Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S.12,263, John Bowley, N.H.
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Service
New Hampshire
John Bowley Number-S.12263
carded
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[two columns]
[left column]
21.491
New Hampshire
John Bowley
Grafton in the State of New hampshire
Who was a private in the Company commanded by 
Captain Abbott
In  the Regiment commanded by Colonel Stark
in the New Hampshire line
for 14 Months 26 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire
the rate of 49 Dollars 42 Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of September
1833
and sent to T. Brown
Francestown 
Arrears to the 4th of September [18]33
$123.58
$24.71
$148.29
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
act June 7, 1832.
recorded by G.C Stiles Clerk
Book-E. Volume1. Page 14

[right column]
Pension certificate returned by I. Brown and sent to I. Bless
Haverhill, New Hampshire
19 October 1833
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John Bowley's application
15956
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State of New hampshire
County of Grafton ss
On this eighteenth
day of September in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and thirty two personally appeared before the Court of probate 
being a court of Record, holden
at Haverhill and for said County of Grafton. John
Bowley, a resident of Coventry in the County of
Grafton and State of New hampshire, aged seventy
seven years, who being first sworn according to
law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision
made by the act of Congress passed June 7th A.D. 1832
That he entered the service of the United States
and served as herein stated, to wit.
That he the said John Bowley some time in the
month of April the particular day of which he is
not able to mention, in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and seventy five at
Bocamen then in the County of Hillsborough
now in the County of Merrimack and State of
New hampshire, where he the said Bowley then
resided, enlisted into the company of New hampshire
State troops commanded by Captain Abbot and sometimes Samuel Atkinson in Colonel Stark's Regiment
for the term of eight months- that he entered said
company in the said month of April and served therein
as a soldier the full term of eight months and thereafter in the service of the United States- that he was
stationed at a place called Winter hill in the
State of Massachusetts, and was at and in the battle of
Bunker Hill in said last named state- that he
does not recollect the names of companies or regiments
Or officers with whom he served other than he
has named above- that he has no documentary
evidence of his said service and does not know of
any person whose testimony he can procure to the same,
except that of the within which is hereto appended
Page 5

That afterwards he the said John Bowley in the
month of May, as he thinks, in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight,
the particular day he is not able to mention, enlisted at Boscawen in said County of Hillsborough
now in the County of Merrimack and State of New
Hampshire, where he the said Bowley then resided,

into the company of New hampshire State troops
commanded by Captain Gill (so pronounced) in
Colonel Stephen Peabody's Regiment for the term
of six months - that he entered said last named
company immediately after his said second enlistment and  served therein the full term of six
months thereafter as a soldier, in the service of
the United States- that he was stationed first
at Providence in the State of Rhode Island
and afterwards on the Island of that name in
said State under General Sullivan, was there
at the time of the arrival of the French fleet and 
of the retreat of the American forces from the island-
and that he does not recollect the names of companies
or regiments or officers with whom he served
in his said second term other them
he has named above and a colonel Peckthas
he has no documentary evidence of his said 
service, and does not know of any person whose
testimony he can procure to the same, except
Hugh Mathews and Robert Lord whose affidavits
thereto he has caused to be taken.
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That he the said John Bowley was born in Methuen
in the State of Massachusetts on the first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand
seven hundred and fifty nine-- that he has no
Record of his age and knows of none unless there
is one in the town Records of the said town of
Methuen, which he supposes there is- that
at the time of both his said enlistment he
sided at Borcanon as is stated above- the
after the close of the Revolutionary war he resided
for some time in the town of Salisbury in the
State of New hampshire and since then in the town of
Coventry in the same state where he now resides-that

saith he had no written discharge from service
but was regularly dismissed at the expiration of
his respective tours and did not desert but in
all respects he [illegible] himself as a good
and faithful soldier- and the said John Bowley
named Robert Elliott and Samuel Page
persons in his neighborhood who can testify to his character
for veracity and their belief of his service [illegible] a 
soldier of the Revolution and that there is no clergy [illegible] 
and he hereby relinquishes every claim [illegible] 
to a pension or annuity except the present and
that his name is not on the Pension Roll of
Any State
John Cowley
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year first [illegible]
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We Robert L. Ellis residing in the 
town of Haverhill near the line of the town of Coventry in the neighborhood of John Bowley the within declarant and Samuel Page 
of Coventry both in the County of Grafton
and State of New hampshire, hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with the within named and subscribing
John Bowley the declarant, that we believe him
to be seventy seven years of age - that he is reputed and
believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have
been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in
that opinion-
Samuell Page-his mark
Robert Ellis-his mark
Witness
Jonathan Bliss
and the said Court does hereby declare its opinion
after the investigation of the matter and after putting the
interrogatories prescribed by the war Department
that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
soldier and served as he states- and the court certifies
that it appears to them that Robert Ellis and Samuel
Page who have signed the preceding certificate
are residents as they state above and are credible
witnesses and their statement entitled to credit and [illegible]
Edward Webber Judge of Probate
-
---
I Moses Dow Register of said court
of Probate do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the court aforesaid in
the matter of the application
John Bowley for a Pension
of
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of office this 18th day of September
A.D. 1832-
Moses Dow
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15656
John Bowley
New Hampshire
Private 16 months 26 days
16th April 1833
Page 361.
48.00
2.86
69.62
98.84
24.77
122.55
Jonathan Bliss
Haverhill
[illegible]
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BRIEF in the case of John Bowley
County of Grafton
in the State of New Hampshire
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a court or judge? Court.
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 77 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[four columns with headings as follows:]
Period/ Duration of service/ rank/ Names of general and field officers under whom he served.
Enlisted in 1775-/ 0 years, 8 months, 0 days/as a private/General Sullivan, Captain abbott, Colonel Stark.
Enlisted 1778/ 6 Months, 26 days/-/Captain Gill, General Peabody
per roll of service
5. In what battles was he engaged? None.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Merrimack New Hampshire
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary & Living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
J Clagett
Examining Clerk
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REVOLUTIONY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S.F. 12.263
Washington, D. C.
In reply to your request of___
received____
For a statement of the military history of John Bowley
soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
formation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
[six columns. Left to right]
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT/ LENGTH OF SERVICE/ RANK/ OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED/ State
April 1775/ 8 months/-/ Captain Abbot/Colonel Stark/ New Hampshire
September 1778/ 6 months/-Captain Gill/ Colonel Stephen Peabody

Battles engaged in, Banker Hill
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Boscawen Hillsborough County New Hampshire
Date of application for pension, September 18. 1832 His cl. Al. [?]
Residence at date of application, Coventry Grafton County New Hampshire
Age at date of application,Born September 1, 1759 at Methuen, Massachusetts
Remarks: after the Revolution soldier lived at Salisbury
New Hampshire. There is no data on file as to his family

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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15.656
John Bowley
Jonathan Bliss Esquire
Haverhill
New Hampshire
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Brief objections to the admissions of pension claims of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Bowley which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes.
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes.
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes.
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension
he is entitled? Yes.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes.
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes.
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes.
IX. Has the clerk given his certificate? Yes.
X. Is the clerk’s seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes.
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 2 citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it? No.
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? 2 Witnesses
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No.
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes.
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, etc.. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For__year
months__, and__ days, I served as__ ;and days, I served as a__ and
for such service I claim a pension.
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite
, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, etc. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
There is sufficient evidence of his six months
Service in
Colonel Peabody's Regiment
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2 cent stamped envelope enclosed
[stamp] Record Division april 10, 1921
[stamp] US Pension office April 7, 1921
Rev Sep
Boonville, New York
April 5, 1921
Interior Bureau of pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs,
I am writing concerning a revolutionary soldier John Burley. This is the part of the data handed down to me and if you have more concerning him, especially if any reference is made of his wife or children I would greatly appreciate it.
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John Burley enlisted in the Continental
Army at Boscawen New Hampshire April 1775 for the
term of eight months as a private in Captain
Abbotts Company Colonel Starks Regiment. New Hampshire Militia being only fifteen years of age. fought at the battle of
Bunker Hill served his time out and was
honorably discharged. Enlisted a second time
May 1778 for six months Captain Gills company,
Colonel Peabody's Regiment New Hampshire Militia, served his time out and was honorably discharged
He settled in Salisbury New Hampshire after his
marriage where his children were born,
according to his son John's statement.
September 18. 1832 he made application
for a pension residing at that time in
Coventry New Hampshire. His age at date of application
for pension as recorded in Washington D.C. Deptartment
of the Interior Bureau of Pension was 77 years.
His pension was allowed at 66. per Annum
and the first certificate was drawn September 24,
1833 being No. 21,491, according to act of June
7, 1832 New Hampshire Agency
The last payment 49.42 was made in March
1843 to date of his death to Mr Ezra Tucker
a son in law who was administrator of his
estate. He died at Enfield New Hampshire Grafton County December 8, 1841, leaving no widow, but three children John
Sarah Atkinson, and Hannah Tucker
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You see we have all the data but
his wife’s name.
Several years ago I joined the
D.A.R. on two ancestors John Burley and
Moses Fellows. My sister
Inez Burleigh has joined the D.A.R.
on Moses Fellows and wishes a far
for the other ancestor John Burley.
A new ruling has gone into effect
“When it is impossible to find name of
wife one of the following substitutes
can be added to the papers in proof of 
decent [sic] namely a certified copy of
her husband's will, baptismal records
of Children or an extract from a
reliable history mentioning as his
Like child though whom the applicant
descends.”
If there is any information
can give me I will appreciate it.
very truly yours
Mrs Susan Burleigh Traffarn
Page 18

[2 columns]
[left column]
12.263
INVALID.
File No. 12
.263
John Bowley
Private Revolutionary War
Act: June 7th 32 [1832]
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 39
(Arrangement of 1870)

[right column]
May -11-1900-H [illegible]
Jno. P. Little. Three Oak
May 26-1900
to above date of [illegible]
not shown nor name of
appllication and instruction for last payment
March. 24, 1904 History to Mrs. Herbert
B. Tubbs Boonville New York- her
letter of inquiry in W. F. 23030 [illegible]
1921 Apr. 28 History to Susan B. Traffon
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I Hugh Matthews of Coventry in the County
of Grafton and State of New Hampshire aged seventy
nine years testify and say that in the month of April
in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five
I enlisted into Captain John Morris Company in Colonel
Starks regiment in the New Hampshire line in
the revolutionary war.
We were stationed on winter Hill in the vicinity of Charlestown (Massachusetts) and during all this time I was in that regiment and was acquainted with John Bowley now of said Coventry who was in Captain abbots (or name thus sounding) company in the same regiment I enlisted for the term of eight months and during my time I have no doubt that said Bowley served also this term of eight months.
I have been a neighbor of said Bowley in Coventry
about ten years now last [illegible] and we have often
Talked together on the subject of our services
in the revolutionary war and  have no doubt of his identity.
Grafton ss Aug. 8. 1832
Hugh Mathews
Grafton ss
Sworn to before
George Woodward Justice Peace
said Hugh Mathews is a credible witness
George Woodward Justice Peace
Page 20

I Robert Elliot of Haverhill New Hampshire aged
seventy nine years depose and say that at the time
of the Revolutionary war I resided in Boscawen
in the County of Hillsborough, now in the county
of Merrimack, within about one mile and a half of 
John Bowley them of said Boscawan, now of
Coventry in the County of Grafton New Hampshire and I know him well and have known him personally ever since
that was the commencement of said war said
Bowley went into the army in service of United States
and was absent eight months and as I the understood.
was that time in said service at Winter hill
in the State of Massachusetts- my father and brother
were absent in the same service at the same time
and place with said Bowley - That afterwards
and before the close of said war, said Bowley
went again into the army in the service in United
States and was absent six months and as I then understood was that time in said service in the
State of Rhode Island. The said Bowley is the
sum who is now making application for a
pension from the United States

Robert Elliott
his Mark
State of New hampshire
Grafton County ss September 18-- 1832
The said Robert Elliotl signed
the above affidavit and made oath that the some
was true
Before me
Jonathan Bliss Justice of the Peace

I further certify that the above subscribing Robert Elliot is a person of
undoubted credibility & his testimony
[illegible [illegible] belief.
Jonathan Bliss Justice of the Peace
Page 21

State of New hampshire
Grafton County ss
I George Woodward Clerk of the count of
Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify
that George Woodward and Jonathan Bliss Esquires
whose signatures are affixed to the certificate
within were each of them at the times of the execution
thereof Justices of the Peace for said County of Grafton
duly authorized to administer oaths & that the signature
purporting to be
theirs are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereto set
my hand and the seal of said court
this 11th day of October A.D. 1832
George woodward Clerk
State of New hampshire
Grafton County ss
I George Woodward Clerk of the count of
Common Pleas for said County do hereby certify
that George Woodward and Jonathan Bliss Esquires
whose signatures are affixed to the certificate
within were each of them at the times of the execution
thereof Justices of the Peace for said County of Grafton
duly authorized to administer oaths and that the signature 
purporting to be
theirs are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereto set
my hand and the seal of said court
this 11th day of October A.D. 1832
George woodward Clerk
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Thomas Davis
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Thomas Davis of Haverhill in the County of
Grafton and State of New Hampshire testify and say that
I live within about one mile of John Bowley
of Coventry in said county where I have know [sic] him
about a dozen years- that I believe him to be
about seventy years of age; that he is reputed
in the neighborhood and others believed to have
been a soldier of the revolution, and that I
concur in that opinion
Grafton, September 10, 1832
Thomas Davis
Sworn to before George Woodward Justice Peace
said Thomas Davis is a credible witness
George Woodward Justice peace

I George Woodward Clerk of the court of common Pleas for said County do hereby
that George Woodward Esquire whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate at  the time of the execution thereof a  Justice of the Peace for said County duly authorized to
administer oaths & that the signature purporting
to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereto
set my hand and the seal of said Court
this 11th day of October A.D. 1832
George Woodward Clerk
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Sir
Francestown New Hampshire October 5, 1833.
By last evenings mail I received the
accompanying certificate and envelope.
they must have been directed to me by
mistake, as I know no such person
as is named in the certificate. Perhaps
the mistake was in directing the
wrong letter to me and consequently a
certificate which should have been
sent to me was sent to the person to
whom this should have been directed,
Your obedient Servant
Titus Brown
J.L. Edwards Esquire
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Bounty Land Warrant Record Card

Bowley, Presley - Private - Virginia

Warrant # 11936

Issue July 14, 1792 to Francis Graves, Assignee