Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1610, Samuel Holmes, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Holmes, Samuel Mary
W 1610 B.L. Mt. 8381-160 55
CONTENTS
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10297 Massachusetts
Samuel Holmes
of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Coleman of the Regt. commanded by Col William in the War time for 15 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of - 50 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of April, 1833 and Sept 16/1830 Issued to Capt. Lewis of Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $100.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 11, 25.00 $125.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. Wilson Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 20 Page 31
P 75 Plymouth

Ch: Mr. Bates, Oct 14 th / 55.
61.090
act March 3/55
April 11, 55-
Mary Holmes widow of James Holmes, Jr.
Mass. Bds!
War of Revolution
Rec Pension act July 29, 1848
Mass - July 48 no 71
No. 160 Allen, Oct. 15 1855,
Boston
Vol. No. 49.0
Moses Bates Jr Plymouth Mass

71 Increase Massachusetts Mary Holmes widow of Samuel who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Boston Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 150 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
30 th Sept. 65. Ded. subseq. payts. Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of Oct. 1848.
and sent to Mary Holmes Plymouth Mass.
Joint Rev. Feb. 18/69.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 3 Vol. H
William Felician Clerk Sent

I, Timothy Berry of Plymouth, in the county of Plymouth, and state of Massachusetts of the age of forty eight years, testify and say - That I am clerk of said Town of Plymouth and make the records, and keep the record books of said Town -
I further testify and say, that in the Records of said Town in the list of marriages returned as solemnized by Ephraim Spoone Esq n of said Town for the year seven- teen hundred and ninety six, there is this en- try in the words and figures following - viz - "1796" "Octob r 15 th Samuel Holmes Jun. and Mary Tho- mas, both of Plymouth."
and I further testify and say, that in the same Book of Records, there is this entry in the words and figures following - viz - "Samuel Holmes of Plymouth died June 10, 1840"
and I testify, that the above are exact ex- tracts from the Records of said Town.
Timothy Berry

State of Massachusetts Plymouth County S.S.
Be it known, that on this twenty ninth day of September, in the year eighteen hundred and forty eight, before The undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, personally appeared the within named Timothy Berry, and made oath, that the within Deposition by him subscribed is true.
And I further certify that said De- ponent is well known to me, and that he is a credible witness -
Wm. Thorne, Justice of Peace

I, Meriah Holmes of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth, and State of Massachusetts of the age of Seventy two years, testify and say, That Mary Holmes, who is about mak- ing application for a Pension, as the widow of Samuel Holmes of said Plymouth, deceased, is my sister - and that we married Broth- ers - that our maiden name was Thomas - That my said sister was Mary Thomas, and was married to said Samuel Holmes more than fifty years ago. I was present at the Wedding, and saw them married. said Samuel Holmes was a Pensioner some years before his death (which was about eight years ago), as I have heard him and others say. She, Mary Holmes, has never married since his death, but now remains his widow.
Meriah Holmes Mark

State of Massachusetts Plymouth County S.S.
Be it known That on this thirtieth day of September, eighteen hundred and forty eight, 1848, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared the within named Mariah Holmes, and made oath, that the foregoing Deposition by her subscribed, is true.
And I further certify that said Deposition is well known to me, and that she is a credible witness.
Wm Thomas, Justice of Peace

I John B. Thomas of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth, and State of Mas- sachusetts, of the age of sixty one years, testify and say - That I am Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County aforesaid - That I have always known Samuel Holmes and his family - That he was a Revolu- tionary Pensioner, and died in said Ply- mouth about eight years since - That Mary Holmes, who is now an applicant for a Pension, under the law of bounties of July last, has been the wife of said Sam- uel Holmes, always within my recollection - That she has not intermarried since his death, but now remains his widow.
John B. Thomas

State of Massachusetts Plymouth County S.S.
Be it known, that on this twenty ninth day of September in the year eight- een hundred and forty eight, before the Sub- scribers, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared the within named John B. Thomas, and made oath, that the within Deposition, by him subscribed, is true
and I further certify, that said Deponent is well known to me, and that he is a cred- ible witness.
Wm. Thomas, Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Affidavit
I John H. Thomas Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that William Thomas Lynch is a justice of the peace in & for said County, duly commissioned & qualified - And that his signature to the paper hereto annexed is genuine
Given under my hand & seal of said Court this sixteenth day of October 1848 -
John H. Thomas Clerk

State of Massachusetts, { ss. COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH. }
On this thirty first day of March A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty- five , personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Mary Holmes aged Seventy seven years, a resident of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Samuel Holmes deceased, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain  War of the Revolution in the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the 18th of June, 1812, and that she receives a pension for the services of her husband, as will appear by her certificate, a copy of which is herewith annexed to which she refers for proof on or about the of her claim day of A. D. 1814 ; and continued in actual service in said war for the term of on the  day of  A. D. 1814 ; but that to the best of her knowledge and belief, her husband never received any written or printed discharge, and that no Warrant for Bounty Land has ever been obtained for said service, except a Warrant for acres, issued to
She further states that she was married to the said Samuel Holmes in Plymouth on the sixteenth day of October A. D. 18 40 , by one James Spooner a Magistrate and that her name before said marriage was Mary Thomas ; that her said husband died at Plymouth on the tenth day of July A. D. 18 40 , and that she is still a widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act passed March 3 , 1855, and prays that the certificate thereof may be sent for her to MOSES BATES, Jr., Esq., Plymouth, Mass.
Mary Holmes Mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me, the day and year above written.
Moses Bates Jr. Justice of the Peace

State of Massachusetts, Plymouth County.
WE, Samuel Bradford and Deborah Holmes having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew Samuel Holmes who was a private in the war of the Revolution whose widow now applies for bounty land,—that we knew him for more than ten years before his death, which occurred at Plymouth about fifteen years ago,—that we know that he died about that time, because we attended his funeral and had a knowledge of his disease .
that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she is now unmarried, and that we are disinterested, and that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged in our presence
Sam l Bradford
Deborah H. Holmes
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this A. D. 1855.
thirty first
day of
Moses Bates Jr Justice of the Peace.
It is hereby certified, that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, by the affidavits of Samuel Bradford and Deborah H. Holmes of the said County and State, who are personally known to me, who are entitled to credit, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the foregoing application; that Mary Holmes the applicant for Bounty Land in the foregoing declaration is now unmarried, and, that she is the widow of the late Samuel Holmes who was a private in the War of the Revolution and that the said Samuel Holmes died at the time above stated. and that I am disinterested
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, this thirty first day of March 1855.
Moses Bates Jr Justice of the Peace.

State of Massachusetts, } ss. COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH. }
I _____ of _____ in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, do on my oath testify and declare that I do well know that _____, the person named in the declaration hereon, actually performed all the service described therein; that I well knew him at the time of his performing the said service, and that he is the identical man he is represented to be
Subscribed, and duly sworn to before me, this _____ day of _____ A. D. 185 _____
Justice of the Peace.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Plymouth, ss.
I certify that Moses Bates Jr. Kellogg before whom the foregoing acknowledgment was made, was, at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace for the said County, duly authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments, and that his signature thereto is genuine.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said County, this ninth day of April 1856.
M. W. Chapman Clerk of said Court.

War Department Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 29 th 1848 Mary Holmes widow of Samuel Holmes, private is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of fifty dollars per annum, commencing on the 24 th March 1848. The pension will continue during her widowhood.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 24 th day of February, one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.
W. L. Mearns
L. D.
Secretary of War.
Examined and countersigned
J. G. Burt
for Commission of Pensions.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss.
On this seventh day of October in the year eighteen hundred and forty eight, before The Hon. Aaron Hobart, Judge of Probate, in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Mary Holmes, a resident of Plymouth in said County, aged seventy one  three years, who first being sworn according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by Act of Congress passed on the 29 th of July 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons, who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Samuel Holmes, late resident of said Plymouth, deceased, who served, as a Private in the Revolutionary War, and drew a Pension, under the Act of Congress of June 1832 of Fifty Dollars per annum - That she was married to the said Samuel Holmes on the fifteenth day of October, in the year seventeen hundred and ninety six.

That said Samuel Holmes, her husband, died on the tenth day of July in the year eighteen hun- dred and forty at said Plymouth - That she has not since intermarried, but now remains his widow - That she married the said Samuel after his service in the war, and before the year eighteen hundred, to wit, on the day and year first above written, and that she is not in the receipt of any pension -
her Mary X Holmes mark
Plymouth ss October 7. 1848.
Then personally appeared before me, the above named Mary Holmes, and made oath to the truth of the above Declaration by her subscribed. I further make certify that the said declaration was made and subscribed by her at her residence in Plymouth in said county, she being then unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend the Probate court for that purpose. I also certify that the word one in sixth line from the top of the first page was interlined before the said Mary affixed her signature.
Aaron Hobart, Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth Ys. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that the Hon. Aaron Hobart is Judge of Probate for said County duly commissioned & qualified and that the foregoing is his true & genuine signature & that this is the original declaration of Mary Holmes for a Pension subscribed & sworn to before said Judge.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Probate for said County this sixteenth day of October 1848.
Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate

23089
Saml Holmes
Depositions of
Judah Alden
Eph Lucas
Sam' Simmons
21
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this 14th day of Augt 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Solomon Strong Judge of the Court of Common pleas now sitting at Plymouth within and for said County of Plymouth, Samuel Holmes a resident of Plymouth in said County of Plymouth, and Common- wealth of Massachusetts, aged 73 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. He hereby relinquis- es 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. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That in the fall of 1777 I enlisted at said Plymouth for five months into a company commanded by Ebenezer Washburn & marched up river to Cambridge near Boston to guard the troops of the convention, & was duly dis- charged near the close of said term for sickness. This will appear by the records of the late General Nathl. Goodwin, then superinten- dant of forces to be raised for the army. This record is now in possession of his family. In the summer of 1778 I enlisted at Plym- outh under Capt. Groom Cotton - Colo. Wash- burn, & was in the battle on Rhode Island and believe I served two months. The record above named shows my enlistment & date of marching. John Appleby  deposition
In 1779 I was a private in Capt. Partridge's

Partridge's Company for two months at Rhode Island & duly discharged. See St Simmons' deposition In 1781 I enlisted at Plymouth and served six mont- hs under Capt. Isaac Alden, in various parts of New- York. Capt. Alden is president of the Cincinnati in this Commonwealth. See his deposition. For two of these terms of service I can find no one to testify. I have no discharge & know not whether any of my service was State or Continental.
I was born at said Plymouth in 1759 - but have no record of my birth, & there have always lived. My name was never on the pension roll of any State, & I never claimed a pension but at the present, referring to the Hon. N. M. Davis and major William Jackson for character - They are both of this town.
Signed H. Holmes
Sworn to & subscribed before the Court of Sessions this 10th day of January A.D. 1841
Abel Root

We, James Kendall a clergyman, residing in the town of Plymouth and Lachnus Bartlett residing in the same Plymouth hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Holsman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 73 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
James Kendall Lachnus Bartlett
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
before the Court of Common Pleas
Attest J. W. Mansfield Clerk
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 certifies, that it appears to them that James Kendall who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Plymouth and that Lachnus Bartlett who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Plymouth and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By order of the Court
Attest J. W. Mansfield Clerk
I, J. W. Mansfield 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 Samuel Holsman for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
J. W. Mansfield Clerk

23089
Samuel Holmes
Private
15 Mths
Rev. L. C. G. Jr Rev. S. L. Adams
John B Thomas Plymouth Massachusetts

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
103
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
Samuel Holmes of Plymouth Mass
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1777 5 private Captain Washburn Colonel Battle Mass 73 years Plymouth Three   78 2 " Cotton Wadsworth of Rhode Mass living   79 2 " Patridge Re Island Island witnesses   6 " Alden New York  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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 day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names 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. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 three or four months , 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

RW
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1610
Mary Holmes
Widow
Samuel Holmes
Rev. Rev. War
Act: July 29, 1848
Index:—Vol. A , Page 341
[Arrangement of 1870.]

✓ 8381
3
Neo Aires

Receipt & Correc
71
Maria Mary
widow of
Samuel Holmes
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private.
Massachusetts Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
150 Dollars and
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
30 th Sept r 1865
Certificate of Pension issued the
12 day of Dec 1865
and sent to Mary Holmes, Plymouth
Mass
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under a July 29, 1848, Page 8 Vol. H.

Mrs. [illegible] widow of [illegible]
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Feby 1849 and sent to
Saml. Hale Hoff R
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 1848, Page 75 Vol. 1,
July 29. Book D
Res 3m 55-61090

No. 61090
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 11, 1855.
Samuel Holmes Rev. Mar.
Warrant 8387-100-55
Moses Bates Plymouth Mass

Plymouth Mass October 11. 1855 Hon J. Meigs Commissioner of Pensions
Sir Herewith I send the proof of Record Evidence that Samuel Holmes whose widow applies for Bounty Land, was in the service of the United States in the War of the Revolution, as required in your communica- tion of October 4th 1855
Respectfully Yours, M Bates Jr Atty for Claimant

ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
PENSION OFFICE,
Sir:
October, 4 th 1855.
The claim of Mary Holmes, for bounty land under the act of the 3d of March, 1855, No. 61,090 has been examined and suspended.
The revolutionary service of Samuel Holmes, the husband of the applicant, does not appear of record in this office.
The 3d section of said act requires a service of "FOURTEEN DAYS" to be established by "RECORD EVIDENCE."
Upon the production of such evidence of service, the claim will be favorably considered.
Very respectfully,
J. MINOT,
Commissioner.
Moses Bates Esq re Plymouth, Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston. Oct. 10 th 1855.
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 Samuel Holmes is borne on pay roll of Capt Calvin Partridge's Comp. Col. Samuel Pierce's Regt. from Plymouth Co. from May 21. 1779, 1 month 14 days, as private. Also on pay roll of Capt. Calvin Curtis Comp. Col. Jacobs Regt. from Plymouth Co. from Sept 24 th 1779, 1 month 8 days as private. Also on size roll for six mos. service, Age, 22, Height 5.6: Complex. Light; Residence, Plymouth; Arrived at Springfield Aug. 8. 1780, Care of Capt Daniel Sunt. Also on pay roll for the six mos. men raised by the Town of Plymouth in obedience to a requisition of the General Court made June 1780, from Aug. 3. to Dec. 3. 1780. 4 Mos. 12 days travel included. Read and allowed in Council May 11. 1782. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Winger Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston,
18
Books: and
Sir :
Be pleased to file a declaration in this office, agreeably to the accompanying regulations, and search will be made for the revolutionary service of and the result forwarded to your address. Particular attention is called to the second regulation.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

The following REGULATIONS, to be observed in the examination of the Revolutionary Rolls in this office, have been rendered necessary under the rules which are established in the Pension Department at Washington, viz:—
1. Every application requiring search or certificate must be made to the Secretary, in writing, by the claimant, or by some person duly authorized by the claimant; and the signature to the application must be attested by some magistrate.
2. In all cases where the application is made by any person other than the claimant, a power of attorney, attested by a magistrate , authorizing such person to act in the claimant's behalf, must accompany the application.
3. The application must set forth, as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence and service of the soldier, and the names of the officers under whom he served; and no search will be made until after the filing of such written application.
“Regulations to be observed in the examination of the Massachusetts Revolutionary Papers in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.”
“The application must be made to the Secretary, in writing, by the claimant, or by some person duly authorized by the claimant, by a written power of attorney, attested by a magistrate. The signature of the claimant must in all cases be attested in like manner.
“The application must set forth, as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence of the soldier, &c., at the time of the service, and the names of the various officers under whom he served, as well as the nature of such service.
“The certificate of the Secretary must show that the search was made, after the filing of such application, by himself, or by one of his Clerks, alone, and must be accompanied by the original application of the claimant or of his attorney, and by a detailed statement, under the signature of the Secretary and the Seal of the State, of the circumstances which satisfied that officer of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.”
The following is an extract from a letter received by the Secretary from J. E. Heath, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions, dated March 19, 1852:—
“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3d inst., accompanied by a copy of the Regulations now in force in your office in the examination of your Revolutionary Rolls: and, in reply to your questions, have to state that, in my opinion, the said Regulations could not be relaxed in any particular without serious injury to the Government and the rights of individuals justly entitled to the benefits of the Revolutionary Pension Laws. Indeed, even with those guards around your rolls, I am satisfied they are frequently used by unscrupulous individuals to sustain applications not embraced by the laws, and as a means of obtaining exorbitant fees.”

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES,
Made by the
Attorney for the Widow of the party who rendered the service.
County of Plymouth
State of Massachusetts Town of Plymouth
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of Samuel Holmes in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the Town of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts
He enlisted from the Town of _____ in the County of _____ and State of _____ in the year 17 _____ as a _____ in the Company commanded by Captain _____ in _____ Regiment and he served as follows,* viz:—
* Here describe, as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c., of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

I am now more fully than above stated.
years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services
Witness my hand, this A. D. 18 65
ninth
day of October
Signed by said in my presence,
Moses Bates Jr J. W. Thurber } JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Moses Bates Jr Atty for Mary Holmes Widow of Samuel Holmes

I Miss Frances Clarke of the Supreme Judicial Court of the County & State of Maine do hereby certify that William Thomas Maine is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified - And that his signature to the papers hereto annexed is genuine.
Given under my hand & the seal of said Court On this day year aforesaid
Miss Stearns , Clerk.

I, Timothy Berry of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth and State of Mas- sachusetts, of the age of forty nine years, on oath depose and say. That I am Town Clerk of said Town of Plymouth, and keep the records of said Town - and I further depose and say that the marriage and death of Samuel Holmes are entered in the records of said Town in the words and figures following - to wit
"Marriages solemnized by Ephraim Spooner
Esq r - 1796 October 15 th Samuel Holmes Jun and
Mary Thomas, both of Plymouth!"
2 d Book of Births, Deaths & Marriages page 279
"Samuel Holmes of Plymouth died June July 10 th 1840." same Book page 402
and I therefore certify, that it appears of record in the Record Books of said Town,
The erasure of June and inter- lineation of "July" is the date of the death made before death of Samuel Wm. Thomas, his place.

Handwritten at the top of the page, possibly a date or reference number.
I, John B. Thomas, of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, of the age of sixty one years, do hereby certify that I am Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court - that I have al- ways resided in said County of Plymouth, that I have always known Samuel Holmes and his family - that Mary Holmes who now makes application for a pension is his widow, and was the wife of said Samuel Holmes more than fifty years ago, and that since his death, which was about eight years ago, she has not been married, but remains his widow - and I know, that said Samuel Holmes was a pensioner on account of his revolutionary services.
John B. Thomas

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County S.S.
On this nineteenth of February in the year eighteen hundred and forty nine, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared the within named John B. Thomas, and made oath, that the deposition by him subscribed is true - and I further certify that the said deponent is well known to me, and that he is a credible witness -
Wm. Thomas, Justice of the Peace

Feb 23/49
W. Cote
Emm. Smith
Abd. L.
J. A. Edwards Esq. Comt Pensions
From J. A. Edwards Esq.

July 23/49
Mr. Cate
Amesville
Ohio
J. A. Edwards Esq. Comm Pensions
Dear Sir,

House of Represent s July 23 1849
Sir
Herewith I hand you the applications of Isaac Thomas & Widow of Nathaniel Thomas and Mary Holmes, widow of Samuel Holmes, for Pensions under the act of July last.
Their applications were forwarded to the Pension Office last September, but by some reason are not to be found and they have been compelled to incur the expense of obtaining a new set of Papers.
I hope you will be able to examine them immediately. So that I can have their certificates before the end of the Session.
Respectfully Yours
J. S. Edwards Esq
William H. Hale

Alden
Holmes
Paul Holmes

I Judah Alden of Duxbury, Massachu- setts, commanding a company in the Revolution. I think in the year 1781 in the 2 d Massachu- setts Regt. testify, that Samuel Holmes of Plym- pton said State, now applying for a pension, was a private for six months in said company, & I believe was duly discharged
Judah Alden
Massachusetts. Plymouth the Augt 10th 1832 Then said Judah Alden subscribed and made oaths to the truth of this de- position before me & he is a credible witness
Samuel Paton Justice of peace

Lent Simmons for Sam Holmes

I Samuel Simmons now of Plymouth Massachusetts, do hereby testify, that I was a second Lt under Capt Calvin Postridge Colo-Pierce's Regt, & served in that rank in the Revolution for two months at Little Compton, in Rhode Island in the summer of 1779, that Samuel Holmes of said Plym- outh, now petitioning for a pension, was a private in said company, & having always known said Holmes I have no reason to doubt that he was duly discharged.
Samuel Simmons
Massachusetts Plymouth 18 th Aug 1826
Then Samuel Simmons above subscribed & made oath to the truth of this deposition before me, & he is a cred- ible witness Lachus Bartlett Just. of peace

Defies =
8 Select for June Holmes
6 m's

I Ephraim Lucas of Plymouth, Massachussetts. having been a private for six months in the war of the Revolution in Capt. Judah Alden's company, Col. Baley's Regt. testify, that Samuel Holmes of Plymouth, now a petitioner for a pension, was a private in the same company for the same term of six months, I believe was regularly discharged.
(Ephraim Lucas)
Massachussetts - Plymouth ss June 21 1832 Then said Ephraim Lucas subscribed & made oath to the truth of this his deposition before me, & I attify him a credible witness. Jacobus Bartlett Just. peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Witnesseth J. W. M. M. Clerk of the Supreme Court in the County of Plymouth hereby certify that Leahus Bartlett and Samuel Peterson Esquires before whom the foregoing depositions were taken are justices of the Peace for the County of Plymouth and that their names thereto subscribed are their true & proper signatures
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court on this first day of January A.D. 1833
J. W. M. M.

Worley cone for Frouer

(6 p.m.)
71 Income
Department of the Interior.
Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of February 29. 1848. & Feb. 18/67
Mary Holmes, widow of Samuel Holmes who was a Private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of one Hundred and fifty dollars. and Cents per annum, commencing on the 30 th September 1865, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage. Deducting payments made at $50. since July 29/48
Given at the Department of the Interior
Seal
This sixteenth day of October one Thousand eight hundred & sixty eight.
O. H. Browning
Secretary of the Interior
Examined and countersigned
Chas. C. C.
Commissioner of Pensions.

Payment to be made at Boston by
Franklin Haven Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Massachusetts
PAYMENT OF THE OCT 818
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book D Vol. 1 Page 75
Geo. Jenkings Clerk.

War Department.
Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 29th, 1848, Mary Holmes.
widow of Samuel Holmes, private, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of fifty dollars and _____ cents per annum, commencing on the 4th March, 1848. The pension will continue during her widowhood.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 24th day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.
W. L. Marcy
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
J. G. Rant Commissioner of Pensions.

This is evidently an Error by Mr. Trask unless the Comgrunder old Certif is an error - the pay d at 50 Plymouth Mass. Oct 22 d 1868. Should be deducted only from date of Mergall
To Hon Commissioner of Pensions,
Dear Sir
I received from Mrs. Mary Holmes, of this Town a Certificate of which the enclosed is a Copy - From this Certificate it appears that there would be due Mrs. Holmes 30 Sept. 1868 - $150 - but deducting payments made at $50 since July 29/48 - which would amount to $1000 - on the 29 July 1868 - she would be brought in debt to the department $550 -
Is there not some clerical mistake in the Certificate? The Pension Agent in Boston Geo. C. Mansfield Esq., to whom I have submitted the Certificate, thinks there is, and upon looking at the Statute of 1868, Sec. 13 th it seems there must be.
Will you do me the favor to make some explanation. & oblige your Ob t . Servt.
Wm. Thomas

Increase Brief in the Case of 71 Mary Holmes. Widow of Samuel Holmes Rev Private Plymouth Boston Plymouth County and State of Massachusetts Act July 29. 1848 Fourth Res. of Feb 18. 1857
CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION CERTIFICATE,
PROOF EXHIBITED,
A pension on the roll of Massachusetts at $50. per Annum - Certificate returned.
She claims the benefit of the joint Resolution of Feb 18. 1857.
Personal Identity - Will proved. Shown also the evidence in file shows that she was married Oct 15 1794.
Admitted Oct 13. 1858 to a pension at $150.00 per annum to commence Sep 20. 1855 deducting pay since.
Name and residence of Agent.
Mary Holmes Plymouth Mass
W. D. Wash. Examining Clerk.

No. 29 Mary Holmes, widow of Samuel Map
Act 29 July 1848
Married 1796 Husband died 1840
Adm d 15 months, female, $30. per Annum from 4 Oct 1848,
Wm A. Hale W of R

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County S.S.
On this nineteenth day of February 1849 personally appeared before Aaron Hobart Esq. Judge of Probate for the County of said Mary Holmes, resident of Plymouth in said County aged seventy one 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 twenty ninth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight, granting pensions to widows of persons, who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Samuel Holmes, who was a resident of said Plymouth, and who was a Private in the Revolutionary Army, and who drew a pension for his service therein of Fifty Dollars per annum - That she and the said Samuel Holmes,

being then Samuel Holmes Esq. were intermarried on the fifteenth day of October in the year seven- teen hundred and ninety six - and that Sam- uel Holmes, her said Husband, died at said Plymouth on the tenth day of June July in the year eighteen hundred and forty. That she has not intermarried since the death of her said hus- band, but now remains his widow, and that she was married to said Samuel Holmes be- fore the year eighteen hundred, to wit, on the day and year above stated, and that she is not now in the receipt of any pension.
her Mary S Holmes mark
Plymouth ss. February 19. 1849. I hereby certify, that the above Declaration of Mary Holmes, was this day subscribed and sworn to, by her, before me; and that the same was done at the Dwelling House of the said Mary in Plymouth, she being unable by reason of age and bodily infirmity to attend the Probate Court for that purpose.
Aaron Hobart, Judge of Probate for said County.
Note. The interlineation of the word duly in the seventh line from the top of this page was made, before the Declaration was subscribed to. Aaron Hobart, Judge of Probate.

Plymouth Y. I Jacob H Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that the Hon. Sam Hobart is Judge of Probate for said County duly Commissioned & qualified & that the above is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this nineteenth day of February in the Year One thousand eight hundred & forty nine.
Jacob H. Lord

State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Plymouth }
M r . B. Faxon in slight illness in the world ninety , accidentally in On in the Declaration, before the oath was administered to M rs . Holmes and before her mark was made. J. May Jr. Clerk of Court
On this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty eight, personally appeared before me, William H. Whitman, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for, and within, the County of Plymouth, and State of Massachusetts, Mary Holmes, aged ninety two years, a resident of said Plymouth in said State, who being duly sworn according to Law, declares that she is the identical person, to whom was granted Pension certificate, not numbered, recorded in the Pension Office in Book D. Vol. 1, Page 75 payable at Boston, at the rate of fifty Dollars per annum, issued under the Act of July 29 th , 1848, that she makes this Declaration in order to secure the increase of her Pension, to which she is entitled, under the Thirteenth section of the Act of July 27 th , 1868. My Post Office address is - Plymouth, Massachusetts.
her Mary X Holmes mark
Also personally appeared William Thomas and Thomas Loring residents of said Town of Plymouth in said County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, persons, whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say, that they were present, and saw Mary Holmes make her mark to the foregoing Declaration - and they further swear, that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. William Thomas Thos. Loring
Sworn to, and subscribed before me this eighth day of September 1868, and I hereby certify, that I have no interest, direct or

indirect in the prosecution of this claim
M rs J. Whittman Clerk.