Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,294, Squire Howe, R.I.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE 
R.I. 
Howe, Squire
 Martha 
NUMBER 
W. 16,294 

CONTENTS
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Albany 4,454 
Martha Howe widow of Squire Howe
of  R.I.
 who [the words was a pensioner under the Act were crossed out] and who died on the 20 Sep. 1808 of Steuben Co. in the State of N. York who was a Lieut. Artillery in the company commanded by Captain _____________ of the regt. commanded by Col. Elliott in the Rhode Island line for 2 years. Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 400 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of October 1839 and sent to Morris Brown Urbana, N.Y. 
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '39 1400.00 Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar. '40 200.00 $1600.00 
{Act July 7 1838.}  
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk 
Book A. Vol. 2 - Page 82. 
[Pro?stings?]
Letter to Hon. M. Mallory 2 April 1840
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V2460

Married 9 Jany, 1781 
Husband died 20 Sept1808
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836. 

State of New York
Steuben County} Ss. On this 3d day of August 1837 personally appeared before Ira C. Clark a Judge of the Court of Common pleas in & for the said County of Steuben & being a Court of record Martha Howe a resident of the town of Prattsburgh in said County aged Eighty Years on the 11th day of June last past 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 4, 1836. That she is the widow of Squire Howe who was a Captain Lieutenant of a company in the Regiment of Artillery in the Brigade ordered to be raised by the General Assembly of the state of Rhode Island in February 1779. That previous to this time the deponent believes from information from her husband that he served in the state Troops in a subordinate station & from the time of receiving his commission was in active service for the most part of the time during the war. She well recollects hearing her husband tell after the war of being in many different Battles during the War & at one time in particular her husband met his brother Caleb who was an officer in the British service as an Enemy face to face in a bloody engagement. She has heard her husband & the said Caleb talk over this very circumstance since the War & speak to each other of their feeling towards each other when they met as enemies. She also recollects hearing her husband tell of being in the engagement in 1778 under Genl. William
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in the state of Rhode Island In the latter part of the year 1780 Squire Howe came home from Rhode Island to Hinsdale Vermont where his family then lived on a visit from the service of which place this deponent lived & on the 9th day of January 1781 this deponent & the said Squire Howe were intermarried according to the laws of that state by the Revd Mr.  Gay whom she supposed is long since dead. This deponent further states that she was a school teacher in [illegible] when Squire Howe came home & she first became acquainted with him at that time. Soon after they were married her husband returned to the service in Rhode Island & on the 6th of November subsequent to their marriage her oldest son Rodolphus [illegible] who is still living. She has been the mother of 9 children by her said husband 7 of which are yet living namely Rodolphus  Squire William Anma Helen Clarissa & Caroline. & Elihim & Martha who are dead. She further declares that her said husband Squire Howe died on the twentieth day of September 1808 & that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof herewith annexed. That her husband remained in active service with occasional intervals when he came home on visits during the war.
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that from her great age & bodily infirmity she cannot now recollect the particulars of his service as she has heard him state them. That on one occasion while one of Squires brother had come down to make him a visit to the comp her husband in some engagement took from the enemy a double barreled gun & sent it home where it now remains with her for Squire. that on another occasion he was wounded in the leg in an engagement with the enemy which affected him during his life. Then the last occurence, she well remembers, took place after her marriage, that during the time her husband was in service after their marriage she resided in the family of Moses Howe her husband's brother until after the War when they went on to a farm. The claiment has no documentary evidence of her claim except her husbands commission. 
 Martha Howe. 
Sworn to & subscribed in the day & year above written before Ira C. Clark a Judge of County Courts in and for Steuben County I do further certify that the above described Martha Howe owing to her great age and bodily infirmities, in my opinion is unable to appear in open court. Ira C. Clark Judge &c.
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State of New York County of Steuben SS. I Arnold D. Read Deputy Clerk of said County do certify that Ira C. Clark Esquire before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn, and also whose signature appears to the preceeding Certificate of the great age and bodily infirmities of Martha Howe, was at the dates of the same one of the Judges of County Courts, in and for said County of Steuben, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit and certificate to be his proper handwriting and signature. Witness my hand and seal of office this 5th day of August 1837 A.D. Read Dep Clerk Steuben County
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Steuben County Rodolphus Howe of Prattsburgh in said County being duly sworn says that he is aged fifty six years on the 6th day of November next that he is the son of Squire Howe & his mother Martha Howe made on the 3d day of August 1837 read to him. that the particulars of his mothers marriage of his fathers services in the Revolutionary War or therein [illegible] he has frequently heard his father state during his life time this deponent well recollects that for many years a family record was kept in an old Bible in his fathers family which contained his parents marriage & the time or also the time of this deponent's birth & several of the next younger children as stated in his mothers said declaration. that they have long since been destroyed in consequence of being used at school as a reading book. That his father Squire Howe died on the 20th day of September 1808 & ever since that time his mother Martha has remained a widow & unmarried  that he has often seen & [illegible] the double barrelled gun which his father took from the enemy in an engagement after his marriage & after the birth of this deponent as he has frequently been informed by his father & believes which gun is now in his brother Squires possession he has also many 

[with engagement in 1778 under Genl. William - this is bottom of another page].
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times heard his father tell of coming home to see his family from the war & of the hardship he endured the battles, he has been engaged in & particularly of meeting & knowing his brother Caleb a British officer in an engagement with the enemy after he obtained his commission 
& further saith not
Rodolphus Howe
Sworn & subscribed before me this 3rd day of August 1837. Ira C Clark 
Judge of Steuben Co Courts

State of New York County of Steuben Ss. I Arnold D Read Deputy Clerk of the said county do certify that Ira C Clark Esquire before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the justices of County Court in & for said County of Steuben, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of office this 5th day of August 1837. A.D. Read Dep Clerk Steuben County
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Free
Pension Office
J L Edwards Esq
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City
 2460
Aug 14
N. Y. 
Mr Brown 
 orig claim
Urbana N. Y.
7 Augst
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Urbana N.Y. Augt. 7. 1837.

J L Edwards Esq.

Sir
Enclosed is the declaration of Martha Howe widow of Squire Howe. & the Comn [commission] of her late husband which is her only documentary evidence in support of her claim under the 3d section of the act of July 4 1836.

She states her marriage to have been in Vermont Jany. 9. 1781. & the birth of her eldest son Rudolphus on the 6 Nov following--whose affdt [affidavit] is also sent It is believed that evidence of this nature is all that can at this late day be procured of this [but?] further evidence from other persons of this kind may be procured if thought necessary & also other traditionary evidence that Howe served in the Army after his marriage may be procured from the other children & perhaps from others if thought necessary. We wait your decision on these points after an examination of the papers & evidence supporting her claim

Very Respy yr obt Srvt.

Morris Brown
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Martha Howe
(Morris Brown)
Urbana N. Y.
Page 13

State of New York}
Steuben County} ss
On this 13th day of June 1839 personally appeared before the subscriber Ira C. Clark one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Steuben being a court of record Martha Howe a widow of the town of Prattsburgh in said County of Steuben who being first duly according to her doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows
That she is the widow of Squire Howe who was a Captain Lieutenant & served in Capt Adams Company in Col. Elliots [illegible] for 15 months in June 1777 state of Rhode island  In 1778 he was elected 1st Lieutenant  That he afterwards served in Capt Warners Co Elliots Regt of artillery 12 months [illegible] in February 1779 for 1 year that he has also further served in Capt Sayres Company [illegible] Capt Lieutenant but for what time she cannot say.  She refers to his commission & other documents now on file in the War Department as that is unable to specify said service  more particularly there in his papers
She further declares that she was married to the said Squire Howe on the 9th day of January 1781 & refers to the proof thereof on file  that her husband the said Squire Howe died on the 20 day of September 1808-
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of 1794 [illegible]
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sworn to subscribed on the day & year above written before me
her signature [hand drawn X] Martha Howe
[signature] Ira C. Clark Judge of Steuben County Courts.
I further certify that the said Martha Howe is unable to appear in court from her great age & bodily infirmity
[signature] Ira C. Clark Judge &c
State of New York}
Steuben County ss}
I William Hamilton Clerk of the said County do certify that ira C Clark before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Judges in and for the said County- and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the affidavit and Certificate to be his own proper hand writing and signature.  Witness my hand and seal of office this 24th day of July 1839
[signature] Wm Hamilton Clerk Steuben County
Martha Howe
5878
(Morris Brown)
Urbana N. Y.
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Hon. J. T. Andrews
H. R.
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I Ebenezer Howe of Vernon in the County of Windham, and State of Vermont, of lawful Age, do testify, depose and say.-  That I was present at the Marriage of Squire Howe to Martha Field.  The ceremony was solemnized by the Revd. Bunker Gay Minister of the Gospel in Hindsdale NH.  The marriage ceremony took place at my Fathers House, sometime in the Spring or Summer of the Year, One thousand seven hundred and eighty one.  the day or month I cannot recollect.-
My Father lived on part of the Farm, on which I now live in Vernon but at the time of the Marriage, Vernon, was then part of Hindsdale
The said Squire Howe was Brother of my Father, and I do perfectly reccollect [recollect] being then present at the Marriage.-
And further the Deponent saith not.-
[signature Ebenizer Howe
State of Vermont
Windham County ss:} Brattleboro 
March 20th 1838
Then Ebenezer Howe of Vernon, in the County of Windham and State of Vermont; personally appearing, and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned, made solemn Oath, that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, contains the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
before me, [signature] Lemuel Whitney
Justice of the peace
The above Deposition, taken at the request of Martha Howe, to be prefered [preferred] to the commissioner of Pensions.-  to assit [assist] her in obtaining a Pension, for services rendered by her late Husband Squire Howe, in the Revolutionary War. &c
Certified by [signature] Lemuel Whitney
Justice of the peace
State of Vermont
Windham County Court Clerk's Office
New Fane March 22d AD 1838.
I Marshall Miller, Clerk of the County Court, for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Lemuel Whitney is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signatures above written are genuine-
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of the said County Court, the day and year above written--
Attest- [signature] Marshall Miller, Clerk
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Brattleboro March 24th 1838.
These certify, that I have been acquainted with Mr Ebenezer Howe, the Deponent aforenamed, for several years past, and that his character, for truth and veracity stands good, and unimpeachable.--
[signature] Lemuel Whitney 
Justice of the peace.
State of Vermont
Windham County ss:
Brattleboro March 20th 1838.
Then Ebenezer Howe of Vernon, in the County of Windham and State of Vermont; personally appearing, and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned, made solemn Oath, that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, contains the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
before me, [signature] Lemuel Whitney
Justice of the peace
The above Deposition, taken at the request of Martha Howe, to be prefered [preferred] to the Commissioner of Pensions,- to assit [assist] her in obtaining a Pension, for services rendered by her late Husband Squire Howe, in the Revolutionary War. &c
Certified by [signature] Lemuel Whitney
Justice of the peace
State of Vermont
Windham County Court.  Clerk's Office
New Fane March 22d AD 1838.
I Marshall Miller, Clerk of the County Court, for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Lemuel Whitney is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signatures above written are genuine-
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of the said County Court, the day and year above written-
Attest- [signature] Marshall Miller, Clerk
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Rev WIDOW , &c.
_____________________

File No. 16294
Martha Howe
Wid of 
Squire Howe
Lieut Rev War
_____________________
Act: July 7th  '/38
Index:-Vol. a , Page 347

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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By His Excellency William Greene. Esqure, Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of and over the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
To Squire Howe.  Gentleman.  GREETING. YOU the said Squire Howe being appointed Captain Lieutenant of Company in the Regiment of Artillery in the Brigade ordered to be raised by the General Assembly of this State, held at East-Greenwich, on the last Monday in February, A. D. 1779, for the Defence [Defense] thereof in particular, and of the United States of America in general, are hereby, in the Name of the Governor and Company of this State, authorized, empowered, and commissioned, to have, take and exercise, the Office of Captain Lieutenant of said Company - And to command, guide and conduct the same, or any Part thereof:  And in case of an Invasion or Assault by a common Enemy, to infest or disturb this or any other of said States, you are to alarm and gather together the Company under your Command, or any part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, you are to resist, expel, kill and destroy them, in order to preserve the Lives, Liberties and Properties of the good People of this and the other United States.  You are also to follow such further Instructions, Directions and orders, as shall from time to Time be given forth, either by the General Assembly, or your superior Officers.  And for your so doing, this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant.
GIVEN under my Hand, and the Seal of the said State, the Sixteenth Day of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-nine.
[signature] W. Greene
By His Excellency's Command,
[signature] Henry Ward Secry
[Printed by JOHN CARTER.]
Page 20

N. York V 2460
Martha Howe
to [illegible] Andrews 12 Oct 37
to [illegible] 1838
to [illegible] 1839
to [illegible] 13 July 1839
Act July 1836
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4454
New York
Act 1838
Martha Howe
Mard [married] 9 June 1781
Husband Dd [deceased] 20 Sept 1808
Col. Elliot C
Enl 23d June 1777
Must Aug 1779 as Capt.
Lieut.
Admitted
Lieut of Artillery
2 years
Morris Brown Esq.
Urbana N. Y.
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Per letter dated
May 17-1839 written by
Morris Brown of
Urbana, N. Y., in
pension claim of
Shadrach Norris
N. 16357 in which
letter reference is
made to this Squire
Howe at the age of
4 yrs. etc.
Son of Jemima
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[postmark] URBANA FEB 16 N. Y.
FREE
Hon J. T. Andrews
M C
Washington
Page 24

Dr Sir
In the case of Mrs. Martha Howe widow
of Lieut. Squire Howe a Revolutionary
who is an applicant for a pension under the
Act of 1836 the Department requested
the names of the officers under whom the
Lieut. served.  An [illegible] containing
the desired information was returned
last fall since when nothing has been
heard from the Department in the case.
The Dept has the original commission
containing on its back the name of one of the
Capts. (Capt. Sayres) under whom he
Served. Will you have the goodness
to call at the proper office & see whether
her claim is allowed & much oblige
Yr Obt svt
Morris Brown
J. T. Andrews Esq
Urbana N. Y. Feby 16 1839
Page 25

State of New York
Jefferson County} Ss
Major Abiatha Joy of said County
being duly sworn says that he is seventy six years of age
that he was acquainted with Squire Howe several years
before the Revolutionary war that he was a substantial
friend to the cause of Liberty and went into the service
in the early part of the war - the said Howe came home
to Hinsdale in Vermont where he resided when at home in
the month of December Winter and year 1780 on a
Furlough and remained there until the month of March
or April in the Spring following 1781 - At this time
Martha Field now Widow Martha Howe was living
at Hinsdale & occupied as a School Teacher and was then
boarding at Captain Moses Howes where the said Squire
made it his home principally when in Town-- I was
then living at the next house to Captain Howe's on one side.
Some time during the winter Squire Howe talked with me
about getting married and not long after was actually
married to Martha Field as was said by all the
neighbours and as I fully believe although I was not
present at the wedding for some cause which I do not
now remember- Early in the spring after the Marriage
Squire Howe left Hinsdale for the army and his wife
Martha went to live with her friends at Northfield
about eight miles distant from where she was and I
saw no more of them until after the surrender of Lord
Page 26

Cornwallis army to General Washington which I think was on the 19th day of October 1781. Some time after this Squire Howe and his wife Martha came back to Hinsdale
and settled down on a farm that formerly belonged to his Mother Jemima Howe very near by the place where his father was killed by the Indians and his mother Jemima and himself taken prisoners by the same savage tribe in the
old French War at this place Squire Howe and his
wife lived something like twenty years and raised up a respectable family of children and further this Deponent saith not
Sworn and subscribed
Abiatha Joy
before me this 23d day
of March 1838.
J. Hunt
Com Deeds & co
I further certify that I know the
above Major Abiatha Joy and
his character for truth & veracity
is good-
J. Hunt
Page 27

[underlying page]
Cornwallis army to General Washington which I think was on the 19th day of October 1781. Some time after this Squire Howe and his wife Martha came back to Hinsdale and settled down on a farm that formerly belonged to his
Mother Jemima Howe vray [very] near by the place where his father was killed by the Indians and his mother Jemima and himself taken prisoners by the same savage tribe in the old French War at this place Squire Howe and his wife lived something like twenty years and raised up a respectable family of children and further this Deponent saith not
Sworn and subscribed
Abiatha Joy
before me this 23d day
of March 1838.

[overlaid page]
STATE OF NEW-YORK,
Jefferson County Clerk's Office,} ss.
[seal] I, PELEG BURCHARD, Clerk of said County, do hereby Certify, that Jonathan Hunt Esq before
whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a commissioner of deeds &c in and for the said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly
authorised to take the same--and further, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the same to
be his proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand and seal of said county, this Twenty Seventh day
of March in the year 1838
P. Burchard Clerk.
Page 28

23d June 1777
3d Lt.
16th Mar 1778-
12
[underline]
Aug 1779
Enld 23d June 1777
16th March 1778 to
16 “ 1779-
served to Aug 1779
2 years Lt.
Page 29

State of Rhode Island &c.
Secretary's Office Nov 16. 1838.
I Certify, that at the session of the General Assembly of said State holden in June (1777) seventeen hundred seventy seven,
Squire Howe was elected third Lieutenant of Capt Adams Company, Elliotts Regiment, raised for fifteen months.
That in February seventeen hundred seventy eight, he was elected first Lieutenant of Capt Adams Company, in said Regiment:  That in February seventeen hundred seventy nine, he was elected first Lieuten't of Capt Warrens Company, Elliotts Regt. ordered at said session to be raised for one year.  As appears of record.
Witness- [signature] Henry Bowen Secry
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BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
William Sprague Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, That the name, "HENRY BOWEN," to the aforewritten attestation subscribed, is in the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law:  Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed, at Providence, this sixteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight and of Independence the sixty-third
[signature] Wm Sprague
By his Excellency's Command.
[signature] Henry Bowen Secry
Page 31

free
J L Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
Washington
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Hammondsport Steuben Co
July 1 1839
J L Edwards Esq
Sir
I had the honor to receive your opinion in that Mrs Martha Howe would have to be entitled to a pension under ^the act of July 7 1838-  her application having been examined & decided upon under the act of July 4 1836
It is now my purpose to enquire whether a new application should be made out or whether the Dept. would issue a certificate under the application & proofs wholy [wholly] on file in your office 
If one can be fixed without further trouble it may be forwarded & will be accepted if it grants full pay of Capt Lieut
Yr Obt Servt
[signature] Morris Brown
Page 33

J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Washington
Feb 21
Martha Howe NY
Hon. J. T. Andrews H. R.
Page 34

House of Reps Feb'y 21, 1839
Dear Sir
Will you do me the favor to answer the enquiry contained in the enclosed letter- have the goodness to return it with the answer-
Very Respy
Your Obt Servt
[signature] J. T. Andrews
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr. of Pensions
Page 35

FREE
J L Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington
Act 7 July, 1838
Martha Howe
Syd. Chapman
Page 36

Urbana Steuben Co N. Y.
July 23d 1839.
Sir
Enclosed I forward the application of Martha Howe widow of Lieut Squire Howe for Capt. Lieuts pension under the act of July 7, 1838 in accordance with your suggestion on her application under the act of July 4, 1836 which has been pending more than 2 years.  She refers to the documents on file from that case for proof of marriage which I understand to be satisfactory to the Dept & the other papers which accompany it
Allow me most earnestly to ask for your decision in the case immediately if possible
Enclosed is also the application of Mrs Chapman a pensioner under the act of July 7 1838 & proof of marriage
With great respect
yr obt servt.
[signature] Morris Brown
J L Edwards Esq
Page 37

State of New York}
Tompkins County} ss
Squire Howe of Dryden in the County of Tompkins and State aforesaid aged fifty one years & upwards, being duly sworn deposes and says that he is one of the sons of Squire How[e] and Martha his wife-  and says he was a member of the family at the time of the Decease of his Father which occurred in the month of September 1808 and continued to reside with his mother for two years after the decease of his Father
And this deponent further saith that he has frequently heard his Father talk & converse upon the different topics and battles of the revolutionary war-  of his being engaged in the siege of Yorktown at the taking of Cornwallis-  that he was one of the Volunteers in the Expedition on Rhode Iland [Island] at the taking of Genl Prescott &c &c  These different conversations were held with Samuel Sheldon, Jonathan Wright & other soldiers of the Revolution-
And this deponent further saith that he has now in his possession a double barrel gun, which was presented to him by his Father for this deponent to hand down to posterity in remembrance of him-  which piece his Father said had been presented to him by his Commanding Officer for his Valour in heading a reconnoitering Party & extending his researches for new discoveries of the Enemy father [farther] than any one of the party & which were verry [very] successful-  And this deponent further saith that he yet has the gun above mentioned presented to him by his Father in keeping for his sons who are now growing up-  And further this deponent saith not
[signature] Squire Howe
Subscribed and Sworn to before me}
this 23rd day of January 1838-} 
[signature] John D. Christie A Judge &c
Page 38

STATE OF NEW-YORK,}
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS,} ss.
I WAIT T. HUNTINGTON, Clerk of the County of Tompkins, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That John D. Christie whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment, of the annexEd instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Judge in and for the County aforesaid, dwelling in the said County, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same.  And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Judge and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of proof or acknowledgment, is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 23d day of January 1838.
[signature] W. T. Huntington CLERK.