Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29641, John Bowman, Mass.

SERVICE
Kass.
Burman, John
NUMBER _____
S. 29641
CONTENTS

Let. to Hon. W. H. Furness Feb. 24th 1840.
April 7 th 1885 Copy of data furnished to Ezra D. Stearns Esq of Ashburnham - Mass. for historical use. Copy inside
27313
Massachusetts
John Bowman
of Ashburnham in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Briggs of the Brig y commanded by Colo. Whitney in the Mass line for
9 Months 12 days
ini
ini
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 31. Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of April 1834 and sent to George G. Barker Esq Ashburnham Mass
Arrears to the 14th of March 1834 $93.99 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 Sep " 15.66
And due date $109.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book C. Vol. 2. Page 43

John Boorman
30149
Ashburnham
Please to transmit the sum, directed to George Parker Ashburnham, Mass.
George G. Parker Esq. Ashburnham Mass

I Nathan Russell, of Lexington in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 73 years testify and say that I was at Cambridge three months in company with Daniel Harrington's company which was ordered there to guard Burgoyne's troops. I further testify and say that John Bowman of Ashburnham then of Lexington was in the same company with me at this time. I remember the first time that I was placed as Sentinel said Bowman accompanied me. During this tour at Cambridge said Bowman held frequent conversation with me relative to his former services in the revolutionary army. I was nearest neighbour to said Bowman before and after his revolutionary services which were performed at three or four different periods of time. I believe said Bowman was a respectable man during our intimacy and still believe his own testimony concerning his services in the war as well as on other subjects is worthy of implicit belief. Nathan Russell
Middlesex ss. March 6-1833 Personally appeared the above named Nathan Russell a highly credible witness and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before me
Nathaniel Mulliken Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. I Elias Thorne Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, being a court of record in said County of Middlesex, do Certify that Nathaniel Mulliken Esquire is a Justice of the Peace, within said County of Middlesex, and that his name subscribed to the within Certificate is his true & genuine Signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the twenty first day of March 1834.
E. Thorne.

I Hannah Russell of Lexington in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Aged 68 testify and say that John Bowman of Ashburnham formerly of Lexington is a Son of my Mother by her Husband John Bowman. And I further say that my brother in law the said John Bowman lived in my Father's family from the earliest period of my recollection to the time of his marriage - with the exception of the several times that he was absent from home in the Army of the Revolution and occasional short periods labouring for others beside my Father. I remember in particular that said John went into the army for David Baron who then lived in Bedford (as I believe) and was gone three months. I remember my Mother was loath to have her Son go into the Army - and that said Baron and others came to my Father's not long before said Bowman marched and much was said about his paying said Bowman in advance to enable him to procure necessary clothing, he (said Bowman) being at this time a minor. Said Baron was under the necessity of selling a Horse or Cow to obtain said money. I remember that said Bowman went to Cambridge (with Nathan Russell our nearest neighbour) to guard Burgoyne's Troops and that he said Bowman served at three or four different times, one of which I think was under Capt. John Bridge of Lexington and that when he went for said David Baron he did not go to

Cambridge but to some other place. I further say that I distinctly recollect that one of the terms was six weeks and that one term was under Capt. J. B. Varnum.
Hannah Russell
Middlesex ss. March 6-1833 personally appeared the above named Hannah Russell a credible witness and made solemn oath that the fore- going affidavit by her subscribed is just and true according to her best knowledge and belief Before me Nathaniel Mullen Justice of Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. I Elias Thumey Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, being a Court of record in said County of Middlesex, do certify that Nathaniel Mullen Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County & that his name sub- scribed to the within certificate is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affix- ed the seal of said Court the 21 day of March 1834. —
E. Thumey

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov. 10 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
The name of John Bournan is borne on a roll of the company of Capt. Jesse Wyman in the regiment of Col. Josiah Whitney, who were in service at the state of Rhode-Island, for the space of 2. months and 9. days, from the 10. th of May. 1777.
Again, on a roll of the company of Capt. Daniel Harrington in the regiment of Col. Jonathan Reed for , garrison at Cambridge, for the space of 3. months and 2. days from the 2. d of April to the 3. d of July 1778.
There appears but one roll of Capt. Jos. B. Varnums, company, on which the name of John Bournan is not contained —
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this Twenty third day of May in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court, before Hon. Nathan D. Dorr, Judge of the Court of Probate, now sitting  John Brown a resident of Ashburnham in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy three 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 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That in the month of December, he thinks in the year 1776 he enlisted as a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution for the term of three months & served during the whole of that time in a Company of Mass. Militia commanded by Capt. John Bridge of Lexington Mass. St. Brown of Concord Col. Shacnus Kept. He marched from said Lexington where then encamped to Tarrytown N.Y. via Providence R.I. Washington & Newburyport, from Tarrytown his Company marched near a fort at some distance from the river, then occupied by the British, name of fort not recollect. They were then ordered back to Tarrytown, then to Kingsbridge where he was honorably discharged at the end of said three months.  Second, In the year 1777 he again enlisted in a Company of Mass. troops, Capt. Jas. Wymans, Col. Israel Whitney & marched to Providence R.I. & was employed in guarding that fort till near the end of his service when he was marched to Bristol, with which he was honorably discharged having served two months.  3 That in the year 1778 he enlisted for three months in a company of Mass. troops commanded by Capt. Harrington in Col. Read's Regt. & was stationed at Cambridge Mass. does not recollect the month in the year but it was in warm weather. He was employed in guarding a part of the enemy's prisoners of war. Faithfully served out his time at said fort.  4 That in same year, 1778, he again entered the service of the Revolution as a substitute for one Daniel Bacon, for the term of six weeks. He served in Capt. John W. Varnum's Company of Dragoons in Col. Buttrick's Regt. - don't recollect the Col's name. He marched to N. Br. and was in the engagement under Genl. Sullivan - the Genl. of this Brigade was Lovell - That the battle commenced early in the day his company paraded before sunrise - St. Brown soon after his Regt. was on the right of Brigade. That two men in his Company were killed to wit - one Howard & Davis & one wounded - Simon Parker - That after the battle he marched to Providence to a place South of Providence where he remained till his term of enlistment expired when he was regularly discharged - That he served in the Army of the Revolution nine months & one half in the whole - He fears the only record he has been in Lexington Mass. July 1759 - has no other record of his age in the service, after wards in Cambridge Mass. & for about 20 years has lived in Ashburnham aforesaid - Saw Genl. Lincoln & Hamilton at Boston, at 8 P.M. Genl. Lovell & others there names he cannot recollect, at a military exercise of his services - That he is acquainted with Joseph Jewell, S. Pierce & Hosea Stone Esqrs. Col. C. Barrett & Rev. Geo. Goodwin all living in his neighborhood who can testify as to his character & their belief of his services as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution.
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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before Nathl Dorr Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
John Brown

We George Goodyear a Clergyman residing in the town of Abnham and Abraham Low residing in said Abnham hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Boorman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Nathaniel Pierce } Justices
Geo: Goodyear Abraham Low
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 above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that George Goodyear who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Town of Abnham and that Abraham Low Esquire who has also signed the same is a resident in the the same Town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathaniel Pierce Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Theophilus Wheeler Clerk 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 John Boorman for a pension. That to the best of my knowledge before whom the above affidavit was made, is a true copy of the original as shown to the County of Worcester, duly attested by me and the signature of his name is like. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court — this twelfth day of May in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Theophilus Wheeler Reg of said Probate Court for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts

Declaration of John Bowman

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Worcester
ss.
On this 19th
day of September AD 1832
Worcester
personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas  Probate , now sitting at within and for the County of Worcester in the Commonwealth
aforesaid
John Bauman of Ashburnham in County aged seventy three years
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
1 That in AD 1776 he engaged to New York for three months he enlisted in the Company of Capt. John Bridge of Lancaster, L.B. mean in Col. Thacker Regt. of Mass. Forces he proceeded to Tarrytown in New York with his Company he crossed the river into New Jersey and there continued till he had completed his term of three months and was dismissed in New Jersey. 2 In AD 1777 he engaged to go to Rhode Island two months and enlisted in the Company of Capt. Weyman of Woburn, in Col. Joseph Whitney's Regt. of Mass. Forces he proceeded to Providence, and then went to Saint Judith's where he remained till his term was out and having served two months was dismissed. 3 In AD 1778 he engaged for three months to guard Brimsyone Army then laying at Prospect Hill he enlisted in Capt. Harrington's Company of Rep. English Col. Gen. Reed's Regt. he was stationed at No. 12 in Cambridge & there continued doing guard duty till he served out his term of three months and was dismissed. 4 In the same year he engaged to go to Rhode Island for six weeks in the Company of Capt. J. B. Varnum of Dracut in Col. Dole's Col. Buttrick's Regt. he proceeded to Rhode Island near in his engagement under Gen. Sullivan and on the retreat from the Island, and marched to Providence and below Providence he completed his term of six weeks and was dismissed.
Subscribed & sworn to the day and year aforesaid
By me Nath. Saltonstall In the County of Worcester
J. B. Varnum

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, subscribed the day and year aforesaid Sworn to and
Sworn to and
we a Clergyman residing in the town of Ashleymore - - - in the county of and Joseph Jewett Esq. of hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Bowman who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy three 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, Joseph Jewett
 1 
Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at office this _____ day of _____ in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester.
Witnesses , to wit,
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Worcester within and for the County of Worcester on the seventh day of September A. D. 1832 On the application of John Bowman claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, In Lexington Me on the 3 d July A.D. 1759
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, I have no family or other record
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer,
I was living in Lexington when called into service and from there I removed to Andover Me and to in Andover I removed to Ashburnham upwards of 20 years since
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,
all my services were voluntary and of my own accord.
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,
I saw Gen l Lincoln at New York, Brig s Gen l Lumenwell of Mass a Militia
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,
Joseph Graft, Abraham Law, Horace Stone, George Perkins, Esq d Asahel Borey, Amos Pease and Charles Stearns Selectmen of Ashburnham
JOHN BOWMAN

March 3, 1931.
Mrs. Edith Whipple True West Lebanon, New Hampshire.
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section ILL Our
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 29641, that John Bowman , son of John Bowman, was born July 3, 1759 in Lexington, Massachusetts.
While a resident of Lexington, Massachusetts, he enlisted and served as private in the Massachusetts troops as follows: from December, 1776, three months in Captain John Bridge's Company, Colonel Thatcher's Regiment; from May 10, 1777, two months and nine days, in Captain Jesse Wyman's Company, Colonel Josiah Whitney's Regiment; from April 2, 1778, three months and two days in Captain Daniel Harrington's Company, Colonel Jonathan Reed's Regiment; again in 1778, six weeks in Captain Joseph B. Varnum's Company, Colonel Buttrick's Regiment and was in the battle of Rhode Island.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 6, 1832, while a resident of Ashburnham, Worcester County, Massachusetts where he had moved twenty years previously from Andover, Massachusetts.
One Hannah Russell made the following affidavit on March 6, 1833-
"I Hannah Russell of Lexington in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 68 testify and say that John Bowman of Ashburnham formerly of Lexington is a son of my mother by her husband John Bowman, and I further say that my brother in law the said John Bowman lived in my father's family from the earliest period of my recollection to the time of his marriage-with the exception of the several times that he was absent from home in the Army of the Revolution and occasional short periods labouring for others beside my father.

I remember in particular that said John went into the army for David Bacon who then lived in Bedford (as I believe) and was gone three months. I remember my mother was loath to have her son go into the Army -and that said Bacon and others came to my father's not long before said Bowman marched and much was said about his paying said Bowman in advance to enable him to procure necessary clothing, he (said Bowman) being at this time a minor, Said Bacon was under the necessity of selling a horse or cow to obtain said money. I remember that said Bowman went to Cambridge (with Nathan Russell our nearest neighbor) to guard Burgoyne's troops and that he said Bowman served at three or four different times, one of which I think was under Capt. John Bridge of Lexington and that when he went for said David Bacon he did not go to Cambridge but to some other place. I further say that I distinctly recollect that one of the terms was six weeks and that one term was under Capt. J.B. Varnum.
(signed) Hanah Russel.
One Nathan Russell, aged seventy-three years, was living in Lexington, Massachusetts, at that time, no relationship to family shown.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

Rev. J. L. Evans
Washington D.C.

St. Johnsbury, Feb. 14, 1881.
Dear Sir, Edward,
Enclosed is the accompanying first count in application of John Brannan for a Pension. I have made diligent inquiry for some additional proof as to the old gentleman's service in Capt. Bridger's Co. but find none. There will be a difference noted between the declaration & Miss Russell's affidavit, as to length of time served in Capt. Van Horn's Company — Mr. Brannan appears to have a distinct recollection of the time, & is, undoubtedly, correct in his statement.
He first applied to Judge Dana for a pension in his business, & the unsworn declaration upon which the papers were drawn by him — It will be seen by that, that the affidavit statement corresponds with the evidence subsequently obtained in the case, with this exception — in that, he says nothing of being a substitute for am Brannan. He tells me he informed Judge D. of the circumstances as they were, when Judge D. said he was not a substitute — this will account for the difference —
Respectfully yours J. H. Hunt Secy of War

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
Sept. 2, 1936.
F. H. Pope, Colonel, Q. M. C. Office of Quartermaster General, U. S. A. Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 39641, it appears that John Bowman was born at Lexington, Mass., July 3, 1759. He was allowed pension on his application executed Sept. 6, 1832, while living at Lexington, Mass. Date of death not on record.
He served as a private in the Mass. Troops as follows:
Bridges - From Dec. 1776, for three months, in Capt. John Bridges' Co., Colonel Thatcher's Regt. From May 10, 1777, for two months and nine days, in Capt. Jesse Wyman's Co., Col. Josiah Whitney's Regt. From April 3, 1778, for three months and two days, in Capt. Daniel Harrington's Co., Col. Jonathan Reed's Regt. In 1778, six weeks, in Capt. Joseph B. Varnum's Co., Col. Buttrick's Regt.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Bowman , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S 29 641.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec 1776 3 mos. Pvt. John Bridge Hatchere Mass.   May 10 1777 2 mos 9 days Jere Wyman Jonah Whitney   Apr 2 1778 3 mos 2 days Daniel Harrington Jonathan Reed   1778 6 mos. Joseph B. Varnum. Buttrick  
Battles engaged in, Rhode Island
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Lexington, Middlesex Co. Mass.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 6. 1832. His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Shelburnham, Worcester Co. Mass.
Age at date of application, born July 3, 1759; son of John Bowman
Soldiers Remarks: Son Isaac was alive in 1840. (There is no further family data)
no death date
? See Hannah Russell's placement -
Respectfully,
Commissioner
do not use this Again as Mr. Parsons said Isaac Bowman's father was on Capt. Miles' Roll but he did not remember his name Christian name
so as common a name as Bowman it might not have been John M.H.F.

West Lebanon. New Hampshire. February-12-1931.
Commissioner of Pensions. Washington D.C. Stamp Enclosed
I would like to get the service of John OK  Bowman of Ashburnham, Mass. in the Continental army.
John Bowman, my great- great grandfather, was baptized July 15, 1759, performed service and is on the U.S. pension list 1840. He died October 22, 1847.
Kindly tell me what further information would cost.
Sincerely yours.
(Mrs) Edith Whipple True. West Lebanon.
New Hampshire.

WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL WASHINGTON
IN REPLY REFER TO QM 293 A-C Bowman, John
August 25, 1926.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
In order that a headstone may be provided for the grave of the decedent named below, The Quartermaster General requests that the correct military service and the spelling of the name be supplied this office from the records of the Pension Office:
John Bowman, Private, Capt. Daniel Harrington's Co. Colonel Jonathan Reed's Regt. Enl. Dec. 1776 for 3 mos. Enl. May 10, 1777, 2 mos. 9 days, Encl. April 2, 1778, July 3, 1778 6 weeks. Date of application for pension Sept. 6, 1832. Died Oct. 2, 1849.
Very truly yours,
F. H. POPE, Colonel, Q. M. C., Assistant.

Commr of Pensions Washington D.C.
June 2 nd 1918 Rev Sec and
Dear Sir
I wish to give Mr D. A. R. and inquire the record of John Borman born in Lexington Mass July 8 th 1859. died Oct 22 nd 1846 or 1847 in Ashburham Mass
While a resident of Lexington Mass he served several Enlistments.
I understand he was a pensioner. Kindly give me his record. & greatly oblige
Edith P. Webster 2 1/2 Beach Ave Arlene N.Y.

M-1 Rebec
Ashburnham Mass. Aug. 2/1915.
Commissioner of Pensions. Washington D.C. Dear Sir:-
Have you any record on file that would show that one John Bowman, who was born in Lexington Mass. July 3. 1759 and died in Ashburnham, Mass. Oct. 22. 1847, recd. a pension on account of service in the Revolutionary War? Any information you can give me regarding the military history of this man will be greatly appreciated by.
Yours truly. Eugene G. Howard Ashburnham P. Box 13 Mass.

29641 Rev INVALID.
1915 Aug 9: History to Mr. Eugene G Howard. M.B.H.
1918 June 7 Hight to Edith P. Hobbs 1926 Sept 12 Tombstone data to D.M.G. au
1931 - March 3 - Hist. to Mrs. Edith M. True - L.L.L.
File No. 29,641
John Bowman Rev Rev Mr.
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 55
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Feb 22. 1840
Miss
Brown
James L. Thomas Esq.
Common of Pleas
Walsingham
Full Farm
NR

Washington Feby 21. 1840.
Sir
Mr Isaac Bowman writes me that the roll of Capt Miles of Col. Reeds regiment contains the name of his father for whom he has applied to the Pension Office - Mr Bowman was of Lexington Massachusetts, although I do not recollect his christian name I suppose you will find this reference sufficiently definite
I am very respectfully
Yr Obedt Servt
James L. Edwards Esqr Bureau of Pensions
Mr Pownall