Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26038, Thomas Williams, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE     Mass

Williams, Thomas
Polly

NUMBER.   W. 26038

CONTENTS
Page 2

[two facing pages from ledger-like book with left and right pages]

[left page]

1266
Massachusetts
Polly Williams,
widow of Thomas Williams   NY.
who served in the Revolutionary War, as a Drummer

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 26 Dollars  89, Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of August  1848, and sent to
Elijah Clark
Brighton
Mass


Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page  172. Vol.  2

[right page]

Reported

Date of widow's death not on A.B.
Page 3

4251

Polly William
wid of Th
Act 7 July 1
Md.  1783
died  1833
Allow Drum
7 1/3 m. $26.88
Mass  NY. ---
Mass. Militia
Capt. Gates


Hon L. Lincoln
HR
Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, January 31st  1839

I hereby Certify, That at the dates of their several attestations Ira Barton was Judge of Probate and Willard Newton was a Justice of the Peace both for the County of Worcester, -- and Eli Rice was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned;  and that to their 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.

John P. Bigelow

Secretary of the Commonwealth.

[round seal surrounded by sunburst edges located on bottom left of page]
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Worcester, ss.
On this seventeenth day of September eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before Ira Barton Judge of the Court of Probate of the County of Worcester Polly Williams a resident of Southborough in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid aged seventy five 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 Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows";  That she is the widow of Thomas Williams who was a drummer [crossed out 'private'] in the War of the Revolution in the Massachusetts Militia to wit;  that he enlisted or volunteered as a Drummer in Capt. Silas Gate's Company, Col Jonathan Ward's Regiment sometime in November 1775 and served at Dorcester near Boston two or three months.   Also he volunteered as a Drummer sometime in the month of September 1777 in Capt. William Morse's Company, Col Faulkner's Regiment and went to Saratoga and there arrived the day that Gen. Burgoyne surrendered his Army to Gen. Gates and assisted in guardad said prisoners to Stillwater and from there to Winter Hill in Cambridge near Boston being in the service one month or more.
Also he volunteered sometime in the month of September 1779 in Capt. Lakin's Company, Col. Jacob's Regiment and served at Providence  Warren, Bristol and Newport two months or more.  said Thomas Williams resided in Marlborough in County of Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid when he entered the said services and for the proof of said. [crossed out 'of said'] services reference to be had to the affidavits hereto annexed.  or
She further declares that she was married to
Page 6

the said Thomas Williams on the   day of December seventeen hundred and eighty three by Jonathan Ward Esqr of Southborough;  that her said husband Thomas Williams died May the third day of May eighteen hundred and thirty three;  that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz [crossed out 'the day'] at the time above stated and that she still remains his widow.  Her said husband was preparing his turn for a pension but his papers were not sent on before his death Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year above written [crossed out 'before'] --
Polly Williams

Before me
Ira Barton Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester
Page 7

I Louisa Fay of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Widow being seventy eight years of age and being duly sworn according to law do depose and say that Polly Williams of said Southborough widow is a sister of mine that she was married to Thomas Williams in the month of December seventeen hundred and eighty three by Jonathan Ward Esqr of said Southborough and I was present at said marriage.
Louisa  X  Fay
her mark


Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss, January 25, 1839.  Then personally came Louisa Fay and made oath that the affadavit above by her subscribed was true
Before me.   Willard Newton __ Justice of the Peace


Worcester. ss.  Southborough  January 25. 1839
I certify that I am personally acquainted with Louisa Fay above named and that she is a credible witness.
William Newton __ Justice of the Peace
Page 8

I Dexter Ball of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being sixty four years of age and duly sworn according to law do depose and say that I am a son of Jonas Ball Esq who was the executor of the last Will of Jonathan Ward Esq. of said Sourthborough who died some forty or fifty years ago __  and that I was the executor on said Jonas Ball Esq"  Will who died about thirty years ago ___  that I have made diligent search amongst all the papers in my possession and I cannot find any traces of any records of marriages of the said Jonathan Ward Esq. in my possession.
Dexter Ball

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester, ss.  Southborough September 17. 1838
Then personally came Dexter Ball and made oath that the affidavit above by him subscribed was true ---.
Before me.  Willard Newton   Justice of the Peace

Worcester ss. Southborough September 17, 1838
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Dexter Ball and he is a man of truth.
Willard Newton__  Justice of Peace
Page 9

I Swain Parker town Clerk of the town of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify that the following is a true copy of record in said Southborough.
Born to Thomas Williams and Polly his wife a daughter names Elizabeth Williams June 21st.  1784
Born to Thomas Williams and Polly his wife a daughter named Mary Williams April 4th.  1786
Born to Thomas Williams and Polly his wife a daughter names Catherine Williams  May 3rd.  1788
Born to Thomas Williams and Polly his wife a son named Newell Williams. July 15th.  1790
Born to Thomas Williams and Polly his wife a daughter named Louisa Williams  August 3rd.  1794
Born to Thomas Williams and Polly his wife a son named William Williams  August 16th.  1796

Swain Parker        Town Clerk of the town of Southborough

I Swain Parker above named do depose and say:  that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town, County and Commonwealth aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Southborough

Swain Parker      Town Clerk of the town of Southborough


Worcester, ss.  Southborough  January 12th. 1839..
Sworn before me     Willard Newton   Justice of Peace
Page 10

I Swain Parker of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that I have made a diligent examination for the record of the marriage of Thomas Williams and Polly Williams the widow of said Thomas Williams, in the office of the town Clerk of said Southborough and I cannot find any record of said marriage in said office

Swain Parker       Town Clerk of said town of Southborough


I Swain Parker above named, depose and say;  that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town, County and Commonwealth aforesaid and the above is true as certified by me.

Swain Parker. Town Clerk of Southborough

Southborough September  17, 1838
Sworn before me   Willard Newton __ Justice of Peace
Page 11

I William Gates of Marlborough in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy six years of age and being duly sworn according to law, do depose and say that I have in my possession a Register [crossed out 'Pay'] Roll of Capt. Silas Gates of said Marlborough deceased, that I am a son of the said Capt. Silas Gates  Said Master [crossed out 'Pay'] Roll of Capt. Silas Gate's Company   Col. Jonathan Ward's Regiment at Dorchester Massachusetts 1775 on which Roll I find the name of Thomas Williams a Drummer of Marlborough.

I further depose and say that said Thomas Williams volunteered [crossed out 'enlisted'] as a private in the service of the United States in the Massachusetts Militia in the War of the Revolution into Capt. Lakin's Company   Col Jacob's Regiment in the month of September 1779 and myself and others and marched immediately to Providence in Rhode Island and from there to Warren, Bristol and Newport and there served our terms of two months or more and then were verbally dismissed by our commanding officer ___.  William Gates


Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss.   Marlborough September 15 1838
Then came Capt. William Gates and made oath that the affidavit above subscribed was true.
Before me      Eli Rice   Justice of the Peace
Middlesex, ss.   Marlborough. September 15 1838 
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Capt. William Gates above named and he is a man of truth.
Eli Rice.  Justice of Peace
Page 12

I Thomas Rice of Marlborough in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being ninety years of age and being duly sworn according to law do  depose and say that Thomas Williams volunteered as a drummer into Capt. William Morse's Company, Col. Faulkner's Regiment in the service of the United States in the Massachusetts Militia in the War of the Revolution sometime in the Autumn of 1777 and marched immediately to Saratoga in New York and arrived there on the day that Gen. Burgoyne surrendered his army to Gen. Gates and staid there a few days and from there to Stillwater and there staid a few days and then we guarded a part of the prisoners from said Stillwater to Cambridge near Boston in Massachusetts being in said service one month or more
Thomas  X  Rice
his mark

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex Marlborough September 15, 1838
Then came Thomas Rice and made oath that the affidavit above by him subscribed was true.
Eli Rice  Justice of the Peace

Middlesex ss.  Marlborough September 15, 1838
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Thomas Rice and he is a man of truth
Eli Rice   Justice of Peace
Page 13

I Swain Parker of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being fifty seven years of age and being sworn according to law do depose and sat that I am acquainted with Polly Williams widow of Thomas Williams who was a Soldier of the Revolution and that I know her to be the . widow of the said Thomas Williams and that she now remains the widow of the said Thomas Williams.
Swain Parker

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss.  Southborough  September 17, 1838
Then came Swain Parker above named and made oath that the affidavit above by him subscribed was true.
Before me   Willard Newton.  Justice of the Peace

Worcester, ss.  Southborough September 17, 1838
I certify that I am personally acquainted with Swain Parker above named and he is a man of truth      Willard Newton   Justice of Peace
Page 14

I Ebenezer Newton of Southborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being eighty years of age and being duly sworn according to law do depose and say that sometime in the month of November 1775 Thomas Williams then of Marlborough in County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth aforesaid enlisted into Capt. Silas Gates's Company.  Col. Jonathan Ward's Regiment in the service of the United States in the War of the Revolution in the Massachusetts Militia for two months and performed that service at Dorchester near Boston ___  and served the two months and troops not arriving to take our places the said Thomas Williams together with the whole of said Company volunteered for one month longer and served the said one month at said Dorcester and I was a private in said Company at said time with the said Thomas Williams, said Thomas Williams was a drummer at said time.  Ebenr. Newton

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss. Southborough September 17, 1838
Then came Ebenezer Newton above named and 
made oath that the affidavit above by him subscribed was true
Before me    Willard Newton  Justice of the Peace

Worcester, ss. Southborough September 17, 1838
I certify that I am acquainted with the said Ebenezer Newton and he is a man of truth
Willard Newton. - Justice of Peace
Page 15

I Lambert Bigelow of Marlborough in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that I hold the office of town Clerk in said Marlborough and that I find the following record in said office  Thomas Williams a son of William Williams died May third one thousand eight hundred and thirty three aged seventy years with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows Thomas Williams a son of William Williams died May 3d,  1833 Aged 70 years.
Lambert Bigelow
Town Clerk of said town of Marlborough

I Lambert Bigelow above named, depose and say:  That I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town, County and Commonwealth aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said [crossed out 'Marlborough'] office with the exception above named as certified by me.
Lambert Bigelow
Town Clerk of said town of Marlborough

Middlesex ss. Marlborough  September 15, 1838
Sworn before me Eli Rice   Justice of Peace

Middlesex, ss.  Marlborough September 15, 1838
I hereby certify that Lambert Bigelow is the town Clerk of said Marlborough and is known to me as a man of truth
Eli Rice   Justice of Peace
Page 16

[type written letter]

April 30, 1934

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

THOMAS WILLIAMS
W.  26038
BA-J / MLB

Mrs. Frederick N. Morton
The Powelton Apartments, Apt. H-8
36th & Powelton Avenue
West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your personal request of April 23, 1934, for the record of Thomas Williams, Revolutionary War pension claim,  W. 26038.

His record follows as found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 26038, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Thomas Williams was the son of William Williams;  the date and place of soldier's birth and name of his mother are not given.

While a resident of Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, he volunteered sometime in November, 1775, and served two or three months as drummer in Captain Silas Gates' company, Colonel Jonathan Ward's Massachusetts Regiment. He volunteered in September, 1777, served one month or more as drummer in Captain William Morse's company, Colonel Faulkner's Massachusetts regiment, marched to Saratoga where he arrived the day of General Burgoyne's surrender to General Gates and he assisted in guarding the prisoners taken there, to Stillwater and Cambridge.  He volunteered sometime in September, 1779, served two months or more as private in Captain Lakin's company, Colonel Jacobs' Massachusetts regiment at Rhode Island.

He died May 3, 1833, at the age of seventy years;  the date of his death was recorded in the town clerk's office at Marlborough, Massachusetts.

Thomas Williams married in December, 1783, Polly or Polley ___ whose maiden name was not stated; they were married by Jonathan Ward, Esquire, of Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts.
Page 17


Soldier's widow, Polly or Polley Williams, was allowed pension on her application executed September 17, 1838, at which time she was aged seventy-five years and a resident of Southborough, Massachusetts, and was still living there the following year.

In 1843 she was residing in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and was still a resident of that place in 1848.

The names of the following children of Thomas Williams and his wife, Polly or Polley, are shown in the claim and their dates of birth were recorded in the office of the town clerk of Southborough, Massachusetts, as follows:

Elizabeth Williams born June 21, 1784
Mary              "            "      April 4, 1786
Catherine      "           "       May 3, 1788
Newell           "            "      July 13, 1790
Louisa           "             "     August 3, 1794
William          "             "     August 16, 1796

In 1839, Lovisa Fay, a widow aged seventy-eight years and sister of soldier's wife, Polly or Polley, was a resident of Southborough, Massachusetts (the given name of Lovisa Fay's husband not stated).

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator

- 2 -
Page 18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk County. S.S.
Be it known that on this Twelfth day of June  1843.  Personally appeared Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County [crossed out 'of'] Mrs. Polly Williams a resident of Marlborough Middlesex County &[and] sd. Commonwealth aged seventy Nine 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 Pension made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3d day of March  1843.  Granting a Pension to Widows of Persons who served during the Revolutionary War
That she is the widow of Thomas Williams who was a Drummer 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. 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 Husbands death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said act at the rate of Twenty Six  89/100 Dollars per annum which meant she received from the 4th of March 1836. to the 4th 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 alleges that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said Husband but is now and ever since has been the Widow of said Thomas Williams deceased as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed.
And further, she saith not.
Polley Williams

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and Year first above written [crossed out 'and I certify that the applicant is personally']
Page 19

[crossed out 'known to me to be the person within described.']
Before me
Lowell M. Stone
Justice of the Peace


I Benja. R. Harwood of the City of Boston, of lawful age on oath testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Polly Williams for many years last past.  I know that she was the wife of Thomas Williams who died about nine years since, that she has not married since that time, +[and] that she was a pensioner as within stated

Benja. R. Harwood
Suffolk County, ss, June 19th. 1843 --  Then personally came Benjn. R. Harwood and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true --   Before me
Lowell M. Stone 
Just. Peace
Page 20

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.


Secretary's Office, Boston June 19th 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestations Lowell M. Stone was a Justice of the Peace Peace for the County of Suffolk, 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.

Jno. A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

[outline of circular 'seal' on left side of page]
Page 21

Polly Williams

$ 26 : 89 per an.

John Barnes
Box No. 786
Boston, Mass.
Page 22

Boston June 20th  1843.

I enclose herewith at the request of my friend Mr B R Harwood the application of Mrs Polly Williams for a pension under the law of March 3d  1843. --  You will pleas return the certificate to me care of Box No. 786

Respy Yours
John Barnes

To.
James. L. Edwards Esqr
Page 23

Thomas. Williams

Nov. '75 (3)  2 or 3 mo Drum.  Silas Gates  Vol 12 p 113 travel

Sep  77 (2) 1 or more  Drum.  Wm Morse  Saratoga _ on roll Vol 21 p 83.  1 mo  7

Sep  79 (1)  2 or more  Drum.  Lekin. R. G.  on roll Vol 2 p 200. 2-3

Married. '83.  died 1833


(1) Wm Gates                3 __
(2) Tho Rice                   1  .7
(3) Eb. Newton              2. .3
 (3) Wm Gates           _________
                                         7 .  10   Drum


316
7
_____
25: 66
   1. 22
_______
26 : 88
Page 24

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex, ss.
On this twenty sixth day of June eighteen hundred and forty eight.  personally appeared before Elijah Clark, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex.  Polly Williams, a resident of Marlborough in said County. being Eighty five years of age. who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration. in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed February. 2d 1838.  That She is the widow of Thomas Williams of Said Marlborough who was a drummer in different Militia Services, at Cambridge, Boston, Ticonderoga &[and] in the State of Rhode Island, and that it is her impresion that she does not receive a pension for all the Services which he rendered,  that She has annually. received a pension of twenty. Six dollars and eighty nine cents . per annum under the Law of June 17.th 1844, and She further declares that she is still a widow.
Polley Williams

Sworn to on the day and year above written, and I certify that the declarant above named is made known to me by good &[and] Sufficient evidence. as a widow. and a Revolutionary Pensioner as She declares.  Before Me, Elijah Clark. Justice of the Peace
Page 25

P,W
 ad
1893

admitted

Elijah Clark
Brighton
Mass
Page 26

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, July 26th  1848.

I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation  Elijah Clark was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, 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 Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

Wm. Swifts  Deputy
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 27

1833
Massachusetts
Polly Williams widow of Thomas Williams dec [crossed out' who was a pensioner under the Act of 3d']
and who died on the 3d. May 1833
of Worcester Co. in the State of MS. 
who was a Drummer in the compy. commanded by Captain Gates of the Regt. commanded by Col ____ in the MS. line for 7 1/3 months

Inscribed on the Roll of MS. at the rate of 26  Dollars  89 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Feby. 1837 and sent Hon. L. Lincoln  Ho. of Reps.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838  $67.22
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar. '39,  13.44
$80.66

{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book  A. Vol. 1st. Page 143
Page 28

[appears to be two opposing pages of a ledger-like book - left and right pages]

[left page]

to Pen: agt.  Oct. 8. '44

[right page]

1893
Massachusetts
Polly Williams widow of Thomas Williams
who was a Drummer in the Mass line for 7 1/3 months

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 26. Dollars &[and] 89. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Sept. 1843. and sent to 
John Barnes
Box No. 786
Boston
Mass

[Act of March 3, 1843.]

Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1.  Page 57.
Page 29

26.038
Revy
WIDOW, &c. [et cetera]

File No.  26, 038
Polly Williams
wid of Thomas Williams Drum. Rev. war

Act Feb:  2nd  1848.

Index :  Vol  W,  Page 346

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 30

Jan. 29 1897. Hist to Hon. Geo. W Ray. Hs. of Reps -   Lh  H.B.

1934. April 30 - Hist. to Mrs. Frederick N. Morton  --  MLB.
Page 31

Vet _  Administration -
Please furnish me a Record of Thomas Williams _ Rev. War -- Pension Claim.   W. 26038 _
Ellen H. Rich Morton _ 
Apr. 23 _ 1934_

MRS. FREDERICK N. MORTON
THE POWELTON APTS., APT. H-8
36 TH & POWELTON AVENUE.
WEST PHILA., PA.      (44-80)

[crossed out 'came as 3518. Powelton Ave.']
Page 32

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department.  Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.

O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
January 29, 1897.

L. W. B.
W.  26038.

Sir: -
Replying to your personal request for information concerning the military record of Thomas Williams, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, I have the honor to advise you that Polly Williams (the only Polly Williams found upon the Revolutionary pension records on file in this Bureau), widow of one Thomas Williams, made an application for pension on September 17, 1838, at which time she was 75 years of age and residing at Southborough, Mass., and her pension was allowed for the actual service of her husband as a drummer in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war, for a period of seven months and ten days;  a part of the time he served under Capt. Gates and Col. Ward.  He enlisted at Marlborough, Mass.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Hon. George W. Ray,
House of Representatives.