Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14784, Solomon Gilson, Mass.
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Service - Mass.
Number - W 14784
Gilson, Solomon
Tamar (wife)
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8070
Massachusetts
Solomon Gilson of Groton in the State of Mass. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain ___ of the eight commanded by by Col. Prescott in the Mass. line for 23 mon. 19 days
State & (illegible)

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 78 Dollars 76 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of March 1833 and sent Saml Dana of Groton Present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1833                 $157.52
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept.      $ 39.38
Total                                                            $196.90

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by J. F. McBlair - clerk,
Book E  Vol. 2-?  Page 28
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2438
Massachusetts
Tamar Gilson widow of Solomon Gilson, Deceased, who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832 and who died on the 17 March, 1838 - of Middlesex County in the State of Mass. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regiment commanded by Col. Prescott in the Nass. line for 23 months and 19 days private

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 78 Dollars 76 Cents per annum to commence on the 18th March, 1838

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of April 1839amd semt tp G.S. Boutwell, Groton, Mass.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1839              $75.48
Semi-annual allowance ending                    39.38
(Total)                                                        $114.86    

Act July 7, 1838
Recorded by Wm. Stewart  Clefk

Book A  Vol. 1  Page 90
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex SS.
On the sixth day of November  (illegible) personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting at Groton within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth aforesaid (illegible) Solomon Gilson of Groton in said County, aged seventy three years Who being 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 7th 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served a herein stated.  That is to say 
That he served eight months at the commencement of that war commencing in April 1775, he did not arrive at Concord till the next day after the fight at Concord the 19 April of 1775, he was casting bullets in Groton - two days after he arrived at (illegible) in Cambridge, and joined the company Capt. Asa Lawrence in Col. Prescott's regiment, on that day he was ordered to guard the Baggage, he remained with his Company and did his duty until he was discharged the last of December.  In the year A.D. 1776 he enlisted for three months to go to Boston in the Company of Capt. Minot, Lt. Benjamin Lawrence of Groton in Col. Dykes Regiment, he was mustered at Cambridge (as he believes) and marched into Boston in the fall or fore part of winter, where he stayed and served out his three months, and was discharged the fore part of March 1777.  He enlisted for six months in the year 1776 to serve at Dorchester under Capt. - his name he can't recall, he thinks his Col. was Reid he served out his six months, he returned home a short time (illegible)
In the year A.D. 1777, he enlisted for three months to go to (illegible) he thinks Capt. Aaron Jewett of Littleton, in Col. Cushings Regt., he did not see him (illegible) once and that was at Bennington.  Soon after he arrived there he was sent on a scout under Col. Brown, he was taken sick on the scout and got back to Bennington where he went into the hospital and there remained until his time expired some time when the doctor gave him a discharge which he has lost by time and accident.
In the year 1778 he enlisted for three month to guard Be-?  troops at Winter Hill.  - Captain Isaac Woods, Lt. Solomon Woods and Jesse Longley of Shirley in Col (Gerruh's?) regt. he served out his three months and was dismissed.
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He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, or the agency of any State, Solomon Gilson Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
We Charles Robinson, a Clergyman residing in the town of Groton  in the county of Middlesex and Calvin Boynton of the same Groton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Solomon Gilson who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.  Sworn and subscribed before me  Samuel Dana Justice Peace for all the (illegible) Commonwealth.
Charles Robinson
Calvin Boynton

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and 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 is appears to them that (blank) who has signed the preceding Certificates is a Clergyman resident in the  (blank) and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Isaac Fisk, (Register?) of the Court of Probate in and for the county of Middlesex do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Solomon Gilson for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two.
Isaac Fis

I further certify that Samuel Dana Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for all the Counties in said Commonwealth and that his signature to the above certificate and to the Captions on the respective depositions of Robinson Lakin and Eleazer Gilson, is his genuine signature.  
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my and hand and seal of office
Isaac Fisk
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Declaration 
Solomon Gilson
21530
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex, to wit.
At the Court of (blank) 
begun and holden at (blank) within and for the County of (blank) on (blank) day of (blank) A.D. 183-
On the application of Solomon Gilson claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1.  Where and in what year were you born?
Answer: In Groton, Mass on the 30th of September A.D. 1758

2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer:  I have a family record in my Bible.

3.  Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer:  I lived in Groton, and continued to live there till 1783 when I moved to Pepperell, then I removed to Dunstable, thence to Ashburnham, thence back to Groton in February last.

4.  How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer:  I always enlisted and went into service of my own accord.

5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer:  I served General Putnam at Cambridge, Col. Brown and General Gates. 

6.  Did you ever receive and discharge from service?
Answer:  I never received any written discharge from service, unless I received one from the Doctor at Bennington as stated in my declaration.

7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Answer:  Wm. Salisbury, John Wright, Caleb Butler, Esq.,. John Peabody, John G. Park and Benj. P. Dix

Solomon Gilson
Sixth Nov. 1832 Sworn to (illegible)
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Solomon Gilson
21,530

Private
23 months, 19 days
Am't

$78.76

Saml. Dana Esq.
Groton Mass.
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Brief in the case of Solomon Gilson of Groton in the State of Massachusetts
Act 7th June 1832
1.  Was the declaration made before a court or Judge? - In open Court
2.  If before a Judge, dows it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he? - Seventy three
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed

Period    Duration of Service     Rank         Named of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
1775       8 months                    private      Col. Prescott & Capt. Lawrence
1776        6 months                   private     Col. Reed
1776       3 months                    private      Col. Dynes & Capt. Minot
1777       3 months 15 days      private      Col. Cushing & Capt. Jewett
1778       3 months 4 days        private      Col. Gurrich & Capt. Woods

5.   In what battles was he engaged:  None named

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  In Groton, Mass

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

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  Correctly authenticated

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

Examining Clerk
The certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I (illegible) that S. Gilson is found on the rolls of said commonwealth.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex SS.

On this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before the Hon. Samuel P. Fay Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex State aforesaid, Tamar Gilson a resident of Westford County and state aforesaid aged seveny six years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"; That she is the widow of Solomon Gilson, late of Groton county and state aforesaid, deceased; That said Solomon her late husband served as a private in the Army of Revolution as stated in his declaration for a pension under Act of Congress passed on the 7th of June 1832 which pension he the said Solomon did receive by virtue of a certificate issued by the Department of War bearing date 13th of March 1833 and numbered 8.070 until his death. Which certificate purports to be recorded in Book E, Vol. 2, Page 28, all of which will more fully appear on reference to the record in the War Department and to the papers and documents which the said Solomon Gilson forwarded to the department in order to establish his claim to a pension under Act of Congress 7th June 1832.

The further declares that she was married to said Solomon Gilson at Groton aforesaid by Josiah Sawtell Esquire on the nineteenth day of April in the year seventeen hundred and eighty one but that no record of her marriage is to be found among the records of said Town of Groton as will more fully appear on reference to the proof annexed.  That said Josiah Sawtell was a Justice of the Peace for said County of Middlesex authorized by law to solemnize marriage.  That the house of said Josiah Sawtell Esquire was burned a short time subsequent to the time of her marriage.
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She  further declares that the original record of her marriage herein to annexed is a true and exact record according to her knowledge and belief; That said record was made by her late husband the aforesaid Solomon Gilson in the family Bible above seventeen years ago; that said Bible containing said record has been in her possesion ever since the time of the sinsertion of said record.
That her late husband the aforesaid Solomon Gilson died on the seventeenth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and that she had not been married since his, the aforesaid Solomon Gilson deceased.
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January in the year seventeen hundred and ninety four - viz - at the time above stated.
That her name previous to her marriage was Tamar Lawrence.

X Tamar Gilson her mark

Subscribed and sworn to in open Court by Tamar Gilson on the day and year first above written

S. P. Fay Judge of Probate
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FAMILY RECORD
MARRIAGES

Solomon Gilson was born September Day 13, 1758

Tamar Lawrence the wife of Solomon Gilson was born May Day 2, 1762

Solomon Gilson and Tamar Lawrence was married
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(ILLEGIBLE) Gilson Deposition
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Tamar Gilson widow of Solomon
Mass.
At July 7, 1838
Mar 1781
died March 17 1838
Allow. $78.76
(illegible) from 17 March 1838

G.S. Boutwell
Groton, Mass

Declaration of Tamar Gilson for a pension Act 7 (illegible) 1838


Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County SS
I Isaac Fisk Register of the court of Pobate in and for the county of Middlesex hereby certify that Saml P. Fay  ? is the judge of said court of Probate duly (illegible) and qualified and that his signature written on this (illegible) is his genuine signature; I also certify that Bradford (illegible) is a Justice of the Peace (illegible) and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid duly (illegible) and qualified and that his signatures written on the (illegible) are his genuine signatures.
In witness whereof I (illegible) hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court this twenty sixth day of September in the year Eighteen hundrend and thiry eight
Isaac Fisk (illegible)
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex SS.
I, John Sawtell as upon oath testify and declare that I am forty three years of age that I was formerly acquainted with Solomon Gilson late of Groton county and state of aforesaid, deceased; That he was a Pensioner of the United States; That he died about fine months ago; That his widow Tamar Gilson is still living and has not been married since the decease of her late husband the aforesaid Solomon Gilson.
John Sawtell

Middlesex  August 13th A.D. 1838.  Then personally appeared John Sawtell, known to me to be a credible witness, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribe before me
Bradford Russell Justice of the Peace and (illegible) in aforesaid county.
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May 31 '44
Col. Niles

Hon. John L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C. 

D. S. Richaw
June 10/44
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Massachusetts
Office in Maunur's Building
Lowell May 28, 1844

Dear Sir,
Solomon Gilson of Massachusetts was formerly a pensioner and died in 1838.  His widow Tamar died, also a pensioner I think, died in 1840.  Some months since someone in Washington wrote to the widow that she could procure (illegible) a certain amount of pension money, not known to her, but she being dead and the letter being directed to a neighboring town, did not reach her children for some months.  Then on receiving it wrote to this person, but for sever months have rec'd no answer.  They perceive it relates to some arrears of pension which the evidence in the the department establishes.  The (illegible) have left several children, who are all poor and need all that is their due, and )illegible) the person who had found out their claim had removed from Washington, I volunteered my services in asking information of the Department.

If you feel at liberty so to do, you will much oblige  several poor families by stating whether these children are now entitled to anything in their (illegible) and what forms and evidence will aid them in obtaining it.

I think the papers in the Department will show the claims, as a person who had been engaged then first discovered it, and could we him, we would not trouble you.

If it is improper for the Department to give this information you will pardon me for applying.

(illegible) sent
Daniel S. Richardson
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14784
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14784
Tamar Gilson Widow of Solomon Gilson
Pri. Rev War
Act: July 7th 38
Index: - Vol. A  Page 273

(Note in margin: Feby. 3/98 History  Howard A. Gilson  Somerville)
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Solomon Gilson, Mass.  Act June 7, 1832
(illegible) March 1838  (illegible)
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Affidavit of Eleasor Gilson in the case of Solomon Gilson
Page 23

I Eleasor Gilson of Brookline in the County of Wellsborough and State of New Hampshire aged seventy six years, do depose and say, that I served in the war of the Revolution as by my Declaration on file in the Pension Office, will appear: (blank) And I do further testify and declare that I well know and remember Solomon Gilson, then and now of Groton in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and know that he also served as a Soldier in that war, that he was a private Soldier, in the Company of Capt. Aaron Jewett in Colo. Brown's Regiment or a Regt. of which he was Lt. Col., in which Company I also served.

I then lived in Pepperell in said Commonwealth and as well as I can recalled some time in the month of August of 1777 I entered in said company under Elijah Parker who acted as Lt. of the company.  I marched from Pepperell to Northampton and from there to Bennington where we were stationed at that time, and were at (illegible) in that vicinity in various services, and at various places, until after the capture of Burgoyne's army my engagement was for three months and was then dismissed - during the whole time I well remember the said Solomon Gilson and know that he proceeded with the company under Lt. Parker from (illegible) and continued in the company until our times were out and the company was dismissed at Bennington.
Eleazor Gilson

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex to wit October 26th A.D. 1832
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for all the Counties in said Commonwealth  Eleasor Gilson well known to me as a credible and disinterested witness who subscribed the above depoition and made solemn Oath, that the same is just and true in all its particulars, accordin to the best of his knowledge and belief.
Sam Dana
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Solomon Gilson
$78.76

Payments to be made at Boston, Mass by the (illegible) U. S. B. Bank
Agent for paying Penioners, in the Agency of Mass.

REcorded in the Pension Office, in Book E  Vol. 2 Page 28
J. H. McBlair Clerk
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WAR DEPARTMENT
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the Uniter States of the 7th June 1832, Solomon Gilson of the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Seventy Eight dollars and Seventy Six 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 thirteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Lew Cass
Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 26

I Robinson Lakin of Pepperell in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy eight years do testify and declare that I served in the War of the Revolution in the first eight months service  in the year A.D. 1775 in the Company of Capt. John Nutting in Co. Wm. Prescott's Regt. and I well know and remember Solomon Gilson then and now of Groton in said County and know that he also was in the eight months served that he was in the Company of Capt. Asa Lawrence in the same regt. when the regt. was stationed in Cambridge.  I was a musician in my company and I saw the said Gilson in service, we had always lived within a short distance of each other, and know that he continued in service from the commencement of the eighth month served the 1st of May A.D. 1775 till the regiment was dismissed the last of December.
Robinson Lakin

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex SS.  December 28th 1832.  Personally appeared before me the subscribed and Justice of the Peace within and for all the counties in said commonwealth, Robinson Lakin who subscribed the above deposition and who is well known to me as a credible and disinterested witness, and made a sworn oath that the same deposition is just and true in all its particulars, according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
Saml Dana
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[crossed out] Jonathan [illegible]
Page 28

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary’s Office, Oct. 25, 1832
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 Solomon Gilson served as a private soldier in the company of Capt. Minot in the regiment of Col. Nicholas Dike for the space of three months from the 1st day of December 1776 to the 1st March 1777.
Edward D. Bangs Esq.

Secretary’s office November 28, 1832
I further certify that Solomon Gilson is borne on a payroll of Capt. Isaac Woods company in Col. Jonathan Reed’s regiment of guards at Cambridge, for the space of 3 months and 4 days, from the 7th of April to the 5th of July 1778.
(illegible) Solomon Gilson is borne on the payroll of Capt. Aaron Jewett
Page 29

Company in Col. Samuel Bullard’s regiment of militia who served at North River at the time Gen. Burgoyne was taken for the space of 3 months and 15 days time to return home included from the 15th of August. Discharge dated Nov. 29, 1777
Edward D. Bangs Secy
Page 30

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Solomon Gilson which require further proof or explanation
1.	Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
2.	Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
3.	If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
4.	Has the declarant mentioned the period of periods of the war when he served? Yes
5.	Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes
6.	Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
7.	Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
8.	Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
9.	Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
10.	  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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11.	  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  Yes
12.	  If the clergyman’s affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
13.	  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?
14.	  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? Yes
15.	  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
16.	  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
17.	Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes
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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 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 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 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.

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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26 Boston St.
Somerville, Mass.
Jan. 23rd, 1878
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir:
Please forward to me certificates of service from the Bureau of Pensions, of Solomon Gilson, of Groton, Mass and Nathanial Bailey, of Townsend, Mass. – services in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours,
Howard A. Gilson
Page 34

L. W. B.
W. 14784
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
O.W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY
February 3rd, 1898
Sir:
Replying to your request for information concerning Solomon Gilson, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on November 6th, 1832, at which time he was 73 years of age and residing at Groton, Mass., and his pension was allowed for twenty-three months and nineteen days actual service as a private in the Mass. Troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Lawrence and Col. Prescott.  He enlisted at Groton, Mass.
His widow, Tamar, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner

Mr. Howard A. Gilson
26 Boston Street
Somerville, Mass.