Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14166, Ephraim Willard, Mass.
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(3--1776)
SERVICE Mass: Willard, Ephraim  Sylvia
NUMBER W. 14166
CONTENTS [section empty]
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[printed form with written responses]
2394
Massachusetts
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Sylvia Willard 
widow of Ephraim Willard decd. Mass 
[who was a pensioner under the Act of 18: line crossed out] and who died on the 12th May 1832 of Worcester Co. in the State of MS. who was a Fifer in the Compy. commanded by Captain Mason of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cushing in the MS. line for 11 mos & 29 days
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Inscribed on the Roll of MS. at the rate of 43 Dollars 87 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Apl. 1839 and Sent C. G. Prentiss Worcester MS
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Arrears to the 4th of Mar '39, $131.61
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sept. " 21.93
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$153.54
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{Act July 7, 1838.} 
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk
Book A Vol. 1st. Page 144
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1780
Sylvia Willard Wid of Ephraim
Mass 
Act July 7. 1838
Married 1781  died 1832
Allow 11 mo. 29 ds as fifer. $43.87. per ann. --
Records Vol. 2 p 211 & 130. Vol. 17. p. 10

C G Prentiss Worcester, Mass
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester, Ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify that Ira Burton is the Judge of Said Court, duly Commissioned and qualified and that his Signature to the paper hereto annexed is true and genuine.

I further certify that Benjamin G. Heyde, George Davis and Rufus Mixer are Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified, - and that their Signatures to the papers hereto annexed are true and genuine.

In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, this twenty-fourth day of September, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty eight.  Chas G. Prentiss, Register [signature]

[round seal attached in top left corner of page: "Court of Probate" -- rest illegible]
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Town of Sturbridge & County of Worcester Ss.
On this twenty second day of [May -- crossed out] September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight. personally appeared before Ira Barton Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester, Sylvia Willard a resident of Charlton in the County of Worcester aforesaid, aged seventy three years years, [word repeated in original] 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 7 - 1838. entitled an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows, that she is the widow of Ephraim Willard late of said Charlton deceased who was a fifer in the militia of the war of the revolution, that he enlisted into Capt. Abel Mason's Company of Sturbridge on the fifteenth day of August in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven for the term of four months, & Staid till said term closed as it is believed- He was in the battles at
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Stillwater - was at Saratoga, at the taking a  surrender of Burgoyne. Salmond of Sturbridge in said County was his Lieutenant. Abel Mason of said Sturbridge was his Captain. Beard the Major. & Job Cushing of Shrewsbury, his Colonel during this period of service -- He enlisted [& entered: crossed out] into the service at another term prior to the one above mentioned viz. the thirteenth day of December in the year seventeen hundred & seventy six & marched from Dudly aforesaid to Danbury in Connecticut thence to Middle-Brook in New Jersey. he was discharged at said Middle-Brook. This period was three months. [I very well recollect: crossed out] Stephen Draper & Daniel Faulkner of said Sturbridge were his Lieutenants, & William Carter of Dudly aforesaid his Captain. He was a fifer [underlined] during this term. It was a militia service. He enlisted again on the seventeenth day of September, in the year seventeen hundred & seventy nine for the term of two months into Captain Samuel Healys company. into Col. Jacobs' regiment as nearly as it can be recollected as to the Colonel. He was at Providence, Tivertown, & New Pott This tour was [word crossed out] two months. He enlisted again into Capt. Benjamin Altons Company of Charlton aforesaid in July in the year seventeen hundred & eighty for the period of three months, & staid till the close of that period. Rand was the Colonel whose christian name is not recollected. He met Claverick
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at West-Point & in its neighborhood during this tour. He was a fifer. [He was a fifer: words repeated and crossed out] 

The applicant has no documentary evidence of her claim. She further declares that she was married to the said Ephraim Willard on the eleventh day of October in the year seventeen hundred eighty one, that her husband the said Ephraim Willard died on the twelfth day of May in the year [inserted] one thousand eight hundred & thirty two, that she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place prior to the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four viz. at the time above stated.  that she is now a widow & has not been married since the death of her said husband Ephraim Willard.  Sylvia her X mark Willard 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written 
Before me Ira Barton Judge of the Court of Probate foresaid County of Worcester
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I Elisha W Williams of Dudley in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawful age depose and say that I am Town Clerk of the Town of Dudley in the County and State aforesaid and that I have the custody and possession of the records of said Town
(The following Couple were married by me the Subscribed at the time specified Viz October eleventh one thousand seven hundred and eighty one Ephraim Willard & Sylvia Albee both of Dudley. Attest Charles Gleason Clerk)

I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows (October 11th 1781) 

I Elisha W. Williams above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County town and and [word repeated in original] 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  E. W. Williams Town Clerk of the Town of Dudley [signature] 

Worcester Ss August 17th 1838
Sworn before me Benjan Heyde Justice of the Peace
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Mr. Ephm. Willard died. May 12th 1832. 
I Lavinia Lamb of Sturbridge in the County of Worcester, a daughter of Ephraim Willard & Sylvia Willard testify & say that the above is a true [copy: inserted] from the Family Register kept by my father & mother. I testify that my mother still continues the widow of Ephraim Willard, & has not intermarried since his death -- Lavinia Lamb [signature] 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Sturbridge County of Worcester Ss. Sept. 8. 1838 Then the above named Lavinia Lamb personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by my subscribed -- I certify that the said Lavinia Lamb sustains an unblemished character for truth. The above named Register is now before me & that the above is a true copy from the same -- 
Before me Geo Davis Jus P [illegible]
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I Silas Dunton of Sturbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 78 testify & say that I was acquainted with Ephram Willard late of Charlton in the County of Mathias aforesaid deceased, & formerly of Dudly in said County, that we enlisted into Capt Abel Mason's Company on the fifteenth day of August seventeen hundred & seventy seven. We marched to [word crossed out] Stillwater, were at Saratoga at the taking of Burgoyne. We enlisted for the term four months. I was discharged at the end of three months & left Willard in the Company.
I suppose he stayed his time out which was four months as before observed. Willard & myself were in the battles at
Stillwater. Our Captain Abel Mason
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belonged to Southbridge formerly Sturbridge in the County of Mathias. Our majors name was Rand -- The name of our Colonel I do not recollect. Willard was a fifer. Silas Dunton [signature] 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester Ss. May 11. 1838.
Then the above named Silas Dunton made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed -- I certify that the said Dunton sustains a good character for truth -  Before me Geo Davis Jus P [illegible]
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I Jonathan Upham of Sturbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 79 testify & say that I was in the service in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven with Ephraim Willard late of Charlton in said County, deceased, & formerly of Dudly in said County. We were at the taking of Burgoyne. This term of service was three & a half months as near as I can recollect. Willard [was: crossed out] continued to the close of this tour. I should think Abel Mason of Sturbridge now Southbridge was our Captain. Rand was our Major, & Job Cushing of Shrewsbury in said County was our Colonel - Salmond of Sturbridge fore was our Leuitenant -- Willard was a fifer. Jonathan his X mark Upham
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester Ss. August 12, 1838. Then the within named Jonathan Upham made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed by his mark in my presence. I certify that I am acquainted with the said Jonathan Upham that he sustains an unblemished character for truth - By reason of infirmity he was obliged to make his mark instead writing his name.  George Davis Justice of the Peace [signature] 

I Stephen Newell of the Sturbridge in the County of Worcester -- & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 78 testify & say that I was acquainted with Ephraim Willard of Charlton & formerly of Dudly in said County of Worcester that I am knowing to his being in War of the Revolution at the taking of Burgoyne in the year [inserted] one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven. He was in the service at this time something more than three months. Captain Abel Mason of Southbridge -- formerly Sturbridge  -- commanded our company. I think Capt. Mason's Roll states this period of service was was [word repeated in original] three months & twenty days. My impression is that Willard stayed the term out-- Willard was a fifer - Stephen Newell [signature]
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts ---- 
County of Worcester Ss. Aug. 12, 1838.
Then the said Stephen Newell signer of the affidavit hereunto annexed made oath to the truth of the same.  I certify that said Newell sustains a good character for truth ----
George Davis Justice of the Peace [signature]
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I Obed Walker of Sturbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 76 [a word crossed out] testify & say that I was acquainted with Ephraim Willard of Charlton in said County, formerly of Dudley in said named County, now deceased, that we were together in Capt. Samuel Healey's Company & Col Jacob's regiment if I am not mistaken as to the Colonel in Providence, Tivertown & Newport. This period of service commenced on the seventeenth day of September in the year seventeen hundred & seventy nine & continued two months as I very well recollect. We were together [also: inserted] in the year seventeen hundred & eighty under Capt Benjamin Alton of Charlton aforesaid. We were at Claverack & West Point & [in: inserted] the neighborhood of Westpoint. This tour commenced in [in: crossed out] July 1780 & continued three months. Our Colonel's name was Rand. his Christian name I do not recollect -- I well recollect the said Willard was with us 
[bottom line of page unreadable -- partially missing]
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I Am [partial line from next page showing behind this page] 
these two several periods of service Obad Walker [signature] 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts -- County
Worcester Ss. Aug. 10. 1838. Then the above named Obed Walker made oath to the truth
of the above affidavit by him -- subscribed -- 
Justify that the said Walker sustains a good character for truth -- 
Before me Geo Davis Jus Peace. [signature]
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I Dennison Wheelock of Southbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 85, testify & say that I was acquainted with Ephraim Willard of Charlton in said County formerly of Dudly in said County. & am knowing to his being in the service in the year seventeen hundred & seventy six_ Willard Marched from Dudly & myself from Sturbridge on the thirteenth day of Decenter of that year -- or two or three days after the thirteenth --Dudly & Sturbridge furnished one Company at this time. we marched to Danbury in Connecticut. thence to Middle Brook in New Jersey. We were discharged at said Middle Brook - This period was three months I very well recollect -- William Carter of Dudly was our Captain. Stephen Draper & Daniel Faulkner of said Sturbridge were our Lieutenants. The Colonel's name I do not recollect -- This was a militia line 
[bottom line of page is unreadable; mostly missing]
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I Dennison Wheelock of Southbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 85. testify & say that I was acquainted with Ephraim Willard of Charlton in said County formerly of Dudly in said County. I am knowing to his being in the service in the year seventeen hundred & seventy six. Willard Marched from Dudly & myself from Sturbridge on the thirteenth day of December of that year -- or two or three days after the thirteenth -- Dudly & Sturbridge furnished one Company at this time. we marched to Danbury in Connecticut. thence to Middle Brook in New -  Jersey. We were discharged at said Middle Brook. This period was three months I very well recollect. William Carter of Dudly was our Captain. Stephen Draper & Daniel Faulkner of said Sturbridge were our Lieutenants. The Colonel's name I do not recollect. This was a militia [illegible]. Willard was a fifer. - His father Jonathan Willard was a sergeant in the same company. Denison Wheelock [signature]
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Town of Stanbridge County of Worcester Ss. August 27, 1838. Then the within named Denison Wheelock personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed -- I certify that the said Denison Wheelock sustains a good character for truth 
Before me Geo Davis Jus Peace.
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I Obed Walker of Sturbridge in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 76 [a word crossed out] testify & say that I was acquainted with Ephraim Willard of Charlton in said County, formerly of Dudley in said said [word repeated in original] County, now deceased, that we were together in Capt. Samuel Healey's Company & Col. Jacob's regiment if I am not mistaken as to the Colonell in Providence, Tivertown & Newport. This period of service commenced on the seventeenth day of September in the year seventeen hundred & seventy nine & continued two months as I very well recollect. We were together [also: inserted] in the year seventeen hundred & eighty under Capt Benjamin Alton of Charlton aforesaid. We were at Claverack. & West Point & [in: inserted] the neighborhood of Westpoint. This tour commenced in [in: crossed out] July 1780 & continued three months. Our Colonel's name was Rand. His Christian name I do not recollect -- I well recollect He said Willard was with us
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these two several periods of service
Obed Walker [signature] 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Worcester SS. Aug. 10. 1838. Then the above named Obed Walker made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed. I certify that the said Walker sustains a good character for truth -- 
Before me Geo. Davis Jus Peace.
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I Aaron Willard of Charlton in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age testify & say that I am the son of of [word repeated in original] Ephraim Willard late of Charlton deceased. that my father the said Ephriam Willard died on the twelfth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty two. [My: crossed out] as I perfectly well recollect, my mother has a record of his death which agrees with this statement as to the time of his death ----- [Aaron Willard: signature crossed out]
 
I further state that my mother, Sylvia Willard the widow of the said Ephraim Willard, is now a widow, & has not been married since the death of her husband the said Ephraim Willard -- Aaron Willard, [signature] 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Worcester Ss.  Aug 18, 1838. Then the above name Aaron Willard made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed. I certify that said Willard's character is good for truth--
Before me Geo Davis Jus Davis.
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I Amasa Stone of Charlton in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged fifty nine years depose and say that I was intimately acquainted with Ephraim Willard late of this town who died in the fore part of the Month of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two and that his widow Sylvia Willard is now living in this town and has never since been married but still remains the widow of the said Ephraim Willard       Amasa Stone [signature] 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts }
Worcester County ss. }
August 26th 1838 Then personally appeared Amasa Stone who is known to me as a man of truth and veracity and made oath that the above deposition is true  Before me Rufus Mixer Justice of the Peace
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[pre-printed form with written responses] Mass
Rev WIDOW, &c.
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File No. 14166
Sylvia Willard Widow of Ephriam Willard Fifer Rev. War
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Act: July 7th 1838
Index:--Vol. M , Page 342
[Arrangement of 1870.] [square brackets in original]