Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19103, for Jabez Sparrow, Massachusetts
Page 1

NUMBER
Mass

Sparrow, Jabez

NUMBER
S.19103

Carded
Page 2

Massachusetts 27.358
Jabez Sparrow
of Barnstable in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Higgins of the Rgt. commanded
by ___in the Mas.a
line for 8 mos & 9 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 27 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of April
1834 and sent to Hon
John Reed House of Reps

Arrears to the 4th of March 1834  $ 82.98
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept.. ..  13.83
                                                        _________
                                                        $ 96.81
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by D D Addison Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 2.d  Page 80
Page 3

26957
Jabez Sparrow

Private 8 mo & 9 days
Aoma

Hon John Reed
H.R.

Sparrow, Jabez
Mass S19103
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
Oct 25
1833
Sir
Period when the
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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim

[chart]
A Statement, shewing the service of Jabez Sharron

Period when the service was rendered
1775
1776

Duration of the
claimant's service.
Years
Months
6
2
Days
5
6
8 9

Rank of
the
claimant.
Drumr

Names and rank of the Field of officers
under whom he served.
Capt Higgins
no Colonels mentioned
this should be done

Age at present,
and place of abode
when he entered
the service.
78
Eastham

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
No Colonels mention
Traditionary
 witnesses

Application should be made to the office of the State of Mass for evidence of the claimants service
 
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions.

27.66
3
82.98
Page 5

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
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:
1
The Regular Troops.
2. 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
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
of
aged (c)
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
with and
(e) regiment of the
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 servunder
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
& 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
and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
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.
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.
1,
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
Page 6

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.
G.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv-
┃ Caler,
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
To an Office has become of it?
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
inquiry 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.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
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 fol
low 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
chillerating 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 cause and loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but, according to the best of his
recollect, 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
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The union of the Court is always required.
┃ The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
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.
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.
The notes from to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 7

Jabez Sparrow
Orleans.
26957
Page 8

I Certify that Jabez Sparrow was born in the Town of Eastham now Orleans in the County of Barnstable on the Twenty sixth day of May 1754 ture Copy as per Record
attest Gideon S Snow Town Clerk
dated at Orleans Sept 15th 1832
Page 9

State of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable Ss

On the seventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty two 
Personally appeared in open Court before the Nymphus Marston Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Barnstable now setting at Harwick in said County, Jabez Sparrow, of Orleans in the County of Barnstable and state of Massachusetts aged seventy eight 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 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he enlisted in the Massachusetts Militia in the company of which Soloman Higgins was Capt. Isiah Higgins first Lieut. and Simeon Fowler second Lieut. on the first day of July 1775 for six months and was during said time states was at Plymouth in Massachusetts to guard the unit and was discharged the last day of December 1775 and that he sailed from Eastham whence he enlisted in a vessel called the [illegible] to Plymouth.  and also that he enlisted in the Massachusetts Militia in the company commanded by Solomon Higgins, Isaiah Higgins first Lieut. and Reuben Cole second Lieut. and that he enlisted on the first of February 1776 at said Courthouse for two months and was stationed at Roxbury in Massachusetts and was discharged given on the last of March 1776 that he enlisted and served among the terms aforenamed as drummer that he was  born in Eastham now Orleans in 1754 and the record of his age is on the Record in the Records of this town of Eastham since that he resided in Eastham until part of Eastham was converted into a town by the name of Orleans where he now resides; that he does not recollect any written discharge provided said service and that he has no documentary evidence of said service.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present; and declares that his name is not on the pension
Page 10

of Orleans where he now resides; that he was not recollect any written discharge for his said service and he has no documentary evidence of said service.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.  Gideon S. Snob and Josiah Sparrow were my neighbors and will testify in to my character a reputation of [illegible]
[signed on right] Jabez Sparrow
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
attst, [signed] Abner Davis, Regr. of
the Court of Probate.

Mr Josiah Sparrow and Gideon S Snow both of Orleans, in said County hereby testify, that we are well acquainted with Jabez Sparrow who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the [next 3 words illegible] or where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the 
day & year Aforesaid
[signed on right] Josiah Sparrow 
Gideon S Snow
Attst. Abner David, Regr.
of the Court of Probate.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed ty the War Department that the above-named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as is stated.  And the Court further certify that is appears to them, that Josiah Sparrow who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the town of Albany   ; and that Gideon S. Snow who has also signed the same is a resident in s.d Orleans  and both credible persons; and that their statement - are Entitled to credit.  and, it appears to the Court that there is now no Clergyman resident near the residence of the Declarant 
[signed on right] Nymphus Marston - Judge

[signed on left] J. Abner Davis Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court - in the matter of the application  of Jabez Sparrow for a pension.

[seal affixed on left} 
In testimony whereof I hereunto 
set my hand and seal of office on
the day and year first aforesaid.
[signed] Abner Davis, Regr
Page 11

Barnstable
Probate Court of Orleans
April 18th. AD 1834
Personally appeared in open Court Jabez
Sparrow of said Orleans, who made a declaration for a pension under the act of Congress of
June 7th 1832 in Probate Court Sept. 17th 1832
And being first sworn deposeth & saith-
That at the time of his service at Plymouth in 1775
under Capt. Solomon Higgins, he does not
recollect that there was any Colonel over them
he thinks there was not.-
That at the time of his service at Roxbury
under the same Capt. Higgins, the Colonel of
the Regiment to which that company belonged
was Colonel Carey as he thinks.
the said Sparrow further says, that he was
once during the War called out on an alarm
& march nearly to Falmouth, when he was
ordered to Hyannis with the company in which
he was commanded by Capt. Joshua Higgins,
as the men had left Falmouth & gone to Hyannis
& from Hyannis they march'd home; he does
not remember how long he was absent & he
claims allowance for this service, which was
five, six or seven days, in addition to his service
mentioned in his declaration.
[signature] Jabez Sparrow
Subscribed & sworn to in open Court the
day & year
[signature] Abner Davis Reg
Page 12

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 29 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books
and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of
the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears
that the name of Jabez Sparrow is borne on a roll
of Capt. Solomon Higgins Sea Coastt Roll where he
is entered as Drummer and is allowed for service
from July thirteenth 1775 to December 31st 1775
six months and three days pay per month may
received 2. Money due L. 10.43
Also the name of Jabez Sparrow is borne
on a "Pay Roll of Capt. Joshua Higgins Company
of Militia in Major Zenas Winslow's Regiment on the
alarms at Bedford and Falmouth from the 6th to the
13th of September 1778, being the additional State
pay where he is allowed for six days service
L1. 12.
And I further certify that no sale whatever of
any Company
commanded by Solomon Higgins is
to be found on file except the
above named, from
July 13 to Decemb. 31.1775
 
[signature] Edward Bangs Jud
Page 13

19103
INVALID

File No 19103
Jabez Sparrow
drummer

Act June 7 '32

Index:-Vol 1, Page 425
[arrangement of 1870.]
Page 14

We Isaac Swan and Richard Rogers both of Orleans in the
County of Barnstable of lawful age to give and do testify
and say that John Sparrow of said Orleans enlisted 
and service during the war of the revolution two months
at Roxbury in Massachusetts as he has stated in his
declaration to which this is annexed
[signature] Isaac Snow
[signature] Richard his x mark Rogers

I Jonathan Rogers of Orleans in the county of Barnstable of lawful age to give witneess
do testify and say that John Sparrow of Orleans entered
and served during the war of the revolution six months at
Plymouth as he has stated in his declaration to which
is annexed

[signature] Jonathan Rogers
Probate Court at Harwich
in said County September 17. 1832

Barnstable
Personally appeared the above named Isaac Snow
Richard Rogers & Jonathan Rogers in open Court and
severally made Oath to the truth of the several depositions above subscribed by them in Court. And I certify that the said Isaac Richard and Jonathan
, in the opinion of the Court credible witnesses. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the
Court the day & year aforesaid
Allen Davis, Register