Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16024, Edmund Willis, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Willis, Edmund
NUMBER
S. 16024
carded
CONTENTS

Vermont 17.055
Edmund Willis
at Washington in the State of Vermont who was a pri: in the company commanded by Captain Warner of the Regt. commanded by Col: Holman in the Mass. t. line for 14 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of July 1831 and sent L. S. Waile Montpelier Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 - 93.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " - 23.33
$116.65-
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk Book E. Vol. 3 Page 97

3194
Edmund Miller
Adm. Act.
14 monthly Pw. at 46.66
By Rail Ex Monspelier W +

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
22 d April 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1 st June 8 " Private Col. Lamed 79 { James Adams & Silas Willis —   2 d 6 " " Col. Holman & Genl. Lamed —   14 "  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Edmund Willis

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
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, drafted, 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 Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
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 of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before 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 named 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. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an 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.
A. B.
[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 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 produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has 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 and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 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 also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk 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 of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
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 of 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 be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply 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 declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories 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 now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, 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 services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, 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, if 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 is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
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 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.
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 the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from 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 make 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 invariably 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 so 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 _____ 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 that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the years, 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 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 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.
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 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

James Adams. Affidavit
ed L ty d

I James Adams of Hardwick in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont, aged Eighty Eight years, do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Edmund Willis, of Calais, County of Washington, who is applying for a pension, and I know that said Willis served for the term of six months in Capt. Warners Company, Col. Holmans Regiment, Genl. Larneds Brigade, in the Massachusetts State troops in the revolutionary war, in the year 1776 - I well know this, as I was orderly Serjeant in said Capt. Warners Company, and that I now have my orderly Book which is before me and the name of said Edmund Willis is on the roll of the Company in said Book, and that he served his time out and was discharged, James his X Adams Mark Barnabas Doty
State of Vermont } Hardwick July 25 th A.D. 1832 then James Adams Caledonia County ss } personally appeared, and made solemn oath, that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth, Before Barnabas Doty Justice Peace
I certify that I have been acquainted with the above named James Adams for fifteen years and do consider him to be a man of truth and veracity, Barnabas Doty Justice Peace
State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier, August, 7, 1832.
I hereby certify that Barnabas Doty was on the 25 th day of July A.D. 1832, was a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Caledonia and for a long time before and ever since that day has been such - and that to his acts and attestations, as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given. -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of this office, this 7 th day of August, A.D. 1832.
Timothy Merrill Secretary of State

Hardwick May 3 d A. D. 1833 I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with James Adams for fifteen years past & that he is a man of truth & veracity -
Barnabas Doby Justice of Peace -

Silas Willis Affidavit

State of Vermont } Rutland County }
On the 28 th day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace for said County, Silas Willis of Rutland in said County and made oath that he is brother to Edmund Willis now of Calais in the County of Washington Vt. that he knows he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served eight months in Capt. Williams Company, Col. Larimer's Regiment and six months in Capt. Warner's Company in Col. Holman's Regiment.
I certify that the above named Silas Willis is a credible man but he is very old and infirm in body & mind but his recollections of the events of the revolutionary war are quite distinct.
R. Pierpont
State of Vermont } Rutland County }
Robert Pierpont, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland do certify that Robert Pierpont, before of the foregoing certificate is a justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Rutland this 28 th day of July A.D. 1832
R. Pierpont

I hereby certify that the affidavits heretofore attached were exhibited as evidence before me in the matter of the application of Edmund Willis - August 11. 1832 -
Warren Ellis Atty - J. D. 8866
Silas Willis Affidavit

DECLARATION in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF VERMONT,
The Hon. Warren Jones one of the Judges of the County Court, within and for the County of Washington ss. On this 11th day of February A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the the County Court, within and for the County of Washington ss.  Ebenezer Larned - a resident of Calais in the County of Washington and State of Vermont, aged 79 - 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: - he being sick & was unable to attend said
Court - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
That he Enlisted the last of April or first days of May 1775. for the term of eight months in the town of Hardwick & County of Worcester & State of Massachussetts & served under Capt. Saml. Pillsbury Lieutenant Barnabas Sears & Ensign Gookin in Col. Ebenezer Larned's Regiment. That he served his full term out & was discharged the last of December. He recollects well of marching in the snow the day he was discharged. That he went to Roxbury & was stationed there during the whole term of his service. That in the month of June 1776 he again enlisted for six months under Capt. Daniel Warner in Col. Holmans Regiment Genl. Ebenezer Larned's Brigade. That he served his full term out & was discharged in the month of December. He went to the City of New York & was stationed there about two months & then went to Greenwich & from there went to White Plains & his company was in the battle of White Plains. He recollects seeing there Genl. Washington & Genl. Lee, Putnam & Greene. That he has no written evidence of his service & knows no person who can testify to the same except James Adams & Silas Willis whose affidavits are herewith exhibited in answer to the questions put under the direction of the Secy. at war. He states that he was born in Bridgewater County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts in the year 1753 - Has no record of his age but presumes it is on record in said town of Bridgewater as he was living at Hardwick County of Worcester & State of Mass. at his engagement at both times & enlisted each time Recollects Genl. Washington, Putnam, & Thomas came at and about Roxbury while he was in service there. He recollects no other Genl. Officers than those mentioned by him in this declaration. Never received any written discharge. His service was Militia or State Service in the line of Massachusetts. He states the names of Shubael Wheeler & Gideon Wheeler as persons well acquainted with him & who can state as to the reputation of his being a Revolutionary Soldier, and his character for veracity.

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace for the county of Washington. Edmund Willis who being duly sworn deposes & a- ffirms, that at the time of making the within declaration, there was no Clergyman living within six miles of him there was but one Clergyman stately residing in said town & he living in the South part of Calais and the deponent living in the north part. The being extremely poor was un- able to procure his attendance. He was advised that it would not be necessary, as Gideon Wheelock lived near him, who had been a repre- sentative in the Legislature of Vermont from said Calais & Gideon Wheeler had been a Judge of Washington County Court, would answer every purpose. He also further states that he knows of no person now living who can testify to either of his services except James Adams & Silas Willis - whose affidavits are herewith sent - And from the extreme affliction of the disease now confining him, to wit, a cancer on his eye he cannot re- member any thing more definite about his services than he has above & within stated before the Judge - I further state I was unable to attend Court last Summer in consequence of my cancer. I then and still residing 12 miles from Montpelier where the County Court held its sessions - Benjamin Page is the Clergyman above named as residing in said Calais & who I believe will testify as to my general reputation & his belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution - In presence of - Lemuel Perry Edmund his Willis mark
Sworn & subscribed to before me this 18 th day of May, 1833 -
Lemuel Perry Justice of peace
I also certify that said Willis resides 12 miles from Montpelier & has for a long time been afflicted with a cancer which has entirely destroyed one of his eyes & very nearly affected the other -
Lemuel Perry Justice of peace

He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Edmund Willis
We, Shubael Wheeler residing in the town of Calais County of Washington and Gideon Wheatlock of  Said Calais hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Edmund Willis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 79 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.
Shubael Wheeler
Gideon Wheatlock
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
And I do hereby declare my 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 I further certify that it appears to me that Shubael Wheeler who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Wheatlock resident in the said town of Calais and that Gideon Wheatlock who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said town of Calais and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest, Warren Ellis 1st Judge of Probate Warren Ellis Judge of the County Court for the said County of Washington -
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before me in the matter of
the application of Edmund Willis for a Pension . And I further certify that from bodily infirmity & old age Said Willis is unable to appear in court at Montpelier where the court holds its Sessions at Calais  11th day of August - A. D. 1832 -
Attest,
Warren Ellis 1st Judge of Probate

I Benjamin Page a Clergyman residing in the town of Calais county of Washington hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Edmund Willis who has sworn & subscribed to the within declaration, that I believe him to be 79 years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, & that I concur in that opinion — Benj: Page Sworn to & subscribed before me this 1 st day of May A.D. 1833 —
Lovel Shelton Justice of peace
I certify that said Benja Page who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the town of Calais & that his statement is entitled to Credit — Lovel Shelton Justice of peace
State of Vermont } Washington County } I Joshua W. Hall Clerk of the County Court within and for the county of Washington do hereby certify that Lovel Shelton & Samuel Perry who have signed the foregoing & within certificates are Magistrates duly qualified & acting under the authority of this state and that their signatures thereto as such are their own proper hand writing.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official seal this 4 th day of May A.D. 1833 — Joshua W. Hall Clerk
State of Vermont } Washington County } I Joshua W. Hall Clerk of the County Court within and for the county of Washington do hereby certify that the within proceedings were taken before the Hon. Warren Eddy Judge of Washington County Court duly appointed & qualified and that his signature to the same is his proper hand writing — In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official seal this 13 th day of August A.D. 1832 — Joshua W. Hall Clerk

State of Vermont Washington County p. 3
I Joshua Y. Vail Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Washington aforesaid do hereby certify that the Hon. Warren Ellis before whom the within proceedings were had, is a Judge of Washington County Court duly appointed & commissioned under the Author- ity of this State and that his signa- ture to the same as such is his own proper hand writing — In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 13 th day of August A. D. 1832 — At. Joshua Y. Vail Clerk

16.024 INVALID.
File No. 16.024
Edmund Willis
Rev War
Act: _____
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 413
[Arrangement of 1870.]