Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,935, for Richard Lewis, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Lewis, Richard
S 18,935
Carded
CONTENTS

27469 Massachusetts Richard Lewis
(Darnstable) in the State of — Mass who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Lambert of the Reg t commanded by Col. Freeman in the Mass time for
2 years mi
Inserted in the Roll of — Mass at the rate of .80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 12th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of June 1831 and sent to Hon. J Reed House of Rep.
Arrears to the 12th of Mar. 1831 — $240 — Pension allowance ending 4 Sep " 40 $280
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book C. Vol. 2 Page 31

I hereby Certify that Richard Lewis Son of Lieut: Lewis, was born in Barnstable Nov: 26 th A.D. 1750 as appears from the records of said Town
Attest Josiah Hinckley } Clerk of the Town of Barnstable
Barnstable Sept. 15. 1832

Richard Lewis Desmable
26.0/4
Richard Lewis Desmable
Non I Area H. B.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Barnstable . ss. On this twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Nymph Hall of the Probate Court Judge now sitting at Barnstable in and for said County, Richard Lewis a resident of Barnstable in said County, aged Eighty One 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 7th, A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Barnstable in the County of Barnstable on the twenty sixth day of November A. D. 1750, and that there is a record of his birth on the Town Records of Barnstable : that he was in the United States service from the first  day of January A. D. 1778, to the first  day of January A. D. 1780 as a Private in the Militia or State service : that he was residing at Barnstable aforesaid when he entered the service; that he enlisted for two years and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Benjamin Lumbert Captain John Pallet Lieut Joseph Lumbert Secut. : that he marched from was stationed at Hyannis in said Barnstable as a guard : that he served with the Company & no others — That none of the United States troops or of the regular troops; and were with them that none of the Continental officers regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received a discharge but not in writing: that he left the service on the first of January A.D. 1780 — and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Barnstable .
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17 , to the day of A. D. 17
as a in the that he was residing at when he entered the service; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of : that he marched from : that he served with of the regular troops; and regular officers were known to him: that he was in battle that at the end of his service he received a discharge and left the service on
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17 , to the day of A. D. 17
as a in the that he was residing at when he entered the service; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of : that he marched from : that he served with of the regular troops and regular officers were known to him; that he was in battle that at the end of his service he received a discharge and left the service on

I would further state that the reason why we were stationed at Hyannis was that during the revolutionary war the harbor of Hyannis was the place where a vast many prizes were brought in; and of course protection was required over & above the protection from the ordinary exposure of the sea board against the hostile invasion of the enemy.
The Rev John M. Spear & Lewis D. Basset are my neighbors and can testify to my character for veracity & belief of events in the revolutionary war
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.
Richard Lewis
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Almer Davis, Rev
We John M. Spear, a clergyman residing in the town of Barnstable and Lewis D. Basset residing in Barnstable hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Lewis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty 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.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Almer Davis Rev
John M. Spear L.D. Basset
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 certify that it appears to them that John M. Spear who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Barnstable; and that Lewis D. Basset who has also signed the same is a resident in Barnstable and an credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Stephen H. Clarkson - Judge
interrogations UPON the County,
I Almer Davis, Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Richard Lewis for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Almer Davis, Reg.

N o 26014
Richard Lewis Barnstable County Massachusetts
Application should be made to E. D. Bangs & here of the state of Mass for evidence of the testamentary power
July 25 1883
Massachusetts
Rev. L. G. Goss Minister Col. Lambert Col. Freeman Hon. J. Reed H. Rep
Howland D. Bangs Barnstable County Massachusetts Brown 66

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
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 show 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, showing the Service of Richard Levers Barnstable County • Massachusetts
   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.     Second 1. Jan'y 1778 2 - - private Capt Lombard 81 years Barnstable County Massachusetts Traditionary Ordinance & Rev War Witnesses certified credible papers correctly attached    That was the name of the Colonel who commanded the Reg't to which Capt. Lombard's Company was attached
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 constituted 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) _____, who has 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 inquiry 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 four years , in the militia, &c. without specifying the days, 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

84 Bradford St. -
Provincetown Mass.
30 Sept. 1911 -
Bureau of Pensions -
Will you please send me the pension record of Richard Lewis of Barnstable Mass. - who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War - and a pensioner at the time of his

death 9 Dec. 1841.
Yr names of his family are now plain and true. and oblige
(Mrs.) Grace Fullam Hall 54 Brattle St. - Cambridge - Mass.

2
18035
INVALID.
1911, Oct 6. Visit to Mrs. Grace Fielding Hall
File No. 18035
18035
18035
Act: 18035
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 222
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable.
Probate Court at Barnstable in said County May 31st, A.D. 1834
Personally appeared in open Court Richard Lewis of said Barnstable, who is an applicant for a Pension under the Act of Congress of June, A.D. 1832. and made a Declaration for that purpose in Probate Court Sept. 22d. 1832. who being first duly sworn, Declares & says, That during the two years which he was a Soldier in the Company of Capt. Benjamin Lumbert Nathaniel Freeman of Sandwich was the Colonel of the Regiment to which the said Lumbert's Company belonged and Enoch Hallett of Yarmouth was Lieut. Colonel, according to his best recollection.
Richard Lewis
Sworn & subscribed in open Court the day & Year aforesaid - Witness my hand & the seal of the said Probate Court at Barnstable aforesaid the day & Year first aforesaid
Almon Davis, Reg.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 8. 1834.
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 no Roll of the service claimed by Richard Lewis in the Massachusetts Militia from the first of January 1778, to the first of January 1780, as private in Capt. Benjamin Lumbart's Company, and no roll whatever of said Capt. Lumbart has been found, or is known to exist among the papers in this Department. Edward D. Bangs. Secy

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190__
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Richard Lyvis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 18,935-
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Nov. 1, 1778 2 yrs Pvt Benjamin Lytle Michael Green Mass.                                                                 
Battles engaged in, No. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Barnstable, Mass. Date of application for pension, Sept. 22, 1832. U.S. Residence at date of application, Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Mass. Age at date of application, Barnstable Nov. 26, 1756, son of Lieut. Lyvis. Remarks: d. Aug. 1841
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

I Prince Bearse of Barnstable in the State of Massachusetts aged seventy three do depose and say that I am well acquainted with Richard Lewis of said Barnstable. I will remember he enlisted in the same Company with me under Capt Benjamin Lombart & served with me two years the years 1778 & 1779 - we were stationed near the harbor of Plymouth because at that time many prize ships were brought into to that harbor to guard & protect the people & property And further the Deponent saith not Prince Bearse.
Barnstable ss
Probate Court at Barnstable Sept 22, 1832
Personally appeared in open Court Prince Bearse & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed in Court. And I certify that in the opinion of the Court the said Prince is a credible witness.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court the day & year aforesaid
Almon Davis, Reg.

I Jabez Bacon of Barnstable in the County of Barnstable Aged seventy five depose and say that I have always known Richard Lewis from a Boy, that I well remember him during the Revolutionary war, that he enlisted in the same company in which I served under Cap Benjamin Lombart & served two Years the years 1778 & 1779 We were stationed at Hyannis to guard the coast and a part of the Company were sent to other places in cases of emergency - And further the deponent saith not - Jabez Bacon
Sep. 22
Sworn
Barnstable, p.
Probate Court at Barnstable Sep. 22, 1832.
Personally appeared in open Court Jabez Bacon & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed in Court. And I certify that in the opinion of the Court, the said Jabez is a credible witness. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court the day & aforesaid. -
Almon Davis, Regr