Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,901, William Hodges, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Hodges, William
S. 29,901
CONTENTS

21. 25 4
Massachusetts
William Woodger
of Walpole in the State of Mass. who was a private in the Comp. commanded by Captain White of the Reg. commanded by Col. Gay - in the Mass. line for 7 M th 20 D th
M th
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 15 Dollars 50 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Aug. 1831 and due to William Deehan
Arrears to the 4th of March $51.08 Semest. allowance ending 1/2/31 12.77 $63.85
Revolutionary Claim, Reg. June 7, 1832. G. A. [Signature] Clerk
Recorded by G. A. [Signature] Clerk Book E. Vol. 2. Page 34
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 11 Sep 1839 to 11. Aug 1840. Agent notified 23 Sep 1841.
79
1841

Wm Lodge
15.223
Route 7 Mr 20 days
P 410 H 116 ob
May 29. 1833
2275 2200 1534
Wm Dedham Mass

BRIEF in the case of  William Rowles  of  Wolfpole  in the State of  Miss ss  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? in Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     July In 1776 5 Private Genl White Col Co   1778 (Start) 2 30 " Genl Howe Col 2 nd Regt  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Monmouth N.J.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard L. Atty Examining Clerk.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
September 14 th , 1841.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," the widow of William Hodges, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of Twenty five Dollars and fifty four Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1839, to the 11 th August 1840.
Respectfully yours,
Edward H. Harris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

William Hodges
5
Love
✓

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss.
On this twenty fifth day of September — in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable John M. Williams of the County of Norfolk  now now sitting at Dedham in and for said County, William Hodges a resident of Walpole in said County, aged 77 , who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Mansfield as he believes on the 17th day of November A. D. 1755, and that there is no public record of his birth that he knows of : that he was in the United States service from the same day of July A. D. 1776, to the same day of Dec A. D. 1776 as a Private in the Massachusetts Line : that he was residing at Mansfield
when he entered the service ; that he was drafted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Samuel White  William  Colonel  Livingston's Regiment in Col. Simmons's Regt's Riflemen : that he marched from Attleborough to New Haven , from New Haven to New York  from  where to the place where he was  stationed a mile out of New York : that he served at York Island and with its  Vicinity in sight of the hills at White Plains  with the regular troops ; and
no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge : that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Mansfield, Norton, Newton, Rehoboth, Bristol, Wrentham and Walpole .
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the winter day of A. D. 1778, to the spring day of the same A. D. 1778 as a Private in the Massachusetts Line : that he was residing at Mansfield
when he entered the service ; that he was drafted  from and served for the period about three months aforesaid under the command of Capt Samuel White  in Col. John Daggett's Regiment : that he marched from Norton to Providence , from Providence to an old house near Warwick : that he served at Warwick 3 months  thereabouts with none of the regular troops ; and
no regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge.
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17 , to the day of A. D. 17 , in the Massachusetts Line : that he was residing at
when he entered the service ; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of
: that he marched from to , from to from to : that he served at with of the regular troops ; and
regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle
and at the end of his service received no written discharge.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
William H Dyer
We Timothy Mann town of Walpole
a clergyman, residing in the
and Harvey Clapp
residing in said
We hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William H Dyer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 77 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 as aforesaid. to wit
Timothy Mann Harvey Clapp
Nov. 21 - September 20. 1832 Before Josiah J. Dike Jus. Peace.
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Timothy Mann , who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Walpole ; and that Harvey Clapp , who has also signed the same is a resident in Walpole and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. M. Williams J. H. G.
I Jarius Van Cleft of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William H Dyer for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Jarius Van Cleft

29901 INVALID. Rev
File No. 29901
William Hodges
As Rev Mr
Act: June 32 n
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 198
[Arrangement of 1870.]

William Hodges
15223

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Oct 4 1831
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 William Hodges was a Private in Capt Israel Trow's company (dropt for 3 months) in Col John Daggitt's Regiment to do duty in R. I. under the command of Major General Spencer from Jan 1. 1778
Time when Hodges was  entered  dropt  dropt Jan 12 th 1778
Time when he was discharged March 31 1778
"Whole time of service including one day to return home 2 months and 20 days."
Edward D Bangs Secy
I also Certify that previous to the issuing of this Certificate the Claimant had made his declaration agreeably to the rules prescribed by the War Department & exhibited it to me Edward D Bangs Secy

William Hodges
15223
J Ware Dedham Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Hous Walpole Ohio which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

 XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no  XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? no  XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes  XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years 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 shewn 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.
‡QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

12. 10. 1832
Bristol Jy June 29 1833 She hereby certify that William Copeland who has subscribed to this deposition is a credible witness and his substance is entitled to full credit
David Gilbert Justice of the Peace
I William Copeland of Mansfield in the County of Bristol & commonwealth of Massachusetts, Gentleman, being eighty four years old, do testify and say that in the month of July 1776. the towns of Mansfield & Norton were called upon by the government to raise a company to go to New-York for the term of five months, part of said Company were raised by enlistment, & the other part by drafting & that I was Lieutenant, in said Company; and that Samuel White of said Mansfield was Captain, and that William Hodges of Walpole in the County of Norfolk (Yeoman) who then resided in said Mansfield was a private Soldier in said Company; the said Company met at Attleborough in the said County of Bristol, in the said month of July, from thence marched by land to New-Haven in the State of Connecticut & from thence to the City of New-York by water & were stationed about four miles out of the said City, and that the said company belonged to the regiment of which Simeon Cary was Colonel; and that said Company were stationed on York Island until after the British army took the City of New-York & afterwards, the said Company & regiment marched over Kings bridge & were stationed in that vicinity; & that said Company were not in any actual engagement, but were in sight of the battle at White Plains; that the said Company served the said term of five months, & were discharged or dismissed at the expiration of said term of five months, but not in writing And that the said Hodges marched & did duty in said Company as above described, during the said term of five months and was discharged with said Company;
Wm Copeland
Bristol Jy. August 27. 1832. Then the above named William Copeland a credible witness personally appeared, and made oath, that the affidavit by him subscribed was just & true in all its particulars Before me - David Gilbert Justice of the Peace

We severally certify that from our acquaintance with the within named William Copeland and from further enquiry into his general character for truth and ve- racity we are of opinion that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. We have never known or heard any thing against him.
Timothy Mann Josiah Dike

Bristol J. June 29. 1833. I further state that the within named John White whose affidavit I have taken is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credence.
David Gilbert Justice of the peace
I John White of Mansfield in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Laborer, do testify & say that William Hodges of Walpole in the County of Norfolk Yeoman, in the winter of 1778, belonged to a Militia Company raised in Norton & said Mansfield of which Ariel Pease was Captain, that said company was raised for the term of three months, to duty in the war of the Revolution, & that I belonged to said Company, that said Company marched from Norton to Providence through Providence, thence down on the west side of Providence river to Warwick, & was there stationed, during the term of three months, and at the expiration thereof, the said Company was discharged or dismissed, but not in writing, & that the said Company belonged to the regiment of which John Daggett was Colonel, I further testify & say that the said Hodges resided in said Mansfield at the time aforesaid, that the said Hodges marched with the said Company & did duty in said Company in the place & manner above described, during the said term of three months, and discharged or dismissed, but not in writing.
John White
Bristol J. August 27 th 1832 Then the above named John White personally appeared and made oath, that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true in all its parts — Before me David Gilbert Justice of the peace —
We sincerely testify that from our acquaintance with the above named John White and from enquiry into his character for truth and veracity, we are of opinion that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credence — we have never known or heard anything against him.
William Hodges Joseph J. Duke

John P. B. Storer a clergyman residing in Walpole in the county of Norfolk do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the with in and Mr William Hodges and I have no doubt that he is as old as stated in his declar- ation but to answer and that he has the reputa- tion in my neighborhood where he was in the reign of having been a soldier in the new militia & I know of no reason why I should doubt the correctness of that opinion J. P. B. Storer
Norfolk ss July 12 1833 Then the above named Joseph P. B. Storer a respectable clergyman residing in the town of Walpole in said county made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition Before me Joseph Duke Just Peace
For William Hodges' Case at Badlesmere

By His Excellency LEVI LINCOLN , Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
To all whom it may concern :
Know Ye, That Hon ble Josiah J. Biske, is a Justice of the Peace, and Quorum, for all the Counties in the Commonwealth; — and that David Gilbert, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Bristol; —
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commission- ed, and that to their Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this fifteenth day of July, A. D. 1833, and in the Fifty eighth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor.
Edward D. Bangs Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Levi Lincoln