Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,393, Joseph Dows, Mass.
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE Mass. 
Dows Joseph 
NUMBER S.17393 Carded
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15412
Massachusetts
Joseph Dows of Middlesex in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company command by Captain --- of the regt command by Co Horn in the Mass line for 22 mo 15 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 74 Dollars 99 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of June and Sent Hon J. Banks Present

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $149.98
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 34 $37.49
========
$187.46
========
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. 

Recorded by J H Mc Blair Clerk
Book E Vol. 2 Page 17. 

1888 May 24 Azro M Dows - history Prior
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Commonwealth Massachusetts County of Middlesex On this seventeenth day of August A.D. 1836 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of now sitting at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth aforesaid Joseph Dows of Billerica in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth aforesaid aged Seventy Two years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named as herein stated. That is to say 

In 1776, he enlisted into said service, for the term of six months to go down to Dorchester Heights, for the term of six months, under Capt John Minot of Chelmsford, Lt. Warren, Marched about the first of September, to said Heights, was there attached to Col Hows Regiment, served said six months, part of the time at said Heights and part of the time in Boston, building forts & returned home to Billeries, time not recollected. 

Again in 1777 he enlisted at Billerica, in the spring of this year, for the term of Two months to go to Rhodisland, under Capt Joseph B. Varnum of Dracut, Marched to Providence was there attached to Col How's Regiment, he thinks there the Company was detached from the Regt & ordered to Greenwich, them on board a vessel & taken to Warwick where at the end of his said time of enlistment, he was discharged & returned home to Billerica again, time not recollected. 

Again in the same year of 1777, about the first of August he enlisted at Billerica to go to take Burgoyne, as it was called, for the term of three or four months, under Capt Stephen Russell of Dracut, Lt. Warner he thinks, marched immediately to Chelmsford, when the company collected, then to Bennington Vermont, arrived there the next day or next day but one after the Battle there, there to Pawlet, when the company joined the Regt under Col Bullan, staid there a few days, thence marched to Stillwater in New York, when they joined the Army under Genl Gates, sometime before the battle at Stillwater, or the 18th of September was in the Battle; after the Battle followed the Enemy to Saratoga, where Genl Burgoyne surrendered, after the surrender marched to Albany, then down the River by Sopies, burnt by the Enemy, down to Terrytown, then to White Plains, at Kings ferry, where he was discharged & arrived home the day before Thanksgiving day in December he thinks -has always had the impression that he was in the service this time four months 

Again in 1778 in the month of June, he enlisted at Billerica is to go to New York, on the term of Eight months, under Lt. Hint of Tewksbury & Lt. Warner of Dracut, Captain sick & did not go, Marched forthwith on to White Plains, then attached to Col Poor's Regt then staid a short time then the Regiment was ordered to West Point, when they worked building up Fort Put, & Fort Arnold, there staid untill winter, then marched down to near Kings ferry, where he worked building fachines, until the term of his enlistment expired & he returned home in march

again in 1779. about the first of September, he thinks, he enlisted at Billerica for the term of four months to go Claverick to hunt the Indians, marched to said Claveriick, was commanded by an orderly Sergeant served about three months when the indians having disappeared, he was discharged & returned home to Billerica -  has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person, by whom he can prove the last term -  the other terms are proved by depositions accompanied - never received any discharges
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He 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. subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Joseph Dows 

We Nathaniel Whitman Clergyman residing in the town of Billerica in the County of Middlesex & Samuel Whiting of said Billerica hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Dows who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that 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, 
Nathaniel Whitman 
Samuel Whiting 

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 Nathaniel Whitman who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said Billerica & Samuel White who has also signed the same is resident in said Town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. J. P Day clerk of the Court of Probate in and for the county of Middlesex. 

I Isaac Fisk Register on Probate in and for the county of Middlesex do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joseph Dows for a pension. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventeenth of August -- in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and thirty two. 
Isaac Fiske

I also certify that Marshall Preston Esq whose own proper signature is set to the certificates to the Depositions hereunto annexed is a Justice of the Peace within and for said county of Middlesex 

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of offer this seventeenth day of August AD 1832 
Isaac Fiske
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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 Joseph Dow 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,  In Billerica in said County Feb. 5th 1760 
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it? His Birth is recorded in the Town Records of said Billerica 
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where to you now live? Answer. Have always lived in Billerica
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. Enlisteed
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 Genl Gates. Genl Arnold. 
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. Recd Nathaniel Whitman, Samuel Whiting Esq Francis Faulkner Esq
Joseph Dow 
Middlesex Ss In Probate Court August 17 1832 Sworn to in open Court 
Att. Isaac Fiske Atty
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Extract from Billerica Town Records, relative to the Birth of the afore named Joseph Dows, viz Joseph, the second of that name, son of Benja and Hannah Dows was born February the 5th 1760. 
A true copy of said Records 
Attest Marshall Preston Town Clerk of said Billerica 
Billerica Augt 16. 1832
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S. 17,373
Joseph Dows- 
In his declaration for a pension, dated in Augt 1832, he stated that he was the son of Benjamin and Hannah Dows, and was born in Billerica, Middlesex County, Mass. Feby 5, 1760, and he has always lived therein 

In 1776 he volunteered for 6 months with Capt John Minot of Chelmsford, who Marched, about Sept 1, to Dorchester Heights, near Boston, where they joined the Mass regiment, commanded by Col. Howe & he was employed in building Forts, and doing & guard duty until the " term " expired - 

In the spring of 1777 he engaged for 2 months with Capt Varnum, of Dracut, Massts, joining the Masts regiment commanded by Colo Howe, at Providence R.I. where stationed for a time, then he with his company was ordered on board of a vessel at Greenwich, conveyed to Warwick, R.I. remaining until "term expired"

The following Augt 1777 he enlisted for 4 months under Capt Stephen Russell of Dracut, rendezvoued at Chelmsford, then marched to Bennington, Vermont, where he arrived the next day after the battle, [erased: (which occurred Aug 16 177 under Genl Stark)] from thence to Pawlet, Rutland County, Vt where the company was attached to the regiment of Colo Bullard, who marched for Stillwater N. Y. where the army under Gen Gates was opposing the British and Indians under Gen Burgoyne - 

Joseph Dows was in the battle at Stillwater Sept 19th [erased: (the first one, on Freeman's farm and the second one was or Bemis Heights Oct7 )] and" at the taking of Burgoyne" , [erased: (which may possibly mean that he was in the battle of Oct 7, which was the last, & followed by the surrender of the enemy at Saratoga Oct 17.1777)]  Soon after this last event, he was ordered to Albany, then down the Hudson river, to Esopus, which had been burnt by the British [erased: (Oct 13, 1777)] then to Tarrytown and White Plains, both in West Chester County, N.Y. where he was discharged and arrived home on Thanksgiving day, in Dec. 1777- 

He enlisted in August 1778 for 8 months under Lt Flint, of Tewksbury, Massts, (the Captain being sick) who marched to White Plains N.Y. where the company was attached to the regiment commanded by Col Poor [erased: (a N.H. officer)], then ordered to West Point N.Y. to assist in building Forts Putnam, and Arnold, and at the approach of winter he was ordered to Kings Ferry [erased: (North West corner of West Chester County)] where his company was employed in preparing fascines, until March 1779 when he was discharged- 

In September 1779 he served 3 months under an orderly Sergeant at Claverack, [crossed out: which may be in Columbia Count NY)] and vicinity, hunting Indians, who disappeared-
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Ezro M. Davis, Lowell, Mass. May 18, 1888. 

says the enclosed papers will explain the nature of his historical work. That while searching Revolutionary records he found the names Dows and Dowse one born Feb. 5, 1760 in Mass.; and one born Jan. 1, 1760 both pensioned at $75 yearly, and if the matter could be looked up for him he would be greatly obliged 

OW&N Div
File with
[stamp: TO CHF OW & N DIV
ACTION: Gen Capt
MAY 22 1888
COMMISSIONER]

[stamp, upside down: Old War & Navy DIVISION MAY 23 1888]
ok
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AZRO M. DOWS, 213 CENTRAL ST. LOWELL, MASS. 

Lowell, Mass, May 18, 1888. 
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, 

Dear Sir:  Enclosed papers explain the nature of the historical work upon which I am engaged. While searching the Revolutionary Rolls in the Mass. State Archives recently, I found many records --- of persons by the name of Joseph Dows or Dowse who served in the Revolution 

Name of town from which each came seldom being given, it was hard to distinguish between them. was told if I applied for copies of the affidavits at Washington, they might give the desired information. Joseph Dow of Billerica, Mass, b. Feb. 5, 1760 was 6 ft high Joseph Dows(e) of Sherborn, Mass.b. Jan. 1. 1766 was 5 ft in high

Both known to have received pensions from 1831 to date of death, of $75, each, annually. If this matter could be looked up by one of your assistants without too much trouble would be very much obliged 
Very Truly
Azro N. Dows, Lowell, Mass
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17.393
INVALID Rev
File No. 17,393
Joseph Dows
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32 , 
Index:-Vol 1, Page 701 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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7117 Joseph Dows 
Return this with the papers 
Private 22 mo 15 day 
Capt Varnum Col. Hows 
Regt Mass 
B 16 P.288 $74.99 
Hon. J. Nelson
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those ed in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Dows which require further proof or explanation. 
1. 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? 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? No 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 
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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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 
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. +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? 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? Yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes 
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? yes XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No 
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; Formonths , and days, I served as a- For -- -- months days, I served as a -; and for such service I claim a pension.
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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 objection able. 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. TOUERE 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. 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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I Samuel Parkhurst of Chelmsford in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Seventy Two years of age, on oath testify & say, that Joseph Dows of Billerica County & Commonwealth aforesaid was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served with me as follows viz - 

Six months at Boston & Dorchester in the year 1776 under Capt. John Minot, of Chelmsford & Lt. Bay Warren Col John Robinson's Regiment 

Two months more at Rhodisland in the spring of 1777, in Capt. Joseph B. Varner's Company, I think in Col Hows Regiment - That I was well acquainted with said Dows, before the said time of service & have been ever since - That we were both members of the same 
Samuel his C mark Parkhurst 

Middlesex ss. August 6th 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Samuel Parkhurst who is a credible person & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed 
Before me Marshall Preston Jus. of the P
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Saml Parkhurst 
Dep. for Jos. Dows
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I Samuel Whiting of Billerica, in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Seventy three years of age, on oath testify & say that Joseph Dows of Billerica in the County aforesaid, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and served four months with me in the Northern Campaign in 1777 at the taking of Genl Burgoyne that we were both members of the same Company commanded by Capt Stephen Russell of Dracut in Col. Bullard's Regiment, it has always been my impression, that we were gone in the said service at this time four months, before we were released, that I was well acquainted with said Dows & have been ever since 
Samuel Whiting 

Middlesex SS August 10th A.D. 1832, 

Then personally appeared the above named Samuel Whiting who is a credible person & made oath to the truth of the statement by him above subscribed Before me Marshall Preston Jus of the Peace
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Saml Whitings Dep'n
for Jos Dows
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I Peter Hunt of Tewksbury in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of seventy nine years of age, on oath testify & say that Joseph Dows of Billerica in said County of Middlesex, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war , and served with me in said service for the term of Eight months in 1778, in New York State in the company, under the command of Lt. John Flint in Col Thomas Poor's Regiment, the Captain Asa Lawrence, was sick & did not go into service during the campaign of that year - that I was orderly Sergeant of said Company during said Eight months service, & well recollect the said Dows, as a private in said Company during the term aforesaid, 
Peter Hunt 

Middlesex ss. August 17. 1832 Then personally appeared bove named Peter Hunt who is a credible witness & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him above subscribed 
Before me Marshall Preston, Justice of the Peace
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Joseph Dow 7117
application
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County, SS. 
On this first day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1833 personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, within & for said County of Middlesex, Joseph Dows of Billerica in said County, who being duly sworn deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age, & 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 six months, in the year 1776, I served as a private at Dorchester Heights & vicinity. 

for Two months, in the year 1777, I served as a private in Rhodisland 

for four months in the year 1777, to go to take Burgoyne I served as a private since I made my former declaration I am satisfied it was not less than four months 

for Eight months in the year 1778 I served as a private in the State of New York 

for Two and a half months, in 1779, to go to Claverack to hand the Indians, I served as a private, I enlisted for the term of four months and served not less two & a half months, for all which terms of service I claim a pension- 
Joseph Dows

Sworn to & subscribed this 12 day of April, 1833 Before me Marshall Preston Jus of the Peace
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I further certify that the within named Joseph Dows, is the same person, who made oath to & subscribed the original Declaration to which this is annexed. Marshall Preston Jus of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County SS. 
I Isaac Fiske, Register of the Court of Probate within & for said County of Middlesex, do hereby certify that Marshall Preston Esquire, whose own proper signature is set to the Captions of the affidavit & depositions hereto annexed, is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Middlesex, 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office, this tenth day of April A.D. 1833
Isaac Fiske