Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,039, William Howell, Conn. Sea Service Mass. And Mass. Sea Service Privateer
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn. Sea Services
Mass.  and Mass Sea Service
Privateer

Howell, William
or Howel

Number 
S.18.039
Page 2

New York 28.573

William Howell
of Livingston C. in the State of New York
who was a Priv (illegible) Sailor in the Company command
(torn page) Captain Neye of the Reg(illegible) command
(torn page) by Col Dimmock in the Masstts Militia
(torn page) (illegible) for 8 months Sailor
5 months Privater
+ Mass Sea Service
+ Conn Sea Service
+ Privateer

Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 48 Dollars 66 cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of April
1834 and sent to 
J. Prondfit Danville N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $145.98
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept 4 '34  - 24.33
$170.31
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Saml H. Page Clerk, 
Book (illegible) Vol. 4 Page 112
Page 3

State of New York
Livingston County (illegible).  On this twenty fifth day of September 1832, personally appeared in open court before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the said county of Livingston now sitting, William Howell, a resident of the town of Sparta in the said county of Livingston and said State of New York, aged seventy five years on the tenth day of June last, who being first duly sworn, according to the law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832: that in the early part of the month of June in the year 1775, he entered the service of the United States, as a volunteer in the Massachusetts Militia; he resided in the town of Falmouth in the State of Massachusetts at the time of his enlistment; Col. Joseph Demmick commanded the regiment in which he enlisted; Elisha Neye was the Captain of his company; and Silas Hatch the first and William Cockerel the second Lieutenant; he does not recollect at this time the names of any other officers of the regiment as he was not personally acquainted with them; there were four companies in the regiment; he continued in the service of that company and regiment between five and six months, and was discharged and returned to Falmouth in the latter part of November in the same year; during the time he was with them they were stationed on Elizabeth Island Massachusetts Bay; the object of their service was the protection of the coast from British foraging parties, but had no general battles; the regiment was alone, and did not act with any other force; he never had a discharge or other other (sic) written evidence of his service, and knows of no person living by whom it can be proved.
In the month of December 1776, he enlisted as a sailor in the United States ship Defiance, under the command of Capt. Allen, and continued in the service about two months; the ship sailed from Beverley, Massachusetts, to the West India Islands, and were occupied in cruising among those islands; they took a British Brig, he thinks, by the name of the Polly off Martinique; she surrendered without engagement; they brought her to Beverley where they had sailed from; he was discharged and returned to Falmouth where he remained until March following, when he enlisted as a sailor in the United States Brig Rising Empire under the command of Captain Richard Meldin and Lieutenant John Hendricks; the Brig remained at port in Beverley undergoing repairs until about the first of October following; he and the rest of the crew worked at
Page 4

repairing her; they sailed to Martin’s Vineyards and from there on to Plymouth; the Brig was found unfit for service; the Captain and Lieutenant went to Boston and represented her condition, and she was accordingly condemned; the crew was discharged, and he returned to Falmouth, after service of about eight months; during those two terms of naval enlistment, he was to have received eight dollars per month, but never received anything as there were no funds.  In the latter part of November or former part of December in the year 1777, he enlisted on board of the United States Privateer Sloop Wolf under Captain Nathaniel Freeman; they sailed immediately after his enlistment from (illegible)ssowitch, Cape Cod, south to the Carolina shore between Cape Hatteras and Ochacoke; she returned to the port from which she started; he was on board of her about two months and was then discharged; they took no vessels. In the month of July 1778, he enlisted on board of the United States Privateer Sloop Providence, twelve guns, under command of Captain John Peck Rathbun and Lieutenant Weaser; the sailed from Beverley, Massachusetts, to between 46o and 47o north latitudes; they sailed back to opposite Neversink, where they staid (sic) on the look out about eight days; five British Merchantmen sailed out of Hurlgate, one a ship of sixteen guns, another a sloop of ten guns, another a schooner of six guns, another a brig of four guns, and the fifth unarmed; they had an engagement with the British vessels which lasted about four hours; they disabled the ship and captured the schooner; they were parted from the British vessels by a violent storm; they put some of their own men on board of the schooner, and sent her into port at Beverley; the Providence sailed to Newfoundland, and took a small British Shallop; they returned to Beverley where he was discharged, about two months and a half after his enlistment; during the two terms of enlistment last mentioned, he was a privateer and was not entitled to any compensation except his share of captures.  In the month of February 1779, he enlisted as a quartermaster, on board of the United States Ship Defence, under Commodore Samuel Smedley, who had also the command of the ship Oliver Cromwell, Captain Parker; they sailed from Boston to the West India Islands, and to a station about one hundred leagues east of Jamaica; they captured two British Merchantmen, (illegible) them and sent them to Boston; they sailed northward, and ran into the port of Charleston, South Carolina, for a supply of water; they took two British Privateers and brought them into Charleston; this was done at the request of the Admiral of that station; they then sailed to their station east of Jamaica
Page 5

and from thence returned home to Boston, where he was discharged, having served on this enlistment a little over six months; during the last term he was to have received sixteen dollars per month, but never received anything; when he first enlisted, and during all the intervals of his service, he resided at Falmouth Massachusetts; he never had any documentary evidence of his service military or naval, nor is there any person within his knowledge now living who can testify to them; he cannot recollect the days on which any of his terms of service commenced or concluded, and he has no memoranda to refresh his recollection.  He was born June 18, 1758, in the city of Newport, Rhode Island; there is a record of his age, as he believes, though he does not know certainty in the office of the Clerk or Register of that city; he has no record in his own possession, or which can be produced in court here.  Shortly after the conclusion of his naval service he removed to the State of New York, and has resided in that State ever since, in the following places, Ossing (?) Dutchess County, about ten years, Green River Columbia County, about three years, Schodack (?), nine miles east of Albany, about ten years, Pompey, Onondaga County, between eight and nine years, Dryden, Tomkins County, between six and seven years, and the remainder of his time at Sparta, his present residence.  He names to the court Erhard Rowe and George Kern who live in his present neighbourhood, and Seth P. Benson who lives in the town of Springwater, Livingston County, as persons who can testify to his character for veracity, and to their belief of his service as a soldier and sailor in the war of the revolution.  There is no clergyman nearer his present residence, than one about four miles distant, and with him he is not acquainted.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.  
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, in open court.  S.G. Haven Dep Clk
(signature) W(illegible) Howel (sic)

Mr Erhard Rowe and George Kern of Sparta in the county of Livingston and State of New York do hereby certify that we reside in the immediate neighbourhood of, and are well acquainted with William Howell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy five years of age; that he
Page 6

bears a fair character for veracity; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he lives, to have been a soldier and sailor of the revolution, that we concur in that opinion.

Subscribed and sworn to 
The day and year aforesaid
In open court S.G. Haven Dep Clk
(signature) Erhard Rowe
(signature) George Kern

I, Seth P. Benson of Springwater in the county of Livingston and State of New York, do hereby certify, that I have been for nearly thirty years, well acquainted with the before named William Howell, who has subscribed the foregoing declaration; that I believe him to be about the age of seventy five years old; that he has during all the time I have known him, sustained a good character for veracity, and been reputed as soldier and sailor of the revolution; and that I concur in that opinion.

Subscribed and sworn to 
The day and year aforesaid
In open court S.G. Haven Dep Clk
(signature) Seth P. Benson

And the said court do herby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a solider and sailor of the revolution and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Erhard Rowe and George Kern and Seth P. Benson, who have signed the proceeding certificates, are residents, the two former of the town of Sparta and the latter of the town of Springwater in the county of Livingston, and are all credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.  

I, Chauncey R. Bond, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Livingston, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Howell for a pension.  

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office, this twenty fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.  

Chauncey R. Bond Clerk
Page 7

Rev. War Section.

June 15, 1915.

Mrs. Mary F. Lloyd
436 Elm Street, 
New Haven, Conn.

Madam:
In response to your letter dated the ninth instant, you are advised that from the papers in the claim sur. File No. 18, 039, Rev. War, it appears that William Howell who was born June 10, 1758, at Newport, Rode Island, and while a resident of Falmouth, Massachusetts, volunteered and served as follows:
June, 1775, Private under Captain Elisha Nye, and Colonel Joseph Demmior in the Massachusetts troops, five months.
December 1776, as Sailor on the ship "DEFIANCE" under Captain Allen, Captured the British Brig "POLLY", served two months.
March 1777, as Sailor on Brig "RISING EMPIRE" under Captain Richard Weldin; eight months.
November or December 1777, on Sloop "WOLF" under Captain Nathaniel Freeman; two months, July [ink runoff]
July, 1778, on Sloop "PROVIDENCE" under Captian
Page 8

John Peck Rathbun, was in engagement with the British and captured a schooner and a small shallop, served two and one half months.
Feburary 1779, served as Quartermaster on Ship "DEFENCE" commanded by Samuel Smedley, captured two British merchantmen and two privateers.
He was allowed pension on an application executed September 25, 1832, while a resident of Sparta, Livingston Country, New York.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.
Page 9

[left page]

P  18039
INVALID

File No. 18,039
William Howell
Pri Rev War

Act:  June 7"32
Index :--Vol. /, Page /8/
[Arrangement of 1870]

[right page]
1908. Mar. 30. Hist Lo Mary
6. Steele V.L.M.
1915-June 15 - Hist Lo Mary 
F. Lloyd .V.L.M
Page 10

William Howell

objection 
5.th

emmited to - 
Ad
Page 11

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Mr. Howell 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?


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? No - 


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? ye
Page 12

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?
[handwriting] No

XII. If the Clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
[handwriting] Yes

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? 
[handwriting] Yes

XIV. [drawing of a cross/plus sign] If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

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. [drawing of a cross/plus sign] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
[handwriting] Yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them was not answered?
[handwriting] 505

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. R. 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  [line to fill in] year [line to fill in] months, and [line to fill in] days, I served as a [line to fill in] For [line to fill in] months and [line to fill in] days, I served as a [line to fill in]; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 13

                                                                    8

		It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each 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 in-
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objection-
able.  It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not em-
ployed in any civil pursuit.
†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 magis-
	trate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[handwritten in the margin to the left of QUERE XIV]  This ought to attended to in all cases.
‡QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
		In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
	written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the cer-
	tificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
			In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
		office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
		certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
[handwritten in the margin to the left of QUERE XVI] No paper ought to be took separate as in the case of Mr. Lemon

[a line of handwritten text is obscured by being crossed out]
[handwritten note across bottom of page]
there is no evidence in the Department
that the vessels in which he served
were public armed vessels.  Service
on board private armed ships cannot
be taken into the computation of
a pension.  The applicant
must prove then that they
were not private armed vessels.
Page 14

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Secretary's Office,  Feby. 4th 1834.

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 roll of Capt. Elisha Nye's Company, in Col. Joseph Demmick's Regt as described by William Howell, who claims for services in 1775, under the above Captain, is not foun in this Office. - 

Signature of Edward D. Bangs
Page 15

State of New York

Livingston County ss. William Howell of the town of Sparta in the county and state aforesaid, aged  seventy six years on the tenth day of June last, being duly sworn {/} and saith, in amendment of this declaration, made before the Court of Common Please of the said county on the twenty fifth day of September 1832 and heretofore transmitted to the War Department, unable to state with precision the duration of his serveral terms of service as a soldier and sailor in the war of the revolution, but he says that he actually served not less than the periods following grades. In the following grades. In the Massachusetts Militia he served as a private not less than five months; in the Ship Defiance he servied as a private not less than two months; in the Brig Rising Empire he served as a private not less than eight months; and in the Ship Defence he servied as a quartermaster not less than six months; making an aggreegate of actual services not less than twenty one months; and for such service he claims a pension And further this deponent saith not. 

Signature of Wm. Howell

Subscribed & sworn thie 7th day of February 1834 before me
Signature of James Faulkner  Livingston Pleas. 
One of the Judge of Livinstron Court Pleas.

State of New York 
Livingston county ss  I certify that James Faulkner before whom the proceding affidavit purposes to have been taken was at the date of the Same a legally authorized Judge of Livingston county courts. And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge same subscribed to the first of the Said affidavit is his own proper hand writing & Signature

In writing whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the court comm Please of said county at [?] this 24th day of February A.D. 1834

Chauncey R. Bond Clerk
of Livingston county 
By. L. G. Haven Dept Clerk
Page 16

Bureau of Pension
Washington D.C. 

I am enclosing a card which gives the information asked for by you.  The National Society D.A.R. has 
asked for the Pension record of William Howell therefor I am writing toyou and I have a special reason for desiring it as possible and will appreciate it if I may have this work. 

Thanking you in advance for all favors conferred

Iam 

Sincerely
Mary F. Lloyd
486 Elm St. 
New Haven, Conn

June 9, 1915

Note written in left margin:  Please return card.
Page 17

Office of 
Clerk of Herkimer County
Gersham Smith, County Clerk

Herkimer, NY  March 21st, 1908

Commission of Pensions, 
Old War & Navy Division,
Washingto, D.C..

Dear Sir: 

I would thank you to inform me with reference to the Revolutionay services of William Howell of the Massachusetts miitia, who later resided in Livingtston County, New York. 

If there is an expense connected with this I will remit upon advise of the amount. 

Your truly, 

Signature of (Miss) Mary E. Steele

The Van Kirk, 
Herkimer, New York 

Seal of U.S. Pension Office can be seen.
Page 18

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
William Homer  I.F. 18039

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
Nov or Dec. 1777
June 1775
Dec 1776
March 1777 
Nov or Dec 1777
July 1778
Feby 1779

Length of Service. 
5 mos.
3 mos.
8 mos.
2 mos
2 1/2 mos.
6 mos.
3 mos. 

Rank
Pvt.
Tailor

Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered (Both Captain and Colonel)
Captain
Elisha Nye
Under Capt Allen on Ship Defiance took a British Brig. \
Under Capt Richard Wilden
Capt Nathaniel Freeman
John Peck Rathburn
In engagement with British & capture& a schooner, also a small Shallop
Quartermaster on Defiance under Com. Samuel Sanedley
3 British Merchant men and 2 Pirateers

Colonel
Joseph Demmack
Polly
Brig Rising Empire
Sloop Wolf
Sloop Providence

State. 
Mass.


Battles engage in, ____________________________
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Falmouth Mass
Date of application for pension, Sept 25, 1832His cl was al
Residence at date of application, Sparta, Livingston  les N.G.
Age at date of application, Born June 10, 1758 at Newport, R.I.

use one dated June 15, 1915 instead of this