Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,275, Jonathan Goss, Mass. R.I.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
MASS.
R. I.

Goss, Jonathan

NUMBER
S. 32,275
============
CONTENTS
Page 2

[left side of document:]
Date of death no on AB

[right side of document:]
Illinois 13.394
===========
Jonathan Goss
[of] Wabash Co in the State of Illinois
who was a Private in the Co commanded
by Captain Holden of the Regt. commanded
by Colo. Thatcher in the Mass
line for 8 1/2 mos.
$28 33/100.
=============
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois 
at the rate of 28 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
==============
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th. day of July,
1833 and sent to Wm. J 
Page. Commi. White Co. Illes.
===============
Arrears to the 4th of March ‘33 56.66 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833 14.17.  
===============
$70,,83.
===============
{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer Clerk,
Book E.     Vol. 8     Page 57.
Page 3

Jonathan Goss
12.056

1832 -

Hiram Bell Clerk
Page 4

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the 
act of Congress passed June 7- 1832.
State of Illinois }
Wabash County } On this 15 day of September 1832 personally 
appeared in open Court before the Circuit Court of 
Wabash County being a Court of record now sitting 
Jonathan Goss, a resident of said County of Wabash and 
State of Illinois aged 72 years. who being first duly sworn 
according to law, doth, on his oath make the following 
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act 
Congress pased June 7th 1832 - 
     That he enter[ed] the service of the United 
States in the militia under the following named 
officers and Served as herein stated — Captain 
Jabez Holden 1-Lieutenant Lawrence 2-Lt Rockwood 
the regiment was commanded by Col. Thatcher. Lt Col. 
How. Maj. Bryant. That he entered the service as 
a substitute for his father Jonathan Goss who had 
been drafted — in the month of October or November 1776 — 
and marched from Groton Mass to Providence in 
Rhode Island & remained there one or two weeks— That 
Gen. Lincoln was commander in chief at Providence [line is crossed out]
That the troops stationed at Providence were ordered to 
march to Peek Hill in New York, that in going there he 
went through Hartford & Danbury Cou. remained 
there a few days, and then marched to Tarrytown & 
remained there a short time and then marched to Kings 
Bridge and there we were joined by Gen. Heath, but 
Gen. Heath did not cross the river. That he then marched 
back to Mill square — & from there to Tarrytown & 
remained there a few days & then were marched to White 
Plains & then marched to Peekskill & then down the Hudson 
river four miles and crossed into New Jersey at the 
Kings Ferry — & marched to Backen Ridge from there 
to Woodbridge and remained there about six weeks — That the 
the only battle that took place while he was out was a small 
skirmish at Strawberry Hill on the morning of the
Page 5

17th of March 1777. That his time expired on that day
when he was discharged but did not receive a 
written discharge — that he was absent from home 
as he now thinks about four months. That he has 
no recollection of any regular regiments of any regular 
officers except Gen Lincoln who was stationed about 
five or six miles from Woodbridge on Bound Brook - & 
that he was then told that Gen Lincoln was commander 
of his regiment & other regiments. 
     That soon after his return home he volunteered 
under Colonel Whitney, Captain John Miner or Minard 
Lieutenant Proctor that he marched from Townshend 
Mass — to Providence Rhode Island, and from 
there we went to East Greenwich & from there 
to Warwick where he remained until his two 
had expired & then discharged & returned home — 
at Warwick we were attached to Col. Waterman’s 
Regiment of Rhode Island, that his duty was to 
guard the court but met with none of the enemy 
while herein and there — No regular officers 
or regiments there — 
     That in the year 1779 or 1780 he removed 
to Vermont & entered the service as a volunteer under 
Lieutenant Hoar & joined Captain Safford at 
fort Fortitude on White river in Bethel same State 
and he was sent out with two others as a scouting party 
against the Indians — that other parties went at same 
time out at a distance of one or two miles, that he 
marched from that place in a northern direction 
until he reached the head waters of the river 
Sackville & remained in this duty until some time 
in the winter where the snow became so deep that 
it was supposed that the inhabitants were safe — 
That he entered the service in the month of October 
that when discharge[d] he returned home, &
Page 6

     That he was born in Townshend, Middlesex 
County Mass. on the 13th of March 1760: has no 
record of his age- That when first called into service 
he resided in Townshend &c and also when he 
entered the service the second time, the third time 
he resided in Wester County of Windson State 
of Vermont. That he resided in Vermont 6 or 7 
years after the war, then he removed to New York 
Oneida County town of Whitestoure resided there 
about 12 years - that he then removed to Green Co 
Pen. resided their about 2 years - from there 
he removed to Steubenville Jefferson Co Ohio 
resided there 8 years- that he resided in other 
parts of Ohio about four years - that he then removed 
to bandenburgh Co Indiana. & resided there about 
8 years - that he then removed to Edwards Co this State 
resided there about 3 years - & then come to this 
County where he has since resided. That Wm. 
Courter and William Higgins are persons residing 
in my present neighbourhood & who can testify 
as to his character for veracity & then belief of his services 
as a soldier of the revolution. That he has no documentary 
evidence & knows of no person whose testimony he can 
procure to testify to his services. 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 
Sworn to and subscribed, }
the day & year aforesaid }   Jonathan Goss 
Hiram Bell Clerk 

We William Courter a clergyman residing 
in the same County of Wabash and William Higgins residing 
in the same County, hereby certify, that we are well 
acquainted with Jonathan Goss who has subscribed and
Page 7

Sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him 
to be 72 years of age: that he is reputed and believed 
in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been 
a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in 
that opinion  
Sworn, and subscribed, } William Courter 
the day and year aforesaid } Wm. Higgins
Hiram Bell Clerk

     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 
Wm. Courter who has signed the preceding certificate
is a clergyman resident in the County of Wabash and 
that Wm. Higgins who has also signed the same is a resident in
the same County of Wabash and is a credible person and 
that their statement is entitled to credit- 
Wm. Wilson 

     I Hiram Bell Clerk of the Wabash Circuit 
Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the 
original proceeding of the said Court in the matter 
of the application of Jonathan Goss for a pension. 
     In testimony where of I have 
     hereunto set my hand and seal 
     office this 13 day September 
     1832- 
          Hiram Bell Clerk


[added to the bottom, left of the document:]
Jonathan Goss
12.056
Page 8

Jonathan Goss
Illinois 
13.394,

Adm 8 Months &
15 days. —

Wm. J Page
Agust
Carmi
White County
Ill
Page 9

BRIEF in the case of Johnathan Goss
County of Wabash in the State of Illinois
(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

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
======================================
Period.
   entered in the Militia
   on Oct. or Nov. In 1776 substitute
   volunteered soon after
   in Vermont 1779 or } volunteered 
   October    1780   }  the Length of 
                                    of service not Stated
Duration of Service.
Years,     Months,     Days.
     about  4 [months]
     2 [months]
     2 [months] 15 [days]
Rank.
As a
   private
   “
   “
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen. 
     Cap Holden     Col Thatcher
     Gen. Lincoln
     Cap Miner     Col Whitney
     Cap Safford
   
5. In what battles was he engaged? a skirmish

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Mass. in Middlesex Co

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

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect? the papers are
not attached agreeably to the regulations — and the periods and Length
of service are defective

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.
Page 10

Washington     September 21, 1931.

Memorial Branch 
Office of Quarter Master General 
War Department 
Washington, D.C. 

BA-J/EEL:ILL

Dear Sir: 
     
          You are advised that it appears from the papers in the 
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 32275, that Jonathan Goss, the 
son of Jonathan, was born March 13, 1760, in Townsend, Middlesex 
County, Massachusetts. 

          While residing in Townsend, Massachusetts, he enlisted in 
October or November, 1776, served as a substitute for his father, as 
a private in Captain Jabez Holden's Company, Colonel Thatcher's Massachusetts Regiment, was in an engagement at Strawberry Hill, March 17, 
1777, and was discharged on that day. 

          Soon after the expiration of this service, he again enlisted,
served as a private in Captain John Minot’s Company, Colonel Whitney’s
Massachusetts Regiment, marched to Rhode Island, was attached to 
Colonel Waterman's Rhode Island Regiment and was engaged in guarding 
the coast, length of service two months. 

          He moved to Chester, Windsor County, Vermont, enlisted there 
in October 1779 0r 1780, served as a private in Captain Safford’s
Vermont Company, went on an expedition to the head waters of the 
Lamoille River against the Indians, and served two months and fifteen 
days.

          After the Revolution, he continued to reside in Vermont for 
six or seven years, then moved to Whitestown, Oneida County, New York,
where he resided for twelve years; then moved to Greene County, 
Pennsylvania, resided there about two years; thence to Steubenville,
Jefferson County, Ohio, resided there eight years; then resided in 
other parts of the state of Ohio for about four years; thence to 

1.

[hand written along the right side of the document: 
“all slips returned as requested”]
Page 11

Vanderburg County, Indiana, where he resided for one years; thence 
to Edward County, Illinois, resided there about three years; thence 
to Wabash County, Illinois. 

          He was allowed pension on his application executed September 
13, 1832, while residing in Wabash County, Illinois. 

          It is not stated that soldier was ever married. 

               Very truly yours, A. D. HILLER 
               Assistant to Administrator. 

[hand written: “Date of death not on AB.”]

 2.
Page 12

State of Illinois }
Wabash County } ss.     Personally appeared before me the under 
signed, a Justice of the peace in and for said County 
Jonathan Goss, 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 as a private, the first term as a 
Substitute for his father, four months — the second time 
as a volunteer two months, and the third term as a 
Volunteer I entered the Service in the month of October 
in the year 1779 or 1780, and served two months, and 
fifteen days, and for such service I claim a pension. 
And this applicant further says he has no documentary evidence 
of and knows of no living witness by whom he can prove 
his services — and that he has no record of his age 
but that the same was recorded in his fathers family 
Bible, —
Jonathan Goss
Sworn to and subscribed before }
me this 6th day of May 1833 }
James H. Beall J.P. 

State of Illinois } 
Wabash County } ss.  I Hiram Bell Clerk of the County 
Commissioners Court of said County do certify that James 
H. Beall Esquire before whom the above Affidavit was made 
was at the time of taking the same and now is an acting 
Justice of the peace in and for Said County duly
Page 13

Jonathan Goss
Application for Pension
12.056
Page 14

duly commissioned and qualified according to law. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and affixed the seal 
of said Court at Mount Carmel this 
6th day of May A.D. 1833 
Hiram Bell Clerk 


[Written at the bottom, left of the document:]
Jonathan Goss
Application for Pension 
12.056
Page 15

Mt. Carmel Illi }
May 6 }

Free

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
Page 16

     Mount Carmel Wabash Co Illinois 6th May 1833,
Sir
     enclosed I return to your office the papers of Jonathan 
Goss, an applicant for a pension as amended 
by him, he wishes your attention as soon as practicable  
to his case, as he is in indigent circumstances 
and much needs a pension if he cannot resend 
upon his application his wish to be informed 
what further proof will be required. 
     Yours Respectively 
          Hiram Bell

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Page 17

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those 
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
Jonathan Goss 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? no

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 ? No 

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 18

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

XIII. 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 ? no

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?  

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.
Page 19

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 any 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. 
     [finger pointing] 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.
Page 20

OUR AIM 
“Community Service" 

OUR MOTTO
“America for Americans”

[US AMERICAN LEGION SEAL]
“In Peace As In War We Serve”

The American Legion
Wabash Post No. 423
Mt. Carmel, ILL.
August 26, 1931.

B. J. WALTER 
Department of Military Records 
and Graves Registration. 

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

          The following covers all the information we have of 
Jonathan Goss who served during the War of the Revolution 
and was pensioned; 

          Served in Captain Samuel Douglass' Company, Colonel 
James Prescott's Regiment; also served in Captain John Minot's 
Company, Colonel Josiah Whitney's Regiment. 

          His place of residence at time of enlistment was have 
been Townsend. 

          We will be pleased to have any other information available.

Very truly yours, 
BJ Waller [signature]
B. J. Walter, 
Dept. of Military Records 
and Graves Registration, 
Wabash Post #423, 
American Legion.


[Postmark reads: 
RECEIVED 
1:05 
AUG 28 1931
MAIL SUB-DIV
U.S.V. 5A
READER]
Page 21

[top left: “VETERANS ADMINISTRATION” logo]

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS [crossed out]
WASHINGTON August 11, 1931.

THIS LETTER REFERS TO 
YOUR FILE NUMBER:

B. J. Walter 
Mount Carmel, Illinois. 

IN REPLY REFER TO:
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
In re: Jonathan Goss
ILL

Dear Sir: 
     
          You are advised that the data given by you are not 
sufficient to enable this office to make a proper search of the 
records. 

          As a means of identifying the particular record in 
which you are interested, should it be on file, as much as possible 
of the following information is essential: approximate dates of 
birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service 
and given name of widow. 

          Please return these letters with your reply. 

Very truly yours, 
A.D. Hiller [signature] 
A. D. HILLER, 
Assistant to Adminsitartor.
Page 22

[top, center American Legion logo]

“In Peace As In War We Serve”
The American Legion
Wabasha Post No. 423
MT. CARMEL, ILL.

B. J. WALTER 
Department of Military Records 
and Graves Registration. 

July 27, 1931.

Veterans Administration, 
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir: 

          Please furnish us with the military record of 
Jonathan Goss who served during the War of the Revolution,
together with any other information available. 

          This information requested that same may be used 
in making application for Government headstone. 

Very truly yours, 
B.J. Walter [signature]
B. J. Walter.
Dept. of Military Records 
and Graves Registration, 
American Legion, 
Wabash Post # 423.


[Postmarked: 
“10:00
RECEIVED
JUL 30 1931
RECEIPT SECTION
PENSION FILES SUB-DIVISION”]
Page 23

[left side of document:]

32 275
Revy
INVALID.
—————
File No. 32,275
Jonathan Goss
Pri.  Rev War
—————
Act : June 7th 32”
Index :— Vol. 2, Page 159

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

[right side of document:]

1931 — Sept 8 — Hist. to
B. J Walter — EEL.
————————-
1931 - Sept: 21 - Hist to Menus Br.
D.M. G. Awf. [??]
Page 24

Washington
September 8, 1931

BA-J/EEL

Mr. B. J. Walter 
Wabash Post No. 423 
Mount Carmel, Illinois 

Dear Sir: 

          You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary 
War pension claim, S.32275, that Jonathan Goss, the son of
Jonathan, was born March 13, 1760, in Townsend, Middlesex County,
Massachusetts. 

          While residing in Townsend, Massachusetts, he enlisted in 
October or November, 1776, served as a substitute for his father, as a 
private in Captain Jabez Holden's Company, Colonel Thatcher's 
Massachusetts Regiment, was in an engagement at Strawberry Hill, March 17, 
1777, and was discharged on that day. 

          Soon after the expiration of this service, he again enlisted, 
served as a private in Captain John Minot's Company, Colonel Whitney's 
Massachusetts Regiment, marched to Rhode Island, was attached to Colonel 
Waterman's Rhode Island Regiment, and was engaged in guarding the 
coast, length of service two months. 

          He moved to Chester, Windsor County, Vermont, enlisted there in 
October 1779 or 1780, served as a private in Captain Safford's Vermont 
Company, went on an expedition to the head waters of the Lamoille 
River against the Indians, and served two months and fifteen days. 

          After the Revolution, he continued to reside in Vermont for six 
or seven years, then moved to Whitestown, [handwritten in the margin:
“Could not verify Whitestown, NY - there is a Whitestown, Oneida Co
NY”] Oneida County, New York, where he resided for twelve years: then
moved to Greene County, Pennsylvania , resided there about two years; 
thence to Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio, resided there eight years; 
then resided in other parts of the state of Ohio for about four years; thence 
to Vanderburg County, Indiana, where he resided eight years; thence to 
Edwards County, Illinois, resided there about three years; thence to 
Wabash County, Illinois.
Page 25

          He was allowed pension on his application  executed September 13, 
1832, while residing in Wabash County, Illinois.
     
          It is not stated that soldier was ever married.

Very truly yours

A.D. HILLLER
Assistant to Administrator.


[handwritten: “Date of death not on AB”]