Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W.14929, Abner Howes, Mass.
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Service                                                        Number
Mass.           Howes, Abner Bethia               W.14929
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Massachusetts 1797
==============

Bethiah Howes

widow of Abner Howes died

who died on the 13th day of Nov. 1777
of Yarmouth in the State of Mass.
who was a private in the Co. commanded
by Captain Nye of the Reg Commanded by
---------- in the militia of Mass. 12 Months & 13 days a private.
==============================
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the 
rate of 41 Dollars 33 cents, for annum, to 
commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

==============================
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of July 1838 and seal Hon.  S.C. Phillips HR.
==============================

Arrears to the 4th of March 1838           289.31
Semi=annual allowance ending 
Sept. 4 1838                                              20.66
                                                                ====
                                                             $309.97

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{ lot July 4, 1836,}
{Section the ----}

Recorded by H. H. Sylvester  Clerk
Book a  Vol.2    Page 57
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V2987
Declaration
Bethiah Howes

[illegible]
13 days prior $40.33
per annum [illegible]
4 March 1837
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the 3 section of the Act of Congress of 4th of July 1836.

State of Massachusetts Franklin County ss. on this seventeenth day of October Anno Domini 1837.
personally appeared before the Hon. Richard E. Newcomb Judge of Probate for the county of Franklin aforesaid Bethiah Howes an inhabitant of Ashfield in said County of Franklin and state of Massachusetts aforesaid, aged eighty six years and being duly sworn according to the law doth under oath make this following Declaration 
in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th 1836.

That she is the Widow of Abner Howes, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution in the American service several different terms as a private corporal and sergeant, in the years 1775, 1776 and 1777. making in the whole as she believes about eighteen months of military service in the Revolutionary War.  That he served 3 months at Martha's Vineyard where
she believes he was a sergeant. that he served at Cambridge six months and she believes under Captain Elisha Hedge in 1775 and 1776.
That he also served three months at Boston under
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Capt Abijah Bangs and that he served six months at Rhode Island in the year 1777 when he was taken sick and died on the 13th day of November 1777 and as she believes just after his term of service had expired.

She further declares that she was lawfully married to the said Abner Howes then an inhabitant of Yarmouth in the County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts on the 12th day of December 1776 just eleven months and one day before his death, and that she was the lawful wife of the said Abner during his service at Rhode Island as aforesaid and at the time of his death.

She further declares that she was married to her second husband Antony Howes in the year 1780 and that he died in the year 1806 and that she has ever since remained a widow and unmarried as will appear by reference to the proofs hereto annexed.

Bethiah Howes

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written.

Before R. E. Newcomb Judge of Probate
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And the said Judge of Probate doth hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter that that the said Abner Howes was a revolutionary soldier and that he served and died as the said applicant states in the preceding application; and that the said applicant was married to the said Abner at the time stated in her said declaration, and that she is now a widow.

R.E. Newcomb Judge of Probate

I Elijah Alvord Register of Probate for the said county of Franklin do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Probate Court in the matter of the application of Bethiah Howes widow of Abner Howes for a pension.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court at Greenfield on the second day of November A.D. 1837

E. Alvord Reg. Prob.

Washington Dec 9. 1837. I certify that to my knowledge the Hon. R. E. Newcomb is Judge of Probate, and E. Alvord Esq. is Register of Probate for the County of Franklin Mass, and that their signatures as above are genuine.

S.C. Phillips
House of Representatives
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I Simeon Crowell of Yarmouth in the County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that I am the Clerk of said Town, being legally chosen, and according to the book of records of said Town number four it stands thus: "Abner Howes and Bethiah Howes both of Yarmouth married December tenth in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six" (Decemb. 10, 1776) by Revd. Nathan Stone returned in to Seth Toby, Town Clerk for the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six.

Attest

a true copy of record

Simeon Crowell {Town Clerk

Yarmouth Jany. 4. 1838.

Barnstable ss. Janry 4th A.D. 1838
Then personally appeared the above named Simeon Crowell and made oath that the above written instrument by him subscribed is true. Before me, Simeon Crowell - One of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Barnstable. 

[written along left margin]
S. Crowell, Town Clerk. Dep.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable SS

I, Timothy Reed, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, hereby certify that Simeon Crowell Esq., is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified and that I believe the within signature purporting to have been made by him to be his genuine signature.

Witness my hand and the seal of said Court the eighteenth day of January A.D. eighteen hundred + thirty eight.

Timothy Reed Clerk
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O. W. and N. Division. 3—525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., ....., 190 ....

In reply to your request of ........, received ...... for a statement of the military history of Abner Howes a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in [crossed out: his ( or] his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Mis file 14929.
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. | Length of Service. | Rank. | Officers Under Whom Service was rendered. / Captain | Colonel. / | State.

75 | 6 mos | Pri. | Elisha Hedge (?) [crossed out] | Mass.
[check mark ___] 76 | 4 mos. | Corpl [underneath: length.] | Abidjan Bangs [crossed out] | Dike | eta. at Martha's Vineyard.
77 | bt. 2 + 3 m. | Pri. | Joseph Palmer [R. J. crossed out] | Whitney
After above enlisted in | Benj. Topping's co | [checkmark]
marched to H. F. R. J. where he was sick in hosp. + died Nov. 13 1777

Battles engaged in, ...[check mark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Yarmouth, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 17 1837
Residence at date of application, Ashfield, Franklin Co, Mass.
Age at date of application, 86 yrs.
Remarks: Abner Stowes and Bethiah Stowes [illegible]. Dec. 12. 1776 she married in  1780 Antony Stowes who died in 1806 + she was pens. as former wife of Abner Stowes to further data as to fam.
Very respectfully, 
Commissioner. 
[Crossed out: Served in 75, 76 + 77 [inserted: to Pri Crpl + Sergt] for 18 mos [inserted: under Capt. Elisha Hedge, Abijah Bangs] rta. of Comb. Martha's Vineyard, Boston + Rhode Island where he died on act of sickness Nov. 13. 77.]
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June 75 - 6m. | Hamilton | Enoch Stallett
Dec. 75- | Elisha Nye | B. Bassett
May 76 | Mcah Hamlin
Aug 76 | Elisha Nye | B. Bassett
Jany 77 | Abijah Bangs
May 15. 77 | Palmer
July 77 | Toppings | Staunton
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Rev Widow, & c.

No.  14929

Bethiah Howes Widow of Abner Howes
Private Rev War

Act:  July 4th 36

Index: - Vol  a page 346

-------------------------------

1907  July 26.  History to Mr. Vankleek c/o
Hutchins & Wheeler
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'76.Palmer.2 or 3 mo.

Rolls.  Nye  Jan7. 76   9 days.

""/March 1 June 76  3 mo  Vol .36.p 159

                   "  Sept 16  3 mo  ""  "" 160


Palmer   July 77    2. 10ds  vol 3. p /1/1
                             -------
Palmer       40       8 . 19

1111                     4. 
                             -------
                            $12.19
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The Commr. denies that the gentleman who examined claim will copy their letter [illegible] the Copying Clerk being engaged in copying habes

W.
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House of Rep's 10th February, 1838

Sir,

I inclose additional evidence of [illegible] of the claim of Ww Bethiah Howes, as stated to be required in your form of 11th Dec. together with minutes of evidence memoranda, which may assist you in completing the examination. I hope you will now be able to arrive at a [illegible] conclusion, as I am sure the claim is well founded, and the claimant has furnished us the evidence which can be procured, independently of what can be procured from the rolls.
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House of Rep's 16 Feb. 1838

Sir, 

I have received your form yesterday in relation to the case of Ww Bethiah Howes.

I presume the testimony has been furnished, while can readily be obtained, and will therefore receive a certificate, as you suggest, for 12 most 13 ds.

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commr of Pensions
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Claim of Bethiah Howes for a pensio for the services of her husband Abner Howes who died at Rhode Island Nov 13, 1777 near the expiration of his term of Service, either a little before or after it is not known which, but it may appear from the Rolls at Washington. 

The Removal of the Rolls from Boston to Washington greatly increases the difficulty of ascertaining the facts in the case with precision. 

The Marriage of the applicant is proved by the certificate of Simeon Crowell Town Clerk of Yarmouth, and her widowhood of thirty years past by the affidavit of Joshua Vincent.

Service of Rhode Island  I refer to affidavit of Joshua Vincent + Joseph Howes for service at Boston to deposition of Noah Howes.

Joseph Howes testifies that Abner Howes served with him in 1777 at Rhode Island in Capt Joseph Palmer; [illegible] nary 2 or 3 months, and then they enlisted for the term of eight months in Capt Benjamin Tapings Company (probably Tappan or Tappen [crossed out] Topham). He says they enlisted the same day that Gen Prescott was brought in a prisoner by Col. Barton. that was about July 10th 1777.

If the enlistment was for 8 months, Abner Howes must have died during the term as there is no doubt he died in November 1777. and the pension I suppose would be granted accordingly.
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The terms of service were short in the first part of the war and the same man served under several different officers in the course of a year or two.  Abner Howes probably served in the same companies with some of his townsmen.  Several of them have obtained pensions and probably the names of the officers under whom they served will lead to the proof of Abner Howes Service if the Rolls are examined.  The following is an extract from some minutes taken from the Rolls 4 or 5 years since, in the cases of Noah Howes, Isaiah Howes, Henry Hall, + Enoch Hall. 

I believe all townsmen or near neighbors of Abner Howes from Yarmouth or Dennis. 

Pensioner: Noah Howes {Captain Elisha Nye...Colonel Barchial Bassett...enlisted August 1, 1776...Place of service: Tarpaulin Cove ... Captain Job Crocker...Colonel Hammatt...enlisted June 1778...Place of service: [left blank]

Pensioner: Isiah Howes {Captain Hamilton...Colonel Enoch Hallett...enlisted June 1775...Place of service: Barnstable...Captain Elisha Nye...Colonel B. Bassett...enlisted Dec. 1775...Place of service: Falmouth...Captain Abijah Bangs...Colonel [left blank]...enlisted Jan 7 1777...Place of service Boston...Captain Palmer...Colonel [left blank]...enlisted May 19, 1777...Place of service {Rhode Island...Captain Benj Hopkins...Colonel Staunton...enlisted July 16, 1777...Place of service: {Rhode Island

Pensioner: Henry Hall {Captain Stone...Colonel [left blank]...enlisted March 1777 Place of service: {Rhode Island...Captain {Edmund Hodge...Colonel [left blank]...enlisted June 1777 Place of service: [left blank]

Pensioner: Enoch Hall {Captain Micah Hamlin ...Colonel [left blank]...enlisted May 1776...Place of service [left blank]...{Captain Abijah Bangs...Colonel [left blank] enlisted January 1777...{Captain Elisha Hodge...Colonel [left blank]...enlisted August 1777...Place of service: Rhode Island

If the Rolls of the above companies are examined I think it very probable that additional evidence will be found of the service of Abner Howes. He probably enlisted in Capt
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Capt. Palmer's Company in May 1777 and afterward in Captain Toping or Tappan or Topham. 

The Declaration of the Applicant only intended to state that it was supposed that Abner Howes served under Capt Hodge at Cambridge in 1775 + 6 and under Capt Bangs in Boston in 1776 or 1777 or both, but it was supposed he served under other officers. The applicant does not know or recollect whom. It was not supposed that he served under either Captains Bangs or Hodge at Rhode Island or Marthas Vineyard; and probably at Cambridge and Boston he served under other officers a part or possibly the whole of his service in those places. It is known that he was in the army several terms of service. It was supposed that he was a part of the time under the two officers named, and also under others at other times but the particulars can be ascertained only by an examination of the Rolls and they have been removed to Washington. It is believed however that the circumstances I have stated together with the affidavits forwarded will lead to further evidence and show that he served about 18 months and perhaps died in the service. His death was in November 13, 1777.
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I Noah Howes of Dennis in the County of Baumtable and State of Massachusetts being of lawful age, do on Oath testify and say that I knew and was familiarly acquainted with Abner Howes of Dennis in the County of Baumtable and State of Massachusetts, and know that he was a soldier in the American service in the Revolutionary war and I know that he belonged to and was doing military duty in a company in the service of the United States, which was stationed at Boston in the fall of the Year Seventeen hundred and Seventy [crossed out: six] five and I believe that the company in which he served was commanded by Capt Abidjan Bangs. In Testimony hereof I the said Noah Howes have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight 
Noah Howes
in presence of Urbane Crowell
Barnabas Hall
Baumtable H. State of Massachusetts
January 8, 1838. — then personally appeared the above named Noah Howes with whom I have ever known and been acquainted and who has ever sustained a good character for truth and veracity and made oath to the above affidavit by him subscribed before me Barnabas Hall Justice Jesu
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable  ss
I Timothy Reed Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County + Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Barnabas Hall Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that the within signature purporting to have been made by him I believe to be his genuine signature - Witness my hand and the seal of said Court this eighteenth day of January AD Eighteen hundred & thirty eight
Timothy Reed Clerk 

Noah Howes
Deposn
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Minutes of Evidence in 
Simeon Crowell. Town clerk of Yarmouth.
Ceritificate of the Marriage of Abner Howes & Bethiah Howes in December 10th 1776. by Rev. Nathan Stone.
Joshua Vincent
Josuhua Vincent testifies to the service in Rhode Island .
known that he served at Rhode Island (I think 6 months.) and that he died there. has heard often of his having served previously at the other places mentioned...has been acquainted with his widow ever since.
Noah Howes.-Was well acquainted with Abner Howes 
Knows that he was a soldier in the American service, in the Revoltuinary war that he belonged to a company stationed at Boston and was doing military duty in the fall of 1776, and believe the Captain was Abijah Bangs.
Joseph Howes. Was in the same company with Abner Howes in Rhode Island (South Hampton) the captain was Joseph Palmer.-he believes in Col. Whitney's Regiments that they served 2 or 4 months under Capt Palmer. and when on
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their return at Providence he with Abner Howes, Isaiah Howes & Elisha Howes all of Dennis (a part of Yarmouth) enlisted in Captain Benjamin * Tafings  Company, Lieut Allen 1st Lieutenant Gibbs 2 for eight months to be statuioned at Howland Ferry, the enemy being in Batts Hill in Rhode Island. The day they enlisted. Col Barton brought General Prescott a prisoner from the Island. (July 10th 1777 as appears by Dr Hornes' Annuals.) that was in the Hospital with Abner Howes and attended him in his sickness but does know whether he died before or after they were discharged. He did not return home but died there. 
It will appear from the testimony of Joshua Vinvent that he died at the close of the year and probably from the rolls. He died in fact November 13th 1777.
If the Enlistment was for 8 months he died in the service. If the rolls are in existence they will show.
It appears by Mention from the rolls that Isaiah Howes above mentioned enlisted in Capt Palmer's Comapny May 15 1777.
And Abner Howes probably about the same time.

*Perhaps. Tahhan or Tollan or Tofhans.
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Salathel Nickerson served 4 months in Capt Bangs' Company in 1776 + 1777. The first Lieutenant was Howes and he of that name in the Company.
It appears from the that Isiah Howes and Enoch Hall served in Capt Abijah Bangs Company at Boston January 1777, and I believe Abner Howes was in that Company at that time. Noah Howes testifies that Abner was in that Company in the fall of 1776.
His townsman Isaiah Howes -served in 1775 under Capt and 177- enlisted June 1775, and you will see from the manuals that he served under  two different Captains and four different Colonels from June 1775 to the close of year 1777. Abner Howes I believe served served at -the- most if not all the same times and places with Isaiah, and probably a part of the time under the same officers. I would request particular attention to the names of the officer in the manuals, and with the rolls of those Companies of these dates might be examined.
It was verified that Abner Howes served under Colonel Hedge at Cambridge before the British left Boston but it may have been another officer.
I served with the rolls of Captains Hamilton & Nye in 1775. of Captains Nye -in 1776 and- and Hamlin in 1776 and Captains Bangs, Palmer, Hopkins in 1777.
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It was not supposed that he served under Capt Hedge in 1777. Nor under Capt Bangs when in Rhode Island.

Further evidence can probably be obtained if after the examination which I hope may be had at Washington, it should be thought necessary or expedient.
Nh
Minutes & Evidence
Mr. Phillips. I have no doubt will give the necessary attention to this case and I hope will excuse trouble gives him [illegeible] their Friend & Servant
F Howes
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Joshua Vincent's
Affidavit
for 
Bethiah Howes'
Claim.

[illegible] Reed has been written to provide [illegible] [illegible] of marriage [illegible] of [illegible] - Ask him about [illegible] communicate with F. [illegible] Esq
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I Joshua Vincent of Heath in the county of Franklin and commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age testify and say that I was well acquainted with Abner Howes of Yarmouth in the country of Barnstable in the commonwealth aforesaid and know that he served in the revolutionary war in the american service at Rhode Island in the year 1777 I believe for six months and I know that the was taken sick at Rhode Island, and died there at the close of that year, but I do not recollect under what officers he served. I have heard and have no doubt of the said Abner having previously served in the revolutionary war at Martha's Vineyard, and with the army at Cambridge while the British were at Boston and also at Boston but do not know the particulars.
I further testify and say that I was acquainted with Bethiah Howes who is now applying for a pension and know that she was the wife of the said Abner Howes during the term he served at Rhode Island and for the space of nearly one year before his death. I was acquainted with the said Bethiah at the time of her marriage with the said Abner and have been acquainted with her ever since after years after the death of the said Abner she married Anthony Howes who died in the year one thousand eight hundred and six and the said Bethiah has ever since remained a widow and unmarried.
Joshua Vincent
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State of Massachusetts, Franklin County
October the 10th 1837 Then the hither named Joshua Vincent with whom I have been acquainted for thirty years last past and who has for the whole of that time been a good character for truth and veracity personally appeared and made oath that the affidavit by him subscribed is true before me Henry Bassett, justice of the peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord of the Court of the Court of Common Places for the said county of Franklin do hereby certify that Henry Bassett is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified; and that his above signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I henceforth set my hand and seal of said court at Grainfield on the second day of december A.D. 1837
E. Alvord
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I Joseph Howes of Yarmouth in the County of Barnstable State of Massachusetts, aged in my Eightieth year Do on oath testify & say that [illegible] in the United States Service in the War of the Revolution in company with Abner Howes of Yarmouth now [illegible] in the County & State aforesaid both of us were privates., and near as I can recollect our first service together were in the year one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Seven, at South Kingstone in the State of Rhode Island between two and three months under Captain Joseph Palmer & I Believe in Colo [illegible] Regiment; And when returning homeward, in Providence, I myself with said Abner Howes Isaiah Howes one Elisha Howes of [illegible] enlisted in Capt. Benjamin [illegible]'s Company Lieut Allen first and Lieut [illegible] [illegible] for the term of Eight months to be stationed at Howland's Ferry The enemy then being on Butts Hill on Rhode Island: The day we enlisted Lieut Barton brought General [illegible] a prisoner of [illegible]  I was in the Hospital with said Abner Howes, and attended him in his sickness but I was not certain whether he died before we were discharged or soon after He did not return home with us but heard he died soon after, if not before we were discharged In testimony hereof the said Joseph Howes has hereunto [illegible] hand this Sixteenth Day of January in the year of our Lord one Hundred Eight Hundred and Thirty Eight, Joseph Howes 
Nathan Hallet
Edward Hallet
Barnstable ss State of Massachusetts January sixteenth Eighteen hundred and thirty eight. Then personally appeared the above named Joseph Howes with whom I have ever known and been acquainted and who has ever sustained a good character for truth and veracity and made oath of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me Joseph Eldridge Justice [illegible]
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Barnstable ss
I Timothy Reed Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Joseph Eldridge Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that the within signature purporting to have been made by him is his genuine signature
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this Eighteenth day of January A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight
Timothy Reed Clerk

Jos. Howes
Dep
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable County
I the subscribber do testify and say that I was a private in the Capt Abijah Bangs Company at Boston and there abouts for 4 Months as part of the year 76....and 77 the first Lieutenant was Howes of Yarmouth the 2 Lieutentnat was John Emery of Chatham also there was Howes in the Company from yarmouth at the same time I do not recollect any of these given names but Nicholas Dyke was Colonel........Salathiel Nickerson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable County
Be it known that on this 18th day January 1838 Before me the Subscribber a Justice of the peace in and for said county personally approved the above named and make Oaths to the Truth of the above Deposition By him subscribed in my purview and I further certify that I am again with the Salathiel Nickerson and he is a Man of Truth and is a Credibel witness in Testimony of which I have here made so my hand the day and afore said Joseph Young Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Timothy Reed clerk of the Court of Common Plead within and for the County of Barnstable and Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Joseph Young Esq. is a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County duly committed and qualified, and that the within signature pertaining to have been made by him is in my opinion, his genuine signature.
my hand and the Seal of said Court this twenty second day of January A.D. Eighteen hundred thirty eight.
Timothy Reed Clerk
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A. S. Wheeler
R. W. Hutchins
H. Wheeler
____________

H. N. Berry
C. C. Bucknam
W. W. Van Kleeck
H. LK B. Sampson

Office of HUTCHINS & WHEELER,
Bears Building, No. 199 Washington Street, Boston, July 18th, 1907.

Commissioner of Pensions,
              Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
In tracing certain family records for parties here in Boston, we find the name of Bethia Howes of Ashfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, widow, on the list of Revolutionary pensioners receiving a pension from the United States Government in the year 1840, she then being eighty-eight years of age and living with her son David Howes.
It would assist us in the matter of tracing the Howes family records if we could know who was the Revolutionary soldier by reason of whose services Mrs. Howes was receiving a pension, and we should be glad also of any information that you could give us concerning his Revolutionary record.
Thanking you in advance for your courtesy in the matter, we are
Very truly yours,
 Hutchins + Wheeler