Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19657, Sylvanus Wood, Continental Mass.
Page 1

Continental ------Wood Sylvanus-----W19657
Mass------------------or Silvanus
-------------------------Deborah
Page 2

3769
Massachusetts
_____________________________________________
Deborah Wood
widow of Silvanus Wood
who was a Pri, Sergt, and Ensign
in the Revolution

============================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
175 Dollars (no) cents per annum to commence the 4th day of March 1843
-------------------------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Dec. 1843 and sent to 

Isaach Fiske
East Cambridge
Mass
===============================
Act of March 3, 1843
Recorded in Book: A
Vol. 1 Page 58


Reported is written on the upper right side of document
Page 3

20.196
Massachusetts
=============================
Sylvanus Woods

of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts
who was a Lieutenant in the ---------commanded By Captain ---------of the Regiment commanded by Colonel----------- in the 
Massachusetts line for the term of 
from------1775 to ----------1783
===============================IInscribed on the roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 20 Dollars per month to commence on the 1st day of January 1828.

===============================
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th of July 1830 and sent to Hon. E. Everett
Charlestown, Mass
===============================Arrears to the 4th of March 1830 -------$522.58
Semi-anu'l all'ce ending
4 September -----------------------------$120.
------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------$642.58
===============================

Revolutionary Clain
Acts 20 May 1830
Rec: Book D
Vol: 2 fol: 92
Page 4

Extract from the Record of marriages in the town of Woburn in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

January the twenty sixth seventeen hundred and eighty four. Lt. Silvanus Wood and Miss Deborah  Bruce were married by Samuel Johnson Justice of the Peace.

I Martin L. Converse Clerk of the town of Woburn in the County of Middlesex and state aforesaid do certify that the above is a true extract from the original Record of marriages with the exception of date which is [illegible] in fair legable figures on the margin as follows.

Lt. Silvanus Wood and Miss Deborah Bruce were Married on Jan. 26th, 1784, both of Woburn.   Samuel Johnson Justice of the Peace.  I Martin L. Converse Depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the town of Woburn in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that the above is a true extract from the original Records as above certified by me.

(Signature)
Martin L. Converse Clerk of Woburn.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss
Woburn
February 23, 1847

Then, personally appeared the above-named Martin L. Converse and made oath that the above certificate subscribed to by him is true.

Before me Nathan Blanchard Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex County ss
I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court Of Probate in & for the county of Middlesex hereby certify that Nathen Blanchard Esq. is a Justice of the Peace {illegible] In the County of Middlesex duly commissioned & [illegible] & trust his signature when written in his genuine deposition.  In testimony whereof I have [illegible] my hand & affixed my seal of said Court this twenty ninth day of April in the year Eighteen hundred and forty three.
Isaac Fiske Esq.
Page 5

8995
Deborah Wood
Mass

Act 7 July 38.
m 84 -
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Middlesex ss
On this twenty fifth day
of April AD 1843. personally appeared before
the Hon. Saml  P P. Fay Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid Deborah Wood, a resident of Woburn in said County of Middlesex aged seventy four 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 & pensions to certain widows" & the decisions of the Secretary thereon.

That she is the widow of Silvanus
Wood of said Woburn who was a Leutenant in the Army of the Revolution & for his services as such received
3 * a Pension under the act of Congress of 1818 at the rate of twenty [?] dollar per month: he commenced his services
in the war at the battle of Lexington & was soon afterwards a Lieutenant & continued in the service as she always understood & verily believes for the term of three years, for the particulars of which service & the evidence in support thereof she would refer to the declaration of the said Silvanus Wood to obtain his said pension now on file in the Pension Department - at Wasting [Washington?] & the proofs accompanying the same

She further declares that she was married
to the said Silvanus Wood on the twenty sixth
day of January in the year seventeen hundred
and Eighty four; that her said husband the
aforesaid Silvanus Wood died on the twelfth
day of August in the year Eighteen
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hundred and forty; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, that the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, [illegible] at the home above stated.
Deborah Wood
I subscribed sworn to be Deborah Wood informant this day and year first above written befor me 
Samuel P Fay judge of prob [probate] 
for said county
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County [illegible]
I Isaac Fiske register of the court of probate in and for the county of Middlesex [illegible] hereby certify that Samuel P Fay Esq is the judge of said court and that his signature above written is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this twenty fifth day of April in the year of our lord eighteen hundred and forty three.
Isaac Fiske
Page 8

Time the [illegible handwriting] was sworn to, it has been fully well understood that the said Silvaner Wood was a [illegible handwriting] under a then[illegible handwriting] Act of Congress of May 20, 1830.
The mistake arose from the fact tht his name was borne in the list of pensioners under the Act of 1818 and that the said Wood made his declaration (as it is verily believed} under that act which is now on file in the department
Isaac Firke [illegible] of Probate
Page 9

(Continued from the opposite page)[in other penmanship hand]
[back to original penmanship hand]
Dr. Grahams White-plains, my wound soon got well, & at 
the end of 1776 campain Col. Baldwin leaving thee army
Col. Wesson tuck thee command and he placed me as
first Lieutenant in Cap. John Woods {note: brother] Company during thee
war, I told thee Colonel I would stay with all my heart
if I was not over powered at home and when 4 months
was elapsed, I saw my paranse and ofered them all 
I was worth, if they would be willing I should stay in
thee army, but no [ofer?] what [unintelligible] would anser. I then 
concluded to leave thee army but with great reluctance, 
Colonel Wesson, asked me what I was a going to do, I 
told him, I did not know what to sett my self about, 
but having a chance to make shoes for thee army, I bought 
lather, hired Journeymen, made shoes, & delivered them for thee 
Soldier, & after some time was elapsed I tuck my money 
and it would not, parches my stock, So I sold my time 
for 1777, after this it came into my mind to purchase a 
small farm about 40 acers, & my custom was to make  
ap pair of plough-Joggars in the four-noon, & work on thee 
farm in the after-noon, so that I gott no time to go
a hawking, and about 30 years ago I became aquainted 
with the honourable Abraham Biglow 
Clare, of middlesex county courts, he offered 
me a farm in the town of Woburn, 5333 dollars 
purchase about 26 years ago.  i laboured nights as 
well as days and have paid for thee same, it is true, 
but my lifting logs of wood, berrils of sider, 
has caused a breech of body, which all physians on 
earth cannot make me whole. This inferImity I have 
bin troubled with about 15 years, and now I am not 
able to do any thing by reason of thee breech, I am past 76 years of age. I sent an application with my 
cummission 8 or 9 years ago to congress. I am worth nothing 
but what has ben drawn, from my finger's ends 
if I am favured ever, with any thing for Servise 
dun in thee army, I need it now, as well as 
my fellow soldiers who have dun no more 
than I have, I think I have bin neglected, if I have sed any 
thing wrong I will seal up my lips and say no more, but I am willing 
to publish this, to the United States
Silvanus Wood [Signature]
Page 10

[hand writing, perhaps that of Silvanus Wood]
Whoever these lines cum before, ma depend upon facts 
that I Silvanus Wood was born in Woburn but in that part 
now caled Burlington, middlesex county massachussets 
12 miles from Boston & their I learned to make boots & shoes 
their I joined a minute company, dissiplined, with 
activity, by a man who was in the fight on Abrahams 
plains with thee brave Gen' Woof and in 15 months hostilities 
comminced, I was then established at my trade 
2 miles east of Lexington meeting house on west border of 
Woburn, and on thee 19 morn, of April 1775, Rober 
Douglass & my self, heard Lexington bell about one hour 
before day., We concluded that trouble was near;  we wated 
for no man, but hasened and joined Captin Parkers company 
at the braking of tee day. Douglass & myself stud together 
in the center of said company when thee enemy first fired. 
Thee English soon ware on their march for Concord  I helpt 
carry six dead into thee meeting house, & then sett out oafter 
thee enemy & had not an armed man to go with me but 
before I arrived at concord I see one of thee granadears 
standing sentinel.  I coked my peace and run up to him 
seased his gun with my left hand, he surrendered his 
armour, one gun & bayonett a large utlash & brass fender 
one box over the shoulder with 22 rounds one box round 
thee wast with 18 rounds.  THis was the first prisoner 
that was known to be taken that t day,, I followed thee 
enemy to concord, and to bukers hill that day,  next morning 
I agreed to stay thee first campain, & served as Sergant, and when my first term was expired, Colonel 
Lowammi Baldwin of tee same town of my self [crossed out] 
gave me an Ensigns cumission for 1776 and [crossed out]
marched to New York,. When gen Sullavine gen Lord 
Sterling ware made prisoners, I was in the reinforcement 
on long island, EHen we evacuated thee island, Gen Mark 
Dougle, commanded thee flotilly & when we left thee island 
of New York.  thee baggage was carried to thee north river 
with an officer & 10 privets to guard the chists, but a 
british ship came up thee river, & cut off ours and 
all was lost: thee next day we crossed the river & went 
over to fort lee, soon after we crossed back & landed 
above Kings bridge, we marched on & came to a place called 
frogs point, their we had a small brish with thee enemy. 
I recieved a ball through my left shoulder, col sheppard through 
his double chin, our wounds ware drased at dr. Grahams
Page 11

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex by Waburn, 24th January 1829. Then personally appeared before me, Silvanus Wood of said Waburn, gentleman and made oath to the truth of the within declaration by him subscribed.
Wyman Richardson, Justice of the peace for said county. [Signature]
Statement of Sylvanus Wood
Page 12

Memorial of Sylvanus Wood, a revolutionary soldier.
DW 8 - 1928
Ref to form in Mil. Pensions
DW 21 1829
Ref to form Mil. Pension
[Word "copied" in other hand]
Everett 4. Pensions
Page 13

To the Honorable [strike out illegible] House of Representatives of the United States of America, the petition of Sylvanus Wood humbly showeth:
That your memorialist was born in that part of the town of Woburn in the County of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, which is now called Burlington, and there learned the trade of shoemaker.
That sometime before the actual commencement of the revolutionary war, he was enrolled in a company of minute men so called, which was commanded by an Officer, who had fought under General Wolf, on the plains of Abraham in the Seven Years war; and that, at the time, when hostilities commenced, your memorialist was established in the pursuit of his trade, about two miles east of the meeting house in Lexington, on the border of the town of Woburn; that on the  morning of the 19th of April 1775, hearing the Lexington bell ring an alarm [carat symbol to insert the following seven words] and thinking that trouble must be near your memorialist, without waiting for the company of Minute Men, to which he belonged, to be mustered, started for Lexington together [strike out "a company"] with one Robert Douglass, and found the [strike out "company of"] Lexington Militia, who were drawn up, under Captain Parker, to oppose the [strike out "advance"] progress of the British troops; and stood in the Centre of the said body of Militia, at the time it was fired upon by the royal army: that after the dispersion of the Militia and the advance of the British army toward Concord, your memorialist afreshed to take up and carry into the meeting house the men who had been killed by the British: that your memorialist then proceeded on foot and alone toward Concord, following at a distance the march
Page 14

of the royal troops:
that about half way between Lexington and [strike out "before entering the town of"] Concord, your memorialist saw at some distance, at an angle of the road, a British Grenadier, apparently stationed as a sentinel; and that your memorialist rushed towards him and commanded him to deliver up his arms and surrender, which command the Grenadier obeyed:
that your memorialist conducted his prisoner some distance backward toward Lexington when your memorialist transferred him to another person, by whom he was guarded and taken to Lexington and afterwards to Woburn, while your  memorialist returned to the pursuit of the enemy, whom he followed in the flight from Concord to Boston: 
And this prisoner your memorialist verily believed to have been the first British prisoner taken in the  Revolutionary War:
that your memorialist enlisted in the army, the following day, and served as a sergeant the rest of the year, when he received an ensign commission on a new enlistment for 1776, and marched to New York, where in a skirmish with the enemy your memorialist received a ball through his left shoulder:
that at the close of the campaign, your memorialist was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in the army, and served four months in that rank; when he was persuaded by his parents to leave the army:
that having left the army, your memorialist employed himself at his trade of making shoes for the army, and furnished a considerable quantity for the troops [illegible] in payment deprecated paper, which would not
Page 15

reimbursed him, for the cost of his leather
that your memorialist then returned home and has ever since been employed laboriously in the cultivation of a farm although for the last fifteen years severely afflicted with bodily infirmity
That your memorials has no property, but  what he had acquired by hard labor, is over 76 years of  age and [strike out unable] rendered incapable by years and bodily infirmity of making any farther [illegible]
he therefore respectfully submits his case to the consideration of Congress, hoping that his service in the revolutionary army, but more particularly his having captured the first prisoner in the revolutionary war may be thought to entitle him, at the close of his life to a participation in the bounty of his country.
And as in duty bound will we pray
[illegible]
Sylvanus Wood.
Page 16

Massachusetts 7569
Deborah Wood
widow of Sylvanus Wood who was  pensioner under the Act of May 20, 1830 and who died on the 12th August 1860 of Middlesex Co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a Pr. [private]  Srgt. [sergeant] and Ensign in the company commanded by Captain Parker of the regt commanded by the Maj [major] line for
12 months Ensign
9 "[months] and 1 day Srgt [sergeant]
3 " [months] 2 " [days] Pr. [private]
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 175 dollars (strike out "cents"} per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of August 1863 and sent to Isaac Fiske East Cambridge Mass
Whole amount due $875
Act July 7 1838
Recorded by D Brown, clerk
Book ! Vol S Page 145
Page 17

[handwriten, apparently by Silvanus Wood]
Woburn octobver 1 1828 I now take it upon me to write 
a fe lines that I Silvanus Wood and Robert Douglass 
Joined Cpat. John Parkers Company in Lexington April 19 
1775 at the breaking of the day, & ware fired upon 
about sunrise & when we dispersed I went to Mr. 
Clarks thee minister, whare was [word crossed out] Samuel Adams and 
Govenor Handkok, & as soon as thee English marched 
for Concord I returned & with thee helpe of a few more 
carred tee dead into thee meeting house, & then pursu 
thee Enemy, & when I had got about half way to concord 
I looked from thee top of an high hill one hundred rods 
* their stood an English Sentinel which I found to be a 
granadear, whern within 2 rods he refused to ground his 
piece, but I continued my runing up to him seased his 
gunn with my left hand & he delivered up his armor & arms 
I marched then for Lexington & met Ebenezer Lock and 
Elkanah Welch, then I delivered thee prisnor to Welch 
with charge to take hime to Lexington for further orders 
& Lock & I mrched for concord & I continued in tee 
Servis & did not know where my prisnor was, but after 
a while I see Mr John Flagg a townsman of mine 
Mr. Flagg Says you tuck thee first prisoner & I thee 2 
Sad I how do you know this. Flagg When our company 
arrived to Lexington meeting house I see Elkhana Welch 
cuming from towards concord with a very tall prisnmor 
I asked him how he came by him, he told me Mr. 
Wood tuck him about half way to concord & was returning 
& delivered him to me, for futher orders & Wood 
& Lock was marched for concord & about thee same 
time I see one English man coming up thee road as
though he was marching up into his magistys dominions 
& I stoped him, & he delivered up his armour 
then Welch had orders to conduct the 2 prisoners 
to Burlington & desire Captin James Reed to take 
thee charge of them, This Mr. John Flagg was a 
Selett man for some years in Woburn ^where^ he was 
born, more than [comon?] for strength had a great 
mind this man died aobut two years ago aged 79
Page 18

[handwritten perhaps by Silvanus Wood]
This ma show that on thee 19 of april 1775 [Crossed out name]  Samuel 
[return to original hand]
Addams and Govenor Handkok was at thee Rev. 
Mr. Clarks on thee morning of hostilities & for their further 
safty urged them & sent a pilot to show them the way 
over to Burlington &(Captin James Reed waited on 
them at his own house. Capt Reed says that Sumtime 
in thee four-noon Elkanah Welch on tee 19 of april 1775 
came to him with 2 English prisenors, thee one was a very 
tall granadear & furthermore in the course of thee 
day & thee day following he had commited to his charge 
Nine prisners, being all English prisoners, & but one {?]
[?] thee [unintelligible] in all that was a granadear, and in confermation 
of thee truth I subscribe my hand
[then in a different hand] James Reed

[then in yet a new hand]
Middlesex ? Burlington 29 October  2028 
Then the above named James Reed personaly appeared & made oath to the truth of the above 
affidavit by him subscribed.
Before Me, Wyman Richardson
Justice of the peace
I hereby certify that the above named 
James Reed is a credible witness, & his
testimony  [unintelligible] to [unintelligible] & [unintelligible]
Wyman Richardson 
Justice of the peace
Page 19

Deborah Wood
Woburn
by her atty [attorney] Isaac Fiske
Certificate Made
Page 20

I Deborah Wood of Woburn in the County of Middlesex, widow of Sylvanus Wood late of said Woburn decd hear instituted and appointed by these presents do constitute and appoint Isaac Fiske of Cambridge in the County of Middlesex esquire, my true and lawful attorney for me and on my behalf to investigate and obtain evidence in relation to the service in the Revolutionary War of the said Sylvaner Wood, for the purpose of obtaining arrears on increased rate of pension which I verily believe was due to my said husband and which were not contained in his certificate of a pension which he needed in his life time and [strike out "for purpose']  to adopt and practice all necessary measures having a [illegible] to obtain such evidence and for me and on my behalf to apply to the offices of this [illegible] [strikeout] of this Commonwealth to impart and examine these humble documents in relation [illegible] so far as is consistent with the rules of said office and also to make application therefor to all public offices and then to hear when he has reason to believe any such evidence is to be obtained and for all the purposes [illegible] to hereby [illegible] any other person or persons to act on this premise hereby notifying and informing and allowing all matter that may be done by the said Isaac Fiske or his substitute in his name hereof
In which whereof I the said Deborah Wood have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of April AD 1843 [signature of Deborah Wood]
[Illegible text above signatures of witnesses]
[signed by S.P.P. Fay and A. Bartlett]
[following written in other handwriting]
Supposed to be in Baldwin's unindexed rolls.
Page 21

Know all men by these presents that I Isaac Fiske [illegible] names do hereby [illegible] and appoint [illegible] M. Stone of [illegible] my substitute to act in all matters and things which I am authorized to do and perform by maker of the within Power of Attorney. In which whereof I here unto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of April 1843 [illegible]
Isaac Fiske
Thomas C. Thacher
Page 22

Mr. Wood commenced as a Private at the Battle of Bunker Hill and was soon after promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in which capacity he served as the widow verily believes for about 3 years, she is unable to state under what Capt. - perhaps the enclosed paper written by Wood during his life time will throw some light upon the matter.
Isaac Fiske
per L M. Stone
Page 23

Certificate to be sent to A. H. Fiske [illegible] St. as soon as [illegible]
Ltrs
Page 24

Pension Office
June 9th 1843
Sir,
The proof of the date of the marriage in the case of Deborah Wood is satisfactory, but the service of her late husband should be established by the certificate of the Secretary of Massachusetts to whose office the rolls have been recently returned. His pension was allowed by special act of Congress on the 20th May 1830 without such proof of service and rank as the rule of this department require.
He states in his petition that he was sergeant in the eight month service of 1775; received an Ensign's commission in the regiment of  Colonel [illegible] Baldwin for 1776, was promoted Lieutenant and after having served four months in that grade resigned in consequence of wounds.
The vagueness of this statement as to the service of 1776 can only be corrected by the rolls.
I am very respectfully
your observant
J L Edwards

Isaac Fiske, Esq
East Cambridge
Massachusetts
Page 25

[Folded seal in upper left corner of document]

Secretary's Office, June 24 1843

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 the name of Sylvanus Wood is borne upon the Muster Rolls of Capt [Captain] John Nood's company in Col [Colonel] L. Bald[illegible] Regiment as a Sergeant from Woburn, April 29, 1775 and is returned as such until Feb [February] 1776 when his name is borne upon the roll as Ensign.

The name of Sylvanus Wood is also borne from the Muster Roll for the year 1776 as Ensign dated April 25 1777 when the company are discharged and paid for home travel.

The rolls in this office show no further service [illegible] to said Nood.

And I further Certify, that before search made for evidence of said facts, the applicant hereto annexed was filed in this
Page 26

Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application and the certificate above set forth, contains all the facts and circumstances which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service,
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seat of the Commonwealth, the date above written,

Jno A Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth

A. H. Fiske, Esq.
East Cambridge Mass
Page 27

O. W. and N. Division
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C,[blank], 189[blank]
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Sylvanus Wood, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Date of Employment | Length of Service | Rank | Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered |Captain|Colonel | State
Apr [April] 29 75 | 9 mo [months] | Sgt [Sergeant] | John Wood | L Baldwin | Mass
1776  | 12 [ditto marks] [months] | Ensg [Ensign] | [horizontal lines] | [horizontal lines] | [horizontal line]
1777 | 4 [ditto marks] [months] | Lieut. {Lieutenant] | John Wood | [strike out Co] Wesson | [ditto marks below Mass]
[two remaining rows of table left blank]
Battles engaged in, Lexington. Also served okinuishus.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, 2 miles E. [east] of Livingston
Date of application for pension, 1828
Residence at date of application, Woburn, Mass
Age at date of application,  Not given
Remarks: States in his app that he took the first prisoner in the Rev [Revolutionary] War during the bat [battle] of Lex [Lexington] [illegible] service records under Capt [Captain] John Parker.
Very respectfully, [blank]
Commisioner
follow the British Troops on the road between Concord and Lex [Lexington] [arrow drawn to reverse the order of Lexington and Concord]
[Three blank horizontal printed lines left blank]
7941 b-3m
Page 28

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County [illegible] Be it known that on the Ninth day of September AD 1843 Personally appeared before me the [illegible] a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, Deborah Wood a resident of Woburn in the said County & Commonwealth aged seventy four 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 provisions made by the Act of Congress passed on the third day of March 1843 granting Pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War, that she is now the widow of Sylvanus Wood who was a private in the Revolutionary War and also a Sergeant and Ensign in said War and served as she verily believes as stated by her in her original declaration for a Pension under the Law of the 7th of July 1838, and under an Act [illegible] the 23rd of August 1842 amendatory thereof and a resolution approved the 16th day of August 1842 entitled a Resolution declaratory of the Pension Act of July 7, 1838, to which declaration and the papers accompanying the same now on file in the War Department she would refer for a more particular statement of his the said Sylvanus Woods services: for the proof of her marriage to the said Sylvanus Wood her identity and the time of the death of the said Sylvanus Wood:
Page 29

She further declares that she was pensioned under said Acts & Resolves at the rate of one hundred and seventy five dollars per annum, which amount she received from the fourth of March AD 1836 to the fourth of March 1841 at the Agency in Boston Massachusetts & at the time of receiving her last payment surrendered the Pension Certificate granted to her under
said acts to the Pension Agent at said Boston agreeably to the Rules of the Department.
And this declarant further alleges that she has no
intermarried since the decease of her said husband Sylvanus Wood, but is now & ever since has been the widow of said Sylvanus Wood deceased, as will more fully appear by the proof annexed and further the said not. Deborah Wood
Subscribed in presence of
Isaac Fiske
Joseph Steel
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year put within written
Before me Isaac Fiske Justice of Peace
I Joseph Steel -- of lawful age testify & say that
I am well acquainted with Deborah Wood the foregoing applicant & know that she was the widow of Sylvanus Wood who was reputed to have been a soldier in the War of the revolution.
Said Deborah Wood was a pensioner under the Law of 1838 & 1842 at the rate of one hundred & seventy four dollars he annum
Page 30

as stated by her, & has not intermarried same the expiration of said acts, but is now the widow of Mr. and Sylvanus Wood, deceased; - Joseph Steel
Maileson J. September 9th 1843 Personally appeared the above named Joseph Steel --- well known to me as a person of veracity & entitled to credit & made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed was true, 
Isaac Leske Justice of the Peace
Page 31

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston September 9th 1842
I hereby certify that as the date of this annexed attestation Isaac Fiske was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
[Faded illegible seal appears at left side of page]
[signed] Jno. A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 32

Sylvanus Wood
Report
[illegible strike out]
Full Pension for a Lieutenant

suspended at the request of Wm Everitt for additional evidence
Page 33

Sylvanus Wood states in his petition that he was a volunteer at the battle of Lexington and Concord in the state of Massachusetts in the revolutionary war. He took the first prisoner which was taken in the war on the road from Lexington to Concord. On the following day he enlisted in the army and served as a sergeant the remainder of the year when he received an ensign commission as a new enlistment for 177[illegible] and marched to New York where in a skirmish with the enemy he received a wound by a ball through his left shoulder at the close of that campaign he was promoted to the rank of Lieut. and served four months in that capacity when he was persuaded by his parents to leave the army. He is now 76 years of age is [illegible] and dependent and pray relief. The only evidence offered in support of the claim is the deposition of Joshua Reed who states that his father was in the same detachment with Sylvanus Wood and he often hear him say that said Wood took the first prisoner in the revolution
Page 34

[handwritten note] Re[illegible]
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19657
Deborah Wood
Widow of Sylvanus Wood
Srgt. Rev. War
Act: Mar. 3rd 1843
Index: [blank] Vol. M, Page 37
{Arrangement of 1870}
Page 35

1892 Oct 10 - Hist to [illegible] S Wood Woburn Mass.
Page 36

East Cambridge April 29, 1843
To
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Sir, Inclosed is the application of Deborah, the widow of Silvanus Wood, for a Pension. You will please to communicate the result to me,
I am respectfully yours
Isaac Fiske
Page 37

[strike out] Sylvanus Wood [illegible]
Affidavit of Joshua Reid


Copied [written in other hand at an angle]
Page 38

Joshua Reid of Woburn, County of Middlesex Massachusetts, testifies & says, that his father was an officer in the Militia, in 1775, & the Company to which he belonged, went to Lexington on the nineteenth of April in that year & John Flagg of said Woburn, {now dead}, with whom I was well acquainted, was in the same Company, with my father, -- I have often heard my late father and said Flagg converse on the [illegible], and state frequently, that their Company arrived at Lexington after the British had passed on towards Concord, & that while their Company stopped at Lexington a prisoner was brought down to them very early in the morning by one Welch, who said he had been taken on the Concord road by Mr. Silvanus Wood of said Woburn, & the prisoner with others, taken on that day were sent to Mr. James Reeds in Burlington to be guarded. & I have often heard my father and said Flagg say that Mr. Silvanus [strike out "of Woburn"] Wood, of said Woburn took the first prisoner on that day.
Joshua Reid
Middlesex ss. Woburn 1 November WRO. Then the above name Joshua Reid personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him [illegible] & he is a credible witness --Before Mr. Wyman Richardson justice peace
Page 39

4324
Sep 18th 1843
Cl Deborah Wood
[Circular stamp appears over the word Wood and reads] East Cambridge Ms Sep 9

[illegible smear] 1843
Mass

$175 per an
 Isaac Fiske
East Cambridge Mass

[written sideways and over the top of the abve 3 lines] J L Edwards Esquire    Free
Commission of Pensions
Washington
Page 40

East Cambridge Sep 9 1849
County of Middlesex Mass

Hon J L. Edwards
Sir,
Inclosed is the Application of Deborah Wood for a [illegible] of her Pension for one year agreeably to the [illegible] Act of Congress. It is a case very recently named and granted. Please make return to me.
I am very respectfully yours
Isaac Fiske
Page 41

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office July 5 1843
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 the name of Sylvanus Wood is borne upon a Pay Roll of Capt. Oliver Shattuck's Company in Col B. Sear's regiment D, as a private from Aug 12 to Nov 8, 1781. amtg to 3 mos 2 days including his return home
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written
Jno A Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 42

Free
[Circular stamp in upper left that reads] Boston July 24
J. L Edwards Esqr
Pension Office
Department of War
Washington, D.C.

$20 per mo. from 1 Jan 1828
Lt. Revs. roll Massa.

1st Sec. Act 20 May 1830
Page 43

Charlestown Massts.
24 July 1830.
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Dear Sir,
I have your favor of the 19th & I inclose  a certificate of the identity of Sylvanus Wood. His pension certificate (it forwarded to me) will be placed by me in his own hands. --
Very Respectfully Yours
Edward Everett.
Page 44

July 3 1843
[Superimposed on the handwritten date is a circular stamp that reads "Boston MA Jun 30"]

Mass [Massachusetts]

Deborah Wood

[written sideways as an address]
J. L Edwards Esq
Commisioner of Pensions
Washington

[a mark that resembles a letter J also appears on the page]
Page 45

East Cambridge June 30 1843
J.L Edward Esq
I [illegible] you this evidence acquired at your request as [illegible] on Mrs. Woods application.
I am very respectfully your
Isaac Fiske
Page 46

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Charlestown 24th of July 1830
I hereby certify that Sylvanus Wood of the town of Burlington in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts is the identical person for whose case Congress intended to provide by the Act of May 20 1830 as a Revolutionary Pensioner.
Edward Evertt
Page 47

[circular stamp that reads East Cambridge Ms Jul 5]
July 18 1843
Mass
Add proof
Mary Wood
Deborah
[illegible]

[writing sideways as an address:]
FREE
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 48

East Cambridge July 5, 1843
Hon J L Edwards
I enclose you a further certificate of " Wm Secretary Molles, as to the service of Sylvanus Wood in the Revolution, which he says
was ardently omitted by his clerk: he will
please to place this with the New evidence in
support of the application of Maj Wood for a
Pension
I am respectfully yours
Isaac Fiske Esq
Page 49

No 8995
Deborah Woods
Massachusetts
Act 7th July '38
Admitted
12 mo. Ensigne
9 mo. 1 Sergt [sergeant]
3 mo 2 Priv [private]
$175 per an [annum]
E
Isaac Fiske Esq
East Cambridge
Massachusetts
Page 50

Hon. Joseph Laurence of Penn.
Page 51

H. R. 30 Jan 1829
Dear Sir
I have received back from Mr. Wood his Statement with his affidavit amended. I shall be much gratified if this should be deemed adequate by the committee.
Very truly yours
E Everett
Page 52

I Nahum Jenison of Burlington in the County of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts now about sixty years of age, do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Sylvanus Wood late of Woburn in said county, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner. I live in the same neighborhood with him. the said Sylvanus Wood died at said Woburn on the twelfth day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty. I was present at his death and funeral. I also testify that the said Sylvanus Wood left a widow with whom he lived as his lawfull wife for more than forty years. Her name is Deborah Wood, who is now living and has not been married since the death of the said Sylvanus Wood.
Nahum Jenison
Middlesex C. Burlington April 29th 1843 personally appeared the above named Nahum Jenison who is well known to me as a person of good character for truth and veracity and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me
Nathan Blanchard, Justice of the Peace
Page 53

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County Jn
I Isaac Leske Magistrate of the Court of Probate in & for the County of Middlesex aforesaid hereby certify that Nathan Blanchard Esq is a Justice of the Peace within and for the
County of Middlesex aforesaid duly [unintelligible] & qualified & that his signature within written is his genuine Signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty ninth day of April in the year Eighteen hundred and forty three
Isaac Lecke NY
Page 54

I James Bruce of Woburnin the County of
Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
now about seventy three years of age, do depose
and say that I well acquainted with Lt. Sylvanus
Wood late of Woburn in said County, who was a
Revolutionary Pensioner. I lived in the same
town and neighbourhood with him: the said Sylvanus Wood died at said Woburn on the twelfth day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty. I was present at his death and funeral. I also testify that the said Sylvanus Wood left a widow with whom he had lived as his lawfull wife for more than fifty five years. her name is Deborah Wood, who is now living and has not been married since the death of the said Sylvanus Wood
James Bruce
Middlesex ss. Woburn April 25th 1843. personally
appeared the above named James Bruce, who
is well known to me as a person of good
character for truth and veracity, and made oath, that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed
is true.
Before me
Nathan Blanchard {Justice of
                              {the Peace
Page 55

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Madison County for
I Isaack Fiske  Register of the
Court of Probate in and for the County of Middleson
hereby certify that Nathan Blanchard Esq is a
Justice of the Peace within & for said County
duly commissioned & qualified & that his signature
within written is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & affirmed the seal of said Court this
twenty ninth day of April in the year Eighteen
hundred & forty nine.
                Isaack Fiske

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