JONATHAN BARKER'S PENSION FILE2

Benjamin Barker's testimony confirmed that of his brother
and Joseph Jackson:

"I Benjamin Barker of lawful age do testify and say that I am
personally acquainted with Jonathan Barker and knowing to
his serving as a private Soldier in the Revolution was against
the common enemy in the continental establishment in the
eight months servis and knew him to Serve the full term in
Capt John Davis' Company and Col James Fry's Reg in
Massachusetts lineI being in the same company with him at
the time and know that the said J Barker entered said service
in April AD 1775 and I also know that the said J Barker
entered into the nine months service in June AD 1778 in Capt
Samuel Carrs' Company and Col James Wesson's Regt and
General Learned's Brigade in said line and served as a private
soldier the full term of nine months as last mentioned I being
in the same company with him at the same time and knowing
to his being honourably discharged the said last term was on
the Continental establishment as afore said.
Benja. Barker

Oxford
On the 22nd day of May AD 1818
The aforesaid deponent was examined and cautioned and
sworn agreable to law to the truth of the above Deposition
by him subscribed taken at the request of Jonathan Barker
and by virtue of a Dedimus potestatem to me directed from
the Hon Albion K Parris Judge of the United States for the
District of Main to be used in said court now holden at
Parris within said District I have reason to believe the
above statement being aquainted with the deponent.
James Eames Justice of the Peace"


So, having obtained Benjamin Barker's testimony on his
brotherJonathan's behalf, James Eames returned to the
court and Judge Parris ruled on Jonathan Barker's petition:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
MAINE DISTRICT, ss.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty fourth
day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and eighteen, personally came
Jonathan Barker the applicant named in the papers
hereunto annexed, and after being duly cautioned
and examined, made oath that the several
statements by him made in the annexed application,
signed in my presence, are. wholly true.

And the said applicant offered in evidence the affidavit of
Joseph Jackson, made and signed in my presence; and the
depositionof Benjamin Barker, taken before James Eames,
a respectable magistrate appointed by Dedemus for this
purpose, both fellow soldiers with said applicant in the
revolutionary war, all which are here unto annexed.

And it appearing to me in the examination here
had, that the several persons above named are
credible witnesses, I do hereby admit the annexed
declarations as evidence, and certify the same as
being satisfactory proof to me that the said Jonathan
Barker the applicant, served as a private soldier in the
revolutionary war, against the common enemy,
for the term of nine months in continuation on the
continental establishments. And I do further certify,
that from the declaration of the applicant made
before me, under oath as aforesaid, it does appear
that in consequence of his reduced circumstances
in life, he is in need of assistance from his country
for support; all of which I do hereby certify and
transmit to the Secretary of the Department of War,
agreeably to the provisions of an Act of Congress,
passed March 18,1818, entitled "An Act to provide
for certain persons engaged in the land and naval
service of the United States in the revolutionary
war."

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereto set my
handand caused my Official Seal to be affixxed the
day and year first mentioned.

Albion K. Parris

Judge of the United States in and for the District of Maine."


The next image appears to be something written on half of a
foldedpiece of paper. It reads:

"Jonathan Barker
(Private)
Weston's Regt.
Masts. Line-
June 1778 for 9 months.

24th April 1818-

Below that in a different hand and written lighter is the word:

"Correct"

So Jonathan Barker's pension application had been filed and
been approved in a little over a month after the passage of
the Act of Congress establishing the Pensions.

But the story was not over yet.