Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 771, for William Lewis, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Lewis, William Hannah
No. 771
BLK 26848-160-55
CONTENTS

10198 MAINE
William Lewis Lincoln in the State of MAINE who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Sangamon of the Regt. , commanded by Col. ~ in the MAINE line for 21 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of MAINE at the rate of 70 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 d day of March 1833 and First  Nat. Orphin  Wiscapit  MAINE
Arrears to the 1 st of March 1833 $140.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept  35.00 $175.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded By W.H. Adams Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 1 st Page 31

94 870 Oct Mar 5/55
April 24/55
Hannah Lewis widow of William Lewis m
bapt
bob
Revolutionary
Pensioner
Me Sep 53- 1306
Will 16 Oct May 20/56
BA
M
Henry Ingalls Wiscasset Maine
Rev H. Ingalls Nov 29/55
Lev same Dec 11 "
Vol L. page 55.

306 V. Raine Hannah Lewis widow of William Lewis who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private Maine Line Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 70 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
3 February 1853 Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of Augt 1853 and sent to
J. H. Hemen J. J. Coombs Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 6 Vol. A
3rd Feb 1853
1832
Reg 3 m 55-94870
CH

William Lewis Maine
Yrs at 21 Months
YB
140 30
Nathl. Coffin Esq. Wiscasset Maine

leo  BRIEF in the case of  William Lewis  of  Lincoln  in the State of  Maine  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 76  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. As a Gen.     In 1775 enlisted 9 private Col Timothy Langdon recd. nothing of Regiment   1 st April 1776 enlisted 9 " Col Davis Lieut Winslow   1779 volunteered 3 " Col Walster General Lovell Com d  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Boothbay Maine  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional and two living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Payson
Examining Clerk.

State of Maine, } ss. County of Lincoln, }
On this fifteenth  sixth day of March April A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Hannah Lewis aged 76 years, a resident of Boothbay in the County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of William Lewis deceased, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain  in the regiment of  commanded by  in the war with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June, 1812 that her said of the Revolution, United States Troops
husband at on or about the day of A. D. 185 for the term of and continued in actual service in said war for the term of and was honorably discharged at on the day of A. D. 18 , as will appear by
the muster roll of said company. And in support of her claim she refers to her application for a pension under the Act of February 3 d 1853, her name being inscribed on the list of the rate of seventy dollars per annum, and her certificate having been granted Aug. 15. 1853, and recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under Act of July 3 d 1853, Page 6, Vol. A. and she avers that she is the identical person to whom said certificate was granted.
And she further states that she was married to the said Wm. Lewis in Westport in said State on the 39 day of June A. D. 1819, by one Benjamin Riggs a Justice of the Peace that her said husband died at Boothbay on the six day of March A. D. 1834, and that she is still a widow, and that her name before her marriage was Hannah Brooks
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the Act passed September 28th, 1850  March 3 d 1853 and she prays that the certificate thereof may be sent for her to HENRY INGALLS, Wiscasset, Maine.
Attest Witness M. Lewis
Ebenezer Lewis Sign Hannah Lewis Harriet Gillette
Subscribed and duly sworn to the day and year first above written before me, and I certify that I believe the said Hannah Lewis to be the identical person she represents herself to be, and that I am not concerned in the disposition of this claim or interested in its result. James T. Gillette Justice of the Peace.

State of Maine ss Personally appeared Ebenezer Leavitt County of Lincoln and Harriet Gillett residents of Boothbay in said county, who being duly sworn depose and say that the within declaration of application was signed by the said Harriet Leavitt in their presence and that from the appearance and statements of the applicant they believe her to be the identical person she represents herself to be and that she is still a widow.
Witness Ebenezer Leavitt
Witness Harriet Gillett
Subscribed and sworn to by the said Ebenezer Leavitt and Harriet Gillett before me this Sixteenth day of April A.D. 1855. and I certify that I am not concerned in the prosecution of this claim or interested in its result.
James Gillett Justice of the Peace
94-841

STATE OF MAINE.
Lincoln, ss. James
I, EDMUND B. BOWMAN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that James Tibbetts 2 o
whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, was on the day of the date thereof, legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such; and that the signature to the annexed papers purporting to be his are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court this twentieth day of April , in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty- five
E. B. Bowman Clerk.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, ) COUNTY OF LINCOLN, ) ss.
ON this 6th day of September personally appeared in open Court, before me , a judge of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, William Leavitt a resident of Bethel in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, aged 80 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, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, as follows: - etc.
In the spring or summer of the year 1775. He enlisted in Capt. Timothy Ladd's company in Brookline for nine months - was stationed a part of the time at Hencocks Head at the mouth of Sheepscot River & Pownal Harbor in Brookline & at Spruce Point in said Brookline guarding the coast - was constantly employed - cannot recollect anything of a Regiment - served out the time & was verbally discharged by the Capt. in Brookline.
On the first day of April 1776 enlisted again in Capt. Isaac Davis Company in Brookline for nine months - stationed part of the time at Hencocks Head & Point and Island near the mouth of Sheepscot River & part of the time at Pownal Harbor in Brookline to guard the coast - had Capt. Winslow as first Lieutenant - do not know to what Regiment the Company belonged - served out the time & was verbally discharged by the Captain at Brookline. In 1779 he entered voluntarily into Capt. Archibald McIntire's company at Brookline to go on the Bay shore expedition to Penobscot - as time of enlistment was agreed upon, he thinks - expected to remain in the company until the expedition was over - went to Penobscot on that expedition & on their return assisted in making a fort or breastwork at Pownal Harbor in Brookline, he was then verbally discharged at Brookline by the Captain, after having served three months at that time. Genl. Sevell soon ended the expedition & Genl. Madsen was soon in command.
And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the War Department he answers as follows: - That he was born in Chelsea near Boston in 1755 - was no record of his age but supposes it may be found among the town records of said Chelsea - was in Brookline when called into service, lived there since the Revolution from his birth - voluntarily enlisted at said time - has already stated the names of all the officers he was in company with - always discharged verbally - none of my neighbors can testify as to my character for veracity & true belief of my Revolutionary services, but will particularly refer to Timothy Ladd Cunningham, & Joseph Cushing, both of said Brookline - & said Cunningham & said Cushing.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he 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.
Before
John Pease
Judge of said Court
William Leavitt

State of Maine.
LINCOLN, ss—I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that the annexed paper, signed by the Judge and attested by the Clerk, contains the original proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas, at a special session thereof holden at Wiscasset in said county, by the Hon. John Ruggles one of the Judges of said Court on the twelfth day of September A. D. 1832, in the matter of the application of William Lewis for a Pension. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this sixth day of October A. D. 1832.
Nathl Coffin CLERK.

WE, Timothy Cunningham a Clugym an residing in the Edgecomb  5 Boothbay and Joseph Currie residing in the same Boothbay hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Merrill who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy five 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. ham
Timothy Cunningham Joseph Currie
State of Maine.
LINCOLN, ss.... Sworn and subscribed this twelfth day of September A. D. 1832
Before me, H. Bailey Justice of the Peace
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 Timothy Cunningham who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clugym an resident in the Edgecomb and that Joseph Currie who has also signed the same is a resident in the Boothbay and a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John Reagles J. C. P. Attest Nathl. Coffin Clerk
State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN, ss.... I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Hon. Bailey Esq. whose name is affixed to the above certificate, as a Justice of the Peace is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 12 th day of September A. D. 1832
Nathl. Coffin CLERK.
William Merrill 140.30

Hannah Lewis's wid. of Wm -
Me. Oct 1853. 2 nd line
Addl. proof
To go with papers heretofore filed by G. T. Harmon
May 13
J. H. Coombs

Hannah Leavitt
STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, SS.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court,
PORTLAND
July 9th
A. D. 1853
I, Charles C. Harmon,
CLERK OF THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT,
for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND , being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that
Parker Wilson Esq
is and at the date of his certificate to the paper hereto annexed, was an
Acting Justice of the Peace,
within and for
the County of
Lincoln
as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that he is DULY COMMISSIONED and qualified to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of deeds and other instruments in writing, in the County aforesaid—and that the following SIGNATURE purporting to be his
are
GENUINE.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written,
C. C. Harmon Clerk.

We Andrew Lewis and Elizabeth Lewis of Boothbay in the county of Lincoln and State of Maine being of lawful age and disinterested witnesses on oath depose and say that we were well acquainted with William Lewis late of this town deceased. We were townsmen and neighbors of said William Lewis for many years before his death. Said W m Lewis was a revolutionary pensioner and died in this town on the sixth day of March A.D. 1834. We were present at his funeral and we saw him after he was dead and we assisted at his burial. Hannah Lewis was the wife of the aforesaid William Lewis who was a pensioner. The said Hannah Lewis has remained a widow since the death of her husband as aforesaid and is now living.
Andrew Lewis Elizabeth Lewis
Lincoln ss. June the Sixth A.D. 1853 Then personally appeared the above named Andrew Lewis and Elizabeth Lewis who are known to me as persons of truth and veracity and credible and reputable witnesses and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by them signed before me.
Parker Wilson Justice of the Peace
I further certify that I have no interest whatever in the claim of Hannah Lewis to a pension.
Parker Wilson Justice of the Peace

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, ss.
Clerk's Office, Supreme Judicial Court,
PORTLAND,
May 11th , A. D. 185 3 }
I, Charles C. Harmon,
CLERK OF THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT,
In and for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, certify that
William Carlisle Esq. is an
Acting Justice of the Peace,
within and for
the County of
Sinclair
as appears by
the paper hereto annexed; that he is DULY QUALIFIED TO ACT as such; that his COM- MISSION is dated August 25 A. D. 185 7 and will expire
August 25 , A. D. 185 8
and that the following SIGNATURE purporting to be his are
GENUINE.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court, for said State, the day and year first above written.
C. C. Harmon
Clerk.

State of Maine } County of Lincoln } Ps.
On this second day of May A. D. 1853, personally appeared before me Arnolda Blaney Judge of Probate in and for the County and State aforesaid Hannah Lewis a resident of Boothbay in the County of Lincoln aged Seventy four years, who being sworn according to law, doth on oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the Act of Congress passed February 3 d A.D. 1853,
And your declarant states that she is the widow of William Lewis late of Boothbay in the State of Maine deceased, who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution. and a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of 1832, at the rate of Seventy dollars per annum, which pension he drew until his death, which took place on the Sixth day of March A.D. 1834.
And the said declarant further states, that she was married to the said William Lewis on the third day of June A.D. 1819, at Westport and that her name before marriage was Hannah Brooks
She therefore claims a pension under the act aforesaid, and states that she is still a widow.
Hannah Lewis
Then personally appeared the above named Hannah Lewis and made oath to the declaration by her signed, on the day and year first above written.
Before me,
Arnolda Blaney } Judge } of } Probate

STATE OF MAINE.
PROBATE COURT, } Cumberland County, s.s. }
Be it Known, That on this Tenth day of May 18 53 it has been satisfactorily proved in open Court, being a Court of Record, That William Lewis late of Boothbay Me was a Revolutionary PENSIONER the United States, and that he died at Boothbay on the Sixth day of March 18 54 . And that Hannah Lewis is the widow of said William Lewis deceased.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto, affixed the seal of said Court, and subscribed my name this tenth day of May in the year 18 53 .
Josiah Purdie Register of Probate for Cumberland County.

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, SS.
OFFICE OF THE COURT OF PROBATE.
I, Freeman Bradford Register of Probate
for said County, hereby certify, that Hon. Josiah Pierce whose name is signed to the foregoing Certificate, is JUDGE OF PROBATE, in and for said County and State, duly commissioned and qualified agreeably to the Constitution and Laws of said State, that the annexed signature purporting to be his, is genuine, and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given, to his official acts and attestations.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Official Seal of said Court, and subscribed my name, this Eleventh day of May A. D. 185 3 Freeman Bradford Register

State of Maine County of Lincoln Town of Boothbay June Third one thousand eight-hundred & nineteen Married by Benjamin Riggs Esq. Mr William Lewis of Boothbay to Miss Hannah Brooks of Westport
William Lewis died March sixth one thousand eight-hundred & thirty four
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exceptions of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows,
June 3 d 1819
March 6 th 1834
Jason Fuller Town Clerk
I Jason Fuller above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the Town County & State aforesaid & that the above is a true copy from the records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me
Jason Fuller
Clerk of said Town
Subscribed & sworn to before me this nineth day of May 1853 William Carlisle Justice of the Peace

Apl-6-1903-1574 Mrs. C. M. Dinkha N.Y. City
Rev Mar
WIDOW, &c.
File No.
771
Hannah Lewis,
Widow.
William Lewis,
Paris. Rev. War.
Act: Feb. 3. 1853.
Index:—Vol. A , Page 426
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Lewis, William
W 771

678 N.
New York March 28/1903
Pension Bureau OLD WAR & NAV. S. APR 3 1903 Can you
inform me if William Lewis who was in Col Joseph. Stantons Regiment in Rev. War. 1776-1779.
draw a pension? Was he in the war of 1812? I have always understood he was on the ship Minerva which Captured the British Ship Hannah - August 1781 - Did
FILES.

he receive a bounty?
I am anxious for all information
I can get regarding his services, as he was my grand father. Will you please answer - and state what the charges are.
Respectfully yours -
Mrs. Geo. W. Tarbox
4182 Park Ave -
New York City.
Tremont-Station}

May 13. 1853
No. 1877
App. of Hannah
Lewis widow of William Lewis
No 1696
maine
10198
Act 3rd Febry: 1853.
Rev. { duration of Commission
Admitted $70 per annum Com. Feb. 3 1853
W. K. Hamin Portland me.
This car is admitted upon the special direction of Com. Waldo J.S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Patent Office, Official Business

v
26 848
J
Met Aug

Saml. Thompson's depot. in
Wm Lewis case
Cph - Allegh. depot.
1/2

I Samuel Thompson of Boothbay in the State of Maine age seventy seven years, on oath before me, that I am well acquainted with William Lewis of said Boothbay, I know that he enlisted as a private soldier on the first of April 1776 into Captain Israel Davis Company for nine months and served the term out, & was verbally discharged by the Captain at Boothbay on the last day of December 1776 - I was during said nine months a private soldier in the same Company, & well recollect said Lewis, & have known him ever since, he lives about three miles from me. ~
Samuel Thompson
State of Maine. ~
Sworn to - August 10. 1832 - Personally appeared the above named Samuel Thompson, before me Jeremiah Bailey one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County of Lincoln, & after due examination & caution to testify & declare the whole truth, made his oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed in my presence. The foregoing deponent is a disinterested person & of good credit, in whose testimony confidence may be placed
J. Bailey Justice of the Peace

I Andrew Reed of Boothbay in the State of Maine aged seventy-six years on oath before me say, that I am well acquainted with William Lewis of said Boothbay, and that I served with him in the Revolutionary War in the following regiments to wit, about the time when war was declared, the myself were out in the service for a considerable portion of the year in Boothbay as "Minute Men". I recollect that William Reed was our Captain. The service was irregular and continued a good while - if it went into a connected or continued service, it would have been three months at least. In 1778 I think it was, said Lewis voluntarily offered to go among the volunteers from Boothbay to the West side of the Penobscot river then in possession of the British, for the pur- pose of destroying a fort & blockhouse - we did go and destroyed them, about way five o'clock we there found the possession of the enemy - I believe there was no particular com- pany - we were all volunteers in a body - I think Col. Cargill command, & Major Conner second in command. The British were beat away & said Lewis was the organizer of the Lewis as assisted in getting them to Boothbay taking care of them afterwards. The time said Lewis was upon this expedition performing these services, was three months at least.

Said Lewis Army self enlisted in the year in Capt. McAlister's Company at Boothbay on the Bagaduce expedition so called. • we both went - said Lewis was in that expedition (including the time expended on his return in building a fort or blockhouse at Boothbay, three months. I know that said Lewis fully performed also the aforementioned services, & that he gave out, & served the above periods of time, because I was with him in all of them. • I believe said Lewis to be about seventy six years of age — The Bagaduce expe- dition so called was to Penobscot, & an attempt made to relate from the British what is now called Castine, near the mouth of Penobscot river —  Chas. D. Pierce
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

State of Maine ~ Lincoln ss ~ August 13. 1832 ~ Personally appeared the above mentioned Andrew Reed, before me Jeremiah Bailey one of the Justices of the Peace, within the said County of Lincoln & after due examination & caution to testify & declare the whole truth, maketh oath to the truth of this deposition by him signed in my presence. The aforesaid deponent is a disinterested person & of good credit, in whose testimony confidence may be placed ~
J. Bailey Justice of the Peace
State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN, ss— I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Jere Bailey Esq. whose name is thereunto affixed to the annexed papers as a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature to me well known.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this sixth day of October A. D. 1832.
Nathl. Coffin CLERK.

Ephraim Alley of Boothbay in the county of Lincoln & State of Maine aged seventy two years, on oath before me, say, that I am well acquainted with William Lewis of said Boothbay, & believe him to be seventy six years old. - I know that he served as a private soldier in Capt. Timothy Durgins Company in said Boothbay in the year 1775. I had a brother in the same Company & used to go once a week to carry provisions to him - I clearly saw said Lewis in the Company & I well recollect the day the Company was discharged. -
In the year 1776 I served with said Lewis nine months in Capt. Israel Davis Company at Boothbay near the mouth of Sheepscot river. Said Lewis served out the nine months term, with the rest of the Company being discharged verbally by the Captain. -
Yrs & A. J.
State of Maine
Lincoln ss. September 11. 1832.
Personally appeared the above named Ephraim Alley before me Jeremiah Bailey one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County of Lincoln, & after due examination & hearing to the contrary, declare the whole truth maketh oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition, by him signed in my presence. The aforesaid deponent is a disinterested person & of good credit in whose testimony confidence may be placed.
J. Bailey Justice of the Peace

Ephraim Alley of Boothbay in the County of Lincoln & State of Maine aged seventy two years, on oath before me say, that I am well acquainted with William Leavitt of said Boothbay, believe him to be seventy six years old. I know that he served as a private soldier in Capt. Timothy Langdon's Company in said Boothbay in the year 1775. I had a brother in the same Company & used to go once a week to carry provisions to him - I clearly saw said Leavitt in the Company & I well recollect the day the Company was discharged.
In the year 1776 I served with said Leavitt nine months in Capt. Israel Davis Company at Boothbay near the mouth of Sheepscot river. Said Leavitt served out the nine months & was, with the rest of the Company discharged verbally by the Captain.
Yrs truly Eph. Alley
State of Maine
Lincoln ss. September 11. 1832. Personally appeared the above named Ephraim Alley before me Jeremiah Bailey one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County of Lincoln, & after due examination & caution to testify declare the whole truth maketh oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, by him signed in my presence. The aforesaid Deposition is a disinterested person & of good credit in whose testimony confidence may be placed.
J. Bailey Justice of the Peace

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Lewis which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy 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? yy 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? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy 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? yy

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? no clergyman  yes as to other 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? 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? yes 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? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes 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? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes  all
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.

Washington, Aug 12 th 1853
Sir:
The Examiner who has had the enclosed case of Hannah Lewis, widow of William, under Act of 1853, in charge, thinks there is no sufficient evidence to identify the claimant, as the widow of William Lewis who was a pensioner. In this particular I differ with the Examiner, and beg leave to submit the question to you.
The evidence of identity is as follows:
1 st The Certificate of the Probate Judge of Lincoln County, Maine, that Hannah Lewis, of Boothbay in said County, appeared before him and made declaration under oath, that she was the widow of William Lewis dec d . late of said Boothbay, who was a pensioner under Act of 1832, at 75 dollars per annum, and who died on the 16 th March 1834. (This is important because it shows that the Hannah Lewis who made this declaration, was a resident of Boothbay , in the County of Lincoln .)

2 o The certificate of the Probate Court of Cumberland County, Me. that it has been satisfactorily proved in open court, that William Lewis late of Boothbay was a Pensioner, and died at Boothbay on the 6 th of March 1834, and that Hannah Lewis is his widow.
3 o The deposition of Andrew Lewis and Elizabeth Lewis, of Boothbay - who testify that they were well acquainted with William Lewis late of said town of Boothbay , who was a pensioner and who died in said town on the 6 th of March 1834, they being present at his death &c. That Hannah Lewis was the wife of said William Lewis who was a pensioner, and has remained a widow since his death, and is still living.
It is objected by the Examiner, that the testimony of these witnesses may be all true, and yet it does not prove that the Hannah Lewis of whom they speak, is the same person who made the declaration in this case. In this I disagree with him, and claim that

the testimony does prove said fact with a reasonable degree of certainty, enough to satisfy any unprejudiced mind, beyond all shadow of doubt. Let us see.
The certificate of the Probate Judge of Lincoln County shows that the woman who made a declaration before him was of the name of Hannah Lewis , - that she was a resident of Boothbay - and that she made oath before him that she was the widow of said William Lewis who was a pensioner, and died the 6 th of March 1834, &c.
The Hannah Lewis of whom said witnesses speak, is the widow of William Lewis who lived and died in Boothbay - who was a pensioner of the United States, and who died on the 6 th of March 1834.
If, then, this is not the same Hannah Lewis who made the declaration, it follows that said William Lewis left two widows by the same name , who both reside in Boothbay , and are still living . Or else, that there are living in the little town of Boothbay , two old ladies by the name of Hannah Lewis , one of whom is the widow of said William Lewis deceased, and the other is not. That the Hannah Lewis who is not

the widow of said William Lewis, went before the Probate Judge in her own own county, and swore she was the widow of said William Lewis and that she has persisted in the prosecution of her false claim, while the other  Hannah Lewis , who is the widow of William Lewis, and lives in the same  little  Town , has been perfectly silent and quiet.
I have only to add, that if all evidence is to be held insufficient to prove the fact which it is intended to prove, because it may coincide with other hypotheses, as unreasonable as the above, then it is impossible to prove any thing.
Very Respectfully
Salem otherwise -
J. V. Gould,

Brief Case of Hannah Lewis widow of William Co Lincoln, State of Maine
Husband a pirate in Revolutionary war
Pensioner under act of June 7th 1832 at $70 per annum
Death proven by credible witnesses
Marriage " "
Identity certificate of Judge
J. G. Coombs Present Y. H. Harmon Esqr Portland Me
H. Gray

Wm Lewis decd
Maine 88.6
Official Admin
Rev. ...
Boydton
Friend ...
... ..
Washington D.C.
as ... ..
94870

(Wiscasset, Me, Dec 5-1852
Sir,
Your communication of the 29 th , ult- in relation to the application of Hannah Leecis widow of M c Leecis, No. 94.870, for bounty land under the act of May 3 d 1855, is received. Mrs Leecis is a pensioner under the Act of July 3 d 1853, for $70 per year. Her certificate is dated Aug. 15 th 1853. I suppose what ever proof could be obtained of her husband's service was procured in that case, and I refer to the papers and documents filed with her application for a pension. I did not make such application for a pension but presume the necessary proof to obtain bounty land is on file in the Pension Office.
If I am mistaken in this case the department advise me?
Yours at servt Henry Duglass

In Maine the Probate Court is always open - consequently whatever is done before the Probate Judge is done in " open Court " - Mr Cole will, I think, so inform you
The widow is identified by the testimony of Andrew Lewis and Elizabeth Lewis filed by her a short time ago. I think you will find on re-examinations that the case is fully made out
Please report to me,
J. N. Gains