Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 33799, for Joseph Thomas, Massachusetts
Page 1

SERVICE
Continental (Mass.)

Thomas, Joseph

NUMBER
S 33799
B.L.Wt. 2162_300_ Capt
Issued Mar. 26, 1792
No papers.
Page 2

Joseph Thomas
Plymouth
(Officer)
30 March 1818 Captain
Knox regt  76 War. 
[illegible]
Page 3

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
SS.
On this 30th day of March AD, 1818, before me
the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas,
for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared Joseph Thomas of Plymouth
aged_____years, resident in
the said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on
his oath made the following 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." vir.

I Joseph Thomas of Plymouth in the
County of Plymouth and Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts do testify and say
that on the 1st day of January 1776
I was appointed second Lieutenant
in the Regiment of Artillery commanded
by Colonel Henry Knox and continued as
such until the 11th day of January 1777.
when I was appointed a Captain in
in the second Regiment of Artillery
commanded by Colonel John Lamb, that on the
26th day of October 1779 I was promoted to
the rank of Captain in said Regiment
which rank I sustained to the out of the
war and the Commissions I
hereby exibit-
-
Joseph Thomas
Sworn to March 30th 1818
50
Page 4

The Claimant has not explicitly stated in what
Line he served- but that is certain
which can be rendered so-the officers, Reg-
aments, and Commissions will determine 
it-I presume he was generally in the 
Massachusetts line-
And I, the Judge. do certify, that it appear to my satisfaction,
that the Joseph Thomas did serve in the
revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the com-
mon enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment 
and I now transmit the proceedings, and testimony taken and had before meet the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to directions of
the aforementioned act of Congress, and that he is poor and
deserving and needs the assistance of his
country for support.

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 record- that the signature to the above cer-
tificate is a true signature of the said Judge, and that the seal thereunto
affixed is a seal of the said Court.
} Clerk of the Judicial
} Court for the County
} of
Page 5

[Illegible] letter to Sec of War 21
July 1828

[Written sideways}
Notification sent Oct. 30th 1820 to
John B. Thomas Plymouth Mass.

5553
Massachusetts 4
Joseph Thomas
Colo Knox  Captain
Massachusetts Line
'76 War
is the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War 
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 30 of March 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 od Jan 1810
and sent to Judge Mahum Mitchel
East Bridgewater Mass.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 -- 5 2/51  4/30--103.95
Semi-anl. all's ending 4 March 1819      120.
223.95
{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}
Plymouth
Continued
Page 6

Joseph Thomas
5553 Jan '19
Con
Page 7

SCHEDULE.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
County of Plymouth ss.
On this eighteenth 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 Joseph Thomas
aged sixty six 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 seven years and [Illegible] in
Col Henry Knox, and Col John Lambs Reg ts Artillery
and that he received a pension certificate dated 21 Jany. 1819 and numbered
5553 in pursuance of his original Declaration made 30th day of March
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 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 have I any income other than what is contained in the
schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

Soon after the Peace I followed the occupation of a 
merchant and meeting with heavy losses at Sea I am
reduced to poverty and have no property real or person-
al am unable to Support myself and am wholly
dependent on my country for support - I was
in the battle of white plains in 1776. and commanded a
company of artillery during the siege of Yorktown
when Lord Cornwallis surrendered in 1781-
Joseph Thomas
Sworn to, declared, on the 10th day of July AD 1820
before
Nahum Mitchell a Justice of said Court

I, Jno B Thomas clerk the said Court
do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath------and the schedule thereto an-
nexed, 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 twentieth day of July 1820
Jno B Thomas
Clerk of the Court for the County of Plymouth
Page 8

33799
Revy INVALID
File No. 33,799
Joseph Thomas
Capt Rev War
Act: 18th March 18[Illegible]
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 430
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 9

IN CONGRESS
The DELEGATES of the UNITED STATES of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay,
Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent
and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, TO
Joseph Thomas Gentleman
WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity,
DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be a Captain Lieutenant 
in a Regiment of Artillery commanded by Col.o John Lamb
in the Army of the United States, raised for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every
hostile invasion therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty, of Captain
Lieutenant, by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly
charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under Command, to be obedient to your Orders as
Captain Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to
Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress,
for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of the United States,
or any other superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the
Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until resolved by this or in future Congress.
Dated This first Day of January AD 1777 Seventy Seven
By Order of the Congress,

John Hancock PRESIDENT

ATTEST Cha Thomson Secy
Page 10

{SEAL}
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
For Joseph Thomas Esquire Greeting. We, Reposing especial trust
and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity. DO by those presents constitute and appoint you 
to a Captain in the second Battalion of Artillery
in the Army of the United States to take rank as such from the 26th day
of October 1779. You re therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a
Captain by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And
we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command to be obedient to your orders, as
Captain. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions
from time to time, as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of the United States or Committee of Congress
for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States or commander in chief for the time being of the Army of
the United States, or any other your superior Officers, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance
of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue enforce until revoked by this, or a future Congress, the Com-
mittee of Congress beforementioned, or a Committee of the States.

Witness his Excellency Saml Huntington Esqr President of
the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia the 21st
day of October 1780, and in the fourth year of our
Independence.
Saml Huntington President

Entered in the War Office
and examined by the Board
Attest
[Illegible]  Secretary of the War
Page 11

[Upside down]
Joseph Thomas
Continental (Mass) 
S33799

Joseph Thomas 
Plymouth
(Officer)

Lieutenant Joseph Thomas
Commission- January 11th
1776
I was appointed a Lieutenant 
on the 1st day of January 1776-
this Commission was dated
the eleventh in order to give 
the rank in [Illegible] regiment
being the eleventh Lieutenant-
Joseph Thomas
Page 12

IN CONGRESS
The DELEGATES of the United Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, Connecticut,
New-York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware, Mary-
land, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, to Joseph Thomas Gent.
WE reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct and fidelity, DO by
these presents constitute and appoint you to be Second Lieutenant
in the Regiment of Artillery commanded
by Colonel Henry Know
in the army of the United Colonies raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every
hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Second
Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly
charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders as
Second Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from
time to time as you shall received from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of
Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United
Colonies, or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the
trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
By Order of the Congess,
John Hancock President
Attest
Cha Thomson Secy
the eleventh day of January 1776
Page 13

I Joseph Thomas do further set forth and declare that from my
reduced circumstances I need the assistance of my country for sup-
port and am desirous of obtaining a pension from the United States [Illegible]
ably to a law of Congress of the 18th March and do relinquish
all claim to any pension heretofore granted me (if any) by any
former law of Congress.-
Joseph Thomas
Sworn to.
Page 14

Act 1828
Settled at
Treasury
Consd with
Invalid file
#33.799
Page 15

174
8
No of orig Pay174
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
30 June 1828.
Joseph Thomas of Plymouth
in the State of Massachusetts has applied to the Secretary
of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving
officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828.
He states that he was as an officer in the Continental line, and served as such to the end
of the war,
at which period he was a Captain of Artillery in the Second regiment of the New York
line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the re-
solve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received a pension
under the act of March 1818, but does 
not state the amount or at what agency
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated
by the records in his office.
By Order of the Secretary
A. Dinkins

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE
July 1st 1828
It appears by the records in this office that final settlement certificates have been issued for
the commutation of five years full pay to Joseph Thomas Capt the 2nd Regt Artillery in
the New York line, amounting to Three thousand dollars.
It further appears that Joseph Thomas Capt is now on the pension
list of the Massachusetts agency, and has been since the 3rd March
1826 at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month.
Peter Harmon Aud
Page 16

Jos. Thomas
Declaration and 
Power to U. Ogden
subs- to Jno R Nourse
Page 17

Revolutionary Claims.
[A.]
Form of a Declaration to be made by the Officers.
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an act, entitled "An act for the relief of
certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the
15th May, 1828, I, Joseph Thomas of
Plymouth, in the county of Plymouth,
in the State of Massachusetts,
do hereby declare that I was an officer in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revo-
lution, and served as such* to the close of the war
at which period I was a Captain in the Second
regiment of the Artillery New York line.
And I also declare, that I afterwards received certificates (commonly called com-
mutation certificates) for a sum equal to the amount of five years' full pay; which sum
was offered by the resolve of Congress, of the 22nd of March, 1783, instead of the half
pay for life, to which I was entitled under the resolve of the 21st of October, 1780.
And I do further declare, that I have received of the United States as a pensioner
since the 3rd day of March, 1826, Four Hundred and eighty Dollars
paid to me by the Agent for paying Pensions in the 
State of Massachusetts 
Witness my hand, this thirteenth day of June, in
the year 1828 
Joseph Thomas

Before me, William Thomas a Justice of the Peace, duly authorized to administer oaths
in the county of Plymouth, in the State of
Massachusetts, personally appeared, this day,
Rosseter Cotton and
Allen Danforth, of the said county, who did seve-
rally make oath that Joseph Thomas,
by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to
have been an officer in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand, this thirteenth day of June,
in the year 1828
William Thomas

I, John B. Thomas, Clerk of the Court
of the County of Plymouth, in the State of
Massachusetts, do hereby certify, that
William Thomas, before whom
the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was at the time, a Justice of the Peace,
and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the
said Court, this thirteenth day of
June 1828
Jno B Thomas
*Here insert, To the end of the war, or (as the case may be,) to the time when the arrangement of the Army
provided by the resolve of Congress of the 3d and 21st of October, 1780, was carried into effect; and that I was
reduced under that arrangement.
#Here insert, The sum of   ------- dollars, paid to me by the agent for paying pensions in the State
of-------------. If the claimant has not been a pensioner, this part of the declaration 
may be omitted.
@ A Justice of the Peace or other magistrate duly empowered to administer oaths, as the case may be.
Page 18

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WASHINGTON COUNTY, SCT.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I Aaron
Ogden the Attorney mentioned in the annexed power
from Joseph Thomas do hereby constitute and
appoint John Rittenheup Nourse my true and lawful At-
torney and substitute, to effect all the purposes for which the power from the 
said Joseph Thomas was granted.
Witness my hand and seal this fifteenth day
of July 1828.
Aaron Ogden CL
WITNESS:
Jamy Ord

BE IT KNOWN, That on this 15th day of July
1828, personally appeared before me MICHAEL NOURSE, Notary Public,
the above named Aaron Ogden, and acknowledged 
the foregoing power of substitution to be his act and deed.
Michl Nurse
Noty Pub
Page 19

Revolutionary Claims.
[C.]
Form of a Power of Attorney.
Know all mens by these presents, I Joseph Thomas
of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth 
in the State of Massachusetts  do hereby constitute and appoint
Col. Aaron Ogden my true and lawful
attorney, with a power of substitution, for me, and in my name, to receive from the United
States the amount of pay now due to me, under the act, entitled "And act for the relief of
certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution." approved 15th May, 1828,
as a Captain in the Second regiment of the New York
line of the army of the Revolution.
Witness my hand and seal, this thirteenth day of June in the year
eight Hundred and twenty eight
Joseph Thomas
Sealed and delivered}
in the presence of} 
James Thacker
Wm. Thomas

Before me, William Thomas a Justice of the Peace in the county of 
Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts  personally 
appeared, this day Joseph Thomas whose name is subscrib-
ed to the foregoing power of attorney, and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed,
and also declared that the same was not given by reason of any transfer, or of any at-
tachment, levy, or seizure, by any legal process whatever, of the pay therein authorized 
to be received, but that the said pay is intended to enure wholly to his personal benefit.
Witness my hand, this thirteenth day of June in the year
1828
William Thomas

I, John B. Thomas Clerk of the Court of the county of
Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts do hereby certify that
William Thomas before whom the foregoing power of attorney
was acknowledged, is a Justice of the Peace.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the 
said Court, this thirteenth day June in the year 
1828
Jno B. Thomas

[D.]
Form of Affidavit to be taken by Attorneys.
Before me, Michl Nourse Not.y Public in the county of
Washington, in the  District of Columbia
personally appeared this day, [Illegible] Nourse substituted W. Ogden the attorney
named in the foregoing power of attorney, and made oath that the same was not
given to him by reason of any transfer, or of any attachment, levy or seizure, by any le-
gal process whatever, of the pay therein authorized to be received, but that the said pay
is intended to enure wholly to the personal benefit of the person by whom the said power
was executed.
Witness my hand, and notarial seal, this 15th day of July in the year
1828 
Michl Nourse
Not.y Pub

I, ----------Clerk of the Court of the County of
----------in the State of ---------do hereby certify that
--------------before whom the foregoing affidavits were
sworn, was, at the time, a Justice of the Peace, and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal
[L.S.]  said Court, this-----------day of--------------
Page 20

I, Joseph Thomas of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts, do upon oath testi-
fy and declare, that I was Captain of Company of Artillery in the second or
New York Regiment under the command of Col. John Lamb-that I served dur-
ing the War of Revolution, and to the close of it, and that I received a
Commutation Certificate of the Act of Congress passed, the 15th day of May
1828.  I further testify, and declare, that I sent on my Com-
mission to the Department of War at Washington, when I made application 
for a pension under the Act of March 1818, and that it has never been re-
turned to me, and that I received a pension under said Act.
Joseph Thomas

State of Massachusetts 
Plymouth ss.
Plymouth June 7th 1828. Then personally appeared, before me
the subscriber, the above named Joseph Thomas, and made oath, that the
 above declaration by him subscribed is true.
Wm. Thomas, Justice of the Peace

I, James Thacker of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts, Physician, do
upon oath testify and Declare that I was a Regimental surgeon in the 
Revolutionary War, and served to the close of it, that I knew Capt Joseph Tho-
was of Col Lamb's Regiment of Artillery-that ever since the war I have
intimately known said Thomas, and that he is the same person, who has subscri-
bed the above declaration for the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 15th day
of May 1828.
James Thacker
Page 21

State of Massachusetts 
Plymouth ss
Plymouth 7th June 1826- Then personally appeared be-
fore me the subscriber the within named James Thacker and made oath
that the within declaration by him subscribed is true.
Wm. Thomas Justice of the Peace
Page 22

I Solomon Davie of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts, merchant,
do upon oath testify and declare that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army-that I have
always resided in said Plymouth, where Joseph Thomas was born and brought up,
and where he has resided since the Revolutionary War and now resides, and that
he is the same person, who was Captain in the Army, that has now
subscribed the foregoing declaration, for the benefit of the Act of Congress,
passed the 15th day of May 1828

Solomon Davie

State of Massachusetts 
Plymouth ss
Plymouth 7th June 1828 Then personally appeared before are the sub-
scriber, the above named Solomon Davie, and made oath, that the declaration 
by him subscribed is true.
Wm Thomas Justice of the Peace


State of Massachusetts 
Plymouth ss
In testimony, that the above written William Thomas
was a Magistrate, authorized to administer oaths, and take Depositions in the
State of Massachusetts at the above date, and that his name there subscribed 
appears to me to be his usual signature I have hereunto affixed the County
Seal and subscribed my name and quality at Plymouth this twenty day
of June 1828
{SEAL}
Mr B Thomas Clerk of the Judicial
Courts for the County of Plymouth
Page 23

William Thomas
Plymouth Mass 7 June 1828
Recd 14
Reg A B C 
20
Page 24

[Illegible] 
[Illegible]
Hon. Micha
Page 25

Plymouth Mass June 7th 1828
Sir,
Enclosed are documents to substantiate the claims of James Thacker
and Joseph Thomas officers in the Rev.y Army to the benefit of the
late Act of Congress. They wish these funds remitted to them here
or deposited in Boston, as may be most accordant with the Treasury
arrangements.
Yours,
Wm. Thomas
Page 26

Revolutionary Claims,
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and
Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
23 July 1828
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of Joseph Thomas
under the above mentioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a
request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether a commission, and, if
so, what commission, was received at the War Department, from the claimant, on an
application stated to have been heretofore made by him for a pension.
Richard Ruth
The Hon, the SECRETARY OF WAR.
See letters of the Secretary of War of 28 July 1828