Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,778, Abel Ellis, Mass
Page 1


(8-1776)
HEADINGS: SERVICE             NUMBER
Mass     Ellis, Abel                   S.29.778
CONTENTS
Page 2

21.356
Massachusetts
Abel Ellis
of Worcester in the State of Mass
who was a Corporal in the Comp commanded
by Captain Cowell of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Robinson in the Mass
line for 1 Mo. Corp}
             5 "       pier}

$.3.66                       $40.62                      
  16.65                        10.15
$ 20.31                     $50.77
 
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 20. Dollars 31 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Sep.
1833 and Truth Claimant
Wilkinsonville
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33               $50.77
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Ma '34   10.15
                                                            $60,92
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Go C Stiles Clerk,
Recorded by
Book E. Vol 2 .Page 21.
Page 3

DECLARATION in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June, 7 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, SS.
On this Sixth day of Sept
in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty two
personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon Nathl Paine Esqr
now sitting Abel Ellis
a resident of Sutton
in the County of Worcester,
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 74 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he marched to Roxbury, in the immediate vicinity of Boston, in January
1776, and did duty as a private for the term of two months, in a company of Militia, or
State troops, commanded by Capt. Samuel Cowell of Wrentham, whose Subutrems
or Platoon Officers were Lieutenants Holbrook, Philips, and Pond and in a Regiment commanded by Col Robinson, whose Major was Benjamin Hawes of
Wrentham, and Sabin Mann of Medfield was his Adjutant- Gen. Washington
was then with the American Army-his Head Quarters at Cambridge. The British
Army, he well remembers, left Boston, just before the close of this period of his
service. The Applicants duty, during the term of this service, was, working or fortifications, and going on guard, in Roxbury and Dorchester. At one time he was on
guard at a Fort in Dorchester when the British forces in Boston, fired upon the
Americans, who were building some fortifications, and three men were killed a
short distance from him.
His next tour in the army was for three months 
 ^commencing in Dec. 1776,  when he did duty as a private
in a Company of State troops commanded by Capt. Asa Fairbanks of Wrentham,
whose Lieutenant was Moses Thompson of Medway, and in a Regiment command
ed by Col Lovel, whose major was......Bullard of Walpole, and Gardner Gould
Adjutant- Sabin Mann, mentioned above, commanded a Company in this
Regiment. The Regiment rendevoused at Danbury in Connecticut thence
proceeded to Tarrytown in New York, where they continued, he thinks, for three or
four weeks, guarding the public stores, and on patrols near the enemies
lines thence marched up the Hudson to Peekskill, and there crossed the
River and marched to Morristown in New Jersey, then Gen. Washington
Head Quarters. Here he was stationed till the close of his term of 3 month,
employed in guarding the ammunition and public stores, Gen. Washingtons army, he well recollect, was reputed to be very much reduced at that time
At the close of his term of 3 month, on the return of the troops, they passed the River at
Fishkill, the British forces having taken possession of Peekskill and destroyed the
American stores there. The applicant has not hitherto been able to obtain any credible
witness who accompanied him in this service.
His next service was in June and July, 1778, when he served as a corporal, for one month, in a
company of Massachusetts Militia, commanded by Lieut Hezekiah Ware of Wrentham, with 2d
Lieut Pond & the Capt. Fisher, designated for this service, being detained by sickness. The militia marched to Providence, State of Rhode Island, and soon the above mentioned company
was ordered down the River, a few miles to Patuxent or Cranston, where they were placed
under the command of a Captain, whose name is not recollected, who with a company of
artilery, and this company of militia, were stationed, at Fort Independence, so called, for
the purpose he supposed of preventing any illicit intercourse with the British army or
Rhode Island. After the close of his term of one month, he was verbally discharged,
which was the method of his discharge in the whole of his service-
The Applicant was selected, or drafted, for the whole of his service, [that he -crossed out] was born in the
town of Midway, then County of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, where in the town Clerk's office, ┃
may be found a record of his birth, and where he lived till the year 1791, when he removed to
Gratton, where he has resided ever since - For evidence of his character, veracity, & he refers to
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.
Abel Ellis
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before Nath Paine Justice of the Probate for the county of Worcester
the
of Probate for the County
of Walls
Page 4

We Jonas L. Sibley [a Clergyman - crossed out] residing in the Sutton Johathan Leland residing in said Sutton
certify that we are well acquainted with Abel Ellis who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy four
years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the
neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Jonas L. Sibley
Jona Leland

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Nathl Paine Judge of the Probate for the County of Worcester 
 
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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Jonas L. Sibley, who signed
the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Sutton and that Jonathan Leland who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town of Sutton, and [is - crossed out] are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl Paine Judge of Probate 
for the County of Worcester
See Depondent Annexed

I Theophilus Wheeler Reg or Clerk of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abel Ellis for a pension. & That Jona Leland, before whom the assigned affidavit made, is a Justice of the Peace in & for the said county of Worcester in
full and at the signed the same. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Probate Court this
Sixth day of Septemberin the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two
Theophs Wheeler Reg of the Court of
Probate for the County of Worcester
in Massachusetts.
[Paper seal with ribbon attached]
I further certify that the affidavit signed by Seth Holbrook & one signed by Jesse Daniels are now annexed as paper
connected with the case of Abel Ellis's application for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto at my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Probate aforesaid this 3d
day of October A.D. 1832 
Theophs Wheeler Reg of the
above named Probate Court
[Paper seal with ribbon attached]
I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester certify that the papers now
connected by title under the Seal of the said Court and the Papers produced in the case of the application of
Abel Ellis for a Pension, and that Jona Leland reg before sworn the annexed affidavits was made, is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly commissioned & sworn, & that his signature to each attachment purporting his signature is genuine
 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this fourth day of July in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty
three-
Theophs Wheeler Reg of said Court
[Paper seal with ribbon attached]
Page 5

The applicant for evidence of his character for veracity, &c. refers to on
Jones Sibley, late member of Congress, and to J.L. Sibley Esq.
M. S. Marshal for Moss, both in Sutton -- He also gives, or
the reashttps://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pngon for not obtaining an affidavid of the Clergyman
his, the Clergyman's, late introduction into the place,
and want of requisite information to enable him to
make it
Page 6

Abel Ellis
map
Corporal 1 Month
Private 5
-------
6
1606
Apl 13 1833
P.338
15153
claimant
Wilkinsonville
[Had Davis- crossed out]
Worcester County 
Mass
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of Abel Ellis
Co of Worcester
in the State of Mass
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? [illegible] Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 74
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[Period. Duration of Service. Years, months, Days. Rank As. Names of General and Field officers under whom he served.]
-Jan. In 1776- enlisted. blank. 2. blank. private. Cap Cowell Col Robinson
-Dec 1776 State troops. blank 3. blank. private. Cap Fairbanks Col Lovel
-July 1778 enlisted. blank. 1. blank. Corporal. Cap Fisher
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None
Rank.
 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Millway Mass. Co Suffolk
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary, two living witnesses
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
the witnesses who not certified as Credible

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
George Payton 
Examining Clerk.
Witnesses
Page 8

15153
Abel Ellis
Statement
Wilkinsonville
[Hon J Davis Worcester Mass - crossed out]
Page 9

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abel Ellis
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
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
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
Page 10

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? Certified by two Citizens
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? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
year-
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; For  year months, and days, I served as a For months and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 11

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 objectionable. 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.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
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.
Page 12

{Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

Silas Armsby -
Page 14

 Silas Armsby of Sutton, County of Worcester, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Aged
nearly 65 years, testify and say the I lived from
my childhood till I was more than 21 years
of age, within about a mile of John Ellis of
Medway, in this Commonwealth, and I well
recollect his Son, Abel Ellis, now of Sutton
aforesaid, and I fully remember that in the winter I believe of 1776 & 1777, the said Abel was reputed to be in the revolutionary army,
and in the State of New York, and in the State of New Jersey - And the Deponent further
says, that he has ever been acquainted with
the said Abel Ellis, that he now lives near
to him, and that it has ever been reputed and
believed that he was a Soldier in the said
army, not only in the particular service
above mentioned, but in other engagements, and at other periods -
Silas Armsby
 
Worcester ss. Sept 3. 1832. Personally appeared
before me the Subscriber, the above named
Silas Armsby, and made oath to the truth
of the above deposition by him subscribed.
Jonas Leland Just of the Peace-
I also further certify that the above named
Silas Armsby is a credible witness that
he sustains the character of a man of
 truth and that I have long been
acquainted with him
Jones Leland Jus. of Peace
Page 15

I Jesse Daniels of Medway in in the County of
Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of Seventy two years of age and upwards do testify and say, that I was a soldier of the Revolution and served as a private
in the Massachusetts Militia in a Company commanded by Lieut Hezekiah Ware, at Providence and Patuxet or
Cranston in the State of Rhode Island, one month that I did duty part of the on a fort called Fort Independance, under the orders of a Captain, whose
name is not at present recollected.
And I further testify that Abel Ellis, now of
Sutton in the County of Worcester, then of Medway, was a Corporal in said Company and served with me as such in the Campaign above described for the full term as above mentioned being partly in the month of June
and partly the month of July A.D. 1778.
Jesse Daniel

Norfolk ss. August 29th 1832. Then the said Jesse Daniels made oath to the truth of the statements in the above deposition contained
Before me Joseph L. Richardson Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk Ss.
{Paper Seal}
I James Ware Clerk of all the Judicial County within and for the County of Norfolk hereby certify that Joseph Richardson Esquire above named was on the 29th of
August AD 1832 and now is a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Norfolk duly appointed Commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said Office and
that his signature above is genuine and true

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed
my name and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth this twenty seventh day
of September AD one thousand eight hundred & thirty two at Dedham in said County
Jarius Ware Clerk
Page 16

Jesse Daniel
Joseph L. Richardson the Magistrate before whom the
within deposition was taken and sworn, hereby further certify
that I am acquainted with the said Jesse Daniels, the deponent,
and that he is, in my opinion, a person of undoubted veracity.
and that full credit ought to be given to his testimony
Medway July 2d 1833.
Joseph L. Richardson Just. of Peace
Page 17

I Seth Holbrook of Bellingham in the County of  Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and am [Seventy - crossed out] in the Eighty first year of my age do testify and say
that I was in the Revolutionary war and was stationed at Roxbury in the County of Norfolk in the year A. - 1776. January and was in the service at said Roxbury two months and Abel Ellis then of Medway in said
County of Norfolk now of Sutton in the County of Worcester in said Commonwealth was in the Company with me two months. Commanded by Samuel Cowell Capt., Jonathan Holbrook Lieut., Benjamin Hawes Major, one Roberson Col. and we were dismissed at the
end of two month and the deponent further saith not
Seth Holbrook

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk August the 29th 1832 then the above named Seth Holbrook Personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed
Before me John Bates Justice of the Peace


Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss.
[Paper Seal|
I Jairus Ware Clerk of the Judicial Court within
and for the County of Norfolk hereby certify that John Bates Esquire above named was on the 29 of August AD 1832, and now is a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Norfolk duly appointed commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said Office and that his signature above is genuine and true.
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth and subscribed
my name at Dedham this twenty seventh
day of September AD one thousand eight hundred thirty two
Jarius Ware Clerk
Page 18

Bellingham July the 2d 1833
This may certify that I have been well acquainted with the within named Seth Holbrook for more than twenty years and he is considered to be a man of truth and veracity
John Bates Justice
of the Peace

Abel Ellis
15153

Seth Holbrook