Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,439, Levi Woodward, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Woodward, Levi
S. 6.439
carded
CONTENTS

2854
Massachusetts
Levi Woodward
of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by Col Doggett in the [blank] line for [blank]
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Dec 1832 and sent A Babbitt Treasurer
Arrears to 14th of Sep 1832 $ 60 - Semi-annual allowance ending Dec 31 20 - $ 80 -
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H Spauldin Clerk Book 2 Vol. 22 Page 93

3976
Levi Woodworth P.M.
Levi Woodworth
Levi Woodworth
Levi Woodworth

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, } BRISTOL, ss.
At a COURT of PROBATE holden at Taunton in and for said County on the twenty ninth day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, by Adjt. before the Honorable HODIJAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Levi Woodward a resident of Taunton in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated; to wit: under Capt. Abial Clapp , in Col. Doyette's regiment, other officers of Comp. any regiment forgotten; again under Capt. Israel Trow & Lt. Lane in Col. Doyette's  Brigadier Gen. Cushing regiment, all other officers forgotten; again under Capt. Caleb Richardson , Col. John Jacobs ; all other officers forgotten; and the particulars of his several services he will state in reply to the fifth subpoena interrogatory;
and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Norton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty one.
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? I do not know of any record of my age, my father neglected to comply with the Law in this respect.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
I lived in Norton when called into service; for thirty or forty years past I have lived in Taunton.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
The first time I enlisted; the other times was drafted; in the Militia or State Troops every time.
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Under Capt. Abial Clapp I entered in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven, the month I cannot remember; our company served three months, I performed duty that term with them; we were stationed at Howland's Ferry in Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island and employed in guarding the Coasts against the enemy who were on the Island; Under Capt. Richardson Trow I served three months and our company was stationed at Warwick in the State of Rhode Island performing the same duty as aforesaid; it was in the winter of the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight and Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine; Under Capt. Richardson I entered for six months service about the first of July in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy eight; after some time we marched to join Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island, we crossed to the Island at Bristol Ferry in row boats; before the battle on the Island there was a terrible storm in which I was so much exposed that I fell sick and was sent across Howland's Ferry to the hospital and was there at the time of the battle; after I was better, the Surgeon reporting me as still unfit for duty I was permitted to return home on a furlough; when I had recovered my health I joined my Company which was stationed at Swansey in this State and there staid with them guarding the Coasts as before until the said term of enlistment expired; I do not recollect any other troops that served with us; for proof of my said services I refer to the annexed affidavit of John White.
3 m o
8 m o
6 m o
12 m o

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and, if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
I was a soldier & never received a written discharge.
7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Cromwell Leonard of Norton a Town adjoining said Taunton & Joseph Wilbar of said Taunton. The Revd Pitt Clark Norton
And the said Levi Woodward doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Levi Woodward H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
WE Joseph Wilbar — Pitt Clark residing in Taunton  a Town adjoining Cromwell Leonard residing in the same Norton , hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Levi Woodward — who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about 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 that we concur in that opinion.
Joseph Wilbar Pitt Clark Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
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 Pitt Clark who has signed the preceding certificate is a clayyman resident in the Town of Norton in said County of Bristol, and that Joseph Wilbar who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and is a credible person, and that their — statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate. Register of Probate
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } BRISTOL, ss.
I Amos Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Levi Woodward of Taunton in said County, for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.
Amos Bassett

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Levi Woodward (Bristol Copse)  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?  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? 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? 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 And is the official character and signature of the magistrate 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.

3976.
Levi Woodward
Bristol Co
Mass
Phila
12 Mo
Alm
4/10.
J. Baddett Taunton Bristol Co Mass

BRIEF in the case of Levi Woodward Court of Bristol Co 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 17 77 3 Private Gen. Cap a Clapp Col Dugay   78 279 3 " " " " "   " 6 " " " " "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Orleans  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Boston  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living Witnesses. Traditional evidence  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.
J. H. S. Blair Examining Clerk.

May 12 '96 Ex by W.P. Nethercutt Bk of Rev. F.W.B.
Resub
6439 INVALID.
File No. 6439 Levi Woodward Print Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 414
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I John White of Mansfield in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts being Seventy four years of age do hereby testify & say that I have been well acquainted with Levi Woodward now of Taunton in the County of Bristol for a great number of years and that he served as a private soldier in the Army of the American Revolution in three three several campaigns viz the first was three months under capt. Abiel Clapp & in Col Daggitt Regiment & we were stationed at a place called Howland Ferry in the State of R. I. and as I think in the 1777. and said Woodward enlisted as a volunteer in said company. The second campaign was at a place called Warwick near in said R. I. in a company commanded by Israel Know and was three months. & in said Daggitt Regiment & I think it was in the winter of 1778. and the third campaign was three six months and we were stationed on Rhode Island in Captain Caleb Richardson Regiment & we were at Sullivan's Expedition (so called I think in the summer of 1778. I understood our troops to be State troops in all the campaigns and I served as a private soldier in all the above campaigns & in a company with said Woodward. 5 Dated at Norton this 16 th day of August 1832 John White

Bristol } Commonwealth of Massachusetts county } p. Before me one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the county of Bristol personally appeared John White, subscriber to the within affidavit and made oath that the same is true in all its parts. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and quality, this 16 th day of August A.D. 1852.
Leom d Leonard Justice of Peace