Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19,238, Ephraim Chase, Mass. Sea Service
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The History of Capt. Ephraim Chase.

I was born in Freetown, County of Bristol, province of Massachusetts June 1st A.S. D 1744. At the age of seven years my father took me to sea as cabin boy, in which
capacity I continued nine years. I was then apprentice to a carpenter, with whom I served my time. At the age of twenty one, I married and removed to Nantucket where I
lived four years working at my trade.

I then removed to Machias, where I arrived
June 1 1769, and where I have resided till the present time
I laboured at my trade six years, when the disturbance between England & America
commenced. At that time one Ichabod
Jones, who for several years had furnished the town with provision, being disaffected towards the American cause, applied to admiral Graves, who had possession of Boston harbor, for a tender to convey him into our river.

The admiral granted him one, which accompanied him to White's point, where he unloaded and stored his provisions. He then desired a town meeting. Being asked for what
purpose, he replied, "I will inform you at the meeting." The town having met, he proposed our trading as usual and paying according to contract. A few only voted in favor of his proposal. And so he withheld his provisions from all excepting those few. These circumstances, in connection with the situation of Boston, provoked our jealousy, and aroused us to assert and defend our rights. Mr. Benjamin Foster proposed to taking Jones and his vessels by force of arms.

He collected twenty five of the most resolute of the inhabitants, on Sunday, intending to seize upon Jones and the capt of the tender both in meeting. Having approached within a
few rods of the meeting house the captain espied us.
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He arose and exclaimed, "An army is approaching." Upon Jones, accompanied by a friend, fled into the wood. His Captain
made the best of his way to the shore. We pursued, but he escaped and got on board his vessel. He had four cannon and gave up the pursuit, through fear of them. Jones' sloop lay
about three miles below, loading with boards. We suspected the capt would endeavour to escape out of the river and take the sloop
in company. We therefore repaired to her in order to prevent him.

He arrived, according to our conjectures, and when within a short distance, we caused him to sheer off by telling him a ledge lay in his way. Being unacquainted with the river he ran aground, where he was obliged to lay till flood
tide. This gave us an opportunity of adding twenty five more men to our little company. Next morning we manned the sloop we had thus got into our power, and another smaller one, and pursued the enemy. We got pretty near before she began to float.

We overtook her at the outer islands, where we attacked and captured her. A number were killed and wounded on both sides. The captain of the tender expired on the third day. We removed the guns and ammunition of the prize on board our sloop.

A few days after, a vessel which had been sent out from Halifax to survey the coast, entered our river to inquire into the affair and espouse the cause of our enemies. As she lay
at anchor in Bucks harbor, we ran our sloop alongside, and boarded her, meeting with no resistance, whatever, from her crew.

We then carried her up the river, where we fitted her for our service. The committee of safety selected Benjamin Foster, George
Stillman, Abiel Sprague, Nathan Longfellow, myself, and three others, whose names I have forgotten, to carry our prisoners to
Cambridge and deliver them to George Washington. Two small vessels were fitted for the purpose, when we set sail and reached
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Cambridge in safety. We left our prisoners with Washington & returned.

After the British evacuated Boston, March 1776, I commenced coasting from Machias to that place. In March 1777, or 1778 (I am not positive which) Colonel John Allen commander of the troops in Machias and superintendent of the Indians, presented me with a commission from Congress, wherein I was authorised to the take command of the [[Salute]] mounting ten guns, and cruise in the States service and capture the enemy.

The Salute was taken from the English at Moose Island by Francis Joseph governor of the Indians in Machias He called his prize the "Neshquoit"

Before I entered the cruising service, Congress countermanded my orders and stationed me at Machias to "Defend the harbor[[& to supply]] the troops and Indians with provisions
and other necessaries." I engaged in this service, and performed my duties to the extent of my abilities till 1782. Col. Allen then received orders from the general court at Cambridge to send the Salute or Neshquoit, to them. As I was out of health at that time the command devolved on Elijah Ayres my
first lieutenant.

My commission and journal were both unfortunately burnt about this time, under the following circumstances
In my absence, the dry forest which surrounded my house, having accidently caught fire, my furniture was removed into the greenwood as a place of safety. But the wind blowing very hard even the green trees were consumed together with many of my effects among which were my commission and journal.

The above narrative, is the simple truth according to the best of my remembrance
Ephraim Chase
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State of Maine
Washington Ss

I hereby certify that satisfactory evidence
has been exhibited before me John C Talbot
Judge of the Court of Probate held in and
for the County aforesaid & which is a Court
of [[record]]
that Ephraim Chase late of said County deceased
a reputed Revolutionary Officer & Souldier (sic), died on the seventeenth (17th) day of April (1836) eighteen hundred & thirty six at East
Machias in said County & State: 
that he left no widow
Surviving him: that he left ten children & there are now living seven children to wit Apollus Chase, Eleazer Chase, Welthy Stickney, Cyntha Foster, Deborah Annis, [[Leer]] Chase, & Mark Chase, who are the only surviving children of the
said Ephraim Chase

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Office at Cherryfield this ninth day of February in the year of our Lord
eighteen hundred & fifty three

J. C. Talbot Judge of Probate

Attest A.F. Paulin Register
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, October 7th 1833.

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 
Ephraim Chase was commander of the
Schooner Neashquonoite belonging to the
United States & in the service thereof,
mounting ten Carriage Guns & navigated by
thirty men, on the 7th day of May 1779, but
no roll is found in this Office for service.

Edward D Bang Secry
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State of Maine
Washington ss: 

On this third day of December 1833, personally appears in open Court of Probate held at Machias in & for said County before Hon. John Dickinson, Judge of Probate-
Ephraim Chase of East Machias, who being first sworn according to law makes the following declaration [supporting]] to his declaration made on the 28 day of August 1832. viz. 
that he was commissioned as Captain
of the public armed Schooner which was sometimes called the Situte & sometimes the Neshquoit or Neashquouite-  that he immediately after receiving his commission,
as set forth in his former declaration, in 1777 or 1778 he cannot recollect at this distance of time & with the defect of memory
consequent upon his extreme age, which year of those two year he entered upon service under said commission &
continued so in the service of the United States until 1782, being over three years at the least. that during that time his monthly
wages were forty dollars: that since his application for pension was returned he has caused repeated application to be made,
(in pursuance of a suggestion from the commissioner of Pensions) to the Secretary of Massachusetts for evidence of his services, but [[further]] has been the situation of the military rolls in that office that not till [[only]] recently could any papers relative to his services, be
there found: 
that the annexed certificate from that office was at length made from certain papers which had before been overlooked.
that the schooner "Neashquoit" mentioned therein, was the same vessel which he called the [[Satute]], & that he is the same Ephraim
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I Jacob [[Lingham]] of Machias in the County of Washington of eighty six years of age on oath do testify and say. That I was acquainted with Capt Ephraim Chase now deceased. I became acquainted with Capt Chase, in the Summer of AD 1779 he was then residing in Machias where I also resided his father and
mine were quite intimate & I saw him frequently & knew him well. 
I came to making in June 1779 Coll. Chase was then in command of a [[Goverment]] armed Schooner of Ten Guns called the Nesquoit, & according to my best recollection
remained in command of her to the close of the year.
I was on board of said vessel and assisted in [[ brig a. Satute]] either in July/80/81 or /82. Ephraim Chase was then in command. At the close of the war She was ordered to
Boston & I assisted in putting on board some of her Guns which were [[deposted]] in the Fort. She was taken to Boston
by Lieut Azer  Capt Chase, being reputed sick

It was always understood that Cap Chase had a commissions & I understood [[afternes]]
that it and all his papers were afterwards burned,
Jacob Longfellow

State of Maine
Washington Ss.
Machias Me. 23 1852
Then personally appeared above named Jacob Longfellow who is well known to me, who is of the age above stated & who is entitled to full credit and made oath to the truth of the above [[affidant]] by him subscribed
Before Me Albert Pilsbury Judge of Pen