Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 35,401, Robert Hanscom, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Hanscom, Robert
S. 35,401
or Hansum
or Hanscum
CONTENTS

13.295
Side letter to Col. B. Sewall April 18, 1821.
Notification sent to David Small Esq. 12 Oct 1820. Maine Frank Maine
District of Maine or Massachusetts Robert Hanscom
of Mendel in the state of District of Maine who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Jackson of the Masachusett line, for the term of Three years
Inscribed on the Roll of District of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 8 th of April 1812
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th of July 1818 and sent to G. W. Wallingford Esq. Hennebunk D. of Maine
  Arrears to 4th of  Mar. 1819.  87 16    Semi-ann. all'ce ending  Sep. 1819.  48 00    10 Mo. 23 4      30 31   $135 16  
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
See letter to Ethan Shepley Esq. Dist. Atty. at Saco, Maine & to Agent at Portland November, 1820.
Witnessed
Hanscom is the name

Robert Hanscum p'r w' Bob Jackson Reg't Mass Line
1781 - 3 years
8 Ap'l
13. The Judge has not signed his name to the declaration -
Admitted
The deposition of two credi- ble & disinterested witnesses, duly taken & authenti- cated, (or the certificate of an Officer of the Reg't) to prove the services of Applicant, is required. -

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
YORK, ss.
ON this eighth day of April 1818, before me, the subscriber, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the first Eastern District, in said Commonwealth, personally appears Robert Hanscum resident in Kennebec in said county of York and state aforesaid, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration—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.” That he, the said Robert Hanscum, being now fifty five years of age, sometime in the autumn of 1701 enlisted into the american army for the term of three years and that he proceeded to the state of New York where he was attached to the company then commanded by Capt Joseph Fox, which company then belonged to regiment under command of Col. Henry Jackson which he thinks was the ninth massachusetts regiment — That afterwards he the said Hanscum was transferred to the company commanded by Capt Thomas Pritchard in the third massachusetts commanded by Col. Greaton, in which company and regiment he continued to do his duty until he was honorably discharged from the continental army at West Point in the month of July 1703 That he received a written discharge at that time, which he several years since delivered to the Hon George Thatcher at that time a member of Congress from his district for the purpose of obtaining a pension, he having been an invalid from the time he left the army to the present, when discharge he has never since been able to obtain —
And that he is reduced in his circumstances and stands in need of assistance from his country for support, and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid.
By Greene
I BENJAMIN GREENE, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern District, in the Commonwealth aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Hanscum did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy, and I do 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. and I certify that said Hanscum is reduced in his circumstances and in need of assistance from his country for support. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Wells this second day of July - in the year of our Lord 1818
By Greene

(Copy) State of Maine.
York, ss.... At a Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit, begun and held at York, within an for the County of York, on the first Tuesday of July being the fourth day of July, and by adjournment sit Alfred from day to day, on the nineteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty before the Honorable Benjamin Green, Chief Justice of said Court.
On this nineteenth day of July in the year 1820, personally appeared in open Court the same proceeding according to the course of the common law, having jurisdiction unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having "the power of fine and imprisonment," and being a Court of Record for said County, Robert Hanscom, aged fifty eight years resident in Arundel in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, viz: as a private, in the company commanded by Capt. Fox in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Jackson, in the line of the State of Massachusetts, on The.

the Continental Establishment, as is more particularly mentioned and described in his original declaration, made on the eighth day of April A.D. 1818, and on which said declaration, his Certificate of Pension, numbered, B.295, was granted. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby, so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provision of an 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," passed on the 18 th day of March 1818: and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule herunto annexed, and by me subscribed; that my occupation and ability to pursue the same, together with the number and other particulars of my family, are in fact and in truth as is herein particularly described, also subscribed by me.
Signed Robert Hanscom. Sworn to and declared, on the 19 th day of July A.D. 1820.
Before. Signed Benj e Greene. Chief Justice of the said Court Signed Dan l Small clerk

Schedule of the real and personal estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to me the subscriber, viz: 1 Acre of land, & half a small one story house unfinished. 1 Cow. 2 Sheep.
Schedule of the family residing with me, Robert Hanscom, who, by occupation am a Labourer, which I am not able to pursue, by reason of a lame leg.
   Names. Ages. Capacity of each to contribute to their support     None. — " — " Robert Hanscom.  
State of Maine.
York ss....
I Daniel Small Clerk of the Circuit Court of common Pleas, within the County of York do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedules thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is forty two dollars and fifty cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set

set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty second day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
signed Daniel Serrall.
Clerk of the said Circuit Court, for the County of York
Copy of the original referred to furnished by Robert Hanson which Original is now in the hands of the Secretary of War. It was written in a letter to B. Shepley, Esq. N. P. M. H. A. S. Machine, at the date 30 Nov. 1820

I Sarah Hanscom of Kennebunk Port in the county of York and state of Maine of lawful age testify and declare that I have this day for the first time seen a communication from the Pension Department at Washington purporting to be an extract of a letter from Daniel Sewall to the Pension Office dated the 24 th of June 1825 stating - That - "Robert Hanscom of Kennebunk Port conveyed his estate to his two sisters who live in the house with him. Several law suits have been had with the creditors and the same has been conveyed, and reconveyed in order to defraud the creditors but these conveyances have been proved in courts of law to be fraudulent" -
And I further testify that I am one of the sisters of said Robert Hanscom aluded to in the above extract and hereby solemnly declare that the charge of fraudulent conveyance of property of any kind, at any time from the said Robert to me or of a reconveyance of the same or of any other property from me to the said Robert for any purpose whatever or that any law suits "have been had with the creditors" of the said Robert to obtain property of any kind conveyed to me by him or that any "conveyances" of any property made to me by the said Robert have "in courts of law been proved to be fraudulent" or by any man or set of men to my knowledge ever questioned or supposed to be such is Malicious and False in all its parts.
Robert Hanscom the person aluded to in the above extract is a pensioner of the United States. He has possessed but very little or no property for many years past. He resides with me and my Sister Mary, is a cripple

aged and infirm health and since the suspension of the payment of his pension he has been a charge principally upon our exertions for support and is wholly supported by us and the charity of his and our other friends
I further testify and declare that I have never known or heard of the conveyance of any property personal or real from the said Robert Hanscom to his and my sister Mary (the other sister with whom he resides) nor of any conveyance or reconveyance of property from her to him - and the only conveyances that I have ever heard or known of in our family which have been the subject of litigation in any "courts of Law" are some conveyances from me to my sister Mary and reconveyances from her to me and others, in which my brother Robert has not in any way or in any respect been a party.
From the knowledge I have of the character of Daniel Sewall Esq of Kennebec I hereby declare my full belief that the representation he made in the letter before alluded to was made through motives of malice and ill will towards me and my sister Mary designed to injure my brother from hatred towards us and to injure us in any way or by any means in his power; I judge this from the persecuting spirit he has for years manifested towards us & the unwarrantable means he has used to wrest from us a trifling property of which we were possessed partly by the legacy of a departed friend, but principally the industry of our own hands through a life of toil and prudence - I have never heard or known of any conveyances of property from Robert Hanscomb Esq .

Sister Mary nor of reconveyances of the same or of any other property from Mary to him; I am satisfied beyond all doubt there never has been any.
Sarah Hanscom
State of Maine
York ss,
Kennebunk November 6. 1830. Then personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for the County of York, Sarah Hanscom of Kennebunk Port and made solemn oath to the foregoing deposition by her subscribed to in my presence and I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the said Sarah Hanscom and that she is a credible witness. And from personal knowledge of the parties and principle facts stated by her, do not doubt she has testified truly,
Danabas Palmer

State of Maine.
County of York, ss: I, Jeremiah Bradbury, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said county of York, hereby certify that Barnabas Palmer, whose signature is affixed to the annexed paper, is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said county; and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said State, this eighth day of November, A.D. 1830.
Jere. Bradbury Clerk
Jeremiah Bradbury Deputy Clerk

Mary Hanson's Deposition
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

I Mary Hanscom of Kennebec Port in the County of York and State of Maine testify that I am a Sister of Robert Hanscom United States Pensioner of Kennebec Port, and am one of the two Sisters with whom said Robert has resided for many years past and I hereby declare that the said Robert Hanscomb has never conveyed property of any description to me for the purpose of obtaining a pension, nor have I ever known or heard, until I heard it was so represented by Daniel Sewall of his conveying property to any individual for the purpose of obtaining a pension or for any other fraudulent purpose - I am fully satisfied that he has not so conveyed property, had he ever had property thus to convey, and had such conveyance ever been made, it must from his situation in our family necessarily have been known to me, He never made a conveyance of property of any kind to me, He resides with me and my Sister Sarah and is principally supported by us. I never "conveyed or reconveyed" property of any description to the said Robert who by reason of his lameness and other infirmities is not able to support himself, but is dependent upon others.
I further declare my entire conviction that the representation made to the pension office by Daniel Sewall Esq of Kennebec against said Robert Hanscom under date of the 24 th of June 1820. was made from base and malicious motives, said Sewall is an enemy of our family, he was years engaged and  in in an unjust persecution of me and my sister Sarah the object of which was, though trifling in

in amount, to deprive us of the principal part of our hard and honest earnings. Mary Hanscom
State of Maine York ss.
Kennebunk November 6. 1830. Then personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for the County of York Mary Hanscom of Kennebunkport and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her subscribed to in my presence and I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the said Mary Hanscom and that she is a credible witness, And from personal knowledge of the parties and principal facts stated by her do not doubt she has testified truly.
Samuel Palmer.

State of Maine.
County of York, ss:
I, Jeremiah Bradbury, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said county of York, hereby certify that Barnabas Palmer, whose signature is affixed to the annexed paper, is a justice of the Peace within and for said county of York; and that the signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said State, this eighth day of November Anno Domini, 1830.
Jer. Bradbury Clerk.

35 401
Rev INVALID.
File No. 35,401
or Hansium
Robert Hanscomb
His Rev. Mr.
Act: 15 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 3 , Page 176
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Maine
620
(Vide letters within)
Robert Hanscomb or Hanscum. —
Service — 3 Years. —
Age 59 — has no family
Occupation — a labourer — not to work by reason of lame leg. —
Property — 1 acre of land, — half small one story House unfinished — Cow — 2 sheep — Valued by Court at $42: \frac{50}{100} . —
On his schedule dated 22 July, 1820 his name was continued on the 12 th
October, 1820. — see letter to B. Palmer Nov. 16. 18
The payment of his pension was sus- pended in consequence of information contained in letter from E. Shepley U.S. Dist. Atty. Saco, Maine, dated 16 th October, 1820. — It would appear from a subsequent letter from Mr. Shepley dated 20 th Jan y . 1821, that the suspensions upon which his first letter was founded which were raised by in- uendo given to him
were groundless. —
A letter is now presented by Hon. Joseph Dane, As: Rep. from Daniel Sewall, Clerk of the Court, written on behalf of Mr. Hanscomb and request- ing that the Agent for paying Pensions in Maine may be directed to resume his pay- As to him. — Feb: 13. 1822
decision —
See letters of 20 Feb: 1822 to Hon. Joseph Dane and Asst. for paying pensions —
Susp n (again) 2 nd July 1825. See letters to Pensioner & Agent of that date — also letter to Hon. W. Burleigh H. R. 12 Dec. 1825 —

Robert Hanscum Maine Rev.
acts March 18. 1818 & May 1. 1820
Susp d . & suspension removed. See letter to Agent L B. Palmer May 23. 1833.
File this among the files of claims al- lowed.
Certificate issued 7. July 19- comm g 9. 8 th age 6518—
vide letters to Agent & B. Palmer 16 July 1833

Character of the Agent unknown to the War Dept.
3 Pension certificate for Hans- comb issued July 7. 1819.
[Sept. 1819] file.

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of the Pension Office Washington

Parsonsfield Apr 13 th 1833
James L. Edward Esq.
Sir,
I take the liberty of introducing to you a friend of mine Barnabas Palmer Esq of Kennebec, Me.
Major Palmer lives in the neighborhood of Robert Hanscom whose pension has long been suspended & about whom I often troubled you with inquiries. He can give you any needed information on that subject. His character & standing in Maine entitle him to respectful attention.
Yours respectfully &
Rufus White

Hon ble J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington
Return from the bureau of the pension L. L.

Thornebrook, April 11 th 1833
To the Secretary of War, or Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir,
Sometime in 1825 I think, I wrote the Secretary of War in relation to Robert Hanscom a revolutionary Pensioner under the acts of 1818 & 1820, and from what I had heard at the time I wrote, I had an impression that some fraud had been practiced by him in the conveyance of some estate in order to obtain his pension, and I believe I suggested something to that effect - I had previously been Clerk of the Courts, and I knew of several cases in the family of Mr. Hanscom of fraudulent conveyances; but on considering the same afterwards I recollected that the frauds alluded to were not proved against him, but were altogether on the part of his two sisters - I thought but little more of the subject for some time afterwards, and I had forgotten the fact, if I ever knew it, of Mr. Hanscom's being suspended from the payment of his pension in consequence of the communication made by me, till I was recently informed of his being suspended -
If

If I had known the fact of his being suspended, I should have before made application in his behalf.
I originally assisted Mr. Hanscom to get on the pension list, and was Clerk of the Courts at the time. I was then satisfied that he was a subject to whom the acts of Congress respecting poor pensioners should be applied. The suspicions of fraud suggested in my communication so far as respects him are removed, and hope the payments due him will not be withheld.
With due respect
I am Sir, your humble serv t and an old soldier of the Revolution, and now near the close of life.
Daniel Sewall.
P.S. I have reason to believe that Robert Hanscom is very poor and needy.

Select Men of — Kennebec Port
Paid 6
Maj. Barnabas Palmer.
Kennebec —

Kennebec Port May 4 th 1833-
Barnabas Palmer Esq.
Dear Sir
It is understood that you contemplate visiting Washington City in the course of a few weeks, and we wish to interest you in behalf of Robert Hanscom a revolutionary pensioner of this town under the act of 1818, the payment of whose pension has been suspended in consequence of a communication in reference to him, which sometime since reached the pension Department.
Your personal acquaintance with Robert Hanscom, and knowledge of his affairs for fifteen or eighteen years past, will enable you we think to represent his case to the Secretary of War in its proper light. That he has been misrepresented, and the payment of his pension cruelly withheld admits of no doubt - Mr Hanscom is a harmless inoffensive old man, without property dependent upon his friends, and the public for support. Any interest you may take in his behalf, or service that you may render him at Washington will be suitably acknowledged by your friends, &
Obt Servant
Robert Smith } Selectmen and Joshua Herrick } Overseers of the Poor 3 } of Kennebec Port

Extract of Letter from Daniel S. Small Esq r to the Pension Office Dated 24- June 1825

Extract of a Letter to the Pension offin dated 24 th of June 1825
Robert Hanscom of Hennebunk port conveyed his Estate to his two Sisters who live in the House with him Several law Suits have been had with the creditors and the same has been conveyed and reconveyed in order to defraud creditors but these conveyances have been proved in Courts of Law fraudulent

Certificate Gene Bradbury Clerk of the Judicial Courts in the county of York

State of Maine York County ss.
I Jeremiah Bradbury, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts for said County, certify that, I have been Clerk of said Courts during the twelve years last past, and that I do not recollect or know of any case in said Courts, in which Robert Hanscom of Hennebank Port in said County has been proved to have made any fraud- ulent conveyance of real estate, or personal property; nor do I know or recollect, that any action in which he was a party has been pending, wherein any charge has been made of any such fraudulent conveyance.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my name and affix my Official Seal, this fourth day of May A.D. 1833.
Jer. Bradbury Clerk &c.

Pension Office Nov 15 1820

Custom House Kennebec, Me. (York County),
November 10 th 1830.
Hon. J. H. Eaton, Secretary of War, Sir,
I transmit the inclosed Documents in behalf of Robert Hanscomb, an inoffensive but misrepresented and injured revolutionary worthy of Kennebec Port, the payment of whose pension it seems was suspended in consequence of the representation, or rather misrepresentation of an individual here. Infirm and secluded in his manner of living Mr. Hanscomb has until recently been unable to interest others to make his case known to the Department. The whole amount of property of every description which he possesses is less than $50. His schedule of 1820. shews his poverty at that time, & the declaration of himself, two Sisters, and the certificate of the Clerk of the judicial Courts in this County, herewith forwarded, sufficiently explain & refute the story of fraudulent conveyances by him, should they be deemed satisfactory to the Department, I trust the payment of his dues will not be longer withheld and the necessary order to enable him to obtain it, is respectfully solicited.
I have the honour to be with great respect Your Obedt. Servant. Barnabas Palmer

Certificate of Jeremiah Bradbury, Clerk of the Judicial Court.

State of Maine
York ss
I Jeremiah Bradsbury Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County of York, do hereby certify that it does not appear by the records of either of the Judicial Courts in said County, that any deed of conveyance made by Robert Hanson of Kennebunk-Port in said County, to any person, has been a subject of legal controversy - and that none of said Records shew, any case in which any deed of said Robert to to any person whomsoever, was fraudulent -
Clerks Office at Alfred 2 Nov. 8. 1830
Jere. Bradsbury - Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County of York
Given under the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said State

FREE
Wm Lewis Cab Secretary of War Washington City

State Allele July the 6 th 1833
Wounded Pigeon Coop
Sir
An application has been made from this district by W m Burke an old Revolutionary character who is in extreme indigent circumstances. His papers have been sent back & were amended & returned to the department. Some time since his great anxiety to know the fate of his application is my apology for troubling you with this
Yours respectfully &c
W.A. Moore

Off Bank M c I
Pittsua June 7. 1833
Sir
I herein enclose the vouchers of Robert Naumcumel, for inspec n , as instructed in your letter, to this agency, of the 23 ultimo
I am,
very respectfully
Your obt servant
J Wingate Pr Agent By A D Hughes
J G Edwards Esq Com r of Pensions Washington
P.S. should not the name of Nathan Raymond be inscribed on our Roll

Robert Hunscom
Arundel
131.
Dr 2-

War Department,
N o 13295
PENSION OFFICE,
12 Oct r 1820.
SIR,
You are hereby informed that the schedule of your property has been examined; and the Secretary of War has directed your name to be continued on the Pension Roll.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. G. Edwards
To Mr.
Robert Hansum
Friendel
Wagne

Jan'y 21
Free
Recd 29 Jan. 1821.
Wainwright Hovey
Hon. John C. Calhoun Secretary of War Washington
Hon John C. Calhoun Secretary of War
Wainwright

Yaco Maine, January 20th 1821,
Sir. In obedience to your direction under date of the 3 d of November last - I have made enquiry into the circumstances relating to the conveyance of the real estate of Robert Hanscomb to Sally Hanscomb, and find the facts to be nearly these -
Timothy Hanscomb the Father of Robert conveyed the property to Robert - upon Roberts paying to his three Sisters one hundred and fifty dollars each - That Robert being lame and a poor husbandman never paid his Sisters any part of the sum - and that the interest continued to accrue on it -; and that he contracted other debts to the amount of about four hundred dollars more - That in order to obtain his pension, probably, he thought best to pay

all his debts - and 100 to Sally the Farm, and she released her own debt, and took up all the securities he gave his other Sisters, and paid off his other debts by giving her own security for them - the whole amount being $900 - On careful enquiry I cannot ascertain that the farm would sell for cash at this time for much more than that sum -
I regret that my first information should have been so erroneous - and have occasioned you this trouble -
The original schedule is herewith transmitted.
I am with great respect
Your most obed serv t
Ebenezer Shepley
Hon John C. Calhoun Secretary of War

From Ethan Shepley Esq. Dist. Atty U.S. for Maine at Saco. — 26 Oct. 1820 Ans r . 3 rd Nov. 1820. see letter. —

Sac City
Feb
Hon John C. Calhoun Secretary of War Washington
these

Yaco Maine, October 26 th 1820
Sir A complaint has been made to me as the Attorney of the United States for Maine District by a respectable citizen - which states, that Robert Hanscomb of Anundel in this State an applicant for a pension under the law of U.S. approved May 1 st 1820 on the sixteenth day of July last was the owner of a farm in Anundel of 150 acres of land worth $1500 - and on that day conveyed the same to his Sister Sarah Hanscomb in consideration of $900 purporting to be paid him by her - that he had a flock of cattle and farming utensils on the farm - and that at the time of the conveyance he was not indebted, as complainant believes, to the amount of $100 - to any person - that no money

was paid by the Sister to him or any security for the purchase money, given at the time of the delivery of the deed - or since to his knowledge - and that the Sister was not possessed of property to make such a purchase - and that Hanscomb has taken the oath and applied for a continuance of his pension - I have thought it my duty to give you this information - as it might have a bearing on your decision of his case if such decision is not already made
With the greatest respect
I am Sir your
most obed serv t
Ebenezer Shepley
Hon John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War

(Additional Evidence)
I Daniel Huff of Arundel in the county of York and district of Maine say five years of age do on solemn oath testify and depose and declare that Robert Hansum of the same town about the year 1701 enlisted as a private soldier for the town — That said town was called on for a quota of men I think four and said Hansum was hired as one of them and left home for the purpose of serving the army and was gone more than a year and an half and returned home a short time before the war was ended and was at the time he returned lame and unable to do much labor and has so continued to the present time — I further say that I understood about the time of his return, that he had a regular discharge from the army and remember to have heard said Hansum's father, who was then alive since dead , several years after the war was ended, say that he had been to Biddeford to see the Hon't George Macher or then a member of Congress for this district and had carried and delivered to him his son's discharge for the purpose of obtaining a pension for the said Robert, he being an invalid; and I have no doubt that the said Robert Hansum was honorably discharged from the army — I further say that neither of the other persons who went from said town into the army at the time he did are now living
Daniel Huff
Commonwealth of Massachusetts York ss June 7. 1819 Then the above named Daniel Huff, who is a credible and disinterested witness personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed
Before me
G. Wallingford Justice

(Additional Evidence)
I Dummer Mitchell of Arundel in the county of York and district of Maine, eighty two years of age, do on solemn oath testify and depose that I have been well acquainted with Robert Hanscum, for nearly forty five years during which time I have lived a near neighbor to him and that I well remember, that between the years 1700 and the close of the American war the town of Arundel was called on for soldiers to recruit the army, and that the said Hanscum agreed to go into the army for the town and according to my best recollection at some time in the fall of 1701 when he left home to repair to the army and was gone about a year and an half when he returned lame and not able to do much work and has continued lame to this time. It was said when he returned home that he had been honorably discharged from the army, but I do not recollect that I ever saw his discharge - I further testify that the person now here present at the taking this deposition is the same Robert Hanscum above named.
Dummer Mitchell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
York ss June 7 th 1819 Then the above named Dummer Mitchell, who is a credible and disinterested witness and a man of great respectability and in the full exercise of his mental faculties, personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed
Before G. W. Ballingford Justice
_____

(Additional Evidence)
I Jonathan Hanson of Waterboro in the county of York and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do on solemn oath testify and depose that some time in the spring of 1702 when a disarrangement of the army took place and the regiments were consolidated. I think in the month of May Robert Hanscum who was then a soldier in one of the regiments which was broken up was put into the company commanded by Capt Thomas Pritchard and in the Third Massachusetts regiment commanded by Colo John Greaton, as a private soldier; and that the said Hanscum continued in said company and regiment to do his duty until the regiment was ordered to march from New Windsor some time in the months of April or May 1703 to the city of Philadelphia, at which time the said Hanscum was unwell and did not march with the regiment, he being at that time unwell sick, as he had been a considerable part of the time previous, and I do not now recollect seeing said Hanscum after the regiment returned to the North river - I further say that I have no doubt the Hanscum was honorably discharged from the army and that I do not know any of the officers of said company or soldiers that are now alive except the said Hanscum and myself - I further depose that the person now present at the taking of this deposition is the same Robert Hanscum above named -
Witness
Stephen Ducker G. Wallingford
his Jonathan Hanson mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
York ss. June 11 th 1819 Then the above named Jonathan Hanson who is a credible and disinterested witness and a man of respectable standing and unblemished reputation personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed -
Before me
G. Wallingford Justice

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
York ss. I Daniel Sewall, clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas within & for the county of York, hereby certify that George W. Wallingford, before whom the foregoing deposition were taken, is a Justice of the peace within & for said county, duly qualified to act as such, & that the foregoing are his signatures.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, & have affixed the seal of the said Court, the eleventh day of June, A. D. 1819.
Daniel Sewall.

D. Swab
Jan. 29. 1822.
FILE
Honorable Joseph Dane,
Member of Congress,
Washington City.

Shenabunk 29 th Jany. 1822.
Dear Sir,
M c Robert Hanscom obtained a certificate in due form of law; but when he sent to Portland for his pension money in Sept r . 1820, he was told that a complaint had been entered ag t him to the District Attorney, that he had conveyed his estate in a fraudulent manner, and the payment of his pension was suspended - When he applied in March 1821, the same story was told - After that, M c Shepley the District Attorney has been called on, who says, that true it was, that complaint had been made to him - but that he had examined into those complaints, and found nothing worthy to be taken notice of; and that he had notified the Secretary at War, that there was no grounds of prosecution.
M c Hanscom sent again for his pension money in Sept r . 1821, and the Paymaster at Portland refused to pay it, he having had no order from the Secretary at War to pay it - Thus has the payment of his pension been suspended for nearly eighteen months, merely on the ill grounded complaint of some of his envious neighbours.
If you have time to spare, I wish you to call on the Secretary of War, and enquire the reason why

2281 why Mr. Hanson cannot receive his pension and you will oblige him & not Your humble servt.
Daniel Sewall.
Hon. Joseph Dane.
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, mostly illegible.]

Robert Hanscom
19 Joseph
John

STATE OF MAINE.
York ss....At a Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first — Eastern Circuit, begun and holden at York within and for the County of York on the first Tuesday of July being the fourth day of July and by adjournment at Alfred from day to day, on the nineteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, before the Honorable Benjamin Greene — chief Justice. Judge of said Court.
ON this nineteenth — day of July in the year 1820, personally appeared in open Court
the same proceeding according to the course of the common law, having jurisdiction unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having "the power of fine and imprisonment," and being a Court of Record for said Circuit, county Robert Hanscom aged fifty eight years, resident in Arundel in said Circuit, county who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, viz. as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Fox in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Jackson in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental Establishment, as is more particularly mentioned and described in his original declaration, made on the eighth day of April A. D. 1818, and on which said declaration his Certificate of Pension, numbered 13,295 was granted. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an 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," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818: and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed, and by me subscribed; that my occupation and ability to pursue the same, together with the number and other particulars of my family, are in fact and in truth as is herein particularly described, also subscribed by me.
Robert Hanscom.
Sworn to and declared, on the 19 th day of July A. D. 1820. }
BEFORE Benj a Greene Atty. Daniel Small, Clerk.
Ch. Justice One of the Judges of the said Court.

SCHEDULE of the real and personal estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to me the subscriber, viz :
1 acre of land & half a small one story house unfinished 1 cow 2 sheep
SCHEDULE of the family residing with me Robert Hanscom who, by occupation am a labourer which I am not able to pursue by reason of a lame leg.
   NAMES. AGES. Capacity of each to contribute to their support.     None Robert Hanscom.  
STATE OF MAINE.
I, York ss. Daniel Sewall Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for said Circuit, within the county York do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedules thereto an- nexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court ; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is forty two dollars and fifty cents. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty second day of July , A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
Daniel Sewall , { Clerk of the said Circuit Court for the County of York

[All Pension vouchers not made out in strict conformity with the following form, will, on or after the 4th of September, 1827, be rejected.]
STATE OF Maine  York COUNTY, } ss. Kennebec May 31st 1833
BE IT KNOWN, THAT before me Barnabas Palmer a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Robert Hanscom and made oath in due form of law, that he is the identical Robert Hanscom named in an original certificate in his possession, of which (I certify) the following is a true copy:
WAR DEPARTMENT.....REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
No 13795
I CERTIFY That in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818, Robert Hanscom late a Private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the District of Maine Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the Eighth day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this Seventh day of July one thousand eight hundred and nineteen
J. C. Calhoun Secretary of War.
That he is entitled to a pension of (*)Eight dollars per month, on account of wounds and disabilities received, or of services rendered to the United States, during the Revolutionary war, that he served in Capt. Foy Company of Infantry in the Third Me. Regiment; that he now resides in Kennebec and has resided there for the space of fifty years past; and that previous thereto, he resided in Arundel
Sworn and subscribed, this 31 day of May 1833 before me, }
Robert Hanscom
Barnabas Palmer J. P.
(*)This blank must be filled with the amount to which the Pensioner is now entitled, which in some cases varies from the original Certificate.
[Form of the Power of Attorney.]
Know all men by these presents, THAT I Robert Hanscom of Kennebec Port (†) Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint Isaac D. Bugbee my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my name, to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying Pensions in PORTLAND, State of Maine, my Pension, from the fourth day of March 1825 to the fourth day of March 1833. WITNESS my hand and seal, this thirtieth day of May 1833.
Sealed and delivered in presence of }
Barnabas Palmer
Robert Hanscom
STATE OF Maine  York COUNTY, } ss.
BE IT KNOWN, That on the 30th day of May 1833 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Robert Hanscom above named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
Barnabas Palmer JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
(†) In this blank insert the word Invalid, or Revolutionary, as the case may be.

STATE OF MAINE.
COUNTY.....ss.
I _____ C _____ County, certify that that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
Clerk of the Courts of
is a Magistrate as above, and
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this _____ day of _____ in the year 183_____
STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.....ss. BE IT KNOWN, That on the _____ day of 183_____ before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared _____ the Attorney named in the foregoing Power of Attorney, and made oath that the same was not given him by reason of any sale, transfer or mortgage of the pension, or arrears of pension therein authorized to be received by him.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned, before me
JUSTICE PEACE.
Robert Houshorn
Brown ally—
8944
Eight years

Robert Hanscom's Deposition

I Robert Hanscom of Kennebec Port in the county of York & State of Maine testify and declare that I was placed on the Pension list of the United States for Revolutionary Service conformably to the law of Congress of 1818 and after an examination of a schedule of my property by the Secretary of War I was notified that my name was continued on the Pension list conformably to the law of 1820, I continued to receive my pension duly until sometime in 1825. When I was notified from the Pension office in Portland that an order had been received there to suspend the payment of the pension, I was not informed of the cause. I never knew the cause of the suspension of payment until the Hon. Rufus McIntire the present Representative in Congress from this District obtained from the Pension office for me the copy of a letter from Daniel Sewall Esq to the Department, stating that I had fraudulently conveyed my "estate to my two Sisters" and that the conveyance thus made "had in courts of Law been proved fraudulent". I therefore solemnly declare that the representation thus made is groundless and false. I reside in the house occupied and principally owned by my two maiden Sisters Sarah and Mary Hanscom and I never at any time in my life conveyed property of any description to Mary and never made but one conveyance of property of any kind to Sarah. This was not fraudulently made to obtain a pension nor for any other fraudulent purpose, nor has the same nor any conveyance of property from me to both or either of my sisters ever been proved fraudulent in any court

or "courts of law" nor have I ever known or heard that any individual ever suspected the conveyance alluded to which I made to Sarah was made for any fraudulent purpose whatever.
I possess no property of any description not named in my Schedule exhibited in 1820, when I applied to be continued on the pension roll, I possess much less property now than was exhibited by that Schedule. I never possessed more, and since the suspension of the payment of my pension I have derived the principal part of my support from my two Sisters and my other Friends who reside at a distance from me.
In explanation of some part of the statement made by Mr Sewall it may be proper for me to say that some "conveyances & reconveyances" of property from my two Sisters have been the subjects of "several law suits" but I cannot say that they have or have not "in court of law been proved fraudulent" I had no interest in those law suits, I was in no way concerned in them and neither directly nor indirectly interested in the result.
Robert Hanscom
State of Maine
York ss. Kennebec November 6 1830 Then personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for the county of York Robert Hanscom of Kennebec Port and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed to in my presence, And I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the said Robert Hanscom and that he is a credible witness.
Barnabas Palmer

State of Maine
County of York ss.
I Jeremiah Brattun, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County of York do hereby certify that Barnabas Palmer, who has certified the foregoing affidavit of Robert Hanscom, is a Justice of the peace in and for said County and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said State this eighth day of November Anno Domini 1830
Jer. Brattun Clerk &c J
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

State of Maine
York County ss
Be it known that on this sixth day of June 1833. That before me Barnabas Palmer a justice of the peace within and for the county of York personally appeared Robert Houscorn a resident of Kennebecport formerly Arundel in said county of York aged 70 - years who first being duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 and the first of May 1820 - That he the said Houscorn enlisted for the term of Three years in the year 1787 in the Ninth Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Jackson and served about one year in Captain Foyes company of said Regiment and about seven months in Capt Picket or Pichards company of the 3 - Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Col Mellen on the continental establishment that he continued to serve in said corps until July 1783 when he was discharged from the service - at West Point in the State of New York.
That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present that his name has been placed on the pension list - that the number of his pension certificate is 13295 and that he has before exhibited a schedule of his property -

As in pursuance of the act of the first of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it so as to bring myself within the provisions of an 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 passed on the 18 th day of March 1818 that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and subscribed by me. That since the 18 th of March 1818 the following changes have been made in my property
In 1820 I was in possession of one acre of land, half of an old un-finished house, one cow and two sheep - This was about the amount of my property in 1818 - I have not given any formal deed of the land, but I possess nothing now - The cow and sheep are all gone - the house is totally worthless and I am indebted to the charity of my friends for a livery for a number of years past.
Robert Hanscom
Sworn and declared on the six th day June 1853
Barnabas Pomeroy - Justice of the Peace

Schedule of Property
I have no property of any kind either real or personal to the amount of one dollar excepting the clothes and wearing apparel I have and most of which I now have on me - and am wholly dependent on my friends for support.
Robert Harscorn
State of Maine
Yemka ps - I sworn and subscribed to this 6th day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty two - And I do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Robert Harscorn did serve in the Revolution as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy - for the term of nine months under one engagement on the continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereunto annexed are the original proceedings and declarations of said Harscorn before me on the day last above mentioned and I do further certify that it is my opinion that the total amount in value of the property in the aforesaid schedule does not exceed one dollar . In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on the day and year last aforesaid Baroness Palmer Justice of the Peace

State of Maine
York County ss Jeremiah Bradbury Clerk of the Judicial courts for said county certify that Barnabas Palmer is a magistrate as within stated and that the signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine -
In witness whereof I hereunto set my name and affix my official seal this six day of May A.D. 1833
Jere. Bradbury Clerk of The Jud. Courts York Co.
Declaration of Robert Harrington, who was by order of the War Department restored to the Pension list in May 1833 and low of 1818 - Suspension of payment taken off -