Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25,273, Jonathan Bowers, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Bowers, Jonathan Dorcas
N. 25,273
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for entries.

5876
New York City
Deborah Bowers widow of Jonathan Bowers who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a fifer
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of $8 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of Feby/52 and sent to
Genl J. C. Howard 65, 4 th Street Williamsburgh New York
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 16, Vol. 4.
Let to Genl J. C. Howard 1 March 52

State of New York County of Kings City of Newburgh. —
So - On this 31 st day of Jan y 1852 personally appeared, before the subscriber, a Judge of the County Court, in & for the County, above named, Mrs. Dorcas Bowers, a resident of said City , in the County & State above named, —, aged 87- years last December who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit, of the provision made by the Act, of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay & pension to certain Widows . — That she is the widow of Jonathan Bowers — who was a musician in the Revolutionary Army — from the town of Billerica in the county of Middlesex Mass She remembers, in the spring of 1777 he went into the Army as a musician — she cannot name the Company or Reg t but well rememb- -ers he was from home — (both parents were neighbours,) in the army till the fall

of 1780 - he had a printed discharge - I saw & read the same before & after we were married, it has been lost for many years - There was an instrument called a fife he used in the army, that was in the house for many years after we were married, - She further declared that she was married to the said Jonathan Bowers in the Town of Billerica County of Middlesex Mass - on the 15 th day of May A. 1783 - that her husband the aforesaid Jonathan Bowers died on the twenty first day of Feby. A. 1804 - in said Town and County above named, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of Jan y . 1794 - (viz) at the time above stated -
City of Newburgh      her County of Kings      Dorcas x Bowers State of New York, ss.      mark on this 2 nd day of January A. 1852 personally appeared before me Mrs Dorcas Bowers and

made oath that the statement embraced in her application are true - and I further state in consequence of her infirmary I administered the oath in her private room. I also certify she is a person of truth & respectability and her word to be received in full testimony in Court & out -
Samuel Moore County Judge of Kings County

her word to be received in full testimony in
STATE OF NEW YORK, } ss. COUNTY OF KINGS, }
I, FRANCIS B. STRYKER , Clerk of the County of Kings, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that Henry A Moore whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of Proof, or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the Peace  County Judge in and for the said County, dwelling in said County, elected and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice  Judge , and verily believe the Signature to the said Certificate of Proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said County, this 31 st day of January 185 2
Francis B Stryker
CLERK.

Town Clerks Office
Billerica December 4. 1851.
Upon the Town book of Records "of Births Marriages and Deaths" appears the following record of marriage "Jonathan Bowers Jr. and Doreas Abbot both of Billerica were married by William Thompson Esq May 15 th 1783"
A true copy. Attest John Baldwin Jr. Town Clerk
Middlesex ss Billerica Dec r 4 th 1851.
Then personally appeared the above named John Baldwin Jr. and made oath, that the above record of marriage, by him subscribed was true — before me.
Jones Hill Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Middlesex ss.
I, Seth Ames. Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth within and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify that John Hill, Esq. whose name in his own proper handwriting is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was at the date thereof and still is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the said County, duly commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority to administer and certify oaths, — and that his official acts and certificates are entitled to full faith and credit.
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature and the seal of said Court this twenty third day of December A.D.
1851
Seth Ames. Clerk

STATE OF NEW YORK, } ss. COUNTY OF KINGS, }
I, FRANCIS B. STRYKER , Clerk of the County of Kings, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, that H. C. Boonville whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of Proof, or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, and thereon written, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the said County, dwelling in said County, elected and sworn, and duly authorised to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Justice, and verily believe the Signature to the said Certificate of Proof or acknowledgment is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said County, this 11 th day of
Dec 185/
Francis B. Stryker Clerk.
City Core L Sta Judic 40 The

State of New York County of Kings
Id - on this 9 th day of December 1857 personally appeared Alexander Bowers of the City of Newburgh - Under oath, I depose & say I am 68 years old. From my early recollection in childhood my Father Jonathan Bowers lived in the Town of Billerica County of Middlesex & State of Mass. - With my now widowed mother, I was in my 21 st year when my Father died which was on the 21 st of Feb 1804 - when a lad there was men, that used to be visiting in our family that used to converse of the events that transpired while they were in the Revolutionary war (long since dead) I understood my Father was a musician a fife & drum major from him, - my Father received a printed discharge from the army I often read he kept it with his papers - The old fife he used in the army, was in the family when I was born, I used to amuse myself with it when a lad. I know not what became of the instrument or the discharge.
Alexander Bowers
City of Newburgh County of Kings
State of New York On this 9 th day of Dec r 1857 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in & for the county above named Alexander Bowers & made out to the statement, that it is the truth - And I certify he is a man of the first respectibility as to truth & veracity.
H. C. Roswell
Justice of the Peace

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 25273
Doreas Bowers Wid of Jonathan Bowers fifer Rev War
Act: Feb 22nd 1848
Index:—Vol. A , Page 77
[Arrangement of 1870.]

9176 New York City Doreas Powers widow of Jonathan who was a Trifer in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 88 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of Feby 1852 and sent to
Genl. J. C. Howard 65, 4 th Street Williamsburg N.Y.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 261

12.284 New York City Dorcas widow of Jonathan who died in the year 1804 of Kings Co. in the State of N.Y. who was a fifer in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Revolution for two years
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 88 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of February 1852 and sent to Genl J. C. Howard Arrears to the 4th of 65 4 th Street Semi-annual allowances ending Williamsburgh N.Y.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act July 7, 1838. } Recopied by _____ Clerk, Book _____ Vol. _____ Page 531

Brief in the case of Doreas Powers, widow of Jonathan, Kings County and State of New York act 7 July 1838 &c
Claim, ("original," or " for increase. ")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Record proof of service & marriage
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
Gen J. C. Howard, Williamsburgh N.Y.
S. Cole Examining Clerk.

✓ No 14541
Horace Bowers, widow of Jonathan, N.Y.
Act 7 July 1838
Marr'd 1783 Husband died 1804,
Adm o 2 yrs fees $88 per annum.
Acc d
38
43844
48
New York City
Gen J. C. Howard, 65. 4 th St.
Williamsburgh
N.Y.

Washington Feb 3 d 1852.
Hon Jas E Heath.
Sir.
Accompanying I forward you the papers & petition of Mrs Dorcas Bowers of Williamsburg applying for a pension. Will you be kind enough to forward me your decision in the matter.
I have the honor to be Sir Your obedt Servt O'Dowd

18 Feb 1852
Dorcas Bowers
Mr Wilson will please have enquiry made in this case to which my attention has been particularly called by Hon W Brown House of Rep: - No answer has been had from the office
Hon. Mr. Heath J. E. D.
forward by Genl. Howard
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Gen. J. C. Howard 45. Fourth St., Williamsburgh. Md.

Williamsburg L.I. Feby 18. 1852
Hon. Mr. Heath Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
My great age and the failing of my strength for a few days past admonishes me that my work is almost done, - for particular reasons that will be stated to you by General Howard, I make this appeal to your Honor; in hopes that you will look into my papers - and if Merit is there found, a prompt action may be had, and a certificate be granted me, for the Military Service of my deceased Husband Jonathan Bowers, and returned by General C. C. Howard
Dorcas Bowers for her friend Alfred Curtis

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston :
January 26, 1852.
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 Jonathan Powers is borne on the books of the Mass. Line, of the Continental Army, as enlisted from Billerica, & paid a bounty of £24 by that town; - and is credited by service as a piper in Capt. White's Co. Col. Rufus Putnam's Regt. from March 20, 1777 to March 18, 1780. 35 mos. 29 days. — enlisted for 3 years.

Wmborough Jan'y 9 th 1852
Sir
By the request of an Olde Lady Dorcas Bowers (she lives near me aged 89) I write you this letter, - her statement is this, she was born in the Town of Billerica Middlesex Co Mass - she married Jonathan Bowers J st on the 15 th May 1783 - copy, of the Town record corresponding date date of her marriage have been received - She states her husband enlisted in the spring of 1777 - into the Army, she cannot name the company or Reg't but she knew her husband in the army till the summer of 1780 - she thinks a part or all the time as a musician, - Sir it is the object of her friends to procure a pension for the olde Lady Sir, will you please assist us by examining the Rolls of your State in the Revolutionary War - for Jonathan Bowers J st or J nd Bowers - we hope you will find the name, & give certified copy with the State seal, at early time as may be please accept the inclos d for trouble - & oblige
Hon. A. Walker, Sec Stat.
Your Ob d Serv t J. B. Howard

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston :
January 26, 1852.
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 Jonathan Powers, is borne on the books of the Mass. Line, of the Continental Army, as enlisted from Billerica, & paid a bounty of £24 by that town; - and is credited by service as a fifer in Capt. White's Co. Col. Rufus Putnam's Regt. from March 20, 1777 to March 18, 1780. 35 mos. 29 days. — enlisted for 3 years.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Alvan Walker
Secretary of the Commonwealth.