Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,464, for Jonathan Lewis, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Lewis, Jonathan Betsey
N 20,464
CONTENTS

21. 181 Massachusetts Jonathan Lewis of Weymouth in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Leahy of the Reg t commanded by Col l  Craft in the West line for 4 Mo. until 1 - 27 Sep r
Entered on the Roll of Mass the rate of 12 Dollars 94 Cents per annum, commence on the 24th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Aug. 1831 and to the E. S. Ireland Norfolk
Arrears to the 1st of Mar. '31 $ 85.88 Pension, allowance ending 1st. '31  21.47 $107.35
Revolutionary Claim, } acted June 7, 1832. } Recorded by J. C. Coker Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 50
50
80
18 3/4
17

Reported
1008.
Massachusetts.
Betsey Lewis.
widow of Jonathan Lewis
Mass
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Matross & private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 42 Dollars 84 ,
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of July 1848 and sent to
Samuel Humphrey Weymouth Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 83 Vol. 2 .

N o 479.
May 22/47
Betsy Lewis widow of Jonathan Map Act 17 June 1844 Married 1789 husband died 12 June 1847
Act 17 th June 1844

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK ss.
Erroll Sampson
I, JAIRUS WARE , Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby Certify that
Samuel Worcester Esquire,
is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said of- fice, and that his signature to the annexed certificates is genuine and true.
In Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this
fifteenth day of May Ninety  July  Seven
A. D. one thousand eight hundred and
Erroll Sampson Clerk

I Lydia Lewis of Deyonorth in the county of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged fifty four years, do testify and say, that Jonathan Lewis late said Deyonorth deceased, died on the twelfth day of January 1847. I was in the house in which he died at the time of his decease, and saw him a corpse several times before the interment of his remains, which was on the fourteenth day of said January. The said Jonathan Lewis received a pension for services in the Army of the Revolution, under the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832. of $42.94 per annum; I have many times seen his pension certificate.
Being Lewis widow of the said Jonathan Lewis is yet living, and well known to me, she is now in the seventy ninth year of her age.
Lydia Lewis
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County
SS May 11 th 1847. Then
personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for the County of Norfolk, the above named Lydia Lewis and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by her subscribed in my presence is true, and I certify that said Lydia Lewis is well known to me as a person of good reputation for truth.
Samuel Humphrey, Justice of the Peace

I Joshua Emery jun. of Weymouth in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Pastor of the First Church in Weymouth, hereby certify that the following is a true copy of the record of said Church, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures to wit: Married by Rev. Jacob Norton June twenty eighth seventeen hundred and eighty nine (June 28 1789.) Jonathan Pierce and Betsy Powell both of Weymouth The figures as recorded are "June 28 1789"
Attest ~ Joshua Emery Junr. Pastor of said church in Weymouth.
I Joshua Emery jun. above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Pastor of said Church in Weymouth, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Church, with the exception above named, as certified by me Joshua Emery Junr. Pastor of First Church in Weymouth.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Norfolk County ss
May 27 th 1847. Then personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for the County of Norfolk, the above named Joshua Emery jun. and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is my personal and true.
Samuel Humphrey, Justice of the Peace.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed on the 17 th of June 1844, entitled "An Act to continue the pensions of certain widows"
State of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk ss
On this eleventh day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty seven personally appeared before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Norfolk, Betsy Puer a resident of Weymouth in said County of Norfolk aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress of June 17 th 1844, entitled "An Act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows"
That she is the widow of Jonathan Puer late of Weymouth in said County deceased, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution: That the Revolutionary service of the said Jonathan Puer she believes was duly proved by himself in the year 1832, for which service he received a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, of Forty two dollars and 94 cents per annum. That according to the best of her information and belief the service of the said Jonathan Puer as a soldier in the Revolutionary War was as

follows to wit: That he served in Captain Job Cushing's company about one month in the year 1775. Also about one week under Capt. Abiah Whitman at Hull. Also in the year 1776 he served four months in one of the four Independent Companies at Hull. In the year 1777 he enlisted and served in Capt. Moses French's company about two months at Rhode Island. And in the year 1777 and 1778 he served six months at Cambridge in Capt. Silas Wild's company guarding Burgoyne's troops. The said Jonathan Lewis resided in Hingham when he entered upon a part of the said terms of service.
She further declares that she was married to the said Jonathan Lewis on the twenty eighth day of June seventeen hundred and eighty nine: that her husband the aforesaid Jonathan Lewis died on the twelfth day of January in the year eighteen hundred and forty seven: that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz. at the time above stated.
Abigail Lewis
Subscribed & sworn to the day - year first above written before me. S. Leland Judge of Probate

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK ss.
Ernest Sampson
I, JAIRUS WARE , Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby Certify that Sherman Leland Esquire,
Judge of Probate
is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said office, and that his signature to the annexed Certificate is genuine and true.
In Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth hereunto at Dedham, this
fifteenth day of May thirty first  seven
A. D. one thousand eight hundred and
Ernest Sampson Clerk

Jonathan Lewis Mass
Private Party 4 weeks. " " 7. 27 days
16 06 May 8 1833
382
8889 16.6 4 297 129 4
E. L. Leland Esq. Roxbury Mass

BRIEF in the case of Jonathan Linn County of Norfolk in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Superior Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. Gen.     May In 1795 1 private Col. Cushing   May 1796 1 Ant. " Col. Root Col. Crafts   May 1797 2 5 " Col. French   from Nov 1797 to May 1798 about 6 22 " Col. Wilce Col. Darr   11 27  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? no battle  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Dingham Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional documentary and two living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The name of service is not exactly specified - not the credibility of the living witnesses 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Dyer
Examining Clerk.

Yona Lewis 8889
Edwin S Leland

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
On this fourteenth day of August in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Quincy in and for said County, Jonathan Lewis a resident of Weymouth said County, aged seventy three , 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 Hingham in the County of Plymouth
on the eighteenth day of October A. D. 1759, and that there is a
record of his birth in the Family Records : that he was in the United States service from
the seventh day of May A. D. 1775, to the seventh day of June A. D. 1775
as a soldier in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was
residing at Hingham aforesaid
when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Job Cushing
: that he marched from said Hingham to
Weymouth, from _____ to _____ from _____ to _____
where he was discharged : that he served at said Weymouth with
of the regular troops; and
no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge: that since the Revolutionary war he
has resided at Hingham & Weymouth & that he has no documentary evidence of this service & that he knows of no witness by whom he can prove it
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from
the first day of January A. D. 1777, to the first day of May A. D. 1777
as a soldier in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was
residing at Hingham aforesaid
when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Joseph Pool
Col Thomas Crafts : that he marched from Hingham to
Hull, from _____ to _____ from _____ to _____
where he was discharged : that he served at said Hull with
of the regular troops; and
no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge, & that he has no documentary evidence of this service
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from
the month day of May A. D. 1777, to the month day of July A. D. 1777 2 months
in the Massachusetts Militia : that he was
residing at Hingham aforesaid
when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Moses French
& General Spencer & Brigadier Majo - Hovey : that he marched from Hingham to
Providence, from _____ to _____ from _____ to _____
where he was discharged : that he served at said Providence with
of the regular troops; and
no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge.

Also: That he was in the United States Service from the month of July November 1777, to the month of May 1778; that he was residing at said Hingham when he entered the service; that he was a volunteer, & served for said time, under the command of Capt. Darius Wicks Col. John Brooks & General Heath, that he marched from Hingham to Cambridge, when he was discharged, that he served at said Cambridge with the remainder of the Regular Troops - That Col. the Regular Officers Handley & Maj. Brown of were known to him that he was in no battle & received no written discharge, & that he has documentary evidence of a part only of this service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Jonathan Lewis
We John B. Hall Clerk and Selection of the said Department a clergyman, residing in the Weymouth aforesaid
and Samuel Humphrey one of the Selection of said Department residing in Weymouth hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Lewis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three 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.
John B. Hall Samuel Humphrey
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 substantially and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that John B. Hall, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the said Weymouth; and that Samuel Humphrey who has also signed the same is a resident in Weymouth and they are a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Sherman Lee and Judge of Probate
I Samuel Haxon, Regt of the Court of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Lewis for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Samuel Haxon

I Thomas Vinson of Weymouth in the county of Dorset aged seventy six years, testify and say that Jonathan Pierce Jonathan Pierce to my knowledge was in the United States service for the seventh period of time mentioned by him in the within statement. Tho s Vinson
Weymouth August 14 th 1832 Subscribed & sworn to
Before me Richard D. Webb
I further certify that said Thomas Vinson is a credible witness Richard D. Webb
I David Brufant of Weymouth in the county of Dorset aged seventy years, testify and say that Jonathan Pierce to my knowledge was in the United States service for the seventh period of time mentioned by him in the within statement. David Brufant
Weymouth August 14 th 1832 Subscribed & sworn to
Before me Richard D. Webb
I further certify that said David Brufant is a credible witness. Richard D. Webb

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20464
Betsy Lewis Widow of Jonathan Lewis Died Nov 1842
Act: Feb 28 48
Index:—Vol. 8, Page 430
[Arrangement of 1870.]

8889 Jonathan Lewis
16 11 4 11/4
E. L. Leland Esq. Roxbury Mass

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Johnathan Swift which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no 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? 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? no Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no 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
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.

No 479 Betsey Lewis widow of Jonathan Map act 17 June 1844
Adm o .
4 mo Arty. $11.64 7 m. 27 days Int 26.30  $42.94
Sum 12 January 1847
L. Humphrey Weymouth Mass.

No 13305 May 22/47. No 479 Petty Services
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissions of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Act 17 June 1844

Weymouth May 17 th 1844.
Honored Sir,
Enclosed is the Declaration of Betsy Lewis, widow of Jonathan Lewis late of Weymouth deceased. Any communications from the Department relative to this case, may be addressed to the subscriber Most respectfully yours Samuel Humphrey

Paymaster's Office, June 18, 1847.
Sir,
The evidence of the marriage in the case of Polly Lewis, who claims a pension under the Act of 17th June 1844, as the widow of Jonathan Lewis, is satisfactory; but the alleged service of her husband, for one month, in 1775, under Capt. Cushing - four months under Capt. Pool of Col. Crafts' Regiment - two months five days under Capt. French, and four months twenty-two days under Capt. Child of Col. Boothby Regt., in 1777 and 1778, should be verified by the records in the State Department at Boston, to authorize the issuing a certificate to her for that service.
I am, very respectfully, Your Ob. Servt. J. S. Edwards
General Humphreys, Esq., Weymouth, Massachusetts.

V ch 479 Betsey Lewis Map Ed to D. Humphrey, June 1 st '47.
act 17 June 1844

Jonathan Lewis Map. act 7 June 1832. $42 25 /pa
To what time was he last paid?
Pension Office June 25 1847
G. C. A. Paid to 4 th Sept. 1846.
(Signature)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
June 15 1847.
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 Jonathan Lewis is borne upon a Muster Roll of Capt Samuel Ward's company in Col. Solomon Lovell's regt, as a private from March 10 1776. 18 days. The name of Abel Whitman is borne upon said Muster roll as a Lieutenant. The name of said Lewis is also borne upon a Muster Return of the Independent companies stationed at Still, taken March 1777 as a private of Weymouth in Capt. Peabody's company amount of service not given. Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Moses French's Company in Col. Jonathan Doolittle's regt at Rhode Island as a private from the 12th May to the 19th July 1778. 2 Months and 7 days. Upon a Muster Roll of Capt

Thomas Vash's Company, Col David Cushing's off for service at Hull as a private from August 1847 3 days.
Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Silas Wild's Company Col Beecher's off of guards at Cambridge as a private from November 12 1847 to February 3 1848 3 months and 22 days. Upon another of said Capt Wild's Company as a private from February 3 to April 5 1848, 2 months.
Not upon rolls of Capt Cushing for 1848. No rolls of Col Beecher.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the Commissioner's letter of June 1 1848 was filed in this Office; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said letter, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowl- edge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Feb 9 1849.
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Weymouth June 17 th 1847.
Honored Sir,
Enclosed is a certificate of the Secretary of the State of Mass. of service of Jonathan Lewis as expressed by several rolls examined. By the amount of his Pension some additional service must have been proved at the time the Pension was granted. Those papers being at the Pension office may now be referred to. The widow is needy and is desirous of receiving the amount to which she is entitled.
Very respectfully yo ur obed t Servant Daniel Humphrey
J. D. Edwards Esquire

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, May 16 th 1833.
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 Jonathan Lins served as follows viz Under Capt Moses French in Col. Pillsbury's Regt as a private for the period of two months & five days commencing May 15 th 1777 — Under Capt. Silas Wild in Col. Brooks Regt as a private for the period of four months & twenty two days, commencing November 12 th 1777
Edward D. Bangs Secy

Massachusetts No 398
Betsy Lewis widow of Jonathan Lewis who was a Major & Private in the Revolution
Reputed
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 42 Dollars 94 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1844 12 th January 1847
Certificate of Pension issued the Third day of July 1847 and sent to L. Humphreys Weymouth Mass
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 33

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss.
Norfolk COUNTY, }
On this Seventeenth day of July personally appeared
before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid,
Betsy Lewis a resident of Weymouth in the county of Norfolk
aged Twenty nine years, who being first duly sworn, according to
law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the
provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to
widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of
Jonathan Lewis who was a resident of said
Weymouth and who was a Private
in the Army of the Revolution
and is the identical person who drew a pension
under the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late hus-
band aforesaid, at the rate of Forty two dollars and
ninety four cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Betsy Lewis (signature)
Sworn to and subscribed on the day } Before me,
and year above written, }
In presence of Betsy Blanchard Samuel Humphrey Justice of the Peace.
Betsy Lewis
I Certify, That the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner,
as she declares.
Samuel Humphrey Justice of the Peace. (signature)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss.
Norfolk COUNTY, }
I, Ezra Sampson Clerk of the Supreme Judicial
Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Samuel
Humphrey is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly
commissioned and qualified; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said Court, this
Eighteenth day of July 1848
Ezra Sampson CLERK. (signature)