Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17288, Samuel Bowden, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Bowden, Samuel
S. 17288
CONTENTS
carded

21. 666
Massachusetts
Sgt. Gowen of Essex in the State of Mass who was a Prvt in the Company comm. by Captain Tilton of the Regt comm. by _____ in the Mass line for 5 months 28 days Service 10 " 13 " Service Total
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 71 Dollars 75 Cents per ann. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Oct 1833 and sent to Princess Marblehead Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $174.87 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept 1833 35.98 $215.85
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. Woodson Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 42

State of Massachusetts. County of Essex Ss. Marblehead.
On this 10 th day of August AD 1832. Personally appeared before me David Cummins esq. Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and a Court of Record within and for said County of Essex Samuel Bowden of said Marblehead County and State aforesaid, aged nearly eighty two 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 7 th 1832. That he was a Soldier in the revolutionary war, and on or about the twenty first day of July seventeen hundred and seventy five he enlisted in a Company of Militia commanded by Francis Felton of said Marblehead; and that he continued to do duty in said Company from time to time in protecting, at Marblehead, the sea coast and places in the vicinity, from the depredations of the Enemy's landing at any time:— And that he continued in said service until on or about the last day of October seventeen hundred and seventy six, at which time the company was discharged. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity, excepting the present; and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Samuel Bowden
Sworn to, and Subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
D Cummins
We rev d John Bartlett a Clergyman residing in the Town of Marblehead and Benjamin Knight esq. also residing in Marblehead, hereby certify; that we are well acquainted with Samuel Bowden, who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration, that we believe him to be nearly eighty two years; 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.
John Bartlett Benjamin Knight
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
D Cummins

And the said Judge doth hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department; that the within named Applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Judge further certifies, that it appears to him that Rev. John Bartlett who has signed the within Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Marblehead, and that Benjamin Knight esq r . who has also signed the same, is a resident in said Marblehead, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the said Judge further certifies that the within named Applicant is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity. D Cunnings
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I John Prince Jun r . Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and a Court of Record within and for the County of Essex Do hereby certify, that the Hon David Cunnings esq r . is a Judge of said Courts and that the within Signature is his genuine signature. And that John Prince of Marblehead is one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County of Essex; and that the signature annexed, is his true signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas at Salem this thirteenth Day of August, Eighteen hundred and thirty two.
John Prince J. Clk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, September 4 1833.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Sam l Bowden, as a Sergeant, is borne on a List of the Company in Marblehead under the command of Francis Fellen, where he is allowed from July 17 th to Nov r 1 st 1775, three months and twenty three days.
3 23
Sam l Bowden's name, as a Sergeant, is also found on a List of the Company in Marblehead under the Command of Francis Fellen where he is allowed from the 31 st of October to the 31 st of December 1775 - two months and five days.
2 05
Sam l Bowden's name, as a Sergeant, is also found on a List of the Company in Marblehead under the command of Francis Fellen where he is allowed from Jan y 2 nd to Feb y 29. 1776 - one month and twenty eight days.
1 28 5 th
Sam l Bowden's name as a Sergeant, is also found on a List of the Company in Marblehead under the command of Francis Fellen, where he is allowed from the first of March to the last day of May 1776 - three months.
3 00
Sam l Bowden's name as a Sergeant is also found on a List of the Company in Marblehead under the command of Francis Fellen where he is allowed, from the first day of June to the last day of August 1776 - three months.
3 00
Sam l Bowden's name as a Sergeant, is also found on a List of the Company in Marblehead under the command of Francis Fellen, where he is allowed from the first of September to the 13 th of November 1776 - two months and fifteen days.
2 15 5 th
16 13
Edward D. Bangs, Secy

Bowden 9752

State of Massachusetts.
Essex ss.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex, and State of Massachusetts - Samuel Bowden 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 services or to every minute particular respecting the matter of such services - but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below and in the following grade - as a Private in Francis Felton's Company of Infantry. That he served one year, three months, and ten days. That the said Felton's Company was formed under a Resolve of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts for the Protection of the Sea Coast, and was unconnected with any Regiment, but was (together with a like Company commanded by William Hooper of Marblehead) stationed at Marblehead and there employed in erecting Fortifications, and the continued performance of Military duty. And that he continued in active duty as a member of said Felton's Company for the period above stated. For which said service he claims a Pension.
Samuel Bowden
Essex ss Marblehead August 1 st 1833.
Sworn to and Subscribed
Before me
John Prince Just Peace

Sam Bowden
  Recd 5 Mr 28 day     Augt 10 -  13    16  11  
Heat Hot
Appl 14 1833
P 341
500 July 20 1835
Mr Bangs' Cashments
agreed 26 Augt 1835
  71.952  20.00    143.90  22    35.97  19.78    179.87  50.00     2.19  
I Priced per Kg 95
Marblehead
Mass

BRIEF in the case of Samuel Bowden of the County of Essex in the State of Mass. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? bodily infirmity  3. How old is he? 82 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In 1775 July 21 st to the last day of Oct. 70 1 4 11 Private Sergt. Capt. Francis Felton  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Marblehead.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Disposition  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Regular
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

Sam. Bowden N o 9952
It having been recently ascertained that there are rolls of some of the Military & State Troops of Mass s in the office of the Secy of the State of Mass s - Application must be made to that office for evidence of the claimants' service
Augt 26/833
I Pray for your Marblehead Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samuel Bowden which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes  NO - He must specify each particular
time of daily active duty, when & where it was performed. The length of each term and the names of all the officers under whom he served.
X VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
X The mere circumstance of an applicant holding himself in readiness to perform military duty will not entitle him to a pension

 XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes  XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? so certified 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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 the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

I William Hooper of Marblehead in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts on Oath Depose testify and say that in the Revolutionary war I was a soldier, and on or about the twenty first Day of July Seventeen hundred seventy five, I enlisted in a Company of Militia under the command of Capt. William Hooper late of said Marblehead and I very well remember that Samuel Bowden of said Marblehead enlisted about the same time in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt. Francis Filton of said Marblehead both Companies were appointed to do duty in said Marblehead and continued from time to time to do duty in protecting the Sea Coast at Marblehead and places in the vicinity from the depredations of the Enemies landing at any time, and that said Samuel Bowden continued in said service until on or about the last day of October Seventeen hundred seventy six at which time he was discharged
William Hooper
Sworn to and Subscribed. This 6 Day of August — A D 1832
Before me John Prindle Justice
And I further certify that William Hooper is a credible witness
John Prindle Justice

17 28.8
INVALID.)
Qu
File No. 17,288
Samuel Bowden
Sergt Prov Mar
Act: June 7 th 82
Index :—Vol. 1 , Page 45
[Arrangement of 1870.]