Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14859, Silas Handy, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)

Service: Mass

Handy, Silas
             Lois

Number: N. 14859.

Contents:
Page 2

1966,
Massachusetts
Lois Handy
Decs
widow of Silas Handy
who died on the 12 June 1834 -
of Plymouth in the State of Mass
who was a private in the Comp: commanded
by Captain Turner of the Regt: commanded
by Col. Marshall in the Mass
line for
Mass 9 months 12 Days,
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 34 Dollars 66
Cents
per annum, to commence on the 13 day of
June 1834 & Terminating
on the 13th Aug 1848-
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of March 1850 and sent to
J. M. Thayer Present-
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending
Deducting former payments
at $20 per Annum
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the
Recorded by Henry Robinson Clerk,
Book D  Vol. 2
Page 345
D
(over)
Page 3

Surviving Children
Lois Young
Kezia Ellis
Lydia Blankenship,
Page 4

10111
Marsall
Silas Handy
Rochester in the State of Mass
he was a Private in the Company commanded
Captain Turner of the Reg. commanded
Col Marshall in the Mass
ne for 10 months 12 days
 [illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
t the rate of 34-- Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
o commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of March ┃
1833 and sent .Y. H. Lord
Plymouth Mass ┃
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835  $69.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "  17.33
$86.65
{ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2d Page 31
---
Page 5

No. 7
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth Ss
Other third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and thirty two personally appeared before the Court of Probate holden at Rochester
within and for the County of Plymouth Silas Handy, a resident of
Rocker aforesaid in the seventy seventh year of his age, having been born
at Rochester aforesaid on the eleventh day of March AD one thousand seven
hundred and fifty six, who being first sworn according to law, doth on his
oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 that in
the fore part of June 1776 he enlisted in a company of Militia raised by
the State of Massachusetts in the war of the Revolution for the term of six
months. The company was commanded by Thomas Turner of
Middleborough Captain, Joshua Eddy of Middleborough, and Chatham
Harker of Rochester, Sabatters. The company went to Boston, from there
Nantucket and from there to Castle William When the term of
service expired. We left Rochester the day that Ichabod Nye
was bened [illegible]. He had enlisted in the same company and in
making his preparations to go, was mortally wounded by the discharge
of a musket.
Marshal and Bradford were Colonels of
the regiments. I do not remember the name of the Major Gen
Lincoln had the command
The company was dismissed
at the castle, but it is not remembered that any written 
discharges were given. He was in no engagement with the troops
of the enemy. While on this duty the American forces
captured a British ship having on board a party of Highland
Soldiers.
It was supposed she came into the harbour, expecting
the place was in possession of the enemy.
As those who were
with him on this tour of duty, Edward Handy Timothy Hilton
William Clerk of Rochester and Joshua Eddy of Middleborough,
one of the subalterns, are living. He was discharged in
December of the same year he enlisted
He enlisted in 1778 in the Massachusetts line in the Company ┃
of Capt Joseph Parker, John Doty was Lieut. marched to North [illegible]
ston in Rhode Island where the company remained for [illegible]
Page 6

weeks.  he does not recollect any field officers. and has no documentary evidence and cannot find any person living who was with him there.

In the spring of the year, he thinks April 1778 his brother Edward enlisted to serve in a company called the shore guard, raised by Massachusetts, for the term of six months.  The men were stationed at the harbors in Rochester and Wareham; over [illegible] at [illegible]poisett, over on the great neck in Rochester and over at Indian Neck in Wareham.  The declarant agreed with his [  ] brother Edward Handy to serve for him as a substitute for over half the term and he did serve accordingly.  His duty was performed at the Great Neck.  Nathanial Ruggles a sergeant had the command of [illegible] detachments.  He has no recollection as to the Commissioned officers of the company.  He does not remember [illegible] the whole company was [illegible] together.  He is confident that he performed the first half of the term for which his brother enlisted.
In the month of August 1778, he enlisted in company raised in Massachusetts for Sullivans expedition as it was called to Rhode Island.  He arrived at Rhode Island after the great storm and before the battle.  He was [crossed out] on the Island at the time of the battle, but was [illegible] in the engagement. He does not recollect whether he was enlisted for any any particular [illegible] or for the expedition.  His term of [illegible]  was about two weeks.  He cannot remember the company or field officers, but thinks Edward Hammond commanded the company. Noah Hammond, Timothy Hiller of Rochester was there at the same time and [smudge] still living.
Page 7

That he was born + always resided in Rochester aforesaid that he has no documentary evidence of the above service except depositions lately taken that he is now on no pension list + never received a pension + hereby relinquishes all claim to any except [illegible] present.  That he is well known to the Rev. Oliver Cobb + James Ruggles, Esq. of Rochester aforesaid. 
Silas Handy
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid attest Jacob H. Loud, Register
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 Oliver Cobb who has signed the certificate hereto annexed is a Clergyman resident in the town of Rochester and that James Ruggles Esq. who has also signed the same is also a resident in the same town and a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court, attest Jacob H. Loud Register
I Jacob H. Loud Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Silas Handy for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and and the seal of said Court this third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jacob H. Loud
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2858
Lois Handy
widow of Silas 
Mass.
married 31 Oct 174[illegible]
Vol 23-149-[illegible]
mo in 1776
all other terms discredited by the roles
certificate sent to J. H. Loud, Plymouth Mass.
[illegible]
20
deduct died 12 June 1834
Her pension on commence on 13 June June 1834
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State of Massachusetts Plymouth County
On this eight day of November 1837 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth Lois Handy a resident of Rochester in the country of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged seventy 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 act of Congress passed July 4, 1836; that she is the widow of Silas Handy who was a private in the militia during the war of the Revolution who was a pensioner under the act of Congress of 7 June 1832 drawing the sum of thirty four dollars and sixty six cents per annum.  He served in the regiment of Col. Marshall in the company of Capt Thomas Turner and was in the service nine months part of the time in Boston and part in Rochester and elsewhere not know to the declarant.  She further declares that she was married to the said Silas Handy on the thirty first day of October in the year seventeen hundred and seventy four and that her husband the aforesaid Silas Handy died on the twelfth day of June eighteen hundred and thirty six, and that she has remained a widow ever since that [illegible] as will more fully appear by [illegible]  to the proof hereto annexed.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before
Lois Handy
Plymouth [illegible] or Court of Probate now holden at Rochester in + fore said County of Plymouth on the eighth day of November being this Wednesday next after the first Tuesday in
Page 10

said month in the year 1837.
The within named Lois Handy appeared and was duly cautioned examined and sworn to the truth of the foregoing declaration by her subscribed by the Hon. Millus Wood Judge of said Court.
And it was made to appear to the satisfaction of said Court that said Lois Handy is a credible person.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and the seal of said Court this eighth day of November 1837
Jacob H. Loud
Register
Page 11

Married by the Rev. Jonathan Moore Oct 31 1774 Mr. Silas Handy & Miss Lois Hiller both of Rochester
Recorded by David Wing Town Clerk
I hereby certify that the above is a true extract from the records of the town of Rochester
Rochester 31 June 1837
Rogers L. Barstow Town Clerk of Rochester, Massachusetts

Plymouth [illegible abbreviation] June 31st 1837
The above named Rogers L Barstow Clerk of the Town of Rochester, made oath that the above is a true record of the marriage of Silas Handy and Lois Hiller as recorded by David Wing [illegible] Clerk of Rochester a
Before me Elijah Welles } Justice of the peace
Plymouth [illegible abbreviation] 17 July 1937 their appeared personally Timothy Hiller and Sarah Wing and made oath that the Silas Handy named in the above certificate deceased on the twelfth of June eighteen hundred and thirty six and that the Lois above named is now living and is his sole widow --
Before me W.N.Ellis} Justice of the Peace
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Plymouth [illegible abbreviation, perhaps for county]. I Jacob H. Loud Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Elijah Willis + Walton N. Ellis Esquire are severally Justices of the Peace in and for said County + that I believe the within signatures purporting to be signed by them to be their true + genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have here herewith set my hand + the seal of this Court of Probate for said County this twenty second day of November 1837.
Jacob H. Loud
Page 13

State of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth.
ss.
On this twenty sixth day of February, eighteen hundred and fifty before the
subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Lois Young and made oath in due form of law that she is a daughter of Lois Handy late of Rochester in said County, that the said Lois Handy was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of twenty dollars per annum, that
she was the widow of Silas Handy who was a pensioner of the United States and died on the thirteenth of June, eighteen hundred and thirty four, that the said Lois died on the thirteenth
of August, eighteen hundred and forty-eight, that she, the deponent, and Kezia Ellis of New Bedford and Lydia Blankinship of Rochester aforesaid
are the only children of the said Lois Handy now surviving her, that she in behalf of herself and the other children, asks for whatever increase of pension to which their Mother, the said Lois Handy, may be found to have been entitled under any of the acts and Resolutions of Congress applicable
to her case.
Attests W. N. Ellis
Henry P Young
Lois Young
Sworn to and subscribed
before me, the day and
year above mentioned
W. N. Ellis
Justice of the Peace
Page 14

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss
I [illegible] Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that W.
N. Ellis Esquire is a Justice of the in & for said County duly commissioned
& qualified and that his signature to this prescribed of the [illegible]
deposition is genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court on this twenty eighth
day of February 1850
[illegible signature] Clerk
Page 15

8473

Silas Handy
Private
10 month 12 day


J. H. Loud
Plymouth
 Mass.
Page 16

Brief in the case of Silas Handy
of Rochester, Plymouth Co. in the State of Mass.
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge?

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he?  Seventy seven

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
      
                                                                            
Period                    Duration of             Rank      Names of General and Field Officers                                 
                                service                                      under whom he served
                                                             
___________________________________________________________________________________
                            Years  Month  Days      as a         Gen. Lincoln, Col. Marshall &
                                                                                                        Bradford 
enlisted in 1776                6                                      Capt. Thomas Turner
 
                  1778                             6 weeks              Capt. Joseph Parker
substitute for big brother
B . Handy in 1778  Apr       3    half the term of        Sergt. Rapley
                                                       enlistment          
                              

                          Aug                       2 weeks              Capt. E. Hammond

5. In what battles was he engaged?  None stated

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

7.  In his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence or by the rolls?  A clergyman & Jaes Ruggles certify to traditionary evidence, Timothy Hiller proven 6 m/o served in 1776. Edward Handy proven 6 & 3 m/o & 6 weeks served

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

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
     
D Kirby, Examining Clerk
Page 17

Rev WIDOW, &c.

File No. 14859
Lois Handy
Widow of
Silas Handy
Pri Rev War

Act: July 4th 36
Index:.......Vol.  A,........Page 318

(Arrangement of 1870)
Page 18

Massachusetts 1966
Lois Handy
widow of Silas Handy
who died on the 12 June 1834
of Plymouth in the State of Mass
who was a private in the Company commanded 
by Captain Turner of the Regt. commanded by 
Col. Marshall in the Mass line for 
6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at
the rate of 20 Dollars ----cents, per annum,
13 June 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of April A.D. 1838 and sent to J. H. Loud 
Plymouth Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March
                       1838 $74.55
Semi=annual allowance ending
              4 Sept. '38 $10.00
                                _____________
                                $ 84.55
      {Revolutionary Claim,
        Act of July 4, 1836
         Section the 3d}
Recorded by DM Curdy, Clerk
Book A, Vol 2 Page 51
Page 19

Lois Handy dec
Increased 
Act 4 July 1836

Action $34.66 per annum
Comg 13 June 1834 &
terminating 13 Augt 1848
deducting former payt
at $20 per annum
payable to
Lois Young
Kezia Ellis and
Lydia Blankenship,
only surviving children
 J M Thayer
(illegible)
Page 20

Washington City D.C.             March 16th 1840

Sir
I herewith transmit the application of children of Lois Handy of Mass. and of Silas, late a pensioner under act of 4th July 1838 for arrears of pension due under joint Resolution of July 1st 1848 and have to ask your attention thereto.
Very Respectfully 
your obt. servt.
J. M. Thayer

Commissioner of Pensions
Page 21

Plymouth Mass
Nov. 24 1837

Sir
I send herewith the application of Lois Handy of Rochester for a Pension.

Your 
J. H. Loud

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Washington D.C.
Page 22

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of  Silas Handy which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?   Yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  Yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? -----

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  Yes

V.  Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  Yes

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  Yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  Yes

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  Yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  Yes

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  Yes
Page 23

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  Yes

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  _____

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  _____

XIV.  If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes
  Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  Yes

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  Yes

XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  Yes

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
    (illegible) except 2

EXPLANATORY NOTE
*QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace,
&c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  For______year ___________months and _______days, I served as a __________.  For _________months and _______days, I served as a ___________; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 24

  It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for+ which the 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.

+QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
   In a case where the names of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnessess, 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 creditility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be ceertified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

++QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
     In every instance where the certificate of certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper withh contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate myst be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon,, the end 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.
Page 25

War Department.....Revolutionary Claim.

I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June, 1932, Silas Handy of the State of Massachusetts, who was a private in the army of the Revolution is entitled to receive thirty four Dollars and sixty six Cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831 and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.

                                       Given at the War Office of the United States, this twentieth 
                                       day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
                                                  Lewis Cass Secretary of War


(seal/emblem)

Examined and Countersigned,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions
Page 26

We Oliver Cobb a Clergyman residing in the town of Rochester in the County of Plymouth, Massachusetts and James Ruggles Esq. also residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Silas Handy who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six 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.

Oliver Cobb,
Jas. Ruggles

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Probate Court

Attest Jacob H. Loud
Register of the
Court of Probate
Page 27

Silas Handy
8473
Page 28

I Timothy Heller of Rochester in the County of Plymouth and the state of Massachusetts, loyally qualified and [illegible] testify and say that I was born at said Rochester the twenty eight day of October 1759. A short term after returning leave from a term of service in the Army of the revolution, in the spring of 1776. I enlisted in the service of the state of Massachusetts, in the Army of the revolution in a company commanded by Thomas Turner, I think of Duxbury, in said county, for the period I think of eight months, tho [though] it may be for [illegible]. Joshua Eddy of Middleborough was our of the [illegilbe] and Elnathan Haskell of Rochester was another Col Marshall of Boston commanded the reg. The service was performed at Boston and its vicinity. I knew Silas Hardy and Edward Hardy of said Rochester; they enlisted for the service [illegible], at the same time, in the same company with myself. They performed service during the period of enlistment and were then discharged, and were released in company. We were discharged at Castle William in Boston Harbor at the close of the war 1776 but the precise time I do not remember. (illegible) over discharges. I have known the said (illegible) and Silas from that time to the presents and they are the same (illegible) for whom been (illegible) aid declaration is taken to aid them respectively in obtaining pensions under the Act law of the United States. During the period the army took a (illegible) in Nantucket road leaving an Guard (illegible) hundred highland soldiers. (illegible) who have command of (illegible) wounded and had himself taken to the (illegible) of the Hosp. He was dead when we took possession of the high ground. (illegible) called his (illegible)  being at Rhode Island in Sullivans expedition but cannot say how long he was there.               Timothy Hiller

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Plymouth Ss
Aug. 1 1836 Timothy Hiller appeared and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me the undersigned and I certify that I am personally acquainted with the deposant; that he is of good character for truth & that he is entitled to credits.
Charles J. Holmes Jus. Peace
Page 29

I Edward Handy of Rochester in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts legally qualified to give (illegible) certify and say that I was born in said Rochester on the thirteenth day of March 1757. That I think in the month of April certainly in the spring of 1778 I entered the service in the War of the revolution. I enlisted for dates of six months.
The service was mostly as a guard on the seabord of said Rochester at a place called the Great Neck under the considerate command of Nathaniel Ruggles late of said Rochester Bay, decease sergeant and James Haskell Corporals. The number of the guard stationed there was about fifteen and another guard was stationed at that parts of Rochester called Mattapoisetts and another at Washburn company. I believe a Captain command. I argued with my brother Silas Handy of said Rochester to ask for me to substitute for our half the term of which would being three months---He performed duty for me under Lieutenant Smith for three months. The whole of the duty performed by him for me was performed in said Rochester. I do not recollect that the whole company was paraded while performing guard duty in Rochester coast Washburn under the Com. Mecham officers ---In the course of the summer of the better parts of it I think August we were called to Rhode Island there in possession of the British. When we arrived at Rhode Island we were under the command of
(illegible) Haskell of Middleborough, who was a Lieutenant
term being as Captain, John (illegible name) of Rochester 2nd Lieutenant and leave under (illegible), Said Silas (Edward crossed out) Handy performed the three months service he agreed for at Rochester. He was also at Rhode Island under (illegible) lieutenants for the period I think six weeks.  He joined the army after the great storm and before that battle on Rhode Island. I do not remember the term he served or when he was discharged. I think he left the army before I did. The said Silas Handy is the same person for who this deposition is taken to aid him in obtaining a pension. He also served as an enlistment of six months in a company commanded by Thomas Turner
Page 30

At Boston and vicincinity [vicinity] as testified to as the preceding deposition of Timothy Heiler. I was writing from the commencement to the conclusion of said service and returned with him. The [illegible] before named was [illegible]
Sworn to
Edward Handy
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plyms of Aug 1, 1832 Edward Hardy appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of this foregoing deposition before him subscribed, before me the undersigned. And I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with said deponent; that he is of good reputations for truth, and that his testimony is entitled to credit.
Charles J Holmes Jus. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth Co. I Jacob H. Loud, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth, being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Charles J. Holmes Esquire is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth and that I believe his name subscribed to the several certificates on this sheet are his true and genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and the seal of said Court this third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jacob H. Loud