Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11805, John Willis, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Willis, John
S. 11805
CONTENTS
carded

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of Dec r 1832 to Sarah
Arrears to 1st of Feb y 1832 34.00 Pension due 1st of March 1832 11.66
$45.66
Revolutionary Claim, filed June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. H. B. B. Clerk Book D , Vol. 2 , Page 93 .

Declaration &c of John Willis
...in the matter of the application of... ...do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court... ...person and that their statement is entitled to credit... ...also signed the same as a resident in the... and is a credible... ...who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman residing in the town of... ...the Court further certifies that it appears to them that...

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
53
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this Seventh day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Hon. Wilkes Wood Judge of the Court of Probate for said County now sitting at Middleborough within and for said County of Plymouth, John Willis a resident of North Bridgewater in said County of Plymouth, 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 7, 1832. 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. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
About the first of July 1777 he enlisted in a company raised by the State of Massachusetts in the war of the Revolution for the term of six months. Joseph Cole of Bridgewater was Captain of the company. Ebenezer Snow was first Lieutenant - Isaiah Fuller was second Lieutenant. He went with said Company to Providence and thence to North Kingston near Greenwich in the State of Rhode Island, thence to Little Compton: from thence to North Kingston again, & to Providence where at the end of the term of service he was dismissed without a written discharge. Luke Bicknell of Abington Mass. was adjutant of the regiment & did Major's duty. One Robinson, and also one Jacobs were Colonels.
About the month of March 1781 he enlisted in a company raised by the State of Massachusetts in the war of the revolution for the term of forty days. Abraham Washburn of Bridgewater was Captain of the company. One Harris of Bridgewater was Lieutenant. He went with said Company to Butt's Hill on Rhode Island - stayed there about twenty days & was then dismissed with the whole of said Company, without receiving a written discharge.

About the month of July 1778 or 1779 he marched to Liverton in the State of Rhode Island, on an alarm, as a volunteer, under the command of Lieutenant Jesse Perkins of Bridgewater, and was dismissed after a service of ten days, without a written discharge. No battle occurred at either of the above periods.
He was born in Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth in the Year 1761 where he has always resided. His birth is recorded in the Town Records. He is well known to Rev. Daniel Huntington & to Jesse Perkins Esq & other good citizens of the Town of North Bridgewater. John Merrill
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Attest Jacob H. Land
Register of the Court of Probate

We, Daniel Huntington a clergyman, residing in the town of North Bridgewater and Jesse Perkins Esq. a Magistrate residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Willis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
Daniel Huntington. Jesse Perkins
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Daniel Huntington who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of North Bridgewater and that Jesse Perkins Esq a Magistrate who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest Jacob H. Lord Reg of Court of Prob.
I, Jacob H. Lord Register 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 John Willis for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court, this Seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two .
Jacob H. Lord

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate being a Court of record having a Clerk & Seal hereby certify that Elias Whitney Esquire before whom the within Clergyman & Justice made oath is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth & that I believe his name there subscribed to be his true & proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this seventh day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord
Declaration of John Williams

I John Tilden of North Bridgewater, County of Plym- outh, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age, testify and say, that I have from my youth known John Willis of North Bridgewater aforesaid. In the year 1781. I enlisted to do duty as a soldier in the war of the revolution in a company commanded by Abraham Washburn and Regiment commanded and I believe by Col. Gobb. I marched to Rhode Island and did duty there at least one month on Battles Hill. where a Fort was built. John Willis above named, entered the service with me at the same time and did service for the same - periods of one full month. And we returned home together.
John Tilden
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss Aug. 2 d 1832. Personally appeared the aforesaid Defendant, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declarations, by him subscribed - And I further certify, that I am personally acquaint- ed with said Defendant, and he is considered and reported to be a person of truth and integrity -
Isaac Whittier Jus. of peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth Ys. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth, hereby certify that Elish Whitman Esq. before whom the within deposition was taken is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth & that I believe his name subscribed to the within certificate to be his true & proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this seventh day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

I Richard Thayer of West Bridge water, County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age do testify and say - that I am acquaint- -ted with John Willis of North Bridge water - in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth aforesaid - I was in the service of the United States in the year 1777 - and served in the same company, with the said John Willis - said Willis served during a period of six months in the same company - commanded by Joseph Gole, part of the time in Providence and part of the time in North Green- -wich in Rhode Island - all within the year 1777 - We were under the immediate command of Major Bicknell, the Regiment being distributed amongst the various Towns on the shore - Said Willis and myself served together during the whole of this period - Richard Thayer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss Aug. 2 d 1832 Personally appeared the aforesaid Deponent, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed - And I certify, I am acquainted personally with said Deponent, and he is considered and reported to be a person of truth and veracity, Ebenezer  Whitman Jus. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth hereby certify that Eliab Whitman Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth & that I believe his name within subscribed to be his true & proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this seventh day of August in the Year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

Declaration of John Willis No 4,496-

I Abia Southworth of Springfield, in the County of Hampden & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age, testify and say, that I am acquainted with John Willis of North Bridgewater in the County of Plymouth & Commonwealth aforesaid. I was in the service of the United States in the year 1777, and served in the same company with said John Willis. Said Willis served during a period of six months, in the same company company commanded by Joseph Cole, part of the time at Providence and part of the time at North Greenwich in Rhode Island, all within the year 1777. We were under the immediate command of Major Bicknell, the regiment being distributed amongst the various towns on the shore. Said Willis and myself served together during the whole of this period.
Abia Southworth
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Hampden p. Springfield July 24. 1832.
On the twenty fourth day of July A.D. 1832 the aforesaid deponent was examined, cautious.

and known, especially to learn, to the deposition aforesaid by him subscribed taken at the re- quest of John Willis, as to be used in support of his application for a pension under the law of the United States of June 7, 1832.
Wm B. Calhoun
Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Know all men by these presents: I John Ingersoll a Clerk of the Common Pleas Court being a Court Record in the County of Hampden do hereby certify that William B. Calhoun Esq. before whom the within deposition was taken is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden and that the name thereto subscribed is his true and proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Common Pleas Court at Springfield on this twenty fourth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
John Ingersoll Clerk

4496
John Miller
Pwob
7 Mths
Ad
823,33
Jacob H Lond &
Plymouth
W. L.

BRIEF in the case of John Willis of Plymouth City in the State of Mass- (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1777 July 1 — 6 — priv Gen. Capt. Jos. Bole - Col. Robinson   81 year — — 20 " Abraham Washburn   78 July — — 10 " Lieut. Jos. Perkins  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Plymouth City  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence, living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct - 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

11805
Geo. Wallis
Aug 7, 1832 - 71
No. Bridgewater Mass
July 1, 77 - Bridgewater Mass.
Capt Jos Cule Cal - Jacobs Robson
and in R.R. 6 m. W. West of Prov. Rd
Nov 84
Capt. Abraham Markburn
Cal
Stn Butts Hill Rd 70 d
July 78 or 79 St. Perkins
Cal -
post 10 - d
St. Vincent Rd
Horn Pondwater Mass 1761
With Geo. Tilden Mass "
Brant Thayer " "
Abie Southwick. " "
Mr. Bal

Feb 15-1902 Hon E. W. Roberts H.R.
Rev. War
11,805 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 11,805
John Willis Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: Vol. a , Page 411
[Arrangement of 1870.]

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Willis Plymouth Bty. esp. - which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? yes IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.