Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17895, Simeon Furbush, Mass.
Page 1

Number W17895
Furbush, Simeon
Rachel
Page 2

4346
Massachusetts
Rachel Furbush widow of Simeon Furbush who served in the Revolutionary War as a musician
Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 24 dollars 33 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Mch 1819
and sent to Saml Merrill
Andover
Mass 

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 48 Vol. 2
Page 3

21. 445
Massachusetts
Simeon Furbush of Essex Co in the state of Mass who was a musician in the company commanded by Captain Furbush of the Reg commanded by Col Bridges in the Mass line for 6 mos & 19 days.
Inscribed on the roll of Massa at the rate of 24 dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of Sept 1833 and sent Sam. Merrill Andover Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833
Semi anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 54-
$60.83
12.17
_________
[Total] $73.00
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by DD Addison Clerk
Book G Vol 2 Page 26
Page 4

23868
Simeon Furbush
Page 5

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832
State of Massachusetts: Count of Essex, ss.

On this thirteenth day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared before me David Cummins one of the Justices of the Court of Common pleas within and for said county.
Simeon Furbush, a resident of Andover, in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: 

Sometime in the fore part of the month of June 1775 at Andover Massachusetts he enlisted as a musician in the company command by Capt Charles Furbush his father in Col Bridge's Regiment, and altho he does not recollect the exact day, he thinks as early as the 12th day of June marched for Cambridge and served there till the first day of January 1776. When he was discharged,  the time for which he enlisted having expired, and returned to Andover, where he has even since resided-He is certain that he arrived at Cambridge several days previous the battle of Bunker Hill, & is confident it was as early as the 12th day of June 1775 - He was not in the Battle of Bunker Hill. The company which he belonged not being ordered there - previous the Battle his father who commanded the company to which he belonged stated to the company that he had been invited to go and assist in building the fort and that any of the company might go with him and I think six or seven of the company volunteered and went with him of which number, according to the best of his recollection, two were killed four wounded his father being one of the wounded.
He was born at Andover February 12th 1760. Does not know of any second of his birth. He lived at Andover when called into the service and has lived there ever since. he left the service and now lives there - He was a volunteer - secured no written discharge - he served as a musician.
He is well known to Rev Milton Badger, a clergyman and Nathaniel Swift, Esquire a magistrate residing in said Andover
Page 6

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension of annuity, except the present and declares that his name is no on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Simeon Furbush
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
David Cummins Judge of C.C. Pleas

We, Milton Badger a clergyman, residing in Andover aforesaid, and Nathanel Swift Esquire, a magistrate residing in Andover aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Simeon Furbush who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 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.
Milton Badger
Nathaniel Swift
Subscribed and sworn to before
Samuel Merrill Justice of Peace
Page 7

And the said Justice hereby declares his opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the said Justice further certifies that Milton Badger who has signed preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Andover and that the said Nathaniel Swift who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident at Andover is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.  And the said Justice further certifies that the above named applicant cannot by reason of bodily infirmity appear in open court for the purpose of making this foregoing declaration.  
D Cummins J.C.C.P.
Page 8

I William Bailey of Andover in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 84 years. depose and say that I enlisted in Captain Charles Furbush's Company in Col. Bridge's Regiment sometime in the forepart of June AD 1775. and marched to Cambridge, was in the battle of Bunker Hill and served till sometime in December next following - I was acquainted with Simeon Furbush of Andover and known that he served as a musician in the same company with myself all the time I was in the service Said Furbush has always lived in Andover except when in the service. I have good reason the [?] and have no doubt that said Furbush served till the end of the year 1775. 

William Bailey 

Essex Ss. August 18 1832 - Personally appeared William Bailey above named and and made oath [?] truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me and I do certify that I know said William Bailey to be a credible witness and that full credib[?] due to his testimony

Samuel Merrill Jus. Pac

O James Chandler of Andover aforesaid depose and say that I enlisted as a musician in Capt. Benjamin Ames's Company in Col James Fryes Regiment on the saturday next following the battle of Bunker Hill. and
Page 9

served in said Company at Cambridge to the end of the year 1775. I was well acquainted with Simeon Furbush of Andover and will recollect his being in the service and have good reason to believe as I frequently saw him in the service and we hath come from the same town. that he served, as a musician in Capt. Furbush's Company from sometime in the forefront of June 1775 to the end of that year. Altho we were in different companies, I have no doubt said Furbush served as above stated. He has even resided in Andover, except when and in the above service. 
James Chandler 

Essex ss. August 10 1832. Personally appeared James Chandler above named and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit [?] subscribed below here and I do certify that I know said James Chandler to be a credible witness and that full and it is due to his testimony.

Samuel Merrill Jur pac.
Page 10

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Essex ss. August 12th 1833 - Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace written and for the County of Essex Simeon Furbush, the person named in the Declaration hereto annexed, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith "[?] 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 his recollection he served not less than six months and nineteen days as a musician and for such service I claim a pension."
Samuel Merrill Jus Pac
Page 11

5884
Rachel Furbush
Mass. 
[?] 7 July 38
M86
__________
[?]
6 mo. 19 ds mus. 
________
$24 - 33/100
_______
___________
no deduction
_________

S. Merrill Esq 
Andover 
Mass
Page 12

eight months, as she verily believes. 
She further declares that she was married to the said Simeon Furbush on the eleventh day of May in the year seventeen hundred and eighty six; that her husband the aforsaid Simeon Furbush died on the tenth day of July 1835. 
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place pervious to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, vis. 
at the time above stated. in proof of all which facts reference may be had to the Rolls of the Army & the evidence [?]
Rachel X [her mark]  Furbush 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and your above written before me 
D A White
Judge of Probate
Page 13

We the undersigned citizens of Andover in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath testify  that we know and are well acquainted with Mrs Rachel Furbush that we known that she is the widow of Simeon Furbush deceased who was always reported to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. and that he died about four years ago, and that she has not since been married. 
Peter French 
Zachariah Frye 

Commonwealth of Mass. 
Essex ss: July 16 1839 - Personally appeared, Peter French and Zachariah Frye above named who are both personally known to me and are credible witnesses and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by therein subscribed, upon me 
Samuel Merrill Justice of Peace
Page 14

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
County of Middlesex 

Town clerk's Office 
ss. Wilmington April Twenty 
sixth one thousand eight hundred 
and thirty nine - 

I Walter Blanchard in the Town County and State aforesaid make the following extract from the record of marriages made by Samuel Eames now in my possession - 

One thousand seven hundred and eighty six May eleventh- Simeon Furbush of Andover and Rachel Hamden of Codmington were married by the Rev Mr Isaac Morrell - 
Attest Samuel Barnes Town CLerk - 

I certify that the above is a true copy of the records with the exception of the data which is expressed on the record in four legitte figures as follows 1786 May 14th - 

I Walter Blanchard above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County Town and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me - 
Walter Blanchard Clerk of the Town of Codmington aforesaid 

Middlesex ss May 1 1834 
Aaron before me 
James Jaques Justice
Page 15

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
County of Essex ss. Probate Office

I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that the honorable Daniel A White, before whom the declaration hereto annexed of Rachel Furbush purports to have been taken, is the judge of probate for said county; and his name subscribed to the certificate therein, is his genuine signature; and that James Jaques esquire before whom the affidavit hereto annexed of Walter Blanchard purports to have been taken, is a justice of the peace for the county of Middlesex in said commonwealth; and his name, subscribed to the certificate therein, is he's genuine signature; and that Samuel Merrill esquire, before whom the affidavit hereto annexed of Peter French and Zachariah Frye purports to have been taken, is a justice of the peace for said county of Essex, and his name subscribed to the certificate therein is his genuine signature. 
Given under my hand and seal of office this sixteenth day of July, AD 1839. 
"Walter Blanchard" and "Middlesex in" written on erasured [?] 
Nathl. Lord jr.
Page 16

Mar Caparkland 
Pension Office 
March 7 1839

Sir, 

I have the honor to inform you that the claim of Mr Abigail Stickney widow of Abraham Stickney deceased, has been examined and her paper placed in our files. 

The first term of 8 months under Capt Furbush in 75 as piper is verified by the rolls; and the third term of 2 month under Capt Russall in 77 as piper is duly established; but the alleged term under Capt Gould in the winter of '75.6 is neither sustained by the rolls nor by after sufficient proof. 

In as such to Mr Merrill's enquiry I have the honor to inform you that the rolls of Captain Furbush [?] evidence of the service of Simeon Furbush deceased. 

I have the honor to be, 
very respectfully 
[?] 
J L Edwards 

Hon C. Cushing 
Newbourghout 
Massachusetts
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23868 

Simeon Furbush 
of Massachusetts 

Musician 6 mo 19 days 

3.67
1.57
____
5.16 [?]  
230 


22 
   2. 33 
_________
24.33 
__________
48. 66 
12.17 
__
60.83 

Smauel Merrill 
Andover Massachusetts
Page 18

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 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. 

____________
A Statement, showing the Service of a Simeon Furbush County Essex, State of Massachusetts. 
_________________________

[Table] 

Period when the service rendered | Duration of the claimants service (Years, | Months | Days)| Rank of the claimant | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served| Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service| Proof by which the declaration is supported

Enlist 'd 1775 | Time not Stated } (1|6|19)| Musian| Capt Furbush Col Bridges| 72 Years Andover Massachusetts | Gradetionary Evidence and 2 Witness Ranks not authenticated
[end table] 

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 19

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 exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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 of June, 1832.
Ste, 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 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; 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 every 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
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 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 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 in 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 that we concur in 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 entitled to credit.
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
Page 20

                                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 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 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, attend 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 affixed 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 that 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, being 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 the nomination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which which he served, in language to definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the name 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, and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of service but according  on 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 ------; and for such service. For ------- months and --------days ----------- and for such service,  I claim a him a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the person to which each applicant served, and the (illegible) 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 (illegible) or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. The form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of a term of engagement the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied (illegible) in the competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, but he was not be 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 man, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the formal 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 thereunto (illegible) of them 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 record of the Department , he must incredible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time until (illegible) leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oath must certify on the credibility of the, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officers under the seal of office.
[j] The notes from [a] to [i]  to 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 Jurisdiction.
Page 21

Rev 
WIDOW & c. 

File No. 17895
Rachel Furbush 
Wid. of 
Simeon Furbush 
[unclear] Rev [?] 
____
Act Feby. 2nd /48 
Index: - Vol A. Page 227 
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 22

Massachusetts 4290 
Rachel Furbush 
widow of Simeon Furbush 
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 32 and who died on the 10 July 1835 of Essex in the State of Mass who was a musc in the Compy commanded by Captain Furbush of the Regt commanded by Bridges in the Mass line for 6 mo 19 days 
___
 Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 24 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1836. 
___
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Sep
3q and seal and S. Merrill. 
Andover Mass
_____
Arrears to the 4th of Sept
Semi = annual allowance ending 

$85.15
12.16
_____
[Total]$ 97.31
____
{Act July 7 1838}

Recorded by R. Burdike Clerk, 
Book A Vol 1 - Page 88
Page 23

1150 
Massachusetts 
Rachel Furbush 
widow of Simeon Furbush 
who was a musician in the Mass line 
for 6 mo & 19 days 
____
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 24 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1843. 
____
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of July, 1843and sent to S. Merrill 
Andover 
Mass 
____
Act of March 3, 1843 
Recorded in Book A Vol1 Page 42
Page 24

[Horizontal] 
J L Edwards Esquire 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D. C. 
[/Horizontal] 

[Vertical on left] 
Masstts 5884 
Act 7 July 1838
Page 25

Andover, Mass, July 27 1839 
D. Sir, 
I enclose the Declaration of Mrs Rachel Furbush the widow of Simeon Furbush, deceased, who was a Pensioner, made in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of July 7 1838. 
Please direct to me at Andover Mass. 
I am very respectfully yours
Samuel Merrill 
[?] Lewis
Page 26

[Horizontal]
Hon. J L Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City D. C. 
[/Horizontal] 

[Vertical ] 
May 6 1843 
Mass 
Mar 3rd 1843
[?] 

[List of four names, unclear]
Page 27

Andover Mass May 5 1862 
Hon J L Edwards Commisr of Pensions 

D. Sir, 
I enclose the Declarations for Pensions under [?] of March 3d 1843, of Mrs Molly Upton, Dolly Shefford, Abigail Stickney, Rachel Furbush, Hannah Berry & Tabitha Gray. 

Please direct to me. Andover Massachusetts 
very respectfully yours 
Samuel Merrill
Page 28

887 
Rachel Furbush 
$24:33 annum 

S. Merrill 
Andover
 Mass
Page 29

Commonwealth of Massachusetts ss. 
Essex County - 

Be it known that on this day of May 1843, personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the PEace in and for said County of Essex. Mrs Rachel Furbush a Resident of Andover in said County and Commonwealth aged Seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth, on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provisions made by the Act of Congress pass on the third day of March 1843, Granting Pensions to widows of Pensions who served during the Revolutionary War. 
That she is the widow of Simeon Furbush, who was a musician in the Revolutionary War, and served as she verily believes, as stated by her in her original Declaration for a Pension under the Law of the 7th of July 1838 to which Declaration and the Papers accompanying the same now on file in the War Department she would refer for a more particular Statement of his services for the proof of her marriage identity and the time of her Husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said Act at the rate of twenty four Dollars and thirty three cents per annum, which amount she received from the fourth of March 1836 to the 4th of March 1841 at the Agency in Boston, Massachusetts and at the time of her receiving her last payment surrendered the Pension certificate granted to her under said Act to the Pension Agent at the said City of Boston, agreeably to the Rules of the Department
And this Declarant further alledges that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said Husband, but is now, and even since has been, the widow of said Simeon Furbush deceased, as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed. 
And further she saith not 

Rachel Furbush 

Witness to her signature 
Samuel Merrill } 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year first above written, and I certify that the applicant is personally known to me & the same person within described. 

Samuel Merrill Justice of the Peace
Page 30

I Henry Abbot of Andover in the County of Essex of Lawful age on oath testify and say that I am well acquainted with Rachel Furbush the within named, and have been for many years [?] part I know that she was the wife and is now the widow of Simeon Furbush deceased and that she was a pensioner under the Law of 1838 as stated by her 

Henry Abbot

State of Massachusetts
Essex County} ss. 

Andover May 3d 1843 
Then personally appeared Henry Abbot who is well known to me to be a credible witness and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. 
Before me, 
Samuel Merrill,  Justice of the Peace
Page 31

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
__________________
Secretary's Office, May 4th 1843 

I hereby Certify that in the third day of the present month Samuel Merrill 
was and is now a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex. 
M. 

in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned, and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court. 

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth the date above written. 

Jn A Bolles 
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 32

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Page 33

Declaration. 
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 2d February 1848 entitled "An Act making further provision for surviving widows and soldiers of the Revolution." 
State of Massachusetts 
County of Essex } ss. 

On this seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred forty eight personally appeared Rachel Furbush, a resident of Andover in said County of Essex, aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, pass on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War: that she is the widow of Simeon Furbush who was a private and Fifer or drummer & served in Capt Charles Furbush's Company and Col ____________ Regiment and that she received, under the Act of 17th June 1844 a pension of the annual amount of twenty four dollars & thirty four cents. 
She further declares that she is still a widow. ~ 
Rachel X [her mark] Furbush 

Witness 
Henry Abbot 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before
Sam Merrill, Justice of the Peace
Page 34

I certify that Rachel Furbush, the Declarant 
before mentioned, is personally known to me, a 
widow and a pensioner, as she declares.
[signed] Samuel Merrill, Justice of the Peace.
Page 35

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
_____________

Secretary's Office, November 16 1848 

I hereby Certify, that at the [?] of the attestation hereunto attached Samuel Merrill was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex. 

in the said Commonwealth duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the State of the Commonwealth, the date above written. 

M H Calhoun 
Secretary of the Commonwealth