Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,231, James Adams, Mass.
Page 1

(8--1776)
SERVICE        NUMBER


Mass.   Adams, James   S5231
carded

CONTENTS
b. 1760 in Lincoln Mass & res there W [illegible]
after Rev res in N.H.
in 1832 res. Boston, Mass
Page 2

2340
Massachusetts
James Adams
Bosten in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain           of the regt commanded
by Col. E Brooks in the Mass
line for 23 mos 20 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of ~78 Dolars 88 Cents per annum,
to commence in the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23r day of Nov
1832 and sent E H
Derby Boston Mass
Arrears to 4th Sept 1832 $ 118.32
Semiananl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33   39.44
$15.76

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk
Book D   Vol. 12   Page 34
Page 3

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk   ss. Boston
on this eighth day of August 1832.
personally appeared in open Court before the Municipal Court of the City of Boston now sitting at
said Boston within and for the County of Suffolk aforesaid
James Adams of said Boston aged seventy two years
Who being 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 7th, 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as
herein stated.  That is to say
He enlisted as a volunteer at Lincoln in the Province of Massachusetts in the Provincial
troops about the middle of September 1776. The officers of my company were [illegible] Hunt
& Lieutenant Eli Ponant; the commander of the [illegible] was Colonel [illegible] Brooks his [illegible]
General McDugal commanded the troops with the which [illegible].  He was led in [illegible]
to New York & was present at the battle of White Plains & near Valentine hill October 27 or 28
He served in this enlistment a period of three months.  In October 1777 he enlisted as a volunteer
at Cambridge; he cannot remember the names of all his officers; his Lieutenant was [illegible]
Stearns of Waltham Massachusetts, the Colonel of his regiment, to the best of his recollection was
Colonel Weld of Scituate. He was stationed at Cambridge & was one of the soldiers that guarded
the British Prisoners that were taken with Burgoyne. He stood on duty as a centinel when these prisoners
marched within the line at Prospect hill; part of the time he was stationed at the old Brattle
house, once the residence of Colonel Brattle, a Tory.  The period of his service during this enlistment
was about nine months; he continued in it till the prisoners taken with Burgoyne were sent to
Europe.  In July 178 he again enlisted in the State troops of Massachusetts at Lincoln
Joseph Dundee of Freetown Massachusetts was Colonel of the regiment. He marched
to Rhode Island, was there while the British were besieged. While encamped about 
three miles from the North part the Island there was a violent storm which prostrated
most of the tents & did much damage to the English & French Fleets. He thinks that in this
expedition Governor Hancock commanded the militia & that General Sullivan was [illegible]
in Chief; Isaac Hartwell of Lincoln was his Lieutenant. A continental regiment commanded
by Colonel Webb was stationed near him; during the winter he was quartered at Freetown.
In or about July 1779 he enlisted at Lincoln in the Massachusetts State troops in the company
commanded by Samuel Hale & regiment commanded by Colonel John Jacobs, marched
to Providence thence down the river to Tivertown & crossed at Howland's Ferry to the
Island & the next day took possession of New Port soon after the British had
evacuated it. He was away from home in this campaign about three months &
in the preceding one about nine months. The several periods of his service,
according to the best computation he can make, amount to more than twenty
three months. He has preserved no written discharge.  He knows of but two
persons living who served with him, the deposition of one is annexed, the other
very infirm & lives at a distance in the country; his name is Abner Matthew
Page 4

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity whatever, except the present, and declares that his name is not on
the pension roll, of this agency of any State James Adams   Sworn to and subscribed the day and
year aforesaid

in open court before me
Peter O. Thacher, Judge Sc.

We Ebeneser Parker Samuel Adams &
William Jenks the latter a Clergyman residing in the town of Boston Pastor of the Green St Church
in the County of Suffolk
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Adams
who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is reputed and
believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn
and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Eben Parker
Saml. Adams
Wm. Jenks
And the said Court thereupon proceeded to propound the following interrogatories, which he answered under oath, as follows:
1.  Where and in what year were you born?
Answer,  In Lincoln Massachusetts, in the year 1760
2.  Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer,  It was recorded in the Family Bible.
3.  Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now
live?
Answer.  I lived at Lincoln when called into service, since then I have
lived in New Hampshire & now reside in Boston.
4.  How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer,  I volunteered
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 service?
Answer,  I have stated in my preceding declaration the names of the officers I recollect & the general circumstances of my service
6.  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?
Answer,  Revd Dr Jenks, Ebenezer Parker & Dr Samuel Adams
Page 5

Municipal Court of the City of Boston
August 8th 1832  This affidavit was sworn to by Samuel
Adams in open Court
Attest, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk

I Samuel Adams of Boston in the County of Suffolk &
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Physician, on oath disposed
say that I am well acquainted with James Adams who this
day makes application for a pension, that I know him [illegible] the
Revolution, & distinctly recalled
vice at that time
I lived in the same town with him at the time he enlisted
Lincoln in the year 1776.  He served under this enlistment
a period of at least three months. Four times in 1777 he enlisted
at Cambridge & was stationed there to guard the British Prisons.
He was engaged in this service several months, but I do not recollect
exactly how many.  In 1778 he again enlisted at Lincoln
Immediately after his enlistment he marched to Rhode Island, & was
about on this campaign as long if not longer than any in which
was engaged. In 1779 he enlisted a fourth time at Lincoln
& marched to Rhode Island. Of this campaign I have 
imperfect recollection. I have frequently heard him converse
about it & relate anecdotes connected with it. I have no doubt
from my personal knowledge of his integrity, that his statements
with regard to this as well as to all his other campaigns are in entitled
to full credit. I remember very well the circumstances of his
enlistments. The recruiting party went around with an officer & drummer
heating up for recruits for Rhode Island the last time he enlisted he
had promised his friends he would not go but we found him [illegible]
the recruiting party among the first.
Saml. Adams
Page 6

I Samuel Darby of Nelson in the County of Cheshire in the State of New Hampshire
Yeoman, of lawful age to testify do on oath deposed & say;
I am well acquainted with James Adams
of Boston in the County of Suffolk in the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, gentleman
he was with me in 1779 in Capt Samuel Hale's
company. Col John Jacob's regiment; we were then
out betwixt two & three months.  We marched
from Concord Massachusetts to Newport Rhode
Island, and we were discharged at Newport. I
have been acquainted with James Adams
ever since and have seen him off & on in
the meantime. I was born September 8, 1757
and am now seventy four years and ten months
saving three days old.
Samuel Darby

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss. Boston July 5. 1832 Then personally
appeared Samuel Darby above named & being duly
cautioned made solemn oath to the truth of
the above affidavit by him [unknown].
August 8th 1832   Before me
I certify that John B. Davis Esquire}  John B Davis
whose name appears on this sheet is a
Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk  Justice of Pease
and a Master in Chancery of the Supreme Judicial Court of this
 Commonwealth Attest, Thos W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal
Court of the City of Boston
Page 7

Darby's affidavit
as to James Adams
Page 8

Samuel Adams'
affidavit as to
James Adams
Page 9

7.  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, if so, by whom was
it given, & what has become of it?
Answer.  I am not confident that I ever received any, I may have had
one from my last service, but if I did it is now lost.
Sworn and subscribed in open Court before me,
Peter O. Thacher, Judge Sc   James Adams

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and 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 in them, that Rev Williams Jenks D. D.  who has signed the preceding
Certificates is a Clergyman resident in the City of Boston --- that Samuel Adams is a Physician

I         Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the [illegible], in the matter of the application of
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this    day of
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty
or respectability and that Ebenr. Parker is a Merchant that
they severally reside in Boston aforesaid, that they are all credible
persons and that their several statements are entitled
to credit.   Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the
Municipal Court of the City of
Boston.
Page 10

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss
I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal
Court of the City of Boston, a Court of
Record legally established in this Commonwealth,
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the
said Court in the matter of the application
of James Adams for a pension, also that
the Honorable Peter O. Thacker is sole Judge of
said Court and his signatures upon
those papers are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have I
have hereunto set my hand and the seal
of said Court as said Boston this Eighth
day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred and
thirty two.
Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk
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3376
James Adams

3 ms
8 -- 20
9
3
23  20
W. C. E.

Has not mentioned with
persons the length of
his service

Nov 6 1832

23 months & 20 days
admitted

$78.88
E Hasket Derby
Boston
Page 12

3376

BRIEF in the case of James Adams
of Boston in the State of
(Act 7 June, 1832)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3.  How old is he? 72

4.  State his services as directed in the form annexed.

Period   Duration of Service    Rank.   Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Years,   Months,   Days.   As a

about middle Sept '76   3  Private   Capt Hunt. Col. E. Brooks
October '77    about 9    "    Lt. Stearns -  Col Welch  he believes
July '78            about 9   "     Col. Durfee
about '79         about 3   "     Capt. Hale - Col. Jacobs 

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  White Plains

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Lincoln Cambridge

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence,
by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Two living witnesses

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
All right

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned.    Wm. C. Easton
Examining Clerk
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James Adams
Amendment to his
application for a pension
Page 14

On this twelfth day of November A. D. 1832
personally appeared before me, the undersigned Thomas
W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the
City of Boston & a Justice of the Peace.
Samuel Adams of said Boston who being duly
sworn, deposeth & saith that by reason of old age
& 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, & in the following 
grades, to wit
Three months as a private in Captain Hunt's 
Company = eight months & twenty days in Lieut Strams'
Company as a private = nine months as a private
in Lieut. Hartwell's Company = Three months as a
private in Captain Hale's Company, amounting in
all to twenty three months & twenty days -- & for such
service he claims a pension & files this affidavit as
an amendment to his original declaration
See other side for his certificate { James Adams
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss
I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal
Court of the City of Boston do hereby certify
that the within named James Adams personally
appeared before the Municipal Court of the City of Boston this twelfth day of
November A.D. 1832 & made solemn oath
the truth of the facts as set forth in the
within declaration by him subscribed
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Municipal
Court aforesaid this twelfth day of November
in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred
thirty two.
Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk
Page 16

[Diagonally on left side of page] Rev War

5231
INVALID.
File No. 5231
James Adams
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7" 1832
Index:--Vol. M, Page 2
[Arrangement of 1870]
Gen, notes by N.W.A.
Dec 1883
Page 17

3376
James Adams


E Hurket Derby
Boston
Page 18

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
James Adams 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? [line drawn through]
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
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
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2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief resecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his 
revolutionary service?  Yes
XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not be produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?  [Line drawn through]
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? [Line drawn through]
XIV.  †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  Yes
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?  Yes
XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
 if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes

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 he 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."
Page 20

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.

†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 affidavits must be properly
authenticated, as above directed.

‡QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.