Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15439, John Trowbridge, Mass.
Page 1

SERVICE
Mass

Trowbridge, John
Mary

NUMBER
W. 15439

CONTENTS
Page 2

1989.
Massachusetts
Mary Trowbridge
widow of John Trowbridge
who died on the 28 July 1825
of Middlesex Co. in the State of Massa
who was a Cor & pri in the Co commanded
by Captain Drewry of the Reg commanded
by Nixon
in the Massa
line for 8 mo. Corpl ⎬ 14 D. St
             3 " Pri.
---
Inscribed on the Roll of Massa
at the rate of 45 Dollars 55
Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1831.
Increased from $39.33
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Sept 1844 and sent to
Fisk. E. Cambridge Massa
---
Arrears to the 4th of
Semiannual allowance ending
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3
Recorded by F. S. Swann Clerk,
Book C Vol 1 Page 65
repo: See Let. to. Pen ag

20 Sep. 1844.
Page 3

V 2411
Mary Trowbridge
widow of John
Mass.
Vol 14. 87 ('75) Corpl 8 mo
2 witness '76 - Pri 3 -
--
romd
8 mo Corpl
3. - pri.

$39. 33/100

J. Fiske Esq
E. Cambridge
Mass
Page 4

Mary Trowbridge - widow
of Jno [John] Trowbridge
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
On this twenty seventh day of June in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared
before the Probate Court for the County of
Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid,
Mary Trowbridge a resident of Framingham
in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth
of Massachusetts aged eighty one 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 passed July 4th
1836
That she is the widow of John
Trowbridge of Framingham aforesaid, who
was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution as
follows, viz
He was at the Concord Battle in
1775 and followed the English to Charlestown, he
was at the Battle of Bunker'shill, and remained
in the army till he enlisted voluntarily into the
first eight months service and was a corporal, and
was in the service at or near Cambridge till he
came home the last week in February 1776
His superior Officers (a part if not all the time) were
Col. John Nixon of Sudbury, Lt. Col. Thomas Nixon of
Framingham, Maj Buttrick of Concord and
Capt. Thomas Downey of Framingham
He also enlisted voluntarily into the three months
service, and in this service he was orderly sergeant
under Col. Thatcher of Cambridge, Lt Col
Howe of Marlborough, Maj. Bryant of
Andover,
He marched for Providence about the first of
December 1776, was at Danbury, Farrytown
Phillip's Manor, Fishkill and the Jerseys and other
places to me unknown till his time was out in
March 1777, when he came home - He was in a
small skirmish with the enemy about the day he left camp
was also called on Duty with the Militia
Page 6

at Rhode Island about the time of Rye harvest in
the year 1779 - and continued on Duty about
thirty days at this time as second Lieutenant.
The Officers at this time were Capt Lawson Buck
minster, and first Lieutenant Ebenezer
Hemenway of Framingham The foregoing
information she has derived from the relation of the facts made
her late husband at the times of his return from his several terms of service and repeatedly afterwards during his life, all
which she verily believes to be true, and she knows no documentary evidence in support of her claim, 
She further declares that she was married to
the said John Trowbridge on about the twenty third day of April A.D. one thousand seven
hundred and seventy six; that her husband
the aforesaid John Trowbridge died on the
twenty eighth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty five, and
that she has remained a widow ever since
that period, as will more fully appear by
reference to the proof hereto annexed
---
Mary Trowbridge

Subscribed sworn to by Mary Trowbridge
the day & year first above written before
S.P.P. Pay Judge of Prob.
And the Court does hereby declare the
opinion after investigation of the matter
that the statements made by said applicant
in her declaration aforesaid are true &
entitled to credit she being a credible per
Son
S.P.P. Pay
 J Prob
Page 7

Lieuts Livermore & Hovey -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex
I, Isaac Fiske, Register of the Court of 
Probate in and for the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth aforesaid, 
hereby certify that Sam P.P. Pay Sig saying whereon
proper signature is the twice written in the foregoing paper is the
Judge of said Court of Probate duly commissioned & qualified
I further certify that Warren Nixon Esquire is a Justice of
the Peace within & for said County of Middlesex duly
commissioned & qualified & that his signatures written in
the several paper hereunto annexed are his genuine
signature. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
& affixed the seal of said Court this second day of August in the year of our Lord 
eighteen hundred & thirty seven.
Isaac Fiske Reg
Page 8

I Ebenezer Eaton of Framingham in the
County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, a Revolutionary Pensioner, aged
eighty seven years, do testify and declare that
John Trowbridge Junior of said Framingham
(being the same person named in the prefixed
declaration of Mary Trowbridge,) and myself were
together in the Revolutionary service on the
nineteenth of April 1775 at Concord fight, so called
that we followed the British Army to Cambridge
and Charlestown and continued there doing
duty ten or fifteen days till we enlisted in the
first eight months service, we then continued
in the service at or near Cambridge till near the
close of the term of said eight months, and I
being sick returned home - John Trowbridge
Junior was with me during the whole of said
service and remained there when I came home
and I have no doubt continued there the
whole term at least of the eight months.
In this service he was a Corporal
Our officers were John Nixon of Sudbury, Colonel 
Thomas Nixon of Framingham, Lt. Col. 
Buttrick of Concord, Major 
Thomas Drury of Framingham, Captain
We were both marksmen and stood side by side at the
Battle of Bunker's hill, and with a steady aim
we levelled the enemy
I further testify and declare, that the Militia
were called out at an alarm at Rhode Island
at Rye harvest time in the year 1779. John
Trowbridge Junior went at the same time as a
second Lieutenant. We quartered at Tiverton, and
performed our duty principally at Newport
After being there two or three weeks we were dismissed
and the night we returned home, we were
called back again, we were both on
duty in the whole at this time at least thirty
days each. Our Officers at this time were
Page 9

Lawson Buckminster Captain,
Ebenezer Hemenway first Lieutenant
John Trowbridge Senior, Lt Colonel
other officers I do not well remember
and further I say not
July 24. 1837-
Ebenezer Eaton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex
July 24, 1837
Here personally appeared before me the
abovenamed
Ebenezer Eaton and made
oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed
is true and I certify that the said Ebenezer
Eaton is a credible witness
Warren Nixon
Justice of
Peace
Page 10

I Jonathan Rice of Natick in the County of
Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
a Revolutionary Pensioner aged eighty years
do testify and declare that I was in the
three months service in the years 1776 & 1777
at Providence, Danbury, Tarrytown, Phillips
Manor, and the Jerseys and other places not
now recollected. John Trowbridge Junior
being the person named in the prefixed
declaration of Mary Trowbridge was an orderly
Sergeant and with me during the whole of
said service. We marched about the first of
December 1776, and our times were out and we
were discharged about the first of March
1777. We were in a slight skirmish with
the British on the day of our discharge
In this service men were called for and I
do not exactly remember whether we
turned out voluntarily or whether we
were drafted or officers were
Colonel Thatcher of Cambridge
Lt Colonel Scipio Howe of Marlborough
Major Bryant of Andover
Captain Hezekiah Broad of Natick
July 26, 1837
Jonathan Rice
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex July 26, 1837
Here personally appeared the above named
Jonathan Rice and made solemn oath that the
above affidavit by him subscribed
is true; and I certify that the said Jonathan
Rice is a credible witness
Warren Nixon
Justice of
Peace
Page 11

I Uriah Rice of Framingham in the
County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, a Revolutionary Pensioner
aged eighty years, do testify and
declare that I was in the three months
service in the Revolutionary war in the years
1776 & 1777, at Providence, Danbury, White
Plains, Fishkill, and other
places in Connecticut. New York & the Jerseys
not now recollected John Trowbridge
Junior being the person named in the prefixed
declaration of Mary Trowbridge ) was an orderly
sergeant, and with me during the whole of
said service. We marched I think in the
first week in December 1776, and we came
back in March 1777- Our Officers were
Colonel-- Thatcher of Cambridge
Lt. Colonel Scipio Howe of Marlborough
Major Bryant of Place not
remembered
Captain Hezekiah Broad of Natick
our times were out when we were in the Jersey's,
at what Town, I do not remember we had a
small skirmish with the British on
the morning of our discharge-
In this
service a certain number of men were
called for & I do not recollect whether we
turned out voluntarily or whether we 
were drafted
Uriah Rice
Dated July 26, 1837 -

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
County of Middlesex July 26, 1837
Here personally appeared before me, the above
named Uriah Rice and made solemn oath
the above affidavit by him subscribed is 
true; and I certify that the said Uriah
Rice is a credible witness
Warren Nixon
Justice of Peace
Page 12


John Trowbridge Jnr and Molly Bent both of Framingham were
married April 23 1776
Mr Jacob Biglow
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record in
town of Sudbury County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts
July 10th 1837
Nahum Thompson
Town Clerk of Sudbury
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex
July 10, 1837
Then personally appeared the above named
Nahum Thompson and made solemn oath that the
above certificate by him subscribed is true
Before me Warren Nixon
Justice of Peace
Page 13

We Josiah Warren aged eighty one years, and
Thomas Nixon aged seventy five years, both
of Framingham in the County of Middlesex
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do
testify and declare that we have each of us
lived in the Town of Framingham aforesaid
ever since our childhood, and in the immediate neighbourhood of John Trowbridge
mentioned in the prefixed declaration of
Mary Trowbridge, that we were always well
acquainted with the said John Trowbridge
and Mary Trowbridge, that they lived reputably together as man and wife from the
year 1776 till his decease in 1825 and brought
up a family of four children, that the said
Mary Trowbridge still remains his widow
and that the said John Trowbridge and
Mary Trowbridge are the same persons
mentioned by the names of John
Trowbridge Junior and Molly Bent as in
the prefixed certificate of the Town Clerk
of the Town of Sudbury
Dated at Framingham
July 27, 1837-
Josiah Warren
Thomas Nixon
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex ss. July 27, 1837
Then personally appeared before me the
above named Josiah Warren & Thomas Nixon
and made solemn oath that the above
affidavit by them subscribed is true; and
I certify that the said Josiah Warren and
Thomas Nixon are credible witnesses
Warren Nixon
Justice of
Peace
Page 14

Mass
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
15439
Mary Trowbridge
Widow of
John Trowbridge
Corpl Rev War
-
July 4th 36
- Vol. M, Page 28/
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

John Trowbridge
Thomas Drury 75. Vol. 14. p 81. on Corp. 8mo
Hezekiah Brood 76:77 2mo Sergt not found
Lawson Buckminster 79 Lieutenant. 1 mo I.t. to RId vol 1_87 - not on
He may have been a Lt in Buckminster Company
but did not serve in the alleged tour
Page 16

Massachusetts- 1989
Mary Trowbridge
widow of John Trowbridge, decd
who died on the 28th July, 1825,
Middlesex Co in the State of Masstts.
who was a corp. & pri. in the compy commanded
by Captain I Drury of the regt
commanded
by
J Nixon in Massth
line for 11 mos. corp. & pri.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
as the rate of 39 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of
April 1838 and sent to
I. Fiske, Esq, E. Cambridge, Mass

Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 $275.31
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 38 = 19.66
-
$294.97
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3d}
Recorded by
S. A. Elliott Clerk,
Book A, Vol. 2, Page 60.

Let. to I. Fiske, Augt 12 1844.
Page 17

[Postage cancellation stamp:]
EAST CAMBRIDGE Ms.   SEP 5

Sept 9 44

im att.

Pen cert reto
Mary Trowbridge
F.

FREE

J L Edwards, Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 18

Pension Office,
August 12. 1844.
Sir,
In the case of Mary Trowbridge the increased
allowance will be made as soon as the certificate is returned.
I am, Sir,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
J L Edwards
returned.
Hon J L Edward
The certificate is herewith returned & you will please
to return a new one for her increased allowance
Respectfully Yours
Isaac Fiske
I Fiske, Esq
E. Cambridge,
Massachusetts
Page 19

Payment to be made
at Boston
by Franklin Haven, Esq
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of
Massachusetts,

Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book A. Vol. 2
Page 60 by
S.A. Elliot, Clerk

Age 82 years
Oct 29. 1837
Residence Framingham always
Page 20

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836,
Mary Trowbridge of Massachusetts
widow of John Trowbridge, deceased,
who was a corporal and private
in the War of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Thirty-nine dollars and
thirty-three cents per annum during the time she may
remain unmarried, commencing on the 
4th of March, 1831,
and payable semi-annually on the 
4th of March and 4th of September
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty-sixth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
S. Cooper
Acting Secretary of War

[seal applied]
Examined and}
Countersigned.}
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 21

J. L. Edwards Esq.              FREE
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
(postmark-East Cambridge Ma Aug 2)

2611 Aug 7
Mass
mgt. adm.
Act '36
B

88
2.9.33
10
3.9
Page 22

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir,
I herewith transmit this application of Mary Trowbridge for a pension. You will please to communicate to me when examined.
Respectfully yours
Isaac Fiske
Page 23

(right side)

Mary Trowbridge
Mass.
Act 7 July '38

Increase
8mo Corpl
3  pri
--14 Lt.
45.55
deduct what has been paid

I. Fisk Esq.
E. Cambridge Mass


(left side)
Warren Nixon
(illegible) Capt. John (illegible)
(illegible) 1777
Page 24

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office oct. 4 1843
(Seal)

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 the name of John Trowbridge of Framingham is borne upon a commission, dated June 11 1778, appointing him first Lieutenant in the Company of Captain Lawson Buckminster, and upon a pay roll of said Captain from July 28 to Aug 10 1780-
14 days in that capacity
Page 25

And I further Certify, that, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who tendered the service.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth the date above written.
Jno. A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 26

324
John Trowbridge
Page 27

Declaration of Mary Trowbridge of Framingham in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts made in order to enable the Secretary of the Commonwealth to make search for evidence in relation to the services of her late husband John Trowbridge in the Revolutionary Army
October 3d 1843
I Mary Trowbridge of Framingham in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, widow of John Trowbridge late of said Framingham deceased; aged eight seven years, do on my oath declare, that I am entitled to and receive a Pension on account of the services of my late husband and a Corporal and Private in the Revolutionary Army. that I receive the sum of thirty nine dollars and thirty three cents per annum, agreeable to the tenor of a Certificate in my possession from the War Department o the United States dated April 26, 1838, numbered 1989 and Recorded in the Pension Office in Book A. Vol 2. page 60.
I further declare that I fully believe that my said husband rendered other services in the War of the Revolution, viz at Rhode Island at least for the term of thirty days, with the Militia as a Lieutenant about the time of Rye harvest in 1779 or 1778. Lawson Buckminster was at this time his Captain and Ebenezer Hemenway the other Lieutenant-I have no documentary evidence touching said service in my possession.
Mary Trowbridge
X her mark
Signed and declared in presence
 of Warren Nixon 
Nancy C. Walkup
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex SS. October 3. 1843 Then personally appeared the above named Mary Trowbridge and made solemn oath that the above declaration by her subscribed is true.
Before me
Warren Nixon Justice of the Peace
Page 28

I Mary Trowbridge of Framingham in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, widow of John Trowbridge late of said Framingham, Deceased, aged eighty seven years, do on my oath declare, that I now receive a Pension of thirty nine dollars and thirty three cents per year on account of the services of my late husband as a Corporal and Private in the Revolutionary War, agreeably to a certificate from the War Department in my possession dated the 26 day of April 1838 numbered (1989) and recorded in the Pension Office in Book A. Vol 2. Page60 & that I have good reason to believe that my late husband rendered other services in the Revolutionary War and as Lieutenant at Rhode Island in the year 1779 or 1780 agreeably to a deposition of Ebenezer Eaton (now deceased) supposed to be on file in the Pension Office; and for which services I should be entitled to an increase of Pension. Lawson Buckminster was Captain in this service and Ebenezer Hemenway the other Lieutenant. I have no documentary evidence in my possession relating to said service.
Dated at Framingham this third day of October A. D. 1843 
Mary Trowbridge
 X her mark
Signed and declared in presence of
Warren Nixon
Page 29

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex SS
I Elias Phinney Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the County of Middlesex do certify that Warren Nixon Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Middlesex, duly commissioned and qualified and that his name subscribed to the within certificate I believe to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the thirtieth day of October 1843 
E. Phinney Clk
Page 30

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex SS
(seal with ribbon)
I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid hereby certify that Warren Nixon Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Middlesex, duly commissioned and qualified & that the signatures written to the certificates of his depositions of Nahem Thompson, William Goodman & Abel Perry hereto annexed are the genuine signatures of the said Warren Nixon.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and & affixed the seal of said Court this first day of November in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty seven
Isaac Fiske Reg.

J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir: I herewith forward you the Certificate of the marriage of Mary Trowbridge (therein called Molly) authenticated according to the rules of the War Department. I have also forwarded two more depositions of reputable witnesses to support the services of three months as Sergeant, (in 1776,1777); in your letter to me of the 11th Oct, you say "this (illegible) no support from the Rolls". I suspect upon a careful examination you will find otherwise; but whether it does or not the service was performed & is supported by full and complete evidence.
In your letter of 11th Oct, you say also that "the Roll of Capt. Lawson Buckminster for service at Rhode Island in August 1779 (illegible) the time as Lieutenant of the Company; & that Livermore & Henry were Lieutenants of the company in that Tour". I do not recollect what term of service she may have set forth in her application; she may have mistaken the year; But if you will look at the Roll of 1778 you will find the following to wit: "Lawson Buckminster Capt. in 2d Co. & 5 Regt. (illegible) in  Middlesex County, 11 June 1778, john Trowbridge was the 1st Lt. & Eben. Hemanway 2d do. this was derived from the Rolls before they were taken to Washington. I hope from the foregoing you will (illegible) evidence to support Mrs. Mary Trowbridges claim in full.
Respectfully yours
Isaac Fiske

Nov 1. 1837
Page 31

I William Goodenow of Natick in the
County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts a Revolutionary Pensioner
aged seventy eight years, do testify and
declare that I was in the three months
service in the year one thousand seven
hundred and seventy six & one thousand seven
hundred & seventy seven at Providence, Danbury, Tarrytown,
Whiteplains, Woodbridge Rawway
and other places not now recollected in Connecticut
New York & the Jerseys.  John Trowbridge Junior
of Framingham was an orderly serjeant
and with me the whole term in Captain
Hezekiah Broad's Company and Colonel
Thatcher's Regiment. We marched from
home in December 1776 and returned in March 1777. we were gone from home not less
them three and a half months. The
above facts I perfectly recollect
Natick October 30,1837
William Goodenow
Signed in presence of
Warren Nixon

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex & October 30. 1837-
Then personally appeared before me
William Goodenow above named, and made
solemn oath that the above affidavit by him
subscribed is true, and I certify that the
said William Goodenow is a credible
witness-
Warren Nixon Justice of Peace
Page 32

John Trowbridge Jnr and Molly Bent both of Framingham
were married April twenty third one thousand seven hundred
and seventy six
Jacob Biglow
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Record
in the town of Sudbury excepting the day of the month &
the year which is in letters and figures thus April 23, 1776.
Nahum Thompson Town Clerk
of Sudbury in the County
of Middlesex & Commonwealth
of Massachusetts
I Nehum Thompson above named depose and say that
I hold the office of town Clerk in the town, county, and
State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the
records of said town of Sudbury with the exception above
named as certified by me, Nahum Thompson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County
of Middlesex - October 28th 1837-
Then personally appeared the above
named Nahum Thompson and made
solemn oath that the above
certificate by him subscribed is true
Before me Warren Nixon
Justice of Peace
Page 33

I Abel Perry of Natick in the County of
Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
a Revolutionary Pensioner aged Eighty years
do testify and declare that I was in the three
months service in the year 1776 & 1777 at Providence,
Norwich, Hartford, Danberry, Northcastle
White Plains, and the Jerseys and other places
not now recollected-- John Trowbridge Jnr.
of Framingham was an orderly serjeant
and with me during the whole of said
service; we were gone from home at this
time not less than three and a half months.
We marched in December one thousand seven
hundred and seventy six and came home in
March one thousand seventy seven
our times were out when we were at a place called
Woodbridge Rawway. In this service
I was drafted from the Militia
our officers were Colonel Thatcher of Cambridge
Lt. Col. Scipio Howe of Marlborough
Maj Bryant
Capt Hezekiah Broad of Natick
From various circumstances I perfectly
recollect that myself and John Trowbridge Jnr
him were under Cap. Hezekiah Broad in this
service
Natick October 30, 1837-
Abel Perry
X
his Mark
Signed in presence of
William Perry 2d
Warren Nixon
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex October 30. 1837
Then Personally appeared before me, the abovenamed Abel Perry and made solemn
oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed
is true and I certify that the said Abel
Perry is a credible witness
Warren Nixon Justice of Peace
Page 34

Suspended
This Let to I. Fisk
Oct. 11, 1837