Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14178, Ebenezer Willis, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Willis, Ebenezer Thankful
No. 14178.
CONTENTS

8,246
Massachusetts.
Ebenezer Willis 4
of Deerfield in the state of Massachusetts who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Ward of the Massachusetts line, for the term of one year .
scribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 21 of April 1818 .
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 of Mar. 1819 and sent to Hon. Genl. Leavitt Judge, Franklin Co. Mass.
Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1819 — 83.69
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sep. 1819  48
10/30 4/30 — $131.69
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }

Massachusetts — 1475.
Thankful Willis, widow of Ebenezer Willis, decd. who died on the 11 th of Oct r . 1819; of Franklin in the State of Mass. who was a pri. & sgt in the comp y commanded by Captain Allen, of the regt. commanded by Col. Ward, in the Mass. line for 19 mos. 4 dys. pri. Mch 9 dys. sgt.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 65 Dollars 27 Cents, per annum, commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of Oc- tober, 1837, and sent to Hon. Geo. Greene Cl, Jr. S. Rep.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept r . 1837 = $424:25. Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th M. 1838 = 32.63
$457:88
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d . }
Recorded by S. A. Elliott Clerk, Book A, Vol. 2, Page 62

Thankful Willis Declaration
Vol. 14:31. on - 27 may to 1 Jan. 75 Br. 23:139. on 9 days Serf in Sept. 1778.
12mo in 76- 7.4 19.4 pri - 9. Serf.
adm D
19mo. 4ds pri - 9. ds Serf.
$65. 27- old case
no deduction -
Hon Geo Grennell Jr Ho. Rep.

State of Massachusetts } County of Franklin } ss
On this sixteenth day of august A. D. 1837 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas now holden at Greenfield within and for said county of Franklin Trankful Willis a resident of Deerfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836; That she is the widow of Ebenezer Willis, who was a private soldier in the war of the Revolution, that her said husband was a resident of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth Massachusetts when he performed his service. That her said husband, Ebenezer Willis, served at various times, both before and after her marriage to the said Ebenezer Willis, and that according to her best recollection, her said husband served as a soldier aforesaid not less than two years and nearly believes more than two years. That she does not now recollect, the names of the officers under whom he served, or the particular places where he served. But according to her best recollection he served at Boston, Ms. White Plains N.Y. West Point and at Providence R.I. That her said husband was a pensioner under the act of Congress passed March 18 th 1818- as a private, and was placed upon the Pension Roll of Mass ts March 23- 1819, and for proof of his services in part, she refers, to his papers now on file at the War Department- and for further proof of her said husband's services, she refers, to the Rolls of Massachusetts;
That

That she has been informed, and that she believes, that the name of her said husband is borne on a memorandum book of one Joseph Jackson, who was a soldier of the Revolution and a pensioner, which said book is now among the papers of the Widow Rebecca Jackson, at the War Department in the Pension Office at Washington; that she has no documentary evidence of her said husband's services. She further declares that she was married to the said Ebenezer Willis (who was then Ebenezer Willis junior,) on the twenty second day of August in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy eight; that her husband, the aforesaid Ebenezer Willis died on the eleventh day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and nineteen; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof herunto annexed. Sworn to, and subscribed on the day and year above written, before Thankful Willis E. Alvord Clerk
And the said board do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, that the above named Ebenezer Willis was a revolutionary soldier and served as stated above; that the said Ebenezer died at the time stated above; that the the aforesaid applicant was lawfully married to the said Ebenezer at the time alleged in her preceding declaration and has ever since his death remained his widow. Attest E. Alvord Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that the annexed contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Thankful Willis widow of Ebenezer Willis for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court this twenty first day of august in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
E. Alvord Clerk

These May Succeed to all persons that shall have Conscience that Obenezer Willes has Don twenty. Another Saverine contented living in this present world at True hope from Kenneth Diet Samuel Brinston — Clerk Dated at Middleborough April 13
(A)
1779

Elias Willis Dep.

I Elias Willis of Deerfield in the County of Franklin & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age depose and say, that I am the son of the late Ebenezer Willis dec d . That my said father Eben r . Willis died on the Eleventh day of October A.D. Eighteen hundred & nineteen. leaving my mother, Thankful Willis, a widow, who has remained a widow ever since the death of my father.
30 I further depose and say, that after my said father's death I found the annexed certificate signed by "Samuel Purinton" Clerk "Dated at Middleborough" "April 13-1779" among his papers, and that I very believe the same to relate to his services as a Revolutionary Soldier.
The said certificate marked (A) & hereto annexed has been in my possession ever since his death. I have often heard my said father say that he had served as a soldier of the Revolution at sundry times & places, that he was in the battle at White Plains. I have no other documentary evidence giving my father's services. I have been informed that, "Sam l . Purinton" who signed the annexed certificate has been dead for about thirty years. Which I believe is true. I have endeavoured to get proof of the hand writing of the said "Purinton" and have not been able so to do. Elias Willis
I certify that the words "April 13-1779" & "certificate" were interlined before signing & swearing. Almon Main and Just. Pease

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Franklin County ————— } ss.
Greenfield October 4 th 1837. Then personally appeared Elias Willis above named, who is a credible witness, and made solemn oath that the within deposition by him subscribed is true.
Before me Almon Brainard Just. of the Peace.
I certify that Almon Brainard Esq. is a justice of the peace and the above is his proper official signature
Geo. Greenfield M.C.

Allen Shaw Sep.

Commonwealth of } Town of Middleborough Massachusetts - } Mass June 1 st 1837
I Allen Shaw do on Oath declare that I am Town Clerk of the Town of Middleborough County of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts, and that I have the custody of the Records of said Town, that it appears by said Records that Mr Ebenezer Willis of Middleborough and Miss Thankful Smith of Rochester were joined in Marriage by Asa Hunt Gospel- Minister August 22 d 1778.
Allen Shaw Town Clerk
Plymouth ss. Then personally appeared Allen Shaw Subscriber to the above Certificate, and made solemn oath to the truth of the above and he is a credible witness before me, Abad Thompson justice of the Peace Middleborough June 1 st 1837

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Weymouth County -
Clerks Office June 3 1837
I M c Namara Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the said County of Weymouth in the Commonwealth aforesaid, hereby certify, that Brad Thompson before whom the foregoing deposition was sworn is a justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified & acting under the authority of the said Commonwealth and that his signature before written is genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court on the day & year aforesaid
M c Namara

I Ebenezer Willis a Citizen of the United States resident in the Town of Deerfield in the County of Franklin in the State of Mass- achusetts do hereby declare that I belonged to the Army of the United States in the late Revolutionary War. In the year 1775 I entered the service for eight Months & served during that term in the Company of Capt. Benzon in the Regiment of Col. the Cotton of Massachusetts. In 1776 I entered the service again for one year & served during that term in the Company of Capt. Allen in the Regiment of Col. Warren of Massachusetts. Since I never received any written discharge but was regularly discharged. I am old & very infirm, & for many years past have been unable to walk without a crutch. I have but a trifle of property, & am much em- barrassed with debts, & by reason of my reduced circumstances in life I am in great need of assistance from my Country for support. Dated the 21st Day of April A.D. 1818 — Ebenezer Willis
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. April 21st A.D. 1818
Then personally appeared Ebenezer Willis signer to the foregoing Declaration and made solemn oath to the truth of the same —
Before me J. S. L. Smith. Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas

We Ephraim Hoyt, & John Wilson both of Dunfield aforesaid. Certify & say that we are well acquainted with the within named Ebenezer Willis, & from a knowledge of his & situation & circumstances in life have no doubt but the representation which he has made respecting them in his Declaration aforesaid is fair & according to the truth. Dated this 21 st Day of April A D 1818 — Ephraim Hoyt John Wilson
Sworn to the above and near above written Before me J. L. Carrill — Judge
To the Secretary of the Department of War The Subscriber Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Western Circuit in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which includes the County of Frank- lin aforesaid do hereby certify that from the testimony aforesaid it appears to my satisfaction that the before named Ebenezer Willis served in the Revolution- ary War against the enemies of the country as he has set forth in his Declaration aforesaid and that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his Country for support —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of the Court aforesaid this twenty first day of April A. D. 1818 J. L. Carrill

Eliza: Williams
Ward's Chapel Reg
1796 to 1797
Released for J. M. D. J. S. ...
Feb 27. 1819

Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
I Elijah Caswell of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth aforesaid of lawfull age testify and say. That I was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, in Capt Allen Company in Colonel Wardes Regiment in the Massachusetts line, and served for one year, from January 1776 to January 1777. —
And that Ebenezer Willis, was a brother Soldier with me and served one year in said Allen Company Colonel Wardes regiment and was discharged - — I further testify that said Willis was a Soldier with me in the eight months Service at Roxbury in 1775 in Colonel the O'Callaghan's Battalion & in Captain Joshua Benforn Company and he then enlisted into Allen's Company for one year -
Elijah Caswell
Plymouth ss February 6 1819. On this day. Elijah Caswell the deponent above named personally appeared and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed - I also further testify the deponent is a man of truth and veracity -
Nathaniel Goodwin Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Weymouth ss I John B. Thomas Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County of Weymouth hereby certify that Nathaniel Goodwin Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Weymouth and that the signature to the foregoing attestation is the true signature of the said Justice -
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Courts this ninth day of February in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and nineteen
John B. Thomas

I Archibald Leonard of Wareham County of Plymouth & State of Massachusetts - of lawful age do Testify & say that Ebenezer Willis now living in Dukes County of Franklin State aforesaid served in the Revolutionary war in the year 1776 & 1777 for one year in Capt Jacob Allen Company Josiah Benson 1 st Lieutenant in which Company I belonged to at that time - in Colonel Jonathan Ward's Regiment - Wareham January 30 th 1819
Archibald Leonard
Plymouth ss Wareham January 30 th 1819
Then personally appeared the above named Archibald Leonard & gave oath to the above testimony by him subscribed I do further Testify the deponent is a man of truth & veracity Israel Leavitt Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Olymouth ss I John B. Thomas Clerk of the Judicial Court for said County of Olymouth hereby certify that Seal bearing thereon is a true Seal of the Court within & for said County of Olymouth and that the signature to the foregoing attestation is the true signa- ture of the said Justice
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court This ninth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen
John B. Thomas

Ebenezer Willis Mass. act 1818. when last p d ?
G.M.C.
13. Oct. 37.
Paid to October 11. 1819

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14178 Thankful Willis Widow of Ebenezer Willis Sergt Rev War
Act: July 4 th 36
Index:—Vol. M , Page 342
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Hon. Geo. Grinnell Jr N. E.
Washington
D. C.

Granfield Oct 4- 1837-
Dr Sir -
Enclosed I send you the papers of Mrs. Willis; Will you make the necessary certificate on the depositions that I am a fastid se?
I sent the certificate annexed to Elias Willis dep. to Middleboro' to Wilkes Woods Esqg. he returned it saying he could not find any one to prove the hand writing of "Samuel Purinton". But says he has no doubt that "Purinton" was a blank of a militia company in Middleboro' and that from the best information he can get, he belonged to a company under the command of Capt. Abisha Tinkham, or capt. James Shaw or perhaps to both Co: Mr. Wood says P. was never town blank.
Would it not be well to examine the Rolls of the aforesaid Companies, to see if Willis name is born on them? The name is Purington I suppose, tho' it is written "Purinton"-
Yours &c
A Brainard
Hon Geo. Greenell Jr.

not found I Joseph Clark of Middleborough, Massachusetts eighty one years of age on oath declare & say that in the year 1778 was with the army of the Revolution at Iverston & Rhode Island in General Sullivan's expedition - That there were two Companies of Soldiers from Middle- borough in that service for two months and served a part of them twenty days after the expiration of their two months one of the companies was commanded by Captain Peter Churchill & & the other by Capt. Joshua White both of Middle- borough; in one of the said companies Ebenezer Willis then of this town Middleborough was a Private I was well acquainted with the said Willis & well remember the time of his being in that service - the said troops arrived there some time in the month of July in the latter part of it, beginning of August - and further says not. — Joseph Clark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Plymouth County ss. June 1 st 1837 Personally appeared Joseph Clark who sub- scribed the above the affidavit & made solemn oath to the truth thereof before me & I certify that said Deponent is a man of truth & a credible Witness — Willis Wood Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Weymouth County
Clerks Office June 3 1837
I William D. Sleeper Clerk of the Superior Court for the said County of Weymouth in the Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that William Wood Esquire before whom the foregoing Deposition was sworn is Judge of the said Court for the County aforesaid duly commissioned & qualified & acting under the authority of the said Commonwealth And that his signature before written is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court on the day & year aforesaid
William D. Sleeper