Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5295, Nathan Bowen, Mass.
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE Mass. Bowen, Nathan 
NUMBER S5295
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15746 
Massachusetts 
Nathan Bowen of Essex in the State of Massa who was Priv Sgt Lt in the Company commanded Captain Moore of the Rgt commanded Col Gerrish in the Massa line for 5 months Private - $14.47 
4 mos & 2 days Sergeant 24.34
3 "  Lieutenant 41.00 
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$81.01
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Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 - Dollars - 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
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Certificate of Pension issued the 22d day of July 1833 and sent to J. Prince Marblehead Massachusetts
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Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $162.12 Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 40.50 
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$202.52 
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{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by DD Addison Clerk 

Book E Vol. 2d Page 7
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State of Massachusetts 
County of Essex S.S. 
Marblehead 
On this 10th day of August AD 1832. Personally appeared before me David Cummins Esq a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and a Court of Record, within and for said County of Essex Nathan Bowen of said Marblehead, County and State aforesaid, aged nearly eighty 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 Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and at different periods belonged to Compaies of the Militia of said State. That on or about the twenty sixth day of December, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six, at said Marblehead he was drafted for a soldier in a Company of Militia Infantry, Commanded by Nathaniel Lindsay of said Marblehead for the term of three months, and that on the twenty ninth day of said December, the Company marched from said Marblehead as part of a reinforcement to join the American Army under Genl Washington, then at or near the Jerseys, and on the March thither on the second day of January following, the Company arrived at Providence in the State of Rhode Island, and on their arrival Capt Lindsay received orders to tarry for a time. They accordingly continued at said Providence and performed duty from day to day, until the twenty ninth day of said January, at which time they were ordered to march to Tiverton, near Rhode Island and on or about the second day of February following, they arrived at said Tiverton, and took up their quarters near to Howlands Ferry and were ordered to perform Garrison duty from time to time in mounting Guard, and keeping a strict watch on the movements of the Enemy, who at that time held possession of Newport and the Island adjoining until the twenty sixth day of March seventeen hundred seventy seven-

On this service he continued for the period of three months, until his term of service expired. And your Declarant further saith, he has no Documentary evidence, and knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to the foregoing period of service 

And your Declarant further saith, that on the eighth day of November, seventeen hundred, and seventy seven, he again entered the service and was appointed an orderly Sergeant in a company of Infantry Militia, commanded by John Devereux of Marblehead in Col. Gerrish's Regiment of Guards, stationed at Winter hill near Boston, over Hessian Troops (Part of the British Army under Genl Burgoyne, who surrendered to Genl Gates, at Saratoga October 1777). that he continued in said service at Winter Hill, in said Company until the third day of April Seventeen hundred and seventy eight and was then discharged.
And
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And your Declarant further saith that he again entered the service and was appointed and Commissioned to the rank of third Lieutenant of Simeon Browns Company belonging to the aforenamed Col Gerrish's Regiment of Guards stationed at Winter Hill and on the second day of April Seventeen hundred and seventy eight, he marched from Marblehead with that part of said Brown's Company belonging to said Town to meet the remainder of said Company (composed of men from Salem and Lynn) at Winter hill, and there Joined said Col Gerrish's Regiment. That he continued from time to time to perform his duty as a Commissioned officer, at Winter hill and at Boston, until the second day of July following, when his term of service expired 

Your Declarant further saith, that on or about the second day of August, seventeen hundred, and seventy eight, he again entered the ser vice, in a Company of Volunteers, commanded by Col William R Lee, of Marblehead, and marched from said Town in said Company for Providence in the State of Rhode Island, and on their arrival at Providence, the Company was ordered to proceed without delay to Tiverton by water at which place they arrived, on or about the sixth day of August following and were quartered near to the ferry between Tiverton, and Rhode Island, and appointed to the duty of transporting the American Troops, and munitions of War, from day to day across the River to the Island, on which the American Army was then encamping, for the purpose of cooperating by land in the rear, with the French Fleet then lying near to Newport in the front, and reducing the British Force then in possession of said Newport. They continued in said service of Transporting the American Troops, to and from said Island, until the expedition failed and the Americans retreated from the Island to the Main Land and the siege was abandoned; He being present, as one of said Company of volunteers above mentioned, and continued with them, for the whole period of the above service 

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Your Declarant further saith, that he has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person, who can testify as to the length of time, he was, aemployed, in this last mentioned time of service 
[signed]Nathan Bowen 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
David Cummins
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No. 9765
Nathan Bowen
Private 5 mo
Srgt 6 - 26 days
Lieut 3
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12 - 26
5 mos 16.06
Apr 17 1833

P. 341 
30.00 
4.54 --- 
24.54 

500
44
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4.34

J. Prince from Marblehead Mass
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BRIEF in the case of Nathan Bowen of the County of Essex in the State of Mass 
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? bodily infirmity 
3. How old is he? 80 years 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
[table headings] Period. | Duration of Service. Years Months Days | Rank | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
[row 1] In 1776 Dec. 20 [blank] 3 [blank] | drafted |  Capt. Lindsay
[row 2] 77 Nov 8th | [blank] 4 26 | Sergt | Col. Gerrish, Capt. Devereaux
[row 3] 78 Apr 2 | [blank] 3 [blank] | Lieut | same Col. Capt Brown
[row 4] " Aug 2 until the army retreated from R.I. |  [blank] 2  [blank]| Volunteer | Col Lee

5. In what battles was he engaged? none 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Marblehead 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Deposition & Documents 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Regular 

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examine, Clerk
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[sideways on left]see his letter viz Jonathan Carpenter W.18873

[main letter]
Rev. War Section.
August 21, 1932

Mr. S. F. Batchelder
73 Tremont St. 
Boston, Mass.

Sir:
In response to your letter of the 15th ultimo, you are advised that from the paper in the pension claim, S.5395, it appears that Nathan Bowen enlisted at Marblehead, Massachusetts December 26, 1776, and server as private for three months in Captain Nathaniel Lindsay's Company of Massachusetts Militia. He served from November 8, 1777, to April 2, 1778, as Orderly Sergeant in Captain John Devereux' Company, Colonel Gerrish's Regiment. Also from April 3, 1778, to July 2, 1778, as Ensign and Third Lieutenant in Captain Simeon Brown's Company, Colonel Gerrish's Regiment. And from August 2, 1778, as a private, for two months, in a company of volunteer boatmen, at the ferry between the Island of Rhode Island and Tiverton, under Colonel William R. Lee. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832, while living in Marblehead, Massachusetts aged nearly 80 years. He died August 9, 1837. There is no data on file as to his family.
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S. File 295 Nathan Bowen
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Massachusetts State Essex SS

To Nathan Bowen Genl 
Greeting 
By Virtue of the Power to me granted by the General Assembly of this State in their resolution of the Ninth of March last, I do reposing special Trust and Confidence in  Your loyalty Courage & good conduct appoint you this Nathan Bowen Insight of a Company commanded by Simeon Brown-- and you are forthwith to march with the said Company to General Heaths Head Quarters: and to give obedience to all such Orders as you shall from time to time receive from your Superior Officers- 
Given under my Hand at Newbury Port this 13 day of April 1778 . Jon'a Titcomb Brig
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We John Bartlett - a Clergyman residing in the Town of Marblehead and Benjamin Knight Esqr also residing in said Marblehead, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Bowen, who has subscribed and sworn to the within Declaration; that we believe him to be nearly eighty 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 
[signed]
John Bartlett 
Benja Knight 
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
D. Cummins

and the said Judge doth hereby declare his 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 Judge further certifies that Revd John Bartlett who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in Marblehead, and that Benjamin Knight  esqr who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Town of Marblehead, and a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the said Judge further certifies, that the aforenamed applicant is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity 
[signed]D Cummins

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I John Prince Junr Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for the County of Essex, Do hereby certify that the Honble David Cummins Esq is a Judge of said and that the within signature, is his genuine signature. and that James Appleton of Marblehead is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County of Essex, and that the signature annexed, is his true signature. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court of Common Pleas, Salem, this 13th day of August, Eighteen hundred and thirty two. John Prince Clk
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Secretary's Office July 26 1832 

I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that Nathan Bowen, served in "Capt. John Devereux Company Col Gerrish's regiment" from Nov. 8. 1777 to April 3. 1778 The capacity in which he served is not stated in either of the two rolls describing said service; but on both of them he stands at the head of the Roll 
Edward D Bangs, Secy
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Secretary's Office July 17 1832

I hereby certify, that on an examination of the Military papers relating to the Revolutionary War, which remain in this Department, I find the name of Nathan Bowen borne on a roll of Capt. Simeon Browns Company in Col. Jacob Gerrish Regiment of Guards, as third Lieutenant of said Company; and that his account is there made up for service from April 2 to July 2, 1778. 
Edward D Bangs, Secretary of Commonwealth
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I John Prince of Marblehead on oath depon testify and say That AD 1778, about the first part of August I was at Tivertown and there encamped with the company that marched from Marblehead and that we were employed as boatmen in transporting over to Rhode Island soldiers, stores and munitions of war for the american army at the siege of Newport. I further testify that at the same time and place I well knew Nathan  Bowen [inserted: of Marblehead], as one of said company and was aforesaid with him in the same tent.
John Prince . 

Essex SS August 11 1832- Then John Prince Esq made oath to the truth of the above affidavit and hereby certify that the said John Prince is a Credible Witness to me well known Before me 
James Appleton Jus. Pacis
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Essex SS Marblehead April 22d 1833 
Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for said County, Nathan Bowen of said Marblehead, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that by reason of age and the consequent loss of memory, he can not swear positively as to the precise length of his service in Col. William R. Lee Company of Volunteers at Rhode Island, but according to the best of his recollection he served as a private in said Company, two months, and for such service, together with the other times of service stated in his declaration the claims a pension. Nathan Bowen
Essex sS. 24 April 1833. 
Subscribed and sworn to before me 
JAmes Appleton Just. Peace
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Nathan Bowen No 1765

J. Prince June Esq
Marblehead Miss
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathan Bowen which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes 
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes 
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes 
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? yes in 3 cases no in one 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
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2 
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? 
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes 
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no 
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes so certified by the Judge 
EXPLANATORY NOTES. 

QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; Foryear  months, and --- days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3 
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served. and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite , and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer under his seal of office. 
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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[left side]
Rev War
5295 INVALID. 
File No. 5295 Nathan Bowen 
Lieut Mass Vols 
Act: June 7th 32 
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 38 
{Arrangement of 1870.} 

[right side]1922 Aug. 21. Hist to Mr. S.F. Batchelder, Tremont St. Boston. Mass. See cor. W. Jonathan Carpenter W. 1883.