Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,402, John Willis, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Willis, John
S. 6,402
carded
CONTENTS

86 Spex
15.7.85 Massachusetts
John Miller
of Essex in the State of Mass. a was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Linsley of the Regt commanded by Col. Gernon in the Mass. a time for 22 months
Contd on back
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 73- Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July 1833 and sent to Lynn Massachusetts
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $141.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 36.67
$183.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by
LOD Adm
CI
pk 9
Vol. 2.
Page
92

6627
Rev Willis
Put 21 Mths
M.C.E
14 16 06
Apr 29 1833
P. 361
Clamant Lynn Mass

6627  BRIEF in the case of  John Willis  Lynn  County of Essex  in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 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? 84  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.     From May '75 to last of Dec '75 — 8 — Private Capt. Lindsey Col. Parrish   Spring of '76 — 6 — Private Capt. Saltonstall   in '77 thinks July but not certain but is confident that it was hasty time — 6 — Private Capt. Wilkins Col. Wigglesworth   '78 — 2 — Private Capt. Buffington   Private Capt. Cox  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker hill — Saratoga  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lynn 
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 3 living Witnesses 
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The depositions not properly authenticated 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
John Roll Capt Col  Wm G Easton Examining Clerk.  24 Jan 33

Declaration &c - of. John Willis an Applicant for Pension under act June 7. 1832
N o 6627.
where Thomas A. B. was among the ...

Exh. 55. 6 * May 1833. I the said J. C. Hildreth, the master of the vessel, before whom the said Harris Chadwick, made oath on the 13th day of August, 1832, that the said John Willis was a soldier in the company of State Troops (raised from Lynn and Salem) of which Thomas Lok was Capt. That we proceeded to Rhode Island and remained in and about there two months, in the service of the United States. That I John Willis was a soldier in said company and served the term of two months to my knowledge, he being under my inspection and employed in the same boat with myself in transporting the army & baggage to Livenston.
I Harris Chadwick of Lynn Gentlemen on oath declare and say that in 1778 I was a Lieutenant in the Company of State Troops (raised from Lynn and Salem) of which Thomas Lok was Capt. That we proceeded to Rhode Island and remained in and about there two months. in the service of the United States. That John Willis was a soldier in said company and served the term of two months to my knowledge, he being under my inspection and employed in the same boat with myself in transporting the army & baggage to Livenston.  Harris Chadwick
Exh. 55. 6 * Sept. 13 Aug 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Harris Chadwick and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above statement before me J. C. Hildreth his Pa.

Harris Chadwick Aff'd for John Willis
(No. 4.)
Rhode Island.
See No. 4.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS: COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss.
On this fourteenth day of August , A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the HONORABLE DANIEL APPLETON WHITE, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, now sitting, John Willis , a resident of Synn , in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 84 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:
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
1. In May 1775. I enlisted as a soldier for eight months in Capt. Linsley's Company. Afterward Linsley was broken and Lieut. Daniel Galeucia appointed Capt. We went to Cambridge and remained in and about there during the whole eight months which ended I think the last of December 1775. Jacob Grush was our Colonel and a Mr Bond Lt. Col. I was at the battle of Bunker Hill. 2. In 1776 I enlisted again for six months to go to Tienderoga to reinforce Gen. Gates under Capt. Wilkins of Middle-ton and Col. Wigglesworth. It was in the spring I think that we went on but I am not certain. On the way we passed through Groton, Charlestown N.H. - there crossed the river and went into No 4. Wood (so called). Returned from Tienderoga by way of Lake Champlain and Albany 3. In July 1777. Enlisted again under Capt Zador Buffington of Salem for six months. Marched to Saratoga - passed through Brimfield. Burgoyne was there when we arrived. I was there when Burgoyne's army surrendered and  but did not come home with the guard. Returned I think through Springfield in a small detached body. I am not certain that it was July when I enlisted, but I am confident that it was about that time when we went away - When we returned it was cold weather and the ground was frozen. While at Saratoga before the surrender of Burgoyne, a detachment of our line made an attack upon a fortification, which the Hessians

were throwing up. It was among the number and received a sword or bayonet wound in the thigh, which disabled me for twenty-one days. We carried the redoubt and drove the Hessians away.
4. In 1778 enlisted in Captain Lox's company for two months . The company was raised partly in Lynn and partly in Salem. The Capt belonged to Salem. Harris Chadwick was Lieutenant and Thomas Lox Ensign. The company was raised by State Authority & sent to Rhode Island. On our arrival at Providence the company being large was divided and Captain Lox's company being large was divided and Ensign Lox was appointed Capt of our division. The Lynn and Salem soldiers were mostly ordered to take charge of the boats employed in transporting the Army and baggage to Green Point. I was among the number in the boats. We arrived at Green Point the same day that the French Fleet went off. We afterwards went round to Pawtuxet and remained there till the expiration of our term of service which was two months in all.
I was born in Marblehead 11 July 1748 1748 I know of no record of my birth. Moved to Lynn in 1772 and have resided here ever since except when in the service. I am known to the Hon. Ezra Mudge, Elijah Browning Esq. & many others who I think will testify my veracity and their belief in my service as a soldier of the Revolution. I do not recollect that I ever received a written discharge - if I did I have lost it.
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.
John Willis
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
D. White
JUDGE OF PROBATE.
We, Ezra Mudge  Ezra clergyman, residing in Lynn aforesaid, and Elijah Browning Esquire, a magistrate, residing in Lynn aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Willis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 84 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.
Dec 25. 14 Dec 1832
Ezra Mudge Elijah Browning
Subscribed and sworn to before J. C. Perkins Just Peace.

Sept 13. 6 May 1833 The said J. C. Atkinson the magistrate who administered the oath to Josiah Rhodes, certifies the same more for this certify that the said Rhodes is a credible witness and in my opinion a credible witness
I Josiah Rhodes of Lynn, make oath and say that in 1778 I was a soldier in the company of Capt Thomas Box. We served two months in Rhode Island I recollect that John Willis of Lynn was likewise a soldier there in the same company with myself and served two months as a soldier Harris Chadwick was Lieutenant and Jonathan Sturtevant General. Josiah Rhodes
Essex ss. 13 Aug 1832 Then the above named Josiah Rhodes subscribed the above statement and made oath to the truth of it before me J. C. Atkinson Esq. Pa

Isiah Rhodes Affid. for John Willis
(No. 4.)
Rhode Island

Lashua Bun for the office
To for John Wilkes
(N 63.)
Varatosa

Sept 16. 6 May 1833. I let the King the means to escape in Storm the Sand Station made it is a credit to our more from the capital that the Sand Station and in my opinion entitled to the King's favor
I Joshua Davenport of Canajoharie, German on oath declared and say that in the summer of 1777. I was a soldier in the American Army at Sara- toga in capt Baddock's Battery and I remember that John Willis was a soldier in the same company. After the surrender of Burgoyne I returned with Gen. Stowe of Philadelphia. I had to bring home the baggage. Willis did not return with us and I do not know how long he served after my return. I myself enlisted for three months only.
was  in  the  year  1888
Doyle: I believe in fair play
Ex/Sec. ss. 13. Aug. 1832. Then personally appeared the above named Joshua Danforth and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement before me D. C. McKim Rev.

Essex ss. 6 May 1833 & J. H. Kimball the deponent being first sworn, deposes that the said Hallowell made oath to the truth of this his deposition, the said Hallowell being first sworn, deposes that the said Hallowell made oath to the truth of this his deposition, the said Hallowell being first sworn, deposes that the said Hallowell made oath to the truth of this his deposition.
I Henry Hallowell of Lynn Gentleman on oath declare and say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army and some years after the Peace feeling an interest in the cause I carefully collected all the names of all such persons as I knew served in said Revolution, and also all such as were then reputed to have been soldiers in said Revolution, who at the time belonged to Lynn - That I reduced to writing the names of all such and prepared a mem- orandum of the same and that about ten years since I copied into a book said names, as the old memoran- dum had become much worn & defaced - I further declare that the names of John Willis is upon said book as a Revolutionary soldier belonging to Lynn and that it was also on the original memorandum - and further that I have been town clerk of Lynn for sixteen years.
Henry Hallowell
Essex ss. 14 Aug 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Henry Hallowell and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement before me J. B. Kimball Jus. Pac.

Henry Hallowell also
for John Willis

And the said Court hereby declares its 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 Ezra Mudge , who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in  are and that the said Elijah Downing , who has also signed the same, is a Magistrate, resident at Lebanon, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
D. H. White Judge of Probate
I, NATHANIEL LORD Junior, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Willis for a pension. and that J. C. Estlin Esq. before whom the inclosed Affidavits and Certificate were subscribed and sworn was at the time and now is a Justice of the Peace within the County of Essex and duly sworn and had minuted the oaths.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this
fourteenth day
of August , A. D. 1832.
C Nath. Lord Jr.
Signed and sealed anew this ninth day of May, A. D. 1833.
C Nath. Lord Jr.

6627
John Willis
Clamant Lynn Mess

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Willis 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? Yes IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes
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? Yes
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? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes  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? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
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.

ReMark ✓
6402
INVALID.
File No. 6402
John Willis
Prior Mfg. Co.
Act: June 9 1882
Index:—Vol. a , Page 108
[Arrangement of 1870.]