Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,984, Edward Downs, Mass.
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(8-1776)
SERVICE
Mass.

Downs, Edward
Bixby, Rhoda
(Former widow)

NUMBER
W. 15,984
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CONTENTS

This woman's second husband Thomas Bixby also served in the Revolution (See papers within)
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3611

Concord N Hampe
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Rhoda Bixby, formerly widow of Edward Downs decd. who died on the 14th of March 1799 of Hillsborough County in the State of N. H. who was a Pro Sgt & Lt in the Compy commanded by Captain [illegible - possibly "Mass"] of the Regt commanded by Col Brooks in the Mass line for 10 days Private 5 mos & 17 days Sergt 1 month 7 days Lieut
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Inscribed on the Roll of Concord NH at the rate of 45 Dollars 71 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day March, 1831.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 22d day of Sept 1841 and sent William Ellis, Dedham Massa
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Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1841   $479.95
Semi=annual allowance ending [illegible] $22.85
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                                                         $502.80

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3d}

Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book [illegible]  Vol. 1sp. Page 22
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Bixby
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To whom it may concern

I Oliver Downs of Canton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being in the seventy sixth year my age, hereby testify and say, that during the Revolutionary War, I well remember, and was personally acquainted with Edward Downs, formerly of that part of Stoughton (which is now Canton, Mass.) and late of Francestown in the state of New Hampshire decd-. That according to my best recollection and belief on a call for men to go into the military service of the country, the said Edward Downs left said Stoughton in the month of November or December in the second year of said war A.D. 1776, and performed military duty for a short time on Castle Island below Boston, (now called Fort Independence) that the reasons why I have the knowledge of said military service are as follows: - That I clearly and distinctly recollect on the occasion aforesaid, I went with the said Edward Downs in a carriage from said Stoughton to a place or House near Dorchester point where the ferry way is, to cross over to said Castle Island, and left the said Edward Downs at this place at or near Dorchester Point, and that I returned home to said Stoughton alone; with said Downs' horse and carriage on the evening of the same day. and I further remember also, that said Edward Downs and others at that time, mentioned about going over to Castle Island for guard or soldier's duty.  Also, that I clearly recollect, there were quite a number of men assembled at this place where I left the said Edward Downs, and I am positive that Capt. Robert Swan of said Stoughton, whom I well knew at that time, was one among the body of men assembled at said Place at Dorchester Point on the occasion aforesaid; whether this body men went over to Castle Island the night I left them, I can not say: my impression is, they talked of remaining at the quarters where they assembled; for the night; and going over to Castle Island the next morning.  one other circumstance brings this subject to my memory, it is fresh in my recollection (being then a boy) I saw a particular kind of Ducks, I had never seen before, at or near the spot where I left said Edward Downs and the other men assembled, which much attracted my notice and attention.  That occasionally since the year 1776; and once within the last two months, I have passed by the place at Dorchester Point above mentioned and when I have so passed, some of the transactions above related, have then occurred to my mind.  What term of service said Edward Downs or others of said body of men, rendered at Castle Island in this town others of 1776, I do not recollect if I ever was informed.
[signed] Oliver Downs

State of Massachusetts} 
Norfolk County ss}  September 14th A.D. 1841, Then the above named Oliver Downs, a man of sound mind and memory and long known to the subscriber as a credible witness, subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by him so subscribed is true-.
Before me [signed] Wm Ellis  Justice of Peace
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Application of Rhoda Bixby for a Pension under the US Act of July 4th 1836 -

No 5341
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N. H.


Please report the result of this application to the subscriber at Dedham Mass
[signed] Wm Ellis
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State of New Hampshire
County of Hillsborough S.S.}   On this third day of March A.D. 1841, personally appeared ["Rhoda Bixby" crossed out] before Luke Woodbury Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Hillsborough, Rhoda Bixby a resident of Francestown in said County aged seventy seven 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 third section of the Act of Congress, passed July 4th 1836, entitled, "An Act Granting half pay to Widows or Orphans, where their husbands, and fathers have died of wounds received in the military service of the United States, in certain cases; and for other purposes" - .

[The following is in a different handwriting:]