Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1304, for Edward Mc Gowns, Massachusetts
Page 1

Service          Number
Mass              W1304
                      B.L.Wt. 11392-160-55
McGowns, Edward
or Gowns
Susannah

Contents
Page 2

10,694
Massachusetts
Edward McGowns of Sandwich in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Putnam of the Massachusetts line, for the term of three years

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 20th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th of May 1819 and Sent to Theo. B. Adams Ch Cashier
Jamaica Mass.
Arrears to 4th of March 1819             $83.96
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1819     48.00
                                                         $131.96
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
Continued
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Dec. 20'. 33 certif of 3 years
service of Edward McGowns Private
Gowns- sent Hon. John
Reed, this day for R. Baldwin -
of Mass'tts
Page 3

Massachusetts
Susannah McGowns
widow of
Edward McGowns
who served
in the Revolutionary war
as a private
Mass Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
 96 Dollars......cents per annum, 
to commence on 3 February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the
29th day of July 1853
and sent to
Franklin Hall
39 State St. Boston

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 1853,  Page 42 Vol. 64
Page 4

96.957} Act Mar. 8/55 --Apr 28/55
Susannah McGowns Massach
Edward McGowns Pvi.
& Pensioner
Private --Mass Line
Revolution War
Mass File 53-1092
Awd 160 acres Dec 4/55
Dodge

E D & C A Dyer
South Abington, Mass
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
May 17/60 Caveat Place - DPP
July 28/60 Let. to Court & Gen'l Land . office
              N calling for Correspondence DPP
May 9/63, Caveat withdrawn
       R.J.Baldwin Minneapolis Minn  DPP 
  LG received Warrant enclosed
  to Comm of said Land office - DBP.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
No. 11392 cert.  Dec 6/55
Page 5

96.957} Act Mar. 8/55 --Apr 28/55
Susannah McGowns Massach
Edward McGowns Pvi.
& Pensioner
Private --Mass Line
Revolution War
Mass File 53-1092
Awd 160 acres Dec 4/55
Dodge

E D & C A Dyer
South Abington, Mass
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
May 17/60 Caveat Place - DPP
July 28/60 Let. to Court & Gen'l Land . office
              N calling for Correspondence DPP
May 9/63, Caveat withdrawn
       R.J.Baldwin Minneapolis Minn  DPP 
  LG received Warrant enclosed
  to Comm of said Land office - DBP.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
No. 11392 cert.  Dec 6/55
Page 6

Nov 7/56 - Caveat filed & Letter to Agent
recalling Warrant Sec 11392 for 160
Act 55     JM
Dec 23/56- Let. to Agent. No. 39 State Street Boston requesting return of warrant assigned to the Govt. on Cancellation of which, the caveat on this will be removed.    P. Dob.

Dec 24/58 Assignees circular send to John Carter Brown Providence RI.    JM
Jan 5/58 Let to same, for return of warrant promised by agent when caveat will be withdrawn       PM
July 28/60 Let to agent - if Gen'l Land void recalling LG for cancellation  DB
Aug 10/60 Wt filed   DPP
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32638
ACT Mar 3/65
May 14th/65
-
Susannah McGowns wid. of
Edward McGowns Pri
-
Revolutionary Pensioner
18th Mar /18
.
Widow has been pensioned
3rd  Feb/53
Private Col. Putnam

Mass Line
Mass Ref 53-1092
---
AW 160 Acres Feb 25/56
Dodge

Franklin Hall
Boston Mass
Page 7

Nov 7/56 - Caveat filed & Letter to Agent
recalling Warrant Sec 11392 for 160
Act 55     JM
Dec 23/56- Let. to Agent. No. 39 State Street Boston requesting return of warrant assigned to the Govt. on Cancellation of which, the caveat on this will be removed.    P. Dob.

Dec 24/58 Assignees circular send to John Carter Brown Providence RI.    JM
Jan 5/58 Let to same, for return of warrant promised by agent when caveat will be withdrawn       PM
July 28/60 Let to agent - if Gen'l Land void recalling LG for cancellation  DB
Aug 10/60 Wt filed   DPP
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
32638
ACT Mar 3/65
May 14th/65
-
Susannah McGowns wid. of
Edward McGowns Pri
-
Revolutionary Pensioner
18th Mar /18
.
Widow has been pensioned
3rd  Feb/53
Private Col. Putnam

Mass Line
Mass Ref 53-1092
---
AW 160 Acres Feb 25/56
Dodge

Franklin Hall
Boston Mass
Page 8

91,957 Dec
Edward McGowns
Page 9


State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth
On this eighteenth day of April A. D. eighteen
hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and
for the County and State aforesaid, Susanna McGowns aged seventy six years, a resident of Sandwich in the State of Mass who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Edward McGowns who was a Revolutionary soldier deceased, and continued in actual service in said war for the
term of more than fourteen days and was honorably discharged with said company
as will appear by the roll of said company
and that she received a pension of ninety six
dollars per annum.
She also declares that neither herself nor her husband have applied for or received any bounty land under any Act of Congress.
She further declares that she was married to the said Edward McGowns in Sandwich
on the ........day of..........A. D. by one Elisha Perry Esq a Justice of the Peace and that her name
before her said marriage was Susannah Lovell
that her said husband died at Sandwich on 
the ....... day of August A.D. 1840 on or about
that time, and that she is still a widow for the first of her marriage and the service, and death of her husband ; the commissioner is referred to the evidence on file with her application from her pension.
day of August A.D. 1840
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which
she may be entitled under the Act of Congress passed March 3d, A. D. 1855, and she prays that a certificate thereof may be sent for her to E. D. & C. A. DYER, South Abington, Mass.
her
Susannah  McGowns  X
mark
Attest: Ephraim Ellis    Cyrus A Dyer 

Subscribed and sworn to before me, the day and year first above mentioned. And I certify that I have no interest in this claim.
Cyrus A Dyer Justice of the Peace
Page 10

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, April 21, 1855
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed, Cyrus Dyer was a Justice of the peace for the County of Plymouth in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that
to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 11

State of Massachusetts, Plymouth County

We, Jonathan Nye and Ephraim Ellis having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew Edward McGowns who was a soldier
in the war of the revolution whose widow now applies for bounty land,--that we knew him for more than ten years before his death, which occurred at Sandwich about fifteen years ago--that we know that he died at about that time, because we were his neighbors and we also declare that we were present and saw
Susannah McGowns make her mark to the within declaration, and from her appearance and our acquaintance with her we know that she is the identical person she represents herself to be that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she is now unmarried, and that we are disinterested.
Jonathan Nye
Ephraim Ellis
Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this
18th day of April A. D. 1855
Cyrus A Dyer Justice of the Peace

It is hereby certified, that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a
Justice of the Peace, by the affidavits of
Jonathan Nye and Ephraim Ellis of the said County and State, who are personally
known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the foregoing application; that Susannah McGowns the
applicant for bounty land in the foregoing declaration is now unmarried, that she is the widow of the late Edward McGowns who was a soldier of the Revolution and that the said Edward McGowns died at the time above stated, and that the claimant is the person she
represents herself to be.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, this eighteen day of April 1855, and I certify that I have no interest in this claim
Cyrus A Dyer Justice of the Peace
Page 12


Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston May 2d 1853
---
I hereby Certify, That at the dates of the
annexed attestation C. B. H. Fessenden was a
Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and
credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 13


State of Massachusetts, County of Barnstable and Town of Sandwich.
"March fourth, Eighteen hundred and two, Edward McGowns resident in Sandwich with Susannah Lovel of Sandwich."
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows:
March 4th 1802.
David C. Freeman Town Clerk

I, David C. Freeman above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town, County & State aforesaid, and that the above is a true Extract from the records of said town, with the Exception of the date which is above certified by me.
David C. Freeman Town Clerk of Sandwich

Barnstable Ss.. April 22nd 1853. Subscribed sworn to before me, and I certify that I have no interest in the claim of Susannah Gowns to a pension and am not concerned in its prosecution
C.R.H. Fessenden Justice of the Peace
Page 14

I, Seth F Nye of Sandwich, County of Barnstable and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being duly sworn, depose and say, that I am a Counselor at Law; have been in practice in said town constantly for nearly forty years; was well acquainted with Edward Gowns, and his wife Susannah, who survived him; and that the name of McGowns has been and is now used by many persons for the name of Gowns. I further on oath say, that there has been no other family of the name of Gowns, Excepting Edward Gowns and his
family and that he has been called variously
by the name of Gowns, McGown and McGowns.  I can further say, that Susannah Gowns, the widow of Edward Gowns, who was a pensioner of the United States; which facts are all familiar to me, because for many years, I made out his papers for obtaining his pension.
Seth F. Nye
Barnstable Ss. Ap. 28, 1853
Subscribed & Sworn
to before me
T.B.H. Fessenden
Justice of the Peace.
Page 15


I, Eliphalet P. Crafts of Sandwich, County of
Barnstable and State of Massachusetts, being duly sworn do testify and say, that I am a settled Clergyman in said town of Sandwich, and was so in the year Eighteen hundred & forty two; that some time in that year, I
attended the funeral of a Mr. Gowns, an
aged man, in said Sandwich, who was said to be a revolutionary character.
Eliphalet P. Crafts

State of Massachusetts
Barnstable County ⎬ Ss.  April 22nd 1853. Then the above named Eliphalet P. Crafts, who is personally known to me, appeared and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed-
Before me
G.B.H. Fessenden
Justice of the Peace.
Page 16

State of Massachusetts, Ss
County, ⎬
of Plymouth, On this eleventh day of April
A.D. 1853 personally appeared, in open
court before the subscriber, Judge of Probate
within and for said County, Susannah Mc Gowns, a resident of Sandwich in the 
County of Barnstable, aged seventy-one years, who being first duly sworn according to law
doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of
the second section of the act of Feb. 3. 1853:
That she is the widow of Edward Gowns
who was a pensioner of the United States
under the law of March 18, 1818 at the rate
of ninety six dollars per annum, on account
of his services in the war of the Revolution
and was paid at the Boston Agency and for
proof of said services she refers to the evidence on file in the pension office, upon
which said pension was granted.
She further declares that she was married to the said Edward Gowns on the fourth day of March Eighteen hundred and two; that her said husband died on the fourth day of  August, Eighteen hundred and forty two & that she was not married to him prior to the second day of January, Eighteen hundred, but at the time above stated. She further declares that
Page 17

she is now a widow, & that she has appointed Franklin Hall of Boston her true and lawful attorney for her & in her name to prosecute her claim under the above mentioned act
  Susannah McGowns
Attest Isiah L. Beal

Sworn to subscribed & acknowledged on the
day & year above written, before me. And I
certify that I have no interest in the claim of the declarant to a pension and am not concerned in its prosecution.
Aaron Hobart Judge of Probate
for said County

I hereby certify that it appears by the rolls
in this office, that Edward Gowns (sic) who was a Pensioner of the United States under the act
of March 18, 1818, at the rate of ninety six
dollars per annum died at Sandwich in the
County of Barnstable on the fourth day of August Eighteen hundred and forty two and has not been paid since that time.
G.L. Bulfinch
Pension Clerk
Page 18


Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Plymouth SS.

I Joseph S. Beal Register of Probate within
& for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Aaron Hobart Esquire before whom the foregoing declaration was made is Judge of Probate for said County of Plymouth and that his signature thereto is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & the seal of the Probate Court for said County this Eleventh day of April in the year
eighteen hundred & fifty three
Joseph S. Beal
Reg of Probate.
Page 19

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Barnstable  ss.
On this 20th day of April 1818, before me
the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared Edward McGowns of Sandwich aged fifty-five years, resident in
the said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on his oath made the following declaration, by him signed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late 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."
Page 20

Barnstable ss February 27th 1819
I am satisfied that the applicant is in need of the assistance of his Country for support.

And I, the said Judge, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Edward McGowns did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment;
and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Thomas B Adams Ch. Jus
Page 21

I Edward McGowns of Sandwich in the County of Barnstable and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged fifty five years, a resident citizen of the United States on oath set forth and declare that I enlisted in 1780 at the close of the year in the last three years service in the company commanded by Capt Goodale in
Colonel R. Putnam's regiment of the Massachusetts line; that I continued in the service of the United States until the fall of 1783 ---when I was discharged from service in New York State at West point
that I was in the battle of Kingsbridge and that I am in reduced circumstances and stand in need of the assistance of my country for a support.
  Edward Mc Gowns

I had an honorable discharge under the hand of Genl Washington but I lost it at St John in a voyage I made to that place many years ago, and have therefore no furthe evidence in my power of my services--
  Edward Mc Gowns
Page 22

Private
Putnam's Regt
Mass Line
20 April 1818
Adm. C                       
Judge can indicate
as to claimants                     
circumstances are wanted 
also proof of service
Page 23

Edward McGowns'
Schedule of
Property.
10694
May 1817
Com Oct 7 1820
Page 24

SCHEDULE.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Barnstable ss.

On this Ninth day of August 1820, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, having a power also of fine and imprisonment, and keeping a record of their proceedings, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of record for the said County Edward McGowns 
aged fifty eight years, resident in Sandwich in said County, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. for the term of three years in
Capt Goodale's Company, Col. Putnam's Regiment, Patterson's Brigade, Massachusetts line and that he has received a pension certificate dated 17 May 1819 and numbered
10, 694 in pursuance of his original Declaration made 20th April 1818, and also takes and subscribes the following oath, viz. 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.
I have been a common seaman in the whale & Codfishery from the close of the Revolutionary war, until 1813, and being fifty eight years of age could not pursue another voyage, that I am infirm and unable by my labour to support my family. My family consists of my wife, aged thirty eight, and six children under the age of fourteen years, viz. Dolly 13 yrs. Sally 12 yrs. Davis 9 yrs Rebecca 6 yrs. Eldridge 4 yrs.  & Sophronia 1yr.  all totally unable to support themselves. Neither real or personal estate, excepting my household furniture, which consists of one table, one chair, one straw Bed
& a few cooking utensils.
Edward McGowns

Sworn to, and declared on the ninth day of August 1820.
before said Court, Abner Davis Clerk

I Abner Davis, clerk of Barnstable County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule 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 nothing.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court, on this tenth day of August 1820.
Abner Davis, Clerk of the Court for the County of Barnstable.
Page 25

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No.  1304
Susannah McGowns
Widow
Edward McGowns
Priv. Rev. War

Act Feb. 3, 1853
Index:- Vol. ...M..., Page ...7...

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

Pension Office
25 July 53

This case is respectfully referred to 3 Aud for date of death of Pensioner & date of last payment-
Respectfully,
S.Cole
Chief Clerk

(see other side)

D.W.C.
Page 27

Edward McGowns,
Acct 1818 - Died 4th
August 1842, and
paid to his death.

F. Bruit,
Auditor.
Page 28

Hon. L. P. Waldo        FREE
Com. of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Page 29

May 9. 1856
No. 1588
Appl of Susannah
McGowns widow of
Edward.

Mass.
S.19  10,694
Act 3rd Feb'y: 1853

Rev:

Franklin Hall
39 State Street
Boston Mass.

War. Good / Evidence complete
Page 30

Edward McGowns - Pvt - Putnam's Regt
Not wars - Mass.
See Final Set. Certif Book
Page 31

Geo. C. Whiting Esq          FREE
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
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(Overwritten on envelope)

E.  McGowns
1771 - Wid.
Page 32


132638 Act Mar 1853
Susannah McGowns wid of
Edward McGowns Pvt
Rev Pensioner
Rev War

admitted 160 acres
Warrant No 17715
issued March. 1836
and sent to
Franklin Hall
Boston Mass
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(Left hand page)
March 5/64 Caveat withdrawn Warrant returned to Land Gt Office   RW
Page 33

96537 ad Mar 1855
Susannah McGowns wid of
Edward McGowns Pvt
Pennsioner
Rev War

Admitted 160 acres

Warrant No 11392
Issued Decr 6 1855
and sent to
E McGowen Dec
Dyer 
Abington Mass
Page 34

Loren P Waldo, Esq       FREE
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC


overwritten on envelope
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
J C  Mayo
1853
Page 35

Plymouth Co, Massachusetts
Declaration by word
Probate Court on
11th April 1853-
Marriage Certificate
on file dated
4 March 1802
-
Pensioner died on
4 August 1842 at
which time his pension
stopped-
---
Proof of continued
Widowhood up to filing
Declaration
Page 36

39 State St. Boston
May 5, 1853
Sir:
Enclosed herewith I send the application of Susannah McGowns widow of Edward Gowns, formerly a pensioner under the act of March 18, 1818, for a pension under the act of February 3d 1853. It will be observed that her declaration was not made in the County in which she resides, but in the adjoining County of Plymouth. The reason of this is the greater proximity of the town of Plymouth when an court was held to her residence than of any town in her own county when a court will be held before next November. Besides this the facility of communication between Sandwich & Plymouth is much greater. Then being a railway between the two places and the State of Mrs Towns health is such as to make it desirable that he should incur as little
fatigue as possible by her journey. I trust this
will be considered a satisfacting explanation for the departure from the usual course.

I am Sir, most respectfully Your obt servt
Franklin Hall

L P Waldo, Esq.
Commr of Pensions
Page 37

Brief in the case of Susannah McGowns Wid. of Edward McGowns of Plymouth County and State of Massachusetts under the Act 3 Feby 1853
-Claim ("original, or for increase.)
-Proof exhibited, (if original.)
-Is it documentary, tradionary, or supported by
  rolls? If either, state the substance.

Husband a Revolutionary Pensioner under the
Act 18 March 1818 at $96.00  per Annum
His Wid. Susannah McGowns applied under
Act 3 Feb 1853-
Marriage proven by Record Evidence
and that she is the widow of the identical

Pensioner up to filing declaration
Allowed at the rate $96.00 per annum
from 3. Feby 1853
July 29th 1853

Name and residence of Agent
Franklin Hall Esq
39 State Street
Boston Mass
Marshall Cook
Examining Clerk.
Page 38

General Land Office   Aug. 4, 1860

George C. Whiting Esq
Commr of Pensions:
Sir,

In compliance with the request of your letter of the 28th ult. I herewith enclose M. B. L. Wt.
Act 55, No. 11392, for 160 acres issued in the name of Susannah, widow of Edwd McGowns
After you shall have made the examination you propose, please return said warrant to this office that it may be placed upon its proper file.
Very Respectfully Yours,
(Illegible)
Commissioner
Page 39

President.    Cashier.
State Bank of Minnesota
Minneapolis Minn. April 15 1863

To the Hon
The Commissioner of Pensions
Sir:
I am informed by the Com'r Gen Land Office, that a caveat has been filed in your office, to suspend the issue of a patent on the location made by Calvin B. Potter by B.L. Wt Act of 55, No 11392, 160 acres, the location being upon 3½ SE -1/4 & E½ S 10 ¼ Sec 34, L118, R. 24, Minneapolis Land Dist.
Will you oblige me by giving me the grounds upon which the caveat is based, and also information as to the modes of reaching a final solution of the question?

Very Resp'y
Your obt sev't
P.J. Baldwin
Atty of Grantee of
Calvin B. Potter

E McGowen Dec
Dyer Mass
Page 40

91.957
Page 41


South Abington, Mass.Nov 23d 1855
Sir,
We herewith enclose the applications of
Joshua Avery & Susannah McGowns widow of 
Edward McGowns Revolutionary Pensioner.
Soldiers in the company commanded by 
Capt....................... for bounty land under the Act of March 3d, 1855, and you will please forward the warrants to which they may be entitled to
our address.
Yours, very respectfully,
E. D. & C. A. DYER

Hon. L.P. Waldo
Com. of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Page 42

Edward McGowns dec'd 
No 17.715-160-55
Dyer
Suspicions
from a
lot of suspicious
claims by
same attorney
March 5/64 Caveat withdrawn
Wt returned to Com
L G office
Page 43

General Land Office,
Aug. 4, 1860.
Hon. George C. Whiting
Comm'r of Pensions:
Sir,
In compliance with the request of your letter of the 28th ult. I herewith enclose M. B. L. Wt.,
Act 55, No. 17715, for 160 Acres, issued in the name of Susannah, widow of Edw'd McGowns.
After you shall have made the examination you propose, please return said warrant to this office, that it may be placed upon its proper file.
Very Respectfully
Yours,
(Illegible)
Commissioner.
Page 44

General Land Office,
February 12, 1864 -

Hon. Jos. H. Barrett
Com'r of Pensions-
Sir-
Under date of Aug 2/60. B. L. W't Act/55 No. 17.715 for 160 acres, was enclosed to you for
examination & action thereon, as per your letter of July 28 /60 & Caveat of Nov. 7/56, on file.
Said Warrant was returned as located at Council Bluffs, Iowa, May 17/56, & I have
therefore to ask an examination of this case & action thereon with a view to an early return of the Warrant to the files of this office-
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Serv't
(Illegible)
Commissioner.


Eastman
Page 45


GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
December 18th, 1858.
Sir:
In your letter of 7th ulto this Office is desired
to withhold the Patent on Bounty Land Warrant No. 17715 for 160 acres, act March 3, 1855, in the name of Susannah McGowns
I have therefore, to state that the said Warrant is on our files, having been returned by the Register of the Land Office at Council Bluffs Iowa located by John Carter Brown of Providence RI to whom it appears to have been regularly assigned.
The Patent will be withheld until I am further advised by you.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
Isiah Hendrick
Commissioner.

To Geo C Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 46

Affidavit
by Proxy
Page 47

Affidavit
By Attorney
(Illegible)
of Providence
Page 48

John Carter Brown of Providence, Rhode Island by his Attorney (and partner in business) Robert H. Ives hereby declares that prior to the third day of May AD 1856 he became possessed by purchase and full payment for Land Warrant No 17.715 for 160 acres issued in name of Susannah McGown and that said Warrant was as signed to him the said Brown.
That he proceeded to locate same on Land of the United States and that he was an innocent assignee having no information of any irregularity in the issue of said Warrant or of its having been recalled; And further
the deponent testifies that he never had any knowledge of irregularity regarding said Warrant until the receipt of a letter from Hon'ble G.C. Whiting Commissioner of
Pensions dated Pension Office (but no date) and received December 27th inst.
He therefore prays the Hon'ble Commissioner of Pensions to remove the caveat referred to in said letter and that a Patent be issued to him said John Carter Brown for the land on which the said Land Warrant was in good faith located.
John Carter Brown by his attorney Robert H. Ives
Executed in Presence of
Nathaniel Searle
Moses B Goddard
Page 49

State of Rhode Island     }
County of Providence ss} 
In the city of Providence on this 29" day
of December AD 1858
Then personally appeared the within named Robert H Stier,  Before the undersigned a Public Notary duly commissioned & sworn & residing in the City, county & State aforesaid & made oath that the matter & marriage set forth in the within affidavit by him signed as Attorney for John Carter Brown, are true to the
best of his knowledge and belief-
In Testimony whereof I the said Notary have hereunto subscribed my Name & have affixed my seal of office the day &  year above written
Nathaniel Searle  Public Notary
Page 50

132.638,   Dec-
Edward McGowns



Filed by Franklin Hall
     39 Water St
          Boston, Mass.
Page 51

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, May 11, 1855
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed Benjamin Bourne was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 52

STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Barnstable,  } ss

On this Twenty first day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State
aforesaid, Susannah Gowns or McGowns aged 73 years, a resident of Sandwich in the County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Edward Gowns or McGowns who was a private in the war of the Revolution, and continued in actual service in said war for the term of at least fourteen days, and was honorably discharged from said service; for proof of which facts, she refers to the evidence on file in the Pension Office, upon which a pension was granted her said husband under the Act of 18 March, 1818.
She further declares that she was married to the said Edward Gowns or McGowns on the fourth day of March one thousand eight hundred and two  her name before her said marriage was Susannah Lovel; that her said husband died on the fourth day of August
one thousand eight hundred and forty two at Sandwich and that she is still a widow; and for proof thereof she refers to the evidence on file with her application for a pension under the 2d section of the Act of February 3, 1853.
Her Pension Certificate is dated

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3, 1855, and has appointed Franklin Hall, of Boston, her true and lawful attorney for her
and in her name to prosecute her claim.
her
Susannah McGowns  X
mark
SIGNED AND SEALED
IN PRESENCE OF
Edward B Gibbs
Edward B. Gibbs Jr
Page 53

AFFIDAVIT OF TWO WITNESSES.

We, Edward B Gibbs and Edward T. Gibbs Jr.
residents of Sandwich in the County and State aforesaid, upon our oaths declare that the
foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by the above named Susannah Gowns or McGowns in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
We further declare that we were well acquainted with the said Edward Gowns or McGowns and Susannah Gowns or McGowns, his wife (now his widow) during the life time of the former, and know them to live together as husband and wife and to have been so generally reputed. That her said husband, the said Edward Gowns or McGowns died at Sandwich on or about the fourth day of August 1852, and that she is still a widow, and that we have no interest in this claim.
Edward B Gibbs
Edward B Gibbs Jr.

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim.
Benjamin Bourne  Justice of the Peace
Page 54

39 State St. Boston
8th Dec. 1856
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 7th Nov. requiring me to return same or Warrant No. 17.715 for 160 acres issued to Susannah McGown widow of Edward under Act March 3 1855. I have to state that immediately upon the receipt of said warrant by me in April last. I transmitted it to
Mrs. McGown. She subsequently sold it through me, at 1.04 per acre & the warrant
was assigned in blank. It will be seen therefore that it is impossible for me to comply with the demand of your letter, as the warrant had more than six months before, passed entirely beyond my control.
I desire to add that when the claim of Mrs McGown was presented by me. I was
entirely ignorant that previous application has
been made in her behalf. Your letter was
Page 55

the first intimation I had of that fact. I by leave to inquire, whether in cases like this, if another warrant of the same amount be forwarded to the Pension Office to be cancelled. The caveat filed in the land office could be removed
I am, Sir, most respectfully
Your obt Servt
Franklin Hall

Rev. C. Whiting Esq
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington D.C.
Page 56


I Solsbury Hitchman of Wareham in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age do testify and
declare that I was personally acquainted with and knew Edward McGowns who served as a Continental Soldier, in the Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain, and that the said McGowns belonged to Capt Goodale's Company and Col Putnam's Regiment and General Pattersons Brigade, but was afterwards transferred to General 
Nielsons Brigade, and that the said McGowns served the term of three years, and was discharged at Newburg when peace took place at which time your deponent received his discharge, and we both returned home togather and further saith not.
Wareham March 9th 1819
Solsbury Hitchman
Plymouth ss March 9th 1819 Then the above Deponent Solsbury Hitchman Personally appeared and made solemn Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him Subscribed and I do hereby certify that the Deponent is a
man of truth. Sworn to before me
Benjamin Fearing Justice of the Peace

I Noah Perry of Wareham in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawfull age do testify and declare, that I was personally acquainted and knew Edward McGowns who served as a  continental Soldier in the Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain, and that the said McGown belonged to Capt Goodale's Company and Col Putnams Regiment and General Pattersons Brigade
but was afterwards transferred to Genl Nielsons Brigade, and that the said McGown served the term of three years, and was discharged at Newburg when peace was declared, at which time your Deponent received his discharge, and we both returned home together and further saith not
Wareham March 9th 1819
Noah Perry

Plymouth Ss March 9th 1819. Then the above Deponent Noah Perry Personally appeared and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the above
Deposition by him Subscribed and I do hereby certify that the Deponent is a man of truth. Sworn to before me
Benjamin Fearing   Justice of the Peace
Page 57

Plymouth Ss
Personally appeared and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed and I do hereby certify that the Deponent is a man of truth. Sworn to before me
Benjamin Fearing  Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth Ss
I John B. Thomas Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the said County of Plymouth hereby certify that Benjamin Fearing Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Plymouth duly qualified to administer oaths and take depositions and that the signature
to the foregoing attestation is the true signature of the said Justice
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court this fifth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen
Tho B Thomas
Page 58

Chicago May 5. 1863,
To the
Com'r of Pensions
Dear Sir
The U.S. Land Warrant N. 11.392 for 160 acres act of 1855-located by CB Potter, Aug 15/56 in
the State of Minnesota the US office now at Minneapolis) was enclosed to you by the land Court Aug. 4, 1860 in consequence of a caveat having been filed against it. This I learned from
from the Com'r, of the Genl Land office, whose
Jurate 24th March last, to know why the patent did not issue for the land, The Register at Minneapolis said (when I was there a month ago) that there was nothing at his office to
show why the patent should not issue - I wrote the Genl Land Office Com'r & he refers me to you. Will you please advise me what the facts
are or why the patent cannot issue & direct to yours truly
A.T. Hale, (Minneapolis, by B H Buckingham)
(Mail reply to Minneapolis Minn.)
Page 59


Washington D.C. June 13. 1860
To the Honble Comr of Pensions
Dear Sir
A caveat was filed at your office in Nov. '56 against Warrant 17.715- Edward McGowns deceased. Assignee as it was thought fraudulent. Would you indicate by letter to W. S. Gilman of New York what sort of information must be placed in your hands from him in order that you may determine whether the Warrant in question is really a forged one or no.
I have the honor to subscribe myself your humble servant
M.V.S. Gilmann, Jr.