Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,946, for Bethuel Lilly, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Lilly Bethuel
S 18946
Carded
CONTENTS

10-171.  Massachusetts  Bethuel Sill of Franklin in the State of Mass who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the reg t commanded by Col. _____ in the war time for _____
74 Franklin
Inscribed on the Roll of _____ at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of March 1833 and Lieut _____  Edward Mansfield (Act)
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $46.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 1 st 11.66  $58.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by _____ Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 27 Page 49.

Nov 17 45 y E Bethlehem Silly Massachusetts Bethuel Silly
Private 7 Months
Alm
$23.33.
E. Alvord. Greenfield Mass.

BRIEF in the case of  William Lilly County of Franklin in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70  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.     Vol In 1779, 1 — 1 — private Gen. Dyer Capt Sunsmere, Col Porter   ~ 1780, 2 " 3 — " Capt Newton Col Murray   ~ 1781, 3 — 3 — — Capt Oliver, Shalluck  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Ashfield Massachusetts  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attested 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. M. Leger Examining Clerk.

Bethuel Lilly Declaration of Bethuel Lilly for a pension
1745-7

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY ss.
ON THIS ON THIS fourteenth day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the said Commonwealth, now sitting at Greenfield within and for the said County of Franklin, Bethuel Lilly a resident of Ashfield in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an 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.
Bethuel Lilly resident in Ashfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was born in Stafford in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut, in the year of our Lord 1742, and if any record of my age exists it is at Stafford, of which I only know by hearsay. When called into service I lived in Ashfield, in which place I have lived ever since the revolutionary war. Sometime in the latter part of August in the year 1779 I volunteered into the service of the United States, as a private soldier for the term of one month into a Company commanded by Captain Dinsmore, in a regiment of militia commanded by Colonel Porter. I marched in the Company from Canaan to Norwich in Connecticut where I drew rations, from thence to New London where I continued for the space of one month stationed in a private house about two miles below the city, about the last of September in the same year I was dismissed, had no written discharge Gen. Tyler commanded the troops, nothing remarkable took place. Again about the beginning of August in the year 1780 I volunteered into the service of the United States, as a private soldier for the term of three months, into a Company of militia commanded by Capt. Norton in Colonel Murrey's regiment, the company rendezvoused at Claverack, from thence I marched to West Point, in about three days I was ordered off on command and marched to Fishkill where my duty was to guard the prisoners and stores in a company commanded by Captain Sheldon where I was stationed about eight weeks until the treason of Arnold, when we were ordered to march to West Point, and to West Point I marched and there I was stationed for the remainder of the three months, where I was discharged dismissed, had no written discharge, towards the close of my term Colonel Henry Jackson's regiment came on to the Point. Again sometime the latter part of August, as I believe in the year of our Lord 1781 I volunteered into the service of the United States as a private soldier for the term of three months into a Company of militia commanded by Capt. Oliver Shattuck, I joined the company at Deerfield, from thence marched to Albany, staid there a few days and then marched to Saratoga, during the campaign my duty consisted of guarding and scouting, and I staid at Saratoga the remainder of my time which was about the first of December 1781 I lived in Ashfield at the time of each of my enlistments. In my last term I was dismissed at Saratoga; but had no written discharge. In the regiment to which I belonged were four Companies commanded by Capt. Shattuck, King, Hovey and Curney the whole commanded by Colonel Sears. I am known by Ephraim Williams Esq. Levi Cook Esq. Lemuel Smith Esq. Thomas White Esq. and Elijah Paine Esq. who can testify to my character for veracity, and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution.

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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Attest E. Alvord Clerk
Bethuel Lilly
WE, Ephraim Williams and Elijah Paine
residing in Sheffield
Bethuel Lilly
believe him to be seventy
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 day and year aforesaid.
Attest E. Alvord Clerk
Ephraim Williams Elijah Paine
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 Ephraim Williams Esq and Elijah Paine Esq who have subscribed the preceding certificate are resident in Sheffield and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest E. Alvord Clerk
I, ELIJAH ALVORD, Clerk of the said Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Bethuel Lilly for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
E. Alvord
Clerk.

Re
W
W.C.R./HEM
January 21, 1930.
Mrs. E. W. Cobb Bay Village Ohio.
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 18946, it appears that Bethuel Lilly was born in 1762 in Stafford, Tolland County, Connecticut.
While residing in Ashfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, he volunteered and served as a private with the Massachusetts troops as follows:
From the latter part of August 1779 one month in Captain Dinsmore's Company, Colonel Porter's Regiment; from August 1780 three months in Captains Newton's and Sheldon's Companies, Colonel Murray's Regiment; from August 1781 three months in Captain Oliver Shattuck's Company, Colonel Sears' Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 14, 1832, while a resident of Ashfield, Massachusetts.
There are no data concerning his family.
The above noted Bethuel Lilly is the only soldier by that or similar name that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau; and said records fail to afford any information in regard to a Jonathan Lilly as described by you.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

P
18946
INVALID.
File No. 18946
B. Finkel Lilly
Pr. Rev. Mrs.
Act: June 7 th 82.
Index:—Vol. / , Page 226
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1914 Mar 7. Recd to Chas. H. ... 1930 Jan 21, Recd to Mrs. C. W. ... m. E. E.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Bethuel Lilly  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? D Citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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? Living witnesses
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? ys
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? ys
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? ys
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Answer D
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 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 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 shewn 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.
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 authenticates 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 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

I Chipman Smith of Milford in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged sixty seven years do testify and say, that to the best of my recollection in the latter part of August in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and eighty one, Bethuel Lilly of Milford Esq r , and myself initiated into the service of the United States for the term of three months in a company commanded by Capt Oliver Shat- -tuck, and we marched to Albany, from there to San- -toga, and the said Bethuel did duty in the during the said three months, and I saw him every day, when not on command and further the deponent saith not Chipman Smith
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss on this eleventh day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- -dred and thirty two, Chipman Smith above named, personally appeared, before me Elijah Prine Esq r , and after being duly sworn made solemn Oath by him subscribed that the above affidavit is substantially true and I hereby certify that the said Chipman Smith is a person of truth and veracity
—Elijah Prine Justice of the Peace

Belcher Hill Stephen Smith Affidavit
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. I Elijah Alvord Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts for the county of Franklin do certify that Elijah Alvord Paine Esq. before whom the four annexed affidavits purport to have been verified is a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Franklin. And I believe his name subscribed to the several certificates to the said affidavits appended, 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 Green- field on the fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord 1832. E. Alvord Clerk

I Stephen Taylor of Ashfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being Seventy Two Years of Age do testify and say that in the beginning of August in the year of our Lord 1740 Bethuel Lilly of Ashfield Esq; and myself entered into the Service of the United States for the term of three months in a company commanded by Capt. Newton, we marched to Fishkill and there joined the regi- ment, commanded by Col. Murrey we then marched to West Point, and in a very few days the said Lilly was detached and went off from the Point, and I saw him no more that campaign and further the aforesaid suits not Stephen Taylor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss On this thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty two, Stephen Taylor of Ashfield above named personally appeared before me Elijah Paine Esquire of the justices of the Peace for the County of said; and after being duly sworn, made Oath, that the above Affidavit by him subscribed is sub- stantially true, and I do further certify that the said Stephen Taylor is a person of Truth and veracity
Elijah Paine Justice of the Peace

Joseph Porter of Dover in the County of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, now residing in Ashfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachu- setts being seventy two years of age, do testify and say that some time in the summer of the year of our Lord 1779 I entered the service of the United States in a company commanded by Capt Dinsmore in Colonel Porter's regiment, and Bethuel Lilly of Ashfield joined the same company and regiment, we marched to New London in Connecticut, and did stay there one month and I frequently saw the said Bethuel Lilly during said month, and we were gone from home about six weeks and further the deponent saith not
Augt 10. 1832
Joseph Porter
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss On this Tenth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty two Joseph Porter above named personally appeared before me Elijah Paine Esq a Justice of the Peace for the County of Franklin; and after being duly sworn made oath that the above affidavit by him submitted is substantially true and I do further certify, that I am well acquainted with the said Joseph, and that he is a person of truth and veracity
Elijah Paine Justice of the Peace

I Joshua Whelden of Brookfield in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being seventy five years of age, do testify and say according to my best recollection, that in the beginning of August in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty at Ashfield of said County and myself, entered into the service of the United States for three months in a company commanded by Capt. Newton in a regiment commanded by Col. Murray and marched to Fishkill where we joined the regiment, we then marched to West Point and in a few days after the said Lilly was detached to go to Fishkill and I saw him no more that campaign and further the deponent saith not Joshua Whelden
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss. On this eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, Joshua Whelden personally appeared before me Elijah Pison Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Franklin and after being duly sworn, made Oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is substantially true, and I further certify that the said Joshua Whelden is a person of known veracity.
Elijah Pison Justice of the Peace

Bureau of Pensions Washington.
Dear Sir. Would greatly appreciate Whatever you can tell me regarding Bethuel Lilly & Jonathan Lilly of Ashfield Mass. both served in Mass. Militia Bethuel Lilly was born 3/25/1762 died 1840 he married Hannah Smith
3/20/1784. Jonathan Lilly was born 1695 married 1 st Abigail Wright May 7- 1716 - 2 nd to Mahitable Bacon. Mar 23- 1727 were either of these men given pensions, and will you kindly give me children names of the family of

mentioned and wives names or any other details.
Thanking you very sincerely for any information you can give me I am Yours truly
Mr. C.W. Cobb Bay Village Ohio

Rev Dec H
Lincoln, Neb.,
Feb. 21 - 1917.
The U. S. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.,
Dear Sir:
I desire information to complete my application to join the "Sons of the Revolution." I note in Davis's History of Ashfield, Mass., that Bethuel Lilly or Riley, of Ashfield, who was one of my ancestors, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and received a pension from the Government.
Do the records in your possession give information as to the names of his wife and children or the date of his death?
I shall very greatly appreciate the favor of a reply, and thanking you, I am very respectfully,
Charles H. Jenkins,
2040 E St.,
Lincoln, Neb.

7. a) 2 ers 9 sion
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Bethuel Sibley a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug. 1777 1 yr. Col. John Peter Mass.   Aug. 1782 3 mo. Sturtevant Murray   Sturtevant   Aug. 1781 3 mo. Sturtevant Deane  
Battles engaged in, ✓ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Abbyville, Franklin Co. Mass. Date of application for pension, Aug. 1782. His claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, Abbyville, Franklin Co. Mass. Age at date of application, born in 1757. Sold out in Dec. 1782.
Remarks: No date of birth given in application. No date of death given in application.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.