Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,459, Reuben Townsend, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass
NUMBER _____
W. 19459
2 Townsend Reuben Margaret
CONTENTS

Worcester 74
5599
Massachusetts
Reuben Townsend
of Worcester in the State of MASS who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Newton of the Reg t commanded by Col d Longley in the Mass line for 18 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Feb 1833 and Stat. Same Maria Giltner Mass
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $65.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 21 Mar 33 21.64 $86.64
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. H. Gadson Clerk, Book Da Vol Ja Page 86

Rep. April 7 th /1885- Copy of data furnished to Ezra S. Stearne Esq 2 Ashburnham Mass for historical Use. Copy inside
Massachusetts 1747
Margaret Townsend Mass widow of Reuben Townsend who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Sept r 1843 and sent to Reuben Townsend Ashburnham, Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A, Vol. 1. Page 55.

Declaration Reuben Townsend
Please to send the Certs to Sam Dana Esq. Grafton Vt
Rich
13 March
Adm.
James D. E. Grant

To the Hon Louis Caps. Secretary of War for the United States,
1 Reuben Townsend of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts represents — That in the month of June or July AD 1776 he entered the service of the United States as a private Soldier and enlisted in the Company of Capt Seth Newton in Col. Longleys Regiment of Massachusetts forces for the term of five months, that he was then resident at Shrewsbury in said County of Worcester, and from thence proceeded to the City of New York and there joined his Company and continued with them at Kings Ferry and in that Vicinity until he had out his term of five months and was dismissed, — and returned home from service. —
2 That he again engaged to go into the Continental service in AD 1777 for a period of eight  twelve months that he entered the Company of Capt. William Gates be- longing to the fifteenth Reg t of the Mass e Line Com- manded by Col. Timothy Bigelow and did duty in that Company until the last of December or the 1777 or the first of January AD 1778 when he was again discharged, but whether he received a written discharge he can not tell further than that it appears from his former declaration, that such a discharge was given, but he has not seen or does he recollect any thing of his discharge except that it appears in his former declaration, that he received such a discharge as was given to other Soldiers. —
In May A D 1818. Supposing that all his services were upon Continental establishment, he applied to be placed

on the pension list under the Act of March 18. 1818 and cause his Papers to be duly made out and transmitted to the Pension office, but was not admitted not having served nine months under any one enlistment: the contineus still to reside in Ashburnham is seventy three years of age; He now again transmits his former Application to be reexamined and he relinquishes all claim to any other Pension except that provided by the Act of June 7. 1832, and prays that he may be admitted to the Benefits of that Act, and having been rejected for the cause aforesaid. —
Dated at Ashburnham in the County of Worcester the first -- day of August -- in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
In presence of
Charles Stearns
Dani. Houghton
Reuben Townsend
Commonwealth of Massachu- setts. On this first day of Au- gust in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred thirty two.
Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for all the Counties in said Commonwealth personally appeared Rev- Reuben Townsend and acknowledged the above release to be his free act, and at the same time made solemn Oath that the above declaration is just and true in all its particulars. Given under my hand the day and year aforesaid,
Saml Dana
Washington 11 Feb. 1833. I hereby certify that the Hon S. Dana is a justice of the peace for the whole Commonwealth of Massachusetts (to the best of my knowledge & belief) that the above is his signature.
E. Everett M.C.

4088 Margaret Townsend
admitted
P: $43.33 100
Geo. G. Parker Ashburnham Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Ira Barton is the Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified - and that his signature to the paper hereto annexed is true and genuine.
I further certify, that George G. Barker is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County - and that his signatures to the papers hereto annexed are true and genuine.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto affix the seal of said Court, this eighth day of November, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-eight.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register.

State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Worcester }
On this seventeenth day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred thirty eight personally appeared before me W. B. Benton judge of Probate for said County Margaret Townsend, a resident of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester aforesaid aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay pensions to certain widows": That she is the widow of Reuben Townsend, late of said Ashburnham deceased; that her said husband was, at the time of his decease, a Russian ex, under the act of June 7, 1832, that he served in the Army of the Revolution about fourteen months - one term of about nine months in the State of New Jersey & one term of about five months - place of service not remembered - at the time the service was performed he was a resident of Shrewsbury Mass, now Boylston - When he applied for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832 he resided in said Ashburnham - His pension certificate was issued near the close of the year 1832 or early in 1833 and was discontinued on payment of the annual pension due at his decease. The applicant supposes that the above service, was proved to have by evidence furnished some years since under the act of 1818 - she has no means of proving the service but

by evidence had an file in the War Office at Washington - Her husband was a private in the Army
She further declares that she was married to the said Reuben Townsend on the fifth day of November in the year Seventeen hundred eighty two; that her husband, the aforesaid Reuben Townsend, died on the eleventh day of February in the year eighteen hundred and thirty seven; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the Mar- riage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred ninety four - viz - at the time above stated - She further states that she is the widow of the said Reuben Townsend aforesaid, and has never been married since his death and to subscribe the day & year above written before me
Notary Public Margaret J Townsend of the County of Pulaski In said Army of her the mark

Clerks office Ashburnham Worcester County Massachusetts October 15-1838
Transcript of the Records of marriages.
"Nathan Swenson and Margaret Mateal of both of Ashburnham were married Nov. fifth seventeen hundred and eighty two by Rev. John Cushing" — that it is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "Nov. 5-1832"
Attest
Chas. Stearns Town Clerk
I Chas. Stearns above named do hereby certify that I hold the office of Clerk in the Town, County and State aforesaid, that the above is a true ex- -tract from the records of said marriages, with the exception above named as certified by me.
Chas. P. Stearns Clerk of the town of Ashburnham
Sworn before me
Geo. H. Parker } Justice of the Peace

I, Reuben Townsend, of Ashburnham in the county of Worcester Commonwealth of Massachusetts Setts, of lawful age, depose say that Reuben Townsend, late of said Ashburnham deceased - died, at said Ashburnham, on the eleventh day of February in the year eighteen hundred thirty seven - That he was at the time of his decease a pensioner of the United States under the Act of June 7 th 1832 - That Margaret Townsend is the Widow of the said Reuben Town- send, deceased - that the said Margaret has not to my knowledge - married since the decease of her said husband - and the Son of said Reuben & Margaret as have lived in the family with them for twenty years past -
Reuben Townsend
Worcester ss. 20 Oct. 1838 Then personally appeared Reuben Townsend above named & made oath that the above affidavit by him submitted is true - I also certify that said Townsend is a highly credible witness Ezra G. Parker Pres.

Reuben Townsend capt. Act of June 1832 to what time paid?
(Rev. Officer)
Since 11 th Feb 1837 p st .
May 20, 1839
that period 1/4

Brighton June. 5 th . 1843.
Dear Sir,
I enclose to you herewith the claims of Mrs Margaret Downend of Ashburnham for arrears of Pension under the act of 1838; also, the claims of the Heirs of Mary Moore of Roylston late deceased, for arrears of Pension under the act of July seven th 1838.
Very Respect Your O b d Serv t Elijah Clark
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions, P o t Washington

I, Abraham Townsend, of Berlin in the County of Washington state of Vermont formerly of Shrewsbury in the County of Worcester Commonwealth of Mass. testify & say - That Reuben Townsend, now of Litchfield, ham, in said County of Worcester, but formerly of said Shrewsbury, enlisted in the month of June or July in the year 1776 for the term of five months, in a company of Mass State Troops (and I think they were called) commanded by Capt. Seth Sewall in Col. Sanger's Regiment, - that he went from said Shrewsbury to the City of N. York & thence to Kings Ferry, - that I often saw him for about two months after he joined the Army being stationed near him for that time, in another Regiment - I was then ordered to Farmington and did not again see him till the term of his enlistment expired but believe that he remained with the Army till his term had fully expired -
That the said Reuben Townsend I also further testify & say, again enlisted at said Shrewsbury, in the month of May 1777 under Capt. William Gats, in Col. Timothy Biglow's Regiment & in a few days after left home to join the Continental Army, & as I believe, did join it & remain in the service till January of the next year, at which time he again returned to his father's family in Shrewsbury. Abraham Townsend Litchfield 20 July 1832
Worcester 20 July 1832
Then the above named Abraham Townsend, personally appeared & made oath, that the above affidavit by him subscribed, is true, before me -
Jos. Jewett {Jus, Pacis

Aff. de unit of the Towns for Reuben Townsend

I, Abraham Townsend, of Berlin in the County of Washington & State of Vermont - formerly of Shrewsbury in the County of Worcester & Commonwealth of Mass, testify & say - That Reuben Townsend, now of Litchfield, in said County of Worcester, but formerly of said Shrewsbury, enlisted in the month of June or July, in the year 1776 for the term of five months, in a company of Mass State Troops (as I think they were called) commanded by Capt. Seth Sewall, in Col. Sargent's Regiment, - That he went from said Shrewsbury to the City of N. York & thence to Kings Ferry, - That I often saw him for about two months after he joined the Army being stationed near him for that time, in another Regiment - I was then ordered to Farmington & did not again see him till the time of his enlistment expired - but believe that he remained with the Army till his term had fully expired -
I also further testify & say, that the said Reuben Townsend again enlisted at said Shrewsbury, in the month of May 1777 under Capt. William Gates, in Col. Timothy Biglow's Regiment & in a few days after left home to join the Continental Army, & as I believe, did join it & remaining in the service till January of the next year, at which time he again returned to his father's family in Shrewsbury. Abraham Townsend Litchfield 20 July, 1832
Worcester 20 July 1832
Then the above named Abraham Townsend, personally appeared & made oath, that the above affidavit by him subscribed, is true, before me -
Jos. Jewett { Jurs, Pacis

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss.
I, Abijah Bigelow, clerk of the Judicial Courts, within and for the county of Worcester, do certify that Joseph Jewett, Esquire and Hosah Stone, Esquire , before whom the annexed affidavits of Abraham Townsend and Joseph Jewett was  were respectively signed and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, within and for the said county of Worcester; and that the names of said Justices to the certificates aforesaid, appear to be in his  their own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand, and affix the county seal, this twenty fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Abijah Bigelow, Clk.
Mem o : The Affidavit of Joseph Jewett sworn to before Hosah Stone relates to another case, which accounts for the allusions in the above certificate.
Abijah Bigelow.

This is to certify that Benjamin Townsend of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts enlisted in June or July 1776 in Little's Artillery Company and Col. Smith's Regiment for the term of five months and was discharged the first day of December the same year and in May he enlisted 1777 for in Col. Putnam's Company and Col. Bigelow's Regiment
Israel Keyes
Brinecton May 19. 1818

Drumton May 19 1818 Samuel Keyes personally appeared before me and me Solomon oath that the Witness certificate is the truth Ephraim Wilson Justice of the Peace

Princeton May 14 1812
This is to certify that Ruben Townsend enlisted with the one in June or July 1796 for the term of five months in Capt. Hiltz's Company and Col. Smith's regiment and was discharged the first of December the same year Isaac Reyes

Reuben Townsend Aspenham
admissible not having served 9 months under any one enlistment in the Continental Establishment

This is to certify that the Subscriber enlisted Reuben Lawrence into Capt. William Gates Company in the 13th Massachusetts Regiment commanded by
Col. Timothy Bigelow. About the first of May 1777
in the Continental Service for the term of Eight Months and served with the full term of his enlistment
into, before his time expired the being an active able Bodied Soldier was ordered to help Build the Borra-
-cks at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania for which he
Drew one month Extra pay According to the best of
my recollection, the whole of which was some months pay
as a Private Soldier, after this had to march about
10 Miles before he arrived at his home Joseph Lawrence sent
Abel May 18th 1818 — in the 13th Mass. Regt. To whom it may concern

State of Massachusetts, County of Worcester
I Reuben Townsend - a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Ashburnham in the County of Worcester in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, on about the following dates in June or July 1776
I entered and was engaged in the land service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to Dec 1777 or Jan 1778
as a private soldier against the common enemy, without any interruption or absence: that I belonged to Capt Newton's Company in Col. Smith's Regiment for 5 months & was discharged at Phillips Manor in New York - In 1777 I entered & belonged to Capt William Gates Company in Col. Bigelow's Regiment being 15th Massachusetts for 8 months and received as per certificate of Lieut Pierce herewith transmitted 9 months pay & was discharged at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania and that I left the service on Dec 1777 or Jan 1778 - having never been honorably discharged in like manner as others who left the service at that time and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of 59 - years - I further declare that the above services of nearly 18 months were performed in the Massachusetts line and that I was in the battle at White Plains
And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed.
Reuben Townsend
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this 15th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeared before me, Edward Bangs one of the judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Western Circuit of Massachusetts
the abovenamed Reuben Townsend and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination duly made by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of said Court, the day of the date aforesaid.
Edw Bangs

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
No. 1945-9
Margaret Townsend
widow of
Stephen Townsend
Dis. Rev War
Act: March 31 48
Index:—Vol. m , Page 243
[Arrangement of 1870.]
✓

Margaret Townsend Mass— act 7. July 38 43 33 from March 31 to 11 Feby 39—
Elijah Clark Brighton Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Worcester ss.
On this thirty-first day of May eighteen hundred and forty three Personally appeared before me, Reuben Townsend justice of the Peace in and for the County of Worcester. Margaret Townsend a resident of Ashburnham, in said County, eighty years of age, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the amount of pension which she claimed from the fourth of March 1836, to the eleventh day of February in the year 1837, from which period she has been already paid under the Act of the seventh of July 1838. and the declarant further alle- -ges, that she is still the widow of Reuben Townsend, who was a private in the Revolutionary War, that her pension was allowed at the rate of forty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum, and was paid to her at the Agency at Boston in the State of Massachusetts, and further she saith not.
Margaret Townsend
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written. Before me. Reuben Townsend } Justice of Peace
Worcester ss. Ashburnham May 31st A.D. 1843. I hereby certify that Margaret Townsend who has signed and made oath to the above declaration, is well known to me, to be the widow of Reuben Tow- -ndown of said Ashburnham deceased, and that she has received a pension under the Act of 1838.
Reuben Townsend } Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston June 5. 1873.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Reuben Townsend was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his 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.
Jno. A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

June 16 1843.
Cl-
map: Mar 3 rd 1843 Paid 25. Mary Townsend
Hon J. L. Edmards $43:33 Commission of Pensions Washington D.C.
Reuben Townsend Ashburnham Mass
14016

Woburn June 9 1803
Hon J. L. Edmunds
Or Sir
Herewith please find the declaration of Margaret Johnson
You will please address all communications residing from the town to Stephen Townsend
Ashtabula Mys
Edward H. Phelps
Yours very obedt Servt Edward H. Phelps

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of March 3 1828 granting pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7 1838.
State of Massachusetts
Worcester ss. on this 6 th day of June personally appears before me Reuben Townsend one of the Justices of the peace within and for the County of Worcester Widow Townsend a resident of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester Aged Eighty Years, who being first duly sworn according to law with an oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision in the act of Congress passed on the 3 rd day of March 1828 granting pensions to Widows of Persons who served in the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Reuben Townsend who was a private in the army of the Revolution (for Regiment in which he served please refer to a former Certificate in Court office) and the Annual Amount which he received under the act of July 7 1838 was Forty Three Dollars and Thirty Three cents and she further declares that she is still a Widow
Margaret Townsend
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above mentioned before me.
Reuben Townsend } Justice of the Peace
Worcester ss. June 6. 1843.
I the subscriber do hereby certify that the declarant is personally known to me and believe to be correct
Reuben Townsend } Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, fs.
I certify that Reuben Townsend, Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, in and for the said County of Worcester, duly commissioned and qualified - and that his signature to the certificate, on the preceding page hereof, is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my name, and affix the County Seal, at Worcester, this seventh day of June, in the year 1843.
William Pennison, Assistant Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County.

Rept June 17
Massachusetts 2909
Margaret Townsend widow of Reuben Townsend
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 - and who died on the 11th: February, 1837 - of Worcester Co in the State of Massachusetts: who was a private in the company - commanded by Captain Newton — of the Regt: commanded by Col: Soule — the Mass'tts: — line for 13 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of $3 Dollars 33 — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Vending 12th: February 1837.
Certificate of Pension issued the — 16th: — day of June 1843 — and sent to Elijah Clark Brighton, Mass'tts: —
Whole amount due . . . . . $40.71
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by H. H. Stannard — Clerk.
Book A Vol. 1 — Page 137 —

U. S. Pension Office.
Pensioner says that his son
Reuben Townsend. - Asheburnham - May 13 th 1848. Aged 59 years -
Alleges - In June or July 1876 enlisted in Capt. Howland's Co. of Col. Smith's Regt. for 5 mos. + was discharged at Philips Sawyer, N.Y. in Dec. 1876 or Jan'y 1877 -
In 1877 enlisted in Capt. Wm. Cooke's Co. of Col. Bigelow's Regt. the 15 th Mass. - for 8 mos. + was discharged at Valley Forge, with an allowance of pay for 9 mos.
Lieut. Joseph Pierce of 15 th Mass. certifies that he enlisted Townsend about the first of May 1877 - in the Continental Service for the term of 8 mos. + that he was allowed one month's extra pay for helping the Barracks at Valley Forge. + that after discharge the said soldier had to march nearly 400 miles before he reached his home -
It appears that at time of enlistment pensioner belonged at Shrewsbury.
He died Feb'y 11 th 1887 - his widow, Margaret Townsend, (13979-200,000.) says that she was married to him Nov. 5 th 1882 -

Town Clerks record of Ashburnham shows that Reuben Townsend was mar- ried to Margaret Metcalf both of Ashburnham - were on Nov. 5 th 1782 -
Reuben Townsend Jr. a son of soldier was in Ashburnham in Oct. 1838 -
The widow was in June 1843 still at Ashburnham. Her son Reuben Townsend appears to have been a Justice of the Peace at that time -

Massachusetts Margaret Townsend.
widow of Reuben Townsend , Decd: who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June 1832. and who died on the 11 February, 1837 of Worcester in the State of Mass: who was a private in the company: commanded by Captain Newton of the Regt commanded by Col: Souley - in the Mass: - time for 13 months -
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 6th day of March, 1836 . 12th - February, 1837
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d day of May 1839 and sent to Geo: G. Parker, Ashburnham, Mass: Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 1839 $ 89. 66 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept $ 21. 66
$111.32
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by M c lellan Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 - Page 137