Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,020, Joel Bower, New York

SERVICE
New York
Bower, Joel
NUMBER
S. 29,020
CONTENTS

Rep d
Let to Hon. W. Hunt Dec 26. 1840. J. L. Lathrop Co. Me
New York. 32.505.
Joel Bower
of _____ in the State of N.Y. who was a Pri in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg t commanded by Col. Mosenfeld in the Revolution for 16 months, 13 days. N.Y.
Increased from $30. 22/100
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany N.Y. at the rate of 54 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Octo. 1846 and Isaac Hall ock, Pickering, No. Carolina.
Arrears to the 4th of Pension allowance ending
Increased from $30. 22/100 } Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Issued by S. H. Wood Clerk E 2 Vol. 4 Page 8

Pichering Canada
Dec 16/45
Isaac Hallock.
Declaration of Intention Borrow for a pension.
1847. Re-notice 29/45
Munrooffree
Dec 30, 1845
to Isaac Bowers.
June 7, 1832
D. Crump

3/152
Joel Bower Hanada NY cut 7 June '32
A sketch of the military services of Joel Bower in the

A sketch of the military services of Joel Bower in the United States Army during the War of the Revolution.
I was born in South Hampton Old England 20 th Feb. 1763. I was about 5 years old when my Father emigrated to America. His name was Phin- ikas he first settled on Longisland but at the commencement of the Revolution he moved up the North River & settled in Orange County. I was about this time apprenticed to Capt. Samuel Chard Master Carpenter. In the beginning of the year '77 he entered himself 3 sons & 2 apprentices in the Government Artificials at New Windsor, we drew our arms & accoutrements, we were at the Battle and storming of Fort Montgomery on the 6 th day of October of this year, General James Clinton commanded, his Brother George then acting governor of the State was also there with a small body of militia, the attack commenced from the best of my recollections between the hours of 12 & 1 o'clock which was continued without intermission the remainder part of the day, & under cover of the darkness of the night they succeeded in mounting the wall before we discovered them, the greater part of our soldiers were taken prisoners, the Officers a few Soldiers with myself made our escape by a passage out of the fort next to the River which was not known to the British. They kept the fort but 3 days before they evacuated & burned it. A Cousin of Mine whose name was Samuel Jones lay sick in the fort at this time and not being able to escape, his comrads was prohibited the privilege of giving him assistance so he was burned to death, our quarters this winter '77 was at New Windsor, in the spring of '78 we were stationed at West Point where we were engaged in building Barracks, Gun Carriages, Platforms &c. we were constantly equipped for the common defence & as liable to be ordered to battle as the Regular Army. Some time in the forepart of the month of June of this year we received orders to reinforce Gen. Washingtons army then in New Jersey, as Sir Henry Clinton was about to evacuate Philadelphia and concentrate their forces at New York, we joined a party on the Hackinsack river & thence marched hastily down & joined the main body, in a very short time the British army made their appearance and a desperate battle ensued which is called the Monmouth Battle. I was on the right of the left wing in Clintons Brigade, I stood in the front rank where we sustained a tremendous cannonade as well as a heavy fire of musketry for a considerable time we then were impetuously charged by the Dragoons, and in their second charge a Dragoon aimed a deadly blow at my head which would have instantly killed me, but I raised my musket to shield my head from the meditated stroke, which caused his sword to glance, & cut off my two middle fingers & the little finger about half off, this was my right hand which was holding on the small of my gun, my hand has ever since been very much disabled from this wound, as he was then passing me he made an underhanded blow at my head, and the point of his sword passed through my left eyebrow which made a deep incission & considerably stunned me, at this instant his horse was shot through the head & fell dead at my feet. as I recovered from the last blow I received, I drew my bayonet & would have terminated his existence had not Adjutant Johnson caught me by the shoulder & bade me desist saying "no murder here you young rogue the man cries for quarter" I was now sent to the rear of the army, the next day we were conveyed a few miles to a barn which was used as a kind of temporary Hospital, from this place we were sent to Morristown and there I remained untill I had recovered of my wounds so as to join the Service again at West Point, where I remained untill the Campaign of '79 we then joined Colonel Haythorns Levis with the intention of attacking New York, thousands of Troops were gathered here on this occasion, & a larger quantity of militia was collected at this time than I see at any other place during the war. but the plan was defeated on the account of Count De Estangs not being able to get one of his largest ships over the Bar at Sandy Hook to cooperate with the land forces so the enterprise was abandoned, & when this campaign closed we returned again to West Point for winter quarters. At the opening of the Campaign in the spring of '80. I joined Clintons Brigade in the 5 th Battalion under the command of Colonel Willet, we crossed the river at West Point & marched down to Kings Ferry & then recrossed the river & marched to Fort Lee where we remained a long time, or untill Major Andre was taken prisoner & executed, we then returned to West Point, where I remained as formerly untill the Spring of '82 when I with 39 others of the artificials was sent to the frontiers on the branches of the Delaware to reinforce Colonel Spauldin for the purpose of keeping the Indians in check who was making great havock amongst the settlers at this time.

Very soon after we joined Colonel Spauldings force the Quarter Master of the regiment was taken sick & left the army. & by the recommendation of Capt. Dodge to Colonel Spaulding I was appointed to that station in which I acted untill I left the army. In the fall of this campaign a large force of Indians came down upon the Settlers & drove off a large number of their cattle, we pursued them & gave them battle but they were so numerous for us we were defeated & obliged to retreat I received a shot in this engagement which passed through my left leg about midway from the foot to the knee I laid under a log the following night, in the morning from the great loss of blood I was scarcely able to raise myself, but with the greatest exertions I succeeded in crawling to the bank of the river where I fell in company with 5 others of the wounded, where we fixed a kind of raft of old logs &c, and floated down the river untill we came to the settlements where we were taken care of, and as soon as I got able to walk I got a furlow, subject to return to the army at the shortest notice, I then went home to my parents in Orange County where I remained untill the next season, when we got the news that the army was to be disbanded I then went to New Windsor & received my discharge from the Army.
My discharge with many other valuable things that I possessed was burned at the house of Capt. Stephen Hopkins an officer of the Revolution in the year 1809 at Lewiston, N.Y. whose house was burned when he & his wife was absent visiting a certain sick person about \frac{1}{2} mile distant. All the compensation I received for the 6 years I was in the army was not available for more than $25. when pay-day came I with many others paid no attention to it, the paper which we drew was of but little consequence as for instance when I was on the Frontier in a certain Barrack room there was 19 of us, we collected all the "shinplasters" we could, amounting according to the face of them to $1008. which was all put in a hat & I carried it to a certain old Scotch Lady who kept a kind of grocery, & all I could get for this amount was a half pint of Brandy which I carried to my quarters & then we rationed it out in a teaspoon so that all might get his share.
I knew nearly all the principle Officers of the Revolution Washington Lay Fayette & many other distinguished persons of the Army was in the habit of frequently dining at my Father's house during the War. After various misfortunes in life I commenced a kind of trade in salt to Canada & by this means I got considerably acquainted with many people of this Province & a short time before the breaking out of the war of 1812 I had moved to Niagara where it was well known that I was an old American Soldier, & not apprehending any trouble & it being difficult for me to leave my little effects, & being then an old man I concluded by taking no part in the war. I might remain unmolested, but in this I was mistaken, I was apprehended by one Major Kirby of the incorporated Mounted militia as I was returning from my labour with a hoe on my shoulder & they forced me to run before them \frac{1}{2} mile to the guard house threatening to blow out my brains, I was then sent across the lake to York where I was locked up in a cold filthy prison where I suffered incredible hardships for more than two years, during my imprisonment I endeavoured to acquaint the government of the U.S. of it but whether they ever received the intelligence or not I am unable to state. Many years ago while I was in the State of Indiana I received a letter from a friend of mine stating that Congress had granted a pension to the Soldiers of the Revolution & that I could draw mine on application, I immediately came to this Province for the purpose of disposing of some little property I owned here, calculating then to proceed to Washington for the purpose of obtaining this pension, but before I had got my little business accomplished I was seized with an inflammation which settled in my left knee which has made a perfect cripple of me ever since, almost entirely loosing the use of this leg, so that it is impossible for me to walk a single step without the assistance of a crutch. Combining this with the infirmities which has accumulated during the various privations hunger, cold, & fatigues of the Revolution, & the hard & cruel imprisonment in the late war all combining to render me a feeble helpless old man, & at this late period soliciting that assistance from the Government which I am sure they will not refuse to one who never shrunk from danger when the liberties of the country were in danger at stake, who fought, who bled, & who endured all the privations of the war for 6 long years, ever willing to sacrifice ease & enjoyment with all pecuniary considerations for my countrys good. I should have applied sooner for my pension but this place is mostly settled by old country people who feel a kind of delicacy in communicating with the Government of the United States. untill now I came across Isaac Hallock a citizen of that country

who has undertaken the business for me, who is on my behalf I have legally authorized to receive my pension and arrearages or any communication the government may think proper to make. Again for me to bring forward any living evidence to substantiate my claim at this late period would be impossible, as all that I knew any thing about has passed away, I can now only refer you to the rolls & documents of the Army in which I acted for proof of my assertions, humbly trusting that the government will be pleased to overlook what is impossible for me to prevent, remembering that this appeal is from an old Revolutionary Soldier.
Joel Bower
New Bedford, U.S. Joel Bower being duly sworn, before us Alexander Campbell Esquire, and P. F. Whitney Esquire two of her majesties Justices of the Peace in and for the District aforesaid, say that he is the person described in the above sketch, that the relations contained therein are perfectly true, to the best of his recollection, and that he has authorized Isaac Wallock to act in his behalf.
Sworn before us at Pickering in the District aforesaid this 17th day of December 1845
Alexander Campbell J.P. P. F. Whitney J.P.
The Right Honourable the Secretary of War of the United States Dear Sir. The accompanying sketch of the services of Joel Bower in the Revolutionary war is for the purpose or for the purpose of obtaining a pension which he supposes to be granted to the soldiers of the Revolution by the government of the United States. I felt a great diffidence knowing my inability & ignorance of the legal course to be pursued, but in the mean time I felt confident that the good sense of the government will excuse my inability, when vindicating the cause and acting in behalf of one whose services has a high claim on the considerations of our Country, he is a man who has ever sustained an unimpeachable reputation, of perfect sober steady habits & well respected by all who know him. By misfortune, by sickness & disease, & being far advanced in age, and reduced to the greatest poverty, with nothing but a bed of straw to lay upon, without food to subsist upon only as he is supplied by the hand of charity, and even without clothes to keep him from suffering with cold, a perfect cripple unable to get a mile from his humble cot, now solicits the aid of that government under whose banner it was once his greatest glory to serve, in whose defence he was ready to brave the greatest danger, & in whose cause he freely bled. for that pecuniary assistance which he entertains the firmest hope may be speedily administered. Let the most skeptical person converse with him but a few minutes with him and he will be convinced that he is that person he represents himself to be. In the course of the relations which I have sketched for him, he relates a great number of interesting incidents that transpired during the period of his services, which I deem unnecessary & even to profit to be communicated to answer the end desired. If on perusal & examination of these documents the government sees proper to grant the pension arrearages &c, they will be pleased if not possible to send it direct to me, or to any bank in this Province, let it if possible be payable to me in the City of Buffalo N.Y. We will gratefully anticipate an answer with as little delay as possible. remember the man is suffering for it. I am unacquainted with the proper person to direct this to, & even with the name of the present Secretary of War, therefore if it does not fall in the proper hands I trust you will speedily rectify the mistake by placing it where it should be & excuse my ignorance.
I am with sentiments of the highest respect in your obedient servant. Isaac Wallock.
Address to me, Pickering P.O. Home District 16th Dec. 1845. Canada West. via Lewiston N.Y.
From our personal knowledge of the aforesaid Joel Bower, we have no hesitation in stating it to be our firm belief, that he is the person he represents himself to be, and that he is reduced to the lowest degree of poverty.
Alexander Campbell J.P. P. F. Whitney J.P.

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832. Home District } Province of Canada } ss
On this twenty fourth day of January 1846 personally appeared before us A. Campbell and P. J. Whitney two of her majesty's justices of the Peace for said District. Joel Bower a resident of Pickering in the Home District and Province of Canada aged Eighty Three years the 20th of February next who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise time he entered the Army, neither can he positively state whether he enlisted, volunteered or under what particular form he entered the service, but according to the best of his recollections he entered the Government Artificers in the month of March in the year 1777 at New Windsor which was under the command of Capt. Samuel Chard Master Carpenter, but thinks he had no commission only acting as foreman, but thinks that Capt. Mackin who was trusted by us the "engineer" had a commission, states he saw one Capt. Moody frequently in company with Capt. Mackin but thinks he had nothing to do with the Artificers, & that the Capt. Moody afterwards had the command of a Company in the Artillery & remained in that station to the end of the war. He drew his arms & equipments from the Government stores & is sure that the Artificers were at this time a legally authorized branch of the Army but has no knowledge of their being at this time organized into companies with their officers & enlisted by the Pension Department. He was first engaged in resisting to put a chain across the river at New Windsor. Nearly all Artificers with whom he was associated was at the battle of Fort Montgomery on the 6th day of Oct 1777, and the only one of their party who escaped with him was Jeremiah Smith. James Thompson, Thomas Weston & several others of their party was taken prisoners, and but one ever lived to return his name was Scott Francis. During the engagement he was under the command of General James Clinton, whose head was nearly white as snow. His brother George was there with a small body of militia he does not recollect the names of any other officers at the fort at this time. This battle commenced he believes about the hour of 12 o'clock P.M. which was kept up the remainder of the day, the night being dark & a piece of wood standing but a short distance from the fort, prevented their discerning the British troops until they had mounted the wall, all the principal officers a few privates with himself escaped on the side of the fort next the river, the rest were all made prisoners, the British kept possession of the fort but three days before they evacuated & burned it. A cousin of his named Saml Jones perished in the flames as stated in the sketch forwarded to the department under date of Oct 12 of Dec last. Headquarters this winter '77 was at New Windsor. At the opening of the campaign of 1778 they were stationed at West Point where they were engaged in building Barracks Gun Carriages platforms &c. until they received orders to reinforce Gen. Washington's Army in New Jersey as Sir Henry Clinton was about to evacuate Philadelphia for the purpose of concentrating their forces in New York. They left West Point & marched to Cacaunt or such settlement in N.Y. thence they marched to Morristown in N.J. and then to the Hackinsack river, where they joined another party & then marched to the main Army, he was in the Monmouth battle but did not know the names of the officers, he was stationed on the right of the left wing of Clinton's Brigade, in this battle he was wounded by a dragoon, by having his two middle fingers cut off & the little finger nearly half off, from the same person he received another wound by an unhandy blow with the point of his sword passed through his left eye brow, at this instant the dragoon horse was shot through the head & fell dead at his feet, and as soon as he had recovered a little he drew his bayonet at his antagonist but Adjutant Johnson caught him by the shoulder saying "no murder here you young rogue the man cries for quarter" he was now ordered to the rear of the regiment, he saw a great number fall this day from the excessive heat, want of water &c. He is positive that General Washington & General Lee highly disagreed this day that Gen. Lee had badly arranged the left wing so that their plan was defeated and the British army gained the bridge. Gen. Washington this day was mounted on a captured enemy horse & he saw him ride from the extremity of one wing to the other with great velocity, he also stated that great indignation was felt by the army towards Gen. Lee for his bad management, in this battle. After the battle The next day he was conveyed a few miles with the rest of the wounded to a barn from there they were sent to Morristown where he remained until he had recovered of his wounds & then he returned again to the service at West Point where he remained until the campaign of '79 he then joined Colonel Haythorns Lewis with the intention of attacking New York, he states that a great number from the service at West Point joined him Lewis, that he was in the company commanded by Capt. Seth Marvin one Johnson was their Lieutenant, does not recollect the names of any other officers, this company was stationed at Fish kill, so when this plan was abandoned he returned again to West Point for winter quarters. At the opening of the campaign of '80 he joined Clinton's Brigade in the fifth battalion under command of Colonel Willett do not recollect the names of any other officers they crossed the river at West Point marched down to Kingsbury then recrossed the river & marched to Fort Lee where they remained a long time or until the execution of Major Andre. He then returned to West Point where he remained in the Artificers employed building wood boat repairing vessels that were engaged in the service &c. as there was no particular call in the campaign of '81 he did not leave he did not leave West Point. At the opening of the campaign of '82 he with 39 others was sent to the frontiers on the branches of the Delaware to number Colonel Shaulding's forces for the purpose of keeping the Indians in check who were making great distraction amongst the settlers in this section of the country. They marched to Goshen the county town of Orange County from there to the lower forks of the Delaware

where they gained Capt. Abram Westfalle Company Colonel Spaulding on the account of poor health left the service, and Colonel Wissenfelt took the command very soon after he joined this regiment the quartermaster was taken sick & left the army and by the recommendation of Bpt. Dodge to Colonel Spaulding he was appointed to this station in which he acted until he left the Army. Capt. Dodge did not belong to this regiment, but was acquainted with deponent. & was at that time on the frontier, cannot recollect to what company he belonged. This regiment was divided in companies & extended for 60 miles in length. in the fall of this campaign a large force of Indians came down and drove off a large drove of cattle belonging to the inhabitants. They pursued them & gave them battle but they were too numerous they were defeated & obliged to to retreat the company to which Deponent belonged was the only one out of the regiment which was in the battle, the greater part were militia, and they were commanded by one Capt. Wood of the Militia who was taken prisoner by the Indians, he does not remember the names of any other officers who were in this engagement. Deponent saith also that he was wounded in the left leg in this engagement that he laid under a log the following night, that from the great loss of blood he was so weak in the morning that he could scarcely raise himself, but by the greatest exertions he succeeded in crawling to the bank of the River where he fell in company with five others of the wounded, the name of one was Patterson, they constructed a kind of raft of logs &c and floated down the River until they came to the Settlement, and as soon as he got able to walk he got a furlough subject to return to the service at the shortest notice. He then went home to his parents in Orange County, and that in the following Spring they got information that the Army was to be disbanded, he then went to New Windsor and received his discharge from the Army, does not recollect by who his discharge was signed he thinks the time he received his discharge soon the best of his recollections was either the last of May or the first of June in the year 1783, deponent further saith that he was not employed in any civil pursuit from the time he first entered the service in March 1777 until he had received his discharge as above. Deponent further saith that he cannot from the fall of his memory state how it was, or under what particular form that he entered the different branches of the army, only as he supposes that he was detached from one company to another where his services were most needed, neither can he state for what period of time he first entered the service, but that he never was free from service until from the time he first entered until he received his discharge. He further states that his Discharge from the army was burned in the house of one Capt. Stephen Hopkins of Lewiston N.Y. whose house was burned in the year 1809. — That shortly after the war he settled in Ontario Co. N.Y. where he remained many years, & then being engaged in bringing Salt to Canada he lived in various places and for the past 14 yrs. in this township of Dickson Home District Canada. Deponent further says that he never before has applied for his pension and his reasons for not doing so, he states to be, that he never heard that there was a pension for him until about seven years ago while he was in the State of Indiana, that he then returned to this Province for the purpose of arranging his business so as to apply for his pension, but was taken very sick before he had accomplished his design, and that reduced to the lowest degree of poverty and made a perfect cripple by his illness he never found a person to vindicate his cause neither could he ever learn what steps were necessary to take for the purpose of obtaining it, and that from age weakness and debility it was impossible for him to act for himself and that now from his late increased bodily infirmities, he apprehends a possibility that he may not be in a situation of rendering further instructions in his case. Therefore he has authorized Isaac Hollock of this Township of Dickson, his agent in the settlement of this claim, trusting that he said Isaac Hollock will consummate his designs in this matter. Deponent further says that at the time he entered the service at New Windsor he was a resident of Orange Co. N.Y. he further says that he knows of no living evidence that he can bring forward to substantiate his services.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State. Again deponent says as a further reason for not applying for his pension that he had understood that it would be required of him to bring forward two living evidences to prove his services by, that he has embraced every opportunity in making enquiry for such, but was always informed that they were not living and finally he had come to the conclusion that it would be useless to make application, until Isaac Hollock suggested the idea that it was not required or believe it won't not be in his case. Since taking the above, deponent says that he has called to his recollection the names of the following officers that commanded in the 5th battalion of Connecticut Brigade at the period that he deponent was in the battalion. Capt. Hamtramck a French Gentleman. Capt. Steward a Scotch Gentleman.

Capt. De Bois, an Irishman, Capt. Vanderburgh, also an Irishman, Capt. Dodge, an Englishman, and Adjutant Johnson, a Scotchman. That after he left this battalion the five battalions were reduced to three.
Yours Boer
Sworn and subscribed to before us the 20 th day of Jan y 1864
P. H. Whitney, Esq.
Alexander Campbell Esq.
In the aforesaid Testimony, do hereby declare our opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served in the states, - and we for this state. That it is the opinion generally entertained by the inhabitants of this part of the country, - who have been acquainted with him for a number of years that he is what he here declares himself to be
P. H. Whitney, Esq.
Alexander Campbell Esq.

Canada Home District to wit
I, George Gurnett, of the City of Toronto Esquire Clerk of the Peace for the said District, do hereby Certify that Paul L t Whitney of the Township of Muting and Alexander Campbell of the Township of Pickering Esquires are two of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace duly qualified, according to Law to act within the said Home District, and I do verily believe that the names "P. L t Whitney J.P." and "Alexander Campbell J.P." to the annexed Instrument written, are the proper and genuine signatures of the said Paul L t Whitney and Alexander Campbell
Given under my hand and Seal of Office at Toronto this twenty sixth day of January in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and forty six.
[Signature]
Clerk of the Peace, Home District

Pickering Jan. 24 th 1846. Honorable J. D. Edwards.
Sir In executing the requisite proof to the Declaration of Joel Bower according to the Regulations issued from the Pension department we have followed the course of these regulations as near as the forms of this government will admit of, and the present state of his health, there is no officer of any court or Record nearer than the City of Toronto which is full 26 miles distant and since I transmitted the informal statement under date of 16 or 17 of Dec. last he has been in a very poor state of health so much so that I think it would endanger his life to take him in his present situation that distance, and his memory even in this short period of time seems materially changed.
Before I concluded to act as agent for him I very particularly examined him respecting his services in the war, so as not to be found vindicating the cause of an impostor or one whose claim might be considered doubtful, although I discovered that from age and bodily infirmities he had utterly forgotten many things that went on of great importance in assisting his claim, but at the same time I conceived that the plausibility of his relations which he distinctly remembered were such as to entitle him to the consideration of a grateful country.
There is an error which we have discovered in the statement made to the department dated 16 Dec last occurring in the campaign of '92 where it was stated a "large force of Indians" or a "large drove of cattle" when the words 'large' in both cases should have been 'small' which when attested to was not discovered by Mr Bower. There are several incidents related in this former statement which we have now omitted for brevity considering them of but little use, but in the mean time if on reexamination they are such as may prove serviceable in assisting his claim you will see that they have been attested to before the Legal Authorities of the Country.
If the thing had been possible to have had the affidavit of Mr Bower taken before some Judge or higher officers of the Country I should have done it but he is not able to sit up ten minutes at a time and the Justices have been obliged to go to his rustic mansion to accomplish the object. Therefore taking the whole situation of the affair into consideration we trust the Government will not consider the course we have taken objectionable. Therefore we now respectfully submit the case to your consideration humbly soliciting a speedy action on the subject.
I am Sir with sentiments of the highest Respect your obedient Servant.
Isaac Wallock
P.S. I beg pardon for this awkward little given as at the time of writing the above I apprehended Mr Edwards Esq. to be the Secretary of War which was not known to be correct. He probably is.

Reported.
Letter to Isaac Hallock Octo 7. 46.
343 32. 500 New York - Al Joel Bower of _____ in the State of New York who was a Private in the _____ company & Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Weisenfeldt in the line for 9 months 27 days. 7. "
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany, N. Y. at the rate of 30 - Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 7th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Augt. 1846 _____ and sent to Isaac Hallock, of Pickering, U. Canada Bureau. Arrears to the 1 st of March, 1846. $453.30 Pension allowance ending 4 Sept. '46. 15.00
$468.48
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Elw Robinson Clerk, Book E. 2. Vol. 4, Page 8
Joel Bower ms 37052 N York Letter to Isaac Hallock Jany 12 1846 Letter to Cook, April 18/46 Letter to J. Hallock June 23 rd 46 to same July 24. 1846 7th June 1832

29 020 INVALID.
File No. 29,020
Joel Bower Ph. Rev. Nat.
Act: June 7 th 82 4
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 45
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Class in Office
James Wallock, Esq. Pickering St. Catharines, Ont. New York } Upper Canada

War Office, July 24 th 1846.
Sir,
In reply to yours of the 16 th inst.) in the case of Joel Power, you are informed that all claimants are entitled to personal interview upon the subject matter of their claims, respectively with the Officers of the Department, who are bound by duty and impelled by inclination, to afford them every opportunity and facility to establish them. The alleged service in Haysburns, Willetts and Weisenfels Regiments of the New York Troops, should be sustained by the certificate of the Comptroller of New York. The service in the Corps of Artificers is discredited by the rolls.
I am, Sir,
Very respectfully, Your W. Servt. J. L. Edwards
Isaac Wallock, Esq. Pickering via Lewistown, New York Upper Canada.

Jan 28, 1846
Historical of Joe Bowie
12 Jan 28 1846 Comptroller Print 2846
Original

Saverton 20 th Jan y 1846
H. S. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir, To the request of a poor old Revolutionary Soldier I herewith enclose you his statement of services rendered during the Revolution. — He resides in the interior of Canada and from his helpless situation I suppose it almost impossible for him to appear before a court of Records. And if he could he has no records as except what the Rolls of the army in the war office will furnish. — Will you have the kindness to inform me if any thing can be done for him —
I am Sir, Very Respectfully
Sethus Brooks
P.S. I was acquainted with Banner in the year 1778 and have seen him once or twice since. I believe he is a man of veracity.

from N.Y. via of South Amboy to Philadelphia Steam Boat to Baltimore through Canal.
Hotels near the water
at Washington
Temple House right here 2 blocks up from the Depot Mr Beals.

Job Beman
1777 Entered the Artificers in the month of March at New Windsor, Capt. Mackin was the only one who he can recollect that he believes had a commission, although he was termed "engineer." was at the Battle of Fort-Montgomery. The artificers were drilled by drill Sergeants from the Regulars the name of one was Charles McKinney. 1778 Was stationed at West Point, was with a detachment under Lieutenant Rose that was sent to reinforce Gen. Washington's Army in N.J. was at the battle of Monmouth where he received two wounds from a dragoon. 1779. N.Y. He entered the Levy Regiment of Colonel Haythorn for this campaign in the Company of Capt. Seth Marvin 1780. N.Y. He joined the 5th battalion of Clinton's Brigade for this campaign commanded by Colonel Willett in the Company of Capt. De Bois who was absent from duty on account of poor health. Was present at the execution of Major Andre. 1781. Was in the Artificers 1782 N.Y. Joined the Levy Regiment of Colonel Spaulding afterwards commanded by Colonel Widenfelt in the Company Capt. Abram Westfall. was in an engagement with the Indians & was wounded by a shot. received his discharge in the Spring following —

Payment to be made at Albany, N. Y.
by Thos. W. Olcott-
53.33 1.44 54.77
Agent for paying Pension- ers in the Agency of
Albany, N. Y.
increased mo 16.13 3/4 54.77
deduct what has been paid —
Isaac Hallock Pickett U. S. Land Office, in Book E. 2 Vol. 4 - Page 8 by New York City
Chas. Pen: C. M. Robinson Clerk. Office —

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Joel Bower of New York who was a Private in Weisenfeldt's Regiment is entitled to receive Thirty Twenty - two - cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 14 th - day of August - one thousand eight hundred and forty - six.
H. L. Marray Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. {
J. S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

Pickering Sept. 14th. 1846.
Sir
Enclosed is the Comptroller's Certificate for the services of Joel Bower in Colonel Willetts Regiment. A Pension Certificate was issued on the 14th Aug. last. for services in Waisenfeldt's Regiment also you informed me it included services in Colonel Haythorn's. but from the best of my recollections the amount of Credit mentioned in the other certificate differs from an amount mentioned in a letter from the Comptroller that accompanied the enclosed certificate to me, he say "we find his name under Capt. Seth Marvin. Colonel John Haythorn in 1779. £3.0.5. other services may appear on examination" whether this be the same contained in the former certificate you will know on comparison, & if not, it is likely to make any material difference I will procure the Comptroller's certificate for it, and send to you or the above remark might have been made on account of his the Dept. Comptroller being absent when the certificate in Aug. was procured & his having no knowledge of it.
I beg the indulgence of once more calling your attention to his services in the Artificers. although the claim has been examined, still I am confirmed in the idea that a reexamination may place the thing in quite a different light. I provably should not have again renewed this subject again if I had not had the privilege of examining the Books at Albany where I found his whole statement so perfectly correct. the names of all the Officers as well as Privates just as he had stated, with many other corresponding circumstances. Now in the first place he states that his service was performed in four different Corps of the Revolutionary Army three out of the four he fully sustains according to his declaration in the most definite particulars. And the question very naturally arises how is it possible for him to be so mistaken about his services in the Artificers. While in this part of the Army he was in the Battle of Fort Montgomery and also the Monmouth Battle where he was severely wounded the marks of which time will never erase.

although he might not even at the time have known that they were organized into companies yet let it be remembered that he was but a boy of 14 yrs old that a degree of heedlessness might have been the cause of his not understanding in reality the true position of this part of the Army: or is there not a possibility that he belonged to a party that was not organized into the Regiment. The Comptroller Mr Flagg gave me the name of a Colonel who he said had the command of a Regiment of Artificers, but Bowers says he is quite sure he had nothing to do with the company to which he belonged.
While on our return in the cars between Trenton and Jersey City he remarkably pointed out  to the very place where he marched when going to Monmouth. He showed in what direction it was where the battle was fought and gave many other particulars, which was asserted to be correct by those who were acquainted with that part of the country, although he had never before been in that part of the State. He also pointed out the particular places along the Hudson River where most of the important events of the revolution had transpired. He showed us the very spot where he assisted to put the Cheasapeake across the River where he was engaged in repairing vessels and finally where the whole of his services had been performed (except the last campaign in the Warrenton Regiment) It was remarked by a certain Judge who had long listened to his relations. "That is seemed more like the narration of one who had risen from the dead, than one who had survived to this late period & now rehearsing to us the events of that important era as correctly as correctly as we now heard them". Again at the time I first see him & commenced a correspondence in his behalf, he had laid sick for a number of years & reduced to the lowest degree of poverty. we were perfectly ignorant of every proceeding necessary to be taken, and when he mentioned his services in the artificers I had no knowledge of such a company being associated with the army, I used his own provincialism & called them "artificials" no minor consideration could ever have induced me to have exposed my ignorance as effectually as I have done & apprehends I should do from the very commencement but we owe them a debt of gratitude and one that should be cherished by every citizen of the union and it was from this consideration

That caused me at first to vindicate his claim and it is from the same impulse that induces me again to solicit a reexamination of this part of his services. That from the sincerity of his statements combined with his character for truth & veracity there never has been a doubt left on the mind of any person who has conversed with him as to the truth of his declarations. I anticipated that he would have been admitted to a personal examination at the department as I had understood from former advice. where I was sure he would have satisfactorily sustained this part of his services. But as this was not the case, & the amount already obtained is not adequate to his necessity, and the only alternative now left is to solicit a reexamination of his case which under the more plausible pretext of his having satisfactorily proved threefourths of his declaration to be true, will place the fourth in quite a different light. He often asserts that he wishes for nothing but what the law of the country has granted and as far as that has made appropriations to his benefit he wishes to share its indulgence -
J. D. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
I am with sentiments of the highest respect sir your obedient servant Isaac Hallock Pickering Canada via. Lewiston Me.
P.S. J. Bowers wishes me to solicit an early attention to his case as he thinks of removing to some of the Western States if this affair can be concluded before the season is so far spent. yours &c I. H.

Payment to be made at Albany by J. W. Alcott Agent for paying Pension- ers in the Agency of New York
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E 2 Vol. 11 Page 3 by D. H. Wood Clerk. Duplicate.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, the pension of Joel Bower of New York who was a Private in the Revolution and pensioned at $30. 22 / 100 per annum is entitled to receive increased to $54. 77 / 100 dollars and _____ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year, deducting all former payments.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 30th day of October one thousand eight hundred and forty- six.
Secretary of War.
Examined and { Countersigned. {
Commissioner of Pensions.
Duplicate.

Oct. 20. 1846
Bedford
Dear Brown
for new year
Widow of Miss H. C. Hill Mr. J. D. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions Washington U. S.

Pickering Oct. 14th. 1846
Sir
Enclosed is the Pension certificate of Joel Bower. returned according to instruction for the purpose of receiving the increase or pay for 7 m. 14 d. in Colonel Willetts Regiment.
I am Sir Your most Obedient Servant
Isaac Hallock
Pickering Canada
G. D. Edwards Esqr Comm. of Pensions
W. Lewis N.Y.

see Nathan
July 23 '46.
Att. J. D. Edwards Esqr Pension Office Washington
Adet
H.
Joel Bower Canada, or New York.

Pickering 16th July 1846
Mr J. D. Edwards Esqr
Sir
The decision of the Pension Office in the case of Joel Bower was duly received, and being confident that the Government requires only to be thoroughly convinced that the applicant is no impostor. And in order to effect this I would solicit on his behalf that you would be pleased to admit him to a personal examination at the department. Where he is willing to undergo a most scrutinising examination on the merits of his then services
I deem myself somewhat in the fault of his case being so perfectly ignorant of Military logic that I have conveyed his statements in rather an unintelligible form - and from my indefiniteness understanding what was required by the department
The decision of his case has called forth the sympathy of several of the highly respectable inhabitants of this country who thought it best to have him immediately conveyed to Washington that he might answer for himself but I conceived it prudent before such a step was taken to enquire of you whether you would be pleased to admit him to a personal examination, & to solicit your answer as soon as possible as it will be necessary that he should perform the journey before the commencement of the cold weather - I am Sir with sentiments of respect
Your obedient servant
Isaac Hallock
On the opposite page I have sketched a little addition to his statement that may throw a little more light on the case
I. H.

1777. joined the artificers he thinks during the war believes that Mackin was a Commissioned Capt. although they termed him "engineer" but states he always had the command of the artificers to the end of the war. They were drilled by drill sergants from the Regulars the name of one was Charles McKinney, he thinks the name of the Capt. who commanded the party that was sent to Fort Montgomery was Thomas Horton who was taken prisoner & did not live to return -
1778. When they were sent to reinforce Washingtons army in New Jersey they were commanded by Lieutenant Rose -
1779 He entered the company of Capt. Seth Marvin in Colonel Haythorns levies for this campaign -
1780 He entered for this campaign in the 5th battallion of Clintons brigade, commanded by Colonel Willet in the company of Capt. De Bois who was not on duty on account of poor health
1781 Was in the artificers
1782 He joined for this campaign the levy regiment of Colonel Spaulding, & afterwards commanded by Colonel Wisenfelt. in the company of Capt Abram Westfall, Serjant George Hall commanded the party when they were sent to the frontier to join the regiment
(He says that the 3 campaigns of '79-'80 & '82 he only entered for those particular campaigns & whether designated by a certain no. of months or the active operations of the army he is unable to state but is sure the term of service expired with the close of the campaigns. The campaign of '82 he thinks was 9 mo. but is not distinct in his recollection

April 11, 1846,
Pickering Can. Apr 3/46.
Isaac Hallock.
Has decl n of Joel Bower been rec d ? ?-
A112. Recd Apr 10/44
M o ron Office
Joel Bower

Pickering Home District Canada West April 3 rd 1846.
Hon. Wm. L. Marcy Sir
The Declaration of Joel Bower was made out on the 24 th day of Jan. last & mailed two or three days afterwards and as yet we have received no intelligence respecting it.
Mr Bower has been urging me to write, & I have put him off for some time, untill I begin to apprehend that either the Declaration or the answer has got mislaid.
I enclosed the Declaration to you. I intended to have sent it to Mr Edwards, but a Merchant from Rochester informed me that that he was nothing more than a Clerk in the office, & that you was the proper one to direct to. Therefore if I have erred it has been for being misinformed. The health of Mr Bower has considerably improved since we sent the Declaration, and he feels very anxious to hear from there.
In the letter to the Declaration I mentioned an error in the 10 th statement; there is yet an other in the name of the River called the "Hackensack" it is not the Hackensack but a River South of Morristown, at the time I first took it down he was at quite a loss to recollect the the name of the River, & I mentioned the name Hackensack not knowing in what part of the state it was, & the name being fresh in his memory he thought that to be it, but on looking on an atlas I see he was mistaken I inquired of him he says the River he means was South of Morristown.
His reasons for the delay or for not applying sooner for his pension, I find on inquiry can be thoroughly substantiated, for and I believe if I had not assisted him he never would have got any other person too.
The impression in the minds of the people was (as with him)

Pickering Home District Canada West April 3 rd 1846.
Hon. Wm. L. Marcy Sir
The Declaration of Joel Bower was made out on the 24 th day of Jan. last & mailed two or three days afterwards and as yet we have received no intelligence respecting it.
Mr Bower has been urging me to write, & I have put him off for some time, untill I begin to apprehend that either the Declaration or the answer has got mislaid.
I enclosed the Declaration to you. I intended to have sent it to Mr Edwards, but a Merchant from Rochester informed me that that he was nothing more than a Clerk in the office, & that you was the proper one to direct to. Therefore if I have erred it has been for being misinformed. The health of Mr Bower has considerably improved since we sent the Declaration, and he feels very anxious to hear from there.
In the letter to the Declaration I mentioned an error in the 10 th statement, there is yet an other i.e. the name of the River called the "Hackensack" it is not the Hackensack but a River South of Morristown, at the time I first took it down he was at quite a loss to recollect the the name of the River, & I mentioned the name Hackensack not knowing in what part of the state it was, & the name being fresh in his memory he thought that to be it, but on looking on an atlas I see he was mistaken I enquired of him he says the River he means was South of Morristown.
His reasons for the delay or for not applying sooner for his pension, I find on inquiry can be thoroughly substantiated, for and I believe if I had not assisted him he never would have got any other person too.
The impression in the minds of the people was (as with him)

That he won't have to prove his claim by producing evidence and there also appears to be a kind of lack of confidence in the minds of many people here as regards the payment of such claims even if well substantiated, all these causes have had a tendency to keep the thing back,
He wished me to make a further inquiry whether the law did not grant him payment for his services independent of the pension.
I am perfectly ignorant of the correct proceedings to be taken, therefore I hope you will direct the course to be taken, & how, if any thing further is requisite,
If the papers have come to hand and you are not prepared to give a decision immediately be pleased to drop a line stating the same as it won't give him great satisfaction to know that the affair was not laid one side.
I am Sir with sentiments of the highest Respect, sir your obedient Servant.
Isaac Hallock
Pickering P.O.
Home District
Canada
via Lauriston

Joel Bower Private Weisenfeldt's Regt. 9 mo. 2 days $30: 22 per an Act 7 June '32 Albany Roll
Cut: to Isaac Hallock of Pickering, Upper Canada, Present

Adolph Joel Bowen N.Y. (Canada) 32.
Isaac Hallock Prest. Aug 14 '66

Joel Bowers name was found in book 7. page 77. which stood under Colonel Brakes Regiment but at the side of the page was written in pencil "Levies that joined the 5 th N.Y. Brig. under Col. Willett" The person who made said note was absent.
35163. Joel Bowers 19. 18. 2- Dec. 15-1780.

Joel Bowers name was found in book 7. page 77. which stood under Colonel Brakes Regiment but at the side of the page was written in pencil "Levies that joined the 5 th N.Y. Brig. under Colenl. Willett" The person who made said note was absent.
35163. Joel Bowers 19. 18. 2- Dec. 15-1780.

Sept 16 47 Enquiry resp'd Lord Roxas reason
In at.
Edwards Esq.
Comptroller of Printing
Washington

Scituate N. Y. September 10 th 1847
J. J. Edwards Esq r
Dear Sir,
Joel Baneer A poor old decrepid Revolutionary pensioner of the United States called on me and says the Agents who draw his pension (Isaac Hallack) had refused to inform him what amount he received, or any thing concerning the amount drawn, Will you do the old man the kindness to write me and if not too much trouble give me a statement of the amount he received on Baneer's Power of Attorney in order that he may be enabled to oblige him to settle with him -
I am Very Respectfully your obed t Serv t J. Nathaniel Cooke

House of Representatives
Dec 19. 1846
Sir
I must ask you to peruse the enclosed letter from Mr. Hallock, long as it is; and that you will return it to me at your convenience. I know nothing of the case, beyond his statements, but I presume you intended to allow Mr. Bower as much as the facts and the law would justify. I would enquire if he was not entitled to back pay and whether any was allowed to him.
I remain Sir
Respectfully & truly Yours
W. Hunt
Col. Edwards
Com. of Pensions.
I would be glad to have you suggest whether any thing further can be done for the old soldiers.

June 22 nd 46
Bower Ivel Brown NY 32 St Canada Care
Mr. J. D. Edwards Esq. of the Pension office Washington U.S.

Pickering Home District Canada W. June 15th. 1845.
Sir
The Declaration Of Joel Bower was executed on the 24th day of Jan. last & mailed 2 or 3 days afterwards. and just at the moment I was enclosing it to you (as we all supposed that you was the Sect.) a merchant from Rochester told me what the Detention was & informed me that I must direct it to him, he appeared to be a man of good understanding, & I done as he advised without giving the idea a moments consideration. But on reflection I believe that each Office in the Department must have its principle manager, and if so I certainly have committed an error by not forwarding it to you. but I trust that your superior good sense will pardon an error when committed so unintentionally as I done that. I also mailed a letter explaining the thing on the 3rd of April but receiving no intelligence from either the Declaration or the enquiry. I am induced again to solicit attention to the case. if the Declaration is not correctly done we will do it over again, if more proof is required, or if his personal appearance is necessary (although scarcely possible for him to endure the journey) be pleased to inform us. or if he is not entitled to the benefit of the Law I would take it very kind to be informed as I have lent him the assistance from charitable motives or if an action on his case requires time a moments writing would convey the information to us. Therefore I beg you would be pleased to drop us a line giving us some information in the case immediately
I am Sir with sentiments of
J. D. Edwards Esq
Respect your obedient Servt. Isaac Hallock

In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent. per annum, viz:
  15 th Dec. 1780 Joel Bowen Prin £ 19 18 2    
STATE OF NEW-YORK,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, 7 th Apr. 1846.
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 7, now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz:
 First—under Capt.  Levis, that joined the 5 th of Y Regt. Regt.  Second " —  under Col. Willets "  Third " " " " "  Fourth " " " " "  Fifth " " " " "  Sixth " " " " "  Seventh " " " " "  Eighth " " " " "  Ninth " " " " "  Tenth " " " " "  Eleventh " " " " "  Twelfth " " " " " 
Philip Phelps Comptroller

In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of the Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent. per annum, viz:
  1782 Dec 26 3979 Doct Brown 20 19 6   1779 Nov 21 1022 " 2 5 
STATE OF NEW-YORK,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, August 13 1846.
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 1 now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz:
  Second Regt under Capt. Abraham Westfall in Lt. Col. Wilpenfels Regt.   First Second " " De Witt Mervin " " John H. H. H. H. "   Third " " " " J. C. Hagg, Capt. "   Fourth " " " " "   Fifth " " " " "   Sixth " " " " "   Seventh " " " " "   Eighth " " " " "   Ninth " " " " "   Tenth " " " " "   Eleventh " " " " "   Twelfth " " " " " 

A copy of a sketch of the military services of Joel Bowler in the U.S. Army during the war of the Revolution, as transmitted to the Secretary of War the 17th December 1845.
I was born in South Hampton Old England 20th Feb. 1763. I was about 8 yrs. old when my Father whose name was Phineas immigrated to America, he first settled on Long Island but at the commencement of the Revolution he moved up the North River & settled in Orange County. I was about this time apprenticed to Capt. Samuel Chard master Carpenter, in the beginning of the year '77 he entered himself 3 sons & 2 apprentices in the Government Artificials at New Windsor, we drew our arms and accoutrements, & were at the battle & storming of Fort Montgomery which was kept up during the remainder part of the day, & under cover of the darkness of the night they succeeded in mounting the wall, before we discovered them, all the principle Officers & a few privates including myself made our escape by a passage out of the Fort next to the River. This was a place unknown to the British, the rest were made prisoners. The British kept the fort but 3 days before they evacuated & burned it. A cousin of mine who at this time lay sick in the fort & not being able to make his escape & his comrades was prohibited the privilege of lending him assistance, he was burned to death, his name was Samuel Jones. Our quarters this winter '77 was at New Windsor. In the spring of '78 we were stationed at West Point where we were engaged in building barracks gun batteries, platforms &c and were constantly equipped for the common defence, & as liable to be ordered to battle as the regular Army. Sometime in the forepart of the month of June of this year we received orders to reinforce General Washington's Army then in New Jersey as Sir Henry Clinton was about to evacuate Philadelphia for the purpose of concentrating their forces in New York. We joined a party on the Hackinsack River and then marched hastily down & joined the main body, in a very short time the British army made their appearance & a desperate battle ensued called the Monmouth battle. I was on the right of the left wing in Clinton's Brigade. I stood in the front rank, where we sustained a tremendous cannonade as well as a heavy fire of musketry for a considerable time, we then were impetuously charged by the Dragoons, & in their second charge a dragoon aimed a deadly blow at my head which would have instantly killed me, but I raised my musket in front to shield my head which caused his sword to glance, and cut off my 2 middle fingers & my little finger about half off. This was my right hand which was holding on the small of my gun, & it has been very much disabled ever since, as he was then passing me he struck an underhanded blow at my head & the point of his sword passed through my left eyebrow which made a deep incission & considerably stunned me, at this instant his horse was shot through the head & fell dead at my feet, as I recovered from the last blow I received, I drew my bayonet & would have terminated his existence had not Adjutant Johnson caught me by the shoulder & bade me desist saying "no murder here you young rogue the man cries for quarter" I was now ordered to the rear of the regiment the next day we were conveyed a few miles to a barn which was used as a kind of temporary hospital, from this place we were sent to Morristown & there I remained until I had recovered of my wounds so as to join the Service again at West Point where I remained until the Campaign of 1779. We then joined Colonel Matthews' Lives with the intention of attacking New York. Thousands of troops were here at this time & a larger number of militia was collected on this occasion than I see at any one place during the war, but the plan was defeated on the account of Count De Estaignes not being able to get one of his largest ships over the bar at Sandy Hook to cooperate with the land forces so the enterprise was abandoned, and when this campaign closed we returned again to West Point. At the opening of the Campaign in the spring of '80 I joined Clinton's Brigade in the 5th Battalion under command of Colonel Willet, we crossed the river at West Point & marched down to Kings Ferry then recrossed the river & marched to Fort Lee where we remained a long time or until Major Andre was taken prisoner & executed, we then returned to West Point, where I remained employed as formerly until the spring of '82 when I with 39 others of the Artificials was sent to the frontier on the branches of the Delaware to reinforce

Colonel Spaulding for the purpose of keeping the Indians in check who were making great havoc amongst the settlers, very soon after we joined Colonel Spauldings forces the Quarter Master of the Regiment was taken sick & left the army & by the recommendation of Capt. Dodge to Colonel Spaulding I was appointed to this station in which I acted until I left the Army. In the Fall of this Campaign a large force of Indians came down upon the settlers & drove off a large drove of their cattle we pursued them & gave them battle, but they were so numerous for us we were defeated & obliged to retreat, I received a shot in this engagement which passed through my left leg about midway from the foot to the knee I laid under a log the following night, in the morning from the great loss of blood I was scarcely able to raise myself, but with the greatest exertion I succeeded in crawling to the bank of the river, where I fell in company with five others of the wounded where we fixed a kind of raft of old logs &c. and floated down the river until we came to the settlements where we were taken care of, & as soon as I got able to walk I got a furlough subject to return to the army at the shortest notice. I then went home to my parents in Orange County, where I remained until the next season, when we got the news that the army was to be disbanded, I then went to New Windsor and received my discharge from the army.
My Discharges with many other valuable things that I possessed was burned at the House of Capt. Stephen Hopkins an officer of the Revolution in the year 1809 at Lewiston N.Y. whose house was burned when he & his wife was absent visiting a certain sick person about \frac{1}{2} a mile distant.
I received as a compensation for the blys I was in the army an amount not available for more than $25. when pay-day came I with many others paid no attention to it the paper which we drawed was of but little consequence, for instance when I was on the frontier in a certain barrack room there was 19 of us we collected all the "Shinplasters" we could, amounting according to the face of them to $1008. it was all put in a hat, & I carried it to a certain old Scotch Lady who kept a kind of grocery, & all I could get for this amount was a half pint of brandy which I carried to my quarters, & then we rationed it out in a teaspoon so that all might have a share.
I know nearly all the head Officers of the Revolution, Washington, Fayette, & many other distinguished officers of the Army was in the habit of frequently dining at my Fathers house during the War.
After various misfortunes through life I commenced a kind of trade in salt to Canada, & by this means I got a considerably acquainted with many people of this province, and prior to the breaking out of the war of 1812 I had moved to Niagara where it was generally known that I was an old American Soldier, & not apprehending any trouble, & it being difficult for me to leave my little effects, & being then an old man I concluded by taking no part in the war I ought remain unmolested, but in this I was mistaken, I was apprehended by one Major Kirby of the incorporated mounted militia as I was returning from my labour with a hoe on my shoulder & they forced me to run before them \frac{1}{2} mile to the guard house threatening to blow my brains out, I was then sent across the lake to York where I was locked up in a cold filthy prison where I suffered incredible hardships for 25 months, during my confinement I endeavoured to acquaint the Government of the United States of my imprisonment, but whether they ever received the intelligence or not I am unable to say.
Many years ago while I was in the State of Indiana I received a letter from a friend of mine stating that Congress had granted a pension to the Soldiers of the Revolution, & that I could draw mine on application, I immediately came to this Province for the purpose of disposing of some little property I owned here, calculating then to proceed to Washington for the purpose of obtaining this pension, but before I had got my little business accomplished I was seized with an Inflammation which settled in my left knee which has made me a perfect cripple ever since, almost entirely loosing the use of this leg, so that it is impossible for me to walk a single step without the assistance of a crutch. Combining this with the infirmities which has accumulated during the various privations, hunger, cold & fatigues of the Revolution, & the hard & cruel imprisonment in the late war, all combining to render me a feeble helpless old man, and at this late period soliciting that assistance from the government which I am sure they will not refuse to one who never shrunk from danger when the liberties of the country were at stake, who fought who bled, & who endured all the privations of the war for 6 long years, ever willing to sacrifice ease & enjoyment with all pecuniary considerations for my countrys good.

I should have applied for my pension several years ago, but this place is mostly settled with Old Country people who feel a kind of delicacy in communicating with the Government of the United States especially on a subject of this kind until now I came across Isaac Hallock a citizen of that country, who I have persuaded to undertake the business for me, who I have legally authorised to receive my pension and arrearages or any compensation the government may think proper to make. For me to bring forward any living evidence to substantiate my claim at this late period would be impossible as all that I knew any thing about has passed away, and I can now only refer you to the roll & documents of the different armys in which I acted for proof of my assertions, humbly trusting that the Government will be pleased to overlook what is out of my power to prevent remembering that this appeal is from an old revolutionary soldier.
Signed { Joel Bower
Home District to wit { Joel Bower being duly sworn before me P. F. Whitney and Campbell two of her majesties justices of the peace for said District says that he is the person described in the above sketch & that the relations contained therein are perfectly true according to the best of his recollections & that he has authorised Isaac Hallock to act in his behalf.
Signed at Pickering this 17th Dec. 1845. Signed { P. F. Whitney J.P. of Campbell J.P.
To the Honourable the Secretary of War of the U.S.
Dear Sir. The accompanying sketch of the services of Joel Bower is for the purpose of obtaining a pension which he supposes to be granted to the soldiers of the revolution by the government of the U.S. I felt a great diffidence knowing my inability & ignorance of the legal course to be pursued but in the meantime I feel confident that the good sense of the government will excuse my inability, when vindicating the cause or acting in behalf of one whose services has a high claim on the considerations of our country, he is a person of steady & sober habits, but by misfortunes, by sickness & distaste, & being far advanced in age, & reduced to the lowest degree of poverty, with nothing but a bed of straw to lie upon, without food to subsist upon only as he is supplied by the hand of charity, & even without clothes to keep him from suffering with cold a perfect cripple, unable to get half a mile from his humble cot. now solicits the aid of that government under whose banner, & in whose defence he was ready to brave the greatest dangers, & in whose cause he freely bled for that pecuniary assistance which he entertains the firmest hope may be speedily administered. Let the most skeptical person converse but a few minutes with him & he will be convinced that he is the person that he represents himself to be, in the course of his relations which I have sketched for him he relates a great number of interesting incidents that transpired during the period of his services which I deem unnecessary & even too prolix to be communicated to answer the end desired. If on perusal & examination of his case the government sees proper to grant the pension arrearages &c. they will be pleased if not possible to send direct to me, let it be payable in the City of Buffalo we will gratefully anticipate an answer with as little delay as possible, remember the man is suffering for the want of it.
I am unacquainted with the proper person to direct this to & even with the name of the present Secretary of War therefore if it does not fall in the proper hands I trust you will speedily rectify the mistake by placing it where it should be. Communications addressed to me Pickering P.O. Home District Canada West. I am Sir with sentiments of the highest respect your Obedient Servant
Pickering 16th Dec. 1845.
Isaac Hallock
From our personal knowledge of Joel Bower we have no hesitation in stating it to be our firm belief that he is the person he represents himself to be & that he is reduced to the lowest degree of poverty
Signed { P. F. Whitney J.P. of Campbell J.P.

Mr L. Cook Esq.
Pickering 17 th Jan. 1846
Sir Sir By the recommendation of Mr Joseph Tomlinson Esq. of Markham I have been induced to transmit to you the within sheets being a copy of what I sent to Washington, or at least intended for that purpose but apprehending that the peculiar loyalty of some of the Provincial Postmasters may have led them to intercept the letter being as it was directed to the secretary of war, & at a time when there was a great excitement in the country from occasioned by the President's Message and get your advice in the business, as Mr Tomlinson informs me that your Father while living was a Government Agent for the settlement of such claims, & that of course you can tell us what steps are necessary to take it has been intimated by some that he will have to make his personal appearance, although there is a possibility of getting him there it would be a considerable undertaking in his feeble weak & decrepit state, as well as attended with a considerable expense because he must undoubtedly have debts which he certainly is very destitute of at present besides other necessaries he seems very solicitous if the thing can possibly be arranged any other way that it should be, it has been a great number of years since he was able to get out of the immediate neighbourhood in which he lives & during this period has not been able to get the information of what steps were necessary to be taken to obtain his pension therefore if you will be pleased to write and explain what steps should be taken in the case you will not only confer a great favour on an old Revolutionary Soldier but bring me under the greatest obligations I am Sir Your obedient Servant
Isaac Walton

Copy of the Declaration of Joel Bower as transmitted to the Secretary of War. Jan. 1846
Mailed in Toronto the 29 Jan.

Copy of the  Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. None District } ss. Province of Canada }
On this 24th day of January 1846 personally appeared before us P. F. Whitney and A Campbell two of the Magistrates Justices of the peace for said District. Joel Bower a resident of Picking None District and Province of Canada, aged eighty three years the 20th of Feb. next. Who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, that he cannot swear positively as to the precise time that he entered the service, neither can he recollect under what particular form he entered, whether drafted volunteered or enlisted but according to the best of his recollections he entered the Government Artificers at New Windsor in the month of March 1777, which was under command of Capt Sam l . Chard Master carpenter but thinks he had no Commission, but thinks that one Capt. Machin who was termed but then the "Engineer" had a Commission, states he saw one Capt. Moody frequently in Company with Capt. Machin but thinks he had nothing to do with the Artificers, & that after this Capt. Moody had the command of a company in the artillery where he remained to the end of the war. Our first work after joining the artificers was putting a Chevaux de frise across the river at New Windsor, deponent has no knowledge of the Artificers being organised into companies with their officers as intimated by the pension department, but is sure that they were a legally authorized branch of the army, he drew his arms & equipments from the Government Store and was at the Battle of Fort Montgomery with whom he was associated was sent to was a universal alarm, & nearly all with whom he was associated was sent to the fort, the engagement commenced he thinks between the hours of 12. & 1 o'clock. P.M. & was kept up the remainder part of the day, the night being dark & a piece of woods standing near the fort prevented them from discovering the British troops until they had mounted the wall, all the principle Officers a few privates with myself escaped by a passage on the side of the fort next to the river the rest were all taken prisoners, during this engagement, he was under command of Gen. James Clinton whose head was nearly white as snow his brother George was also there with a small body of militia. The British kept the fort but 8 days before they evacuated & burned it. Sam l Jones a cousin of his who at this time lay sick in the fort & his comrades being prohibited the privilege of carrying him out he perished in the flames. The only one of deponents party who escaped with them was Jeremiah Smith. James Thompson, Thomas Horton and many others of his party who were taken prisoners and but one ever lived to return his name was Scott Drevie. Their quarters this winter '77 was at New Windsor at the opening of the campaign of '78 he was stationed at West Point where they were engaged in building Barracks, Gun Carriages Platforms &c. and were constantly armed & equipped for the common defence & as liable to be ordered to battle as the regular Army. Some time in the fore part of the month of June of this year they received orders to reinforce General Washington Army in New Jersey, as Sir Henry Clinton was about to evacuate Philadelphia for the purpose of concentrating their force in New York We left West Point & Marched through Pacaat a Dutch settlement in N. York thence to Morristown in New Jersey thence to River where they joined an other party and marched down to the Main army. In a very short time the British Army made their appearance & a desperate battle ensued called the Monmouth battle he was on the right of the Left wing in Clinton's Brigade, he stood in the front rank where they sustained a tremendous Cannonade as well as a heavy fire of musketry for a considerable time, we then were impetuously charged by the dragoons and in their second charge a dragoon aimed a deadly blow at his head which would have instantly terminated his existence had he not raised his musket so as to elude the meditated blow which caused his sword to glance & cut off the 2 middle fingers & the little finger about half off. This was his right hand which was holding on the small of his gun & his hand has ever since been very much disabled, the Dragoon then struck an underhanded blow at his head & the point of his sword passed through his left eye brow which made a deep incision & considerably stunned him, at this instant the Dragoons horse was shot through the head & fell dead at his feet, as soon as deponent had recovered a little he drew his bayonet at his antagonist & would have terminated his existence had not Adjutant Johnson caught him by the shoulder saying "no murder here you young rogue the man cries for quarter" he was now ordered to the rear of the regiment. Deponent further that General Washington & Gen. Lee highly disagreed this day, that Gen. Lee had badly conducted the Left wing of the army so that their plan was defeated, & the British army succeeded in gaining the bridge, he states that great indignation was felt by the army towards Gen. Lee for his bad management, Gen. Washington was this day mounted on a Dapple Gray horse and he saw him ride from the extremity of one wing to the other with great velocity, & that great numbers perished this day from the excessive heat want of water &c. does not recollect the names of any other officers, the next day they were conveyed a few miles to a barn which was used as a kind of temporary hospital from this place he was sent to Morristown where he remained until he had recovered of his wounds so as to join the service again at West Point, where he remained until the campaign of '79. He then joined Colonel Haythorns Service in the company of Capt. Seth Marvin one Johnson was our Lieutenant, for the purpose of attacking N. York this company was stationed at Fishkill, but the plan was defeated on the account of Count

De Estaings not being able to get his largest ships over the bar at Sandy Hook to cooperate with the land forces so when this enterprise was abandoned he returned again to West Point for winter quarters. at the opening of the campaign in the Spring of '80. he joined the 5th Battalion of Clintons Brigade commanded by Colonel Willet. in this Battalion was Capt. Ham Trammock a Frenchman Capt. Steward a Scotchman. Capt. Dodge an Englishman. Capt. DeBois and Capt. Vanderburgh both Dutchman. & Adjutant Johnson a Scotchman. these 5 Battalions were afterwards reduced to three. They crossed the river at West Point & marched down to Kings Ferry. then recrossed the river & marched to Fort Lee where they remained a long time or until the execution of Major Andre he then returned to West Point, and the campaign of '81 they had no call so he remained in the Artillery Assisting to build wood boats repairing vessels that were engaged in the service &c. until the opening of the campaign of '82 when he with 39 others were sent to the frontiers on the branches of the Delaware to reinforce Colonel Spaulding for the purpose of guarding the settlements from the depredations of the Indians they left West Point & marched to Goshen the County town of Orange County. thence to the lower forks of the Delaware. & there joined the Company of Capt. Abram Westfall at which time Colonel Spaulding commanded, but on account of poor health he left the regiment and Colonel Wizenfelt took command, about the time of my joining this regiment the Quartermaster was taken sick & left the army. and by the recommendation of Capt. Dodge to Colonel Spaulding. he deponent was appointed to this station in which he acted until he left the service. this Regiment was divided into Companies and extended for 60 miles in length. in the fall of this campaign a small party of Indians came down upon the settlers and drove off a number of their cattle, they pursued them & gave them battle but they were defeated and obliged to retreat the Company to which Deponent belonged was the only part of the regiment that was in this engagement. the most of their numbers was militia which was commanded by Capt Wood of the militia & was taken prisoner by the Indians, deponent was shot through the left leg in this engagement & laid under a log the following night and in the morning from the great loss of blood he was so weak he could scarcely raise himself but by the greatest exertions he succeeded in crawling to the bank of the river where he fell in company with 5 others of the wounded the name of one was Patterson. where they fixed a kind of raft of st. logs & and floated down the river until they came to the settlements where they were taken care off and as soon as deponent got able to walk he got a furlow subject to return to the service at the shortest notice he then went home to his parents in Orange County where he remained until the next season when they learned received word that the army was to be disbanded he then went to New Windsor and received his discharge from the army. does not recollect by who his discharge was signed the time he received his discharge from the best of his recollection was either the last of May or the first of June 1783. deponent says his discharge was burned at the House of Capt. Stephen Hopkins of Lewiston N.Y. whose house was burned in the year 1809. deponent says he cannot tell how it was or under what particular form he entered the different branches of the army. only as he thinks he was detached from one part to another where his services were most needed neither can he tell whether he first entered the service for any particular period of time but that he never was free from the service from the time he first entered in March 1777 until he received his discharge in May or June 1783. and during the whole period of his services he was not engaged in any civil pursuit, he says he never before applied for his pension and his reasons for the delay he says were that it was only about 7 yrs ago that he first learned that Congress had granted a pension to the soldiers of the Revolution. & that was while at a time when he was in Indiana that he returned to this Province to arrange his business so as to apply but was taken very sick, which made him a perfect cripple and reduced to the lowest degree of poverty, and perfectly unable to apply for himself and finding no one who was willing to act in his behalf. & also that at the time he first learned there was a pension for him he understood that he would have

To substantiate his claim by two living evidences, that he had embraced every opportunity in making the enquiry, but always received for answer they were not living, finally he had come to the conclusion that it would be useless to apply & he had given the matter up as useless untill Isaac Hallock suggested the idea that it was not required & at least he believed it would not be in his case. Therefore deponent says he has appointed Isaac Hallock of this Township, of Packerings his agent in the settlement of this his claim trusting that the said Isaac Hallock will consummate his design in this matter. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any State Agency in any State.
Signed Joel Bower
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year first above written
Signed { P. J. Whitney J.P. A. Campbell J.P.