Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,609., Philip Ballard, Mass.
Page 1

SERVICE NUMBER
Mass.
Ballard, Philip
S. 29,609
Page 2

See let to P. agent Apl 6 1830
do to same, and B. Brainard July 16. 1836

10.062
Massachusetts
Philip Ballard
of Franklin in the State of Mass.
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Oliver in the Regt commanded by Col. Doolittle in the Mass Line
for 8 Mos. Private
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of March
1833
and sent to Geo. Grennell of Green[illegible] Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $53.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept $13.33
----
$66.65
-
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J H Blain Clerk
Book E
Vol. 2 Page 4
Page 3


Philip Ballard
Philip Ballard
Gill
Grennell
Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY SS.
At a Probate Court holden
ON THIS twenty eight
day of August, A.D. 1832 personally
appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Richard Newcomb Judge of Probate Court of the County of Franklin in 
said Commonwealth, now sitting at Greenfield within and for the said County of Franklin,
Philip Ballard a resident of Gill in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged eighty five
years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth,
on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7, 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
I first entered the service of the United States as a soldier of the Revolution
some time in April A.D. 1775 immediately after the battle of Lexington
I then resided in Montague in the then County of Hampshire since the County of Franklin and
I with others went from sd. Montague direct to Waltham thence to Cambridge
where I perform the service. After I arrived at 
Cambridge Ms  I enlisted
in the Massachusetts State troops for eight months and around that time.
I was dismissed and return home in January following. I had no written discharge. The officers of our Regt were Col. Ephraim Dolittle of Petersham Ms, 
Lt. Col. Holden Maj. Moore. The officers of our company were Capt. Oliver of Conway Ms. Lt Tho. Grover, Ensign Pannell - General
Sullivan was our General. Genl Washington at this time had his head quarters at Cambridge Ms. I was present as a soldier at the
battle of Bunker Hill; but the troops to which I belong did not engage in
the earth. I saw at this time Charleston burnt by the enemy during the
time of the battle. The was desprate but our army was obliged to
retreat. The troop to which belonged retreated across the neck on to the highland. I recollect of seeing at this time Gen. Lee and Brig Maj
Schamel.


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 the agency of any State.
Philip Ballard
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
E. Newcombe Judge of Probate 



We, Josiah W. Canning a clergyman residing in Gill aforesaid and John Bates a Justice of peace
residing in Gill aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well-acquainted with Philip Ballard
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty five years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood
the resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day and year 

Josiah W. Canning
John Bates 
E. Newcomb


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 Josiah W Canning who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident
town of Gill and that John Bates Esq who has also signed the declaration is a Justice of the Peace resident in said Gill and is a credible person and
that their statement is entitled to credit.
R. E. Newcomb Judge of Probate
I, ELIJAH ALVORD, Register of the said Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Philip Ballard
for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this 28th
day of August in the year of our LORD one thousand
eight hundred and thirty two.

E. Alvord, Reg. Prob.
Page 5

I hereby certify that I have long
known Phillip Ballard the applicant
within
named, & that he sustains a
fair character for truth & veracity
& integrity
Gro Grennell
Washington Jan 21. 1833
Page 6

Philip Ballard
Private
8 Mos
Adm'd
$26.66
Hon. Geo. Grennell
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of
Philip Ballard
County of Franklin
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? [blank]
3. How old is he? 84
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period: Enlisted In 1775 April

Duration of Service: 8 Months

Rank: Private
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served: Col. Doolittle, Capt. Oliver, Genl. Sullivan
5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill. He was at this battle but not engaged
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? County of Hampshire, Mass.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary & witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
T. Waugh
Examining Clerk.
Feb 20, 1833.
Page 8

Hon. J. L. Edwards Esqr. Sec. of War
Washington
Page 9


Gill July 5. 1836

Dear Sir:
Enclosed, for your examination, are all the
Papers, touching the last pension of Dea. Philip Ballard, late of Gill Mass deceased & late a pensioner

The enclosed papers have been filed with Mr. Simpson the agent for paying pensions at Boston but the Powers of Atty were not all filed
till 90 days had gone by, Therefore Mr. Simpson could not pay over without special direction-

Now sir the facts are there-
The wife of the pensioner deceased before him, so there was no widow
left & of course no administrator of hers, at the
decease of the Pensioner, his sons & daughter
I believe would have the Pension in arrear-
The Pensioner had settled all his Temporal concerns before his decease therefore it required no Executor or administrator of his estate & none has been appointed and all his heirs have made their powers runing to Alvah Ballard son & heir to the pensioner as you will see Sir by the papers. Again Sir you will see by the papers that two of the heirs live in the State of New York
two in the State of Connecticut, two in the State of Ohio & one in Mass. which renders it
imposible or next to it to get all their powers
returned within ninety day, we have already
tried twice & failed.   Now Sir the sum due
in arrear is so small, & the trouble & expense
so great & uncertain that the attorny thinks
of abandoning, unless the enclosed papers are
satisfactory-- we pray you therefore Sir if
anywise consistent with your duty you would
give such orders as may enable the heirs of
of the Pensioner to obtain the money 

with the greatest Respect
Benjamin Brainerd Counsellor
of the S.J.Court of Mass
Honble J. L. Edwards Esq-for Alvah Ballard
P.S. Should any further testimony be wanting please give
me notice
Page 10

In reply to your request of
for a statement of the military history of Philip Ballard, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
S.F.29,609

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT: Apr. 1775.
LENGTH OF SERVICE: 8 mos.
RANK:Pri
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED: CAPTAIN-Robert Oliver, 
COLONEL: Ephraim Doolittle
STATE: Mass
The above is the only Philip Ballard of the Rev. War records of this Bu.
Battles engaged in: [blank]
---
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Montague, Hampshire Co, Mass 
Date of application for pension, Aug 28, 1832. His cl was al
Residence at date of application, Gill, Franklin Co. Mass
Age at date of application, 85 yrs.
Remarks: He died Aug. 25, 1835, leaving no widow but leaving seven children, the only name stated being that of Alvah
Respectfully,
[blank]
Commissioner.
Date of death taken
from Agency Book
Page 11

29609
Revy INVALID.
File No. 29609
Philip Ballard
Pri
Rev War
Act: June 7 '32
Index: --Vol. 2, Page 25
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1916, Feb. 29th Hist. to F. C. Ballard
Letter with Cl. W. F. 24776  Edmond Bow
1916, April 7
Letter to Mrs. Melvin R. Deo
Letter with Cl. W. F. 24776  Edmond Bow
Page 12

Philip Ballard
Aff
Page 13

I Henry Evers one of Gill in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say, that sometime in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & Seventy five, a few days after the Battle of Lexington, I [illegible] with
Philip Ballard of Montague in the County and Hampshire & now County of Franklin and now resident of in the town of Gill in said county, being minute-men, then, so called, and proceded to Cambridge in said
State, to join the Massachusetts Militia And upon our arrival at Cambridge he the said Philip Ballard enlisted into the company of Capt. Robert Oliver
of Conway Massachusetts, and the quota being full I returned to my residence in Montague. And furthermore, I the said Henry Evers do testify and say, that I live in the immediate vicinity
of the said Philip Ballard and that it was believed
by myself as well as in the neighbourhood generally,
that he served in the Army of the revolution
the term of his enlistment which was eight months.
Henry Evers
Franklin S. Rice August 27th AD 1832.
This Henry Evers the above named personally
appearing made Solemn oath to the above affidavit by him subscribed.

Before me, Joel Lyons Justice of the peace
Franklin SS. Gill August 27th 1832. I hereby certify that
Henry Evers above named is a man of truth and veracity
and whose word is statement of facts would not be doubted
in any court of Justice
Joel Lyons, Justice of the Peace
Page 14

I Henry Evers one of Gill in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say, that sometime in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & Seventy five, a few days after the Battle of Lexington, I [illegible] with
Philip Ballard of Montague in the County and Hampshire & now County of Franklin and now resident of in the town of Gill in said county, being minute-men, then, so called, and proceded to Cambridge in said
State, to join the Massachusetts Militia And upon our arrival at Cambridge he the said Philip Ballard enlisted into the company of Capt. Robert Oliver
of Conway Massachusetts, and the quota being full I returned to my residence in Montague. And furthermore, I the said Henry Evers do testify and say, that I live in the immediate vicinity
of the said Philip Ballard and that it was believed
by myself as well as in the neighbourhood generally,
that he served in the Army of the revolution
the term of his enlistment which was eight months.
Henry Evers
Franklin S. Rice August 27th AD 1832.
This Henry Evers the above named personally
appearing made Solemn oath to the above affidavit by him subscribed.

Before me, Joel Lyons Justice of the peace
Franklin SS. Gill August 27th 1832. I hereby certify that
Henry Evers above named is a man of truth and veracity
and whose word is statement of facts would not be doubted
in any court of Justice
Joel Lyons, Justice of the Peace
Page 15

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin SS. 
I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the County of Franklin do hereby certify that Joe Lyons Esq. before whom the
within affidavit purports to have been verified is a Justice of the
pence for the said County, and that his name subscribed to
the within certificates appears to me to be his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the said court, at Greenfield on
the twenty eighth day of August A.D. 1832
E. Alvord Clerk
Philip Ballard
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
further proof or explanation.
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? [blank]

IV. Has the declarant mentioned 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?
yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
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
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
Page 17

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
further proof or explanation.
1. 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?
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Philip Ballard
which require
IV. Has the declarant mentioned 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 amout of pension
he is entitled?
Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
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
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
yes
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
Page 18

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? [blank]
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? [blank]
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service? yes
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? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that 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? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
1. 2. 6. 7
-
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 periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For --months
and--days, I served as a -- for -- months
--days, I served as a
-- and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 19


Commonwealth Bank
Boston 25th March 1836.

Sir:
The heirs of Philip Ballard a
Revolutionary pensioner under the act of 7th
June 1832 have applied for the arrears of pension due him at the time of his decease; but on examination of the papers, I find the power of attorney is over ninety days old, the Attorney states that as the children live out of the State it would be very difficult to obtain
a new power, & living a great distance
from each other, almost impossible, to
present it within the proper time.
I would enquire of in this particular
case the rule requiring a power of Attorney to
be presented within 90 days of its date cannot be dispensed with.

I am, very respectfully
Your obt Servt
L. M. Stone for
Jno. K. Simpson Agent
James L. Edwards Esqr
Comr Pensions
⎬
Page 20

Dwight Slate [illegible]
March 27 1891
Philip Ballard [illegible]
Page 21

[Letterhead with logo]
THE DWIGHT SLATE MACHINE CO.,
MANUFACTURERS OF MACHINERY AND TOOLS,
262 MAIN STREET.
Whitford, Conn. U. S. A. 
March 27 1891

Chas. W. Filer
Chief O. W. & N. Div.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C.

Dear Sir: Phillip Ballard was a pensioner for services in the war of the Revolution. He probably enlisted from Montague
Mass. and subsequently removed to Gill, which was then a part of Greenfield Mass. where he drew his pension and lived and died. We have a tradition that he was in Col Williams
Regt., Capt. Grovers Co.
Will you kindly send me so much of his history as a Revolutionary
soldier as is contained in his application for a
pension. If so you will greatly oblige.
Yours respect.
Dwight Slate.