Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15463, William Howard, Conn.

SERVICE
born-
Howard, William
NUMBER
S-15463
CONTENTS
carded

N o 18423 Vermont
William Howard
Windsor Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Lyon of the Regt. commanded by Col. Williams in the Conn. Troops for 8. months & 20 days
Inserted on the Roll of Vermont the rate of 28 Dollars 86 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28. day of August 1833 and sent to Col. Billings Royalton Vt.
Wears to the 4th of March 1833 57.72 Emanc. allowance ending 4 Sep. 1833 14.43
$ 72.15
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. Vol. 3 Page 69
March 1. 1834

William Howard
Royall At.
Return to Col Billings Royall At.

DECLARATION in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF VERMONT, COUNTY of Hartford  Hancock ss. } On this 24 day of Augst — A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Honorable Probate Court, within and for the District of  Hancock — now sitting, William Howard — a resident of Hancock in the County of Hancock and State of Vermont, aged 79 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 or Spring of 1776 I enlisted at Pomfret Connecticut as private in a company of Grenadiers for the term of Eight months called minute men , in the company commanded by Capt Daniel Lyon Lt Benjamin Ruggles , Ensigns Brown in Col. Williams Regiment of Troops and were drilled from time to time and in Augst. 1776 were ordered to march to New York the American Army being stationed there and thereabouts and in Greenwich of apostance on Long Island , we arrived at Stamford the same day the American Army left Long Island . Col. Williams Regiment was then united with Col Duke's and Col Duke took command, we crossed the north River at Fort Washington to Bergen and after staying at Bergen some time we moved to a place called English neighbourhood about twelve miles up the river and there remained until discharged in December 1776 , having concluded the Eight months .
In the year 1778 in July or August I volunteered at Pomfret as private in the company commanded by Capt Jos. Duke and called Canada now Hampton and marched to join Gen Sullivan's army in Rhode Island . We arrived at Providence and there met Gen Glover's Brigade the American Army under Sullivan , having retreated from Rhode Island . We continued at Providence and Greenwich until dismissed which was twenty to 30 days.
I was born at Pomfret Windham County and State of Connecticut the 2 d day of August 1753 and lived in said town at the commencement of the Revolution . In the year 1780 I removed to Reading in the State of Vermont until the year 1800 when I removed to Payson where I now live and have resided

I know of no further testimony testimony but what accompanies this declaration to substantiate my service
I never had a written discharge since I have no documentary evidence. The record of my age is in the town Clerk's office in Pomfret Ct. and I have one in my pocket.
Asahel C Washburn & Col Billings can testify as to my character for truth and veracity and of the general belief in the neighborhood of my service
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension, or an- nuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. William Howard L. Marsh, Register We, Asahel C Washburn & Col Billings — residing in the town of Royallston — County of Windsor — and State of Vermont — hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Howard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy nine 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.
A. C. Washburn
Col Billings
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
L. Marsh, Register
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 Asahel C Washburn who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Christian resident in the said town of Royallston and that Col Billings who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said town of Royallston and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest, L. Marsh, Register Clerk.
Lyndon Marsh Register Clerk of the County  District of Hartford
Court for the said County  District of Hartford
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the orig-
inal proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of
the application of William Howard for a
pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 24 th day of August A. D. 183 2 :-
Attest,
Clerk.
L. Marsh Register

I Aaron Howard of Leverett in the County of Franklin & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy four years, testify & say, that in the spring of 1776. at Pomfret in the State of Connecticut, my brother Mr. Howard with myself, enlisted into a company of Grenadiers, at Minute men, under Capt. Daniel Gurn. Lt. Benjamin Puggley Ensign Brown, in Col. Williams Regiment, and continued to be drilled from time to time, & always to be ready, at any hour, to march, when called for - and in the month of August following the time of our enlistment, we were ordered to March to New York - We arrived at New York the same day, on which the American Army retreated from Long Island. Col. Williams Regt. was then united with the Regt. of Col. Barker, who then assumed the command - We then crossed at Fort Washington, over to Bergen - then moved to a place called English Neighborhood - I remained there with the Army until December, or about that time, when we were discharged, but not in writing. Said William Howard enlisted, I said I was discharged, at the same time with me, and from the time we enlisted until we were discharged, was eight months, or more.
I further testify & say, that I have frequently heard my brother Mr. Howard relate, in years past, the circumstances of his being out of the service in the year 1778. at Providence & Greenwich, in Rhode Island, but how long he served, & under what officers, I can not tell, as I was not personally knowing to the fact, at the time. Aaron Howard
Heavens for Aug. 20. 1832. Then personally appeared Aaron Howard, subscriber to the above deposition, known to me to be a credible witness, & made solemn oath to the truth of the same -
Before me Samuel F. Dickinson justice of the Peace

United States of America. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hampshire Co. ss.
Be it Known that I Edward Dickinson, Notary Public, by lawful authority, Clerk of said Court, residing in Amherst in said County, do certify that Samuel F. Dickinson Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within Certificate, was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within & for said County, duly commissioned & acting under the authority of this Commonwealth - and that full faith and credit is & ought to be given to his acts & attestations done in that capacity, - and that the signature to said certificate is known to me to be the true writing of said Samuel F. Dickinson.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affixed my Notarial Seal, the twentieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Edward Dickinson. Notary Public.

P
15463 INVALID.
Mar. 23. 1904. Wills to Miss Carrie E. Beavitt Montpelier Vt.
File No. 15.463
William Howard
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 158
[Arrangement of 1870.]

9319 William Howard
Arm C 8 mo's 20 days
The certificate to be returned to Col Billings, Washington D.C.

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 Howard 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? No — the regulations require the precise term of actual service to be stated — the preparatory drilling not embraced (as it is stated) by the provisions of the act. Now it is answered by affidavit herewith. See Declaring.
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? Yes
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?
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? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? He  Yes
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.

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windsor and State of Vermont. William Howard of Royalton County and State aforesaid 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. (In the first enlistment the drilling part was one month and that was only mentioned) and the time of the discharge, to show the War Department, how he spent the Eight months service but he says he was, as he supposed then, and now, Eight months in the Military service of the United States) In this service I served as private Eight months and no days. (and in the second service) I served as private Twenty days and for such service I claim a pension
William Howard
State of Vermont
Windsor County } Royalton July 4 th 1833
Sworn to before Oel Billings Justice of the Peace.
I further certify that William Howard the signer above is of good character for truth and veracity.
Oel Billings Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont Windsor County }
Woodstock County Clerks Office July 5 th 1833
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Oel Billings is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County and that the above is his Signature
In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the Seal of Said Court and subscribe my name the day and year last above
Benj. Swan
Turn over.

Royallston July 6. 1833
Hon. J. L. Edmands
Sir
Herewith you have an amendment to the declaration of William Howard by affidavit as directed by your brief. Mr Howard still says that he served Eight months in the Military Service of the U.S. being all the time under the officer named in command, but says he drilled one month which if you see and think must be deducted will leave in all that he served Seven Months & twenty days, or whatever amount however you may allow I hope to have the certificate returned in season to draw by the 4 th of Sept next. in the mean time I am
Yours Respectfully in Haste
Col. Billings -

8. Commissioner of Pensions,
1842
Will you tell me
what the pension records have to say concerning the Revolutionary services of William Howard of Mass. His early life was spent in Easton and Bridgewater, Mass. At the time of the War he was a young man not far from twenty years old. After the War he lived in Conn. but later moved to Milton, Vt. where he died. His wife's name was Parna —.
Also what Revolutionary service is shown for Samuel Manley

of Mass., born about 1742. He died about 1827 in Milton or Georgia, Vt.
Very respectfully,
(Miss) Carrie E. Deavitt 11 Baldwin St. Montpelier, Vt.
Feb. 6, 1904.

Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., Oct. 22, 1904
Madam:
In reply to your communication of a recent date, you are informed that this Bureau is unable to furnish a history of the service of any soldier of the Revolutionary war or of the war of 1812 unless he or his widow was a pensioner or an applicant for pension or bounty land; and that under the rules such a history is furnished only to the soldier's descendants, and to them only when it is desired for historical or genealogical purposes.
The large number of inquiries made on this subject, and the length of time required to make a proper search of the records in each case, will not permit of information being given to any applicant concerning more than two soldiers.
In order that the soldier concerning whom you desire information may be identified, you are requested to furnish as much as possible of the data called for below.
Very respectfully,
J. L. Davenport Acting Commissioner.
Mrs. W. S. Weston Faribault Minn.
Full name of soldier, William Howard
Where did he enter service? Do not know
Under what officers did he serve? " " "
Place of residence after service, Augusta (or Hallowell) Maine
Approximate date of death, After 1777
Given name of widow, Martha
Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension? I do not know
Additional information, I think he held the rank of colonel, and his brother Samuel that of Captain.
Signature, Mrs. W. S. Weston (Mrs. or Miss to be prefixed if a lady signs.)
Post-office address, including street and number, town, county, and State, Faribault Minn.