Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4731, Josiah Hastings, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Hastings, Josiah
R. 4731
CONTENTS

Josiah Hastings, Applicator for Pension.

Then Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss On this seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty five personally appeared in open court, before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, now sitting, Josiah Hastings, a resident of Weston in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy five (on the fourth day of April 1838), who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. AD 1832. —
That I entered the service of the United States by enlistment into a company commanded by Captain Caleb Brooks in a Regiment commanded by Col. Dikes, & went from Waltham in said county, where I enlisted, to Dorchester Hills & to Boston lines, & under this enlistment I served three months & was then discharged; while on duty at Boston I was stationed east of what was then called Liberty Tree . —
I again enlisted into the same company in the month of December 1776, & went to Cambridge & was there stationed & continued in the service under this enlistment for the term of two months, one month & a half & was then discharged; —
I again enlisted into a company commanded by Capt. Abraham Peirce, Col. Elazer Brooks Regiment of Guards; in the month of January 1778, & went to Cambridge & continued in the service under this enlistment three months & was then discharged. —
When I was stationed in Boston under the first enlistment, I remember of being stationed as centry at Genl. Heath's door; & also on Boston Common to guard the Liberty Tree; & also on Beacon Hill to guard the Powder House; & also near the Boston Stone to guard some warlike stores; —
When I was at Cambridge I remember being taken to the old Court house to be examined to pass muster; — was stationed in Col. Putnam's Barracks about half a mile below the College; & part of the time on Prospect Hill; —

I was born in Waltham in the County of Middlesex on the fourth day of April 1760; a certificate of the town clerk of Waltham when the same is recorded is herewith produced: —
I lived in said Waltham at the several times of my enlistment as before stated: — & have lived in said Waltham & the town of Weston, where I now reside, ever since the Revolutionary War. —
I enlisted into the service at the times aforesaid voluntarily.
I never received any certificate of discharge, to my recollection.
I am known to the Hon. Thomas Ward (son of General Ward) now Judge of the Court of Common Pleas; — also to the Rev. Joseph Field Jr. minister of Weston, & also to Isaac Pitke Esq. Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present, & that my name is not on the Pension roll of any State. —
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid — Josiah Hastings J. P. P. Ray J. Brooks
We Joseph Field Jr. a Clergyman, residing in the said town of Weston & Isaac Pitke residing in said Weston hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Josiah Hastings who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; — that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides & have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion. — Joseph Field Jr. Isaac Pitke
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid — J. P. P. Ray J. Brooks

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after hearing the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states
And the Court further certify, that it appears to them that Joseph Field in who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in said Weston and that Isaac Foster who has also signed the same, is a resident in said Weston and is a credible person; & that their statement is entitled to credit. —
J. P. P. Fay Probate
I Isaac Foster, Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sarah Hastings for a pension: —
I also certify that Wadsworth where even proper signature is written on the affidavit of Nathaniel Maynard, town clerk & of Elijah Hastings, hereto annexed, is a justice of the Peace within and for the county of Middlesex; —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office on the day & year first above-mentioned. —
Isaac Foster Reg of Probate

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
4731
P. O.
Service: Josiah Hastings
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Mapadumett Isiah Hastings suspended let Isaac Tink 26 March 1835 let same 25 April 1835 " same 11 May "

Massachusetts Josiah Hastings act June 7. 1832 Rejected

War Department Pension Office
January 26. 1837
Sir,
In the case of Josiah Hastings, referred to in the enclosed letter from the Hon. W. Hoar, I have to inform you that the objections to the admission of this claim will be found in the letter from this Office of the 11 th May 1835, a copy of which is enclosed. I also transmit herewith the papers in support of this claim.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards
Hon. B. F. Butler Secretary of War ad interim

(copy)
War Department, Pension Office, May 11, 1835.
Sir,
It is obvious that Josiah Hastings served but a single term in Captain Brooke's company, in Colonel Dike's regiment. The roll of gun & blanket money, and the pay roll which shews that he served two months, fifteen days, both refer to the same term, as well as the extract from the records of Waltham. His undertaking to make each of these rolls of the same service the basis of a separate statement cannot be countenanced. Admitting in addition to this term that he served three months, which is the extent of his claim in Captain Pierce's company, at Cambridge, in 1778, the whole is not sufficient to bring the claim within the act. Whether the service extended beyond the term paid by the State, which Mr. Bangs' certificate shews to have been 22 days, is doubtful. The deposition of Isaac Durant, that Mr. Hastings served with him, more than four months, in 1777, does not support the statement of the claimant, as he states a different year and the resolves shew that the guards at Cambridge were ordered out for terms of only three months.

months, in accordance with the affidavit of Daniel Ma- son, of Lexington, among the papers.
Unless further proof of actual service shall be procured from Mr. Bangs' office, this claim cannot be admitted. The papers remain on file.
I am, respectfully,
your ob t . serv t .
(signed) J. L. Edwards.
Isaac Fiske, Esq. East Cambridge, Massachusetts.

32.699 Mar 23 (Pension Office) Map. 4931
Hon D. P. Edwards Commissioner
Weston Mar. 18

32.699 Mar 23 (Pension Office) Map. 4931 Weston Mar. 18
Free
Hon. D. P. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Middlesex } - East Cambridge March 18. 1835-
Hon J. L. Edwards,
Sir, I inclose you the application of Joseph Hastings for a Pension; This old man was informed that the Pension Law embraced any but the two years men till within a short time since; this is the reason of his application being delayed to this time: — When acted upon, please to cause a return to be made to me. I am respectfully yours, Isaac Buske

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm te of Pensions
Washington,

East Cambridge May 6. 1885
Dear J. L. Edwards,
Sir,
Your Letter of the 28 ult relating to the application of Joseph Hastings for a Pension has been duly received. - I am a little disappointed as to the effect of the last evidence forwarded to you in relation to his application: - I am apprehensive that the bearing of the whole evidence may have been accidentally overlooked; & I would respectfully request a particular examination of it: - Mr. Hastings in his application sets forth the terms of service, & in support thereof furnishes plenary evidence as to the particular time he served at one of the terms specified in his application; he also furnishes plenary evidence that he was in the service at one of the other terms specified in his application, although he does not furnish evidence as to the particular time he served at this other term; but he puts his own declaration in support of that particular & his character for truth & veracity supported by the requisites of the Department. - In many of the applications which have passed through our Court, this has been taken at the Department to be sufficient & Pensions granted thereon. Although there have been many applications from this County, I have not the least suspicion that one has ever been granted improperly; here was the commencement of hostilities & there are more applications in proportion to the population than in other parts. - I am respectfully yours James Briske turn over.

Some writing the foregoing Letter, the deposition of Isaac Durant has been handed to me, which I hope will remove all doubts in relation to Mr Hastings application; - Mr Durant is a credible man & a Pensioner; as the reason that his evidence was not procured before is, that it was not known he was alive until the late celebration at Lexington; when the bones of those who fell on the 19 th of April were taken up & placed by the Monument; & an address delivered by Mr Everett. On this occasion all those who were engaged in the affair of the 19 th of April, that were alive & able to attend, were invited guests; - & thus Mr Durant, the deponent sat at the head of this body of veterans. I have been thus particular more as a matter of curiosity, than of necessary detail.
I am very respectfully Yours
Isaac Fiske

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 6 th 1834.
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 Josiah Hastings, is borne on "a pay-roll for Gun and Blanket of the non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of Capt. Caleb Brooks Company, in Col. Dikes Regt. according to an Act of Court passed in Nov r 1776." where he is allowed. 10.0
Josiah Hastings' name is borne on a Muster-roll of Capt. Caleb Brooks Company, in Col. Dikes Regt. where he is allowed from Decem r 16 th 1776. to the last of Feb y 1777. two Month and fifteen days. ————— m. d. 2-15
Josiah Hastings' name is borne on "an Abstract of Pay due to Capt. Abra m Peirce's Company, in Col. Elezer Brooks Regt. of Guards at 20 l pr Month as a Bounty for the Guards at Cambridge, taken to Feb y 3 rd 1778." where he is allowed

From Jan y 12 th twenty two days. _____ = 22
Josiah Hastings claims for further services under Capt. Pierce in 1778; but the roll is not found in this Office for 1778 except the afore mentioned.
Enc. L.
Edward D. Bangs by

I, Elijah Hastings, the subscriber, of Waltham, do hereby Certify and make affidavit, that Josiah Hastings Senior now of Weston in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts was in the service of the United States of America, as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, which commenced A.D. 1775, and terminated A.D. 1783, but for how long a term of time I cannot say.
Elijah Hastings
Middlesex ss. Feby 20 th A.D. 1855. Personally appeared the above named Elijah Hastings and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed, as true before me.
Israel Moore Justice of the Peace

We likewise find that there went to Dorchester hills and to Boston lines in the winter of the year 1776 - that did duty as soldiers ( among the 16 names recorded is ) Josiah Hastings Jr. - their service being easy we look upon twenty shillings to be a compensation for their services - - - - -
We likewise find that there was also a number that went last January to Guard the troops of Convention which staid till April (year 1777) ( among the 21 names recorded is ) Josiah Hastings Jr. we think there should be an allowance of 12 L - 6 P each exclusive of what they have had and are to receive - - - - - true copy of Record above
The above stands on the town book of records as part of the report of a Committee chosen by the inhabitants of the town of Waltham to learn the names of those persons who went to the wars and to estimate what pay they should receive for their services - Report by the Committee - 1778 Josiah Hastings son to Josiah Hastings & Lydia his wife born April 4 th 1760
I Nathaniel Maynard of Waltham in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Town Clerk of said town of Waltham do testify and say that the foregoing is a true copy from the said town book of records - Nathaniel Maynard. Town Clerk
Middlesex S.S. Feb y 20 th A.D. 1835 - Personally appeared the above named Nathaniel Maynard Town Clerk of Waltham and made oath to the above affidavit by him subscribed - -
Before me Brad Moore. . . . . Josiah Davis

I Isaac Durant of Pepperell in the County of Middlesex aged seventy seven years do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Captain Josiah Hastings of Weston formerly of Waltham in said County, I well remember that said Hastings was a soldier with me at Cambridge in the year 1777 and in the same company which was commanded by Captain Abraham Pierce, I know that he did duty in said company over four months - I left said company in March 1778 and left said Hastings there when I came away - Isaac Durant
Middlesex ss. May 5. 1835 Then the above named Isaac Durant personally appeared and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true -
Before me James Lewis Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. In Probate Office May 6. 1835
I Isaac Dike Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that James Lewis Esquire, whose own proper signature is above written, is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Middlesex.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court of Probate, this sixth day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and thirty five
Isaac Dike Reg. of Probate

Apr. 25 (Pension Office) Wash.
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Loans Washington

East Cambridge April 21. 1835
Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir,
Inclosed are three depositions furnished as additional evidence in support of the application of Joseph Hastings for a Pension: which application is now on the files in your department, furnished about twenty days since: - These documents I hope, will remove all doubt as to the truth of Mr Hastings' declarations; - it appears to me that it almost impossible to furnish more precise evidence of particular portions of time or particular events at such a distant period: - Permit me to bear testimony of the character of Mr Hastings whom I have known many years as an honest man: By referring to this application you will perceive that I have made a similar declaration as one of his compurgators. This application was made at this late period, because he never was aware till lately, that any were entitled, except those that served a longer period than he did.
I am respectfully Yours
Isaac Fiske

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. In Probate Court at Concord April 16. 1835.
Joseph Hastings of Weston in said County brings into Court the annexed depositions as additional evidence in support of his application for a Pension now on file in the Pension Office in the City of Washington; — And I hereby certify that Samuel P. P. Fay, whose own proper signature is written to the certificate of the oath of Joel Dins to his deposition herein annexed is the Judge of Probate of said County & also a justice of the Peace throughout the Commonwealth aforesaid; — I also certify that James Russell whose own proper signature is written to the certificate of the depositions of Daniel Mason & Benjamin Locke herein annexed is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Middlesex.
In testimony whereof I have hereat set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court of Probate this sixteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty five.
Grace Fiske Registrar of said Court of Probate.

I Joel Dix now of Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty years in the month of November last - do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Josiah Hastings who now resides in the town of Weston & county of Middlesex; he was born within half of a mile of the place where I was born & where I lived fifty three years, to wit, in the town of Waltham in said County of Middlesex, which adjoins the town of Weston & I have known him from his birth to the present day; - I remember that in the autumn of the year seventeen hundred and seventy six the father of the said Josiah Hastings came to my father's House & observed that his son Josiah had gone into the United States army as a soldier; within a month from that time I saw him the said Josiah Hastings standing century with his gun on his shoulder near the Boston Stone in Boston doing duty; I also testify that I saw him several times after that time doing duty as a soldier in said Boston, but cannot state the particular times. -
Joel Dix
Middlesex ss: - { Personally appeared Joel Dix made Apr 10 th 1835, solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me -
J. P. Fay Wrote -

I Benjamin Locke of Lexington in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the seventy eighth year of my age, desire and say, that Issac Hastings was of Weston but formerly of Watertown in said County of Middlesex was a soldier in the Army after the Revolution, that he was stationed at Cambridge but how long he served there I do not remember I was a soldier in the Company commanded by a Capt. Pierce and I think Hastings was in the same Company, we were quartered in Col. Plinny's Barracks. As I remember concerning said Hastings is, that he was in the service with me at said Cambridge, the time he served I cannot state, and further I say not.
Benjamin Locke
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex ss. April 16 th 1829. Then personally appeared the above named Benjamin Locke and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. Before me James Russell Justice of the Peace

I Daniel Mason of Lexington in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts now in the eighty fifth year of my age, depose and say that I am well acquainted with Josiah Hastings, who now lives in Weston in the County of Middlesex aforesaid, that said Hastings was a soldier with me in the Army of the Revolution; that he served with me at Boston as a soldier for the term of three months in the company commanded by a Capt. Bracke, of Needham, the year in which we served I am not able to state, but it was after the British had evacuated Boston and we were stationed there to guard the Continental stores; and further I say not -
Daniel Mason
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss April 14 th 1834 Then personally appeared the above named Daniel Mason and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed Before me James Russell Just. Peace