Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17473, Thomas Hewett, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Hewett, Thomas
S. 17473
CONTENTS
Carded

15381.
Massachusetts
Thomas Hewett
of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the reg t commanded by Col Walker in the Mass. line for 10 M th .
M th
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of June 1833 and sent Hon J S Hodges Present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $66.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 21 Sept " 16.66 $83.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk Book R, Vol. 2, Page 33
677 Bristol

Thomas Hewitt
E. R. 10,269

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
On this twenty eighth day of August. 1832. appeared At a court of Probate held at Taunton in & for S c County this day before the Hon ble  by Edw s Judiah Baylies Judge of Probate for S c County. Thomas Hewett of Taunton in S c County of Bristol aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to Law cloth on his oath made the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That in 1777 he enlisted as a soldier in capt s Siler & Bobb's company John Allen Lieut t in Col s Kings Regiment, and were marched upon an Expedition to guard the Southern Shores of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and served seven months & were then discharged.
In the Winter of 1777 he again enlisted in capt s Israel Trow's company, was marched to Rhode Island State, where he served three months guarding the Shores, and was then discharged. said Thomas Hewett further declar s , that he has no written discharge, as it was not customary when he was in the service to give the soldiers a written Discharge but when their time was out they were permitted to return home without one.
said Thomas Hewett further says he was born in Norton in said County of Bristol June 6. 1757. and that he is now seventy five years of age, that he moved to Taunton 40 years ago and now lives in S c Town.
Said Thomas Hewett hereby renun- -ces every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any State whatever. —————

Served under Capt d Silas Cobb in 1777. 7 d o under Capt d Israel Traw .. 1777 3 Months Total service 10 months
Witness Attest
His Thomas H. Howett Mark
Sworn to & subscribed the day & date first above written — H. Baylies, Judge of Probate
And We Pitt Clarke a clergyman residing in Norton and Ephraim Raymond Esq. residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas H. Jewett who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy five years of age; that he is respected and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Pitt Clarke, Eph m Raymond
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War De- partment, 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 Pitt Clarke who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Norton in said County of Bristol, and that Ephraim Raymond, Esquire, who has also signed the same is a resident in said town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies, Judge of Probate.

Bristol Co. Norton May 20. 1833 I Ephraim Raymond Justice of the peace for said County of Bristol, do certify that I am the Magistrate that made out the declaration of Thomas H. Stewart of Taunton in S d County of Bristol the 28 th day of August 1832 said Documents having been returned by reason of the questions required by the War department not having been satisfactorily answered, the said Thomas Stewart appearing before me the 3 rd Justice for further examination. — Ephraim Raymond Justice of Peace
Question Where and in what year were you born?
Answer I was born in the town of Norton in the County of Bristol June 6. 1767
Question Have you any record of your age, if so where is it?
Answer The record of my age is on the town records, of S d Town of Norton
Question Did you ever receive a discharge from the service? and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer I never received a written discharge, but when I served my time out, I had a verbal discharge to return home. —
Question State the name 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. —
Answer The Rev d Pitt Clark. Ephraim Raymond Esq r of S d Norton and Capt n Rufus Hodge. & Isaac Hodge Esq r of S d Norton — Thomas his mark Stewart
Bristol Co. Norton May 20. 1833 Personally appeared before me Ephraim Raymond one of the Justices of the peace for said County of Bristol Thomas Stewart who made oath to the truth of the facts contained in the above declaration, in Witness whereof I have set my hand the day & year above mentioned. Ephraim Raymond Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol p.
I Anselm Dapsett, Register of the court of Probate for the county of Bristol, do hereby certify that Ephraim Raymond, before whom the within Affidavit was taken, is a Justice of the Peace in the said county, and that the signature purporting to be his, is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and the seal of said court, this twenty first day of May eighteen hundred & thirty three.
Anselm Dapsett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Bristol ss. 5
I Anselm Basset, Register of the court of Probate in and for said county do hereby that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Hewett of Taunton in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Basset

George Harvey of Preston in the County of New London and State of Connecticut do testify and say that I am seventy two years of age, that I well remember, Thomas Hewett, that he was born in Norton, that he now lives in the town of Taunton in the County of Bristol & Common- wealth of Massachusetts, that I well remember that said Hewett did enlist in Capt. Silas Colles Company, John Allen Lieutenant in Col. Hices Regiment in the year 1747 that I was a soldier in the same Company, that we were upon an Expedition to guard the Southern Shores of Massachusetts and Rhode Island eight months in the year of 1747 —
George Harvey
I further testify and say that I well remember said Hewett in the Winter of seventeen hundred seventy seven enlisted in Capt. Israel Innes Company and served three months in Rhode Island State guarding the Shores,
George Harvey
Bristol, ss. Norton July 16. 1832. Personally appeared before me, George Harvey, who made oath to the truth of the facts contained in the above Deposition which was then & there reduced to writing by me, and by him signed in my presence —
In Witness whereof I have set my hand & seal at said Norton the day & year above mentioned. —
Justice of the Peace — Ephraim Raymond.

Bristol. May 18. 1833 I certify that the within named George Harvey is a credit to her name - Esther Raymond Port. Nece

George Harveys Deposition

I William Black of Norton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I am in my seventy fifth year of age. That I well remember Thomas Hewett of Taunton in said County of Bristol, did enlist in the year 1777 as a soldier in Capt. Silas Collyer Company. John Allen Lieut. in Col. Hovey's Regiment, and were marched upon an Expedition of guard the Southern Shores of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, that I served seven months in the same company with S. Hewett, and were then discharged. I further testify and say that I well remember said Thomas Hewett in the Winter of 1777 did enlist in Capt. Israel Trow's Company and was marched to Rhode Island State guarding the Shores where he served three months and was then discharged. That I served in the S d Company with S d Thomas Hewett. — William X Black mark
Bristol, S d Norton August 13. 1832 Personally appeared before me Ephraim Raymond one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Bristol. William Black who made Oath to the truth of the facts contained in the above deposition which was then and there reduced to writing by me and by him signed in my presence. In Witness whereof I have set my hand and Seal at S d Norton the day & year above mentioned.
Ephraim Raymond Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
No 1644. I James Sprout, Clerk of the Superior Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Ephraim Raymond Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within & annexed Certificate, is a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands and affixed the Seal of said Court, this twenty eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
J. Sprout
Bristol, May 18. 1833 I certify that the within named William Clark is a credible person Esq. Raymond Esq. of the Peace

10269
Mrs Hewett
P. 372
Print 10 Months
14 of $33,33
May 4. 1833
A Dapett Taunton Mass

(10.269)
BRIEF in the case of Thomas Bennett of Taunton in the State of Mass's (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court of Probate  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75 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.     In 1777 — — 7 — As a Private Col. Keys Regt — Con. Wash   Winter of 80 — — 3 — Capt. S. Cobb's Co. 3 Capt. S. Trow's Co. 84  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? not stated  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by witnesses, & the traditional evidence of others — one a clergyman — the latter certified by the Court to be credible persons —  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.
E. Stephens
Examining Clerk.

ed Rev.
17473 INVALID.
Feby. 17-1897-Examined by Mr. aspinwall. Bof.
File No. 17473
Thomas Bennett
Pris Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 171
[Arrangement of 1870.]

10.209
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered, in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Bewett which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.

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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?
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?
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?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? — 3 rd & 6 th not 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.