Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19813, Zebulon Holmes, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass
Holmes Zebulon Rachel
W. 19813
CONTENTS

4287 Massachusetts
Rachel Holmes widow of mh Zebulon Holmes who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 22 Dollars 88
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of March 1848 and sent to
G. J. Bulfinch Boston Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 58 Vol. 2

Note - The word "duty" in the fifth line from the bottom was interlined by W. G. Ellis by me, before this deposition was signed and otherwise authorized.
I Joseph Cummings of Sharon in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being eighty seven years of age hereby testify and say, that said Sharon was formerly called Stoughtonham. That during the Revolutionary war, I was personally and well acquainted with Capt. Edward Bridge Savel and with Zebulon Holmes and Zebulon Holmes Jun r all of, and belonging to said Stoughtonham at that time, and I well remember that said Zebulon Holmes and Zebulon Holmes Jun r , father and son, both served as Soldiers in the Revolutionary war, and sometimes both served as Soldiers at the same time, and I believe in the same company together, That in the winter of the year 1777, I distinctly recollect that my Brother John Cummings was taken ill while serving as Soldier at Dorchester hill in Capt. Theophilus Wilder's Company, and as Capt Wilder excepted of me in my brother's stead, and I performed soldiers duty instead of my said brother, for about three months at Dorchester hill and Castle Island and was discharged towards the last of March of the same year, that while in this service I am strongly impressed with the belief, that said Zebulon Holmes Jun r served as Soldier at Dorchester Hill or Castle Island at the same time; but I am not certain whether he served in said Capt Wilder's Company or some other at that time. And I further testify and say, That I think the next year after the surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, (which would make it the year 1778) I well remember that said Capt Edward Bridge Savel raised a company of Soldiers, and as I then and have ever since understood, marched from said Stoughtonham to Rhode Island the same year, 1778 - and there, performed military duty for several months, but having no rolls or dates, to show this term of service, I can only say from recollection, I believe it to be a term of two or three months service; and from my best recollection and belief, the said Zebulon Holmes Jun r . served as Soldier in said Capt Savel's Company in this tour of service at Rhode Island, in the year A.D. 1778.
State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk S.S. March 11 th 1843. Then personally appeared the above named Joseph Cummings a credible witness, subscribed to, and made Oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by him made and subscribed is true, in every part thereof.
Joseph his  Cummings
Before me - W. G. Ellis Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office Boston March 17. 1842
I hereby certify that William Ellis is now and was at the date of the within attestation a justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk, in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and Commissioned, and to his acts and attestation full faith and credit are and ought to be given.
Witness the hand of the Commonwealth the date above written —
Jno A Bolles

5938 Michael Holmes Widow of Zebulon Holmes
Mass. Act 7. July 38 M 82. d 25.
Vol 4. 237 - two on - in enlisted - 4 July 80. and dis- charged - 5. & 13 Dec - say 5 mo. 20 ds -
Vol 15. p 93 - His father on for 6 months comp - on Capt. Lyons 78 - 1.6 admd 6.26 6 mo. 26 288 100
M m Ellis Esq. E Dedham Mass.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
On this second day of July eighteen hundred and thirty nine — personally appeared before Oliver Prescott Judge of the Court of Probate in & for the County of Bristol in the Common- wealth aforesaid at a Court of Probate held at Norton in said County of Bristol on the day and date above mentioned —
Rebecca Holmes — — — — — a resident of Easton — — — — — in the county of Bristol aged Seventy five years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:" That she is the widow of Zebediah Holmes late of said Easton , dec'd who was a soldier, as she verily believes, in Captain Lunt's Company , and served as such, six months in the year Seventeen hundred & eighty — See the affidavit of Edward French hereto annexed — She further says, as she believes that the said Zebediah Holmes served at Dorchester , near Boston , three months or more in 1775 or 1776, but under whom she cannot state —
She relies upon the rolls for proof of this last service —
4 July 5 Dec 13 - Dec 4-232

I Stimson Williams of Easton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy five years, do testify & say that I have heretofore been well acquainted with Zebulon Holmes late of Stoughtonham afterwards Sharrn in the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth aforesaid, deceased. That the said Zebulon Holmes died at said Sharrn in said County of Norfolk on the thirty first day of December eighteen hundred and twenty five, leaving a widow viz. Rachael Holmes, who is still living & has not been married since the decease of her said late husband The said Zebulon Holmes — That the said Rachael Holmes resides in Easton aforesaid adjoining the town of Sharrn aforesaid — That for fifty years or more last past the said Holmes while living & since his decease have resided within two miles of my place of residence, excepting a few months when she resided in Middleborough in the County of Plymouth Commonwealth aforesaid — Stimson Williams
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss. July 2. 1839 Stimson Williams a credible witness, made oath to the truth of the above statement by him signed — before me A. Barrett, Just. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Norfolk County ss. I Anselm Barrett Register of the Court of Probate in For- said County do hereby certify that Anselm Barrett whose signature is affixed to the within certificate was a Justice of the Peace in For- said County at the time the affidavit of Simon Williams was taken & sworn to before him —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this tenth day of August Eighteen hundred & thirty nine — A Barrett

I Thomas Fisher of Franconia in the state of New Hampshire aged seventy seven years depose that in the summer of 1780 I enlisted to serve six months in the Revolutionary war & served five months & fourteen days, I was then discharged. I served in Capt. Lunt's company in Col. Tufts's Regiment in General Patterson's Brigade. Titulus Holmes then of Strongsville now Hebron, Massachusetts, was a soldier in the same company with me and was one of my messmates & served the whole of my said term of five months & fourteen days. Whether he served in said company longer than that term of time I know not. When at home he lived near my father with whom I then lived. I recollect that before the said service he was absent & I then understood he was in the service at Dorchester. I served there three months. I was at Dorchester while he was there a part of the time, & saw him several times in the service there but do not know at what by means how long he served.
Thomas Fisher
State of New Hampshire.
Hillsborough County ss. September 11. 1838. Then Thomas Fisher above named who is a reputable person and entitled to credit as a witness, personally appeared and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. Begin me,
Titus Brown Justice of the Peace

I Andrew Warren, clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Hillsborough in the State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that Titus Brown within named is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hillsborough as with mentioned, and that the within signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have here to affix the seal of said Court and subscribed my name at Amherst in said County this twentieth day of September A. D. 1838
A. Warren Clerk
Frances Town N H October 20
12/2
Mr Stinson Williams, Easton, Co. of Bristol, Ms.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK ss.
Ernest Sampson
I, JAIRUS WARE , Clerk of the Judicial Courts, being Courts of Record, within and for the County of Norfolk, hereby Certify that
Elijah H. Hewins
Esquire,
is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Norfolk aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified to discharge the duties of said of- fice, and that his signature to the annexed certificate is genuine and true.
In Witness Whereof, I have subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth aforesaid at Dedham, this twenty third day of June A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine
Ernest Sampson Clerk

I Edward French of Sharon County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy-seven years depose that in the summer of 1780 I enlisted to serve six months in the Revolutionary war and served said term and was discharged. I served in Capt. [blank] company, Col. Westons Regiment in General Larneds Brigade and Zebulon Holmes then of Houghtonham now Sharon Massachusetts was a Soldier in Capt. Lunts Company Col. Tiffens Regiment and General Patersons Brigade and served as my memory serves the whole time, and whether he served at any other time I know not when at home he lived within three miles of my Father's house, we were intimately acquainted with each other. I enlisted at the same time that he did there were fifteen of us who enlisted and when we arrived at Westpoint we had our choice to join which Company we pleased, and that Holmes did not join the company that I did but Capt. Lunts as above stated. Edward French
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Norfolk County ss. March 15th 1839 Then the above named Edward French who is a reputable person and entitled to credit as a witness personally appeared and made oath in due form that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me Elijah Hemenway Just. of Peace

Easton Ms July 6 A Bapett Esq Paid 6 Clark of of Probate Taunton

Jeremiah Richards of Sharon in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, hereby certify and say, that I am at this time the Clerk of the Town of Sharon in said County of Norfolk, and have the custody and keeping of the Books and records of said Town, and that on those records it appears that Zebediah Holmes of Stoughtonham and Rachel Thompson Resident in Stoughtonham, were married December the seventeenth day Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and eightytwo by the Rev. Philip Curtis, which appears by an entry in the following words.
„married by Rev. Philip Curtis
Zebediah Holmes of Stoughtonham and Rachel Thompson Resident in Stoughtonham,
And I hereby certify, that the above extract is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows. Decem r 17. 1782.
Jeremiah Richards Clerk of the Town of Sharon
Norfolk ss. Sharon June 21 st 1839
Then personally appeared Jeremiah Richards Clerk of the Town of Sharon and made bath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true
Elijah Hewins Justice of the Peace

She further declares that she was married to the said Lebrun Holmes - - - - - on the seventeenth - day of December - in the year seventeen hundred and eighty two - that her said husband, the aforesaid Lebrun Holmes - died on the day of  thirty first day of December  Eighteen hundred & twenty five -
that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz : at the time above stated.
Rebecca Holmes
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year above written.
Before
Oliver Prescott
I
do certify that the above named applicant for a pension, cannot by reason of bodily infirmity, attend the court.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Bristol ss. I, Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that the Hon. Oliver Prescott is the Judge of said Court, which Court is a Court of record, and that the signature annexed to the above certificate is his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this second day of July eighteen hundred and thirty nine
A Bassett

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
N.Y. 19813
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Zebulon Holmes a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775-1776 3 mos at Dorchester Mass. Mass.   1780 6 mos. Lunt Tupper        
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Sharon then Houghtonham, Mass. Date of application for pension, July 2 1839 Hee. ch. was al Residence at date of application, Easton Bristol Co. Mass. Age at date of application, She was 75 years old
Remarks: Soldier was the son of Zebulon Holmes who also served in the Rev War. Soldier married Dec. 17 1782 Rachel Thompson, and died at Sharon Norfolk Co. Mass. Dec. 31, 1826.
The only Soldier of that name &c.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev
MS B. 1. 6 v. 7 Hist. to Mrs. N. L. N. Hoag P. L. M.
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19,813 Rachel Holmes Widow of Jehulon Holmes By Rev. M. A.
Act: Feb 2d 48
Index:—Vol. 14 , Page 843
[Arrangement of 1870.]

3024 Massachusetts
Rachel Holmes widow of Zebulon Holmes who was a private in the Mass a Militia
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 22 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of Nov r 1843 and sent to
W. Ellis Dedham Mass a
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 43 1/2

Massachusetts 7089
Rachel Holmes
widow of Zebulon Holmes,
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 31. Dec r 1825 of Bristol Co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Lunt of the regt. commanded by _____ in the Mass. Militia for 6 months & 26 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 22 — Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of March 1843 and sent to Mrs. Ellis Dedham, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $114.40 Semi-annual allowances ending
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A Vol. 1. Page 97.
Reported
to W Ellis age 24 th 1843

1938 Rejected
Lot A. Basset, Sep. 30. '39 - same June 1. 1842 let to 40m W. Farminton Feb. 3. '43
Act of July 38

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. Norfolk COUNTY, }
On this Seventh day of November 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid,
Rachel Holmes a resident of Stoughton in the county of Norfolk aforesaid aged eighty four 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 Libulon Holmes who was a resident of Sharon and who was a private 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 twenty two dollars and eighty eight cents per annum. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Rachel Holmes
Sworn to and subscribed on the day } Before me, and year above written, }
In presence of Chas. J. Gills
Jesse Pierce Justice of the Peace.
I Certify , That the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner, as she declares.
Jesse Pierce 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.
Return it to G. G. Bulfinch, Pension Clerk Merchants Bank. Boston

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, November 18 th 1848
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereto attached, Jesse Prince was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; 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.
M. Miller
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Dedham Mass. 17 th December 26 th 1842.
Mr. Edwards
Sir: Herewith is transmitted a statement or an amended declaration of Rachel Holmes of Sharon Mass n . The widow of Zebulon Holmes jun r die who was a soldier of the Revolution. Personally I have but little knowledge of this claim not having seen her original application or the proofs offered to sustain it, verbal statements have been made to me by respectable people by which it appears that the claimant Rachel Holmes made application for a Pension in 1839, under the Act of July 7 th 1838, and that for a tour of said Zebulon Holmes at West Point in 1780, the Pension Department had admitted a service of said Holmes as Private of 5 months and 20 days, and that there were other services claimed for, but not yet recognized or allowed, under these circumstances said Rachel has solicited my assistance in this matter.
As Mrs Holmes the claimant sustains a good reputation for industry and moral character and is believed to be in need of aid, as much as any widow in this quarter, I hope she may succeed so far as equity and justice can support her claim. The claimant informs me, she is positive the said Zebulon Holmes her late husband stated to her, again and again but little previous to his death, that he served six months as Soldier in the neighborhood of New York at the campaign when Major Andre was executed, and that he also served a term of three months, at another time previous; but where, or under what officers he rendered this service, she is unable to recollect with certainty; and from the concurrence of traditional statements from aged and very respectable People who were living in Stoughtonham at the time, there is good reason to believe, that said Zebulon Holmes jr did serve as Soldier for a term of three months previous to the year 1780, either at one engagement or that amount of service, at different engagements, —. I am apprehensive that in this application, the military services of Zebulon Holmes jun r , have been blended with, and confused by, the services of Zebulon Holmes senior, the father

of the claimants husband, here I will just state, it is recollected, by aged men here, and by those who had been conversant with the Massachusetts Rolls, before removed to Washington, That Zebulon Holmes senior of Stoughtonham, served much in the Rev d War, viz in the 8 months service under Capt. Sam l Payson, 1775 o . Several months service at Secondarage under Capt Lewis Whiting 1776 o - at R.S. in 1777 o - in the nine months service at White Plains & Valley Forge in 1778. 9 - and in the 6 months service at West Point in 1780, &c and in this tour of 1780, Z. Holmes Sen d & Z. Holmes jun r Father and Son, served in the same company, and probably might have served together previous to 1780 o . It has often been said that Stoughtonham (Now Sharon) furnished more Soldiers for the Revolution than any town of its number of inhabitants in New England, it is true that most of the first settlers of Stoughtonham were Soldiers of the war of 1756, hence so many instances there, of Father and Son serving at the same time in the Rev d War -.
It appears that the Claimant & her friends believe that said Zeb. n Holmes jun r served a tour somewhere adjacent to Boston in 1776, but I have seen no evidence or circumstances to justify that such a service, though it yet, may appear correct - and if he did so serve in 1776, it would seem, he must have served under Lieut. Enoch Hewins, or Capt. Stephen Penniman.
There are several other Captains under whom it has been admitted that soldiers from Stoughtonham served, in cases where I have given aid to claimants, I think in the year 1777 & 1778, and it appears very reasonable that said Zebulon Holmes y r must have served under some of them. And if in order with the rules of your department, I would ask that the Rolls of these Captains might be examin'd in the case of Mrs Holmes viz. the Rolls of Capt. Theophilus Wilder. Capt Nathaniel Morse. - Capt Robert Swan. - Capt. Thomas Pettee - , Capt. Theophilus Lyon. and Capt. Aaron Guild - . I make the reference to these Captains only, in the event, that the term of service sought, be not found under the Captains named in the declaration of the Claimant herewith transmitted -.
James L. Edwards Esq. Washington City
I am Sir very Respectfully your Obe d Servant H. Ellis

4 days in Lexington alums april - 75-
Same payson 15. p 93. 18 th May Corv.
an abstract of pay due L. Whiting Co Jan 77 - vol 24 - p 111
not on Penniman's story 23. 172
vol 2 p 293 0
Theo. Wilder. vol 3. p 262 X 24 - p 1. X p 6 - X p 56 X
Penniman vol 26 p 427 - on 13 Dec 1776
- Kettle on road - morne pay abstract vol 21 p 83 X
H. Swan vol 3 - p 156 & 159 X - vol 23 - p 63 X vol 25 p 20 - X
J. Lyon vol 2 p 191 X vol 25 p 45 on 36 days
H. Guice vol 18 p 32 X
H. Guice vol 19 - p 124 X 140 X 141 X 142 X 154 X vol 25 p 73 X

Dedham Mass - March 16 th 1843-
Mr. Edwards.
Sir On the 21 st of February last I address'd a line to you in relation to the claim of Rachel Holmes the widow of Zebulon Holmes dec d . and having received no answer, and having lately made some further inquiry on that subject, have herewith transmitted the deposition of Joseph Cummings, by which it seems just to conclude that Zebulon Holmes jun r the Claimants late husband did serve as Soldier a tour at Dorchester Hill or Castle Island in the Winter of 1777 or 8, in the company of Capt Theophilus Wilder or that of Capt Lyon, and that he served at Rhode Island under Capt. Edward Bridge Paul in 1778-. I find from further inquiry, a concurrence of traditional evidence that said Zebulon Holmes jun r - did go out as Soldier, in two or more terms of service before he went to West Point as admitted, in 1780-. I find there were two Officers of Stoughton ham who went out into service between the years 1775 & 1779- viz. Capt Nathaniel Morse and Lieut. Enoch Hewins - each with a company of Soldiers, and that the former rendered service at Rhode Island and the latter at Nantasket or some place on Mass ts Bay- And as both these commanders of companies resided as Neighbors to said Zebulon Holmes at that time, it appears reasonable that said Holmes might have served as Soldier under one or the other of these Officers at that period-. If the Rolls of s d Capt Morse and L t Hewins are in the Pension Department, they would at once determine this fact-. An answer to mine of Feb y 21 st  ut supra and to this when received, will be very acceptable--.
I am Sir, very Respectfully your Obe t Servant
Yours "G Ellis")
James L. Edwards Esq. Washington City
Vol 3- p 167. on 2 d " 23 - 62 - a B d a, Com
13. 162 - not on 24 - 36 - 424

ms. By the
feb 25-1843 ms M. H. ...
[Handwritten flourish]
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Mr. Edwards
Dedham Mass. U. February 21 st 1843.
Sir - I have recently received through the Hon. Mr. Formenter, your answer to my letter of Jan y 11 th 1843, in relation to the claim to the claim of Rachel Holmes widow of Zebulon Holmes dec. In which it appears, that the Roll of service of Capt. Edw d . Bridge Savel at R.I. in 1778, is not found in your department, but admit that "it is known Capt Savel did command a company of three months men in Col. Sprouts Reg. t at that time and place" - you also admit that the name of Zebulon Holmes is found on "Capt Lyon's Roll, at Castle Island, for thirty six days in March 1778?" but do not say, whether any allowance can reasonably be made to Rachel Holmes the claimant, for either of these terms mentioned.
I am informed that five months and twenty days service is admitted for services of the claimants late husband at West Point in 1780, where the father Zebulon Holmes senior served at the same time, this term it appears was known to Edward French whose testimony I suppose you have.
It also appears from what inquiry I have been able to make, that Zebulon Holmes senior was a man from forty to forty five years of age when when the Revolutionary war began, and had served as soldier in the war ending in 1763. that he also served as Sergeant or Corporal in the first eight months service in Mass tt under Capt Samuel Payson, in 1775. a tour to R.I. in 1777 or 8. a nine months tour of service at the South in 1778 or 9. and the term at West Point aforesaid in 1780. But the term of "thirty six days" to which you allude at Castle Island near Boston, I have not heard mentioned either by the claimant or others as having been performed either by Z. Holmes senior or Z. Holmes jun r , - which must however have been performed by one or the other. It would seem most reasonable that this short tour of 36 days, at Castle Island in 1778, when no enemy was in that quarter, was performed by Zebulon Holmes jun r , rather than by the veteran Father, but Sir you have better means to judge of this than myself.
I know of no man who served under Capt. Edw d B. Savel in 1778, who could testify as to the service of Zebulon Holmes p in that term, though it is probable there are pensioners in the northern states who could so testify if they could be designated.

If any such are known to your department and I would be informed of them, I would forthwith write or send a messenger to them and ascertain the fact. The Pension list has been much diminished in this quarter by death, within the last twelve months -.
Not having seen the proofs evidential of the services claimed for in this case, the only means I have to judge in this matter are what the claimant has stated and the statements of a number of respectable aged men. Viz. the Claimant states in very decided terms, and I believe, truly, that after the subject of Pensions came up, her late husband Zebulon Holmes, stated explicitly to her or to some person in her hearing, that he served as soldier for six months at or near West Point at the time Maj r Andre was executed, and also that he served as soldier three months somewhere else previous to this service at West Point in 1780, but does not recollect under what captain or at what place this three months service was performed, and that her impression and belief is, it was somewhere in Massachusetts, and rendered at one term of service -.
By the concurrence of traditional statements of said aged men who were all well acquainted with Zebulon Holmes senior & Zeb n Holmes jun r through the period of the Revolution, it appears, that Zebulon Holmes jun r went twice as soldier somewhere before he went to West Point in 1780. Hence said Zebulon Holmes jun r might in reason, have served 36 days under Capt Lyon in 1778, at Castle Island & that he served an entire term of three months, elsewhere - or it might also be considered reasonable to conclude, that said Zebulon Holmes jun r might have served 36 days under Capt Lyon in 1778, and that he served somewhere else a sufficient time in addition, to make out the term of three months, in all, previous to 1780, which would confirm the statement of the claimant -.
I will only add, that since I wrote last, it has occurred to mind, that a number of Soldiers from Stoughtonham went into service under Capt. Samuel Dwell and Capt. Lewis Whiting. Col. Willard's Reg t in the year 1776 or 1777, and would ask the favor to have their two Captains' Rolls examined, possibly they may afford some light in Mrs. Holmes case -.
I should be pleased to receive an answer to this as early as convenient, with any suggestions as to ways and means which may bring this claim to a satisfactory termination -.
James L. Edwards Esq. Washington -.
I am Sir, very Respectfully,
Your Obe t Servant affectionately J. Ellis

Washington Jan'y 22. 1845
Sir
Will you inform me whether the case of Rachel Holmes widow of Solomon Holmes whose papers were sent about two weeks since by Mr Giles of Dedham Massachusetts have been acted on?
Very respectfully
J. H. D. S.
Genl. Bancroft
James L. Edwards Esq.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, July 19 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereto attached, William Ellis was a Justice of the peace for the County of Norfolk.
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.
Wm. A. Dole
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

28 39
Rachel Holmes' Claim Pension Act March 3-1843.
Please to report the result to the subscribers at at Dedham Mass ts
Yours W. Ellis
adnd
22.88

State of Massachusetts County of Norfolk ss
On this Tenth day of April A.D. 1843. Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the Peace in and for said County, Rachel Holmes a resident of Sharon in said County of Norfolk aged seventy-nine 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 March 3 d A.D. 1843. Granting Pensions to certain widows of Officers and Soldiers, who served in the Revolutionary war—
viz. That She is the Widow of Lebulon Holmes jun r late of said Sharon dec d who as Private or Soldier rendered military service to the United States in the Revolutionary war, and who died at said Sharon on the 31 st day of December A.D. 1825. That She is the identical person Rachel Holmes, who made application for a five years Pension under the Act of Congress, of July 7 th 1838, and in the year 1839, transmitted to the U.S. Pension Department with her said Application, the requisite proof of said Lebulon Holmes' Revolutionary services and the Proof of her lawful marriage to him the aforesaid Lebulon Holmes her late husband dec d . That as the result of said Application, she has recently received a Pension Certificate dated March 20 th 1843, granting her a Pension of $22.88 per annum for a term of five years from the fourth day of March A.D. 1836 and ending March 4 th 1841, and that said Certificate is now in her possession—
That She has not intermarried since the death of her said husband, and remains the widow of said Lebulon Holmes deceased, and is now twenty-nine years of age—
Rachel Holmes
Sworn to, and subscribed, by said Rachel Holmes on the day and year first above written
Before
A. Gellis
Justice of the Peace
And I further certify that the above named applicant Rachel Holmes, is personally known to me to be the identical person who was pensioned under the Act of July 7 th A.D. 1838, as She has above stated—
A. Gellis
Justice of the Peace

Rachel Holmes' declaration -
Please to direct the result of this application to the subscriber at Dedham Mass.
Agnes H. G. Ellis

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, December 7 th 1842
I hereby Certify , That William Ellis is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk,
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.
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Vol 3. p 167. Saul. March 96 To Braintree 2 ds 23 62. X

I Rachel Holmes of Sharon in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, being the widow of Zebulon Holmes jun r late of said Sharon dec d a Soldier of the Revolution; hereby, in addition and amendment of my Application for a Pension under the Act of July 7 th 1838, made by me in the year A.D. 1839, declare and say; That from the statements made to me by said Zebulon Holmes my late husband, in his life time, and by the statements of aged persons of whom I have made inquiry, I am satisfied that said Zebulon Holmes did serve as a Soldier for a term of three months in the Revolutionary war, which term has not yet been admitted at the U.S. Pension Department, where my said application is still pending.
That in the year A.D. 1777 or 1778, Capt. Edward Bridge Savel's and Capt. William Billings marched from Stoughtonham (now Sharon) with their Soldiers, to the state of Rhode Island and there performed military service for several months in the Autumn or Winter season, and I have good reason to believe that said Zebulon Holmes my late husband dec d , served three months as Soldier at R.I. under one of the aforesaid Captains, and from traditional statements it appears, that Daniel Rhoads an acquaintance of Holmes in Stoughtonham, went into, and served in the same term of service, and I am inclined to believe, that this three months service was rendered under the said Capt. Edward Bridge Savel's. Therefore I humbly and respectfully request that an examination may be made, for the aforesaid three months service at R.I. and if satisfactory proof thereof be discovered; that the same may be allowed with the service of said Zebulon Holmes at West Point, already admitted in part of my claim pending, at the U.S. Pension Department —.
Rachel Holmes
State of Massachusetts Norfolk County SS.
December 7 th A.D. 1842. Then personally appeared the above named Rachel Holmes & subscribed to, and made oath, that the matter set forth in the foregoing statement by her so subscribed, is, according to her best knowledge and belief, true in every part thereof.
Before me, W m Ellis Justice of the Peace

Aug 15
J. L. Edwards Esq Commininer of Nervium Washington —

Fauntler Aug. 10. 1839
Sir,
Herewith are the Applications of Sylvia Hunt widow of Smith Hunt, dec d . & Rachel Holmes widow of Zebulon Holmes dec d . for Pensions —
Any communication which you may please to make relative thereto may be made to me —
Mrs Holmes cannot ascertain under whom her late husband served in 1775 or 1776 — The papers have been delayed to enable her to make a more definite statement — But she cannot —
Very Respectfully Your obed Servt A B assed
J L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington —

May 30 1842
Prof. J. H. ... Bachel ...
Spice
Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Washington -

Fauntler May 26. 1842
Sir,
We plead to reexamine the case of Mrs Rachael Holmes widow of Zebulon Holmes late of Easton in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, deceased, for a pension under the Act of 1838 - She said in her declaration that her husband served 3 months at Dorchester in 1775-'6, but under whom she could not say - She has now ascertained as she believes that her husband served at Dorchester under a Capt. Samuel Pierson or Parsons of Sharon -
Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt
J. B. Barrett
15.93 Paym - Corp. Noughtonham 82.ay 75.
J. L. Edwards Esq Commisioner of Pensions -

#663 Greene Ave.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Feb. 24 1913.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
I am desirous of joining the Daughters of the American Revolution and am seeking information regarding Zebulon Holmes and Jesse Holmes (father and son) of the town of Sharon Mass. I believe the former enlisted in a company organized in Sharon, and that the son enlisted a short time before the close of the war. Have you any records of either of these men that would be of assistance to me, records of births, marriages times of service, or deaths? Any information would be fully appreciated.
Thanking you in advance for the courtesy of an early reply, I am, (Address above.) Respectfully yours, (Mrs.) M. L. M. Hoag.