Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,338, for William Matthewson, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
CONTENTS
Matthewson, William
or
Mathewson, Tabitha
NUMBER
W.16,338
Page 14

on her application executed December 22, 1837, at which time she was about seventy-seven years of age; she resided then in Triangle, Brooms County, New York.
In 1837, Sally Mathewson, daughter of the soldier and his wife, Tabitha, was forty-four years of age and resided with her mother.
One Joseph Mathewson was a resident of Triangle, Brooms County, New York, in 1832, no relationship to the soldier stated.
Very truly yours,
A.D. HILLER,
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 26

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each 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 of four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QEURE 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 he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths much certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates 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 ends 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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Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
March 7, 1929.
John C. Pearson, 
3118 Warrington Road,
Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Sir:
I advise you that on the date of William Matthewson's application for pension (W. 16338) August 6, 1832 at which time he was living in Triangle, Broome County, New York, he stated he was then aged eighty-seven years, and when in the same application he gave the date and place of birth as was required of his he stated that he was born September 28, 174 ?, the last figure is questionable, as both the 4 and 5 appear, one written over the other.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
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Bureau of Pensions.
Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
May 26, 1931.
541
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rev. War claim for pension of William Matthewson, File No. W.16338.
Actual 1 of each page.
xxxx
$1.95...........13 pages
Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
Kindly leave margin of 1[?] in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number. 
The word "omit" written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Page 31

May 6, 1931.
Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
MMHF
Mr. John C. Pearson, 
3118 Warrington Road,
Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Dear Sir:
You are advised that photostatic copies of papers on file in Revolutionary War claims of William Matthewson, or Mathewson, and his widow Tabitha, (W.16338) will be furnished you at the rate of fifteen cents a page.
The number of pages to be copied is thirteen.
Should you desire to have them certified, allow twenty-five cents additional for the entire set.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Acting Commissioner of Pensions.
Very truly yours,
E.W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
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Commissioner of Pensions,
Department of Interior,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
January 16, 1931
I have recently been informed that photostatic
copies of the application for pension made by a Revolutionary soldier may be secured by descendants upon payment of fifteen cents per page.
If this is the case, I should like to obtain such a
copy of the application papers of my ancestor, William Matthewson of Triangle, Broome County, New York, who was pensioned in 1834 for service in Rhode Island. Will you kindly inform me how much to send for a copy of his application and also for any supporting documents which might give information as to his service.
I have a summary of his service as supplied by your department, but if possible should like to obtain the photostat copy.
JCP: SB
Very truly yours,
John C. Pearson
PENSION
U
S
JAN
19
1931
OFFICE
Page 33

3118 Warrington Road,
Shaker Heights, Ohio.
February 21, 1929.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: 
Many years ago your Department furnished me information regarding the Revolutionary services of William Matthewson, taken form his application for a pension. He served from Rhode Island and was pensioned in 1832 when living at Triangle, Broome County, New York. In this record the date of his birth is given as September 28, 1745.
A similar record taken from the pension application by the State Record Commissioner of Rhode Island gives the date of his birth as September 28, 1744.
I assume that this is merely a typographical error in one or the other of these dates and should appreciate it, very much, if you will tell me which date is correct, as shown by the original pension application.
Very truly yours,
John C. Pearson
John C. Pearson.
JCP/GB
PENSION
FEB
U.
S.
FEB
23
1929