Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,368, Luther Daman, Mass. Mass. Sea Service
Page 1

(5-1776)
Service
Mass
Mass Sea Service
Daman, Luther
Number
S. 30, 368
Contents
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10.223.
Massachussetts
Luther Daman ┃
Plymouth in the State of Mass
Who was a ^privateer seaman in the company commanded by Captain Giles of the regt commanded by Col Jackson in the Mass
line for 6 Cny[?] Seaman
7  _&_ [?] Private
Ma v State Navy  [written in light text]
---
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 47 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
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Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of March 1833 and [three illegible words] Plymouth Mass
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Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833           $94.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "    23.66
[total] $118.32
---
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by J F Blain Clerk
Book [?]
Vol. 24 Page 16.

Saml A Turner
79
Plymo
Page 3

Luther Daman
Declaration
13.363
Page 4

State of Massachusetts
Plymouth County fs
On this twenty second day of August A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. Wilker Wood Jugde of Probate for the said County of Plymouth now sitting
at Hanover in said County, Luther Daman of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged Seventy Seven 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.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. -
In June 1776 I enlisted into Captn Giles Company, whose Lt was a Mr Deane, and marched through Hingham to Nantasket, ^and lived six months
said company was attached to Col. Jackson & Whitneys Regiment,
was employed while there in building the fort, and standing guard. nothing remarkable took place whhile I was there except, the arrival of a Brittish transport the loaded with pork and butter which was taken by our forces, received a written discharge from Capt Gile & returned home.
In February A.D. 1778, I again enlisted in Captn Francis Cushings Company, whose Lt I think 
 was Atwood Mott, and marched
as before to Nantasket, and were attached to Col Lothrops Regiment, served forty days, and were employed as before working on the fort and standing guard, was again discharged and returned to Scituate. -
In April 1779, I enlisted on board of a Brigg belonging to the State of Massachusetts, called the Hazzard commanded by John Foster Williams whose first Lt was George Little, 2d do[ditto?] a Mr Morris, Sailing Master, Mr Reavly. Sailed from Boston in april on a six months cruise, and after cruising off New York, Cape Hatteras, &, from four to six weeks
as near as I recollect, and after taking Seven prizes, got partially, wrecked near Cape Cod, returned to Boston, having repaired, after about two weeks the fleet again sailed under command of Commodore Saltonstall for Penobscot River, where we lay untill the arrival of the Brittish fleet by whom we were attacked, when one vessel only, the Brigg Angelino,
escaped to sea, one ship went on shore, and the remainder of the fleet were driven up the river, and were finally burnt or destroyed, and
myself with all hands towards the close of the term returned by land to Boston. other officers than above stated not recollected. I never received but one written discharge, and that from Capt Gile as above stated, and that
I have lost. I have no documentary evidence that I can furnish to my knowledge, except what is hereto annexed, but the following persons Nie[?], Daniel Merritt Johnathan Merritt & Francis Cushing-- are the only
persons living to my knowledge, whose testimony I can procure in proof of
the services above specified, and their depositions are hereto annexed. I was
born in Situate September the Sixth A.D. 1755, [crossed out "the town clerk con? hereto stated"] I lived in Scituate at the time I enlisted in the several campaigns above stated, and it has ever been my home to the present day. I served as a volunteer, at all times, was never drafted ^nor did serve as a substitute for any one. as N.B. Secretary Bangs certificate
only refers to the Penobscot campaign, and does not include the first two months
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I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.-
Attest Jacob H. Loud
Register
Luther Damon
We Samuel Deane a Clergyman residing in the Town of Situate and Ebenezer T Fogg residing in Situate also, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Luther Daman who
has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy Seven 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.  Samuel Deane  Ebenezer T Fogg
Attest Jacob H. Loud
Register
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 applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Samuel Deane who has signed them preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Scituate and that Ebenezer T. Fogg who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Town aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. By the Court attest
Jacob H. Loud Register
I Jacob H. Loud, Clerk of the Court of Probate for said County of Plymouth, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Luther Daman for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty second day of August A.D. 1832.-
Jacob H. Loud
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Luther Daman
Mass
Seaman 6 months
Privat 7 " 9 days
[?]
$47.33
13,363
J. H. Loud
Plymouth
Mass
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of Luther Daman
Co. of Plymouth in the State of Mass
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 77
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.  [Table with the following headings:]
Period.
Duration of Service. Years Months Days.
Rank.
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
[1st line] June In 1776 enlisted, 6 months, Private, Cap Giles, Col Jackson.
[2nd line] Feb 1778 enlisted, 1 month 9 days, 
Cap Cushing, Col Lothrop.
[3rd line] April 1779 enlisted on board
a [public armis]? Brig Hazard for 6 months, Seaman, Commd by J. F. Williams, the Squadron
under Commodore
Saltonstall. all driven onshore, captured and destroyed by the British Fleet except one.
5. In what battles was he engaged? none except this sea affair in Penobscot River
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Scituate, Mass
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
traditionary 4 living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.
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[A small black sheet.  Text can be seen, but not read, in the lower part of sheet]
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Daniel Merritt
Deposition for
Luther Dammon
Page 10

I Daniel Merritt of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts do testify and say, that Luther Daman of Scituate in said County of Plymouth served
with me one campain of four months at Nantasket as a private soldier in the war of the American Revolution, in Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six, in a company commanded
by Captn Gile, Lt Deane, other officers not recollected, attached to Col Jackson & Whitneys Regiments a part of the time to each. Also said Luther Daman served with me one other campaign of forty days commencing the latter part of February Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight at Nantasket in a company commanded by Francis Cushing, whose Lt was Atwood Mott, - were attached to Col Lothrops Regiment, the Majors Name was Miller, and I would further state that of the first campaign above mentioned I served but four out of six month and that said Daman might have served longer without my knowledge.
Daniel Merritt
Plymouth ss July 27- 1832 Then the above named Daniel Merritt made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true.
before me Samuel A Turner Just Peace
And I certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named Daniel Merritt for many years and that he is a credible person. Attest Samuel A Turner Just. of the Peace
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Johnathan Merritt
Deposition for
Luther Daman
Page 12

I Johnathan Merritt of Bremen in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine aged Seventy eight years. do testify and say, that Luther Daman of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts served with me one campaign of six months in the war of the American Revolution at Nantasket as a private Soldier in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight in a company commanded by
Captn Gile. the Lt. I think was a Mr Deane, other officers not recollected, and were attached to Col Jackson & Whitneys Regiment
a part of the time in each
Jonathan Merritt
Plymouth fs August 11-- 1832  Then the above named Johnathan Merritt made oath that the above declaration
by him subscribed is true before me
Samuel A Turner Just Peace-
And I certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named Johnathan Merritt for many years that he is a credible person.
Attest Samuel A Turner Just Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth fs. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth being a Court of Record do hereby certify 
that Samuel A. Turner Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for said County & that I believe his name subscribed to this & the annexed certificate are true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & the seal of said Court this third
day of August in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred & thirty two
Jacob H. Loud
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Luther Daman 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?
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
BR
-
THE objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Luther Daman
which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
11
is
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
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?
27
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
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?  Yes
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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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?
XIV. + If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?  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?
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
It 2

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 his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ___year and ___months, and ___days, I served as a ___. For ___months and ___days, I served as a ___; and for such service I claim a pension.
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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 
about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years 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 shewn 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.
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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 16

Caleb Litchfield
Deposition for
Luther Damon
Page 17

I Caleb Litchfield of Weathersfield
the County of Windsor and State of Vermont do certify and say, that Luther Damon of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and
State of Massachusetts, served with
me on board the Brig Hazzard commanded by John Foster Williams being one Capt Saltonstalls fleet. Belonging to the State of
Massachusetts. Six months in the war of the American Revolution in Seventeen hundred and Seventy Nine cruised off New York from four to six weeks returned to Boston, thence to Penobscot where the fleet was afterwards destroyed.
Caleb Litchfield
State of Vermont  Windsor County fs
August 14th 1832  Then the above
Named Caleb Litchfield made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true
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Before me Daniel Bowen Justice of the
I hereby certify that I have lived a Neighbor to the above Named Caleb Litchfield about twenty three years now last part and that he is considered a man of truth and veracity
Daniel Barren Justice of the Peace
Page 18

State of Vermont Woodstock County fs
Woodstock County Clerks Office
 August 12th 1832
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County
Court, Do hereby Certify that Daniel
Bowen, is one of the Justices of the Peace
within a for said County. 
In testimony whereof I hereto affix the Seal of said Court, and subscribe my name the day & year above
Benj Swan
Page 19

Francis Cushing
Deposition for
Luther Daman

[the following crossed out]
[?] 18
Samuel A Turner
Scituate, Mass
Page 20

I Frances Cushing of Turner in the County of Oxford and State of ^Maine aged 86 years do testify and say that I was born in Scituate in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that Luther Daman
then an inhabitant of said Town of Scituate, enlisted or was drafted into a company of Militia under my command, and served with me a Campaign in the year 1777 or 8
at Nantasket near the entrance of Boston harbour, in the War of the American Revolution  I Suppose Said Daman Served a month or more but am not certain
to the length of the Campaign. Said Damon served as a Private soldier, the troops commanded by a Lt Lathrop
Frances Cushing his mark
State of Maine
Oxford fs August 10th 1832, personally appeared the above named Francis Cushing and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him Subscribed before me, and I do also certify that the said Cushing is in
my opinion entitled to full credit as a witness.
John Turner Justice of the Peace
Page 21

Luther Damon
Page 22

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office August 8th 1832.
* 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 Luther Damon is borne on a "Roll of the officers and men belonging to the Brig Hazzard and commanded by John F. Williams in the service of the State of Mass.tts Bay from the time of their engaging to the sixth day of Sept 1779" ---
& he is therein stated to have served as a marine for three months
and twenty six days from May 12, 1779
Edward D Bangs   Lez[?]
Page 23

Payments to be made
at Boston Mass
by the Pay to J B. Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners
 in the Agency of Mass

Corre^cted

Recorded in the Pension 
Office, in Book [?] Vol. 2nd
Page
16. by
[?] Blain Clerk
Page 24

WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Luther Daman of the State of Massachusetts
who was a Private in the Army of the
Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty Seven
dollars and Thirty Three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Twenty Third day of
March one thousand
eight hundred and thirty three.
Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and
Countersigned
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.