Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18453, Jonathan How, Mass. N.H.
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Mass.                            How, Jonathan                                S. 18453

                                                                                                   carded
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21.184

Massachusetts
Jonathan How

[?] in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Eaton of the Regt. commanded by Col. Gerrish in the Massachusetts & NH line for 11 months and 24 days. 

This certificate is issued in hereof one dated Aug 23 1833
(Cancelled)

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 39 Dollars 30 Cents per annnum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of [?] 1833 and sent to C. Minott  Haverhill

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. '33  $98.25
Semi-an. allowance ending 4m. '34  $19.65
Total $117.90

(Revolutionary Clain,  Act Jun3 7, 1832)

Recorded by Go. Steles  Clerk
Book E. Vol. [?]  Page 34
Last line unreadable
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Jonathan How Son of James How Jr. and [illegible] his wife was Born August 13th 1753 as appears from the Book of Records for the Town of Methuen

The above is a true copy

Moses Merrill [illegible]

Methuen August 20 1832
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Jonathan How
13.016
Private 7 Months
4 - 76
11 - 76
1600
May 24 [Illegible]
The original envelope in this case was distroyed by [Illegible] Stiley
[Illegible]
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BRIEF in the case of Jonathan How 
of Methuen in the State of Massachusetts [Abbreviated]
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? [Illegible]
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?  79 years 
4. State his service in the form [Illegible due to fold in the paper]

[Note- this part is the form referred to above]

Period.  Duration of Service.  Rank.  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

Years,  Months,  Days.  As a   Gen.
In 1775    2     Private     Gen. Eaton [Illegible]
1776        2          "          Gen. Allen    Lt. Poor +
                                                        Col. Baldwin
1776 nearly six mo  "   Capt. Dodge [Struck out]
1778        3          "         Gen. Bodwell Col. Gerrich
5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Methuen Massachusetts [Abbreviated]
7. Is his statement supported by living witness, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
The papers are not attached [Illegible]
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Cutts [Signature]
Examining Clerk
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS: COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss.
On this twenty fifth day of September A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the HONORABLE DANIEL APPLETON WHITE, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, now sitting, Jonathan How, a resident of Methuen, in
the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 79 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 Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: viz
That he volunteered into the militia for 6 weeks and marched as a private in Capt. Timothy Eatons company (the
colonel was from Connecticut his name he does not recollect) from sand Methuen to Roxbury Mass. where he was stationed to guard the British in Boston; he arrived
at said Roxbury in November 1775 and there served his 6 weeks out, and then was obliged (requested), by the officers to serve
two weeks longer which he did and was then dismissed after serving in all two months -

Immediately on being dismissed at Roxbury without returning home, he again volunteered a bout the last of January or 1st Feb,1776 as a private in the militia, to serve for two month
and did serve for his said two months, Winter hill in Charlestown, Ms., for the purpose still of guarding the British in Boston, in Capt John Allens company in Col: Enoch Poors and Col Baldwins regiment, and was dismissed at the expiration of his time about April 1.1776

That also I volunteered to serve in the militia as a private in Capt. Dodges company / Daniel Poor was Lieut, the Colonel he does not recollect and marched in August 1776 from said Methuen through Charleston N.H. Skeenesbourough, over to head quarters at Ticonderoga; then the new recruits of whom he was our were sent to Mount Hope; where
he with others were taken sick and some were sent off with him in a cart to be taken care, but all [illegible] he died, and he was received by a private family and there continued sick, so that he was not able to return home till January 23-1777, he was absent nearly 6 months
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that also he volunteered into the militia and marched as a private in April 1778 in Capt. John Bodwell's company in Col. Jacob Gerrishes Regiment that he marched from He therein aforesaid, to Winter Hill in Charlestown, and served there over three months for the purpose of guarding the British prisoners; he returned from said service in July 1778.

He further states that he was born at siad Methuen Alug 13 1753 that there is a record of his age in the town book, That he never received a written discharge from any of the above services. 

Capt Robinson How, Benjamin Osgood Esq, Joshua Swan is who live in said Metheun in his neighborhood will testify to his veracity, and then in belief in his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

He hereby relinqishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, accept the present, and declares that his same in not on thepension roll of the agency of an State.   

Signature of Jonathan How

Sworn to and slubsrived (this day and your aforesaid   {Signature unreadable) Judge of Probate. 

We, Charles O. Kimball a clergyman, resising in Methuen aforesaid, and Benjamin Osgood Esquire, a magistrate, residing in Methuen aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan How sho has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 79 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 

Signatures of Charles O Kimball and Benjmin Osgood.
'
Subscribed and sworn to before 

John Tenney, Justice Peace
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And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Charles O Kimball, who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Methuen and that the said Benjamin Osgood who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident at said Methuen and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

D A White Judge of Probate

I Nathaniel Lord Junior, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jonathan How for a pension. And that Stephen Minot and John Tenney Esquires are Justices of the Peace for said County of Essex and that their siganture to the annexed certificates are genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty fifth day of September A.D. 1832 

Nath. Lord Jr. 

Signed and sealed anew this sixth day of June AD 1833 Nath. Lord Jr
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I David How of Haverhill in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire aged 75 years on oath testify and say, that Jonathan How of Metheun in said County is my brother, that in the first of 1775 I leved at my fathers house in said Metheun, and Jonathan liver there at the same time; that in 1775 I think the last of the year said Jonathan enlisted into the militia as a private soldier and marched to Roxbury Mass. where he remained two months and immediately after enlisted into Capt. Allens (I think) company, and remained there for two months more and then returned home. 

Also in the last of July or the first of August 1776; said Jonathan enlisted into the U.S. service and marched to Ticonderoga N.Y. where he was taken sick and continued so till January 1777 and returned ome, as appears by a memorandum in my possession made by me at the time, on the 23rd of January 1777.

Also I remember that said Jonathan did servie in 1778 at Winterhill Charlestown for guarding the prisoners in Burgoynes army, and served I think over three months. 

Signature of David How

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex  September 20 1832  
Then David How Esquire above named made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true before me

Stephen Minot - Justice of the Peace Quorum

I Stephen Minot herby certify that I am well acquainted with David How above named that he is a person of veracity and his statement is entitled to full credit. 

Stephen Minot, Justice of Peace.
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Jonathan How        Washington, D.D. 

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Jonathan How S.J. 18453, a soldier of the REVOLLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Burearu. 

Dates of Enlistment on Appointment
No. 1776
Jan or Feb 1776

Aug 1776
Apr 1778

Length of Service
2 mos
Apri 1 1775
Jan 23 1777
July 1778

Rank
Private
Private
Private
Private

Officers under Whom Service was Rendered
Captain
Timothy Eaton 
John Allen 
Dodge
John Bodwell

Colonel
None
Gnock Poor
Baldwin

None Jacob Terrish

State
Mass.
N.H. 
Mass
Massa
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18453
INVALID

No. 18453
Jonathan How
Pri Ref War

Act: June 7th 32
Vol. 1 Page 181

[Arrangement of 1879.]

1905 Nov 7  History to Mrs. How [Letter in 8.J.15049  Solomn
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J.L. Edwards Esq
Pension Office 
Washington
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House of Representatives
Dec 9th 1837

Sir
I rec'd the enclosed letter reqeusting me to make inquiries respecting the Pension Certificate of Jonathan How  -  wll you please to communicate to me any information you may have respecting the same. 

I am with Respect
Your Obedt Servt
Gayton P. Osgood
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Jonathan How
13016


C. Minot
Haverhill
Mass
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jonathan How  Metheun Mass which require further proof or explanattion.

I. Does the declaratio show where the application resides?  M (appears to be the letter M)


II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the country wgere ge resides? M

III/ If the applicant did not make the declaration in the country 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? M

V. *Has he mentioned with precsion 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 amoung of pensio he entitled?  Yes

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity w?  Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of very claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7 1882?  M

VIII. Has the Court given their opinon?  M

IX.  Has the CLerk given his certificate? M

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
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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?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XII. 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'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, as 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. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [handwritten: No]
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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 indefinite, 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 objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;  the particular place o replaced where the service was performed; that the applicated 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 employed 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 Magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

[The following  section has handwritten brackets drawn around it]
++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 certificate 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.
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Paymnets to be made 
to Boston
By {unreadable) M
Agent for paying Pension
ers, in the Agency of 


Mass.


REcorded in the Pensio Office, in Book E. Vol. 2
Page 24 by  {signature unreadable)

Clerk.
Page 19

War Department.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Jonathan How of the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive Twenty Three dollars thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year. 

Given at the War Office of the United States this 22 day of August one thousand eight hundred thirty three 

Lew Cass Secretary of War 

Examined and countersigned J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
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FREE
23
Hon. Gayton P. Osgood
M.C.

Washington D.C.

Seal stamp Haverhill, Mass.  Dec. 4
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Haverhill Mass Dec 3 1833

Dear Sir

Jonathan How soon after the passage of the Pension Law made application for a Pension . Some months since I received his Pension Certificate by mistake I suppose it was issued for too small a [illegible]

I immediately after receiving it, sent it back to Washington to the Commisoner of Pensions to be corrected. This was several months since, since that time I have heard nothing therefrom, although I have  addressed a letter to J L Edwards Esq Comm.. of Pensions requesting information about it. 

Now sir I respectfully request of you to make inquiries at the Pension Office whether the Certificate has been received back there & if so what is the situation of it & why it Is not re-sent to me. By making the above inquiries and giving the result to me in a letter as soon as will meet your convenience you will particularly oblige [illegible]. Respectfully your obt. servt. Hon Gayton P. Osgood
 Charles Minot
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I Nehemiah Emerson of Haverhill in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts gentleman aged 83 years, on oath, testify and say, that I know Jonathan How of Methuen in said County, that in 1775 the last of November or the first of December said Jonathan How enlisted as a private soldier in Capt. Timothy Eaton's company as a volunteer for 6 weeks and marched with the company to Roxbury Mass. where we were stationed to guard the British in Boston and at the request of the General Officers [crossed out: at] we remained till 2 months, when the company were discharged. I was a sergeant in the same company which is my means of knowing the above facts. 
Nehemiah Emerson

Essex [illegible] Haverhill September 22d 1832 
Then Nehemiah Emerson made oath that the above declamation by him subscribed is true before me. I also certify that I am well acquainted with said Emerson and believe him to be a credible person. 
Stephen Minot; Justice of Peace.
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I John Richardson of Methuen in this County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty one years depose and say that I know Jonathan How of Methuen aforesaid and know that he served the United States as a soldier in the war of the Revolution two months in teh winter of 1775 & 6 and was regularly dismissed after completing his term of engagement. I was a soldier in teh same company with said How during all the time of the aforesaid two months. We were in Capt Timothy Eaton's company and were stationed at Roxbury area Boston. John Richardson

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex [illegible] Sept 6th 1832 Personally approved the above named John Richardson and made oath that the above deposition by him submitted was true before me. 
John Tenney Jus Peace
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named John Richardson and that he is entitled to full credit for truth & veracity
John Tenney Jus. Peace
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Mosses Austin of Salem in the county of Rockingham & state of Newhampshire aged seventy seven years depose and say that I know Jonathan How of Methuen in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and I know that he enlisted as a soldier into the service of the United States in February 1776 for the term of wo months which he served and was regularly discharged. I served in the same company with him during all the time of the aforementioned two months; we were in Capt John [illegible] company and were stationed all the time at or near Bunker Hill. 

Moses Austin

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex Co Sept. 5th 1832 Personally appeared the above named Moses Austin and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true, Before me
John Tenney Jus. Peace

I hereby certify that the above named Moses Austin is a person of truth and veracity

John Tenney Jus. Peace
Page 25

I, Richard Currier of Methuen in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty three years testify and say that I know Jonathan How of Methuen aforesaid and that he enlisted into the service of the United States on or about the last of November 1775 under an engagement for six weeks which he served out and then enlisted for two weeks longer under the same officers which term he also served out and was regularly dismissed about the last of January or first of February 1776. I enlisted at the same time with him and served in the same company all the time of the aforesaid two months and was dismissed with him. We were in Capt. Timothy Eaton's company and were stationed all the time at Roxbury near Boston. I also know that he enlisted as a soldier in the service of the United States in August 1776 and marched for Ticonderoga and was absent until some time in the winter following. I frequently heard from him while absent as a soldier in the American Army at Ticonderoga and I recollect that he was sick when he came home
Richard Currier

Commonwealthy of Massachusetts
Essex Sept 3, 1832 Personally appeared the above named Richard Currier and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed was true before me 
John Tenney. Jus. Peace

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Richard Currier and that he is entitled to full credit for truth and veracity 
John Tenney. Jus. Peace
Page 26

I, Cyrus Carleton of Methuen in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty six years depose and say that I know Jonathan How of Methuen aforesaid and that I have always  resided near him in said Methuen and know that in August 1776 he enlisted as a soldier in the army of the United States and left home it was said for Ticonderoga and was absent until January following when he returned home sick. I frequently heard his family speak of hearing from him while absent and that he was with the army at or near Ticonderoga. 
Cyrus Carleton

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
[illegible] Sept 3, 1832 Personally appeared the above named Cyrus Carleton and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed was true before me
John Tenney Jus. Peace

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Cyrus Carleton and that he is entitled to full credit for truth and veracity

John Tenney Jus. Peace