Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,731, John Buss, Mass.
Page 1

SERVICE 
Mass. 

Buss, John 
         Sarah

NUMBER
W. 23,731

CONTENTS
Page 2

76
(illegible)

4149
4,149
Massachusetts
John Buss
of Worcester in the State of Mass
who was a Corpl. in the company commanded
by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded
by Col Marshale in the Mass
line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 88 Dollars ___ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March,1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of Jany
1833 and sent Hon
J G Kendall H of Reps

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832               $132 ~
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 - 44~
                                                            _______
                                                           $176~

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7,182.}

Recorded by J H Mc Blair Clerk,
Book D.  Vol. 2nd.   Page 95.
Page 3

Reported

1252
Massachusetts

Sarah Buss.
widow of John Buss.
Mass
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a Corporal

Inscribed on the roll at the rate 
88 Dollars ____
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March,1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 
18 day of August 1848
and sent to
G. S. Bulfinch
Boston
Mass

Recorded on Toll of Pensioners under act February 2, 188, Page 6 Vol. 2
Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - 
County of Worcester ss -

On this Fourteenth day of August AD 1832 personally appeared before Nathl. Paine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester in open court now sitting is John Buss, a resident of Leominster in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts, aged seventy three 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 provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted into the army of the United States in the year 1777 on the 11th day of March in the company commanded by Captain William Warner and served in the tenth Regiment of the Massachusetts line under the following named officers - Capt Warner above named was the Captain of said Company during the term of the applicant's service & Samuel Buss & Othniel Taylor were the Lieutenants
Page 5

Said Applicant believes that Levi Dodge became Ensign of his company in Nov - 1779 - The Ensign of said company during the residence of applicant's service is not remembered by the applicant - The Colonel of said Regiment was Thomas Marshall - One of the Lieutenant Colonels of the regiment was Ed Jackson & Nathaiel Winslow was the major - The latter as Commandant at the time, signed, the applicants discharge - That he enlisted as a Corporal & served in that capacity for the term of three years except a short time that he was appointed & acted as a Quarter Master Sergeant & was discharged at West Point Mar. 11th 1780 - that he resided in said Leominster when he entered the service as aforesaid - that he joined the army at Lake George on his enlistment was at Saratoga during the battles which led to the surrender of Burgoyne  - & engaged in several skirmishes with the enemy - After the capture of Burgoyne was ordered to Albany - descended the Hudson to Kings Ferry then Stony Point - & joined Washingtons Army at White
Page 6

Marsh & wintered with this Army at Valley Forge - That he was at the battle of Monmouth in June 1778 - & was with said Regiment afterwards in the State of New York & elsewhere - having attained a furlough at (Eastlyme?) Connecticut in Nov. 1778 for fifty days - & on rejoining the army passed the last winter of his service at Westpoint - That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state - John Buss

Sworn to & subscribed the day
& year aforesaid - 
Before Nathl Paine Judge of Probate for the
          County of Worcester

& that the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states - 
I Nathl W Paine Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings for the said Court in the matter of the application for John Buss for a pension -  In Testimony whereof, I have hereto to set my hand & seal affixed this 14 day of August in the year of our Lord 1832.
Nathl Paine Judge of Probate
for the County of Worcester
Page 7

I Theophilus Wheeler Register of Probate Court for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that the foregoing are original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Buss for a Pension - 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this 14th day of August AD. 1832 -
Theophs Wheeler Register of
Probate for said county of
Worcester in Massachusetts

(Sideways on page:) No. 5556
Page 8

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester County ss.

On this twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six, personally appeared, before the Court of Probate for Said county of Worcester, Sarah Buss, a resident of Leominster in said county, aged eighty five years, who, being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July the seventh AD 1838. and of the act of March 3d 1843 and June 17th 1844 in addition thereto, (said act of July 7th 1838 being entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows) that she is the widow of John Buss of Said Leominster who was a private and a corporal in the army of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States under the act
Page 9

of Congress passed June 7th 1832, at the rate of eighty eight dollars per annum, that he was a native of said town of Leominster and enlisted in the service from that town in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy seven and remained in the service, in all, over three years.  For a more particular account of his services, she asked here to refer to the declaration of her husband and the papers accompanying the same record on file in the department and also to the certificate of the Secretary of this Commonwealth sent herewith.  From the infirmity of her memory she is now unable to recall the details of his service.

She further declared that she was married to the said John Buss on the thirtieth day of March Seventeen hundred & eighty four and that the marriage ceremony was performed by Francis Gardner than a minster of the Gospel in said Leominster
Page 10

That her husband the said John Buss died at said Leominster on the thirty first day of October AD 1845., that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, to wit, at the time above stated.
Sarah Buss

Sworn & subscribed to the day and year above written 
before me
Benf. F Thomas
Judge of Probate
for said county of Worcester
Page 11

John Buss and Sarah Richardson both of Leominster were married March the thirtieth. seventeen hundred and eighty four by Francis Gardner.

I certify that the above is a true copy of the record of the town of Leominster in the county of Worcester, and state of Massachusetts with the exception of the date which is expressed in plain legible figures as follows "March ye 30. 1784."

J.C. Allen Town Clerk of 
Leominster

I J.C. Allen above named depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk in the town county and state aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me.
J.C. Allen

State of Massachusetts
Worcester ss.  Sept 28th1846
Sworn to Before me
Joel W. Fletcher Justice of the Peace
Page 12

N. 5556

John Buss

Mass.

Corporal 2 years

adm


$80~

Hon J G Kendall
Page 13

BRIEF in the case of John Buss of the County of Worcester in the State of 
(Act 7th June,1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a court or Judge? Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? blank

3.  How old is he? 73 years.

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
In 1777 Mar.11th
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
  3         -            -
Rank.
As a
Corporal & 2 o. Sergt.}
Names of General and field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Col. Marshall, Capt. Warner

5.  In what battles was he engaged? Saratoga & Momouth

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service. Leominster

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documents

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  no Clergyman's certificate

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Lewis Belt
Examining Clerk.
Page 14

(Sideways on page:)
John Buss
N. 23,731.
Mass.

Corl. John Buss
Discharge from
the 
Continental army
Page 15

John Buss first Corporal in the third Company in the Tenth Massachusetts Regiment has Served Out his full Term of three years to which he was Engaged and is hereby Discharged from the Army of the United States and is Permitted to pass home to Said State Unmolested and is also Intitled to all Priviledges (Privileges) that is Or may Be Granted By Said State Or the United States in General for Such Services. . . . 
To all whom it 
may concern} Given Under my hand At 
                       Westpoint this 11th Day of 
                       March 1780

Nathl Winslow: Major
Page 16

John Buss
W.23,731       Mass.

A return of the noncommissioned officers and private soldiers of the 3rd co., Col. Thomas Marshall's 10th Mass. regt., from time of enlistment to Dec.31.1779 inclusive, on which name Jno. Buss appears as Corporal enlisted Mar.11.1777 - residence Leominster, Worcester Co. - length of service 33 mo. 20 das.; dated West Point, Jan.30.1780.
has been removed from said claim to be sent to the War Dept.
acm. May 12.1911.

(Written sideways on right margin:)
Sent to War Dept. January 16.1913.
Page 17

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No.23731
Sarah Buss
Wid of
John Buss
Corpl Rev war

Act Feb. 2nd 1868
Index:  Vol. A, Page 107

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

Repd ~

307.
Massachusetts.

Sarah Buss - 
widow of John Buss - 
who was a Corporal
in the Mass. Line
Husbd. died 31st. October 1845.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 88 Dollars 
____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 31st. October 1845.

Certificate of Pension issued the 
5th day of Dec. 1846. 
and sent to
Joel W. Fletcher
Leominster,
Mass.

[Act of JUNE 17,1844.]

Recorded in Book d.
Vol. 2.  Page 26.
Page 19

No. 5556


Revolutionary Claim

Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington 
D.C
Page 20

Leominster Aug. 20 1832

Hon. Lewis Cass,

Dear Sir,
I send you the application of Deac. John Buss of this town for a pension - I have always been personally acquainted with him & can bear testimony to his good character for truth - I presume there can be no question that he is entitled under the act of June last
very respectfully
Your Obdt. Servt. - 
Joseph G. Kendall

It will be perceived that Mr. Buss acted for a time as Quarter Master Sergeant.  If the construction of the law is such at the department as will give him the pay of that post, he wishes to be allowed it.
Page 21

John Buss Mass. act of June 1832 $88.00 per ann
To what twice was he last paid
                                                     GCA
Pension Office}                            
Decem 3r 1846}   Paid to 11th Sept. 1865.
                                     B L Byan
Page 22

No 13122} 391

Sarah Buss
wow of John
Mass
act 7 July 1838

Rejected husband died
31 Oct 1845

Admd act 17 June 1844
2 year Corporal
$188.00 per ann
from 31st Oct 1845

Joel W. Fletcher
Leominster
Mass
Page 23

Pension Office
Decem. 1846

Sir,
(In the case of Polly Smith wow of 
Jonathan Smith, no objection will be crossed out)
Page 24

No.5556

John Buss -
Page 25

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Buss 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? blank

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 amount of pension he is entitled? yes

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes

VIII.  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 26

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? no

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no

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? blank

XIV.  +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? blank

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? blank

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? no - 

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 that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  For _____ year _____ months and _____days, I served as  _____.  For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 27

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.

+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 authenticated 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 end 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.
Page 28

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
Page 29

State of Massachusetts Worcester Co.
Leominster Nov 19,1846.

Dear Sir

I send to your address the declaration of Sarah Buss, and other papers in relation to her application for a pension.

As soon as there is a decision upon the matter will you inform me and forward the certificate to me.

Yours respectfully
Joel W. Fletcher

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Page 30

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester County, ss.

I, Joseph G. Kendall, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify, That Joel W. Fletcher, Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature to the certificate, on the deposition of J.C. Allen, hereunto annexed, is genuine; and that said Fletcher was such Justice, on the day of the date of his said certificate.


Given under my hand, and the seal of said County, this thirtieth day of September, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.

Jos. G Kendall Cler.
Page 31

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
WORCESTER, ss.

I, Charles G. Prentiss Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that John Buss was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $88, - per annum; was a resident of the County of Worcester in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and died in Leominster, in said County, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-five on the thirty first day of October; and that he left a Widow, whose name is Sarah Buss, and who now resides in said Leominster,

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Worcester, this first day of October in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty-fie.

Chales G. Prentiss Register.
Page 32

13,122

Sarah Buss
widow of John
Mass
act 7 July 1838
married 1784
husband died 31st Oct 1845
Rejected
Page 33

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss.

I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Bejamin F. Thomas is the Judge of said Court, duly Commissioned and qualified - and that his signature to the Certificate hereto annexed, is genuine.

In testimony whereat, I do hereunto set my hand and seal, this twentieth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and forty five.

Chas. G. Prentiss, Register.
Page 34

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.


Secretary's Office, Boston;
May 25 1846.

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 John Buss of Leominster is borne upon several Pay Rolls of Capt Andrew Haskell's company, in Col Thomas Marshall's regt as a private, from June 27 to December 1 1776. 5 months & 4 days.  Upon an Account in Army Books, as a Corporal of Leominster, in 3d Company. Col Thomas Marshall's regt., and then credited by his service from March 11 1777 to December 31 1779 33 months & 20 days, at 44/per month.  Upon another account in same as a Corporal, in Capt Park's company, Col Marshall's regt, and then credited by his services from January 1 to March 11 1780, is 2 months & 11 days, at 44/per month.  The above is all the evidence of service of any one
Page 35

of the name shown by the Military Records in this Office.



And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

John G. Palfrey;
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 36

(Sidways on page:)
2046.

I am now eighty five years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated.

Witness my hand, this nineth day of April A. D. 1846.

Signed by said
in my presence, Sarah Buss} Sarah Buss

Joel W. Fletcher
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Page 37

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, made by the widow of the party who rendered the service.

State of Massachusetts County of Worcester Town of Leominster

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of John Buss in the war of the Revolution.

He was a native of the Town of Leominster in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts

He enlisted from the Town of Leominster in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts in the year 1777 as a private in the Company commanded by Captain William Warner in Col Thomas Marshalls Regiment and he served as follows, *viz: - he enlisted March 11th 1777 and was discharged March 1 1780. until March 1, 1778 he served as a private and from March 1.1778 until March 1. 178 he was a corporal.  After his enlistment he went to Bennington, and to Greenburgh, - he was in the army at the taking Burgoyne, was at Valley Forge, he was at the battle of Monmouth he was (illegible) at West point.  He served for almost three years and I think the whole of this time he was in Capt William Warners Company and in Col Thomas Marchalls Regiment.

*Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank &c. of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.
Page 38

this identical page is transcribed in 
Fold3File #14252599
Page 39

admitted

G.S. Bulfinch
Boston
Mass


Sarah Buss
Ad 
307-44.
Page 40

DECLARATION

In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,}
Worcester County,} ss.

On this sixth day of July personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid,  Sarah Buss a resident of Leominster in the county of Worcester aged eighty seven 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.  That he is the widow of John Buss who was a resident of Leominster and who was a corporal in the War of the Revolution and is the identical person who drew a pension under the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late husband aforesaid, at the rate of eighty eight dollars and ___ cents per annum.  She further declares that she if still a widow.
         her
Sarah X Buss
         mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day}
and year above written,} Before me,
Joel W. Fletcher,
Justice of the Peace.

In presence of
M. R. Perry
B S Colburn

I Certify, That the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner, as she declares. Joel W. Fetcher Justice of the Peace.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,}
Worcester County,} ss.
I, Charles W. Hartshorn Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Joel W. Fletcher on the sixth day of July current was & is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.

Given under my hand, and the Seal of said Court, this twenty first day of July - 1848.
Chas. W. Hartshorn 
CLERK.

Send
Page 41

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM -51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Buss, John   GRADE Private   LINE New Hampshire

WARRANT 
NUMBER 2935   ACREAGE 100   ISSUED Aug.26,1790
to Manassah Cutler, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.