Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 622, Bani Wing, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)                                      Number
 Service      Wing,Bani               W622
  Mass.                Thirza     B.L.Wt.12581-160-55.
__________________________________________________
Contents

[All subsequent lines are blank]
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Letter to S. Magneles 18 March
1845
Vermont 9605

Bani Wing
of Windham in the State of Vermont
who was a pri. in the company commanded
by Captain Rice of the Regt commanded
by Col Chapin in the Massachusetts
line for 7 months
____________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
_____________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 1stday of lune '33
and sent Ias. Elliott
Newfane, Vt.
_______________________
Arears to the 4th of March '33- -         46.66
Sem-anl allowance ending 4 sept '33- 11.66 1/2
                                                           $58.32 1/2
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832. 
Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk,

Book E.  Vol. 6.  Page 97-
Page 3

Increase   No. 1948
Massachusetts

{ed. this note on right side of fold file-
1874. February 25 - -Transferred from BOSTON to FITCHBURG. Mass.. by general transfer from
the 4th day of [illegible] 1873}
Thirza Wing
widow of Bani Wing, Fitchburg
who served in the Revolutionary war,
as   Private    Mass
________________
Boston,  agency.
Rate
96 Dollars 00 cents per annum.
Commencing  July 27.1868
Ded payments made since  
_______________________________

Certificate dated April 16, 1868
and sent to Gardner Tufts
Mass state agt
Present
_____________
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act Feb-
ruary 3, 1853, Page 17 Vol. H. No[illegible]
july 29/68
Insmish
Page 4

[Bottom left fold of paper-
Vol. No. 2 page 9.]

[From right fold of paper follows
96.516 /act [illegible] 3/55
                               apl26/55
___________
Thirza Wing    wid
Bani Wing       Priv
__________________
[in very pale writting
  Private 
            Col. [illegible]
    [illegible]]                    RW
        [illegible letters drawn through]
[this section of page has over handwritten at angle "No. 12581 iss. Dec.11/55"]
_______________________________
[illegible] Feb 53-1978
Revolutionary Pension
______________________________
[very pale illegible signature(?)7/55
[sideways initials]
H.B.Childs
Conway, Mass
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN, SS.
I, GEORGE GRENNELL,  Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the
Counly of Franklin, do certify, that Sylvester Maxwell Esquire,
whose signature is affixed to the Certificate on the paper hereunto annexed, was at the date
thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned,
and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and authorized to take the acknowladgument of deeds, powers of attorney and other instruments; and tghat I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Sylvester Maxwell and believe his
signature to said Certificate is genuine, and that the ammend. instrument is executed and
acknowledged according to the laws of this state.
In Testimony Witnessed, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this
sixth day of June in the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and fifty three
Geo Grennell Clerk.
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Charlemont May 6, 1863.
This certifies that Bani Wing of Wilmington, Vt.
& Thirza Upton of Charlemont Mass. were legally
joined in marriage by me October 9, 1821
Joseph Field, Pastor  of a Church in Charlemont
Franklin ss, 4th June 1853  The the abovemed Joseph Field who is Pastor of a Church in Charlemont, personally appearing made
oath, that the foregoing certificate, by him subscribed is true.
Sy Maxwell Justice of the Peace
Page 7

Declaration of a WIDOW who has NEVER HAD a Land Warrant
State of Massachusetts ]ss
COUNTY Franklin
OF
On this fourteenth day of April, A. D. 
one thousand eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Thirza Wing aged seventy seven
years, a resident of Charlement in the State of Massachusetts who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Bani Wing deceased, who was a
soldier in the Company commanded by Captain [blank space] in the [blankspace]
Regiment of [blank space]
commanded by [blank space]
in the war [line drawn through the following-with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th of June,1812] of the Revolution.
that her said husband [blank space]
at [blank space]
on or about the [blank space]
day of [blank space],  A. D. 
18{crossed out]; but that,  to the
best of her knowledge and belief, her husband never received any written or printed discharge,
Her husband was in the service at West Point at the execution of Andre-
She further states that she was married to the said Bani Wng in Charlemont
on  or about the ninth day of October
A. D. 1821, by one Joseph Field , a Clergyman, and that her name before her said marriage was Thirza Upton; that her said husband
died at Charlemont on the second
day of April A. D. 1847 and that she is now a widow. -She furthermore states that she is now in receipt of a cash pension of 23.33 yearly, and that the No. of her pension certificate
is No. 1978-recorded in Pension office Book
Vol.A Page 47..
To which record she refers-.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under, the " Act approved March 3, 1855," and prays that the certificate thereof may be sent for her to illegible words crossed out] overwhich the hand printed name
H.B. Childs of Conway Mass [is inserted]:
and declars that she has not received a Bounty
Land Warrant under this or any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
Thirza Wing
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We David Houston and Joseph U.Houston
residents of Conway in the State of Massachusetts
upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by
Thirza Wing in our presence; and that we believe, from the appearance
and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
Davie Houston
Joseph U. Houston
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were swórn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written ; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons: that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be; and that I have no interest in this claim.
Horace B. Childs
Justice of the Peace.
State of Massachusetts-FranklinCointy.ss

We, Dlavid Houston and Joseph U. Houston
having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew Bani Wing who was a soldier
in the war of the Revolution
whose widow now applies for bounty land : that we knew him for more than twenty
years before his death, which occurred at Charlemont about Eight years ago ; that we know that he died about that time, because we [illegible] resided in the same neighber hood & attended his funeral
that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she is now unmarried, and that we are disinterested.
David Houston
Joseph U. Houston
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this fourteenth day of April A. D. 1855
Horace B Childs
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 Houston
and Joseph U Houston of Conway of the said County and State,
whom I know to be credible persons, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the foregoing application : that Thirza Wing the applicant for bounty land in the foregoing declaration is now unmarried, and that she is the widow of the
late Bani Wing who was a soldier in the war of the revolution and that the said Bani Wing 
died at the time above stated.

IN TESTIMONS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, this fourteenth day of April 1855
Horace B. Childs
Justice of the Peace.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin, ss.
I, GEO. GRENNELL, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the
County of Franklin, do certify, that Horance B. Childs Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the Centificates on the paper hereto annexed, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said Counly, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth: and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Horace B. Childs Esq. and his signature to said Certificales is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and afixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty five
Geo. Grennells Clerk.
[a black round 'seal like' image appears in the lower left corner of this document]
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin County Ss.
on this seventeeth day of May in the year one
thousand eight hundred &fifty three. Personally appreard before the Court of
Probate of the State of Massachusetts. Thirzah Wing aresident of Charlemont
in the County of Franklin and state of aforesaid aged 75 years. who first being
duly sworn according [insert]to law [end insert] doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress
passed the 3d of February 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who
served during The war of the Revolution; that she is the widow of Bani Wing who was a private in the war of the Revolution. and resided in Conway in county of Franklin  and state aforesaid. That Bani Wing died on the
2d day of April 1847 at Charlemont in said county of Fanklin that the Bani Wing was a pensioner  under the the law of United States of the 7th of June 1832 at the rate of twenty three dollars & thirthy three cents per
annum payable at the Agency  of Vermont. for proof of the service references me to the evidence filed by said Bani Wing in his application for a pension.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Bani Wing ninth day of October in the year onethousand eight hundred
twenty one; that her said husband died, on the 2d day of April1847. that she was not married to him prior to the second of January eighteen hundred but at the time above mentioned She further declares, that she is now a widow.
Thirza Wing
Sworn to [illegible] Subscribed on the day & year abovewritten,
Horatio G. Parker
Judge of Probate-
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101. Windham County - Vermont
Bani Wing

Declaration-
For Pensions - Sept 1832.
13, 971
Page 12

State of Vermont
District of Marlboro } on the fifth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court being the court of Probate within and for the district of Marlboro in the County of Windham and State of Vermont now setting Bani Wing resident in Wilmington in the county of Windham and State of Vermont aged sixty nine years who being first duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of act of congress June 7th, 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated, (viz) in the month of August or September 1779 as near as this applicant can now recollect he volunteered as a solder in Captain Rice in Colonel Chapins Regiment, Lt, Col Murry was the Lt Col of the regiment he volunteered for a month and was marched to Albany in New York and then stationed during the time and was dismissed at the expiration of it he [crossed out] resided at that time in Conway in the county of Franklin (then Hampden) in Massachusetts and the officer of the regiment were all of the state and he supposes them officers of the militia of Massachusetts, the year of 1780 this applicant still residing in said county about this first [crossed out] of July there was a call on the town for service men and he with six others turned out for six months and were sent to Springfield Massachusetts to be mustered and when they arrived there they were taken charge of Continental officers and the day following were put on the march for West Point under Lt King and when he had arrived at West Point he had the privilege of choosing the company he would serve in he went into a company called the Major Company commanded by Lt Stirdivant in.
Page 13

in Colonel Martans Regiment in the Massachusetts line but it was generally commanded by Lt Col Miller Major Pettengale was the Major in General Larneds Brigade was stationed there a few weeks and Larnards Brigade and most of the other troops stationed there were marched to new [illegible] General Washington was at the head of the troops and General Steuben exercised and maneuvered the troops till this applicant was tired of it this applicant was in the army when Major Andre was taken and brot [brought] into camp he was kept nine days and this applicant was his guard a part of the time he saw him executed there the 2nd of October at Tappan he was marched during the summer to Totaway Bridge Hackensack and then Stemripe in the latter part of the time he returned to West Point he was not engaged in any battles he was discharged once of the last days of December had a written discharge but his discharge is lost or destroyed. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or amenity except the present he declared that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State he has no documentary evidence and [illegible] of no person by whom he can make positive proof of his [illegible] except Josiah Baydan whose Deposition is herewith have handwritten.

[Crossed out sentence]
[illegible] by the Court
1   in Harwich Massachusetts in the year 1763
2   I at [illegible] in way [illegible and not after
3   in [illegible] Massachusetts 
     volunteer
4   [crossed out] in [illegible]
5   I have stated an my declaration
6   I did but have lost it
7   [crossed out] and Henry [illegible]   
James Boyd
Bani Wing
[illegible] to and [illegible] the day and year [illegible]
Marshall Miller Judge of Probate
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We Henry Chandler & Jairus Halle residents in Wilmington certify that we are well acquainted with Bani Wing who has duly xxxx and sworn to the above Declaration and believe him to be
Sixty nine years of  age and that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a soldier in the revolution and that we concur in
that opinion-

Jairus Halle
Henry Chandler
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13971
Bani Wing
Windham county 5130
Vermont

not on rolls

Claimt as [?]
m[?] f[?]
4 mo #2333

James Elliott [?]
New Farm
Vermont
Page 16

War Department,
Pension Office,
183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Bani Wings, Windham county Vermont

Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

Volunteer 1779 1780
1 6
private
Capt Rice
Lieut King
Lieut Sturdevant
Col Chapin
Col. Weston
to Albany
West Point
Tappan
Hackensack
69
Hampshire, Massa.
tradition
Witness proves the 6 month tour

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of } ss.
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. ☞This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman residing in the and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation [sic] of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 18

8

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
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 services.
6. To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
    To an Offcer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
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.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

__________________________________________________

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 ______month and _____ days, I served as a ___________; and for such service I claim a pension."
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 that 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 shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant  served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] [i] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.

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 papers 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.

Proof of Service.
[j] 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 are must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
the notes from [a] to [e] are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

The applicant must prove his service 
P T Benford [hand written]
Page 19

622
Revy WIDOW, &c.
---
File No. 622
Thirza Wing,
Widow
Bani Wing
Pri. Rev. War
---
Act: Feb 3, 1853
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 328.

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

Massachusetts
Thirza Wing
widow of Bani
who served in the revolutionary
war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
23 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 3rd day of February1833
Certificate of Pension issued the
16th day of September 
and sent to 
S. Maxwell
Charlemont
Massa
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3 1853
Page 47 Vol A
1832
Page 21

S
12.58.1
Med Aug
Page 22

No-656
Widow of Bani (Thirza) Wing Massa
Letter to S. Maxwell
May 25/53
Aug 23/53
Act Feby 3/53
Page 23

Pension Office
8" Sept. 1853,
Sir,
Please certify the time to which the within named pensioner was paid, or the date of his death,
Very Respectfully,
S. Cole
for the Commissioners

Bani Wing, Act 1832
$23.33 pr. an.- Paid to the 4th March 1847, no
date of death on our Books.
F. Burt
Auditor

Francis Burt Esqr.
[illegible] Auditor, [illegible]
Page 24

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin County
On this eleventh day of November 1844
before me Sylvester Maxwell Esquire a justice of the peace within and from said County of Franklin personally appeared Bani Wing who on his oath declares that he is the same person, who formerly belonged to the Company commander by Captain or Major Pettisigoll(??) in the regiment commanded by Colonel M(??) in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the pension Roll of the State of Vermont, from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the town of Charlemont in the County Commonwealth where he intends to (??) at the Agency in Boston in said Commonwealth: the following are his reasons for removing from Vermont to Massachusetts: I found it convenient to sell my real estate in Vermont to purchase in this state.
Bani Wing
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above and before me Syl Maxwell, Justice of the Peace
Page 25

CHARLEMONT MASS. 2ND JAN 1845

MR EDWARDS, INCLOSED IS THE CERTIFICATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH TO SUBSTANTIATE THE SERVICE OF SAMUEL BRACKET, IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION: TO ENTITLE HIS WIDOW BETSEY BRACKET TO HIS PENSION UNDER THE ACTS OF JULY 7TH 1834 + MARCH 3RD 1843. HER PAPERS HAVE BEEN EXAMINED + FILLED AS BY YOUR LETTER DATED 24 SEPT 1844 TO ME. 
I ALSO AT THE REQUEST OF MR. BANI WING A PENSIONER, INCLOSE HIS APPLICATION TO BE TRANSFERED FROM THE VERMONT AGENCY TO THAT OF MASS AT BOSTON: HE NOW RESIDES IN THIS TOWN.
WITH RESPECT SIR
YOUR OBT. SERVANT
SY MAXWELL
Page 26

Increase 1978
Brief in the Case of Thirza Wing Widow Bani
Private Rev. Charlesmont
Franklin County and State of Mass
Act 2nd Feb 3 1853

Claim for New Pension Certificate,

Proof Exhibited
Page 27

WING
Page 28

BRIEF IN THE CASE OF THIRZA WING, WIDOW OF BANI,
FRANKLIN COUNTY AND STATE OF MASSACHUSETTES,ACT 3RD FEB 1853
CLAIM ("ORIGINAL,")
PROOF EXHIBITED, (IF ORIGINAL)
IS IT DOCUMENTARY,TRADITIONARY, OR SUPPORTED BY ROLLS? IF EITHER, STATE THE SUBSTANCE.
HUSBAND WAS A PENSIONER, UNDER THE ACT OF 7TH JUNE, 1832,
R. CONT. EVIDENCE SHARED
PROOF OF MARRIAGE
(IF FOR INCREASE)
HAS ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE BEEN FILED SINCE THE ADMISSION OF THE CLAIM? IF SO, WHAT?
Page 29

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin, ss
Probate Office, Greenfield, September 2d 1853
The subscriber, Register of the Court of Probate, for said County, Hereby Certifies and Attests, that on the twelfth day of March in the Year one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
That Horatio G. Parker say  [illegible] was duly qualified and entered upon the dates of Judge of the Court of Probate for said County, to which Office he had previously been duly appointed & commissioned
[crossed out - late of ___ in said County deceased, testate] and became bound according to law for the faithful discharge of said trust.
Given under my hand with the seal of Law Court affixed at Greenfield aforesaid, this Second day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
Charl Mattoon 
Register of the Court of Probate, Franklin County
Page 30

Charlemont, Mass. 3rd Sept. 1853
Hon. LP Waldo Esqre Sir received your communication respecting the declaration of widow Thirzah Wing, that it is suspended for the reasons stated. As to the first, that the official character of the Judge is not duly authenticated. I have endeavored to supply that with the best evidence in power, so far as I know.  The other defects.  I think I have proof which ought to be satisfactory. But if any thing further is needed, I hope you will bear with my ignorance + for the sake of the poor widow patiently instruct me what to do and how to do it.
With Great Respect Sir,
Your Obd. Servt
Syl Maxwell
please to direct to Charlmont
[illegible] to Claremont
Page 31

HON. L.P. WALDO ESGV.
COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS
Page 32

Charlemont 8th June 1853
Hon. L.P. Waldo Esqr. Sir. I herewith send you
the declaration of widow Charlotte Paull & widow Thirzah Wing with the evidence of Marriage & the death of their husbands referring to the evidence of service supposed to be on file in the application of their respective husbands for pension if the papers are in respect defective or the evidence unsatisfactory. I trust you will give me notice
and I will endeavor to supply the defect, and if you find them correct. You will please to send their certificates to me.
With Great Respect Sir
your Obt Servt
Syl Maxwell
Page 33

CHARLEMONT FRANKLIN COUNTY MASS. 
25 MARCH 1853

TO.....COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS.
SIR, CONGRESS AT THEIR LAST SESSION HAVE EXTENDED THE PENSION LAWS TO WIDOWS OF SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF THE RECOLUTION WHO WERE MARRIED SINCE THE YEAR 1800.
MRS. WING, THE WIDOW OF BANI WIN WHO WAS A SOLDIER & A PENSION UNDER THE ACT OF 1832 IS DESIROUS OF HAVING BENEFIT OF THE LAST LAW. I WISH TO BE INFORMED IF THE DEPARTMENT HAVE PERSCRIBED THE FORM OF A DECLARATION FOR THIS PURPOSE, OR IF THE FORM USED UNDER THE ACT OF FEB 2ND 1848 WILL ANSWER.  I WISH ALSO YOU WOULD STATE TO ME, THE TIME OF THE SERVICE SET FORTH BY BANI WING IN THIS DECLERATION, OR IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR THE WIDOW TO STATE WITH PRECISION THE TIME OF SERVICE & THE OFFICERS UNDERWHOM HE SERVED. MR WING RESIDED IN VERMONT WHEN HE BECAME A PENSIONER, BUT IN MASS. WHEN HE PERFORMED THE SERVICE.  BY GIVING THE ABOVE INFORMATION YOU WILL GREATLY OBLIGE THE WIDOW.
YOUR OBT. SERVANT.
SY MAXWELL 
IF THERE HAS BEEN AN EDITION OF THE PENSION LAWS PUBLISHED WITHIN A FEW YEARS PAST; I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A COPY SENT TO ME.
S.M.
Page 34

I Charles Wing of Charlemont in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath, testify that I am well acquainted with the widow Thirzah Wing, who made her declaration in order to obtain a pension under the Act of Congress of the 3rd of February 1853 at a Court of Probate for said County of Franklin. I was present at the count and know and testify that she is the same identical person who was the wife of Bani Wing who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary war and a pensioner of the United States. I know that the same Thirzah and Bani Wing lived together more then twenty years and had the reputation of being and wife; I further testify that the said Thirzah Wing resided in my family ever since the death of the said Bani Wing, that she was a widow on the 3rd day of February 1853 and that she remains the widow of the said Bani Wing to the present time. 2, Sept. 1853
Charles Wing

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin County SS
On this 2nd day of Sept. 1853. Personally
appeared before me Sylvester Maxwell Esqr, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Franklin Charles Wing, a credable witness and personally known to me, and made other to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me Sy Maxwell Justice of the Peace
Page 35

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

FRANKLIN,SS.
I, GEORGE GRENNELL, CLERK OF THE JUDICIAL COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH, FOR THE COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, DO CERTIFY, THAT SYLVESTER MAXWELL ESQUIRE, WHOS SIGNATURE IS AFFIXED TO THE CERTIFICATE ON THE PAPER HEREUNTO ANNEXED, WAS AT THE DATE THEREOF, ONE OF THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE WITHIN AND FOR SAID COUNTY, DUTY COMMISSIONED, AND ACTING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THIS COMMONWEALTH; AND THAT FULL FAITH AND CREDIT IS, AND OUGHT TO BE GIVEN TO HIS ACTS AND ATTESTATION DONE IN THE CAPACITY; AND THAT I AM ACQUAINTED WITH THE HAND=WRITTING OF THE SAID SYLVESTER MAXWELL AND BELIEVE HIS SIGNATURE TO SAID CERTIFICATE IS GENUINE. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SET MY HAND AND AFFIXED THE SEAL OF THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT FOR SAID COMMONWEALTH, THIS FIFTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY THREE
GEO.GRENNELL CLERK.
Page 36

Pension Office
25 May 1853.
Sir,
In compliance with the request 
contained in your letter of the 25 March last,
I herewith enclose to you a copy of my circular
relative to applications of Widows for pensions
under the act of February 3, 1853
Very Respectfully
LP Waldo
Commissioner
S Maxwell Esq
Charlemont
 Mass.
Page 37

I Sylvia Parker Wing of Charlemont in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts; On Oath testify that I am well acquainted with widow Thirzah Wing; who made her declaration in the Court of Probate for said County in May last. I was present and attended the wedding when she was married to Bani Wing who was a pensioner of the United States. I saw them married the ceremony was performed by Reve. Joseph Field, that the said Bani and Thirzah afterward lived together as husband and wife while he lived. I further testify that the said Thirzah Wing was a widow on the 3rd day of Feb 1853 and that she remains the widow of the said Bani Wing to the present time 2nd Sept. 1853.

Sylvia P. Wing

Commonwealth of Massachusettes
Franklin County: SS
On this 2nd day of Sept 1853, personally appeared before me Sylvester Maxwell Esqr. a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Franklin: Sylvia Parker Wing: a credible witness and personally known to me and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed.

Before me Sy Maxwell Justice of the Peace
Page 38

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin, SS.
I, George Grennell, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Franklin, do certify that Sylvester Maxwell Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the Certificate on the paper hereunto annexed, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is, and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Sylvester Maxwell and believe his signature to said Certificate is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said Commonwealth, this (??) day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.

Geo Grennell, Clerk.
Page 39

Massachusetts Military State Agency
corner Seventh and 1 Streets
Washington, d.C.
April 2d. 69

Hon. C. C. [illegible]
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Sir 
I have the honor to present here with application, for [illegible] of Pensions, of Thirza Wing, widow of Barre Wing, Private in Revolutionary War - with Pension certificate No. 1970. etc.
Very Respectfully, 
Your Obedient Servant
Gardinan Tufts
[illegible] State Agent
Page 40

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
OFFICE OF SURGEON GENERAL.
Boston March 8th 1869-
Hon. Chris. C. Cox
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C
Sir;
By order of the Surgeon General, I have the honor to request information whether the rule of your Department, requiring applicants to make oath before a Clerk of a Court
can be departed from in the case of Thirza Wing Widow of Bani Wing of Charlemont Mass, who was a soldier of the revolution.
Said widow desires to make application for
Increase of pension under Act approved July 27"/68 and being ninety two years of age and living seventeen miles from any court wishes to make her declaration before a Justice of Peace Roger H. Leavitt a member of the Mass. H of R. who is a near neighbor and who has brought the attention of this Dept. to the above case-
Very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Fred k L. Cutting  Clerk
Page 41

Declaration will be [illegible] --
let the fact of age be stated
Clark certifying to
to Justice authority
Return old certificate
Geo. E Webster

For can
Pension Office
Mar. 11/69
Commonwealth of Mass.
Office of Surgeon General
Boston March 15th 1869
Respectfully forwarded to Hosemember Roger H. Leavitt Member of Mass House of Representative from Charlemont, where attention is called to endorsement of the Housemember the Commissioner of Pensions
M.Hall
Gen Law
Page 42

Payment to be made at
Boston by F. Haven  [illegible]
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Massa
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll . Vol A
Clerkof Pensioners under act February 3d, 1853. Page 47
H.R. Weightman 
June in 1854
Page 43

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853,
Thirza Wing widow of Bani Wing who was a Private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of twenty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum, commencing on the 3d of February, 1853, and continuing for life, unless she should again
marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the Department of the Interior,
this Sixteenth day of September
one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
R Mc Clellan
Secretary of the Interior.
Examined and Countersigned.
L P Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 44

Payments to be made 
at Burlington 
by the Presd. U.S. Br. Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners, 
in the Agency of Vermont

Recorded in the Pension Office 
in Book E. Vol. 3 Page 97
by Wm Miller
Clerk
Page 45

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Bani Wing
of the State of Vermont
who was a private in the war of the revolution, 
is entitled to receive Twenty three dollars and
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 1st day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three

Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and
Countersigned.
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 46

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, March 31 1869
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereto annexed
Roger H. Leavitt was a
Justice of the Peace for the County of Franklin, in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted;  and that to his
act and attestations, as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given in
and out of Court.
In Testimony of which, I have hereunto affixed the
SEAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH the date above written.
Oliver W. Arnold
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 47

N.
DECLARATION FOR INCREASE OF PENSION.
Under Section 13, Act of July 27, 1868.
State of Massachusetts
COUNTY OF  Franklin }SS
of THIS 27 day of March, A. D. 1869, personally appeared before me,
Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Thirza Wing,
aged 91 years, a resident of Charlemont,
in the State of Massachusetts, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that She
is the identical Thirza King, Widow of Bani Wing a Private in the revolutionary war to whom was granted Pension certificate No. 1978, payable at Boston Mass, at the rate of 23 33/100 dollars per [month -crossed out]
annum, issued under the act of Feb. 3rd,
1853;  that she makes this declaration
in order to secure the increase of her pension to which she is entitled under the thirteenth section of the act of July 27, 1868.
That she has not remarried since the death of her said husband-- BaniWing but to this date remains his widow and dependent on her pension for support
My Post Office address is as follows: Charlemont  Mass.
And she hereby constitutes and appoints Gardiner Tufts, Mass. State Agt. Washington D.C. her Attorney, to present and prosecute this claim, and authorizes him to receive and receipt for any certificate that may be issued for the same, and to do any other act or thing necessary or that she might do if personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby countermanding
all former authority that may have been given for the above specified purpose.

Signature of Claimant:  Thirza Wing
Also personally appeared.  Judson Booth and Eliza Booth, residents of Charlemont, persons
whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Thirza Wing sign her name (make ..........mark)
to the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and they further state that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim, and they know that she is ninety one years of age and has not remarried since the death of
her husband aforesaid.
Signatures of Witnesses.
Judson Booth
Eliza Booth
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27 day of March, A. D. 1869; and I
hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
Signature of Judge or other Officer: 
Roger H. Leavitt
Justice Peace
Page 48

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin p.
I, Samuel O. Lamb Register of the Court of
Probate in and for said County of Franklin do hereby certify and attest that satisfactory 
evidence has this day been exhibited to said Court that Bani Wing was a pensioner of the
United States at the rate of twenty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum. that he was a resident of the County of Franklin in the State of Massachusetts, and that he died in the Town of Charlemont in the said County of Franklin, on the second day of April, eighteen hundred and forty seven leaving a widow whose name is Thirzah Wing.
[Seal] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Charlemont in said County of Franklin this Seventeenth day of May A.D. 1853.
Samuel O Lamb Register of Probate
Page 49

Deposition of Josiah Boyden for Bani Wing - August 22nd 1832
Page 50

I Josiah Boyden of Conway County of Franklin formerly County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I have lived in said Conway for more than sixty years and have been well
acquainted with Bani Wing who came into said Conway after I had resided in said town some few years - and that on the last of June or first of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty. there were at this
period several men called for from said Conway for the Continental Service in the Revolutionary War  - and that I knew said Bani Wing to enlist for six months in said service and that after the number of men required were made out we marched together to Springfield then said Hampshire County to be mustered and after passing muster we were put under the care of a Lient. King whose duty 
it was all for the same service but he left us + James Mc Culler + the deponent were apapoint [appointed]. to see us marched to West Point - when we arrived at said West Point we were seperated [separated] after a few days by deponent being [...illegible...] out & put into Capt. Watson's Company of Infantry and put on different services and near the close of our term of service we were again brought near together at West point at Winter quarters and at the expiration of our Term of Service we received discharges
I have full belief that said Wing served his full term, for he did not arrive home at said Conway till after I had been home some three or four days - and further I the deponent saith not-- Conway August 22nd 1832
Josiah Boyden

Franklin S-
on the twenty second of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two the aforesaid deponent was examined & cautioned and sworn, agreeably to law, to the deposition aforesaid by him subscribed - taken at the request of Bani Wing of Wilmington County of Windham and
State of Vermont to be used by him for the purpose of obtaining a pension of the United States Government for services
over-
Page 51

performed in the American Revolutionary War
Before me John Williams Justice of the Peace I the subscriber certify that the within deponent
is considered a man of truth and Veracity
John Williams

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the County of Hamp[crossed out] Franklin do certify that John Williams Esquire before whom the within affidavit was verified is a Justice of the Peace for the said county; and I believe his name above subscribed to be his true and
proper signature.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at Greenfield on the twenty third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
E. Alvord Clerk