Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29912, David How, Continental Mass.
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SERVICE: Continental Mass.
How, David or Howe
NUMBER S 29912
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21.367
Massachusetts
David Howe
of Marhill in the State of Massachusetts who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Poor of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Fry on the Massachusetts line for 
QM. 15 & Sep. $166.84
9. Corp.
11.. 12 & pen   $41.71
                         $208.55

$12.50
32.94
34.98
$83.42

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 83 Dollars 42 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of September 1833 and .... Haverhill

Arrears to the 4th of September 1833 $208.53
Some ant. allowance ending 4 May 1834 41.71
         $250.26

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by George C. Stile Clerk,
Book E. Vol 2. Page 35
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David How
B100

September     2 Months 15 days
[illegible]        9 Months 
[illegible]        11 Months 12 days
                       ------
                       22 Months 27 days

[illegible]th
My E4.1[illegible]
P. 405


Charles Minot
Haverhill
Mass
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Brief in the case of David How
of Haverhill in the state of M of a 
Act 7th June, 1832

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge?  Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 75 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed
Period.
In 1775
1776 
1777
June

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days
# 1 - 8 - 12
# 1 - 2 - 15

Rank.
As a
Private
8m. 12d.
Corporal
Sagt. (sargent)

Names of [sic] and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt. Poor Col. Fry
Capt. Keith Col. Dudley
Capt. Whittiers Col. Noddle

5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill -  White plains
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Methuen Mass 
7. In his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, bu incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? The papers are not mark as [sic]

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Sindloutts
Examining Clerk.

Will of [sic]. Keith [sic]
We Sergeants Sgt Luke [illegible] by paper [illegiable] Beale
on which David How is borne.
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Declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the Act of
Congress passed June 7 1832
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of
Essex fs. On this twenty fifth day of September
A.D. 1832. Personally appeared in open Court before
the Honorable Daniel A White; Judge of the
Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid
now sitting, David How a resident of Haver-
hill in the County of Essex and Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, aged 75 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 7, 1832.
That he was born at Methuen in said County
October 17, 1756; and that there is a record of his age
in the town books of Methuen. That he entered
the service of the United States under the following
named officers and served as herein stated wiz

On the day of the battle of Lexington April 19, 1775,
he marched from said Methuen to Lexington and
arrived there after the battle, and during the retreat;
and immediately marched to Cambridge Ms a private
in the militia in Capt. Poor’s company, and served
8m. 12d. there in said company till the May following, when
he enlisted as a private in the same company in
Col. James Fry’s regiment, and continued in said
company at Cambridge under Capt. Poor and
when he was promoted, Capt Benjamin Farnum;
and was in the whole of the battle on Bunker Hill
and served till January 1 1832 [1832 is struck-through] 1776: when without leaving the service he enlisted
at Cambridge for a year [year is underlined] in the continental army [continental army is underlined],
in Capt. James Keith’s company in Col. Paul Dudley
Sargents regiment as a private; and worked in the
Laboratory there till March 21, 1776, and then marched
through Roxbury Ms. to Boston, and staid on Fort Hill in
Boston, and served there till April 12 and then marched
to Bunker Hill and then to Cambridge to pack cartridges 
and marched to Norwich Conn. to guard several loads
of powder and ball; got back to Bunker Hill April 28
May fifth that his regiment did fatigue duty
at Noddles island in Boston harbor for several days
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and May 11 Capt. Reithes company in which was Capt. Wileys and Capt. Harringtons company were severally ordered to the castle in Boston harbor, and there he served with them till July 7th and then marched to Roxbury, and remained there and near there till Aug. 13, when he marched for the purpose of guarding powder to Norwich Conn. and from Norwich went on board a sloop, and sailed for New London Conn. and thence to New York and arrived at Horns hook August 27. that he served there till Sept. 15; during the last 7 days of which, a constant cannonading was kept up; and on the 15th he retreated, (the British landing from Long Island to York island) with the army, and on the 16th they had an engagement with the British in Haarlem woods; on the 19th they arrived at West Chester and there remained till Oct. 23, then went to White Plains where he was in the engagement Oct. 28; he left White Plains Nov 1st, & marched to Mount Misery, and Nov 28, marched through Peekskill, and crossed the North river, and marched to Morris-town N.J. On the 13th of December the British Light hose took Gen. Lee prisoner, and he was one of those detached to intercept them, but not being successful, they rejoined the army at Germantown, then crossed the river Delaware, and marched to Eastern Penn. and there marched about, and Dec. 25 crossed the Delaware again, and took 1000 Hessians prisoner and got the Hessians over the river the same night; That he marched to Trenton Dec 30. and January 1. 1777 [the 7 is overwritten in darker ink, covering an 8] he was dismissed from the service about 500 miles from home- 

During the last nine months of this last service he was a [underlined] corporal. [end underline] He has a journal kept by him during the last year service which enables him to be particular as to dates and places. He also has a list of the names of all the members of his company made at the time, which he here produces.
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That also in September 1777, he volunteered to serve as [underline] sergeant  {stop underline} in Capt. David Whittiers company of militia in (I think) Col. Wades regiment, and marched from said Methuen to Saratoga N.Y. for the purpose of  taking Burgoyne but was not in the battles, but was at Stillwater what Burgoyne surrendered and marched as a guard to the British prisoners to Winter hill Charlestown Ms. and there remained till some time in December 1777, when he was dismissed. He served as a [underline] Sergeant [stop underline] all this time which was about two and a half months (2m  15d.). He received no written discharge either time. 

He further states that he has resided in Haverhill since the service, and now resides there
Charles White Esq. Nathaniel Hills Esq. How Moses Wingate Esq. etc. The persons to whom he is known (addition) in his neighborhood (end addition) who will testify as to his character for veracity and their belief in his services as a soldier of the revolution. 

He hereby relinquishes 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 [illegible]. 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid (signature) DS White Judge of Probate. 
We Charles White and Nathaniel Hills Esquires magistrates residing in Haverhill aforesaid do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Davie How, who had subscribed and swore to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five 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. (signatures) Charles White — Nathan Hill Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid (signature) DS White Judge of Probate
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And the said Court hereby declares its opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Charles White and Nathaniel Hills Esquires who have signed the preceding Certificate are Magistrates, resident at said Haverhill and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
(Signature) DS White Judge of Probate

I Jonathan How of said Methuen aged 79 years, on oath testify and say, that David How before named is my [underline] brother [end underline] that said David did march to Lexington aforesaid on the 19th day of April AD 1775; and then marched to said Cambridge and soon, I think in May 1775, he did enlist as a private soldier in Capt. Poors company for eight months, and did duty at said Cambridge for the remainder of the year 1775; and did again enlist at the expiration of his time into the army, and did in the course of 1776, march to the Southward; and I have always understood, served this second time for a year; I was stationed at Roxbury Ms. and at Charlestown the last of 1775 and the first of 1776; I also know that he did in 1777 march from said Methuen, I think in September in Capt David Whittier’s company, to Saratoga for the purpose of taking Burgoyne; and did serve this time two or three months. (Signature) Jon How

County of Essex aforesaid Haverhill September the 25th 1832; Then the above named Jonathan How, who is personally known by me to be credible witness and a man of veracity appeared and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true before me  Rufus Longley, Justice of the Peace
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I Abijah Gage of Bradford in Essex County, aged 89 years, on oath testify and say, that I know David How Esquire of Haverhill Mass. that I served as a private in Capt Nathaniel Gages company in Col James Fryes regiment, from April 19th 1775 till January 1 1776; that said David How was a private in Capt. Poors and Capt Farnums company, in the same regiment with me, and served in that company for the same time and at the same place with me; I have known said How ever since - (signature) Abijah Gage

Essex in September 25 1832. Then the above named Abijah Gage who is well known to me to be a credible witness made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true before me. Gilman Parker, Justice of the Peace
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I Farnum Hall of Methuen Mass., aged 80 years, on oath testify and say, that I am well acquainted with David How above named, that April 19th 1775, I went into the service of the United States as a volunteer private in Capt. John Davis’ company, in Col. James Fryes Regiment of militia, and marched from Methuen to Cambridge Ms. and served there till January 1776. When I was discharged; David How aforesaid was a private in Capt. Poors / afterwards Capt Farnums? Company in the same regiment and served from about April 19th 1775; till January 1776, at Cambridge in that company also in September 1777, I enlisted as a private in Capt. David Whittiers company and marched from Methuen to Saratoga N.Y. to take Burgoyne. I was not in the battle. We marched home as a guard to the prisoners to Charlestown and there served some time. David How all this time served as a sergeant in the same company, and was with me all the time which which was little more than two months.
Witness (signature) Stephen Minot. Farnham X (the X laballed “his mark”) Hall

Essex Ms. Haverhill September 25. 1832. Then Farnham Hall above named personally appeared before me and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true I also certify that said Hall is a credible witness and a man of truth and veracity. 
Stephen Minot {Justice of the Peace and the Quorum

I Nathaniel Lord Jr. Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the origional proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David How for a pension. Also that Rufus Longley, Stephen Minot and Gilman Parker Esquires whose names are subscribed to several certificates her to annexation are justices of the Peace for said County and their signatures to said certificates are genuine. The testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office this second day of October A.D. 1832. (signature) Nath. Lord jr.
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13.100

David How
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Signed and sealed anew, this sixth day of June, A.D. 1833.

Nathl. Lord jr.
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of S. File 29.912 David How, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
you will find below the desired information as contained in his [strikethough] (or his widow's) [end strikethrough] application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OF APPOINTMENT
Apr 19 1775
Jan 1 776
Sept 1777

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
Jan 1 1776
Jan 1 1777
2 mos 15 days

RANK
Pri.
Pri and Corporal
Sergt

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDER
CAPTAIN
Poor and Benjamin Farnum
James Keithe
David Whittier

COLONEL
James Fry
Paul Dudley Sargent
 (see man's book)

STATE
Mass
"
"

[in pencil diagonally across bottom of grid} S 29912

Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill: Retreat from New York, White Plains, Capture of Hessians at Trenton and Burgoyne's Surrender.

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Methuen, Essex Co, Mass.

Date of application for pension, Sept. 25 1832; his claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Methuen Mass.
Age [strikethrough] at date of application [end strikethrough], born Oct 17 1756 at Methuen Mass.
Remarks: brother Jonathan, 77 years in 1832. No furth family data.

Very respectfully,
[signature] Mr. Walter H. Hersey
8 Parkside Road.
[form number] 15567b2311-04 Providence, R. I.

Commissioner.
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29912
Invalid.

Revy----

File no.  29,912

David Howe
Serg  Rev War

-----------

Act:  June 7th    32

Index: Vol. 2 ,  Page 193

{Arrangement of 1870.}
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1S100 (15100)

Daniel How

Charles Minot
Haverhill Mass
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of David How Haverhill Massachusetts which require further proof of explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

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

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 of periods of the war when he served?

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 what amount of pension he is entitled?

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

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

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

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?
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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 revolutionary service?

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

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

XIV. If the applicant'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?

Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

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

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

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

EXPLANATORY NOTES

QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less 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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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 is too indefinite, 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 objectionable. It must be 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 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.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the 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.

QUERE XVI. 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 paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 

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.
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8 Parkside Road Providence RI
Nov 9. 1905

The Hon Commissioner of Pensions Washington DC
[black stamp] U.S.P.B.  [incomplete word] AVY
Nov 13 1905 FILES
Dear Sir Will you kindly give me the military history of David Howe (aged 84-1841)
Haverhill Mass
Contained in the list as given in "a Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Service"[illegible] by the marshalls of the several Judicial districts under the act for taking the 6th Census.
Yours respectfully Walter H Hersey