Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B. L. Wt. 50,886-160-55, for Josiah Stites, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Stites, Josiah or Stiles
B.L. Pt 50,886-160-55
Holbrook, Elizabeth
Former Widow
CONTENTS

255.757 Det Mar 3/55 SA: Olneyleaf. Sept: 29/57 Aug 7/56 " same Nov 19/56
End P
Elizabeth Hobbrook. laid.
Jonah Stites deer. Died
Capt. J. B. Burhans.
Col. J. Holmes.
Ent. Dec 10. 1776.
Leis. Jany. 4 & Aug 14-1780
Private - Mass mil
Rev War.
Pensioner.
Ad. 165 dec 22/68 Died
William Greenleaf
Doctor Mass
Vol I-2-97

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER COUNTY, ss.
I, William A. Smith assistant Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, which is a court of record for the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, do hereby certify that
M c F. H. Slocum and M c Greene of
Esquires whose signatures are is affixed to the Certificates on the papers hereunto annexed were at the date thereof the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified and authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth to take the acknowledgement of deeds and administer oaths, that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to their  his acts and attestations done in that capacity, and that his  their SIGNATURES to said CERTIFICATES are is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court, this fifth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty. sig.
Wm. A. Smith Asst Clerk

State of Massachusetts County of Worcester Town of Grafton April Twenty Third Eighteen hundred and (a) fifteen. Josiah Stiles Esq. of Milbury & Elizabeth Wadsworth of Grafton were joined in Marriage By John Miles Pastor
I CERTIFY that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows:—(b)
"April 23" 1815
Jas M White Town Clerk
I, Jas M White above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the town, county, and state afore- said, and that the above is a true copy from the records of said town, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Jas M White
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this thirtieth day of April A. D. 1856
Asa H. Slocum Justice of the Peace.
(a) Here fill in an exact transcript of the record, except that, instead of copying the figures, the date must be written out in full.
(b) Here give the date exactly as it is in the record.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester County ss
We Samuel March and Cyrus March
both of the County of Worcester, having been duly sworn depose, and say, that we were well acquainted with, and knew Josiah Stites who was a soldier in the Massachusetts Militia in the Revolutionary war with Great Britain, whose widow now applies for bounty land that we knew him for over 10 years before his death which occurred at Milford, about 34 years ago that we knew that he died at or about that time from the fact that we attended his funeral, and that he died in the arms of one of the deponents. And we certify that we knew the fact of their cohabiting together as man and wife, and that we have known the widow for many years past, and know and swear to the fact that she is now a widow.
Witness our hands and seals the 30 th day of July 1857 In presence of W m Greenleaf Samuel March Cyrus March
Worcester July 30 1857 Subscribed and sworn to before me this 30 day of July AD 1857
It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace by the affidavits of Samuel March and Cyrus March of the said County and State, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who have no interest in the result of the application of Elizabeth Stites for Bounty Land.
W m Greenleaf Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston.
July 31. A D 1856.
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 Josiah Stiles is borne on pay roll of Capt. Abijah Burbank's Company Col. Jonathan Holman's Regt. on alarm at N. Island from Dec. 10. 1776. 25 days hard included from Sutton, as private. Also on pay roll of Capt. Abijah Burbank's Comp. Col. Jacob Davis's Regt. N. Island service, on alarm, from July 30. 1780. 12½ days, as private.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Francis D. Witt Secretary of the Commonwealth.

283.751.
BOUNTY LAND.
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Mrs. Elizabeth Holbrook
Widow of Josiah Hites
NOTES.
The declaration to be before a Justice of the Peace, or other officer authorized to administer oaths for general purposes. If the deceased officer was a regimental or staff officer, the declaration must be varied so as to express the fact. After the words "in the" state in what war, whether in the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the 18th day of June, 1812; the Mexican war, (if an officer,) or any of the Indian wars since 1790, describing the same. After the words "that her said husband," insert whether he enlisted, volunteered, or was drafted. After stating the term of actual service, say whether honorably discharged, or killed in battle. If the widow has pre-empted her husband's discharge with a former application which she made under any former acts, or knew of no discharge, let her state the facts in her declaration. If the soldier rendered service in different wars, set forth each service as fully as can be done in the declaration. The affidavit of two witnesses must be taken to establish the identity of the claimant.

BOUNTY LAND CLAIM.
FORM OF DECLARATION FOR WIDOW OF A DECEASED OFFICER OR SOLDIER.
STATE OF Massachusetts } ss. COUNTY OF Worcester }
On this thirteenth day of July A. D., one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven personally appeared before me, Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Elizabeth Holbrook aged eighty three years a resident of Grafton County of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts, who being duly sworn according to law, declares, that she is the widow of Josiah States deceased, who was a private soldier in the company commanded by Captain Elijah Burdick in the Massachusetts Regiment of Militia commanded by Col. Jonathan Holmes in the Revolutionary War, Revolutionary War. That her said husband was drafted at Sutton on or about the 10th day of December and 1780 A. D., 1776 for the term of twenty five days and continued in actual service in said war for the term of thirty seven days and was discharged at Rhode Island on the 14th day of August A. D. 1780. She further states that she was married to the said Josiah States in Grafton County of Worcester on the twenty third day of April A. D. 1815 by one John Miles a Minister of the Gospel and that her name before her said marriage was Elizabeth Wadsworth that her said husband died at Milbury on the fifteenth day of December A. D., 1822 and that she is a widow at the date of executing this her declaration, and having obtained a Bounty Land warrant under act of the  March 3d, 1855 , which she has legally transferred and disposed of and not within her power to claim, she refers to said declaration for evidence of her husband's service, and her marriage, &c.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under act approved March 3d, 1855. She also declares that she has never received nor applied for Bounty Land under this, or any other act of Congress, except the  act of  March 3d, 1855 .
Elizabeth Holbrook
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written; and I certify that I believe the claimant to be the identical person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in said claim.
Wm Greenleaf Justice of the Peace
AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES.
STATE OF Massachusetts } ss. COUNTY OF Worcester }
On this thirteenth day of July A. D., one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Lewis Holbrook and Mary Holbrook residents of the State of Massachusetts and County of Worcester who being duly sworn according to law, declare that they are personally and well acquainted with Mrs. Elizabeth Holbrook who saw her sign her name (or make her mark) to the foregoing declaration, that they know her to be the identical person therein represented, and that she is now a widow; and they swear they are disinterested witnesses.
Lewis Holbrook Mary Holbrook
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to & subscribed before me on the day & year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, & that I have no interest in this claim.
Wm Greenleaf Justice of the Peace

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
Know all men by these presents, That I, Elizabeth H. Holbrook of Grafton of the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts and the widow of Joseph Hites deceased, who was a soldier in the service of the United States, do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Wm Greenleaf of the city of Worcester my true and lawful attorney, irrevocably, for me and in my name, to prosecute and receive from the United States the Bounty Land certificate, or warrant due me by virtue of my deceased husband's service in the United States, under existing laws granting Bounty Lands to the officers and soldiers, or their widows and minor heirs, for services rendered in the different wars, and generally to do all lawful acts and things whatsoever touching the premises, an attorney, or attorneys under him, for the purpose aforesaid to make, and at his pleasure to revoke, hereby confirming all and whatsoever my said attorney shall in my name legally do or cause to be done in and about the premises, as much so as if present myself.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
thirteenth day of July 185 6 .
Elizabeth Holbrook
Acknowledged and subscribed before me a first copy of this  Deed in and for the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts this thirteenth day of July , 185 6 .
Wm Greenleaf first of the house
STATE OF
COUNTY OF
I.
} ss.
Supreme Judicial
Clerk of the County Court, in and for the County and State above
mentioned, do hereby certify, that _____ whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing declaration, affidavit, and power of attorney, is, and was at the time of signing the same, a _____ in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court, is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.
GIVEN under my hand and Seal of Office, at
this _____ day of _____
A. D., 185 _____
283.752
BOUNTY LAND.
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Wm Greenleaf first of the house
Widow of Joseph Hites
NOTES.
 The declaration to be before a Justice of the Peace, or other officer authorized to administer oaths for general purposes.  If the deceased officer was a regimental or staff officer, the declaration must be varied so as to express the fact.  After the words "in the" state in what war, whether in the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the 18th day of June, 1812; the Mexican war, (if an officer,) or any of the Indian wars since 1790, describing the same.  After the the words "that her said husband," insert whether he enlisted, volunteered, or was drafted.  After stating the term of actual service, say whether honorably discharged, or killed in battle.  If the widow has presented her husband's discharge with a former application which she made under any former acts, or knew of no discharge, let her state the facts in her declaration.  If the soldier rendered service in different wars, set forth each service as fully as can be done in the declaration.  The affidavit of two witnesses must be taken to establish the identity of the claimant. 

I hereby certify and declare, that the following is a true copy of a record on a grave stone in Millbury, and was this day July 30 th 1866 copied by me
In memory Josiah Hikes also died
Dec 15 th 1822
Aged 67
Josiah called he gave his breath Beloved in life, beloved in death We would his virtues here record And give the glory to the Lord.
W m Grantleaf

(Official Business)
FREE
Hon. J. Minot Commissioner of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington D.C.
Care of C. H. Rhet, Esq.

253.751
W. L. 6
Department of the Interior Geological Survey
EE
John M. Coulter
Official Business

Wm Grob Whiting Dear Sir
Worcester Dec 8 th 1831
I herewith send you as additional testimony in the case of Elizabeth Holbrook the testimony of some of the oldest and most respectable inhabitants of Hildbury and from the facts stated by them I presume you will be satisfied that he was the identical Josiah Stites, whose name is borne upon the Rolls and who performed the service as therein set forth. I thank you for the answer to my last. I am Yours truly
Wm Greenleaf
P.S. I am unable to find any old soldiers who were out with him, but should be glad to, as this would be the best of Proof but they are all gone so far as I know W.G.
Yours was dated Nov 29 th should have answered sooner if the certificate had been ready.

We the undersigned inhabitants of Wellesley in the County of Middle State of Mass. hereby certify and declare, that we were acquainted with Josiah Stites, formerly of Sutton a town in said County, by change of name of the town. That we were personally acquainted with him for many years previous to his death, and that we were well acquainted with his wife. That we knew the time of his demise being present some of us at his death and funeral. We are well acquainted with Elizabeth Holbrook the widow of said Josiah Stites, and know that she is now a widow. And we further testify and declare that we believe the said Josiah Stites, to be the identical Josiah Stites, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war under command of Col. Elijah Brastunk, and whose name is borne upon the rolls in the Secretary's Office, this State, from the fact we have heard him tell of being cut in said war and fighting that occurred. And from the further fact, that he was the only person of that name known to us, of sufficient age to have been a soldier in the War of the Revolution. And we further say, that from all our acquaintance with him, and his family, and the case, we are satisfied that the service in said War, was rendered by Josiah Stites, the former husband of Elizabeth Holbrook, and that he is the same Josiah Stites, whose name is borne upon the rolls in the Secretary's Office of this Commonwealth, the testimony whereof we herewith set our hands the sixteenth day of December, 1866.
In presence of the undersigned Tyler Chamberlain
Mark L. Chase Paul C. Chase Samuel March Elisha D. Dyer Tyler Chamberlain

C. H. Shattuck Esq
Barnstable Oct 3 d 1826
Dear Sir
I have just received your Note of the 29 th inst. in relation to the claim of Elizabeth Withlock, widow of Joseph Atkes, in which you say her claim is suspended, and that proof should be filed, which will identify her husband as the soldier whose services are described in the Certificate of the Secretary of State (Massachusetts).
I supposed I had obtained all necessary proof of her service by that Certificate, as it stands upon the roll in Boston. I don't know that I should be able to find any old soldiers that were out with him, in the Revolutionary War but there is no doubt of the fact that he was out, and that he is the identical person whose name is described in the Certificate. The Mr. Marsh have heard him tell about being out, and lived neighbors to him for more than forty years. After the decease of Mr. Atkes, his widow married Mr. Withlock, in her deceased, and she is now a widow.
Will you kindly have the goodness to inform me what proof will be required to satisfy you that Joseph Atkes was the soldier described in said Certificate, as I confess I do not know it. I always wish in transactions of this kind to comply with the rules and regulations of the Office. I thank you for writing, am sorry to give you occasion to write, Yours truly
W m Grantleaf,

5
150 886
Ms. Cams

(Official Business) Adoption of name on App. No. 253,757 Elizabeth M. Holbrook
Elizabeth M. Holbrook
Wm. George L. Whiting
Berwyn
Commissioner of Pensions, Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.
FREE