Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 33563, for Benjamin Rickard, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3 - 1776) 

SERVICE 

Mass  Sea Service 
Navy 

Rickard Benjamin 
or Richard 

NUMBER 

S 33563
________________________________
CONTENTS
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(Left side - landscape aspect)

Notification sent to John B. Thomas Esq
January 1821.   Lymouth  Mass

(Right side - portrait aspect)

Navy 
16.886
Massachusetts 
———————————
Benjamin Rickard   Richard
(Mass). 
of Plymouth in the state of Mass who was a mariner [crossed out -  in the regiment commanded by Col] Ship Confederacy, Harding [crossed out - line], for the term of 1778 & 1779, 11 months
———————————————-
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts 
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 11th of April 1818 
—————————————————
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 of May 1820 and sent to Hon Z. Sampson 
H. Rep
——————————————-
Arrears to 4th of March 1820               182.36 
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 11 Sept 1820     48 
                                                                 $23036 
22.        20/30. 6/31
  8 
176  
6.36 
——————————-
182, 76 
*Rickard 

{Revolutionary claim,} 
{Act 18th March, 1818.} 

Continental
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Benja Rickard's 
Declaration 
Plymouth
Page 4

I Benjamin Richards of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a citizen of the United States and resident therein set forth and declare on oath that I was a mariner in the War of the revolution for more than nine months in the naval service of the United States, that from my reduced circumstances I need the assistance of my country for support and am therefore desirous to obtain a pension from the United States agreably to the late law of Congress of the 18th March last - and I do relinquish all claim to any former pension granted me (if any) by any law of Congress-- 

that in the spring 1776 I entered on board the Brigantine Independence 14 Guns - commanded by Capt Simeon Sampson, crused against the Enemy of the U States, went into raged Island Novascotia cut off four [illegible] sent them into Plymouth -- then went the second cruise in the same Vessell under the same Commander, captured  a sloop Capt Ludlo from the West Indias also recaptured an Irish Brigantine sent them into Plymouth, (was then taken by Capt Dawson in the Brig Hope of 14 Guns with a Transport ship of 16 guns in Company) -- carried a prisoner to Halifax detained there 16 months then put on board a Cartel ship for New York to be exchanged but we rose upon the ship & carried her into Marblehead 
after that went to the West Indies in the Merchant Service, was taken & sent prisoner to New York confined six months then exchanged and came to New London in a Cartel - I then entered on board the United States Frigate Confederacy 36 guns commanded by Captain Harden on board of which I served about ten or eleven months from which I was discharged by the said Harden 
Benjamin Rickard 

Sworn to April 11. 1818.- 
Before me Nahum Mitchell
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Benjamin Rickard 
Plymouth 
16886 

Sep 20 

Con
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SCHEDULE. 

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. County of Plymouth ss. 

On this seventeenth day of July 1820, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, having a power also of fine and imprisonment, and keeping a record of their proceedings, personally appeared in open Court, being a court of record for the said County Benjamin Rickard aged sixty three years, resident in Plymouth in said County, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. for the term of eleven months in The Frigate Confederacy commanded by Capt Harden and that he has received a pension certificate dated May ninth 1819 and numbered 16.886 in pursuance of his original Declaration made eleventh April AD 1818 and also takes and subscribes the following oath, viz. 
And I do solemnly swear_____ that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the [crossed out -2] 8th 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,” passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; 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 I am a Boatbuilder by trade.  that in consequence of the infirmities of age and the Rheumatism, which has deprived me almost wholly of the use of my right arm & leg, I am a together unable to do any labor at my trade -  that I have no family that I live alone and cook my victuals, that, excepting necessary wearing apparel & bedding and one mug & one bowl one skillet-- one small kettle I have no property real or personal-- that I am indebted about five Dollars have about three Dollars due to me that I have no income, and that during the last two years, the Town of Plymouth have in part supported me
Benjamin Rickard 

Sworn to, and declared on the 17th day of July AD 1820 
before Nahum Mitchell a Justice 1st Court 

I, John B. Thomas Clerk of said Court 
do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath___ and the schedule thereto annexed , are truly copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibit ed in the aforesaid schedule is nothing dollars and____cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court on this twenty fifth day of Dec AD 1820  
Jon B Thomas 
Clerk of the Court for the County of Plymouth
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Invalid

[crossed out - WIDOW, & o.
Revy  —-Navy

File No.  33513 file No. 

Benjamin
Rickard [superscript- Richard]
Mariner 
N. S. Navy 
Rev War 
——————————-
Act 18th March 1818 

Index: Vol.___ Page_____ 

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Benja Rickard 

Plymouth M 

Proof of service
On board [illegible]
Confederacy
a*cted

for Sampson[?]
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

On this 11th day of April AD 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared Benjamin Rickard of Plymouth aged____years, resident in the said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on his oath made the [crossed out - following] enclosed declaration, by him signed, 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.”

/See his said Declaration enclosed/
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And I am satisfied the said Rickard needs the assistance of his country for support- 

And I, the said Jud[g]e, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Benjamin Rickard did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress. 
Nahum Mitchell  


COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
ss.                      1818. 

I HEREBY CERTIFY, That ______is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, consisting of the Counties of Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket in said Commonwealth — that the same Circuit Court of Common Pleas is a Court of rec[or]d--that the signature to the above certificate is the true signature of the [said]Judge, and that the seal thereunto affixed is the seal of the said Court. 

}Clerk of the Judicial 
}Court for the County 
}of______
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I Solomon Davis of Plymouth Mass aged sixty years testify, that I have known Benjamin Rickard of the same Plymouth from a boy; that I was in captivity in England when the revolution was ended, & went several voyages to sea after that event be-[fore?]   I  returned to Plymouth. That on my return in the year 1777 I fell in company with said Rickard then on his return to Plymouth from Philidelphia that we traveled together from Boston to said Plymouth, our native town -  during which he related to me at various times since that he had been from home for several years —part of time in Captivity in a guard ship at New York -  & then, that he shiped on board the frigate confederacy  I think in Connecticut. & went a cruise in her & was finally put from her into hospital sick at Philidelphia & of the truth of all that he stated I have no doubts.
Solomon Davis
Mass  - Plymouth - Feby-14. 1820
Then Solomon Davis subscribed & made oath to the truth of this deposition & I certify him a man of unquestionable veracity.
Zachery Bartlett. J.Peace




Sufemen Davis Mass. Plymouth Ss. Feby 14 1820 then Solomon Davis subscribed & made oath to the Smith of this deposition & I certify him man of unquestionable veracity ---
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April 6 1820 

I hereby certify that the within named Zachery Bartlett, on the 14th of February last past was & now is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Plymouth Mass and that the within is his signature 
Zabdiel Sampson 
M.C.
Page 13

(Left side)

Elisha Fuller’s 
Deposition 

Hon. M. Sampson

(Right side)

Dep -  Elisha Fuller 
For Benj Rickards
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United States  -  
Massachusetts District -

I Elisha Fuller of Charlestown in the District aforesaid of lawful age and a pensioner of the United States testify and say- That I entered on board the frigate Confederacy commanded by Captain Seth Harding and served in her during her first cruise in the Revolutionary war. 
I joined the frigate as nearly as I can recollect in the spring of 1779. —
Benjamin Rickard now of Plymouth in said District, who is an applicant for a pension from the United States under the late law I have no doubt faithfully served with me on board the said frigate during said time -
Elisha Fuller

[Suffolk?] Barton February 1st 1820- Personally appeared the above named Elisha Fuller whose [illegible] certify to be in my opinion a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the above statement, by him subscribed- 
Before me -  
Stephen Hooper Jus. Peace - 

I hereby certify that the aforesaid Stephen Hooper on the 1st day February last was & now is a Justice of the Peace of the Quorum in Massachusetts and that the above is his signature 
Juemiah Nelson MC

Washington April 6th 1820
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Dep 
B Otis for 
B Rickard
Page 16

I Barnabas Otis of Plymouth Mass sixty four years testify that I have been familiarly acquainted with Benjamin Richard of the same Plymouth ever since the year 1784, & from that time to this repeatedly heard him state various particulars of his service on board the Frigate Confederacy in her first cruise from New London  that he belonged to her seven months and was then put into the hospital sick at or near Philidelphia 
All this I have heard him at deferent times repeat long before there was any law passed about pensions, & never doubted its truth for I know him to be several years about in sea service in the Revolution
Barnabas Otis 

Mass. Plymouth ss Feb 14, 1820
Then Barb- Otis subscribed & made oath to the truth of this deposition & I certify him a man of unquestionable veracity 
Zachery Bartlett J Peace
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April 6 1820 
I certify that the within named Zacheus Bartlett on the 14th of February last part was & now is a Justice of the peace within & for the County of Plymouth Mass that the within is his signature Zabdiel Sampson 
M.C
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Joseph Jenning's 
Deposition
Page 19

I Joseph Jennings of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age testify and say that I resided in the town of Plymouth from the month of January 1775 until the year 1808 - and during the principal part of that time was well acquainted with Benjamin Rickard an inhabitant of said town of Plymouth 
In the winter of 1778 I well remember seeing the said Rickard at New London on board of the United States frigate Confederacy, he being then an enlisted man on board of her and doing duty. I have always understood that the said Rickard served on board said frigate about twelve months - Rickard himself has always stated his service on board said frigate to have been about that time, and I have never doubted the truth of his statement considering him to be a man of unquestioned integrity and truth- Joseph Jennings 

Suffolk -  Boston, March 24. 1820- 
Personally appeared the above named Joseph Jennings whom I certify to be in my opinion a credible witness and made solemn oath to the truth of the above statements by him 
subscribed - 

Before me 
Stephen Hooper Jus Peace

I hereby certify that the aforesaid Stephen Hooper on the 24th [illegible]tions was a now is a Justice of the Peace of of the Quorum in the State of Mass and that the above is his signature 
Jeremiah Nelson MC
Washington April 6 1820
Page 20

I the subscriber set forth & declare that in the year 1819 I  [illegible] a declaration according to the story of Benj. Rickard then applicant for a pension who from his description  of age & disease had forgotten that he had made one before Judge Mitchell 
That I  subsequently obtained from the library of one of the Navy board who built & went to sea the ship Confederacy from N London in 1779, the original record of Board 
That is remarkable was the correspondence between [illegible] record & Rickards declaration made as aforesaid both as to dates & events of her first departure from N London her cruises & arrival in the Delaware, as left no doubts in my mind, that, unlettered & low as Rickard was this correspondence could have arisen from nothing but his personal presence & agency in the scene. To this I can make oath if required 
Zacheus Bartlett 
Plymouth, Mass 
March 30 1820