Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 1157, Samuel Downing, Continental Mass.
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE                            NUMBER
Downing, Samuel             W1157
Luca                                   B.L. Wt 15171-160-55
Page 2

1539
Maine          Lee to Lucy Downing Sept 3 of 53
Lucy Downing widow of Samuel Downing who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private 
MASS Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars 00  Cents per annum, to commence on (crossed out) 3rd February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued 24 day of Aug / 53 and sent to John Ayer
                     North Pownal  Me
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3/5 Page 2 Vol. A
1818
Page 3

Certification sent July 7 1828 to John Massey Jr. Esq.
Portland Maine
5739 
Maine
Samuel Downing Private Massachusetts Line 
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 13th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued 22 of Jan 7:1818 and sent to Albion K Parris Esq
Paris Oxford County Maine
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1815 4 mo 22/30  37.86
Semi-anl. all’ce ending 4th Mar. 1819      48.
                                                                     ———-
                                                                    $85.86
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818}

Illegible
Page 4

122.972 Act March 3/50
May 8/55
Lucy Downing wid of Samuel Downing
Soldier & Pensioner
Private 
Col Jackson Mass Line
Revolutionary War
The Feby 53 - 1539
No of 160 ae’s Feby 1/56
Dodge
Freeman Bradford
Portland Maine
Vol. D. 113
Page 5

122.972
Claim of Lucy Downing
To Bounty Land.
Act of March 3, 1855.
WAR OF the Rev.
Freeman Bradford
Portland, Maine.
Page 6

State of Maine. [underlined]
CUMBERLAND, ss.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court, }
PORTLAND, May 4, 1855. }
I, OBADIAH G. COOK,
Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court,
for said County of Cumberland, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that 
Thomas Johnson Esq 
is, and at the date of his Certificate/ to the paper/ hereto annexed was, an
ACTING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE,
within and for [blank] the County of Cumberland as appears by the paper/ hereto annexed; that he is DULY COMMISSIONED and qualified to administer Oaths and take Acknowledgments of Deeds and other instruments in writing, in the County aforesaid, ---and that the following Signature, /purporting to be his are GENUINE.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written. 
Ols Cook [signature] CLERK. 
[seal]
Page 7

Lucy Downing [signature]
State of Maine. [underlined]
County of Cumberland ss.
On this twenty eighth day of March A.D. 1855 personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Lucy Downing a resident of New Gloucester in said County and State, aged sixty nine years, who being duly sworn, doth on oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain Bounty Land, under the Act of Congress passed March 3d, A. D. 1855.
And your declarant further states that she - widow Lucy Downing is the widow of Samuel Downing late of Minot in the State of Maine that her said husband Samuel Downing was a Soldier of the Revolution, and a Pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed March 18th 1818 at the rate of Eight dollars per month and which pension he drew to the time of his death which took place on the 30th day of Sept. AD 1847. She further states that she has not applied for nor received Bounty land under this or any other act of Congress and she believes her husband did not receive Bounty Land in his lifetime
Page 8

YOUR DECLARANT FURTHER STATES, that she was married to the said Samuel Downing on the [blank] day of June A.D. 1834, at Poland in said State, and that her name before marriage was Lucy Merrill.
And your declarant further states, that after the passage of the Act of Congress of February 3rd 1853, she made application for a Pension, on which application a pension was granted her at the rate of ninety six dollars per annum, as will appear by her Pension Certificate, dated twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1853 No. 1539.
For proof of marriage, her husband's service in the Revolutionary War, and his death, and of your declarant's identity, she refers to her declaration and proof for a Pension, now on file in the Department of the Interior, at Washington.
She therefore claims Bounty Land under the act aforesaid, and states that she is still a widow.
And for the purpose of this application, I hereby appoint Freeman Bradford of Portland my true and lawful Attorney in the premises.
Attest,
[H]i[s]pah [W]inslow [signature]
Sarah [H] Collins [signature]
Lucy Downing [signature] 
Sworn to and subscribed, before me, the day and year first above written, and in my presence acknowledged the Power of Attorney thereto subjoined, for the purposes above mentioned. And I hereby certify that I believe the said Lucy Downing to be the widow of the person who performed the military service aforesaid, and to be of the age above stated and that I have no interest in this claim.
Thomas Johnson [signature] Justice of the Peace.
Page 9

We Wm. P. Eveleth and Abner M. Nutting residents of New Gloucester in the County  of Cumberland and State of Maine on oath depose and say that we were well acquainted with Samuel Downing late of Minot deceased, said Downing was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States and died on or about the month of Sept. 1847 Lucy Downing is the widow of said Samuel Downing and is a Widow Pensioner of the United States, she has not been married since the death of her said husband Samuel Downing and is now a widow
Wm. P. Eveleth [signature]
A. M. Nutting [signature]
State of Maine
Cumberland ss April 28th 1855 then personally appeared the above named Wm. P. Eveleth & Abner M. Nutting known to me to be credible witnesses and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by them signed
Before me
 Thomas Johnson } Justice of the Peace
Page 10

N233.Samuel Downing
Copy
5739 22 Jan,1819
March 1819
continue
Page 11

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
DISTRICT OF MAINE, ss.
At a District Court of the United States begun and holden at Portland within and for the District of Maine, on the first Tuesday, being the sixth day of June and by adjournment from day to day, on the twenty fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty, before the Honorable ALBION K. PARRIS, Judge of said Court.
ON this twenty fourth day of June in the year above written, personally appeared in open Court, the same having "the power of fine and imprisonment," and being a Court of Record for said Maine District, Samuel Downing aged fifty five years, resident in Minot in said District, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, viz. as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Burnham in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Jackson in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the Continental Establishment, as is more particularly mentioned and described in his original declaration, made on the 13th day of April A. D. 1818, and on which said declaration his Certificate of Pension, numbered 5739 was granted. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 ; and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818 : and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me ; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed ; that my occupation and ability to pursue the same, together with the number and other particulars of my family, are in fact and in truth as is particularly described on the back hereof, also subscribed by me.
Samuel Downing [signature]
Sworn to and declared, on the twenty fourth }
day of June A. D. 1820 }
BEFORE Albion K. Parris [signature]  } U.S. District Judge for the District of Maine.
Page 12

SCHEDULE of the real and personal estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to me the subscriber, viz :
Real estate - none -
Personal estate - two cows - one two year old heifer - two yearlings - thirteen sheep - two swine - a few necessary utensils for keeping house I have no income, but my earnings which are small - I am justly owing two hundred & forty dollars 
Samuel Downing [signature]
Sworn to June 24, 1820
Before Albion K. Parris U. S. Dist: Judge

SCHEDULE of the family residing with me Samuel Downing... who, by occupation am a laborer ...which I am not able to pursue 
[ (by reason of) is crossed  out]
constantly - particularly the last year.

NAMES.  AGES.  Capacity of each to contribute to their support.
Wife Elisabeth - 52 a weakly woman
Amos - 20 able to support himself
Timothy - 17 feeble - has a rupture
Clarissa - 14 - very unwell
Summer - 12 - weakly from infancy
Almira - 9 - a healthy child - able to earn her support in part
Samuel Downing [ signature]
Sworn to 
Before Albion K. Parris U. S. Dist: Judge
Page 13

MAINE DISTRICT, ss.
I, John Mussey, Junr. Clerk of the District Court of the United States for Maine District, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedules thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court ; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property  exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is eighty four dollars and twenty five cents and no more
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty fourth day of June A. D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
John Mussey [signature] 
Junr { Clerk of the U. States District Court for Maine District.
Page 14

John Ayer 
agent in this case at 
North Pownal Maine
Page 15

Declaration for the benefit of the act of Feb'y 3, 1853, passed by Congress United States of America. Maine District, S.S.
On this 27th day of May A. D. one thousand Eight hundred and fifty three, personally appeared before the Hon. Ashur Ware Judge of the U. S. within and for the District of Maine in open Court, it being about of Record, Lucy Downing aged 66 years a resident of New Gloucester in said Maine District and in Cumberland County, who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision of the act of Congress passed on the 3d day of February, A. D. 1853 granting pensions, to persons who served during the revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Samuel Downing who was a revolutionary soldier, and a pensioner, of the U. S. at 96 dollars per annum, that he drew his pension at Portland the agency of Maine, and for proof of his Revolutionary service she respectfully refers the pension department, to his original declaration and proof in his claim on file, by him made, when he established his claim for a pension, and for proof of her own identity as his widow & [?], she refers to the proof hereunto annexed. She further swears, that she was married to him on fifteenth day of June A.D. 1833. That her said husband died on the 30th day of sept. 1848, that she was not married to him prior to Jan'y 2
Page 16

1800, but at the time above stated, she further swears that she is now a widow. And for the proof of the day of her said husbands death she refers the department to the pay roll of the state of Maine, and that he was a resident of Minot in said County when he died, - And that she has not intermarried since his death and that she now remains a widow. - And she hereby fully empowers as her attorney and agent in the [premesis] to prosecute her claim irrevocably John Ayer, at North Pownal, Me.
[with] Ashur Ware 
Lucy Downing [signature]
Signed & sworn & before me this 27th of May 1853
Ashur Ware [signature]
Dist. Judge of the U. S. for the Dist. of Maine
Maine District ss: I Geo. F. Emery Clerk of the Circuit Court of the United States for said District hereby certify that Ashur Ware whose signature appears above was at the time of so signing District Judge of the United States for the District of Maine, duly commissioned & qualified & full faith and credit are due to his acts as such, and the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Circuit Court this twenty eighth day of May A. D. 1853
Geo. F. Emery [signature] 
} Clerk Circuit Court
} U. S. for
} Maine District
[affixed seal]
Page 17

This Certifies that the marriage of Mr. Samuel Downing of Minot to Miss Lucy Merrill of Poland was duly solemnised by me at Poland June 15th, 1833, according to my records & my best recollection of the fact.  

J. P. Richardson
authorized to solemnise marriages in the state of Ma.

Otisfield March 23d 1853.

Cumberland SS March 25 1853 Personally Appeared the above J P Richardson and made oath that the above certificate is true before me Wentworth Stuart Justice of the Peace
Page 18

Otisfield March 25 1853

M. Ai Water haven

Yours of the [crossed out "2ht"] was duly received I portend to comply with your request. I was surprised to learn that the above certificate had not been recorded. I cannot at this late period assign any cause for it. I calculate to be particular in relation to those matters & whether the neglect lay with me or the clerk it matters not. I am sorry you should have been Just to any inconvenience on account of it. I suppose that Mrs. Downing if living can by the late laws draw a Pension. I am glad to hear it. I wish no fees to which you refer in your letter - [crossed out "but"] should be pleased if you acknowledge the receipt of  this & let me know if the certificate is in form D.

Yours [something unreadable is crossed out.]

J. P. Richardson
Page 19

I Thomas L. Magguier of Poland in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged 37 years On oath Depose and say, that I was acquainted with Samuel Downing, & his wife lucy Downing That they lived as man and wife untill his death which was about 1848. that his wife lucy Downing has not intermarried since his death and is now a widow. - Thomas L Magguier

Godfrey G. Hunnawill

state of Maine
County of Cumberland. S. S. March 16th, 1853.

Then personally appeared the above named Thomas L. Magguire and made oath in due form of law that the above [crossed out "named"] affidavit by him subscribed tis true.

Before me,
Ai Waterhouse Notary
Public & Justice of Peace

[a large ink stamp is on the bottom right of the page. it is very dark, can only see that inside the circle is some words, and inside that is another circle. the rest is too dark to read.]
Page 20

I J. P. Richardson of Otisfield in the Co. of Cumberland, and state of Maine, on oath Testify and say, that on the fifteenth of June eighteen hundred & thirty three, I was a preacher of our [double underlined "Lords Gospel"], and was located at Poland in said Co. & state that year.- and my records of marriages solomnised by me, show that I solomnised the marriage of Samuel Downing of Minto, and Miss Lucy Merrill of Poland on the fifteenth day of June, eighteen hundred and thirty three. I also testify and say that I was authorized by the [double underlined "executive government"] of this state to solomnise marriages, and did solomnise the marriage as above stated on the fifteenth day of June A. D. one Thousand eight hundred and thirty three, between Samuel Downing and Lucy Merrill.- J. R. Richardson

State of Maine
County of Cumberland S. S. April 7, AD. 1853.
Then personally appeared the above named Rem J. P. Richardson and made oath in an form of law, that the foregoing to which he subscribed is true, before me, 

Johnson W Knight } Justice of the Peace
Page 21

I Gyles Merrill of New Gloucester in the County of Cumberland, and state of Maine, aged 64 years on oath, Depose and say that I was formerly well acquainted with Mr. Samuel Downing a Revolutionary pensioner of the U. S. that his widow Lucy Downing survived him, and has not intermarried since his death, and now remains a widow.

Gyles Merrill

Godfrey G. Hunnawill

State of Maine
Cumberland County, S. S. March 10th, A. D. 1853.
I then personally appeared the above named Gyles Merrill well known to me as a credible witness and made oath in one form of law That the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me  Ai Waterhouse Notary Public & Justice of the Peace

[a seal is placed on the paper, inside the round seal, there is some words, I can only make out an "R" and an "O". The rest of the seal is to dark to read.]
Page 22

[in the left margin at the top is a seal over a ribbon. the seal has jagged edges and is too dark to read what is on it.]

Main District p:  Office of the Clerk C. C. U. S.

I Geo. F. Emery Clerk of the circuit court of the United States for Maine District hereby certify that Johnson W. Knight whose signature appears on the foregoing affidavit of J. R. Richardson was on the seventh of April last and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Cumberland - his commission is dated June 15th 1848 and will expire in seven years from that date - he is fully authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgements, and the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this Twenty eighth day of May A. D. 1853

Geo . F. Emery } Clerk Circuit Court U. S. For Maine District
Page 23

Samuel Downing

Private

M. Jackson's Masst. Regt

April 10. 1782
to
June 30th 1784

[line drawn under the date]

April 13. 1818

Admitted.
Page 24

I Samuel Downing a resident Citizen of the United States in the town of Minot and County of Cumberland and Commonwealth of Massachusetts On Oath declare that on the tenth day of April in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and eighty two I enlisted as a private Soldier into the Company Commanded by Capt John Burmham in the Regiment under the Command of Col Michael Jackson, being the eight Regiment of the Massachusetts line on the Continental establishment in the army of the United States of America, and served in the serviced in the Revolutionary War until the thirtieth day of June in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & eighty four when I was honorably discharged and left the service.

I further on oath declare that I am not borne as a pensioner on any pension roll of the United States and that by reason of my reduced circumstances in life I stand in need of [crossed out "assis"] Assistance from my Country for support

Samuel Downing
Page 25

I, John Downing of Minot in the County of Cumberland and State of Massachusetts do certify and say, that I was in the continental service in the Revolutionary war during the same period that the above named Samuel Downing served and was in the same regiment; and to my certain knowledge said Samuel Downing serve the term and in the manner he has above declared

John Downing
Page 26

[written by hand "Samuel Downing Solder"] in the [written by hand "American"] Regiment, being inlisted for Three Years, is hereby honourably DISCHARGED from the Service of the United States.

Given in the state of New-York the [written by hand "thirtieth"] day of [written by hand "June"] 1784

[signed "H Jackson"]

By the General's Command,

[signed "C Selden Capt & A F"]

REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,

[signed "C Selden Adjutant"]
Page 27

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
MAINE DISTRICT, ss.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, personally came Samuel Downing the applicant named in the papers hereunto annexed, and after being duly cautioned and examined, made oath that the several statements by him made in the annexed application signed in my presence, are wholly true.
And the said applicant further offered in evidence John Downing named in the annexed certificate by him sub 
scribed in my presence, who after being duly examined made
oath that the sents [?] therein stated are true. And the said applicant, produced his discharge of the serve time to corroborate his said statement which is herewith contained.
And the said applicant at the same time produces the certificate of Asaph Howard, Nicholas Noyes and Charles Moody, tthree respectable citizens well known to me as
We the subscriber Select men of the town and Minot in the County of Cumberland and commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that Samuel Downing an inhabitant of Minot is in indigent circumstances and strived[?] in need of support from his country agreable to an act of Congress in that behalf enacted Minut April 10 1818
Asaph Howard
Nicholas Noyes
Charles Moody
}Selectmen of Minot
Page 28

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
MAINE DISTRICT, ss.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the thirteenth
day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, personally came Samuel Downing
the applicant named in the papers hereunto
annexed, and after being duly cautioned and examined, made oath that the
several statements by him made in the annexed application, signed in my
presence, are wholly true.

And the said applicant further offered in evidence John Downing
named in the annexed Certificate by him
subscribed in my presence, who
being duly examined made oath that
facts therein stated are true. And the said
applicant produced his discharge at
the same time to corroborate his said statement which is herewith contained.

And the said applicant at the same time produced the certificate of Joseph Howard, Nicholas Hays & Charles
Moody, the respectable citizens well known to me as men or Municipal officers of the town of Minot.
And it appearing to me in the examination here had, that the several persons above named are credible
witnesses, I do hereby admit the annexed declarations as evidence, and certify the same as being satisfactory
proof to me that the said Samuel Downing
the applicant, served as a private soldier 
in the revolutionary war, against the common enemy,
for the term of nine months and upwards in continuation on the continental establishment. And I do further
certify, that from the declaration of the applicant made before me, under oath as aforesaid, it does appear
that in consequence of his reduced circumstances in life, he is in need of assistance from his country for support
; all which I do hereby certify and transmit to the Secretary of the Department of War, agreeably to
the provisions of an Act of Congress, passed March 18, 1818, entitled ""An Act to provide for certain persons
engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war."
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused my
Seal to be affixed the day and year first mentioned.
Albion K. Parris
Judge of the United States
for the District of Maine.
Page 29

[handwritten upper left corner] Revolutionary

File No. 1157
Lucy Downing
Widow
Samuel Downing
Priv. Rev. War.
Act Feb. 3. 1853
Index: - Vol. A, Page 187
[in brackets] [Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 30

June 1st 1853

No. 206
App. of Lucy
Downing wid: of
Samuel

Maine
------
 Aeb 3d Feby 1853

Rev: 
Allowed 24 Aug 53 at
$96 per annum from
the 3 Febry 1853
D, all, Cook
Ex Cell

John Ayer
North Pownal
Nargood
Eudruse fall

(type written words vertically)
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Page 31

1877



Ver Army?
Page 32

Samuel Downing, Act 1818
$8. p.m. -- Died 30th
Sept 1847. Paid to his
death.

F Burk
Auditor
Page 33

Pension Office

16 Aug 53
This case is
respectfully refered to
 Z. Andeters  for
date of death of Passing 
and last of cash payment
Very Respectfully
S. Cole
Chief Clerk
D. ell, C. (See other side)
Page 34

[illegible]
Thomas
Page 35

Rec: [illegible]: 21 Apl. 1854

Boynton
Page 36

W. S. Dist Court
State of Maine
27 May 1853
--------
Marriage 15 June 1833 sas
Certificate on file
by the person performing the
Marriage ceremony

Died 30 Sept 1848 sas
By Z  And certificate
Identity of widow and
widowhood--
Page 37

Sept. 13, 1853

[illegible] in case of 
Lucy Downing, widow of Samuel.
(Postmark:) "Upper Gloucester"
Address:
LP Waldo
City of Washington
D.C.

A. Waterhouse
North Pownal
Maine

(Stamp): "5"
Page 38

North Powell, Maine
September 9th 1853.

To the Hon. L. P. Waldo,

The undersigned
Lucy Downing, widow of Samuel Downing a
deceased pensioner of the U. S. hereby represents that her said husband left an arrearage of pension when he died of 28 days pay at 96 dollars per annum, which she has not obtained, and that has not been been paid, she respectfully represents that she is now a pensioner of the U.S. that her certificate
the is dated on the 25th day of August
1853, that her certificate is recorded in Book, or Volume A, Page 2 - She now refers the
Department to the papers in her claim for
proof of identification as the widow of Samuel
Downing, and that she requests that Government forward her 28 days pay, which is the arrears of
pension of said Samuel Downing her husband,
to the address of Ai Waterhouse her agent &
attorney in the case, or if not, to inform her said agent how to proceed to obtain it.
Very respectfully 
Lucy Downing &
Ai Waterhouse
Page 39

Lucy Downing
Wid of
Samuel Downing
$96.00
Died 30 Sept 1848
Page 40

Brief in the case of Lucy Downing Wid of Samuel Downing of 
County and State of Maine
under the act of 3 Feby 1853
Claim (" original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary traditionary , or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Samuel Downining was a Rev Pensioner under the Act of 18th March 1818, at 96$ per annum, and who died on the 30th Sept 1848
Lucy Downing on the 27 May 1853 in the U.S.
District Court of the State aforesaid made application for a pension under the act of 3 July 1853
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proven by the certificate of person performing the marriage ceremony
of Pensioner by Certificate of  3Auditor and
by the Evidence of Witnesses who identify
the Widow
Pension allowed at $96 per annum commencing
on the 3rd Febry 1853
August 24th 1853
Name and residence of Agent
John Ayer Esq
North Pownel
Maine

Mill M Cook
Examining Clerk.