Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1014, Martin Boomer, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Boomer, Martin Sarah
NUMBER
R. 1014
CONTENTS

V1071
Sarah Boomer widow of Martin
Mass.
1836
for A. B. Borden

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol - Town of Seekonk I Ephraim Winslow, on oath, do hereby certify that I am Clerk of the said Town of Seekonk in said County and that I have in my possession the Records of the said town and that there is on the said Records the following certificate (1735) Martin Boomer and Sarah Stillwell both of Seekonk were joined in marriage October the thirty first A.D. Seventeen hundred and Sixty Six By me
Abner Lewis Minister of the Gospel Dated at said Seekonk this third day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
Ephraim Winslow Town Clerk of Seekonk Bristol ss. January 3. 1837 Then personally appeared the above named Ephraim Winslow and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed Before me Thomas Bump Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Ephraim Winslow and that he sus- tains the character of a man of truth and veracity and that his declaration is entitled to full credit Seekonk - said County January 3. 1837 Thomas Bump Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss - I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate for said County, do hereby certify that Oliver Prescott is Judge of the Court of Probate for said County and the the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine —————
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this sixteenth day of January Eighteen hundred & thirty seven. A Bassett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. I Amos Barrett, Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Cyrus Alden, Elnathan P. Hathaway and Thomas Bump are Justices of the Peace for said County, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this sixteenth day of January Eighteen hundred thirty seven — A. Barrett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. County of Bristol }
On this third day of January in the year of our Lord 1837 before the  the court of Probate of Wills for said County of Bristol aforesaid appeared Sarah Boomer resident of Fall-River in said County of Bristol aged eighty three years, widow of Martin Boomer, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed the fourth of July A.D. 1835 granting half pay to widows &c. That her maiden name was Stillwell, and in the month of October A.D. 1776 she was lawfully married to the said Martin Boomer, by the Rev. Abner Lewis then Minister of the Baptist Church in that part of Foxtown in said County of Bristol, then called New Foxtown; the said Boomer then being a widower with three children by a former wife. At the time of my marriage, the British troops had possession of the island of Rhode Island, and had recently burnt Bristol and Warren, which places are in sight of that part of Foxtown, now the town of Fall-River and from thence not more than seven miles distant in a right line. And the inhabitants of Fall-River were in daily expectation that the British troops would land and burn their village. At that time Martin Boomer, my husband belonged to a company commanded by Captain Joseph Durfee; but the other officers then belonging to the company I do not recollect. I well recollect that in the

month of October A.D. 1776, being the same month in which we were married, my husband took his turn of duty with the rest of the company in guarding the shore until winter - The guard was organized again in the spring early in the season; and in May, if I recollect right as to date, 1777 on the Lord's day morning, the British landed at Fall River; and when the alarm guns were fired my husband, and his eldest son James Boomer, and Seth Church, all members of Captain Joseph Dyer's company, and all living in our house immediately went to Fall River, and were in the engagement with the enemy, and after their retreat assisted in putting out the fires which the enemy had set on the buildings in the village - The said James Boomer, my husband's eldest son, has now a pension for the services rendered in company with his father my husband and now resides in Charlton in the County of Worcester in this Commonwealth. Previous to General Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island, if I recollect right as to date, my husband met with the company at the roll call for drill two or three times a week for some time; the company then being commanded by Henry Brightman; Capt. Joseph Dyer having been promoted - When the army under General Sullivan marched on to Rhode Island, my husband joined the company as a volunteer

commanded by Captain Lawrence, Oliver Reed being Lieutenant and Amos Snell Ensign, and marched on to the Island in that expedition, and my husband was there at that time two or three weeks. Some time after this expedition, the British landed at New Bedford, about eighteen miles distant from our house as the road was then travelled, and burnt the village, and my husband then went to that place in the company commanded by Captain Pnightman, Oliver Reed being Lieutenant, and Amos Snell Ensign.
My husband, at all times, from the time of our marriage, until the year A.D. 1780, a period of four years, nearly, marched on every alarm, being given, often, at stated times answered to the roll call, was often on duty for drilling, and was in actual service when occasion required or was so ordered by his commanding officer. When General Spencer was in Greetown, I think in the year A.D. 1779, on his march to Rhode Island, where the British were expected to land on the Island of Rhode Island, my husband was often on duty for drill, several weeks, in preparing to march with General Spencer's troops to the island, should the British land there from New York as was expected. I have now stated the most prominent services my husband

ruined his country during the war of the revolution, as I now recollect them - And many circumstances bringing his services fresh to my recol- lection - The soldiers who had been on duty with my husband, would often come to our house, fatigued and hungry, and cooked them victuals - Women and children would come to our house for protection, as we lived about two miles from the shore, in a retired part of the town, particularly, when the British landed at Fall River - At another time an American soldier, who had the small pox, was put into an uninhabited house not far from ours, with a male attendant, and I provided his nourishment as long as he lived, and carried it as near as safely would allow to his residence, when his attendant received it. In fact I was much in actual service myself, during the war of the Revolution, in acts similar to those I have already mentioned, for which I have received no other compensation than an approving conscience, and I trust, the approbation of my God -
I lived with my husband in that part of Swanton which is now the town of Fall River until his disease, which took place in the year A.D. 1802 on the 2 d day of June, and have never since been married - His last disease was consumption - He was seventy years of age when he died - He left me a widow with nine children, three of whom were under the age of sixteen years - In conclusion

I would observe that I have no written documents to refer to, and if I have made any mistakes as to dates or names of persons it is owing to the great length of time since the events took place and the frailty of memory, but as it respects the facts of the services of husband as before stated I am confident I am not mistaken -
Subscribed & sworn to on the day first above mentioned Sarah Boomer Before me Oliver Prescott } Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Bristol -
I Oliver Prescott of New Bedford in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that Sarah Boomer the Applicant aforesaid for a pension, cannot from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Oliver Prescott } Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Bristol aforesaid.
I Benjamin Durfee of Fall River in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and more than eighty two years of age, on oath depose and say that I was well acquainted with Martin Boomer of Fall River (formerly a part of Dartmouth) in said County. That I belonged to the same company of Artillery with him in the year A.D. 1776 commanded by Joseph Durfee; that I did duty with him in said Company in the service of our Country in the war of the revolution - I did duty with him in turn as guard on the shore of the river and bay; I was with him in Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island -

I was in the company with him when the British landed at New-Bedford and burnt the village - I was with him in our preparation to march with General Spencer's troops, freemen to their arrival at Freeport - I was with him when the British landed at Hill River and set fire to the village; and know that he was in the engagement with the enemy - And at all times he was ready to do duty and obey the orders of his commanding officer, and was much engaged in the service of the war of the Revolution from the year 1776. to the year 1780 - And I do further depose that for the services I rendered my country in company with said Boomer I have now a pension - And I do further depose and say that I am well acquainted with Mrs Sarah Boomer, the widow of the said Martin Boomer, that she is about my age, and was brought up in my father's family - That I have had read her declaration as to the services rendered by her husband and the most of them are within my personal recollection and knowledge; and that she is a woman to be relied on and believed for truth and veracity - That she was never married since the decease of her husband; and that she is of the age she states herself to be - I do further depose that my wife and children went

with many others to her house at the time the British landed at Bull River as aforesaid, and remained there till the alarm was over. She married soon after she left my father's house, and lived with her husband till his death; and it is not long since I saw her and she has never been married the second time.
Benjamin Dyer
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss.
Dec 29 th 1836 Then the above named Benjamin Dyer person- ally appeared before me and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true.
Cyrus Alden Jr. Revere I do hereby certify that the said Cyrus Dyer is a man of truth & veracity Cyrus Alden Jr. Revere
I Joseph Dyer of Brockton in the County of Bristol and Com- monwealth of Massachusetts, eighty seven years of age on oath do de- pose and say, that I was Captain of a company of Militia in said Brockton in the year A.D. 1776 and that Martin Brannen belonged to my company at that time.

and was often in the service of the war of the Revolution - And I do further depose and say that I am well acquainted with Sarah Boomer, the widow of said Martin Boomer, that she lived in my father's family until nearly the time of her marriage; that full faith and credit may be given to her declaration; that I have seen her declaration and respecting the services of her hus- band, and I have no doubt as to the truth of her statements as many of the facts are within my personal knowledge and recollection -
Joseph Duer
Witness my hand January 2 d 1836 - Then personally appeared Joseph Duer (who is a credible witness) the subscriber of the foregoing affidavit and made solemn oath to the truth of the same -
Before me, Nathan P. Hathaway, Justice of the Peace -

I James Boomer of Charlton in the county of Worcester clergy-man. aged seventy seven years last May. do testify and say. that my father, Martin Boomer, formerly of Freetown in the county of Bristol. residing in that part said Freetown now called Fall River, entered as a private soldier of the Revolutionary service in a company of minute men under the command of Capt. Joseph Durfee in the year 1776 or the beginning of the year 1777. that he continued a member of said company till some time in the year 1780 a part of which time said company was under the command of Capt. Henry Brightman. that he was in the battle of Fall River in 1777 that he was in Gen. Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island. in 1778. was also at the battle or skirmish at the landing of the British at New Bedford the same year. - that he, the deponent, was a member of the same company and served with his said father during the term or time above stated. that he lived with his said father at the time said company was raised in 1776 as above stated. that said Martin Boomer entered said company by voluntary enlistment. - that in the year 1776 according to the

best of the deponent's recollection said Martin Boomer married his second wife Sarah Boomer now of said Fall River, widow at the last time he saw her, not far from a year since, never having been married to the deponent's knowledge since the decease of said Martin Boomer, who died at said place where he lived at the time of his said enlistment in the year 1802 of consumption being then about seventy years of age. - and that said company served in Col. Whitney's Regiment when at Rhode Island.
James Boomer
Worcester ss. December 22 d 1836. Then James Boomer the above deponent made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed.
Before me John Davis Justice of the Peace
Worcester ss Decr. 22 d 1836. I certify that the above named James Boomer sustains an unimpeachable character for truth and veracity.
John Davis Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Wrentham. I. Jos. G. Kendall, clerk of the Judicial courts for the County of Worcester, certify that John Davis, Esquire, before whom the above named James Boomer made oath to the foregoing deposition, is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, and duly qualified to administer such oath, and that the foregoing signature of his name appears to be in his own hand writing.
In witness whereof I have set my name and caused the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas for said County to be affixed hereto, at Wrentham, this twenty third day of December A.D. 1836. Jos. G. Kendall. Clerk.

Fall River March 23 1837
Sir,
A communication from you dated the 8th of Feb. last addressed to the Hon. A. B. Borden of the House of Representatives relating to the claim of Mrs. Sarah Boomer, widow of Martin Boomer, dec d , has been rec d ; and I have been requested on behalf of the widow to state a few facts & to submit a few remarks, in reply to that communication. Soon after your communication was rec d here a letter was addressed to the Rev. James Boomer of Charlton a son of the S p Martin Boomer (whose recollection was believed to be very good) whose statement relating to the revolutionary services of his father, the justice, probably from his being unacquainted with its importance, in taking his deposition did not, as I am informed, reduce to writing in full) requesting him to give his affidavit anew & to state as fully & particularly as he could recollect the precise length of each term of service performed by his father, Martin Boomer, in the war of the revolution. From information since rec d it appears that the S p James Boomer died on the evening of the very day in which the letter above mentioned reached his house: so that the claimant has been deprived by death of the means of obtaining any further evidence from a person who, from his intelligence, his relation to & residence with the S p Martin Boomer, must have known what his father's revolutionary services were. In consequence of the great length of time which has elapsed since 1776 - a period of more than fifty years - & of the loss of memory consequent upon the advanced age of the very few survivors in this place of those who took part in the warfare of that day, it is extremely difficult to make certain the precise length of any service the proof of which depends upon recollection & oral testimony alone. In this particular case I understand the claimant to allege that her husband was in the service of his country in the war of the revolution from some time in 1776 until some time in 1780 a period of nearly four years; and that the claimant, is entitled to a pension of $80 per annum. Now, is the above allegation as to the length of her husband's service reasonably proved ? I do not understand the claimant to allege that her husband was during the whole of the above period constantly on duty. The nature of the service as stated by her & the witnesses would not seem to have required this. But it does seem that in 1770 he did voluntarily enlist in a company of Minute men (as it is called) & that he continued a member of service in that company until some time in 1780 - first under the command of Capt. (now Col.) Joseph Durfee & afterwards of Capt. Henry Brightman. Now, of the duties required of this company, a principal one (as may be inferred from the affidavit of Benjamin Durfee) consisted in guarding the shore of the river & Bay, (Fallon river & Mount Hope Bay) & in being at all times ready to guard defend the country from invasion as occasion required. The most

document of the occasions which actually occurred are stated by the witnesses; - For every one of those occasions the witnesses state that S r Martin Boomer was found at his post - upon the battle field. He took his turn of duty in guarding the shore of the river & bay: He was engaged in the battle of Fall River: He was engaged in the drill and military exercise preparatory to joining Genl. Spencer in his private expedition to Rhode Island: Although not drafted, he yet voluntarily enlisted & served in Col. Whitney's Regiment in Genl. Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island: And at the landing of the British at New Bedford he was called there: In short, it appears, as the witnesses state, that from 1776 to 1780, parts of each of those years included, he was at all times ready, served as occasion required, & was much in the service of the war : and that is deemed important, considering the difficulty of proving the precise length of service for the reasons before stated, it further appears that for similar services rendered by his compatriots in arms, they, (the very few who survived) have been receiving a pension from the 4 th of March 1831 of $80 per annum. Benjamin Dyer states expressly that for the services he rendered his country in company with the S r Martin Boomer he now has a Pension. James Boomer (now dec d ) also rec d a Pension, as I am informed, of the amount above stated. And in his affidavit (now on file in the Pension Office) he says that he " served with his S r father during the term or time above stated "; that is from sometime in 1776 or the beginning of 1777 to some time in the year 1780. The only difference, as I am informed, which exists between the service performed by the son & the father consists in this, that after the retreat of Genl. Sullivan from Rhode Island the son was drafted, marched with & served under the S r Genl. at Pawtucket (R. I.) for about two weeks, & that during the same time the father went to New Bedford & was in the skirmish at the landing of the British there, the length of which service was, as near as can be ascertained, ten days. Now, although the individuals above named have not in their affidavits stated the precise length of any particular term of service, nor the precise length of the whole service as they have not & probably could not state precisely when S r services began or ended, yet it is respectfully submitted, whether these individuals viz. Benjamin Dyer & James Boomer, have not stated facts , particularly those under scored, from which it may reasonably be inferred , - from which, indeed, the necessary inference would seem to be, that the S r Martin Boomer was in the service of his country during the war of the revolution for a period of more than two years - whether under the circumstances of this case evidence more satisfactory can reasonably be expected or should be required. - Among the rules prescribed by the late President of the U. S. and adopted by the Secretary of War for carrying into effect the Act of Congress of 4 th July last, published under date of the 9 th of S r July, is the following, being the eighth in number. "The claimant must in every case when there is no record or documentary proof

of the revolutionary service of the deceased officers or soldiers, produced the testimony of at least one credible witness. Additional evidence will be deemed useful in every such case." I have referred to the foregoing rule in the purpose of saying that Col Joseph Durgin (whose affidavit in this case is on file) in a brief sketch of his life published in a Pamphlet form a few years since in speaking of the commencement of the revolution says "At this time we of this State were British Subjects, and constituted what was then called the Colony of Massachusetts. Conventions, were held in the Colony to transact the business & consult upon the affairs of the Colony. At one of these conventions, I received a Captain's Commission, signed by Walter Spoon, Esq. & took the command of a company of Minute men . British ships, commanded by Wallace, Howe and Bove, early in the revolution, were off our coast, in the river and Bay, harassing & distressing the towns of Newport, Bristol and other towns on the River. I was called upon with my company & other troops, as could be mustered to guard the shore & prevent the British from landing, until the Colony could raise a force sufficient to protect the inhabitants from their depredations." This must have been as early as 1776 & it will be recollected that James Boomer in his affidavit, says that he lived with his father at the time S d company was raised & that his father entered S d company by voluntary enlistment . And the S d Col Durgin, in a conversation had with me in the course of the last summer at which time I called upon him to obtain his deposition in another case, observed that the shores of the River & Bay here at Fair River & Point were almost constantly guarded from the commencement of the revolution to the time when the British left Rhode Island which he states in S d sketch to have been on the 29th of Oct r 1779. And he the S d Col Durgin then also stated that in his opinion all those now living who were in the time of said war "liberty men" & resided on or near the shore, above named were entitled to a Pension inasmuch as he could state generally in reference to all such, though particular in reference to but few, that from the system of military organization which was then established, all such were much engaged in actual service at all times in readiness to defend against an invasion by the enemy. And I see by a copy of his affidavit in this case, which has been handed to me, that he does particularize the S d Martin Boomer as one of those men who were so engaged. Now, upon the foregoing representation as an explanation of the evidence on file, the claimant is obliged to rest her case; - & this she does trusting that you will review that evidence in connection with the suggestions herein made and will be disposed to construe the rules, regulations on the subject of evidence applicable to the proof of service, with the same liberality (this case would seem to require no greater) with which they have heretofore been construed & which view of the subject would certainly seem now to be equal if

as important & necessary as it ever has been in order that the beneficent object of the law upon the subject of Pensions, may be effected. There is one further source of evidence from which additional information may possibly be obtained, to which, if it is deemed necessary, I would respectfully refer. That is to the Records recently removed from the Secretary's Office at Boston in this State to the Pension Office at Washington. I know not how accurate & particular those Records may be, but I fear they do not contain an account of the voluntary services performed by individuals of the company into which the husband of the claimant enlisted. It remains only to add that what is done for our Country, now in this time of her prosperity, in the way of expressing & manifesting her gratitude for services rendered in her earliest struggles for independence, must be done quickly; for those, who agreeably to the laws, are entitled to her bounty, are fast being numbered with the dead. The widow Spearman, whose claim to an increase of Pension was of mine, it will be seen, successfully urged & established, died about one hour previous to the receipt of her Certificate at Westport. Should the foregoing view of the case approve itself to your judgment, which is earnestly hoped, the Pension Certificate may be forwarded to me at Fall River Mass.
To H. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.
I am, Sir, very respectfully Your obedt. Servt Oliah Williams.

  Marlin Roomer -        on Jos Durfee vol. 1 page 192.  9 June to 9 July 78  1 -      " " 191 7 to 23 Dec.     -16    Ryghtman - 110 for     4        1. 20  

REVOLUTIONARY PENSION CLAIM.
ACT OF June 7. 1832.  July 4. 1836.
Sarah Boomer widow of Martin (Map.)
~~~~~ POWER OF ATTORNEY TO EXAMINE CLAIM. ~~~~~
Charles C. Tucker
CHARLES C. TUCKER, Attorney, Present.

Power of Attorney.
Know all men by these presents: That I William Boomer of Tall Pines County of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint CHAS. C. TUCKER, of Washington City, D. C., my true and lawful Agent and Attorney to prosecute the Claim of Martin Boomer for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of _____ or any other Act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said Claim on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed: and to do all things that I might or could do, were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and seal this 23 rd day of February 1854.
In presence of
John S. Brayton
} ss. William Boomer
STATE OF Massachusetts , Bristol COUNTY—ss.
On this 23 rd day of February 1854, before me a Justice of the Peace , in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared William Boomer and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned.
John S. Brayton, Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF Massachusetts } ss. Bristol COUNTY.
On this 23 rd day of February 1854, before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared William Boomer a resident of said County, and made oath according to law that he is the identical William Boomer who executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that he is directly interested in said Claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my said Attorney may use in prosecuting said Claim.
William Boomer
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
John S. Brayton.
STATE OF Massachusetts } COUNTY OF Bristol }
I Richmond Davel Clerk of the Police Court in Fall River do hereby certify that John S. Brayton Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement were made and who has thereunto signed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this
Twenty third day of February 1854.
Richmond Davel Clerk of the Police Court in Fall River, Mass.

Letter to Hon. N. B. Borden 8. Feb. 1837 do to Eliah Williams Apr. 14 1837—
1014
1836

_____ Ex'r.
INVALID.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
1014
RECEIVED
P. O.
Leah Dimer
Service: _____
Dislisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____

Sarah Bloomer
1071
In at Jan 20
J. J. Edwards
Worm
Am. N. B. Borden HR

Washington City Jany. 19 th 1837
Dear Sir
I have rec d a communication from Mr William Boomer, of Fall River, a Son of Mrs Sarah Boomer who claims a pension as the widow of Martin Boomer a Soldier of the Revolution. Stating that, in the papers forwarded, his fathers Services were only proved as a private, but that he served, and he thinks was commissioned as a Lieutenant; and he desires before decision is made, that the records be examined to ascertain whether he was or was not so commissioned, that the pension may be awarded accordingly.
J L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Most Respectfully Your O bt Servant Nath l B Borden