Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30627, for James Otis, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Mass

Otis, James
NUMBER
S 30627
CONTENTS
Page 2

23
82
Hampden
15565
Massachusetts
James Otis 
ofHampden in the State of Mass
was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Shepard of the Rg0
commanded by Col. Porter
in the Mass line for 
12 months
Coull
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of June 1833 and sent Eli B Thornton 
Westfield May 6
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $80.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 21 Sept 20.00
$100.00
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by DD Addison Clerk
Book E Vol. 20 Page 62
Page 3

James Otis
24475
Page 4

State of Massachusetts
County of Hampden
On this eighth day of August
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred & thirty two personally appeared
in Open Court before Oliver B Morris Judge of
the Court of Probate in said County of
Hampden now sitting James is a resident
of Westfield in the said County of Hampden
aged eighty one 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 of Congress
passed June 7th 1832
That he was born in New London in the State of Connecticut the twenty sixth day of June Seventeen hundred & fifty one that he moved to Westfield aforesaid about the time he was twenty one years of age has  & has lived there ever since, that the record of his age is on the town book in said New London & that in February 1776 he enlisted under Captain John Shepard then of said Westfield, the Lieutenants name was Goodrich of Pittsfield Massachusetts, he enlisted in the regular Troops, & in the regiment Commanded by Col Elisha Portis Marched to Pittsfield there staying a few days & drew provisions & Blankets he marched from thence to Bennington, from thence to Ticonderoga & from there to Crown Point, thence to St Johns & from there to an old French fort call Soul we thence went down the
Soul river to the St Lawrence, thence on
the St Lawrence to this fort Quebec we staid at Quebec at a Fort a few weeks
Page 5

the British having received new recruits
we were obliged to retreat & went back to
fort Soul staid a short time, from
thence we went to Ticonderoga the way
of St John & Crown Point & staid there
till winter must from there to fort
Edward from thence to Pittskill on the
North river, thence he staid untill his
term of enlistment expired, where he
received a regular discharge which
discharge is since lost, General Worcester
commanded the forces his first month,
a short time he left & General Sullivan took
command & after him General Gates
He stayed one year
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or an annuity
except the present & he declares that his
name is not on the pension roll of any
agency in any State
James Otis. 
And this said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states
I Justice Willard Clerk of the
Court of Probate in & for the County of Hampden certify that the foregoing contains
original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of James Otis for a pension
testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & 
seal of Office this fifth day of August
Anno Doman 1832
Justin Willard Register
Page 6

We Sturges Upson, Elisha G. Cook of Westfield
in the County
of Hampden & Coulth [Commonwealth]of Mass
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Otis who has subscribed sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be about eighty years of age& that he is reputed & believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the revolution that we concur in
that opinions
Sturges Upson
 Silvester Squire of Montgomery in the County of Hampden do testify and say that I have been acquainted with Mr James Otis for more than seventy years
I recollect his enlisting in the company commanded by Capt John Stephens and serving in the war of the
the revolution, he did not belong to the same
company with me but I saw and laboured
with him in erecting the Barracks at Ticonderoga
in the year 1776 I cannot recollect the exact length
time that he served
SylvesterSquire

Hampden ss. August 7th 1832 Then the above named Sylvester Squire who is personally known to me and whose character for truth and veracity I consider unquestionable, made solemn oath to the truth of the
foregoing statement by him subscribed
Before me Lucius Wright Justice of the Peace
Page 7

I Caleb Chapman of Westfield in the County of Hampden
do testify declare and say that I was acquainted with Mr James Otis during the war of the revolution. I know that he enlisted in the company commanded by Capt John Shepherd sometime in the month of February in the year
1776 and marched from Westfield to Quebec and Ticonderoga. I was a soldier in the same company with him but had a furlow to leave the army at Ticonderoga in
the month of September 1776 and was not again called for.
I left Mr Otis with the army at that place and know that he did not return home untill the last of December of the same year. Our enlistments were for one year-
Caleb Chapman [signature]
Hampden ss. August 7th 1832 There the above named
Caleb Chapman personally appeared and made
solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by
him subscribed
Before me Lucius Wright Justice of the Peace
Page 8

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Hampden
I Justin Willard Clerk of the Court of Probate within & for said County
the same being a Court of Record do hereby
certify that Lucius Wright Esq. before annexed
the two preceeding depositions of Caleb Chapman and Sylvester Squire hereto annexed were executed
is a Justice of the Peace within for said County
& that the same Lucius Wright thereto subscribed
is his proper signature
In testimony hereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed the seal of
said Court this twenty first day of
March AD 1833
Justice Willard Clerk
Page 9

We Sturges Upson, Elisha G. Cook of the Westfield in the County
of Hampden & Courth [Commonwealth] of Mass hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Otis who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be about eighty years of age & that he is reputed & believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur
that opinion

Sturges Upson
Elisha G Cook

I Gadore Bosworth & [Sylvester Squire crossed out] certify that I
am acquainted with James Otis & that I was present when he started from Westfield in company with three others, who have since obtained pensions vis Benjamin Wheaton
Caleb Chapman & Jacob Hoadley
They enlisted for one year as I understood at the time, & started for Quebec, After being absent about a year he returned as it was believed from the army
Hoadly & Wheaton are now dead
Gador Bozworth
Page 10

24475
James Otis
Mass
Private 12 Mo
Eli B Hamilton
Westfield
Mass
Page 11


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 the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those 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.

A Statement, shewing the service of James Otis
County of Hampden State of Mass
Period when the service was rendered Enlist 1776 
Duration of the
claimant's service. 1 year
Rank of the
claimant. Prvt
Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Capt Shepard
Col. Porter
Age at present,
and place of abode
when he entered
the service.
81 years
New London
State of Connecticut

Proof by which the declaration is supported,
Living Witnesses
for the service
I am, respectfully,Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 12

                                   2
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 by the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians [sic] 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 a Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
                           DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of } 88.
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 made 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; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and state in which he resided when he entered the service; and the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marches. This form is to e varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on he Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of         
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid             A. B. 
[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 he 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 o the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (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 the (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with    , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him 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 hat we concur that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days 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. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the     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 entitles 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 if     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 do state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, weather 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
Page 13

3
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; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no 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 into 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 Milita 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 or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, atttend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or 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 for low 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 whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of 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. 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."
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 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.
(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 the 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 authenticates 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 end 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 their 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.
(Right pointing hand symbol) The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troopers. 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.
Page 14

Mr. Sidney Otis
44 Falls Street
Niagara Falls, New York  May 24, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/ady
James Otis
S. 30627
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative
to James Otis of Massachusetts, who served in
1758 and in the Revolutionary War.
This office has no record of services rendered
prior to the Revolutionary War.
The record of the only James Otis of Massachusetts, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office is furnished you herein as
shown in the papers on file in pension claim,
S. 30627, based upon his military service in that
war.
James Otis was born June 26, 1751, in New
London, Connecticut, and when about twenty-one years old moved to Westfield, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not stated.
While a resident of Westfield, Massachusetts,
James Otis enlisted in February 1776, served about one year as private in Captain John Shepard's Company, Colonel Elisha Porter's Massachusetts Regiment
and was in the expedition to Canada.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 8, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts.
There are no family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment
of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of soldier's death, you should apply to
Page 15

The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following data: "James Otis, Certificate No. 15565, issued June 22, 1833, rate $40.00 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Massachusetts Agency"".
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 16

30627
Revy INVALID
File No. 30627
James Otis

Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32"
Index: -- Vol. B
Page
306
{Arrangement of 1870}]

1916 Dec 26 Resit to Hon W.E. Cox Ael
1920 June 22 Hist to H.C. Varney
1922 Dec 14 Hist to Mrs George Ezekiel
1939 May 24 Hist to Sydney Otis Ady
Page 17

To the Hon Secretary of War
of the U. S As the enclosed is
an application for a pension
which was left in the office of this
Judge of Probate for a long time
During which time this applicant supposed it was forwarded to your office an early pettition
to wit may benefit the applicant much 
please direct to me

April 2d 1823 Eli B Hamilton
Page 18

North Main Street
Palmer Massachusetts
Oct. 4th. 1922.
Bureau of Pensions and Treas. Dept U.S.
Adjutant General Office
Dear Sir
Will you kindly send me data
respecting James Otis who served 
as private in the
Revolutionary war, also of
Isaac Palmer,
Thanking you for this information.
Respectfully,

Addie M. Ezekiel
Mrs. George
501. N. Main St.
Palmer, Mass

U.S. Pension Office 
Nov 20 1922
Page 19

3-049
Ex. En.
Div. Rev. War
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. S. Nov. 7, 1922
The attached letter is respectfully returned
with the information that the data furnished is
not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below
as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
name of widow Sarah Holmes Otis
Name of soldier James Otis - born
in (Montville) New London, Ct.
address of at soldier at enlistment
& after service Westfield Mass
Company
Regiment.
State where enlisted Mass
Date of Birth June 26th 1751
Date of Death Chester Mass. Sept 18 1837
If unable to furnish company and regiment
give names of commanding officers.
Proof of above in Westfield Mass
vital records, Book B. Page 197-
also Chester Mass. records, p 235
Return attached letter with reply.
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.
6- 2469
Page 20

Rev Sec
YWL
Page 21

2500909
WAR DEPARTMENT.
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL' S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON. Dec. 23, 1916.
Respectfully transmitted to the
Commissioner of Pensions,
and Honorable W. E. Cox so advised.
He has also been furnished with
such information as the records of
this office afford relative to the
service of men bearing the name
James Otis in Connecticut, Massachusetts
and Continental troops
organizations in service in the
Revolutionary War.
HJ McLain
The Adjutant General.
1 incl
Rsv Sec YDL
Additional Dec 22 1916
AG 2500909 

Form No. 74 -- A. G. O.
Ed. Sept. 5-16 -- 25,000.

U S Pension Office [seal]
DEC 26 1916
1 inclo
Page 22

W. E. COX
THIRD DISTRICT OF INDIANA
COMMITTEE:
POST OFFICE AND POST ROADS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON
War Department,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

I beg your pardon in forwarding this letter to
you but recently I forwarded a letter to you from the same party, Mr. Fred Otis, but the information was not exactly what he wanted.
Will you kindly look this matter up and if you will
I will not bother you again concerning it.
Respectfully,
W.E. Cox
Dict/ December 21, 1916.

Wanted history ofJames
Otis who was born in Montville Conn, moved to 
Westfield Mass and was in Arnolds Ev to Quebec
in 1775
Assistant and Chief Clerk [seal]
War Dept
Dec 22 1916
Page 23

Sons of the American Revolution
St. Paul, Minn. May 29, 1920.

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
In connection with the verification of
a membership application, will you kindly furnish me
with a copy of the record of service in the War of the
Revolution of James Otis a pensioner residing in the
town of Chester, Hampden county, Massachusetts,
According to the published record he was pensioned in 1833 being at that time aged 82,

Very respectfully,

A.C. Varney
743 Iglehart Ave.to
St. Paul, Minn.

US Pension Office [seal} Jun 1 1920

MINNESOTA SOCIETY
Clifford L. Hilton,
New Capitol,
St. Paul
Vice Presidents:
Edward F. Waite,
Minneapolis
Fred A. Bill,
St. Paul
Secretary;
Charles H. Bronson,
48 East Fourth Street,
St. Paul
Treasurer:
Charles W. Eddy.
302 Pittsburg Bldg.,
St. Paul
Registrar.
Charles Stees,
165 East Seventh Street,
St. Paul
Historian:
Rev. M. D. Edwards,
St. Paul
Chaplain:
L. A. Crandall,
Minneapolis
Board of Managers:
St. Paul
Edward P. Sanborn,
Herbert C. Varney,
Hiram C. Baker,
Kenneth G. Brill,
Frank Powers,
Charles R. Boostrom,
Minneapolls
Ernest C. Brown,
Charles E.
Rittenhouse.
Dr. Wright B. Page,
Lewis P. Chute,
Charles P. Scouten,
Louis H. Williams,
State
Arthur C. Gooding,
Rochester
Dr. Warren L. Beebe,
St. Cloud
George Ruppley,
Duluth
Charles W. Clark,
So. St. Paul
C. L. Scofield,
Benson
C. S. Marden,
Moorehead
Charles L. Conger,
McIntosh
James Z. Rogers,
Austin
Past Presidents:
Hon. Ell Torrance,
Minneapolis
Hon. Henry A. Boardman,
St. Paul
Hon. William B. Dean,
St. Paul
Hon. John
Day Smith,
Minneapolis
Hon. Jesse A. Gregg,
St. Paul
Hon. E. J. Westlake,
Minneapolis
Hon. John H. Riheldaffer,
Minneapolis
Hon. Gideon S. Ives,
St. Paul
Robert D. Cone,
Minneapolis
Honorary Vice Presidents:
Hon. Greer M. Orr,
St. Paul
Byron J. Mosier
Stillwater
William J. Dean,
St. Paul
Alonzo T. Stebbins,
Rochester
Page 24

LEE  & OTIS
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
44 FALLS STREET
NIAGARA FALLS, N. Y.
March 30, 1939
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
If consistent, will you kindly send
war record of Dr. James Otis in Revolutionary War. We understand he is mentioned in
Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the
Revolutionary War, Volume XI, page 713.
Also, if possible, his record in the French War.
He served as surgeon's mate at
Crown Point, 1758, in Colonel Bayley's regiment.
Yours very truly

SIDNEY OTIS
SO DKH
Received Mar 31 1939 Mail-Sub-Div
Page 25

Rev. War Section.
December 26, 1916.

Hon. W. E. Cox,
House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Cox.

In reply to your letter of the 21"" instant,
and the enclosed letter of Mr. Fred. B. Otis of Bedford, Ind.
I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim S. 30627, it appears that
James Otis was born in New London, Conn. June 26, 1751, moved to
Westfield, Hampden County, Mass. When about 21 years of age
and was still residing there when he was allowed pension on
his application executed August 8, 1832.
He enlisted in February 1776, served as a Private in Capt
John Shepard's Company, Col. Elisha Potter's Mass. Regiment,
which marched from Westfield, Mass. to Ticonderoga, Crown Point,
Saint Johns Sorel and Quebec, where they remained a few weeks
and then retreated. He returned home about the last of December 1776. There is no data as to family on file.
For the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid
and pace of soldier's death, you should apply to the Auditor
for the Interior Department, citing the following data: James
Otis, Certificate 15565, issued June 22, 1833, rate $40 per
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annum, to commence March 4, 1831, Act of June, 1832, Mass.
agency,
Very truly yours,
G M Saltzgaben
Commissioner.
(Otis -2)
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
S.F. 30627
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.
19
In reply to your request of
received
a statement of the military history of James Otis
soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
formation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Feby 1776
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
Dec. 1776
RANK.
Pvt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
John Shepard
COLONEL.
Elisha Porter
STATE.
Mass
Battles engaged in, was in Canadian Expedition
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Westfield, Mass
Date of application for pension, Aug 8, 1832 His I was al.
Residence at date of application Westfield, Hampden County, Mass
Age at date of application, born June 26 1757
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
d -- 2856