Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28767, Abraham Howland, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass
Howland, Abraham
NUMBER
S. 28767
CONTENTS
See N.A. Acc. No. 874 Number 50088 Not Half Pay Abraham Howland

Marie N° 27,422
Abraham Howland of Tisbury in the State of Maine who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain M c Farland of the Reg t commanded by Col. Pattin in the Massachusetts line for 6 1/2 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Maire at the rate of 21 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of March 1834 and Hon. E. Kavanagh M.P.
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk Book 6 Vol. 1 Page 22
Letter to G. W. Morton 10 March 1846. do to P. Hargreaves & Wm L. Severance May 22 '1846 do to G. W. Morton July 14. 46 Letter to Rev A. G. D. Nov 1846.

Abraham Howland 28/10/6
Nathl. Grolin Balt me

State of Maine
County of Lincoln ss. At a Court of Common Pleas held at Topsham, in said County, on the fourth Tuesday of August A. D. eighteen hundred & thirty three, personally appeared in open Court, before Es- quire Whitman Esquire, Chief Justice thereof, Abraham Howland a resident of Topsham, in the County & State aforesaid, aged seventy one years, who being first du- ly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. He was drafted into the service of the United States, in the middle of June 1779 out of Capt. James Muntard's Company to go in the expedition to Bayadue on the Penobscot bay, he went immediately by water to Townsend, and there joined Capt. Asahel Patten's Company, and embarked for Bayadue arrived there and landed to attack the British was in the engagement at the landing continued there till the retreat of the American forces up the Penobscot, retreated with them. crossed the wilderness to Kennebec river, again mustered under Capt. Patten, marched to Cox's head on Kennebec river at the order of Col. Saml. McCobb, where a fort was built this applicant helped build it, and continued in service till the end of that year, making a term of six months & one half of actual & constant service , that year, at the expiration of which term he was dismissed by Capt. Patten & returned home to Topsham —

He says he was drafted into the service. had no written discharge. He was born in Pembroke, Massachusetts, in the year one thousand eight hundred & sixty two on the 6th day of September, has his age recorded in a bible. He removed with his father to Topsham when about five years old, lived in Topsham when called into the service, and has lived there ever since - He is known to Isaac Jones Esquire of Bowdoin who was a soldier with him in Capt. Paton's Company and he is the only person this applicant can obtain to testify to his services at Bayadere & Cooshead. And to Ezekiel Purinton and Ebenezer Farn of Topsham who can testify to his character for truth & his reputation as a soldier. There being no clergyman in Topsham, whose testimony he can obtain.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on any pension roll of any state.
Abraham Howland
Sworn to sub.
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
before
Erastus Whitcomb
Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Maine

We. Ezekiel Purinton, & Ebenezer Farris both living in Topsham in the State of Maine hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Howland who has sworn to the foregoing declaration, he has been known to us at least forty years, we believe him to be seventy one years old, he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion.
Ezekiel Purinton Ebenezer Farris
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me Nath. Grooton Justice of the Peace
And the said Court hereby declare their opinion after investigating of the matter & putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the aforesaid applicant was a Revolution- ary soldier, and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that Ezekiel Purinton & Ebenezer Farris who signed the preceding certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit -
Ebenezer Whitman
Attest Nat. Loffin Clerk

State of Maine.
LINCOLN, ss— I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that the annexed paper, signed by the Judge and attested by the Clerk, contains the original proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas , at a special session thereof holden at Topsham in said County, by the Hon. Ezekiel Whitman Ch. Justice  one of the Judges of said Court on the 20  30 day of August A. D. 1832, in the matter of the application of Abraham Howland for a Pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 12th  14th day of October A. D. 1832 Nathl Coffin CLERK.

28,106 Abn Havland
Admit a private 1/2 mo $24.41
ans: Hn. Mr. Kasenough apt 25- 1834
Chattanooga
Butts
MS
ats

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Abraham Howland
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1779 0 6 15 Private  Saml. M c Robb  Col.  Astor Battery  Captain   22 yrs  71   Traditionary evidence  Isaac Jones living  affidavit  Certificate of Service  of Massachusetts in  office of Dep t Adj t   
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:    1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies.    As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.  DECLARATION,  In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.  State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }  On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :  [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]  He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of  Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  A. B.  [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]  And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) 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 (i) this day of &c.  If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.  Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:  (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) 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 neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.  Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.  [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]   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 certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.   I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.  Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.  If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his  Handwritten notes in left margin: Traditional evidence in pension cases... witnesses... 6 months service  Handwritten note at bottom: evidence maybe drawn from Rolls in Office of Massachussetts

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section III Cur
July 17, 1930.
Mrs. Harold Basinger 190 Main Street Cooperstown, New York.
Dear Madam:
You are advised from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 28787, it appears that Abraham Howland was born September 6, 1753, in Pembroke, Massachusetts and moved, when five years of age, with his father, name not stated, to Topsham, Massachusetts.
While residing in Topsham, Massachusetts, he was belonged to Captain James Masterd's Massachusetts Company from which he was called, about June 15, 1779, to go on the Sagadahoc expedition; on this expedition, he served as a private in Captain Astor Patten's Company, Colonel Samuel Mcobb's Massachusetts Regiment, was in an engagement at Sagadahoc, assisted in building a fort at Cobs Head on the Kennebec River and was discharged the at the end of the year.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 4, 1833, while a resident of Topsham, Lincoln County, Maine. No family data, other than reference to father.
This is the history of the only soldier named Abraham Howland found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

28767 Rev INVALID.
1930- July 17- Hirt. to Mrs. Harold Basinger. Ill
File No. 28,767
Abraham Howland
His Rev. Dan
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 199
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Certificate for Abraham Howland
Conner's of Prican will be pleased to find the certificate into the application of Abraham Howland after previous now on file in his office —

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, November 5 th 1833.
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 Abraham Hoorland, as a private, is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Ather Patten's Company, in Col. Sam l McColb's Regt., where he is allowed from July 6 th to Sept r 25 th 1779, two Months and Nineteen days. ————— Ex. 16. m dp 2-19 Abraham Hoorland claims for further services under Capt. Ather Patten, in 1779, the rolls of which are not found in this Office. Edward D. Dany. Secy

At Ordeal Endence
Maine
From Nathl G. Porter Abn Hanlun France 28. citum Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Beth. Maine. Nov 9 1833 Hon J L Edwards. Sir. I enclose to you in two packages by this days' mail the cases of Mrs. Pages. Joseph White & others - applicants for pensions - I have obtained what evidence was to be found for them in the Secretary of States' office of Massachusetts.
It is to be hoped that these cases will receive the early attention of your department as these old men, who were soldiers in the war of the revolution, are quite im- pecunious, and almost despair of obtaining their pensions, while they live, they are all aged & in need of whatever this department may judge they deserve.
I am In Your obt Servt
I send the certificates of Abraham Howland & Isaac Jones -
Nathan Grooton

Oct. 30 1886
lunch of Michael Nordan In 1883
Edwards (Esq) Commissaire of Police Washington D.C.

Pittsfield Oct. 26. 1836
Sir. I think enclose you the voucher of Shubam Norland, examination which if correct will thank you to give directions for payment.
Respectfully yours J. S. July
J. L. [unclear] Esq. Commission of Pension Wadsworth

I Isaac Jones of Portland, in the State of Maine on oath do declare that I am seventy five years of age. I am acquainted with Abraham Howland of Topsham in the State of Maine he is seventy one years old. In the month of June 1779. He was drafted from Capt. James Mustard's Company of Militia and went in company with me as a soldier to Townshend & embarked in a transport for Port Royal, in Capt. Astor's Battery Company. I was in the same company with him. He was a soldier during the siege & retreated up the wilderness peninsula and across the Wilderness to Kennebec river and down the river to Cox's Head & served out the year 1779. He helped build the fort at that place, under Capt. Astor's Battery - in Genl. Mcobb's regiment. He served in 1779 - six months & one half. He returned and has lived in Topsham ever since. Isaac Jones
State of Maine.
County of Portland ss - August 30 th 1833.
Personally appeared Isaac Jones above named and being cautioned examined on oath and said the foregoing statement to be true and correct & having read the same signed his name thereto, and made oath that the several parts thereof, was true before me and I further certify that said Isaac Jones is a man of truth & veracity entitled to credit on oath. Attest Nathan Grooton Clerk of the Court.

State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN, ss—I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Nath l Gordon Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this thirty first day of August , A. D. 1832
Nath l Coffin CLERK.
Shaw

Does Abraham Howland's case come within the rule in all respects?
Ans - He appears in open Court
" He makes his declaration in Lincoln County where he resides -
age 71 years -
The period when he served stated was 1779 - 6 - 15 mo  days
Saml. M c Coll Col. Ctor Patten Captain he states with precision his services - he was a private he relinquishes all claims to pensions but this The Court give their opinion.
The Clerk gives his certificate to application & evidence - affixes his Seal it has a direct
1 He states he was born in Pembroke, Massachusetts Sept. 6. 1762 -
2. He has a record of his age in a bible.
3. He lived at Topsham Linn County which count to service
4 He was drafted - no substitute
5. Saml. M c Coll (Kneel) Ctor Patten left
6 Never rec d . any written discharge was dismissed -
7. He states Ezekiel Patten Ebenezer Patten to whom he is known -
If this be so has not Abraham
Howland made out a good case
for 6 1/2 months service -

Inquiry 1 . Richard Bailey - VT 2 Abraham Howland - VT.
Pension Bureau, Revolution Records.
Department of the Interior Washington, D. C.
I wish to learn if pension was granted to Captain Richard Bailey , who served in the Revolution, and who lived in Vermont, at Berlin, during his latter years, and died there June 15, 1827. If so, I wish to obtain all information contained in his pension papers, relative to his service and family. He was born in Massachusetts, and Hemenway's Vermont Historical Gazetteer states that he served at Lexington and Concord.
I shall be grateful to receive an early reply as possible.
I also wish to learn whether

a pension was ever granted to Abraham Howland (or to his widow, Mary White Howland) who served in the Revolution from Massachusetts. I do not know when he died, but his widow died I believe in 1840-50, and these people lived in Calais, Vermont, coming from New Bedford, Mass. about 1795. The widow lived to be 82 years old, and I think quite likely received pension after the 1818 law went into effect. I not before. She may also have lived in some other town in Vt. during her later years, but I find their residence as Calais, in vital reports. In case pension was granted. Kindly send me all information furnished on papers.
Yours Truly
Mrs. Harold Basinger 190 Main Street
June 4, 1930. Cooperstown N.Y.