Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7799, Adam Hollis, Mass.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Mass
CONTENTS
Hollis
Adam
Susannah
NUMBER
W. 7799
Page 2

10-573.
Massachusetts
Adam Hollis
of Norfolk in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Col. Sargent in the Mass
line for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 80 Dollars --Cents per annum,
o commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of Apr
1833 and S[illegible]
Leland Norfolk Co Mass

Arrears to the 4th of Mass 1833 $160--
Semi-anl. allowance ending 21 febr 40
$200
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J. H. [illegible] Blain Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 2[illegible] Page 90.
Page 3

6.201
Massachusetts
Susannah Hollis
widow of Adam Hollis
Massachusetts
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a Private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 dollars 00
cents per annum, to commence on 
the 3d February, 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued
24th day of Jany 1857
and sent to Issac Towers
Randolph
Mass.
Care Of:
Hon. W. S. Dadmrell
[illegible]

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 3, 1853, Page 12. Vol. N
Page 4

I hereby certify that on the
twenty-first day of September in 
the year Eighteen hundred and
thirty-five, Mr. Adam Hollis and
Mrs. Susannah Bailey both of
Randolph, Mass. were duly joined
in Marriage by me in the Town 
of Randolph aforesaid, according
to the laws of Massachusetts.
Isaac Smith, then 
Pastor of Baptist to. Stoughton,
now of Foukers' Mass.
Certified from Record,
at Foxboro Dec. 5 '1856}
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, Dec.r 15th 1856
I hereby certify, That at the date of the attestation hereunto annexed,
Abe R. Berry and Isaac Tower are Justices
of the peace. Wm S. Leland is Judge of Probate
Justice of the Peace[crossed out] for the County of Norfolk

in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted: and that
to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and
ought to be given, in and out of Court.

In Testimony of which, I have hereunto affixed the SEAL OF THE
COMMONWEALTH, the date above written.
F. D. Witt
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk SS
     On this eleventh day of December
in the ear of our lord eighteen hundred
fifty six personally approved before the
subscriber the Judge of Probate within our
for they said County of Norfolk Susannah
Hollis a resident of Randolph in said
County of Norfolk aged eighty Four years
who first being duly sworn acording 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
5th of February 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the
Revolutionary War: That she is the widow
of Adam Hollis of said Randolph who
during his lifetime was a pensioner for services
in the revolutionary war and as to his
rank, services and the names of the officers 
under whom the said Adam Hollis
Page 7

Served reference is now made to the
evidence filed in his application.
     
     The further declares that she was
married to the said Adam Hollis on the
twenty first day September in the year 
Eighteen hundred thirty five and that her
said husband did on the twelfth day
of January in the eighteen hundred
forty: 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 she is now a 
widow.
Signed in the presence of
Isaac Tower  Susannah her mark Hollis
W.F. Leland I Wm. S. Leland Judge of 
Probate within and for the county 
of Norfolk aforesaid do hereby certify
that from bodily infermity the said Susannah
Hollis is unable to attend Court and that
on the day and year above written she
made oath to and subscribed the foregoing
application before me. [Illegible]open court.
W.F. Leland Judge of Probate
Page 8

1676
Holles
Norfolk Co
parts
Perate
years
141606
Dec 21 1837
$80 -
Leland
173
Norfolk Co
that
Page 9

BRIEF in the case of Adam Hollis
of Norfolk Cty in the State of Mass
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 70 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period| Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
In 17 76 Mar. | 1 Years, - Months, - Days. | As a Privt-| Gen. Captn. A. Barnes, Col_ Sarjent
78 Apr |- Years, 7 Months, - Days,|As a Privt|" jiorton Col-Thos. Poor
80 May | - Years, 5 Months, - Days | As a Privt | "Saml _ Leonard
5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cambridge
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by 
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Tradition _any evidence living
witnesses, rolls-
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct-
I Certify that the foregoing statement and answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
H. M. Blein
Examining Clerk
Page 10

Adam Hollis
4676
Edwin S. Leland
Page 11

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.    3
County of norfolk SS. On this fourteenth day of August in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court
before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate now
sitting at [illegible] in and for said County, Adam Hollis a resident
of Randolph in said County, aged seventy, who being first duly sworn, according to law,
doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Con-
gress passed June 7th A. D. 1832.
     THAT he was born at Braintree there in the County of Suffolk but now Norfolk
record of his birth to his knowledge-: that he was in the United States service from
the month of March A. D. 1776, to the Month of Jany A.D. 1777 for [illegible]
as a soldier in the Massachussetts Militia: that he was
residing at Cambridge
when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Asa Barnes - in the
Regt. A Col. Sargeant: that he marched from Barteu to
Norwich, from Norwich to Newyork from Newyork to Moun town from there to the 
Delalware River: that he served at ___with
_____of the regular troops; and
___reguilar officers were known to him; that he was in the battle,
near Kingsbridge at Trenton & near P[illegible-Princeton]
and at the end of his service received no written discharge: that since the Revolutionary war he
has resided at Randolph.
    ALSO: that he was in the United States service from
he Month of April A. D. 1778, to the Month of November A. D. 1778 for service [illegible]
months as a soldier in the Massachusetts Militia: that he was
residing at [illegible] Braintre
when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Captain Martin & Lieut
Lambeau [illegible] of the Regiment Comm[illegible] Colonial [illegible] Poor
__: that he serve at [illegible]
with ___of the regular troops; and
regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge.
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from
the first day of May A. D. 1780, to the last day of Sept,-A. D. 1780 Is [illegible]
months as a soldier in the Massachusetts Militia; that he was
residing at Worthington
when he entered the service; that he was a substitute for Elijah Garnet
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Samuel Leonard
that he marched from Worthington to
Providence, from P[illegilbe] to Norwich from Norwich to New London with a
regiment of French Troops to guard the [illegible] that he served at same places
with the said French Troops__of the regular troops; and no
regular offices were known to him: that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge of that
[illegible] is no [illegible] to his knowledge by whom he
can [illegible] his [illegible].
Page 12

And also that he has no documentary evidence of his
service [illegible] what may be found in the office  of the
Secretary of the Commonwealth, a certificate of which is [illegible-hereto]
[Ann-illegible]

He hereby relinquishes every clai whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and
declares that hi name is not on athe pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to the Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Adam Hollis, His mark
We David Brigham  a clergyman, residing in the Randolph
and Silas [illegible-Tanis Jr] residing Randolph
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Adam Hollis who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-one
years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides to have been
a soldier in the war of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid. David Brigham
Silas Lanier[sp] Jr.
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and
after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed appli-
cant was a revolutionary soldier and srved as he states. And the court further certify that it
appears to them that David Brigham, who has signed the preceding certificate, is
a clergyman, resident in the State of [illegible]; and that Silas [Illegible] jr
who has also signed the same is a resident in Randolph and is a credible person; and that
their statement is entitled to credit.
Sherman Leland Judge of Probate
and the Court further certify that Silas Paine Junior is a Justice of the peace for said
County of Norfolk & that the name served to each [illegible] the certificates to the Depositions hereto [illegible]
in his signature & hand [illegible]   Sherman Leland Judge of Probate
I Samuel Havin, Ky of the Court of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the
application of Adam Hollis for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid. 
Samuel Havin
Page 13

Revolutionary War
WIDOW, &c.
No. 1899
Susannah Hollis
Wid
Adam Hallis
Prist Rev War
Act: Feb 3d 1853
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 34
Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 14

on Geo. Whiting
Commissioner of
Washington
Page 15

Comn of Pensions
Washington
Page 16

Commissioner of Pensions
the larger of
Pension Office
Washington
Page 17

Adam
Com of Pensions
Washington D.C
Page 18

Susannah Hollis
widow
Norfolk Co.
Massachuss
Let W. S. Damuell Jan
of Adam
Act Feb. 3. 1853
Page 19

Susannah Hollis
widow of Adam Hollis
Norfolk Coz, Mapachusetts
Smith Act Feby 3. 1853
or rate of $80 per Annum
Commencing at law and act
Husband prvale of Infantry
2 years
pay widow
Certificate to
Isaac Towers Esq
Randolph,
Massachusetts
Care of Hem W.S. Darrell
House of Reps
Page 20

Anderson
Susannah
S. Darrell
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 21

Sir
Mass
12 for
has
3 Auditors Office
Decr 31. 1836
Adam Hollis
Act 1832, died
1840, & his pension
been paid in
All
Hollis
Geo. C.
to Susannah
his widow
Very Respy
Jr
Andeth
Whiting Esq.
Comm of Pensions
my
of
O
Pension Office, Dec. 30, 1856
the Third Auditor will please certify the
in by
the
date to which the within named pensioner
was paid; and name of his widow
Page 22

Jan 21
of Pensions
I sent you some little time
ago
an application for a pension in behalf of Susannah
Hollis widow of Adam Hollis and requested that the
letter might be returned to me as I had no mem
randum of it and the order for a pension was and
there given Jan 24th 1857 and is numbered
6021 I think, I would like the letter if you have it
as I do not know
the persons or Office direction,
is respectfully
W. C. Dannell
Page 23

Norfolk
in the case of Susannah Hollis, widow of Adam Hollis
County and State of Massachusetts
February 3, 1853,
Claim, (original "Noninere"
Proof exhibited, (if original)
Is it documental
Husband of Claimant was a pensioner
under act of June 7, 1832, for 2 years service or
private of Infantry, at rate of $80 per annum,
and hid Jan 12, 1840- arrears paid to Susannah
Hollis" as per Certificate of 3d Auditor
Marriage in 1835, perved by verified certificate
of Town Clerk
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
entity of demont in the order of said pensioner
and her present widowhood, proved by two
witnesses certified to be credible
Allowance accordingly
Gaac Lowers Esq
Randolph,
Name and residence of Agent
Massachusetts
R. S. Darrell,
House of Representation
are Her
Page 24

Sammell
Dear Sir
enclosed I send
the Case Susannah Hollis
ecution for a pension if there are not
icient please write me further as I think
the old Lady is entitled and I wish to make
all the proof that is necessary to obtain it
now she is alive and she can have the
benefit of it
. by Son
Truly yours
Power
son 2/57 to husbands death
and 2 wilt by
.
Page 25

Affidavit of
Ezekeil French
Page 26

Commonwealth of Massachusettes
Norfolk on oath
that I have been the
town of Randolph
Sexton of said
every year
AD 1827 and that for many years
I was personally acquainted with Adam
Hollis the Revolutionary pensioner of
said
Randolph and that
in the capacity
of Sexton as aforesaid I attended his
funeral and insisted at his burial
which was on the fourteenth day of
January AD Eighteen hundred forty
That on the record of the burials which
I am required by law to keep is the
following entry to wit 1840 Jany 14
Mr Adam Hollis age 79
That this
record was entered by my own hand
on the said fourteenth day of January
and that the copy which I have above
made from said record of Curials
Page 27

Norfolk as
Every particular
Ezekiel French
Jany 1857
hereby certify that
on this day personally appeared the
above named Ezekiel Bench and
subscribed and made oath to the foregoing
affidavit and I do further state that
I am acquainted with said Ezekiel
French and that he is
archestate
and credible witness
Abel B. Beny
Justice of the peace
Page 28

Affidavit
Ira Beal
Page 29

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk SS
    I Ira Beal of Randolph in
said County of Norfolk of lawful age on oath do
swear that I was personally acquainted
with Adam Hollis the revolutionary
pensioner late of said Randolph deceased
that I was present at his death which
occurred in the month of January AD
1840 and that he resided in the said 
Country of Norfolk in the year AD 1833
And I do further State that Susannah Hollis
the applicant for pension under the law
of an act of 1853 is the widow of the said
identical Adam Hollis deceased and that she still
resides in Randolph aforesaid [illegible] our 
of my nearest neighbors
     I do further state that I know that the
said Adam Hollis was a pensioner of
the United States on the Massachusetts roll.
Ira Beal
Page 30

Norfolk SS January 7 1857 I hereby certify
that on the day of the date hereof [illegible]
within named Ira Beal personally
appeared before me and subscribed and
made oath to thee within affidavit
and I do further certify that I am 
acquainted with the said Ira Beal
and that he is a respectable and
credable witness. 
Abel B. Biney
Justice of the Peace
Page 31

Affadavit of
John Hollis
Page 32

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk SS
     I John Hollis of Randolph
in said county of Norfolk of lawful
ago on oath day that I was
acquainted with Adam Hollis late
of said Randolph deceased. That 
he died in the month of January in
the year 1840 and that he was a 
pensioner of the United States on the
Massachusetts roll and that when pensioned in 1833 he resided in said
Norfolk County and that Susanna
Hollis the applicant for pension under the act of 1853 is the widow of the said identical Adam Hollis
above named.
     I do further State that the 
said Adam Hollis was my uncle
but that I am in no way interested 
in his estate or that of the said
Susanna Hollis as the said
Adam Hollis has [illegible] living
Page 33

And I do further state that [illegible]
present at the funeral of the said
Adam Hollis in January 1840. 
John Hollis

Norfolk SS
        January 7, 1857 I hereby certify
that on the day of the date hereof thee above
named John Hollis personally appeared do further certify that I am acquainted
with the said John Hollis and that
he is a respectable and credable
witness
   A B Berry
Justice of the peace
Page 34

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk SS
     I Margaret Hollis of Randolph
in said county of Norfolk on oath do
say that I was present at the marriage
of Adam Hollis and Susannah Baily
on the twenty first day of September in 
the year Eighteen hundred thirty five at 
said Randolph and that said Susannah
is now the widow of said Adam Hollis
deceased and that she is still a widow and is the same person who has made
application for pension under the 'Act of 1853
Witness AB Berry Margaret Hollis her mark
Swore to and subscribed
before me this twelfth Day of December AD 1856
Abel B. Berry
Justice of the peace
Page 35

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Nathan Hollis of Randolph in
said County of Norfolk on oath do say
that I was present at the marriage of
Adam Hollis and Susannah Bailey
on the twenty first day of September in
the year Eighteen hundred thirty five
at said Randolph and that the said
Susannah is now the widow of said
Hollis
Adam and that she is still a widow
and is the same person who has made
application for pension under the act of 1853
Nathan Hollis
Norfolk Sd Dec 12 1836
Then personally appeared said
Nathan Hollis and made
oath to and subscribed the
foregoing
statement before me
Abel B Bery Justice of the peace
Page 36

State of Mass
County of Norfolk of Randolph
on the
Record of Publishment
I find
the
following
September Sixth
Eighteen hundred & Thirty five
Adam Hollis
Mrs. Susannah Bailey
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:--
September 6th "
Hiram C. Alden J. Clerk
Hiram C Alde above named, depose and say,
that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town, county, and state aforesaid
, and that the above is a true copy from the records of said city, with the exception
above named, as certified by me.
Hiram Alder
Town Clerk
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this 12th
day of December A. D. 1856. I have no interest in this case.
Isan Tower Justice of the Peace
(a) Here fill in an exact transcript of the record, except that, instead of copying the figures, the date must be written out in full.
( b ) Here give the date exactly as it is in the record
Page 37


I Vinson Curtis of Plainfield in the County of Hanover
 Commonwealth of Massachusetts of
full age, do testify and say, that Adam Hollis of
Randolph in the County of Norfolk & Commont
aforesaid, served as an enlisted soldier in the war
of the revolution in the State of New York at White his
West Point & vicinity, in the year of our Lord one thouse
hundred & seventy eight & nine South
and seven
months, in the State service, in the Regiment commanded
by Colonel Thomas Poor, & Majr Seth Turner,
&
& in the company commanded by Capt. Morton St.
Zacheus Thayer, during all of which time I the
said Vinson Curtis served in the same Regiment
but in another company commanded by Capt John Ellis
and further deponant saith not
Verefore Curtis
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
the
Norfolk ss. July 26th 1832 Then personally appeared
the above named Vinson Curtis & made solemn
oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him
subscribed
Before me Silas Pamer Justice of the ten
James Overthe

on
Edd
open
her
in
the Pew
Page 38

I further certify that the within named Penson
Curtis is a person of truth & veracity
Silas James
Justice of
the Peace
Page 39

I Jonathan Hill of Abington in the County of Plymouth
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of Lawfull do testify
and say, that Adam Hollis of Randolph in the County
of Norfolk and Commonwealth aforesaid, served as a soldier in
the war of the revolution in the State New York and New
Jersy twelve months in the year of Our Lord seventeen
hands and seventy six & seven in the company commanded by Capt
Barnes Col. Sergeant's Regiment & General Nickerson
Brigade he was at the taking of the Hessians at Trenton the 26th
of December 1776 & was with him while marching through
the Jersey in the army commanded by General Washington
during all of which time I the said Jonathan Hill was
with the said Adam Hollis in lot Jose Regiment &
Capt Fawle's company and further deponant saith not
his
Jonathan Hill
Mack
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk ss August 11th 1832 Then personally appeared
the above named Jonathan Hill and made solemn
oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
Before me
Silas Paine J. Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the have said deponant is upon
to be a person of truth & veracity
Silas James Jus Justice of the
Page 40

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Aug 16 1832
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 Adam Hollis is borne upon the day
Roll of Lieutenant Zacheus Thayer
for the space of three months & twenty
six days from the twenty third of June
1778
Edward Bangs
Page 41

4676
Adam Hollis
. Leland
Roxbury
Mass
Page 42

proof
explain
of Pension Claims,
, will
th Count
of
which those
as which require
Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
he resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled? Yes
V
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?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate
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 43

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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant 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? yes one not
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under
his seal of office
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?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII.
Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
and --
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
 he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For year
------ months and
days, I served as a -. For - months
days, I served as and
for such service I claim a pension."
Page 44

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 be 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. Mod of acting paper
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.