Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,900, Silas Howell, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Howell, Silas
S. 29,900
CONTENTS

rept. to new agent May 10.
1834
See Letters July '37 to.
Mr Silas Howell & to Pension Agent, Portland Me.
Hon. G. A. Briggs Sept. 13, 1837.
" F. O. J. Smith, Sept. 14, 1837
C. T. Davis, June 4, 1838.
see let to Hon. R. Williams,
U. S. Senate. Dec. 27. 38
78.209
Maine
Silas Howell
of Portland in the State of Maine who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Bradford of the 1st Regt. by Col. Meyers in the 1st Regt. line for 8 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of July 1833 and sent to Munsey. Portland
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $ 53. 32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept - 13. 33
$ 66. 65
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams, Clerk Book 2 Vol. 1 Page 22.

State of Maine
On this 19th day of August 1849 personally appeared before the Hon. Ashur Ware judge of the United States for the District of Maine Joanna Harrington a resident of Portland aged sixty years who upon oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. And this declarant states that she is the only surviving child of Silas Howells late of Portland deceased. That her father made application for and received the benefit of the act of Congress passed in 1832 and was placed on the pension roll at the rate of twenty six dollars and six ty six cents per annum which pension he received for two or three years and was then struck from the roll. She believes that her father was entitled to a pension during his life time and she has often heard him say that he was in the service during the first of the war. Silas Howells was a native of Long Island and before the war of the Revolution came to Falmouth now Portland where he resided to the time of his death. He often spoke of making efforts to be restored to the pension list but was deterred from doing so in the latter part of his life in consequence of his infirmity and poverty. He was an inmate in the Almshouse Portland for several years before his death having no property of his own and no relation able to support him. Silas Howells died on the 8th day of May 1846 aged 100 years and upwards. This declarant therefore claims the pension that was due

to her father Silas Howell to commence at the 14th of March 1881 to the time of his death deducting therefrom such sums as were paid him before his name was stricken from the pension roll under the act of 1832, to be computed agree- -ably to the evidence contained in the certificate of the Secretary of Massachusetts herewith sent.
Florence Harrington
Signed & sworn to before me & acknowledged this 19 th of August 1847.
Adkins Ware
Judge of the United States for the Dist. of Massachusetts.
I the undersigned judge of the United States for the District of Massachusetts hereby certify that it has been satisfactorily proved to me by the testimony of a credible witness personally known to me that Silas Howell late of Northend in the State of Vermont died on the 2nd of May 1846 leaving no widow & that Florence Harrington is the daughter and the only & remaining child of the said Silas Howell.
Adkins Ware
Aug 19 1847.

No 5022 Silas Howells Application for a pension
July 1832
P Off July 24, 1832 Vol 34 p 162. Capt Hoyes roll claimant not on roll Wm
8 Mts
26. 66
Hussey Esq
Portland

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
MAINE DISTRICT SS.
At a Special District Court of the United States begun and held at Portland, within and for said District, on the Sixteenth day of July A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty-two before the Honorable ASHUR WARE, Judge of said Court.
On this Sixteenth day of July — aforesaid, personally appeared in open Court before said District Judge Silas Howell — a resident of Portland in the county of Cumberland in said Maine District, aged eighty five — 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 provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated — Mr. In the month of March or first of April 1775. at Falmouth in the then District of Maine, he enlisted in a company commanded by Capt. Joseph Moyer, and Lieutenant Nicholas Blasdell, (who was afterwards a Captain in the Army) in the State service, and served eight months in said company — at Falmouth, where said company was stationed, who were employed in guarding the town — and was in said service at the time the town was burnt by the enemy. — Mr. Joseph H. Ingraham of said Portland, enlisted in the same company with me — but got separated soon after — and did not serve — He  Does not know any other person living now who belonged to said company, and that he has no other evidence than the declaration of Mr. Ingraham that he can furnish to prove his said service. I was born in Long-Island & State of New York the 15th day of July 1747. I have no record here of my age — I lived in Falmouth when I was called into the service — and have lived in Falmouth & Portland ever since — I never received any particular discharge, but the Company were discharged all at once by the Captain — and we went home — in Dec r 1775. William T. Vaughan Esq r is well acquainted with me — I would also refer to Thomas Brown of said Portland as one acquainted with my character. Isaac Hiley Esq r formerly the Collector of this Port also knows me very well. — he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on any pension roll of any agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency in the State of
Silas Howell
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Before,
Ashur Ware
} U. S. Judge for the District of Maine.

We the Subscribers, of Portland, County of Cumberland, do testify and say that we are well acquainted with Silas Howell who has made the foregoing application for a pension and believe that he did perform the service he has stated, and believe his character is unimpeachable. He has always been considered reputable, to have been in the service which he has set forth in his said application and that we believe him to be of the age he has declared.
Isaac Isley M c Kim Vaughan
Subscribed & sworn to before me John M c Kim U. S. Judge for the District of Maine
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War Department) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And that Isaac Isley Esq. and William J. Vaughan who have signed the preceding certificate are credible persons & their statement entitled to full credit.
I, John M c Kim Clerk of the District Court of the United States for Maine District, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Silas Howell for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this seventeenth day of July A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two
John M c Kim } Clerk of the U. States District Court for Maine District.
Maine District
District Clerk's Office April 27, A.D. 1833
In testimony that Joseph Pape is a Magistrate and that the signatures to the annexed purporting to be his are genuine I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year last above written.
John M c Kim Clerk U. S. Courts

I Joseph H. Ingraham of Portland, County of Cumberland, State of Maine do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Silas Howell of said Portland, that in the last of March or first of April 1775, as near as I can now recollect, he enlisted in a company of militia commanded by Capt. Joseph Noyes at Falmouth then, & since called Portland; that I enlisted about the same time in the same company, but left it soon after, — The company was stationed at said Falmouth and employed in guarding the place — I do not know of any person who belonged to said company, who is now alive, except the said Silas Howell and he served about eight months, as near as I can remember, that being the time for which he enlisted —
Joseph H. Ingraham
Subscribed & sworn to this 14th day of July — 1832 — Before me — Joseph Pope Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify That I have known the above named Joseph H. Ingraham for twenty five years, and that he is a man of unimpeachable character as to truth and veracity and a respectable witness entitled to full credit & belief — April 22. 1833 — Joseph Pope Jus. of the Peace

The aforesaid Silas Howell as an amendment of my said declaration do now farther state, that Col. Mitchell of North Yarmouth commanded the Regiment in which I served under Capt. Noyes. - There is no Clergyman now living, with whom I am acquainted who can testify in my behalf. Isaac Hiley who was the former Collector of the Port of Portland, and William T. Vaughan Esq. the Clerk of the Courts of this County will know my reputation of having been a soldier in the war of the revolution, and also my character for truth and veracity - and I supposed their testimony would be satisfactory.
Silas Howell
State of Maine
Cumberland County April 27. 1833 -
Subscribed & sworn to by said Silas Howell before me, Joseph Dope, Jus: of the Peace

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
MCS/HMH
February 11, 1930.
Mrs. John W. Tweed 125 West Main Street Sparta Illinois.
Dear Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 29900, it appears that Silas Howell was born July 15, 1747 on Long Island, New York.
While a resident of Falmouth, Maine, he enlisted soon after the battle of Lexington and served eight months in Captain Joseph Noyes' Company in Colonel Mitchell's Massachusetts Regiment, and was present at the burning of Falmouth.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 16, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Portland, Cumberland County, Maine.
He died May 8, 1846 in Portland, Maine.
The death of his wife, her name not given, occurred many years previous to his death.
In 1849 Joanna Farrington, a resident of Portland, Maine, aged sixty years, was the soldier's only surviving child.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to John Stockton, James and Ebenezer Leavenworth, Adam Smith of Suffolk County, Long Island, or any soldier surnamed Killingsworth.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

29900 INVALID. Rev
30 Feb. 11 hist. to Mrs. John W. Tuck
File No. 29,900
Silas Howell
His Rev Mrs
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 198
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Silas Howell, Me. act 7 June 1832 $26 66 / 3 per ann
To what time was he last paid? G. L. A.
Pension Office Sept 15 1848 } Paid to 4 th March 1837. W. Tyson

Abstract of Silas Howells application do — Sarah Lunt deposition do Jos H Ingraham do —

St Col J. N. Cumming 2 d N. J. Regt N o 8109 to 9702 - Officers 9703 to 9755
Col Alex Ogden 1 st N. J. R t & old 3 d 22.639 to 25331 - Regt 25332 to 26735 Officers 26736 to 26830
Capt Silas Howell - not war's man

WAR DEPARTMENT—REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
NO. 18.209
I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 7th of June, 1832,
Silas Howells
of the State of Maine,
who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution War
is entitled to receive Twenty Six dollars and Sixty Six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 31 day of
July one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three Acting  John Noble SECRETARY OF WAR.
Examined and Countersigned. { J. L. Edwards - Commissioner of Pensions
Pr 2666

Portland Oct 18 1848
Sir
You have herein enclosed a letter from the 3 d Auditor in which he says that the arrears of Pension due Silas Howell at his death are payable at the Portland Agency. By your letter to me of the 22 d Sept you say that "the 3 d Auditor J P Hagner Esq has this day been instructed to pay the Arrears due at the rate of $26. 66 / 100 per annum from the date of the last payment to him (Silas Howell) to the day of his death upon the production of such vouchers as the enclosed printed instructions direct". The papers enclosed are as near in conformity thereto as can be made be made by Mrs Harring the only surviving child. The pension Certificate of her father is lost to her, and the probability is, that it was returned to Washington. As the pension is payable in Portland you will oblige me by instructing the Agent to pay the same. As there is no pension certificate perhaps special instructions may be necessary unless a duplicate Certificate is forwarded to me
I am Very respectfully
Your Ob t : Servant. Freeman Bradford
J. L. Edwards Comm r of Pensions

Silas Howell
29 900

Justton march 11th 1854
Hon. sir
I wish to know if your Records shows the services of Elias Howell during the Revolutionary war with Great Britain it is said that he entered the service in Morris County and in Morris town in the state of New Jersey as Captain of a Com- =pany and served untill the close of the war will you please give me such infor- =mation as your Records shows and oblig- me sir I have the Honor to be your obedient servant John V. Rice
Hon
Commissioner of Pensions

Portland Feb 19. 1848
Sir
I herewith transmit some additional testimony from the Secretary's office in Mass: showing that Silas Howell served in Capt Lane's Company. The testimony here exhibited tends to show that no other Silas Howell could have performed the service credited to the man of that name than the claimant's father. The certificate shows that the name of Silas Howell is not found upon the rolls of any other officer, and as we have shown by testimony heretofore adduced that he was the only man of that name from Falmouth we respectfully submit the whole for your consideration.
I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obt: Servt:
F. Bradford
J. L. Edwards Esq. Counsel of Pension Washington D.C.

I, Sarah Lunt of Portland, in the County of Cumberland, Widow of Moses Lunt, late of said Portland, deceased, aged Eighty three years, do testify & say, that immediately after information of Lexington Battle was rec d at Falmouth, in the year 1775, about fifty individuals formed themselves into a company of provincial troops for the defence of the town, and my said husband Moses Lunt, and Silas Howell with whom I am also well acquainted were both in said said company, - The company met & chose Joseph Noyes for their Captain, my husband was Sergeant in said company - About the first of May, before the Officers of said company had an opportunity to receive their commissions from the Government, they commenced their service at said Falmouth, now Portland, & part of their first service was in throwing up a fort or breast work on Falmouth neck, so called - said company worked in making the fort day & night till it was done - I also do testify & say that said company served at said Falmouth eight months and were not discharged till the following winter.
Attest. Joseph Pope S 11
Sarah her X Lunt mark

State of Maine
Cumberland County ss: August 19. 1837. Personally appeared Sarah Lunt, who I certify is a very respectable & credible witness and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her subscribed this day before me
Joseph Pope, Jus; of the Peace & Justice
Maine District
District Clerk's Office August 19. 1837
In testimony that Joseph Pope Esquire is a Magistrate duly appointed and qualified as such and that the above is his genuine signature and that full faith and credit are due to his official attestations I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said District Court of the United States the day and year above written.
John Mufsey Clerk U.S. Court

Respectfully transmitted to the Commission of Pensions as requested by Mr. Bradford A. B. Farris
Aug. 27 1847. —

Portland August 23. 1847
Sir
You will confer a favor by presenting the enclosed papers to Mr Edwards, and as you are personally acquainted with Mr James Deering and Elias Thomas and also with Mr Gorish, to inform Mr Edwards who those men are and whether the utmost reliance may not be placed in their statements.
Silas Howell was placed on the pension list soon after the passage of the Act of 1832. He was struck off soon after on the ground that his name was not borne on the roll. I know nothing of his former declaration but it has been said that he stated he served under Capt Boyer. His name is found on Capt John Lane's roll for 1775 as Silas Howell of Falmouth. Since the Certificate was given the Secretary of State has allowed me to look at the roll and I find there are several others from Falmouth on the same roll, and also several Penobscot Indians. If the testimony of Mr Thomas Deering and Tukey is believed I think the Commissioner must be satisfied that the claimant's father was the soldier whose service is given in the Certificate of the Secretary of State Massachusetts. I could obtain more

Testimony to the same point, that there was no other Silas Howell in Falmouth in the time of the Revo- lutionary war, but if such as I have here given is not satisfactory, I presume nothing of the kind will be available
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Freeman Bradford
Hon
Albion K Parris
2 d Comptroller
Washington
D.C.

J. Howell -
Sept 11. M ad
Me.
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Cour Parsons
Hon. H. O. J. Smith RR

Washington Sept. 10/97
J. L. Edwards Esq Ohio.
I have been re- quested to file in your depart- ment the enclosed testimony of Sarah Hunt, as supplying the de- ficiency in the testimony of Mr. Elias Howell, of Portland, Maine. I wish you to compare it with the cause of striking his name from the roll of Pension- ers, and ascertain if it will justify his restoration. - I have the honor to be, with respectfully Yours OBE Secy Francis J. Smith

Silas Howell
H. Bradford Portland Maine
Commission says he should be restored, it is a doubtful case. And a higher reason cannot be granted than the claim himself. Some say Sergeant can be allowed

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, ss.
CLERK'S OFFICE, JUDICIAL COURTS.
Portland, February 17th A. D. 1848.
I, Charles C. Harmon  Protem CLERK of all the
JUDICIAL COURTS in and for said COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, certify that
Truman Bradford is an acting Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Cumberland as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that he is Duly qualified to act as such; that the Commission of the said Bradford is dated May 28th  is dated A. D. 1840, and will expire May 28th A. D. 1853
and that the his is following his is Genuine.
SIGNATURE purporting to be
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said State, the day and year first above written.
Chas C. Harmon CLERK. Protem

On this 16 th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight personally appeared the subscriber Joanna Harrington a resident of Portland and made the following supplemental declaration in order to obtain the arrears of Pension due to her father Silas Howells deceased who was a pensioner under the act of 1832.
And this declarant states that she has heard her father the said Silas Howells frequently say that he was in the service at the commencement of the Revolutionary war and she has no doubt but he served one campaign at least. She has heard him say that he served under Capt Noyes and that he turned out as a soldier in his company early in the year 1775 after that the Militia were under arms in Falmouth early that year. She also believes from what she has heard her father say that he served under an officer who had charge of certain friendly Indians to the eastward of Portland as he had Indians in the company on detachment from the company in which he served and that he was employed in ranging to the eastward among the Islands and on the coast. He has told her that he served with Enoch Wiswell James Hood & Jeremiah Veasey whom he said were residents of Falmouth at the same time. This declarant further states that her father was very aged at the time he made his original declaration for a pension and she believes that he had forgotten some of the incidents of his service. She has no doubt

but he served in Capt Noyes Company and believes that he was enrolled and liable to do military duty in that company in the spring of 1775 and that he was called out for the defence of Falmouth as early as April of that year and that he performed such military service as the Militia were required to perform until the Sea Coast establishment was organized in July of that year. This declarant further states that she believes her father would not claim a pension or assert the performance of military duty if he had not been a soldier, and she has reason to believe that he did serve in Capt Noyes Company with Enoch Blaseell & Joseph H Ingraham and that this service was in the early part of 1775 and that he was after that enrolled in Capt Lane's Company and served in a detachment of that Company to the eastward with the persons named in the certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This declarant has heard her father and mother both say that he was away from Falmouth and in the service in the year 1775 and that while her father was absent her mother went out of town and lived with Mr James Torry who was a quaker.
Joanna Harrington
State of Mass
Cumberland ss February 16 1848 Then appeared the above named Joanna Harrington and made oath that the foregoing declaration is true -

according to her best knowledge recollection and belief. Before me J. Bradford Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
February 12 th 1845.
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 Silas Howell is borne upon Muster Rolls of Capt John Lane's Company stationed at Cape Ann - as a sergeant of Falmouth, from July 6 1775 to January 1 1776, 6 months & 20 days. - 130 miles travel is mentioned upon the roll - The names of James Hood , Jeremiah Veazie and Enoch Wiswell , mentioned in the annexed application, and Enos , Sensier , Sabatig , Matagose & Sowanacket , Indians , are also borne upon said rolls - the three first belonged to Falmouth, the Indians to Penobscot. The name of Joseph H. Ingraham is not borne upon any roll of Capt Joseph Moyes or Capt John Lane - Enoch Plasdell was a Lt in Capt Joseph Moyes's Company -  The
340-45

name of Silas Howell is not found borne upon roll of any other officer in this Office.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the Commissioner's letter of September 14. 1847 was filed in this Office; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said letter, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowl- edge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. B. Callron
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Supplemental application of Joanna Farrington only child of Silas Howell for evidence of her father's service in the war of the Revolution.
This applicant further states that from what she has heard her father Silas Howell relate concerning his revolutionary services, that he did belong to the militia company commanded by Capt Joseph Noyes as early as April 1775 and that he performed military duty in said company previous to the time the military establishment was organized for the defence of the seacoast in 1775. She believes also that her father was mistaken in relation to his service in Capt Noyes company after the troops were authorized to be called out by the authority of the State. From what she has heard her father say she does believe that he served in a detachment from Capt Lani's company which was stationed on the Eastern coast of Maine during the latter part of 1775 and that there served with him in that detachment several Indians and also several of his own townsmen. She has heard her father say that he served with Enoch Wiswell James FLOOD & Jeremiah Vearie and that some of the company on the detachment in which he served, moved to the eastward. She has no doubt but her father did serve early in the year

under Capt Noys but she believes that he was under the command (the latter part of the year) of Capt Lane. This applicant therefore transmits to the Secretary of State the letter of the Commission- er of the 14 th Sept 1847 and requests him to state whether there are upon the roll of Capt Lane any who are denominated Indians, and also whether there are on said roll the name of Enoch Wiswell James Flood & Jeremiah Veasey, and if so whether they did or did not belong to Falmouth. If the rolls in your Department contain any evidence of the service of those mentioned above in connection with the service of said Howell please annex this application to the same. Joanna Harrington
Cumberland Co. Feby 9 th 1848. Signed before me by said Joanna Harrington the day & year above written Freeman Bradford Justice of the Peace
3190

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
May 31 1847.
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 Silas Howell is borne upon Muster Rolls of Capt John Lane's company, for service at Gloucester, Cape Ann, as a Sergeant of Falmouth, from July 6 to December 31 1778, including allowances of 130 Miles travel, 6 Months. Capt Lane belonged to Bangor Maine.
The above is all the evidence of service of any one of the name shown by the Military records in this Department.

2888.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Wm. Tufts.
Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To the Secretary of State Mass.
The undersigned only child of Silas Howell late of Portland requests the Secretary of State Massachusetts, to furnish from the rolls and documents in his possession the evidence of the service of her father in the war of the Revolution.
And this applicant states that her father the said Silas Howell was a resident of Falmouth now Portland in the time of the Revolution and she has heard her father say that he was a soldier in the war and she believes that he served the most of the time in Falmouth. I have heard my father say that he was drafted to perform one tour of duty out of the state but I am unable to state where he went. I believe that he served one tour of duty under some captain who belonged in Falmouth the first year of the war but I am unable to state under what captain. She requests all the evidence of service that can be identified with her father thus described Joanna Harrington
Cumberland Gs. May 20 1847 Then personally appeared the above named Joanna Harrington and signed the above the my presence.
Freeman Bradford J. P.

I Joseph M Gerrish of Portland in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine on oath dep- ose and say that I am one of the Publishers and Proprietors of the Portland Advertiser Daily Newspaper printed at Portland, Maine. I find published under the head of "Deaths" in said paper on the ninth of May Eighteen hundred and forty six the following vir- "In this City, on the 8th inst Mr Silas Howell aged 100 years and 10 months"
I further testify that I attended the funeral of said Howell and know that he died on or about the time mentioned in said notice, and have no doubt that Silas Howell died on the eighth of May Eighteen hundred and forty six. I have long been acquainted with Silas Howell and know that he made application for a pension several years ago and believe that he received a pension at one time, but how long he continued to receive it do not know. The wife of Silas Howell was the sister of my mother. She died many years before her husband and there now remains only one child of Silas Howell living, vir Joanna Harrington .
I have known Silas Howell more than fifty years and for the last forty one years have resided in Portland I was collector of Taxes, and a part of the time Treasurer, from 1812 to 1825 in Portland, and

during that time never knew any other Silas Howells.
Joseph M. Gornish
State of Maine
Cumberland Co. August 19th 1847 Then ap- peared the above named Joseph M. Gornish known to me as a man of truth and veracity, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed before me Heerman Bradford pastor of the Peace

I James Dearing of Westbrook in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine aged eighty years on oath depose and say that I was born in Falmouth now Portland and have been acquainted with Silas Howells late of this town from my boyhood. This Silas Howells was a Tailor by trade and has often talked and informed me of his Revolutionary services. I never knew of any other Silas Howells who lived in Portland. This Silas Howells died about one year ago in the Almshouse and a very aged man at the time. I have understood that Silas Howells came to this town Portland, from Long Island New York. There was a time soon after the town of Falmouth was burnt that I knew nearly every person that was grown up in town and if there had been any other Silas Howells I think I should have known it. I moved to Westbrook about forty years ago but my business has mostly been in Portland and I have been well acquainted with the inhabitants of said town ever since.
James Dearing
State of Maine
Cumberland ss. July 12 th 1847 Then appeared James Dearing known to me as a man of truth and veracity and a credible witness in whose statements the utmost reliance may be placed and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed.
Before me Freeman Bradford Justice of the Peace.

I William Tukey of Portland in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine on oath depose testify and say that I am right one years of age and upwards, was born in Falmouth now Portland and have always resided in said town from my birth to the present time. I have known Silas Howell from my boyhood to the time of his death. Silas Howell resided in Falmouth in the time of the revolutionary war and I never knew any other man by the name of Silas Howell in Falmouth or in any other one of the name elsewhere. This Silas Howell whom I knew in the time of the revolution and since died in the Almshouse about one year ago. This same Silas Howell was placed on the pension Roll under the act of 1832 and he told me at one time that he had drawn a small sum. This Silas Howell was a very old man and died at the age of one hundred years and upwards as it was said. It was said & I have always had the impression that he was a native of Long Island N. York. I was well acquainted with the people of Portland in my younger days and if there had been any other resident citizen of Falmouth by the name of Silas Howell in the time of the Revolution I should have known it I believe. I know not whether said Howell was a soldier or not.
William Tukey Cumberland 4th August 6th 1847 Then personally appeared the above named William Tukey known to me to be a credible witness and a man of truth and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed Before me Freeman Bradford Justice of the Peace.

I Elias Thomas of Portland in the County of Cumberland on oath depose and say that I am seventy five years of age and have resided in this town from the time of my birth to the present time with the exception of about seven years previous to the twenty fifth year of my age. during which seven years I resided in Westbrook adjoining Portland and kept up my acquaintance with the citizens of my native town. I have known Silas Howells late of Portland who was a Tailor by trade from my boyhood. Said Howells died in the Almshouse in Portland within two years at a very old age. I never knew any other Silas Howells in the time of my minority in Portland, and in my younger days, I knew most of the people in Portland. If then had been any other Silas Howells in the time of my boyhood I think I should have known him.
Portland Aug. 12. 1847. These are to certify that I have read the above and believe the same to be perfectly correct & true.
Elias Thomas
Cumberland ss August 12 th 1847 Then personally appeared the above named Elias Thomas known

to me to be a man of truth and credibility and after carefully examining made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed.
Before me Freeman Bradford Justice of the Peace
[Faint, mirrored text bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

United States Maine District
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
I hereby certify that the Honorable Ashur Ware before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is Judge of the United States in and for Maine District and that the signatures thereto purporting to be his, are genuine.
And I further certify that Freeman Bradford Esquire is a Magistrate duly authorized and commissioned and that full faith and credit are due to his official attestations.
In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this twenty first day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty seven
John Mufseig Clerk U.S. Circuit Court
[Handwritten signature of John Mufseig]

I am well acquainted with James Dearing, Elias Thomas and Joseph H. Gerrish superiors within named - They are gentlemen of as high respectability as any in the city of Portland Mr. Dearing is one of the most wealthy citizens - Mr. Thomas has been State Treasurer, and I think Mr. Gerrish is personally known to the commissioners of Pensions -
August 27 1847
Albion B. Clapp

Rev
MRS. JOHN W. TWEED 125 WEST MAIN STREET SPARTA, ILLINOIS
Dec. 25/29.
W. S. Pension Dept. Washington - D.C.
Gentlemen: Will you please tell me if any of the following names appear in the Pension List of the Revolutionary War - and any data connected with them -
 1 Silas Howell - Suffolk Co. Long Island.  2 ? Hillingsworth - o Maryland or South C. -  3 John Stoughton - Long I. or New Jersey 

4 James Leaveworth - } Connecticut 5 Ebenezer Leaveworth - } N. Y.
6 Adam Smith - Suffolk Co. N.Y.
Thanking you - I am
Yours very truly
Mrs. John W. Freed.