Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29905, Nathan Howe, Mass.
Page 1

Mass. Howe, Nathan. S. 29905
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[Printed, two-page document with handwritten entries.  Vertically bound in the middle.]
[1st page]
10596 [handwritten]
Massachusetts [handwritten]
Nathan Howe [handwritten]
of [printed] Worcester [handwritten] in the State of [printed] Mass [handwritten]
who was a [printed] private [handwritten] in the [printed] company [handwritten] commanded [printed]
by Captain [printed] How [sic] [handwritten] of the [printed] Reg[t][superscript] [handwritten] commanded [printed]
by [printed] Col Rand [handwritten] in the [printed] Mass [handwritten]
line for [printed] 8 months [handwritten]
Inscribed on the Roll of [printed] Massachusetts [handwritten]
at the rate of [printed] 26 [handwritten] Dollars 64 [handwritten] Cents per annum [printed]
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. [printed]
Certificate of Pension issued the [printed] 13[th][superscript][handwritten] day of [printed] April[?]
1833 [handwritten] and [printed] sent home. J [handwritten]
Davis Worcester Mass [handwritten]
Arrears to the 4th of [printed] March 1833 $53.3 [last digit truncated in copy of image][handwritten]
Semi-anl. allowance ending [printed] 4 Sept. " [denoting 1833] 13.3 [last digit truncated in copy of image] [handwritten]
$66.67 [handwritten]
Revolutionary Claim,, [printed]
Act June 7, 1832. [printed]
Recorded by [printed] D.D. Addison [handwritten]
 Clerk[?] [letters truncated in copy of image] [printed]
Book [printed] E [handwritten] Vol. [printed] 2[d][superscript][handwritten] Page [printed] 31 [handwritten]
[page 2, blank]
Page 3

[handwritten on the blank, backside of the document beginning "Brief in the case of"]
18731
Nathan How [sic]
Mass
Private 8 months
Hon J Davis [illegible]
Worcester
Mass
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[document combines a printed form with handwritten entries]
BRIEF in the case of [printed] Nathan Howe [handwritten]
of [printed]  Co of Worcester [handwritten] in the State of [printed] Mass [handwritten]
(Act 7th June, 1832.) [printed, centered on page]
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? [printed] open court[?] [handwritten]
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [printed]
3.  How old is he? [printed] 69 [handwritten]
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed. [printed]
[4 column table]
Period. | Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. |
Mass Militia [handwritten] | Years, Months, Days. | As a | Gen. |
April In 1779 enlisted | --,3,-- | private | Cap McKnoll |
1780 " [to denote enlisted] | --,3,-- | " [to denote private] | Cap How [sic] Col Rand |
April 1781 " [to denote enlisted] | about, 2, -- | " [to denote enlisted] | Cap Hubbard Col Bigelow
[end 4 column table]
5.  In what battles was he engaged? [printed] none [handwritten]
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? [printed] Shrewsbury Co Worcester Mass [handwritten]
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  [printed] Testimary[?] two living witnesses [handwritten]
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [printed]
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above [printed]
mentioned. [printed]
George Dayton[?] [signature]
Examining Clerk. [printed]
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[handwritten on the blank, backside of a handwritten document]
Nathan Howe Esq[r][superscript]
Declaration
18731
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[handwritten document]
B
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Elijah Southgates of Shrewsbury in the County of Worcester Commonwealth
 of Massachusetts, eighty one years of age, do testify and say, I vollenteared [sic] in the
army of the Unighted [sic] states, with Nathan Howe, three months in the Revolutionary
war, to west point in the state of New York, in a company of militia commanded
by Cap[t][superscript] William Howe, in Col[?] Karrels[?] Regiment of Infantry in the year seven
teen hundred & eighty, where in the said Nathan Howe served as a soldier from
some time in the month of july, to some time in the month of October following
the term of three months, and until we was regularly discharged from
said servis [sic].  I cannot state the day we [illegible], nor the day we was discharged
from said servis [sic].
Elijah Southgate [right aligned signature]
Worcester [illegible] September 1[st][superscript] 1832 - then personally appeared the above named
Elijah Southgate and made sollom [sic] oath to the truth of the above statements
by him made and subscribed.  I would also further state that the above 
named Elijah Southgates is good and sufficient witness in [illegible]
Sworn before me
[illegible signature] justes [sic] of peace
Page 7

[handwritten document]
A & B
A
I Daniel Graves of Leverett in the County of Franklin
and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy one years of 
age do testify and say that I enlisted as a private in the
service of the United States in the Massachusetts Militia,
together with Nathan Howe of Shrewsbury in the County
of Worcester and Commonwealth aforesaid for three [underlined]
months in Capt. McKnoll's Company 1[st][superscript] Lt. was John
Jones the 2[d][superscript] Lt. was Silas Hemmingway, sometime in the
month of April 1779 and marched to Providence State
of Rhode Island and from Providence to Little Compton
in said State, and stayed there a few weeks and from
Little Compton to Tiverton in said State and then
served our term of time of three [underlined] months [underlined] and then
at said Tiverton the said Nathan and myself were
verbally discharged.  The Col and Lt. Col's name I
do not recollect.
B
Also I the said Daniel Graves do further testify
and say, that I enlisted in the Army of the United
States in the Massachusetts Militia together with the 
said Nathan Howe sometime in the month of July
1780 for three [underlined] months in Capt William Howe's 
Company in Col. Rand's Regiment and marched
to West Point in the State of New York the day of the
month we marched and the day of the month we
were discharged I cannot testify to.  And then at
said West Point we served our term of time of three [underlined]
months [underlined] when the said Nathan Howe and myself were
verbally discharged at said West Point.
Daniel Graves [left aligned signature]
Worchester, [illegible] August 23[d][superscript] 1832 ~ Then personally ap-
peared Daniel Graves and made solemn oath, that
the above affidavit by him subscribed was just and
true before me and said Daniel
Graves is reputed to be a credible witness
Therry Snow Just. Peace [left aligned signature]
Page 8

[This document is a combination of printed and written text]
DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7,1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of WORCESTER, as,
ON this sixth [handwritten] day of September [handwritten] in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty
two [handwritten] personally appeared in open Court, before [begin handwritten] Nathaniel Paine Judge of Probate [end handwritten]
now sitting Nathan Howe [handwritten] a resident of Shrewsbury [handwritten]
in the County of Worcester [handwritten] and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged sixty nine [handwritten]
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 act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
[begin handwritten] That in April AD 1779 he enlisted as a [illegible] in the 
Massachusetts Militia there in the service of the United States
for the term of three [underlined] months [underlined] in the company commanded
by Capt McNole or McKa[illegible]. & John Jones & Silas [illegible]way
were the 1[t][superscript] & 2[d][superscript] Lieuts.  he went directly to Providence I.R. [sic] from
thence he went to Little Compton R.I.  & remained a few weeks 
thence to Leverett R.I when he continued until his said term
had expired. & then was verbally discharged.  For evidence of this service
see deposition A.
Also that in July AD 1780 he 
enlisted
as a volunteer for three [underlined] months [underlined]  in the same service as aforesaid
in the company commanded by Capt William Howe & in Col 
Rand's Regiment & went directly to West Point north of New York
& there he continued until said term of service had expired
then he was verbally discharged.  for evidence of this service
see deposition B.
Also that sometime in April AD 1781 he enlisted
for three years in the Continental line of Regular troops.
in the company commanded by Capt Hubbard & in Col
Timothy Bigelow's Regiment which was then stationed somewhere in the vicinity of New York. & he joined said company & regiment 
at White Plains. & after remaining in said service about two [underlined]
months [underlined] in consequence of the death of his father he procured
a substitute to take his place whose name he is not able to
recollect. & then he was regularly discharged & returned home
that he has no documentary evidence of the either of the said 
services.  That he was born and have always resided
in said Shrewsbury.  and that in regard to the last
mentioned service  he has evidence in relation to [illegible]
he knows of no person whose testimony he is able to procure
who can testify to this service. [end handwritten]
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on
the pension role of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[begin handwritten]
Nathan Howe
Before Nath[l][superscript] Paine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester [end handwritten]
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[This document is printed with handwritten insertions]
We George Allen [handwritten] a Clergyman residing in the said Shrewsbury [handwritten] and
Fort[illegible] Harrington [handwritten] residing in said Shrewsbury [handwritten] hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Howe [handwritten] who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration, that we believe him to be sixty nine [handwritten] years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the
neighborhood where he resides, to have been a solider of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[begin handwritten]
Before Nath[l][superscript] Paine Judge of
Probate for the County of
Worcester
Geo. Allen
Fort[illegible] Harrington [end handwritten]
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interogatories
prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that George Allen [handwritten] who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the said Shrewsbury [handwritten] and that Fort[illegible]
Harrington [handwritten] who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Shrewsbury [handwritten]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[Begin handwritten] Nath[l][superscript] Paine Judge of Probate
for the County of Worcester [end handwritten]
I Theophilus Wheeler Register, [handwritten] Clerk of the Court of [begin handwritten] Probate for the County of Worcester [end handwritten] do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathan
Howe [handwritten] for a pension.  [begin handwritten] & that [illegible] Pratt & Therry [?] Snow before whom the [illegible]
were made [illegible] Justices of the Peace in aforesaid County in [illegible]. [end handwritten]
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand [begin handwritten] & affixed the seal of said County [end handwritten] this
7th [handwritten] day of September [handwritten] in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two. [handwritten]
[begin handwritten] Theophilus Wheeler Reg[r][superscript] of the said Court
of Probate in the County of Worcester in
Massachusetts [end handwritten][seal affixed]
[Vertical handwriting begins]
Nathan Howe Esq[r][superscript]
Declaration
18731 [end vertical handwriting]
[seal affixed]
Page 10

[typed document]
[right aligned]Washington  September 28, 1931
BA.J/ADY
[left aligned]Miss Katherine C. Brownell,
Spirit Lake,
Iowa.

Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers
in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.29905, that
Nathan Howe was born in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts,
date not given.
While a resident of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts,
he enlisted in April 1779 and served three months in
Captain McNall's Massachusetts Company.
He enlisted in July 1780 and served three months
in Captain William Howe's Company, Colonel Rand's
Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in April 1781 in Captain Hubbard's
Company, Colonel Timothy Bigelow's Massachusetts Regi-
ment and after about two months service, in conse-
quence of the death of his father, name not stated, he
was discharged and returned home.
He was allowed pension on his application exe-
cuted September 6, 1832 while a resident of Shrewsbury,
Worcester County, Massachusetts, aged sixty-nine years.
[Handwritten to the left of this paragraph: 
date of
death
not on A.B.]
It is not stated whether he was ever married.
It does not appear that this soldier served in
the War of 1812.
This is the history of the only Nathan Howe of
Massachusetts found on the Revolutionary War records
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[typed document]
of this office, and said records fail to afford any
information in regard to Simon Parker as described
by you.
Very truly yours,
[unsigned]
A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
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[small, two page document vertically bound in the middle]
[1st page]
29905 [handwritten]
INVALID [printed]
Reg[?][handwritten]
File No. [printed] 29,905 [handwritten]
Nathan Howe [handwritten]
Pen[?] Rev War [handwritten]
Act: [printed] June 7[th][superscript] 82 [handwritten]
Index:-Vol. [printed] 2 [handwritten], Page [printed] 198 [handwritten]
[Arrangement of 1870.] [printed]
[2nd page, all handwritten]
 March 21, 98 [likely intended as "1898" based on other documents in this pension file], Geo. [illegible due to document damage, but likely "Geo. E. Stone" based on other documents in this pension file]
Shrewsbury [illegible due to document damage]
[illegible, but likely "1931" based on other documents in this pension file] Sept. 28 [illegible due to document damage]
Katharine [illegible due to document damage, but likely "Katharine C. Brownell" based upon other documents in this pension file]
Page 13

[handwritten]
18732
Nathan Howe
Page 14

[printed document with limited handwritten insertions]
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Nathan Howe [handwritten] which require
further proof or explanation.
I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  yes [handwritten]
II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  yes {handwritten]
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 [handwritten]
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 amout [sic] of pension
he is entitled?  yes [handwritten]
VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes [handwritten]
VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?  yes [handwritten]
VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  yes [handwritten]
IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes [handwritten]
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 [handwritten]
Page 15

[printed page with limited handwritten entries]
2 [centered across the top of the page]
XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolu-
tionary service? yes handwritten]
XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing 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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes [handwritten]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? yes [handwritten]
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 [handwritten]
XVI.  ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  yes [handwritten]
XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES. [centered across page]
*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 recol-
lection he served not less than 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.
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[printed document]
3 [centered across top of document]
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 [begin italics] about three or four months [end italics] is too in-
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objection-
able.  It must in every case be clearly shewn 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 the 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 em-
ployed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. [begin italics] Proof of Service. [end italics]
In a case where the name of the participant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who many administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magis-
trate must be certified by the proper officer under his [??] of office.
QUERE XVI.  [begin italics] Mode of authenticating papers. [end italics]
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 paper authenticated, the cer-
tificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of the office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
[printed image of a hand with a pointing index finger] 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 accompany the papers.
Page 17

[This document combines printed and handwritten entries]
TOWN OF SHREWSBURY
GEORGE E. STONE, [left aligned]
TOWN CLERK. [left aligned]
[rectangular stamp, centered] OLD WAR NAVY
MAR 15 1898
FILES [end stamp]
A TOWN.... [right aligned]
DECEMBER 6, 1720. [right aligned]
Shrewsbury, Mass., [begin handwritten] Mar. 11, 1898
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please
give me an abstract of the
service of Nathan [underlined] Howe [underlined] of Shrews-
bury, a revolutionary solider who
is said to have drawn a 
pension.
Yours respectfully, [right aligned]
Geo. E. Stone. [right aligned]
[end handwritten]
[circular stamp]
US PENSION OFFICE 
MAR 12 1898
Page 18

[handwritten]
Pension Bureau, Wash, D. C. [right aligned]
Dear Sirs
Please tell me what is on the
papers of Nathan [double underlined] Howe [ double underlined] Junior [underlined] (Oct 12-1762-Jan 6-1851)
Shrewsbury, Mass.  His wife [superscript insertion] married Feb 13-1783 [end superscript] was Mary Parker
He was Capt. of Militia 1790 under Gov. Hancock.
His father Nathan How [sic] (June 17-1730-Mar 26-1781) [subscript insertion] married [illegible] 1770 Heppibah [?] Taylor [end subscript] served
and died from sickness from the war.
His father-in-law, Simon Parker [underlined]
(1719 [superscript insertion] Apr 26 [?][end insertion]-Oct 24-1794 [superscript insertion] ma. [?] 1742 Mary Bowker [end insertion]) served in the war as private.
They died too soon to draw pensions
did they not?  I think Nathan [underlined]
Howe [underlined] Jr. drew [underlined] one [underlined], also did he
serve in the war of 1812 [underlined]?
I thank you sincerely, [right aligned]
Katherine C. Brownell. [right aligned]
Spirit Lake, Iowa. [right aligned]
Sept 8-1931 [right aligned]
Page 19

L.W.B. [typed, right aligned]
I. 29905. [typed, right aligned]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, [printed, right aligned]
BUREAU OF PENSIONS, [printed, right aligned]
WASHINGTON, D.C., [printed, right aligned]
March 21, 1898. [typed, right aligned]
[Stained & generally illegible printed message regarding the locations of Revolutionary War records, left aligned]
O.W. & N. DIV. [printed, left aligned,]
REVOLUTIONARY. [printed, left aligned]
[The following letter is typed]
Sir:-
Replying to your recent communication you are advised that Nathan
Howe made an application for pension on September, 6, 1832, at which
time he was 69 years of age and residing at Shrewsbury, Mass., and his
pension was allowed for eight months' actual service as a private in
the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served
under Capt. Howe and Col. Rand.  Place of his enlistment not stated.
Very respectfully, [right aligned]
Commissioner. [right aligned, unsigned]
Mr. George E. Stone, [left aligned]
Shrewsbury, Mass.