Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 33,944, Gideon Woodwell, Navy (Mass.)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Navy (mass)
Woodwell, Gideon
S 33944
CONTENTS

Private Boston, M c Neil 5 (2319)
Massachusetts Roll
Gideon Woodworth
Carpenter's Mate Ship Boston Capt M c Neil Navy M c Neil
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 the first of April 1818 .
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 of Sept. 1818 . and forwarded to Daniel D o White Esq. Salem Mass s
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 . $ 41.00
Semi-ann. all ee ending 4 Mar 1819 . 48.00
$89.00
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Filed March 1818  Two years
Continued
Sculary Essex Co
Dead. Paid at the Treasury under the Act of April 6 th 1838 from 4 th March to Sept r 2 d 1841. Ag t notified June 14 th 1842
Application not filed until 1838 to the Secretary of the Navy

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 4 th , 1842.
Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"
Three of the four children of Gideon Woodwell, deceased, late a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Eight Dollars and month  annum Cents per month  annum , under the law of the 18 th March 1818, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1840, to the 21 st June 1840.
Respectfully, yours,
W. B. Lewis
COMPTROLLER.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, June 23 rd 1906.
The Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir: In reply to your letter of 20 th inst, in case of Gideon Woodwell, Certificate #2319 Boston Agency, Rev War Act 1818 Roll,
you are informed that, according to the latest account rendered by the U. S. Pension Agent, the records of this office show payment to have been made at $8 per month to 21
June 1840, date of death. Payment was made at June 1842 under Act 6 April 1838 to Polly Laltine of Newbury. Sally W. Robinson " Newburyport. Susanah W. Burdett of Lynn. children of the pensioner. The son Jacob Woodwell does not appear to have been paid.
Letter herewith returned.
Respectfully,
Robert S. Person.
Auditor.
By
John P. Dunham
Deputy Auditor.

Gideon Woodwell
Newbury - Mass:
1 st April -
Admitted

I Gideon Woodwell of Newbury, in the County of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby testify and declare, That I served in the Navy of the United States of America, in the war of the revolution, for more than nine months: - I enlisted, and entered on board the United States Ship of War Boston, of thirty guns, commanded by Hector McNeil Esquire, in 1776; and served on board said Ship, as Carpenter's Mate, from that time until February 1778: - The said Ship Cruising against the British, in one Cruise captured the British Ship Fox; I was put on board the prize, and remained in her until she was retaken by the British; when I was made prisoner, and sent to Halifax, from whence I made my escape, and returned to Newbury aforesaid. -
Gideon Woodwell
I do further swear that, by reason of my reduced circumstances I am in need of the assistance of my Country for support - also that having been a prisoner I did not obtain a discharge, but on my return received my wages on presenting a ticket from the Captain
Gideon Woodwell

We the Subscribers, do hereby certify, that Gideon Woodworth of Newburg who is now making application to the Secretary of war, for a pension allowed by an act of Congress of the United States, "to provide for certain persons, engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," is known to us, as a Citizen of the said United States, residing in Newburg aforesaid, and in need of assistance from his country for support.
Given under our hands at Newburg... thirtieth first day of March in the year of our LORD 1818
Joseph Stanwood Eben Hale Eben Pearson Tristram Little Thomas Hill
Selectmen of Newburg
Moses Little Edwzer Pittingill Silas Moody
Overseers of the Poor for Newburg

Certificate for Gideon Woodwell of Newbury —

I William Paris of Newburyport in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Merchant do testify and say that in the year 1776 I was an Officer on board the United States Ship of War Boston commanded by Hector McNeil Esq. in the war of the revolution - That Gideon Woodcock (who is now making application to the Government of the United States for the benefit of the Act of Congress providing for certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States in the revolutionary war) was Carpenter's mate on board said Ship - I was on board with him upwards of nine months and am knowing to his having been sent on board the Fox a Ship which was captured near the banks of Newfoundland, and was afterwards taken and carried to Halifax - I have no doubt that his term of service on board said Ship fully entitles him to the benefit of the said Act of Congress.
William Paris
Essex ss Newburyport March 30 th 1818 Then William Paris above named personally came and made oath to the truth of the above written affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me W. W. Crabb Justice of the Peace

Memoranda of deposition for Gideon Woodwell

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex ss: I Daniel D White Judge of the Court of Probate of the said County of Essex do certify that Gideon Woodwell of Newbury in said County person- ally appeared on the first day of April A.D. 1810 and made the declaration aforesaid by him first signed under oath before me, & thereafter in like manner his additional declaration aforesaid; That the annexed affi- davit of William Davis was duly taken & sworn to his entitled to the fullest faith; and that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Gideon Woodwell served in the revolutionary war, as set forth in his said declaration.
Given under my hand & the seal of the said Court the twentieth day of April in the year aforesaid.
D. White.

Gideon Woodwell 2319.
2319 Newbury 10 Sept 1818
C
Mar 1819

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ESSEX, ss.
At the Circuit Court of Common Pleas of the Middle Circuit, begun and holden at Salem, within and for the County of Essex, on the third Monday of June, A. D. 1820.
Present, Hon. SAMUEL DANA, Chief Justice.
Hon. WILLIAM WETMORE, and
Hon. STEPHEN MINOT, Associate Justices.
In open Court here, being a Court of Record for said Circuit, proceeding according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Gideon Woodwell resident in Newbury in said Circuit, who is named in Pension Certificate No. 2314 now in his possession, of which the following is a true copy, to wit,
"WAR DEPARTMENT.....REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM."
"I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818, Gideon Woodwell late a Carpenter's Mate in the Navy during the Revolutionary War is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the first day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen ."
***** * L. S. * *****
"Given at the War Office of the United States, this sixteenth day of September one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen "
J. C. CALHOUN, Secretary of War,"
appears, and exhibits to the Court here a Schedule, subscribed by him, as follows, to wit,
SCHEDULE,
containing his whole estate and income, his necessary clothing and bedding excepted, to wit,
Personal property.
  2 desks and three tables  $7. 13  Chairs & light stand  $1.50  $ 8. 50    Crockery, Glass and tin ware  $2.50  1 Trunk & 1 large Chest  $1.50  4    Iron ware and two looking Glasses   5.50    Six small tea Spoons and four large Spoons   8    Shovel & tongs  50 cts  1 pair of brass Iron dogs  17 cts  67    one half of an old unfinished house and eight rods of land   100    his tents worth 5 dls   126.67  
That he is Seventy years of age, is a Ship Carpenter has a wife Sixty Seven years old, and a grand child dependent on him for support - now owes his Doctor about forty dollars, has nothing to depend upon for the payment of that debt & support his family, but his daily labour & the bounty of Government. - That he served in the Navy of the United States, in the war of the revolution on board the Frigate Boston,

as stated in his declaration on his application to the Hon. Daniel A. White for a pension on the first of April 1818. Gideon Woodwell
Essex ss. July 10 1820 Then the above named Gideon Woodwell made oath that the said Schedule & Statement by him subscribed, are true, before me. Stephen Minot, Judge of said Court

and at the same time he produces to the Court here the following Oath, taken and subscribed by him, before the Hon. Stephen Minot a Judge of said Court as aforesaid, to wit,
I, Gideon Woodwell do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, 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 eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, 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. So help me GOD.
Gideon Woodwell
Essex, ss. C. C. C. P. June, Term, A. D. 1820.
Then the abovenamed Gideon Woodwell took and subscribed the aforewritten Oath before me
Stephen Minot Judge of said Court.
I, ICHABOD TUCKER, Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath, and 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
Eighty six dollars sixty seven cents
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Salem, in said County of Essex, on this 17 th day of July A. D.
1820
Attr.
Ichabod Tucker, Clerk

January 21, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL
Mrs. Annie H. Barnett 3½ High Street Newburyport, Massachusetts
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of four soldiers of the Revolutionary War, namely Enoch Hale; Joseph Tappan or Toppan; Moses Short, who died in 1841, widow Abigail; and Gideon Woodwell, who died in 1840, all of whom lived in Newbury or Newburyport, Massachusetts.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of claims for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon the military service in that war of Enoch Hale or Joseph Tappan or Toppan. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office.
It is suggested that as a possible means of obtaining information in regard to the military service of those soldiers, you apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, this city, who is custodian of military records.
The records of Moses Short and Gideon Woodwell have been found and are furnished herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

January 21, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/REL
Moses Short-W.8295
Gideon Woodwell-S.33944
Mrs. Annie H. Barnett 3½ High Street Newburyport, Massachusetts
Dear Madam:
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.8295, based upon the military service in that war of Moses Short.
Moses Short was born in 1760, in Newbury, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not shown.
Moses Short enlisted at Newbury, Massachusetts, in May, 1777, and served two months in Captain Silas Adams' Company, Colonel Jonathan Titcomb's Massachusetts Regiment: he enlisted towards the close of the year, 1778, and served four months in Captain Oliver Titcomb's Company, Colonel Cogswell's Massachusetts Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 19, 1832, at which time he was aged about seventy-one years and resided in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts.
He died July 6, 1841, at said Newbury. It was stated that he had been sexton of the first parish for about fifty-two years.
The soldier married October 25, 1826, Miss Abigail Ilsley. Both were then of Newbury, Massachusetts and their marriage was recorded on the town records of said Newbury.
Soldier's widow, Abigail T. Short(as she signed), was allowed pension on her application executed May 1, 1854, at which time she was aged sixty-eight years and resided in Newbury, Massachusetts.
There is no reference to children.
In 1855, one R.I.Short resided in Essex County, Massachusetts: no relationship to the soldier or his wife was shown.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Abigail T. Short, widow of Moses Short(W.8295), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Abigail T. Short, widow of Moses Short, Certificate No.4164, issued May 20, 1869, rate $96 per annum, commenced July 27, 1868, Act of July 27, 1868, Massachusetts Agency.
*****
Gideon Woodwell S.33944
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.33944, based upon the military service of Gideon Woodwell in that war.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Gideon Woodwell are not shown.
In 1776, Gideon Woodwell entered on board the United States ship of war, "Boston", commanded by Hector McNeil, Esquire, and served as carpenter's mate: on one of the cruises that the ship made, the British ship, "Fox", was captured; Gideon Woodwell was placed on the prize, where he remained until she was recaptured by the British, when he was taken prisoner and carried to Halifax but made his escape; length of time held in captivity not shown. It is not stated that he served, also, in the War of 1812.
Did not find sol. in this also. but found the host & captain
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 1, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-eight years and resided in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts.
He died June 21, 1840, place not shown.
In 1820, he referred to his wife as aged sixty-seven years and to a grandson who resided with him, but gave no names, nor is the date of his marriage shown.

Four children survived their father, Gideon Woodwell, as follows:
Polly Lattimer of Newbury, Massachusetts. Sally W. Robinson " Newburyport, Massachusetts. Susannah W. Burditt " Lynn, Massachusetts. Jacob Woodwell place of residence not given.
The ages of the above named children are not given nor are the names of the husbands of the daughters given.
*****
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Ill.
Sur file 33944
Rev. War.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Gideon Woodwell , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1776 Carpenter Mate Hector McNeil U.S. Boston Navy   until Feby 1778   Captured British ship "Fox"; he was put on board the prize which was retaken by the British and he was carried prisoner to Halifax from whence he made his escape.  
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension, Ap. 1, 1818
Residence at date of application, Newbury, Essex Co., Mass.
Age at date of application, 68 -
Remarks: 1820 wife 67 + grand ch - dependent - no names - Rept. fr. Comp. Pensions. Pension paid to 3 of the 4 ch. of Gideon Woodwell deceased June 21, 1840 - Letter to Aud. for correct dates and names of children -
Very respectfully,

O. W. and N. Div
Division. Surv. File No. 33,944 Gideon Woodwell Rev. War.
J. S. C., Ex'r.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., June 20, 1906.
SIR:
For use in the above-entitled claim for pension, you are requested to furnish this Bureau with a report in the case of Gideon Woodwell Carpenter's mate U. S. S. "Boston" Revolutionary war. pensioned under the Act of March 18, 1818 by certificate No. 2319 issued Apl, 1, 1818 at Massachusetts Agency, showing date of death ; date of last payment and to whom pension was paid.
Very respectfully,
V. Warner. Commissioner.
THE AUDITOR FOR THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.

Additional Proof
In support of the declaration of Gideon Woodwell in his application to the Honorable Daniel V. White on the 1 st day of April 1818. for the benefit of the act of an act providing for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, during the revolutionary war.
I John Stickney of Ventburyport in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts On oath do testify and declare, that I am well acquainted with Gideon Woodwell who is now making application to the Government of the United States for a pension and was well acquainted with him in the revolutionary war. I do know that he was a Seaman on board the Boston Frigate which was commanded by Captain H. Keith in the service of the United States, and in the Company going to the best of my recollection in the year 1776 and 1777. I was not in the Service myself but I well recollect seeing him on board on duty. I do know that he served on board said Ship in the service of the United States and on the Continental Establishment more than twelve months and I am confident it was as early as the year 1776 that he entered the said Service. I have no interest whatever in said Woodwell's application for a pension nor am I an applicant myself. John Stickney
Edes ss. Aug 22 d 1818
I Moses Davenport of Ventburyport aforesaid, on oath do testify and declare that in the year 1776 or nearly as I can now recollect I was on board the United States Ship of War Boston commanded by Captain H. Keith and went round from this place to Boston in her previous to her sailing on a cruise. At that time Gideon Woodwell above named had entered into the Service of the United States and was then doing duty on board. I am well acquainted with said Woodwell and have been acquainted with him more than fifty years and from my knowledge of him his absence from the country from the time above mentioned and my knowledge of his return. I have no manner of doubt on my mind of his having been in the service of the United States in the war of the revolution on board said Ship more than twelve months. I have no interest whatever in said Woodwell's application nor am I an applicant myself. Moses Davenport
Edes ss Aug 22 d 1818.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Town of Wenham post
Be it known to all persons that on the twentieth second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, before me William Howland Notary Public for the County of Essex by legal authority admitted, and sworn and a Justice of the Peace and Warrenton and for said County residing therein, personally came John Stickney and Moses Davenport in presence made oath to the truth of the within written Affidavit to them respect- ively subscribed. And I do hereby certify that said John Stickney and Moses Davenport are both personally known to me to be credible and disinterested witnesses. I do further certify that Henry Sweetser whose name is signed to the annexed Affidavit is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Superintendant and State of New Hampshire, and that the annexed is known to me to be his signature.
In testimony whereof I have also hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office the day and year first above written.
William Howland
I Daniel Alwhite the Judge a- foresaid do further certify that John Stickney, Moses Davenport, and John Sleeper whose affids. are annexed are credible disinterested witnesses, & that the said Gideon Woodwell by reason of his reduced circumstances in life is in need of the assistance of his country for his support.
Given under my hand & seal of Office this 31 st day of Aug. 1818. D. Alwhite

I John Sleeper of Chester in the County of Reading - hereby state of New Hampshire on oath do testify and declare that I am well acquainted with Gideon Woodwell of Newburyport in the Common- wealth of Massachusetts and do know that he was in the service of the United States in the war of the revolution on board of the United States Frigate Boston commanded by Hulton McNichols Esq r in the years 1776 & 1777 in the Carpenter's gang and he sailed in her from Boston on her first cruise & remained on board until her return to the United States late in the year 1777 he did his duty on board as Carpenter's mate and remained more than twelve months. I belonged to the Carpenter's gang on board of said ship and was on board the whole of said Cruise I have no interest in said Woodwell's application to the government for a pension nor have I made application myself. John Sleeper
State of New Hampshire Rockingham ss. - August 6 th 1810 then the above named John Sleeper personally appeared & made solemn oath to the above affidavit by him subscribed and that I think him a person entitled to credit Henry Sweetser Justice

19 June 20. History to Gideon Woodwell of Dept. for Int. Dept. for date of death, last payment & to whom pension was paid. 1936. Jan 21. Visit to Mrs Annie H. Barnett. Letter in case Moses Short #8295 OK
Invalid WIDOW, etc. Rev
Navy
33944
File No.
Gideon Woodwell Carpenter's Mate Ship "Boston" Capt McNeil Rev War
Act
March 18. 1818
Index: Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

On m WILLIAM H. WOODWELL Attorney at Law
418 Bond Building Washington, D. C.
June 15, 1906.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Please give me such information as appears in the records of the Pension Office concerning the military services of Gideon Woodwell.
His name was inscribed on the pension roll under Act of Congress, March 18, 1818. He served for a short time in one or two companies raised in Essex County, Mass., and also served in the navy as ship carpenter.
Yours respectfully,
W H Woodwell