Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,093, Bela Tower, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Tower, Bela. Emma
N. 20,093
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

Bela Tower Map. Act of June 1832. to what time p.?? Rev. Office
Died 16 Nov 1836 p.
Nov 12. 1838
to that period
JH

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 - from 4 th Sept 1836 to the 16 th Nov 1836, the day of his death. 4 Agents notified 23 rd Oct 1838
Plymouth
15237. Massachusetts
Bela Tower
of Hingham in the State of Mass who was a Officer in the company commanded by Captain  of the  reg t commanded by Col Brancy in the Mass line for 12  Days
Cont d & State 
Inscribed on the Roll of  at the rate of 45 Dollars 58 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of June 1833 and sent to G H Lane Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4 th of Mar 1833 891.16 Semi-ant. allowance ending 2 nd Sep r 22.79 $113.95
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G H Lane Clerk, Book  , Vol. 2. Page 84.

Reported
1764 Massachusetts
Emma Tower widow of Bela Tower
1755 who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Spion
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 45 Dollars 58
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Sept. 1848. and sent to
Abraham Lincoln Hingham Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 15 Vol. 2.

17421 Dela Tower Mass
Fifa 12 mos 43 days adm'd
$1358.
Jacob H Lord Plymouth Mass

BRIEF in the case of of Hingham
Bela Tower in the State of (Act 7th June, 1832.) Mass
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 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. As a Gen.     In 1776 — — 4 — — fifer Col. Perrin Col. Francis   " — — 3 — — " — " — " — " —   77 — — 1 — — " — " Wilder — "   78 — — 1 — 2 — " — " — " — "   — — 3 — 11 — " — " — " — " Thayer  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 12 mo 13 day none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hingham  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Three living witnesses and C D Bangs certificate  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
M. L. B.
Examining Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Solomon Lincoln Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the signatures to the annex- ed affidavits purporting to be signed by him are his true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & the Seal of the Court of Probate for said County this sixth day of September 1838.
Jacob H. Lord

I, Jotham Lincoln of Kingham in the county of Plymouth & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged fifty six years, do depose & say, that I personally knew Bela Tower of said Kingham, deceased, a soldier of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States. He died in the year eighteen hun- dred & thirty six, leaving a widow, Emma Tower, who is, also, personally known by me, and is now living in said Kingham; and who has never been married since the decease of her husband, Be- la Tower, aforesaid.
Jotham Lincoln.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Plymouth Jr. August 27th. 1838.
Then personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a justice of the Peace within and for the county of Plymouth, the above named Jotham Lincoln and made solemn Oath that the above affidavit by him sub- scribed is true. And I certify, that said Jotham Lincoln is personally known by me, and is a person of good reputation for truth.
Solomon Lincoln Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Hingham, Plymouth County, August 22, 1838. "Bela Tower and Emma Cushing, both of Hingham were married by the Rev d Daniel Shute Pastor of the Second Church in Hingham March the twentieth seventeen hundred & ninety three"
This may Certify that the above extract 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: , March 20th 1793.
Attest, James G. Lewis, Clerk of the Town of Hingham "Bela Tower" (the above-named) "died November the sixteenth eighteen hundred & thirty six".
This may Certify, that the above extract 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: - Nov. 16, 1836.
Attest, James G. Lewis, Clerk of the Town of Hingham
I, James G. Lewis above-named, depose & say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town, County & State aforesaid and that the above are true extracts from the records of said Town, with the exceptions above-named, as certified by me.
James G. Lewis, Clerk of the Town of Hingham
Sworn before me, Solomon Lincoln Justice of the Peace

1005 13/17
Emma Tower
admitted Wife of 45. \frac{58}{100}
papers age 7 June 32
J. N. Lounds

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth ss 3
On this twenty ninth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before the Hon. William Wood Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Plymouth
Emma Towner a resident of Hingham in said County aged sixty six - 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 and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of Bela Towner of said Hingham, deceased, who was a fifer in the army of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States, under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 and his services are particularly set forth in his application for a pension, now on file in the Pension office. The number of his certificate was 75.257.
She further declares that she was married to the said Bela Towner on the twentieth day of

March in the year one thousand seven hun- dred and ninety three, that he has heard the aforesaid Bela Tower died on the six- teenth day of November in the year one thou- sand eight hundred and thirty six, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four — viz: at the time above stated
Emma Tower
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year within written, Before me Willis Wood J. Prob
Plymouth Vt. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Hon. Willis Wood is Judge of Probate for said County & that the above is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this sixth day of September 1838. Jacob H. Lord

Bela Tower
17421

Bela Tower
Evidence Certif: of Secretary of State - Joshua Ward's depo: John Husey's - do Peter Husey's - do

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this thirtieth day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before
now sitting at Hingham within and for said County of Plymouth, Bela Townes a
resident of Hingham in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy two 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 7, 1832. 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. That is to say, that
he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. - That on or about the first day of
August  seventeen hundred & seventy six he enlisted at Hingham aforesaid as a pifer in a militia Company Commanded by Stephen Penniman in the regiment Commanded by Ebenezer Francis, for the term of four months, was stationed at Dorchester Heights - At the ex- piration of that time enlisted again in the same Com- pany as a pifer for three months, under the Command of the same Officers & was again stationed at Dorchester Heights - At the expiration of this last term enlisted again in the same Company under the Command of Theophilus Wilder for one month and did duty in guarding the Town of Boston - The last term of service expired the first of March seventeen hundred & seventy seven and the whole service amounted to eight months. He has no written discharge for either of the above services - none were given. That he also did duty as a pifer in Theophilus Wilder's Company at Hull in the year 1778 for thirty two days - as appears by the Certifi- cate of Edward D. Bangs, Secretary of State
In the fall of the year seventeen hundred & seventy or in the summer of  seventeen hundred & seventy nine, he again enlisted as a pifer for three months in Hingham aforesaid in Theophilus Wilder's Com-

pany in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Thayer of the Massachusetts Militia - Went to Rhode Island and remained there till discharged at the expiration of the term of enlistment - Col. Jacobs commanded the brigade and Genl. Heath was Commander in Chief of the American forces on the Island - Count Rocham- beau's with the French Army arrived there about the time this applicant with his Com- pany arrived there - The French encamped on the South part of the Island - the Americans on the north - The British fleet appeared off the is- land, but retired the next day they did not appear there again - See Secretary of State's certificate This applicant was born in Hingham after- said on the twenty eighth day of May seven- hundred & sixty - There is no record of his birth in the Town Records
He has always lived in said Hingham ex- cept when engaged in the service of his Country as above stated - He is generally known in his neighbourhood - is personally known to Colonel Rice to and also Colonel to Genl. Lincoln in the war of the Revolution - Col Rice now lives he believes in Burlington in the State of Vermont
Nels Jones Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Whole term of service 12 months Attest Jacob H. Lord Register

We, Nicholas B. Whitney a clergyman, residing in the town of Hingham and Joseph Wilder residing in the said Hingham hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Bela Tower who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two 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 to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Nicholas B. Whitney Joseph Wilder
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Nicholas B. Whitney who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Hingham and that Joseph Wilder who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court. Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
I, Jacob H. Lord Register 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 Bela Tower for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Jacob H. Lord

1871
Dear Friend Longhouse

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Aug. 25 th 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 Bice Town's name is on Capt. Theophilus Wilder's pay roll - doing duty in the state service at Hull for state pay by resolve of Gen. Court passed March 11-1778 - engaged March 4 th 1778 & paid for thirty two days - His name also appears on another roll of same Capt. for troops raised to reinforce the continental troops stationed at Rhode Island in 1780 - & the time of service is there stated to be three months & eleven days. -
He served in both instances as a Trifer.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

I Joshua Ward of Milton in the County of Norfolk of legal ability to give evidence do testify & say that about the first of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seventy six I enlisted in Capt. Stephen Purnins our Company Col. Bluns Foronies Regiment. before in the Mass. Militia - our first term was for four Months. & we were stationed & arrived at Dorchester hill - after this I engaged for three months more under the same Capt. & still served in the same place & this brought up the time to the first of March 1877 - when I made a nother engagement to do duty in same company in Boston for one month - when the whole company was discharged And I further testify that Bela Tower of Kingston was a musician & did duty in in the same company with me during all the eight months I have mentioned & also at both the places where we were stationed He retired the Company about the time I did & was discharged with me as above Dorchester Aug. 20-1880 Joshua Ward

Norfolk ss. August. 20-1832
Then Personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County the above named Joshua Wood made oath to the truth of the Deposition by him submitted as above. & I further certify that the said Wood is personally known to me is a credible person & his testimony is entitled to credit - Abel Cushing Just. of Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Norfolk ss.
I Jairus Ware, Clerk of the Judicial Courts being Courts of record, in and for the County of Norfolk, hereby certify, that Abel Cushing Esq. before whom the within deposition was taken, is a Justice of the peace within and for said County of Norfolk duly appointed commissioned and qualified to to discharge the duties of said Office. and that his signature above is true and genuine, being well acquainted therewith. In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name and hereunto affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth this twenty fourth day of August in one thousand eight hundred & thirty two. at Dedham in said County. Jairus Ware

I John Hensy of Hingham in the County of Plymouth Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the seventy first year of my age, testify and say, that in the summer or fall of the year seventeen hundred & twenty nine I enlisted in Theophilus Welder's company of militia in the Massachusetts Regiment, Com- manded by (I believe) Col Thayer for three months - that we went to Rhode Island after serving out our time of enlistment, were discharged - that Bela Town of said Hingham was a fifer in said Company in that expedition I served to the end of it, & that he enlisted at the time I did - John Hensy 23 Aug 1832
Plymouth ss: 23 August 1832 Then personally appeared before me the subscriber, the above named John Hensy, & made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed. And I hereby certify that I personally know the said John, that he is a man of truth & that his testimony is entitled to full credit - Eben Gay Jas. Brann 5

I Peter Herring of Hingham in the County of Plymouth in the twenty fifth year of my age testify and say that in the summer of seven hundred and eighty Bela Town I said Hingham enlisted in the Militia Company in said Hingham commanded by Theophilus Wilder in the Regiment commanded by Col: Thayer, as a piper - That he marched with said Company to Rhode Island & did duty there three months, when the Company was discharged.
Peter Herring
27 Aug: 1832
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss: 27 August 1832 Then the above named Peter Herring personally appeared before me the Subscriber & made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true. And I hereby certify that said Peter is personally known to me, that he is a man of truth & that his testimony is entitled to full credit.
Wm Gay Jas: Pratt
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Sessions for the County of Plymouth, do hereby certify that Eben Gay Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for said County & that the names subscribed to the two foregoing certificates are true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
October 10, 1838.
Sir:
Under the act 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," The widow of Bela Turner deceased a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of forty five Dollars and fifty eight Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1836 to the 16 th of November 1836, the day of his death
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parrish Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

ad
for C. A. K. Cent see Mary Stoddard papers
admitted
Marshal Lincoln Wingham Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss.
We do know that on this Twentyth day of July 1848 personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of peace in and for the County of said Emance Bower a resident of Hingham in said County and Commonwealth aged seventy six 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 on the second day of February 1841 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.
That she is the widow of Bela Bower who was a resident in the Revolutionary war and served as she justly believes or stated by her in her original declaration for a pension under the law of the 7th of July 1838 to which declaration and the papers therein containing the same now on file in the War department she would refer for a more particular statement of her services. For the proof of her marriage, identity, and the time of her husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said act at the rate of forty five dollars fifty eight cents per annum which amount she received from the 1st March 1836 to the 1st March 1841 at the agency in Boston Massachusetts, and at the time of receiving her last payment surrendered the pension certificate granted to her under said act

To the Pension Agent at said City of Boston agreeably to the order of the Department, and her since received the pension under the several acts for contemplating the pension to the wife of anach 1848
And this deponent further alleges that she has not intermarried since the death of her said husband but is now and when has been the widow of said Bela Dower deceased and as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed.
in presence of and further she saith and. Marshall Lincoln Emma Dower
Lucinda H. Sprague
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first within written - and I certify that the applicant is personally known to me to be the person within described.
Before me
Marshall Lincoln Justice of the Peace

4402
Emma Turner
45.58
$45:58 per ann
Solomon Lincoln Boston Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss
Be it known That on this second day of October 1843 personally appeared before me the Subscribers a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Emma Gower a resident of Hingham in said County and Commonwealth aged 71 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit made by the act of Congress passed on the third day of March 1843 granting Pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Bela Gower who was a soldier in the revolutionary war served as she verily believes as stated by her in her original declaration for a pension under the law of the 7 th July 1838. To which declaration and the papers accompanying the same now on file in the department of War she would refer for a more particular statement of his services, for the proof of her marriage, identity, and the time of her husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said act at the rate of $45.50 or per annum which amount she received from the 4 th March 1836 to the 4 th March 1841 at the Agency in Boston Massachusetts, and at the time of receiving her last payment surrendered the pension certificate.

Granted to her under said act to the Pension agent at the said City of Boston agreeably to the rules of the department.
And this declarant further alleges that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said Husband but is now and ever since has been the widow of said Bela Fowle. deceased and as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed.
And further she saith not. Emma Fowle
Plymouth ss
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first within written - and I certify that the applicant is personally known to me to be the person within described and was a pensioner under the Act of July 7 th 1838
Before me
Marshal Lincoln Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston October 5 th 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Marshal Lincoln was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno A. Bolles Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Prima Dancer Emma Lower Wife of Bela Dancer Mass.
act 7 - July 38 & resd. 16 Aug 42, $45.58. from 4 March 36 to 16 Nov 1836-
Elijah Clark Brighton Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth ss
On this twenty second day of December, eighteen hundred and forty two. Personally appeared before me Ja s S. Lewis a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Plymouth. Emma Dower, a resident of Hingham in said County, seventy years of age, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the amount of pension which she claims from the fourth of March 1836, to the seventeenth day of November eighteen hundred and thirty six, from which period she has been already paid under the act of the seventh of July 1838, and the declarant further alleges that she is still the widow of Bela Dower, who was a piper in the Revolutionary War, that her pension was allowed at the rate of forty five dollars, and fifty eight cents, per annum, and was paid to her at the agency at Boston in the State of Massachusetts, and further she saith not.
Emma Dower
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, Before me Ja s S. Lewis , Jus. Peace.
Plymouth ss. Dec. 22 1842. I hereby certify that Emma Dower who has signed and made oath to the above declaration is the widow of Bela Dower, deceased, and that she has formerly received a pension from the United States. Ja s S. Lewis . Jud. of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretarys Office, Boston December 26 1842
I hereby certify that on the twenty second day of the present month James A. Lewis was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth aforesaid, duly constituted and commissioned, and to his acts as such full faith and credit are to be given
Witness the Seal of the Com- monwealth the date aforesaid
John F. Brigham Secy of the Council

Massachusetts-1005
Emma Tower widow of Bela Tower, deceased
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 Jan., 1832 and who died on the 16 th November, 1836, of Plymouth Co in the State of Mass ts who was a Fifer in the comp y commanded by Captain _____ of the reg t commanded by Col. Francis in the Mass ts . line for 12 Mos. 13 days. fifer
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts. at the rate of 45 Dollars 58 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14 16 th day of March, 1836 } Nov.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Nov ember, 1838 and sent to J. H. Lord, Plymouth, Mass ts .
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1838 $81.94 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar. '39 -22.79
104.73
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by S. H. Elliott Clerk, Book 4, Vol. 1, Page 136.

Bela Torres

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sep 26 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 Bela Turner served as a fifer in the Company commanded by Samuel Ward in Col: Ruggles's regiment of militia detached to guard & fortify the posts in & near Boston for the term of two months & eight  twenty eight days in 1778
That he also served in the same capacity in Capt. Wilder's Company at Hull in March 1778 - thirty two days
That he also served in Theophilus Wilder's Company in the Regiment commanded by Col Thayer at Rhode Island in 1780 three months, eleven days commencing July 22. 1780.
That he also served in the same capacity in the Company commanded by Pease Cushing in Col. Ladd's regiment from the fourth of March 1776 four days.
4 m o 7.15

bot over 7.15.
That he also served in the same Com- pany between  from the eleventh of March to the " 4. twenty ninth 1776 four days. —
That he also served in Lieut. Wilder's company at Hull six days from the " 6 twenty seventh of February 1778
7.25.
Edward D Bangs Esq
—
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

FREE
Oct 48
Hon. V. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

17421 Gila River

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Bella Tower 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? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?
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? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
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? yes
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.

Roll
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20093
Emma Flower Widow of Bela Flower of Hifer Rev War
Act Feb 2d 48
Index: Vol. M , Page 379
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Republca Letter to Mrs Dower, July 27, 1848,
4048.
Massachusetts
Emma Dower widow of Bela Dower who was a Hiker in the Bostonian
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 45 Dollars 58 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Decr 1843 and sent to Colonel Dinedon Boston, Mass
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 55

A new certificate was issued in this case under the opinion of the Attorney General of 2 d Jany. 1840 which was given in con- sequence of the Resolution of Congress of the 16 August 1842 =
For Report see letter to P. H. G. January 3, 1843
Massachusetts 10005
Emma Tower widow of Bela Tower dec d
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 16 November 1836 of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Hiker in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Francis in the Mass: line for 13 mo. 13 dys
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 45 Dollars 58 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836 & ending 16 Nov 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of Dec. 42, and Scituate, Elijah Clarke Brighton Ms
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Theo. Sedgwick Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 Page 136.