Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14310, Samuel Bigelow, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Bigelow, Samuel Betsey
W. 14310
CONTENTS

21. 72 3/4 Massachusetts Samuel Bigelow
of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a Sergeant in the Camp commanded by Captain Fuller of the Regt. commanded by Col. Brooks in the Camp. time for 14 Months Mass.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass'tts at the rate of 70 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Oct. 1833 — and Supto A. Brooks Petersham
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 $ 175 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 M ch 34 35 $210
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Agt June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Go (Will) Clerk Book E. Vol. 21. Page 12
8 Worcester
160 35 15

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this Twenty third day of May in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty Three personally appeared in open Court, before Nathaniel Pierce Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester now sitting Samuel Bigelow a resident of Peterboro in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he was a noncommissioned officer in the Company of Militia in Waltham in the County of Middlesex, commanded by Abraham Pierce who was captain of said Company which belonged to the regiment commanded by Col. Gardner who was killed in the battle on Bunker Hill, as was said; that he entered the service of the United States on the nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five and was, on that day, in the battle at Lexington, and was wounded in the hand by a shot of part of one thousand and thereby disabled for the performance of service for some time, and when able to perform duty again entered into the service of the United States and joined the same company, and continued in the service until some time after the British left Boston, doing duty in Cambridge and Roxbury; and after the British army left Cambridge, that he was ordered to said Castle; and after returning there a short time was dismissed; which according to his recollection was about twelve months. In the autumn of 1776 that he enlisted as a noncommissioned officer in Capt. Edward Patten's company and in Col. Brooks' regiment; that he immediately marched from Waltham through Concord to East Chester in New York, near Kings Bridge, and thence to White Plains when he was in a party of eight men, and in that engagement lost his knapsack and all his clothing except what he had upon him; that he was honorably discharged a few days before the expiration of the month; but has lost the discharge, and has forgotten by whom it was signed. That he was acquainted with Generals Heath and Nixon, Colonels Thomas Nixon, Jonathan Brewer and David Brewer.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Nathaniel Pierce Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Samuel Bigelow

We Charles Wellington a Clergyman residing in the Town of Templeton and Major Aaron Brooks residing in Petersham hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Bigelow who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Nathl Daine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Charles Wellington Aaron Brooks
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Charles Wellington who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Town of Templeton and that Aaron Brooks who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Petersham and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathl Daine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
Worcester ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Joseph Wheeler Register, Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Bigelow for a pension that Aaron Brooks before whom the annexed affidavit was made, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Worcester and that his signature to said affidavit is genuine. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day of Sixth day of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three
Joseph Wheeler Regd of said Court
25.782

No 25782
Samuel Brigham Worcester County Massachusetts
Sept 16 Monthly
Alam Brooks Jr Peterham Mass Col. H. H. Sylvester Present

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunct notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Samuel Briggs Worcester County Massachusetts
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enl'd Apr 1775 1 - about { sergeant commissioned officer Capt Rice, Col Gardner 79 years Traditional evidence, and one   Enl'd 1776 about 2 Capt Fuller, Col Brooks County of Middlesex Connecticut Witnesses certified credible papers correct - Battle of Lexington, White Plains  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. 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 length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For ————— year ————— months, and ————— days, I served as a —————. For ————— months and ————— days, I served as a —————; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk ss. August 10. 1833.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the peace for and within said County of Norfolk. Samuel Bigelow of Pelham in said County 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 length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades: For one year and two months I served as a sergeant; and for such service I claim a pension. The first period of service was twelve months, and the second period of service was two months as set forth in the original declaration. During the first period of my service I had liberty to go home occasionally which was but six miles from Cambridge, the principal place of rendezvous, by holding myself in readiness to march at a moment's warning. I was in actual service and held constantly in readiness at a moment's warning during the first period of twelve months with the exception of the time during which I was disabled by reason of said wound. During the last mentioned period of service, I was the whole time either in field or in garrison.
Subscribed and sworn to, this day and year aforesaid. Samuel his Bigelow mark
Before Aaron Brooks Jr. Just. of Peace.

Worcester ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that, since the making my certificate, bearing date the sixth day of June 1833, the affidavit of Samuel Wigelow (Sworn to, before Aaron Brooks, Jr who is now a justice of the Peace in full attendance as such) has been produced, and is now annexed by ribbon under the my seal of said Probate Court. And the Papers now so connected, contain the proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Samuel Wigelow for a Pension.
I further certify that the name, Aaron Brooks, Jr., affixed to said affidavit last annexed, is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Probate Court this fifth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Theophilus Wheeler Reg d of said Court.

Massachusetts —
Betsey Bigelow —
widow of Col n Samuel Bigelow, deceased: who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June, 1832 and who died on the 7 February, 1836 — of Worcester Co ty in the State of Mass: — who was a Serjt — in the company commanded by Captain Fuller — of the Reg t commanded by Col n Brooks in the Defence Defence line for 14 months, Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass — at the rate of 70 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of May 1839 — and sent to Sarah Brooks, Jr: Petersham, Mass: —
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 1839 $ 210.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 11 Sept: — 35.00
$ 245.00
{ Act July 7, } { 1838. }
Recorded by M c Stewart — Clerk Book A — Vol. 1 — Page 72

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester County ss.
On the nineteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- dred and thirty eight, personally appeared before Ira Barton Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Worcester Betsy Bigelow a resident of Peterborough in said County aged seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the Act of Congress passed July 7. 1838, entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.
That she is the widow of Samuel Big- elow late of said Peterborough deceased, who was a soldier of the Revolution and a pen- sioner of the United States under the law of 1832. At the time her said husband enter- ed into the service he belonged to the town of Wattham in the County of Middlesex and

she belonged to the station of Framingham in the same County. She has no doubt of his being in the service, but she cannot testify to it as of her own knowledge. For the evi- dence of their services, she respectfully refers to the rolls in the Pension Office and the papers in the case of her said husband.
She further declares that she was mar- ried to the said Samuel Bigelow on the seventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety at said Framingham by the Rev. David Kellogg then the Pastor of the first Church in said Framingham. For further evidence of the marriage she refers to the annual ap- pointment of her brother Daniel Bangs who was present at the ceremony. She has had seven children by her said husband who are all living. She further declares that her said husband died the seventh day of February in the year eighteen hundred and thirty six at said Peterham and that she has remained his widow ever since. That she was not married to the said Samuel Bigelow prior to his being in the service, but that she was

mannied previous to the year seventeen hundred and ninety four and previous to the first of January of that year, to wit, at the time above stated Betsy Biglow
Given to and subscribed the day and year first above written - before me
Jonathan Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Hampshire

Certificate of Marriage of Miss Priscilla

List of marriages in the year seventeen hundred and ninety - Samuel Biglow - Waltham, Betsy Sanger, Fram. Jan'y.
Framingham (Mass.) August 15. 1838. I certify that the above is a true copy of the records of said Town with the exception of the date, which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures "1790 Jan'y." Elias Temple { Town Clerk of Framingham
I Elias Temple above named depose & say that I now hold the office of Clerk of the town of Framingham in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that the foregoing is a true extract from the Book of Records of said Town with the exception of the date as above certified by me Elias Temple
Attest my hand August 15. 1838. Then Elias Temple, known to me as a credible witness, made oath that the foregoing affidavit, by him subscribed, is true;
Before me Josiah Adams, Justice of the Peace

Record of Marriages in seventeen hundred and ninety January - Samuel Biglow Waltham, Betsey Singer Fram.
Framingham (Mass) August 15. 1838. I certify that the above is a true copy of the Record of the First Church in said town, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows "1790 Jan'y."
William Barry { Pastor of the first Church in Framingham
I William Barry above named depose and say that I now hold the office of Pastor of the First Church in Framingham, a town in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, & that the foregoing is a true extract from the book of Records of said Church, with the exception of the date as above cer- tified by me William Barry
Middlesex ss. August 15. 1838. Then Rev. William Barry, known to me as a credible witness, made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true
Before me Josiah Adams, Justice of the Peace

I Daniel Sanger of Framingham in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seven- ty five years, depose & say, that my sister Betsey Sanger, was married at our fathers house in Framingham, to Samuel Bigelow of Waltham in the same County, by the Rev. David Kellogg then the Pastor of the First Church in Framingham. I was present at the marriage, but can -not swear to the year; but have no doubt that it was in seventeen hundred & ninety as entered on the Church records - I was then a young man, & a member of my fathers family. My said sister is still living, a widow; having never since been married. Said Bigelow obtained a pension for services in the Revolutionary war, and died a few years since
Daniel Sanger
Middlesex ss. August 15. 1838. Then Daniel Sanger, who is known to me as a credible witness made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true
Before me Josiah Adams Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss.
I Isaac Fiske Deputy of the Court of Probate - and for the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Josiah Adams Esquire, is a justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; & that his signatures written on the preceding papers are his genuine signatures.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Isaac Fiske Deputy

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14310
Mrs. Mary Bigelow Widow of Samuel Bigelow Rev War
Act: July 1 st 38
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 63
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Samuel Bigelow Chap. Act 7 June 1832 to what time paid? Died 7 th Feb 1836 Pension Office to that period AH May 4, 1839

I, Abijah Bigelow of Brooklyn in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, of lawful age testify and say that, on the nineteenth day of April D. 1775, Samuel Big- elow of Peterboro in the County of Warwick, and State of Massachusetts entered into the service of the United States, as a noncommissioned officer under the following named offi- cers and served as herein stated, to wit under Abraham Pierce who was captain and commanding officer of the company to which I belonged, which company belonged to the Regiment commanded by Col. Gardner who was killed in the battle at Bunker Hill; the said Samuel Bigelow was in the battle of Lexington  Lexington  and  and on said nineteenth day of April, 1775, and was then and there wounded so as to disable him for the performance of duty for several months, and returned into the service again as soon as he became able to perform duty and joined the same company and regiment, and continued in the performance of service until some time after the British left Boston.
In the autumn of 1776 the said Samuel Bigelow again entered the service of the United States as a substitute for Mat- thias Collins for the period of two months as a noncommissioned officer and often the absence of about two months he came home without other clothes than such as he wore upon him, saying that he lost them in battle.
Abijah Bigelow

Mass. Worcester ss. Personally appeared Abijah April 17. A.D. 1855. Bigelow within named and made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition by him subscribed
Before Aaron Brooks Jr. Just. of Peace.
I certify that the said Abijah Bigelow is believed to have been in such a situation and of such an age as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service and that he is a credible witness. April 17. 1855. Aaron Brooks Jr. Just. of Peace.

2958 Betsey Bigelow Massachusetts,
admitted Augt 14ms. #70
Aaron Brooks Jr. Petersham. Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Worcester, ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester, do certify, that Ira Barton is the Judge of said Court and that his signature to the paper hereto annexed is true and genuine.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, this twenty fifth day of October, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-eight.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register