Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40,159, for Josiah Mills, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mills, Josiah
NUMBER
S. 40.159
CONTENTS

15.8.52 Pennsylvania.
Josiah Mills,
h Susquehanna in the state of Penns a .
who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel R. Putnam of the Massachussetts line, for the term of six years. War
scribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on 7. of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15. of Nov r 1819 and sent to Davis Dimock, jun. Montrose, Susquehanna County, Penn a .
arrears to 4th of Sept r 1819 $ 135.11 emi-anl. all'ce ending 4. March 1820 48
16 mo s 28. 7 1820. } $ 183.40 30 }
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
mass 540159
1885 Dec history
H. E. Mills with Priot
Dec. 26/85 To B. H. Mills through Hon. H. M. Springer of statements & witnesses copy of a portion of Josiah Mills relative to gene- alogical record. slip inside.
Wills, Josiah mass 540159
Wills, Josiah mass 540159

15 Dec London - lot. 1820 (M.E.)  London John ... ...
Josiah Mills Goshawk Josiah Mills (Jr) Colonel Putnam's Regt Mass'ts line 1777 to 1783 7th Apr 1818
Josiah Mills ... in ... ... until ... ... was Capt ... until 1783. in 1777. By delaw. Capt ... Regt. before he joined ...

DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA,
Susquehanna County, ss.
On this seventh day of April A. 181 8 , before me the subscriber, one of the Associate Judges for the said county, personally appears Joseph Mills aged fifty five years, resident in Bridgewater Township in the said county, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war:" That the said Joseph Mills enlisted in 1777 for Three years in the state of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Joseph Moss , and he thinks of the fifteenth Massachusetts Regiment which in 1779 was transferred to the 5 th Regiment, Captain Hawkins Company Colonel Mclus Patersons Regt , that he continued to serve in the said corps, in the service of the United States until the ninth day June 1783 at Barhelahus , when he was discharged from service in Susquehanna state of New York that he was in the battle of Lakem Berghem, Two Battles .
and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said service.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Davis Dimock
I do certify that I know the said J. Mills and do not know as he has any property but what he declares for D. Dimock
I, Davis Dimock Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Joseph Mills did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary of the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
April 7 th A. 1818 Susquehanna County ss Davis Dimock I Isaac Hyde Jr. Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Susquehanna Do certify that Davis Dimock Esquire is and was at the time of signing the above certificate one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid and that full faith and credit ought to be given to all his official acts and deeds and that his signature is of his own proper hand writing In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court at Montrose this tenth day of July 1818  Isaac Hyde Jr.

I do certify that the aforesaid Joseph Hills is in the  reduced circumstances and abilities, stands in need of assistance from his country for his support.
(David L. Linley )

Josiah Miller Cooperdale
Josiah Miller (Jr)
Colonel Putnam's Regt
Must be 1777 to 1783
7th Apr 1818
Josiah Miller said he knew his name on the rolls until they are sent for as he saw it himself a number of years ago. Another thing is that in 1781 he was Capt Woodin's Comp. Col. at Putnam's Regt until 1783. in 1775 - in 15th Regt. Col. Bydelaw. Capt J. Miller - transferred to Jackson's Regt. before he joined Putnam's Regt he enlisted for three years.

Josiah Mills Midgewater Township Susquehanna Co Pa
615.852 Nov 19
J. H. Mills Midgewater Pa

District of Pennsylvania } Susquehanna County }
On the 5th 10th day of September 1820 personally appeared in our court, before the Honorable Edward Herrick Esq r President and David Dimock & William Thompson Esquires associate judges of the court of common pleas (the same be- ing a court of record) in and for the said county Josiah Wills aged fifty seven years, resident in the township of Bridgeville, in said county. Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare and say that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, to wit,
He enlisted at Needham in Massachu- setts in May 1777 into 15 th Regiment in Capt. Morse Company in the Massachusetts line. Said Regt was commanded by Col. Bigelow. That in 1780 he was transferred to the fifth Regiment of the same line into Capt. Howland's Company and that he was dis- charged therefrom at Newburgh in the state of New York in June 1783. That he has received a Pension Certificate N o 15852 in consequence of his original declaration dated the 7 th day of April 1818.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled
"An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed on the 18 th day of March 1818 - and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, con- tracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule herunto annexed and by me subscribed - - - - -

My occupation is farming but in consequence of being afflicted with the Rheumatism I am unable to labour more than half the time. My family consists of my wife named Elizabeth aged forty five years who is in a fair state of health. of a daughter named Betsey Anna aged seven years and a son named Bartlett aged five years.
Sworn to & declared in open court the day and year first before written.
Jabez Hyde Jr. Proth.
I Jabez Hyde Jr. Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Susquehanna Do certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereunto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said court. And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in said schedule is Fifty two dollars and eighty five cents .
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said court this fifth day of September A.D. 1820
Jabez Hyde Jr.
Proth. of the court of com. Pleas of Susque Co. Pa.

Schedule
11 One Cow - - - - - One Heifer One calf One Hog Two Pigs One Ewe One Hoe One Scythe One Loom Two Chests Two Spinning Wheels Five old chairs One Iron Kettle Two Kettled Pans One do Spiders One do Tea Kettle Six Knives & forks Six cups & saucers Six plates Six Iron Spoons Three Bowls One Barrel
I live in a small log house upon land owned by another person and to which I have no title. I am indebted to several persons, in all to the amount of sixty dollars or thereabouts. I have debts due to me from several persons amounting to twenty dollars or near that sum.
Isaiah Mills

State of New York Otsego County ss.
Ivory Holland being duly sworn deposeth and says that he was a Lieutenant in the 14th Massachusetts Regiment com- manded by Col. Marcus Patnam in the Conti- nental Army of the United States of America from the year One thousand seven hun- dred and Eighty and continued as such until the Army was disbanded. And further deposeth and says that Josiah Mills served and was a private in the said 14th Regiment for the term of two years ac- cording to the deponent's knowledge and belief and is confident the said Josiah Mills did serve as a private in the Regiment as aforesaid for more than nine months and this deponent truly believes under one enlistment and further that the said Josiah Mills now resides in Montour County of Pennsylvania and State of Pennsylvania. This deponent has been informed.
State of New York Otsego County ss. I certify that Chadwick Beers is a Judge of Otsego Co. Court. That Duly qualified as such. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court this 27th Sept r 1809
David Provoost Dep. Clerk

State of New York Orange County ss.
Ivory Holland being duly sworn deposeth and says that he was a Lieutenant in the 5th Massachusetts Regiment com- manded by Col. Rufus Putnam in the Conti- nental Army of the United States of America from the year One thousand seven hun- -dred and Eighty and continued as such until the Army was disbanded. And further deposeth and says that Josiah Mills served and was a private in the said 5th Regiment for the term of two years ac- cording to the accounts, knowledge and belief and is confident the said Josiah Mills did serve as a private in the Regiment as aforesaid for more than nine months and this deponent truly believes under an enlistment and further that the said Josiah Mills now resides in Montour County of Pennsylvania and State of Penn- -sylvania as this deponent has been inform- -ed and truly believes. And further the deponent saith not.
Ivory Holland
Sworn & Subscribed Before me this 30th day of September 1819 -
Abiah Beardsley one of the judges in P.
I hereby certify that the deponent above mentioned is a person of Credibility and well known to me A. Beardsley

40 159
INVALID.
Rev Y
File No. 40 159
Josiah Mills Rev Rev Rev
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8, Page 889
[Arrangement of 1870.]

40,159
1818 55 1763 -
Josiah Mills, born Roxbury Mass Oct. 7, 1763.
Entered Revolutionary Army in 14 th year as drummer - At the end of year re- ceived a musket which he carried until the close of the war.
Removed to Joy, Oxford Co. Me & stayed there until 1811 when he came to Bridgewater Township Susquehanna Co. Pa settling near Montrose
He drew a pension for a number of years for disability or wound received in the Revolutionary war.
Was either in Mass - or Connecticut Regt
Wanted to know - The regiment & Co of his service - Place from which & date of enlistment - Date & place of discharge -
Time when pension was granted & where he was at time
Places at which his pension was paid to him.
Send information to H. G. Mills 204 N. Third St St Louis MO.

To Hon John C. Black Pension Office Washington D.C. Dear Sir
In re vs. No _____ Josiah Mills
HENRY E. MILLS.
P. R. FLITCRAFT.
LAW OFFICE MILLS & FLITCRAFT, 204 N. THIRD STREET.
TELEPHONE 1117
St. Louis, Mo. Nov. 25 th 1885.
In answer to your favor of 26 th will state that there is no litigation pending or to be brought - nor do we expect to introduce any bill in Congress. Simply this - Josiah Mills was the father of B. H. Mills, who died in Upper Alton Illinois in 1877. B. H. Mills left children Charles F. Mills, Secretary State Board of Agriculture State of Illinois now residing at Springfield whom you may possibly know - Henry E. Mills, the writer and Ruth C. Mills of Springfield Illinois. From information in papers and County History of Susquehanna Co. Pa. we learned of his service in the Revolutionary army & of his drawing a pension from the government. From that and to foster a family pride & to gratify a genealogical curiosity my brother Charles & myself wished to find out the regiment & company in which he served & his places of residence at which his pension was paid to him. We considered it a proper subject of inquiry. We feel a justifiable pride in the patriotism of our ancestor & supposed from the information obtained we might be able to trace a relationship with others of the same name. If there are any fees required for the search we will pay same. We supposed we could get our Congressmen to look it up but thought it was in the province of some of your subordinates to look it up. Yours Respectfully Henry E. Mills.

Wrote Nov 21, 1885 of to be used in litigation or in a case in a Court the request should come from the clerk of the Court, but if not to be so used, to state the object of procuring it, & if not a defendant proof of authority from those claiming specifying their relationship should be filed

To Hon Wm B. Endicott Secretary of War Washington Dear Sir:
ES. No _____
HENRY E. MILLS.
P. R. FLITCRAFT.
LAW OFFICE
MILLS & FLITCRAFT,
204 N. THIRD STREET.
TELEPHONE 1117.
St. Louis, Mo. Nov 17 th 1889.
I wish to know from the rolls either of the Pension Dept. or of the Continental Army the facts inquired about on the enclosed slip.
It is a matter of considerable importance to our family.
Yours Respectfully
H. C. Mills

Charles F. Mills, Esq. Springfield Ills.
Dec. 26/85.

Sir:
In response to the personal request of Wm. Springer I hand you herewith copies all of the material portions of the statements of John Mills and his witnesses which will be of material interest to you in connection with the genealogical record mentioned in your letter. It is contrary to the rules of the office to furnish complete copies of applications or affidavits in pension claims over very resp

In compliance with your request of 23 rd inst for information of Jonah Miles, a Revy soldier from Mass, to be used for family genealogical purposes. The following history has been taken from his application for a pension.
In April 1818, then 55 old years of age, he states that he was residing in Bridgewater, Somerset Co Pa's - that he enlisted in May 1777 under Capt Morse in the 15 th Mass regt Colo Timothy Bigelow & was in the battles which preceded the Surrender at Saratoga N Y of the army of Genl Burgoyne (Oct 17. 1777). In the latter part of 1780 (probably in Nov or Dec) he was transferred to the Company of Capt Hutton in the 8 Mass regt Colo Rufus Putnam was & he served at Newburg N Y June 9. 1783.
In Sept 1820, then 57 yrs old & still living in Bridgewater, he states that his occupation was that of a farmer but owing to rheumatism he was unable to labor more than one half of his time & that his family consisted of his wife Elizabeth aged 45 years, his daughter Betsy Ann aged 21 years & his son Wendell aged 8 years. He states he was enrolled on the roll of Rev 4 of the  Sept 1820  was at any time after  in  his name  after filing his application it would be likely to appear

the same annual in the operation of these vouchers upon which part of the pension were made & those vouchers are  now to be filed in the office of the 3 d Auditor of the Treasury —
It may be proper to state for your information that the pension act of March 18 1818 required applicants to establish only 9 months service in the Continental army, therefore but very few gave any details or incidents of their service — Many of them did not even specify the battles in which they were incidentally reported by witnesses to have been engaged — When the more general act of June 7. 1832 was passed — applicants thereby were required to give the place & date where born , their residence when enlisting & after the war , as well as to specify the battles they were in.

Old war Div. Ins Ex'r No. Co. Reg't
Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. November 21, 1885
Return this letter with your reply.
Sir,
Your communication of the 17 th inst. is received requesting certain information of Josiah Mills , who served in the Revolutionary war and was a pensioner.
If it is desired to use this information in litigation or in a case in a Court, the request should be made by the clerk of the court, but if it is not to be so used, you will please to state your object in obtaining it, and if you are not a descendant of the soldier, proper authority from those that are descendants, specifying their relationship, should be filed.
Very respectfully
John C Black
Commissioner
H. E. Mills Esq. Law Office 204 N. Third Street St Louis Missouri

Old war J.N.P.
Department of the Interior. PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. November 30 th , 1885
Sir,
In compliance with your request of the 23 d instant for information of Josiah Mills, a Soldier from Massachusetts in the war of the Revolution, to be used for family genealogical purposes, the following history has been taken from his application for a pension.
In April 1818, then 55 years old, and residing in Bridgewater, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, he states that he enlisted at Needham, Mass. in May 1777 with Captain Morse, in the 15 th Mass t Regiment Commanded by Col o Timothy Bigelow, and was in the battles which preceded the surrender, at Saratoga N.Y. of the British Army under the command of Gen t Burgoyne; (October 17. 1777) - In the latter part of 1780 (probably in November or December) he was transferred to the Company of Capt d Haudin in the 5 th Mass t . Regiment, Commanded by Col o Rufus Putnam, and he was discharged June 9 th 1783 at Newburg, N.Y. when the larger portion of the Army was disbanded.
In September 1820, then 57 years old and still residing in

Bridgewater, he states that he was a farmer, but owing to rheumatism he was unable to labor more than one half of his time, and that his family consisted of his wife Elizabeth, aged 45 years; his daughter Betsey Ann, aged 7 years; and his son Bartlett, aged 5 years.
If after he was inscribed as a pensioner on the roll of Pennsylvania, there was at any time after Sept 1820 a change of his residence, it would be likely to appear in the execution of his vouchers upon which the semi-annual payments were made, which vouchers are on file in the Office of the Third Auditor of the Treasury.
It may be proper to state for your information that the pension act of March 18, 1818 required applicants to establish only 9 months service in the Continental army, therefore, but very few gave any details or incidents transpiring during their service. Many of them did not specify the battles they were in, but were incidentally alluded to by some one of their witnesses.
When the more general act of June 7, 1832 was passed, applicants were required to specify the date and place where born, their residence when enlisting, and after the war, as well as, to mention the battles they were engaged in.
Very respectfully
H. E. Mills Esq. Law Office
204 N. Third St.
St. Louis Missouri
Commissioner