Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,578, Thomas Williams, Continental (Mass.)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass
Williams Thomas Elizabeth
R. 11.578
CONTENTS
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk, Town of Dorchester March 4, 1854 - I the subscriber do hereby certify that it appears, by the Registry of marriages of said Dorchester as follows viz; "Marriages Anno 1735 - by the Rev d Mr. Moses Everett" "Mr. Thomas Williams to Miss Elizabeth Tolman both of Dorchester January eleventh 1735" Seventeen hundred and eighty five -
The above is an exact copy of record with the exception of the date which is in figures as follows viz: "January 11, 1735" Eben Tolman, Town Clerk -
I Eben Tolman above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of said Dorchester; that I am the keeper of the Registry of marriages in said Town and that the above is a true extract from the records of marriages in said Town, with the exception above named, as certified by me Eben Tolman
Norfolk ss. in Dorchester March 6 th 1854 - The above named Eben Tolman appeared and made oath to the truth of the above certificates by him subscribed Before me, Robert Vose Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK ss.
I, EZRA W. SAMPSON, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby certify that Robert Vose Esquire,
was at the time of making the annexed certificates,
I saw is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that his signature to the annexed certificates is genuine and true.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this Eight day of May A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five
Ezra Sampson Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Norfolk — Town of Dorchester March 4. 1854 I, the subscriber do hereby certify that it appears by the Registry of Deaths of said Dorchester as follows viz — Deaths in Dorchester 1822.
Capt. Thomas Williams died November twentieth, eighteen hundred and twenty two, aged Sixty five years —
Deaths in Dorchester A. D. 1847. Elizabeth Williams died November Seventh, eighteen hundred and forty seven, aged Eighty five years —
The above are exact copies from record with the exception of the dates and ages, which are in figures as follows viz. "November 20. 1822 aged 65" and "November 7. 1847. Aged 85 years" —
Eben Holman. Town Clerk.
I, Eben Holman above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of said Dorchester; that I am the keeper of the Registry of Deaths in said Town, and that the above are true extracts from the records of Deaths in said Town, with the exceptions above named, as certified by me.
Eben Holman —
Norfolk S.S. Dorchester March 6. 1854. The above named Eben Holman appeared and made oath to the truth of the above certificates by him subscribed, before me,
Robert Vose, Justice of the Peace.

State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk Dorchester March 4. 1854
I, the subscriber, do hereby certify that the following is recorded in the records of the Town of Dorchester, viz; "1777 Aug. 26. Paid Thomas Williams the Bounty voted by the Town Aug 14. 1777. to such as should go into the service for the reinforcement of the Continental Army, also his travelling fees, and for a canteen £. 7 - 11 - 4" "1777 Dec 8. Paid Thomas Williams the Towns Bounty voted Aug. 14. 1777. £. 4 - 17 - 0"
The above are exact copies from the Records. Eben Holman, Town Clerk
I, Eben Holman above named, depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the Town of Dorchester, in the County of Norfolk. That I am the keeper of the records of said Town, and that the above are true extracts from the records of said Town as certified by me Eben Holman, Town Clerk
Norfolk S.S. Dorchester March 6. 1854. The above named Eben Holman appeared and made oath to the truth of the above certificates, by him subscribed, before me, Robert Rose Justice of the Peace.

Case of Elizabeth Williams widow of Thomas
Power executed by Wm. H. Williams & Betsy B Capron her children.
Act July 7. 1838.

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
STATE OF Massachusetts } 88 : COUNTY OF Norfolk }
Be it known that before me, a Justice
of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared
* William F Williams and Betsy B Capen residents of Dorchester
in the county of Norfolk in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according
to law, state d that they are children of Elizabeth Williams dec d of Dorchester of in County of Norfolk afore-
The mrs Elizabeth Williams in two places and the mrs Betsy B Capen B's interest before signing
said widow of Thomas Williams of the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts
who was a revolutionary † soldier and that they are directly interested as a
claimant in the pension for which application was heretofore made by said Elizabeth Williams
and constitutes and appoints ISAAC N. COFFIN, of Washington, D. C., their
true and lawful attorney, with irrevocable power to examine into, investigate, and establish the claim for said
pension, and do all acts necessary thereto.
In witness whereof, they the said William F Williams and Betsy B Capen have on this 27th day of May 1853 hereunto signed their names and affixed their seals;
Witness: James Lewis Robert Rose
Wm F Williams Betsy B Capen
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me, on this 27th day of May 1853. and I am not interested or concerned in the above- named pension claim of Elizabeth Williams dec d J.P. Robert Rose Justice of the Peace
STATE of Massachusetts } to wit: COUNTY of Norfolk }
I, Ezra W Sampson clerk of the Supreme Judicial court, of the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, That Robert Rose before whom the foregoing power of attorney was acknowledged and affidavit made, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty eighth day of May 1853, and I am not interested or concerned in the abovenamed pension claim of Elizabeth Williams dec d Clerk. Ezra W Sampson Clerk
* Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name; if he is dead, and the widow is living, insert her name; if both dead, insert one of the living children's names; if the children are all dead, and either of them survived the former unsuccessful applicant, insert the name of the administrator of that former applicant.
† Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name again; if the widow is living, insert the words, "widow of," and the name of her husband; if both dead, insert the words, "son or daughter of," and the name of the former LAST unsuccessful applicant.
‡ Here insert the word "soldier," or "officer," whichever he was. NOTE.—When a female is the person who executes this paper, please put the letter s before the word he in every place where it occurs.

V. 2436 Elizabeth Williams of Thomas Wapsachetts.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, September 29. 1838.
I hereby Certify, That Sherman Leland is Judge of Probate for the County of Norfolk; — that Hugh Montgomery is a Justice of the peace for the County of Suffolk, and Robert Vose is a Justice of the peace for the County of Norfolk.
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; 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.
John P. Briggs Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Massachusetts, County of Norfolk 755
On this twenty fifth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me Sherman Deland Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Norfolk Elizabeth Williams a resident of Dorchester in said County of Norfolk aged seventy five years who being first duly sworn ac- cording to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1835 entitled An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows. That she is the widow of Thomas Williams who was as she has heard him- self during one year a soldier in the Amer- ican army of the revolution, and belong- ed to a company of riflemen commanded by Captain Jeremiah Thayer stationed at West Point she further declares that she has no documentary evidence of the service of her said husband except his declaration a copy of which is hereto annexed she further

declares that she was married on the eleventh day of January in the year seventeen hundred and eighty five that her said husband the aforesaid Thomas Williams died on the seventeenth day of November in the year eighteen hundred and twenty two that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four or, at the time above stated. she further declares that she has not been married since the death of her said husband the said Thomas Williams
Elizabeth Williams
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
Heland Judge of Probate

I William F Williams of Dorchester in the County of Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged fifty years hereby cer- tify that I believe myself to be the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Williams that my father the said Thomas Williams died on the seventeenth day of November 1822 that my mother the aforesaid Elizabeth Williams who has signed the annexed declaration is now a widow and has been a widow ever since the death of my father the said Thomas Williams
Wm F Williams
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk ss Boston September 26 th there the above named William F Williams made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me Hugh Montgomery Justice of the peace
I hereby certify that I believe the above certificate of William F Williams entitled to belief Hugh Montgomery Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Norfolk
Dorchester Sept. 24 th 1838
I the subscriber do hereby certify that it appears by the Register of Marriages in the Town of Dorchester there is the following record of Marriage "viz"
Married by Rev d Mr s Moses Everett, minister of said town — Mr s Thomas Williams to Miss Elizabeth Solman, both of Dorchester — the eleventh day of January — Seventeen hundred eighty five — that it is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures as follows —
Mr s Thomas Williams to Miss Elizabeth Solman, both of Dorchester January 11 th 1785 married by
Rev d Mr s Moses Everett —
Thomas J. Solman Town Clerk
In town meeting August 14 th 1777 voted a Bounty of four pounds seventeen shillings "£ 4-17 sh " to those persons that would enter into the Continental service for one year "or more" 1777 December the 12 th paid Thomas Williams his bounty voted August 14 th 1777 — — — — — £ 4-17 sh -0

I Thomas J. Solman the within named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the Town of Dorchester in the county of Norfolk and state aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of Marriages - and county paid - in said Dorchester with the exception above named as certified by me
Thomas J. Solman Town Clerk
Norfolk ss September 24 th 1838 The above named Thomas J. Solman personally appeared, and made oath that the above Certificates by him subscribed are true - before me -
Robert Vose for Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Supreme Judicial Court February Term NORFOLK, ss. — CIRCUIT COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, SPECIAL A.D. 1822, SESSION, JULY 17, 1820.
On this nineteenth day of February 1822 personally appeared, in open Court, being a Court of Record for said County, proceeding according to the course of the Common Law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a Record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Thomas Williams aged sixty five years, resident in Dorchester in said County, Honourable , who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: On or about the eighth day of December A.D. 1777 he enlisted into the Company of Artificers commanded by Captain Jedediah Thayer, stationed at West point in the Regiment commanded by Kosiusko, as a private soldier, for the term of one year, and for the whole of that year, did and performed his duty faithfully in said Company as a soldier doing full duty there a considerable portion of the time with the pike whenever there required — at the expiration of said year, to wit, on or about the eighth day of December A.D. 1778 he was honorably discharged — but the Certificate of discharge has since been lost.
And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons, engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Thomas Williams
Sworn to and declared, on the nineteenth day of February A. D. 1822, before
J. S. Wilde, Jus. Sup. Jud. Court for said Comwth.
Horatio Towne Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for said County of Norfolk , do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule hereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value, of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Seventy seven dollars and Twenty four cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty fifth day of July — 1822
Horatio Towne Clerk.

Declaration & Schedule of Thomas Williams
Elizabeth Williams
Married to Th Williams
11 th June 1785
See Sep 30. 1822
Hon. James Richardson
Deoham
Deputy

A schedule of all the property of Thomas Williams of Dorchester in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts - applicant for a Pension for Revolutionary Services under the Laws of the United States
Household furniture . . . . . - 29.50 One silver watch . . . . . 12.00 Debts due . . . . . 36.24 77.74
The above is all the property I possess at the present time according to the best of my knowledge and belief, at the fair and just value - I am now sixty five years of age, am by trade a housewright, but am unable to perform much labor and my infirmities are increasing.
I have a wife over sixty years old who is unable to afford any aid in our support - she is of advanced age and gone from me to endeavor to gain a livelihood for herself.
Thomas Williams

2436 Elizabeth Williams Massachusetts
— 11578 suspended
Palet: 1 st May 1839 H. Montgomery
H. Coffin May 19. 1854 H. Coffin 4 Oct. 1854.

116598 P. O. Elizabeth Williams Service: _____
Enlisted: _____ REJECTED _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I, EZRA W. SAMPSON, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby certify that Robert Vose Esquire,
was at the time of making the annexed certificate & now is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that his signature to the annexed certificate is genuine and true.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this Eleventh day of September A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty four
Ezra W. Sampson Clerk.

Document A.
1.
State of Massachusetts - County of Norfolk - Town of Dorchester, September 5 th 1854 - I, the subscriber, do hereby certify, that the following is recorded in the records of the Town of Dorchester viz; "1777 August 26 th , Paid Thomas Williams the Bounty voted by the Town August 14 th 1777 to such as should go into the service for the reinforcement of the Continental Army, also his travelling fees, and for a canteen. 7-11-4"
"1777 Dec r 12 th , Paid Thomas Williams the Town's Bounty voted August 14 th 1777 2 £4- 17- 0"
Eben Holman, Town Clerk
I, Eben Holman, above named, depose and say that I hold the office of clerk of the Town of Dorchester, in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that I am the keeper of the records of said Town and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town as certified by me
Eben Holman
Subscribed and sworn to before me
Robert Vose. Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - County of Norfolk Dorchester September 5th, 1854 -
I hereby certify that in the former testimony the date should have been 1777 Dec r 12th, as it is now written in the within certificate - Therefore I made a mistake when I wrote the date 1777 Dec r 8th,
Ebenezer Holman - Town Clerk of Dorchester -
Subscribed and sworn to before me -
Robert Vose Just a Justice of the Peace

“At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the town of Dorchester, Qualified as the law directs for voting in Town affairs, August fourteenth. Anno Domini 1777. Legally warned -
Deacon Samuel Lofliff - Moderator
Voted - That those men of this Town that shall be drafted, to reinforce the American Army and shall themselves go into the service, be allowed the sum of One Pound and ten shillings per month from the time of their entering upon the service, to the time of their discharge, in addition to what they shall receive from the Continent and this State and also that those men that shall be procured to go in the room of any that shall be drafted, be allowed the same; and further that each man that shall go into the service be allowed Six Pounds as a Bounty upon his passing Muster -
~~~~~ Dorchester, September 5, 1854 -
I Eben Solman, depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the town of Dorchester in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that I am keeper of the records in said Dorchester, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town of Dorchester. Eben Solman
Subscribed and sworn to before me
Robert Vose Justice of the Peace

Washington Sept: 30 th 1854.
Sir:
I herewith transmit in the Revolutionary pension case of Mrs Elizabeth Williams widow of Thomas, Set July 17. 1838 the following papers, viz
Document A , - consisting of Certificate & Affidavit of Eben Tolman Esq. Town Clerk of Dorchester,
Certificate & Oath (on 3 d page of said doc) of Eben Tolman Esq. Town Clerk proving error in former Certificate, heretofore transmitted in my letter of May 13 th ,
Extract from the Records of the Town of Dorchester (on 5 th page of said doc ts ) of the town of Dorchester , and Certificate and Oath of Eben Tolman Esq, proving that the bounty was granted in addition to what they should receive from the Continent", thus showing it was granted and paid to those who were in the Continental line, and as it was paid to Thomas Williams proving that he was in the Continental line.
Document B , - Containing Affidavit of Ebenezer Eaton proving by a best person who has held the station of Custom House Officer and one of the Selectmen, and from the high and honorable station he has filled, his Testimony ought to command the

(and the Pension Office has heretofore stated in letters that such evidence confidence of the Government proving  the  it would command its confidence often repeated declarations of Thomas Williams at a times when he had no interest therein in making the Statement which is evidence in law as to relationship as vide Starkie on Evidence part 4 page 939, and which therefore ought to be received as to the fact of his service 2 d His Deposition proves by Traditional Evidence that — "it was reputed and it was generally believed that "he had been a soldier in the Continental Army there "and that he enlisted in the year 1777 and served in "said Army".
Affidavit of Ebenezer Clap (on 2 d page who had been a Representative to the General Court from said Dorchester and also one of the Selectmen of said Town" and who ought from the high and honor- stations of public trust which he has filled to command the confidence of the Government — and also of Jonathan Bridgham proved to be a creditable witness who both swear that "we well knew Thomas Williams who "was reputed and it was generally believed that he had "been a soldier in the Continental Army, and that "he enlisted in the year 1777 and served in said "Army".
Affidavit of Thomas J. Tolman (on 3 d page) proving by him the facts quoted below — who had been "Clerk of the Town of Dorchester for twenty years and who ought from the high and honorable station of trust which he had filled for so many years to command

the confidence of the Government who swear that he well knew Thomas Williams who was reputed and it was generally believed that he had been a Soldier in the Continental Army and that he enlisted about the year 1777 and served in said Army."
Since my letter of _____ I have been informed by Mr Dodge the Examiner that he found a Thomas Williams an Artificer on the Rolls, Thomas Williams therefore the Rolls corroborate his Declaration _____ and the Government at this late day after the Solemn Promise made by the Regulations under the Act of June 7. 1832 to the Country in the following words, "The traditional evidence of service is deemed Very Important in the absence of any direct proof except the Declaration of the party" To require from the applicants positive proof of service from a contemporary survivor, would , after the lapse of so many years, be to Deprive many of them of the benefit of the law. The Pension Office in regard to another principle to which the above principle is equally sacred and inviolable and which was equally sanctioned by the action below Decides at page 292. Mayo & Moulton, on April 5. 1839 as follows: "The principle appears to have been sanctioned by Congress , as it was promulgated in the Regulations under the Act of June 7. 1832, and ten thousand of those Regulations were printed by order of Congress," They  They  and as Congress since passed the Act of July 7. 1838 granting to the widow the annuity or pension which might have been

allowed to her husband in virtue of said Act" of course it granted it with the rights of proof contained in the Regulations under it, attached to the grant. Congress has, thus, added its sanction to the Executive sanction, and thus has the Regulation just quoted, in its application to widows' pensions, according to the dictates of the most common sense acquired a Binding Force on the Government.
The Supreme Court of the United States has Decided vide Peters Reports Vol. U. S. v. Rayburn Vol 6, page 352 as follows
"The rule as to the admission of secondary evidence does not require the strongest possible evidence of the matter in dispute, but only that no evidence shall be given which from the nature of the transaction, supposes there is better evidence of the fact attainable by the party. It is said in the book, that the ground of the rule is a suspicion of fraud, and if there is better evidence of the fact which is withheld, a presumption arises that the party has some secret or sinister motive in producing it."
The Attorney General of the United States Decided in his Opinion of Nov 19. 1849 Vol 2. page 2061 as follows "The Act of 1832 gave a vested interest to the parties for whose benefit it was passed in the amount of the relief granted. Each became entitled to his respective share as an absolute right, not to be extinguished except by payment to himself or agent. It was of course not in the power of the accounting officers to defeat it by any act or mistake of theirs. The United States by force of the act were made the debtors, and were to continue such until discharged by payment to the actual creditor. I can see no distinction between such a debtor and an ordinary individual debtor."

As there is thus "no distinction" between the United States and an "individual" as to the principles of law which govern, of course as decided by the Officer, not sworn and paid as you are to decide justly, but sworn and paid to advise what is for the interest of the Government — of course there is "no distinction" between the binding obligation of the Pension Office to be governed by the same established rules of evidence which the Supreme Court has, as above quoted Decided to be binding on individual rights.
It is my duty to say that the Pension Office has NO right to Discard all the great principles of evidence Decided a thousand times over by the Supreme Court of the United States to be of binding force on all tribunals having to decide on human rights — and the elucidation and development of which by which Court forms the very Greatest Achievement of the past century for on human rights, are inseparable from depend the greatest subject that can exist, human liberties . And the Government has no right to bind persons having rights pending, down to the Despotic Rule to absolutely require "the strongest possible evidence" and after the Law of the Land of June 7. 1832 has declared that "satisfactory evidence" which the Supreme Court has, in effect Decided as above quoted, to be presumptive evidence, is sufficient. It is my duty to say that it would be criminal and an impeachable act in the Government Officers, to discard all these great principles and refuse to allow a just claim because "the strongest possible evidence" — impossible evidence the persons being dead, is not furnished.
I am Very Respectfully

Your Obedt Servt Isaac N. Coffin.
Hon ble Loren P Waldo Commissioner of Pensions Washington. D. C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
April 25 th 1854.
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 Thomas Williams is borne on roll of Capt. Oliver Billings Comp. Col. Vernal Robinson's Regt. on alarm of April 19. 1775. 8 days.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Hopstill Hall's Comp. Col. Vernal Robinson's Regt. from January 29. 1776 23 days from Dorchester.
Also on roll of Capt. Ebenezer Winship's Comp. Col. Nixon's Regt. in 1776. as Corporal from Sept. 1776 to March 15 1777. "Settled in full."
Also on roll of Capt. Jonathan Fiske's Comp. Col. Brooks Regt. from March 4. 1776. 5. days Dorchester Heights.
Also on Continental pay roll of Capt. John Prudley's Comp. Col. Benjamin Dill's Regt. service in Northern Department from Aug 14. 1777. 3 mos. 28. days as private.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Simon Hunt's Comp. Col. Jacob Gurnick Regt. from July 24. to Dec. 16. 1778. 4 mos. 23 days. Roll dated Winter Hill Dec. 15. 1778.

April 12.
I am now sixty five years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated.
WITNESS my hand, this Tenth day of April A. D. 1852.
Wm F Williams
Signed by said Wm F Williams in my presence,
Robert Vose JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. }

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
April 25 th 1854.
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 Thomas Williams is borne on roll of Capt. Oliver Billings Comp. Col. Vernal Robinson's Regt. on alarm of April 19. 1775. 8 days.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Hopstill Hall's Comp. Col. Vernal Robinson's Regt. from January 29. 1776 23 days from Dorchester.
Also on roll of Capt. Ebenezer Winship's Comp. Col. Nixon's Regt. in 1776. as Corporal from Sept. 1776 to March 15 1777. "Settled in full."
Also on roll of Capt. Jonathan Fisk's Comp. Col. Brooks's Regt. from March 4. 1776. 5. days Dorchester Heights.
Also on Continental pay roll of Capt. John Bradleys Comp. Col. Benjamin Gills Regt. service in Northern Department from Aug 14. 1777. 3 mos. 28 days as private.
Also on pay roll of Capt. Simon Hunt's Comp. Col. Jacob Gurnee's Regt. from July 24. to Dec. 16. 1778. 4 mos. 23 days. Roll dated Winter Hill Dec. 15. 1778.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears: that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Boston October 8 1838
Sir
Herewith I enclose to you the paper of Elizabeth Smallidge widow of Saml Small- idge also the paper of Elizabeth Williams widow of Thomas Williams asking for pen- -sions on account of the revolutionary service of their husbands, all communications relative to the same please address to very respectfully
Yours &c
H. Montgomery
Hon J S Edwards

Washington May 13 th 1854.
Sir: I herewith transmit in the pension claim of Elizabeth Williams widow of Thomas (Act of July 7. 1838) Certificate of the Town Clerk of Dorchester proving her marriage on Jan y 11 th 1785, — and also the dates of her and her husband's death.
Also transmit Certificate of Secretary of State of Massachusetts showing that he served in    Capt Oliver Billings Comp y Col. Samuel Robinson's Reg t alarm of April 19. 1775  Months days .88    In Capt. Koperstill Hall's Comp y in same Reg t from Jan y 29. 1776 from Dorchester  23    In Capt. Ebenezer Winship's Comp y Col. Vixon's Reg t as Corporal from Sept r 1776 to March 15. 1777  6.    as date of month is not down it is equitable to take the 15 th    In Capt. Jonathan Fiske's Comp y Col. Brooks Reg t from March 4. 1776, 5 days Dorchester Heights  .05.    In Capt. John Bradley's Company Col. Benjamin Gills Reg t from Aug 14. 1777, 3 months as private  3.    In Capt. Simon Hunt's Company Col. Jacob Gerrish's Reg t from July 24, to Dec r 16. 1778, 4 mo s 23 days  4.23     14.29.  
The Certificate of the Town Clerk of Dorchester abovementioned shows at page 3 d thereof, that on Aug. 26 th 1777 that the Town paid Thomas Williams the Bounty voted

"by the Town Aug 14. 1777 to such as should go into the service "for the re-inforcement of the Continental Army, also his travelling "fees and for a canteen." Thus proving from the fact that he entered service in the Company of Capt John Bradley on the same day as the Town's vote viz: Aug at 14 that it was Thomas Williams of Dorchester who served in that Company. On the evidence now in the case, I request that the Certificate of Pension be issued.
I am Very Respectfully Your Obed t Serv t Isaac N. Coffin.
Hon. Loren P Waldo Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D. C.

State of Massachusetts } County of Norfolk } ss.
Dorchester September 6. 1854.
I, Ebenezer Eaton of Dorchester, in the County of Norfolk, (who have been a Custom House Officer, and also one of the Selectmen of said Dorchester for several years) having been duly sworn, depose and say, that I well knew Thomas Williams who was reputed and it was generally believed that he had been a Soldier in the Continental Army, and that he enlisted about the year 1777 and served in said Army.
I have repeatedly heard him say that he served as an Artificer at West Point - and that I knew him for more than twenty years before his death which occurred at Dorchester about the year 1822 that I know that he died about that time because I was in the neighborhood.
I knew his widow Elizabeth Williams whose claim to a pension it is wished to establish and that she remained his widow until the time of her death which occurred at Dorchester about the year 1847 that I know it occurred about that time as I was in the neighborhood and that I am disinterested.
Ebenezer Eaton
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me - who certify that the deponent is a creditable witness
Ebenezer Tolman, Justice of the Peace -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK ss.
I, EZRA W. SAMPSON, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby certify that Ebenezer Tolman Esquire,
was at the time of making the annexed certificates and is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that his signature to the annexed certificates is genuine and true.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this Eleventh day of September A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty four
Ezra Sampson Clerk.

State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk
Dorchester Sept. 6. 1854.
ss I, Ebenezer Clapp of Dorchester in the aforesaid County, who have been a Representative to the General Court from said Dorchester and also one of the Selectmen of said Town and I, Jonathan Bridgham of said Dorchester, having been duly sworn depose and say that we well knew Thomas Williams who was reputed and it was generally believed that he had been a Soldier in the Continental Army, and that he enlisted in the year 1777 and served in said Army, that we knew him for more than twenty years before his death which occurred at Dorchester about the year 1822, that we know that he died at about that time because we were in the neighborhood --
We knew his widow Elizabeth Williams and that she remained his widow until the time of her death which occurred at Dorchester about the year 1847 and that we are disinterested --
Jonathan Bridgham Ebenezer Clapp
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me -- who certify that the deponents are creditable witnesses
Ebenezer Solman, Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk } J.J.
Dorchester September 6. 1854.
I, Thomas J. Tolman of Dorchester, in the aforesaid County (who was Clerk of the Town of Dorchester for twenty years; having been duly sworn, depose and say that I well knew Thomas Williams who was reputed and it was generally believed that he had been a Soldier in the Continental Army and that he enlisted about the year 1777 and served in said Army, and that I knew him for more than twenty years, before his death which occurred at Dorchester about the year 1822. That I know that he died at about that time because I was in the neighborhood.
I knew his widow Elizabeth Williams whose claim to a pension it is wished to establish - and that she remained his widow until the time of her death which occurred at Dorchester about the year 1847. that I know it occurred about that time for I was in the neighborhood, that I am disinterested.
Thomas J. Tolman
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me - who certify that the deponent is a creditable witness.
Eben Tolman, Justice of the Peace