Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29682, William Butters, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Butters, William
S. 29682
CONTENTS

10.566
Massachusetts
William Dutcher
Admitted in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Myman of the Reg t commanded by Col. Ferris in the Mass s line for 18 months 15 days
24 Middlesex
Mr. D. D.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 10 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of April 1833 and sent to William Dutcher
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $123.34 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept., 30.83 $154.17
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. H. Norton Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 a Page 5

35 1/2
W. H. ... Hymn ...
THE ...
35 1/2
Wm ...

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Affidavit
ss.
On this twenty second day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. Judge of Probate, now sitting at Charlestown within and for the County of
William Butters aged seventy two years, resident in Wilmington in said County
Who being 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, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
he volunteered on, or about the first of October 1776, & entered the Revolutionary war, for three months & marched to Boston in said State to guard the public property & prisoners & was put in the Company of Capt. Caleb Drown of Medford - Mayor - Boston Inspector - was regularly dismissed on, or about the first of January 1777, having served three months. Of this term I know of no living witness, except Benjamin Flanders of said Wilmington who is now superannuated & does not know, or remember any thing connect-
ed with it. In 1777, same term in Detachments, or part of Detachment he again volunteered at the request of said William, for three months & went to Boston & did guard duty in the Company of Capt. D. Gouldin Joseph Adair of Salem was Lieutenant - Mayor - Boston Inspector & was regularly dismissed on, or about the first of February 1778.
In 1778, about the 10th of March, again engaged for three months to guard the barracks & prisoners in Cambridge & Charlestown under Col. Jesse Weyman of Salem, Col. - Garrison's Regiment & was regularly dismissed in June - having served three months.
In 1779, again engaged for three months to go to Charlestown to guard barracks & prisoners & did all duty about the fort & February or  detachment in Capt. Heath's Company, Lieut. Benjamin Flanders of Wilmington Mayor - Boston Inspector - was regularly dismissed the latter part of June, at the expiration of the term.
In 1779, about the 23rd of June again engaged for three months, as a waiter to Lieutenant Benjamin Flanders of said Wilmington & was

Joseph Wm of Salem with Lieutenant - Major - Beman, Inspector & was regularly dismissed on or about the first of February 1748.
In 1748, about the 10 th of March, again engaged for three months to guard the barracks & prisoners in Cambridge & Charlestown under Capt. Jesse Weyman of Salem, Col. - Garrison's Regiment, & was regularly dismissed in June, - having served three months.
In 1749. again engaged for three months, to go to Charlestown to guard barracks & prisoners & to be on duty about the last of March in Capt. February or  Heath's Company, Lieut. Benjamin Harden of Wilmington - Major - Beman, Inspector - was regularly dismissed the latter part of June, at the expiration of the term.
In 1749. about the 23 rd of June again engaged for three months, as a waiter to Lieutenant Benjamin Harden of said Wilmington & was regularly dismissed at the end of three months - Was stationed at my own house in Boston & Dorchester nights - of this term I have no living witness except Lieut. Benjamin Harden who has lost the reason & all recollection - In 1750. again engaged for three months, as a private in Capt. William Green's Company of Reading, & in Col. - Jacob's Regiment & marched to Rhode Island at Point Judith & on Bright Hill - so called - I was regularly dismissed at the end of three months, about the first of December, same year.
I have no written discharge, or documents, I never had any - & no evidence of my service except for the affidavits hereto annexed, -
1748, I was also engaged as a volunteer in 1748 for half a month, the first part of April under Capt. Nathaniel of Reading & Col. Jacob's Garrison Regiment & went to Charlestown, to guard public property & prisoners. I have no nor other evidence  other evidence witnesses to prove this service - except the affidavits.
See, etc. etc.

with hereto annexed
He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity whatever, 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
William Bentley S
We Jonathan Eames of Wilmington a Yeoman Jonathan Eames of Wilmington a Yeoman a Clergyman residing in the town of in the County of Wilmington hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Bentley who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Jonathan Eames S Jonathan Eames S
And the said Court thereupon proceeded to propound the following interrogatories, which he answered under oath, as follows:
1. Where and in what year were you born? Answer, in Wilmington - County of Middlesex - Mass ts in the year 1760 - 12 March
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it? Answer, I have - in the town records of said Wilmington
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Always in said Wilmington
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom? Answer, volunteered at the request or invitation of said Wilmington
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 service?
Answer, In Rhode Island - Col. Greene - Col. John Spence - at other places - don't remember - I was generally in guard - in small parties -
6. 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?
Answer, William Blenched Esq. Henry Easton Joseph Pond Jonathan Eames - James Gage - in William Rev. Joseph Gannett - Col. John Wade - William Richardson Esq. - Will Gannett

And the said Judge of Probate does hereby declare his opinion, that after investigating the matter & putting the interrogatories, fore- mentioned by the War Department, that the whom affidavit was a soldier of the Revolu- tion & has served as he states.
J. P. Fay Probate
I, Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court on the matter of the application of John William Butler for a pension: — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twenty second day of August A D 1832 Isaac Fiske
I also certify that William Richardson whose over proper signature is set to the certificates on the Depositions hereto annexed of John Fowle, Nathan Davis, Will Russell & Joseph Jenkins is a justice of the Peace within the aforesaid County of Middlesex.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & thirty two
Isaac Fiske

3572
M m Butters
Maps
papers not properly authenticated
W.C.E
Nov 5 1832
Printed 18 Mar 15 days
Wyman Richardson Woburn Mass

3572
BRIEF in the case of Wm Butters of Wilmington of Middlesex Cy in the State of Mass. (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? about 9th Feb  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —  3. How old is he? 72  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.     about 1 Oct '76 - 1 Jan'y '77 — 3 — private Gen. Capt. Brooks  Major Brown   Oct or Nov '77 - 1 Feb'y '78 — 3 — " Capt. Goodwin  do   about 18 Mar. '78 - to June — 3 — " Capt. Wyman  Col. Gurnish   Last of July or March '79 last of Jan '79 — 3 — " Capt. Heat  Major Brown   about 23 June '79 — 3 — private to Lt. Benj. Harden   to about 1 Nov '80 — 3 — private Capt. Green  Col. Jacobs   In 1778 - first party July — — 15 " Capt. Cowdry  Col. Gurnish  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wilmington  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 4 living witnesses — Tradition  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  The Ribbons don't pass under Seal  No Clergyman's Certificate 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. C. Easton Examining Clerk.

Rev 29.682 Maf INVALID.
File No. 29,682
William Butters
Re: Rev War
Act: June 7 n 1827
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 28
[Arrangement of 1870.]

35-72
Wm Butters
Hyman Richardson Woburn. Mass

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

* Not required when an applicant proves the whole length of his service by subscribers who had an actual knowledge of the same.
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? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
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? [Signature]
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes
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? Yes
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? Yes
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 the 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.
†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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
†QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.

Nathan Pinner
for Open Vocation:
3 months - 1944-45
No. 1 - 28%

Nathan Pierce of Malden in the County of Middlesex, seventy Massachusetts - seventy one years of age, testifies that I have been ac- quainted with William Butters of Wilmington in said County, Massachusetts for about fifty five years, I was in the service of this State in Boston, three months, under Captain David Gowdwin, & Lieut Joseph Wilm, of Malden, Said Butters was in the same Company with me, the whole time; we guarded the continental stores & property. I don't re- member, the Colonel's name or whether we were formed into Regiments, but were in small parties for the above purpose. We were dismissed about the last of January or first part of February in the year seventeen hundred & seventy eight. The particular day I cannot remember; I have frequently conversed with him since, on the subject. Nathan Pierce
Middlesex ss. August 11. 1832 Then the the above named Nathan Pierce who is a credible witness entitled to confident personal ly appeared & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed. Before Me. William Woodhanson Justice of the Peace

Yukon Fruits Rev. J. P. M. Williams 3 Martin. 18/70. No. 2. 39.

John Fowle of Wadsworth in the County of Middlesex, Nassau seventy six years of age, testify & say that I enlisted, an or about the eighteenth day of March, eighteen seventeen hundred & sixty eight to serve three months in the Nassau County Militia, in Charlestown, in said County, to guard prisoners & the barracks, in Captain Jesse Wyman's Company of Wadsworth, Col. Benjamin Pigeon's Regt, I remained there there the full term of three months, I was well acquainted with William Mutton of Wadsworth in said County who was in the same Company with me during the whole term I dismissed at the same time, I said said Mutton is now living in said Wadsworth, & I have frequently conversed with him on the subject. John Fowle -
Middlesex Co. August 8 th 1882.
Then the above named John Fowle who is a credible witness, & entitled to confidence, personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed. Before Me, Hyman H. Schuchman, Justice of the Peace

Joseph P. Schuler, Sept.
for Wm. Masters.
3 months, in 1878/9.
No 3 - half interest = 47.

Joseph Jenkins of Bradford, in the County of Orange & State of Vermont testified says that he formerly lived in Wilmington, in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts. I am now seventy one years of age, & am well acquainted with William Matthews of said Wilmington, & have been for sixty years, & he & I, being in the same Militia Company in said Wilmington, volunteered to go on to Winter Hill to guard the barracks in Charlestown, & we remained on that station till the expiration of the time we engaged, which was three months, & we were dismissed at the same time.
The Captain assigned to our Company was not present & we were under Lieut. Benjamin Harned, & Major Brown. We marched & entered upon our duty on that station about the last of March in the year sixty  seventeen hundred & seventy nine .
Joseph Jenkins
Middlesex Co. August 3 d 1832. Then said Joseph Jenkins, appeared & made oath to the truth of the above Def ts by him subscribed. Before me, William Richardson Justice of the peace.
Middlesex Co. August 3 d 1832. The above named Joseph Jenkins is a credible witness & his testimony entitled to full credence. William Richardson Justice of the peace.

Bill Russell for Mrs Britton 3 months 1980
Dec 4, 67.

Will Thosell of Madam in the County of Middlesex - Mass s . - Co. - sixty nine years of age - testify I say that I have been acquainted with William Hutton of Wilmington in said County, Oregon for more than fifty two years - for seventeen hundred & eighty, he & I were in Capt William Green Company in Rhode Island, in the Providence army - I engaged for three months & marched when the last of July, & served my time out, & said Hutton was in the same Company all the time. I dismissed at the same time with me at or near Fort Grafton, where we were stationed most of the time - Col. Jacobs commanded the Regiment, we were in -
Bill Russell
Wilmington Jan. August 11. 1882. Then the above named Will Thosell, who is a credible witness & his testimony entitled to full confidence personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him read, before Mrs. Stephen Thackston Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 24 1832.
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
William Butters served in Capt. Nathaniel Bowdry's Company, Col. Jacob Gerrish's Regiment doing duty as guards on Winter Hill - and that he did duty therein fifteen days from July 2. 1778
Edward D. Bangs. Secy.
Also that the name of said William Butters is borne on several Rolls of Capt. Nathaniel Heath's Company of guards doing duty in and about Boston, under Maj. Gen. Gates, and is therein stated to have done duty six months, viz from Feb. 12. to Aug. 12. 1779
Edward D. Bangs. Secy.

We, Francis Norwood, a Clergyman, settled in the town of Wilmington, County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, & Joseph Bell, Yeoman, of said Wilmington, testify that we are well acquainted with William Patterson of the same town town & believe him to be about seventy two, or three years of age, & it is the general belief in his neighborhood & in said town, where he has always lived, that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, several terms at different periods of the war; in which we concur.
Francis Norwood Joseph Bell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. December 24 th A.D. 1832. Personally appeared Francis Norwood, a Clergyman, & Joseph Bell, who are credible men, & entitled to implicit credence, & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by them signed.
Before me, Hyman Richardson } Justice of the Peace
Middlesex ss. Dec. 26. 1832
I, James O. Day, judge of Probate & within it, for the county of Middlesex, do certify, that it has been satisfactorily proved to me, that Francis Norwood who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Wilmington & that Joseph Bell who has signed the same also, is a resident in said town & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credence.
J. O. Day Prob.

Rev. Samuel J. May Circleville, Ohio 1833
Middletown J. I. Isaac Fisher Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middletown hereby certify that the papers hereto annexed contain the original proceedings & evidence before the said Court of Probate on the application of William Muller for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 10th day of January A.D. 1833
Isaac Fisher Jg