Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23240, William Graves, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Graves, William
NUMBER _____
NUMBER S 23240
CONTENTS

21693 New Hampshire
William Graves p. 40. of Sullivan in the State of N. H. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Davis of the Vols commanded by Col. Prescott in the N.H. Camp line for 21 months & 2 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hampshire at the rate of 70 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Oct 1830 and sent H. Greenleaf Washington New Hamp
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1830 $175.55 Semi-ant. allowance ending Feb 4th 36.11 $210.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. Addison Clerk, Book E Vol. 1 st Page 88

William Graves
20/13.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New-Hampshire, } ss. County of Sullivan
On this 29th day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Common Pleas Court , now sitting, William Grays a resident of Washington in the County of Sullivan and State of N. H. aged 75 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated
In April 1775 he was living in the Town of Shaw in the County of Middlesex Massachusetts, on the nineteenth of said April, an alarm was given that the British Regulars were on the road to Concord to destroy the stores there. He with others immediately went to Concord and joined Captain Davis's company, here his Capt. was killed by the Regulars. He then joined Capt. Nixons company and followed the British to Cambridge, soon after went into Capt. Minots company and afterwards into Capt. Porters company where he remained until the term of eight months expired all these companies were in Col d  Prescotts Regiment Stationed at Cambridge.

He further declares that he was in the Battle on Bunker Hill June 17 th 1775 and was posted at the rail fence, while at Cambridge he was employed in the duties of the camp, much of the time on fatigue erecting fortifications &c. He further declares that he next enlisted into Capt. Asahel Wheelers Company, does not remember the time for which he enlisted nor the day nor month he did enlist, but declares that immediately after he marched to Ticonderoga and was on board the first Batteau that crossed from the three mile point He then immediately joined Capt. Asa Warrens Company of Artillery & served in said Company until the fifteenth day of December 1776. He thinks this term could not be less than five months. Majr. Stevens chief Engineer was the Commanding Officer. Next year 1777 about the month of August he enlisted into Capt. Taylors Company of Stow and marched to Saratoga where he remained until the surrender of Burgoyne he then returned to Cambridge with the Pris- oners as one of the guard and then discharged
In 1778 he enlisted for six months in Captain Hoskins Company, Col d John Jacobs Regiment, General Sullivan Commander, and marched to Rhode Island remained there until General Sullivan retreated off the Island, he then marched to Little Compton where he remained some time afterward he was marched to Swanton where he remained until his term was out. In 1779 in the month of November Troops were called for to go to New York or Connecticut He enlisted under Sargent Jewell and marched to a place called Haverack where he met our Troops re- turning he was then dismissed he was about one month. He further declares that all his enlistments were voluntary & that his services were in the Massachusetts State Troops

He further declares that he is not sure that he ever received a written discharge, if he did he has lost it. He was born in the Town of Sudbury Massachusetts on the 24 day of March A.D. 1757 as appears by the records of said Town. He lived there until he was nine years old. There went to Stow, some State, was living there when he first joined the Army and returned there after he left it, remained there until the year 1780 when he moved to the Town of Washington State of New Hampshire where he has lived ever since. He further declares that he has no documentary testimony nor has he yet been able to find any person by whom he can prove his service. He is acquainted with David Farnsworth Esq. and David Heald Esq. who can testify to his character for truth and veracity.

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 29th day of Aug. 1832
Wm Graves
We, David Harnsworth residing in Washington and David Heald residing in Washington hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Graves, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 75 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
David Harnsworth David Heald
day of the above date
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 certifies, that it appears to them that David Harnsworth who has signed the preceding certificate, is a justice of Peace resident in the Town of Washington and that David Heald, who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Washington and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Maj. B. Burch Clerk 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 Graves for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 29th day of August 1832
B. B. Burch

William Graves N Hampshire
Put at 21 mo 2 days
5. 12. 8/16 06 Apr 26 1833 P 354
20713
70.22 2 14044 30 11 17555
D. Greenleaf Washington N H

BRIEF in the case of  William Graves  Co of Sullivan  in the State of N.H.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75  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.     Mass State troops 1st April In 1775 entered 8 private Gen. Davis Col Prescott   immediately after he enlisted he thinks 8 " Col Wheeler   August 1777 enlisted until 1st of Oct 1778 1 24 " Col Taylor   1778- " " 5 24 " Col Perkins Col Jacobs   Novem 1779 1 " Sergent Wells  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Battle of Concord and Dunker's Hill  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 60 Huddleses Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evi or by the rolls? Traditionary 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not attached agreeably to the regulations - neither period nor service used fully and distinctly stated.
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

93.240 Waltham
Aug 29 - 1832 Washington St. - 75
Apr 75. Stow Mass Capt Davis " Dixon " Clinch " Porter Col Prescott Pvt 8 men
76 Cpt Van Warren Artillery Col - Pvt - 5 men
Oct 77 Cpt Taylor Col Jno Read 1832 Pvt
Aug 78 Cpt Hackams Col Jno Jacob Pvt - 4 m. 16 d
Nov 79 Supt Jewell Col - 1 m
From Sudbury Mass Mch 1757 March to Natick in 1758
Concord & Brinker Hill

Methuen, Mass.
Feb. 1. 1901.
Com. of Pensions, Dear Sir,
I have just received word from my great aunt that she made a mistake in giving the name of my ancestor as Grance , it is Grace , so I think you will find the name William Grace on the pension list.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bernice Bull Burley

Barley
Revolution
23240 INVALID.
Uch. 12-1901 Mrs. Bernice Bull Methuen Mass
File No. 23,240
William Francis
Pro Ser. 1868
Act: June 7 th 1868
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 151
[Arrangement of 1870.]

To the Hon, Court of Sessions in the county of Sullivan, State of New Hampshire, or whomsoever it may concern. I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the bearer Mr William Graves for 4 or 10 years: He is a member of the Baptist Church in this Town, in regular standing and of good moral character and I presume there is no question among his acquaint- ance but what he was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army
Nathan Ames. Pastor of the Baptist Church in Washington
August 27 - 1832
I The reason I did not attend at court and authenticate this instrument before, was that my son lay at the point of death and died in a few days after
Nathan Ames
State of New Hampshire Sullivan ss. August 27. 1832 The above mentioned Nathan Ames and under solemn oath, that the above statement by him subscribed is true. Before me Alfred Gove Clerk Justice of the Peace
I The clause to which this mark refers was inserted and submitted to this ninth day of May A.D. 1832 Before me Alfred Gove Clerk Justice of the Peace

I, Benjamin D. Drown, Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Sullivan in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Alfred Gordon is a Justice of the Peace, and the within signature purporting to be his is gen- uine.
Witness my hand and the seal of said court August 29th 1832
B. D. Drown

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept r 26 th 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of William Graves is on the pay roll of Capt Jonathan Minto for forty-six miles March - dated April 19 th A.D. 1775 - 26 also appears that said Graves served as a Private in Capt Silas Taylor's company Col o John Reed's Regiment from the 1 st of October to the 8 th of November 1777. He also appears that said Graves served as a Private in Capt Jacob Haskins company Col o John Jacobs Regiment from August 20 th to December 31 st 1778 and six days allowed to return home making this term four months & sixteen days, making five months and twenty five days. Beside the time he was in Capt Minto's company.
Edward D. Dyer. Secy

State of New Hampshire Sullivan ss Washington May the 8 th 1833
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the County of Sullivan William Graves who being duly sworn dep- oseth 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 re- collection he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grades: For one year and two months I served as a Private and for such service I claim a Pension
Wm Graves
Subscribed and sworn this eighth day of May 1833 Before me
Chs. G. Newton Jus. Peace
I Benjamin B. French Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Sullivan in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Christopher G. Newton is a Justice of the Peace, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
Witness my hand and seal of office May 10 th . 1833.
B. B. French

State of New Hampshire
Sullivan ss
I Nathan Ames residing in the Town of Washington, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William Graves the person who has  subscribed and sworn to a declaration to which this is attached, That I believe him to be seventyfive years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and I concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed this Ninth day of May 1833
before me Alfred Gordon - Justice of the Peace
I the above named Alfred Gordon certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Nathan Ames, that he is a Clergyman residing in Washington N.H. is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
Alfred Gordon - Justice of the Peace
I Benjamin B. Haven Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Sullivan in the State of New Hampshire, do hereby certify that Alfred Gordon is a Justice of the Peace, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. Witness my hand and seal of office May 10th 1833.
P. French