Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30540, for George Lewis, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Lewis, George
S. 30540
CONTENTS

27502 Massachusetts
George Lewis of Barnstable in the State of Mass. who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Basset of the Brigade commanded by Colo. Drowsford in the Mass line for
6 Months private 12 " s r M th
Inscribed on the Roll of _____ Mass at the rate of 61 1/4 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of July 1831 and sent to. Hon. I. Reed Yarmouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1834 $19 2 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sep " 32
$224
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 46.

4. Deposition of Richard Lewis for Geo. Lewis

I Richard Lewis of Barnstable in the State of Massachusetts aged eighty one years do testify & say that I well know my Brother George Lewis acted as a waiter or servant to Brigadier Genl. Joseph Otis during the years 1777 & 1778 he carried letters messages & orders for said Genl. Otis & I always understood he enlisted & was taken from the ranks into said service
Richard Lewis
sworn
Barnstable.
Probate Court at Barnstable Sept. 22, 1832.
Personally appeared in open Court Richard Lewis & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed in Court. And I certify that in the opinion of the Court the said Richard is a credible witness In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court the day & year aforesaid
Henry Davis, Clerk

26/88
George Lewis. Darnstake Map
I ...
Capt. Nambin a letter to accompany this report the two years since -
6 m private 12 " sifer Col. Raper Col. Bradford Hon. J. Reed
6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Barnstable ss. On this twelfth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Nyphes Manton of the Court of Probate now sitting at in and for said County, George Lewis a resident of Barnstable in said County, aged Seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Barnstable in the State of Massachusetts on the twelfth day of September A. D. 1754, and that there is a record of his birth in Barnstable : that he was in the United States service from the last day of May A. D. 1775, to the last day of November A. D. 1775 as a private in the State troops of Massachusetts : that he was residing at Barnstable when he entered the service; that he enlisted for six months & served three at Nyannis & three months at Plymouth and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Miah Gamble Captain Benjamin Smith Lieut : that he marched from Barnstable to a place in Barnstable called Nyannis as a guard to protect the country & then marched to Plymouth : that he served with no other company & with none of the regular troops; and of the United States army that no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle but was once called to Nashua Island which was attacked by a and at the end of his service received no discharge British fleet & we defeated them : that he left the service above mentioned on the last of Novr. A.D. 1775 and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Barnstable aforesaid
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the first day of December A. D. 1775, to the thirty first day of March A. D. 1776 as a Fifer in the State troops or Militia that he was residing at Barnstable in the State of Massachusetts when he entered the service; that he enlisted for four months and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Joshua Gray Captain Daniel Bassett Lieut. Josiah Miller Ensign : that he marched from Barnstable to Roxbury - Somerville  Col. Bradfords Regiment : that he served with the army of the United States  General Washington was Commander of the regular troops; and of the Militia - That he knew Genl. Washington & Genl. Putnam  Col. Gamaliel Bradford & Bassett regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle  but there was much fighting between the British troops in Boston & our troops in Roxbury that at the end of his service he received no discharge in writing and left the service on the last day of March A.D. 1776 . While there he was active in building the fort on Dorchester point
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the first day of April A. D. 1776, to the first day of December A. D. 1776 as a Fifer in the Militia or state service that he was residing at Barnstable when he entered the service; that he enlisted for eight months and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Ebenezer Dyer Captain John Russell Lieut. : that he marched from Barnstable to Nashua Island  one of the Elizabeth Islands in the Vineyard Sound : that he served with one other company the other company commanded by Col. Grannis, but with none of the regular troops; and of U.S. Army that they acted as a guard to protect the coast that there were no other officers known to him ; that he was in no battle nor was any attack made while the troops were there guarding the Island that at the end of his service he received no discharge in writing and left the service on the last day of December A.D. 1776

On the first of January 1779, at the expiration of my service at Nashua I just mentioned my Captain received a letter from Joseph Otis Brigadier Genl of Mass ts Militia requesting that I would serve him in the capacity of a waiter & I accepted his proposal I accordingly enlisted for two years & served that time in said capacity of waiter - during that time I went to various places by his order to carry & receive orders & messages from Genl Warren at Plymouth, Sam l Allen Otis at Boston & I also carried letters to the board of war - and to various other places and I served the full term of two years in his service & was discharged on the first of January A.D. 1779, I enlisted as a private or soldier and rendered the service aforesaid
Rev d John M c . Spear and Capt. Lemuel D. Basset are acquainted with me and can testify to my character and reputation of Revolutionary services
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.
George Lewis
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Almon Davis, Regr
We John M c . Spear, a clergyman residing in the town of Barnstable and Lemuel D. Basset residing in the town of Barnstable hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Lewis 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 and subscribed as aforesaid.
Almon Davis, Regr
John M c Spear
L D Basset
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that John M c . Spear who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Barnstable; and that Lemuel D. Basset who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Barnstable and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John M c Spear - Judge
I Almon Davis, Register of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of George Lewis for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Almon Davis, Regr

I hereby Certify that George Lewis, Son of Lieut: Lewis, was born in Barnstable Sept. 12 th A.D. 1754 as appears in the records of said Town.
Attest. Josiah Winckley } Clerk of the Town Barn
Barnstable Sept 15 th 1872

House of Representatives June 17 th 1833
Sir
I herewith enclose to You the Memorials & evidence in support of claims for a Pension in favor of Judah Barse Jabez Bacon Nymphas Hinckley David Barse & George Lewis
These papers have been once or twice as it is understood returned & particularly with a view to obtain evidence that Joseph Otis was a Brigadier General of the Militia. I herewith enclose You a copy of a Commission after the battle of Bunker- hill to said Joseph Otis as a Colonel
I well knew Joseph Otis for a number of years he was a Brother of the celebrated James Otis, & Sam l . H. Otis for many years Secretary of the Senate & who died & was buried if I mistake not in this City.
I have often heard & have no doubt

that said Joseph Otis was a Brigadier General of Militia during the war of the revolution - He was always called
Brigadier - I remember in particular that a Gentleman of high respectability now a Pensioner by the name of Joseph Young of Chatham in the State of Massachusetts mentioned to me that he knew Brigadier Joseph Otis - Very probably in his declaration he names said Otis as Brigadier Genl. Otis I wish you would look to his declaration
I have looked for biographical sketches by Saml. L. Knapp. I am very confident that the life of Otis may be found among others in that book and if so I feel quite confident that it will appear that said Otis was a Briga- dier General of the Revolutionary war -
With Respect
Mr. President
John Reed
James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions

Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay (L.S)
The Major Part of the Council of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England.
To Joseph Otis Esquire Greeting.
By Virtue of the Power and Authority in and by the Royal Charter, in the Absence of the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, to us given, WE do by these Presents (reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct) constitute and appoint you the said Joseph Otis Esquire to be a Colonel of the first Regiment of Militia in the County of Barnstable.
You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Colonel in leading, ordering and exercising said Regiment in Arms, both inferior Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline; and they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Colonel and you are yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Major part of the Council or your Superior Officer.
Given under our Hands, and the Seal of the said Colony, at Watertown the Thirtieth day of August in the Fifteenth Year of the Reign of his Majesty King GEORGE the Third, Annoque Domini 1775.
By Command of the Major Part of the COUNCIL
Perez Morton Gy. Secry
 James Otis  W. Sever  B. Greenleaf  W. Spooner  Caleb Cushing  Joseph Gerrish  John Whetcomb  James Prescott  Eldad Taylor  Cha s Chauncey  Nic a Farley  J. Palmer  S. Holten  Jabez Fisher  Benj. Lincoln 

Barnstable J's. Sept r 29 th A.D. 1775. Then Joseph Otis Esq r took the Oath required by an act of this Colony to qualifie him to execute the Duties of the office whereunto he is appointed by the within Commission.
Before us { Nath l Freeman } Qualified by dedimus Joseph Timmick } to administer s d Oath

Colony of the Massachusetts Bay } The Major Part of the COUNCIL of the Massachusetts Bay, in New-England.
L.S
To Joseph Otis Esquire — Greeting.
YOU being appointed Brigadier of all the Regiments of Militia in the County of Barnstable (Dukes County & Nantucket) being the sixth Brigade with the Rank of sixth Brigadier of the Militia in this Colony, By Virtue of the Power vested in us, WE do by these Presents (re-posing special Trust, and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly. — You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Brigadier in leading, ordering, and exercising said Regiments in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline. — And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Brigadier and you are yourself, to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Major part of the Council, or your Superior Officers.
Given under our Hands and the Seal of the said Colony at Watertown the fourteenth Day of February In the Year of our Lord, One thousand seven hundred & seventy six.
 James Otis  B. Greenleaf  W Spooner  Caleb Cushing  Joseph Gerrish  John Whetcomb  Jed h Foster  S Holten  Eldad Taylor  Michael Farley  B Lincoln  Chas Chauncy  Moses Gill  Jabez Fisher  B White 
By the Command of the Major Part of the Council
Perez Morton D Secry
May 3 d 1776
I hereby certify that the above Commission was presented to the Council on this Day to be altered agreeable to the late Act of this Colony entitled "An Act for establishing the stile of Commissions &c" and by their Order was altered accordingly —
Perez Morton D Secry
Barnstable ss. June 6 th 1776. Then Personally appeared the above named Joseph Otis Esq r & took y e Oath required by Law to qualify him to Execute y e Office to which he is appointed by y e above Commission before us
Nath l Freeman } Field Officers Joseph Dimmick } of y e 1 Reg t in y e County of Barnstable

The words stricken out by order of Council, in the original commission were, "in the sixteenth year of the Reign of his Majesty King George "the Third," they being inserted after the word "February" —
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable.
At a Probate Court held at Barnstable, in said County on this ninth day of June A D 1834.
John Otis of Barnstable, who is a son of Joseph Otis, who was a Brigadier in the Massachusetts Militia, (as within) produced the Original Commission of the said Joseph Otis, signed and sealed as within, which was carefully compared with the within, and I certify that the within is a true Copy of said Original Commission.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Probate Court the said 9th. day of June A D 1834
Attest Horner Davis, Reg.
En. J. Peet.

Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay
(L.S)
The Major Part of the Council of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England.
To Joseph Otis Esquire Greeting.
By Virtue of the Power and Authority in and by the Royal Charter, in the Absence of the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, to us given, WE do by these Presents (reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct) constitute and appoint you the said Joseph Otis Esquire to be a Colonel of the first Regiment of Militia in the County of Barnstable.
You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Colonel in leading, ordering and exercising said Regiment in Arms, both inferior Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline; and they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Colonel and you are yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Major part of the Council or your Superior Officer.
Given under our Hands, and the Seal of the said Colony, at Watertown the Thirtieth Day of August in the Fifteenth Year of the Reign of his Majesty King GEORGE the Third, Annoque Domini 1775.
By Command of the Major Part of the COUNCIL
Perez Morton Gy. Secry
James Otis W. Sever B. Greenleaf W. Spooner Caleb Cushing Joseph Gerrish John Whetcomb James Prescott Eldad Taylor Cha s Chauncey Mic a Farley J. Palmer J. Holten Jabez Fisher Benj. Lincoln

Barnstable ss. Sept r 29 th A.D. 1775. Then Joseph Otis Esq r took the Oath required by an act of this Colony to qualifie him to execute the Duties of the Office whereunto he is appointed by the within Commission.
Before us { Nath l Freeman } Qualified by depositions Joseph Timmick } to administer s d Oath

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable. Probate Court at Barnstable June 9th. A.D. 1834
Personally appeared in Open Court John Otis of Barnstable, aged sixty years, who being duly sworn, deposeth and says, That he is the son of Joseph Otis, who was a Brigadier General of the Massachusetts Militia — and that the Commission this day exhibited by him in Court is the Original Commission of his said father from the Council of the Massachusetts Bay dated the fourteenth day of February A.D. 1776. And the said deponent further says on oath, that he has learnt from his father's papers since his decease that he was in the service of the State of Massachusetts as a recruiting Officer for several years from the date of his Commission as near as the deponent can now state, four or five years. That he has seen among his papers, many orders from the said Council, and also many returns to him from inferior Officers in the Regiments over which he was appointed Brigadier.
John Otis
5. Subscribed & sworn to in Open Court the day and year first aforesaid, and I certify that the said John Otis is well known to the Court, and is in the opinion of said Court a man of truth & a credible witness. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court the day & year first aforesaid Nathan Davis, Ass.

30540 Rev INVALID.
File No. 30,540
George Lewis Ph. Rec. No.
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 291
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 24 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of George Lewis, as a private, is borne on a Muster Roll of Capt. Hamlin, where he is allowed for service two months and one day from Nov. 1, 1775
2. 01
George Lewis' name is also borne on the Muster Rolls of Capt. Elisha Nye, where he is allowed for service from June 1 to Nov. 21, 1776, five months and twenty-one days
5. 22
George Lewis' claims for service under Capt. Joshua Gray, in 1775 and 1776 - but the rolls he describes are not found in this office.
Edward D. Dangs. Secy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Novemb. 13. 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 the name of George Lewis , as a private in the Sea Coast Service is borne upon "Capt Micah Hamblins Company Pay Roll from the time of Enlisting till the 1 st day of November 1775. Time when enlisted extend against said Lewis's name 17 th July: wages per month \text{£} 1. 16. "Total wages to the first of November \text{£} 6. 16. 3 1/2 Wages Received \text{£} 1. 16. Balance due \text{£} 5. 0. 3 1/4.
m D 3.17
The name of George Lewis is also borne on "Capt Elisha Nye's Muster Roll of his Company, stationed at Elizabeth Islands from the 1 st of June 1776 to the first day of Sept. 1776. Time of entry 1 st of June, Time of service 3 months wages per month \text{£} 1. 16. Wages due \text{£} 5. 8. 0.
3.
6.17.
The name of George Lewis

is also borne on "Capt Elisha Nye's Muster Roll in the Colony Service stationed at Elizabeth Islands from the 1st September to the 21st of November. Time of Service 2 months 21 days. Wages per month £ 1.16. Wages due, £ 4.17.2 1/2
6. 17. 2. 21
I further certify that the Rolls relating to said Sea Coast service are very imperfect, and that no other rolls are found in this office of service claimed by said Lewis.
9. 8
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

I, Iabes Bacon of Barnstable in the County of Barnstable aged Seventy five years do testify and say that I am well acquainted with George Lewis & have always known him from boyhood - That said Lewis enlisted as a Soldier in the Militia for six months that he enlisted on the last day of May One thousand seven hundred and seventy five, I well remember it as I enlisted in another company on the same day & I know he continued in the service during the six months as I often saw him during that time
I further testify & say that George Lewis served in the same company with me under Cap t Joshua Gray four months at Roxbury. The said term of service commenced first day of December AD 1775. George Lewis was during that time a fifer for our company. and further the deponent
saithe not Iabes Bacon
Sept 12
I also further state that George Lewis served as a waiter to Brigadier Joseph Otis, I often saw him at Gen l Otis. I often saw him when he went to carry orders. I well know he served in said capacity two years the years 1777 & 1778 as our near neighbors.
and further the deponent saithe not - Iabes Bacon

Saint Luke P.
Probate court at Barnstable Me in said county Sep: 22nd 1832
Personally appeared in open court John Berra and made oath to the truth of the within dep- osition. In his subscription in words and I certify that the said John Berra is in the opinion of the court a credible witness In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands & affixed the Seal of the court the day & year aforesaid
Henry Davis Register
Application of John Berra for Sec. Security

I Ebenezer Sears of Yarmouth in the State of Massachusetts aged seventy seven years do testify & say that I was engaged in the Revolutionary war that among other services I was eight months on the Island of Nashua under the command of Col. John Green. We were there from the first of April A.D. 1776 to the first of December the same year I was in the company of Col. Green as above mentioned & another company was stationed there at the same time commanded by Col. Elisha Sturtevant & George Lewis was Fifer of said company & served there eight months -
Ebenezer Sears
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable ss. Sept 12 1832
Then the above named Ebenezer Sears personally appeared and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true before me
John Reed
Justices of the Peace qualified to ad- minister oaths

I Prince Bearse of Barnstable in the State of Massachusetts aged Seventy three do testify and say that I was in the Militia during the revolutionary war and one term of service was eight months commencing the first day of April and ending the first day of December A.D. 1776 that we marched from Barnstable to Naskau Island in the Vineyard Sound where we continued the eight months. There were two companies stationed there one commanded by Cap Grannis & one by Cap t  A ye I was in the company commanded by Cap t Grannis & George Lewis was in the company commanded by Cap t Aye & remained there the whole eight months I well remember him he was a fifer in the company & further the Deponent saith not. Prince Bearse
sworn Barnstable ss. Probate Court at. Barnstable in said County 22 d Sept r A.D. 1832.
Personally appeared in open court. Prince Bearse & made oath to the truth of the above- dep osition as by him subscribed in court. - And I certify that the said Prince is in the opinion of the court a credible Witness. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the court the day & year aforesaid. Almon Davis, Register

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable ss.
Probate Court at Barnstable in said County, May 31 st . A.D. 1834.
Personally, in open Court, George Lewis of Barnstable, who is an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7 th , 1832, and who made a Declaration for that purpose in Probate Court at Barnstable on the 22 d . day of September 1832, and who being duly sworn declares & says: That he cannot state the duties he performed while he was in the service of Brigadier Otis, with much more precision than he has already done in his Declaration. The said Otis was a Brigadier Genl. of the Massachusetts Militia; and the said George Lewis now restates and says upon oath, - that he enlisted as a writer to said Otis in January 1777 as he has stated in his Declaration: That he enlisted, as he thinks, for two years; but whether he first enlisted for a shorter period & afterwards, at the expiration of that first enlistment, again enlisted, he cannot positively state; but he is positive, and knows, that he served in the capacity aforesaid for two whole years : That in that capacity, he did the duties incident to his station - That he was employed a great part of the time in carrying and bringing orders & messages by order of said Otis. That he went several times to Boston to convey communications to Mr. S. A. Otis; and several times to Plymouth with communications to Generals Warren, and went a great many times to Hennis with orders to Capt. Benjamin Lambert, which were some times delivered to Capt. Lambert in person and some times to Lieut. John Hallett and some times to others, his subordinate Officers: That a part of the time he was sent to Hennis as often as once a week and occasionally twice a week. That the Colonel of the Regiment at time, according to his best-

recollection, was Colonel Nathaniel Freeman, of Sandwich.—
George Lewis
Subscribed & Sworn to the day & year first aforesaid in Open Court
Witness my hand & the seal of the said Probate Court this day & year first for said.—
Henry Davis. Reg.