Genea-blogger John Newmark (who writes the excellent TransylvanianDutch blog) started a Monday blog theme many months ago called Amanuensis Monday. What does "amanuensis" mean? John offers this definition:
"A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."
The subject today is the affidavit dictated by Elisha Ward used to prove the Revolutionary War service of Thomas Dill (ca 1755-after 1830) of Eastham, Massachusetts.
The affidavit is shown below:
The transcription of this document is:
I Elisha Ward of Wellfleet in the County of Barnstable & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age, do testify and declare that I am acquainted with Thomas Dill of Eastham in said County, late a Soldier in the Revolutionary war, and as I was also a Soldier in said revolutionary war, I can and do hereby on oath declare that to my own knowledge said Thomas Dill did Serve his country as a good Soldier against the common enemy full nine months and more, and that he said Thomas Dill was a Soldier, during said term, on the Continental establishment = I further Say & testify that I am well acquainted with his circumstances in life, and that I know he needs the assistance of his Country for support. -- B Elisha Ward
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ?? Boston June 17th. 1818 Thus personally appeared the abovenamed Elisha Ward and made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed, the same having been submitted by him in my presence -- Before me
Sam. J. Prescott, Just. Peace
This document is in the hand of the Justice of the Peace, Samuel Prescott, with only the signature of the testator in the hand of Elisha Ward. Mr. Prescott's handwriting leaves something to be desired!
Previous transcriptions of papers from this Revolutionary War Pension File number S 34,747 include:
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(c) 2011. Randall J. Seaver. All Rights Reserved. If you wish to re-publish my content, please contact me for permission, which I will usually grant. If you are reading this on any other genealogy website, then they have stolen my work.
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