Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6321, for Joseph Lewis, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Lewis, Joseph
R. 6321
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents entry
Blank lined area for contents entry

State of New York Cayuga County
Stephen Chapman and Noyes Palmer being duly sworn according to law each for himself says he was well acquainted with Joseph Lewis in his lifetime who made application for a pension which said application has been rejected or suspended, and was and is well acquainted with all the family he died in the fall of 1844, and his widow died in the fall of 1845 and the only children which are now living are Betsey Havens and Sophia Gallup, who signed the Power of Attorney hereto attached and for this says he
William Chapman Noyes Palmer
...I know the said Stephen Chapman and Noyes Palmer are the persons who made application for the said pension...
Barrel Morrison for turn of the pension
State of New York

State of New York County of Cayuga
Be it Known, that on this Twenty fifth day of October A. D. 1852 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Sophia Gillely of the town in the town of Cayuga, and Betsey Haines resident of Roche in said County, and made oath according to law that She is the daughter of Joseph Lewis who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 1818 That They are directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint C. W. BENNETT , of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Joseph Lewis for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Betsey Haines Sophia Gillely
Sworn to, Subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Betsey Haines and Sophia Gillely to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Daniel H. Henshaw Justice of the Peace
State of New York County of Cayuga, Clerk's Office
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Record of said County that Joseph Lewis  by the oath of the the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, is the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that Daniel H. Henshaw Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this 23 rd day of November 1852
E. P. Marvin Dep. Clerk Cayuga Co. N. Y. Amos D. Root (Clerk absent)
1. Claimant's name or names in full.—2. Post Office address. 3. "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c. 4. Leave this line blank.—5. "He is," "she is," or "they are."—6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.—7. Claimant's signature.—8. Claimant's name.—9. Magistrate's signature. 10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of."—11. Magistrate's name.—12. Clerk's signature.
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

Rochester Nov 22 d 1852
I hereby certify that Joseph Lewis for whom a pension is requested died at my house at Seneca Falls about the 20 th day of October 1844, and that Emma Lewis his widow died at my house in the City of Rochester about the 18 th day of October 1846
Subscribed and sworn to by Adam Elder, to me known this 22 d day of November 1852
Harry Pratt Commissioner of Pensions Monroe County

Washington
Aug. 27. 1844.
Dear Sir
I duly rec d . your letter of the 13 th instant and did hope before this to have been able to have sent you the decision of the Department, in relation to the application of Mr. Joseph Lewis-
My object is now to assure you of my faithful attention & prompt action in the matter - I am intimately acquainted with the examining officer and he has assured me of his earliest possible attention, and I have promised him that I will give him no sleep before until he attends to this application -
I think you may rely upon hearing from me soon, but whether favorably or otherwise, I have no means of judging -
Respectfully Yrs &c &c
Adam Elder Esq.
John Oliphant
(over)

If you should write to me again do not pay the postage but after directing (& sealing) your letter to me - enclose it in a wrapper ad- dressed to
J. L. Smith Esq.
Register. Treasury Department Washington D.C.
This matter was laid before the Com te of Pensions on the 20 th instant.
Joseph Dennis
Sus d . Oct 1832. NY

no 35677
Joseph Lewis - N.Y.
act 7. June '32.
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of New York County of Cayuga
On this 18 th day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty four personally appeared in open court Before the Court of Chancery of the State of New York  before Daniel D. D. D.  now being  the Seventh Circuit  now sitting in the town of Auburn in said County and State Joseph Lewis, a resident of the town of Aurelius in the County and State of said aged seventy eight years, and upwards 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 follows. Viz. First. He enlisted in Captain Ward Swift's Company in Col. Nathanial Freeman's Regiment of Infantry of Massachusetts Militia or State Troops for six months - enlisted on the fifteenth of April 1780 and served out the whole period of that enlistment. That he recollects the following facts which took place during said first enlistment and term of service - The companies formed at different places - Captain Swift's Company first rendezvoused at Sandwich near said Swift's residence - Swift took command of the Company and they marched first to Dalmouth about twenty miles on the sea shore near Holmes Hole where Freeman's Regiment first met & rendezvoused. Stationed there about one month, there being no other troops except those belonging to Freeman's Regiment stationed there at the time. Officer Understood the object was to prevent the British and Tories landing (over)

there to get cattle and other supplies for the enemy; the reg- iment while there, was quartered in houses and barns. A party of British and Tories had landed just before we arrived and a slight skirmish took place where the British & Tories retreated and went on board their shipping: there were about half a dozen ships of war of a small class & some other small vessels on the coast when we arrived and they remained about a week. It was said there were but few men on board the enemies ships and they came to rob & plunder. From Dialmouth the regiment marched to Monument River a- bout fifteen miles where there was a real nest of Tories. This was upon an alarm, when we got there or just before about fifteen Tories took a Sloop in the night and sailed to the British on Long Island as was reported - remained at Monument river and in the neighborhood, guarding the shores and landing from three to four weeks or more. The companies of the regiment were frequently stationed to guard different places - Captain Swifts Company next marched to Sandwich Harbor and remained there two or three weeks. The Company was then disbanded for a short time, but in about a week we were again ordered out and our Company went to Monument River and remained in that neighborhood. The remainder of the time during said first term of service was spent in guarding the shore at different places viz at Bedford, Wareham and Naragansett. Once during the term the Company was called to Rhode Island -
Second - The applicant next states that he next served four months in the same Company commencing on the third day of September 1881 and in the same regiment - During this last period marched to Bedford and was there about half the time - went to different

places whenever there was an alarm, was at Wareham again also at Narragansett, but cannot recollect all the places he was at during this tour. Recollects that he was again at Monument River. No Skirmish took place - Captain Ward Swift still continued to command the Company and Col Freeman the Regiment -
Third. Swift enlisted again in Captain Ward Swift's Company for three months and served out the full time of enlistment. Swift went with Captain Swift's Company to Monument River where was a real busy hole for the purpose of guarding the coast - Staid there and in the vicinity about one month - saw nothing of the British or Tories - Afterwards went with the Company to Sandwich town for the purpose of guarding the Harbor, staid there about a week - After this the Company was disbanded and in about a fortnight was again called out and marched to Dartmouth where the enemy had recently been but had gone again to their shipping - Staid there and in the vicinity one month or more - next marched back to Holmes Hole where the remainder of the time was served out - Captain Swift still continued to command the Company - a part of the remainder of the Regiment was with Captain Swift's Company during the last tour of duty. This term of service commenced on the 10th of March 1782.
Fourth. Swift served one month in the Gun Boat service under Captain Lewis Barlow - this was in the month of August 1782 and the name of the Gun Boat was the "Sharing Mill" - It carried a Swivel in the bow and had on board about twenty men - The service was performed along the coast and among the Islands, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Mashpee &c - Recollects the following circumstances connected with this service. There was a merchant vessel in the Harbor or what was then called Butternuts Bay being

a British ship said to have been taken by an American Privateer and brought to Boston under a prize master) Capt Barlow went aboard of the ship with twelve or fifteen men & demanded to see the ship papers of the prize master who was called Capt Battermore - the Captain refused to show the papers and some altercation took place / & Capt Barlow's men not being armed having gone aboard under a flag left the vessel - Soon after on next day Col Freeman came there who gave orders not to let the ship sail until he could send to Boston and get directions concerning it. There was a suspicion that the prize master intended to give up the ship to the British & get a reward for it. The privateer which had captured the ship afterwards came round and took the ship to Boston - she was loaded principally with provisions for the British army - Afterwards we took one topsail Schooner loaded with Turkey Island Salt - it was an American vessel which had been captured by the British and was relatively on Gun Boat - The Schooner and cargo was sold as prize for the benefit of Government as he supposed, he received no prize money - During the time of which he received a slight wound on his right leg.
The deponent was born in the town of Sandwich in the county of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts in the year 1765 - there is a record of his age kept in the town of Sandwich where he was born by the town clerk - lived in Barnstable when called into service each time. Has since the war lived in the State of Connecticut and now resides at the place first above stated. Volunteered each time into the service and was not draughted nor a substitute for any other person. Lieutenant Barlow was in Captain Swift's company and a man named King was acting sergeant a part of the time. Never received any written discharge from the service and has no documentary evidence of his service.
Deponent is well acquainted with David Laurence and Merez Swift and has been acquainted with them for a great number of years and whose affidavits

are hereby annoyed and deponent recollects the circumstance stated in said Swift's affidavit of the raising of the Liberty Pole.
Deponent is also well acquainted with the Reverend Medad Pomeroy and John  Thompson Beardsley Esquire who reside in the vicinity of this deponent and who will testify their belief of his having served in the Revolution and of his character for truth and veracity.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pensions annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn also subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court before Joseph Leavitt
J. L. Richardson first Judge of Court
We Thompson Beardsley & Medad Pomeroy a clergyman residing in the County of Cayuga and Sherman Beardsley residing in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Lewis of the town of Sterling in the County of Seneca Cayuga who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight 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 also subscribed the day & Medad Pomeroy and year aforesaid. Beardsley
J. L. Richardson first Judge of Court

And the said Court both hereby declares 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 Medad Conner who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Cayuga and that Sherman Brandley — who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Philip Van Andale Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Cayuga  the State of New York for the Seventh Circuit do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joseph Davis for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court this Eighteenth day of January one thousand eight hundred & forty three.
Philip Van Andale Clerk

Answers of Joseph Lewis of the town of Andruz and county of Cayuga an applicant for a pension to the interrogatories prescribed by the war Depart- ment put to him by the Court at the time of making his declaration -
To the first interrogatory he says - That he was born in the town of Sandwich County of Barnstable State of Massachusetts in the year 1765.
To the Second he says - That he has no record of his age in his possession but that a record thereof does exist in the town where he was born, in the office of the town Clerk.
To the Third he says, That he was living in the town of Sandwich afterwards when called into the service, that he afterwards resided in the State of Connecticut and has for the last forty years resided in the County of Cayuga -
To the Fourth he says, That he volunteered into the service and was not draughted nor did not serve as a substitute.
To the Fifth he says, That he served in a Company commanded by Capt Ward Swift, and after, on board of a Gun Boat commanded by Capt. John Parlow The Regiment was commanded by Colonel Nathaniel Freeman. That he served out in the service four distinct terms of enlistment viz - one of 6. months, one of 4. months, one of three months and one of one month. That the service was performed in the years 1780, 1781 & 1782 as is more fully stated in his declaration.
To the Sixth he says, That he did not receive any written discharge.

Form the serv'd -
To the Seventie he says that Madad Pomroy & Sherman Beardsley reside in his vicinity or neighborhood and can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. Joseph Lewis
Answer to for
Interrogatories propounded by the Court - one answer, made as above this 18 th day of October 1948 Witness seal of said Court Philip Van Arsdale Clerk

State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable ss.
In this tenth day of September A.D. 1843, before me Mr. Greene, a justice of the Peace in & for the county of Barnstable, personally appeared Moses Swift, a resident of the town of Sandwich in said county, who being by me duly sworn according to law, doth depose and declare that he is of the age of seventy seven years; that he was born in the said town of Sandwich has resided there ever since, that he knew Joseph Lewis when the deponent and Lewis were boys, & still knows him, that they were school boys together - that the said Lewis now resides in Cayuga county, State of New York. That deponent recollects that the said Lewis, with him and some others was a liberty pole in defiance of the Tory party. Deponent further saith that his father Ward Swift, was a Captain in Col. Nathaniel Hemenway's regiment of Massachusetts militia, during the war of the Revolution, or during some portion thereof; and that the said Lewis entered into my father's company, on the 13th day of April 1780 for the term of six months, and served his full term of enlistment. He was also four months in the service in 1781, commencing Sept. 3 of the same year. Also, three months service in the year 1782 commencing March 3. All the above service was performed in the company of the said Ward Swift. Also, one month's service in a Gun Boat expedition, commanded by Capt. Levi Starbuck, said service was performed in August 1782. Moses Swift

Sworn to and subscribed this twelfth day of Sept. 1843.
before me. Woodgreen Justice
Barnstable ss I hereby certify that the within named deponent is a person of credibility; and that his statements are entitled to full credit.
Woodgreen Justice of the Peace for and within the county of Barnstable ss
I Timothy Reed Clerk of the Courts in and for said County of Barnstable hereby certify that William Greene Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Barnstable duly commissioned and qualified and was so on the twelfth instant, and that the above sig- natures purporting to have been made by him are his genuine signatures -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court at Common Pleas this fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- dred and forty three -
Timothy Reed Clerk

State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable ss.
On this twelfth day of September A.D. 1843 before me, Wendell Greene , a justice of the Peace in and for the County of Barnstable, personally came David Lawrence David Lawrence of Sandwich in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth depose that he is of the age of eighty three years, that he was born in said Sandwich & has resided there ever since, that he knew Joseph Lewis, when the deponent and Lewis were boys and still knows him; that the deponent further saith that the said Joseph Lewis enlisted into Captain Swift's company April 18 th 1870 for the term of six months, & served the full term, and served four months in 1871, commencing Sept. 3 rd , and served three months in 1872, commencing Sept. 1 st and one month in the service of Capt. Levi Bartlett in a Gun Boat expedition.
David Lawrence
Sworn to & subscribed this twelfth day of Sept. 1843
before me Wendell Greene - justice of the Peace
Barnstable ss. I hereby certify that the above named deponent is a person of credibility, and that his statements are entitled to full credit. Wendell Greene - justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Barnstable ss
I Timothy Reed, Clerk of the Courts in and for the said County of Barnstable hereby certify that William Greene Esq is a justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Barnstable duly commissioned and qualified and was so on the twelfth instant, and that the signatures to the within certificate purporting to have been made by him are his genuine signatures —
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court at Common Pleas this four- teenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- dred and forty three
Timothy Reed Clerk etc

REJECTED
6391
P. O. _____
Joseph Lewis
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

35.677
Let. 18 may '44 to Hon. A. Ly
Lev ————— to S. Hume Port Cayt 31th 1844.

Jacob Lewis Rev. New York Suspended act 7 Jan '32 In letter 7 Nov '33 h J. C. Chillenden lib. lock p. Bovee 22. Feb. 1840 to volume 13 March 1840
Adm. of Int. and Dec 5 1834

33. 677
Joseph Lewis N. York
Sol to D. C. Blosser Atty
6521

Jan 29, 1844
35677
NY 55677 Joseph Lewis 7 June 1832
Swiss Bank Corporation
W. O. M.
John H. P. P. see letter 18 Mar 1844 to Gen A. Tyler House of Reps Washington D.C.

Seneca Falls Jan'y 24. 1844
Sir
Enclosed I send the declaration of Joseph Lewis, who applies for a Pension under the Law of 1832
Mr Lewis served in the United and State troops and Marine service 14 months as follows -
1 Six Months in Captain Ward Swift's Company in Col Freemans Regiment of Massachusetts Militia Commencing April 15. 1880 2 Four Months in the same Company and Regiment commencing Sept 3. 1881 3. Three Months in same Company commencing on the 8 th day of March 1882 - 4 One month under Captain Barlow in the Gun Boat service in August 1882.
There is no documentary evidence to sustain the declaration - The testimony of two living witnesses is annexed -
In my last letter there were one or two inquiries made to which I greatly desire an answer -
Yours &c D. C. Bloomer
Hon John L. Edward } Washington }

Washington City
August 20. 1844.
Sir.
Permit me to call your attention to a claim for pension, which was laid before your bureau about one year since; the search made in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in accordance with the request of the Department having been forwarded also some time since to y r Department. The claimant is named Joseph Lewis, a resident of Cayuga County, New York. He is represented to me as a very respectable person, now far advanced in life and in a destitute condition. His claim is said to be a good one, and I would respectfully ask Your early attention to the case.
I make this request at the wish of a friend, having no personal acquaintance with Mr. Lewis.
Very respectfully Your Ob t Serv t .
Sam l Hume, Porter
Col. J. A. Edwards. Comm ee of Pensions.

Feb 3. 1895.
Adm't's. com.
for Lewis.
Hon John L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

Seneca Falls January 30 th 1845
Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir
Enclosed I send you a further certificate from the Secy of State of Massachusetts in the case of Mr Joseph Lewis - It is not materially different from the one heretofore forwarded to you.
I am not aware that you have as yet made any decision upon Mr Lewis's application. In your letter of May 18, 1844 you refer the applicant to his agent to the Secy of State at Boston for information. A certificate was obtained from him and forwarded to you since which time I have had no communication with the Office  you . The certificate I send was obtained on a second application in the hope that some further information might be obtained.
In this hope it seems I have been disappointed. There is no record proof in that office of Mr Lewis's service. It seems also that there are "no rolls of capt Swift or capt Barlow of the time sheathing in the application in that office". The absence of these rolls of course accounts for that of proof of service -
I think it impossible for any attempt, having being made on the part of Mr Lewis to impose a fictitious claim upon the Government for a pension. So far as I am concerned such an idea is altogether a mistake, I have acted in the matter in perfect good faith - Mr Lewis is a man of

good standing in the community and I have every reason to believe has stated the facts as they occurred in his Application - His Statements are also corroborated by two living witnesses, one of them the son of Capt Smith, both of whom swear positively to his service.
There is I suppose no second proof in existence of W m Lewis's services - But I trust that this will not cause the rejection of his application. He has produced "the best proof in his power" His own Statement of his services is full and circumstantial. It is also corroborated by the oath of two credible witnesses in addition to which the traditional evidence of service is full & seemingly satisfactory - I submit therefore that this is a case in which (in accordance of obtained in the instructions of the Pension Office) "to require from the applicants positive proof would after the lapse of so many years be to deprive many of them of the benefit of the Law."
As an such item of evidence going to show that W m Lewis has not endeavoured to impose a false claim upon the Government I would state that he travelled on foot from this State to Massachusetts and back again for the purpose of obtaining the testimony of the two witnesses, whose affidavits were attached to his application - This was done before he applied to me for aid. Would a man who was not attempting without good reason to obtain a Pension have done this - It seems to me that he certainly would not -
It is stated in a note to the annexed certificate that it is possible the services of W m Lewis may be found among the at Washington - How this may be I am not informed - If there be no proofs, there is at least nothing going to disprove it -
It is hoped that the Commission

will report upon that claim favorable and grant Mr Lewis a Pension - not because it will put money into the pocket of the subscriber (for he expects to receive no benefit from it) but because Mr Lewis is justly entitled to the Pension.
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient
D. G. Bloomer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 19 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 Joseph Lewis is not found as there are no rolls in the Office of Capt Ward Smith after the year 1778. and no rolls of Capt Barlow,
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sleeper, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Pension Office, May 18. 1844.
Sir.
The papers in the case of Joseph Lewis, sent by Mr D. C. Bloomer of Seneca Falls have been examined and filed. The claimant alleges that he served six months in Captain Ward Swift's company of Colonel Freeman's regiment in 1780, four months in the same company in 1781, three months in the same company in 1782, and one month under Captain Rankin in the New-Port service in 1782. These allegations must be sustained by record proof: otherwise the claim will not be allowed. If he served as alleged, ample proof of the service will be found in the office of Mr J. G. Walbridge, Secretary of State, Boston, Massachusetts. To him I would refer the claimant, or his agent, for such proof. It is given free of all expense, except postage.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your Obedient Servant J. L. Edwards
Hon. J. H. Tuttle Chair of Representatives.

June 28 1844
N.Y.
Adorner of Joseph Lewis
Hon
John L. Edwards - Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Geneva Falls June 24. 1899
Sir,
Enclosed I send you a certificate from the office of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts for which relating to the application of Joseph Lewis for a Pension for services in the Revolutionary War - From this certificate it appears that Mr. Lewis' name is not found on the rolls, as there are no rolls in existence in the Secretary's office of Capt. Swift after 1778 and no rolls of Capt. Barlow -
From this it appears that there is no record proof of Mr. Lewis' services - His application must therefore rest upon the testimony of living witnesses -
It that seems to me that the applicant in this instance presents a strong case. His own declaration is full and explicit as to the date - place and circumstances &c attending his services. To this is added the testimony of two living witnesses who swear positively to Mr. Lewis' service - one of these witnesses is, being the son of Capt. Swift , under whom the service was performed.
The absence of the rolls in the Secy's office at Boston cannot I suppose raise any presumption against the application - I suppose therefore that the case must be one of those where the best evidence possible has been produced.
I have no doubt but that Mr. Lewis

is richly entitled to a Pension - He is an old gentleman of unblemished character and highly esteemed by all who know him & would be the very last man in the world to state any thing which was not true - He has not applied for a Pension sooner for the reason that he has not until recently been in need of it - He is now reduced in circumstances & needs the small pittance which he believes himself justly entitled to from the Government - I trust therefore that you will look upon the application favourably -
Should there be any defects in the testimony in support of the claim as it now stands, you will please inform me as soon as possible - and I will endeavour to have them supplied -
I wish you would send me a copy of the recent act of Congress in relation to Widows Pensions with the forms of application under it -
Yours Respectfully D. B. Bloomer
Hon John L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
Sept 18 1814.
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 Joseph Lewis of Sandwich does not appear in any rolls in this Office, and there are no rolls of Capt Ward Swift or Capt Barlow of the time specified in the application in this Office.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sawyer,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The fact that there are rolls in the Office is not evidence that Capt Ward Swift did not serve, but will enable you to prosecute further search at Washington where it is possible such service may be found

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, MADE BY THE PARTY WHO RENDERED THE SERVICE.
State of New York County of Seneca Town of Seneca Falls
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of my service in the war of the Revolution.
I enlisted from the town of Sandwich — in the County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts in the year 1780 as a private — in the Company commanded by Captain Ward Swift — in Col. Nathanial Wrenn's Regiment of Militia & State Troops and I served as follows,* viz: — Six months in that company in the year 1780 — I again enlisted in the same company and regiment in the month of September 1781 and served three months — I again enlisted in the same company & regiment the month of May 1782 and served three months — I also served one month in 1782 in the Gun Boat service under Captain Barlow — During the first three terms the troops in which I served was principally engaged in guarding the coast from invasion.
*Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank &c. of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

I am now 79 years old, and my memory does not enable me to state my services more fully than above stated.
And I do hereby constitute Deyster C. Bronson of Seneca Falls N.Y. my Attorney in the premises.
WITNESS my hand, this 10 th day of September A. D. 184 7 .
Signed by said Joseph Lewis in my presence, Charles Pixley JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. }
Joseph Lewis