Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,735, Gideon Tower, Conn. R.I. Vt.
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(8-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
R.I.
Vt.

Tower, Gideon

NUMBER
S 17.735

Carded
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7561 
Indiana

Gideon Tower of Dearborn in the State of Indiana who was a [illegible] in the company commanded by Captain Cleft of the RH commanded by Col Parson in the Conn & R.I. and Vt. line for 18 mo private and 6 as Sergeant

Inscribe on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 90 Dollars - centers per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of April 1833 and sent to WC Keene Printers Retreat

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  $180.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept   45.00
                                                             _________
                                                             $225.00
                                                            __________
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk
Book E Vol. 7 Page 131

April 21/85 Letter to Mr. Merritt through chf. clerk's desk
All copy inside. N.P.H.
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No. 13849

Gideon Towers
Dearborn Co

from 1775 private
8 Sept 2 years
18 months Private - $60.-
6 left Sargt                30. -
                                 ---------
                                   $90 -

Cleft
Parsons
Carm
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Brief in the case of Gideon Tower of Dearborn County in the State of Indiana
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 79 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

In 1775 7 months as a private Capt. Cleft, Col. Parsons regt. Conn.
In 1776 6 months do. Capt. Wilcox, Col. Dyer regt. Rho Island
In 1778 about 1 month do. same, same
In 1779 6 months do. Capt. Noble, Col. Merrick. Vermont
In 1790 6 months ordinary sergeant Capt. Hutchins, same

5. In what battles was he engaged? ----
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Windham County Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  No.

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned,

B.F. Pleasants, Examining Clerk.
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Gideon Tower
13,849

Direct to Wm C Keen
Printer's Retreat
Indiana
Page 6

In the matter of Gideon Tower.
An applicant for a pension, under the act of Congress of June 7, A.D. 1832.
Recorded in book F page 70
Edwd Patton clerk

The state of Indiana, Switzerland County, SS:

On this seventeenth day off of September A.D. 1832, personally appeared, in open court, before the honorable, the Circuit court, of the county aforesaid, being a court of record, Gideon Tower, a resident of Dearborn county Indiana aged seventy nine years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his said oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress, passed the 7th of June, A.D. 1832 -- that he, the said Gideon Tower, entered the service of the United States, during the AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - That he, the said Gideon, served in 1775, as a private, in a company of Connecticut militia, commanded by Capt. Cleft, of Parson's regt. In 1776, as a private in a company of Rhode Island that was commanded by Capt. Wilcox, of Dyer's regiment. In 1778, as a substitute for Barber, in a company commanded by same cast and regt. by same Col. in 1779, as a private in a company of Vermont militia, commanded by Capt Noble in Herrick's regiment. In 1780, as an orderly sergeant in a company of Vermont militia, commanded by Capt. Hutchins, of Herrick's regiment.

And, that he hereby relinquishes every claim 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.

The Court, then propounded the following interrogatories to the said Gideon Tower.
1. Where, and in what year were you born? He was born in Cumberland, Providence county, Rhode Island, on the 30th of April AD 1753.
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? His age is recorded in the town clerk's books, where he was born - he has no copy of it here.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War; and where do you now live? he lived about sixteen years in State of New York, about two years in Kentucky, about sixteen years in Dearborn County Indiana. he has never been out of the U. States since the Revolutionary war.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted - did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? He enlisted each time except one when I was a substitute for Barber.
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers, who were with the troops where you served; such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. General Putnam, Colonel Wamer or Varem, General Cornal Cornwell or Conway (some such a name), General Sullivan, General Ethan Allen.

[illegible line]
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5. State the names of some of the regular officers, who were with the troops where you servved; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. General Putnam, Colonel Warner or [illegible], General Cornal, Conwell or Conway (some such a name).
General Sullivan - General Ethan Allen
He after I [illegible] Gideon Tower, May AD 1775 enlisted at Windham Connecticut  
a company of Connecticut militia, commanded by Capt [illegible] Cleft, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Parsons, and served as a private rate for that full term of seven months. After this company was formed, we marched to New London and lay there some three or four weeks, there the news of the battle of Bunkinhill [Bunker Hill?] reached us and we were ordered to Roxbury in Massachusetts and lay there the balance of our time and were discharged in December at said Roxbury. Several regiments of Rhode Island militia and some from Massachusetts and several regiments of militia from Connecticut lay at the same place. Col. [Varnim?] commanded one of the Rhode Island regiments.  General Putnam commanded our front of the army. General Putnam hopped back and forth from Cambridge where another part of the army lay. Again in May AD 1776, he enlisted at Coventry, Providence co Rhode island, in a company of Rhode Island troops commanded by captain Mileux, in the regiment commanded by colonel Dyear, and served on a private soldier for six months. After joining his company he marched to Bristol, Rhode Island and lay there being Head quarters, for some time. There were three regiments of militia lay at the same place. General Cornal or Coryway was in command and Genl Sullivan was there at the part of the time = Again
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I
There were three age
at the same place. General Corn was in
command and Gen Sullivan was there a
part of the time.  Again
In A.D. 1778, he served as a substitute for
Barber, a quaker, in a company commanded by Capt Wilcox, of Rhode Island Militia under Col. Dyer, and served until few days after the battle at New Port Rhode Island under General Sullivan. he served
about one month.
as such substitute
Again in June AD1779, he enlisted at Pownal, Bennington Co Vermont, in a company commanded by Eli Noble of Col. Herrick's regiment of Vermont Militia, and served for six months as a private soldier after joining said company we were march to Castleton a fort on the frontier and was stationed there the whole six months. Our whole regiment lay at that fort. Ethan Allen, had command at Pittsburg fort, about 18 miles from ours and was repeatedly at our fort. Again, in
May A.D. 1780, he enlisted at Pownal
aforesaid in a company of Vermont militia
commanded by Capt Hutchins in the regiment commanded by Col Herrick and
Served as an orderly Sergeant for six months
after joining said company, he was marched
to fort Castleton which was our quarters and Gideon was selected as a member of a party Kept for scouting, consequently did not lay long at a time at said head quarters. General
Allen commanded and Gideon was discharged at Castleton. That he the said then said Gideon served during the Revolutionary for the full term of Twentyfive Months as a soldier, desides resonable time, after each tour to reach home and one month as a substitute.
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6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was
it signed, and what has become of it? he never received a written discharge
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood
, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief
of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. Sam Murray
el Pease James Pollock, Joseph Wood Esq
Ezra Lampkins, Dr Gillespie, Benj. Lerew
2. Have you any documentary evidence of your services, and do you know of
know of any person now living whose testimony you can procure to testify to
your service? He has no documentary evidence
and knows of no person now living by whom
he can prove his services
Gideon Tower
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Edward Patton Clerk.
We John Pavy-
a clergyman, residing in Switzerland
county and state of Indiana and Samuel Pavy
residing in Switzerland county, state of Indiana hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gideon Tower who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration--that we believe him to be Seventy nine years of age he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the REVOLUTION, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, John Pavy Samuel Pavy
Edward Patton Clerk.
And the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by War Department, that the above named Gideon Tower was a REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Pavy who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in Switzerland county and state of Indiana and that Samuel Pavy also a clergyman who also signed the same, in a resident in Switzerland county and state of Indiana and isa credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit.  M.C. Eggleston, Pres. Judge [illegible] Martin [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
I, EDWARD PATTON, clerk of the Switzerland circuit Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Gideon Tower for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Vevay, this Seventeenth day of September one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-two
Edward Patton Clk
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Rev. and 1812
War Section.
December 9, 1926
Mrs. Grenville A. Wood
N. Adams St
Carroll, Iowa

Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in
the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 17735,
it appears that Gideon Tower was born April 30, 1753 in Cumberland, Providence County, Rhode Island. He enlisted in Windham County, Connecticut in May 1775 and served seven months as a private in Captain Waterman Clift's Company, Colonel Parsons'
Connecticut Regiment.
He enlisted in Coventry, Rhode Island in May
1776 and served six months as a private in Captain Wilcox's Company, Colonel Dyer's Rhode Island Regiment; and in 1778 he served one month as a private in Captain Wilcox's Company, Colonel Dyer's Rhode
Island Regiment.
He enlisted in Pownal, Bennington County,
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Vermont in June 1779 and served six months as a private in Captain Eli Noble's Company, Colonel Herrick's Vermont Regiment; and enlisted in May 1780 and served six months as Orderly-Sergeant in Captain Hutchins' Company, Colonel Herrick's Vermont Regiment. He was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1832, while a resident of Dearborn County, Indiana. There is no data on file relative to family. The above noted Gideon Tower (Towers) is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau; and said records fail to afford any information in regard to Dewey and Reuben
Tower (Towers)
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner
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Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Gideon Tower 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? No
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? No
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
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?
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.
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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?
yes
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?
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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?
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 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 year
months, and days, I served as a . For months
and days, I served as a; and for such service I claim a pension.
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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 or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
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 he 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 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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Printers Retreat Indian
Sept. 24. 1832
Inclosed I send you the application of Griffith Dickinson, Gideon Tower, Nathan Ricketts, John Shaddy and Roderick Moore, for pensions
under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832.
I have the honor to be
Your Obt. Servt. 
William C. [illegible]   

[illegible] Lewis Cass Sec. of War.
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Rev Sec
K.S. Y.
Bennington [illegible] August 7,1916.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:
Do you have in your office a record
of Gideon Tower, born in Cumberland, Providence Co. Rhode Island April 30, 1753, was married to Abigail Perkins - March 1775 and joined the army of the Revolution - April 1775? He served from three to seven months every year while the war lasted in our [illegible] states, which was published in his house family paper in Dearborn Co. Died Mar. 18, 1843
●
Two sons John and Gideon Tower served in the
war of 1812. the former being married on
Jan 23 1810.  There were 13 children born
to Gideon and Abigail Tower, Gideon Tower lived to be very old but I can't say whether he was in the Patriot roll. Any data pertaining to the family would be very gratefully received
Thanking you for your courtesy in looking up our record
Respectfully yours
(Miss) [illegible] J Clark
(Great great grandchild of Gideon Tower)
 (Stamp black ink Aug 9 1916)
Page 17

In reply to your request of , received

for a statement of the military history of Gideon Tower a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) [crossed out] application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
S. F. 17.735
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
May 1775
May, 1776
1778
June, 1779
May 1780
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
7 mos
6 "
1 "
6 "
6 "
RANK.
Pri
"
"
"
Ordl Sgt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Waterman Clift
Wilcox
Wilcox
Eli Noble
Hutchins
COLONEL.
Parsons
Dyer
Dyer
Herrick
Herrick
STATE.
Conn.
R.I.
R.I.
Vt.
Vt
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl in Windham Co, Conn.
Date of application for pension, Sept 17 1832. His cl was al
Residence at date of application, Dearborn Co. Indiana,
Age at date of application, Born Apr 30, 1753, Cumberland Providence Co. R.I.
Remarks: There is no data relative to family

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
5 -- 2856
Page 18

N. Adams Street
Carroll, Iowa
Nov 14, 1926

United States Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen - 

Have you any records in your office of Pensions issued during the Revolutionary War, or after, to Reuben or Gideon Towers' Wives? These men fought under General Gage in Col. Ira Allen's Regiment at Concord.

Any information you can give me, or, if you could tell me where I might obtain same will be greatly appreciated.

Your prompt attention will be appreciated.

Yours truly
Mrs. Grenville A. Wood
Page 19

N. Adams Street
Carroll, Iowa
Dec 6, 1926

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: -

Sometime ago I wrote to you in regard to one Towers who served in the Revolutionary War, but received no reply. Will you kindly answer as this is very important.

What I am interested in is the three Towers, Dewey, Reuben, and Gideon; the date of their birth, marriage, & death, and the date, name, and death of their wives. The places of where these incidents occurred are wanted also.

Please try and find as much as you possibly can, as I said before, this is important. Any fees will gladly be forwarded.

Yours truly,
Mrs. Grenville A. Wood
Page 20

,
Mr. Webster,
Please answer
to be
J
(stamp black ink PENSION OFFICE Apr 17, 1885)
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West Wingham, April 13 - 1885

Friend Merritt -

I am in pursuit of a fact under some difficulties. I want to find the date of the death of Gideon Tower, who died in Indiana, whose descendants somewhere from 1842 to 1850. He was a pensioner for services in the war of the revolution under the act of 1832.

The records of the pension office at Washington should show when payment ceased on his pension account and if I could ascertain this fact I could determine the date of his death very nearly.

When I was in Washington twelve years ago the pension department gave me opportunity to examine the papers for such purposes as I wanted, and I
Page 22

suppose it is still open for similar purposes.

Now what I want to ask of you is to see whether you can get the fact I need from the pension department, provided always it shall not interfere with your duties in your own department and that it is not going to put you to too much trouble.

If you can do this under the foregoing provisions I will be much obliged to you.

Yours respectfully,
Q. Bicknell
Page 23

Sir : -
In the response to the inquiry of Mr. Q. Bicknell relative to the date of death Gideon Tower of Indiana, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. I have to advise you that this office is not in possession of the information.  It appears that Gideon Tower was a pensioned on the Indiana roll
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2) under certification 
No. 7561. The Third Auditor of the Treasury will; doubtless, by the aid of this data be able to afford you the desired information.

Very respectfully,
Mr. Merritt
Present
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P/ 17735
INVALID.

File No. 17,735
Gideon Tower
Sergt Rev War

Act: June 7" 32
Index :-- Vol. /, Page 377
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1916, Aug. 14. History to FW Inez J. Clark.
1926. Dec. 9. Hist to Mrs. Grinville
A. Wood avy