Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29264, for Josiah Jones, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Jones, Josiah
S. 29264
CONTENTS
b. Mar. 1, 1754 in Middleborough, Plymouth Co. Mass. - there about. In 1833 res. Dalton, Berkshire Co. Mass.

10.746
Massachusetts
Deiah Jones
of Berkshire in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Wood of the Regt commanded by Col Cotton in the Mass line for 12 months
Not
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 22 day of April 1833 and Serial No 74
Arrears to the 4th of March 1831 $86.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 21.67 $108.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act, June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W.H. Gabbott Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 38
80 Berkshire

24235
Joseph Jones Application for Pension
Datton Mass.
H. M. Burles
Sentry
Mass Joseph Jones

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this twenty fifth day of September A. D. 1837 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting,
Josiah Jones a resident of the town of Dalton in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy Eight 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.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he was Born in Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the first day of March 1754 where he resided until the Month of November or December 1778 when he moved to Shutesbury in said State where he resided until the 1 st day of March 1820 when he moved to the Town of Caledon , in said State of Massachusetts where he resided until the 7 th day of June A.D. 1830 when he moved to Dalton in said County of Berkshire where he now resides — He is the said Jones was told that his Birth was recorded at Plymouth in the County of Plymouth in said State of Massachusetts — But he never went to see whether it was or not. That in the latter part of the Month of April or the first of May 1775 soon after the Lexington Battle . He enlisted for Eight Months in a Company of Volunteers in a Company Commanded by Captain Isaac Wood in Colonel Cottons , Regiment and General Thomas Brigade. He marched to Roxbury near Boston and was there stationed untill his Eight Months Expired

when I was discharged, which was about the first of January 1776. as was also all of the men in said Company who had enlisted for 8 Months having served out their full time of Eight Months — He this deponent again enlisted about the 1 st of July 1776 in a Company Commanded by Captain Nathaniel Woods in Colonel Cary's Regiment in Genl. Fellows — Brigade, and Marched in the same Company from said Middleboro by land to New Haven in the State of Connecticut & from thence, were conveyed by Water to the City of New York. There remained about ten days & then Marched to the Barracks about three or four miles North of the City. There remained until about the middle of September 1776. When the Army retreated to Harlem Heights — and Marched from place to place until the Battle of White Plains, which said Battle was terminated without our said Wood's Company being called into action we were Marched from time to time & place to place till we arrived at or near Croton's Bridge — where he was discharged as was also the whole Company — having served at this and as he now recollects the Regiment also — being about the 1 st of December 1776. having served five months —
He had no written discharge He frequently saw Generals Washington & Putnam on Parade,

1st Term 8. Months 2 Term 5. Months 13m
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
Josiah Jones
S. D.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W.P. Walcutt J. Probate
We Josiah Pomeroy a Clergyman, residing in the town of Dalton in the County of Berkshire and Ephraim Tucker  Sam residing in Dalton in the County of Berkshire hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Josiah Jones who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 78 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.
S. m. r. m. 5. 1833
Josiah Pomeroy
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W.P. Walcutt J. 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 above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Nelas Loomis  marked A next attached who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, res-
ident in the town of Colebrook in the County of Hampshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that Josiah Pomeroy who has also signed the preceding certificate same, is a resident in the town of Calton in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts , a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W.P. Walcutt J. Probate
I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Josiah Jones for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at said Court of Probate, this fifth day of March the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Henry W Bishop Register of Probate

24235
Josiah Jones
Mass
Nov 13 Month
H on Bishop
Lenox Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Isiah Jones Son of Nathan. County of Berkshire State of Mass
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     enlisted 1775 — 8 — — Capt Wood Col Cotton Genl Thomas 78 years Shutesbury State of Mass Documentary Evidence and 1 Witness for all the Service   " 1776 " 5 — — Capt Wood Col Cory Genl Fellows  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To 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? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of 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. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

29 264 Very INVALID.
File No. 29, 267
Josiah Jones Pii Reo Mar
Act: James Jan 39"
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 214
[Arrangement of 1870.]

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
By His EXCELLENCY
John Hancock, Esq.
GOVERNOUR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
To Josiah Jones Gentleman — Greeting.
Y O U being appointed Ensign of a Company in the Third Regiment Second Brigade and in the Fourth Division of the Militia in this Commonwealth comprehending the County of Hampshire —
By Virtue of the Power vested in me, I do by these Presents (reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct) Commission you accordingly.—You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of an Ensign in leading, ordering and exercising said Company in Arms, both inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline: And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Ensign and you are yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from me or your superior Officers.
John Hancock
Namptkin 16 1788 Personally appeared Josiah Jones and took and subscribed the Oaths required by the Constitution to qualify him for the Duties of his Office before Daniel Whitcomb Esq.
GIVEN under my Hand, and the Seal of the said Commonwealth, the Fifth Day of May in the Year of our L O R D, 1787 and of the Independence of the United States of AMERICA, the Twelfth .
By his Excellency's Command,
John, Avery Junr Secy

Having been formerly acquainted with Josiah Bones who for a time resided in Wilmot said to reside in Dalton, Mass. this town, I do hereby certify, that I believe him to be seventy eight years of age, that he is reported to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that I think him entitled to credit in relation to his services in the revolutionary war.
Artus Loomis { Pastor of the Congregational Church in this town
Colerain Franklin County Massachusetts January 14 th 1833
A

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. }
Head-Quarters, BOSTON, December 25- 1794
THE GOVERNOR and COMMANDER in CHIEF, has accepted the Resignation of
Ensign Josiah Jones of the 2 Regiment in the Second Brigade and fourth Division of the MILITIA of this Commonwealth; and he is hereby honorably discharged at his own request, from the Office of Ensign in the Regiment aforesaid.
By Order of the CAPTAIN GENERAL.
Samuel D. Smith
ADJUTANT-GENERAL,

Joseph Durinton of Cohasset in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of eighty six years old Testify and say
That I was born in the Town of Middle- borough, in the County of Plymouth where I lived til the commencement of the Revolutionary War when I was acquainted with Josiah Jones on the last of April or the first of May one Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy five and soon after the Lexington Battle I enlisted for eight Months in a Com- pany of Volunteers or State troops under Capt Isaac Woods and Josiah Jones of said Middle- borough enlisted at the same time with my self for eight Months in the same Company. During the same Captain and we both served in Col Collins Regiment & in General Thomas Percy's Brigade we marched to Roxbury near Boston and was then stationed til our eight months had expired & I was discharged no written discharge Josiah Jones was discharged at the same time he served his full time of eight Months and we returned home about the first of January 1776.
and about the first of July one Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy six I enlisted for five Months in a Company of State troops under Capt Nathaniel Woods and Josiah Jones enlisted at the same time for five Months in the same Company & under the same Captain Nathaniel Woods and we both served together in the same Company in Col Cary Regiment & in General Fellow's Brigade and we marched together in the same Company from Middleborough by land to Newbedford Connecticut & from there

by Walter to New York City & then remained about ten days then moved to the Barracks about three or four Miles north of the City then remained till about fifteen th of September from there we retreated to Harlem nights we then was moving from place to place till the Battle at White Plains then I went into the hospital to take care of the wounded then I remained till my my five months was out & I was discharged David Jones remained with the troops till his time of five months was out & was discharged I had no written discharge
Joseph Purinton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss September 20 th 1832 then Joseph Purinton personally appeared before me and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true
Before me Charles Thompson Justice of the peace
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with De d Joseph Purinton about twenty years and he has always sustained a good moral character for truth & veracity
Charles Thompson Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvora Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Charles Thompson Esq. before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been verified is a Justice of the Peace for the said county. And I believe his name subscribed to the two annexed certificates to be his true and proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at Greenfield on the fifteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three E. Alvora Clerk
Josiah Jones

I Jonathan Peterson of Colerain in the County of Franklin Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of the age of seventy eight years, do testify & say, that, I was born in Middlebury, Plymouth County Mass. in the year 1754 March 26 th where I resided till the revolutionary war. In the year 1776, near the last of June or the first of July I enlisted among the Massachusetts State troops, under the in the company under the command of Capt. Nathaniel Wood, & Colo. Carey in the brigade of Gen. Helloes, & served five months. We marched to Providence in R.I. & then to New Glaser Ct. & thence sailed to the City of New York, where we continued I should think about ten days. We thence marched up North River a few miles to Chelsea where we tarried till the 15 th day of September, when we retreated by order of Gen Washington to Harlem Heights. The next day there was some skirmishing with the enemy. We staid at Harlem Heights 5 or 6 weeks & then marched to White Plains, where, after a few days, there was a battle with the enemy. After about two weeks we were moved to Courtland or Easton's River where we staid till the first day of December when we were dismissed.
I do also depose & say that Bariah Jones enlisted at the same time that I did, & was in my company & was also a mess-mate with me during the whole time, & served his country as well as any other soldier whatever. Said Jones was born in Middlebury Plymouth Co. Mass. & is not far from one year older than myself. None of our company had any written discharge. Sometime during the revolutionary war said Jones moved to Canterbury Mass. & afterwards he moved to this town where he resided ten or twelve years, & from this place he moved, as I am informed to Dalton in Berkshire Co. Mass.
Jonathan Peterson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Thru Jonathan Franklin ss January 14 th 1833 } Peterson Peterson personally appeared before me and made oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed is true Before me Charles Francis Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Judge Thompson about twenty years and he has ever been found a good Moral Character for truth and veracity
Charles Thompson Justice of the Peace Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do certify that Charles Thompson Esq before whom the within affidavit purports to have been verified is a Justice of the said county of Franklin. And I believe his name subscribed to the two foregoing & within certificates to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at Greenfield this fifteenth day of January A.D. 1833
E. Alvord Clerk

I Studdard Totman of Cohasset in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of seventy five years do testify and say
That I was born in the Town of Plymouth in the county of Plymouth in said Commonwealth in the year 1756 and from said Plymouth I moved on to Plympton in said county where I lived till the Revolutionary war. Then I enlisted in a company of Steele's Dragoons under the command of Capt. Bridgman, & Col. Cotton, Brig. Col. Alden, & Maj. Elbridge Sprague, & arrived at Roxbury the third day of May 1775. While there, I frequently saw Sarah Jones who was a soldier in the same regiment in the company commanded by Capt. Isaac Dood, & the said Jones served his country at that place eight months, the same time that I was there. During this time Lieut. Abial Downard an officer of the company to which Mr. Jones belonged, was accidentally shot by one of the soldiers belonging to Capt. Joshua Denson's company. He survived only a few hours. None of us had written before. Said Jones lived several years in this town, & is now said to reside in Dalton Mass Studdard Totman
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Then Franklin 10 January 14 th 1833 }
Studdard Totman personally appeared before me the Subscriber and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true
Before me Charles Thompson Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Studdard Totman about twenty years and he has ever maintained a good Moral Character for truth and veracity
Charles Thompson Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord Esq. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do hereby certify that Charles Thompson Esq, before whom the within affidavit purports to have been verified, is a Justice of the Peace for the said county. And I believe his name subscribed to the two within certificates to be his true and proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at Greenfield on the fifteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
E. Alvord Clerk