Abel Foster info- Rev War Vet
Here is some info I have from the pension papers of Abel Foster 1752-1836.This Abel Foster married 29 Apr 1783 at Townsend, MA to Mary Wood.Hope it helps someone.
I Abel Foster of Mount Holly in the county of Rutland and state of Vermont being duly sworn, do declare depose +say that I am sixty four years of age- that in July 1777 I enlisted into Capt. Maxfield's company, Col. Bailey's Regiment, being the 2nd Regt. Massachusetts line, to serve for the term of three years- That I joined my company at Fort (?) immediately thereafter- That I served in said company from the time of my enlistment until the 26th May 1780, when I was discharged a short time before my term of service expired so as to enable me to go home with my neighbors.My discharge accompanies this declaration signed by Lt. Col. (Badlam???).I further say that I was at the taking of Burgoine at Saratoga.I further say that I was also in the service eight months at the commencement of the war and was in the battle of Bunker Hill, Capt. Farwell's company, Col. Prescott's Regt.- that I served in said Capt Maxfield's company part of the time as a soldier + part of the time as a corporal.I further say that I am a resident citizen of the U. States- that I have resided in Mount Holly aforesaid about twelve years- that I am poor and from my reduced circumstances in life I am in need of assistance from my country for support and further (last word or two is unclear)
Abel Foster
Subscribed & Sworn this
6 April 1818, before me
Thos. Hammond Assistant to (judge?) of Rutland County Court
An 1820 affidavit gives Abel's age as 68, his wife Mary's age as 58 and two minor children as Almira age 14 and Gilman age 12. (Gilman appears on some later census records as Tyler G.)
a 1929 letter from the National Archives Rev. & 1812 Wars Section (E.W. Morgan acting commissioner)to Mr Frank Bourne of Leominster, MA states that "in 1838 son Benjamin was 53 years of age and residing in Mount Holly, VT"