Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,429, Joseph Willson, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Willson, Joseph or Wilson
S. 6,429
CONTENTS
carded
b. Jan. 16, 1762 at New Braintree, Worcester Co. Mass + res. there at enl. res in 1833. Leicester, Worcester Co. Mass.

See letter to Waldo Flint Sept 25, 1833
Gl
703 Wac
15.695- Massachusetts
Joseph Wilson
of Worcester in the State of Mass ts who was a priv: in the company commanded by Captain Stowell of the Reg t commanded by Col. Reys in the Massachusetts line for 9 months & 10 days.
Mr
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 31 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of July '33 and delivered A.H. Sylvester
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 62.20 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 11 - 15.55- $77.75
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6. Page 92

No. 25781 Joseph Wilson Worcester County Massachusetts
Private 9 M rs 10 days $31.10 -
A. H. Sylvester Present

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 Joseph Wilson 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.     Enlist Augt 1777 — 5 — private Capt Newell, Col Regt 71 years Testimonial evidence, one   Enlist Sept. 1778 — 3 28 " Capt Noyes, Col Sparkhawk New Braintree Writings certified credible & one   Enlisted Oct. 1779 — 1 17 " Capt Richardson, Col Deseny Massachusetts piece of documentary evidence   9 10 papers correct.  
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) _____, who has 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.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this Second day of July in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court, before Nathanil Paine, Judge of Probate &c. now sitting, Joseph Wilson a resident of Leicester in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
He enlisted in August of the year 1777 as a private in the Company of Militia under the command of Capt. Ebenezer Newell in the Regiment commanded by Col. Danforth Keys - to serve in the State of Rhode Island. He enlisted at New Braintree, & marched thence to a place in Rhode Island, called Oldhick's New Town, where the company was regularly organized; he thence marched to North Kingston, where the company remained about a fortnight, - thence back again to New-town; - thence, by the way of East Greenwich, where the company stopped a couple of days, to Providence. From Providence, the company marched, as the declarant thinks, to Bristol, & from Bristol, to Warren, - thence up the River, to Swansey, & crossed over Slade's Ferry to Freetown, - thence to Tiverton, - thence to Sabo's Mills, where the company staid several weeks, - thence to the Four Corners, with the intention, as it was said, of taking the Island, which was then in possession of the British. This was called Spencer's private expedition. The expedition was abandoned for some cause unknown to this declarant. The company then marched back again to Providence, where they were discharged in the early part of January, as he thinks, of the year 1778. He served, under this enlistment, the period of five months . He reached his home in New Braintree, as he will recollect, a few days before he was sixteen years old.
He enlisted again in September of the year 1778, as a private in Capt. Benjamin Aye's company of Militia in the Regiment commanded by Col. Nathan Sparkhank, & served there three months at Dorchester, near Boston, where the company was discharged the middle of December of the same year. The principal business of the company at Dorchester, was repairing the Forts there.
He again enlisted in October of the next year (1779), as a private in Capt. Jos. Richardson company of Mass. Militia - Col. Samuel Dennys Regiment - to serve for three months in the State of New York. The company first marched to a place in New York, called Claverick - & thence to Albany, where it was stationed for some time, & thence to a place on the Flats, called the Forks, where the company was dismissed, before the term of the enlistment had expired. They were dismissed the latter part of November, and the declarant's term of service at this time was, as nearly as he can recollect, six weeks .
He never, in any instance, received a written discharge from his commanding officer: when no further services were required, the company was paraded, & verbally dismissed by the Captain, whereupon they made the best of their way home.
The declarant was born in New Braintree in said County of Worcester on the 16th. January 1762, where he always lived, (with the exception of eight years during which he lived in the neighbouring town of Oakham) until the fall of the year 1808, when he removed to the town of Leicester, where he has resided ever since. He has no record of the time of his birth, but his informants teach him, that he is old, & his neighbours, all, will bear him witness that his days are, probably, nearly ended.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before Nathan Paine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Joseph Wilson

We John Nelson a Clergyman residing in the town of Leicester and Austin Flint, Esq. residing in said Leicester hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Wilson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy one years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Waldo Flint Justice of the Peace.
John Nelson Austin Flint
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Nelson who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Leicester and that Austin Flint Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Leicester aforesaid , and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Worcester ss.
NATHAN GAMES Judge of Probate For the County of Worcester - Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Theophilus Wheeler Regd , Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Wilson for a pension of that Waldo Flint Esq before whom the annexed affidavit was made, is a justice of the Peace in & for said County of Worcester & that his signature is genuine. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this Second day of July in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Theophilus Wheeler Regd of said Probate Court
25781
[Faint handwritten signature or mark]

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Joseph Wilson * a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. Sur. J. 6429. *Pensioned as Joseph Wilson
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug. 1777. 5 mos. Pri. Ebenezer Merrill. Danforth Hays. Mass.   Sept. 1778. 3 " " Benjamin Nye. Nathan Spearhawk. "   Oct. 1779. 6 wks. " Joseph Richardson. Samuel Denny. "                                                   
Battles engaged in, Gen. In, Spencer's expedition to B. I. Residence of soldier at enlistment, New Braintree, Mass. Date of application for pension, July 2, 1833. His cl. was al. Residence at date of application, Leicester, Worcester Co., Mass. Age at date of application, Born New Braintree, Worcester Co. Mass., Jan 16, 1762. Remarks: No family data.

Revman
6429
✓ INVALID.
File No. 6429
Joseph Wilson prior estate sale
Act: June 1 1882
Index:—Vol. a , Page 409
[Arrangement of 1870.]

July 8-1902 Henry L. Wilson - Brookline Mass
Feb. 6:08 Hist. to Mrs. Carroll A. Moore

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept 29 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 Joseph Wilson enlisted as a private in Capt. Benj. Nye's Company & Col. Nathan Sparkewick's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia September 20 th AD - 1778 - and served therein Two months and Twenty eight days at Dorchester Massachusetts, and was paid under a resolve of the Government of Massachusetts passed September 1778 - with Five pounds additional pay allowed by the state.
Also that he enlisted as a private in Capt. Joseph Richardson's Company and Col. Samuel Denny's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, for a Three months service in 1779 - He enlisted October 19. 1779 and served therein till his discharge November 23 d 1779 was distant from home 140 miles, and was allowed seven days, to return - making his whole term of service, as by the pay roll on file One month and twelve days - Amount of wages $ 22.83
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

The deposition of Aaron Kimball of North Brookfield in the county of Worcester Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who, being duly sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, testifies and says, -
That in the year 1777, he enlisted as a private in the Company of Mass. Militia commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Brewell in the Regiment under the command of Col. Danforth Keys: the company was raised to serve in the State of Rhode Island - & marched in the month of August of the above year, and continued in the service of the United States, doing duty in Rhode Island, into the winter of 1777-1778.
And he further testifies and says - that Joseph Wilson, then of New Braintree, and now of Leicester, in said county of Worcester, was a private soldier in said company & belonged to the same mess with the deponent, - that said Wilson enlisted into said Company in August & continued to serve in it to the end of the campaign in the winter of 1777-1778, as above stated, when the company was discharged at Providence.
According to deponent's recollection, the said Wilson served, as above, the term of six months; - the said Wilson, however, says, that he served in Rhode Island as above, five months only.
The deponent further says, that he is now seventy six years old, and further he saith not.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester County ss.
Subscribed & sworn to the 22 d day of June 1833.
Before me, Waldo Flint , Justice of the Peace
And I, the said Waldo Flint, do hereby certify, that the above named Aaron Kimball is a person of truth and veracity, and that his testimony is entitled to full faith and credit.
Waldo Flint, Justice of the Peace
his Aaron Kimball mark

Leicester Ms. Sept. 16
Free
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Pension Office Washington D.C.

Leicester, Mo Sept. 16th. 1833
To J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions -
Sir
A Certificate of Pension to Joseph Wilson of Massachusetts for 31.10. (No 15.695) was issued July 12th. 1833, and duly rec d by him.
He has made application at the P. Office in Boston for payment, & is informed, that no return has been made to that office, of the grant of such a Pension.
Application was made in Boston on the 12th. inst.
Will you have the goodness to see, that notice is given Obliging him as ever Yours very respectfully Naldo Flint

RV HENRY L. WATSON, 135 WINTHROP ROAD, BROOKLINE, MASS.
June 26. 1902
U. S. Pension Bureau Washington -
Will you please give me what data is available relative to
Isahel Matthews  Revolutionary Pensioner , Who enlisted from Leicester Mass. in 1781 and was on the pension rolls before and after 1840 -
I wish to know his age, his service, when pension began and ended, and whatever details appear on the record -
Also whatever particulars as to one
Joseph Wilson  Rev. Pensioner , at Alms-House in Leicester Mass about 1840 -
Very respectfully
Henry L. Watson

All agreements are contingent upon strikes, accidents, delays of carriers and delays unavoidable or beyond our control.
Carroll A. Moore.
John T. Moore.
John T. Moore & Son, MANUFACTURERS OF Manilla and Envelope Papers, Bellows Falls, Vt.
Jan 29-1908
Director of Pension Office, Washington D. C. Dear Sir:
According to some old family records, one of my ancestors Joseph Willson drew a pension for some time for some service rendered during the Revolutionary period, and I am desirous of finding out when , when and what services he rendered.
His father's name was Robert Willson, and they came from near Worcester Mass - probably New Braintree or Petersham as Joseph Willson was born in New Braintree Jan 16-1762 and married Sarah Matthews of New Braintree in 1782 - Joseph died at Leicester June 3-1844. Is there anything among the records of your office that will give us any

information regarding him? if so, please send it, also let me know how much the expense is and I will forward same at once.
Respt you -
Mrs Carroll A. Moore #7 Henry St. Bellows Falls Vt.