Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 45042, for Paul Otis, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass N.H.
Otis, Paul
S 45042
CONTENTS

(2795.)
New Hampshire Roll.
Paul Otis
H
Capt Drew Private.
New Hampshire line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire - at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 28 th of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd of Sept r 1818 and sent to Daniel Waldron Esq r Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, Nashua Co. N.H.
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818. 4 M th 21 D ys 30. — 35-70
Semi-ann. all ce ending 4 th March 1819 — 48-
3 years 1777- — $ 83-70
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
let to Hon J Wentworth June 28/50
Set to him July 3/50
[Faint vertical text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side:] Wentworth June 28/50 July 3/50

105
Paul Otis
1875
CAN
March 1819

That the date of his original declaration in order to obtain a pension is April 1818 and the number of his pension certificate is 2795 :—That his occupation is that of a farmer not able to follow his occupation —That the number and names of his family residing with him, and their ages and capacities to contribute to their support, are as follows, viz.
his wife Betsy aged 68 years not able to labour
Wherefore he prays the opinion of the said Court as to the value of the property contained in the said schedule, and that the same, together with a copy of the premises, be duly certified to the Secretary of War.
Sworn and declared before the said court the 18th day of July 1820.
} Paul Otis
Attest, A. Peirce, CLERK.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.....STRAFFORD ss.
At a Court of Common Pleas holden at Gilford within and for the County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire, on the 18th day of July 1820 before
DANIEL M. DURELL , Esquire, Chief Justice, and
VALENTINE SMITH , and SAMUEL QUARLES , } Associate Justices of said Court.
The aforesaid schedule and oath and the above declaration duly subscribed and sworn by the said Paul Otis having been by him exhibited in person, and presented to the court, and the same being seen and considered, it is the opinion of said Court that the value of the property contained in said schedule is fourteen dollars  Wherefore the Court order that a copy of the premises, together with the proceedings thereon, be duly certified to the Secretary of War.
Attest, A. Peirce, CLERK.
STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.....STRAFFORD ss.
I, ANDREW PEIRCE , Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Strafford, being a court of record, do certify that the foregoing schedule and oath and the declaration annexed, with the proceedings and opinion of the court thereon, are true copies from the Records and files of said court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, the 18th day of July — 1820.
A. Peirce, CLERK.

To the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Gilford within and for the County of Strafford and State of New-Hampshire, on the third Tuesday of July, 1820.
Paul Otis aged 66 years , resident in Gilmanton in said County, comes into court, and in pursuance of an act of Congress passed on the 1st day of May, 1820, brings with him, and in his proper person exhibits to said Court a Schedule by him subscribed, containing his whole Estate and Income—his necessary clothing and bedding excepted—as follows:—
1 Bow 1 Pig
Paul Otis
And the said Paul Otis following oath by him duly taken and subscribed:—viz.
in pursuance as aforesaid produceth to said Court the
I Paul Otis do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th 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 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
Paul Otis
And the said Paul Otis doth here in Court further declare on oath, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows, viz.
he entered in Capt. John Drews Company Col. Hales Regt. New Hampshire line in May 1777 for three years and served out the term of my enlistment and at the expiration of the term of my enlistment was honourably discharged at West Point — was at the taking of Burgoyne; was at the Battle of Monmouth
for

Admitted

State of New Hampshire
Shefford ss } On this 21 st day of April A.D. 1880 before me the subscriber of of the precepts of the Court of common pleas for said County personally appears Paul Otis aged sixty two years resident in Gilman- ton in said County and State 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 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 revo- lutionary war: That he the said Paul Otis enlisted as a private Soldier for eight months about the first of May in the year A.D 1775 into the company commanded by Captain William Bullard and Col — Fry's Regiment Massachusetts line that he continued to serve in said service until the eight months were out he then was hon- orably dismissed on the first day of January 1776 on the first of May 1777 he enlisted again for three years into the company commanded by Captain John Drew and Col — Heles Regiment New Hamp- shire line that he continued to serve in the said service of the United States until the first day of May 1780 when he was discharged from service at West Point in the State of New York he then had

an honourable discharge from under the hand of the said Col. Reed which he has since lost that he was in both the battles at Still water in New York also in fort Ann battle and at Monmouth and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support. Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid. — William Badger
I William Badger Judge etc. as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Paul Otis did serve in the revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy for the term of nine months on the Continental establishment and that from my own know- ledge he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support and I now trans- mit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War Pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the seal of said Court to be affixed to the same this 27 th day of July 1818. — William Badger
Attest Dan Waldrum Clerk of the Court Common Pleas for said County of Strafford

State of New Hampshire
County of Grafton } ss
On this 29 th day of April 1818 before me the subscriber one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County personally appears Lemuel D. Mason resident in the Town of Gilford County and State aforesaid who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration to be used in support of the preceding declaration of Paul Otis That he the said Lemuel D. Mason belonged to the same Regiment with the said Paul Otis and knows that he served in the Regiment as stated in the preceding declaration in the years 1777-8-9 for more than nine months at one period
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid —————
William Badger

awj Rev. War Section.
October 4, 1923.
W. T. Otis, Saginaw, Mich.
Sir;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 45042, it appears that Paul Otis enlisted May 1, 1775 and served as a private eight months in Captain William Gallard's company, Colonel Frye's regiment of Massachusetts' troops.
He enlisted, May 1, 1777 and served in Captain John Drew's company, Colonel Hale's regiment of New Hampshire troops until discharged May 1, 1780.
He was in the battle of Fort Ann, both battles of Stillwater and battle of Monmouth.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 31, 1818, while a resident of Gilmanton, Strafford County, New Hampshire, aged sixty two years. He died July 17, 1848.
In 1830, soldier referred to his wife Betsy, aged sixty eight years. There is no further family data on file.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

896.
L. Gilman Iowa.
45042
Rev INVALID.
File No. 45042
Paul Otis
Rev. Rev. Year
Act: 18 th March 1818
Index: — Vol. 3 , Page 373
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Feby 25, 1 Mil. Histy to Ma. H. S. Mt Pleasant
1913 July 16 First. To John G. Burkhardt - Letter in P.F. 20665 - Mar 1812 Zachariah Bunker. 1923 - Oct. 4 - Hist. to W.J. Otis awf.

Fortworth Hall, Letts March 1818 Paul (Us) Pri 78 per month
Died 17 th July 1818 Pd in full to his death. B.L.H.

Pension Office, June 28, 1850.
Sir, In answer to your request, for the residence, ages &c of Richard Otis, Paul Otis, and Elijah Otis, of New Hampshire, I have to state, that, such information, cannot be given, consistently with our regulations, unless the object for which it is wanted be first made known,
I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Your obed Servt J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Hon J. Wentworth House of Representatives

The information is requested of me by a distinguished genealogist who is writing a history of the Otis family for the Boston Historical & Genealogical Register. You need give no information touching their pensions. He wants their place of residence, date of death, age, &c, &c, & heirs of any, & all other information useful in his work.
Yours sincerely Arthur H. Smith

45022-5 Q Iowa Hospital for the Insane
H. A. GILMAN, M. D. SUPERINTENDENT.
Mt. Pleasant, Ia.
Jan . 17, 1896.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My Dear Sir:--
Will you be kind enough to forward me the certified copy of the record of the military service of Paul Otis of Gilmanton, New Hampshire, who was a pensioner for some years, of the War of the Revolution.
Very sincerely yours,
H. A. Gilman

W. T. OTIS SAGINAW, MICHIGAN
August 16, 1923.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
It is my desire to complete the records regarding the service of my great-grandfather, Paul Otis, to a point that will satisfy the officials of the Sons of the American Revolution, as I should like to join that organization. There is no doubt of my eligibility, but at this late date it may not be easy to get a complete record. I am enclosing copy of letter to and reply of the Adjutant General's office of the War Department, which may be of some help in looking up the record.
No doubt you are familiar with the facts required in a matter of this kind and if you can be of service to me, I assure you the effort will be appreciated. Should there be any charge, please advise and oblige,
Sincerely yours,
W. T. Otis
Enclosures.
WTO/MOS

- COPY -
July 9, 1923.
Adjutant General, U. S. Army, War Department, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
I am writing to ask you for information which I need in order to complete my application for membership in the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Have you a record of the following Paul Otis? Can you give me any particulars as to his War Record?
He was born in 1755 and died in 1848. He received a pension in 1818. He was married to Elizabeth Parshley.
He enlisted under Captain Ballard at Amerbury, Mass. the next week after the battle of Bunker Hill, for eight months. In 1777 he enlisted for three years under Captain Drew; went to Ticonderoga and then to Fort Ann, and was with the Army in their retreat before Burgoyne to the Mohawk; he was in the Battle at Fort George at Bemis Heights, and one in the "Genesee country" with the Indians. He was with Colonel Hale until his retreat from Ticonderoga, and then under Colonel Reed, by whom he was led into the Battle of Monmouth.
Would you kindly tell me what information you have regarding this Paul Otis, my great-grandfather, and if your records show the facts above stated?
Undoubtedly you have occasional requests of like nature and know just what I need from your records to satisfy the officials of the "Sons of the American Revolution."
I will appreciate a reply at your early convenience and am willing to pay the fee for your trouble.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed)
W. T. OTIS.

F. S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
February 25, 1892.
Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of * PAUL OTIS * a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.      It appears that he enlisted for eight months, about May 1, 1775, as a private in the company commanded by Capt. William Fullard, in the regiment of Massachusetts troops commanded by Col. Frye, and served under those officers until about the first of January, 1778. In May, 1779, he again enlisted for three years as a private in Capt. John Dyer's company, Col. Hale's New Hampshire regiment, and continued in the service until May 1, 1780, when he was honorably discharged at West Point, N. Y., by Col. Reed. He was in the battles which culminated in the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne, in the battle at Fort Ann, and the battle at Monmouth.   
Battles engaged in, As above.  Residence of soldier at enlistment, Probably Elsanton, N.H.  Date of application for pension, April 21, 1812.  Residence at date of application, Elsanton, N.H.  Age at date of application, Sixty-two years.  Remarks: No other details of his services are given in his pension papers. His pension was allowed.
Mr. H. A. Gilman, Ft. Pleasant, Iowa.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Paul Otis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1, 1775 8 mos. Pvt. William Ballard Frye Mass.   May 1, 1777 May 1, 1780 John Drown Hale N.H.        
Battles engaged in, St Anne, both battles Trenton & Monmouth.
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension, July 21, 1848. His ch. was al.
Residence at date of application, Gilmanton, Stafford Co. N.H.
Age at date of application, 62 yrs.
Remarks:
Died July 17, 1848. In 1840 his wife Betsey was 60 years old. There is no other data as to family.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.