Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,734, Jacob Townsley, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass
Townley, Jacob
S. 17734
CONTENTS
Cardel

Maine 29.594
Sagd Townley of Cherryfield the State of Maine who was a private in the County commanded by Captain Thompson of the Reg t commanded by Col Nixon in the Massachussetts line for & Continental Ryans
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of April 1835 and acct Wm Freeman Cherryfield Maine
Arrears to the 4th of March 1835  320 Semi-ant. allowance ending 40
$360
Revolutionary Claim. Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Book H
R. Allen Vol. 1
Cler Page 59

I Gad Downey of Penobscot, County of Washington State of Maine certify and say that I near as the Jacob Downey in Capt Joseph Doughty's Company and Col John Nixon's Regiment, and I know that said Jacob Downey served one year in said Company, and after said year expired that he served six weeks more in the same Compa- ny as a volunteer - I also know that said Jacob Downey afterwards went to Pownalborough in a Militia Com- pany, and believe that he served there three months, for in about that time he returned home - I also certify and say, that I know that the said Jacob Downey was a Soldier in the Company of Capt John Carpenter Act in 1770 and that he enlisted in said Company for eight months, and I believe that he served for the whole time, for I saw present the very day that he and said the rest of said Company were discharged. During this time I (the Deponent) was enlisted in the nine months service and was stationed in Capt William Imogene's Company, Col Thomas Nixon's Regiment, Massachusetts Line, and was encamped with said Carpenter's Company on White Plains, while my Brother was a Soldier in said Company Carpenter's

Carpenter's Company - I further testify, that I was at home when my said Mother Jacob Townley went to service in the Quarter Master's Department under Col Paret, and I feel confident that she was in that service at least one year - I was at home when she went to Springfield for the four horse and at home, when she re- turned, and cannot I think be mistaken as to the time - I do not know the capacity in which she served - I further testify that some time in July, 1777 I and my said Mother Jacob Townley turned out under Capt Winchester to oppose Gen Burgoyne, that we marched to Bennington, State of Vermont, and there joined Col Woodbury's Regiment - In a few days after Col Brown went off for Bennington to go on a private expedition - I and my said Mother joined him, and marched through the woods to the head of Lake George - There took a British guard and all the guards between Lake George and the Fort of Ticonderoga about four hundred men in all - we were employed in these & other services about three months - Just Townley

Washington 8 May 8 1833
Then Geo Townley personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him signed -
Before me D r H. H. H. Just of Peace
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named Geo Townley and that I believe him to be a person of respectability and veracity -
D r H. H. H.
I Jacob Townley hereby declare that while in the service of the Quarter Master Department at Springfield (in 1700 I think) I was employed as an Assistant under Col Smith, and was sent on different expeditions - sometimes carrying on mules - sometimes carrying clothing to the Army - sometimes under Col Morris, that had been sent out to winter - and various other services which were required by Col Smith. I was allowed the same pay and rations as Captains of the Line received, (which is the service -
Jacob Townley

Jacob Fournier. — application for Pension.
Suppl.

State of Maine County of Washington ss
On this eleventh day of September A D 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Hon John Dickinson Judge of the Court of Probate of Will County and for the County of Washington, now sitting at Cherryfield in said County, Jacob Townley a Resident of Steubon in said County aged seventy three 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 his name was on the Pension roll under the act of March 18 th 1818 and has been dropped there- from on account of property — That he enlisted in the service of the United States under Joseph Tompson, Captain — John Dusen, Colonel in the Town of Pownal, County of Hamp- shire, State of Massachusetts, in the year 1776 for one year and served out that year — was stationed on Eden Hill, near Brinker Hill, until the British evacuated Boston — then marched to New London, then went

On water to New York and encamped on Bowling Green - afterwards moved to Governor's Island and staid un- til the Army under Gen. Washington retreated out of New York - retreated to Harlem Heights and had an engagement with the British - After the year was out served with Gen. Washington six weeks - Then was discharged and went home - Then was drafted in the Militia and went to Tienderoga and served three months - Then served in the Militia under Capt. John Carpenter on the White Plains and the Hail Hills eight months - Then returned home and went in the Quarters Master department in Springfield and served under Col. Pnath one year - Was born in Springfield aforesaid - Lived there when he first enlisted and always had his home until he came to Steubenville, where he has lived since 1703 - 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, except as aforesaid -
Jacob Townsley
Person to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John Dickinson Judge

And the said Court does here by declare his opinion that the aforenamed Applicant, - Jacob Townsley was a Revolu- tionary Soldier as he afore- states, and that his statement aforesaid is true -
John Dickinson - Judge
State of Maine.
Washington Co.
Probate Office, Machias. -
I Aaron S. Raymond, Register of the Court of Probate for and within the County of Washington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jacob Townsley for a pension. ~~~~~
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this thirteenth thirteenth day of September A.D. 1882
Aaron S. Raymond Reg. of Probate

Maine 32-960 Rev. Suspended act 7 th '32 Clare
Jacob Townley for letter to Cl. 14 Aug '33
app t informed Oct. 1. 1833 that he must produce such proof as was required by the letter of 14 Aug. 1833
See let W. G. Jarvis Feb. 13. 1834 admit 2 years parole #80
Wm Freeman Esq Cherryfield Maine

(24) I Jacob Townsley of Haver in the County of Washington and Commonwealth in addition to my Declaration of my services in the Revolutionary War of the United States of America made on the 13 th Day of April in the year 1818 do on oath testify and say that I enlisted into the Army of the United United States as a Private Soldier on or about the first of January in the year 1776 for the term of one year I belonged to Captain Joseph Thompson Company in Col o John Nixon, or Duxbury Regiment in the Massachusetts Line in Brig d G l John Sullivan, Brigade - I continued in the Army until my time of enlistment was up - then at the particular request of the Commander in Chief I with a number of the Company continued with the Army six weeks longer or through the Winter Campaign at Red Bank - Trenton, and other Places in the State of Pennsylvania and New Jersey -
Jacob Townsley
Washington D.C. September 17 th 1819 Then the above named Jacob Townsley made solemn oath to the truth of the above Declaration. by him signed before me
James Campbell Judge C.C.C. Third Eastern Circuit Mass -

I Jacob Lowensky of Steubenville in the County of Washington and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify & say that he Listed into Capt Joseph Thompsons Company on or a- bout the first of January in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Six - which Com- pany Belonged to Col d John Dickson Regiment and Gen l John Sullivan Brigade - which Brigade was organized and Camped on Winter Hill near Bunker Hill - there did my Camp duty for the winter and til the British Troops left Boston in March then I with our Regiment was Marched to Providence then to New London - there Carried from there to New York by water - there Camped in the Bowery - after then Governor Island and there we were when the British Troops took Long Island - we were ordered to leave this Island after this I with our Regiment took part in the Battle at Harlem Heights - at this time it became necessary to Guard in every Direction - and our Regiment duty was performed in that way - we were at Kings Bridge - White Plains - from there crossed the North River at Kings Ferry Marched thro the Jerseys - crossed Delaware River and got between Philadelphia and British army where our army made a stand and gained some victory over the Hessians Troops - after this our Regiment crossed Delaware River again and Camped somewhere near Trenton - here my time of Enlistment was up with the rest of our Regiment - now all those whose terms were up had a Call for further services - a Call from Gen l Washington - he invited is in strong terms to stop Six weeks longer - now the greatest part of our officers & soldiers made up their minds and concluded that if they left the army in its present situa- tion it would be a Bandoning the Cause which had at first induced them to engage in it - on this behalf I with the rest of our Comrades volunteered for Six weeks longer - we organized into the same Company & Regiment as before - after this Gen l Washington by the means of Fines which he ordered us to make up and which he left Burning and by this Stratagem he with his army

185 Jacob Townshend Private Col. Dixon's Reg. Capt. Sept. June 1776 -

WASHINGTON, ss.
April 13 th A. D. 1818
IT appearing to my satisfaction, that Jacob Townsley subscriber to the annexed declaration, sworn to before me, did serve in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, as stated in said declaration, I now transmit the testimony in the case, with the proceedings had thereon, to the Secretary of the department of war, pursuant to the directions of the Act entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war;" the testimony and proceedings in the premises being the declaration aforesaid, with the accompanying documents marked D - E - F together with this certificate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the third Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts to be hereunto affixed.
James Campbell
{ Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the third Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts.

Marched from Trenton to Princeton in the night unobserved by the enemy and then surprize them and took them - this was pleasing and giving them back handed play as we thought from this we marched to Morristown and then I performed the remainder part of my six weeks duty in scouting down and near the enemy line and at the end discharged by General Washington - I am now fifty nine years old and think I stand in need of assistance from my country Jacob Townsley -
Washington April 13 - 1818 then the above named Jacob Townsley made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed before me James Campbell Judge C.C.C. third Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts
Washington September 17 th 1819 I am satisfied that the above named Jacob Townsley by reason of his adverse circumstances in life is in need of assistance from his country for support
James Campbell Judge of the Court of Common Pleas this eastern Circuit Mass - To the Secretary of the War Department
Dec. 13 th April 1818
I am the declining years of the state in the declaration -
The deposition of two dis- interested & credible witnesses to prove the fairness of the present duty to be taken demonstrated is required.
The pages are affixed to a distinct document with the subject matter.
Further evidence is enclosed in this file

letter to claimant 20 April 1833
16-219
District of Maine
Jacob Townsley
of Washington Co: in the state of D of Maine who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Nason of the Massachusetts line, for the term of One Year
Inscribed on the roll of District of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 13 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 of Dec 1818 and to James Campbell Kennebec D of Maine
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1819 133.86 Semi-ann. all'ce ending Mar 1820 48.00 16 Mo 22/30 $181.86
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }

P 14/4/31 INVALID.
File No. 177.34
Jacob Downesley Pr. New Year
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 377
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jacob Downey

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov r 8 th 1834.
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 Jacob Townsley, as a private, is borne on a pay-roll of Capt. Daniel Winchester's company, in Col. Ruggles Woodbridge's regt. where he is allowed from August 17 th to Nov r 29 th 1777, for services and travel three months & twenty one days. m. d. 3-21 Jacob Townsley's name is borne on a pay-roll of Capt. John Carpenter's company, in Col. Ezra Wood's regt. where he is allowed from July 5 th 1778. to July 2 nd 1779, for services and travel seven months and seventeen days. ————— 7-17 11-08
E. D. M.
Edward D. Bangs Secy

Paper Jacob Townley

War Department Pension Office February 13. 1831
Sir
The claim of Jacob Townsley to be allowed for services in the Massachusetts Militia which were not alluded to in his former declaration may be shown by the rolls in the office of C. G. Bangs Esq. Secretary of the State of Massachusetts. There is much ambiguity respecting the character of his service in the Quarter Masters Department.
If he received an appointment upon the Staff, and the written evidence is lost, he must explain the nature of his appointment, from whom it was received, and prove his rank by direct evidence. In no instance in the execution of the Pension Laws has rank in the service been allowed to a claimant upon his naked declaration, unsupported by other evidence.
If he held no rank but was an enlisted Soldier the facts must be detailed, and search should be made among the archives of Massachusetts for evidence. Upon the evidence now in the case a Pension will be allowed, for thirteen months twelve days service as a Private. But further service cannot be admitted, unless more satisfactory evidence is produced. The papers remain on

File
I have the honor to be Your obed. Servant J L Edwards
Hon J Jarvis House of Representatives

Sturtevant Me Sept 25 th 1875
Hon. J. I. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Steuben. Maine 23 Sep t 1833 —
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions — Dear Sir your favour of the 14 Aug t last has been duly received — where in you say my papers have again been examined & placed on your files — and my evidence in relation to my alleged Service as assistant Quarter Master is not deemed satisfactory — and I must produce some direct proof of it — this I think would be a very expensive and troublesome thing to undertake owing to the length of time since I performed that Service which is according to the best of my memory 53 years ago — it was my uncle Charles Colton who lived in Springfield & who was a Captain in Col o . Gratons Regiment and was well acquainted with Col o Smith who recommended me to Col o Smith and was the means of getting me into his Service — I Boarded with my uncle during the time I was with Col o Smith — and if I could find any of his Family alive I am confident that I could get the direct proof you ask for I can not conceive it to be of much use to dwell or puzzle my mind on this thing I am a lame with a bad Rheumatism in my Legs & have not been able to do any Business for some years — and I can not see any use for an old man like me to send all over the country after the persons I want to prove my claim for I think there will be Fifty chances to one against me in doing this for I was to the place of my nativity in the year 1819 after I desire to prove my claim then — I think I did not lay in my claim only for one year which I thought would answer the

then Law to obtain my Pension - I now find I was very wrong wrong in not making out my whole claim at that time I had at that time no idea that Congress would make any Laws about the Pensions - you say if I ever received an appointment I must state by whom it was signed and what has become of it my warrant was signed by William Smith after leaving Col. Smith in the year 1781 I returned Home to Brimfield. there I made up my mind to try my Luck at Sea accordingly I set off for Boston in the Summer of 1781 when I left Home I left my warrant & all the papers & orders that I had received from Col. Smith from time to time when I got to Boston I sold my Horse for 120 Dollars with what other Money I had I was able to Buy about three hundred Dollars worth of Goods which I shipped on Board a Small Schooner Bound down East on a Trading voyage I made out very well in this Business and got into Newburyport in the Fall of the same year there I fell in with a Sloop Bound to James River in the State of Virginia on a Trading Voyage I shipped on Board of her about 450 Dollars worth of Goods I Sailed from here for James River in the beginning of the year 1782 we were in two hours view of the Mouth of James River when we met the Dynamid Sloop and Cyclops all British Ships we were taken on Board the Cyclops Frigate - they took from me all that I could call my own took every thing out of the Sloop that was worth saving & Burnt the Sloop at Sea & Burnt my Chest with part of my Cloaths - the first part of February they carried us into New York & there made prisoners of us - after this I was a prisoner to

go home and I returned in to the Eastern Country again and soon, into Busings and have made it my home here from those days to this - I will give you a short sketch of one piece of Business I did while I was with Col. Smith I took charge of 14 or 15 - Four or teams loaded at Springfield with clothing for the army my direction from Col. Smith was to get them on to Fishkills on the Hudson River my first teams carried their loads to Leitchfield in Connecticut - here I stored the goods - & paid my Teamsters in paper money in doing this I had no trouble. Now I had to get a new set of Team & teamsters - the first day I went after them I was not able to engage one they appeared to be so unfriendly I asked them whether they did feel disposed to encourage the cause we were in - they said yes - but they did not like their nor my money - I returned to my Lodgings & told the gentleman of the House - that I had not been able to get one team - he told me that he had not much faith in the people where I had been - and advised me to go to another place about 10 or 12 miles off - I went & found no difficulty in procuring the number of teams I wanted but I could not get them to agree what day they would come to me at Leitchfield here I was detained 3 or 4 day to get them all to agree on this thing - at last they agreed and all came at the day appointed - loaded & set of for Fishkills - here we had bad roads to encounter and an unfriendly set of people to deal with - the night before we got in to Fishkills I was obliged to give orders to my teamsters to take their fences down and turn their cattle in to their fields the people seeing & damaging them at the same time - they followed me in to Fishkills and made their complaint against me but the poor souls were obliged to take my paper money or nothing - I have only mentioned this piece of Service that you might in some measure be satisfied that I have done the Service I claim
I am Respectfully your Ob t Hum ble Serv t Jacob Townsley -

J. Newman Esq.

(9) I, Timothy Sherman of South Brimfield in the County of Hampden (formerly Hamp- shire) & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Yeman, do hereby depose & say that I have been acquainted with Jacob Farnsby now of Steubenville in the County of Washington & District of Columbia Esq. from his youth, that we were both born in the Town of Brimfield, that said Farnsby entered into & was a member of Capt. Joseph Thompson's company in what was called the year's service in Col. Nixon's Regi- ment in the first part of the year of our Lord 1775 and I frequently saw said Farnsby as I visited his company during said term at their quar- ters, on Winter Hill near Bunker's Hill & also at Bury Lane near New York after we were ordered there - also I saw said Farnsby at his quarters on Governor's Island when said Nixon's Regiment was encamped there, I also saw said Farnsby at Brimfield after his return home from said year's service. Further the deponent saith not.
Timothy Sherman Hampden Co. On the 19th day of August A.D. 1819 the aforesaid deponent was examined, cautioned & sworn agreeable to laws to the truth of the deposition aforesaid, by him subscribed and I hereby certify that the said deponent sustains a good character for truth & veracity for truth & veracity } W. H. Thompson Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hampden Jr. C. C. Common Pleas Aug. Term 1890
Bliss
I John Ingersoll Clerk of said Judicial Courts of said Commonwealth for said County of Hampden do hereby certify that the within the within is a true of the proceedings of said County duly qualified to take de- positions. That the within sig- nature is his proper hand and writing that his certificates are entitled to credit. — In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and af- fixed the Seal of said Courts of Common Pleas
John Ingersoll Clerk
77

(E) Zadock Nichols of Brimfield County of Hampden He was an enlistment of Massachusetts of lawful age testify & say -
That I have been all acquainted with Jacob Townsley formerly of Brimfield now of Sturbridge County of Washington, State of Massachusetts I know that in the Year 1776 he was a soldier enlisted into Capt. Joseph Thompson's Company in Nixon's Regi- ment for one year and he was on Win- ter Hill near Brinker Hill. I saw him then as a soldier in said Company and was a soldier myself in Capt. Dart's Company -
The Regiment of Nixon was afterwards renamed to Morse - said Townsley was there also in it. Thompson's Com- pany, with his brother Gad Townsley and returned home with him a little while after I returned - I served for a year after I enlisted. They enlisted about the time I did. I left them both in the Army when I returned home & I have no doubt that they both served as good and faithful soldiers for one whole year for which

They enlisted.
Hampden. Zadok Nichols Aug. 14. 1819 Sworn to by said Zadok Nichols at trial. - I am well acquainted with Nichols & his character for truth and veracity is good. - Testified by me Stephen Pynchon Justice of the peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampden County ss. Aug. 17 th 1819 I John Ingersoll Clerk of all the Judicial Courts of said Commonwealth for said County of Hampden do hereby certify that Stephen Pynchon above named is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly and legally qua- lified to take depositions - That the above signature is his proper hand writing - & that his attestations are entitled to credit whereof I have hereunto set my hand of the Court of Common Pleas John Ingersoll Clerk

Jacob Townley
Maine
Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of March, next, in the district of Maine, at the Cumberland Bank, Portland.
dropt - old papers wanting.
Mar 20
Recorded

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818, Jacob Townsley, of Washington County, District of Maine — " " — late a private — " " in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Dist. of Maine — Agency, at the rate of Eight — dollars per month, to commence on the thirteenth day of April , — one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen .
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this fourth — day of December , one thousand eight hundred and nineteen .
J C Calhoun
Secretary of War.

War Department
Pension Office
April 20 th 1833
Sir,
Your declaration under the act of June 7 th 1832 has been examined, and is herewith enclosed to You, —
As You set forth in it, other services than those mentioned in your declaration under the act of 1818. You must produce proof of these services, before they can be taken into the computation of your pension, —
You must also state in what capacity You served in the Quarter Masters Department, —
I am respectfully
Your Ob st Servt
J. Edwards
Mr Jacob Towsley Steuben
Me,