Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11843, Nathaniel Woodward, Mass. Mass. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Woodward, Nathaniel
R. 11843
Mass. Sea Service
CONTENTS
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ss.
I, SAMUEL F. LYMAN, Register of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Hampshire, do hereby certify that Jahaziah Harvey Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly qualified, and that the signature thereto annexed purporting to be his, I know to be true.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twentieth day of October A. D. 1834.
Samuel F. Lyman
Register of Probate.

Miranda Priest of Dana in the County of Worcester of lawful age do testify and say, that I am the daughter of Nathaniel Woodward of said Dana, that about three years ago I lived with him in said Dana, and asked my father to let me have a trunk which he kept some old papers in, or a trunk to put my clothing in, the trunk contained a considerable number of old papers which my father said he supposed would be of no use to him, and I had better burn them accordingly I burned all of them, and among which I know was was a discharge from the Army when he had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. I know this fact as I had the curiosity to read it at the time & asked him if it was of any use to him to preserve it, he said he did not know as it was & I burnt it with the rest of the papers at that time. I think said discharge was for eighteen months service.
Miranda Priest
I, Ethie Michaud son of the above said Dana aged fifty nine years, do on oath depose and say that I was present at the house of said Woodward at the time of the burning of the papers as testified above by Mirinda Priest formerly Woodward. I well remember that there were said papers & discharge as by her stated, and remember what was said about burning the discharge at that time & I think said discharge was for eighteen months service.
Ethie Michaud his mark
Hampshire ss. September 16 th 1834 Then the above named Ethie Michaud and Mirinda Priest personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affidavits before me, and I further testify that the said deponents are well known to me as persons of good character for truth.
Samuel Hovey Justice of the Peace

Nathaniel Woodward, Map. Act of June 1st. 1832.
A. H. Markham

I know all men by these presents that I Miranda Priest, of Dana in the County of Worcester & State of Massachusetts do hereby constitute and appoint Franklin Hall of Boston my true and lawful attorney, irrevocably, for me and in my name to prosecute the claim of my father Nathaniel Woodward, dec d . who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, & who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of June 7, 1832, for any amount of Revolutionary pension that may now be due; and I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim on file in any Department of Government, and to obtain by all lawful means, any and all amounts that may be due from the United States to said Nathaniel Woodward, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed & to do all things in the premises that I might or could do were I personally present, hereby ratifying & confirming all that my said attorney or his substitutes may lawfully do in virtue hereof. Witness my hand & seal this twenty first day of December A.D. 1852.
Witness, K. L. Johnson
Miranda Priest
State of Massachusetts, } ss. County of Worcester, }
On this twenty first day of December, A.D. 1852 Personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace

duly authorized by law to administer oaths & take acknowledgements within & for said County the abov. named Miranda Priest, wife of Henry Priest, & acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her free act and deed; and made oath in due form of law she is personally interested as the only child of said Nathaniel Woodward, in said claim. And I further certify that she is personally known to me to be the identical individual represented,
Nathel L. Johnson Justice of the Peace
Know all men by these presents, that I, Franklin Hall, within named, by virtue hereof & of the power of substitution in the foregoing power of attorney appearing, have substituted & deputed & do hereby, substitute & depute S. M. Bright of Washington City to be the lawful & sufficient attorney of the within named Miranda Priest with all & every power & authority of acting in the name, stead & to the use of the said Miranda, granted to me by said letter of attorney, which I can lawfully exercise & delegate. Herby ratifying & confirming whatsoever the said shall lawfully do, in the name of the said Miranda or in my name as her attorney, to the use of the

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, January 19 th 1853
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestations, Nath l L. Johnson was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester, — and John C. Dodge was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their 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.
T. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Said Miranda, by virtue of their presents & the power of substitution in said letter of attorney contained,
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this nineteenth day of January A. D. 1853.
In presence of
John C. Dodge
Franklin Hall
Supplee, Jan. 19 th 1853 Then personally appeared the above named Franklin Hall & acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be his free act & deed.
Before me
John C. Dodge Justice of the Peace.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
State of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss twenty third on this day day of May in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three. Personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting in and for said County Nathaniel Woodward a resident of the Town of Dana in the County of Worcester and State 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 7 th 1832
That he served entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated (to wit) that he volunteered and enlisted as a Private in said Service in a Company of militia commanded by Capt James Perry of Easton in said State, and on or about and as he believes in the month of June A.D. 1776. that he enlisted in the Town of Farmington in said State where he then lived and belonged. and he was in Col. John Sargent's Regiment that his lieut was Capt Smith. that he enlisted for one year  eight months , that he was marched to Cambridge in said State and stationed there some thing like three months. the place was called the White House Islands, then was marched South through the State of Massachusetts Rhode Island to the City of New York where he stationed at New York several weeks the number he cannot exactly remember, then he was marched from the City of New York and served a short time in several places in the State of New York where and was at a place called White Plains a number of weeks and was marched into the State of New Jersey, and was in the Battle of Trenton in said New Jersey, and in that Battle he had a ball shot through the the ball of his right leg. The Scar of which he now bears and by means of the wound was unable to do service actual service for several months, and confined in the City City of New York, that after he had served

five months under his first enlistment. he again at enlisted in said Service under the same officers in the year Service and that he served including the time he was confined with said Ward the term of one year and five months in the whole; and was honorably discharged by the Col. by Parole in the State of New York; and returned to serve to said Farmington the number of the Regiment he cannot remember; that Thomas Gibbs and Cornelius Gibbs of said Farmington enlisted and served at at the same time with him, but he has heard they are dead -
and the said Wardworth on his oath as aforesaid further declares, that he on or about the middle of March in the year A.D. 1778 he again enlisted under Capt. John Burt of said Farmington in the Naval Service of the United States for the term of one year, that he enlisted in said Farmington; that he immediately sailed from the Boston Harbour, and cruised on the Seas and around the various harbours in the States and served under said Capt. Burt in the Naval Service the term of one year, and was discharged by said Capt. Burt with a written discharge, (which he has lost) the vessel carrying fifteen guns, but does not remember the name of the vessel - and the said Wardworth on his oath as aforesaid further declares, that in the Spring A.D. 1779 and he thinks the fore part of April of the same year he again enlisted in the Naval Service of the United States under Capt. Pierce of Boston for the term of two years; that he soon went aboard into the Naval Service aboard of the Sloop of thirty Guns under said Capt. Pierce, that they cruised about for the enemy and about the harbours, about six months and then were were taken with our vessel by a three Decker British Seventy four vessel of War, and carried into a British Port, and stayed there a short time, and then was put aboard of a British Schooner and carried to England, and imprisoned at Portsmouth in Fortune Prison in England, one year or a little more; that he was then put aboard of what is called a Cartel, and carried to Paris in France, and as being sick was kept in the hospital at Paris about three or four months, and was exchanged in France; and after he was well enough he returned to Philadelphia in the United States; that he then traveled to New York, and from thence he returned home through what is supposed to Farmington, and was in said last named service and a prisoner and before he returned home about two years & six months and more than two years in actual service & a prisoner of war

vol 15. p. 87 - in 75 Capt James Penny Col Sargeant not on
Math. Handbook
25730

that he knows of no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person living now whose evidence he can procure who can testify to his service - that he has no record of his age; that he removed from said Farmton about thirty years ago to Pettskum in said County lived there about ten years then moved to Danne where he has ever since lived: that he was born in said Farmton in April 1758 - The only record of his age that he knows of was in a Bible which is was not and is last He relings hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a Pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on any Pension roll of the army of any State - I sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid  Before Nath l Dime Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester. Vathaniel Woodworth his X mark
We Joshua Flegg a clergyman residing in the said Town of Danne and Apollo Johnson Esq. residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Vathaniel Woodworth who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be the person described in the above application that he is not paid and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of Land and Naval Service in the Revolution; and that we concur in that opinion
Joshua Flegg
Sworn and subscribed the Apollo Johnson day and year aforesaid. Nath l Dime Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
And the said Court doth hereby declare the opinion of the said Court, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier in the Land and Naval Service and served as he relates States, and the Court further certifies that it appears to said Court that he did Joshua Flegg who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the said Town of Danne and that Apollo Johnson who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Danne aforesaid and is a law credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credence.
Nath l Dime! Probate for the County of Worcester

I Theophilus Wheeler Clerk of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Woodward for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this twentieth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Woodward for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Probate Court at Templeton in the said County of Worcester the twenty third day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Theophilus Wheeler Register of said Court

No 25630
Nathaniel Woodward Worcester County Massachusetts
118 H 3 Map
Application must be made to E. D. Bangs & Legs of the State of Mass for evidence of the claim. ants remain
Liben Marcy, Greenwich Massachusetts

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Nathaniel Woodward Worcester County Massachusetts
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol June 1776 - 5 - private Cap Perry, Col Sargents 75 years Taunton Massachusetts Traditionary evidence - paper correct.   Enlisted - " 1 5 - " -   Enlisted 1778 1 - - Marine Cap Burt, Vepsels regiment not recollected must state the name of the Vepsels   Enlisted 1779 2 6 - marine Cap Pierce, Coaser of 30 guns Battle of Trenton,  
I am, respectfully; Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

25630
Susp d
Vid. Letter to L. Marcy 20 Oct. 1833
do do Hon Geo. Gannell
May 2. 1838 Laban Marcy 14 Oct. 1839
Let. to A. A. Markland Dec 21/53
1839

M
Nich, Woodward
Mass Aug 32
Hon Andrew P. Waldo Comm ee of Pensions
M

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
11.843 P.O. Nathl Woodward
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

I Levi Chamberlin of Greenough in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts do hereby depose and say, that I am a Surgeon and Physician in said Town of Greenough: That I have this 11 th day of May 1839 examined the right Leg of Mr Nathaniel Woodard of Dura in the County of Worcester, said to have been wounded in an engagement at Trenton N.J. in the Revolutionary War.
There are three scars on the outer side near the outer edge of the right Leg on the fleshy part of the calf thereof: one said to have been made by a Bullet, and the others by Buck Shot the one by the Bullet left the Scar both sides of the Leg: having passed through it: from the appearance of the Scar. I fervily believe the Scars were made by a Bullet & Buck Shot as the said Woodard stated: said Woodard appears to be same where about eighty years of age: and it is uniformly believed he was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War
Levi Chamberlin
Hampshire ss May 11 th 1839 Then the above named Levi Chamberlin personally appeared, and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me. and I further certify that I am acquainted with the said Levi and that he sustains the character of a good Surgeon & is a man of truth.
Samuel Morcy Justice of Peace

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that Deben Mearcy Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Deben Mearcy and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this seventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine .
Wells
Clerk.

Sept 23 Greenwich Sept 1-1839 map: one proof Nath Moore
free
Henry L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Greenwich Ms Sept 17th 1839
Hon J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions herein I enclose some further evidence in support of the application of Nathaniel Waudand. That claim was suspended in 1833 for further evidence. The affidavit of Mr Williams herein sent states Waudand was in the service of 1775 which probably correct and the discrepancy in the year is probably a mistake of Waudand, as he is and I think always was a man of some what of a weak mind! I suppose his naval service was probably a privateer service, and it is supposed he was taken by the British in that service all who know him I believe think him honest and that he was in the Revolutionary Service please advise me of the decision in the his case he probably will not be able to find many who saw him in the service as most all are dead who were with him.
most Respectfully your humble Servt
Samuel Hovey

Washington, Dec 15 th 1853.
Hon Soren P Waldo,
I enclose herewith the certificate of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, in the case of Nathaniel Woodward, of Mass a , suspended under the act 7 th June 1852. In my opinion the evidence of his service and identity are clearly shown by the certificate, but before placing the heirs to any further expense in obtaining the requisite order of court to establish the date of the death of the soldier I desire to be informed whether you are satisfied with the evidence of service &c.
I am very respectfully
Yours Ob t Serv t
A. H. Mackland

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept. 18 1833.
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 there was a Company in the service of the State of Massachusetts commanded by Capt. James Perry - but only two of the Rolls of said Company remain on file, both of which are for services in the year 1775 - none remaining for 1776.
I can find no Roll or Record of any vessel commanded by Capt. John Burt. There was a privateer commanded by Capt. William Burt, called the Skyrocket, which was employed as a State vessel in the Pensylvania expedition in 1779 - but no roll remaining.
I can find no Roll or Record of any vessel commanded by Capt. Pierce, or any vessel called simply the Caesar . There was a public armed vessel called the Julius Caesar , of which one roll remains 1 Turn over

dated June 21. 1780. The vessel was then commanded by Lieut. John Churchward. The number of guns does not appear. Nathaniel Woodward's name is not on said roll.
The rolls on file in this Department are obviously very incomplete, particularly in relation to the Naval service of which few remain.
Edward Bangs Esq.

Oct 23
add. co
W. H. Howard
Oct 18
FREE.
J. V. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Greenwich Actn 17 th 1834
Dear Sir
Sir at the request of Mr Nathaniel Woodmand of Dover I sent to you for your inspection & decision three affidavits all proving that Woodmand had a regular discharge from his service in the War of the Peninsula and two proving that the same was destroyed so that he cannot now produce it in support of his claim but he hopes it will be corroborate his statement as on file now in your office so as to secure no doubt as to eighteen years service - I know he is a poor old man not worth a farthing in circumstances & respectable, if any one deserves a pension all who know Woodmand have every reason to believe he deserves one, he was undoubtedly in the service on the water but I do not know as it is now possible for him to produce proof of it satisfactory please advise me when you have considered his case I am with much respect your humble Servt
John Mays

Gilbert Warden

I Jared Weed, of Petersham, in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts testify, and say that I have been personally acquainted with Nathaniel Woodward of Dana, in this County for many years: that subsequent to the enactment of the pension law of the United States of 1818, and I think about fourteen years ago, he requested me to prepare his declaration for the purpose of applying for a pension under that Statute: that he left sundry papers with me, and among others, a regular discharge from the army where he had performed services, during the revolutionary war: but whether on the continental establishment, or for militia services, I am unable at this distant period of time, to state: that his declaration was not then prepared by me, for some reason, which I do not now recollect, and that some time afterward I delivered to Mr. Woodward, all his papers, including his discharge from the army: and further saith not.
Petersham August 23, 1834. Jared Weed.
Worcester ss, August 23 d , 1834. Then Jared Weed personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit, by him subscribed, is true, before me Edmond Cushing Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worcester ss. I. Joseph G. Kendall, Clerk of the Judicial Courts in said County, certify, that Ed- mund Cushing, before whom the above named Jared Weed made oath to the foregoing Affidavit, is a Jus- tice of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified to administer the oaths aforesaid, and that the within signature appears to be the hand writing of said Edmund Cushing —
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said County this twenty third day of August A. D. 1834 — Jos. G. Kendall Clerk

Pension office
26 Sept
Chap W.D.
Hon. J. D. [?] Secretary of the Navy Washington City
GREENWICH, Sept. 21. Nassau

Greenwich Mass September 20 th 1853 Hon Lewis Cass Secretary of War.
Sir I herewith send to you the papers of private Wardman. Sir Person called on the Secretary of the State and with him examined what of the old records and papers Mr. Lander found, and he has sent his verification; the old papers were in a state of confusion, and were much missing, and in some places, and of a part all Silver must only be hiding evidence of his service in the Department He cannot be sure of a charge of success owing to the absence of the papers of the papers of the of even more than last -
He who knows this poor broken man would also believe him earnest in his statement He cannot now remember the name of one of the vessels, and he hoped to find it by finding the name of the ship, but quite a long time ago he is much broken down by age sickness and hardship, and is so far what forgotten - the witness says he cannot find much much all are dead from the very beginning he has had - He hopes that he has himself made satisfactory proof of at least more than two years service, and prays that he may be allowed it
You will please advise me on the subject for him
Yours most respectfully J. B. Mansel

15. 12. 87 I Silas Williams of Prescott in the County Hampshire and State of Massachusetts, aged Seventy five years the thirteenth day of March last, on oath depose and say, That I was a Substitute, and first for one Cornelius Grafton: and then I served as a waiter to the Capt. James Perry, in Col. Sargents Regiment. Served at Cambridge near Boston in said State as then was in Sept. as I think to 1775 when I began to as only as a soldier in the Army: when I was in said Service, I frequently saw, and was with a soldier from Tannton doing duty as such in said Company under said officers: by the name of Nathaniel Woodward said Woodward then lived in said Tannton. but afterwards moved to Dana in the County of Worcester, in said State and now resides there. I frequently see him, and have no doubt he is the same man I under stood he was one of the Eight months Soldiers in said Company, after this I understood he the said Woodward enlisted in Capt Perry's Company for one year, and went to the State of New Jersey, and as I understood was wounded in the leg in the Battle of Trenton. I have seen three scars on his right leg, which it was said were made in that Battle by a Red Bullet & the Buckshot and I have no doubt of that fact, said Woodward had some singular traits of oddity, and was well known in the Company, but was a good soldier. He probably is not far from Eighty years old and is considerably superannuated Silas Williams

Cambridge ss on the nineteenth day of May A.D. 1839 personally appeared before me the Subscriber the within named Silas Williams and made solemn Oaths to the truth of the above within affidavit by him subscribed. And I further certify that the said said Silas Williams is a man who sustains a good character for truth & I have no doubt is entitled to such a character. Abner Mearcy Justice of the Peace

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Hampshire ss.
I, Samuel Wells, Clerk of the Judicial Courts of the Commonwealth, for the County of Hampshire, do certify, that Sabean Marcy Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate on the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned, and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Sabean Marcy and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said Commonwealth, this seventeenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.
Wells
Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
December 8 th 1853.
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 Nathaniel Woodard is borne on a return of Capt. Oliver Soper's (comp. Col. Timothy Walker's Regt. of 8 mos Service, dated Oct. 6. 1775. from Taunton. Also on list of Capt. Samuel Perry's Comp. in 16 th Regt. of Foot from Jan'y. 1. 1776. to April 6. 1776 3. Mos. 6. Days as private. Also on pay roll of Officers and men belonging to the Brigade commanded by John F. Williams from March 7. to April 20. 1779. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. M. D. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I am now _____ years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated.
WITNESS my hand, this twenty third day of November A. D. 18 53
Signed by said in my presence,
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Franklin Hall Atty for heirs.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES,
made by the
of the party who rendered the service.
County of Suffolk State of Massachusetts Town of City of Boston
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of Nathaniel Woodward in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of _____ in the County of _____ and State of _____
He enlisted from the Town of Taunton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year 17 _____ as a _____ in the Company commanded by Captain _____ Regiment _____ and he served as follows,* viz: —
* Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c., of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.