Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,061, Silas Willis, Mass.
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Willis, Silas
Service Mass.
Number S 22.061

Contents
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11.697
Vermont
Silas Willis of Rutland Co. in the State of Vermont who was a pr & Sgt. in the Company commanded by Capt. Page of the Regt. commanded by Col. Converse in the Massts. troops
6 mo Sergt.  30.
6 mo Private 20 
$50.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 50 Dollars per annum to commence on the 24th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of June 1833 and sent to L. Daniels Rutland Vt.

Arrears to the 4th March 1833  100.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833      25.00
$125.00   

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by P. T. Sprague Clerk
Book E. Vol. 3 Page 97     

let. 3d auditor 20 June 1835
let. A. L. Brown 23d June '35
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Silas Willis
Rutland Co. Vermt.
23.820

Admitted
6 mos. sergt.  30.00
6   " private   20.00
$50.00

L. Daniels Esq.
Rutland Vt.
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office   183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim under the act of June 7, 1832 has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes and regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed,  you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
[Noted in margin: Period & (illegible) of service not distinctly stated or the names of the officers under whom he served}

Period when service rendered: blank
Duration of claimant's service: 6 months
Rank: Sergt.
Names & Rank of Company officers: blank
Names & Rank of General & Field officers: blank
Battles engaged in: blank
Country through which he marched: Stationed at Brookfield
Place of abode when he entered service & present age: 84 years, Worcester Co., Masstts. living in Hardwick Masstts.
Evidence by which declaration is supported: Traditionary & Clergyman

Period: blank
Duration: 3 months
Rank: blank
Name & Rank of Company officers: Capt. Page
Name & Rank of General & Field officers: Col. Converse

Period: blank
Duration: 3 months
Rank: blank
[officers section blank]
Country through which he marched: West Point

I am respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line", "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers", all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers
3. Persons employed in the Naval service
4. Indian Spies
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exists in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of.......County of ......SS.
On this ....day of ..........personally appeared (a) before.................A. B. a resident (b) of .........in the county of .......and State, Territory or District of .......aged (c) .......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 provision make by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. that he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)....., with ....and served in the........ (e) regiment of the ........line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and company Officers; the time he left the service; (ad if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rand and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. 
-->This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes ever claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of any agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ............
A. B. 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I.............of the court of .............do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ..............for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ......day of ........&c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found they will produce such proof as the rule given in not (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., A Clergyman, residing in the ............and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify that we are well acquainted with ..........., who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe hin to be ........years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
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 A. B. and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the.............and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,...............Clerk of the Court of .............do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of ............for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this .....day of .........&c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. this is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department.
A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, not favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops,, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called ito service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
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 services.
6. To a Soldier: Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
   To an Officer: Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
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.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons, one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. and the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required and submit to the examination before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge of Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge of Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
    __________________________________
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) the age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under who he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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., 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 that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: for....year .....months, and ....days, I served as a.............For .........month and ......days, I served as a .........; and for such service I claim a pension."
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 that 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 shown 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 eighter in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.

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 papers 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.

Proof of Service
(j) 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 the affidavits the time of the claimant's 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.
--->the notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a Witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department with the declaration.
--->the notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a Witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department with the declaration.
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Edmund Willis
affidavit
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I Edward Willis of Calais County of Washington State of Vermont aged 79 years do testify and say that I well remember that Silas Willis now of Rutland, County of Rutland who is my brother that he was out in the Militia of Massachusetts in 1776. That I saw him at White Plains. I was a soldier in the Massachusetts State Troops and was there at the same time, as near as I can now remember his tour of duty was three months, which time I am confident he served out, as I knew him to be there & about there about that length of time. Captain James Page was his Captain, but I do not know what Regiment he was in. In was out for six months & cannot define the time that he came there, cut it was sometime in July or August 1776.
I also know & well remember that he was Sargeant of a Guard Stationed at Brookfield South parish Mass. in the year 1777 or 1778, and my impression now is it was in 1777. His duty was to guard a magazine and continental Stores of various description. But the exact time when he commenced I cannot remember further than I believe it was in the spring of 1777 and I am confident that he served over six months but whether he served eight, nine or twelve months I cannot determine, but that he served over six months I am confident.
Edmund Willis
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State of Vermont
Washington county ss.
Personally appeared Edmund Wyllys and being duly sworn made oath that the within affidavit by him subscribed is just and true.
Calais 11th August 1832 
Before Shubael Wheeler Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Washington county Ss 
Calais August 11th A. D. 1832
I certify that I am well acquainted with Edmund Wyllys who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit. That he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Shubael Wheeler Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Washington County Ss
(Seal)
I Joshua Y. Vail, Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Washington do hereby certify that Shubael Wheeler Esqr. before whom the within affidavit was taken is a Justice of the Peace duly appointed & acting under the authority of this State and that his named to the same as such is his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 11th day of August AD. 1832
Att. J. Y. Vail, Clerk
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Silas Willis
application
23820
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State of Vermont
Rutland County, ss.
On this 24th day of January a. d. 1833 personally appeared before the Probate Court of the County of Rutland Silas Willis a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 84 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. [sentence crossed out]That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. [sentences crossed out] I was born in Bridgewater county of Worcester & State of Massachusetts July 28, 1748. I have a record of my age in a large bible now in the possession of my son. Was living in Hardwick in sd. County of Worcester when I was called into the service and lived there after the revolutionary war till I removed to Westford in the State of Vermont whence I removed to Rutland my present residence. I was drafted into the service at three different times, first stationed at Brookfield and was out six months ^and service this time was Sergeant of the company which had charge of some military stores at that place. Was next drafted in the month of August to go to White Plains in the State of New York and at the time of the battle at that place was stationed at a place I believe called dog Ferry but a few miles distant and was not in the battle. Don't recollect any of the officers of the regular army at that place. Served in Captain James Page's company in Colonel Converse's Regiment and Samuel Lamb was Lieutenant in the same company. Was out I believe at this time three months. the last time I was drafted was also in the month of August,, where I went to West point and we out three months. When I was at West Point I saw General Washington. When I went to White Plains, marched through Connecticut, passed through Hartford, I believe. do not recollect any officers either of the militia or of the regular army. I never received any discharge from the service to my knowledge. do not know of any persons who can testify about my services except my brother Edmund Willis who lives I believe in Calais in this State, Gersham Cheney Esq. and William Hall Esq. can testify as to my character for veracity. I have no documentary evidence of my service.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Silas Willis
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
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We Charles Walker a clergyman residing in Rutland in the County of Rutland and Gershom Cheney residing also in Rutland hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Silas Willis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 84 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the reovlution and that we concur in that opinion.
Chs. Walker
Gershom Cheney
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

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 revolutionaay soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Charles Walker who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Rutland and that Gershom Cheney who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I. T. W. Hopkins Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Silas Willis for a pension.
(seal)
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, at Rutland this 24 day of January A. D. 1833
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Revolution
22061
INVALID

File No. 22, 061
Silas Willis
Sergt. Rev. War
Act: June 7, '32
Index: Vol. 2, Page 452

[Arrangement of 1870]
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The applicant in this case is not only old, but very infirm, his recollection is much impaired as will be perceived by his declaration, not being able to state from the year in which he was called into the service or when he left it. He is now dependent upon the charity of the public for his subsistence, and if he can be placed on the Pension Roll the annuity would help to make his last days comfortable.
A. L. Brown

Please return to Luther Daniels
Rutland Vt.
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Silas Willis
pensioner of Vermont

from Arad Joy
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Know all Men by these presents that I a child of Eunice Willis Widow of Silas Willis deceased to whom a pention was probably due do hereby constitute and appoint Arad Joy of Ovid N. Y. my true and lawful attorney to investigate my claim to a pention as am directly interest as also in behalf of all others interested in the claim to a pention. In witness my hand and seal this 30 Nov. AD. 1857
Lucy Paine
Sealed and declared in present of
Alvah Parton
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Treasury Department
Third Auditors Office
June 22d 1835

Sir
The annexed list contains the names and residences of the pensioner of the Vermont Agency as requested by you in your letter of the 20th Inst.
Asa Brown resides in Danby, Rutland County
Jotham Ford  "     " Shrewsberry  "       "
Silas Willis   "     Pitfield 3 months formerly in Rutland

Respectfully
your obt. servt.
Peter Hagner Aud.

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pens.
War Department
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Stamped-Rutland Vt. 

George W. Crump Esq.
Acting Comm of Pensions
City of Washington


Ela
July 10, 1835
Page 19

Rutland 4 July 1835

Sir
Yours of the 23d June is received--Silas Willis formerly residing in this place and late of Pittsford, died sometime toward the end of last year, the precise time I have not been able to ascertain, but could do so if necessary.
I desire to call your attention to the case of Asa Staples a pensioner agreeable to the directions from the Pension office I procured from the Comptroller of public accounts of Connecticut a certificate of his service in 1775 being all the testimony required and transmitted the same to the Pension office some weeks since--but as yet have had no information in answer. Mr. Staples is old, infirm and very needy and anxious to know the results. Please to advise me in relation to his case and much oblige him.
Your obt. servt.
A. L. Brown

Geo. W. Crump Esq.
acting Comm. of Pensions
Washington