Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4,166, William Gowen, Mass.
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Mass.
Gowen, William
or
Gowin Elizabeth
R. 4,166
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M
Elizabeth Gowen
may William
Michigan
July 7, 1838

R.G. Hurd
Pine Run
Michigan
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Stah of Michigan
Genosec County on this 30th day of July 1856
personally appeared before Me. a Justice of the
Peace within and for the County and State afforesaid Sarah Hunter aged Sixty Six years a
resident of Tuscola County in the State of Michigan who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the daughter of William Gowin [Gowen] and Elizabeth Gowin [Gowen] and is the only surviving kin (to her knowledge) of the said William Gowin and Elizabeth Gowin and that her said father William Gowin was a Revolutionary Soldier that  she had heard him say he was in Bunkerhill Battle and that her said father died in Waterford in the State of Vermont in May 1817 and that her said mother Elizabeth Gowin then lived with the said claimant for untill her death which took place some time in the month of August 1838 (cannot state what day of said month) and that her said mother never remarried but was the widow of the said William Gowin untill her death and that neither William Gowin or Elizabeth Gowen ever received any pension and the said Sarah Hunter makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Pension that the said Elizabeth Gowin was entitled to under the laws of the United States for widow's pensions of the Soldiers of the Revolution  Claiming said pension as a child and heir of the said William Gowin and Elizabeth Gowin.
Sarah Hunter
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
Russell G. Hurd Justice of Peace
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State of Michigan
Genesee County Ss
Personally came David Hamontree and Sawyer Hurd residents of Genesee County persons whom I certify to be reputable and entitled to credit and who being duly sworn say they were present and saw Sarah Hunter sign her name to the foregoing declaration and they further swear they are well acquainted with the said claimant and have every reason to believe the facts she has therewith subscribed to are true and that that they have no interest in the case.
D.R. Hamontree
Sawyer Hurd
Sworn and subscribed before me this 31t day of July AD 1856
Russell G Hurd Justice Peace
State of Michigan
Genesee County
I M.D. Seeley  Clerk of the [strike out "county"] in and for the county and state above mentioned do hereby certify that Russell G. Hurd whose genuine signature appears above is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit and that the aforesaid county court is a court of record having general jurisdiction. I also certify that I have no interest in the result of the case and am not concerned in its prosecution Given under my hand and seal of office at the City of Flint this 10th day of November AD 1856
M.D. Seeley Clerk
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January 6, 1931
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
MCS:MLB
William Gowen
R.4166

Mrs. E.E. Daicey
1035 Yukon Avenue
South Bend, Indiana
Dear Madam:
You are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this bureau show that on July 30, 1856 one, Sarah Hunter, wife of Jonathan Hunter, a resident of Tuscola County, Michigan, aged sixty-six years, applied for pension that may have been due on account of the Revolutionary War service of William Gowen or Gowin, and stated that she was a daughter and only surviving child of William and Elizabeth Gowen or Gowin.
She alleged that William Gowen or Gowin, while living in Wells, Massachusetts (which was later Maine), enlisted in 1775 and was in the battle of Bunker Hill.
A report from the office of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts (filed n the claim) shows that one William Gowen, (Gowan or Gowing) of Wells, Massachusetts, served three days from April 21, 1775 in Captain Stephen Titcomb's company, Colonel Tristam Jordan's Massachusetts regiment, and that he also served eight months as private in 1775 in Captain Samuel Sawyer's company in Colonel James Scammon's Massachusetts regiment.
[handwritten in the margin of this typewritten letter] See Mass. Soldiers & Sailors Vol 15 p 790 under Stephen Titeonet for verification date Apr. 21, 1775.
It was stated that William Gowen or Gowin married in 1777 in Lee Massachusetts, Elizabeth Davis; that he died in May 1817 in Waterford, Vermont, and that his widow, Elizabeth, died in August, 1838 in De Peyster, Saint Lawrence County, New York.
In 1857 Sarah Hunter referred to a brother, name not given, who went to Canada to live and who was dead in 1857.
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The claim for pension was not allowed as proof of the soldier's service, and the marriage and death of the soldier and Elizabeth Gowen was not furnished in accordance with the requirement of the pension law.

The above noted is the history of the only solider named William Gowen (searched under all spellings of the surname) that is found on the Revolutionary Way records of this bureau. 

Very truly yours

E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston
Sept 2n 1856
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 William Gowen is  borne [illegible] of 18 mos men in Capt. Samuel Sayer's Comp. Col James Scammon's Reg't name borne on Coat Roll dated Cambridge Oct 27 1775 as private from Wills.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Francis DeWitt
Secretary of the Commonwealth
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Pine Run Genesee County Mich [Michigan] June 27 5[illegible]
Secretary of the State of Massachusetts
Dear Sir this is ho[illegible] can ole Lady very poor who wants to obtain the benefit of the service of her father as a soldier of the Revolutionary War. She says he never [illegible] a pension and she would [illegible] be entitled to it and also land. I am engaged some in that business and she has applied to me to provide the claim his name is William Gowing. he was in the Massachusetts line and lived either before or after his service in the Town of Lee if you will be good enough to look over the records and rolls that may be in the Secretary's office (of those at times) and if his services can be proved by any thing there please answer me and I will send fees for out to make out a formal State Certificate that I may send to the Department with the other Evidences I have alreddy obtained in so doing you will confer a favor on the needy. 
Yours truly
Russell G. Hurd
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State of Vermont
Caledonia County Ss. Waterford
On this fourth day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty six personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county afforesaid John Stiles and John Stiles Jr persons who are residents of the county afforesaid and State afforsaid whom I Certify to be reputable and entitled to credit and who being duly sworn say they were acquainted with William Gowin and Elizabeth Gowin some thirty years or more Since that they then resided in this Vicinity and was reputed to be husband and wife and that the said William Gowin died in the Town of Waterford in the county afforesaid about the year 1817 that his widow the said Elizabeth Gowin resided with her children Mr. Jonathan Hunter and Sarah Hunter (her daughter) that the said Elizabeth Gowin continued to live with her daughter Sarah Hunter for several years and untill they all emigrated to the westward.
[signed] John Stiles
John Stiles Jr
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of October A.D. 1856
L.S. Freeman Justice of Peace
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State of Vermont
Caledonia County 
A Waterford October fourth one thousand eight hundred and fifty six 1856 We George W. Stiles and Anna Stiles residents of the county and state afforesaid upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed by John Stiles and John Stiles Jr in our presence that they are credible persons and we have every reason to believe the statements they have above made is the truth Geo W Stiles Anna Stiles
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written.
L.S. Freeman Justice Peace
State of Vermont
Caledonia County
I Charles L. Dana Deputy Clerk of the County Court in and for the county and state above mentioned do hereby certify that L.S. Freemand whose genuine signature appears above is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the  County and State afforesaid duly commissioned and sworn that all his official acts as such as entitled to full faith adn credit, and that the afforesaid Court is a Court of record having general jurisdiction
Given under my hand and seal of office at Danville the 6th day of October AD 1856
Chas. S. Dana Deputy Clerk
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[partially obscured by seal] Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston July 7th 1857
I hereby certify that from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of Revolution which remain in this Department it appears that the name of William Gowing is borne on pay roll of Capt. [Captain] Stephen Titcomb's Comp.[Conpany] Col. [Colonel] Tristam Jordan's Regt. [Regiment] who marched from Wells in consequence of the alarm at Lexington April 19 1775. April 21st 1776 3 days and 59 miles as private from Wells. Also on return of 8 mos men in Capt Samuel Sayer's Comp. Col. James Scammon's Regt to the last day of July 1775. Name bound on Coat roll dated Cambridge Oct 27 1775 as private from Wells.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Commonwealth the date above written.
Secretary of the Commonwealth
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Boston, Secretary's Office July 7, 1857
Dear Sir
In relation to William Gowan of Wells there can be no mistake and the Commissioner of Pensions can "express an opinion" in relation to the service of said Gowan for 8 months as the proof is positive for that time, according to their established rules for when the name appears on the "Coat roll" 8 mos service is always admitted in that Department Whether the place of residence of William Gowan corresponds with the declaration in the application of the widow is more than I can tell. That you probably know. I should think there was something wrong in relation to the application for the Commissioner says "I have filed your informal application" and he wants proof of the marriage to claimants mother also to said Gowan.
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In regard to Silas Seekins you have all the proof found in this office. There is no evidence of but one short service as per certificate of May 26 1857.
I am most cordially your obt. servt. [obedient servant] N. Lyman Strong Clerk of Pensions
Russell G. Hurd, Esq
Pine Run, Michigan
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Pine Run Jun [illegible] 185[illegible]
[illegible due to fading]
in court of the [illegible] when [illegible] 
all proof that can possibly be obtained in [illegible] No record in [illegible] or [illegible] of the [illegible - marriage?] of Mrs. Elizabeth Gowan (and no living witness) of [illegible] of the persons in Vermont who knew them [illegible] as he [illegible] which is the best [illegible]
Yours truly
Russell G. Hurd
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No.
Elizabeth Gowin
Wd of William
Michigan
July 4, 1836
Me
Josiah Turner
Circuit Judge
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State of Michigan
Tuscola County
On this twenty sixth day of May A.D. 1857 personally appeared before the judge of the circuit court state of Michigan and county of Tuscola [illegible] who having first duly sworn according to law [illegible] that the following declaration [illegible] to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the act of congress passed July 7th 1838 granting pensions to [illegible] and officers of the [illegible] That she is the daughter ([illegible]) of William Gowen and Elizabeth Gowin that [illegible]
that her said mother's name before her marriage was Elizabeth Davis and was married to William Gowin (her said father) in Lee [illegible] 1777 and [illegible] and died in that place in 1817 [illegible]
never remarried but was the widow of her said father William Gowen when she died and that neither her father or mother ever [illegible] any pension that her father was not named 
[llegible]
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State of Michigan
Tuscola County Clerk's Office ss.
I John Johnson, Clerk of said County and of the Courts thereof, do hereby certify that Josiah Turner Esq. before whom the annexed Affidavit was taken was at the date thereof, a Circuit Judge for said County and duly authorized to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe his signature to said Affidavit is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the circuit court of said county at Vassaz this 27th day of May A.D. 1857
John Johnson Clerk
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No. 15.435
Elizabeth Gowen
Wo of William
Michigan
Let. R. G. Hurd June 18/57
July 7 1838
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No. 15.435
Elzabth Gowen [Elizabeth Gowin Gowan]
Wd of William
Michigan
[Strike throughs:]
Let R. G. Hurd Jun 2 [illegible]
" same June 1857 [Let. R.G. Hurd]
"  " [Let. R.G. Hurd] Aug 12 " [1857]
4166
July 1838
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Commissioner of Pension
Dear Sir I have (according to your suggestion of Jun 18) obtained from the Secretary at Boston the enclosed evidence of the character and duration of the services of William Gowen. if "an opinion cannot be expressed" please write me what more the claimant must show.
Yours truly
Russell G Hurd
Pine Run Genesee Co Mich
July 12 1857
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R.G. Hand
Jan 22
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Pension Office Jan 22 1857
Sir
I have filed the informal application of Sarah Hunter claiming a pension or rptg her mother, Elizabeth Gowin [illegible] the widow of William, under the Act of July 7 1838 but it can not be considered for the reason that it was not before a Justice of the Peace. She much make another declaration before a Judge of a Court of Record, in accordance with the regulation herewith sent and show that her parents were named prior to 1799 and the [illegible] directed. She must also provide evidence from old residents of Lee or Wells, Massachusetts, for which both [illegible] William Gowin when service is shown by the certificate of the Secretary [illegible] that her father was a resident
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of a[ illegible] into since for the said Wells,
in 1775.
A Court of Record must also certify after Elizabeth Gowin dies and [illegible] the number
and names of her child now living.

Russell G. Hurd Esq.
Pine Run
[Genessee struck through] Genesee Co
New York.

R.G. Hurd
Jan 22
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Pension Office
June 18. 1837.
Sir
I have filed the informal application
of Sarah Hunter a child of Elizabeth Gowen, dead. who was the widow of William, under the act of July 7, 1838, but cannot express an opinion upon the claim until the testimony indicated in the accompanying printed sheet as to the character and duration of William Gowen's service, and the date of his marriage to claimant's mother is presented. There is no proof of William Towen's service in this office.
It is possible that some evidence thereof may be obtained from the office of the Secretary of State, at Boston, Mass. 

Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servant,
Geo C Whiting
Commissioner

Russell T. Hurd, Esq.
Pine Run,
Mich
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[NOTE THIS LETTER IS NEARLY INDECIPHERABLE - much of the ink has worn away making it illegible]

Pine Run Genesee County Mich June 30

I Lyman Strong
[illegible]
in Sept 1856
you sent me a certificate of Services of William Gowen borne on coat roll of 8 month men the clamant for pension is truly poor and I have taken much pain to emboddy all nesesary evidence and three times have sent to the Department revised (and new) documents (as instructed) and yet the departmnt (Commissioner) cannot "express an opinion" Dear Sir if there can be any more of the character and duration of his services more than that certificate on coat roll shows that you can fix out in language that will satisfy please [illegible - contact me?] you may next [illegible] you shall have fees paid you.
Yours Sincerely 
R.G. Hurd

Silas Leskiny the [illegible] evidence is that he was in battle of [illegible] and find his service (substitute for his Father of the same name and after his minority, for himself. 
[illegible] get proof of Service & [illegible] 
R.G.H.
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Pine Run Genesee County, Michigan Decm 15th 1856
Dear Sir
This claimant is almost a pauper if any futher proof is required write to me as above (or to her Sarah Hunter) of this place - she is so poor she cannot employ a lawyer to go on with the case
Yours truly 
Russell G. Hurd
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[This letter was very difficult to read and may need additional "translation"]

Pine Office
June 18, 1857.
Sir

I have filed an informal the application of
Sarah Hunter a child of Elizabeth
Gowen as she is the widow of William, under the Act of July 7, 1838, at court & [illegible] 
ness a oper upon the day dated
her testimony indicates her accessor
rying printed that as to the directer
and dart & William Gowen's service in their office and the date of her marriage to obtain aid and [josh struck through] mother is presented.  Then as proof of William Gowen service in this office. Is possell has same
evidence thereof may be attained from the
Office of the Secretary of State at Boston,
Mass
Russell G. Hurd Esq.
Pine Run
Michigan
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Pension Office.
August 12-1857
Sir.
The claim of the Lein of Elizabeth Gowin, widow of William, under the act of 7"July, 1838, has been examined & suspended.
Of the Applicant
is able to prove that the soldier whose service is Certified by the Secretary of State of Massachusetts was her father, then she should make a declaration for the unclaimed pension of her mother "before a court of record," unless she is prevented from so doing from bodily infirmity. Proof of the marriage of Wm. & Elizabeth Gowin should be filed, It should be record proof if any such exists. if none such can be found then the proof of witnesses who personally know the fact & can testify to the date of marriage should be filed. The death of applicants father & mother should be established. 
Russell G. Hurd, Esqr.
Pine Run, Genessee Co. 
Mich
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SCHUYLER COLFAX CHAPTER
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
United States Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir:
Can you tell me if our William Gowen, born in Sanford, Maine, but serving in the Revolution from Wells Main, was a pensioner. Family tradition says he did draw a pension but data concerning him and his record is sadly lacking. We think his wife was Abigail__ but are not sure. However his children were
John b 1795-1-5
Olive 1797-7-1
Moses 1799-11-15
William 1802-2-15
Betsy 1804-5-3
George 1807-2-6
Eunice 1812-12-5
Orrin 1817-4-9
Any information about this man you may have will be greatly appreciated. Thanking you for your interest,
I am, Sincerely
(Mrs. E.E.) Harriette M. Daicey
1035 Yukon Ave. So. Bend
[Stamped Nov 20 1930 U.S. OFFICE]
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Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873 (crossed through)
4166
P.O. 
Elizabeth Gower
Service:
Enlisted: REJECTED, 18
Discharged: , 18
Application filed: , 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.

Recognized. Contract.
Cert. of dis.  Searched for , 18

(page 2)
1931, Jan. 6 hist. to 
Mrs. E. E. Daicey M.C.S.