Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37,430, for Richard Soward, Massachusetts
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Mass. Soward, Richard or Sayward S.37.430
N.H.
Navy
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18535
Maine
Richard Soward
York coy in the State of Maine who was a private in the Regiment comm [illegible] Colonel Song of the N. Ham[illegible] 
[?], for the term of one year
[illegible] on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month to commence on [illegible] the 13 of April 1818 [?]ertificate of Pension issued the 4 of April 18[??] and sent to the Hon J Dana
House of Representatives
[blacked out] to 4th of March 1822 $373.83 [?] ni-anl. all"ce ending 4 Sep 1822 48 4th M[?] 18/30  4/31 $421 .83
[Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
Ma[?] 182[?]
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Richard Soward Lieut
Mass Line 1776-7 1 year 
Dec13 Apl 1818 
the Refs & Line in which applicant states his term was in '76 must be stated in this declaration.

Admd Con J.L.E




Riston vice in 76 must be stated if the declaration & Con 1 The deposition of two credit & disinterested witness to prove the service of the Applining in either this navalto  be taken and on the treated, as required. Hon. J. Dana, H. R.

The deposition of two creditable & disinterested witness to prove the service of the Applicante in either the land or  naval naval service duly to  be taken and authenticated, as required. 

Hon. J. Dana, H. R.
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I Edward Page of Kittery in the County of York and State of Maine aged sixty three years, testify and say that I am well acquainted with Richard Soward of Kittery aforesaid, and do well remember that said Richard Soward served nine months and more in continuance, on the continental establishment, in Capt. Daniels Company and Col. Longs Regiment New Hampshire line in the year 1776 and 1777. I being a soldier in the same company and Regiment at the same time said Soward was there 
Edwd Page 

York ss. October 9th 1820 Then personally appeared the above named Edward Page and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed, Before me Caleb Emery Just Peace 

State of Maine York SS Novr 18th A.D. 1820 
I Benjn Greene Chief Justice of the Circuit. C. of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit do hereby certify that the above named Caleb Emery is a Justice of the Peace for the County of York duly authorized and empowered to take & administer oaths

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year above said -
Benj'n Greene

and I do further certify that John Shelby, John  Cortinere and Edward Page are all were entrusted with the truth of whom testimony would not be questioned before any Court where they are known
Brown 26th Novr 1821 Benj'n Green
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. YORK SS 
On this thirteenth day of April A.D. 1818 before me the subscriber, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit in said Commonwealth, personally appears Richard Soward aged twenty years resident in Kittery in said county of York, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration 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:"" -- 

that in the spring of the year 1775 he inlisted as private soldier under Capt John Shapleigh but of a Regiment he does not recollect that he continued to his duty in said Company until the expiration of the twelve month that he had enlisted when he was honorably dischanged. he enlisted the for further term of twelve months in Capt Daniel Company ^Col Lawson Kittery N. Hampshire & continued this duty was discharged at Fort Sullivan with the expiration of the last mentioned term and until upon the expiration thereof in the spring ^or summer of 1777 he shipped on board the United States frigate Raleigh of 36 guns Commanded by Capt Thompson and served on board said ship little short of twelve months when he was discharged and entered on board the Brig Dalton, was captured & carried prisoner to Plymouth in England, & held in confinement twenty two months, when he was exchanged and arrived at L'Orient and entered on board the United States Frigate Altaire of 36 guns commanded by Capt. Landers

He was a midshipman warranted & served as a midshipman on board said Frigate being a cruise of five months until she returned to Le Orient when & where having suffered much in his health by his long  imprisonment he was permitted to return to America and rec'd an honorable discharge - on his return the Shiffers in where had taken passage was cast away on Cape Cod - when he lost was thing among other other things with his midshipman's warrant.

and the said Richard Soward further states, and by the certificate of the Selectman one of the Poor of the Town of Kitty proves 

That has he is reduced in his circumstances and needs the assistance of his country and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services. 

Sworn to and declared before me the day and year above said. Benj'n Greene I

, BENJAMIN GREENE, Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit, in the Commonwealth aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Richard Soward did serve in the revolutionary war against the common enemy, as he has stated in his declaration aforesaid--and that he is reduced in his circumstances, and needs the assistance of his country for his support. --And I do 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 before mentioned act of Congress. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this thirteenth day of April Anno Domini, 1818. 
Benj'n Green
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York ss....At a Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the first Eastern Circuit, begun and holden at Alfred within the County of York - on the first Monday being the first day of January and by adjournment [handwritten] ? from day to day, on the second day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty^one before the Honorable Benjamin Greene, Judah Dana + William Widgery Judge of said Court. On this second day of January in the year 1821, personally  appeared in open Court - the same proceeding according to the course of the common law, having "the power of fine and imprisonment," and being a Court of Record for said County Richard Soward aged seventy nine years, resident in  [illegible] in said County, who first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, viz. as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Daniels - Regiment commanded by Colonel Long [illegible] in the line of the State of New Hampshire on the Continental Establishment, as is more particularly mentioned and described in his original declaration made on the 13th day of April - A. D. 1818, and on which said declaration [illegible] Certificate of Pension, [blacked out]  has yet been [blacked out] granted. 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 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 hereunto annexed, and subscribed; that my occupation and ability too pursue the same, together with the number and other particulars of my family, are in fact and in truth as is herein particularly described, also subscribed by me.
[signature] Richard Sayward
Sworn to and declared, on the second day of January A.D. 1821}
Before Bej Greene - Judah Dana} [blacked out] Judges of the said Court
SCHEDULE of the real and personal estate, (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) belonging to the subscriber, viz:
One Cow - one Shote - one old Canoe, and a few articles of house hold furniture of the value of eight dollars
Richard Soward
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SCHEDULE of the family residing with me Richard Soward by occupation as a fisherman who, which I am unable to pursue by reason of old age and a rupture of the right side - 
[table headings]NAMES. | AGES. | Capacity of each to contribute to their support
[row 1]Olive Soward my wife | 46 | able to support herself
[row 2]Children | [blank] | all of whom are unable to support themselves
[row 3]Olive Soward | 7 | [blank] 
[row 4] Richard " | 5 | [blank] 
[row 4]Sarah | 1 | [blank] 

Richard Soward

STATE OF MAINE. -- York SS
I Jeremiah Bradbury Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for said Circuit, within the county of York do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedules 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 exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is twenty three dollars [crossed out: and cents]. 

IN TESTMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty second day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and twenty one 
Jere. Bradbury Clerk of the said Circuit Court for the County of York
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O. W. and N. Division. 3 - 525. 

U. S. N Div 
Sur 37430
Rev War
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C., 

Sir
In reply to your request of Aug 19, received Aug 22 for a statement of the military history of Richard Soward  a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. *Name also spelled Sayward 
[table headings]DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. |  RANK.  | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
[row 1]Spring of 1775 | 12 months | Pvt | John Shapleigh |
[row 2] [blank] | 12 months | Pvt 
 Daniels
[row 3]Imprisonment | Nearly 12 mos | [blank] |Thomson | 
There inlisted on board brig Dalton, captured & carried prisoner to Plymouth England, confined 22 months when was exchanged and arrived at L'Orient and then entered on board the U.S. Friage Alliance under Capt. Landars, served nascent midshipman on said frigate & was then be returned to L'Orient and on account of ill health from long imprisonment was allowed to return to America. On his return to the shippline on which he had taken passage was cast away on Cape Cod, where he lost everything including his warrant & both discharges. 

Battles engaged in, 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated
Date of application for pension, Apr 13 1818 . His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Kittery York Co, Maine
Age at date of application, 76 years old
Died Oct 6 1832

Remarks: in 1821 soldiers wife Olive was 46 years old and his  children Olive 7 years Richard 5 yeasr and Sarah 1 year. No further family data --- 

Very respectfully, Mr Joseph Foster 26 Middle St Portsmouth N. H. by book) on Commissioner.
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I John Stacy of Eliot in the State of Maine aged sixty six years testify and say - that I well remember Richard Soward of Kittery, who served nine months and more in continuance, on the continental establishment, in the year 1776 & 1777 in Capt. Daniels Company, Col. Longs Regiment New Hampshire line. I being a soldier in the same company and Regt at the same time he was there 
John Stacy 

York ss. October 23d 1820. Then personally appeared the above named John Stacy, and made solemn oath to truth of the above declaration by him subscribed 
Before me Caleb Emery Justice Peace
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I John Carter of Kittery in State of Maine aged sixty five years, testify and say that I am well acquainted with Richard Soward of Kittery aforesaid, and do know that said Richard Soward, served nine months and more in continuance, on the continental establishment, in the year 1776 and 1777 in Capt. Daniels Company, Col Longs Regiment, New Hampshire line. I being a soldier in the same company and Regiment, at the time said Howard was there 
John Carter

York ss. October 21st 1820 Then personally appeared the above named John Carter and made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed 
Before me Caleb Emery Just Peace
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1 JWR

Joseph Foster 26 Middle St Portsmouth NH 
19 August 1907 

Requests Revolutionary Record of Richard Seward Private N.H. Line especially service in the Continental Navy 

[postmark: U.S. PENSION OFFICE AUG 21 1907]
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[stamp: O W & N DIV FILES AUG 23 1907]

26 Middle St Portsmouth N.H August 19. 1907. 

Sir
I respectfully request that you will send me the Revolutionary Record of Richard Seward, pensioned April 4, 1819, from April 13. 1818, at $96 per year, as a Private of the New Hampshire line, who died October 6, 1832, aged 92 (York County, Maine).

 Please include all possible information as to his service in the Continental Navy which may appear in his papers 
Respectfully 
Joseph Foster 
Chairman Board of Managers
Paul Jones Clark, S. A. R. 

To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
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37430 Revy INVALID - 
File No. 37,430 
Richard Soward 
Pri Rev War
Act: 18 March 18
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 387 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 

Sept 28 1907 Hist to Jos Foster V.P.M.
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let. 3d Nov 1857
J. Phillips