Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,696, Caleb Willis, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Willis, Caleb Wood, Patty or Woods.
W. 22.696
CONTENTS
Former widow

6344,
Concord, N. Hampshire
Patty Woods, who was widow of Caleb Willis who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 55 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Nov. 1844 and sent to Hubbard Newton Newport N. H.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A. 8 June 17-1844 Vol. 2. Page 23.
Rep 2 .

Married per Rev Ezra Conant, on the twenty-seventh day of November, in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight, Patty Stowell to Caleb Willis both of Winchester."
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the records, with the exception of the date, which is expressed in the records in fair and legible figures as follows (Novem- ber 27 th 1788).
Daniel A. Severance } Town Clerk
I Daniel A. Severance the above named do hereby say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the Town of Winchester, in the County of Ches- hire and State of New Hampshire, and that the above is a true extract from the records of Winchester, with the above exception above named.
Daniel A. Severance } Clerk of the Town of Winchester aforesaid
State of New Hampshire } February 7 th 1843 Cheshire County ss }
Subscribed and sworn to before me
Bliss Lee Rich Justice of the Peace

Dolly Howard's affidavit

I Dolly Howard of lawful age depose and say, that I am personally acquainted with the Widow Patty Wood, who at the time of her marriage with said Benjamin Wood, was the widow of Caleb Willis, who was understood and believed by me, to have been a soldier of the revolution; that previous to her marriage with the said Caleb Willis, her name was Patty Stowell. I have been and still am well acquainted with said Patty Wood who has made her declaration for a pension under the laws of the United States; for and on account of the services of Caleb Willis her first husband, and know her to be the same person, who was married to the said Caleb Willis, by her then maiden name of Patty Stowell in the year seventeen hundred and eighty-eight, at which marriage I was present, in Winchester New Hampshire.
I further depose and say, that said Caleb Willis died at Winchester, in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, on or about the ninth day of February Anno Domini eighteen hundred and eighteen; and that Benjamin Wood her second husband died at Alstead in said County of Cheshire, on or about the fourth day of April Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty-three and that the said Patty Wood has ever since the death of the said Benjamin Wood, remained, and still remains a widow.
Dolly Howard
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire County
ss Winchester, February 7 th 1843.
Then Dolly Howard personally appeared and made oath that the above affidavit by her subscribed is true. And I hereby further certify that I am acquainted with the aforesaid Dolly Howard, and that her character for truth is good.
Before me
Elisha Rich
Justice of the Peace

Timothy Willis affidavit

I Timothy Willis of lawful age depose and say, that I am personally acquainted with the Widow Patty Wood, who at the time of her marriage with the said Benjamin Wood, was the widow of Caleb Willis, who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution. I was present when the said Caleb Willis enlisted, in Captain Jacob Allens Company, of Bridgewater Massachusetts, sometime in the winter of seventeen hundred and seventy-six, and knew him to continue in the service during one year; that previous to her marriage with said Caleb Willis her name was Patty Stowell. I have been and still am well acquainted with the said Patty Wood, who has made her declaration for a pension under the laws of the United States, for and on account of the services of Caleb Willis her first husband and know her to be the same person who was married to the said Caleb Willis, by her then maiden name of Patty Stowell in the year seventeen hundred and eighty-eight.
I further say that Caleb Willis died at Winchester in the County of Coosheire and State of New Hampshire, on or about the ninth day of February Anno Domini eighteen hundred and eighteen; and that Benjamin Wood her second husband, died at Alstead in said County of Coosheire, on or about the fourth day of April Anno Domini eighteen hundred and thirty-three, and that the said Patty Wood, has ever since the death of the said Benjamin Wood remained, and still remains a widow.
State of New Hampshire Coosheire County } ss Winchester, February 7 th 1843.
Then Timothy Willis personally appeared, and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. And I hereby further certify that I am acquainted with the aforesaid Timothy Willis, and that his character for truth is good.
Before me
Elisha Rich
Justice of the Peace
State of New Hampshire
Coosheire Co. I, Elijah Sanborn Clerk of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that

Elisha Rich above named is a Justice of the peace in & for said County duly commissioned and qualified. That his commission was dated on the 13 th June A.D. 1840 and will expire in five years from said date. and that his signatures to the three papers here to attached are genuine.
Elisha Sawyer Reg.
In witness whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court at Milwaukee this 7 th day of February A.D. 1843.
Elisha Sawyer Reg.

Patty 8734 Woods
Declaration for Pension
N.H.
Act 7. July 38
m 98. d 15.
Hezekiah Willis. NY was allowed for 12 mo. in 76 (apt. Allen - Col Bailey - Mass -
8 mo
Sur. — 5 mo 23 pri
Witn. 12
17. 23 3/4 pri
55. 88
Hubbard Newton Newport N.H.

State of New Hampshire } Cheshire County } ss
On this seventh day of February in the year of our Lord eight hundred and forty-three, personally appeared before the Probate Court, held at Keene within and for the County of Cheshire aforesaid, in open Court Patty Wood, a resident of Alstead in the County of Cheshire aforesaid aged seventy-six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the acts of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838, and the 23 d of August 1842, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the Widow of Caleb Willis, who was a private in the army of the Revolution, that he enlisted, as a volunteer, into the service of his country sometime in the winter of seven hundred and seventy-six, and as he has often informed me, was with the army, when the British troops evacuated Boston, and was one of the party who worked all night in throwing up breast-works and constructing fortifications to annoy the enemy, a short time before the evacuation took place — that he was with the American army when they evacuated New-York, and she thinks she has heard him say he was at White Plains, in the action there, but is not certain but what he might have given the relation of others, that he has often told of the taking of Burgoyne, and the Battle of Bennington, and she thinks he was then with the army, — and that he has frequently told of the hanging of Andre, and that he was present at that time, but she cannot now remember that he said he was then in the army; — that he enlisted at Bridgewater, Massachusetts, which was his native place, and served in Captain Jacob Allen's Company, of Bridgewater, as a private, and she has heard her husband say, that he worked a good deal at his trade, while in the army, which was that of a Carpenter, — she does not recollect the name of the Colonel of the Regiment — that he served under one

or more enlistments, for the space of one year, and she thinks for a longer space of time, and that he was regularly discharged from the service, as she has always understood, and that she has no documentary evidence.
She also declares that she was married to the said Caleb Willis on the twenty-seventh day of November in the year seventeen hundred and eighty-eight; that her husband, the aforesaid Caleb Willis died on the ninth day of February in the year eighteen hundred and eighteen; 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, viz: at the time above stated. She further declares that after the death of the husband aforesaid, she was married to Benjamin Wood, on the twenty-fifth day of February in the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three; that he died on the fourth day of April in the year eighteen hundred and thirty three, and that she is still a widow
Patty
her mark X Wood
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, in open court, before the Probate Court, a Court of Record; held at Keene, within and for the County of Cheshire aforesaid.
Justus Baker Judge of Probate
In witness whereof I have hereunto, subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of said Court, this seventh day of February Anno Domini eighteen hundred and forty-three
Elijah Sawyer
Registrar of Probate Court of Cheshire County

Ray  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22696
Patty  of  Woods Widow of Caleb Willis Ohio Rev. war
Act March 3 rd 1840  for service
Index: Vol. 16 , Page 368
[Arrangement of 1870.]

✓ No. 8731 Patty Woods N.H.
let to H. Newton April 5. 43 " " " " Nov. 21. 1843 ✓
Act 7 July 1838

8701
New Hampshire
Patty Woods formerly widow of Caleb Willis who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 9 Feby 1818 of Cheshire in the State of NH who was a Pri in the Co commanded by Captain Allen of the reg commanded by in the Mass a line for 17 Mo 23 Days
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 35 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Sept 1844 and sent to Hubbard Newton, Newport NH
Total Amount, $279.40
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. S. Swann Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 1 Page 45

6624. Declaration of
Natty Woods, widow of Galel Willis
Act 3 d March 1843

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the Act of July 7, 1837.
State of New Hampshire } ss. County of Sullivan }
On this eighth — day of October 1844,
Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Patty Woods, a resident of Alstead in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire  of said , aged seventy seven years, being personally known to me, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision, made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3d March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Benjamin Woods, and was formerly the widow of Caleb Willis, who was a private in the army of the Revolution, and served in the company commanded by Capt. Jacob Allen one year, and a further term of six months or thereabouts in another company commanded by Capt. — — — according to her best knowledge and belief, and, as will appear by the evidence on file, in the war office. That she was a pensioner under the act of the 7th July, 1837, which pension she has received, at the rate of Fifty five dollars and eighty eight cents per annum. She further declares that she is still a widow. —
Witness H. Newton
Hatty X Woods mark
Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written.
Before me
Hubbard Newton justice of the Peace
The words "Sullivan" were inserted, & "and State of New Hampshire" were interlined before signing, before the oath was administered. H. N.

State of Northampton Sullivan County Gr. -
I. T. Mc Gilmore Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature of the County and State aforesaid. do hereby certify that Hubbard Newton is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified that his Commission was dated on the 26 day of June 1841 and will expire on the 26 th day of June 1846. and that his signature herewith are genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court this 23 rd day of October A D 1844
T. Mc Gilmore Clerk

We the Subscribers, Citizens of Winchester in the County of Grafton and State of New Hampshire do certify and on oath, depose and say; that We are now, and have been for the number of years, affixed below to our respective names, last part, acquainted with Timothy Willis of Winchester aforesaid who is the surviving brother of Caleb Willis and Hoseaiah Willis and who has as we are informed given his deposition in relation to the service of said Caleb Willis in the army of the Revolution, and that said Timothy Willis has ever sustained and still sustains a good moral and religious character and is entitled to full and ample credit as a witness whether in or out of Court, and that his character for truth has never been impeached or doubted
Winchester Feb 9th 1844
James Hunt 30 years Elisha Dick 14 years John G. Carlson 20 years } Selectmen of Winchester
Daniel A. Severance 30 years Town Clerk
Calvin Burnap 22 years Postmaster
John Thompson Three years
Pastor of the Congregational Church.

State of New Hampshire Cheshire ss
Personally appeared the within subscrivers J. S. Hunt, Elisha Rich, John G. Capron, Daniel A. Serenance, Calvin Brannan, and John Thompson and severally made oath that the foregoing deposition by them subscribed is in their belief true.
Before me
Pliny Jewell, Justice of the Peace
And I hereby certify that each of the several deponents is entitled to full and implicit credit.
Pliny Jewell, Justice of the Peace
Winceston N.H. Feb 9 th 1844
State of New Hampshire
Cheshire ss
I Leonard Risco Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for (said) County of Cheshire (it being a Court of record) certify that Pliny Jewell is a Justice of the Peace within (and for said) County, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, - that his commission is dated June 29 th A.D. 1843 and will expire in five years from (said) date. and that the signatures above written purporting to be his are in my belief genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of (said) Court this tenth day of February A.D. 1844.
Leonard Risco Clerk of (said) Court.

Newport N.H. 13 th February 1844
Dear Sir, Enclosed, are the most satisfactory testimonials to the high moral character & credibility of Timothy Willis, as a witness, who has given his deposition to sustain the claim of Patty Woods to a pension, on account of revolutionary services of her former husband, Caleb Willis. Also, the certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, bearing 5 th - 23 days service of said Caleb Willis in 1770. Although no doubt is entertained that the service was performed, to by Timothy Willis, no living witness other than himself can now be found to such service.
The claimant is in destitute circumstances, & will be greatly relieved by as early a decision of her case, as may be consistent with the convenience of the Department.
Yours respectfully &c.
James L. Edwards Esq. Hubbardston

6624 Oct 28. 1844.
Cam
W.H.
cts Mar 3 rd 1843 434 } Patty Woods 44 } 220 $55.88 paid
Hubbard Newton Newport N.H.
Frances Pay Pamela Pay Washington St. P.

Newport N. H. 25 th Octr. 1844.
James L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir,
inclosed is the declaration of Matty Woods, for a pension under the law of 3. Month 1849; she having rec d a pension under the law of 7. July 1838. as the widow of her first husband Caleb Willis.
I have not learnt that any difference in the form of the application, in such cases, is required, by the Act allowing four years additional pension to widows of the class of this applicant.
Yours most respectfully &c. &c.
Hubbard Newton Agent & Solicitor for Matty Woods.

Newport N.H. 25 th Sept r 1843. James L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir, I forwarded to the Pension Office, some months since the declaration of Patty Woods of New Hampshire for a pension under the acts of Congress, of July 7 th 1838 & 23 August 1842 - as the widow of Caleb Willis. Her declaration alleges an enlistment & service for a year in Capt Jacob Allen's Company - She prays the enlistment and service for one year by the deposition of Timothy Willis, the brother of her husband for whose service she claims the pension - He swears positively, that he was knowing to the enlistment & years service - He may possibly, be in a mistake in relation to the year of the enlistment; & the name of the captain under whom the service was performed after by Caleb Willis, after he joined the Army - or Caleb Willis might have been detached from Allen's Company as a mechanic & his name taken from the roll of the Company; as

is supposed by his widow. But the witness could not be mistaken as to the fact of the enlistment & years' service.
There are strange corroborating circumstances, that Timothy Willis' testimo- ny is true - in relation to the service.
Hezekiah Willis, another brother of the applicant's husband, enlisted at the same time, & served as now understood by the applicant, in the same company & for the same time. He drew a pension in his lifetime, & his widow also, after his decease. But where the widow of his service was found, the present applicant can not learn; but believes, that the evidence furnished to sustain his application, now on file in the Pension Office, will show where the widow may be found, to sustain her claim, for one year's service of her husband, at least.
It is none, altogether improbable, that any other living witnesses to the service of Caleb Willis can be found, at this late period. Timothy Willis is a man of unimpeachable character, & worthy of entire credit; and if any further

testimonials to his character, can make his testimony in this case, under existing circumstances, available, ( without further testimony ), to establish the service of Gable Willis, for a year, such  such can be furnished, as will place the character of the witness beyond all suspicion—
It would seem, that, by the rules of evidence, established by the War Department, July 9. 1836— Sec. 7. in relation to Widows' claims, under the act of 4 th July 1836, in the absence of " record or documentary evidence " of service, the testimony of one credible witness is to be deemed sufficient—
The applicant is unable to furnish any evidence , of any other term of service of Gable Willis, than for the year, as sworn to by Timothy Willis, & relinquishes all claim but for that year—
The applicant, in this case, is entirely destitute of any means of support; & if her case comes not within the possibility of relief, under a just construction of the rules which must control the decision of the Department, I can only say, God help her! for to Him she must look for support— and to Him alone—

I have, from the examination I have made in this case, perfectly satisfied myself, that the service of Caleb Willis under a voluntary enlistment for one year, in Jacob Allen's company was actually performed, though possibly in some other capacity, than that of a private in the company, in which he enlisted.
Traditional evidence of the service, in addition to the positive testimony of Timothy Willis, if such would aid, in satisfying the Department of the justice of her claim, can I think, be obtained.
You will, I have no doubt, find an apology for me, in your own sympathies for the poor widows of the soldiers of the Revolution, for thus troubling you with this communication.
I do not claim to have more sympathy with the poor & needy, than others; but I cannot but feel a very strong & anxious desire that the present application may succeed.
Yours most respectfully &c &c Hubbard Newton

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov 29 1863
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 Caleb Willis is borne upon the pay roll of the town of Brookfield for June, 23 days in 1780
There are no rolls of Capt Allen upon which the name of said Willis is borne, and his name does not appear upon any other rolls in this office

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 which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno A Boles Secretary of the Commonwealth.

John A. Bolles Esq
Secretary of State for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The application of Natty Woods, requiring examination of the Massachusetts Resolution -any papers in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Deponents, that she is a resident in Alstead in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire aged seventy six years, & has filed her declaration in the Pension Office at the city of Washington, for a pension, under the laws of Congress passed July 7 th 1834, & the 23 rd of August, 1842, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war; setting forth that she is the widow of Caleb Willis who was a private in Capt. Allen's Company, & as she supposes in the regiment commanded, by Col. Keith. and served one year, being the full time for which he enlisted; & that he served, as she is informed another

term of six months, I worked as joiner & carpenter; I was in the army, at other times, but has no specific information further as to the times & places of service.
That she was married to said Willis 27 th Nov r 1788, that her husband aforesaid died on the 9 th February 1818, & that after the death of the husband aforesaid she was married to Benjamin Wood on 25 th Feb y 1823, & that he died on the 4 th April 1833 & that she is still a widow. She further represents that Caleb Willis for whom service she claims a pension, resided in Bridgewater in the County of _____ in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the time of his enlistment, that according to her best recollection he enlisted in the year 1776 for one year, in Capt Jacob Allen's com- pany & as she supposes Col. Shatt's regiment. Having reason to believe that the widow of the service of the said Caleb Willis, may be found upon the rolls in your office, she prays that an examination of the

same may be had, & that a certificate thereof duly authenticated may be furnished -
Patty her Woods mark
I certify that the above named Patty Woods is personally known to me, and that the above signature purporting to be hers is her own proper signature.
Henry Dexter Justice of the Peace
To be forwarded to H. N. Fay - New Alstead N.H.

Hezekiah Willis
Oct 20. 1843 Patty Mrs formerly wife of Elias Miller N.Y.
Dobunh
James L. Edwards Esq Comm r Pensions Washington D.C.

continued
If you can, consistently with your public duties, furnish any evidence in support of this claim; or give any information, where any such evidence may be reached, by this poor widow, or her friends; you will confer a great favor, upon one who is a " widow in deed ".
Please to inform me, when entirely convenient, what further evidence is necessary to substantiate the claim of this applicant, so far as relates to the enlistment & service for one year, in J. Allen's company - as before
H. Newton

8731
March 14 183
W.H. July 7 1838 Patty Woods
James L. Edwards Esquire Comt. Pensions Washington
D.C.
53 33 2 33 53 33 109 00
PAID

Newport N.H. 9th March 1843.
James L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir, as the legally authorized agent, and solicitor of Natty Woods, who claims a right to a pension under the Laws of the U.S., - I enclose to the Department, her declaration, under the Laws of 7th July 1834 & 23rd August 1842 -
As she is entirely destitute of the means of support, I can not but express a strong desire that her claim may be examined, at as early a period as may consist with the convenience of the Commissioner. And, from your known sympathy for the sufferings of these last relics of the heroes of the Revolution, I will not permit myself to believe, that this application will be delayed without sufficient cause.
The evidence forwarded, in support of her claim will, I trust be considered sufficient, to grant the service of Willis , for one year . The applicant has a strong belief, that her husband served more than one year , but as yet, has been able to furnish no evidence beyond that time -
It is not improbable, that full evidence may be found among the rolls of the Mass. troops in the War Office - Her poverty however, denies her the means of paying the expense of an agent to make the examination -
I forwarded to the Pension Office, a few weeks since, the declaration of Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, for a pension - Her declaration had been filed in your office, previous to the passage of the Law of 23. July 1842, under a mistaken apprehension, that her case came within the provisions of the Law of 7th July 1834 - The evidence then supposed to be sufficient, to sustain her claim, was forwarded to the Pension

officer; & is now beyond her reach. Her last declaration was forwarded, in the belief that the evidence then forwarded, & now on file in your office, would be available, to sustain her claim under her last declaration.
Since forwarding the last declaration of Mrs. Williams, I have learned nothing in relation to its fate. I hope it may be consistent with your convenience, soon to give me such information, in relation to her case, as shall enable me to supply any deficiencies , in the proofs , if such deficiencies exist.
23. March 34 The heirs of Samuel Chase, have made application to me, with a request that I would ascertain if possible, what may have been the result of an application made by him in his lifetime, for a pension under the law of 1832. The late Judge Sumner, of New Hampshire was Mr. Chase's solicitor for obtaining the pension, but, died without having brought the business to a successful issue. Mr. Chase himself died soon after Judge Sumner, & nothing has since been done about the business. Kind name,
Dear Sir, will it be too great a requisition on your courtesy, to ask of you, such information in this matter, as shall enable me to satisfy the heirs of Mr. Chase, in relation to their rights & expectations? If so, you need only to make the suggestion, & be free from the trouble of further solicitation on the subject. I know, we are prone to lay too freely , the courtesy of those, of whose former kindness we have long & longingly shared; but in such cases, even a denial can not diminish a just sense of former kindness.
Most respectfully your obedt. Servant
Hubbard Newton.