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
The book entitled "Bedford's Old Families" by Brown, contains the following statement concerning John Hosmer:
"Hosmer, John, b. May 10, 1758 at Medford (Mass.), removed to Lexington - was member of Captain Parker's Co. at Battle of Lexington - Fought at White Plains October 28, 1776; Ticonderoga July 5, 1777; Stillwater September 19 and October 7, 1777. He married January 21, 1781, Anna Fosgate of Bolton. Went to Shrewsbury and then 1790 to Bedford. He died at New Ipswich, N. H. September 17, 1839."
However, the records of the State of Massachusetts indicate more than one John Hosmer served in the Revolutionary War and it has been suggested that you may have documents on file at the Pension Bureau which will give an abstract of the Revolutionary service of John Hosmer, born at Medford, Massachusetts, May 10, 1758. If this proves to be the case, the furnishing of the information will be much appreciated.
Very respectfully yours,
Charles Brigham Hosmer
Address:
American Consul, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.