Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 18350, for Henry Peirce, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Pierce, Henry Pierce
W 18350
Winslow, Deborah
CONTENTS
(Former widow)

1793. Massachusetts Deborah Winslow 1797 widow of Henry Pierce who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Lt. & Capt.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 135 Dollars 33.
cents per annum, to commence on 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of May, 1849 and sent to
Hon. Artemas Hale, Bridge water, Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 174 Vol. 2.

1369 1/43-9622 Declaration of
Jacob H. Lourd
Deborah Wijn. Low free Mrs of Henry Force Map Act 7 July 1838 Mams 1785 Mistress and 1791 Second Husband Force heard for more than 20 years
admitted, 8 mo. 6 days, St, $109.33 1 " 9 " Capt, 26.00 $135.33 100 Act 7 July 1838 and subsequent acts.
Hon Artemas Hale Bridgewater Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Be it known that on this Eighteenth day of April in the Year Eighteen hundred & forty eight, before the Honorable Aaron Hobart Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth, within said Commonwealth, personally appeared Deborah Winslow of Middleborough, in said County, Widow, aged eighty five 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 several Acts of Congress herein after named, to wit, the Act passed on the seventh day of July 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows," "An Act approved the twenty third day of August 1842" amendatory thereof, and an Act approved on the third day of March 1843 and the Act approved June 17. 1844 entitled an Act to continue the Pensions of certain Widows, for the services performed during the War of the Revolution by her husband Henry Peirce, who served as follows to wit,
Eight months and six days as a Lieutenant in Capt. Levi Rousevilles Company in Col. David Brewer's Regiment in 1775.
Nine days as a Captain of a Company from Middleborough at Rhode Island in Col. White's Regiment in 1780.

As a Captain for thirty two days at Rhode Island in Col. Theophilus Cottons Regiment in 1781.
She further declares that her maiden name was Deborah Chase that she was married to the aforesaid Henry Peirce by the Reverend Ebenezer Hinds in Middleborough on the Twentieth day of March in the Year One thousand seven hundred & eighty-five that the aforesaid Henry Peirce died at said Mid- dleborough on the twenty-second day of January in the Year One thousand seven hundred & ninety-one.- leaving this declarant his Widow; that on the Seventeenth day of February in the Year One thousand 1792) seven hundred & ninetytwo she was married to Asa Winslow of said Middleborough with whom she resided until about the Year One thousand eight hundred & Seventeen , when the said Asa Winslow left this declar- ant & went into the Western Country & wholly deserted her & that it is now more than thirty years since any letters have been received from him & that more than ten years since it was reported & believed by all his friends living in this region that he had deceased & that she has never been married to any person since his death but still remains a Widow; that she was married to her first husband the said Henry Peirce after he had

done serving in the War after the Revolution but the same took place prior to the first day of Janu- ary Seventeen hundred & ninety four to wit at the time herein before stated. She further says that the reason why she has not made application before the present time for a Pension was because she was always informed that her second marriage would prevent her from obtaining it.
Deborah her X Winslow mark.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. April 18. 1848.
I hereby certify, that the above Declaration of Deborah Winslow was sworn to and subscribed by her as above before me, at her place of residence in Middleborough in said county, this day; she the said Deborah being unable by reason of her great age and bodily infirmity to attend the Probate Court.
Aaron Hobart J. Probate for said County
And I further certify, that the erasure in the seventh line from the bottom of the opposite page, of the words, "it is" and the "w" in the word "now" and the words "more than thirty years since any" was made before the said Declaration was read to and signed & sworn to by the P. Deborah. Aaron Hobart, J. Probate

Plymouth Ys. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County, do hereby certify that the Hon. Sam Hobart is Judge of Probate for said County duly Commissioned & qualified & that the within are his true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this fourteenth day of July 1848
Jacob H. Lord
1369 145-9622 Declaration of
Deborah Wm. Love free Mrs. Henry Steele
Mar 7 July 1838
Memo 1785
Memo 1791
Deborah Westbrook Steele born in more than 100 years
admitted from Grap. St. $109.33 1 " 9 " Capt. 26. Act 7 July 1838 $135.33 and subsequent acct. 100
Hen. Stephen Hale Bridgewater Mass.

I Jacob B. Shaw Town Clerk of the Town of Middleborough Massachusetts hereby certify that in the record of marriages in said town the marriage of Henry Peirce and Deborah Chase is recorded as follows Viz.
March Seventeenth Seventeen Hundred Eighty five I Married Henry Peirce & Deborah Chase both Middleboro
Revd Ebenezer Hinds Baptist Minister
I Jacob B Shaw above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the Town of Middlebo- rough Mass and that the foregoing is a true extract from the record of marriages in said town with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows Viz.
March 17 1785
Jacob B Shaw Town Clerk of Middleborough }
Middleborough April 1 st 1848.
Plymouth April 15 th 1848. Then the above-named Jacob B. Shaw personally appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by him subscribed -
Wm. H. Wood justice of the peace.

I Alexander Caneedy of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth Yeaman aged fifty Eight years, on Oath declare & say that I know Deborah Winslow and all her family of nine children three of whom she had by Henry Pierce & six by Isaac Winslow we were brought up in the neighbourhood together within a mile of each other went to school together, Some thirty years ago or rising the said Winslow deserted his family and went into the western Country. We heard but little of him for fifteen years or thereabout when a report came that he was dead which was received by his family and others as true. The said Deborah & two of her children are still living in the neighbourhood
Alexander Caneedy
Plymouth ss July 10 th 1848 Personally appeared the above named Alexander Caneedy well known to me to be a credible person & made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me
Apollos Haskins Justice of the Peace

I Silas Peirce of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth, Gentleman, aged seventy six years, on Oath declare & say that when I was a boy, about seven years old I was acquainted with Deborah Chase. I knew her after she married Henry Peirce and after the death of said Peirce I knew her as his widow, I also knew her after she was the reputed wife of Asa Winslow with whom she lived for several years in the marriage relation, I cannot fix the precise date of the above events, The said Winslow deserted the said Deborah many years since and has never returned to this region to my knowledge, The said Deborah is now living & is the identical person above described
Silas Peirce
Plymouth ss July 10 th 1848 Personally appeared the above named Silas Peirce well known to me to be a credible person & made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me
Abiel P. Booth - Justice of Peace

I Aurelia Coleman, of Middleborough, in the County of Plymouth aged fifty one years, On Oath declare & say that I knew Asa Winslow who married Deborah Pierce the Widow of Henry Pierce as she was called. The said Asa Winslow left this part of the County thirty years ago & has not been in this region since to my knowledge. Several years ago it was reported & believed by his family connections that he had died at the West. I should think it was as much as ten or twelve years ago, that I heard this rumor.
Aurelia Coleman
Plymouth Jp. 3 July - 1848 Personally appeared the above named Aurelia Coleman well known to me to be a credible person & made Oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit. Before me
Mriel P. Booth - Jus t . Peace

1 I Asa J. Winslow of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth Yeoman Son of Asa Winslow in the fiftieth year of my age on Oath declare & say that I am one of the nine children of my Mother Deborah Winslow three of whom she had by her first Husband Henry Peirce and six by my father as before mentioned. My father left his family as near as I can recollect something like thirty, four or five years ago and resided in the vicinity of Westport and Dartmouth some few years and then emigrated into the Western Country I think in the western part of Pennsylvania it is now in the neighbourhood of thirty one years since he has been seen by any of his family to my knowledge. We have heard but few times from him since he left which is about thirty one years as near as I can recollect. The last news was that he was dead which I think is something like fifteen years since he would now be if living nearly Eighty four years Old.
Eliah Ward,
Andrew Cole
Plymouth ss June 27 - 1848 Personally appeared the above named Asa J. Winslow well known to me to be a credible person & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me
Eliah Ward,
Justice of Peace

I John Lawrence of Freetown, in the County of Bristol, Minister of the Gospel, aged eighty six years & ten months, on Oath declare & say that I was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution & served two months at Roxbury as the substitute for my brother Joshua Lawrence in the Company of Capt Levi Rouseville & Lieut. Henry Peice. I also know Deborah Chase who married said Henry Peice. The said Henry Peice died about the Year Seventeen hundred & ninety one as near as I can recollect. I attended his funeral. I knew her after she was his Widow. I saw her about a month ago when she desired my testimony to enable her to prove her identity and I recognise her to be the same person as above described.
John Lawrence
Plymouth - Vp. 1. July - 1848 When the Rev. John Lawrence well known to me to be a credible person & made Oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me Abiel P. Booth Jus: Peace

Pension Office, July 29th, 1848.
Sir, I have the honor to inform you that the papers in the case of Deborah Winslow, formerly widow of Henry Pierce, have been examined and filed under the Act of 7th July, 1838.
The date of the marriage is established; but the evidence now adduced is not satisfactory to identify claimant as the widow of the Lieutenant and Captain from Middleborough, credited with service on the recently of Massachusetts, as exhibited by the certificate of the Secretary of that Commonwealth, or to shew that she is now a widow.
It should be made clearly to appear by the testimony of witnesses of known high standing, that applicant's first husband was a Citizen of Middleborough during the Revolutionary War. His age should also be shown and his rank as a Commissioned Officer should be established by the production of his Commission or some other documentary

prof.
Clear and direct evidence as to the time when and place where Asa Winslow, the last husband of applicant, died will be required, to show that she is now a widow.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully, Your Ob. Servt. J. L. Edwards
Hon. A. Hale, House of Representatives.

Ms. A. 9. 2. 49 Additional evidence in the case of Deborah Winslow —
original presented by me July 1848
Ames
March 1849 Hon. A. Hale H.R.

Now in the case now before the Commission Asa Winslow it is proved deserted his family a Wife & Children more than thirty years ago & has never been heard of since.
I am confident that Governor Marcy who is a Lawyer of great eminence will rule on this point in favor of the applicant & it strikes me that if it were possible to bring this matter at once to his Notice the Application must prevail.
I rely on your knowledge of the high stand- ing of the Witneses - particularly Col Peirce & Lemuel Briggs.
Henry Peirce's service is abundantly proved by the Official Certificate of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts.
I am aware of the difficulty of doing any thing in the present bustle in Washing- ton but it seems a wrong to this poor Woman that her claim should not be recognised at once
Truly Yours
J. A. Lord
Mrs. Scamps on Certificate was rec d .

Plymouth May 7. 1849
Dear Sir
I enclose you Mr. Edwards letter with four Depositions to meet his last objections to wit, that the evidence of the death of Asa Winslow the second husband of the applicant.
1st The Deposition of Malachi White of Freetown Mass. that he knew applicants husband Asa Winslow & that said Winslow went from this region in company with deponents brother Thomas White about 32 years ago to the State of Pennsylvania & that Thomas had a son James H White.
2 The deposition of Mrs. Anna Gurney the Widow of Rev James Gurney that she knew said Asa Winslow & that he went away from this region in company with Thomas White who married deponents sister, to the State of Pennsylvania. That she had a letter from her sister about 20 years ago then living in Pennsylvania that Winslow was then there.
3 The deposition of James H. White of Cornersville in Fayette County Pennsylvania that Asa Winslow removed to that

County in company with deponents father (Thomas White) family in 1817
4 th The deposition of D. Begg  Wm H. Steward Steward of the Poor House of Fayette County after Record of the death of Asa Winslow in that Asylum December 29 th 1840.
I think this will be entirely satisfactory. It had been supposed in Middleborough that Asa Winslow had died many years ago. He left his family & went off more than thirty years ago & never returned to them nor did he ever after contribute any aid to their support or even write to them or show any regard for them. I do not know what sort of man he was but he died at last it seems a pauper prob- ably, in an Almshouse in Fayette County in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Winslow I am informed is quite feeble. As you know I live more than 20 miles from them & can readily see that unless she soon receives her pension it can afford her but little relief. Any thing you can do to expedite the settlement of her claim will oblige her & your Obl d S r Hon A. Hale J H Lord

Pension Office April 10th 1849.
Sir, I have the honor to inform you that the additional evidence in the case of Deborah Winslow, formerly widow of Henry Peirce is satisfactory to identify her first husband with the Officer of Col. Brewster and Col. Cushing's Regiment referred to in the certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts presented in support of this claim. But before a certificate can issue to her some proof showing more clearly that she is now a widow should be furnished. The evidence of the death of claimant's second husband is not satisfactory. The certificate of the Court in the County in which his death took place should be produced.
Wm. A. Heale, Bridgewater Mass.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your Ob. Servt. J. L. Edwards

Jamaica & Whites Official

State of Pennsylvania Fayette County ss
Before the subscriber one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County personally came James W. White of the Town of Connellsville who being duly affirmed according to law doth depose and say that he was personally acquainted with Asa Winslow that he S d Winslow came to this County in the year 1817 in company with Thomas White, S d opponent's father, and family, and that he would now be a man of near 80 years of age if living
Affirmed and Subscribed the 23 d March 1849
before me
Henry Detwiler
Justice of the peace
James W. White
Instructions 37 1 / 2
J d W. White 25-
Cert. Seal 25-
Fayette County ss I Richard Huskins Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Fayette County Pennsylvania, Certify that Henry Detwiler esq is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, as above stated, duly Commissioned and sworn, and that the above signature purporting to be his, is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court at Uniontown the 26 th day of March, A.D. 1849.
Rich d Huskins Prothonotary

Wm D. Briggs Official

State of Pennsylvania Franklin County / 3 }
Before me Wm. W. Stump a Justice of the Peace in and for the County Franklin County Wm. D. Beggs Steward of the Poor House of said County and having duly sworn death depose and say that agreeable to the Records of said House a certain Asa Winslow came to said House September 29th 1838 and died December 29th 1840. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of March A.D. 1849
Wm. W. Stump
Justices of the Peace (Seal)
Wm. D. Beggs
Steward
Jurors Fees - 87 1/2
Wm. D. Beggs Witness Fee 50  137 1/2
Franklin County, ss:
I Richard Houskins Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County Pennsylvania, Certify that Wm. W. Stump Esq. is a justice of the peace in & for said County as above stated duly Commissioned and sworn and that that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court at Harrisburg March 16 1849. Richd Houskins Protho ent & seal 25.

Bridgewater Mass. May 7 th 1849
Dear Sir
Herewith I send you the additional evidence required in the case of Deborah Winslow, to establish the death of her second husband. As a Winslow which I trust will be satisfactory.
The accompanying letter from J. H. Lord Esq. to me, recapitulates the evidence so clearly as to prevent the necessity of any explanation from me.
Please give the matter as early an examination as possible.
With my best wishes for your health & I remain
Resp y Yours
Atterton H. Hew
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r Pensions Washington DC

No. Reps. Washington July 19. 1848
Sir
Herewith I hand you the application of Deborah Morris for a Pension - with the accompanying documents & will thank you to give them your attention as early as may be convenient
Resp d Yours
Artemas Hale
J. S. Richards Esq

Our western whomp I have mislaid my name, and affixed the seal of grain board, at Tamarac. this board, board's way for April, in the year Eighteen hundred and Ninety in J. P. Grew
Matilda White Catherine

I Malachi White of Freetown, in the County of Bristol, aged Sixty Three years, on Oath depose & say that I knew Asa Winslow formerly a resident of Middleborough, in the County of Plymouth who married Deborah the Widow of Capt Henry Peice deceased. Said Asa Winslow left Middleborough & his Wife & family & lived with my brother Thomas White a year or more in Freetown & vicinity which was more than thirty years ago I think somewhere about thirty two years ago. My brother then moved with his family to Pennsylvania & Asa Winslow went with them & the said Winslow never returned. My brother Thomas had a son James H. White who went off with his fathers family. Malachi White
Bristol J. April 21 st 1849 Then the above named Malachi White well known to me to be a credible person appeared & made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit. Before me Walter S. Roosevelt      J. S. Pease

I Anna Gurney of Freetown, in the County of Bristol, Widow of the late Rev. James Gurney aged sixty eight years, on oaths depose & say that Thomas White who formerly lived in Freetown married my sister. He removed to the State of Pennsylvania about the Year 1817 with his family. He had a son James H. White who is now living in that State to the best of my knowledge & belief. I knew Asa Winslow who formerly lived in Middleborough. Said Winslow married Deborah Peirce the Widow of Capt Henry Peirce. When my brother in law Thomas White moved away to Pennsylvania said Winslow went with him & never returned to his family to my knowledge. It was understood here at the time that he entirely deserted them. I had a letter from my sister the Wife of said Thomas White about twenty years ago in which it was stated that Winslow was then living in the same place with them. Anna Gurney
Bristol April 26. 1844 Then the above named Anna Gurney well known to me to be a credible person appeared & made Oaths to the truth

of the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed Before me Walter S. Rounsevell Jr., Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. I, James Spratt, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Walter S. Rounsevell, Esq., whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate, is a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Taunton, this twenty fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety.
J. S. Spratt

Hon. Artemas Hale My dear Sir
Plymouth Feb 26, 1849
Will it be possible for you to see the Commissioner of Pensions in relation to this long suspended case of Deborah Winslow & if he is not entirely satisfied bring it to the notice of Governor Marcy before his official term expires.
The first point made in the letter of the Commissioner Mr. Edwards undated of July 29 th last is this that the evidence is not satisfactory to shew that claimants first husband was the Lieutenant & Captain from Middleborough of that name. I think if you will look at the evidence originally forwarded you will see that it ought to be entirely satisfactory.
I now send you the affidavit of Samuel Briggs of Middleborough whom you will remember as so many years a Deputy Sheriff near Judge Woods & a highly respectable citizen of Middleborough. Mr. Briggs is quite an aged man & was born in the same part of Middleborough adjoining Sponet where Henry Peirce lived. Briggs testifies that he served in the

Revolution in one of the short tony at Rhode Island in the Company commanded by said Henry Peirce - that Peirce lived & died in Middleborough - that he knew that he married the applicant for his second wife & that after his death she married Asa Winslow.
I also send you the Affidavit of the Hon. Peter H. Peirce who testifies that Capt Henry Peirce was his Uncle & he states the family tradition as to his being an Officer & as to identity of Claimant as his Uncle's second wife & to her marriage to Winslow after his death. Though not strictly legal evidence I thought it might be satisfactory to Gov. Marcy from the high standing of Col P. H. Peirce. Col Peirce also informs me that Gov. Morton was born on the opposite side of the Pond to where Capt Henry Peirce lived & died & not more than three miles distant & he doubtless not that Gov. Morton might personally recollect him in his boyhood. I understand Gov. Morton is in Washington & I believe he would state his belief of the facts set forth in these Affidavits.
Among the papers originally sent I think is a deposition of Rev. Mr. Lawrence of Freestown now very aged who if I recollect right identifies the

claimants husband with the Officer of that name.
Second - his age is not on Record - this is shewn by the Affidavit of the town Clerk
Third, that his Commission should be produced or some other documentary evidence. There is no Commission or other paper to be found. I read the affidavit of Mrs. Winslow to this point.
Fourth & this is the great point for I consider the identity well established, the fourth point is the death of Winslow the second husband.
There is no positive evidence it is true that he is dead - the time & place of the event cannot be proved - but the legal evidence is from a large number of affidavits sent before & by Col. Peirce now that more than 30 years ago he absconded & left the Applicant & his family & has never positively been heard of since.
The legal presumption is that he is dead Now look at the following authorities

In the action of Loring v Steineman 1 Metcalf's Reports 204 the S. J. Court of Massachusetts says - Ch. Justice Shaw "When a person leaves his usual home & place of resi- "dence for temporary purposes and is not heard of for "known to be living, for the term of Seven years, the "legal presumption is that he is dead ."
In the 2 Starkie on Evidence page 457 "Where a person has not been heard of for many years "the presumption of the duration of life ceases at the " end of Seven years. "
In Kentucky - H and in Rep. 479 Hall v Commonwealth "A husband absenting himself for seven years is presumed "to be dead unless there be proof to the contrary; and "if his wife bear a child by another the father may "be convicted of Bastardy"
In Doe v Jeph 6 East 80 "Where a tenant for life had not been heard of for "fourteen years by a person residing on the estate "it was held to be presumptive evidence of his death. "
In the case of Loring v Steineman first above cited tried before the Supreme Court of Massa- chusetts reported in 2 d Metcalf page 204 Chief Justice Shaw says in speaking of the pre- sumption of death after seven years.
"This presumption is greatly strengthened, when the "departure was from his native place, the seat "of his ancestors & the home of his brothers & sisters "and family connections."

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston July 11 th 1848
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation William H. Wood, Apollos Haskins and Abiel P. Booth were Justices of the Peace for the County of Plymouth,
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. H. Sullivan
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Plymouth
Clerks Office Feb 24 1849
I M c Pherson Clerk of the Indictments in the County of State aforesaid, do hereby certify that, Warren Putnam Jacob H. Lord & Nath l Ward, signers are parties who appear in the County aforesaid indictment & that their names to the paper hereto annexed is found given under my hand & the seal of said Court on the day & year aforesaid
M c Pherson Clerk

I Samuel Briggs of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged Eighty four years, do testify and say, that I was born in Middleborough aforesaid that I have always lived in said Town of Middleborough — that I was acquainted with Henry Pierce of said Middleborough, who always lived in said Middleborough, I went with him to the State of Rhode- Island in the Revolutionary War, and in the said Henry Pierce was wounded in the Company that I was in — that Henry Pierce aforesaid lived in the Town of Middleborough aforesaid during the Revolutionary War — that he married Deborah Chase, for his second wife, who after his death, married Asa, Wenslow
Samuel Briggs
Witness
Elizah Ward
Job N. Stearns

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County. ss.
On this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight, personally appeared Samuel Miggs, subscriber to the within affidavit and with whom I am well acquainted and well known to me to be a person of truth and veracity, made solemn oath to the truth of the same,
Before me
Chas. Ward Justice of the Peace

I Peter H. Peirce of Middleborough, in the County of Plymouth, aged sixty years, on oath depose & say that Captain Henry Peirce who was a Captain & Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War from the town of Middleborough, was my Uncle. He died when I was quite young & I cannot say that I have any personal recollection of him. All I know is derived from tradition in the family. I knew Deborah who was his Widow & whose maiden name as I was always informed & believe was Deborah Chase. After the death of my Uncle she married one Asa Winslow who went away from Middleborough I should think more than thirty years ago leaving the said Deborah & a family of children in Middleborough. The said Asa Winslow never returned to my knowledge & I had supposed he was dead long ago & think that is the general reputation & belief in Middleborough. Peter H. Peirce
Plymouth, Feb. 12. 1849 Then personally appeared the above named Peter H. Peirce well known to me to be a prominent & highly respectable citizen of this County & a gentle

man of truth and veracity & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit Before me Jacob H. Lord Jus. Peace

6 Deborah Winslow of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged Eighty Six years, do testify and say, that I recollect of seeing a Lieutenant and Captain's commission of my late husband Henry Prince, who was a captain and Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War — but I have them not among my papers — I think they may have been destroyed — they were not considered of any value, and the children used to have them to play with, and I think they are lost Witnes my hand and seal this 10th day of
Elijah Waco
Nusselia  boliviana
Deborah chev  W inslow mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth S.S., on this Twelfth day of August in the Year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Forty Eight, personally appeared Deborah Winslow, subscriber to the foregoing affidavit, and well known to me to be a person of truth and veracity and made solemn oath to the truth of the same - Before me J. P. [unintelligible]
Elizab Ward, Justice of the Peace

I Jacob B Shaw Town Clerk of the town of Middleborough Massachusetts certify that I have carefully examined the Record of this town to find the birth of Henry Pierce and can find no such record Middleboro Feb 19. 1849 } Jacob B Shaw Town Clerk of Middleborough }
Plymouth Feb 19. 1849 Then personally appeared the above named Jacob B Shaw well known to me to be a credible person & made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him Subscribed Before me Oliver Pakenis justice of Peace

Reported
10638
Massachusetts
Deborah Atkins Low, for.
Widow of Henry Pierce who was a pensioner under the Act of _____ and who died on the 22 nd Jan'y 1791. of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a 1 st Capt. in the Comp'y. commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg't commanded by _____ in the Revolution line for 8 mos. 6 dy. 21. 1 " 9 " Capt.
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 135 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of May, 1849 and sent to Hon. A. Hale,
Total amount, Bridgewater Mass.
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by T. L. Lumpkin, Clerk, Book C Vol. 1. Page 543.

Reported
85 40
Massachusetts
Deborah Winslow for. widow of Henry Pierce who was a S t & Capt. in the Revolution Husband d d 22 Jany. 1798
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 135 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of May, 49 and sent to
Wm. C. Hale Ridge water Mass.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book C Vol. 2. Page 40.

No 13691
Deborah Muslow Map
Det. to Hon. S. Hoale
July 29th '48
Proof present, sufficient Det. to same abt 10-49
copy July 1838

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 18850
Deborah Winslow Former Wid o of Henry Pierce Capt. Rev. War.
Act: Feby. 2 nd 1/48
Index:—Vol. M , Page 343
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston,
Feb 26 th 1848.
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 Henry Pierce is borne upon Rolls of Capt Levi Rounswell's Company in Col David Brewer's Regt, as a Lieutenant of Middleborough, from April 24 to Decem r 31 1775. 8 Months and 6 days. — Upon a Pay Roll of his Company in Col Ebenezer White's Regt for service at Rhode Island, as Captain, from August 1 to 9 1780, 9 days. — Upon another Pay Roll of his Company in Col Theophilus Cotton's Regt at Rhode Island, as a Captain from March 4 to 31 1781, including allowance of 2 days for travel, 30 days.
8mo 6 days
9
30
1-9
The preceding is all the evidence of service of any one of the name as an Officer shown by the Military Records in this department.

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

The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his Office, of the service of my late Husband Henry Pierce in the Army of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts and during the continuance of the Revolutionary War performed several terms of service in the Militia of his Native State; one term in particular under Capt. Levi Roundhill at Roxbury in 1795 as Lieutenant in said Roundhill's Company. He also performed service in the Militia of his Native State, on Rhode Island during Sullivan's Campaign so called, as Captain but under what Colonel he served or other Officers, I am now unable to state, but always understood him to say he served several years during the continuance of the Revolutionary War. I am now eighty five years old, and through lapse of time and loss of memory am unable to state my Husband's service more than above stated.
Witness my hand at Middleborough this nineteenth day of February 1848.
Signed by the said Deborah her Deborah & Winslow Winslow in my presence mark
February 19, TSL 8
Abel P. Booth
Sister of the Rev.