Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1552, Rufus Butler, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Butler, Rufus Jane.
R. 1552
B.L.W. 6288-160-55.
CONTENTS

34,488. Mar. 3. 1835.
Apr. 2. ,
Jane Butler, widow of Rufus Butler, Pirate.
Capt. Dimmick. Col.
Enr. June 1781. Dis.
Revolutionary War.
Rev. Capt. Dimmick Navy List Boston
Adm. 160 acc Sept 12/55 Hodge
Can of Claimant. G. P. Bourne. Falmouth. Mass.
Lt. G. P. Bourne Aug 20/55
Map Reg 1832 v
1
Vol. B2-135.

32,354
Rufus Butler
Falmouth, Mass.
2918

County of Barnstable ss. On this twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two four , personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Falmouth in and for said County, Rufus Butler a resident of Falmouth in said County, aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Falmouth in the County of Barnstable on the seventeenth day of August A. D. 1758, and that there is a record of his birth he thinks but cannot certainly : that he was in the United States service from the first day of July A. D. 1781, to the last day of August A. D. 1781 as a private soldier in the militia of Massachusetts
: that he was residing at Falmouth when he entered the service; that he engaged for the defence of the sea coast for two months  and served for the period aforesaid under the command of  Capt Joseph Palmer as he thinks
: that he marched from  along the shores of the Vineyard Sound in Falmouth  keeping guard, and to give notice of the approach of the English fleet  often  frequently in : that he served with none
of the regular troops; and no
regular officers were known to him; that he was in one battle, but the enemy landed once, a took a strong hill from the land, & carried off several vessels at anchor and at the end of his service received a discharge as he recollects in writing : that he left the service on being discharged and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Falmouth
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the tenth day of June A. D. 1782 1783 , to the fifteenth day of November A. D. 1782-1783 as a private soldier in the militia of Massachusetts
that he was residing at Falmouth when he entered the service; that he engaged for the defence of the sea coast for the season and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Major Joseph Dummer as he thinks
: that he marched from  to Woods Hole, where he was stationed to guard the coast from the depredations of the enemy, their vessels being frequently in the sound cruising along the coast : that he served with none
of the regular troops; and
no regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle that at the end of his service he received a discharge that he recollects and left the service on being discharged and returned home
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the day of  A. D. 17  , to the  day of  A. D. 17  as a  in the 
that he was residing at  when he entered the service; that he  and served for the period aforesaid under the command of 
: that he marched from 
: that he served with 
of the regular troops; and
regular officers were known to him; that he was in  battle
that at the end of his service he received a discharge  the service on 
and left

Thomas Fish & Richard S. Wood Esquires are my neighbors and testify to my character and reputation for having served in the War of the Revolution. — And he further states, that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, cannot swear positively that he has stated positively the precise time of the commencement or termination of his several services correctly, but he is certain he served for the several periods of time stated in his declaration in the Revolutionary War, amounting in the whole to seven months and five days, and for which he claims a pension.
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.
Rufus Butler
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Almer Davis - Reg of Probate
We Thomas Fish Esquire residing in the town of Falmouth and Richard S. Wood Esquire residing in said town of Falmouth hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Rufus Butler who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy six 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 as aforesaid.
Almer Davis, Reg of Probate.
Thomas Fish Richd. S. Wood
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 certify that it appears to them that Thomas Fish Esquire who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the town of Falmouth; and that Richard S. Wood Esquire who has also signed the same is a resident in S. Falmouth and both credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nymphas Marston - Judge
Almer Davis Reg of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Rufus Butler for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Almer Davis - Reg.

34,488.
Scrutinize closely ?

State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Barnstable }
On this twenty ninth day of March, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Jane Butler aged eighty one years resident of Falmouth in the State of Massachusetts who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Rufus Butler deceased who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Joseph Dinneick in the War of the Revolution as appears by a Certificate of the Secretary of this Commonwealth now in her possession, a copy of which is herewith annexed, that her husband enlisted at Falmouth on or about the tenth day of June A.D. 1781. for the term of _____ and continued in actual service in said War for the term of five months and was honorably discharged at Falmouth, on the _____
She further states that she was married to the said Rufus Butler in Falmouth on the sixth day of Decem. A.D. 1801 by one Henry Lincoln a Clergyman and that her name before said marriage was Jane Hatch that her

Said husband, died at Falmouth on the ninth day of April, A.D. 1837, and that she is still a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land, to which she may be intitled under the Bounty land act passed March 3 d . 1855.
Signed and acknowledged in presence of us. Elihu Hatch S. P. Gurnee Hannah Kutter
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year above written
S. P. Gurnee } Justice of the Peace. —
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Barnstable County } Falmouth March 29 th 1855
This is to certify that S. P. Gurnee having been commissioned by the Governor of this Commonwealth, as a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, was duly qualified by subscribing and taking the oaths required by law on the 19 th day of Feb y . 1855.
Before us Frederick Davis } Commission to Qualify Simon Coombs } Civil Officers

State of Massachusetts } ff. Barnstable County }
Be it known that, before me S. P. Gouine a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Jane Butler of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable, and made oath in due form of law that she is the identical widow of Rufus Butler named in an original certificate in her possession of which I certify the following to be a true copy -
"Commonwealth of Massachusetts" Secretary's Office
Boston, May 6. 1853
I hereby certify That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name Rufus Butler is borne on roll of a Company raised by Joseph Brimick in Falmouth to defend the coast from June 10 th 1781 5 months 5 days; as private. -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written,
E. M. Wright Secy. of the Commonwealth.
Falm. March 29 th 1855 Steven and garr Butler Subscribed this day Before me
S. P. Gouine Justice of Peace.

I certify that the within named Jane Butler is personally known to me (and that she is the widow of Rufus Butler named in the copy of the Certificate of the Deed of the Commonwealth within.
21 st March 1855. C. S. P. Gould Justice of Peace.

State of Massachusetts — Barnstable . — County.
We, Stephen Davis and John Butler , both of Falmouth , having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew Rufus Butler who was a reputed private in the war of the Revolution — whose widow now applies for bounty land,—that we knew him for more than twenty years before his death, which occurred at Falmouth — about Eighteen years ago,—that we know that he died at about that time because we attended his funeral .
that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she has remained unmarried, and that we are disinterested.
Stephen Davis
John Butler
Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this fifteenth day of March A. D. 1855.
S. P. Gouveneur
{ Justice of the Peace.
It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, by the affidavits of Stephen Davis and John Butler of the said county and state, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the above application; that they are person- ally acquainted with, and know, June Butler to be the widow of the late Rufus Butler who was a reputed private in the War of the Revolution and that the said Rufus Butler , died at Falmouth , about Eighteen years ago as above stated.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of March 1855.
S. P. Gouveneur
Justice of the Peace.
S. P. Gouveneur Justice of the Peace.

Married in Falmouth by the Rev Henry Lincoln Rufus Butler to Jane Hatch both of Falmouth on the 11 th day of December 1801. A true copy from the Town Records Attest William Ege Jr. Town Clerk Falmouth March 29. 1855.

FORM OF A DECLARATION.
To be made by the widow of a deceased person who has not had a land warrant.
State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable } S. S.
On this thirty first day of August A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five , personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Jane Butler aged Eighty two years, a resident of Halmuth in the State of Massachusetts , who being duly sworn according to law, de- clares that she is the widow of Rufus Butler , deceased, who was a Private in the Company, commanded by Captain, Joseph Dinnoch , in the regiment of _____, commanded by _____ in the War with Great Britain, declared by the United States, on the 18th day of June, 1812, (or) the War with War of the Revolution that her said husband enlisted (or volunteered or was drafted) at Halmuth on or about the tenth day of June A. D. Seventeen hundred eighty one for the term of _____ and continued in actual service in said War for the term of 5 months 25 days and was honorably discharged at Halmuth on the day of _____ A. D. _____
She further states that she was married to the said Rufus Butler in Halmuth on the Sixth day of December , A. D. 1801 , by one Henry Lincoln , a Clergyman , and that her name before her said marriage was Jane Hatch that her said husband died at Halmuth , on the fourth day of April , A. D. 1837 , and that she is now a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land, to which she may be entitled, under the act approved March 3d, 1855.
(Claimant's Signature.)
Jane Butler

We Davis Hatch and John Butler , residents of Falmouth in the State of Massachusetts upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Jane Butler 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. That we personally knew Rufus Butler for more than 20 years previous to his death that we attended his funeral, and knew that Jane Butler the applicant is the identical widow of the said Rufus and that she still remains a widow and now resides in Falmouth aforesaid. —
(Signatures of Witnesses.)
Davis Hatch John Butler
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.
J. P. Fournier — Justice of the Peace.
NOTE.—This declaration must be accompanied by satisfactory proof of the marriage, of the husband's death, and the present widowhood of the claimant. If there be a public record of the marriage, a duly certified copy of it should be forwarded, if possible. If there be none but a private or family record such family record, or a certified copy of the same, should be forwarded, with the affidavit of some disinterested persons proving the genuineness of the original, and the correctness of the copy. If no public or private record of the marriage exist, or can be procured, that fact should be set forth in the declaration; and in such case, other evidence—such as the testimony of persons who knew the parties in the lifetime of the husband, and knew them to cohabit as husband and wife, and to be so reputed—will be admissible.
In no case, however, will the mere statement of witnesses that the claimant is the widow of the deceased be taken as evidence of the marriage; but the witnesses must state the facts and circumstances from which they derive their knowledge or opinion that she is the widow of the deceased.
Waenstalle St. Falmouth Sept. 1 st 1855.
I hereby certify the following to be a correct copy from the Records of the Town of Falmouth County of Barnstable. "Married by the Rev. Henry Lincoln Dec. 4 th 1801 Rufus Butler to Jane Hatch." — "Died April 9 th 1837 Rufus Butler."
Given under my hand and seal the day and year above written. —
William Ege Jr. Town Clerk.

State of Massachusetts County of Barnstable ss. I, F. W. Crocker Clerk of the court of Common Pleas in the County and State aforesaid, hereby certify that S. W. Young whose genuine signature is affixed to the within acknowledg- ment was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace duly authorized, by law to take such acknowledgment and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such. —
Given under my hand, and the seal of said Court this third day of September 1855. —
Frederick W. Crocker Clerk
APPLICATION FOR BOUNTY LAND,
UNDER THE ACT OF
MARCH 3rd, 1855.
Names of Claimant or Claimants
Jane Pease
Name of the State
Massachusetts
War in which the Claimant served

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 6, 1873.
1552
RECEIVED
P. O. Rufus Butler
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

No. 34.488
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 6, 1855.
Rufus Butler Rev. War
Warrant No. 6288-160-53
Claimant S. P. Bourn Falmouth Mass.

6288
S
St. Louis

32354
Massachusetts
Rufus Butler
Rejected
Recd 13 Dec r 1834 to
Abner Davis
152 —

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept. 18. 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of "Ruphas Butler" as a private appears on the following Roll viz: A Roll for a Company of men raised in the town of Falmouth, to guard the shore, for the security of the town - Raised by Joseph Dinnick Esq., and to be paid by a Resolve of the General Court bearing date June 30 th 1783. commencing June 10 th and ending Novemb 15 th 1783. five months and five days
5.5 2. Also that the name of "Ruphas Butters" as a private, is on a pay roll for a Company of thirty two men, raised in the town of Falmouth in the year 1781. to guard the shore for the security of the town viz: two months Edward D. Bangs. Secy

I Moses Hatch of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts aged eighty two years, do testify and say that I was a soldier in the War of the Revolution that I could know Rufus Butler now present in Court, and have known him for upwards of sixty years, and could recollect that he served five or six months in the year 1782 or 1783, in the same company with me, in guarding the sea coast, recollect him particularly from the circumstance of his being stationed together at Wood's Hole to keep a look out for the enemy - also as that he and I were not stationed together in the two months service after or two previous at this period of time have no distinct recollection of him, but as I have always understood and believed him to have been there have no doubt he was in that service - could also further state that these companies, to the best of my recollection, were all composed of the inhabitants of Falmouth, and that there were several in them of the name of Butler, as that is a very common name in this town 'tho'' I have never known any other of the name of Rufus - that I am certain there was no person in the said companies, by the name of Butler or Butters, as that is a name I never heard of, either here or elsewhere.  Moses Hatch
I Samuel Brownell of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I have examined the pay rolls in the office of the Secretary of this Commonwealth, for which that Rufus Butler of this town, has promised, in support of his claim for a Pension under the Act of Congress of June 1832, and found there two or three persons of the name of Rufus (one of whom the late Rufus Fish) could know) and two or three or more of the name of Butler. That in spelling Rufus - ph was always first instead of f - and in several instances in spelling Butler, the l was omitted making Butler or Butters, and as the rolls were composed (as near as I can recollect) of men all of whom I supposed belonged to this town, and Butler being a very common name, and none ever known or heard of as I am aware of the name of Butler, and the rolls the plain, careless writings, and badly spelt. have no doubt that Rufus Butler now present, was the person, intended by the writer of said rolls.
Sam d P Brownell
Barnstable ss. Probate Court at Falmouth in said County on the 12th day of November A.D. 1834. Personally appeared in open court Sam d P. Brownell Esqr. & Moses Hatch and severally made oath to the truth of the above written depositions by them severally subscribed in open court
Witness my hand & the seal of the said Probate Court for said County the day & year afore said. And I also certify that in the opinion of the Court the said Deponents are both credible witnesses.  Alger Davis, Reg.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
May 6 1853.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name Rufus Butler is borne on roll of a Company raised by Joseph Dinnock in Plymouth to defend the coast from June 10. 1781. Time. 5 days: as private.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. U. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES,
made by the Widow of the party who rendered the service.
County of Barnstable State of Massachusetts Town of Falmouth
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of Rufus Butler in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts
He enlisted from the Town of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts in the year 17 as a in the Company commanded by Captain
Regiment
and he served as follows,* viz:—
Particulars not known to claimant.
Witness J. P. Greene
Jane Butler
* Here describe as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c., of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

I am now Eighty years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated.
WITNESS my hand, this Twenty Ninth day of April A. D. 1853
Jane Butler
Signed by said in my presence,
Jane Butler
W. P. Fournier
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE. }

To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.

Falmouth Mass Sept. 7 th 1885
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 20 th ult. has been received.
The defects in the application of Jane Butler widow of Rufus Butler for Bounty Land, under the act of the 3 rd of March last (No. 34488) have been remedied in the Enclora document which I think is in strict accordance with the requirement of the act. —
I also enclose the certificate of the Secy. of this Commonwealth of the service having been performed by the husband of the applicant.
Yours Respectfully
To the Commis r of Pensions Washington D.C.
J. S. Bourne

34,488.
S. P. Waldo Esq. Comptroller of Pensions Washington D.C.

Falmouth Mass. March 31/55
S. P. Waldo Esq
Comp r of Pensions
Dear Sir
At the request of Mrs. Jane Butler an aged Widow I forward you all the necessary documents to enable her to obtain the Bounty of 160 acres of land agreeable to the Act of March 3 rd 1855. If the Papers are all found correct, please forward the Warrant for the No. of acres to which she is entitled at your earliest convenience. According to "Jane Butler Case of S. P. Powned Cash g of Falmouth Bank"
Very Respectfully
S. P. Powned