Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,785, Stephen Twist, Mass. Also From 1798 To 1828 At Various Times
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Mass.
Twist, Stephen  R 10.785
Martha

also from 1798 to 1829 at various times
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(left side)

Letter to J. Pope Nov. 24. 1831
Transfer to Maine 15th Dec 1831 from 4 Sept 1831 and notif. sent to Joseph Pope Esq. Portland Me. Let. to P. Rix Feb 24 1836

Cir Tra mar 11th 1836

Transf from Maine to Masstts. from 4 September 1835 March 23-1836

(right side)
14,730
Maine 
Massachusetts

Stephen Twist Sargeant
Captain Plympton company of the 5th Regt. United States Infantry

Ratio of disability, Total
Date of discharge, 30 April 1823
Time of closing the testimony,

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at Eight dollars per month to commence on the 1st of January 1828

Certificate of Pension issued on the 21 of Sept. 1830 and sent to Benj. Merrill Esq., Salem Massachusetts

Arrears to 4th March 1830 $209.03
semi-an'l all'c ending 4 Sept.  $48.00
$257.03

Act of 20 May 1830
Recorded Book D, Vol (paper folded over)
Page 29 BLB
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Application for a transfer
State of Maine
County of Cumberland SS

On this seventeenth day of November 1831 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Cumberland personally appeared Stephen Twist, who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Plympton in the 5th Regiment U. S. Infantry commanded by Col. Snelling in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Massachusetts, from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State of Maine, and wishes his pension to be there payable in future, and that his reasons for removing to the State of Maine are that he may reside with his children who have settled in said State.
Stephen Twist

Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid
Joseph Pope Jus. of the peace
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I Charles Osborne of Portland do testify and say that I know Stephen Twist an Invalid pensioner who has lately removed from Massachusetts into the State of Maine-and that he is same person who has signed the within application for a transfer of his pension.
Charles Osborne

Cumberland ss
Nov. 17 1831
Sworn and subscribed to before me
Joseph Pope-Justice of the Peace
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I Charles Osborne of Portland do testify and say that Stephen Twist who signed the foregoing affidavit is the identical person who is an Invalid Pensioner of the United States who served in Captain Plimpton's Company in the 5th Regt. U. S. Infantry and has been paid his pension in Massachusetts and I am also acquainted with his children who reside in Portland and in Cape Elizabeth.
Charle Osborne

State of Maine
Cumberland County ss. Dec. 6th 1831
Subscribed & sworn to by said Charles Osborne before me and I certify that he is a respectable & credible witness.
Joseph Pope Jus. of the Peace
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Twist Martha, Mbd. wid. test
Set. test.   1854
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In the name of GOD, amen. I, Martha Twist, of Marblehead in the county of Essex, widow, being weak in body but sound mind and memory, do hereby made my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other wills and testaments heretofore made by me, whether written or nuncupative; and as to all the property of every name and nature that I leave or to which I shall be in any way entitled at the time of my decease, after the payment of my just debts, I do hereby give and bequeath the name in the manner following, that is to say, for the love and affection I bear towards my daughter, Maria T. Perkins, for her kind attention for many years to her father, now deceased likewise for the unwearied care and attention to the utmost of her power, bestowed upon me, for a long term of years,, in administering to my care and comfort since I have been afflicted for many years with painful and distressing disorder, I do hereby give and bequeath to her, my said daughter Maria T. Perkins, also my estate, both real and personal which I may possess, together with all other property of every description which may die possessed of or be entitled to at the time of my decease, and including any pension or pensions which may be due or coming to me from the government of the United States, to have and to hold the same to her and her heirs and assigns for ever.
As to all my other children, my two sons, Stephen Twist and Reuben Twist, and my three daughters, Martha Rix, the wife of Peter Rix, Lucy B. Page, widow of William Page, and Hannah S. Burnham, wife of Timothy D. Burnham, I leave them all my love and affection, but I do not feel that I can make any provision for them in this my last will and testament. I hereby make my said daughter Maria T. Perkins my sole executor of this my last will and testament. And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke, and disannul this and every other former testament, will, legacies, and bequest by me in any way before named and willed, ratifying and
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and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 6 day of January in the year of our Lord 1845.
Martha  X  Twist
    her mark                     (hand drawn seal)

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Martha Twist to be her last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator.
Thomas Roundy
Thomas H. Adams
George W. Bessom
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Essex, ss. At a Court of Probate holden at Marblehead in and for said County on the first Wednesday in April, A. D. 1854.
The instrument hereto annexed having been duly presented for probate as the last will and testament of Martha Twist, late of Marblehead in said County, widow, deceased, and it being made to appear, that notice has been given according to order to all persons interested, Thomas Roundy and Thomas H. Adams two of the witnesses thereto subscribed, being present, make oath, that the saw the said Martha Twist, the testator, sign and seal the said instrument, and heard her declare the same to be her last will and testament,, and that they with George W. Bessom subscribed their names together as witnesses to the execution thereof, in presence of said testator, and that said testator was taken, to the best of their discerning, of sound and disposing mind.
It is thereupon considered ad decreed by the court here, that the said instrument be approved, allowed and recorded, as the last will and testament of the before named deceased, and that it have full force and effect as such, agreeably to the laws of the commonwealth aforesaid in such cases made and provided; and that the execution of said last will and testament, and the administration of the estate of said deceased according thereto, be granted and committed to maria T. Perkins, the executrix therein named, she giving bond according to law for the faithful discharge of her said trust.
N. S. Howe, Judge of Probate
A true copy of record, Attest, Geo. R. Lord, Register

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Essex, ss. By the Honorable Nathaniel S. Howe Esquire, Judge of the Probate of Wills, and for granting Letters of Administration on the Estate of persons deceased, having goods, chattels, rights or credits, in the County of Essex, within the Commonwealth aforesaid.
To all People, to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting.
KNOW YE, That a Court of Probate holden at Marblehead in and for said County on the first Wednesday in April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four, the instrument, a copy of which is hereto annexed, purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Martha Twist, while she lived, and at the time of her death, goods, chattels, rights or credits in the County aforesaid, was duly proved, approved and allowed; and Maria T. Perkins of Marblehead aforesaid, widow, the executrix therein named, signified her acceptance of her said trust, and gave bond according to law for the faithful discharge thereof.
I do therefore, by virtue of the power and authority given to me in my capacity aforesaid, by the laws of the Commonwealth aforesaid, commit the execution of said last will and testament, in all matters the same concerning, and the administration of the estate of said deceased, whereof she died seized and possessed in said Commonwealth unto Maria T. Perkins the before named executrix, well and faithfully to execute the said last will and testament, and to administer said estate according thereto; and particularly, to make a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the real estate, goods and chattels, rights and credits of the said deceased, and to exhibit the same into the registry of the Court of Probate for said County, within three months, and to render, upon oath, a just and true account of her proceedings thereupon, within one year, from the date hereof.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court of Probate.
Dated at Marblehead this fifth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.
N. S. Howe
Attest, Geo. R. Lord
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Died in the Town of Marblehead
1846
Sept. 11th Martha Twist, Widow, Aged 76 yrs 5 mo., 5 days
A true copy of record,
Attest Glover Broughton, Town Clerk
Marblehead Feb. 10th 1854
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex Ss.
On this twelfth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and fifty four personally appeared in open court before the Salem Police Court now sitting Marie T. Perkins a resident of Marblehead in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged fifty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, (illegible cross outs) make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. I am the daughter of Stephen Twist. I was born at Fort Independence in Boston Harbor, May 26 A. D. 1800 and am the widow of Jonathan B. Perkins, deceased.
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My father Stephen Twist was born the eighth day of October in the year seventeen hundred and sixty five, in the town of Woburn in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He entered the continental army as a volunteer and private in Capt. Noah Allen's company in the Regiment under the command of Col. Calvin Smith, sometime in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven. He served for some time in Canada but I am unable to say in what battles he was engaged.
From Canada he returned to Woburn where he was attached to the regiment under the command of Col. Fox and was sent to join the army under Gen. Sullivan and was with him in his retreat from Rhode Island.
My father was in the army from the seventeen hundred and seventy seven to the year seventeen hundred and eighty.
I have heard him state that he was discharged but I am not able to say when or by whom.
In the year seventeen hundred and eighty six he enlisted for the purpose of putting down Shays Rebellion. He was home after discharged and entered the
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Massachusetts service and was stationed at Castle William in Boston Harbor, he subsequently enlisted in the United States Army served ten years as keeper of Fort Pickering in Salem Harbor. And in May in the year eighteen hundred and thirty six was appointed agent of Fort Sewell in Marblehead, where he remained until his death which took place the thirteenth of January in the year eighteen hundred and forty four (1844). About the year eighteen hundred  and thirty my father received a pension by special Act of Congress for long and meritorious service in the United States army.
Martha Twist, my mother, and wife of Stephen Twist died September 10th in eighteen hundred and forty six.
At the time of my fathers death I was appointed United States agent at Fort Sewell for the purpose of securing a home for my mother who for the last twenty one years of her life was blind, deaf, and entirely helpless.
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The names of the children of Stephen Twist now living are as follows,
Mrs. Martha Rix aged 64
Reuben Twist Sergt. U. S. A.  aged 57
Mrs. Maria T. Perkins  aged 54
Mr. Lucy B. Page aged 51
Mrs. Hannah T. Burnham aged 46
No surviving witness can be found who can state his personal knowledge of the services of Stephen Twist.
The applicant Marie T. Perkins claims under the will of her mother, Martha Twist, a copy of which is hereto annexed.
Subscribed and sworn to before me on the day and year above mentioned.
Maria T. Perkins
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I Joseph G. Waters Justice of the Police court, within and for the Judicial District of Salem hereby certify that Maria T. Perkins subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Declaration before me in open Court, and I further certify that Samuel Dana who subscribed the foregoing certificate is well known to me as a clergyman residing the Marblehead in the County. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand on this twelfth day of May A. D. 1854.
Joseph G. Waters
Jus. Police Curt 
Dist. of Salem

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex Ss.
I Stephen B. Ives Jr. Clerk of the Salem Police Court of the City of Salem in said County of Essex, hereby certify that Joseph G. Waters Esq. whose certificate is above written is the Justice of said Court duly commissioned and acting in said capacity and duly qualified to administer oath. And further that the above is his genuine signature. Witness my hand & the seal of said Court this sixteenth day of May A.D. 1854
Stephen B. Ives, Jr. clerk
(seal)
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Additional Evidence in support of the claim of Maria T. Perkins made under the act of June 7, 1832 on account of services rendered by Stephen Twist in the Revolutionary War,
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I Samuel Kitchens of Marblehead in the county of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being duly sworn on oath depose & say, that I shall be eighty one years of age next June. that I have lived in Marblehead all my life; that I first became acquainted with Stephen Twist in 1812. He was at that time stationed at Fort Independence where I often went to sell fish. In 1835 he moved to Marblehead and took charge of Fort Sewell on the 1st of May following or about that time. His family then consisted of himself, his wife & his daughter Maria T. Perkins, who is now in charge of Fort Sewell.
I have frequently heard him say that he was in the war of the Revolution and have heard him speak of the battles & the hardships which he endured and I have often heard him confuse the Revolutionary was with the war of 1812. I have conversed with him frequently in these topics and I have always understood and believed & do now believe that he served in
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the Revolutionary war.
Mr. Twist was a man of (illegible) veracity & had a high character among all who knew him.
I always considered Mr. Twist a good deal older man than myself though I was not acquainted with his exact age.
Dated at Marblehead this twenty first day of October A. d. 1854.
Samuel Kitchens

I William Fabeus of Marblehead, in the County of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Justice of the peace within and for the said county, hereby certify that I have known the above named Samuel Kitchens for some fifteen years, that he is a man of strict integrity and that I should have full confidence in any statements which he might make.
William Fabeus

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex Ss January 3d A. D. 1855
Subscribed and sworn to before me 
Stephen B. Ives Jr.
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I S. B. Collyer of North Providence, in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, being duly sworn on oath depose and say, that I shall be fifty four years of age next December. That I am the daughter of Esther Twist who married Benjamin Brinell a Revolutionary Soldier, that the said Esther had a sister Hannah Twist who married Oliver Kendall who was also a Revolutionary Soldier, that the said Esther and Hannah had a Brother Stephen Twist and that they were both of them younger than the said Stephen Twist.
Dated at North Providence this day of October 25, A. D. 1854.
Sybil B. Collyer
North Providence oct. 25, 1854
Subscribed and sworn to before me
Alexander Meggett
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Cambridge Fort May the 13 1854
This is to certify that my Father Solomon Twist was a soldier in the Continental serve with his brother Stephen Twist in the years 1777 to 1780. I have heard him relate among many revolutionary stories the fowling;
on this retreat from Quebeck through Canada he heard groans from behind the stone wall he got over the wall and found his brother Stephen Twist sick with the cramp, he got permishen from his officer to stop and take care of him. he took him into a Dutchmen but (illegible) he was able to join him company (illegible) was in it few days.
William Twist

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss City of Cambridge
May 26th 1854 Then the above named William Twist made oath that the above statement by him subscribed is true. 
Before me, Geo. H. Livermore
Justice of the Peace
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I Martha Rix of Marblehead the County of Essex Commonwealth of Massachusetts being duly sworn on oath, depose and say that I shall be 55 years old the 18th of August next. That I am the daughter of Sergt. Stephen Twist deceased. When Grandmother Twist was living she often told me about Father being at Lexington under Capt. John Woods. I likewise have heard Father mention the same thing and always thought he was in the Revolutionary war without a doubt.
Dated at Marblehead the 6th day of January A. D. 1855
Martha Rix

Essex County
January 8th A.D. 1855
Then the above named Martha Rix, a person whom I have known for the last eighteen years, and in whose veracity I have entire reliance, personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by her subscribed.
Before me,
William Fabeus, Just. Peace
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Sp. act
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(Acts of July 14, 1862 and March 3 1873 Crossed out)

REJECTED (stamped)
10, 785

Stephen Twist
Service: Heirs

Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney"
P. O.
_____Recognized. _____Contra
_____Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____
Page 24

Capt. Guter certificate of discharge 1803
for Stephen Twist
No 4


Stephen Twist
R 10.785
Mass.
Page 25

Fort Constitution September 29th 1803
I certify that the bearer Sergeant Stephen Twist has serviced the United States five years being the Term of his engagement and has allways performed his duty with Fidelity to the United States and with honor to himself and is hereby entitled to his discharge.
Leml. Gates Capt. Art.
Commanding
Page 26

To all whom it may concern
Know Ye That Stephen Twist an Artificer of Major A. R. Woolley's Detachment of U. S. Ordinance Department who was enlisted the twenty fifth day of June Eighteen hundred and eighteen to serve for five years is hereby honorably Discharged from the Army of the United States agreeably to the Act of Congress of the 2d March 1821............Said Stephen Twist was born in the State of Massachusetts is about forty eight Years of Age, Six feet high, Dark Complexion, Dark Eyes, Dark Hair and by occupation when enlisted a Soldier.
Given at the U. S. Arsenal Watertown, Mass. this fifth Day of May One thousand eight hundred and Twenty one.
H. R. Woolley
Maj. Comg.
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Stephen Twist
The enclosed was intended for a transfer, but the wrong sheet was sent to the pensioner.

Maine to Masstts.
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(state seal w/ ribbon)
Edward Everett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
By His Excellency Edward Everett, Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth

To all whom it may concern:
Know Ye, That James Gregory Esqr. is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex 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; that the within Attestation is in due form, and by the proper Officer.

In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this third day of March, A. D. 1836 and in the sixtieth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor
John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth
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APPLICATION FOR A NEW CERTIFICATE

County of Essex SS.
On this third day of March 1836, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for  the said county of Essex personally appeared Stephen Twist who on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain T. Plympton in the regiment commanded by Colonel..............in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Massachusetts, that he received a certificate of the fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War; which certificate is dated the 21st day of Sept. 1830 and is herewith transmitted.
Stephen Twist.
Sworn and subscribed to before me, the day and year aforesaid.
James Gregory, J. of the Peace

Notes-The last four blanks are left for the applicant to set forth the time, place, and manner of the loss or destruction of the original certificate.
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.
->If the Pensioner has never received a formal certificate, but has drawn his pension on a mere notification, as was the case in a few instances many years ago, he should leave out the above words in italics, and insert, in lieu thereof "but has never received a formal certificate and now wishes to obtain one."
The Pensioner's oath mu be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity. The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. this oath must also be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer under his seal of office, setting forth that the officer before whom the affidavit may be made is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be.
When a person acting as an agent or Attorney for a pensioner, loses the certificate, the affidavit of that person is also require, which must be authenticated as above.
->In every case where the Clerk of the Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer should be sent with the papers.
->Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a peace of tape or small ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officers as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
->No attention will be given to applications from persons who act as agents, unless they are known at the War Department or are vouched for as respectable persons by some one who is known to the Department.
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County of Essex SS
Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Essex, James A. Rix and subscribed the following oath, viz. I am well acquainted with Stephen Twist and know him to be the identical person described in the above affidavit.
James A. Rix
Sworn & subscribed to before me this third day of March 1836
James Gregory, Justice of the Peace.

I Certify that the deponent is a person of veracity.
James Gregory Justice of the Peace
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Military District,     (Date)

Fort Independence Nov. 27th 1823

It is hereby Certified that Stephen Twist a Sergeant in the army of the United States in the Regiment of the United States is rendered incapable of performing the duty of a soldier, by reason of wounds or other injuries inflicted while he was actually in the service aforesaid and in the line of his duty, viz.
By satisfactory evidence and accurate examination, it appears that on or about the fifth day of February in the year 1823 being engaged (when on the recruiting service at Boston) and in the (illegible) of his duty pursuing a defector in the State of Massachusetts he received a wound by the upsetting of a (illegible) in his right shoulder, by which it was dislocated and rendered useless, and in consequence of the injuries received is otherwise disabled by rheumatic affections through out his body and he is thereby not only incapacitated for Military Duty, but in the opinion of the undersigned is totally disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor.
James Mann Ap. Surgeon U. S. A.

N. B. The blank in the last line but one is to be filled up with the proportional "degree" of disability; for example--"three-fourths"--"one-half"--"one-third", &C. &c. or "totally," as the case may be.
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It is hereby certified that Stephen Twist late a Sergeant in the Army of the United States, is rendered incapable of performing the duties of a soldier by reason on injuries received while actually in the service aforesaid and in the line of his duty. By satisfactory evidence, and accurate examination it appears that on the fifth day of Feby. in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty three at Boston in the state of Mass. he had his right shoulder dislocated and an immediate attack of the rheumatism followed, and is thereby not only incapacitated for military duty, but in the opinion of the undersigned entitled to the whole of the pension allowed by law.
Amos Farnsworth Surgeon
Boston Oct. 25, 1823
Page 33

Dr. Farnsworth's Certificate
No. 8
Page 34

Boston Oct 25th 1823

Sir,
I herewith transmit to you two certificates, one signed by Capt. Plympton of the 5th U. S. Infantry, the other by Doctor Farnsworth of Boston, who was employed by the Genl. Government to attend the recruiting service at Boston, at the time Mr. Twist received the  injury as mentioned in said Certificates, and of course attended him untill he was discharged. Consequently I consider it requisite to have a certificate from him. I believe one from Dr. Mann of the Army has already been forwarded with various other papers, to you on the same subject. If any other vouchers are necessary please to inform me and you will confer a particular favor.
I have the honor to be sir,
Very respectfully your obt. servt.
Peter Rix

The Hon. Secretary of War
Page 35

Cortland House Boston
May 5 1823

Sir
Stephen Twist, late a Sargt. in the U. S. Army I have known for ten or twelve years. He was at Fort Independence, during the war when I commanded the troops in this harbour & he has uniformly maintained a good reputation as an active, attentive & correct soldier. He is now
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nearly 60 years old, (illegible) & infirm; if entitled to a pension, I hope he will receive that bountious attention of the government, which long & meritorious service (illegible) it in extending.
With the highest respect your 
obt. svt.
M. Dearborn

Hon. J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Page 37

Capt. Plimpton's certificate of the cause of disability for which Stephen Twist was discharged.
Page 38

It is hereby certified that Stepen Twist a sergeant in the recruiting service of the United States army is rendered incapable of performing the duties of a soldier, by reason of injuries white actually in the service aforesaid and in the line of his duty.
By a satisfactory evidence it appears that on the 25th February 1823 at Boston in the State of Massachusetts Stephen Swift dislocated his shoulder which was followed by rheumatic affections and is thereby not only incapacitated from military duty, but in the opinion of the undersigned entitled to a full pension allowed by law. It further appears that Stephen Twist enlisted into the service of the United States in the year 1798 Sept. 29th and performed the duty of a sergeant in Capt. Lemuel Gutis company of Artillery and was discharged after five years service 29th Sept. 1803. He reinlisted in November 1804 in Capt. Nehemiah Freemans company of Regt. Artillery and performed the duty of a sergeant in the same company until 1810 July 31, and was then discharged the service by procuring a substitute. He again reinlisted in June 25th 1818 in Capt. George Talbot's company of Ordinance, and was discharged the service at the reduction of the army as a (illegible) in May 5th 1821. He again reinlisted in December 1822 under the command of Capt. Joseph Plimpton, and was discharged 30th of April 1823 in consequence of a dislocated shoulder followed by rheumatic affections as above stated. It may be necessary to recapitulate his various, say from Sept. 1798 to Sept. 1803; from Nov. 1804 to July 1810; from June 1818 to May 1821; and from Dec. 1822 to Apl. 1823.
so it appears that Stephen Twist has served the United States twenty years.
James Mann Ast. surgeon, U. S. A.
Page 39

I Certify that Sergeant Stephen Twist of the U. States Army dislocated his shoulder on the 25th Feby. 1823 & also followed by a severe attack of the Rheumatism on the 27th day the same month, which kept him confined to his rooms for five or six weeks. He being at this time on the recruiting service in Boston under my command.
J. Plympton
Capt. 5th (?
April 30th 1823
Page 40

  31  See page 190 Regt.
No. 5

Stephen Twist
Invd. mil. est.

Rec'd 3 Dec. 1823
May 17 182(?)
See Bill no 166
Dec 5th 1828
Refd. to the Comr. on mil. Pensions

granted a full Invalid Pension
$8. pr mo.
Page 41

Boston Novr. 27. 1823

Dr Sir,
enclosed I send you a Certificate signed by Dr. James Mann of the U. S. Army in the case of Stephen Twist, his last Discharg from the Army has all ready been sent to your Honor by Doctor Mann, which has not been returned; as he Dr. Mann states, consequently cannot send it but enclose a Certificate signed by Capt. Plympton, a duplicate to the one on which the Discharge was given, which in case the discharge cannot be found, I hope will answer the purpose.
I have the Honor to be Sir, with great respect, 
Your obt. svt.
Peter Rix

Hon. J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Page 42

I hereby certify that Sergeant Twist late of the United States Artillery was under my command at Fort Independence in the year 1814 when I was in command on that Station-that he behaved as became a non-commissioned officer and good soldieer and faithfully performed his duty in every department which was required of him by  his Superior officer. He was very active and always alive to the interest and support of his Country when the enemy was before the Harbor of Boston.
I do further certify that I think from his age and infirmities occasioned no doubt by his fatigues in the Service of his Country, that he is entitled to a Pension from his Government.
Joseph Loring
late Colonel 40th U.States Infantry
Boston May 6th 1823
Page 43

Captain Plympton's  certificate
No. 2
Page 44

I certify that Sargt. Stephen Twist was enlisted by me December 2d 1822 & was discharged by Lt. Col. William MacRea April 1823. That the said Twist while in the execution of his duty & in search of a soldier by my order in the month of Feb. 1823 dislocated his right shoulder by the upsetting of a (illegible) immediate attack of the Rheumatism followed which rendered him too feeble for the active action of a soldier till the date of his discharge.
J. Plympton
Capt. 5th Inf.
Page 45

Senate Report
Page 46

Stephen Twist for Invalid Pension proof in pursuing direction-upset in (illegible) shoulder dislocated-suffering under the effects of this injury recommended for Pension by (illegible) & the Surgeon
Page 47

Fort Independence 6th May 1823

Sir-
Inclosed with this is a certificate of disability in favor of Stephen Twist recently discharged the Army for a pension-also sundry documents, evidence of his services, and recommendations from officers under whom he served. It is the wish of Stephen Twist, should a pension be granted, that his pension ticket be sent to my address Fort Independence.
I am very respectfully your obt. svt.
James Mann Asst. Surgeon U. S. A.
Page 48

Captain Plympton's certificate
No. 3

Belong to the case of Stephen Twist
Page 49

I hereby certify that Stephen Twist a Sergeant in the United States Army born in Burlington in the state of Massachusetts, aged 57, six feet high, dark complexion, grey eyes, dark hair & by occupation a soldier, was enlisted by Capt. Joseph Plympton 5th Regt. N.T. Inf. on the 2d December 1822 for an indefinite term to be employed in the recruiting service & having serve honestly & faithfully to the present date is now entitled to an honorable discharge, by reason of his services being no longer required. The above name Stephen Twist has received six dollars of his bounty & six dollars thereof is now due, & his pay due him as Sargeant from the dated of his enlistment to be the present period. He has rec'd the following articles of clothing viz. One Forage cap-one grey jacket with sleeves-one pr grey W. overalls-one pr W.W. overalls-one blanket-one pr laced boots-two pr. stocking-one great coat & two flannel shirts.
Given in (illegible) at Boston this 30th April 1823.
J. Plympton
Capt. 5th Inf.
Page 50

Dec 15 1831
P. O.
(stamp) Portland Me

The Hon. Secretary

transfer this man
Page 51

Portland Dec. 9 1831

The Hon. Secretary of War,
Sir,
I again forward the application of Stephen Twist for a transfer of his pension with the additional evidence required as to his identity and am Sir
Yours veery respectfully
Joseph Pope
Page 52

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston:
...............185...
(state seal/emblem)

I hereby Certify, that from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Service in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Stephen Twist is borne on return of Capt. John Wood's Company Commanded by Lt. Col. Loammi Baldwin 8 months men from Woburn, name borne name borne on Coat roll, dated Medford Dec. 28. 1775.
Also on Continental Army Books Capt. Noah Allens Comp. Col. Calavin Smith's Regt. from April 10 1777 to Dec. 31. 1779 32 months 21 days from Woburn
Also same Capt.  same Col. same Regt. from January 1 to April 10th 1780 3 mos. 7 days a private from Woburn Total 36 months
Page 53

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this 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, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

E. M. Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Page 54

Application for Certificate of Revolutionary services made by the Daughter of the party who rendered the service, maria T. Perkins born Fort Independence, State of Massachusetts May 20th 1800 county of Suffolk, Town of Boston Harbour. The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office of the serve of Stephen Twist who served in the War of the Revolution. He was a native of the Town of Woburn in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts. He enlisted from the Town of Woburn in the County of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts in the year 1777 as a private in the Comp. commanded by Capt. Noah Allen, Col. Calvin Smith's Regt. and served at various times during the War in Gen. Sullivan's retreat from Rhode Island &c.
Page 55

I am now fifty four years old and my information does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated.

Witness my hand this sixth day of March A. D. 1854
Maria T. Perkins

signed by said Maria T. Perkins in my presence Mar. 6 1854
B. F. Mudge
Justice of the Peace
Page 56

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston, 
July 14th 1854

Madam,
I have made further search for the service of Stephen Twist but do not find his name on the rolls in any other service than that of the 8 mos. in the year 1775 and the three years service in Capt. Noah Allen's Comp., Col. Smith's Regiment from 1777 April 10th to April 7th 1780 and in each case from Woburn.
The Rhode Island service does not seem to be returned to this office.
I am most cordially
your obt. servt.
N. Lyman Strong 
for the Secretary

Mrs. maria T. Perkins
Page 57

On the 12th day of May a. d. 1854 Mrs. Maria T. Perkins made a declaration, a copy of which is hereto annexed marked (A), for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the Act Jule7 1832. This application was forwarded to the pension Office but rejected for the reasons stated in the letter of the commissioner, hereto annexed marked (C); viz, that Stephen Twist on whose account the application was made must have been so young at the time the service was rendered, as as make it impossible that he could have been that Stephen Twist whose name appears on the rolls as a soldier of the Revolution.
Mrs. Perkins has since obtained some additional evidence tending to show that her father did serve in the Revolution and is the person whose name appears upon the rolls.
This additional evidence consists of a
Page 58

affidavit of Mr. Saml. Kitchens, one Mr. William Twist and one of Mrs. Collyer all of which will be considered by the Commissioner in connection with the evidence already received at the office.
It will appear by the letter of Col. Gates hereto annexed marked (D) that Stephen Twist was (illegible) years of age in 1818, & by that of Asst. Ajd. Genl. Freeman hereto annexed marked (C) that he was 49 years of age in 1814.
It is not probable that his true age can be correctly determined by the papers as he must have been at the time of his service older that they would show him to have been.
Next there must have been some mistake in the dates. Mrs. Perkins relies upon showing, by the different affidavits which have been and are to be submitted to the examination of the commissioner
Page 59

Adjt. Genl. Saml. Cooper
Genl. Jessup
Genl. Churchill
Page 60

(copy)

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss.
On this twelfth day of May, 1854, personally appeared in open Court before the Salem Police Court, now sitting, Maria T. Perkins, a resident of Marblehead in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 54 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath made the following declaration in behalf of herself, Matha Rix, Reuben Twist, Serg. U. S. A. Lucy B. Page & Hannah T. Burnham in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
I am the daughter of Stephen Twist. I was born at Fort Independence, Boston Harbor May 26th 1800 & am the widow of Jonathan B. Perkins, lately deceased.
My father, Stephen Twist, was born Oct. 8th 1765 in the town of Woburn County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He entered the continental army as a volunteer & private in Capt. Noah Allen's Company, Col.
Page 61

Calvin Smith's Regiment, some time in the year 1777. He served for some time in Canada, but I am unable to say in what battles he was engaged.
From Canada he returned to Woburn, Massachusetts, where he joined Col. Fox's Regiment & was sent to join Gen. Sullivan's Army & was with him in his retreat from Rhode Island.
My father was in the army from 1777 to 1780 & I have heard him state that he was discharged, but am unable to state when or by whom.
In 1786 he again enlisted for the purpose of putting down Shay's Rebellion. he was soon after discharged & entered the Massachusetts service & was stationed at Castle William in Boston Harbor, as one of the State Prison Keepers, the convicts being confined there at that time. 
On the 4th of Feby, he married Martha Pierce.
He afterward entered the U. S. Army, served ten years as Keeper of Fort Pickering in Salem, Mass. & in May 1836 was appointed agent of Fort Sewell in Marblehead, where he remained until his death which occurred on the 13th day of      1844. 
Martha Twist his wife died Sept. 10th 1846.
At the time of my father's death, I was appointed U. S. Agent at Fort Sewell, for the purpose of providing a home for my mother, who for the last 21 years of her life was blind, deaf & entirely helpless.
The names of the children of Stephen
Page 62

Twist now living are as follows:
Mrs. Martha Rix aged 64 years
Reuben Twist Serg. U. S. A. aged 57
Mrs. Maria T. Perkins aged 54
Mrs. Lucy B. Page aged 51
Mrs. Hannah T. Burnham aged 46

No surviving witness can be found who can state his personal knowledge of the service of Stephen Twist.
The applicant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present.
Page 63

Stephen Twist dec.
Mass.

Mrs. M. T. Perkins
Fort Sewell
Marlboro
Mass.
Page 64

Pension Office
June 27, 1832  (B)

The following regulations have been adopted by the Secretary of War, for carrying into effect the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, entitled "An Act supplementary to 'An Act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution'."
This law has been construed to extend as well to the line as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms :Continental Line," "State Troops," "Militia," and "Volunteers," all persons enlisted, draughted, or who volunteered, and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the Army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Storekeepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops
2. The State Troops, Militia and Volunteers
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service
4. Indian Spies
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. and every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
       DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th June, 1832.
State, Territory or District of
County of     Ss.
On this.......day of .......personally appeared (a) the........of the........A. B. a resident (b) of .......in the county of .......and State, Territory, or District of.......aged (c).......years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. that he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)...., with........and served in the.........(e) regiment of the .......line, under the following officers:
{Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or County and State, in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.}
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present; and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of .......
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the Certificate of the Court)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and the served as he states.
I..........of the Court of ................do hereby certify, (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ...............for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ........day of ......&c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will receive detailed instructions respecting the nature and form of the testimony they must produce to secure their being placed on the Pension Roll, (vide note j.) As the presumption will, in such case, be against the applicants, in consequence of the omission of their names in the muster rolls, they will be required to furnish as near as may be, the same evidence as has heretofore been required by the regulations and practice adopted for carrying into effect the act of Congress of March 18 1818, and the acts supplementary thereto; with such relaxations as have been from time to time sanctioned by the Department, on account of the rapid decrease of the survivors of the Revolutionary Army, and consequent difficulty of procuring direct positive testimony in every case.
Whenever an officer of non-commissioned officer is now in the receipt of a pension, he should make application if entitled to the benefit of this act, by letter merely, setting forth his rank, and the regiment, corps, or vessel in which he served, and his present place of residence. His pension certificate must accompany his letter.
In those cases where the applicants have once been on the Pension Roll, under the act of March 18,1818, and have been dropped therefrom on account of property, or from any other reason, or where application has been made under the act of May 15, 1828, and the evidence of his service is in the Departments, or having made application and proof of service, and having been rejected, instead of the above declaration, they will made a statement, setting forth, under oath, their having been previously on the pension roll, and their having been struck from the same, showing their rank, the regiment, corps, or vessel, in which they served, their present place of residence, and their place of  residence when the first application was made, or of their application under the act of 15th May, 1828.
In a case where a claimant may make personal application at this Department, and can produce satisfactory proof of service, and of his identity also, at the seat of government, he may make his declaration before a Justice of the peace.
The case of the State Troops, Volunteer, and Militia, is different. There are in the Department no rolls of the State Troops, except those of Virginia; and no rolls of the Militia, except those of New Hampshire. 
Applicants who served in the State Troops of Virginia, and applicants who served in the Militia of New Hampshire,* will be required to produce the same proof as is prescribed for those who served upon the Continental Establishment. But, with respect to the other State Troops and Militia, there is no record to advert to, and no presumption to be rebutted. the nature of the case, therefore, demands a different rule of proceeding.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except as above provided, will made and subscribe the following declaration:
     DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832
State, Territory, or District of
County of      ss.
On this......day of ......personally appeared (a) in open Court, before the Court of .....now sitting, A. B. a resident (b) of...........in the County of ......and State, Territory, or District of .....aged (c) .......years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth

*Since June, 1832, the New Hampshire militia rolls have been returned to the Executive Departments of that State, and are not now in the Pension Office.
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                              2
on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
{Here set forth the names and ranks of the Field and Company officers; the day (if possible) and the month and year (d) when the claimant entered the service, and the time when he left the same; (and if under more than one engagement, he must specify the particular periods, and the rank and names of his officers;) the town, the county, or State, in which he resided when he entered the service; whether he was draughted, was a volunteer or substitute; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged; the country through which he marched; the continental regiments or companies with which he served; and the names of some of the Regular Officers whom he knew, together with such further particulars (e) as may be useful in the investigation of his claim; and also, if the facts be so, that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.}
He hereby relinquishes (f) every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency of the Sate of .....
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.       C. D.
And then will annexed the following ceretificate:
We, A. D., a clergyman, residing in the ............and C. D., residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ........, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ..........years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the ......and that C. D., who has signed the same is a resident in the .........and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,.........clerk (h) of the court of .........do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of ..........for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal (i) of office, this .....day of ....&c.

The form of the proceedings and of the certificates will be so varied as to meet the case, when the declaration is made out of court, before a judge, as heretofore provided for.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony off at least one credible witness, stating, in detail, his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant and such circumstances connected therewith as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one is attempted; and unless, therefore, these are simply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some court of record in the county in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to one of the declaration above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The court will propound the following interrogatories (m) to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State Troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State Troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age; and , if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War; and where do you live now?
4. How were you called into service; were you draughted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute; and if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
6. {To a Soldier, {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it give, and what has become of it?
   {To an Officer, {Did you ever receive a commission; and, if so,, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in court, it the same can be done, in the opinion of the court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant-who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary Soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important (k) in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have existed upon the subject. To require from the applicants positive proof of service from a temporary survivor, would, after the lapse of so many years, be to deprive many of them of the benefit
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3
of the law. And as no presumption is raised against the militia by the existence of rolls, in the Department, there is no good reason why the requisition should be extended to them. On the other hand, to receive the declaration of the parties, as a sufficient ground for placing them upon the Pension Roll, without corroborating circumstances, would be to open the Treasury to great frauds. A just medium seems to present the best rule for carrying into effect the objects of Congress.
If the two persons, whose certificates are required, cannot be produced in court,, without too much inconvenience and expense to the applicant, then the statement of the facts and opinions above mentioned will be made, under oath before some judge or justice of the peace, and the certificate of the court to the situation and credibility of the persons making the statement will be given.
Applicants unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination before a judge or justice of the peace of a court of record of the proper county, and the judge or justice will execute the duties which the court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a judge or justice of a court of record, or by a justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper clerk of the court or county, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a judge or justice of a court of record, or a justice of the peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
3. Persons serving in the Marine forces.
4. Indian Spies.
Each of these two latter classes of cases will produce proof, as nearly as may be, conformably to the preceding regulations, and authenticated in a similar manner, with such variations as the different nature of the service may require.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a court of record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of thecourt upon the whole matter.

(a) The declarant must appear in open court, unless prevented for doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must take his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) the age of the claimant must hereby be mentioned.
(d) the declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language as definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the peace, &c. A. B. who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For.......years....months, and ....days, I served as a ........ For ......months and ......days, I served as a .....' and for such service I claim a pension". 
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner, and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, it too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c., without specifying the tours, the name of thye officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. I must, in everyncase, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for  the time during which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(f) the law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the court is always required.
(h) The clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of Authenticating papers:
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service:
(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's 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 magistrates who may administer the oaths must certify as to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
-->* The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militiamen, Volunteers, and State Troops. The proof required by rule in not (j) applies to continental troops only, 
or in militia cases in which muster rolls exist.
(k) the traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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(c)
Adj. Genl's Office
Washington, July 21, /54

Madam:
Genl. Walbach has referred to this office your letter of the 17th.
It appears that Stephen Twist, Sert. enlisted Nov. 1, 1814 at the age of 49 years.
If you will address a comn. to the "Commissioner of Pensions" in this city, you can probably obtain information as to the Revolutionary services of Mr. Twist; but there are no records in this office relating to that period.
I am (illegible)
very respectfully &c.
W. G. Freeman
Asst. Adj General

Mrs. Maria T. Perkins
Marblehead, Mass.
Page 68

New York, June 10th 1854

My dear Madam
I have given your letter of the 30th of May last, my earliest attention. My (illegible) of the memory of your most worth Father, has been from childhood, been active in my mind and heart; and I should surely chide myself when I found a spirit of negligence (illegible) to want any member of his reputed family. You desire my opinion respecting your Father's "Age
, when he re-enlisted in 1816 for 4th time (being discharged Honorably on the.....1821. Your noble Father I can swear had been re-enlisted for the 3d time, and was a Sergeant of my Company of Artillery in 1815 having re-enlisted in Captain Freeman's company before that year which company fell to my charge upon the resignation of that officer. He must have been over 45 years of age at the time, but that did not constitute and objection to him, when he was well known to be an old soldier of
Page 69

extraordinary (illegible) and fidelity and sound in health and bodily capabilities. It was and is now a rule of service to re-enlist good old soldiers as long as they are able bodied and capable of performing their duties without regard to their years. And as your Father was a man remarkable for his strength and endurance as a soldier no objection to him on account of his Age was ever raised (that I know of). If his last enlistment was erroneous respecting his Age It should have been corrected by insisting his true Age and if it had ever been over 45; for the reason I state above. I well know that re-enlistments are often made, and the age set down by the recruiting sergeant without adhering to the exact facts, well known to be contracted with-as in the case you refer to (ie) your Father. For my part I should have re-enlisted that time honored man (your Father) "Stephen Twist had he been one hundred years old--For his (illegible) and good services endured to the last. Peace and honor rest with his ashes, for ever and ever Prayer.
His friend & your friend
Wm Gates
Col. 3d Arty.
Page 70

Albany N. Y. 6 June 1854

Mrs. M. T. Perkins
Fort Sewell
Marblehead

Madam, I have rec'd your letter of 31nth--As regard your Fathers age at the time of enlistment or discharge at Watertown Arsonal I have not record whatever. If W. Nichols is still alive (who was the master carpenter there) he can give better testimony than any other man. I know it was not uncommon to enlist old soldiers whose ages were beyond the (illegible) prescribed by law and it was thought all right on account of their experience & skill and they were very useful to the service. Your Father was probably enlisted under similar circumstances and I know of but one officer in the Army who probably has some knowledge of the facts #. Col. Gates of the 3rd Regt. of Artillery.
I am respectfully 
your obt. svt.
G. Talcott.
#of his true age
Page 71

We, the undersigned, Undertakers for the Town of Marblehead, hereby affirm that we have been in that capacity for over 20 years past; that for the purpose of completing the Returns of a Death for the Town Record, we uniformly apply to the relatives, for the age of the deceased; in many instances we cannot obtain the true statement, consequently are compelled to insert the nearest probable age, according to circumstances-in fact cases occur wherein the family Record being lost, relatives themselves cannot determine the exact age.
John A. Felton
Nathaniel Homan

Marblehead December 25th 1854
Witness to signing
Glover Broughton
Marl Scent

Town of Marblehead
This is to certify that Nathaniel Homan and John A. Felton have been annually appointed Undertakers for the Town, that they are deemed as men of truth and veracity, and that their affidavit signed above may be relied on as a true statement.
December 25th 1854 Glover Broughton, Town Clerk
Page 72

Quarter Master Genl. Office
Washington City, Dec. 8th 1854.

Madam,
I have received your letter dated the 4th instant. Your father Sergent Stephen Twist was, so far as I am acquainted with his services a most meritorious man and I believe he always had the confidence of his officers. In regard to his revolutionary services, however, no recommendations of the officers under whom he has served since will be of any avail. To obtain a pension for his services at that time documentary evidence will be necessary, as it is not very probable that many, if any, of those who served with him are now living.
I am, Madam
Respectfully,
Your obt. servt.
M. S. Jessup, 2d Inf.

Mrs. Maria T. Perkins
Marblehead,, Massachusetts
Page 73

Fort Sewel Marblehead October 22nd 1854

J. B. Waldo, Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
Since I received yours rejecting the proof I sent respecting a pension for my deceased Father Stephen Twist as I am confident that my claim is just. I fondly hope that the additional items I have obtained will be satisfactory to you. If consistant with the rules of your office please return my papers as I should like to send all of these together to you. Pardon me for putting you to so much trouble.
Most respectfully yours
M. T. Perkins
Page 74

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston, March 8 1854

I Hereby Certify that at the date of the annexed attestation William Palfrey was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; 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.

E. M. Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth

(seal)
Page 75

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Suffolk, City of Boston

Stephen Twist and Martha Pierce married by Rev. Samuel Stillman fourth February seventeen hundred ninety.

I Certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows: "4 February 1790"
Artemas Simonds

I, Artemas Simonds above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of City Registrar, in the City, County, and Commonwealth aforesaid, and that the above is a true copy from the records of said City, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Artemas Simonds, City Registrar

Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this third day of March A. D. 1854
William Palfrey Justice of the Peace
Page 76

Maine Bank
Portland March 16th 1836

Sir
Your letter of the 11th Ins. is received. Stephen Twist an Invalid Pensioner on the Roll of this Agency was paid up to Sept. 4, 1835 at the rate of 8 dollars p. month,
Respectfully
Your obt. sevt.
A. Newhall, Prest.

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 77

Pension Office
May 22nd 1854

Madam,
The additional evidence in the case of Stephen Twist, dec'd. of Mass. has been received. Not the slightest testimony exists that your father was a revolutionary soldier. In his own application he makes no allusion to such service. According to the certificate of the Secretary of State of Mass, the services of one Stephen Twist, Commenced in Dec. 1775. By the certificate of the Town clerk of Marblehead, Stephen Twist died 13th January 1844, aged 79 years, which would render it certain your father was not the soldier whose services are described in the Secretary's certificate; as he was but ten years of age in 1775 and was too young to have performed military service.
Page 78

It further appears by the discharge filed by your father, that he was 48 years of age in 1821. If this was the fact and there is no reason to doubt it, Stephen Twist, the pensioner was born in 1773, just two years before the services of the Stephen of the Secretary's certificate commenced. Under the facts presented, this claim must be rejected.
Respectfully,
Your obt. servt.
L. P. Waldo
Commissioner
Page 79

Marblehead
March 5, 1836

Sir,
I herewith enclose the papers rec'd from you, with the proper affidavits affixed to it agreeably to instructions, also the Certificate of the Secretary of State, and the original pension Certificate of Sergt. Twist. If the papers are correct please to make the transfer as soon as practicable as he Twist is poor and needy.
I have the honor to be Sir,
Very respectfully your obt. servt.
Peter Rix
P. s. the name of the Col. of the Regt. I have no means of ascertaining, Twist having forgotten it. I presume it is not of much consequence as it can be ascertained at Washington if necessary.

J. L. Edwards, Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D. C.
Page 80

War Department
Pension Office
January 30th 1830

Sir,
The papers in the case of Sergeant Stephen Twist have been examined and this will remain in our files. The evidence of Captain Plimpton is wanting in this case and if I am (illegible/faded) it is still with the Pension committee of the House of Representatives or perhaps it may be with the Clerk of the Court. The Hon. B. W. Crowninshield took the papers from the office some years since in order to lay before the committee and they have not been here since.
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully Your Mo. obt. svt.
J. L. Edwards
Page 81

Died in the Town of Marblehead, Mass.
1844
Jany. 13-Stephen Twist, U. S. Pensioner at Fort Sewall, Paly.. Agd. 79. A true copy of record.
Marblehead March 22d 1854
Attest-Glover Braughton Town Clerk
Page 82

Fort Sewell Marblehead, March 17th 1854
To the Commissions of Pension
Sir, I have the honor to enclose documents relating to the services of my Father Stephen Twist in the Revolutionary War. He was a U. S. Pensioner granted by an act of Congress for long and meritorious services. If you should need any thing more, please inform me.
Most Respectfully,
your obedt. sevt.
Maria T. Perkins
Page 83

38,741
Stephen Twist dec'd
Mass.

Mrs. M. T. Perkins May 2 1854 (Rhett
  "        "       "         May 22 1854 (Rhett
  "        "       "        Octo  27 1854  (torn)
 Hon. C. W. Upham  Jany  18 1855 (torn)


10785

June 7 1832
Page 84

Stephen Twist
Dec. 18,k 1826
ref. to Commee. of  Mil. Pensions

Dec. 22, 1826
Bill reported No. 314

Dec. 14, 1827
ref. to Commee. Mil. Pensions

May 12, 1828
Commee. (illegible)

Comttee. on Mil. Pens. Report that there is no evidence to support the claim of the Petitioner therefore the relief asked for cannot be granted.

Dec 16 1829
Ref. Comee. Mil. Pensions
see letter to B. Merrill Sept. 10, 1830

Long 12 to be (paper folded) pensioner
Page 85

5th reg. Act May 20, 1830
$8 per mo. from Jan 1, 1828 
Mass. Invalid Roll.
send cert to Maj. Merrill Esqr. 
Salem, Mass.
rec. Sept. 21 1830

Hon. John H. Eaton
Secy. of War
Washington City

Revolutionary Claim
Act May 20 1830
Page 86

State of Massachusetts: Essex County SS
Be it known, that before me, Benjamin Merrill, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Stephen Twist and made oath in due form of law that he is the identical Stephen Twist named in an Act of Congress passed the twentieth day of May last. that he is entitled to a Pension of Eight dollars per month on account of wounds and disabilities received or of services rendered to the United States during the late war. That he served in Capt. Plimpton's Company of Infantry with Fifth Regiment; that he now resides in Salem and has resided there for the space of nine years past and that previous thereto he resided in Watertown.
Stephen Twist
Sworn & subscribed this 
day of September 1830 before me
Benj. Merrill Just. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss: I certify that Benjamin Merrill above named is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Essex duly qualified to administer oaths and that the above written signature by him is genuine.
Sept. 17, 1830
Atts. John Princes Clerk of all the Judicial Courts for said County

Please address reply to Benj. Merrill
Salem, Mass.
Page 87

Salem November 28th 182(torn)
The Hon. Benj. W. Crowninshield,
Washington

Sir, 
Enclosed I have the honour to hand you my petition for a pension, and as you very kindly assured me, that you would take charge of it for me, I have to request the favour that the same may be presented to Congress as soon as consistently may be- and I would ask the further favour, Sir, that you would acknowledge the receipt of it per one of the earliest return mails, as I shall be anxious to know whether it reaches you safely.
Very respectfully,
I have the honour to be, Sir
Your mo. obt. servant
Stephen Twist
Page 88

Salem Jany. 21, 1826

Dear Sir
Sergeant Stephen Twist has petitioned Congress for a Pension for disabilitys rec'd while in service and in the line of his duty. S. Twist has grown old in service, the number of years he has served I will not pretend to say, but I recollect when I first joined the Army of the U. S. at Fort Independence in the spring of 1809 Twist was then a sergeant in Capt. Freeman's company of Arty. and much esteemed as such, how many years previous to that he had been in service I cannot say, but several, he has since that time been at various times and seasons under my command and notice. His conduct as a soldier and non-commissioned officer was uniformly good, he never rec'd a reprimand or was deserving it for any irregularity in soldierly conduct to my knowledge, but on the contrary was one of the most efficient of his rank; he is now old and an invalid, out of service and poor, with a helpless family, so far as you can help him by urging his claim, I know you will do, so far as you believe. Just permit me to say that from my personal knowlege of his services that he is justly intitiled to the patronage of his county and think him deserving a pension.
With perfect respect
Your very humble servt.
James Miller

Hon. B. W. Crowninshield Esqr.
Page 89

Boston May  th 1823

Dear Major
Sergeant Twist an old & faithful soldier is solicitous of being placed on the pension list.
I have known the Sergeant since 1808, and have ever found him a correct soldier & an honest man; therefore feel it my duty to record this testimony and to recommend him to the favourable notice of the Honbl. Secretary of War & your influence with the Honbl. Secretary will be an act of rewarding and justice and rightly gratifying to.
Dear Major
your rec. hand
Jno. P. Boyd

Major C. Vanderenter
Page 90

I Thomas H. Adams residing in the Town of Marblehead I was well acquainted with Stephen Twist now deceased was a near neighbor to him some years before he died. I believe he was near 80 years old at the time of his death, always considered him a man of integrity and have no doubt of this being in the Revolutionary War and it was general opinion of all that new him in the Town of Marblehead where he resided the last Eleven years of life.
Thamas N. Adams

Essex SS May7 11th 1854. Then the above named Thomas N. Adams, of Marblehead in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts a person to be known to me personally appeared and subscribed the above and made to its truth.
Before me
William Fabeus
Justice of the Peace
within & for said Co. of Essex
Page 91

I, Samuel Dana, a clergyman, residing in
the town of Marblehead, in the county of Essex,
and commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby
certify that I was well acquainted with
the late Stephen Twist, of said Marblehead,
mentioned and described in the declaration
of Maria T. Perkins, a daughter of said
Stephen; that I believe him to have been seventy
Nine years old at the time of his death;
that he was reputed and believed, in the 
neighborhood where he resided and died
to have been a soldier of the Revolution,
and that I concur in that opinion.
Samuel Dana [Signature]

Essex ss:  May 11th A.D. 1854- Sworn to
and subscribed before me-
William Fabeus
Justice of the Peace
Within and for the Co. of Essex

I hereby certify that Samuel Dana, the defendant above
mentioned is a clergyman of great respectability and of
so advanced an age that it would be inconvenient for him
to leave town to attend court for the purpose of making the 
above certificate.
William Fabeus, Jus Pac:
Page 92

Petition of
Stephen Twist of
Salem, Massachusetts, for
a pension {unknown symbol}
Page 93

To the Honorable the Senate of the Honorable
the House of Representatives of the United State of America in Congress assembled at the City of Washington,
December 1825
The Petition of Stephen Twist of Salem, in
the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and
late a Sergeant in the Army of the United States, most
respectfully sheweth;
that in the year 1798 your petitioner enlisted
into the Army of the United States and was immediately
appointed a Sergeant, and that in that capacity or 
station he has since served the United States under dif-
ferent enlistments about eighteen years, and that he has
always served them honestly and faithfully and according
to his best ability, and that during all the term aforesaid,
there never was, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the
slightest fault found with him, nor any censure
passed upon him, by any officer whatever, and that
on leaving the service he has always received an
honorable discharge, or the proper documents
in the Office of the Secretary of War will fully shew
and your petitioner about the year 1874 had the
honor to be appointed by President Madison a
Lieutenant in the 40th regiment of the Army of the United
States, but believing at the time, that he could render
more inportant service in the station in which he
then was, he declined accepting the commission.
Your petitioner would further most respectfully 
represent
Page 94

represent, that in the winter of 1823, while in 
the service of his county and in the line of his duty
pursuing by order of Captain Joseph
Plimpton, a desenter from the army, he had the
misfortune to have his right shoulder very
badly dislocated and his right arm so severely
injured, that he has been almost entirely depriv-
ed of the use of them ever since; and he cannot 
see the smallest reason to flatter himself that
he shall ever have the use of them again-
but your petitioner begs leave respectfully to refer
the Doctors Mann and Farnsworth's certificate in 
relation to his case now in the Pension Office,
and also to other certificates and documents in his
behalf now in the same office.
Your petitioner would further most respectfully re-
present that at times he is very severely afflicted
with the Rheumatism contracted through expo-
sure and extraordinary fatigue while in the service
of his country, and that he is now more than sixty 
years of age, with a wife and family dependent 
upon him, and that he is totally destitute of 
every kind of estate and property, excepting only a
very small quantity of house hold furniture.
Wherefore your petitioner humbly prays 
that your Honors would take this his petition
into your wise consideration, and inasmuch or
he has been so completely disabled in his limbs and health
Page 95

health while in the line of duty in the service 
of his Country as aforsaid, and is entirely destitute
of all estate and property excepting as aforesaid, that your
Honours would grant him a full pension,
or such other aid and assistance as to your
Honours may seem meet and just and
as in duty bound will ever pray.
Stephen Twist [Signature]

Dated at Salem, Massachusetts
December 1825