Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W.15653, Nathaniel Cowdry, Mass

SERVICE
Mass
Bowdry Nathaniel or Bowdrey Jerusha
NUMBER
W. 15653
CONTENTS

Resp. see letters to P. Dept. Jon a Weston, J. Hopkins, T. Emmons & O. Hadley, 16 May 1834-
let. 7 Oct 1834 Adm. sup. " 15 Oct 1834 R. Rantoul Jr. " 22 Jan 35 Joshua Prescott " 5 March 35 O. Hadley " 16 April 1835 J. Prescott " 26 April 35 O. Hadley Sup r . removed Dec 13. 1837, see letters to P. Dept. R. Rantoul Jr., Letter to Joshua Prescott 15 Jan 1838
21.324  Massachusetts Nath o Coward of Middlesex in the State of Mass a who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Balchelder of the 8 th Reg t commanded by Col. Bragg in the Mass a time for 19 mos 49 days, Pm t etc H. " " " Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 57- Dollars 38 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of Sept r 1833 and kind Wane Fiske Esq. Commiss y Disb s Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1833 $218.45 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar 34 43.69 $262.14
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { abet June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. C. Davis Clerk, Book E Vol. 20 Page 13

Act of March 2, 1848, Page 26, Vol. 2
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 89 Dollars 38 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of Feb. 48 and sent to Mrs. Mary Sheehan
Mrs. Mary Sheehan widow of Capt. Sheehan who served in the Revolutionary War, as a

Let to New York King Feb 17 49
Rev. Cuthbert Let to New York King Wolf R

Natal. boundary.
26168
Sept 4 Mr 11 day
Para 19 19 94
Capt Bachelors Comp Col Mudge's Regt Map
Natal boundary 1878
65.33 2.22
65.55 20.00 1.83
87.38
3100 066 174.76 143.69 218.45
Isaac Fisher Esqr Rust Cambridge Map

And the said Court hereby declares its 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 certifies that Reuben Emerson who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in South Reading and that the said John Hart — who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident at South Reading and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. P. Gay  Moore
I, ISAAC FISKE, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Cronley for a pension.
TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifth — day of September A. D. 1832.
Isaac Fiske By

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS: COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, ss.
On this fifth day of September A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the HONORABLE SAMUEL P. P. FAY, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, now sitting, Nathaniel Bowditch , a resident of South Reading in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, aged 73 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 7, 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
He enlisted on the nineteenth of April 1775 in the company commanded by Captain John Packard in Colonel Bridge's Regiment, as a sergeant, and served in that capacity four months and eleven days as appears from an imperfect roll in the office of the Secretary of State but how much longer he cannot recollect, nor does it appear from said roll; in June 1776 he enlisted as a private in a company commanded by Captain Brooks at Reading, marched to Roxbury was stationed there & afterwards at Boston & served in said company three months. in June 1777 he enlisted in Reading under Colonel Durbank & marched to Boston where he served in the State's service under said Durbank at Castle William three months; in the first part of November 1777 he enlisted in the company commanded by Captain Cadwallader Foss & marched to Cambridge where he served in fort number Two five months: in May 1778 he enlisted in Captain Nathan Sargeant's company in Colonel Jacob Gensick's Regiment & marched to Winter Hill where he served six months & fifteen days the last four months & twenty-nine days of which service are found on a roll in the Secretary of State's office beginning July 17. 1778. in July 1779 he was pressed into Commodore Saltonstall's expedition to Ruckscot on board the ship Hunter at Salem
m. 7. 4. 11 3/4
3. —
3. —
5. —
6. 15
2. —
19. 15
6. 15
4. 11
9. 15
6. —
29. 26

under captain Nathan Brown & sailed in said ship & served in the States service in that ship two months:
Also that he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1780 in the month of June at Reading & marched to West Point in the state of New York where he served under Captain Thomas Francis, in the eleventh Regiment of the Massachu- -setts line, Colonel Tupper, Brigadier General Patterson, stationed at West Point & afterwards marched into & through the Jerseys in various directions, for six months until some time in December of the same year when he was discharged; but his discharge he has now lost. making in the
whole 4 months 11 days service as a sergeant & 19 months 15 days as a private in the State's service besides 6 months continental service, in all 29 months & 26 days.
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. Nathl. Cowdry
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
We, Reuben Emerson — a clergyman, residing in South Reading aforesaid, and John Mart — Esquire, a magistrate, residing in South Reading aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Cowdry — who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 79 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.
John Mart
Reuben Emerson.
Subscribed and sworn to before
J. P. Gay  J. P. Gay

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss.
On this Twenty Seventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two four , personally appeared in open Court, before the Honourable Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, now sitting, Nathaniel Bowdrey a resident of South Reading in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy five years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following supplemental declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, A. D. 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: viz. That some time in June he thinks in 1776 he enlisted into Capt. Brooks Company for three months, on second term and Dorchester heights, erecting forts and the rest of the time he served in Boston guarding stores till his term of time expired when he was regularly dismissed but had no written discharge.
3 months, for this see Thomas Nathan Depo. on file in Pension Office
He farther says that in the fall of the year, in the last of October or first of November, 1776, as near as he can recollect he enlisted into a company commanded, if he mistakes not, by Capt. Edgell, his Lieut. he well remembers, was Edmund Eaton, then stationed at Fort No. 2 d in Cambridge for the term of five months and did military duty with said company in guarding British prisoners commonly called Burgoyne's Troops during the whole of said five months when his term of service expired he was dismissed again but had no written discharge.
5 months, See Wm Parkers Depo. for this service on file in Pension Office
He farther declares that some time in June, 1778 he again enlisted and went into a company commanded by his father Nathaniel Bowdrey then stationed in Medford on Winterhill near Charlestown line and guarding Burgoyne's Troops or prisoners of war and did service for fifteen days, at which time his said father left the service and went home and he immediately enlisted into a company commanded by Capt. Sargent in Col. Gerrish Regiment stationed at the last mentioned place for the term of six months. In which company he performed military service in guarding said prisoners for the whole period of six months, and then was dismissed without having any written discharge.
6 months & 15 days. See Wm Parkers Depo. as above
He farther declares that on or about the 1 st of April 1779, he again enlisted into a company commanded by Capt. Burroughs stationed on Castle William , now called Fort Independence for a period of three months, and there performed service in erecting fortifications and on guard during the whole period of three months and was dismissed without having any written discharge.
3 months See Wm Emerson Depo. as above
He farther says that immediately after the last mentioned service he enlisted on board the Ship Hunter commanded by Capt. Watson Brown then in Salem Harbor which was soon ordered by the State of Massachusetts to join the Fleet in Nantasket Roads fitting out for an expedition to Penobscot River , which ship soon joined said Fleet, which was under command of Commodore Saltonstall , which said ship and Fleet soon sailed for Penobscot River and arrived at that place after a favorable voyage, and there he remained some days, the precise time he cannot tell, when a British reinforcement arrived in the river and drove up the river a little took our ships and most of the vessels made their escape to the shores after some considerable engagement. He remembers that he made his escape by swimming ashore & his ship was taken and most of the Fleet burnt and destroyed or taken. After which he with others travelled through the woods suffering much by hunger, he never having tasted any food for three days, at length he arrived at home having been absent in said service as near as he can recollect three months.
3 Months See Wm Emerson Depo. as above
He farther declares that in the fore part of June 1780 he enlisted for the term of six months in the Continental service.
6 months

and was ordered to a place called West Point on the Hudson, and he went with others who had enlisted for the same service to said West Point, where he was put into a company commanded by Capt. Francis The eleventh Regiment under Col. Safford's command, and in performing his duty in said company they crossed said North River at Kings Ferry, marched through a part of the State of New York, went into New Jersey, marched to several places in New Jersey and at length returned to West Point again where his term of service then when he was regularly discharged, but he has since lost his discharge.
He further declares that in his former declaration in the Pension office he stated to have served as a sergeant in Capt. Batchelder's company for a space of time, the length whereof he does not now recollect, He says that he made this claim because he merely believed himself and was advised by his counsel, Mr. Robert Rowland Johnson of Gloucester, that the appearance of his name upon the roll of said company as a sergeant was good and sufficient evidence of his services in that grade, although he did not recollect ever to have been a sergeant, and because although he did not so recollect, yet it might possibly be true.
He further declares that he was born in Reading in the part of the town now incorporated into the town of South Reading September 4th 1757, believes his birth recorded in the town of Reading, He lived in Reading when called into service. He says that he has lived in Stoneham twenty six years and the remainder of his time in South Reading and now lives there; that he is always Voluntary, the names of his officers with the troops where he served the continental and militia regiments, and general circumstances of his services as above stated. He served one regular discharge when in the continental service from Capt. Safford on Capt. Francis which is lost. 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 any state.
1750 miss one as above stated John Emerson I hereby certify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution
Subscribed Sworn to before me (Nathl. Gummy) E. A. Gummy Judge of Prob. for said County
We, and a clergyman, residing in the residing in hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; — that we believe him to be years of age: that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
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-named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify, that it appears to them that
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in and that who has also signed the same, is a resident in and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I 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 in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County } ss.
On this eighteenth day of Nov- ember, A.D. 1843, personally appeared before the Hon. Saml T. T. Key Judge of the Probate Court in and for said County, the same being a court of record, Mrs. Eunice Cowdry a resident of South Reading, in the County, and Common- wealth aforesaid, aged Eighty two years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declarations, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 th 38 entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows"; and also of the joint resolution of 16 th August, 1842, and the decisions founded upon said act and resolution.
That she is the widow of Nathaniel Cowdry de d who was a private in the army of the revolution and served as she verily believes as follows. To wit
About 25 five months in whole. His first service was at Roxbury in 1778 under Capt Caleb Brooks about 3 months In 1777 from Nov 4 at Cambridge Fort No. 2 - Capt Cadwater's Fort about 5 mo. In 1778 at Winterhill - Capt's Cowdry & Sargent from last of June 15 mo. or first of July about five months In the spring of 1779 under Captor Col. Burbeck or Burbeck at Castle Island about three months — 3 mo. Soon after last service in June she thinks was in the Penobscot expedition in Ship Hunter about five months — 5 mo. In 1780 in June served at West point under Capt. Francis, & Col o Tupper about 6 months — 6 mo.
She further alleges that her husband was a pensioned under the law of 7 th of June 1832 at $87.38 per annum and for further particulars relative to his services would refer to his declaration and the proof accompanying the same now on file in the War Department.
She further alleges that she was married to the said

Mathaniel Cowdry on the twenty third day of May in the year nineteen hundred and eighty two ; that her husband, the aforesaid Mathaniel Cowdry died on the twenty sixth day of September in the year eighteen hundred and forty one; that she was not mar- ried to him prior to his leaving the services, but the marri- age took place previous to the first of January, nineteen hundred and ninety four, viz; at the time above stated; and that since his decease, she has not intermarried, but is now the widow of the aforesaid Mathaniel Cow- dry deceased.
Jerusha Cowdry
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me, at the Probate Office in Cambridge J. P. P. Fry Judge of Probate for County of Middlesex

I George Cowdry of Stoneham in the County of Middlesex aged fifty five years on oath testify and say that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Jenusha Cowdry the applicant within named in the forgoing declaration, and have been for many years last past. She was the wife of Nathaniel Cowdry whom I always understood and verily believe to have been a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and served for about the term of twenty five months. Said Nathl. Cowdry was a prisoner under the law of 7th June 1832 at $87. 38 15 per annum, and died on about the 27 th day of September A.D. 1841. Since which time the said Jenusha his widow has not intermarried -
And further say not. Geo. Cowdry
State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Middlesex }
Be it known that on this eighteenth day of November 1843, personally came George Cowdry who is known to me to be a credible witness and entitled to belief, and made oath that the forgoing affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me J. P. Fay
Just. Peace

State of Massachusetts Middlesex County ss. Town of Reading.
I Daniel Pratt Jr. the subscriber do hereby certify that it appears by the Registry of Marriages in the Records of the Town of Reading in said County of Middlesex, that there is contained the following entry of Marriage viz "May the twenty third seventeen hundred and eighty two. Nathaniel Cowdry Jr. & Jerusha Emerson both of Reading were married by the Rev d Samuel Prentiss Clerk"
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Records with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the Records in fair legible figures as follows viz.
"1782 May 23 Nathaniel Cowdry Jr. & Jerusha Emerson both of Reading were married by Caleb Prentiss Clerk"
I Daniel Pratt Jr. above named depose and say; that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County, Town & State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Reading with the exception above named as certified by me (Daniel Pratt Jr. Clerk of said Town of Reading)
State of Massachusetts } County of Middlesex } ss November 28. A.D. 1843
Then the above named Daniel Pratt Jr. who is Town Clerk of the Town of Reading personally appeared and made oath, that the facts stated in the foregoing certificate by him subscribed were true. Before me Joshua Prescott Justice of the Peace.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
aw
File No. 15653
Jemima Cowdry Widow of Nathl Cowdry Sergt Rev War
Act: Chh 2d 41
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 148
[Arrangement of 1870.]
of 1870.]

See letter Oct. 7. 1834 to A. Dunlop Esq. O'Flanagan for his answer — La do. to R. Cantal jr. Esq. Oct. 15. 1834
Letter to Joshua Prescott 22 o Jan y 1835 let O Hadley 5 March 1835 let J. Prescott 16 April 1835 let & copy of his from O Hadley 26 April 35
see letter to R. Cantal & D. Hadley 8 July 1834 - to E. A. Cantal 17 Oct. 1834
Oct 11 1834

Pension Office October 1. 1834
I enclose herewith a copy of a Dep. in relation to the case I have to request

4848-15
Massachusetts
Veruba Cowdry widow of Nathl Cowdry who was a Prid & Virg in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 87 Dollars 38 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of Feb. 1849 and sent to Thos. Balfinch Boston Mass
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book L Vol. 1 Page 265

Paid at the Treasury under the Act 6. April 1838 from 4. Sep to 27. Sep 1841. Agt notified 17. Oct 1844.
Chas. T. Lee

7976.
Reported.
Massachusetts
Jerusha Coady widow of Nathaniel Coady
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 27th Sept. 1841 of Middlesex in the State of Mass. who was a Pri. & Sergt in the Company commanded by Captain Batchelder of the Regt. commanded by Col. Briggs, in the Mass. line for 14 mo 14 dys, Newale 4 " 11 " Vergh
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 87 Dollars 38 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Dec. 1842 and sent to the Hon. the R. Choate. W. S. D. Clark
Total amount, $ 426. 90
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Tho. Cummins, Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 1. Page 55

War Department.
Pension Office
Feb 13 Atkins Care
Hon. J. L. Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington

Natt. Coadney - Mass - at 32
See letter to O. Hadley Feb. 6. 1838

Stanchum Mass Jun 11 Hon
James L Edwards commissioner of Pension city of Washington
free
Miss C. Quincy Massachusetts
Jun 16.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Dec. 15 th 1843.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The widow of Nathaniel Bowdry, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Boston Mass. Agency, at the rate of eighty seven Dollars and 38 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. to the 27 th Sept. 1843,  Respectfully, yours,
J. W. Foster
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Payment to be made at
Boston,
by
H. Haven, Esq.,
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Massachusetts.
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 2d, 1818, Page 16. Vol. 2
Th. Rumpkin,
Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d, 1848, Pamela Cowdry, of Massachusetts, widow of Nathaniel Cowdry, who was a Private and Sergeant, in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty seven dollars and _____ cents per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 2nd day of September, one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
Acting J. G. Mason Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
J. S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions. By H. S. Evans

U. S. Dist Atty's Office
Boston Dec. 5. 1837
I certify that at the request of the Commissioner of Pensions. I examined into the truth of certain charges against Nathaniel Cowdy of South Reading, a Revolutionary Pensioner. From that examination I was satisfied that there was no intention, on the part of Mr Cowdy to defraud the Government.
John Mills Dist Atty

Feb 2 Stanchard Map } Jan 29 } Hon
James L. Edwards Comm ee of Pensions City of Washington
21324
7603 13735 free

Nathl Cowdry- Mass.
Mr. Adams Nathl Cowdry City of Washington Common of Pension J. L. Edwards Hon. Sept 21 Stoneham Mass. June Sept 25

Sir Nathaniel Coudry declaration has been laid before the Church he has made acknowledgement that it was wrong.
I was told by an Attorney that I must complain to the U.S. Attorney & I did he told me as I had entered it at Washington that he thought he should not be justified in commencing a suit until he had orders from Mr Woodbury & he wish me to write to you & you see Mr Woodbury & send word as soon as possible that it might be entered at October term I laid all the evidence before Mr John Mills and he told me it was enough & he (Mr Coudry) ought to be tried before the U.S. Court there is defraud I'm every surmis in that declaration except the two that you note to me
The evidence is too full to be given to you in one letter but if I can have orders as above I will see it barred as faithfully for we may as well not have a govt government as to have it defrauded in such a manner. Stoneham Sept 21 1835 you most obedient servant Percival Hadley
Hon J L Edwards Commiss r of Pensions Washington City

N. 2.
June 2. 1882
Rev. Nathaniel Cowdry
James L. Edwards Esq. Agent for Pensions At the War Department Washington D. C.

Gloucester May 27 th 1834.
Sir,
About a fortnight ago I received information that an attempt was making to charge on Capt. Nathel. Howdry of South Reading the crime of perjury. I immediately wrote to the United States Attorney for this District stating to him the circumstances which gave occasion to that charge, which I believe has been abandoned, so far as an attempt to cause a criminal prosecution is concerned. That attempt was got up by an individual having a grudge against Capt. Howdry on account of a dispute about a mortgage on his land sued out by one of Howdry's near connections. I am now informed that some complaint has been transmitted to you against the same gentleman, referring to the same transaction, & instigated, I have not a doubt by the same motive. As I am better acquainted with all the facts connected with this charge than any other person can be, I feel it my duty to lay those facts fully before you.

In 1842 Capt Bowdrey called on me to assist in procuring him a pension under the act of that year. I knew Capt Bowdrey well - as one of the most respectable, upright, & conscientious men in that vicinity - universally regarded as such - & as having been for more than two years a soldier of the revolution, in which many of his townsmen served with him, as they have testified, & as more of them will testify, if necessary. Capt Bowdrey gave a memorandum - sum of the times & places of his services, amounting in all, I believe, to 26 months as a private . I took this list with me to Boston, & there compared it with the rolls in the office of the Secretary of State. Every roll that could be found there of the companies mentioned by him agreed exactly with his statement, except one . Upon that I found his name, as serving at the time specified by him, but serving as a sergeant, & not as a private. I took the certificate of the Secretary of State of the service which appeared on the rolls, & this sergeant's service among the rest. When I showed this certificate to Capt Bowdrey he at once remarked that he did not serve as a sergeant. Told him the fact was on the roll, & though he had forgotten it (as he was now old & his memory impaired) I could not doubt, the roll was correct. Under this persuasion, I made out his declaration in conformity with the roll, & used a good deal of argument with him to satisfy him of its truth. He recollected perfectly

well performing the service at that time & place & in that company, though his impression was & still is that the service was performed as a private. But I thought the roll better evidence than his memory, & convinced him that it was so: and it was by my influence that he finally made the declaration forwarded to you, depending on the roll. After the pension arrived Captain Condry appears to have forgotten that his declaration contained the service as sergeant & insisted on receiving only $80.00 instead of $87.00. but the pension agent told him (after hearing the story) that there was no mistake about it, & urged him to take the whole. When this charge was first made against him he was anxious that some one should write to Washington & explain the matter, but I advised him that it was unnecessary because I did not believe, neither do I now believe, that any mistake had been committed.
If the Department are not satisfied with this explanation, Capt. Condry would prefer that some fit person in Salem or the neighborhood should be authorized to investigate his conduct & report to you.
In order that you may know what degree of confidence to place in my statements, I refer for my own character to Hon: Nathl. Dilsbee, Hon: Levi Woodbury, Joseph S. Cabot or to Edward Everett, G. P. Osgood or Rufus Choate of the house: & am with much respect your obedient servant Robert Rantoul Jr

Jan 14 Com.
First Auditor's Office
Miller 3
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

Treasury Department First Auditor's Office January 16 th 1837
Sir
Some days since I received, with other Accounts, from the Solicitor of the Treasury the inclosed Account of John Mills United States Attorney, for the district of Massachusetts, being "for a journey to Reading and expenses in examining the evidence in regard to the charge of Perjury against Cowdery a Revolutionary Soldier, by order of the Commissioner of Pensions $20".
The Solicitor observes, In regard to this case Mr. Mills says "I shall write to Mr. Edwards and request him to certify that the services were rendered" And as the Solicitor has no cognisance of this matter, being of a criminal nature, he he refers me to you for such evidence, as may be necessary to sanction the claim.
I have therefore to request you to certify that the services were rendered conformably to instructions from your Office, and that the charge is reasonable, if the facts are so, and return the Account so certified to this Office as early as will suit your convenience
I am very respectfully Sir
Your most Obed Servt
James S Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
J. Miller

Jan 13. Mr Evans
Hon. James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington

Reading January 3 rd D. 1858.
Hon James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
I have been informed at the Pension office in Boston, for paying Pensions, that the name of Cap Nathaniel Bowditch of South Reading in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts has been restored to the Pension Rolls, and that all arrearages from the time of his last payment are to be paid him, on his producing the proper vouchers. His original certificate was, as I am informed by the Hon Robert Rantoul, left in your office and is now there at Washington; and as he is unable to get his pay without it, he has requested me to write you - stating that if you will have the goodness to enclose the same and direct it in a letter to me at Reading, Middlesex County and State of Massachusetts he will be much obliged to you for the favor.
Yours with much respect &c
Joshua Prescott

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, July 24 th 1835.
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 Nathl l Cowdrey is borne on an abstract of the Milage Money to and from Camp, at one penny a Mile and traveling Wages Reckoning 20 Miles per day, due to the Company under the Command of Capt. Caleb Brooks, in the Regt. whereof Nicholas Dike Esq r is Col. where he is allowed £ 0 - 4 - 6. Boston November 27. 1776. Nathaniel Cowdrey's name is borne on a pay roll of Capt. Nathl l Cowdrey's Company, in the Regt. of Guards, Commanded by Col. Jacob Gerrish. where he is allowed from July 2 nd to the 16 th (both day included) in 1778, seventeen days. = 17
Nathaniel Cowdrey's name is borne on a Muster-roll of Capt. Nathan Sargent's Company, in Col. Jacob Gerrish's Regt. where he is allowed

from July 17 th to Decem r 14 th 1778. four Months and twenty nine days. ————— 4-29
Nath l Cowderys name is borne on a pay roll of the six Months Men for the Town of Reading, where he is allowed from July 5 th to Decem r 12 th 1780. five Months and nineteen days. ————— 5-19
Nathaniel Cowdry claims for services under Capt. Cadwallader Ford. in Col. Brooks Regt. in 1777 & '78. The rolls from Nov r 4 th 1777. to April 3 rd 1778. are found in this Office, — but the name of Nathaniel Cowdry is not borne on them. — The names of W m Parker and Benj l Dammon are borne on the rolls from Nov r 4 th 1777. to April 3 rd 1778. and both are allowed each four Months & thirty days
Nathaniel Cowdry claims for services on board of the Ship Hunter. in 1779. By a return of Armed Vessels employed by the Board of War, on the Expedition against Penobscot. it appears that the Ship Hunter Capt. Nathan Brown was employed in that Expedition. The Muster or pay roll for said Ship is not found

in this Office. —
The following Letter is found in this Office. viz
War Office Boston 3 d July 1779 To the Sheriff of the County of Essex
You are hereby directed to deliver the Ships Hector, Black Prince, Hunter with their appurtenances as you may take them by virtue of a Warrant from the Honorable Council of this State, For which this shall be your sufficient order —
By order of the Board
Sam Phips Savage Pres t
for H. D. Bangs Secretary
Wm Supt. Ch. Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Feb y 3 rd 1836.
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 in the printed Book of Resolves, is found, fol. 39. No 205, "Resolve for making provisions for the Troops under General Burgoyne, and assigning them certain limits, October 25 th 1777." The following is an extract, viz. — "That the Honorable Council be requested to order one thousand men, including Officers, and as many more as they shall find necessary, from such parts of the militia of this State, as they shall judge equitable, to serve as guards, and to be under the command of Gen l Heath. And that John Taylor, and Nathan Cushing, Esq rs be a committee, with such as the Honorable House shall join, to carry this resolve

into execution, and that they advise with Genl. Heath, touching the several matters mentioned in the foregoing resolve."
Nathaniel Cowdry claims also for services on Castle Island in 1779. under — Burbank. The rolls for services on the Castle Islands from 1776. to 1780, are very few in number, and imperfect. — No evidence of Nathaniel Cowdry's services on the Castle is found in this Office —
Ed. M.
John P. Bigelow,
Secretary of the Com tee .

Stee Hon. James L. Edwards Commissioner of Customs Washington.

Stoneham Mass. May 12. 1834
Hon James L Edwards,
Sir, Nathaniel Cowdry, of South
-Reading in this state is receiving a pension, larger than he is entitled to. He represents that he was a sergeant at Cambridge, whereas it was his Father of the same name who was sergeant, and not him.
Knowing this fact, I feel it to be my duty to inform the Department of it.
For further information, inquiries may be made of Jonathan Weston, of Reading Joseph Hopkins, of South Reading Thomas Emerson, of Lynnfield.
I am Sir, Your obed Servt Onepimus Hadley

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office,, March 18 th 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 Nathaniel Cowdry, as a private, is borne on an Abstract of the Milage Money to and from Camp, due to the Company, under the command of Capt. Caleb Brooks in the Regiment of Col. Nicholas Dike, dated Nov r 27 th 1776. time served not mentioned.
Nathaniel Cowdry's name is borne on a pay-roll of Capt. Nath l Cowdry's Company, in Col. Jacob Gerrish's Regt. where he is allowed from July 2 nd to the 16 th 1778, both days included seventeen days.
m. d. 0-17
Nathaniel Cowdry's name is borne on a Muster-roll of Capt. Nathan Sargant's Company, in Col. Jacob Gerrish's Regt. where he is allowed from July 17 th to Decem r 14 th 1778, four Months and twenty nine days.
4-29
Nathaniel Cowdry's name is borne on a pay-roll

for the six months men of the Town of Reading where he is allowed from July 2 nd to Decem r 12 th 1780. five Months and Nineteen days m. ds 5 = 13
Nathaniel Cowdry claims for services on board the Ship Hunter: in the expedition against Penobscot in 1779, - but the rolls are not found in this Office. It appears by a return of Armed Vessels, employed on the expedition against Penobscot, by the Board of War for the State of Massachusetts Bay, that the Ship Hunter, Capt. Nathan Brown, was in that Expedition.
Nathaniel Cowdry claims for services under a Capt. Edgell, in 1777, - but the roll is not found in this Office. A pay-roll of Capt. Benj t Edgell's Company for six months in 1778, is found in this Office, - but the name of Nath l Cowdry is not on it.
Nathaniel Cowdry claims for services under Capt. Burbeck, on Fort Independence, from April 1779, but the roll is not found in this Office.
Ed. M.
Edward D. Bangs Secy

FREE
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Comm
Nathl Goodrich
Mass
2132

Gloucester Dec. 5. 1837
James L. Duvards, Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir,
I enclose the certificate of the U.S. District Attorney in the case of Capt. Bowdry, which I presume will be satisfactory. I trust the honest & much abused old gentleman (for the charges against him were entirely from malice) will now be restored to the Pension list, & I suppose, of course, to receive the arrears of his pension from the time he was stricken off. Please to send me his certificate when made out, & you will much oblige, Sir, Your obedt. servt.
Robert Rantoul Jr.

Hon James L Edwards
Sir I again understand that Nathaniel Cowdry is about getting a part of his pension but Sir I do protest against his having one cent of pension untill his case has had an Investigation; I doubt his ever being In the U States service in any shape. I did think when I made the complaint that I was doing my country a service, but I find I have no officer to help me bring him to Justice. You promised to have an Investigation of his case, I dont know why you have not, you best can tell. I never shall give it up, untill, something further, is done; now if he receives a pension for eleven months as has been stated, in a new declaration, it will prove that the first was false; then of necessity he has cheated the government out of a sum of money that he was not Intitled too; Why should he receive a pension, untill he has settled; there was no mistake about his forgetfullness, Mr Joseph Hopkins; told him several times that he must alter his declaration. Your Obedient &c Onebumus Hadley
Stoneham January 29 1838
Hon James L Edwards Comm ee of Pensions City of Washington

ap 25
Hon. J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions Washington DC
Dept. of the Interior Office of the Comptroller

Boston June 9 1834.
Dear Sir,
Yours of 26 th ult. was duly rec d . I understand that the name of the individual referred to at S. Reading, in a late No of my paper, is Lowdrey. I have since learned, that it is the general impression, that he is virtually innocent. Mr Rantoul (lawyer) of Gloucester, Mass. was his attorney in obtaining the pension. She will give you any information you desire. His address is "Robert Rantoul jr. Gloucester, Mass." & by the way, he is a friend to the present administration. Yours respectfully, Thos: Whittmore.
96

The United States
To John Mills U.S. Dist. Attorney D r
1835-6- To time spent in investigating the charge of Perjury against Nathaniel Bowdry. Services performed in compliance with the directions of the Commissioner of Pensions.
John Mills Dist Atty.

U. S. Dist Atty office Boston Ap. 21. 1836
Hon. S. L. Edwards Sir.
In compliance with your direction of the 2 nd Oct. last, I have investigated the charges against Nath l Cowdry a Revolutionary Pensioner. The charge is wilful perjury. - From the terms of your letter I did not think it was intended that the investigation should be public, or that the evidence should be reduced to writing and sent to Washington.
The presumption is strong that Mr Cowdry was mistaken in that part of his declaration in which he states that he served as sergeant . But whether he was or was not mistaken in that

I am well satisfied from all the circumstances and evidence in the case that there was no criminal intent in making that declaration. In my opinion, therefore, no proceedings of a criminal nature should be instituted against the accused.
I take the liberty to enclose a bill of twenty dollars for my services. Should you think it reasonable, I would thank you to certify the same and return it to me by mail.
I am Sir very respectfully Yours & John Mills Dist Atty

"Queriis... Is there a man in South Reading, Me. who receives a pension as a soldier of the Revolution, who alleges that he was out in the eight months' service? Was it not the father of that individual (now deceased) who did the service? Was not that individual recently sworn that he was the identical person? Has he been a member of Mr. Emerson's church forty years or thereabouts? It is thought that justice requires these questions, should be put. If there is such an individual, he ought to repent of his sins forthwith, and remember that he is bringing disgrace upon the holy cause of religion by his conduct. Does he not know that he is liable to indictment for perjury and for defrauding the Government - crimes, which if proved upon him, would send him to the state prison!"
Trumpet

Sir
Stoneham January 11 1836
I have waited & expected that an investigation of Nath l Bowdry Case would have taken place before this time but there is a delay for some reason or other. You promised this in your first letter, since your last I have seen Mr Mills and he appears different about this case than at first he gave me to understand that the government was not very forward in such cases on account of the long time it had stood for fear of forgifullness; but in this case that will not do, he (N.C.) was told before he had taken his oath there is no forgifullness in this.
you say in your last letter
"It is unquestionably the duty of the department to "employ all means which the law furnishes to detect "and bring to punishment all attempts whether "successful or not to practice fraud upon it "there should be upon it files sufficient evidence "of Probable guilt before it ventured to make "the serious charge of felony against a citizen Now Sir I would ask what kind of evidence you want, you can't have any more than positive evidence & that you have.
It is 20 months to morrow since I first entered a complaint it appears to me that it is about

time that something should be done with it.
It is a great wonder among the people in this vicinity that the government has not brought him to justice, I want some definite answer
I thought I was doing my country some signal service & thought by what Mr John H Simpson told me at the onset that I should have you to help me carry it through & see that justice was done him
I remain you at Servant Onesimus Hadley
Hon James L Edwards Commissioner of Pension City L. Washington

Cornelius Smutren, Depo. For Natl. boundary

I Cornelius Sweetser of South Reading in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts of eighty five years of age do depose and say that in the fall of the year in November or first of December 1777 I enlisted into the army of the Revolution in a company commanded by Capt. Wood under Col. Brooks if I mistake not for the term of three months which company was stationed at Fort No 2 in Cambridge where I did duty in guarding Bur-goyne's Troops till my term of time expired when I was discharged. During which term of time I well remember that Aaron Bowditch, with whom I was well acquainted, was there but not I believe in the same company with me who did duty while I was there and I believe was there when I left but how long he served I do not know. And I further say that I believe that there was a captain there whose name was Edgell and that said Bowditch was in his company.
South Reading March 23 d A.D. 1835
Cornelius Sweetser
State of Massachusetts } ss. March 23 d A.D. 1835 Then personally appeared the above named Cornelius Sweetser and made oath that the facts stated in the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed were true according to his best knowledge and belief. And I further say that the character of Cornelius Sweetser, for honesty and veracity is good.
Before me Joshua Prescott Justice of the Peace

at 5
[Signature]
James L. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions Washington D. C.

(Naps.) Gloucester Sept. 4 th 1834.
Mr. Before I received your letter of July 8 th I had written a very particular account of the case of Nathl. Loundy of South Reading, which was purposely directed to you & deposited in the Post Office in this place by my own hand. Not having received any answer to it, I am afraid my letter has miscarried, & at Capt. Loundy's request, I write again.
Capt. Nathaniel Loundy is one of the most respectable citizens in Middlesex County. His character for honesty & honor was never before called in question. Dr. John Hart & Rev. Reuben Emerson, who attest their belief in his declaration, are also men of unexceptionable character. Dr. Hart was known Capt. Loundy even since the breaking out of the Revolution. Mr. Emerson has known him for twenty or thirty years, & they have implicit confidence in him. He is in easy circumstances as to property & was not himself very desirous to receive any pension. He was urged by his grandchildren to apply, & on their account thought it his duty to do so. Since this charge was made, he was inclined to refuse the pension; but I have advised him as have his other friends not to do so.
The facts relating to his application are these. He called on me in July 1832, & from his story, I took down a memorandum of the times & places of his services, with

The names of the officers under whom he served as far as he could recollect them. These services he stated were all performed as a private & they amounted to more than two years. I went to the rolls in the State Department to find, if possible, evidence of his services. Whenever I could find (at Boston) rolls of the companies he had mentioned, his name was borne upon those rolls for the time & place he had mentioned; except that upon a roll of a company at Winter Hill (Cambridge) his name appeared as a sergeant & not as a private as he had stated. It took a certificate of the facts, as they appeared on the roll , from Mr. Bangs secretary of State; on my showing the certificate to Capt. Bowdrey on my return he exclaimed "that is all right, only I was not a sergeant - I was a private." supposing that his memory might have failed him in that particular, & not suspecting any mistake in the roll, I told him that I thought the roll better evidence than his recollection, & that he must be mistaken. After a good deal of discussion he gave me leave to make his declaration as I thought true, because he was convinced the roll must be correct, as he remembered that he was there in that company at that time, though he did not remember being a sergeant.
After the papers had gone on Capt Bowdrey entertained scruples about receiving an allowance for a grade which he could not recollect & expressed these scruples publicly without any disguise. When the pension arrived he told the agent at the Commonwealth Bank that he didn't want to take that part. The agent heard the story & concluded, as I did & do still, that the roll was correct, & he dropped the Capt. out of his scruples.
Since then a man upon whose land a grandson of Capt. Bowdrey's holds a mortgage, got angry about some circumstances connected with that mortgage, & determined to wreak his vengeance on the old gentleman. He threatened to procure an indictment for larceny unless Capt Bowdrey would pay him a large sum of money. The Capt. very properly refused to pay him anything. I wrote a letter to the District Attorney explaining these facts & authorized one of my friends friends

to tell publicly in South Reading the whole story, & the contents of the letter I had written. The project of an indictment, was then abandoned - but the same individual resorted to an information to your department - still offering to be bought off .
1 st Perhaps these facts are worth notice - This whole story arose from Capt Lowdry's own scruples & public expression of them.
2 d Capt. Lowdry undoubtedly served over two years in all. He undoubtedly served at the place & time specified in that company, either as a sergeant or a private . His name is not on the roll as a private; it is probable therefore that he served as a sergeant.
3 d That the name on the roll stands there for his father is a mere conjecture got up to explain the circumstances. Though his father (Nathaniel) served in the war as a sergeant or in a higher grade, yet no one pretends to recollect that he acted as sergeant in that company .
If blame should attach anywhere it belongs to me. I was satisfied, as was J. Prescott Esq. an old & much respected associate with whom I advised, that Capt. Lowdry had performed this service, & he felt satisfied that he had done it after hearing our remarks. He however frankly admits that he has no distinct recollection of it, & he does not wish to receive the increased pay belonging to the grade.
If this explanation is satisfactory to the department, you would confer a great favor on Capt. Lowdry, by writing to me, that you acquit him of any dishonorable intention. I hope you will feel at liberty to give him this assurance.
I am very Respectfully your obedt servt Robert Rantoul Jr

I Robert Rantoul Jr of Gloucester, County of Essex, & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Counsellor at Law, on oath depose & say,
That some time in August Eighteen hundred & thirtytwo Nathaniel Bowdry of South Reading Massachu- -setts applied to me to assist him in obtaining a pension for his revolutionary services under the act of that year. He stated what his services were & directed me where to obtain the proof of them, which I did, & found the proof to correspond throughout with his statement, except in the following particular. Capt Bowdry stated that he served in a certain company at Cambridge as a private for a certain time. On examining the rolls at the Department of State in Boston Massachusetts I found Captain Nathaniel Bowdry's name in the roll of that company, for that time, but he was recorded there as having served as a sergeant & not as a private. Mr Bangs Secretary of State gave me a certificate of the fact as it appeared on the roll. When I showed this certificate to said Bowdry he remarked that he believed he served as a private & not as a sergeant, I replied that it was more likely his memory was deficient in this particular than that there was a mistake in the roll, in which suggestion he, after some conversation, acquiesced. I made out his

declaration accordingly, & he subscribed it, believing the roll to be conclusive evidence of his sergeant's service, though he did not himself recollect it.
It was not then suggested to me, nor do I now believe, that the sergeant mentioned on the roll was the father of said Howardy. But since said Howardy obtained his pension, an individual having a personal quarrel with said Howardy took advantage of his personal & public admissions that he did not recollect serving as sergeant to charge him with committing a perjury in swearing to said service which he did not recollect, though he considered that the roll proved that he had performed it.
It was told to me that this charge of perjury was to be laid before the Grand Jury of the District Court to be made the foundation of an indictment against said Howardy. I immediately wrote to Mr. Grinlap, District Attorney for Massachusetts, informing him of the facts above stated, & caused it to be reported publicly in South Reading that I had so written. The idea of obtaining said indictment was then abandoned, & the information which was to sustain it forwarded, as this deponent believes, to the War Department.
This deponent does not know or believe, that the name of Nathaniel Howardy on the said roll was placed there to designate the father of Captain Howardy the said applicant for a pension under the act of 1832 neither

has this deponent been able to find among those who served at Cambridge in the army of the revolution any person who recollects that the father of said Bowdoin served in the company upon whose roll said name appears: nor has this deponent ever heard any surviving soldier of the revolution express any doubt that Captain Bowdoin served for more than two years in the army of the revolution, although he has conversed fully with more than twenty of said soldiers on the subject of said Bowdoin's services.
This deponent believes, & it is the general reputation among the people of both Reading & its vicinity that said Bowdoin is a man of unimpeached veracity & honor & that he has never attempted to obtain a pension to which & to every part of which he did not believe himself entitled.
Robert Kantwell Jr
District of Columbia
County of Washington 2 o Wit:
Sworn to and Subscribed this 6 th day of October 1834 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid —
James Ord Justice of the Peace

N 10.
J. C. Edwards Esq Commission of Pensions Washington

Commonwealth Bank Boston August 28th 1837
Sir,
Your letter of 16 inst. suspending the payment of Natl. Comny is recd.
He has been paid up to the 4th March 1837 at the rate of $87.38 per annum ($21,2.14) from which time I have ceased paying him, as directed.
I am, Sir,
Very Respectfully Yours obedt Servt
J. S. Edwards Esq. Comm. Trustees Waltham
John D. Simpson President.

J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Boston Oct 10 1834
To J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Sir
I have this day rec d your letter of Oct. 7. I know nothing of Nath l Cowdy except that Robert Rantoul Jr Esq wrote me a letter some time since which I presume is now in my files stating that Mr Cowdy was threatened with a prosecution and expressing a favorable opinion respecting him. There was no attempt to prosecute him to my knowledge I never have heard before or since respecting the matter till the rec d of yr letter
Yr Obedt Servt Andrew D. Follen

May 29.
PAID
J. S. Edinards Esq. Washington City
140

Simsfield May 22 1834
J. S. Edwards Esq.
Sir
Your letter bearing date May 16 th was received by last mail and I hasten to reply to your request. I do not believe Nathaniel Courtnay ever served at any period of the Revolutionary War as a Sergeant and he has told me himself if it was so stated in his declaration made to the War department the statement was incorrect. But as regards the other services mentioned in that declaration I do believe he served as the documents have testified altho I never served with him myself I have known Mr. Courtnay for more than fifty years and his moral character character has always been considered as good as any man's in the community.
I am Sir
very Respectfully your Obt Servt Thomas Emerson
P.S. Will you have the kindness to send me a copy of Mr. Courtnay's Declaration.

Wm Parkin's Depts.

I William Parker of Reading in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts of seventy five years of age do testify and say that I entered in to the service of the United United States in the Revolutionary War, about the last of October or first of November 1777, in the Company commanded by Col. Cadwallader Ford, and under Col. Brooks and served at Cambridge in Fort No. 2. guarding Burgoyne's troops till the fore part of April 1778. and was then discharged. In this service when I entered no term of time of service was specified, but I know I served till the first or fore part of April 1778. with the regiment to the time when I went I well remember that it was before Burgoyne's troops arrived and they arrived the day after I was had got there. As Burgoyne's Army was taken on the 17 October 1777. and were immediately sent down I am satisfied from that circumstance among other things that it must have been not far from the first or fore part of November 1777. In the last of April or fore part of May, I but I believe in May, 1778 I enlisted in Col. Samuel Sargent's Company in Gerrish's Regiment stationed on Winter Hill in Medford near the confines of Charlestown for the term of six months. and performed service during the whole of said term of six months. and was dismissed I believe in November, but it might have been a little later. Whether I served a little more than six months or not or as to the precise time when my term commenced or expired I cannot certainly tell but I know I enlisted for the term of six months and actually served that term if not more. — And I further say that I am well acquainted with Nathaniel Bowdng of South Reading and that he was with me in the same Company with  we and lived in the same rooms together as during the aforesaid term and performed duty as a soldier during said term and were discharged I believe together as in the first service we came home together and in the second service I went a few days before I was discharged I went with Burgoyne's troops to Rhode Island and was gone eight or nine days and when I returned the records were all gone. I remember that I was not

required to go best talent in stead of an old man who was by reason of his age unable to go or who could not make such a journey but with difficulty
Reading May 11 th A.D. 1835
William Markel

Benjamin Dononi, Depo.

I Benjamin Damon of Ashhurst in the County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire, aged Seventy five years, testify and say - That some time in the months of October or November in the year 1777 in Reading in the County of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, when I then lived, I enlisted as a soldier in Captain Cadwallader Fords' Company of Massachusetts militia to serve five months in guarding Burgoyne's troops. The Company marched to Fort Number Two in Cambridge and arrived there the same day the prisoners did. I saw them march in. We were stationed at the Fort, and guarded the prisoners. I served out my time. I was well acquainted with Nathaniel Bowditch then of the town of Stoneham, adjoining Reading. He was in the same Company and served the same time I did, and it is my impression that we messes in the same room. I recollect where his Father lived and I think it was in Stoneham, but near the line of Reading. I cannot state the day I enlisted, but we went immediately to Cambridge and arrived there the same day Burgoyne's troops did.
Benja Damon
State of New Hampshire County of Hillsborough ss - Be it remembered that on this Sixth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty five, before

the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Benjamin Damon the person above named, and signed the affidavit aforesaid, and made oath in due form of Law that the same is true
Edmund Parker, Justice of the Peace.
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Benjamin Damon - that he is a credible witness, and his statement entitled to full credit and confidence.
Edmund Parker, Justice of the Peace.
I Andrew Wallace, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire, certify that Edmund Parker is a Justice of the Peace for said County as above, and that the foregoing signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name, this seventh day of July in the year of our Lord, 1835.
A. Wallace Clerk

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
N. 4

South Reading June 18, 1834.
To J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir, Your letter of May 16 th was not received till yesterday, and I hasten to reply. With regard to the first question, contained in your letter, viz: "Whether Nathaniel Cowdrey of this town was a Sergeant, during the revolutionary war at Cambridge?" I would answer, that I do not believe that said Cowdrey ever served as a Sergeant, during any period of the Revolution, either at Cambridge or any where else. - With respect to the other question in your letter, viz: Whether I believe that said Cowdrey served at any period during the Revolution?
I would state, that I not only believe but I positively know that he served at certain periods, during the Revolution; for he served in the same company with me, "Two months at Cambridge in guarding Gen. Burgoyne's troops, and six months at West Point and in New Jersey in 1780. With regard to any other time, for which he claims to have served as a soldier, I have no positive knowledge.
I would also state that said Nath l Cowdrey has long sustained a fair character, as an honest man and a good citizen.
Yours, Sir, Respectfully,
Joseph Hopkins.

Feb 27 Stancham Mass Feb 23 free Hon
Walt. Cowley Mep. N.H. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pension City of Washington

Sir I have waited expecting there would be a full investigation of Nathaniel Bowdry's pension; but I understand, that he will have his pension allowed, Mr Hopkins told me that Joshua Prescott Esq had made out another declaration and Mr Rantel had forward it to you or had been himself and taken the blame upon himself; but Sir it is all a piece of sheer deception Mr Hopkins told me within a few day that he told Mr Rantel that Mr Bowdry was not a Sargent neither was he in the Eight months service & like wise told Mr Bowdry the same and he promised to have it taken out. now Sir I wish his case may have a full hearing as I have been to some expence to keep the Government from being defrauded in this case that is so far as any such has come to my knowledge. Sir I wrote of the of last August I then requested, a copy of Mr Bowdry's declaration, now Sir if you will forward me a copy of his first declaration (I suppose his second has arrived by this time) it will very much oblige your humble Servant, yours &c with due respect Stoneham Feb 23 1835 Prendergast Dudley
Hon J L Edwards Commissioner of Pension Washington City

Mark of rat meal Pension Office Oct 15. 1834
Sir
On a further examination of the case of Nathaniel Bondy, it has been deemed proper to require of him an amended declaration, setting forth all the services for which he claims and an explanatory statement, accounting for the variation between his first and his last declaration. A final decision will then be made in his case.
I am, Most Respectfully Sr. Mr. Ch. Clk J. L. Edwards
Rev. Nathaniel Bg Gloucester OSSA Amity Napaquod

Sir
Your letter of March 5 th has been received In that last letter I wished for a copy of Mr Goodwyn's Declaration, but you say I must point out my motive; my object is this the Church to which he belong feels very much hurt by his con- duct & they have no foundation to work upon for he denies having any such thing in his declaration & all we want is that part which will give his Surviss's whence where did; As to Mr Rantoll denying it was suggested to him in my opinion (as I told you before) is a piece of sheer deception, Mr Hopkins" told me that he told him in plane words not to fact that in it was his father & Mr Rantoll smiled.
I understand the service that Mr Goodwyn done at Penobscot is in his declaration (but for want of a copy i cant say with certainty) If it is he want two pensions for that he has Petitioned the two last winter session in our Legislature to grant him a pension for that service its finaly voted out. If i can have that part of his declaration that i ask for i think that all the truth will come
I hope Sir you will grant my request
Very Respectfully your Obed t Servent
Onoprimus Hadley Stoneham April 20 1835
Hon J L Edwards Comm r of Pensions City of Washington

June 25
Reading Ms. June 20 Hon J L Edwards City of Washington Comm ee of Pensions
Resp d Cor d uff Nathaniel of Mass.
13

Sir
Stoneham June 16 1834
Your letter of the 10 th inst has been received and since then I find that Nath l Bowdry by the help of a lawyer, they are determined to smuggle this thing. but this letter I hope will put you in possiion of plainer facts, even when Mr Bowdry had his declaration made out Mr Hopkins said Bowdry you want in that eight months service no nor sargent it was you Farther you must not sware to that you must get that taken off, the answer was I will; but nothing done. at the time they went before the Probate Judge. Mr Hopkins said the same to him again & so it has been, Mr Hopkins ha keep advising him all this time to be an honest man; now Sir this must be strictly attend to or they will smottle it over that he may get clear, he is a man property & a Church member & they want to keep his Charicter good among the Church & his children, about one week since he told Mr Hopkins that he had reather given up then not take up with his advice & had the eight months service & sargent taken off. I have keep onit watch of their movements for I will not have the government defrauded when I can help it
Yours humble servant
Please to excuse errors Cnefimus Hadley
Then in my pen
J. L. Edwards
Commis of Pensions City of Washington

Jonathan Weston's Depo. for Natl. Cowdry
N. 8.

I Jonathan Weston of Reading in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, of seventy eight years of Age, do depose and say that in the Winter of 1878 I enlisted went to Cambridge and went in to the army of the Revolution and served as a substitute for a person the name of whom I do not recollect, for the term of two months under Captain Ford, the Col's name I do not recollect, and served for two months, during which time I well remember that Col Nathaniel Bowditch was there — at Cambridge at Fort No. 2. and performed service during that time with me. And I further say that he was there when I went and I left him there but how long he served I do not know but have no doubt but that he served during the term of five months, as Mr William Parker says he was there and served the whole of five months with him and Mr Parkers character for veracity is as good as any man's that I know of — unimpeached and as I think unimpeachable. And I further say I have known Col Nathl. Bowditch aforesaid ever since I was a boy, and his character character is good and has always been good for honesty and veracity. And I further say William Parker and William Emerson are personally known to, and I have as I have been informed have testified to some of Col Bowditch's services, testifying their character for honesty and veracity are good, and what they or either of them have testified to I have no doubt is true, and as to Thomas Hillman who as I have also been informed testified for him heretofore. I am acquainted with his character. He not living in this part of the country.
Reading March 14 th A.D. 1885 Jonathan Weston
State of Massachusetts ss March 14 th A.D. 1885. I have the above named Jonathan Weston appeared and made oath that the facts stated in the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed were true, and I further certify that the character of said Jonathan Weston for honesty, veracity is good.
Before me Joshua Prescott Jus. Peace

N. 9.

Reading March 27 th D. 1835.
Hon Lewis Cass. Secretary of War, on
Hon S. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
I send you herewith all I have been able to find of Nathaniel Cowdry's Revolutionary services in the Office of the Secretary of State here.
You will see there are two services which I cannot find any account of on the Rolls here.
(W th ) His service commencing in the fall of 1777
and ending in the Winter or Spring of 1778 at
Fort St. L. Cambridge guarding prisoners on Prospect Hill, under Col. Edgell he there for five months. For proof of this service, see the Deposition sent herewith, of Col. Jonathan Weston and Cornelius Sweetser. Mr Cowdry informs me that there is no other person now living whom he knows to have been in that service at that time and place.
The other service is or on Castle Island, now Fort Independence in the Spring and summer of 1779, for three months, under Col. Burbeck or Burbank. I have made much inquiry, but can find no other person than William Emerson now living who can testify to this service. His Deposition I have been informed is or was sent on with his original Declaration, & is probably on file with the same in your Department.
His service in the Penobscott expedition on Board the ship Hunter commanded by Nathan Brown, is so far proved by the Secretaries Certificate as to show there was such a vessel and such a Commander in that expedition. But there are no rolls here to be found of the men. And the reason is their ships most of them were either taken or destroyed.

by the enemy, and those who were not made prisoners made their escape to the shore and fled into the woods. There is now no other person than William Emerson to be found living who can testify to this service, And his Deposition I have been informed was sent on with his original declaration and is also probably with it on file. On this account I have forborne to take their Depositions anew. If however required it shall be done. A Benjamin Young of this town who was there and under the late law drew a pension, and who could doubtless have testified to it, is dead.
From all the testimony produced both from the Secretary's Office and Depositions I would, Sir, submit to your consideration whether there is not satisfactory evidence in this case to establish his claims. I can assure you I would not have troubled you, if a shadow of doubt remained on my mind in relation to the truth of his lost declaration; or even if I had supposed any imposition in his former. But satisfied as I am that he as honestly deserves his a pension as any other person, I feel desirous to have him restored, and hope you will feel yourself justified in so doing.
I am very respectfully yours &c
Joshua Prescott
P. S. If any further information is wanted have the goodness to write me what, and if to be obtained I will immediately forward it.
J. P.

A.7.

Reading January 1 st D 1835
To the Hon. J. L. Edwards Esqr Commissioners of Pensions
I send you herewith a new declaration of Cap. Nathl. Bowdry of South Reading, agreeable to your request in a letter to Robert Rontoul Esqr, which, I also transmit with this. I have not advised Cap Bowdry to conform to all the regulations required by the War department in making out an original declaration. But it has been sworn to before the Hon Saml P. P. Tray Esqr, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex. Should any thing further be required, if you will have the goodness to return the papers to me, as soon as convenient, and inform me what further is necessary I will be much obliged to you, and will attend to the same immediately. The only reason why I have not so done, was the belief, that it would not be necessary, and to save expense.
I extremely regret, that any mistake or error (for so I must call it) should have taken place in his first declaration. I have known Cap Bowdry near twenty years and can assure you that he sustains a good moral character, is a professor of religion and a member of a Church.
As to the manner in which the mistake, if any, happened I will briefly state all that has come to my knowledge. Mr Rontoul informed me, that when Cap Bowdry came to him for professional assistance to make out his declaration, he made no claim for services as a Serjeant. But when he, Mr Rontoul had got a certificate from the Secretary of State for his services, he found a serjeant service certified among the rest. Shortly after this I incidentally called at Mr Rontoul's office (for he then lived in South Reading) and while I was there, Cap Bowdry came in, and Mr Rontoul mentioned that he had a certificate for his services from the Secretary of State, and that it contained a certified service of a Serjeant. And I believe he said it was a service in the first eight months. Cap Bowdry's reply was that he was out a while in that service, but did not recollect of having performed a serjeant's duty. Mr Rontoul said it was so certified. Cap Bowdry then said, his father he believed was a serjeant in that service, that when he went down his father came home, but he did not recollect of having taken his place, though he said he believed he went as a substitute for some one, but for whom he could not tell. Mr Rontoul observed that if he went down

as a substitute, he thought it probable he might have taken his father's place, although he did not recollect it. The Cap observed that he was a boy or very young at that time. This is as near as I can recollect the conversation which then took place in my presence. But I thought no more of it till I had heard what had taken place in relation to his pension.
When this conversation took place I supposed Mr Rontoul really believed the Captain served as a Sergeant, but that Cap Bowdry had some doubts as to whether he did so or not. And I verily believe that both were honest and sincere in the whole of this transaction. From Mr Rontoul's conviction of the truth of this service he probably advised him to trust rather to the records, than to his frail memory.
But from the high reputation, and moral character of Mr Rontoul, and of Cap Bowdry also, I cannot for a single moment believe that either of them intended to impose on the War Department to get even a single dollar.
Cap Bowdry's new declaration contains an account of services which he has performed and for which he claims as well as a brief explanation of the Sergeant service, as he gave the account to me to put in his last declaration. But I have no means of knowing whether it corresponds with the former. But as I have no doubts that he then made a true one, and for this reason they will probably be substantially alike, with the omission of the claim for service as a Sergeant.
From a strong full conviction of the honesty of Cap Bowdry in this transaction and that the mistake, if any there be, was occasioned by the advice of his council, I do hope that he will receive what two years service would by the pension law entitle him to receive.
If you will have the goodness to direct any papers for Cap Bowdry to me you will much oblige him as well as your most obedient Servant.
Joshua Weston

Reading February 6 th D. 1836 1
Hon. S. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
I send you herewith some additional evidence (all I have as yet been able to obtain) respecting Nathaniel Cawdrey's Revolutionary services. I intended to have sent them long ago, but by mistake amidst the multiplicity of business it has been delayed to this time, though I hope to no other disadvantage of Cawdrey than mere delay.
For your more easy investigation I will give you in brief the services, he claims, in their chronological order, together with suitable references to the evidences relating to his respective services.
1 st 1776 } June }
First He claims for three months service Roxbury and Boston under Capt Brooks } m. D. 3. 00 For this service see Thomas Kittell's Depo. on your files, and Secretaries certificate herewith sent.
2 d 1777 From Nov 4 th to April 8 d 1778 }
Secondly He claims from last of October or first of Novr. to first of April 1778 under Ford or Edsell he hardly knows which of them at Fort No. 2 Cambridge guarding Burgoyne's troops 6. 00 See Wm Parker's Depo. and an additional one of Benjamin Damon, herewith sent, together with the secretaries certificate herewith sent also.
3 d 1778 from June to some time Decr. following }
Thirdly He claims from some time June 1778 to some time in Decr. 1778 for services under Capt. Hathaway for about one half a month and under and under Capt Sargent at Winter Hill for six months service in Whale 6. 15 See, Secretaries certificate and Wm Parker's Deposition herewith sent
4 th 1779 } April }
Fourth He claims to have served at Castle Island now Fort Independence under Capt. or Col. Bushek for three months from some time in April 1779. 3. 00 For this service see Wm Emerson's Depo. on your files and secretaries certificate for the imperfections of those Rolls.
5 th 1779 } June }
Fifth He claims to have served in ship Hunter in the Penobscot Expedition from some time in June 1779 to some time in Sept. following 3. 00 See Wm Emerson's Deposition on your files and Secretaries accompanying certificate of ship Hunter and when fitted. borrowed for word 20 15

26 th 1780 June
Brought forward
20. 15
His last service claimed is a six months service in Col. Tupper's Regiment in Col. Francis Company from June to some time December at Westpoint North River
27. 00 6. 00
The evidence of this service is admitted to be on your files by your letter of June 22 d 1835. See also Secretary's accompanying certificate.
Whole amount of services claimed 26. 15
Remarks
In regard to his first service you have Thomas Killam's Depo. and the Secretary's accompanying certificate of his name borne on the Milage Roll of that service and the only roll found in Secretary's office, of that service. Of this I can assure you from having searched all the Rolls in the office to be found. You then have evidence of such a Milage Roll and said Killam's Depo. This is all the evidence which can now be found, and if this is not satisfactory he must lose the loose the benefit to be derived from a service which I can not have the least doubt (knowing the evidence as I do) but what he performed it.
His second service is proved by Wm Parker's former depo. only, I have procured Mr Benjamin Dorman's Depo. of Amherst. N.H. in addition to Mr Parker's which I send you herewith.
In your letter of April 16 th last to me, you say, "In his first declaration he claimed to have served 6 months Beginning in Novr. 1777 at Cambridge under Col. Ford. In his last statement his service is "set forth as having been performed under Col. Edgell. and the Secretary states that no rolls of Col. Edgell's Company at that time are found. - No search appears to have been made for Col. Ford's Rolls in whose Company "Mr Parker testifies he served!" In his last declaration which I wrote for him, if I am not much mistaken, he said he served under Edgell if his memory served him right, there by implying a doubt in his mind under whom he served, and if I mistake not I so expressed it. At any rate I remember well that expressed to me a doubt whether it was Edgell or Ford. But he was positive that he served that time. Now sir to prove this we have Messrs Parker's and Dorman's Depositions. Finding that Mr Parker said it was in Ford's Company and that he well knew it was I went and made search for Ford's Roll and found it, with the name of Messrs Parker and Dorman's name on it, with the service of from Novr 4 th 1777 to April 3 d 1778 inclusive a period of just 6 months and at the very time and place Mr Cawdry says he served. But I did not find Mr Cawdry's name on the Roll. But this may be easily accounted for either by omission or his having served for some one else, as is the case of Col. Norton who testifies he was there and also Cornelius Sweetman who testifies that he also was there but was

not throughout the time either of whose names are to be found on the rolls. There is then proof of a five months service of Col Ford at that time, which you may see by the secretary's accompanying certificate, and evidence that Messrs Parker and Damon served all that time there, who also swear positively that Mr Cowdry was there all that time with them, and did actual service. One thing must be true either that Mr Cowdry did so serve or the four witnesses are perjured. I can assure you that for strict veracity good moral character, honesty and probity no men in the community stand higher. With regard to C. Sweetser's Deposition you say he alleges  alleges the person who served to have been Aaron Cowdry? You will see by looking to that Depo- sition that I took it, and if the word Aaron is in it it is a mere clerical error, for he positively told me that it was Nathaniel, and that he well remembered he was there. This I might positively have done as there are persons of that name in this place for whom I have frequently had writings to make. You further say in your letter of aforesaid "As the duration of this service is not borne out by the ab- "stract of the Massachusetts Resolves showing the period for "which the guards were raised this term cannot be re- "cognized upon the present evidence . Both Jonathan "Wiston and Cornelius Sweetser are indefinite as to the "the extent of this service but state it to have been "in Ford's Company." — "As has heretofore stated evidence "must be sought in the Secretary's office as to service in Ford's Com- "pany under the Resolve of the 2 d of December 1777 raising two "hundred and twenty men as guards to serve until the "first of March following." Ford's company among others were raised to guard Bayley's troops, and that officer's army was taken Octob 17. A.D. 1777. and immediately sent to Boston and were put under the cover of this State. According to I find a resolve of October 25 th 1777. requiring a thousand men and more if need be, to guard these troops. An extract of which I herewith send you certified by the Secretary of this state. It also appears from the accompanying certificate as well as from Messrs Parker and Damon's Depo. that Ford's company was on guard as soon as November 4 1777 and con- tinued to April 3 d 1778 in service. From these facts satisfactory evidence of this five months service is made out, if any evidence can satisfy. His third service from June to some time in December a period which he calls 8 months & 15 days, there appears from the certified

4 Ralls to be 16 days from July 2 d to 17 th inclusive in Capt North Crawford, and from said 17 July to Dec 14 th 1778, under Capt Nathan Sargent, a period of about five months making in whole about five and a half months instead of six and a half months. Now he will know he was in Capt Crawford's company about half a month, and also that he was the six months service of Capt Sargent, and after a lapse of fifty years is it to be supposed under such circumstances That his memory would serve  serve him so well as to enable with any memorandum to tell the precise number of days he served. In short there appears to me to be nothing but interesting transactions in which they were engaged, which in general accounts for their remembering so much or so accurately. But, be this as it may, there appears on the Ralls journal about 5 1/2 months in the lost service which I trust will and can be safely allowed him.
His fourth service is on Castle Island, for three months in, he thinks, 1779 under Bush. All the evidence which we have or can get is from Wm Em so whose Depo. is on your files. I have myself seen the Ralls of that relating to that place, and from the beginning of the war to about the year 1780 they are very imperfect and few are to be found and I send you a certificate to that effect of the Secretary of State. He must set his case therefore upon Mr Emerson's testimony alone for this service, all I have to say that Mr Emerson is a man whose character for veracity or uprightness and honesty is as good as any man I know of - unimpeached and unimpeachable.
His fifth service is the Penobscot Expedition in this 1779 he then claims three months. Mr Crawford still says it was about three months from the time he left home till the time he returned. And you will see that by the Secretary's certificate that the ship Hunter was fired into service on the 3 d of July 1, the battle and destruction of that ship in Penobscot was about the middle of August following. He says they had been some time at work in getting their ship in readiness for privateering and was then about ready when called into this service now if you suppose that there was not more than two months elapsed since their ship was fitted to the time of their return return, ought they not to be compensated for the whole of their time which was wholly lost to them, and which was about 7 1/2 months. I certainly think it but equitable and just.

Page 5 a At any rate there can be no doubt but that they were gone till some time in September, as after they got on shore they had to travel a long distance - about four hundred miles through a wilderness without any clothes except what they had on and without provisions except the berries which they picked. I remember well that Mr Benjamin Young now deceased whose testimony, if alive, we might have had, told me that their sufferings were great, having nothing to eat for three days and nothing but the woods for a covert at night and that their passage was slow. Under these circumstances, is there not sufficient evidence of some service performed, and, if any, could there have been less than two months which ought in justice to be allowed, and if any time is allowed for services before the ship was pressed ought he not to be allowed his full claim
His sixth and last service was under Col Tupper in Col Frown's Company at Fort Point I believe or in that region for six months. The evidence of this you in your letter of Jan'y 22. 1835 admitted was on the files in your office.
I would ask, whether the evidence now made out of Mr Cawdrey's services is not as strong a conclusion as in almost any case which has come before you, and if so, we hope it will be allowed. Perhaps you will think this communication more particular than necessary. But under the peculiar circumstances of his case I have thought it necessary to remove all objections, if I could, and satisfy your mind by substantial evidence that the services he claims were actually performed. This I trust I have done. But if any thing more is wanting, if you will in form me what it is, I will attend to it immediately. If you will have the goodness to write me as soon as convenient, the result of his case you will much oblige me and Mr Cawdrey also.
I will make one remark more, and I have done,
I say the truth when I say that I have had the least doubt, of the truth of all the testimony substantially adduced. Possibly, there may be some small mistakes, as to the precise time when a service commenced or ended. This might be expected from lapse of time but I fully believe that they are very accurately stated, and in my own mind can have no doubt.
I remain Dear Sir yours very respectfully Preserved

I Thomas Killorn of Hillsborough in the County of Hillsborough State of New Hampshire - Mine of the age of seventythree years on oath depose and say that some time in the year 1776 in the month of June or about the first of July I enlisted in the service of the state of Massachusetts in a company commanded by Captain Brooks which was stationed at Roxbury & afterwards at Boston and that Nathaniel Cawdry of South Reading in the County of Middlesex State of Massachusetts enlisted in the same company and served therein at the same time with myself three months.
Thomas Killorn
Middlesex ss. August 23. 1832. Then the above named Thomas Killorn personally appeared before me and made oath that the above written deposition is true & he is a credible & dis-
Reading July 19. 1832
To Whom it may concern I hereby certify that the following is a copy from the Records of said Town viz,
"Nathaniel the son of Nathaniel Cawdry " and Sarah his wife was born September 4 th 1759"
Attest Daniel Pratt Jr. Clerk of the Town of Reading

I Thomas Killorn of Hillsborough in the County of Hillsborough State of New Hampshire - of the age of seventythree years on oath depose and say that some time in the year 1876 in the month of June or about the first of July I enlisted in the service of the state of Massachusetts in a company commanded by Captain Brooks which was stationed at Roxbury & afterwards at Boston and that Nathaniel Cowdry of South Reading in the County of Middlesex State of Massachusetts enlisted in the same company and served therein at the same time with myself three months.
Thomas Killorn
Middlesex ss. August 23. 1882. Then the above named Thomas Killorn personally appeared before me and made oath that the above written deposition by him subscribed is true, & he is a credible & dis- interested witness. John Wood Justice of Peace
of said Town viz,
"Nathaniel the son of Nathaniel Cowdry " and Sarah his wife was born September 4 th 1859"
Attest Daniel Pratt Jr. Clerk of the Town of Reading

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex Ss. I Elias Phinney Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Middlesex, do certify that John Hart Eglee is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County, and that I believe his name set to the within Certificate is his own proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the twenty fifth day of August 1832
E. Phinney.

I William Emerson of Malden in the county of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of seventytwo years on oath depose and say that some time in the month of June in the year 1777 I enlisted in Reading under Colonel Burbank & went to Boston where I served in the State's service at Castle William being employed in repairing the fortifications, & that Nathaniel Condy of South Reading in said Middlesex enlisted & served in the same service at the same time, through the period of his enlistment which was for three months . SW In Greenough
Aug. 28. 1832. Then the abovenamed William Emerson personally appeared before me and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true and he is a credible and disinterested witness John Hart Justice Peace
I William Emerson abovenwritten on oath depose & say that in the first part of July 1779 I was pressed into the State's service on board the ship Hunter of 20 guns, at Salem, under Captain Nathan Brown, attached to Commodore Saltonstall's fleet & served in the expedition to Penobscot for two months , & that Captain Nathaniel Condy abovenwritten served the same length of time on board the same ship with me. William Greenough

Aug. 28. 1832. Then the within written William Emerson personally appeared and made oath that the second within written deposition by him subscribed is true, & he is a credible & disinterested witness John Wood Justice - Peace
I William Parker of Reading in the County of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of seventytwo years on oath depose and say that some time in the month of May 1778 I enlisted with Nathaniel Bowdng in Reading in Captain Nathan Seargeants company and marched to Winter Hill where we kept guard on the British Prisoners the said Bowdng served in that company six months & how many days more than that time I do not know
William Parker
August 30. 1832 Then the abovenamed William Parker personally appeared before me and made oath that the abovenwritten deposition by him subscribed is true and he is a credible and disinterested witness John Wood Justice - Peace
I William Parker of Reading in the County of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of seventytwo years on oath depose & say that about the first day of November in the year 1777 I enlisted at Reading in the company commanded by Captain Admwallader Ford, that Nathan - il Bowdng enlisted at the same time & place in the same company, that we marched to

Cambridge where we served in said company in fort No 2. in which service said company served five months as a private police till we were discharged. William Parker Middlesex p. Sept 3 rd 1832. Then the abovenamed William Parker personally appeared before me & made oath that the above written deposition by him subscribed is true, & he is a credible & disinterested witness John Hart Justice Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. I Isaac D. Dyer Clerk of the Court of Probate in & for said County hereby certify that John Hart whose own proper signature is set to the preceding affidavit is a justice of the Peace within said County of Middlesex.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this fifth day of September 1832 Isaac D. Dyer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 20. 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 Nathaniel Conedy served as a sergeant in, the Massachusetts Militia in the company under the command of Captain John Pack-elder in Col Bridge's Regiment between the nineteenth of April & first of August 1775 but the length of time of said service does not appear from the rolls. It also appears that Nathaniel Conedy served in the company commanded by Nathan Sergeant in Col Jacob Gerrish's Regiment of Guards doing duty in Massachusetts from July 17. 1778 four months & twenty nine days.
Edward D. Bangs, Secy

Stancham Mass      free Aug 13 Hon
J L Edwards
City of Washington
Commissioner of Pension

Stoneham August 9-1934
Hon Sir
yours of the 8 th has been received
It was detain'd by not being left at Stoneham post office, Sir you wish'd me to furnish you with my deposition, but I am only in my 39 year so I am not older enough to know theas things as facts myself, but I have refered you to them that does know espesally Mr Hopkins they were born and brought up near neighbours & have so remain'd to this day, I have conversed with Mr Hopkins since he wrote you that letter He told me that he did advise him as I have informed you, I am not suspected as being the Complainant nor do I wish to be at present, I shall have the wrath of the whole famerly loved on my head.
Sir if this is sufficient theas to send me word & you shall have all Information I can get
I wish you to send me a copy of Vathaniel boundary declaration Hon J L Edwards I am very respectfully your obediant servant Clement Hadley City of Washington

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled, "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss. Middlesex COUNTY, }
On this eighteenth day of July 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid,
Jemima Cowdry a resident of South Reading in the county of Middlesex aged about eighty six years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Nathaniel Cowdry who was a resident of said South Reading and who was a private and Sergeant in the War of the Revolution
and is the identical person who drew a pension under the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late husband aforesaid, at the rate of eighty seven dollars and thirty eight cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Jemima Cowdry
Sworn to and subscribed on the day } Before me, and year above written, }
In presence of Joshua Prescott } Joshua Prescott Justice of the Peace. and Jonas Cowdry }
I Certify, That the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner, as she declares.
Joshua Prescott Justice of the Peace.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, } ss. COUNTY, }
I, Clerk of the Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that _____ is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said Court, this day of _____ 18____
CLERK.

5252
Jer. Cowdry
$ 87:38 per a
Thos Bulbich Boston Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex County } ss.
Be it known that on this fifteenth day of January 1842, personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and Commonwealth Mrs. Jemima Cowdrey a resident of South Reading in the County of Middlesex aged Eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declara- tion in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed on the 3 d day of March 1842 granting pe- nsions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of Nathaniel Cowdrey who was a Private & Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution and served as she verily believes as stated by her in her original de- claration for a pension under the Law of the 4 th of July 1838, to which declaration and the papers accompanying the same now on file in the War Department she would refer for a more particular statement of his services, for the proof of her marriage, identity, and the time of her Husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said Act at the rate of Eighty Seven 38 / 100 Dollars per annum which amount she has received from the 4 th of March 1836 to the 4 th of March 1841 at the agency in Boston Massachusetts and at the time of her receiving her last payment surrende- red the Pension Certificate granted to her under said Act to the Pension Agent at the said City of Boston agreeably to the rules of the Department.
And this declarant further alleges that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said Husband but is now and ever since has been the Widow of said Nathaniel Cowdrey deceased as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed.
And further she saith not.
Jemima Cowdrey

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first within written and I certify that the applicant is personally known to me to be the person within described.
Before me
Joshua Prescott
Justice of the Peace.
I Joshua Prescott of South Reading in the County of Middlesex of lawful age on oath testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Jemima Cowdry the applicant named in the within declaration for many years last past. I know that she was the wife and is now the Widow of Nathaniel Cowdry deceased who was reported to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. and that she was a Prisoner under the Law of the 7th of July 1838 as stated by her.
Joshua Prescott
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk Middlesex County } ss.
Jan. 16 th 1842.
Then came Joshua Prescott who is known to me to be a credible witness and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is strictly true.
Before me
Lowell M. Ferris
Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston January 17 th 1844
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Joshua Prescott was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex — and Lowell M. Stone was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper Secretary of the Commonwealth.

9832
Jerusha Cowdry
Mass
act 7 July 38
m 82. d 41-
adms
19 mo / 987 / mi
4. 11. Seryh
87.38
bind to Pm. N.
Hm Rhoak Smab M

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston Decemb. 6. 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation, Samuel P. D. Fay was Judge of Probate, and also a Justice of the Peace (and that Joshua Prescott was Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex.)
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Jno A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss.
On this 27 th day of Oct. in the year of our Lord 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid now sitting at Walnut Bowdoin a resident of South Reading in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged 75 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following supple- mental declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress, pass- ed June 7. A. D. 1832.
 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated viz That some time in June he thinks in 1776 he enlisted into Capt. Brooks company for three months and served in said company part of the time in Roxbury, and worked some of that time on Dorchester heights erecting forts and the rest of the time he served in Boston guarding stores till his term of service expired when he was regularly discharged but had no regular discharge. He further says that in the fall of the year, in the last of October or first of November 1777 as near as he can recollect he enlisted into a company commanded if he remembers not by Capt. Edgell his Lieut. he will remember was Edmund Eaton then stationed at Fort No 2. in Cambridge for the term of five months and did military duty with said company in guarding british prisoners commonly called Burgoyne's troops during the whole of said five months when his term of service expired he was discharged again but had no written discharge. He further declares that some time in June 1778 he again enlisted and went into a company commanded by his father Nathaniel Bowdry then stationed in Medford on Winterhill near Charlestown line and guarding Burgoyne's troops as prisoners 

prisoners of War and did service for fifteen days at which time his said father left the service and went home and he immediately enlisted into a company commanded by Capt. Sargent in Col. Garrison's Reg t stationed at the last mentioned place for the term of six months in which company he performed military service in guarding said prisoners for the whole period of six months and then was dismissed without having any written discharge. He further declares that in or about the 1 st of Sept. A. D. 1779 as he thinks he again enlisted into a company commanded by Capt. Burbank stationed on Castle William now called Fort Independence for a period of three months and then performed service in erecting fortifications and on guard during the whole period of three months and was dismissed without having any written discharge. He further says that he immediately after the last mentioned service he enlisted on board the ship Hunter commanded by Capt. Nathan Brown then in Salem Harbor which was soon ordered by the State of Massachusetts to join the fleet in Nantasket roads fitting out for an expedition to Penobscot River which ship soon joined said fleet which was under command of Commodore Saltonstall which said ship and fleet soon sailed for Penobscot River and arrived at said place after a favorable voyage and there he remained some days till the enemy came to the River a little took our ships and most of the crews made their escape to the shores after some considerable engagement. He remembers that he made his escape by swimming ashore and his ship was taken and most of the fleet burnt and destroyed or taken. After which he with others travelled through the woods suffering much by hunger, he never having tasted any food for three days, at length he arrived at home having been absent in service as near as he can recollect three months. He further declares that in the fore part of June 1780 he enlisted for the term of six months in the continental service and was ordered to
Exhibit 15 - page 1 - see page 1 of this volume Exhibit 15 - page 2 - see page 2 of this volume Exhibit 15 - page 3 - see page 3 of this volume Exhibit 15 - page 4 - see page 4 of this volume Exhibit 15 - page 5 - see page 5 of this volume Exhibit 15 - page 6 - see page 6 of this volume Exhibit 15 - page 7 - see page 7 of this volume Exhibit 15 - page 8 - see page 8 of this volume Exhibit 15 - page 9 - see page 9 of this volume Exhibit 15 - page 10 - see page 10 of this volume

a place called West Point on North River, and he went with others who had en- listed for the same service to said West Point where he was put into a company commanded by Capt Francis of the Eleventh Regt under Col Tappers command and in performing his duty in said company they crossed said North River at Kings Ferry, marched through a part of the State of New York, went into New Jersey, marched to several places in New Jersey and at length returned to West Point again where his term of service expired when he was regularly discharged, but he has since lost his discharge. He further declares that in his former declaration in the Pension office he claimed to have served as a sergeant in Capt Batchelder's company for a space of time the length of which he does not now recollect. He says that he then made this claim because he truly believed himself and was advised by his council Mr Robert Rantoul Junr now of Gloucester that the appearance of his name upon the roll of said Company as a sergeant was good and sufficient evidence of his services in that grade, although he did not recollect ever to have been a sergeant, and because although he did not so recollect yet it might possibly be true. He further declares that he was born in Reading in the part of the town now incorporated in the town of South Reading, Sept 4 th 1757. He knows his birth recorded in the records of Reading. He lived in Reading when called into service, and since the war has lived in Stoneham 26 years and the remainder of his time in South- Reading and now lives there. That he always volunteered the names of his officers with the troops where he served the continental and Militia Regiments and general circumstances of his services are as above stated. Received one regular discharge when in the continental service 1780 from Col Tappor or Capt Francis which is lost. Reuben  Emerson

Emmerson, John Hood, Jeremiah Bryant, John Lawallan, and Levi Winn all of South Reading can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolu- tion. Subscribed and sworn to before me S. P. P. Fay, Judge of Probate for said County } Nathl Bowdry
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed June 7: 1832.
State of Massachusetts } County of Middlesex } ss.
On the fifth day of September A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Samuel P. P. Fay Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex afore- said, now sitting Nathaniel Bowdry a resident of South Reading in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts aged 73 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 acts of Congress passed June 7: 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: he entered on the 19 th of April 1775 in the company commanded by Capt. John Bach- elder in Colonel Bridges Regiment, as a Sergeant and served in that capacity four months and eleven days as appears from an imperfect roll in the office of the Secretary of State, but how much longer he cannot recollect, nor does it appear from said roll. In June 1776 4. 11 July he enlisted as a private in a company commanded by Capt. Brooks at Reading, marched to Roxbury was stationed there and afterwards at Boston and served in said company three months: in June 3. 1777 he enlisted in Reading under Col. Burbank and marched 3.
Boston

5. Boston where he served in the States service under said Burbank at 6.15 2 Boston William three months: in the first part of November 1777 he enlisted 19.15 6. Cont. in the company commanded by Capt. Gideon Allder Foss and marched 4.11 19.15 0 29.26 to Cambridge where he served in Fort No 2 five months: in May 1778 he enlisted in Captain Nathan Sargents Company in Col. Jacob Garrison Regt. and marched to Winter Hill where he served six months and fifteen days, the last four months and twenty nine days of which service are found on a roll in the Secretary of States office beginning July 17 th 1778 - in July 1779 he was transferred into Commodore Saltonstalls Expedition to Penobscot on board the ship Hunter at Salem under Capt. Nathan Brown and sailed in said ship and served in the States service in that ship three months. And that he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1780 in the month of June at Reading and marched to West Point in the State of N. York where he served under Capt. Thomas Francis in the 11 th Regt. of the Massachusetts line Colonel Tupper, Brigadier General Patterson, stationed at West Point and afterwards marched into and through the Jerseys in various directions, for six months until some time in December of the same year when he was discharged; but his discharge he has now lost; making in all whole 4: months 11 days service as a Sergeant and 19 months 15 days as a private in the States service besides 6 months continental service, in all 29 months 26 days. 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 this day Nathl Bowdrey and year aforesaid.
S. P. P. Fay Judge of Probate
Wa

We Reuben Emerson a clergyman residing in South Reading aforesaid and John Hart Esq r a magistrate residing in South Reading aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Bowdry who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 73 years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Reuben Emerson
John Hart
Subscribed and sworn to before
(The above concluded - on Page N o 10) S. P. P. Fay, J. Prob.
I Thomas Killorn of Willeborough in the County of Willeborough State of New Hampshire of the age of 73 years on oath depose and say that some time in the year 1776 in the month of June or about the first of July I enlisted in the service of the State of Massachusetts in a company commanded by Capt. Brooks which was stationed at Roxbury and afterwards at Boston, and that Nathaniel Bowdry of South Reading in the County of Middlesex State of Massachusetts enlisted in the same Company and served therein at the same time with myself three months.
Thomas Killorn
Middlesex Jp. S
Aug t 23-1832
Then the above-sworn Thomas Killorn personally appeared before me and made oath that the above written deposition by him subscribed is true, and he is a credible disinterested witness.
John Hart
Justice Peace

Reading July 19 th 1832
To whom it may concern - I hereby certify that the following is a copy from the records of said Town viz -
"Nathaniel the son of Nathaniel Bowdry and Sarah his wife was born September 4 th 1759."
Attest. Daniel Pratt, Jr. Clerk of the Town of Reading.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Elias Phinney Clerk of the court of common Pleas for said County of Middlesex, do certify that John Hatt Esq r is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, and that I believe his name set to the within certificate is his own proper signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court the 25 th day of Aug st 1832.
E. Phinney
I William Emerson of Malden in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of 72 years on oath depose and say that some time in the month of June in the year 1775 I enlisted in Reading under Col. Durbin and went to Boston where I served in the State service at Battle William being employed in repairing the fortifications and that Nathaniel Bowdry of Reading in said Middlesex, enlisted and served in the same service at the same time, through the period of his enlistment which was for three months.
Wm Emerson
August 28 th 1832. Then the above named William Emerson
personally

personally appeared before me and made oath that the above dis- position by him subscribed is true, and he is a credible and dis- interested witness.
John Hart, Justice Peace
I William Emerson above mentioned on oath depose and say that in the first part of July 1779, I was pressed into the States Service on board the ship Hunter of 20 guns at Salem under Capt. Nathan Brown attached to Commodore Saltonstall's fleet and served in the expedition to Penobscot for two months. and that Capt. Nathaniel Bowdry above written served the same length of time on board the same ship with me.
William Emerson
Augt 28 th 1832. Then the writer named William Emerson per- sonally appeared and made oath that the second written dis- position by him subscribed is true, and he is a credible and interest- ed witness.
John Hart Justice Peace
I William Parker of Reading in the County of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of 72 years on oath de- pose and say that some time in the month of May 1778 I entered with Nathaniel Bowdry in Reading in Capt. Nathan Sergeant's Company and marched to Winter Hill where we kept guard over the British prisoners and the said Bowdry served in that Company six months and how many days more than that time I do not know.
William Parker
August 30 th 1832. Then the above named William Parker personally appeared before me and made oath that the above written disposition

3 deposition by him subscribed is true, and he is a credible and disinterested witness John Hart Justice Peace
I William Parker of Reading in the County of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the age of 72 years do hereby depose and say that about the 1 st day of Nov. in the year 1777 I enlisted at Reading in the Company commanded by Capt. Baduel Adams Ford that Nathaniel Bowdry enlisted at the same time and place in the same Company, that he marched to Cambridge where he served in said Company in fort N o 2, in which service said Bowdry served five months as a private soldier till we were disch d
William Parker Middlesex ss Sept. 3 rd 1832 } Then the above named William Parker personally appeared before me and made oath that the above written deposition by him subscribed is true, and he is a credible and disinterested witness. John Hart Justice Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss } I Isaac Fiske Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County hereby certify that John Hart whose own proper signature is set to the preceding certificates is a Justice of the Peace within said County of Middlesex. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifth day of Sept. A. D. 1832. Isaac Fiske Reg t
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary

Secretary's Office Augt 20 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 Nathaniel Bowdry served as a sergeant in the Massachusetts Militia in the Company under the command of Captain John Dabalden in Col. Bridges Rif t between the nineteenth of April and first of Augt 1775 but the length of time of said service does not appear from the rolls. It also appears that Nathaniel Bowdry served in the Company commanded by Nathan Sargeant in Col. Jacob Gernsh's Reg t of Guards, doing duty in Massachusetts from July 17 th 1778, four months and twenty nine days.
Edward D. Bangs Secy
(Brot from Page N o 5 th )
And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier as served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Reuben Emerson who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in South Reading and that the said John Hart who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident at So. Reading and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. P. Fay. J. Prob.
I Isaac Fiske, Register of the Court of Probate for the County

County of Middlesex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Bowdry for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at office this 5 th day of Sept. A. D. 1832.
Seal
Isaac Fiske, Reg.
u ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

26168 Nath l Bowdry
Isaac Fiske esq East Cambridge Mass.