Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29493, for Caleb Sylvester, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Sylvester, Caleb
S. 29493
CONTENTS

80 Moodus
15 945 Massachusetts
Caleb Sylvester was Mustered in the State of Mass who was a First in the Company commanded by Captain Turner of the Regt commanded by Col Bailey in the Mass time for 13 months, Dwell 11 " Sergeant
Widow & Heirs
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 48 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Aug. 1833 and dated Boston
Anna E. Sylvester
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $196.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 29.17
$245.83
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book
W. H. Nelson Clerk, Vol. Page 79

Caleb Sylvester
20.631
Augt 11 Month-
Pmte 13 "
14 06
Mch 11. 1833
J. Dana E
P. 291
55 43.33
98 33
J. Dana Esq
Groton Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Caleb Sylvester  of  Townsend  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 78 Years  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.     May In 17 75 " 8 " Private Col. Tarma Col. Bailey   April — 76 " 6 21 " " Manslow " Whitney   June — 77 " 6 " Sergeant Washburn Maj. Goodwin   Dec — 77 " 5 " do " Newcomb Col.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bunker Hill  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hanover Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional Evidence & Living Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not stated as credible 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. H. Addison Examining Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex
SS.
On this seventeenth day of August A.D. 1832 , Concord personally appeared in open Court before the Court of General Sessions  probate now sitting at within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth aforesaid
Caleb Sylvester of Townsend, in said County aged 78 years
Who being 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. That is to say
2 In April A.D. 1776 one Joseph Cook was a private soldier in the Company of Capt. North and Lieut. John Grayson & P. Balan Center Engage in a Regt. commanded by Col. John Whitney, Bangor Maine. This Company was stationed at Point Shirley, and from there removed to New Bedford about the first of June to leave the service, and forsook him the said Col. to take his place and he was received as his Substitute and went into the Company and served until said Williams home would have been out about the first of December, having served as he believes six months and three weeks.
3. In June A.D. 1777. he again entered the service for six months and enlisted in the Company of Capt. Abraham Waltham L t Wallis, in a Battalion commanded by Major Nathaniel Goddard of Plympton and was made a Sergeant in the Company, they marched to Boston from Hannon his then residence and continued in that vicinity and did the duty of Sergeant in his Company until he completed his term of six months and they were dis- missed, his Warrant as Sergeant he has lost by time and accident.
In December A.D. 1877 he again entered the service and was mustered into the Company of Capt. Thos. ... Newcomb, and Ensign Dyer all of Braintree then in the County of Suffolk he was under the orders of his Officers of his Company and again appointed a Sergeant and commonly called Sergeant the first of December and was employed in procuring recruits for the Company to serve in a Battalion of three Companies under the command of Capt. Seth Turner in guarding the shores, and he soon joined the Battalion and continued in Camp till the first of May, when he leaves again ... has made diligent 5. inquiry to procure some testimony to this last service but has hitherto been unable to procure any,
۲۷

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Sworn to and
H. P. Hays  Robt  Caleb Sylvester
Middlesex the David Palmer
Townsend
a Clergyman residing in the town of
Jewett jun r Townsend
in the county of Middlesex and Berkshire  Solomon
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Caleb Sylvester
who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be 78 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that
opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Before me Sam d Dana jus Peace
David Palmer Solomon Jewett jun r
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he stated.
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that David Palmer  H. P. Hays who has signed the preceding Certificates is a Clergyman resident in the Townsend and Solomon Jewett jun r is a citizen of B. Townsend and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Isaac Fisher
Clerk of the Court
Deputy in and for the county of Middlesex
hereby certify that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application for a pension.
testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at office this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
Isaac Fisher
I and I further certify that Samuel Dana Esq r is a Judge of the Peace for the county of Middlesex and that his signature to the above Certificates of the Rev d David Palmer and Solomon Jewett jun r is his genuine signature.
Isaac Fisher

Declaration of Babb Sylvester
Please to debit to Sam. Donahy, Gorton Ms
206 3/4
14 th Oct 19
G. Dana

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit.
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Concord on the seventh day of August within and for the County of Middlesex A. D. 1852 On the application of Caleb Sylvester claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following interrogatories were propounded to him to wit :
1. Where, and in what year were you born ?
Answer, I was born in Woburn Mass on the 5 Oct. A.D. 1753
2. Have you a record of your age, and where is it ?
Answer, I have no family record & do not know of any
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live ? Answer,
all my services were voluntary and of my own accord
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom ? Answer,
In Woburn where I was from when I received a Townsend in April 1798 when I have since continued to live
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 service ? Answer,
I saw Genl Wood, Genl Thomas, Genl. Lincoln a John B Riley
6. 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 ? Answer,
Rev. David Palmer, Paul Gerrish Esq Samuel Brooks Esq Joel Adams Esq. Jonathan Root Pierce & Genl Sylvester of Townsend I did you ever receive any discharge from service ? Ans: I never received any such discharge.
Woburn, Aug. 17 1852
J. P. May

May 7, 1924
Mrs. Vivian R. Johnson Julesburg, Colo.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 29493 it appears that Caleb Sylvester was born October 5, 1753 in Hanover, Massachusetts.
While a resident of said town he enlisted May 1, 1775 and served as a private in Captain Amos Turner's Company, Colonel John Bailey's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged January 1, 1776.
He enlisted the last of May or the first of June, 1776 and served as a private six months and three weeks in Captain Nathaniel Winslow's Company, Colonel Josiah Whitney's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in June 1777 and served six months as Sergeant in Captain Abraham Washburne's Company, Major Nathaniel Goodwin's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted in December 1777 and served five months

and two weeks as Sergeant in Captain Thomas Newcomb's Company, Massachusetts Troops.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 17, 1832 while a resident of Townsend, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Date of death not in AB.
Commissioner.

I Benjamin White, of Hanover in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged 79 years do testify and say that I entered the service of the United States and enlisted on the first day of May 1775 to serve for eight months and served under the following officers Amos Turner Captain, Prince Nation Lieut. Joshua Benton Ensign and in the Regiment of Militia commanded by John Bailey, and Major Jacob and Mitchell, in Brig. Gen John Thomas Brigade, that Caleb Sylvester of Pawtucket in the County of Middlesex, then living in Hanover, enlisted in the same company at the same time, that we marched to Marshfield and were stationed there until after the Bunker Hill battle, and were then ordered to join the Regiment at Roxbury and remained there till the first day of January 1776 when we were dismissed & returned home. Benjamin White Hanover, August 8. 1832.
State of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth ss.
Signed & subscribed this eighth day of August 1832
before me Anthony Collemore, Justice of Peace I further certify that Benjamin White, who subscribed and made oath to the above affidavit, is a disinterested and credible witness. Anthony Collemore, Justice of Peace

Affidavit of Benjamin White in the case of Caleb Sylvester.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worthington I John B Thomas Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, being a Court of Record in the County of Worthington, hereby certify that Anthony Costanore Esq before whom the within Affidavit was sworn is a justice of the Peace for the County of Worthington - and that I believe his name there subscribed to be his true & proper signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court at Worthington on the ninth day of August A D 1832.
John B Thomas

I Seth Perry of Hanover in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged 77 years, do testify and say that I entered the service of the United States and enlisted for six months in June 1777 and served under the following officers, Abraham Washburn Captain — Bartlett Lieutenant — Amos Ensign in a detachment of State Troops commanded by Major Nathaniel Goodwin of Plymouth, that Caleb Sylvester of Townsend, County of Middlesex then living in Hanover, Mass. enlisted in the same Company and served with me at the same time as Sergeant in the Company, that we marched to Boston and were stationed there till our enlistment expired when we were dismissed and returned home.
Pembroke Aug 5. 1832
Seth Perry
State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth. Subscribed and sworn to this sixth day August 1832 Before me Anthony Collesmore Justice of Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Be it known that I John B Thomas Clerk of the Superior Judicial Court, being a Clerk of Records and Inland Revenue in the subject matter, that Walter Littlemore Esq. is a justice of the Peace in the County of Plymouth - and that I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his true and proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this seventh day of July 1832
John B Thomas

Affidavit of Seth Perry in the case of Caleb Sylvester
Plymouth, Jo March 27. 1833 I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Seth Perry, who has subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit, that he is a dis- interested and credible witness.
Anthony Callamore, Justice of Peace

Affidavit of Abner Lentis in the case of Caleb Sylvester

I Abner Curtis of Hanover in the County of Plymouth And State of Massachusetts aged 79 years do hereby testify and say that I entered the Service of the State of Massachusetts about the first of April 1776 for the term of eight months under the following officers viz Nathaniel Winslow Capt n John Griffin Lieut n Calvin Curtis Ensign - Josiah Whitney Coll n Ephraim Jackson Lieut n Coll n Benjamin Miller Major - and Marched through Scituate. Hingham. Weymouth Braintree - Milton - Roxbury Into Boston - from Boston to Point Shirley by Water - from there to Nantasket by Water where we remained till about the first of November - when our time expired and we were dismissed - In a very short time after we left Boston say four or five weeks - Caleb Sylvester then of Hanover - took Joseph Curtis's place in the Company I belonged to Commanded by Nathaniel Winslow aforesaid - about the last of May or beginning of June of the same year - and remained in said Service till our time expired and we were dis- missed about the first of November as aforesaid -
Abner Curtis
Hanover August 3 d - 1832
State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth ss August 3 - 1832 Then Personally appeared Abner Curtis and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed Before me
David Rooty } Justice of Peace
This may certify that the above named deponent Abner Curtis is in my opinion a credible & disinterested Witness Daniel Rooty } S.D.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Respectfully I inform the Honorable the Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, being Clerk of Court in the County of Plymouth, that I have the honor to inform you that the within affidavit was sworn to on the day of the hearing for the County of Plymouth and that I believe her name there to be her true & proper signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court on this day the 10th of August A.D. 1872.
John D. Sleeper

Name Caleb Sylvester Date July 16 1918 Mass. Rev. No. 829493-
Photographic copies wanted of 1 pieces, consisting of 1 pages.
Remarks: _____
Exr. A. B. Wilson Chief Rev. War Section
APPROVED: J. T. Dennis
Serial 7236 Law Clerk. No. _____

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Will you please tell me whether Caleb Sylvester ever made application for pension. He was private corporal sergeant in the Rev. War. from Massachusetts. If so will you please give me what information you have
(Mrs) Vivian Road Johnson Julesburg Colo.

29 493 Very INVALID.
File No. 29, 493
Caleb Sylvester Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 411
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1918 July 17. Photostat copy of affidavit of Caleb Sylvester dated Aug. 17, 1832. furnished M rs A. M. Barber, 703 E. 84 th St. Wash. D.C. see receipt for payment in Joseph Sylvester, Mass. 54915. 1924 May 6. List. to Mrs. Warren A. Johnson—M rs A. H.