Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 34,542, John Williams, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Williams, John
S. 34,542
CONTENTS

Notification sent to Abijah Bigelow Esq. 19 th September 1820. Worcester Mass
767.
Massachusetts Roll
John Williams, 4 Capt Oliver Private Mass
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 14 th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th of May 1818 and sent to Hon. Edward Bangs, Worcester, Mass
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818
Semi-annual account ending
4 months 21/30 $ 37.60
Massachusetts line 179-1 year { Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
Refused to pay 21 st July 1822
Hull and Brown

Copia apri 30-1822 and Sent to
Hon. L. Bigelow, H.R.

To the War Department, United States
or whom it may concern I Dana R. Parker of Hubbardston in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby say that I was present at the House of George Williams in Hubbardston on the thirty first day of July 1816 and saw a Deed delivered to George & Luke Williams from John Williams of his Real Estate, made by Seth Lee Esq. of Barre, dated the 30th day of July 1816. and there was an Obligation for the support of said John & Wife wrote by said Lee, but was not finished, and John & George & Luke Williams had a settlement, and it appeared that John was owing them about One Thousand Dollars for their services & debts by them paid for the said John and they found other debts to be more than they expected that said John was owing, and there was a law suit or trespass then pending against his son Henry a Minor. George & Luke said they were unwilling to finish the Obligation aforesaid and run their risk to defend that suit. They therefore agreed to have the Obligation remain unfinishes till that suit was settled and they agreed if in case that Henry (his) did not owe any damage against Henry Williams, and his other debts did not amount to more than the value of his real estate which was was conveyed them, the said George & Luke, by said John, that they the said George & Luke should finish the Obligation — On the 24th & 25th day of Oct 1816 the law suit then pending was referred to the Hon. Solomon

Strong, Samuel Lee & Saml. Eastman Esq. and they awarded, as it appears, that the said Harry Cozier & his Father Benjamin Cozier recover against the said John Williams two hundred ninety three Dollars & seventy three cents which George Williams paid & his Receipts therefor are on the back of said Award - and the said John & George and told me that the whole Cause's cost about four hundred Dollars. There were great many witnesses produced by both parties & counsel to Gray & all was destroyed by the said George - Some time in the Spring of 1817 I was present with John & George Williams & they said to me, we have had a settlement and that the lawsuit with said John & other debts amounted to more than his property was worth which had been conveyed from him to George Blake, that they had past receipts, and the obligation for John and wife's support was wholly abandoned and not to be completed - I have since seen the Receipt given by said John Williams to George & Luke Williams, a copy of which is as follows, "Hubbardston May 26 1817. Paid George & L. Williams four hundred Dollars in full of an obligation made by Seth Lee of Barre date 30 July 1816 for our wife's support, which remains unfinished and all other claims up to date." "John Williams"

which Receipt I have no doubt, but was made at the time it bears date & being acquainted with his handwriting, know that John signed the same — Dana R. Parker
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester March 4, 1822 Then Dana R. Parker above named personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed before me, & I hereby certify that I consider the said Dana R. Parker a man of veracity; Samuel Swan Justice of the Peace
Washington March 13, 1822. I certify that Samuel Swan, whose name is above written, is a Justice of the Peace, duly qualified to administer oaths, within the county of Worcester aforesaid, and that the above is his signature.
Lewis Bigelow, Member of the House of Representatives.

John Williams
19 th Apr
Correct JH

State of Massachusetts I John Williams a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Hubbardston in the County of Worcester in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, on February seventun hundred and seventy seven
I entered and was engaged in the Land service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to February seven teen hundred and eighty
as a private soldier against the common enemy, without any interrup- tion or absence: that I belonged to Capt. Robert Oliver's Company, Col. John Greaton's Regiment, being the 3 d in the Massachusetts Line - in Dixon's Brigade
and that I left the service on February 1780; and that my dis- charge is mislaid - and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of sixty Years -
And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed.
John Williams
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this 14 th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me, Edward Bangs Judge of C. C. Com. Pleas for Western Mass. in said State Comprising said County of Worcester
the abovenamed John Williams and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination du- ly made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true,
in under my Hand and the Seal of said Court, the day of the date aforesaid.
Edward Bangs

I Benjamin Randall of Worcester in the county of Worcester do hereby declare on oath, that I served with John Williams in Oliver's Company, Brattle's Regiment and Dixon's Brigade in the Massachusetts Line for the term of three years, during all which time he served faithfully.
Benjamin his X. Randall mark
Worcester April 15. 1815 — Personally appeared Benjamin Randall above named, and made solemn oath that the above declaration signed by him is true. He being blind was obliged to subscribe with his mark only. —
Before me Edw. D Bangs, Justice Peace

John Williams
767
May 1816
Cashed 18/6
921
Low

Schedule of the estate of John Williams, of Hubbardston in the county of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Applicant for a pension, under the Act of Congress of May 1. 1820.
Real Estate - none -
   Personal Estate - an old chest case of drawers without trimmings  $ 2.00    3 old tables  2. -    3 old chairs  .75    7 old chairs 4 Arm Chairs  1.70    2 old tubs  .30    old churn and pail  .50    old cedar barrels  .80    2 old meat tubs  .66    1 keg, 25 and 2 old pails 20  .45    1 old meal chest 50 vinegar barrel 25  .75    5 old crates, 50 measures 40  .90    Old Baskets 30 2 old spinning wheels, 1.  1.30    1 old side saddle 2.50  2.50    2 wooden bowls  .30    Iron Ware  5.30    tin ware $1.89 Potters & mortar 20  2.09    tin canister  .25    brown earthen, 33, handmills 2.67 flatiron, 50  3.50    Crane, fire shovel and tongs 2.00 cooking ware 3.23  5.23    Flat ware 25 do knives forks, 50 looking glass, 33  1.08    1 Axe, 50 1 Hoe 25  .75     $ 33.31   
I am by occupation a labourer, and not able to work, being troubled with a sore leg; I have no children residing with me, but a wife aged 50 years; my sons can do no more than support themselves & family without impairing their means.
John Williams.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this tenth day of July 1820,
personally appeared in open Court, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the laws of said Commonwealth, John Williams aged sixty one years, resident in Hubbardston, in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as
follows: On the last of February or first of March 1777. I enlisted for in the 3 d Regiment commanded by Col. John Greaton, in the first company under Capt. Oliver Holmes Mather, for the term of 3 years under the Continental establishment; served by my term out; and was at the taking of Burgoyne and in several skirmishes during said time. The date of my original declaration is the 14 th day of April 1818; I have a Pension Certificate No. 757.
and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
John Williams
Sworn to and declared, on the tenth day of July, 1820. before the said Court.
Attest, Abijah Bigelow, Clerk
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is thirty three dollars and thirty one cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this tenth day of July 1820.
Abijah Bigelow Clerk of the Court for the County of Worcester.

Mr Edward H. B.

War Department, Pension Office, April 30 th 1832.
Sir,
I am directed by the Secretary of War to transmit to you, the enclosed copy of a letter from Mr. Dana R. Parker, in the case of John Williams, and to request your opinion as to the credibility of the statement made therein.
I am, respectfully, Yr. Olt. Sect. J. L. Edwards
Hon: Lewis Bigelow, House of Reps.

Hon. William H. Crawford Hon. John C. Calhoun Secretary of the Treasury & of the War Department of the United States
Washington.

Thos. Wm. H. Crawford Hon. John C. Calhoun
Sir since it has pleased congress to grant any Pensions to soldiers that served in the revolution war, that are in indigent circumstances, we the subscribers, feel it our duty to inform a charitable Publick that there is a Pension attained in an unjust manner, by a soldier of the revolutionary war, by the name of John Williams of Hubbardston in the County of Worcester state of Massachusetts. Previous to the pension act, the said Williams settled his estate upon his sons, with an obligation from them to pay him twenty dollars per year, and support him and wife, during their life time without their being ever obliged to labour. but since the Pension act, the sons of the said Williams have persuaded him to destroy the obligation, and make oath that he has no means of support only by his industry. The sons of the said Williams are in affluent circumstances, and need not a Pension to enable them to support their parent we therefore hope your Honor will take notice of this information and cause a stop to be put to his obtaining a Pension in this unjust manner
Hubbardston March 10 th 1824
Jonas Rice Rufus Whitcomb Williams Wilbur John French William Earl Joshua Browning John Haver
Chaniel Newton Reuben Gates

John Williams.
Pio.

To the War Department, United States, or whom it may concern —
I Luther Hale of Middleburyton in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby do testify and say, that I have been acquainted with John Williams of said Middleburyton a Pensioner, more than thirty years, and the Farm on which he has lived during that time, being one of his neighbors; that the real estate, being said farm was conveyed by Deed from him to his sons George and Luke on the thirtieth day of July 1816, as appears by his Deed to them, which Deed I have seen and have no doubt, but the signing thereof in the said John Williams hand writing was worth in my opinion not more than fifteen hundred Dollars; That the said John Williams before and at the time of the conveyance as aforesaid was very much involved in debt; frequently sued, and was owing the said George and Luke after they arrived to the age of twenty one years for their services, as he informed me, more than he could pay them and pay his other Creditors; also at that time an action was commenced against his son Henry a Minor for discharging a sum at one Henry Lloyds a Minor for which he expected to have to pay what ever money should be recovered against him if any, and for these reasons to obtain assistance he made the conveyance aforesaid, as he informed me — The said John Williams, George Williams & Jacob Hale on the twenty first day of Octo. 1816 entered into a Bond to Benjamin Lloyds, the father of Henry Lloyds that the said John Williams should do and perform all things on his part to be done and performed according to the Award of the Arbitrators to be then afterwards made therein concerning said action or discharging the sum by said Henry Williams at said Henry Lloyds, and at the same time a Bill was made out between

between the said John Williams & Benj o Cloyes rather to said Minor, submitting the case to the Hon Solomon Strong, Sam l Lee, & Hon d Eastman Esq rs for their determination the signing of said Bond and rule, having seen the same, I know to have been by the persons aforesaid who entered entered into the same, and having seen the award of said referees, I find it to have been two hundred and ninety three Dollars and seventy three cents which said Benjamin Cloyes and the said Henry Cloyes recovered against the said John Williams, and on the back of said award I have seen Receipts of said Benjamin Cloyes and Henry Cloyes by his father consent thereto amounting to said sum, as having been received of George Williams towards satisfying said award, and I have no doubt of the signing thereof to be the said Benjamin and Henry Cloyes hand writing, the same Receipts being also witnessed, except one, by Sam l Swift with whose hand writing I am also acquainted - said Award and Receipts are dated Octo 25. 1816 -
Further, at the time the said John Williams applied for a renewal of his Pension as a priv t in the Revolutionary War, I was an Appraiser of his estate, & having heard by report that the said John had a Bond from his sons George & Luke for his and Wife's support & maintenance I inquired particularly of the said John and others respecting the same, and was satisfied that no such Bond was in existence or ever was - and in my opinion the communication signed by sundry Inhabitants of Hubbardston

respecting the said John Williams obtaining his pension as set forth therein, is false, by some misrepresentation, or slanderous. — As to the children of the said John Williams, I consider them active and industrious young men with families, having a comfortable living, but not affluent, and ought not to be at the expense of supporting their father or mother on account of their poverty. No filial affection might not allow them to suffer —
Luther Hale
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Worcester ss. March 11. 1822. Then Luther Hale openly personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Disposition by him subscribed before me, & I hereby certify, that I considered the said Luther Hale a man of veracity.
Samuel Swan, Justice of the Peace
Washington March 13. 1822. I certify that Samuel Swan Esq. whose name is above written, is a justice of the Peace within the county of Worcester aforesaid, duly qualified to administer oaths therein, and that the above is his signature.
Lewis Bigelow member of the House of Representatives.

Suspended - see letter en- closed - Agat written to March 20 th 1821.
See letter to Hon. Lewis Bigelow, H. R. 4 Jan y 1822

To the War Department of the United States, or whom it may concern.
I, Dana R. Parker, of Hubbardston, in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, testify and say, that I was present at the House of George Williams in Hubbardston on the 31 st day of July 1816 and saw a Deed delivered to George and Luke Williams, from John Williams, of his Real Estate, made by Seth Lee Esq r of Barre, dated the 30 th day of July 1816, and there was an obligation for the support of said John and Wife wrote by said Lee, but was not finished, and John and George and Luke Williams had a settlement, and it appeared that John was owing them about one thousand Dollars for their services and debts by them paid for the said John, and they found other debts to be more than they expected that said John was owing, and there was a law-suit or trespass then pending against his son Henry, a Minor— George and Luke said they were unwilling to finish the obligation aforesaid and run their risk to defend that suit—They therefore, agreed to have the obligation remain unfinished till that suit was settled, and they agreed, if in case that Harry Clois did not recover any damage against Henry Williams, and his other debts did not amount to more than the value of his Real Estate, which

which was conveyed them, the said George and Luke, by said John, that they the said George and Luke should finish the obligation. On the 24th and 25th days of October 1816, the law suit, then pending was referred to the Honorable Solomon Strong, Samuel Lee and Samuel Eastman Esq rs , and they awarded, as it appears, that the said Harry Cloyes and his Father Benjamin Cloyes recover against the said John Williams two Hundred and ninety three Dollars and seventy three cents, which George Williams paid, and his receipts therefor are on the back of said award — and the said John and George told me that the whole law suit cost about four Hundred Dollars. There were great many witnesses produced by both parties and counsel to pay, and all was defrayed by the said George — Some time in the Spring of 1817, I was present with John and George Williams and they said to me, we have had a settlement, and that the law suit with said John and other debts amounted to more than his property was worth, which had been conveyed from him to George & Luke, that they had paid receipts, and the obligation for John and Wife's support was wholly abandoned and not to be completed.
I have

I have since seen the receipt given by said John Williams to George and Luke Williams, a copy of which is as follows.— "Hubbardston May 26th 1817. Received of George and L Williams four Hundred Dollars in full of an obligation made by Seth Lee of Barre, date 30 July 1816 for me & wife support, which remains unfinished, and all other demands up to date." signed. "John Williams" — Which receipt I have no doubt, but was made at the time it bears date, and being acquainted with his hand writing, know the said John signed the same. —signed— Dana R. Parker.
To John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, —
Sir,
Since my return to Massachusetts I have made particular inquiry in relation to the character of Dana R. Parker, above named, and the subject matter of his deposition, of which the foregoing is a copy, with a view of forming a correct opinion as to the credit due to his testimony. From the information which I have been enabled to obtain, and which has proceeded from a respectable and authentic source, I have no doubt that Mr. Parker's statement is true and entitled to the fullest credit. Lewis Bigelow, M.C. Petersham July 13. 1822.

For re-consideration
See letter within - enest.
See additional, & explanation evidence furnished through Hon. Mr. Bigelow - H. Rep.
Letter 21 Jany 1822
20 March 1822 -
caused 3 years -
Disposition removed on 24 th July 1822
Send a copy of Parker's letter I request her opinion

34 542 Rev INVALID.
File No. 34,542
John Williams Rev  Rev
Act: 18 th March 187
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 357
[Arrangement of 1870.]
June 10 86 Recd. paid to a Williams Moline Ills S.W.R.
Dec 29 99 Mrs A. Williams Moline, Ills.

OLD WAR DEPT. 3631 110 PENSION OFFICE Mt Pleasant, May 21, 1896. Pension Bureau, Washington D.C.
My Grandfather, who was born in Lancaster Mass., was by  the Rev. Rev. settled in Hubbardston, Mass. after the war, drew a pension, & died there in 1882. Dec 13. aged 74. My father, was born, lived, & died in that town. I have often heard him say that grandfather was said to Gen. Gates, & stood within 20 ft. of him when Burgoyne hand- ed Gen. Gates his sword. I want to know if the records verify this story.
I have had the records searched at Boston, but find nothing satisfactory, & have been re- ferred to your office.

Moline, Ill. Sept. 28-1899 8th Lt and 10th Cav.
To the Secretary of Pension Bureau,
John Williams went from Lancaster Mass. as a soldier in the War of the Revolution. He died in Hubbard- ton, Mass in 1832. He was in the battle of Saratoga, and had a pension. Will you kindly inform me what company he was in and verify the records of our family and

and of Worcester County, Mass.
Any information will be gratefully received, by
Yours, very Truly
Mrs. S. J. Williams 8 th St and 10 th Av.
Moline
Ill.

I think it quite likely that grandfather was not in Gen. Gates Staff, but might have been employed in some position or service that allowed him to be in close proximity, when Bur- goyne surrendered his sword. Any light you can give me on this matter, will be very thankfully recd.
Very Resp'tly,
Alfred Williams,

345427-967 345228 " 1093 JHY 3 O. W. & N. Div. Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C. May 21, 1896
Respectfully returned to the writer, who is requested to furnish, for purposes of identification, as much as possible of the information called for below.
Jno Lockhorn Commissioner.
Full name of soldier:
John Williams
Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Lancaster, Worcester Co. Mass.
Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Hubbardston, same Co.
Date of death (as near as possible):
Dec 13 th 1832
Christian name of widow:
Sarah
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
He recd. a pension.
Remarks:
He was born in Lancaster, but enlisted at Holden, Mass.
Your name and address: as we understand, Alfred Williams Moline, Rock Island Co., Ill.