Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21369, John Howard, R.I.
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(3-1776) SERVICE R.I. Howard, John Lydia NUMBER W. 21369 CONTENTS
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Rhode=Island 4967 Lydia Howard widow of John Howard, decd. R.I. and who died in the 1796 of Providence in the State of R. Island who was a private in the compy commanded by Captain Whipple of the Regt. commanded by Col. Topham in the R. Island for 9 mos. 6 days pri. Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 30 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Certificate of Pension issued the 31st day of January, 1840 and sent to Benja Cowell, Esq. Providence, R.I. Arrears to the 4th of March 1840 $122.64 Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 15.33 $137.97 Act July 7, 1838. recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk Book A Vol. 2 Page 10
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Lydia Howard 6467 R.I. Act 7 July 38 m 87- on roll whipple from 11 Jun 78 to 16 March 79. Bundle 1 Capt Whipple Col. Topham AOMd 9 mo 6 ds 30:66 no deductions Benja Cowell Providence R.I.
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State of Rhode Island &c. County of Providence On this fifteenth day of August AD 1839 personally appeared before me Zuriel Potter one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County Lydia Howard of Cumberland in said County aged 83 years who being duly sworn according to law dowth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of July 7 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" viz that she is the widow of John Whoard formerly of Cumberland deceased, who was a soldier of the Revolution, that he enlisted & served in Capt Whipples Company & Col John Tophams regiment of Rhode Island Troops & she believes he served in other companies but she must refer to the testimony of others for specification & proof And she further declares that she was married to the said John Howard on the first day of February AD 1787 in Wrentham
11 June 78 to 16 March 79
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a town admoining said Cumberland but in the State of Massachusetts as will appear of record a Copy whereof is hereto annexed that her husband the said John died at sea in the year 1796 the month she cannot [illegible] and since then she has remained unmarried. She was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage tood place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four to wit at the time above mentioned. Lydia Howard her X Mark Attest Zuriel Potter Providence Sc. In Cumberland August 15th AD 1839 Personally appeared before me Lydia Howard who signed the aforegoing declaration by making her mark (she being blind could not see to write her name) and under oath to the same and I further certify that said Lydia from age and infirmaties is to feeble to attend Court Zuriel Potter Just. C. C. Pleas
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I Charles Ray of [illegible] in the Town of Cum & say that Lydia H. signed & sworn to the =nation is my mother. 
Herkimer County state of New York This may certify to all concerned that John Howard was a private in my Company in Colonel Topham's Regt. in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine. Wm Whipple then Captain
Town & State aforesaid & true extract from the rec the exception above men. 
Commonwealth of Newport Sc August 15 1839 This the ab. oath to the truth of the above Before Me Meletiah
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Horfork County & Town of Wrentham
I Calvin Fisher Fr Clerk of said Town do hereby certify that the following is a true copy of a record now in my possession as such Town Clerk with the exception [illegible] named "Married by Mr. William Williams February first seventeen hundred eighty seven John Howard and Lydia Ray" An I further 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- "February 1 1787" I Calvin Fisher above named depose & say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County Town & State aforesaid & that the above is a true extract from the record of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me Calvin Fisher Town Clerk of the Town of Wrentham. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk Sc. August 13: 1839 This the above named Calvin Fisher Fr. jmade oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him suscribed Before Me Melatiah Everett Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Secretary's Office, December 5 1839. I hereby Certify that Melatiah Everett of Wrentham is now and has been for the year past a Justice of the Peace, for the County of Norfolk. in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth
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I Charles Ray of Wrentham but now in the towne of Cumberland do testify & say that Lydia Howard who has signed & sworn to the preceding declaration is my mother & Samuel Ray was my Father, My mother has remained the widow of John Howard ever since his death, he died at sea in the year 1796. I am now almost fifty nine years of age, the said John Howard was her second husband. Charles Ray Providence Sc In Cumberland August 15th AD 1839 Personally appeared before me Charles Ray who signed the above affidavit in my presence and made oath to the same and I further certify that said affiant is a credible witness. Zuriel Potter Just. C. C. Pleas State of Rhode Island &c. Secretarys office Decem. 6 1839. I Henry Bowen Secretary of said State and Keeper of the Records and the Seal thereof Do certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State in May last Zuriel Potter was elected associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Providence and William H Smith Justice of the Peace for the town of Providence in said County for one year and commissioned according as appears of record, witness my hand and the Seal of said State the date above written Henry Bowen
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Revy WIDOW, &c. File No. 21369 Lydia Howard Widow of John Howard Priv. Rev. War Act July 7th 1838 Index: Vol. A, Page 349 [Arrangement of 1870.]
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Providence Dec. 9 1839 Sir I herewith enclose the application of of Olive Park widow of Samuel. Lydia Howard widow of John, & Dorothy Herndon [illegible] widow of Reuben Herndon for pensions under the act of Congress of July 7 1838 I am respectfully your obt svt Benja Cowell J L Edwards Esq.
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I Benjamin Evens, of Smithfield in the county of Providence & State of Rhode Island, aged 77 years, being legally engaged do testify & say- That in May 1778 I enlisted in capt. William Whipple's company & Col. John Topham's Regiment of Rhode Island State Troops a private & served until the Sixteenth of March 1779. This I further testify & say, that I well remember John Howard who was a private in the same company & served in it all the time I served. How much longer he served in it before or after I did, I do not know. The said John has a widow now living in Cumberland, as I understand. Benjamin Evans. State of Rhode Island &c. Providence Sc. On this ninth day of September 1839 Benjamin Evans above named personally appeared & made Solemn affirmation that the facts stated in the above deposition by him subscribed are true. I certify that the said benjamin Evans is a credible Witness William H. Smith Justice of the Peace