Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 35624, for Nathaniel Richards, [Blank]
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Navy.
CONTENTS
Conn. residence and agency
Richards, Nathaniel
NUMBER
S. 35624
Page 2

State and District of Connecticut, ss. New London County
On this 27th day of June 1820 personally appeared
in open Court, before the County Court holden at New London within and for the County
of New London in said State, on the
Second Tuesday of June 1820, the same being a court of record, proceeding
according to the course of common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping
a record of its proceedings, and having power of fine and imprisonment, Nathaniel
Richards aged Sixty four years, resident in the town of Waterford in said County &
in said State, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served
in the revolutionary war as follows: That he the said Nathl Richards was appointed as a
Lieutenant of Marines, and entered on board the continental ship Alfred
Elisha Hinman Commander early in the spring of the year 1777 & was captured in the ship on or about the 9th
day of March 1778 - This appointment he held untill the 11th of October following
about eighteen months , and there the appointment of purser of the continental ship Confederacy Seth Harding Commander, the
first of October 1778. which appointment he until the capture
of the Confederacy about the 14th April 1781- embracing a period of more
the two years and six months. indeed
as he was not discharged the service he may be considered as belonging to the navy
until the year 1783. That he made his original
application and declaration on the 24th March 1818 and received a
pension certificate No 3596.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day
of March, 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of
my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within
the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled, "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in
the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War;" and that I have not,
nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor
have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
That my occupation has been that of a Merchant until about
four years since when he failed in business deeply involved
in debt, to the amount of more than twelve thousand dollars
more than I was able to pay, or secure, since which my
occupation has been that of a labourer. I have sundry open
accounts, some of them out lowed & some of them against people
wholly unable to pay. I have been imprisoned for debt & was
released from confinement, by my creditors being satisfied had
nothing wherewith to pay. I am an entire Bankrupt - twelve
thousand dollars worse than nothing-- my family consists of
the following persons, viz. Ann Richards, my wife, aged fifty two years - Jane Thompson, my wife's sister, aged fifty six years infirm in health-- James Thompson aged sixty years, very infirm a day laborer by occupation, dependent on me for support -
Nat. Richards
Schedule -
one old fashioned desk $5.00. 4 trunks containing old ofcl books & papers
trunk's value 2,50. one sow with 5 pigs $12.00 - 10 Amphill fowls 1.50
1 plow $4,50, 2 hoes & handles .90 - 1 Iron shovel .45 - 1 spade .50. 2 garden
rakes, 95 - 2 field do ,35. 1 garden hoe, 30. 1 Stub do ,37 - 1 wood in ,60.
1 crow bar , 80 - 1 Harrow $2. - 1 Roller 1.40.  1 fore planer, 40 - 2 Augers, 40. 4 grister, 25
1 pitchfork, 80 - hammer, 20 - 1 cross cut or wood saw $1, 1 fine saw, 40 -
one chain $1.00 - 1 pr irons 2,16- 1 plated snuff tray, 50 - 1 pr plated [illegible] broken
no value - 1/2 doz silver tea spoons 3.50- 1/2 doz knives & forks, 63 - 2 tin lamps ,46 one
Bible, very old 1.50 - 2 vol christian disciple 1,50 - 1 prayer book $1.00 - Life of Washington
1 vol missing $5.00 - each on hand remains [illegible] pensions $14.67 -
Nath. Richards
= $64.99
signed Sworn to and declared on the
27th day of June AD. 1820, in open Court
Charles Lathrop Clerk
I, Charles Lathrop Clerk of the County Court for New London County, do hereby
the certify foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said
Court; and I further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the
total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Sixty
four dollars and ninety nine cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of
the said Court, on this 27th day of June
1820
Charles Lathrop
Clerk of the County Court for the County of New-London.
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3596.-
Connecticut Roll
Nathaniel Richards
Lieutenant of Marines
Ship Alfred, Hinman,
18 months
In the navy of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month, to commence on
the 24th of March 1818-
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th of October 1818
and sent to the care of Judge Brainard
New London.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 --- 107:82
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819 - 120:-
$227.82
5 mos. - 100
8/31 -- 5:16.1
4/30 -- 2:66.6
104 82:7
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
New London, New London County

Continued under the law of 1st May 1820 - notification
thereof sent to Charles Lathrop New London Connt.
3 July 1820 made 2 declarations.
Died June 1 1832
A. B
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Admitted
New London, Con-
Page 5

I Nathaniel Richards of the Town & County
of New London & State of Connecticut on solemn oath do depose and
declare that some time in the spring of the
year 1777 I was appointed a Lieutenant of Marines
on board the U.S. Ship Alfred, Elisha 
Hinman Esq. Commander. On my appointment I reported on board said ship in the Port of Boston. After remaining there some months, I sailed in said Ship on a cruise when we captured sundry prizes and proceeded with the same 
for L'Orient in France where we spent 
most of the winter. Thence we sailed on a cruize off the Island of Madeira - thence 
to the coast of Africa- thence to the west Indies; 
and a little to windward of Barbados were
captured, on or about the 9th day of March 1778, by two of his Britannic Majesty's Ships the Ariadne & Ceres, commanded by Captains Pringle & Davis. On our arrival at Barbados, after capture, about the 26th day of the same month, I was recognized by Capt. Thompson 
of the British Ship Yarmouth 74, who knew 
me when a Child & was intimate in my 
Fathers family many years before. By his influence with Capt. Pringle of the Ariadne 
by the intercession of Capt Hinman, I was permitted to return home on parole. Capt.
Hinman was 
particularly desirous for me to return that I might give an account, as early as possible, 
to the Navy Board, of the manner of our capture,  
and of the desertion of our Consort the Frigate Raleigh, and in order to effect the object of 
his request, represented the fact of my discharging the duties of Purser of the Ship as well as those of Lieutenant of Marines.
Page 6

From Barbados I proceeded in a Cartel for Martinique
where I took passage for America in the Brig Charming Lady, E. Hammond Master. I was again 
taken by his majesty's Frigate Ambuscade, McCartney Commander-- carried into Halifax and 
imprisoned. Thence I was released & sailed in a cartel the 7th day of July 1778, and arrived at New London my native place the 28th day of the same month, after an absence of about fourteen or fifteen months. On my being exchanged which, as well as I can recollect 
was about the first of October 1778. I received the appointment of Purser for the U.S. Frigate Confederacy, Seth Harding Esqr. Commander. This appointment I continued to hold untill 
the capture of said Frigate by a British Squadron, I believe in the month of April 1781.
The loss of many of my papers 
for these periods puts it out of my power 
to be more particular as to dates.
When we sailed from the Boston in the Alfred
such an office as Purser I believe was not
known in our Navy, nor have I any distinct
recollection at this time that any articles of
ships were on board; but on our arrival in
France, many of the Crew being bare of
clothing, a quantity was furnished by Capt.
Hinman, and at his particular request I
attended 
the issue of them, made the necessary entries, and did such other duties in the line of
a Purser as I was requested to perform, though
for this additional service, I believe no
compensation was ever made me. I think
no provisions of the ship came under my
charge, but clothing only. When the Rolls of the officers & crew of the Ship Alfred were
Page 7

made out for settlement, my name could
not be returned in both capacities, and whether 
I was returned as Lieutenant or Purser I 
do not recollect.
From the preceding statement
and accompanying documents, as well as from
the records of the Navy Department, it will appear that I served as a Lieutenant of 
Marines from the spring of the year 1777 to about the first of October 1778, embracing a period of about 18 months; and that I served as a Purser from the month of October 1778 to about the 15th of April 1781, embracing a period of two years & six months.
The compensation offered by Govt. to
those officers of the Revolution who may stand
in need of such assistance will be an 
alleviation of my present distressed circumstances, 
as from the peculiar embarrassments 
of the times in mercantile & commercial business I have been suddenly, in my old age, reduced from affluence to poverty. To this compensation I think my claims still stronger from the privations & hardships I endured in the State as well as federal service for 
the common cause, & from my repeated captures & imprisonments
Nath. Richards
New London
24 March 1818
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State of Connecticut Ss. New London this 14th Day
of September AD. 1818-
Before me Jeremiah Brainard one of the
Judges of the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut
personally appeared Nathaniel Richards the
within named Claimant and made solemn Oath
to the truth of the facts stated and contained in
the within Declaration by him before me made
●
Jeremiah Brainard a Judge of Sup Court
State of Connecticut
I Jeremiah Brainard Judge as aforesaid do
certify that sometime in the month of March or April
last, I took as a Judge the Declaration of Nathanial
Richards the within named applicant in order for
a Pension. it was attested by the Seal of the
Court for which I was Judge the I forwarded
to the Department of War accompanied by a
certificate of Nicole Frank Esq. to the service of
Nathaniel Richards in the Revolutionary War -
that this Declaration was returned from the Department
of War for a more definite certificate from
me as to the circumstances of the applicant-
which I gave - and then returned it in hand
and executed to the Secretary of War. It was put
into the Post Office at New London.
I have examined the within and according
to my best recollection it comports exactly with
the [illegible] original Declaration by me taken
and forwarded as above stated- I can
further say that I knew the applicant served in the Navy of the United States in the Revolutionary War -
Jeremiah Brainard a Judge of Sup Court
State of Connecticut
Page 9

I also certify as I have heretofore on the
former application and Declaration of
Mr Richards which I had forwarded
and to which I have alleged that he is
so reduced in his circumstances as to need 
the assistance of his Country for Support
Jeremiah Brainard a Judge as
aforesaid
Page 10

November 12, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nathaniel Richards, S. 35624
BA-J/MCS
Mrs. James Todd Pine
Upper King Street
Port Chester, New York
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to
Nathaniel Richards, who served in the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in
pension claim, S. 35624, based upon the Revolutionary War service of
the only Nathaniel Richards that is found in the Revolutionary War
records of this office.
Nathaniel Richards was born in New London, Connecticut. The date
of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.
In the spring of 1777 he was appointed lieutenant of marines and
at Boston he went on board the United States ship, Alfred, commanded
by Elisha Hinman. While cruising off the coast of the West Indies he
was captured by the British ships, Ariadne and Ceres, about March 9,
1778, and carried to the Barbados. There he met Captain Thompson of the
British ship, Yarmouth, who being intimate in his father's family used
his influence with the British officers and obtained for Nathaniel
Richards a permit to return home on parole. From the Barbados, Nathaniel
Richards proceeded in a cartel to Martinique where he took passage for
America in the brig Charming Sally, R. Hamond, Master, but was captured
by the British frigate, Ambuscade, carried to Halifax and imprisoned. He
was released and on July 7, 1778, sailed in a cartel and arrived at New
London, Connecticut, July 28, 1778. About the first of October, 1778,
he was exchanged and appointed purser for the United States frigate,
Confederacy, commanded by Seth Harding, which position he held until
said frigate was captured by a British squadron about the middle of April,
1781.
Page 11

Nathaniel Richards was allowed pension on his application executed
March 24, 1818, at which time he was living in New London,
Connecticut.
On July 27, 1820, he was living in Waterford, New London County,
Connecticut. He then stated that he was sixty-four years of age and
that the following persons were dependent upon him for support: his
wife, Ann, aged fifty-two years, his wife's sister, Jane Thompson,
aged fifty-six years, and James Thompson, aged sixty years (relationship
not shown). In 1819 one George H. Richards was living in New London,
Connecticut, (relationship not shown). There are no further data relative
to the family of Nathaniel Richards,
Nathaniel Richards died June 1, 1832.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 12

1936 Nov. 12 hist. to
Mrs. James Todd Pine
-MCS
Invalid
Conn. Roll
File No. 35624 Navy
Nathl. Richards
Lieut. of Marines
Ship Alfred Hinman
U.S. Navy
-
Act March 18. 1818.
Index: Vol. Page
---
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

Certify that Nathl. Richards
of New London was a Lieut. of
Marines on board the U States Ship
Alfred Elisha Hinman Esq Commander
more than Twelve months during our
Revolutionary war and that he
was Purser of the U. States Frigate
Confederacy from the time of her
being built untill her capture
which was four years-
New London
19 March 1818. -
Nicoll Fosdick
Call Revenue
Page 14

I Nathaniel Richards of the Town & County
of New London & State of Connecticut on solemn oath do depose and
declare that some time in the spring of the
year 1777 I was appointed a Lieutenant of Marines
on board the Ship Alfred, Elisha Hinman Esq
Commander. On my appointment I reported
on board said ship in the Port of Boston. After
remaining there some months, I sailed in said Ship
on a cruise when we captioned sundry prizes and
proceeded with the same for L'Orient in France
where we spent most of the winter. Thence we
sailed on a cruize off the Island of Madeira -
thence to the coast of Africa- thence to the west Indies; and a little to windward of Barbados were
captured, on or about the 9th day of March 1778,
by two of his Britannic Majesty's Ships the Ariadne
& Ceres, commanded by Captains Pringle & Davis.
On our arrival at Barbados, after capture,
about the 28th day of the same month, I was
recognized by Capt. Thompson of the British Ship
Yarmouth 74, who knew me when a Child &
was intimate in my Fathers family many years
before. By his influence with Capt. Pringle of
the Ariadne by the intercession of Capt Hinman,
I was permitted to return home on parole. Capt.
Hinman was particularly desirous for me
to return that I might give an account, as
early as possible, to the Navy Board, of the
manner of our capture, & of the desertion of
our Consort the Frigate Raleigh, and in order
to effect the object of his request, represented
the fact of my discharging the duties of
Purser of the Ship as well as those of
Lieutenant of Marines. From Barbados I
proceeded in a cartel for Martinique where I
Page 15

took passage for America in the Brig Charming
Lady, E.  Hammond Master. I was again taken
by his majesty's Frigate Ambuscade, McCartney,
Commander-- carried into Halifax and imprisoned.
Thence I was released & sailed in a cartel the
7th day of July 1778, and arrived at New London
my native place the 28th day of the same month,
after an absence of about fourteen or fifteen
months. On my being exchanged which, as well
as I can recollect was about the first of
October 1778, I received the appointment of Purser
for the U.S. Frigate Confederacy, Seth Harding
Esqr. Commander. This appointment I continued to
hold untill the capture of said Frigate by a
a British Squadron, I believe in the month of
April 1781. 
The loss of many of my papers for
these periods puts it out of my power to be more
particular as to dates.
When we sailed from the Boston in the Alfred
such an office as Purser I believe was not
known in our Navy, nor have I any distinct
recollection at this time that any articles of
ships were on board; but on our arrival in
France, many of the Crew being bare of
clothing, a quantity was furnished by Capt
Hinman, and at his particular request I
attended the issue of them, made the necessary
entries, and such other duties in the line of
a Purser as I was requested to perform, though
for this additional service, I believe no
compensation was ever made me. I think
no provisions of the ship came under my
charge, but clothing only. When the
Rolls of the officers & crew of the Ship Alfred
were made out for settlement, my name
Page 16

name could not be returned in both capacities,
and whether I was returned as Lieutenant or
Purser I do not recollect.
From the preceding statement
and accompanying documents, as well as from
the records of the Navy Department, it will appear
that I served as a Lieutenant of Marines from the
spring of the year 1777 to about the first of
October 1778, embracing a period of about 18 months;
and that I served as a Purser from the month
of October 1778 to about the 15th of April 1781, embracing
a period of two years & six months.
The compensation offered by Government,
to those officers of the Revolution who may stand
in need of such assistance will be an alleviation
of my present distressed circumstances, as from
the peculiar embarrassments of the times in
mercantile & commercial business I have been
suddenly, in my old age, reduced from affluence
to poverty. To this compensation I think my
claims still stronger from the privations
& hardships I endured in the State as well as
federal service for the common cause, &
from my repeated captures & imprisonments
Nath. Richards
[text at bottom of document crossed out]
Page 17

State of Connecticut
New London Ss. March 24, 1818. Before --
me personally appeared Nathaniel Richards the within
named applicant and being duly sworn according to
Law made solemn Oath and Declaration that
the facts stated and contained in the within
foregoing Declaration and Statement by him made
and subscribed are true according to his best
recollection and belief -
In witness whereof I have caused the
Seal of the Superior Court of the State of
Connecticut to be hereunto affixed the day and year aforesaid
●
Jeremiah G Brainard a Judge of the
Superior Court
State of Connecticut
I Jeremiah Brainard Judge &c as aforesaid do certify
that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Nathaniel
Richards did serve in the Revolutionary war as
stated in the preceding declaration against the
common enemy - and I now transmit the
proceedings and testimony taken & had before me to the
Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the
directions of the aftermentioned Act of Congress-- The
foregoing declaration was made to me as the applicant
declared in order to obtain the provision
made by the late act of Congress
entitled "An act to provide for
certain persons engaged in the land and
naval service of the United States in
the Revolutionary War"
New London
March 24th 1818}
Witness the seal aforesaid
Jeremiah G. Brainard a
Judge of Superior Court
State of Connecticut
Page 18

New London Connecticut
January 11th AD 1819.
Sir
Agreeably to the direction of your
Department, the enclosed pension certificate
is returned for correction that twenty dollars
may be inserted instead of eight, per month.
I have the honor to be
with every sentiment of respect,
Your Oblige & Obd. Servt.
Geo. H. Richards
A correct certificate for Nathl Richards
made out & sent to this gentleman on the
4 Feby 1819.
For the Honorable J. C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Washington City
D.C.
Page 19

MRS JAMES TODD PINE
UPPER KING STREET
PORT CHESTER, N.Y.
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C
---
Gentlemen,
Will you kindly give me
any information you may have
concerning Nathaniel Richards
pensioned as Lieut. Marines ship
"Alfred" Credited to Sharon for
military service 1777-1781. Is
this Nathaniel Richards who was
born 1745 at Norwalk, Ct. and
died 1808 - Married Molly Olmsted

[stamp]
RECEIVED
OCT 8 1936
Page 20

Any information you may have
regarding same will be greatly
appreciated.
Very truly yours,
(Mrs.) James T. Pine
Upper King St.
Port Chester, N.Y