Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,650, Benjamin Bowers, Mass
Page 1

(3 - 1776) SERVICE NUMBER
Mass. Bowers, Benjamin S.29,650
CONTENTS
Page 2

15.948
Massachussetts
Benjn [Benjamin] Bowers [illegible] in the State of Mass who was a Male in the Company commanded by Captain Hickny of the R[illegible] commanded by Bridges in the Mass line for for 13 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of May 1833 and [multiple illegible handwritten words] 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $86.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " 21.67 $108.33
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by [illegible handwritten name] Clerk, Book E Vol. [illegible] Page 8
Page 3

[handwritten text on left side of page]
1833
1944
88

Declaration of Benjamin Bowers
This case contains three Papers. Nos 1, 2, & 3 Please send the testatory Agent Same Danah Groton
15143
Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex SS

On this seventeenth day of August 1732
__________ personally appeared in open Court before the Court of [inserted: Probate] [crossed out: Common Pleas], now sitting at 
Concord  within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth
aforesaid Benjamin Bowers of Billerica
aged seventy seven years
Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named
officers, and served as herein stated. That to say
1  That he was a minute man in Bellerica
AD 1775  and went
with his company to Concord, on the nineteenth day of April
AD 1775 in a company commanded by L Stickney of Bellerican
which he served one month and then for this service he can find no proof
2d   He enlisted for 8 months under the same officer Cap't Bridge who
had commanded the company having [1 illegible] been promoted his Company
was in Col'n Bridges  Reg't, L't Col'o Moses Parker and Major John Broocks
the Command of the Company was soon given to Cap't Stikney who took him for
his Waiter and he continued with his Company was in the Battle of Bunker hill
on the 17th June where L't Coll'o Parker was mortally wounded, after that he remained
and served as Waiter to Capt. Stickney till he seved eight months from his enlistment 
which carried him into January AD 1776 when he was dismissed.
3 In AD 1776 he engaged for four months to go to Ticonderoga, and inlisted
in the Company of Cap't. Zechariah Fitch of Groton, in which Company John Pushee was
a Sargent in Col'o Bowers Reg't of Mass force he remained with his company to Ticonderoga, and continued with them, on that frontier, untill he served out his term
of four months when he was discharged with his company and returned to
his residence in Billerica.
Page 5

He relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annum, whatever 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 and year aforesaid
                                [signed] S. P. P. Fay   JProb
                           [signed] Benj Bowers
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss
Mr Wilkes Allen a clergyman residing in the town of Chelmsford
Chelmsford [1 illegible] in the county of Middlesex, and William Adams of the same
and hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Bowers
who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age, that he 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 [crossed out: the day and year]
Before me a Justice of the Peace for all the County in said            [signed] Wilkes Allen      
Commonwealth          [signed] W'm Adams      
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that after the investigation of the matter, and 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 the Rev'd Wilkes Allen
who has signed the preceding Certificates is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Clemsford and that William Adams Esq [crossed out: and] is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
            [signed] S P P Fay   JProb  
                                Clerk of the Co
            [sgned] Isaac Parker  Registrer
Probate in and of this County of Middlesex
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings, of the said Court, in  the matter of the application of Benjamin Bowers for a pension.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two.
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit,

At the Court of Probate
begun and holden at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex
on the Seventeenth day of August A.D. 1832
On the application of Benjamin Bowers claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:

1.  Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer,  I was born in Billerica Ms on the 11th of Feb'y A.D. 1754

2.  Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer,  I have no family record, but there is a 
record of my age on Billerica records

[Crossed out:  3. Did you since receive any written discharge from service? Ans'r I never received any such dicharges.]

3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where
to you now live?
Answer, I was living in Billerica where I have, and now do live
save some occasional absences--

4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer.
My services were all voluntary and of my own accord.

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?
Answer, I saw Gen. Washington when he came to Cambridge, Genl. Israel Putnam, I saw Genl Gates at the Northward and I saw Warren
who was slain at Bunker hill & Gen Ward then Command in Chief.

6. 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.
Answer.  the Rev'd Mr Whitman, Maj'r Joseph Dowse, M. Preston,
Sgt. Josiah Rogers and John Richardson, Selectmen of Billerica 

7.  Did you ever receive any discharge from service
Ans. I never rec'd any such discharge.
                  [signed] Barry Bower

           Sworn In     [signed] S. P. P. Fay    JProb
Page 7

Benj Bowers
15143
Private 13 months
of 14th
the
March 5th 1833

Saml Dana
Groton
Mass
Page 8

BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Bowers of Middlesex in the State of Mass [Massachusetts]
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 77 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period | Duration of Service | Rank | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
Years, Months, Days. | As a | Gen.
April In 1775 | " 1 " | Private | Cap Stickney
May 75 to 76 | " 8 " | " | " Ao Col Bridge
76 | " 4 " | " | Capt Fitch, Brewer

5. In what battles was he engaged: Bonker Hill 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Belleren Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 2 living witnesses & traditionary Evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not property connected, [illegible] not stated as credible & the Justice of Peace not certified as being such
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. H. Addison
Examining Clerk.
Page 9

29650
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 29,650
Benjamin Bowers
[illegible] Rev War
Act: June 7n 32n
Index: Vol. 2, Page 45
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 10

affidavit of John Puskee in the case of Benj. Bowers

[crossed out text at bottom of page: [illegible] of Benjamin Bowers in the case of]
Page 11

I John Puskee of Westford in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty four years, ^last August do depose and say, that I served in the war of the Revolution as by my Declaration on file in the Pension Office, will appear: And I do further testify and declare that I well know and remember Samuel Bowers of Belleuca in said County and know that he also --- in the year AD 1776 served as a Soldier in that war, that he was a private Soldier, in the Company of Cape. Zachariah Fitch in Colo. Brewers Regiment, in which Company, I also served. as a private Scr dier for a Campaign of [crossed out: eight months] four months we departed from Westford and had our packs carried to Skeensborough in a Team. I often saw the said Benjamin Bowers and well knew him in the Company from the time we joined it until we were dismissed and returned home, after it began to be cold weather.
John Puskee

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. County of Middlesex to wit October 10th AD. 1832.
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for all the Counties in said Commonwealth John Puskee who is well known to me as a  disinterested and credible witness. who subscribes the above deposition and made solemn Oath, that the same is just and true in all its particulars, according to the best of his knowledge and belief. Sam. Dana
I certify that the name of Samuel Dana on this the annexed paper is the signature of Sam. Dana of [illegibele] who is Justice of the Peace within for the County of Middlesex state of Mass
Washington Mar 3 1833
Joseph G. Kendall M.C
[illegible] N. District Mass
Page 12

Benj Bowers
15143

S. Dana
Page 13

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benj Bowers which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? [handwritten] Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [handwritten] 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? [handwritten] 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? [handwritten] Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? [handwritten] Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? [handwritten] Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [handwritten] Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? [handwritten] 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? [handwritten] Yes
Page 14

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? [handwritten] 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?

XIV. [cross symbol] 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? [handwritten] Yes
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? [handwritten] No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? [handwritten and crossed out] No

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? [handwritten] Yes

XVI. [double cross symbol] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [handwritten and crossed out] No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? [handwritten] 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.

[handwritten] Lee Ann Kendall certificate of the 8th March 1833 on the Deposition
S. Dana
Page 15

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 [start italics] about three or four months [end italics] 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 [illegible]tify 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.
[symbol of pointing finger] 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 16

Affidavit of
Peter Hun
in the case of
Benj'n Bowers.
Page 17

I Peter Hunt of Tewksbury in the County of Middlesex
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy nine years, do depose and
say, that I served in the war of the Revolution as by my Declaration on file in the Pension office, I will appear:          And I do further testify and declare that I well know Samuel
Bowers of Billerica, and remember that he [crossed out: was]
served as a Soldier in that war,
that he was a private Soldier, in the Company of Capt Jon'a Stickney in Col'o.
Eben'r [Ebenezer] Bridge
Regiment, in which [crossed out:  Company] I also served.
In the eight months service in AD 1775. I belonged to the same
[crossed out:  Company] Regiment in Capt. Walkers Company, who died of the
wounds the received in the Battle of Bunker hill, I had known
said Bowers before we went into service and saw him very often
untill we were dismissed from the eight months service
Peter Hunt

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Middlesex to wit October 12th
AD. 1832.
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for all the
Counties in said Commonwealth Peter Hunt well known to me as a
disinterested and credible witness and
who subscribes the
above deposition and made solemn Oath, that the same is just and true in all its particulars,
according to the best of his knowledge and belief. Sam'l Dana