Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 706, John Bowker, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental Mass.
Bowker, John Philinda
W. 706. Q.L.W. 56509-160-55
CONTENTS
[Ruled lines for handwritten entries]
[Ruled lines for handwritten entries]

20.249 New York John Bowker
of Albany in the State of New York who was a Sergeant in the Albany commanded by Captain Wm. L. of the  commanded by Col. D. in the  Albany line for 3 M. 10  10 } Mass
Inscribed on the Roll of NY at the rate of 58 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Aug (R) 2 and to the A.C. for Lawrence
Arrears to the 4th of Mar '33 $1117.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th '33 29.34
$1146.66
5 Revolutionary Claims Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by G. C.  Clerk Book 6. Vol. 3. Page 47

Secret
No. 14
New York
Philinda Birkel widow of John Bower who served in the Revolutionary war as a Private & Sergeant N York Line
Albany
agency
Rate  96  Dollars  00 cents per annum.
Commencing  July 27 th 1868 Deduct payment made since
Certificate dated  May 20 th 1869 and sent to
Wm H Colbuck Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act Feb- ruary 3, 1853, Page  11  Vol. 26, no. 3
at July 27, 1868
Seal

Ex 21100
Vol. B2-19.
264. 672
Act Mar. 3. '11 Dec. 6. '16
56.509 Feb 10/37
Philinda Booker wid.
John Booker, pri. & sup.
Will 60 aq Feb 6 '87.
Butler.
Very war.
Pass? Act Feb. 3. '53 p. 69. Va. a
July 53-1645
MS
Samuel B. Gordon.
Potsdam.
N.Y.

In the matter of the application for a pension by John Brown.
2
1454
Adm
5 mos Ser ft.
10 mo. fri.
$58.66

State of New-York, } Declaration in order to St. Lawrence County. } obtain the benefit of the ss: act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
On this twenty fourth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of St. Lawrence and State of New- York, now sitting. John Bowker, a resident of Potsdam in said County, aged 78 years, the 22 nd day of August last, who being first duly sworn ac- cording to Law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Con- gress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entend the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He first enlisted as a volunteer at Scituate, in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts, where he resided during the revolutionary war, about the 18 th of May 1775 for eight months, in a Company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Windlow, Lieut. Joshua Jacobs, in the Regiment of Col. John Bai- ley, Lieut. Col. John Jacobs, in Genl. Howe- s Division of the Massachusetts Troops. He remained at Scituate keeping Guard on the Sea Shore until the Battle

of Brattle Hill, when he was ordered to Roxbury near Boston when he marched with the said company and served during the remainder of his said term, and was dismissed there without any written discharge, about the 1 st of January 1776.
About the 1 st of February 1776 he enlisted again as a volunteer in Capt. Dora and Pierce's Company in the Dorn Regiment as he believes for two months, and marched directly to Roxbury when he served the full period of 2 months, except being occasionally at Dorchester Heights, which latter place he helped fortify in the night against the British. He was at Roxbury soon after when the British evacuated Boston, and he was dismissed there about the 1 st of April 1776 without any written discharge.
The 1 st of August 1776 he enlisted again a volunteer as 2 nd Sergeant for four months in a company commanded by Capt. Gould Nelson in Col. Aaron Willard's Regiment in the Massachusetts Troops, as he supposed. Soon after he enlisted, he marched with the company to Roxbury & Wadsworth's Concord Mass. then to Walpole and Charlestown N.H. thence to Rutland Vt. to Whitehall Ticonderoga & N. Hope, when he joined Genl. Gates' army. He remained there till about the 5 th of Nov. after when he received a written discharge from Genl. Gates, in consequence of sickness, when he returned home.

and was unwell for several months. He does not recollect whether he received pay for the full period of four months, but presumes he did. His discharge is lost.
In the month of October 1777 he enlisted again as a volunteer at Scituate for one month under Capt Howard Pierce as 2 nd Sergeant, and went on a secret expedition to take Rhode Island. The Colonel's name he does not recollect. He marched directly to Givertown and was stationed there and served out his full period and was discharged there without any written discharge.
About the 15 th of July 1778 Troops were raised for six months, to go and take Rhode Island. James Lincoln then of Scituate was drafted for that time and hired the said John Bowdkin to serve as a substitute for him for the first month. He entered Col. John Bowdkin's  Pierce's Regiment, his Captain's name he does not recollect, and marched to Givertown where he joined Genl. Sullivan's army and went on to Rhode Island with the army and remained there several days, till his month expired when the said Lincoln arrived and took his place.
He never was in any engagement and he knows of no person living who was with him in any of the above mentioned campaigns.
He further states that in the year 1818 he procured the affidavit of one William Withington, then of Gitz William N. H.

who was in the same company with him during his four months campaign to Liconderosa and Mt. Hope with which affidavit and one from Charles Bowker similar to that of the said Charles hereto annexed. He made application for a pension which was rejected on the ground, as he understood, that there was no proof of service for nine months. Successively in the Continental establishment. Since said papers & hereto annexes, with proof of their contents which as they have, by accident become partly illegible. The said Withington is now dead, as he believed.
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. In the year 1780 he moved to Fitchburg N.H. and resided there till 1810 when he came to Potsdam aforesaid, where he has remained ever since.
John Bowker
Subscribed & sworn this day & year aforesaid J. Bowker
We George Withington a clergyman residing in the town of Potsdam in the said county of St. Lawrence and John Miller one of the judges of the said court of Common Pleas, residing in Potsdam aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Bowker, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 78 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.

J. C. [unclear] [unclear]
George Williams Jabez Williams
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department, the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that George Wil- liams, who has signed the proceedings as affirmed a clergyman, residing in Potsdam aforesaid, and that Jabez Williams, who also signed the same, is one of the judges of said court and resides in Potsdam aforesaid.

J. Alvin C. Low, Clerk of the said court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Brown for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the seventh fourth fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two - A C Low CLK
The words "fifth" erased
A C Low CLK
J Alvin C. Low, the Clerk above named, hereby certify that the annexed papers on the same papers which were returned from the Superior Office and which through inad- vertence were not properly authenticated. In witness my hand & seal of Office this 21 st day of May 1833.
A C Low CLK

I Hannah Griffin of Conway  Conway  Conway Conway and State of New Hampshire testify and say that while my father's family lived at Bethel Mass. myself brothers John and Charles Bowden living at home with mother John Bowden (who resided at Potosi in the State of Texas  Texas ) went to Roxbury Mass. and enlisted in the army the first of April 1875 and went about eight months and it was supposed and understood by all the family and neighbors that he was in the Army all that time. That about the first of February 1876 he went again to Roxbury Mass. and joined the Army for two months there in the first August 1876 he enlisted again and went to Lake Champlain about four months and fought during this campaign and came home quite lame and was  was in the October 1876 he enlisted for one month and fought and went on the secret expedition to take Rhode Island
Hannah Griffin
New Hampshire Charlestown County. I deponent to the above named Hannah Griffin made affirmation that the above deposition by her is true and correct.
Before me (S) notary  notary  notary

Normal Bridge No. 1
The subscriber hereby certifies that the within mentioned witness is a credible person
August 7, 1832
D. W. Farnsworth Jus. Peace
Cheshire, Aug. 8, 1832
1000000000 1000000000 1000000000 1000000000 1000000000 1000000000 1000000000 1000000000 1000000000 1000000000
I, Salma Hale, clerk of the Superior Courts in sd County certify that Daniel W. Farnsworth is a Justice of the Peace in and for sd County and that the foregoing official signatures are in his own hand writing. In testimony whereof herewith affix the seal of said Superior Court of Judicature.
J. V. Allen, Clerk

Charles Barbour of Fitzwilliam in the county of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire testify and say that while my father family lived at District Mass. Upton's sister Hannah brother John living at home my brother John went to the same Mass. and enlisted in the army the first of April 1875 and was about eight months and I then discovered and understand by all the family and neighbors that he was in the Army at that time that he served in the Company of Capt. Nathaniel Dinsmore and Regiment of Col. John Bailey that on the 1st February 1876 he moved again to Roxbury Mass. and served for  two months in the company of Capt. Dinsmore  then moved to 
that in first August 1876 he received again and went to Lake Champlain and was about three months and served as the Regiment during the campaign and came home very much weaker  and unable unable for a considerable time than any other. In October 1877 he enlisted for one year under Capt. Dinsmore's Pioneer as a Sergeant and went on the same campaign to take back John Charles Barbour
State of New Hampshire August 7th 1882 Then the above named Charles Barbour made oath that the above deposition by him signed was true Before me Daniel W. Atkinson Sec. State

Thursday 1 August 1892
I hereby certify that the within memorandum witnesses is a true and correct copy
D. M. Burrow Jr. Clerk
Cherbourg. Aug 3. 1892
I Salma Hale, Clerk of the Judicial Court, in said county certify that Daniel W. Turner is a Justice of the Peace for said county, and that the foregoing official signature is in his own hand writing testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court of Judicial
S. Hale Clerk

of a great Elizabet Kills

...lyments and ... Colonel Aaron Williams ... ... until the fifth day of ...

Beateville ... College ...
... and ...
... as ... returned ... 1776

...the, having been admitted, and that the same ...the ... of October 1777 under ... ...andis him ...

Continued of last account 1905 Mar 1 To Balance 1495 " Dec 1 By Cash 1226 " Jan 1 By Cash 1772 " July 1 By Cash 1495

Application for Pension Philinda Bowker.
Philinda Bowker widow of John. N. Y.
act 3 d Feb. 1852. Rev. Gen,
John Bowker was a pensioner N. Y. Roll.
J. M. Thayer Present,

STATE OF New York } COUNTY OF M c Lawrence } ss.
act 3 d Feb. 1853
Be it known , that on this first day of April , A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty three , before me Special County Judge in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Philinda Bowhen , a resident of Potsdam in said County, and made oath according to law, that she is the widow of John Bowhen who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States at the time of his death at the rate of $58.00 per annum—that she was married to the said John Bowhen on the 19 th day of November eighteen hundred and thirty in the town of Potsdam and State of New York that her said husband died on the 8 th day of May eighteen hundred and forty two that she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining such a rate of Pension as may be due under any of the Laws, Regulations, or decisions that have been or may hereafter be adopted.—and that she still continues his widow .
The said Declarant further states, that she hereby constitutes and appoints John M. Thayer her true and lawful Attorney and Agent to prosecute said claim, with power of substitution, to examine all papers and documents in relation to it, and to do all things necessary and lawful in the premises; except drawing the money, which will be hereafter provided for.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me, in open court This first day of April 1853 William H. Wallen Special County Judge M c Lawrence
Witness my hand William H. Wallen Special County Judge M c Lawrence County
I, William H. Wallen Special County Judge in and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Philinda Bowhen above named is a respectable resident of this County, and is the same person she represents herself to be in the foregoing declaration; as I believe she has this day appeared before me and acknowledge the above Power of Attorney to be her act and deed. and further that the said Philinda Bowhen by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to personally appear and swear in open court.
William H. Wallen Special County Judge M c Lawrence County
STATE OF New York } M c Lawrence County, ss. }
I Clerk of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that before whom the foregoing proceedings were had, was at the time of execution, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name, this . day of in the year 185
County Clerk.

State of New-York. County of St Lawrence
George Lamphear and Jonathan Wallen both of the town of Potsdam in said County and State, and each being duly sworn, says, each for himself, that he knows Philinda Bowlin, the person named in the annexed declaration to be the widow of John Bowlin deceased mentioned as a Revolutionary pensioner, and each says for himself that he was present and saw the said Philinda Bowlin married to the said John Bowlin at the said town of Potsdam on the 18th day of November 1830, that said marriage was solemnized by the Rev. Jonathan Wallen a clergyman of said town in pursuance of the laws of said State and further each for himself says that said Philinda and said John lived thereafter together in said town as man and wife until the decease of the said John Bowlin which occurred May 6th 1842. and that the said Philinda still continues unmarried, and the deponent Jonathan Wallen further says for himself that he was the said clergyman that solemnized the said marriage and that the record thereof made by him at the time has become lost or mislaid and that after diligent search made for the same it cannot be found, and the said deponents each for himself further says he is entirely disinterested in this matter and no way of kind to the said Philinda Bowlin.
George Lamphear Jonathan Wallen
Subscribed and sworn before me this first day of April 1853.
William H. Wallen
Special County Judge
St Lawrence County
I further certify that I am acquainted personally with the above named George Lamphear and Jonathan Wallen and that the said deponents are entitled to full credit as witnesses and are disinterested in the matter
William H. Wallen
Special County Judge
St Lawrence County

State of New York County of St Lawrence ss
On this fifteenth day of June A.D. one thousand eight hundred of fifty five personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Philinda Bowher aged Sixty nine years a resident of Potsdam in the State of New York who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of John Bowher deceased who was a private Sergeant in the Revolutionary war and continued in actual service in said war for the term of fourteen days and was honorably discharged that she is now in the receipt from the United States of a pension of fifty eight dollars and sixty six cents per annum on account of the said services of her said husband John Bowher deceased for which pension she holds a Pension Certificate issued from the Department of the Interior (in duplicate) the second day of August A.D. 1854 purporting to be recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensions under act February 3d 1853 Page 69 Vol A

G T Letty Clerk
Deponent further says she makes the declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty sent to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3. 1855. She also declares that she has not received a warrant for Bounty sent under this act or any other act of Congress nor made any other application therefor
Signed B Gordon?
Philinda he X Bowher mark
Milton Brown Witness
We George Lanshean and Charles Cox residents of P'keepsie in the State of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Philinda Bowher in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be and that we are not interested in the claim
George Lanshean Charles Cox
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I

certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim.
Milton Brown Justice of the Peace

STATE OF NEW YORK, St. Lawrence County, Clerk's Office,
} ss.
I, GEORGE S. WINSLOW, Clerk of said County of St. Lawrence, and also Clerk of the Courts of Record, directed by law to be held therein, do hereby certify, that Milton Brown before whom the annexed affidavit was made, was, at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorised to take the same; and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of said Justice, and verily believe his signature to the jurat of the annexed affidavit to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County and Courts, this 8th day of July 185 5
G. S. Winslow CLERK.

No 14594 John Bowler St Law Renss County N York
adm 
16. S. 383
May 95
A. B. Low Clk St Law Renss County Court New York

25 33 58:86  BRIEF in the case of  John Pooker  County of St Lawrence in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 78  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.     Enlist as a vol teer In 1775 about 1 May 8 Private Capt Winslow Col Parley   " " 1776 Feb 1 - 2 2nd Sergeant " Service - "   " " 1776 Aug 1 to about 5 Nov 1 " " Nelson - " Willard   " " 1777 Oct 1 " " Pierce "   " " 1778 July 15 1 - - - " Jacob   15  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Plymouth County Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence in my writings  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not connected as the regulations require 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Dyer Castor  Examining Clerk.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., Aug 3, 1923
In reply to your request of _____, for the history of  John Bowker , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, the following is taken from the  his  his  widow's claim for pension.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     ✓ Apr. 1775 to Jan. 1, 1776 Private Nathaniel Winslow John Bailey Mass.   Feb. 1, 1776 to Apr. 1, 1776 " Howard Pierce John Bailey   Aug. 1, 1776 to Nov. 5, 1776 2" Sgt. 2" Sgt. Samuel Nelson Aaron Willard   Oct. 1777 1 mo. 2" Sgt. Howard Pierce   July 15, 1778 1 mo. Private ✓ John Jacobs  
Battles engaged in, None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Scituate, Plymouth Co., Mass.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 21, 1832. His ch. was ab.
Residence at date of application, Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, Born Aug. 22, 1754.
Remarks: In 1780 he moved to Fitz William, N.H., in 1810 to said  Potsdam. He died May 6, 1842 - Soldier mrs. Nov. 18, 1830  in Potsdam, N.Y. Philinda --- who was allowed pen.  on her ap. of Apr. 1, 1853 while a res. of said Potsdam.  In 1869 she was aged 83 yrs.
Respectfully,
✓ Sister & Bro.'s affid. gave April and Mass. Book  April - Commissioner.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
(Sol. had bro. Chas. in Fitz William, N.H. in 1832
Sister: Hannah Griffin in Cheshire Co., N.H. - 1832

Fa: R: of Mr: H. Lawrence for May 1 st 42 "Brynton"

Sandy Creek, N.Y. June 27, 1923
The Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me the war record of John Bowker and James Bowker, formerly of Massachusetts? The widow of one of these men received a pension, Revolutionary War, while living at Potsdam.
I shall appreciate this favor. Thank you.
Very truly yours
Mrs. F. H. Sherman.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 706
Philinda Bowker
Widow
John Bowker
Ex'rs Lgt. Rev. W
Act: Feb. 3, 1853
Index:—Vol. A , Page 11
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1923-Aug. 3 - Hish. Co. Min. N.H. Phoenix. MSST.

Moran City, Resoluting Clear
Declaration for An Increase of Pension act of July 27 th 1868.
Philinda Bousha affidavit widow of John Bousha A Soldier of the Revolution war
Frank
My Belovich with

State of New York } ss. on this 23 day of April County of St Lawrence } A.D. 1867. Personally appeared before me A Clerk of the Superior Court with me and for the County and State aforesaid. Philinda Bowker aged 83 years A Resident of Potsdam In the State of New York who being duly sworn according to Law. Declared that she is the identical person to whom was granted Pension Certificate In Duplicate No. 1. Numbered In lieu of one dated August 31 st 1853. Payable at Albany N.Y. at the rate of Fifty Eight Dollars and Sixty Six cents per Annum. Issued under Act of Congress. February 3 rd 1853. And she Makes this declaration In order to secure the Increase of My Pension to which I am Entitled under the 13 th Section of the Act of July 27 th 1868.
My Post office address is as follows. Potsdam Junction New York.
witness
Philinda H X Bowker mark
Sophia Bowker G W Chandler
Also Personally appeared Sophia Bowker and G W Chandler Residents of Potsdam St Lawrence County N.Y. Persons whom I certify to be Respectable and Entitled to Credit and who being by Me duly sworn says that they were present and saw Philinda Bowker Make her Mark to the foregoing Declaration

Sophia Booker G W Chandler
Also personally appeared Sophia Booker and G W Chandler Residents of Paterson St Lawrence County N.Y. Persons whom I certify to be Respectable and Entitled to Credit and who, being by Me sworn say that they were present and saw Philander Sawyer make her Mark to the foregoing Declaration and they further swear that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the Applicant and their acquaintance with her that she is the identical person She represents herself to be and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim
Sophia Booker G W Chandler
Sworn to and subscribed before Me this 23 day of April A.D. 1867. and I hereby certify that I have no interest direct or indirect in the Prosecution of this claim
Mrs Miller Clerk St Lawrence

5 No. 509
S New York

H
McRae
Wm. McRae Offic. Department of the Interior Washington City District of Columbia W. P. A.

April 29. 1853
No 2154
App. of Philinda
Barker
Pauline widow of
John -
H. Lawrence
ex. 24.
20249
Act 3 d Feby: 1853
$ 58 66 / 100 per annum
Comm 3 d Feby: 1853.
Rev.
J. M. Thayer
Present.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business

Finan' Office 22 d August 1853.
Sir, Be pleased to inform me to what time the annuity named pensioner was paid, or the date of his death,
I am Sir, Respectfully,
S. Call, for the Commission John Burkin at 1832 $58. 66. p. an. — Died 6 th May 1842, Paid to his death.
F. Burt Auditor.
Francis Burt Esq., This Auditor, Treasury

Increase Brief in the Case of Philinda Booker, Widow of John Booker, Private and Sergeant Rev War. Potsdam Junction St Lawrence County and State of New York. Act 2 nd Sec Feb. 3. 1853.  Albany V
CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION CERTIFICATE,
PROOF EXHIBITED,
Pension at $58.66 pr Annum. Certificate returned
Claims increase pension under 13 th Sec Act July 27 1868.
Personal identity properly shown. Continued widowhood not stated. The com te . to day gave permission to accept their declaration & not require proof of continued widowhood
Admitted May 15. 1869 to pension at $96.00 pr annum to commence July 27. 1868 deducting pay s . since
Name and residence of Agent.
W m Helmick
Present,
W E Trask Examining Clerk.
L.L.

Philinda Bowker
Pension $58.66
M rs Philinda Bowker
Payment to be made at Albany
by James M c French Co
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of
New York
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 3d, 1853, Page 69 Vol. a
J. T. Kelly Clerk.
1860 M rs Bowker had residual Pension 38 years but sent to pension at Elizabeth town Essex county NY

Duplicate Department of the Interior.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of Feb- mary 3, 1853,
Philinda Bowker.
widow of John Bowker. who was a Private & Sergeant in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of fifty-Eight, dollars and Sixty-Six, cents per annum, commencing on the 3d of February, 1853, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage. This Certificate in lieu of one dated August 31 st 1853.
Given at the Department of the Interior, this Second, day of August one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.
W. C. Latham
Secretary of the Interior.
Examined and Countersigned.
S. P. Hildreth Commissioner of Pensions.
Resided in Potsdam 32 yrs Dec 1854 - previously lived in Essex County N.Y.

Brief in the case of Philinda Bowker, widow of John H. Lawrence County and State of New York, act 3 d Feb'y, 1853,
Claim, ("original," or "for increase")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner, under the act of 7 th June, 1832. Parole proof of marriage
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
J. M. Thayer, Esq., Present
Name and residence of Agent
E. H. Boynton, Examining Clerk.

N.Y.
Philinda Bowker widow of John -
Feb 3. sub. 53.
Send -
Duplicate to - Wm. H. Wallace Potsdam
N.Y.

Potsdam July 25th 1854.
Commission of Pensions:
Dear Sir:
Enclosed please find affidavit of Charles Cook in relation to the loss of Mrs Philinda Bowlin's Pension certificate obtained under the act of 3rd February 1853. I do not know what the regulations of the Pension Department are in such cases but presume that you grant Pension certificates to supply the place of those lost when a proper case is made out. Mrs Bowlin requests me to send the enclosed affidavit and write me in regard to the same. If the affidavit is sufficient please order to me at Potsdam St Lawrence County New-York a new Pension certificate for her. If the affidavit is not sufficient please inform me what more is necessary to be done in order to procure one in place of the one lost and we will endeavor to do it. Please inform me without delay as Mrs Bowlin is very poor and the loss of her pension money is a great hardship to her.
William H. Wallace for Mrs Philinda Bowlin -

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Bowker which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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?
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?
See my Wtnesses
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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 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 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 shewn 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.
† 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 authenticates 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 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

In the matter of the Application of Mrs Philinda Bowlin for a Pension certificate in place of one lost or destroyed.

In the matter of the application of Mrs Philinda Bowlin for a Pension certificate in place of one lost or destroyed.
State of New-York County of St Lawrence: Charles Cook of Potsdam in said County being duly sworn, says that he knows Philinda Bowlin of said town and County and has known her for many years, that the said Philinda Bowlin widow of John Bowlin since procured a Pension Certificate from the Pension Department at Washington City in the District of Columbia under the act of February 3rd 1853 as the widow of the said John Bowlin a voluntary soldier, that the said Department acting in her behalf had her papers in his possession and sometime in the fall of the year 1853 sent down to the Pension agent at the City of Albany in the said State of New-York the requisite power of attorney duly executed by the said Philinda Bowlin by which she authorized one William A Scott to receive the sum of $34.20 being the amount due the said Philinda Bowlin on said Pension Certificate from the said 3rd day of February 1853 until the 4th day of September 1853, which said sum of $34.20 was duly paid one to the said William A Scott on said Power of attorney. That on the 4th day of March 1854 the said Philinda Bowlin came to this deponents place of business to execute another Power of attorney in order to procure from the Pension agency at Albany the amount due her on said Pension certificate up to the said 4th day of March 1854 from the aforesaid 4th day of September 1853, when this deponent was unable to find after most thorough and diligent search made among his papers and throughout his place of business the said Pension certificate of the said Philinda Bowlin, that the said Philinda was in consequence thereof unable to execute any power of attorney to draw her pension under the said certificate from the Agency at the City of Albany aforesaid and has remained ever since unable to do the same by reason of the loss of said Pension certificate, and this deponent further says that since that time he has made thorough search throughout his place of business aforesaid and thorough and diligent search and inquiry in every other place where he imagined said Pension certificate could possibly be or might be found and that he cannot find the same and

This deponent verily believes that the said Pension Certificate of the said Philinda Bowlin is lost & destroyed and that the same cannot be found, and this deponent further says that he makes this affidavit for the purpose of procuring from the Pension Office another Pension certificate for the said Philinda Bowlin in place of the one so lost and destroyed.
Subscribed and sworn before me } This 25 th day of July 1854. }
Charles Cox
William H. Wallen Special County Judge of St Lawrence County -

STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss. COUNTY OF ST. LAWRENCE, }
I, GEORGE S. WINSLOW, Clerk of the County of St. Lawrence, do hereby certify, that William H Wallace  whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgment  affidavit of application  thereon  and thereon written, was at the time of taking such affidavit or acknowledgment  affidavit  Justice of the Peace  Special County Judge in and for the said county, duly authorized to take the same: And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice  Special County Judge , and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of proof or  affidavit acknowledgment , is genuine. and that said affidavit is taken according to the Laws of this State
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 6 th day of April 185 3.
George S. Winslow CLERK.

August 2. 1854.
Duplicate issued and sent to Mrs. H. Mallace Potsdam N York
✓ 1645 New York Albany Philinda Bourke widow of John who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private & Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 58 Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
3 rd February 1853 Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of Aug 1853 and sent to
A. M. Thayer Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act Feb 1848 , Page 69 Vol. A
Februy 3 rd 53
1832
264672 [Signature]