Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17290, Eleazer Bowen, R.I.
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[printed] (8-1776) [/printed]

[printed] SERVICE [/printed]

[UNDERLINDED]R.J[/UNDERLINDED] [...] [UNDERLINDED]Bowen, Eleazer [/UNDERLINDED]
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Connecticut 17486 Eleazer Bowen
of Windham in the State of Conn.
who was a private in the Corps commanded
by Captain Wills
of the Regt comman
by Col Cook in the Militia
line for
7 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn.
at the rate of 23. Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Augt
1833 and delivered
S. Davis of Thompson Ct Present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 33-- 46.66
┃ Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "-- 11.66
$58.32
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Francis F. Francion Clerk
Book E. Vol. 3d
Page 5.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of Connecticut County
of Windham ss
On this 16th Day of
November AD 1832, personally appeared in open
Court before the Probate Court for the district of Thompson in of the County of Windham
aforesaid now sitting, Eleazer Bowen, a resident
of the town of Thompson in said County and State of
Connecticut aged 76 years, who being first
duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832
That in July or August 1776, I enlisted into
Capt Samuel Mays Company, Col Cooks
Regt, Rhode Island State Troops for three
months. the Regt marched to Newport RI.
in September 1776. and occupied the Ground
left by Lippitts Regt. which was ordered on
to New York, I remained with sd Company
a did my duty till my 3 months was out
In 1777. I was called out two tours of
duty one month each, to Providence Rhode
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once under Capt Wells, & once under Ensign
Richard Lewis, & served each time one
month. I remember Col Barton was
there, and saw him with General Prescott
after he had taken him. Gen'l Spencer I
think was the General.
In 1778 was called out one month in Capt
Winslows Company in Sullivans Expedition on
Rhode Island. & served out the time.
In 1780 while the French Army was
on Rhode Island, I was called out in
Capt Wade's Company for a month.
part of the company was marched down to
the French army, & myself & the rest was
stationed at or near Bristol Ferry where I
staid till the month was out. Making in all
7 months service.
I hereby relinquish every
claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the
present, and declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of the agency of any State
the following interogations were by
Court propounded to s. applicant Viz
where & in what year were you born?  I was born
in Dighton Ma. in 1755
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Have you of any record of your age if so when is
it? I have none
When were you living when called into service
where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
& where do you now live?
I lived at Gloucester during the war
since that in Thompson where I now live
How were you called into service, were you
drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a
substitute, if a substitute for whom?
So otherwise than I have stated,
State the names of some of the Regular officers who were
with the troops where you served, such Continental
or Militia Regts as you can recollect & the general
circumstances of your service?
I cannot now remember further than I
have stated. Did you (illegible) a discharge
from the service, if so by whom was it given & what
has become of it?  I never had a discharge
State the names of persons to whom you are known
in your present neighborhood & who can testify as to your
character for veracity & their belief in your services as a
solder of the Revolution.
Rev'd David Dow
Silas Bowen
Eleazer Bowen
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Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
before the Court of Probate for the District of Shempin
in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut
Attest Marcus Ormsbee Clerk
We Daniel Dow, a Clergyman residing in the town of
Thompon in S. Windham County & Silas Bown
residing in P. Lawson hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with Elezen Bown who has subscribed 
and seven to the foregoing declaration that we
believe him to be 76 years of age that he
is reputed & believed in the neighborhood
when he resides to have been a soldier
of the revolution & that we concur in
that opinion-
Daniel Dow
Silas Bowler
Eleazer Bowens Declaration
Sworn and subscribed on the day & year
aforesaid, before the Court of Probate for the
district of Thompson in the County of Windham &
State of Connecticut
Attest Marcus Omsbee Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the
investigation of the matter, and after putting the interogations
prescribed by the War Department, that the above named
applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as
he states, & the Court further certify that the R Daniel Davis
who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman
resident in S Town of Thompson & Silas Barn who
has signed the same, is a resident in Town of Thompson
& is a credible person, & that the statement is entitled
to credit. 
I Marcus Ormsbee Clerk of the Court of Probate for the
District of Thompson in the County of Windham in the State of
Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contain
the original proceedings of the s. Court in the matter of the ┃
application of Eliazer Bowen for a
pension. In testimony whereof  I have hereunto set my hand +
affixed the seal of said Court this 12th day of November
A.D. 1832. Attest Marcus Ormsbee Clerk
I certify that I believe the annexed leaf to be the seal of the court of probate for the Judge of the court Ebenezer [illegible] Clerk
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Eleazer Bowen
amendment

aomd
7 mo. pri
______
$23.33
____
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State of Connecticut
Windham County ss. Thompson June 26, 1833
Personally appeared before me the undersigned
a Justice of the Peace within and the County
aforesaid. Eleazer Bowen, who being duly
sworn deposeth and saith that by reason
of old age & consequent loss of memory he
cannot swear more positively as to the
precise length of his services than he has done
in his former declaration of which this is
an amendment, but according to the
best of his recollection he served not less
than the periods mentioned below &
always as a private
In 1776, 3 months in Cooks Regt.
 in 1777 2 months under Capt Wells &
              Ensign Rich'd Lewis
in 1778  1 month Capt Winslow's Co.
in 1780  1 month in Capt Wade's Co
making in all 7 months for which
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I claim a pension, I do not know
of any other living witness or evidence
of my service than what I have already
got, nor can I state the offices of said more
nor can I state the offices or service more
fully than I have done.
Eleazer Bowen
Sworn & subscribed the 27th Day of June AD 1833.
Before me Simon Davis Justice of the peace

I, Armin Bolles Clerk of the County Court
in the County of Windham & State of Connecticut
do hereby certify that Simon Davis before when
the above affidavit of Eleazer Bowen was taken
is duly enrolled as a Justice of the peace within
and for said County and full faith & credit is
due to his acts as such & the signature to the 
same is in his hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereto
set my hand and affixed the seal
said Court at Brooklyn this
13th day of August AD 1833.
Armin Bolles Clerk
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Eleazer Bowen
26177-
V
aomd
Simon Davis
Pension
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183
Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }).
You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

a statement, shewing the service of Eliazer Bowen Period when the service was rendered.
July or Aug. 1776 
1777
1778
1780 
Duration of the
claimant's service.
Months
3
2
1
1
Rank of
the
claimant.
Private
Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Col Cook Capt
Capt Wills
Col Burton
not mentioned
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered
the service 76
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
one living witness
I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Simon Davis Esq Present
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 1856.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia and volunteers, all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general
classes of cases are embraced in this law:
The Regular Troops.
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3.
Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of
On this
day of
A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
of
and State, Territory or District
years, who being first duly 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, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
with
and
line, under the following named officers:
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under
more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched . This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
S. C.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia.
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
who has
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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
day of
& c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected
. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.

6. To a Soldier. To an Officer
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given
, and what has become of it?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow
the rule laid down for his guidance.
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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, &c. 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 a . For months and - days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension."
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 that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains
the affidavit, or other papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[illegible] The notes from [a] to [l] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 14

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.

October 24, 1925.

Mrs. Mary B.Bishop,
140 Grove Street
Putnam, Connecticut.

Madam:
     I have to advise you, that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S-17290, it appears that
Eleazer Bowen was born in 1755 at Dighton, Massachusetts.
     While residing in Gloucester, Providence County,
Rhode Island he enlisted in July or August 1776 and served
three months as a private in Captain Samuel May's Company,
Colonel Cook's Rhode Island Regiment.
      He enlisted in 1777 and served one month in Captain
Well's Rhode Island Company and one month under Ensign
Richard Lewis in the Rhode Island Troops.
      He enlisted in 1778 and served one month in Captain
Windsor or Winslow's Rhode Island Company in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition.
      He enlisted in 1780 and served one month in Captain
Wade's Rhode Island Company.
      He was allowed pension on his application executed
Page 15

November 12, 1832 while residing in Thompson, Windham,
County, Connecticut.
The is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
Page 16

MRS. MARY B. BISHOP
142 GROVE STREET
PUTNAM, CONN.            Sept. 16, 1925

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Kindly give me the record of Revolution
ary service of the following pensions,

S. 17290 Eleazer Bowen,
R. 11434 Peregrine White,

Very truly,
Mary B. Bishop
Page 17

Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway Company.
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT.

GEO. W. LISHAWA,
Auditor.

Cincinnati, O., Dec 9 1897

Honorable Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: If you can give me any additional information in
regard to the War record or service of the following men kindly
do so, so I may place it on file in the Society "Sons of the Revolution
Hezekiah Gay Thompson Conn. War 1776  Give the age if you can. Family name
son of. Ebenzer Gay "      "      "          1776 & 1812 "   "   "   "   "   "   "   "
Eleazer Bowen    "      "       "     1776 & 1812 received a pension sure in 1832. Think he
was originally from Rhode Island. If you can, please say where he lived
before moving to Thompson, Killingly or Putnam. Town was divided 3 times.
James John Clermont County Ohio served in 1777 & I have that record complete. But I
would like to have it complete for 1812 I know his thigh was pierced with
British Bayonet & leg amputated dont think he ever recd any pension but not certain
If you are unable to advise me anything more of the above, then who
can I write to in Connecticut? I suppose the Adjutant General at
Hartford would be able to inform me further would he not, also would
he charge for the information?
Very Truly Yours
Charles W John

Auditors Office C H & D R R
5th & Vine Carew Bld
Cincinnati O.

PENSION
DEC
U 13 S
1897
OFFICE
Page 18

17 290
INVALID.
___________
File No. 17.290
Eleazer Bowen
Pri Rev War
___________
Act: June 7"  32
Index: -- Vol. 1,  Page 40
{Arrangement of 1870.}

Dec. 21/97 - History to
Mr. Chas. W. John
Cincinnati Ohio.
____________________
1925 Oct 24. Hist to Mrs
Mary B. Bishop M D
_____________________
Page 19

Deposition of
Seth Ross
Page 20

I Seth Ross of Burrilville in the County of Providence
State of Rhode Island & being duly sworn on oath
testify & say that in July or August 1776 I
enlisted in Capt Sam Mays Company Col
Cooks regiment Rhode Island State troops for 3
months - The regiment marched to Newport R. I in
September 1776 & occupied the ground kept by
Lippitts regiment which had marched to New 
York. I remained there until my three months expired.
I further say that I well know Eleazer Bowen
formerly of Gloucester in said County now of Tompson
in the State of Connecticut. He was a soldier
with me in the said Company during the whole
of the aforesaid period of three months
Seth Ross

State of Rhode Island &
Providence ss
In Gloucester this 22" day of August
1832 before me personally appeared Seth Ross who
being first duly sworn on oath testifies & says
that the above deposition by him signed is just 
& true in all its parts & I further certify that
Page 21

the said Ross is well known to me, that he is 
a credible person & that his statement is entitled
to credit
Attest
Ira P. Evans Justice C.C. Pleas
Page 22

State of Rhode=Island and Providence Plantations.
PROVIDENCE, sc.

I WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for
the county of Providence in the State of Rhode-Island, do hereby certify that Ira P
Evans _____________ is a Judge of the court of Common Pleas afore
said, which court is a Court of Record: that the signature to the annexed document
purporting to be his in the proper hand writing of the said Evans ___________ ;
and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of the said Evans
             In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the
             seal of said Court, at Providence this 22nd
             day of August ______________ in the year of our
             Lord 1832

                       Wm. R Watson

Seal  
D R CCk
July 10
1833