Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,015, Nathaniel Williams, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Williams Nathaniel Hannah
W 26 015
CONTENTS

Reg: June 17. 1844 sent to L. L. Thall, Rutland Vt Sept 10 1844
Rep June 20
436
Vermont Burlington
Hannah Williams, widow of Nathaniel Williams who was a Private in the Massachusetts line for 2 Years.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of Eighty Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th. day of June, 1843. and sent to
Hannah Williams Rutland Vt
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 32.

Marriage
Providence (June 6) Miller Oct. 8
Mr. — Williams
Mechanicsville
Vermont

Commonwealth of Massachusetts }
Groton Sept. 8 th 1838
Extract from the records of the Town of Groton, County of Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid, viz.
"A list of marriages returned by Rev. Daniel Chaplin to the Town Clerk of Groton, Seventeen hundred and eighty four, August twenty sixth Nathaniel Williams to Hannah Lawrence both of Groton"
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows, "1784 Aug. 26."
John Boynton,
Town Clerk of Groton
I John Boynton above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town, County and State aforesaid, and have the custody of the records of said town, and that the above is a true extract from the records aforesaid, with the exception above named as certified by me
John Boynton

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex. Be it known, that on this eighth day of October A. D. 1838 before me, Caleb Butler, a notary public, duly appointed and sworn, and dwelling in Groton in said County, person- ally came John Boynton, above named, and made oath, that the foregoing dep- osition by him subscribed is true. And I certify, that said Boynton is a credible person, worthy of full credit and belief in the matter by him deposed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial Seal the day & year above written.
Caleb Butler, Not. Pub.

6818
Hannah Williams Yh
act 7. July 38
m 84 d 17
adnd 2 years pri- 807
Rutlington Agency
No deduction
Jose Gove and Rutland

State of Vermont } Rutland County } ss
On this third day of February, 1840, before the Hon ble Probate Court of the District of Rutland in said County, personally appeared Hannah Williams, of Mountholley in said County, aged seventy four 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 7, 1838, entitled "an act granting half-pay to and pensions to certain widows:"
That she is the widow of Nathaniel Williams, late of Shirley, and formerly of Groton in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, who was a private in the American Army of the Revolution, and served three years, from January 1 st in the year, 1777, to Dec r 31 st in the year, 1779, in the Company commanded by Capt. Peter Page, and in the Regiment commanded by Col. Smith, of the Massachusetts forces. And that he served, afterwards, from the 1 st of January, 1780, to the 31 st of December, 1780, in Capt. Howle's Company, and in Col. Smith's Regiment, of the Massachusetts forces. And that afterwards he enlisted for, and served during the remainder of the war. That his place of Residence, during all said time, was in the town of Groton aforesaid. She further declares, that she was married to the aforesaid Nathaniel Williams at said Groton on the twenty sixth day of August, in the year, Seventeen hundred and eighty four; that her husband, the aforesaid Nathaniel Williams died at Shirley aforesaid on the sixth day of November, in the year eighteen hundred and seventeen; and that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place previous to the first of January, Seventeen hundred and ninety four, to wit, at the time above stated.
Her Hannah Williams mark

Sworn to and subscribed in Court on the day and year above written, before me,
Wm Hall Judge
State of Vermont } Rutland County } ss
I, Henry Hall, Clerk of the Probate Court of the District of Rutland in in said County, do hereby certify, that the Honorable William Hall is Judge of said Court; that he is authorised by law to take acknowledgements of affidavits in matters before said Court, as in the affidavit hereto annexed, of Samuel Williams; and that several signatures of the said William Hall to the said affidavit, and to the foregoing aff declaration of the said Hannah Williams are, severally, genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Probate Court, and subscribed my name, at Rutland in said District this third day of February anno Domine, 1840. Henry Hall

I, Samuel Williams, of Mounthelly in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged fifty — years and upwards, do depose testify and say, that Nathaniel Williams and Hannah Williams, whose names are mentioned in the annexed declaration of Mrs Hannah Williams, were my parents; that the said Nathaniel died at Shirley aforesaid on the sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen; and that the said Hannah hath not intermarried since the decease of her said husband.
Sam l Williams
Subscribed and sworn to in Court, before me, this 3 d day of February, 1840. And I do hereby certify that the said Samuel Williams the affiant, is a credible witness.
Wm Hall Judge

Rev. Seth Chandler 8
Thomas Whitney

Shirley. April 21, 1838.
This is to certify that there stands upon the records of the First Congregational Church in Shirley, kept by my predecessor (Rev S. H. Tolman) the following entry, in the list of Deaths, "Mr Williams, Nov 6 th AD 1837." The first name of Mr Williams is not given, but I have been informed by the Town Clerk of Shirley, whose certificate is appended, that his name was Nathaniel and that he died a pauper. And I further certify that a Mr. Nathl Williams once lived in New Ipswich, (my native town) and was employed as a laborer by my father, and that according to my best recollection, became chargeable not far from a year previous to the above date of his death, and was then removed to Shirley for maintenance, at which place he died.
Seth Chandler
Pastor of the First Ch. Parish of Shirley.
I Thomas Whitney Town Clerk of the Town of Shirley in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do certify that the above named Seth Chandler is the clergyman of the First Congregational Parish in this Town, and has charge of the Church records. and I further certify that it has not been customary to record

The deaths of persons in the Town records, and consequently I do not there find any record of the death of Nathaniel Williams - but there was a man in Brown by that name who came here, where he had a legal settlement and was supported by the Town from January 23 d 1836 until his death in 1837, and I have no doubt that the Williams mentioned in the foregoing certificate of the Rev. Mr.
Chandler is the same Nathaniel Williams who was supported by the Town as aforementioned -
Shirley April 21 st 1838 -
Thomas Whitney Town Clerk

Rutland Vt. 15 Feby. 1840
Sir -
I transmit herewith the declaration and proofs of Mrs Hannah Williams, for a pension under the act of 7 July, 1838.
Proof of marriage, from Town Clerk of Groton.
Proof of service, from list of Mts.
Proof of death of her late husband, Nathaniel Williams, and her continued widowhood, is annexed to the declaration.
Be pleased to communicate to me.
I am respectfully
Sir
Your ob. Servt
Joseph Gove
James L. Edwards Esq Commr. of Pensions City of Washington

Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., Aug. 7, 1903
Madam,
In reply to your communication of a recent date, you are informed that this Bureau is unable to furnish a history of the service of any soldier of the Revolutionary war or of the war of 1812 unless he or his widow was a pensioner or an applicant for pension or bounty land; and that under the rules such a history is furnished only to the soldier's descendants, and to them only when it is desired for historical or genealogical purposes.
The large number of inquiries made on this subject, and the length of time required to make a proper search of the records in each case, will not permit of information being given to any applicant concerning more than two soldiers.
In order that the soldier concerning whom you desire information may be identified, you are requested to furnish as much as possible of the data called for below.
Very respectfully,
Mrs. Louise Williams Dore Claghan. J. L. Davenport Wallingford acting Commissioner. Vt.
Full name of soldier, _____ Where did he enter service? _____ (Town, county, and State.) Under what officers did he serve? _____ Place of residence after service, _____ Pepperell Mass (Town, county, and State.) Approximate date of death, _____ Given name of widow, _____ Hannah (Lawrence) Dore Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension? _____ The widow - Additional information, _____ Pension secured for her by her son Samuel Williams of Mt. Holy, Vt.
Signature, (Mrs.) Louise Williams Dore Claghan (Mrs. or Miss to be prefixed if a lady signs.)
Post-office address, including street and number, town, county, and State, Wallingford Vermont.
One relative thinks his father was James Dore. Another relative thinks his father was another Dore.

Record and Pension Office,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, July 28, 1903.
Respectfully returned to
Mrs. Louise Williams Ives Claghorn, Wallingford, Vermont.
The records of this office show that many men named John Williams and Ephraim Williams served in various organizations of Massachusetts troops during the war of the Revolution, but from the data submitted by you it is impossible for this Department to identify any one of them as the soldier whose record you request.
In view of your statement that your great-grandmother drew a pension, it is suggested that a statement of the soldier's military service on account of which her pension was issued can be obtained upon application to the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C., who is the custodian of the pension records of the Revolutionary war.
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
Chief, Record and Pension Office.
Per
(300a)

Oct. 28, 1903 - hits in Mrs. Louise W. D. Claghorn Wallingford Vt
Reg  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26,015
Hannah Williams Wid. of Nathaniel Williams Prin. Mass. line
Act: Mar. 3 rd 1843.
Index:—Vol. W- , Page 326
[Arrangement of 1870.]

RECORD & PENSION OFFICE
JUL 27
737024
1903
WAR DEPARTMENT
Wallingford Vt. July 25 1903
John, or Ephraim, Williams Rev, War.
Mrs Louise Williams. Mrs Claghorn requests record of service.

R
Can you furnish War Record of my Great-Grandfather, John, or Ephraim (I am not certain which) Williams, who was a Rev. Soldier and died in Pepprell Mass.
My Great-Grandmother has a Pension of $100 yearly, and I think her first name was Mary.
(Mrs) Louise Williams Fox Claghorn, Wallingford Vermont. July 25-1903.

Isabella to S r H. Eaton 19 June 1843
Vermont (Bur.) 5540.
Hannah Williams, widow of Nathaniel Williams, deceased
who was a pensioner under the Act of — — — and who died on the 6 th of November, 1817. of Rutland co. in the State of Vermont, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Page — of the Reg t — commanded by Col. Smith in the — — — — — line for 2 years private —
Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington — at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of June, 1840 — and sent to Jesse Gove, Esq. Rutland, Vermont —
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1840 — $ 360.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Dec r 41. — 40.00
$400:00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk, Book A, Vol. 2, Page 61.

1817 Hannah Williams Declaration.
$80 per ann
at '43
Send cat: to Person at Rutland Vt.

State of Vermont Rutland County ss. 3
On the 7 day of April A.D. 1843 personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the county of Rutland in the State of Vermont Hannah Williams a resident of Mendon in the county of Rutland age seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the acts of Congress, passed on the 3 March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war.
That she is the widow of Nathaniel Williams who was a private in the Army of the Revolution That she received a pension of Eighty dollars per year for five years from the 4. of March 1836. under the act of July 7. 1838.
She further declares that she is still a widow
Saml. Williams
Hannah Williams mark
H. Nelson B Williams
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year before above written And I certify that the declarant is personally known to me
Abijah Cales Justice of the peace

STATE OF VERMONT. Rutland County Clerk's Office, ss.
I, Ambrose L. Brown deputy Frederick H. Hopkins , Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland, do certify that Abijah Cole was at the date of the certificate to which this is annexed a justice of the peace within and for said county, duly commissioned: that his commis- sion is dated on the 9 th day of November A. D. 1842, and will expire on the thirtieth day of No- vember A. D. 1843; and I verily believe his signature to the same is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Rutland in said county, this 13 th day of May A. D. 1843,
A. L. Brown

Hannah Williams Declaration.

State of Vermont Rutland County ss. On this 19 th day of August A.D. 1844, personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for the county of Rutland of one: Hannah Williams a resident of Mountally in the county of Rutland of one: aged seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7. A.D. 1844. intitled "An act to continue the pensions of certain Widows"
That she is the widow of Nathaniel Williams who was a private in the Army of the revolution and served in the Massachusetts lines. That in con- sequence of his said services, she this declarant has already applied for and received pension at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum under the acts of July 7 th 1838. and March 3. 1843. She further declares, that she is still a widow.
In the presence of Samuel Williams Abijah Cales
Hannah her Williams mark
Sworn and subscribed on this 19 th day of August A.D. 1844 before me, and I certify that the above declarant Hannah Williams is personally known to me Abijah Cales Justice of the Peace

STATE OF VERMONT, RUTLAND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
I, Frederick W. Hopkins , Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland, do certify that Abijah Cole Esquire, was, at the date of the Certificate to which this is attached, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned, and qualified to take Declarations and that I verily believe his signature to the same is genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Court, at Rutland in said County, this 11 day of August Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and forty four .
F. W. Hopkins
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a formal attestation or certification.]

Rutland V t 30 May 1840
Sir-
On the 15 of February last, when I transmitted the declaration of Hannah Williams widow of Nathaniel Williams deceased, late of Groton, for a pension under the act of July 1838, and sent only the proof of marriage from the Town Clerk of Groton, and the proof from the Pay. of Mass. that Williams had been credited for upwards of 3 years service as a private from that town, I withheld purposely the inclosed depositions of John Prichard and Nathaniel Gilson; because, as I supposed, this "parole testimony" would not be as satisfactory as the record. It was for the same reason that I did not procure the authentication of the Certificates of Rev. Seth Chandler, & Rev. Thomas Whiting.
In consequence of your letter of the 18 th of April, I have corresponded with the County Land Office, and herewith transmit the answer to my inquiry of the 4 th instant.
As to the two soldiers in the Mass. Line, named Nathaniel Williams, and Nathan Williams," I can perceive no reason to suppose that Mrs Williams has claimed for the services of both of them, as stated in your letter above refered to. Her proofs were, that her husband Nathaniel Williams enlisted in Groton — that they were both of them inhabitants of, & were married in that town — and his services were credited on the Mass. Books as a private from that town. She knew, indeed, that her husband had always claimed to have been a during the war's man; but she was advised (and so declared accordingly) that the Certificate from the Pay. of Mass. would be sufficient to obtain her pension, and that it was unnecessary for that purpose alone, to encumber the declaration with further statement; more especially as there had been no other Nathaniel Williams than her husband in the town of Groton, either during the war,

or at the time of their marriage.
Should there be no necessity for retaining Mr Gordon's letter, I will thank you to return it to me.
I am respectfully Sir
Your ob. Servt
Sept 20 th 1883
James L. Edwards Esq m Com r of Pensions City of Washington

5. Putnam Capt. Morse - Nathl Williams 5 Feby 77-3 - Deserted 6 Feby 13- 12 1/2 mos 16 Nov. 76 for war Nathan Williams 77- Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, February 6 1840.
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 the name of Nathl Williams is borne on an account in the Army books in this Department as having enlisted from Groton in Capt. Peter Page's Company. Col. Smith's Regt. and credited by Service from January 1. 1777 to Dec r 31. 1779, being 36 months & 40 d. The name of Nathl Williams is again found in the same books as a private in Capt. Fowle's Company Col. Smith's Regt. and found credited by Service from Jan y 1. to 31 st Dec r . 1780 - having enlisted from Groton & 40 d Portsmouth.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper Secretary of the Commonwealth.

John Puchner Disposition

John Trichard's Deposition
Samuel
Wife's maiden name

I John Prichard of Sudbury in the County of Hillsborough & State of New Hampshire of Seventy two years of age, depose & say that I was acquainted with Nathaniel Williams who was a Revolutionary Soldier. I recollect that he first enlisted for three years, & after that time expired he again enlisted to serve during the war. I do not recollect the names of the Captain or Colonel under whom he served - He had several children and some of them died, the names of those who are now living are Samuel, Joel, Betsey - Benjamin & Ephraim - His wife lived at my father's before she was married. Her name was Hannah Lawrence. This is the reason why I recollect the family more particularly - They afterwards lived several years in this town - & then removed to Shirley & there died - John Prichard
State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss. April 24 th 1838 Then the above named John Prichard, who is a credible person, made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true
Before me John Preston Justice of the Peace
I Andrew Wallace Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that John Preston above named is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough as above mentioned, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court and subscribed my name at Amherst in said County this twenty fourth day of April A.D. 1838
A. Wallace Clerk

Nathaniel Gilson's Deposition.

I Nathaniel Gilson of Stoddard in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire, aged Seventy eight years - depose and say that I was well acquainted with Nathaniel Williams when a boy, bearing the Hallers trade with his brother John Williams in Groton Massachusetts, who was afterwards a Captain in the revolutionary war. That Nathaniel Williams enlisted for three years in the first part of the revolutionary war and served his time out, that at the expiration of the first three years he enlisted again during the war, and served till the close of the war. I served during the war and the last four years, was in the company of Capt Joshua Benson in the fifth Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by Col. Rufus Putnam. I do not know what company Nathaniel Williams was in, but have no doubt he served in the same Regiment with me, as I saw him every few days till the close of the war. Nathaniel Gilson
State of New Hampshire April 19. 1838 Cheshire ss.
Then personally appeared the above named Nathaniel Gilson and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true before me J.W. Eaton Justice of Peace
This may certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Nathaniel Gilson & that he is a credible person J.W. Eaton Justice of Peace

State of New Hampshire Cheshire County ss.
I Henry Coolidge Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Cheshire, certify that J. W. Eaton, was on the nineteenth day of April inst. at, and still is, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Cheshire, duly commissioned and qualified. Vouch that his name within written is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Keene this twenty-fourth day of April A.D. 1838.
H. Coolidge, Clerk