Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,552, Jesse Graham, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass
Graham, Jesse Anna
W. 19.552
CONTENTS

1431.
Massachusetts.
Anna Graham widow of Jesse Graham who was a Private in the Mass. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of August, 1843 and sent to Chas. G. Prentiss Worcester Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 1 Page 43.
Hon E. Dickenson June 19/57
Rep Augt 60

Dufu

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of July, 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Worcester }
On this nineteenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, Anna Graham a resident of Hardwick in the County Worcester and State of Massachusetts aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Jesse Graham, who was a private soldier in the war of the revolution, that sometime in the month of May in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight, the said Jesse Graham enlisted into a company of militia or infantry commanded by Capt. Joel Green, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Ezra Wood, that he marched from Spencer in said County to some place on the river Hudson in the State of New York, that he was at Pehskill and White Plains and other places in the vicinity, in the service aforesaid until sometime in the month of February, seventeen hundred and seventy nine when he was discharged, having been in said service more than eight months. Also, on the twelfth day of January in the year seventeen hundred and eighty one, the said Jesse Graham enlisted into the service aforesaid for the term of three years. The enlistment took place in the manner following. The town of Spencer aforesaid was called upon to furnish a certain number of soldiers for the term of three years, and the said Jesse Graham, Simon Draper and others, were enlisted by a committee from said town, he marched from said Spencer to Springfield in Massachusetts, was there in the month of April following, and passed muster under Seth Mannister, Muster Master, he then marched to West Point in the State of New York, where the troops were divided into companies and regiments, the said Simon Draper was put into the fourth Massachusetts Regiment, being separated from the said Jesse Graham, and said Jesse Graham was put

into another regiment, but what regiment or who was the com- mander is not now certainly known, but probably the seventh, Massachusetts Regiment, but it is certain that he continued in said service more than two years and nine months, for I have often heard him say that he came home sometime in the month of November seventeen hundred and eighty three and while in said service he was stationed at West Point and vicinity and in the State of New Jersey. There is no documentary evidence in support of her claim, nor any living witnesses known to the claimant except the persons whose affidavits are herunto annexed. She further declares that she was married to the said Jerre Graham on the twelfth day of May seventeen hundred and eighty five, that her husband the aforesaid Jerre Graham died on the eighteenth day of February eighteen hundred and eighty six; that she was not mar- ried to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz, at the time above stated, and that she has not been married to any other person, but still continues the widow of said Jerre Graham. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
here J. W. BRATTLE JUDGE. Anne } Grahams of the Court of Probate marks for said Anne of Chester

I know Deborah of Sparre in the county of Hampshire and State of Mas- sachusetts. As above stated say that she was acquainted with five Prophan- late of Southworthdale who died about twenty years ago and was buried in Sparre. I also know Ann Gra- ham the widow of the said five who now resides in Hampshire, as we has now her marriage since her some business matters. She is reported to be a woman of truth. She belongs to the town of Sparre.
James Draper
Concord, Mass. March 10th Jan. 19. 1838. I know her by some disposition who is known to me as a woman of truth - I hope to My dear friend I write for some reason

I Simeon Draper of Brookfield in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, Esquire being seventy three years of age do testify and say that, on the twelfth day of January Seventeen hundred and eighty one I enlisted into a company of Infantry for the term of three years, and that Jesse Graham of Spencer in said county enlisted at the same time and for the same length of time. We marched to Springfield in Massa- chusetts where we were received by Seth Grant the super- intendant or Master-mater. This was in the the month of April of the same year. I then entered the fourth Massa- chusetts Regiment commanded by Col. William S. Shep- herd. We marched from Springfield to West Point N. York where we were divided into Regiments, I being destined for the fourth Massachusetts Regiment as above mentioned and the said Jesse Graham was put into another Regi- ment, I do not recollect which, but believe it was the seventh Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by Col. John Brooks. We were stationed at West Point and at various other places in the vicinity, and in the State of New Jersey until the month of October seventeen hundred and eighty three, when I was discharged, having been in the service more than two years and nine months. And while I was in said service I often saw the said Jesse Graham and have no doubt he served about the same period of time, and think he was not discharged until after my discharge but of this I am not positive. The said Jesse Graham and myself both enlisted in the said town of Spencer and marched from said town.
Worcester Jp September 11. 1838.
Simeon Draper
Then the above named Simeon Draper personally appeared and was sworn to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed and I further certify that the said Simeon Draper is a per- son of truth and veracity.
Before me
James Draper Justice of Peace

I Rhoda Potter of North Brookfield in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, being eighty five years of age do testify and say that I am the widow of John Potter late of said North Brookfield, deceased, who was a Lieutenant and Pay master in the Revolutionary war for the term of eight months, and more that is from sometime in May 1778 to sometime in February 1779, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Ezra Wood, that the said John Potter was Lieutenant in Capt. Joel Green's Company for a part of the time and Paymaster the remainder of the term, there being nine or ten companies in said Regiment, and that he had in his possession when he died, copies of the pay rolls of all the officers, non commissioned officers and soldiers in said Regiment, all of which are now in my possession, except for the months of June, July and August, for Capt. Joel Green's Company, which were sent to Washington with my declaration for a pension. But there are abstract returns also, of all the officers & soldiers of said Regiment made by my husband, the said John Potter, which are also in my possession, and on those pay rolls, I find the name of Jesse Graham as a private soldier in the said Capt. Joel Green's Company during the whole of said period, and that by those rolls it appears the said Jesse Graham was in said service, that he was at Red Bank, White Plains and other places, and there are also several certificates signed by said Graham having received his pay at sundry different times.
rhoda X Potter mark
Worcester ss. September 11. 1838.
Then the above named Rhoda Potter personally appeared and was sworn to the truth of the above affidavit by her subscribed, and I further certify that the said Rhoda Potter is a person of truth and veracity. Before me
James Draper Just. Peace

I Jonas Bennis of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, Esquire, being seventy eight years of age do testify and say that in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven I enlisted into a company of Infantry belonging to the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by Colonel Shepherd. I enlisted for the term during the war, and was discharged in November seventeen hundred & eighty three. When I enlisted I belonged to said town of Spencer. And while I was in said service, and during the years 1781 and 1782, while at West Point or in the vicinity, I frequently saw Jesse Graham from said Spencer, who as I understood had enlisted for the term of three years. I was well acquainted with him then and have been since we both left the army, and knew at the time that he belonged to that part of the army who enlisted for three years. I do not recollect what company or regiment to which he belonged, but I do know that he was in the service aforesaid, and although I do not know how long he continued in said service, yet I have no doubt he was there more than two years, and know nothing but what he was in the service as long as Simon Draper who has testified relative to said Graham, and I know said Draper was in said service more than two years, being in the same company with him.
Jonas Bennis
Worcester p. October 1. 1838
Then the above named Jonas Bennis personally appeared and was sworn to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed and I further certify that the said Jonas Bennis is a person of truth and veracity. Before me
James Draper Justice of Peace

I Lewis Mearis of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts being Clerk of said, do testify and say that the following extracts are true transcripts from the records of said town now in my possession, viz,
"May the twelfth one thousand seven hundred and eighty," "five, Jesse Graham and Anna Parker both of Spencer," "were married by Joseph Pope Clerk."
"Jesse Graham departed this life February the eighteenth," "one thousand eight hundred & eighteen."
I certify that they are true copies from the record with the exception of the dates which are expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows.
"May 12th 1785. Jesse Graham & Anna Parker both of," "Spencer were married, by Joseph Pope Clerk."
"Jesse Graham departed this life February 18. 1818."
I Lewis Mearis above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk in the town, county and state aforesaid and that the above are true extracts from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me.
Lewis Mearis { Clerk of the { town of Spencer { for the year 1838
Worcester, October 6. 1838.
Then the above named Lewis Mearis personally appeared and was sworn to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed and I further certify that said Lewis Mearis is a person of truth and veracity.
Before me
James Draper Justice of the Peace

Massachusetts - 2090
Anna Graham
widow of Isaac Graham
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 18 th Feby 1818 of Worcester in the State of Mass s who was a P er in the Comp y commanded by Captain Green of the Reg t commanded by Wood - in the Mass s line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of June 29, and signed James Drake Spencer, Mass s
Arrears to the 4 th of March - $240.00 Semi-annual allowance ending
40.00
$280.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. D. Dyer Clerk, Book A Vol. 15 Page 90

Jose Graham 78. Luc Green - E. Wood vol 2-63 on 7mo 28 th 81. 3 years Town of Spencer 4 th kept Byrn Smo

Sett Janet Craper, Mar. 16 '89 -

Rey
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19552
Anna Graham Widow of Jesse Graham Dis. Rev War
Act: March 3 d 43
Index:—Vol. 04 , Page 291
[Arrangement of 1870.]

V 2937 Anna Lybrand
Mass. Oct. 7. June 38-
m 95 d 18
Vol 33 p. 332. or from Spencer for 34 years - '81
admnd 2 years here
80 $
No deduction
James Draper Esq. Spencer Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Ira Barton is the Judge of said Court and that his signatures to the papers hereto annexed are true and genuine.
I further certify, that James D. Dyer is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified and that his signatures to the papers hereto annexed are true and genuine.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, this twenty fifth day of October, One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register

1541
Anna Ingraham
$80 per an
Ch s G. Prentiss Worcester Mass

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss. On this twenty seventh day of May A. D. 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for the County of Worcester, Anna Graham a resident of the town of Hardwick in said County, aged Seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3d of March, 1843, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.
That she is the widow of Jesse Graham — who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution and died on the 18th day of February 1818 , that the evidence of the services of said Jesse Graham were sent to the War Department when she applied for the five years Pension , to which evidence she would now refer; —
and that she received a pension under the act of July 7, 1838, of $ 80 , per annum. She further declares that she is still a Widow. her mark  Anna X Graham
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me; — and I certify that the said Anna Graham is personally known to me.
Attest Wilson Hemenway  Joseph Stone Justice of the Peace.
Note, The certificate granting Anna Graham her five years Pension was dated June 14th 1839 & numbered 3090.
Anna Graham In the above declaration states that her Husband served as a Private . She also says that, in year & Sergeant and at the close of his service she believes he acted as a Lieutenant .

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
WORCESTER, ss.
I, CHARLES G. PRENTISS, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify that
Joseph Stone is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature to the foregoing certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, this thirteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and forty- three .
Chas. G. Prentiss , Register.

I Lewis Mearis of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, do depose and say, That I am Clerk for said town of Spencer for the year 1839. That I have the custody of the Records of said town, and that the following extracts are true extracts from said records.
The following is an extract from the Warrant for calling a meeting of the inhabitants of Spencer, dated February 21. 1780, it being the twelfth article in said warrant, viz,
" 12. To see if the town will appoint a Committee to procure men to go into the Service for the Town when any are called for until the next annual Meeting."
The following is an extract from the Records of the doings of the inhabitants pursuant to said Warrant, held March 6 th 1780, viz.
" Voted to choose a committee of five men to hire men, if needed to go into the army, and made choice of " Capt. David Prouty } " " Lieut. Mearis } " " Lieut. John White } as a Committee &c. " " Lieut. Jonathan Prich } " " Capt. Joshua Draper } "
Extract from the Warrant for calling a Meeting of the inhabitants of Spencer, dated December 19. 1780, it being the fourth article in said Warrant.
" 4. To hear the Resolve requiring the raising of fourteen men to fill up the Continental Army for three years or during the war."
Extract from the Records of the doings of the inhabitants of said town pursuant to said Warrant held December 28. 1780.
" Voted, that the Committee for hiring men be and are hereby authorized and fully empowered to agree with any men that are willing to engage to serve in the Continental Army for three years, or during the war, upon the best terms that they can, and to give them,

“ securities in behalf of the town to pay them upon , , “ such terms as they can agree with said men who , , “ shall engage to serve as aforesaid. , ,
Extract from the records of the doings of the inhabitants of said town of Spencer, at a legal Meeting held March 5. 1781. “ Voted to allow to Capt. David Prouty £150- for his service , , “ in hiring men the last year. , , “ Voted to allow Lieut. Benj. Mearis, Lieut. John White , , “ Lieut. Jonathan Nick, Capt. Joshua Draper, the like , , “ sums for their service in same business as a Com- , , “ mittee for hiring men to serve in the army of the , , “ United States. , ,
And I further depose, that there is no record of the names of the men thus hired by the aforesaid Committee, nor other doings relative to the same; and I further depose and say, that there are other records of the inhabitants of said town for choosing committees for hiring soldiers for serving in the army of the Revolution, prior to the year 1780, but no record of the names of the soldiers thus hired, al- though there are records of said town, raising money to pay the men thus hired.
Lewis Bunn Town Clerk
Worcester Jp. March 28 th . 1839.
Then the above named Lewis Mearis personally ap- peared and was sworn to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed, and I further certify that the said Lewis Mearis is a person of truth and veracity.
Before me
James Draper Justice of Peace

I Simeon Draper of Brookfield in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, Esquire, being Seventy four years of age do depose and say, that on the twelfth day of January A. D. 1781, I was enlisted as a soldier into the service of the United States, for the term of three years by a committee, chosen by the inhabitants of Spencer for that purpose I will recollect the names of some of said committee, viz, David Prouty, Benjamin Dennis and Joshua Draper, the said Joshua Draper being my father and I know was one of said committee. At the same time that I enlisted as aforesaid, Jesse Graham and Benjamin Palmer both of Spencer aforesaid enlisted also, and by the afore named committee. We all marched to Springfield, Massachusetts, and from thence to West Point, under the command of Capt Lobearn. After arriving at West Point, we were distributed into different companies and regiments I went into the fourth Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by Col. Wm Shephard and the said Jesse Graham went into another regiment, and I think it was the seventh Massachusetts regiment, commanded by Col. John Brooks. We both of us staid in said service until sometime in November 1783, when we were discharged and came home to said Spencer. The said Jesse Graham was a corporal while in the service aforesaid.
Simeon Draper
Worcester ss. April 2. 1839.
Then the above named Simeon Draper personally appeared and was sworn to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed and I further certify that said Simeon Draper is a person of truth and veracity.
before me
James Draper Justice Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify, that James D. Nipher is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified - and that the two foregoing signatures of his name are 'genuine'.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this fourth day of April, One thousand, eight hundred and thirty-nine.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register

Hon. James L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions

Worcester May 30. 1843.
Sir.
I send the declarations of Anna Graham, Eleanor Harrington and Elizabeth Washburn, to obtain Pensions under the Act of March 3. 1843.
Please to send their Certifi- cates to your obedient Servant, Chas. G. Prentiss.
Hon. J. S. Edwards.

James L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington
D. C.

Spencer (Mass) April 5. 1839.
Sir.
I received a communication from your office dated March 16. 1839, stating that, the in the case of Anne Graham, widow of Jesse Graham, deceased, the evidence is satisfactory, as to the date of marriage and the alleged services of 7 months & 28 days under Capt Green; but the service on the Massachusetts line should be established by a copy of the records of Spencer, duly certified by the clerk. Accordingly, I hereby transmit authenticated copies from the records of Spencer, certifying that a legal town meeting was held March 6. 1780, for the purpose of choosing a committee to hire men for the United States service, that such committee was chosen, their names given, that afterwards a requisition was sent to the town, to raise fourteen men for said service, that on December 28. 1780, the town authorized said committee to hire men to serve for three years or during the war, and that afterwards said committee were paid by the town for their services. But the names of the men thus hired do not appear on the records of the town, neither are there records of the names of other soldiers in several other instances similarly situated. But this defect is supplied by the affidavit of Simeon Draper Esqr, who positively swears that, January 12. 1781, this committee, did enlist the said Jesse Graham, with himself and others, to serve for three years, that they both served until the conclusion of the war, the said Jesse Graham being a Corporal. I presume this evidence will be satisfactory.
Yours with respect.
James Draper
James L. Edwards Esqr, Washington.

June 3.
Open Neph May 29/
X
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
In a C map
Washington
D.C.

Spencer (Mass) May 29. 1839
Dear Sir
In the case of the application of Anna Graham for a pension, I received a letter from you requesting further evidence in the case. The evidence was accordingly transmitted to your office some of the first days in April last. Since which I have heard nothing further from you. Your immediate attention to the case would very much oblige Mrs Graham, who is now in very indigent circumstances.
Yours with great respect,
James D. Draper.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Washington

James L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Spencer (Mass) October 30, 1838.
James L. Edwards Esqr.
Sir, enclosed are the declarations with the accompanying evidence for injunction injunction for Anna Graham and Anna Prouty. Please direct to me
James Draper