Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File [ILLEGIBLE], Reuben Howe, Mass.
Page 1

SERVICE Mass
Howe, Reuben
or How,   "
____ Elizabeth
[NUMBER column cut from image]
W.2[illegible]
B.L.[illegible]
CONTENTS
Page 2

[right-hand side of page divide]
21,14[5 or 1]
Massachusetts
Ruben How of Rowley in the state of Mass who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain Ilsley of the Reg commanded by Col Cogswell in the Mass line for 7 Ms & 15 D.
M[illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 24 Dollars 98 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of pension issued the 22 day of Aug. 1832 and [illegible] T. Gage 
Rowly
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible]  $49.96
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep [illegible]  12”49
[double line underscore drawn under numbers]
$ 62”45
[double line underscore drawn under numbers]
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Go. C. Stiles Clerk,
Book E. Volume 3 page 34
[left-hand side of page divide]
Feby 24, 1834 dup: certif: ss
Sent to the Hon:_R. Choate of the Ho: of Reps_
See letter to the Hon R Choate
Jan’y 22, 1834
79
Essex
Page 3

[Right hand side of page divide] 183[illegible]
May 11/55
Elizabeth Howe Wid of Reuben Howe Priv.
[Added text across line above: No. 26,866, Iss May 26/56]
Revolutionary Pension
Mass. Feby 53-5344
Att: 16 [illegible] May 22nd/56
Boyton
R
Horatio Woodman
Boston
Mass
[Left hand side of page divide]
[illegible] H. Woodman, Feb[illegible]
Vol 1&2 page 61.
Page 4

5,344.
Massachusetts
Elizabeth How widow of Mass. Reuben How who served in the Revolutionary War, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 24- dollars 98- cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of pension issued 17th day of July 1855 and sent to E. W. Jewett
Rowley Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 12 Vol. H
Page 5

10870
Reuben How E
Prvt 7 mon 15 days
16 06
May 6 1883
[added text: 25 77
16 5
_________
24 98]
P 379
[added upside-down text: James [illegible]
John]
Thos. Gage Esq
Rowley
Mass.
Page 6

BRIEF in the case of Reuben How [added text: U]
of Rowley 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? 77 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[Column headings: Period. | Duration of Service. – Years, Months, Days. | Rank. – As a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. – Gen.]
[Row one] Sept In 1776 | 3 [months] | Private | Capt Ilily Col Cogswell
[Row two] Dec 1776 | 3 [months] | “ [private] | Capt Dodge Col Pickering
[Row three] Dec 1777 | 1 [month] 15 [days] | “ [private] | Capt Titcomb Col Gervish
5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Rowley Mass. [added text: U]
7. In his statement supported by living witnesses, 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 Mass. as regt.
Certified that the foregoing statement and the answers agreed with the evidence in the case above mention.
Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk.
Page 7

State of Mass. County of Essex Town of Rowley
(a) I find on examining the records of said town of Rowley that [inserted] the publication of the intention of the marriage of Reuben Howe and Elizabeth Bailey both of Rowley was entered on the said record October sixth eighteen hundred & ten
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: - (b)
“Oct 6, 1810”
John S. Prime
I, John S. Prime 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 [inserted] town [crossed out: city], with the exception of above named, as certified by me.
John S. Prime { Town Clerk
Subscribed and duly sworn two before me, this twenty fifth day of April A. D. 1855. I have no interest in this case.
Edward Todd 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 8

1753
State of Massachusetts County of Essex
On this twenty fourth day of March, A. D., 1855 personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, of Essex Elisabeth Howe aged eighty five years, a resident of Bereley in said Essex County who being duly sworn according to law, declare [crossed out: d] that she is the widow of Reuben Howe pensioner deceased, who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain John Dodge of Wenham [inserted] Mass. in the Regiment of Continental Troops commanded by X Col in the war [crossed out: with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812] [inserted] of the Revolution - that her said husband [inserted] enlisted into the service [crossed out: was drafted] at Rowley Mass. on or about the fourteenth day of December A.D. [crossed out: 18] 1776 for the term of three months and continued in actual service in the said war for the term of at least ninety three days [inserted] in N York & N Jersey and was honorably discharged near [crossed out: at] West Point New York on or about the first day of April A.D. 1777 [crossed out: 18] as will appear by reference to the rolls, that he received [inserted] as she can recollect no printed or written discharge, and that neither he nor she ever received or applied for, or is entitled to bounty land for any other service, [crossed out: except that she received for the same service, under the act of September 1850, a 40 acre warrant, No. which she has legally sold and cannot return] That he the above said Reuben received a pension annuity of $24.98 per annum for several years before his decease that the No. and date of his pension certificate she does not remember, as it was forwarded to Washington quite a number of years since, among other papers at the time in the possession of Thos Gage Esq
She further states that she was married to the said Reuben Howe a Revolutionary pensioner in Rowley on the fifteenth day of November [added in margin: although no public or private record of the marriage can be procured at this time from which to certify the same] 1810, by Rev G.T. Williams a clergyman and that her name before her said marriage was Elizabeth Bailey that her husband died at Rowley Mass. on the eighteenth day of July 1836, [crossed out: proof of which will be found on file with her previous application] [inserted] as will appear by reference to the proof here in annexed that she is still a widow, that she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of Congress passed March 3, 1855, and that she prays that the certificate thereof may be sent for her to Horatio Woodman, Boston, Mass.
mark X Elizabeth Howell
Subscribed and duly sworn to, the day and year first above written. I certify that she is the identical person above described. I have no interest in the case.
Edward Todd { Justice of the Peace.
A) Additional proofs of service have been forwarded to the pension office
X) whose name may be found on the filed papers at the pension office Washington City D. C.
Page 9

State of Massachusetts County of Essex
We, Abraham Jewett and Isaac Pickard having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew Reuben Howe a pensioner of Rowley in said County who was a [inserted] soldier in the Revolutionary War [crossed out: Massachusetts Militia man in the War of 1812 with Great Britain], whose widow now applies for bounty land, - that we knew him for more than twenty five years before his death, which occurred at Rowley in said Co about nineteen years ago, - that we know that he died at about that time because* we were in the neighborhood at that time & well acquainted with the family. That we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she has remained unmarried, and that we are disinterested. That her declaration was signed and acknowledged in our presence & that she is the identical person she represents herself to be & that she was for Twenty four years the lawfully married wife of the said Reuben Howe. 
Abraham Jewett
Isaac Pickard
Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this twenty fourth day of March A. D. 1855
Edward Todd } Justice of the Peace.
It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, by the affidavits of Abraham Jewett and Isaac Pickard of the said county and state, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the above application; That the aforesaid widow Elizabeth Howe is the widow, remaining unmarried, at this time, of the late Reuben Howe who was a {inserted] soldier in the Revolutionary War [crossed out: Massachusetts militia man in the War of 1812 with Great Britain], and that the said Reuben Howe died at Rowley in said Co on or about the eighteenth day of July A. D. 1836
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty fourth day of March 1855.  I have no interest in this case.
Edward Todd Justice of the Peace.
*“We attended his funeral,” or “were in the neighborhood at the time,” or some equally good reason.
Page 10

State of Massachusetts County of Essex } SS
On this twenty eighth day of June, in the year one thousand eight hundred & fifty five.
Personally appeared before me Jonathan C Perkins Judge of the Common Pleas Court of the County of Essex, and State of Massachusetts
Elizabeth Howe a resident of the town of Ipswich in the County and State aforesaid aged eighty [ink blot] [inserted]86 years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the pension made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3rd day of February 1853 granting pensions to certain widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the Widow of Reuben Howe of Rowley who was a Revolutionary Soldier and pensioner of the County and State aforesaid - who served as a private in the Company under the command of Capt. John Dodge of Wenham Massachusetts in the War of the Revolution vis in 1776 & 1777, that his said service may be proved by the evidence once filed in his application to the Department of pensions for a pension annuity and on which a certificate was granted - that under the provisions of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 his name was inscribed on the pension Rolls at the rate of $24/ 98/100 per annum which was paid at the Agency for Mass. in Boston each year until the date of March 4th 1836 or 4 months and 14 days before his decease, although his certificate cannot now be produced.
Page 11

She further declares that she was married to the aforesaid Reuben Howe on the fifteenth day of November eighteen hundred and ten- (November 15 1810) in Rowley a Town of the County and State aforesaid - That her said husband died on the eighteenth day of July eighteen hundred and thirty six- (July 18 1836) - That she was not married prior to the second day of January eighteen hundred, but at the time herein before mentioned, as will more fully appear by reference to the proofs here to annexed. She further declares that she is now a widow, remaining unmarried, as will appear by reference to proofs as above. That she makes this declaration for the the purpose of obtaining the pension or those arrears of pension for which she has never before made any application and to which she may be entitled under the provision of the Act of Congress herein before referred to. She prays therefore that the certificate thereof may be sent for her to Edward W Jewett of Rowley Essex Co Mass. whom she hereby constitutes her Attorney irrevocable to receive the same.
X Elizabeth Howe
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year as above written before me. I do hereby certify to her credibility. Jonathan C. Perkins
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex St. Cmwth of Mass. 28 June, 1855}
I hereby certify that the above named Elizabeth Howe appears to me to be unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity
Jonathan C Perkins Judge of Court of Common Pleas.
Page 12

10,870
Page 13

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 eleventh day of September A. D. 1832. Personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Daniel A White, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex, now sitting, Reuben How, a resident of Rowley in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts aged seventy-seven years and upwards, 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 was drafted from the Militia to serve three months in the company commanded by Capt. Ilsley of Newbury in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Cogswell of Ipswich, and that he did serve at the town of Rye and at other places in the state of New York the said town, which term of service [crossed out: command] in the early part of the month of September and ended the early part of the month of December in the year 1776, _ That in marching to said town of Rye he went by the way of Andover & Worcester in Massachusetts, and Hartford in Connecticut.
That he voluntarily enlisted in the company commanded by Capt. John Dodge of Wenham, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Pickering, in the month of December in the year of 1776, to serve three [illegible & crossed out] months and that he did serve at the White Plains, so-called, and some other places in the state of New York and at a place called Bound Brook in the state of New Jersey, the said town. _ That in marching to the aforesaid places he went by the way Cambridge Worcester &c.
And that he again voluntarily enlisted in the company commanded by Capt. Titcomb of Amesbury in the Regiment commanded by Col. Jacob Gerrish of Newberry in the month of December 1777 or in January 1778 to serve one and an half months, and that he did serve at the place called Winter-hill near Boston in said Massachusetts, the said town, his service was that of guarding Burgoynes Troops, in going to Winter-hill he went by the way of Danvers and Lynn &c. 
The first above mentioned term of service was in the Massachusetts Militia _ and the other two terms was in the Massachusetts State Troops _ making seven and an half months in all.
The first term of service he knows of no living evidence by which the same can be proved.
The second term is proved by the affidavit of Caleb Jackson here to [illegible]._
The third term is proved by the affidavit of David Nelson here to [illegible]._
Page 14

That he was born in Ipswich [crossed out: Rowley] in the year 1755, and his[inserted] birth duly recorded in the records of that town, he was living in Rowley when called into service, and has lived there since the Revolutionary War and now lives there, he was called into service once by being drafted and twice by voluntary enlistment, as before stated._ he does not recollect the names of any general officer except General Washington._ he was not engaged in many battles,_ he never received any discharge except verbal ones,_ he names Willard Holbrook and Thomas Gage as persons to whom he is known.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or a new annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. _ Reuben Howe
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
D A White Judge of Probate
He Willard Holbrook a clergyman residing in Rowley aforesaid, and Thomas Gage Esq. a Magistrate residing in said Rowley, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Howe who has signed and sworn to the above Declaration; That we believe him be seventy-seven 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.
Willard Holbrook
Thomas Gage
Willard Holbrook subscribed and sworn to the above before Thomas Gage Justice of the Peace
Thomas Gage subscribed and sworn to the above before DA White Judge of Probate.
Page 15

I David Nelson of Rowley in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy-one years and upwards, on oath do testify and declare that I am well acquainted with Reuben Howe of Rowley aforesaid and do [illegible] that he performed service in the company commanded by Capt. Titcomb of Amesbury in the regiment commanded by Col. Gerrish of Newbury, at Winter-hill near Boston in said Commonwealth, (guarding Burgoynes Troops,) sometime during the winter 1777 &c. - at what particular time he entered and left the service I do not recollect.
My means of knowing the above stated facts, one, that I was a private in the same company, from the same time in December to sometime in March of the same years, and was engaged in the same service, and I have no doubt of his having performed the 12 months service, as set forth in his accompanying Declaration. David Nelson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Essex. Sept. 10th, 1832.
Then the above named David Nelson made solemn oath that this aforewritten affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth and and nothing but the truth. _ And the subscriber hereby further certifies that the aforenamed Deponent is well known to him and that he is a credible witness.
Thomas Gage, Justice of the Peace.
Page 16

And the said court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after p[illegible]ting 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 Willard Holbrook who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Rowley, and said Thomas Gage who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident at said Rowley and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
DA 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 Reuben How for a pension. Also, that Thomas Gage, whose name is subscribed to certificates on three several affidavits hereto annexed, is a justice of the peace for said county, and that his signatures above mentioned are genuine.
Given under my hand and seal of office this eleventh day of September, A.D. 1832. Nathl. Lord jr.
[attached: seal and ribbon]
Signed and sealed anew, this 11th day of May, A.D. 1833. Nathl. Lord jr.
Page 17

O. W. and N. Division. 3-525.
M. B. H.
Wid File. 25779
Elizabeth Wid Reuben Howe.
Rev. War.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C., January 11. 1906
Madam:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Reuben Howe, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (and [crossed out: or] his widow’s) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[Column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED: CAPTAIN. - COLONEL. | STATE.]
[Row 1] Sept. 1776 | Dec. 1776 | Private, | Ilsley, - Cogswell, | Mass.
[Row 2] Dec. 1776 | 3 Mos. | Private, | John Dodge, - Pickering | Mass.
[Rows 3 & 4] {Dec 1777 or Jan. 1778 | 1 1/2 mos | Private | Titcomb - Jacob Gerrish | Mass.
[Crossed out: A careful search of the records of this Bureau fails to show that a claim was filed by any Elizabeth Howe on account of the revolutionary service Howe other than the above.]
Battles engaged in, None stated
Residents of soldier at enlistment, Rowley, Essex Co., Mass.
Date of application for pension, September 11. 1832: his claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Rowley, Mass.
Age at date of application, born in 1755 at Ipswich, Essex Co., Mass.
Remarks: He died July 18, 1836 at Rowley, Mass; he married Elizabeth Bailey November 15. 1810 at Rowley, Mass; she was living in Ipswich, Mass in 1855, 86 years of age; her claim was allowed. No further family data.
Very respectfully,
Mrs Frank [illegible] Grimes
Box 33. Hillsboro Bridge N. H.
Commissioner.
Page 18

[right-hand side of page divide]
[added text: Rwy]
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 25,779
Elizabeth How
Wid. of Reuben How
Pen. Rev. war
Act Feb. 3rd. 1863.
Index: Vol A, Page 354
(Arrangement of 1870.)

[left-hand side of page divide]
1906 Jan 11 - history to Mrs. Frank C. Grimes. M.B.H.
Page 19

26,866
Rev. War
Page 20

5467
Elizabeth How,
Wid. of Reuben,
to Hon. C. W. Upham, Feb: 14th/55.
Act/53
Page 21

3-595.
O. W. AND N. DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Jan. 12, 1906.
Searched by Gill
Claim No.
Certificate No
Claimant Elizabeth How
Soldier (?) How
Service Rev. War
Additional service
Remarks
No claim except D.W.
Wid. File 25779.
Chief of Division.
Page 22

P.S. You will also notice the declaration of the Widow and moreover the proofs of widowhood & identity
[illegible] EW Jewett
PS The proofs of service you now have.
Page 23

Letter was ret. to me.
Upham.
Boynton"
Page 24

Filed Feby: 12th 1855.
Elizabeth Howe,
Wid. of Reuben,
Mass.
Act/53
Revy.
Hon. Chas. W. Upham,
[illegible]
[print vertical on page: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business.
Commission
Page 25

Reuben How died 18 July 1836 paid in full.
Robt J Atkinson
Auditer
Page 26

[bottom-half of divide page]
Pen Offi July 14 1855
Sir
Please inform me when Reuben How of Mass. Act 1832 at $24.98 anty a year was last paid
R. J Atkinson Esq
Fund Auditer
Very Respectfully
S. Cole
Chief Clerk Pen Off
Triplett
[added text, vertical: 18 July 1856]

[top-half of divided page] [text upside-down]
Reuben How died 18 July 1836 paid in full.
Robt J Atkinson
Auditer
Page 27

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Essex, ss.
To all People to whom these Presents shall come.
I Asahel Huntington, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid, [inserted] the same being a court of record, do certify, that Edward Todd esquire, before whom the accompanying affidavits were [crossed out: was] made was, at the datesthereof, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the said County, duly authorized and qualified to administer oaths, and take acknowledgements, and that his signatures thereto are [crossed out: is] genuine, and that Jonathan C. Perkins esquire, before whom the accompanying declaration was made, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid, and that his signature thereto is genuine.
[attached: seal and ribbon of court]
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, at Salem, on this third day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
A.T. Huntington, CLERK.
Page 28

State of Massachusetts, County of Essex, Town of Rowley
I John S. Prime having been duly sworn, depose and say that I am the Clerk of the town of Rowley in the said County, and have in my official custody the records of marriages of the said town and that I have carefully examined them and cannot find therein any record of the marriage of Reuben Howe & Elizabeth Bailey
John S. Prime } Town Clerk
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this fourth day of May AD 1855
Edward Todd } Justice of the Peace
Page 29

State of Massachusetts, County of Essex, Town of Rowley
I find on examining the records of said town of Rowley that the publication of the intention of the marriage of Reuben Howe and Elizabeth Bailey both of Rowley was entered on the said record October sixth eighteen hundred [inserted] & ten
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 Oct 6, 1810;
John S. Prime
I John S. Prime 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 town with the exception of the date above named as certified by me
John S. Prime } Town Clerk
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this fourth day of May AD 1855
I have no interest in this case
Edward Todd } Justice of the Peace
Page 30

State of Massachusetts, County of Essex, Town of Rowley
Reuben Howe aged eighty one years died July eighteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.
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, “July 18th 1836.”
John S. Prime
I John S. Prime 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 town, with the exception above named as certified by me.
John S. Prime } Town Clerk
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this twenty third day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & fifty-five, and I hereby certify that the above signatures are genuine
Edward Todd Justice of the Peace
Page 31

State of Massachusetts - County of Essex} ss
We Edward Jewett aged sixty years and Moses Clark age fifty nine years - residents of Rowley a town in the County and State aforesaid that having been duly sworn, depose and say that we well knew Reuben Howe a Revolutionary pensioner of said Town - whose Widow now applies for the pension and for those arrears of pension to which she may be entitled under the provisions of the Act of Congress past Feb 3rd 1853 - that we knew him for more than thirty years, before his death which was which occurred at Rowley a Town of the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts about nineteen years ago - that we know that he died at about that time - because that we were in the neighborhood at the time, and therefore acquainted with the circumstances of his decease. Moreover we further depose and say that we well knew the identical Elizabeth (whose name before her marriage with the aforesaid Reuben how was Elizabeth Bailey) for more than ten years before her marriage with the said Reuben Howe who was a soldier of the War of the Revolution - that we fully believe that she was married to him [inserted] at Rowley on the fifteenth day of November eighteen hundred and ten (November 15th 1810.) (Although no public or private records of the marriage of the parties can now be procured) from the satisfactory evidence which has been afforded by the testimonials of reliable witnesses who were present at the solemnization of
Page 32

Reuben Howe [illegible]
[illegible]
Edward Jewett
Moses Clark
[illegible]
Edward W Jewett
Rowley Mass.
Page 33

Rowley July 10th, 1855
To the Hon Commissioner of pensions.
Sir. In reply to your communication of Feby last touching the claim of Mrs. E. Howe Widow of Reuben Howe a Revolutionary pensioner & which I received thru the kindly obliging hands of the Hon Chas. W. Upham Member of the Ho of Reps. from this District; I took this liberty to inform you that in order to comply with your requisitions I am now ready and will immediately furnish you with those proofs of marriage - husbands decease & date thereof which I think must be satisfactory.
I shall presume upon a favorable report [&] that a certificate for the Widow may be issued at an early day, as she is now now in a state of poverty and destitution.
The communication refered to above, I have enclosed for you it being the original one. This matter has been attended to by me at the particular request of the Hon Chas. W. Upham of Salem my Counciller & friend. Mrs E Howe has for some time past been supported by the Town of Rowley although at the present time the she resides with a family in Ipswich a Town adjoining said Rowley. She was a resident of Rowley for the term of 50 years or more.
} Yours respectfully Edward W. Jewett
Page 34

[stamped text: CITY OF WASHINGTON. JAN 20]
[illegible].n R. Choate
[stamped text: FREE] M.C.
J. L. Edwards Esq
Pension Department
City of Washington

[text added sideways]
Mass.
Hon. R Choate
Page 35

Dear Sir.
Will you have the goodness & inform me of the result of the application of Reuben How - of Rowley - Massachusetts - for a pension - It was sent to the Department in the autumn of 1832, by the agent Thomas Gage Esq –
I am Sir Your obedient –
R. Choate
19 Jan. 1834
Washington
Page 36

To Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington
Page 37

Boston February 8th 1834.
To the Hon. J. L. Edwards, Commr. of pensions.
Sir, In your letter to the Hon. Rufus Choate of the 22nd Ult. in reply to his of the 19th of the same month, making inquiry for the pension certificate of Reuben Howe of Rowley, you was pleased to say “that a Certificate of Pension was issued for Reuben Howe on the 22nd of August last, and forwarded to Thomas Gage Esq. at Rowley Massa.” - Now Sir, there must be some mistake about the business, as you will see by my affidavit herewith enclosed that I have not received it. - And by Howe’s affidavit you will see that he has not received it.
Today I called upon the agent for paying pensions in Boston, to ascertain if the name of Reuben Howe had been returned from your Department to him, and found on his examining their records that it [inserted] had not, - therefore I conclude the mistake has occurred in your Department, and it is not strange to my mind that some mistakes should be made in handling over the papers of thirty thousand pensioners.
I requested the paying can agent in Boston to make an affidavit of the fact, that Howe’s name had not been returned to him, but he said it was wholly unnecessary. –
I hope that the enclosed affidavits together with the above explination, will be sufficient to satisfy you. -and that you will, as soon as convenient make a certificate for said Howe, and hand the same to the Honorable Rufus Choate, who will forward the same to me.
I am Sir, yours with respect,
Thomas Gage
N. B_ If further evidence is necessary, you may communicate the fact to Mr. Choate - as he will be likely to know who then to address me as at Boston or Rowley.
T. G.
Page 38

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary’s Office, Boston, May 8th, 1855.
I Hereby Certify, That the date of the attestations hereunto annexed, Edward Todd was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
[attached: seal and ribbon of the court]
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 39

APPLICATION OF
Widow of Reuben Howe
Revolutionary War
for a 160 more warrant.
Act of March 3d, 1855.
128310
WARRANT TO BE SENT TO 
HORATIO WOODMAN, Boston, Mass
AS WITHIN REQUESTED
Page 40

State of Massachusetts-County of Essex- Town of Rowley
We David Payson aged 78 and Edward Jewett aged 60 residents of Rowley and said [inserted] Co having been duly sworn, depose and say that we well knew Reuben Howe a Revolutionary pensioner of Rowley in said County and State.
Whose widow now applies for bounty land-that we knew him for more than Thirty years before his death which occurred at Rowley in said Essex County about nineteen years ago- that we know that he died at about that time because that we were in the neighborhood at the time & well acquainted with the circumstances of his decease.
We moreover depose and say that we will new the identical Elizabeth Bailey who was as we fully believe afterwards legally married to the aforesaid Reuben Howe- that we knew her for more than six years before her marriage with the said Reuben;
- that we believe that she was married to him at the time & place mentioned [inserted] or stated in her declaration which has formally been read in our hearing (although no records can now be procured) - that we have the most perfect confidence in this statement of her declaration, not only from the general report as we lived in the neighborhood at the time, - but from the evidence aforesaid by the testimony of those who were present at the time the marriage was solemnized - but who are now deceased, or incapable of certifying according to law. That they lived together as lawfully
Page 41

married (as man and wife) for more than twenty years or until the date of the decease of the said Reuben about nineteen years since - that we have known his said widow from his death to this time - that she has remained unmarried - and that we are disinterested, in the result of said application.
David Payson
X Edward Jewett
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this twenty sixth day of April A. D. 1855
Edward Todd { Justice of the peace
It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me the undersigned, a Justice of the peace, by the affidavits of David Payson age 78 and Edward Jewett aged 60 of the said County and State, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the above application; that the said Elizabeth, (whose name before her marriage or the date thereof as sworn to & acknowledged in her declaration was Elizabeth Bailey) was legally married to the aforesaid Reuben Howe a Revolutionary War pensioner at the time and
Page 42

place mentioned in the declaration under oath of the said Elizabeth Howe to which reference has been made & which was formerly said in this hearing - that she is now the Widow remaining unmarried of the aforesaid Reuben Howe, who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution and that the aforesaid Reuben Howe died at Rowley in said Essex County on or about the eighteenth day of July A.D. 1836.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand this twenty sixth day of April A.D. 1855 I have no interest in this case.
Edward Todd Justice of the peace
[inserted text for previous page: both residents of Rowley a Town]
Page 43

State of Massachusetts, County of Essex Town of Rowley.
Reuben Howe aged eighty-one years, died July eighteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.
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, “July 18th 1836”
John S. Prime
I John S. Prime 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 town with the exception above named as certified by me
John S. Prime } Town Clerk
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this twenty third day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & fifty five, and I hereby certify that the above signatures are genuine
Edward Todd Justice of the Peace
Page 44

State of Mass, County of Essex Town of Rowley.
I John S. Prime having been duly sworn, depose and say that I am Clerk of the town of Rowley in the said County, and have in my official custody the records of marriages of the said town, and that I have carefully examined them and cannot find therein any record of the marriage of Reuben Howe & Elizabeth Bailey
John S. Prime } Town Clerk
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this twenty fifth day of April AD 1855
Edward Todd { Justice of the Peace
Page 45

(State of Massachusetts- County of Essex)
We Edward W Jewett of Rowley and Amasa P Bailey of Ipswich having been duly sworn depose and say, that we are residents of the above named Towns in the said County and State-that we well know the widow Elizabeth Howe who now applies for Bounty Land- that she is a credible and respectable person- that we have full confidence in the statements of her affidavit executed, signed & acknowledged in our presence- and that we are disinterested.
1 Edward W Jewett
2 Amasa P Bailey
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this twenty fourth day of March A.D. 1855 I certify that the deponents are credible and that I have no interest in the case.
Edward Todd } Justice of the peace
Page 46

10876
Reuben How
Thos. Gage Esq
Towley
Mass
Page 47

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Reuben How Rowley Masstt. 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? No
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 48

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? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining 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. [printed cross symbol] 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? Yes
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? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
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? Yes
XVI. [printed double plus sign symbol] 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?
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 than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For__year__months, and__days, I served as a__for__months and__days, I served as a__; And for such service I claim a pension.
Page 49

3
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 serve 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 or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corpse 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.
[printed cross symbol] 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.
[printed double plus symbol] QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
[hand-drawn in margin finger pointing and curly bracket]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.
[printed finger pointing symbol] 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.
Page 50

Pension Office
Feby. 14, 1855.
Sir,
In reply to the enclosed letter of E. W. Jewett, sent through you to this office, you are informed that, the widow of Reuben How is entitled to a pension of $24 98/100 per an: from Feby. 3d, 1853, upon proof of her marriage, husband's death, the date of thereof, her widowhood & identity, being filed.
Enclosed please find forms & instructions relative to applications under the 2d Section of the act of Feby. 3d, 1853, being the act under which Mrs. How is entitled.
I am, respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
LP Waldo
Commissioner

Hon. Chas. W. Upham, Ho. of Rep.}
Page 51

[stamped: City of WASHINGTON FEB 13]
[added text, faintly: L W Washington]
file
[stamped: FREE]
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington

[added text, sideways: True & new cert for Reuben Howe
New Certificate]
Page 52

Dear Sir,
I have just received the within to your add on - You may remember that you issued me a certificate had insuch which has been lost of [illegible] way - 
Your obt servant
R. Choate
Wednesday [illegible]
Page 53

Brief in the case of Elizabeth How Widow of Reuben
County and State of Mass
act 3 Feby 1853
Claim, ("original," [crossed out: or "for increase.]")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Her husband was a pensioner under the Act of June t 1832 at $24.98 a year, (service proved in [illegible] paper)
Marriage License.
[crossed out: (If for increase)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?]
Her identity, her husband's death, & her present widowhood, proven by 3 credible witnesses

Name and residence of Agent
Edward W Jewett Esq
Rowley Mass
Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.
Page 54

Elizabeth How,
Widow of Reuben
Mass.
Admd. Feby 3 1853
7mos & 15 ds pri $24.98
per annum from
3d Feby 1853
5,344
Cert to
Edw. W. Jewett Esq
Rowley Mass
Page 55

I Thomas Gage of Rowley in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire. Being of lawful age do depose, testify and say, that I assisted Moses Clark, Jacob Pickard, David Nelson and Reuben Howe (all of said Rowley) in collecting the evidence necessary to accompany their applications for pensions, that I've forwarded their applications to the Secretary of the War Department of the United States, with a request that their certificates when issued should be returned to me at Rowley. And I further testify and say that some time about the last of August last part, that I received per mail a package from said War Department, containing the certificates of the aforesaid Moses Clark, Jacob Pickard and David Nelson each of which were dated on the 22nd day of said August last. And I further testify and say that the pension certificate of said Reuben Howe was not contained in said package, nor were there any other in it, than the three above named. And I further testify and say that I have not at any time received a pension certificate for said Reuben Howe. And I also testify and say that the above named package when received had not the appearance of having been broken. Thomas Gage
Essex: ss. February 4, 1834. Thomas Gage esquire makes solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed.
Before Charles Kimball, justice of the peace.
Page 56

I Reuben Howe of Rowley in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Yeoman, being of lawfull age do depose, testify and say, That I was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and as such am entitled to a pension under an Act of Congress, past June 7, 1832, and I further testify and say, that in making application for my pension, I employed Thomas Gage of said Rowley, esquire, to assist me in collecting the evidence of my service, and authorized him to forward my application to the War Department of the United States, and to receive my pension certificate when issued and returned. And I further depose, testify and say that I never authorized any other person to receive it, and that I do not believe that said Gage or any other person has received the same for me, and that I have not received the same myself. Reuben Howe
Essex ss. February 5th, 1834, Reuben Howe makes solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
Before Thomas Gage Justice of the Peace
Page 57

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex, ss. Probate office.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that Thomas Gage and Charles Kimball, before whom respectfully the foregoing affidavits purport to have been taken, are justices of the peace for said county; and that their names to the certificates thereon respectfully are their genuine signatures.
Given under my hand and seal of office this sixth day of February, A.D. 1834.
Nath. Lord Jr.
Page 58

[added text: R]
[stamped text: U. S. P. B. [illegible] & NAVY FILES. DEC 13 1905]
Hillsboro Br. N. H. Dec 11 1905
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir
I wish to join Eunice Baldwin Chapter D. A. R. of this Town. I am having quite a little trouble in looking up my Ancestor, for I am not quite sure what was his christian name. He was the grandfather of my father, whose name is James How Davis, whose mother was Sarah How Davis. Her Mother was Elizabeth How, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner who lived and died in New Boston, N.H. My father is an old man, and is much troubled to remember names, although he is quite sure his grandmother's name was Elizabeth. I wrote the N. H. State Librarian and he advised me to write you for a certificate. Will you kindly look this matter up and send me a certificate, if she received a pension, and of whom she was
Page 59

the widow, his army record etc. and oblige
Yours etc
Mrs. Frank C. Grimes
Box 33
[stamped text: U.S. PENSION OFFICE DEC 12 1905]