Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30769, William Ward, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Ward, William
S. 30769
CONTENTS

162 51 Massachusetts
William Ward of Methuen in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Warner of the Regt , commanded by Col. Marshall in the Mass line for 17 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of April 1833 and Act Sec. To Wm Ward
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $113.32 Semi-annual allowance ending 1 Sept 1833 28.33 $141.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. Wood Clerk Book 6 Vol. 94 Page 90

William Ward. Rev. Marshalls Mass chuseths Relgim o June 78 - 9 months dr. 7 Nov r 1818
On Roll
Admitted -

found every person who can testify to the Service last aforesaid. That in the month of September A.D. 1777 he thinks he again entered the revolutionary army for the term of three months but he can render no positive testimony thereof - The circumstances of this term of Service are as follows - to wit - Francis Lane & Oliver Willard, at that time two of the principal inhabitants of said Cehkumbeek, requested the applicant to enlist & as an inducement for him to do so, engaged to clear four acres of new land bound for him to which he agreed & accordingly enlisted for said three months - The applicant thinks that Lane & Willard were authorized by the town to offer such inducement as they may be proper to men, to enter the army - that being a common practice at the time - That he served during said three months at Westboro' in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Bart, St. Ann's County in said County of Worcester - That St. Ann's was Cashine for some officer - having he thinks that he marched from said Cehkumbeek to Mt. Pleasant soon after he entered passing on his march through Sp- field Chap. & Holford, Can. That he served in said company at Mt. Pleasant for provision and the public store on the way, that he drew provision at Springfield once, the last time at Rutland Chap. where he drew a part of Benjamin being the prisoner of war, that he has lost for a long time & has forgotten the name of the officer who signed it - that he served in the army of the revolution several months in the whole, that he was born at Waltham Mass. July 5, 1757 - that he has resided in said Cehkumbeek when called into the service and have resided here ever since - he was 15 years old; that his services in the army were all voluntary; that he has stated all he recollects to the Officer & troops he served with; that he has no documentary evidence of his services.
that he is acquainted with Dea. S. D. D. & J. S. Jewell & Abraham Love Esqrs. General Stimson & John Dike all residing in his neighborhood who can testify to his character for truth & his services as a soldier of the revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before Nath. Gaine, Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
William Ward

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this twelfth day of October in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty William D. Dyer personally appeared in open Court, before Hon. S. H. Pine, Judge of the Probate Court now sitting William D. Dyer a resident of Waltham in the County of Dorchester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy five 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 7th 1832.

We S. B. Spaulding a Clergyman residing in the town of Upton and Abraham Dowe residing in the same Upton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Ward who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventyfive years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Joseph N. Paine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Nathan B. Spaulding Abraham Dowe
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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that S. B. Spaulding who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Upton and that
Abraham Dowe Esq who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Upton and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
N. Paine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Thompson Wheeler Reg. Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Ward for a pension. That Joseph Paine before whom the annexed affidavits were made, is a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Worcester & that the signature is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this
18 th day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Thompson Wheeler Reg. of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts

State of Massachusetts
I William Ward a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Ashburnham in the County of Worcester. . . . in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, on or about the first day of June 1778.
I entered and was engaged in the land service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to the 7th day of March 1779
as a private soldier against the common enemy, without any interrup- tion or absence: that I belonged to the Company commanded by Capt. William Warner, Colo. Marshall's Regiment, General Patterson's Brigade Massachusetts Line. I was enlisted for and served nine months.
and that I left the service on the 7th day of March 1779. I had a Discharge but have lost the same, and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of sixty one years.
And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed.
William Ward
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me,
Solo. Strong Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Western Circuit. Massachusetts
the abovenamed William Ward and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination du- ly made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of said Court, the day of the date aforesaid.
Solo. Strong

Letter 15 Nov 1872 to G Folger Esq
10.979 R
Massachusetts
William Ward
of Ashburnham in the state of Massachusetts who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Marshall of the Massachusetts line, for the term of 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 7 th of November 1810
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd of May 1849 and sent to Solomon May Esq Worcester, Mass
Arrears to 4th of March 1849 - 5 44 3/4 30 31 47.41 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 th Sept. 1849. 40.00
87.41
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Worcester County

U. S. Pension Office.
William Ward. Nov. 7 th 1818 - aged 61 years - of Ashburnham Mass. - Says that he enlisted about the first of June 1778 for a service of 9 months in Capt. W m Warner's Co. of Col. Marshall's Regt. of Genl. Patterson's Brig. of Mass. Line. & was discharged Mch. 7 th 1779.
Levi Grouver - of Westminster, Mass. - Says he served in above named Co. for same period as Ward.
John Buss of Westminster, Mass. Says he served for three years - from 1777 to 1780. in a 60 days named Co.
Oct. 16 th 1830. he makes a further application - giving age as 75 yrs. & residence same as above. - Collected ad adch. for service as follows. Enlisted May 1776 for two months & served in a Militia Co. Com. manded by Capt. Sargeant of Princeton. Marched to Providence - thence to Boston Neck - then back to Providence where he was discharged. That while at Providence (Boston?) he labored on a fort at Beacon Hill.
That in Sept. (the Month) 1777. he again enlisted at Ashburnham for one month & served in

a Co. of Militia, commanded by Capt. Gabe D. Ashburnham in the Regt of Col. Bellows D. Rifle Pte. N.H. - marched through Charlestown, Williamstown, Mass & Bennington Vt. to Ft. Edward N.Y. where he remained until his discharge & where he was at the time of Burgoyne's sur- render.
That about two months prior to the last-mentioned service he volunteered to oppose a detachment of the British Army that was defeated at Bennington. & at the time marched from Ashburnham to Charlestown Mass. where he remained about one month. He cannot recollect his officers for this war of duty.
That in the Spring of 1776 (Capt. M'Intire) he enlisted for one month & served at Prospect Hill, near Boston Mass. That he was engaged during this term in guarding prisoners - a part of Burgoyne's Army who were left in the barracks at Red- hill Hill - He did not re- member his officers at this time.

2.
U. S. Pension Office.
That in the month of Sept. 1779 (he thinks) he again entered the service for three months, under the following circumstances. Francis Lane & Oliver Willard two of the principal inhabitants of Ashburnham requested him to enlist & as an inducement engaged to clear four acres of new land for him - he thinks that they were autho- rized by the town to offer such inducements - He served the three months at West Point N. Y. Co. commanded by Capt Byre of Harvard - Lt. Annanias Rand. (Lt. Rand was cashiered he says, for, he thinks, larceny). They marched from Ashburnham thro' Springfield & Hartford, W. H. Point. That he was born at Waltham Mass. July 5 th 1757. but resided contin- uously at Ashburnham after he was 15 years old.

3 U. S. Pension Office.
In a statement dated Jan'y 8 th 1883. Explaining how he remembers about his service of 30 days at about the time of the capture of Burgoyne in 1777. Show he remembers the name of his Col. (Bellows of Walpole, N.H.)
"I have good reason for remembering the name which is as follows. On the night previous to the surrender of Burgoyne I was on guard, with a young man about my own age, in the woods, nearly half a mile from Ft Edward, at a quarter where it was feared the Indians might make an attack. In the course of the night I swapped guns with said young man. The next morning he came to me asking to "swap back" which I declined & he left me, but, fearing I might lose a good bargain, I immediately exchanged the gun with one liated, a brother of my Capt.
It was not long before the young man came back (13979-200,000) with an officer who desired me to return the gun.

+ not being pleased with the efforts I made, he left + in a few minutes returned with a file of men + ordered me to the guard house. This I remember was early in the afternoon + the news of the Burgoyne's surrender was received while I was still an officer. Our company was immediately dismissed + I was released from com- mission by order of Maj. Briggs. The officer who came with the young man aforesaid was Col. Bellows. It is it was that ordered me to the guard house. " When we arrived at Ft. Edward Capt. Cole told us we were to serve under New Hampshire officers + that the Col's name was Bellows. We were quartered in barns but a short distance from Ft. Edward + were allowed to follow our inclinations with a few salutary restraints. I cannot remember that we were ever paraded or exercised with Col. Bellows Regt. "

X U.S. Pension Office. Ashburnham 1832 Charles Hastings Corrobo- rates the statement of Ward in regard to the service in Capt. Bergeants Co. in 1776 & says that he (Hastings) served in the same Co.
Nicholas Whiteman Dg Ashburnham - 1832 - Corrob- orates statement as to service at Ft. Edward in 1777 - under Capt. Jonathan Gales - & says he (Nicholas Whiteman) was in same service
Jonathan Samson of Ash- burnham - 1832 - Corrob- orates as to last named service - & says he served there - & adds that about 20 men from Ashburnham served (without pay) in Dahons - volunteered for one month but served only about three weeks.
* Nicholas Whiteman full also corroborates substan- tially Ward's statement of Jan'y 8 th 1833 - & adds that he thinks that about 30 volunteered from Ashburnham - also says that they were paraded before Col Bellows (13979-200,000.) & Maj. Brice, who furnished them with-

refreshments - Said to have been taken from surgeon's boat as they were attempting to pass down the river -
April 7 th 1885 - Copy of data furnished to Ezra S. Stearne of Ashburnham Mass for historical use.

30769 Rev INVALID.
File No. 30,769
William Ward
Pin Rec War
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 2,87
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sept Declaration of War Notice for Panama
Pm at
17 Months
Please to transmit the com- -municated to Geo. G. Parker Ashburton Mass
All
Geo Johnson, Atty —
propr

Affidavit of Sponsor for William Ward

I Jonathan Samson of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify, that in the month of July or August A.D. 1777 at the time a detachment from Burgoyne's Army made an incursion into the State of Vermont, a call was made in said town of Ashburnham, for volunteers for the purpose of opposing said detachment. I further testify, that William Ward, then mayor of said Ashburnham, volunteered and marched in the same company with me to Charlemont, in Mass, where we were ordered to assemble & wait for further orders while we were quartered at Charlemont intelligence was received of the defeat of Col. Barm's detachment at Bennington & we were accordingly discharged. Our Commanders name I can not recollect. There were about twenty volunteers from this town. We served without pay & without rations & were absent about three weeks but volunteered for another month. I believe,
Jonathan Samson
Ashburnham 3 August 1832.
Waverly p 3 Aug 1832
Then the above named Jonathan Samson personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me Jos. Jewett Justice
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Jonathan Samson and that he is in my opinion a disinterested & credible witness.
Jos. Jewett { Justice

Affidavit of Charles Hastings for Mrs. Ward

I Charles Hastings of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester Commonwealth of Massachusetts - testify say that I am acquainted with William Ward of said Ashburnham, that the said Ward, in the month of May 1876 enlisted as a private soldier, for the term of two months, in a company of the Mass. Line, commanded by Capt - Sergeants of said Princeton, in Col. Joseph Whitney's Regt. that within a short time after his enlistment he marched to Providence in the State of Rhode Island and from that place he was ordered to a place called Boston Neck & afterwards returned to said Providence where he was honorably discharged at the end of his term of enlistment. I enlisted in the same company with the said Ward & was in the service with him during the whole of time of his enlistment as aforesaid. We were stationed for the greater part of our time at said Providence & at Boston Neck.
Ashburnham 10 Aug 1882
Worcester ss 10 Aug 1882 } Charles Hastings
Then the above named Charles Hastings personally appeared & made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
before me Jos. Jewett Jus. Peace that I am acquainted with the above named Charles Hastings and that he is, in my opinion a disinterested and credible witness.
Jos. Jewett Jus. Peace

Affidavit of S. Whiteman for William Ward

S. Nicholas Whiteman of Cerkhamham, in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, certify & say that am acquainted with Mr. William Ward of the said Cerkhamham & that I was acquainted with him in 1777 previous to that time both of us being inhabitants of the same town from an infancy I further testify that in the month of Sept or Octob A.D. 1777, while Burgoyne was marching through the State of N. York. Mr. Ward volunteered with others in his town to join the American army which was then opposing the progress of the Enemy. I served with him in the same Company. commanded commanded by Capt. Jonathan Gales as a volunteer, having volunteered with Mr. Ward & others for the term of thirty days we were absent for that time as nearly as I can remember, at the time of the surrender of Burgoyne we were at fort Edward in the Hudson. We were in the Regiment commanded by Col. Bellows of Walpole N.H.
Cerkhamham 3 Aug 1832
Nicholas Whiteman
Worcester ss 3 Aug 1832
Then the above named Nicholas Whiteman personally appeared & made oath that the above affi- avit by him subscribed, is true
Before me Jos. Jewett (Jus. Pacis)
I certify that I am acquainted with the above named Nicholas Whiteman & that he is, in my opinion a disinterested & reliable witness.
Jos. Jewett (Jus. Pacis)

1. Nicholas White name of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the County of age upon my say that I am well acquainted with William Ward of said Ashburnham and that I volunteered & served with him in the time of the rebellion at the taking of Brandywine Station in my official, subscribed notes is to begin on the third day of August 1861 - I further upon my say that I have a very distinct recollection of the thirty days service as stated in said official with particularity as to the name of our Col. We volunteered at said Ashburnham in the month of Septm. October in the year 1861 and marched to Fort Edward passing through Poughkeepsie, Newburgh town Mass. Poughkeepsie to Newburgh to New York John New Col. Bellows of Walpole for a number of years previous to 1861 - I distinctly recollect that said Ward was under guard at the time our company was dismissed. That we were stationed in brush huts nearly half a mile beyond Fort Edward and that after we were dismissed we marched to the fort and saw many horses & wagons left for Capt. Galt who could not get without Col. Bellows who was accordingly released from confinement (in the house guard) by Col. Galt Bridges he was under guard for having the key of the repeater given with a letter (dated at Newburgh) refusing to see exchange - As nearly as I can remember there were about thirty of us volunteers from this town which I do not know any name of that were here now living except said Ward & myself - When we arrived at Fort Edward, Capt. Galt informed us that we were to be under the command of Col. Bellows & Col. Bridges - We were paraded with the best mounted officers appeared - Cannon with us & spent in us with refreshments which they had been taken from Washington boats as they were attempting to rap down the river (over)

I do not remember that we were ever formed into with Col Bellows, Regt. was in under the strict regulations, and was another than another when I enlisted . We were volunteers and subject to any military instrument - I returned from Fort Edwards to N.Y. Creek where with Mr. Dyer I have known him ever since. He has always sustained an unblem- ished reputation. - Nicholas W. Whitman.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss - Jan'y 3 - 1833 - Then the above named Nicholas Whitman, personally appeared before me, one of the Justices of the Peace for said County & made oath in due form of Law, that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true - & I further Certify that I have been well acquainted with the said Whitman for many years & that he is in my opinion a most trustworthy witness.
Joseph Jenckes Jr. Justice

William Westcott of Schenectady in the County of Albany & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, after a residence of five years do hereby say that I have examined my Declaration I am to subscribe by me on the 16 th day of October 1832 and I can not find in it any Statement that is not strictly true according to my best knowledge & belief - As to the thirty days service at the taking of Bennington in 1777 I am confident that the statement I made in said Declaration is perfectly true - I have a distinct recollection of the time of service and particularly of the named the Col. Bellows of Walpole N.H. I have good reason for remembering the name which is as follows - On the night previous to the surrender of Bennington I was scouting with a young man about my own age in the woods nearly half a mile from Fort Edward at a point where it was feared the British might make an attack. In the course of the night I caught four with my bayoneted gun (whereabouts I cannot remember) - The next morning he came to me wishing to "sneak back" which I did. He left me, but, fearing I might lose a good bargain, I immediately exchanged the gun with one Gales a brother of my Capt. Gales, not long before this young man came with an officer who desired me to deliver the gun, I not being pleased with the robbery I made he left me & in a few minutes he returned with a file of men & ordered me to the prisoner house. This I remember as early in the morning after the news of Bennington's surrender was received with the news confirmed - Our Company was immediately disbanded and was soon reformed and confirmed by order of Major Bridges - The officer who came with the young man aforesaid was Col Bellows of Walpole N.H. who it was that ordered me to the prisoner house - When we arrived at Fort E. Capt Gales told us we were to have our rations New Hampshire's Officers & that the Col. was

Has Bellows of Wolfden. S.H. — We were quarters in brick huts a short distance from Fort Ellsworth and were allowed to follow our inclinations with a few salutary restrictions. I can not remember that we were ever paraded or exercised with Col Bellows regt. but from the first circumstance that our Capt informed us that we were to be assigned to his regt. & his putting me under guard as before stated induced me to suppose that I was under his command as stated in my declaration of record.
Ashburnham Jan 8 Jan 7-1833
William Ward
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss. Jan 8-1833 Then William Ward who has subscribed the above affidavit made oath in due form of Law that the same is true.
Before me Joseph Jewett Justice
I certify that I have known William Ward who has sworn to & subscribed the above affidavit for about fifty years & that he has during that time sustained an unblemished character & that his statement is, in my opinion entitled to full credit.
Joseph Jewett Justice

Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of September next, in Boston, at the Branch Bk. U.S.
Massachusetts.
Record

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818, “ ”
William Ward  “ ” late a Private in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to commence on the seventh day of November one thousand eight hundred and eighteen .
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this twenty second day of May one thousand eight hundred and nineteen.
J. S. Edwards, in the absence and on behalf, of the Secretary of War.
Good

Luci Gravis Offidavit
P... M... ..
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I John Buss of Leominster Massachusetts, of lawful age do testify and say that I served in Capt. Warren's Company testified of by the within-named William Ward three years from sometime in 1777 to sometime in 1780.
I now have in my possession a list of the nine months men serving in said company made by me during the service. Upon this list I now find find the name of William Ward and I suppose it to be the within-named William Ward. It appears from said list that said William Ward was discharged on the 4 th of March 1779. John Buss
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Westminster December 7, 1818. Personally appeared the above-named John Buss and made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me
Deo. Strong Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Western Circuit, Massachusetts. I certify that the above deposition is a true and credible witness.

I John Bliss, of Leominster Massachusetts, of lawful age do testify and say that I served in Capt. Warren's Company testified of by the within named William Ward three years from sometime in 1777 to sometime in 1780.
I now have in my possession a list of the nine months men serving in said company made by me during the service. Upon this list I now find the name of William Ward and I suppose it to be the within named William Ward. It appears from said list that said William Ward was discharged on the 12th March 1779. John Bliss
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester ss. November 7, 1818. Personally appeared the above named John Bliss and made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me
Isaac Strong Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Western Circuit, Massachusetts. I certify that the above deposition is a true and credible witness.
I. Strong Judge &c

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, ss.
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Judicial Courts holden within and for said County of Worcester , certify, that Alexander Dustin Esquire before whom the annexed Affidavit has been made, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified for the purpose, acting under the authority of this Commonwealth, and that his name subscribed thereto is his own proper signature.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County seal, this Seventh day of December A. D. 1818.
Application of William Ward
Abijah Bigelow, Clk.

Levi Graves of Westminster in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age testify & say, that in the War of the Revolution on the seventh of June 1778. I entered and was engaged in the land service of the United States on the Continental establishment and served accordingly from that time to the seventh of March 1779, as a private; that I belonged to Capt. William Warner's Company, in Colo. Marshall's Brigade, General Patterson's Regiment in the Massachusetts line: — that, William Ward now of Ashburnham in said County, was in said Capt. Warner's Company when I was there and was discharged from said Company the same time that I was, and according to the best of my recollection I think he was in said Company as a private the same length of time I was, which was nine months.
Levi Graves
Worcest. Attest. b. 1818. Personally appeared the abovenamed Levi Graves and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. Before me
Alex. Dustin Justice of the Peace.
I also certify, that Mr. Levi Graves, the aforesaid depos- ment, sustains a good character for truth.
Alex. Dustin Justice of the Peace