Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15532, John Alvord, Mass.
Page 1

SERVICE NUMBER
Mass. Alvord, John W 15532
Rhoda B. L. Wt 32225-160-55
CONTENTS
Page 2

1340
Vermont Mont:
Rhoda Alvord
widow of John Alvord
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private 
Mass
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
30 Dollars 88
Cents per annum to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
26th da of June 1853
and sent to 
J. K. Parish
Randolph Vt.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 36 Vol. 3
Page 3

No. 38.989
Act 1832
Page 4

"Marriages solemnized by Solomon Smead Esq.
August sixth seventeen hundred eighty nine/
John Alvord and Roda Mather
Solomon Smead. T. Clerk"
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the
Record with the exception of the date, which is expressed
on the Record in fair, legible figures as follows.
"August 6th 1789.  John Alvord and Roda Mather."
David Willard.  Town Clerk.
I, David Willard, above named, depose & say, that 
I hold the office of Clerk of the town of Greenfield in
the county of Franklin & Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
and the above is a true extract from the records of said
town of Greenfield, with the exception above made
as certified by me.
David Willard, Town Clerk of the town
of Greenfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts.
Sworn before me, Almen Brainard
Justice of the Peace
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Franklin, ss.
I HENRY CHAPMAN, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for
the County of Franklin, do certify, that Almon Brainard, Esquire,
whose signature is affixed to the Certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was at the date thereof, 
one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting
under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be 
given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the
hand-writing of the said Almon Brainard, Esq. and believe his signature to
said Certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court
for said Commonwealth, this seventeenth day
of April in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and fifty two.
H. Chapman Clerk.
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
June 8, 1852
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 John Alvord is borne: On roll of
Capt. Walis Co. Col. Dickinson's Regt. in Hampshire Co.
as Corpl from Aug 1777 8 days
On roll of Capt. Enoch Chapins Co. Col. Gerrish's Regt.
of guards detached from Hampshire Co." to guard Stores in
Springfield for 6 mos. : from July 1 to Dec. 31, 1778, 6 mos &
1 day for travel: as private:
Our list of men muster'd for 3 months service, July 1780
by Lt. Col. R. Woodbridge in Hampshire Co. from South Hadley
19 yrs. 5 ft. 10 in.:
On roll of Capt. Job Alvord's Co. Col. S. Murray's Regt.
Hampshire Co. raised for 3 mos.; as private from July11 to
October 10, 1780.  3 months & 7 days including times to return.
Roll signed by Lt. Col. R Woodbridge.
Page 7

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence
of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this
Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the
search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said
application and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts
and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal
of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Amma Walker
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 8

To the Hon. The Secretary of State of the
Commonwealth of Mass.
The undersigned widow of the late John 
Alvord represents to you that she believes
her late husband John Alvord wa a 
Soldier in the Revolutionary war and
at one period in the year 1780 as waiter
for an officer by the name of Abord.
My said husband resided at the time
of his service in South Headly Mass.
and was at Westpoint-I think he served
as much as one year but whether at
one or more periods I do not know
My object is to obtain a certificate of the 
services of my late husband for the purpose
of obtaining a pension from the United
States.  My said husband died in January
1832 & never recd. a pension.
Witness W. M. Alvord.  Rhoda Alvord
State of Vermont} At Brookfield this 1st day of June
Orange County ss} the foregoing Rhoda Alvord to
me well known as a person of truth & veracity approved & made
other to the truth of her foregoing satement by her subscribed
before me J. K. Parish Notary Public.
Page 9

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of July
7th 1838.  Entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows
and also to the various acts & resolutions passed since for the relief of " certain 
widows.
State of Vermont}
District of Randolph ss.} On this 29th day of June AD 1852 personally
appeared before the Probate Court within & for the District aforesaid
in the County of Orange Rhoda Alvord a resident of Brookfield in
in said District & County & State aged Eighty-four years who being first
duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by
the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled "an act granting
half pay & pensions to certain widows.  As also under the various
acts & resolutions passed for the same perfore since the act
above stated.
That she is the widow of John Alvord, who was a soldier
in the Revolutionary war, and as she verily believes for a 
period of nearly a year & at the time of his service her
said husband resided in the town of South Hadley in the
County of Hampshire all of which will appear by the certificate
of said service as hereto attached made by the Secretary of
State of Massachusetts.
She further states that she married the said John Alvord on
the 6th day of August Seventeen hundred eighty nine
and that her said husband the said John Alvord died on the
29th day January AD 1832 that my said husband never drew
or applied for a pension in his lifetime as I verily believe
Rhoda Alvord
State of Vermont}
District of Randolph ss} The foregoing declaration of the widow Rhoda
Alvord to this Court well known as a credible 
person
Page 10

of well known truth & veracity was made sworn to & subscribed
in open Court at Randolph the day & year before written
Witness my hand & seal of office
Philander Perrin, Judge of Probate
Page 11

I William Mather Alvord of Brookfield in the County of Orange
& State of Vermont aged Sixty years depose testify & say that 
I am present in Probate Court with my mother Rhoda
Alvord at the making of her declaration in order to obtain
a Pension on account of the services of her late husband
my Father John Alvord in the Revolutionary War.  My
said Father resided in my family at the time of his
death in said Brookfield which was on the 29th day
of January A 1832.  I further testify that my said father
resided in Brookfield from before my birth until his
death, & as I understand from the family record was
born in South Hadley Mass. July 1761.  My said
Mother Rhoda Alvord now resides in my family
& has so resided ever since my father's death and
finally our residence has been the same from my 
birth till the present time.
I further testify that I had heard my father in his lifetime say
that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary War & well remember that 
he used to state that he was at Westpoint, and that he
was out guarding the stores at Springfield, I further recall 
that he used to say he was a waiter for his Uncle Capt.
Job Alvord.  I have often talked with my Mother about
applying for a Pension since the passage of the law
allowing pensions to widows but know of no person by
whom I could prove his services & finally the matter has
been delayed until this present year & the application was made
to the Mass. Rolls by J.K. Parish Esq.'s advice.  W. M. Alvord
Sworn in open Court this 29th June 1832
& I certify Wm M Alvord is a credible witness Philander Perrin, Judge Probate
Page 12

State of Vermont ss.
County of Orange
Know all men by these presents, That
I, Rhoda Alvord, of the county of Orange and State of
Vermont, have appointed and empowered, and do
by these presents hereby empower and appoint John
M. Jewell my true and lawful attorney for me
and in my name to prosecute my claim to a
pension, and to receive in for me and in my
name the pension certificate or certificates, which
may be issued to me as the widow of my late
husband John Alvord. Approving all and whatsoever
my said attorney shall in my name legally
do or cause to be done in the premises, I have in
testimony whereof hereunto set my hand and seal this
19th day of July,
A.D. 1852.
Rhoda Alvord
Augustus W. Freeman
W. M. Alvord Jr
Acknowledged and subscribed before me this 19th day
of July, 1852

Philander Perrin, Notary Public
Page 13

I Cotton W. Alvord of Plainfield in the County of
Washington & State of Vermont aged Fifty-Six years depose
testify & say that I am the son of John Alvord late of
Brookfield in the County of Orange & State Vermont deceased
that the widow of the said John Alvord is now living with my brother Wm. M. Alvord in Brookfield and
has never married since the death of my late
father.  I further testify & say that I resided with my'
father until his death which was about nineteen 
or twenty years ago.  I well remember after the
Revolutionary Soldiers began to draw pensions
that they used to converse with my father about
his services in the War and especially a neighbor
Mr. Phinehas Kellogg who drew a pension I think as
much as thirty years ago my father used to say
he was at Westpoint at the time of Arnolds 
surrender & that he did service at old
Springfield for some time & guarding the
arms this Mr. Kellogg I think was either from
South Hadley Mass. or a town adjoining & was acquai-
nted when young & settled as neighbors in Brookfield
I further testify that I often saw the old Continental
money which my father used to say was what
Page 14

he received as pay for his services in the war
and some of it is yet in the keeping of my 
Mother Rhoda Alvord.  It has been talked 
of often by my brother & myself since the
act allowing widows of Revolutionary
Soldiers to draw pensions that we ought to
have our Mother apply for one yet we
were not sure we could obtain proof & 
therefore did not until recently make
application. Cotton W. Alvord
Page 15

I Wm. M. Alvord of Brookfield in Orange County & State of Vt.
aged sixty one years depose testify & say that my
Mother Rhoda Alvord who resides with me, some
time ago employed John M. Jewell to obtain
a pension for her on account of the services
of her late husband John Alvord, my father, I have 
had the correspondence with said Jewell and in
his last letter to me he informed that he removed
to New Orleans.  I would therefore with that
the Department may consider J. K. Parish Esq of
Randolph as acting for my mother in her 
application. 
W. M. Alvord
Page 16

I Phinehas Kellogg of Brookfield in Orange County & State of Vermont
aged sixty six years depose testify & say that I am the Son of the
late Phinehas Kellogg who deceased a Revolutionary  Pensioner I
was born in South Hadley Mass. where my father resided until
he moved to Brookfield Vt. I further testify that Mr. John Alvord
resided in Brookfield and a neighbor of my Father and they were 
quite intimate having been neighbors in South Hadley. When
a boy I used to listen to their stories of the War my father
having been in the Army for more than three years.  Mr.
Alvord I remember well used to relate incidents of his 
services he having been in the Army at Westpoint at the
time of Arnold's treason besides he served as guard at
Springfield for some time.  After my father obtained
his pensions there seemed to be more talk about the War of the Revo-
lution & after the act of 1832 there were quite a number of the 
citizens of Brookfield making application, and I remember
particularly that my father used to say neighbor Alvord could 
have drawn a pension had he lived.  I think he died the
same year of the passage of the Act of 1832.  Mrs. Rhoda
Alvord his widow is still living and resides with her
son Wm. M. Alvord in the same house in which her late 
husband died.  I have no manner of doubt in my mind but
that the late John Alvord served for considerable time in the Revolutionary
War. Phineas Kellogg
Page 17

I Zelotes Bigelow of Brookfield in Orange County & State of Vermont
aged fifty-five years depose testify & say that I was well
acquainted with Mr. John Alvord late of Brookfield and quite
familiar in the family after about the year 1818 at which time
a sister of mine married Wm M. Alvord Esq. who resided in the
same house with his father Jn Alvord I often heard him talk about being
in the War of the Revolution, and on the spot at the time that
Arnold deserted his country and also that he was stationed
at Springfield Mass. guarding military stores &c.  I cannot
remember distinctly the length of time he used to tell of being
in the army but I think all of his services were something like
a year.  I am still well acquainted in the family and have
been with Mrs. Rhoda Alvord widow of John ever since the death of her
husband some 20 years ago.  I am sure that Mr. Alvord would
never have made mention of services in the Army unless he
had performed them as he was a well informed & gentlemanly
man. 
Zelotes Bigelow
State of Vermont}
District of Randolph ss.}  In open Probate Court  holden at
Randolph this 10th day of September AD 1853
personally appeared Cotton W. Alvord.  W. M. Alvord
Phinehas Kellogg & Zelotes Bigelow all to this Court well 
known as persons of truth and veracity & signed the several depositions by them subscribed and were duly sworn to the 
truth of the same. before me. witness my hand & seal 
of office day & year above written 
Philander Perrin, Judge
Page 18

92.579 Act March 3,
July 21 
Rhoda Alvord, Wid
John Alvord Priv
(illegible)
Col
Mass. (illegible)
Revy. War
vt Feby 48 6840
Ad: 160 acres prov 27/56
B. O Y 
R
Vol. A. 58
J. K. Parish
Randolph 
Vt.
32225 ss July 1st/16
Page 19

State of Vermont} On this 30th day of June AD one thousand eight hundred
Orange County ss.} & fifty five personally appeared before me J.K.
Parish a Notary Public within & for the County & State aforesaid Rhoda
Alvord aged Eighty-Seven years a resident of Brookfield in the
State of Vermont.  who being sworn according to law, declares that
she is the widow of John Alvord who was a private in the
War of the Revolution and belonged to the Massachusetts troops and continued in actual service in said War for a period
of more than six months as will appear by the words & files now 
in the Pension Office at Washington City.  She also refers to the
same files in proof of her marriage to the said John Alvord
as well as his death.
She further states that she was married to the said John Alvord
in Shelburn Mass. on the day of August A. D. 1789 by one Mr.
Smead a Justice of the Peace and that her name before her said marriage
was Rhoda Mather; that her husband died at Brookfield on the 
twenty ninth day of January A. D. 1832, and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled 
under the "act approved March 3, 1855." her
Witness J K Parish Rhoda X Alvord
W. M. Alvord mark
We, Wm M. Alvord and M. A. Parish, residents
of Brookfield in the State of Vermont upon our oaths, declare that the fore-
going declaration was signed and acknowledged by Rhoda Alvord in our
presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identi-
cal person she represents herself to be.  W. M. Alvord
M. H. Parish
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year
above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the per-
son she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
J. K. Parish Notary Public Justice of Peace
STATE OF VERMONT,}I, B. Martin Clerk of the
Orange COUNTY,....SS.} County Court for the County of Orange
in the State of Vermont, which is a Court of Record, hereby certify that J. K. Parish
Esq. is an acting Notary Public within and for said County, duly qualified by 
the laws of this State to administer Oaths for general purposes; that I am acquainted with his hand-wri-
ting, and believe his signature to the foregoing to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereby set my hand and affix the seal of said County Court, at
Chelsea in said County, this 10th day of July,
A. D. 1855 B. Martin Clerk.
Page 20

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15532
Rhoda Alvord
Widow of 
John Alvord
Pri Rev War
Act: Feb 2d. 48
Index: Vol. A, Page 9
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 21

Augt 10 1852
Appl. of Rhoda
Alvord wid of
John
NEW ORLEANS 
AUG 9 
John M. Lewell
New Orleans
La
original FREE
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D. C.
Page 22

33.309
Vermont M
John Alvord decd
of in the State of 
who was a private in the commanded
by Captain of the commanded
by in the Revolution
line for 9 Months & 8 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier
at the rate of 30 Dollars 88 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.  and ending
29th January 1832.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of June 1855
and Sent to
J. K. Parish
Arrears to the 4th of 
Semi-annual allowance ending Randolph Vt.
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by G T Gerry Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 53.
Page 23

11.765
Vermont M
Rhoda Alvord
widow of John
who died on the 29th January 1832.
of in the State of 
who was a private in the commanded
by Captain of the commanded
by in the Revolution
line for 9 mos & 8 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier
at the rate of 30 Dollars 88 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of
June 1855.  and Sent to
J. K. Parish
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending Randolph
(illegible)
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 7, 1838}
Recorded by G. T. Getty Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 123
Page 24

9609
Vermont M.
Rhoda Alvord
widow of John
who was a private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
30. Dollars 88
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued
the 26th day of June 1853
and sent to
J K Parish
Randolph Vt:
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and
June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 61
Page 25

L
32225
Mev Any
Page 26

No 14/91
Rhoda Alvord
widow of John
John W. Jewell Nov 27/52
Hon Wm Hebard 28 Feb 53
Page 27

Rhoda Alvord
John 
RANDOLPH 
JUN 
Vt. 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
FREE
Page 28

Rhoda Alvord
widow of John
Vermont
Act July 7, 1838
Admitted
Private. 9 mos 8 das, at
$30 88/100 per annum, from
March 4th, 1836. excepting
2 years.
John Alvord decd vt
Act 1832
arrears at rate of
$30.88 per annum. from
Mar 4th, 1831, to Jany 29th, 
1832. When he died.
Certificates to Rhoda Alvord
the widow
Atty 
J. K. Parish
Randolph 
Vermont
Page 29

Alvord Brief
Page 30

Brief in the case of Rhoda Alvord, widow of John Alvord
Orange County and State of Vermont
act July 7, 1838
Claim, ("original,")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Service. 9 mos 8 das in Mass. Mil. proved by rolls of
Mass. as certified by the Secy of State and by clear tradition.
Death of John Alvord, Jany 29th, 1832.  proved by parol.
Marriage, Aug 6, 1789.  Proved by town record.
widowhood proved by parol.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?
Also arrears of John Alvord from Mar
4, 1832 to Jany 29, 1832.
S. G. Dodge
Examining Clerk.
Name and residence of Agent
J. K. Parish
Randolph Vermont
Page 31

Married in 1789
Page 32

New Orleans, August 9th 1852.
To the Commissioner of Pensions:
Sir:  As attorney for Mrs. Rhoda
Alvord, widow of John Alvord, a revolutionary
soldier, I herewith file in your office her appli-
cation for such pension as may be found to be 
justly due her under such pension laws as may
embrace her within their provisions.  Please find
also enclosed the accompanying papers as evidence
of the justice of her claim.
Soliciting your early attention to 
the application, and requesting you to forward
the certificates to me at this city I am
Very respectfully yours
John M. Jewell
Page 33

Washington Feb. 16, 1853.
Hon. Jas. E. Heath, Court of Pensions
Sir:
I am 
requested by Wm M. Alvord Esq. of Brookfield Vt.
to ascertain whether the papers appertaining to the
application of his mother (Mrs. Alvord) for a 
Pension have been received and whether they
are Satisfactory.  I understand they were per
Sented by a Mr. John M. Jewell, who calls him-
self a claim agent and who are imposing 
upon everyone who will listen to his (illegible)
ment importunities.
The desired information at an 
early day will greatly oblige.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servant
Wm Hebard
Page 34

Randolph Vt. June 18th 1855.
S. P. Waldo Esq. Court of Pensions
Sir
To day I have found the testimony of four
persons taken in September 1833 for the purpose of establishing
the claim Rhoda Alvord widow of the late John Alvord deceased
for a Pension for the services of her late husband in the Revolutionary 
War.  These papers were mislaid & I had supposed I had sent them
to the Department. 
The Court will do a favor by referring to the
case of Mrs. Alvord & at as early a day as considered inform
if the proof is not now satisfactory to establish the services
of her husband for such length of time as to entitle her
to a pension.  The widow is now aged & infirm.
If the services are not fully proved to entitle to a 
pension is there sufficient proof to entitle to Bounty Land.
Very Respectfully Your Ob Sert/ 
J. K. Parish
P. S. Is there not in the office the certificate of the Secy of State
of Mass. of the services of John Alvord
Page 35

19.2.579
Page 36

Randolph Vt. July 17, 1855
S. P. Waldo Esq.
Coms. of Pensions
Sir:
I enclose the application 
of Rhoda Alvord for bounty Land under the Act of
1833.  She is the widow of John Alvord late of Brookfield
Vt. the proof of service is in the Department.
Yours Respectfully
J. K. Parish