Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9360, Michael Bowers, New Jersey

SERVICE
New Jersey
Bowers, Michael Electa
NUMBER
N 9360
B.L.Wt 51880-160-55
CONTENTS

Connecticut
22,883
Michael Bowers of Middlebury in the State of Conn who was a Private in the Conn by Captain Meeum of the commanded by commanded in the Conn troops time for 6 mo.
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 20 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of December '33 and Sent Chs B - Phelps Woodbury
Arrears to the 4th of Sept '33 $ 50 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Mar '34 10
$ 60
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book 6
C Laurie
Clerk,
Vol. 3
Page 49
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 March to 30th Aug 1839, the day of his death Age notified 6 March 1841.

5706.
Connecticut Electa Bowers, widow of Con n Michael, who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private,
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20. dollars 00. cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 18 th day of March 1856.
and sent to
C. B. Phelps, Woodbury, Ct.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 197. Vol. H
258178

End P
306 14 - 160
43400 "
Vol B = 2 = 18
258. 178
Act Mar. 3. '11 Sept. 27. '16
Eliza Bower. wid. Michael Bower. wid.
57. 880, Jan'y 12/57
ad: 166 ad, Jan'y, 7/57 B. B. Phelps Bury. war.
Par? ad 2. June 1832 ad 53-5706
B. B. Phelps. Woodbury.

Michael Bowers Michael Bowers
One private $ 20 2nd derrick tender alarm gun with another man not taken into consideration not being accordant with course of service.
Reply to
Chas B. Phelps Esq Woodbury Conn.
E B Phelps
Woodbury
Co

State of Connecticut, Probate Court
ss. District of Woodbury
On this 10 day of July 1833 personally appeared, in open Court, before The Court of Probate in the District of Woodbury, which District comprises the Towns of Woodbury Roxbury & Southbury in Litchfield County & Southbury in New Haven County.
now sitting, at Buttrick. Michael Bowers a resident of Woodbury in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, aged Twenty six years, who being first 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, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
1 In 1776 I enlisted at a place upon the East side of the Delaware River called Penn's Neck about ten miles from Woodstock in Salem County New Jersey and was enrolled in the militia company that in August 1776 on the first or second day I was drafted for a tour of duty in the militia and immediately joined Capt. Wheekums company and marched to Woodbury New Jersey where we were encamped near Woodbury. There was three or four Regiments at this place. our company was raised regularly by a Col & other Field officers. but they were strangers to me & I do not now remember their names. I continued serving duty in this company as a private for the space of one month and was discharged at Woodbury & returned to Penn's Neck.
1776 1 Mo
(2) In 1777 as early as the 14 of April I was drafted as a private & belonged to said Capt. Wheekums company of militia and performed duty as a private one month, and was stationed at Penn's Neck Long Point & upon the Delaware near to Penn's Neck. and was dismissed at Penn's Neck.
1777 1 Mo
(3) It was apprehended the British might sail up the Delaware to Philadelphia and in August 1777 I was stationed at Long Point upon the Delaware to guard the Albem Alarm Cannon placed on this point. There was another battery at Reedy Island . I continued in this service until after the British passed up the River and was employed in watching them & in communicating with the militia in Salem County until the 18 th Oct 1777.
1777 1 Mo

5777 5778 A Mo. on the 10 October I left the station at Long Point & was called into Capt Meehums company and continued to do duty a month at a time until about the first of July 1778. That is I was called out every other month regularly to keep up the garrison & protect the inhabitants in Salem & Gloucester Counties as they adjacent to the River from the incursions of small parties of the British that passed up & down the River. Our company Capt Meehums had no higher officer. Some times it was sent to another company. The service in Salem County principally I remember being at Salem. Salem Creek, Wood's Town, Penn's Neck, Long Point. We marched from one place to another upon the River as we were informed danger threatened.
for one month I acted as Corporal and found the whole time in Capt Meehums company. At one Shelton was Lieutenant in this company.
A Brother of Capt Meehums was Lieutenant a part of the time perhaps all. I have no recollection of any other Lieutenants.
The Ensigns name I do not now know.
After the British abandoned Philadelphia which was the latter part of June 1778 as I believe. our company was dismissed and not called into service again that year.
I have no discharge nor name here.
I know of no person by whom

I can prove my services: I left New Jersey the next year 1779 and have never returned to Penns. State since.
In 1779 went to Philadelphia to live and since then, until 1782. I then moved to Derby near Philadelphia - I was in Philadelphia employed & kept a team at Derby in a mill as Miller
In 1795. I removed back to Philadelphia & remained there until 1796 when I removed to Milford Conn & remained there until 1804 when I removed to New Bedford Conn. I have lived there ever since & now live there

my Birth was recorded in my fathers Bible at Penn Neck, my father has been dead since 1979 I do not know where his Bible is
I am acquainted with the
Rev. Jason Atkinson, Deacon Townsend & Leonard Brown Eugene

The said Michael Bowens 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.
El P. Phelps Esq. Michael Bowens of Probate out of Mooresboro
We, a clergyman, residing in the town of and 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 day and year aforesaid.
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Jason Attwater who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Middletown and that Samson Townsend Esq. who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Middletown and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
El P. Phelps Esq. of Probate District of Mooresboro
I, Nathan Preston Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Mooresboro do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Michael Bowens for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of P Probate Court this 20 day of July 1833
and I further certify that Leonard Brown Esq. whose signature is affixed to the certificate hereto attached was on the 19 day of July 1833 a justice of the Peace within & for the Harrison County & that his aforesaid signature to the certificate of the same Attwater & Samson Townsend Esq. is the proper & lawful writing of said Leonard Brown .
Nathan Preston Clerk

State of Connecticut
Probate Court, District of Woodbury
On this 16 day of November 1833 before said court personally appeared Michael Bowers of Meridenbury in New Haven County and being duly sworn on oath declares by way of Supplemental declaration in correction to his original declaration made in said Court on the 16 day of July 1833 to obtain the benefit of Act 7 June 1832
That as to the first ground of objection notice by the Commissioners was "It must clearly appear"
From a memo what Officers the applicant intended He is now enabled to say that the Colonel of
the Regiment in first four mentioned in said declaration in the year 1776 was Jonathan  Trumbull The Major he cannot remember altho it has been a subject of reflection and effort to recollect. The Capt was Capt Peckham
Meekum. The Lieut was the Capt's Brother his Christian name he cannot remember but with the Ensign was certainly but thinks it was Senior The Ensign was Henry
Sparks
Officers 2d & 3d
In the town of 1777 p 78 mentioned as the 2d & 3d in said declaration No higher officers commenced than a Captain. In both towns the Capt the Meekum was Captain Lieutenants Meekum and Ensign Sparks were the

company officers
2 As to the 2 nd objection "The duration of the term of engagement" He states that he cannot define it more accurately in the term of 1776 & the 2 nd term than is done in the original declaration.
The 2 nd term commenced on or near the 14 April 1777 and terminated on 14 of May or near that day 1777. That he performed a term of one month as fully & completely as in 1776 & 77 he is certain.
As to the 3 rd term he says that he served as a sentinel at Long Point where the Alarm cannot, was placed from a time not later than the 25 of August to the first or 2 nd of Oct 1777. and that nature of the service required constant attendance by him and another man by relieving each other.
From the 10 Oct 1777 to the termination of a month he was under military command and was on duty under said Capt. McKim. He was then dismissed for a month and at the expiration of a month returned again to the company & so continued to do alternately until July 1778.
3 "The particular place or places of service" notice by the Commonwealth. The said Bowers saith that the nature of the service as mentioned in the original declaration required the company of which he was a member to be some times

all together at others in small outposts and in different parts of the territory adjacent to the River in Salem County The quarters where the applicant principally resided was at Linn's point at the mouth of Salem Creek. This was the lower extremity of the District assigned to Capt. Mucken to guard and extend up the River to Woolley to the upper part of Woolley a distance of 16 or 18 miles. This guard house was burned by a party of the English. He was in all the places mentioned in said original settlement.
4 "That the applicant joined with an embodied corps called into service by competent auth- ority." The applicant says that said company were sometimes all together some times out in outposts & small parties as the nature of the service required. but were contin- ually under the command & authority of Officers of said company. In the first place it was with the Regiment Capt. Mucken held his commission under the authority of the King Jersey, and acted a public officer of that state. Rations were supplied by him to the company and from him the soldiers received their pay. The applicant was paid by said Mucken

5 The applicant saith that he was not then employed in any such civil contract while in said company but was acting under public military authority That He acted as corporal in the first Nov 1776. but does not know that he recd a warrant Michael Bowers
I Edward McPhelps Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Woodbury do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original and supplementary proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Michael Bowers for a Pension — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Office this fifteenth day of November 1833 —
Edward McPhelps Clerk

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjoined 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 Michael Boner
   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.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
(Faint handwritten notes at the bottom of the page, likely bleed-through from the reverse side.)

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)                      , who has 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
Claimant cannot give the particulars of his service as is required, nor prove them his claim must fail

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 inquiry 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 services. 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 fix 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.

No
Electa Bowers Widow of Michael Cont
3 rd Feby 1853—
Reply to
W. B. Phelps Esq
Woodbury
Conn

State of Connecticut Probate Court
District of Woodbury
Be it remembered that on the 31 st day of January 1856 personally appeared before said Court Electa Bowers a resident of the Town of Middletown in the County of Middlesex in Connecticut aged Eighty Nine years on the fourth day of April 1855 and being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress the passed on the third February A D 1853 granting Pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War
That she is the Widow of Michael Bowers formerly of said Middletown now deceased said Michael Bowers during the Revolutionary War resided in the State of New Jersey near the Town of Woodbury and was stationed on the Delaware River as a guard and was a private and the battles fought more than 4 months

she is unable to state the time of said Francis a man whose commence
said Francis was a Pension under the act of 1832 and due twenty dollars per annum and to his declaration in the Pension Office refer for the facts in relation to his Francis
said Eliza Brown further declares that at Missoula aforesaid on the fourth day of May A D 1827 she was married to said Michael Brown & cohabited with him until 30 th day of August A D 1839 when said Michael Brown died at said Missoula & was not married to her prior to the second January 1800 — but at the time above named and she says that she has not contracted marriage since the death of said Brown but is now his widow
Sworn to and affirmed in open court Eliza Brown
Chas O'Phelan, Judge of Probate for Woodbury District

State of Connecticut
for New Haven County
Middletown 5 Feb 1836
Personally appeared before me a Notary Public with authority to administer Oaths. Wm Meadwell being duly sworn on oath declares that Eliza Powers of said Middletown, who is an applicant for a Pension as the widow of Michael Powers deceased is the deponent's mother the being the mother of Simon Meadwell deceased the deponent's father & while the mother of said Simon Meadwell in the month of May A D 1828 th she was married to Michael Powers then of Middletown now deceased said marriage was celebrated in my present dwelling house by the Rev. Mead Mead then the Pastor of the Congregational Church in said Middletown. The Mead has ceased his connection with said parish & remains twenty years since.
My present wife Mary Meadwell was also present at the marriage aforesaid. Mr Powers & my mother lived together as husband & wife until the death of Mr Powers about

15 years since or more Ure Mansell
Subscribed and sworn before me Thos D Phelps Notary Public
I Betsey Mansell wife of Ure Mansell being only known on oath before that I was present at the marriage of my husband's mother mother referred to in his deposition and saw her married to Michael Brown. I know nothing here as to the time
Mr Brown is deceased and his mother lives in our family
Betsey Mansell Sworn and subscribed before me Thos D Phelps Notary Public

Middlebury May 7 th 1827
This may certify that Michael Powers and Elizabeth Manville both of this Town have this day been united in marriage. —
Recd May 7 — 1827.
Mark Mead.
Minister of the Gospel —
A true copy Larmon Townsman Register
I certify that this is a true copy of the record in Middlebury Marriage records .
E. S. Smith Town Clerk
I certify that Mr Merrill and Porty his wife are to me personally known & an credible witnesses area that E. S. Smith is Town Clerk of Middlebury & the foregoing signature is his genuine writing
Thos D. Phelps — Notary Public

Edith Brown
258. 178
Reply to
W. B. Russell
W. B. Russell Brown

She also alleges that she was married to said Michael Brown at Macaulay aged by the Rev. Mark Meade a Congregational minister of the Gospel there on the fourth day of May 1827 since that she is now the Widow of said Brown
She makes this application for the purpose of obtaining Bounty Land to which she is entitled under the act of March 3 1855. and other acts as may entitle her to the same and hath not made any previous application for Bounty Land In presence of David M. Fenn Solomon Reynolds Eliza Brown C. B. [?] Special witnesses
We David M. Fenn and Solomon Reynolds Justices of the Town of Macaulay in McLean County Connecticut and upon our oath declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by said Eliza Brown in our presence and that we believe from the appearance & statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be Solomon Reynolds David M. Fenn

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the 10th 5 day of Oct 1856 and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons. That the claimant is the person who represents himself to be aware that there no interest therein in this claim.
H. D. Phelps, Notary Public
Middlebury May 7 th 1827 This may certify that Michael Bowers and Electa Manville both of this town have this day been united in marriage Mark Mead Rec d (May 7 th 1827) Minister of the Gospel A true copy Attest Lemuel Townsend Registrar
I certify this to be a true copy from the Middlebury Records
E. L. Smith Registrar
Middlebury Sept 1 st 1856

We Jason Alwater a Clergyman, residing in the Town of Middlebury and Larmon Townsend Post Master residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Michael Bowers who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy five years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed the 19 th day of July 1833.
Jason Alwater Larmon Townsend
New Haven County ss Middlebury July 19 th 1833. Personally appeared Jason Alwater and made affirmation to the above statement by him subscribed, also Larmon Townsend and made oath to the same before me Leonard Bronson Justice of Peace
Rev WIDOW, &c
File No. 9360
Electa Bowers
Wid
Michael Bowers
First Rev War
Act: Febry 3 rd 185
Index:—Vol. A, Page 72

258.178
Temperance of Paviors Marty Adair Office Washington City
FREE
No 6.251. Elected Bowers Widow of Michael, Connecticut J.B. Phelps Feby 13 1856.
Feby 3 1853
57.880
5 Voo Aug

Brief in the case of Electa Bowers of Michael County and State of Connecticut act 3 Feb 1853
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Her husband was a pensioner under the act of June 7, 1832 at $20 a year
Record of marriage
(If for increase)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Cohabitation, general reputation of marriage, her identity as the pensioner's widow, his death and her present widowhood proved by credible witnesses
Name and residence of Agent
C B Phelps Esq Woodbury Vt
Thomas D. Plumb Examining Clerk.

Electa Bowers Widow of Michael Connecticut
admd 3 Feby 1853 $20 a year from the passage of the Act
Certificate C B Phelps Esq Woodbury Conn

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 25 th 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of Michael Bowers, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 30 th August 1839.
Respectfully yours,
Wilson K. Garrison
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions;
Present.

State of Connecticut
Litchfield County
ss Woodbury
Feb 22 1856
Be it remembered that on this day Chas B Phelps appeared before me a Notary Public with power to administer oaths & being duly sworn by me deposed as follows
It is more than thirty years since I commenced an acquaintance with Michael Brown late of Massachusetts Missoula now dead I have often been to his house in Missoula and have been acquainted with his wife who now survives her name is Eliza Mr Brown presented his pension papers before me as I think. he was a Pensioner under the act of 1832 & drew his pension to draw his pension more than once perhaps all of them Michael Brown the Pensioner was the husband of Eliza Brown the applicant for a pension as his widow I know they were husband and wife by reputation & that they cohabitated

for many years they reside in the Home owned by Michael Browns man his Grist Mill is at the out let of Quapapang Lake
Thos B Phillips
Subscribed & sworn before me
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed seal
Sevier Isaac Notary Public

State of Connecticut
New Haven County
ss Meriden
February 20 1856
Be it remembered that on this day personally appeared before me a Notary Public within and for the said State duly authorized to administer oaths. Levi Mansfield of Meriden to me personally known to whom I certify to be a credible witness. and being duly cautioned & sworn on oath declares as follows.
I was born in Meriden on the day of 17 and have always resided in said Town. my father was Simon Mansfield & my mother name is Eliza. said by the name of Eliza Bowers has applied for a pension in the Pension Commissioners Department for years before May 1827 I was well acquainted with Michael Bowers who resided for many years before and after May 1827 at Meriden within two hundred rods of my dwelling house in May 1827 he married my mother and was lived

her as her husband. He was a Miller & owner & tenant a Grist Mill at the out let of Quassapaug Lake in Mendon
I remember his obtaining a Pension and knew that he drew a Pension as a Rebel Revolutionary Soldier and that P Brown the Husband of my mother was the the identical person who drew said Pension of twenty Dollars per annum Our families were on good terms & habits of frequent intercourse so that Mrs. Eliza Brown was the wife of said Michael Brown Pensioner

State of Connecticut
Hartford County
ss. Middletown
Be it remembered that on the 20 day February 1858 Personally appeared Abigail Mannville of said Middletown, who being duly sworn before me declares and says as follows. I am the wife of Mr. Mannville of said Town. His mother is now living in our family & was the wife of Michael Brewer of said Middletown and Brewer is now dead. said Brewer was a miller and tended the mill at the west end of Quassapaug Lake many years. It is now more than forty years since I became acquainted with him. He and his wife Eliza lived some two hundred paces from our house.
I know that he was the husband of Eliza my mother in law and that he was a prisoner of the United States. I was present once when he signed and acknowledged his papers to draw his pension. The papers were

Made by Chas B Phelps and acknowledged before him I have often heard him speak of being a pensioner in his family, and remember when he made application for the Pension
That he was a pensioner was well known in our family and Mr Dower's family as any other facts Betsey Mansfield Hospital and
Noon before me in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand Official Seal
Chas B Phelps Notary Public

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Bowers, Morris GRADE Private LINE Virginia
WARRANT NUMBER 11923 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 14, 1792 to Robt. Means, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.