Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29553, Silas Winch, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Winch, Silas
S. 29,553
CONTENTS

15.830
Massachusetts Silas. Winch
of Middlesex Co in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Footbidge of the Regt; commanded by Col. Ward in the Mass'ts (m d ) line for 10 mo. 4 ds.
State & Mile
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 33 Dollars 77 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of July 1833 and sent to Isaac Fisk Esq Cambridge
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $ 66. 54 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 16. 88
$ 83. 42
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. D. Williams Clerk, Book C Vol. 2 Page 92.
89 Middling

10464 Silas Winch
Time 10 Mns 4 days,
5-4 16 06 March 29 1833
P. 315
33. \frac{33}{24}
4
Isaac Fiske Esq East Cambridge Mass

10464
BRIEF in the case of  Silas Winch  County of Middlesex  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 88  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     19 th April In 1775 14 Private None capt Crowbridge   10 th Decem 1776 3 " Col Thacher. capt Brad   1 st July 1778 enlis 6 " Capt Edgell. Col Wadsworth   July 1780 "From 20 to 30 days." " Capt Griffin. Col Jacobs   " Col Perry. St. Crowbridge.   " Capt Lawson.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Concord.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Farmingham Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional & witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? They are not attached to the seal as required. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
T Waugh Examining Clerk.  Feb 27 th 1833

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss.
On this thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honourable Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, now sitting, Silas Winch a resident of Framingham in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty eight 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, A. D. 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: viz.
I marched to Concord on the first call of the militia & the alarm on the 19 th day of April 1775 and did duty as a private soldier in the skirmish on that day — we had no officers to command us — every soldier and officer fought as he thought proper — From Concord I marched to Cambridge and to Roxbury — Our forces were not regularly organized for some time — Capt John Warebridge of Framingham had the charge of the company which I was in during my stay — Capt. Nichol Stone and Lieut. Joseph Ganes were officers or acted as such in said company — Col. Butland of Sherburne was the commander of our Regiment at home and I think he exercised some command at Roxbury at different times. The term of my service on this occasion was two weeks — I do not recollect any man now living who was with us. In the month of December 1776 I think on the 10 th day of the month I entered into the service of the U. States in the militia of Massachusetts under Col. Thatcher, Lieut. Col. Sipsican How — Capt. Hezekiah Brood and Lieut. Mellen of Noffitan — We marched under Capt. Brood to Providence and joined there the regiment under Col. Thatcher — Thence we marched to Danbury in Connecticut — Thence to Ferrytown in New York — Thence to a place called Shaway where we had some skirmishing with the British on the day of our discharge which was on the tenth day of March 1777 — In this expedition I served three months.
About the first of July 1778 I enlisted for six months in the Massachusetts militia in the Regiment commanded by Col. Wade — I do not know that there were any other Regimental officers for I was not long in the regiment — Captain Simon Goffe commanded our company — but he did not command long — There were no other officers in the company — We first marched to Providence & did duty there till the eighth day of August, then went on to Rhode Island — Our Troops were under Gen. Sullivan — We encamped near Newport then in presence of the British under Gen. Pigot — Gen. Sullivan ordered our Troops to Bath Hill then we retreated from the Island and marched to Dover and remained there till my enlistment expired.

dismissed on the 20th of December 1770 The latter part of my term of solid duty in Col. Jacobs regiment and Captain Griffin's company I do not recollect the other officers - An army treat from the Island the British attacked our Troops and wounded and killed several of our men - I served six months
In the month of July 1780 I marched as a soldier in Col. Perry's regiment of Mass. militia on an alarm to Rhode Island where he was ordered John Farn bridge was my Lieut. Col. Lawrence Burkminster of Aramingham was my captain - John Farnbridge Jr. was Lieut. and Ebenezer Hemenway was my ensign - I do not remember any major in the Regiment - I served from twenty to thirty days
I was born in the year 1744 at Aramingham - The only record of my age is in the Town Clerk's office when called into the service I lived in said Araming- ham and have been an inhabitant there ever since I entered the service as a volunteer except at Rhode Island in 1780 when the whole regiment was called for
I am personally acquainted with the Rev. David Kellogg Rev. Charles Foss and Major Josiah Stone
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 any state,
Silas Winch
We, Charles Foss a clergyman, residing in the town of Framingham and Josiah Stone residing in Aramingham hereby certify, that we are well ac- quainted with Silas Winch who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; - that we believe him to be eighty eight years of age: that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Jonah Stone Charles Foss
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
J. P. Day Prob
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above-named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify, that it appears to them that Charles
Foss who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Framingham and that Jonah Stone who has also signed the same, is a resident in Framingham and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. Day Prob
I Isaac Iske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Silas Winch for a pension. I also certify that William Buckminster is a Justice of the Peace within said County & that his signature is set to the deposition of Jonathan Moulton hereto annexed
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Isaac Iske Reg of Prob
I also certify that the signature of William Buckminster set to the additional declaration of Silas Winch the applicant is the true signature of the said Buckminster
Isaac Iske Reg of Prob

Declaration of Windh

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace within & for the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Silas Winch of said Framingham whose declaration for a pension is hereto annexed — who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and as a private soldier in each case or term — viz.
My first term of service mentioned in my said declaration was not less than two weeks of service
My second term was not less than three months
My third term of service was not less than six months —
My fourth term of service was from twenty to thirty days — it was not less than twenty days
During these terms of service I was not engaged or employed in any civil pursuit — & for such service I claim a pension.
Middlesex ss. April 15. 1833
Then the said Silas Winch made oath to the truth of the above before me
William Brinsmister Just. of peace

Framingham, Middlesex Co. Mass. Aug. 29. D. H. B. 2 " Silas Winch the son of Daniel Winch & of Abigail his wife was born upon the 29 th day of July" A. D. 1744
A true copy from the town records
Attest
Elias Timple by { Town Clerk of Framingham

Silas Winch's amendment of declaration

Eliza Frost Affidavit for S. Welch

I, Jonathan Thibe of Natick in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts depose & say that I am personally ac- quainted with Silas Winch of Fram- ingham in said County & was ac- quainted with him in 1776 —
The said Winch, enlisted in the same company with myself in the fore part of December 1776 viz. Capt. Hezekiah Broot, company of Natick — Col. Thatcher command- ed the regiment. we were both discharged in the March following at Pawtucket or some such name near Elizabeth-Town in New York. I think we were absent from home on said service about three months & a half gone Rice & further saith not
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. August 13. 1832
Then the above named Jonathan Thibe personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affi- davit by him signed before me
W m Brinkminster Just. of Peace
I certify that the above named Jonathan Thibe is personally known to me & that he is a credible witness
W m Brinkminster Just. of Peace

I, Elisha Frost of Framingham in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts depose & say that I am acquainted with Silas Winch of said Framingham — I recollect that said Winch enlisted in the United States service in Col. Wadsworth's Regiment of Militia — I understood the term was six months. I was then a near neighbor of said Winch & in 1770 & knew of his departing with said regiment for the service — He was absent as near as I can judge six months on that expedition to Rhode Island. In 1780 said Winch was called out on an alarm to Rhode Island in Col. Perry's Regiment — I should judge he was absent nearly a month — I was in the company with him.
Elisha Frost
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. August 13. 1832
Then the above named Elisha Frost personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed.
Wm. Buckingham
Just of Peace
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Elisha Frost & that he is a credible witness.
Wm. Buckingham Just of Peace

Middlesex ss.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate upon & for the County of Middlesex That William Bruck minister where own broken signature is set to the within & the deposition of Jonathan Prin which is herunto annexed, is a true copy of the Peace within and for the county of Middlesex.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court this thirteenth day of August A D 1832
Isaac Fiske Register

29 553 Very INVALID.
File No. 29,553
Silas Finch
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 455
[Arrangement of 1870.]

10/11/44
Dear Friend
J. Fiske Esq 8 Cambridge Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Silas Winch which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides ? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides ? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so ? ————— IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served ? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled ? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations ? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832 ? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion ? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate ? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed ? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal ? Yes

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? Yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? _____ XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? _____ XIV. † If the applicant'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 Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 6.
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."

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 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.