Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 12,313, Asa Bowers, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
mass.
Bowers, Asa
W. 12,313
Molly
CONTENTS

Rhode Island 742
Molly Bowers widow of Asa Bowers,
who died on the 5 th July 1776 of Providence Co in the State of R. Island who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Perry — of the reg t commanded by Col. Walker, in the Mass s . line for 8 months from 1775,
Inscribed in the Roll of Rhode Island, at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of April 1837 — and sent to Benj. Cornell Esq. Providence R. I.
Arrears to the 4 th of March 1837 $160. — Semi-ann. allowance ending 10 Sept 37 13.33
$173.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
by Wm. Wilson Clerk
Vol.
Page
97

State of Rhode Island &c County of Providence
On this 10 day of November A.D. 1836 per- sonally appeared before me Benjamin Conell chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within of said County Molly Bower a resident in the City of Providence in said County aged 95 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order obtain the provision of the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. That she is the widow of Asa Bower who was a soldier in the war of the revolution that in April 1775 he enlisted & served over eight months in Capt John Perry's Company as a mile officer by the evidence hereto annexed. That in June 1776 he enlisted in a Company of Artificers under Captain Bernard Giddy to go to the Lakes, both as an Artificer & soldier, but died before

he got to the place of his destination he enlisted for six months on 25 th of June 1776 as will appear by the evidence hereto annexed. And she further de- clares that she was married to the said Asa Bowen, on the tenth day of October 1771 she was married in Rochester where they then lived that her husband the said Asa died on or about the 5 th of July 1776 on his march from Providence to Crown Point as before stated with the small Pox & that she has remained unmarried ever since that period - wherefore she requests that the same pension which would have belonged to her said husband if living, under the act of Jan y 7 th 1832 may be granted to her -
Providence Molly Dorrance In city of Providence
Nov 16 1836
Sworn to & subscribed before me and I further certify that said Molly Dorrance is too infirm to attend court
Benja Lowell 6966 W

Molly Ann
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.
I James Spratt, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that James Blanding Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within certificate, is a Justice of the peace, in for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this fourteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.
J. Spratt

Town Clerks office, Rehoboth November 2 nd 1836 I hereby certify that it appears from the Records in this office, that Asa Bowers and Molly Read were joined in Marriage on the Tenth day of October A.D. 1771 - duly examined by me.
Cyrus M. Wheaton Town Clerk.
Bristol ss.
Rehoboth November 3 rd 1836 Personally appeared before me the above named Cyrus M. Wheaton, known to me as Town Clerk of Rehoboth, and made oath that the above certificate is correct.
Jamies Blanding Justice of the Peace.

Molly Bowers Rhode Island
Suspended
Oct. 31 March '37
B. Cowell,

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 12313
Melly Bawell
Wid of
Asa Bawell
Brv Rev War
Act: July 4 th  1866
Index:—Vol. A , Page 73
[Arrangement of 1870.]

B. Cornell
file into cases of rolls Bows.

Providence April 4 th 1837
Sir Yours of the 31 st respecting the claim of Hannah Grop widow of John & Molly Bowers widow of Asa - In respect to Mrs Bowers I have to observe that according to a Historical record which I have in my office - entitled a "History of Rehoboth" Capt John Perry did command a militia company from 19 th of April to 27 th 1775. But among the men who served under I do not see the name of Asa Bowers If therefore the evidence transmitted is not satisfactory for this 8 days service she must relinquish it - But on the Roll for the 8 months I find her name & you also admit "that the alleged service of 8 months in 1775 is corroborated by the Rolls of Captain Perrys company & for that time a pension may be allowed" I have to request, therefore, that a

a certificate may be sent, for that time, hoping that hereafter that same satisfactory evidence may be found to establish the services in Capt. Bernard Eddy's Company in which he served until his death & showing that was a military service also. In respect to the claim of Hannah Gree's widow of John, I have to observe that on a Roll of Elliott's regiment which I have (and I sent a copy of the same Roll to you some years ago) I find the name of John Gree and this is way that his name was often spelt & is now. The fact is that he served a number of years in Elliott's regiments as it is well understood, & from the fact there was  was  now due him £28, 12, 3, for de- =preciation, as appears by the same Roll. I believe this was the case. But all

are dead who served with him except Benjamin Carpenter who served only the last year, from '79 to 80, being the last enlistment of that regiment. This regiment served three enlistments, amounting to three years & three months, ending March 16, 1880. Evidence can be produced that his name was often spelt John Groce & is now, if required. But I doubt whether there is any one of his comrades now living who served with him except Mr Carpenter - If, however, this explanation is not satisfactory I pray that no decision may be had for a short time, until further efforts are made, for I have not the least doubt from what I understand from the family that she is entitled to a full pension as her husband actually served near or quite 4 years. - I am respectfully Yours Benj. Lowell J. L. Edwards Esq

Molly Bowen

I Robert L Burroughs of the City of Providence being now 63 years of age on oaths do testify & say that Molly Bowers who signed the preceding declaration is now over 96 years of age, As I have always understood & believe her husband the said Asa Bowers died with the small Pox, on his march to Crown Point in War time - I further testify that she has always remained unmarried since his death & is now his widow what I have said with regard to her age is what I have understood, & I have not the least doubt she is as old as she states. I have been acquainted with above thirty years -
Robert L Burroughs
Providence In City of Providence Nov 10 1836 Sworn & Subscribed before me and I further certify said deponent is well known to me & he is a credible witness
Benja Lawell G. J. C. C. Mass

I Robert L Burroughs of the City of Providence being now 63 years of age on oaths do testify & say that Molly Bowers who signed the preceding declaration is now over 96 years of age. As I have always understood & believed her husband the said Asa Bowers died with the small Pox. on his march to Crown Point in War time - I further testify that she has always remained unmarried since his death & is now his widow what I have said with regard to her age is what I have understood, & I have not the least doubt she is as old as she states. I have been acquainted with above thirty years -
Robert L Burroughs
Providence In City of Providence Nov 10 1836 I sworn & subscribed before me and I further certify said deponent is well known to me & he is a credible witness
Benja Lill G. J. G. G. Mass

I Barnard Eddy of the City of Providence being now 74 years of age & afterwards on oath do testify & say that in June 1776 my father Barnard Eddy was Commissioned by Governor Lock & the Council of Safety as Captain of a Company of Artificers to go to Ticonderoga or Crown Point on the Lakes to build batteries. They were also all soldiers for I well remember they were all in Uniform & carried muskets or were Military men as well as artificers - And I well remember that Asa Bowen the husband of Molly Bowen now in- dent in said Providence was a pri- vate in said Corps - I believe I know most every man in the Corps - I well knew Asa Bowen; I know Joseph Bowen a lieutenant in same Corps also They marched from Providence in July, How days after they had been enlisted to go on their Journey. They were enlisted for six months - but before they arrived at their place of destination the small- pox took them & many died My father died on 5 of August  July & a little after said Asa Bowen died the same

day. I well remember a letter which one named giving the account of my father's death also stated the death of Anna Bowen said letter was lost with all other papers when my house was swept away in the September gale in 1815 said loss was estimated for six months from 25 of June 1776 they died on the 5 of August of following -
Barnard Ed.
Providence March 10 1836
Sworn to & subscribed before me and I further certify deposition is a credible witness
Benja Lowell A. C. M.

Molly Bowen Rhode Island 3 m.
2 pages vol 16 Capt J. B. B. C. 1 month.

I Joseph Wheaton of Rehoboth in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth being now in the City of Providence Rhode Island do now testify & say that I am now 84 years of age & upwards, that in the year 1775 that in April of said year I belonged to a minute company commanded by Capt John Perry of said Rehoboth, & on 19 of the month, the day of the battle of Lexington we marched to Boston & served thirteen days, I then enlisted as a private in same Captain John Perry's company Col Timothy Walker's regiment & General Heath's Brigade, I enlisted with forty six others who belonged to the minute company we enlisted for eight months - and I further testify that I well remember that Asa Bowers Bowers , the husband of Mary Bowers who is now his widow marched with us to Boston & served as a minute man thirteen days & then enlisted as a private for eight months in same company & regiment & served out his time & was honorably discharged This fact I well remember, I was well acquainted with Bowers at the time

he then lived in said Rehoboth and remained together eight months & thirteen days.
Joseph Wheaton
Providence
In Providence Nov 10 1836 Sworn to & subscribed before me and I further certify said Joseph Wheaton is a credible witness
Benjamin Low Esq. C.C. Mass
State of Rhode Island &c Providence ss I Deyter Randall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Benjamin Low will long before whom the preceding affidavits were sworn, is Chief Justice of said Court. That by law he is duly authorized and empowered to administer oaths and take depositions: & that his sign- ature above written is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Providence this 26 th day of December A.D. 1836
Deyter Randall CLK