Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,387, for Jonathan Pike, Massachusetts
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(8-1776)
Service     Number
Mass.     Pike, Jonathan  S.29.387

Contents
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(Left Side)
15.871
Massachusetts
------------------
Jonathan Pike Middlesex in the State of (illegible) was a Private in the company commanded Captain Drury of the Regt commanded Col. Nixon in the (illegible for 9 months & (illegible) days
(illegible signature)
Subscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts the rate of 30 Dollars and 33 Cents per annum commence on the 4ty day of March 1831

Arrears to March 1833  $60.66
semi annual allowance ending 4 Sept 15.14
------
$75.80
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by D. D Addison Clerk
Book E  Vol. 2d  Page 65

(Right side)
79
(illegible signature)
Page 3

(Signature)
Jon Pike
17400

(illegible numbers at bottom)
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex SS
0n this thirtieth --- day of October --- in this year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Personally appearing in open court, before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the county of Middlesex, aforesaid now sitting Jonathan pike a resident of Hopkinton in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy seven years, who, first being 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 the A.D. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served herein stated.
That in the latter part of April A.D. 1775 he went to Buckminster's Tavern in Framingham a Town adjoining to Hopkinton, and enlisted as a Private into the service of the United States for eight months in a company commanded by Capt. Thomas Drury, William Maynard was Lieutenant and Joseph Mixter was Ensign in Col. John Nixon's Regiment, and Thomas Nixon was Lieutenant Colonel; and in a few days he marched with said company to Cambridge near Boston and was stationed at the Colleges until after the Battle of Bunker Hill, which battle he was in, and he supposed Gen. warren commanded the party he was in, for he saw him ride to the Officers and speak with them, and that he was near Gen. Warren when he fell, and that after the battle of Bunker Hill he was stationed on Winter Hill in Charlestown and remained there in said Company as a private until the latter part of December folling, when he term of his enlistment, which was eight months, expired and he was dismissed and returned home to Hopkinton.
And that in the latter part of September 1777 he was drafted for one month to go into the State of Rhode Island in a company commanded by Capt. Daniel Eames, and that he joined the Company at Holliston and marched into the state of Rhode Island and joined the regiment commanded by Col. Benjamin Dawes and was stationed the fore parts of the time at a place called the four corners and the latter part of the time at Little Compton, and that he remained in said Company doing the duty of a private
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one month and three days when he was dismissed and returned home to Hopkinton. - And that in the whole he was in the United States Service a little over nine months. That he has no documentary evidence and that he has annexed all the evidence he has been able to procure from the Secretary of State's Office.
That in the fore part of August when he served in Capt Drury's Company the Soldiers were paid up to that time and that he then received pay for three months and eleven days which is the time stated in the certificate of the Secretary of State that he served and after that he was paid he thinks once every month until the last of December when the term of his enlistment expired and he was dismissed, but he cannot obtain any records from the Secretary of State's Office of but one
payment, although he has employed a man to examine on the eighteenth day of March 1755, that a record of his age is on the town records in Hopkinton a copy of which is hereunto annexed; that he lived in said Hopkinton when he went into the service and that he has lived in the same town ever since; and that he never received a written discharge from the service
but was dismissed verbally when his time ran out. the General Officers which he recollects at Cambridge were Gen. Prescott, Gen. Putnam and the first of July General Washington came to Cambridge and took command of the Army; and that at Rhode Island they told  him
that Gen. Lovell commanded but he does not recollect that he ever saw him to know him. And that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service more particularly than the affidavits hereunto annexed And that he is known in his present neighborhood to
Abel Smith, Joseph Smith, Nathan Phipps, Abijah Bixby, Nathan Bridges, Phineas Bemis and Mary Wilson, who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution-
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of any state.-

Sworn subscribed the
day & year aforesaid
-
(signatures) 

Jonathan Pike
S. P. P. Fay
Prob
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We, Nathaniel Howe, a clergyman, residing in the Town of Hopkinton and Matthew Metcalf - residing in said Town of Hopkinton hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Pike who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; 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-

(Signed)
Nathanael Howe,
Matthew Metcalf

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

(Signed)
S.P.P. Fay Prob

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 certify that it appears to them that Nathanael Howe, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident
in Hopkinton and that Matthew Metcalf
who has signed the same is a resident in said Hopkinton and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled
to credit.-

(Signed)
S. P. P. Fay Prob

I Issac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Jonathan Pike for a pension.-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office on the day and year
first aforesaid I also certify that Matthew Metcalf whose own proper signature is set to the  Deposition of (illegible) hereto annexed, is a Justice of the peace within the County of Middlesex

(Signed)
Isaac Fiske
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 I Ebenezer Eaton of Framingham in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Yeoman, aged eighty two years testify and say that served as a Sergeant in the Revolutionary war in a Company commanded by Capt Drury in Col. Nixon's Regiment at Cambridge eight months from and after
the latter part of April 1775 except I was absent a little while by reason of sickness, and that I well recollect a man by the name of Pike who served as a private in said Company during said term, and I well recollect his being in the battle on Bunker Hill and I have not the least doubt in my own mind that Jonathan Pike who now resides in Hopkinton, is the same
man, after having some conversation with him,
but I do not recollect of seeing him before now, since I left the army, and he is so much altered in his looks that I cannot say positively that I know him to be the Pike who served in the army with me-

(Signed)
Ebenezer Eaton

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Middlesex ss. August 30th A. D. 1832.
Then the above named Ebenezer Eaton personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, and made solemn Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true according to the best of his recollection and belief.

(Signed)
Matthew Metcalf Justice of the Peace

April 15th 1833. I hereby certify that the above
Jonathan Son of Nathaniel Pike and Abiar his wife was born March year 18th 1755 -
This may certify that the above is a true copy from Hopkinton Town records

(Signed)
Attest Daniel Singletary, Town Clerk of
Hopkinton Middlesex County, Massachusetts
August 27th 1832.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, September 5th 1832

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 Jonathan Pike is borne on a
roll of Capt Thomas Drury's Company in Col.
Nixon's Regiment and is therein stated to
have served three months and eleven days from
April 28th 1775
Also on a Roll of Capt Daniel James Company
in Col. Benjamin Hawes Regiment and served 
therein one month and three days from September 29th 1777

(signed)
Edward D Bangs, Secy
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I Elias Grout of Framingham in the County
Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Yeoman, aged seventy five years, testify and say that I served as a Corporal in the Army of the Revolution in a company commanded by Capt Daniel
Eames in Col. Benjamin Hawes' Regiment, stationed in the State of Rhode Island thirty days from and after the latter part of September, 1777; and that Jonathan Pike who now lives in Hopkinton in said county of Middlesex served as a private in the same Company during said term.

(Signed)

Elias Grout

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex ss. October 25th, A.D. 1832
Then the above named Elias Grout personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, and made solemn Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true, according to the best of his recollection
and belief.
(Signed)
Matthew Metcalf Justice of the Peace.
April 15th, A.D. 1833. I hereby certify that the
above-named Elias Grout is a credible witness,
and that his statement is entitled to credit-

(Signed)
Matthew Metcalf Justice of the Peace
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17400
Jonathan Pike
Massachusetts
Private 9 Mo 3 days

(slashes thru the next 5 lines)

14-16 of
March 28 1833
(illegible)
(illegible)
(illegible)
P 315
Matthew Metcalf E
Hopkinton
Mass

(slashes thru the remainder)
Isaac Fiske
East Cambridge Mass
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BRIEF in the case of Jonathan Pike
County of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a 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
years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
 (Four columns from left to right)
Period.

Enlist in 1775
draft 1777
-
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days
---------8
---------1-------3
-
Rank.
As a
private
--------
-
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Genl Warren
Capt Drury Col Nixon,
Capt James Col Hawes

5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hopkinton Mass,
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary & living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not property attached

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
(Signed)
J W Clasek  Examining Clerk
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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF/eel

June 25,1929

Mrs. Gertrude E. W. Young
788 Mass Avenue
Arlington, Massachusetts
Madam;

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.29387, it appears that Jonathan Pike (son of Nathaniel and Abiar Pike), was born March 18,
1755, at Hopkinton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
While residing at said Hopkinston, he enlisted and served as a private in the Massachusetts Troops as follows:
From in April, 1775, eight months in Captain Thomas Drury's Company, Colonel John Nixon's Regiment; from in September, 1777, one month and three days in Captain Daniel Eames' Company, Colonel Benjamin Hawes' Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 30, 1832, at which time he was living at Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
There are no further data as to family.
Respectfully,
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
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(Envelope)

(Recd Stamp)
Revolutionary & 1812 Wars Section
February 21 1929
Bureau of Pensions
(postmark)
Boston.Mass
Feb19
8PM
1929
(Cancellation Stamp)
Notify your correspondent of change of address

(1 cent Thomas Jefferson stamp)

Office-Pension Bureau
Revolutionary War Dept
Washington D.C.
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16 - 2- /29
To whom it may concern-
Dear Sirs. Kindly send me
copy of service of Jonathan Pike
wife Ruth Bemis Hopkinton Mass
as given in your Office-
Yours truly                16"
Mrs Gertrude E. W. Young
788 mass' avenue
Arlington Massachusetts
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29387
Revy INVALID.
No. 29,387
Jonathan Pike
Per Rev War
---
Act: June 7 32
Vol. 2___,Page 489
Arrangement of 1870.]

(on the Right hand side)
1929 June 25 Sent to Mrs Gertrude E W Young (illegible)
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17604
Jonathan Pike

Please to direct the papers to
Matthew Metcalf Esq.
Hopkinton Mass.
instead of
Hon J Davis
(illegible)
(Illegible)
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jonathan Pike 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 mention 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
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 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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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? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? _
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? documentary & 2 surviving witnesses
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found in 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 as the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers at 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? No
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, &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 parish named below, and in the following grades; For ____ year ____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension
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3
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 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 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 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.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written in 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.