Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1271, Samuel Gushee, Mass.
Page 1

SERVICE
Mass. 

PERSON
Gushee, Samuel 
Rachel 

NUMBER
W.1271
B.C. Wt. 34945-160-55
Page 2

1.106

Massachusetts

Rachel Gushee
widow of Samuel Gushee
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private
Massachusetts Line 

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3 Feb 1853

Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of uly '53 and sent to A Bassett
Taunton, Mass. 

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 3 Feb 1853   Page 40  Vol. A
Page 3

28850.
Massachusetts
Samuel Gushee of Briston in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain ___________ of the regt commanded by Col Francis in the Mass line for 9 mos 3 Days

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 30 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Decr 1832 and sent to A, Bassett Taunton Mass

Arrears to 4th of Sep 1832 $45.49
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33
$15.16
Total of $61.65

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by J H McBlair Clerk
Book D. Vol. 2 Page 54

[Text on right side]
See (?) Ad. and 
Godfrey Robinson  Oc 18 '37
Page 4

214,495  Act Mar 3/55 (or 35)

Sept 28/ 55

Rachel Gushee
wid of 
Samuel Gushee
Priv

Gushee
Priv

Reb war
Rec pension  1106
(?) 53   1106

[illegible text} July 29
P Boynton
Page 5

3973
Samuel Gushee
I.S. (?)
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
BRISTOL, SS.

AT a COURT OF PROBATE holden at Taunton
twenty ninth day of August in and for said County on the one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the Honorable HODLAN
BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Samuel Gushe resident of Raynham in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter mentioned, to wit; under Capt Joshua Wilbur whose first name he cannot remember, but whose Lts. was (?) Peckham, the regimental officers he cannot recollect; that he entered the service the second time under Capt. Ebenezer Dean, in a regiment
commanded by Col. John Daggett, the other officers he does not remember; a third time he entered under Capt Jonathan Shaw - he has forgotten the names of all the other officers of the company & regiment; a fourth time he entered the service, but he cannot remember the names of any of his officers; a fifth time he entered the service he thinks under Capt Matthew Ramdell  in the regiment commanded by Cole Mitchell & St Col. Richardson whose first names he does not know; and he will state such particulars of his services as he can remember in reply to the fifth interrogatory hereinafter contained that he served in al nine month & one week and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:

1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Raynham in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts
in the year one thousand seven hundred and Sixty
Samuel Gushee, Son of Abraham & Hannah Gushee was born March 14, 1760. True copy of record
 Signature of Wm Snow T. Clk of Ryanham
Aug. 25, 183

4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom? The first time I entered the service was as a substitute for my brother who is [illegible] all
the other times I voluntarily enlisted; always in the militia or State Troops.

5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
The first time I served at Dorchester near Boston, it was after the British had evacuated that place; I served there three weeks; I cannot remember any other troops there; the second time I entered the service our company was stationed at Howlands Ferry in Tiverton opposite Rhode Island and kept guard to prevent any communication with the enemy on the Island; I served there three months in the winter of seventeen hundred and seventy six and seventeen hundred and seventy seven; the third time was in the autumn of the last mentioned year; we marched  from Taunton down the river to Tiverton on a secret expedition, commonly known as Spencers
Expedition, which failed, the weather being very unfavourable; I was in this service about
four weeks; the fourth time, I was in Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island; our company
was not engaged in the Battle; but were on the ground and ready for action if it had been
anted to advance, I was in this service six weeks; the fifth time. I served three months on Rhode Island in what year I do not remember; but it was after the British had left the Island; our company were in camp all the time & we had no engagement with the enemy; I know of no documentary testimony which I can produce in support of my statement; my memory is so impaired that I can remember no other officers or troops than those above mentioned for proof of my services, I refer to the annexed affidavits.
Page 7

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
BRISTOL, SS.

AT a COURT OF PROBATE holden at Taunton
twenty ninth day of August in and for said County on the one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the Honorable HODLAH
BAYLES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Samuel Gushe
a resident of Raynham in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter mentioned; to wit; under Capt. whose first name he cannot remember, but whose was the regimental officers he cannot
recollect; that he entered the service the second time under Capt. Ebenezer Dean, in a regiment commanded by Col. John Daggett, the other officers he does not remember; a third time he entered under names of all the other officers of the company a regiment; a fourth time he entered the service, but he cannot remember the names of any of his officers, a fifth time he entered the service he thinks under Capt. the regiment commanded by Col. Mitchell & St Col. Richardson whose first names he does not know; and he will state
such particulars of his service as he can remember in reply to the fifth interrogatory hereinafter contained. the further declare as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:

1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Raynham in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts
in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty

2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? The record of my birth is on the Book kept for recording birth, according to Law by said Town a certified copy of which
by the present Town Clerk of said Town is hereto annexed

3 Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where
do you now live? I lived in said Raynham always except while on service as aforesaid

4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom? The first time I entered the service was as a substitute for my brother the other times I voluntarily enlisted; always in the militia or State Troops

5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental
and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. The first time I served at Dorchester near Boston, it was after the British had evacuated that place; I served there three weeks; I cannot remember any other troops there; the second time I entered the service our company was stationed at Howlands Ferry in Tiverton opposite Rhode Island and kept guard to prevent any communication with the enemy on the Island; I served there three months in the winter of seventeen hundred and seventy six and seventeen hundred and seventy seven; the third time was in the autumn of the last mentioned year, we marched from Taunton down the river to Tiverton on a secret expedition, commonly known as Spencer ┃
Expedition, which failed, the weather being very unfavourable; I was in this service about
four weeks; the fourth time, I was in Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island; our company ┃
was not engaged in the Battle; but were on the ground and ready for action if it had been
is advance, I was in this service six weeks; the fifth time, I served three months on Rhode Island in what year I do not remember; but it was after the British had left the Island; our company were in camp all the time & we had no engagement with the enemy; I know of no documentary testimony which I can produce in
support of my statement; my memory is so impaired that I can remember no other
officers or troops than those above mentioned for proof of my services,
I refer to the annexed affidavits.
Page 8

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer! if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the
whom was it given, and what has become of it? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission
was it signed, and what has become of it?
I was a soldier & never had [missing text] written discharge

7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and
your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Reverend & Simeon Doggett & [missing text] both of said Raynham

And the said Samuel Gushe doth further declare that he [missing text] claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension and hereby relinquishes every
of any State, [text crossed out] 
Signature of Samuel Gushe

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies,
Judge of Probate.

We  Simeon Doggett - a Clergyman residing in Raynham and Godfrey Johnson who has [text missing] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Gushe above
declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy two years of age; that he is [text missing] and sworn to the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur [text missing] 
Signatures of Simeon Doggett and Godfrey Robinson

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
Signature of H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
Page 9

AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as  he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Simeon Doggett who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Raynham in said county of Bristol, and that Godfrey Robinson Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and is a credible  person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies
Judge of Probate.


COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
Bristol ss. 

Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of Samuel Gushee of Raynham in said County, for a Pension.

 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the
above written.
Anselm Bassett
Page 10

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County SS. 

On this nineteenth day of April Eighteen hundred and fifty three personally appeared
before me Oliver Prescott of New Bedford in said County Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County, Rachel Gushee a resident of Raynham in said County aged Eighty one
years, who being duly sworn, according to
law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed February 3d 1853; that she is the widow  or  Samuel Gushee who was a Pensioner by the United States under the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 - That said Samuel Gushee was pensioned by the United States at thirty
dollars and thirty three cents per annum, and that he resided in Raynham aforesaid when he made application for said pension and continued to reside there to the time of his death- And his said pension was paid at the agency in Boston

She further declares that she was married to the said Samuel Gushee on the thirty first day of August Eighteen hundred and Eight by James Williams Esqr a Justice of the Peace; that her maiden name was Rachel Dean of Taunton in said County; that her husband, the aforesaid Samuel Gushee died on the fourth day of
June Eighteen hundred and forty at said Raynham; that she was married to him at the time above stated. She further swears that she was a widow
Page 11

at the passage of the act first before mentioned and is still a widow, and that she has never before made application for a pension
Rachel Gushee

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written-Before me
Oliver Prescott
Judge of the Court of Probate afsd

And I certify that said applicant is unable to
appear in Court from bodily infirmity-
Oliver Prescott
Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss. I hereby certify that Oliver Prescott before whom the foregoing declaration was made, and who has hereunto subscribed his name, was, at the time of so
doing the Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned & sworn
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court as Register thereof, this third day of May Eighteen hundred & fifty three
John Daggett
Page 12

I Joseph Wilber of Taunton in the County of
Bristol & Comth of Massachusetts of lawful age depose and say that I have in my possession and keeping a book purporting to be a record book of marriages, solemnised by James Williams Esquire late of said Taunton deceased - said Book was left with me by Alfred Williams Esqr late of said Taunton deceased, the son of said James Williams deceased --

In said Book I find the following
record--
"August thirty first Eighteen hundred and
Eight Samuel Gushee of Raynham and
Rachel Dean of Taunton, were married
together in Taunton, by James Williams Justice of Peace." And I further depose and say that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures, as follows viz-
August 31- 1808."
Joseph Wilbar

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Wright County Ss.
Joseph Willan, a credible witness made oath to above affidavit by him signed
Before me 
A Bassett Just of the Peace
Page 13

I Soranus Hall Clerk of the Town of Raynham Massachusetts certify, That in the records of the Publishments of intention of  Marriages in said Town the intention of Marriage between
Samuel Gushee of Raynham Miss Rachel Dean of Taunton is recorded as follows viz, Angus the twelfth Eighteen hundred and eight Marriage is intended between A. Samuel Gushee of Raynham and Miss Rachel Dean
of Taunton
Signature of Horatio Leonard T. Clerk

I Soranus Hall above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the Town of Raynham Mass and that the foregoing is a true extract from the records of Publishment of Marriages in said Town with the exception
of the above date which is expressed on the records in four legible figures as follows viz, August 12th 1808 -
Raynham February
Signature of Loranus Hall

Comth of Massachusetts
Bristol County SS. March 2d 1853 Soranus
Hall made oath to the truth of the above
affidavit by him signed
Before me 
A Barrett Just. of the Peace
Page 14

I Jonas King of Raynham in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 71 years do testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Samuel Gushee a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States late of Raynham in the County of Bristol aforesaid decease, he died at Raynham
in the month of June about the year 1840, I was called there.

Soon after his death, and assisted in puting on the Grave Cloaths on his remains, he has left a widow Viz Rachel Gushee who is now in full life and has not been married since the death of her late husband viz Samuel Gushee and she
is now a widow
Lucas King

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County S.S. March 7th 1853
Then personally appeared the above named Zenas King who is personally Known to me as a credible disinterested Witness, and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him Signed
Before me 
Godfrey Robinson Justice of the Peace
Page 15

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. 

I James Sproat Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Anselm Bassett & Godfrey Robinson Esqr whose signatures are affixed to the foregoing and annexed certificate, was on the days of the date thereof Justice of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths 

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and  affixed the seal of said Court at (?)  this third day of May in the year Eighteen hundred & fifty three
Signature of Jas. Sproat
Page 16

Taunton  May3 1853

Sir, 
Any communication which you may please to mak in relation to the foregoing application of Rachel Gushee for a pension may be made to me - 
Yours Respectfully 
A Bassett

Commission of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 17

State of Massachusetts 
County of Bristol SS.

On this Eighth day of September AD 1855 before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, authorized by law to administer
Oath within and for the County and State and State aforesaid personally appeared Zenus King and Bathsheba Padelford residents
of Raynham & Taunton in the County of Bristol in the State of Massachusetts known to me as credible persons who made oath in due form of law that Rachel Gushee who in their presence has sworn and subscribed to the foregoing declaration, is to their personal 
knowledge the identical person to whom, under the provisions of the act of my
ness of the 3d 1855 a Pension of Thirty Dollars & thirty three cents per annum has been granted for the services of her late husband
Samuel Gushee deceased a soldier of the Revolutionary war - 

That since being placed on the roll of Pensioners she the said Rachel Gushee has not intermarried but remains and now is a widow, that they have known her for fifty years past and derived their knowledge of the facts herein named from the following circumstances to wit, she was Sister to our mother, and having lived near her all our
days and seem her during the last fifty years past. They further state that they are disinterested witnesses
Signatures of Zenas King and Bathsheba Hartford

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written
Godfrey Robinson Justice of the Peace
Page 18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. 

I, James Sproat Clerk of the Court of Comm
Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Godfrey Robinson Esqr whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate is and was on the days of the date thereof a Justice of the peace in & for said County
of Bristol,  and duly qualified to administer oaths.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Taunton this Eighteenth day of September in the year Eighteen hundred
& fifty five
Signature of Jas. Sproat
Page 19

State of Massachusetts 
County of Bristol  ss.

On this Eighth day of September AD 1855, before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer
oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Rachel Gushee aged Eighty three years, a resident of Raynham, in the County in the State of Massachusetts who make oath in due form of law, that she is the identical Rachel Gushee, to
whom under the provisions, of the 2d Section of the act of Congress of the third day of February 1853, a pension of Thirty Dollars thirty three cents per annum has been allowed for the services of her late husband, Samuel
Gushee a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, late of Raynham in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts, she further states that her
Pension Certificate under the aforesaid act of Congress of the 3d February AD 1853, as numbered 1106 and bears date of the July 30th 1853, and is made payable at the Massachusetts agency. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining, the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of 3d March 1855 never having received or known her self entitled or made application under any previous act of Congress, In evidence of her marriage and proof of service of her said husband she
respectfully refers to the proof of her heretofore adduced now on file in the Pension office and upon which her annuity as aforesaid was granted.

That since being placed on the list of Revolutionary Pensioners, she has not intermarried but continues the widow of the said Samuel Gushee, And request that her hand warrant be sent to M. Robinson, Post Master N. Middleborough Mass-
Signature of  Rachel Gushee

Attest
Signatures of Zenas King, [illegible]

Sworn to subscribed and acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and
I certify that I know the aforesaid Rachel Gushee to be the identical person she
alleges herself to be a Pensioner of the United States and at the date of the execution of this declaration a widow, and that I am not interested in her claim

Signature of Godfrey Robinson Justice of the Peace
Page 20

3973
Samuel Gushee
Raynham
Bristol Co. 
Mass. 

Pen (?)
9 mos & 3 days

$30.33


A Bassett
Taunton
Bristol Co. 
Mass
Page 21

BRIEF in the case of Samuel Gushee
Raynhan of Bristol Co in the State of Mass
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 72 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
In 1776
177
78
80

Duration of Service.
Years Months,
21 days
3 months
42 days
3 months

Rank.
Private

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Capt J Wilbur Col (Francis?)
E Dean  Col Daggett
I Shaw
J (Creker?)
M Randall   Col Mitchell

5. In what battles was he engaged? None

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Raynham

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living Witnesses, traditionary
Evidence

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
Signature of J H Mc Blair
Examining Clerk
Page 22

3 -- 525
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.___________________19_____

In reply to your request of received for a statement of the military history of Samuel Gushee a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired formation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1776
1776
1777
1778
1780

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3 wks
3 mos.
4 wks
6 wks
3 mos

RANK.
Pvt

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Joshua Wilbur
Ebenezer Dean
Jonathan Shaw
Josiah Crocker
Matthew Randall

COLONEL.
Francis
John Doggett
Mitchell

STATE.
Mass

Battles engaged in,____________________________

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Raynham, Bristol Co. Mass

Date of application for pension, Aug 29, 1832. His claim was al.

Residence at date of application, Raynham Mass.

Age at date of application born Mar. 1760 at Raynham, Mass. son or Abraham & Hannah

Remarks: Sol. mar Aug. 2. 1808 at Taunton, Mass Miss Rachel Dean of said place, He died at Raynham Mass. June 1, 1840, and she was
allowed pension on her ap (?) . Apr. 19, 1853 while at Raynham Mass age 81 yrs. It is not stated whether they had children.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6-283C
Page 23

34. 945.

160 acres
Page 24

[left side of document]
1919 Dec 3. History to R.A. Gushee, 527 Riverside Drive, New York City. See his letter in Elijah Gushee  W8838. Aw

[right side of document]
WIDOW, &c. 

File No. 1271
Rachel Gushee
Widow
Samuel Gushees
Priv. Rev. War. 

Act: Feb 3.1853

Index: - Vol. A  Page 297

[Arrangement of 1879.]
Page 25

May 9 1853
No. V009
Appl of Rachel
Gushee widow of 
Samuel

Mass. 
2859

Act 3rd Feby  1853

Rev:
Allowed 30 July 53 at
#30,33cents per annum 
from 3 Feby 1853 DWC
A. Bassett 
Taunton
Mass. 
Nar good
Evidence full
Page 26

Has Good
Probate Court
19 April 1853
Bristol County Massachusetts

(?) 31 Aug 1808 Certificate on file

Died 4 June 1840
Zenas King was called immediately after his death, and assisted in putting on Grave clothes
He left a Widow Rachedl who remains unmarried.
Page 27

[left side of document]
Pension Office
27 July 53

This case is respectfully referred to (?) Auditor for date of death of Pensions and of last payment

Respectfully 
S. Cole
Chief Clerk 

D.M. C. (See other side)

[Text right side of document]
Samuel Gushee Act 7th June 1832
Died 4th June 1840 
Paid to his death

F. Burt
Auditor
Page 28

Rachel Gushee
Wid of 
Samuel Gushee
$30.33
Died 4th June 1840


A. Bassett
Taunton 
Mass
Page 29

Brief in the case of Rachel Gushee Wid of Samuel Gushee of Bristol County and State of Massachusetts under the act 3 Feb 1853

Claim, (original, or for increase.)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. 
Samuel Gushee Was a Revol, Pensioner of the United States, under the act of 7th June 1832 at $20,33 per annum,

Rache Gushee his Widow on the 17th April 1853 filed in Probate Court of the County and State aforesaid, her application for a Pension under the Act 3d Feby 1853

Marriage proven by Certificate on file

Death by (?) Evidence and Certificate

Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

of 3rd Aud continued widowhood up to filing
Declaration
Her name is now inscribed on Pension
List Roll at the rate of $30.33 per annum
from 3rd Feby 1853
July 30th 1853

Daniel McCook
Examining Clerk

Name and residence of Agent
A. Bassett Esq. 
Tauton
Massachusetts
Page 30

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Samuel Gushee Bristol Co May 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 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 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?  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 31

2
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?
---

XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes

And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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? Yes

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 word
"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 and _____days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension,"
Page 32

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.

+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 the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be 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 authenticated the papers is not written on 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 end 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.
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I, John Thrasher of Trenton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy nine years. do testify and say that I became acquainted with Samuel Gushe in the revolutionary army, but in what year of the
war I do not recollect, we were together in the Company of Militia commanded by Capt Ebenezer Dean, L. Nathan Hack & Melatiah Eddy, in Col Doggett's regiment.  I was a corporal and said Gushe a private soldier in said Company, and we served therein together at Howland's Ferry in Tiverton in the State of
Rhode Island, keeping guard of the coasts against the enemy landing from the land for the term of three months in the
winter time
Signature of John Thrasher

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol. ss. Aug. 27. 1832 John Thrasher made
oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed.
Before me A Bassett Just. of the Peace
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I, Samuel Caswell of Taunton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy two years do testify and say, that I became acquainted with Samuel Gushe of Raynham in said County in the year seventeen
hundred and seventy six; and a few years ago renewed my acquaintance with him, I have seen him to day & recognized him as the same man, who served in the same company with
me in the year aforesaid at Dorchester Heights; he came & joined the company there as a substitute for his brother who went home; the company was under the command of
Capt Joshua Wilbur, Lt. Jacob French, & Prince Peckham in Col. Francis's regiment, said Gushe served in said Company as a private soldier of the Massachusetts militia, and was there on service three weeks or thereabouts
Signature of Samuel Caswell

Commonwealth of Massachusetts-
Aug. 27. 1832 Samuel Caswell made oath to the truth of the foregoing instrument by him signed-
Before me A Bassett Just. of the Peace
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I, Dies Pratt of
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I Adam Drake of Costown in the County of Bristol & State of Mass do testify and say that I am now seventy one years old and have been acquainted with Samuel Gushee of Raynham ever since the American Revolution that in the Summer of I believe of 1780. I enlisted & served as a Drummer in a company of Militia commanded by Capt Mathew Randle in Col. Mitchell Regiment on the Island of Rhode Island three months and the above named Samuel Gushee served with me in the same Regiment all of that time being three months

Signature of Adam (His mark X) Drake

Bristol Ss August 28th 1832 then the above named Adam Drake personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above
declaration by him subscribed 
Before me Godfrey Robinson  Justice Peace
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I Stephen Williams of Raynham in the County of Bristol & State of Mass do testify and say that I am now seventy nine years old and have
been acquainted with Samuel Gushee of Raynham before & ever since the American Revolution, that in the summer or fall of 1777
I volunteered & served as a Soldier in a company of Militia commanded by Capt Jonathan Shaw of Raynham at Tivertown & Foyland Ferry in the State of Rhode Island One Month & the above named Samuel Gushee Served with me in the same company as a private Soldier all of that time being one month, and again in the summer or fall
of 1778 I believe I served as a substitute for Noah Williams of Raynham in said Revolution six weeks in a company of Militia commanded
by Capt Josiah Crocker of Taunton & Lieutenant Thomas Dean of Raynham on the Island of Rhode Island and the above named
Samuel Gushee served with me in the same company as a private week Soldier all of that time being Six Weeks and I have this day
Seen the above named Samuel Gushel of Raynham and he is in full life & is the same Identical person that served with me in
said Revolutionary War as above stated
Signature of Stephen Williams

Bristol Ss August 29th 1832 then the above named Stephen Williams personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above
declaration by him subscribed
Before me Godfrey Robinson Justice Peace