Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21590, Nathan Woodward, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Woodward, Nathan
S. 21590
CONTENTS

let Saban Mary 11 March 1832
76 Nathaniel
15776 Massachusetts Nathan Woodworth
Franklin in the State of Massachusetts who was a Privat  Infy + Artl in the Comp y commanded by Captain Metcalf of the 7th commanded by Col Robt in the Mass  line line for 7 mo 6 ds, priv y 5 6 " 8 " " artl y 3
Nathaniel
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 50 Dollars 20 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of May 1833 and sent to Nathan Woodworth
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 $100. 40 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. — 25. 10 $125.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book Vol. 2 Page 91

William Woodward
7 Mrs. H. days Pn of P. before 6 " 48 " " of C. after
23. 33 6. 6 25 00 1 20 50 19
Mac Dedicated to Mrs.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Woodworth  Franklin City 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? yes 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? no XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no 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? let 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? let Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? let 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? let XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 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.

BRIEF in the case of Nathan Woodward  of Franklin in the State of Ala.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 years  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.     In 1775 2 Private Gen. Capt M'Intosh Col Reed   1776 2 " Col Lowrie - Col Robinson   1777 artillery 6 8 " Col Campbell - Col Loftis   1780 3 6 " Col Thayer  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Franklin Ala.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Rolls & living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Nathan Woodward Examining Clerk.

 1 I Nathan Woodward a resident of Franklin in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts Aged Seventy-four years Do declare and say that I did in the year one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventyfive enlist and serve in the Company of Capt James Metcalf two Months and was stationed in Roxbury in Col Heads Regiment  2 I also further say that I did in the year one thousand Seven Hundred and SeventySix did enlist & serve in Capt Samuel Howells Company until called into Capt Southworth Company and did serve two Months In Roxbury and Dorchester  3 I Also further that say that I enlisted and served under Capt Perez Cushman in the year one thousand Seven Hundred and SeventySix and Seven and served Six Months in the Artillery in Boston & Nantasket  4 I also further say that I did enlist and serve under Capt Nathan Thayer three Months in the year one thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty at West Point and Fishkill 
Nathan Woodward
Sworn before me this 21 st day of August 1832
Then the above named Nathan Woodward personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me -
Elisha Dood Jr. Justice
I Nathanael Emerson a Clergyman & Asa Fisher residing in the town of Franklin hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Woodward & believe him to be in the 75 th year of his age; & that he is believed & reported in the Neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution; & are concurs in that Opinion.
Norfolk Jr. August 21 st 1832
Then the above named Nathanael Emerson & Asa Fisher personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the above certificate by them subscribed before me
Nathanael Emerson.
Asa Fisher
Elisha Dood Jr. Justice

Nathan Woodward
S.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss. On this twenty first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable John M c Williams Presiding Justice of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Ded- ham in and for the County of Norfolk -
Nathan Woodward of Franklin in the County of Norfolk aged Seventy four who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following de- claration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of 1831 passed June 7 th A.D. 1832
That he was born at Wrentham now Franklin Feb y 12, 1738 and That there is a record of his birth upon the books of the town - That he was in the United States service in the Massachusetts Line and served as follows;
During the latter part of the year 1775 and the fore part of the year 1776 he served as a Private two months at Roxbury under the command of Capt James Mitchell in the Regiment of Col Reed - He resided at said Wrentham when he entered said service and marched from thence directly to Roxbury - he volunteered for a six weeks campaign and when the time had expired he was prevailed upon to stay two weeks longer as the Connecticut forces then had then expired - he served with no regular troops, knew no regular officers and had no written regular discharge when he left that service.

Also
That he served as a Volunteer and Private volunteer about two months according to the best of his recollection in the year 1776 at Roxbury and Dorchester under the command of Capt Samuel Bowditch & he thinks in Col Robinson's regiment. He resides at Wrentham aforesaid when he entered the service and mounted directly to the  the  service he served with no regular troops - was acquainted with no regular officers and had no written discharge when he left the service.
Also
That he served from sometime in November 1776 to some time in May 1777 according to the best of his recollections six months under the command of Capt Perry leading in Col Grafton's Regiment of Artillery at Boston and Nantasket. He resides at Wrentham aforesaid when he entered this service - he marched thence to Boston - does not recollect how long it was before he joined the Regiment but recollects two or three days' detention at Nantasket after the expiration of his time of his service and that his  he was taken in the company by water to Boston and that the company were dismissed on Boston Common - he never received any written discharge.
Also
That he served from sometime in July 1780 to sometime in October 1780 the term of three months under the command of Capt Thayer at Freshkill and West Point - he does not recollect in what regiment - he does not recollect any regular officers or troops - was in no battle.

and had no written discharge when he left the service — he recollects that Gen. Washington with his guard stopped opposite to the Laboratory at Brandywine while he was there and on the day that Arnold proved himself a traitor since the revolutionary war he has resided at Franklin
We hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present, and declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Nathan Woodward sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above said
776 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 on the states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Nathaniel Common who has subscribed and made oath to the accompanying certificate is a clergyman and a Doctor in Divinity residing in said Franklin, and that Ora Fisher who signed and made oath to the same certificate is likewise a resident in said Franklin, and a credible witness, and that their statement is entitled to credit. J. M. Williams, J. G. G. P.
I James Ware Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that the foregoing certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathan Woodward for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have set my hand and seal of office on the day and year aforesaid. James Ware.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK ss.
I, JAIRUS WARE, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby Certify that Ebenezer D. D. Esquire, Josiah J. Fisher Stephen Nuttall Esquire,
are Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said of- fice, and that their several  his signature to the the affidavits annexed hereto are genuine and true.
In Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this twenty first day of September A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Jairus Ware 3

I Phinehas Allen of Medfield in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being 68 years of age and upwards, do testify and say that I have been acquainted with Nathan Wood- ward of Franklin since the year 1780, in which year from about the 17 th of July to the about the 17 th of October, according to the best of my recollection we served together as Privates in the Service of the United States and in the Massachusetts Line under the command of Capt. Nathan Shayen at West Point and at Fish Kill. - soon after our arrival at West Point, we were detached to go to Fish Kill and were put to work in the Laboratory making cartridges, so that I have a very imperfect recol- lection of the Regiment to which Capt. Shayen's company was annexed, but well remember that while said Woodward and myself were at said Laboratory, Gen Washington arrived with his guard on the day that Arnold went off and acted the traitor -
Phinehas Allen
Norfolk ss Sept 21. 1832 Then the above named Phinehas Allen being, according to the testimony Knowledge and belief, a credible witness and made oath to the deposition by him subscribed before me
Isiah J. Fisher Jus. Peace -

I James Baker of Franklin in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts testify & say that I well remember that Nathan Readward was  was a soldier with me at West Point & Fishkill state of New York 3 months in Capt. Nathan Hovey's company, we enlisted in month of July 1780
Norfolk ss. August 20th 1832. Then
James his Baker mark
The above named James Baker personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration before me. Silas Pond Jr. P.C.
I certify that James Baker who subscribed the above affidavit is a credible witness according to the best of my knowledge, I having had more or less acquaintance with him for more than 50 years and having known him many years a justice of the peace. Eliab Wright and the Governor.

3 James Metcalf of Franklin in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts testify & say that I well remember that Nathan Woodward of said Franklin was a soldier with me at Hantasket & Boston the full term of six months we all enlisted in the month of September 1776 in Capt. Peter Cushing company of artillery in Col. Crafts Reg t & marched from Lewiston (now Franklin) to Boston & remained there & at Hantasket on duty until the next day
James Metcalf
Norfolk Jr. August 30 th 1832. Then the above named James Metcalf personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me
Ebenezer Dorr Jr. Jus: Peace
I certify that I am acquainted with the above named James Metcalf and that he is a credible witness
Stephen Metcalf Jus. Peace

1. I Mr. Fisher of Franklin County of Norfolk Commonwealth of Massachusetts testify and testify and say that I well remember that Nathan Woodward was with me did enlist into Capt Jones Metcalfe's Company Col. Hardy Regiment and did serve two months in Roxbury in the the last of Decr 1775 and beginning of 1776 Mr. Fisher.
Norfolk ss. September 5 th 1832. Then the above named Mr. Fisher personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me. Elisha Pond Just. Peace. Stephen Mitchell Just. Peace.

2 I William H Metcalf of Franklin County of Norfolk Commonwealth of Massachusetts testify and say that I well remember that Nathan Woodward did enlist into Capt Samuel Lowells Company in 1776 and there remained with me at Roxbury until we were ordered into Capt Southworths Company at Dorchester and served two Months at Roxbury and Dorchester
William H Metcalf
Attest this 5 th September 1832. Then the above named William H. Metcalf personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the Declaration by him subscribed before me Elisha Pond Just Peace
I certify that I am acquainted with William H Metcalf and that he is a credible witness
Stephen Metcalf Justice of the Peace

Renotations
21 590 INVALID.
File No. 21,590
Nathan Woodard
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 461
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Nathan Woodward
15224

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Oct r 4 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that Nathan Woodward was a private in the 9 th company of the Mass Train Artillery under Capt Perez Lushing in Col Crafts Regiment
"Time of joining Regiment" — Nov 1. 1776 Time Roll is made up to — May 8, 1777
Also
A private in Capt Nathan Hayer's company Col Ebenezer Hayer's regiment of new levies from Mass raised to reinforce Genl Arney. Stationed at West Point.
"Commencement of pay" — — — — — "July 14 1780" "Whole term of service" "3 mos 6 days" "Time of Discharge" — — — — — "Oct 9. 1780" "Allowed to return home" "10 days"
I further Certify that previous to the issuing of this Certificate the Claimant had made his declaration agreeably to the acts established by the War

Department and exhibited it to me Edward D. Bangs. Leo