Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3,791, for Gridley Thaxter, Massachusetts
Page 1

SERVICE: Mass. Privateer
Thaxter, Gridley
NUMBER: S. 3791
carded
Page 2

Left side:
Letter to Pen Agt. 24th Jany '44 
[faintly crosswise] Reef'd Jany 25

Right side:
15.443 
Massachusetts 
Gridley Thaxter 
of Plymouth in the State of Masstts.
who was a Surgeon in the Ship commanded 
by Captain Simpson of the --- commanded 
by ---  in the Massachusetts Navy
- for 8 mos & 3 days- 
Increased from $162 per ann. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts 
at the rate of 202 Dollars 50 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
*Mass Privateer Records [illegible] Mar 10 '04

Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of January 1844 
and sent to Hon: Wm Parmenter H.R.

Arrears to the 4th of Septr 1843 $2531.25 
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '44. 101.25 
[=] $2632.50 

{Revolutionary Claim,} 
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by ? M Stewart Clerk
Book E Vol. 2 Page 86
Page 3

Gridley Thaxter
Rec[?] $202.50 per yr
Mass pen [priv?]
Act 32

Ex by Sylvester
Page 4

Abington ^Mass on the Novemr 26th 1845 

Willis G Wade Esq 

Dear Sir    Yours of the 15th Mch directed to Gridley Thaxter a Revolutionary Pensioner his Widow or Children came safe to hand in which you suggested the idea that a further allowance of pension might be obtained & for which purpose you offered your services if thought best. In answer to which as one of his children I say that I have consulted with my brother & sisters that our beloved father departed this life the 13th of Feby 1845 that he left no widow & that he received an increase of Pension of $40.50 per ann from the 4th of March 1831 to 4th March 1844 which sum aded [sic] to his former Pension of $162- per ann. brought his Pension to $202.50 per annum up to his decease. Under these circumstances if you should think best to apply for a further increase of Pension please direct a line to Gridley Thaxter Abington Centre - Plymouth County Mass with your proposals which I will inform the rest of the children & if we like them will forward you a power of attorney all the evidence for an increase for further demands are at Washington we cannot prove any thing further than what I have stated 
Yours Respectfully 
Gridley Thaxter
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17420 
Gridley Thaxton
Mass 
Surgeon 8 Mo & 5 days

Jacob St Lord 
Plymouth Mass
Page 6

BRIEF in the case of Gridley Thaxter 
County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts 
(Act 7th June, 1832. )

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 76 years 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period | Duration of Service (Y-M-D) | Rank | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served [Gen. stricken]
July  In 1780 | upwards 8M | Surgeon |  State Ship Mars /Capt. Simpson
Augt 1776 | took 1 prize 4M | do | Speedwell/Capt. Greely
Spring 1777 | 2Y | do | same (Speedwell)/ do
June 1779 | time not stated | do | Wild Cat/ Capt. Ropes 
Spring 1780 | ---- | do | Macaroni/ Ropes
Augt 1781 | blank | do | Congress/blank

5. In what battles was he engaged? hard [?] several fights (& was Taken prisnor) 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Boston 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? documentary & Liveing [sic] witness to apart [sic] of the service, but not certified to be credable [sic]
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attach'd 

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[Signed] J.W Clagett 
Examining Clerk.
Page 7

Gridley Thaxter, son of Capt Samuel Thaxter & of Abigail - born April 9. 1756 
The above is a true Copy of the record of births in Hingham 
Attest James S. Lewis Town Clerk 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Plymouth ss. August 27. 1832 
Then personally appeared the above named James S. Lewis, Town Clerk of said town of Hingham & made solemn oath that the above is a true copy of the record of births in said Hingham, that he verily believe it be a record of the birth of Docter Gridley Thaxter now of Abington in said County who he understands is an applicant for a pension under the law of the United States passed in June last - And I hereby certify that the said Lewis is personally known to me & that his reputation for truth is unquestionable.
[Signed] Ebenr. Gay Just Peace
Page 8

Gridley Thaxter
17420

Evidence
Town Clerks' Certif. of birth
Parole when prisoner in New York
Edwd D. Bangs Secy of State 
Certif: of Service on board State Ship Mars 8 mo 3 days
Jona.Beal & others deposition 
Isaac Phillips Deposition
Page 9

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS. 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, SS. 
On this thirtieth day of September 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before [blank] the Court of Probate now sitting at Hingham within and for said County of Plymouth, Gridley Thaxter a resident of Abington in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy six 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. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. 

That on or about the first day of July in the year seventeen hundred and eighty he entered at Boston on board the State Ship Mars, Captain Sampson Commander, as surgeon of said Ship, in which capacity he served upwards of eight months. That the said Ship sailed from Boston in July aforesaid on a cruize, being ultimately destined for France to procure a cargo of arms for the use of the United States; that this applicant returned to Newbury Port in said Ship in the month of March following & had in the Bay of Biscay on her passage out an engagement with a British Cutter in which two men were killed & four or five wounded. As evidence of this Service he Refers to the deposition of Isaac Phillips a midshipman of said Ship & a certificate from Edward D Bangs Secretary of the Commonwealth - both hereto annexed

That was also engaged in the Service of the United States on board of privateers in the Capacity of Surgeon - as follow 

In the month of August in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy six he was Surgeon on board the Privateer Schooner Speedwell of twelve guns Commanded by Jonathan Greeley - that he cruized four months in said Schooner on the Banks of Newfoundland and off New York - took a Brig and
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In the month of August in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy six he was Surgeon on board the Privateer Schooner Speedwell of twelve guns Commanded by Jonathan Greeley - that he cruized four months in said Schooner on the Banks of Newfoundland and off New York - took a Brig and returned home safe. 
In the Spring of Seventeen hundred Seventy seven he Recommenced cruizing in the Same vessel & same Commander - made six cruises in her from that time to March 1779 - in one of which cruizes he sailed in company with the State Ships Hancock Capt. Manley & the Boston Capt McNeill and were ordered to keep company with them six weeks - After being with them about that time, the vessels were separated in a Gale of wind - Afterwards fell in with the Hancock who had then with her the Fox[?] frigate as prize - In the course of these six cruizes the privateer took several prizes - had two actions - One of them was with a Ship from Liverpool - during the action a States Brig roas [rose?] in sight, when the Ship Struck her Colours & Capt Greeley took possession of her - The other action was with a Scotch Brig of fourteen guns commanded by a Capt McCall - In this action two men were Killed on board the privateer & four or five wounded. 
In June Seventeen hundred & Seventy nine Sailed as Surgeon of the Privateer Wild Cat of Salem David Ropes Commander - Cruised off Halifax & Newfoundland - Took a brig of fourteen guns at the mouth of Halifax harbour, within the light house, but could not get her out as the wind was a head &
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the privateers came out of Halifax to her rescue - took out all the Crew except a boy who hid himself in the hold - The Brig drifted on the rocks & went to pieces. Soon after the privateer had another action with a letter of Margue of sixteen Guns off Cape Briton -  she had two men killed and five or six wounded - She was then obliged to haul off and went into Caberous [Gabarus] bay to Refit - Came out, took a letter of Margue Ship mounting twelve guns bound to Quebec and an unnamed Brig bound also to Quebec- Both prizes got safe to Salem - Soon after took a Kings Schooner of twelve guns off the mouth of St Johns harbour in Newfoundland and the same night the privateer was taken by the Surprise Frigate Capt Reeves & carried into St. Johns and the crew, with this applicant among them put on board the Prison ship Proteus - remained there two or three months afterwards carried to Halifax, put on board a prison ship there one month & then returned to Boston in a Cartel - For evidence of this last mentioned Service this applicant refers to the deposition of Jonathan Neal, Mr Townsend & John Edwards hereto annexed.
In the Spring of Seventeen hundred & eighty this applicant shipped at Salem in the Privateer Macaroni William Patterson Commander - sailed on a Cruise & was taken ten or twelve days out by the Sloop of War Delight Capt Ingalls - Carried into New York, confined there in the Prison Ship three weeks - then parolled at Jamaica on Long Island - exchanged in June and arrived in a Cartel at Boston about the first of July & then immediately entered as surgeon on board the Ship Mars as above stated - As evidence of his parole at New York he annexes two papers one under his hand & seal acknowledging himself a prisoner dated at New York 3 May 1780 & the other a permission signed N England dated 21 May 1780 to pass from Jamaica to
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was taken ten or twelve days out by the Sloop of War Delight Capt Ingalls - Carried into New York, confined there in the Prison Ship three weeks - then parolled at Jamaica on Long Island - exchanged in June and arrived in a Cartel at Boston about the first of July & then immediately entered as surgeon on board the Ship Mars as above stated - As evidence of his parole at New York he annexes two papers one under his hand & seal acknowledging himself a prisoner dated at New York 3 May 1780 & the other a permission signed N England dated 21 May 1780 to pass from Jamaica to the town and to return at sundown. And this applicant further states that he was born in Hingham in said County of Plymouth on the ninth day of April in the year Seventeen hundred & fifty five- 
that it was always the place of his residence till within the last forty nine years during which he has resided in Abington aforesaid 
He has no written discharge from the Mars, nor from any of the privateer Service. He believes none were given. He further states that in August Seventeen hundred & eighty one he shipped as Surgeon at Salem in the Privateer Ship Congress - David Ropes Commander of twenty guns started for the Coast of Newfoundland - Soon after getting there was taken by the L'Oiseau, Capt Lloyd & carried into St Johns Newfoundland, imprisoned on board the Prison Ship Proteus about two months, then sent to Boston in a Cartel Commanded by a nephew of Admiral Graves 
[Signed] Gridley Thaxter

Terms of Service 
8mo. 3 days} In State Service on board the Mars
4mo. -- Schr. Speedwell }
2 yrs -- do }
4[mo] -- Wild Cat }
	-- Macaroni } privateers

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
Attest Jacob H Loud Register
Page 13

We, Nicholas B. Whitney a clergyman, residing in the town of Hingham and Peter Hersey residing in the said town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Gridley Thaxter who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy six years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion. 
[Signed] Nicholas B. Whitney
[Signed] Peter Hersey
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Nicholas B. Whitney who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Hingham and that Peter Hersey who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
By the Court Attest [Signed] Jacob H. Loud Register 

I, Jacob A Loud Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Gridley Thaxter for a pension.  
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
[SEAL]
[Signed] Jacob H Loud
Page 14

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section 
AWF/eel

April 29, 1929

Sally Thaxter Whitmarsh 
U. S. Post 96 
Sunmount, New York 

Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3791, it appears that Gridley Thaxter (son of Captain Samuel Thaxter and Abigail), was born, April 9, 1756, at Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
While residing there, he served as a surgeon as follows: 
From August, 1776, four months on board the privateer, "Speedwell", Captain Jonathan Greeley and cruised off the Banks of Newfoundland and New York; from the spring of 1777, to March, 1779, he made six trips on the same vessel and same captain, had two engagements and captured several prizes; from June, 1779, on board the privateer, "Wildcat", Captain Ropes, went to Halifax, had an engagement with a British ship off Cape Breton and captured two prizes, also captured a king's schooner of twelve guns
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after which they were captured by the British frigate, "Surprise" and carried to St. Johns, put on board a prison ship and held two or three months, then carried to Halifax and held one month when carried to Boston; from the spring of 1780, on the privateer "Maccaroni", Captain William Patterson, was captured by the sloop of war, "Delight" carried to New York and held on a prison ship three months, when paroled, May 3, 1780, and exchanged in June; from July 9, 1780, on board the state ship, "Mars", Captain Sampson, had an engagement with a British cutter in the Day of Biscay and returned to Newburyport, March 12, 1781; from August, 1781, on the privateer "Congress", Captain Ropes, sailed to Newfoundland, was captured and carried to St. Johns and held on a prison ship about two months. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 30, 1832, at which time he was living at Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. 

The soldier died February 13, 1845, leaving no widow, but left children, the only name stated being Gridley. 

In 1843, Adam W. Thaxter testified in the case and stated that he was in the sixty-fourth year of his age and was living in Boston, Massachusetts, no relationship stated. 

Respectfully, 
E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner.
Page 16

3791 
INVALID.
File No. 3791 
Gridley Thaxter 
Sgn. Mass, Navy  
Act: June 7, '32
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 372 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Mass & Privateer Records corrected Mar 10 '04 

Crosswise right:
1929 April 29 - Hist to Sally J Whitmarch awf
Page 17

Left:
15443 
Massachusetts 
Gridley Thaxter 
of Plymouth in the State of Mass 
who was a Surgeon, in the Ship commanded 
by Captain Sampson of the --- commanded
by ---- in the Mass line
for 8 months & 3 days
State Navy
Mass & Privateer Records corrected Mar 10 '044

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts 
at the rate of 162 Dollars -- Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of June 1833 
and sent J.H. Loud Plymouth Mass. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $324.00 
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "  81.00
[=] $405.00 

{Revolutionary Claim,} 
{Act June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2d Page 84 

Right:
let. to Hon. W Parmenter June 6 1843
"   "    " Decem 10, 43 

66
x3 
=198
160.00 + 1.98 [=162.00]
Plymo 78
Page 18

Gridley Thaxter
Mass & Privateer S3791
Page 19

I Gridley Thaxter late Surgeon on board the Privateer Maccaroni from Salem Do hereby acknowledge myself a Prisoner of War to the King of Great-Britain; and pledge my Faith, and most sacredly Promise upon my Parole of Honour, that I will not do, say, write, or cause to be done, said, or written, directly or indirectly, in any Respect whatever, any Thing to the Prejudice of His Majesty's Service, before I am duly exchanged; and that I will confine myself to such Limits as shall be prescribed by the Commissary-General of Naval Prisoners, or his Deputy; and that when required, I will deliver myself up again. 
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, at New-York, this third Day of May 1780. 
[Signed] Gridley Thaxter [SEAL]
PRESENT.
[Signed] Tho P Hewlings
Page 20

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston May 16. 1843 
[Ribboned Seal]
I hereby Certify, That at the dates of their attestations annexed Jared Whitman was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth, and Franklin Haven was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, 
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court. 

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written 
[Signed] Jno. A. Bolles 
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 21

Commonwealth of Massachusetts} 
Plymouth County} ss. 
On this ninth day of May 1843, personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Gridley Thaxter, a resident of Abington in the County of Plymouth aged Eighty seven years who being duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath state That he was Surgeon in the Navy of the Revolution and served according to the best of his recollection as follows-- He entered on board the Schooner Speedwell of 12 Guns, Commanded by Capt Jonathan Greely of Boston in the early part of the war and went seven Cruises in her. Was Surgeon of this Ship during the whole period - I was twenty years old at that time. - I then went on board the Wild Cat Capt. Danl Ropes of Salem and was soon after taken prisoner -  I also went out with Capt Patterson in a Brig called the Mackeroni, was taken prisoner, and carried into New York. I then went on board a new Ship built in Boston called the Congress, was taken prisoners and carried to Newfoundland and kept till fall & then sent home.
I next went on board the Mars - a State Ship - and entered as Surgeon of said Ship - and sailed from Boston to a Port in France - I was in said Ship in that capacity a year or more before I was discharged. The said Ship was commanded by Capt Sampson.
[Signed] Gridley Thaxter

[Signed] Before Jared Whitman Justice Peace
Page 22

And the ^within declarant further alleges That he was pensioned for his services as aforesaid under the Act of 7th June 1832 at $162.00 per annum and for further particulars and proof of said services would refer to his original application.
Now the object of this declaration being made is in order to obtain an increased rate of pension at the rate of fifty dollars per month for the Revolutionary services performed by me as Surgeon aforesaid in the Navy of the Revolution which increased rate I believe to be honestly due to me according to the spirit of the law of 1832 and which I now claim from the 4th of March 1831, to the present time 
[Signed] Gridley Thaxter
Witness [Signed] Gridley Thaxter Jr
Page 23

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first written and I further certify That Dr. Thaxter has been for the last fifty five years past a Physician of highly respectable standing in the County of Plymouth and is personally known to me to be entitled to full credit and belief. 
[Signed] Jared Whitman 
Justice of the Peace in & for said County
Page 24

I Adam W. Thaxter of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, on oath testify and say that I am now in the sixty fourth year of my age and have been well acquainted with Dr. Gridley Thaxter from my childhood to the present time. I have always understood from him and others that he was a Surgeon in the Navy of the Revolution and served for a considerable period during the War. I am knowing to the fact of his being a Pensioner of the U.S. and having carefully examined the declaration hereto annexed I believe the statements therein made are strictly true.
[Signed] Adam W. Thaxter

Suffolk County, City of Boston, ss. May 12th 1843. 
Then personally appeared Admin W. Thaxter Esqr and made oath, to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me, and I further certify That said Thaxter is well known in this community as a gentleman of good standing & respectability.
[Signed] Franklin Haven 
Justice of the Peace
Page 25

Washington Jany 2, 1844 

Sir
Referring to your letter to me of 20th ulto I now enclose for increase and arrears of Pension the Certificate of Dr. Gridley Thaxter.
Respectfully
Yr Obedt Servt
[Signed] Wm Parmenter

James L. Edwards Esqr
Page 26

State of Massachusetts 
Essex County ss.
We the undersigned Jonathan Neal merchant Moses Townsend merchant and John Edwards Gentleman all of Salem in said County of Essex on oath depose & say that we served on board of the privateer WildCat in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & seventy nine. Mr Gridley Thaxter then of Hingham was likewise on board of said Brig Wild Cat, in the capacity of Surgeon. We have no doubt of the fact, that said Thaxter served on board of said Brig in the manner stated by him. Said Privateer left the port of Salem, some time in the month of June AD 1779 on a cruise against the British off the Coast of Newfoundland. We succeeded in taking four prizes two of which arrived safely in Salem. We were out about six weeks, when we were captured by the British Frigate Surprize Capn. Reeves, and were sent as prisoners into St Johns. 
[Signed] Jon Neal
[Signed] M Townsend
[Signed] John Edwards

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Essex County ss. Salem Aug. 3d 1832  Then the above named Jonathan Neal Moses Townsend & John Edwards personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by them subscribed before me 
[Signed] Joseph G Waters Jus Pe
Page 27

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
County of Essex ss. 
I John Prince jr Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court in & for said County of Essex hereby certify, that Joseph G Waters, before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn, is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County and duly qualified to administer oaths, and that the foregoing signature of the said Waters is in his proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of Said Court on this fourth day of August AD 1832 
[SEAL]
[Signed] John Prince jr Clk
Page 28

Left side:
Issue new Certificate
8 mo. 3 ds. Surgeon
[=] $202.50
Deduct what has been paid

Hon: Wm Parmenter
Ho. Rep.

Right side:
Payment to be made
at Boston Mass
by the Prest. of [illegible] Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of Mass

Recorded in the Pension Office,
in Book E Vol. 2
Page 84 by D.D. Addison
Clerk.
Page 29

WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Revolutionary Claim. 
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832, Gridley Thaxter of the State of Massachusetts who was a Sergeon in the Navy of the Revolution 
is entitled to receive One hundred & Sixty two dollars 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 Fourteenth day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three. 
[SEAL]
[Signed] John Robb
Acting Secretary of War.

Examined and}
Countersigned.}
[Signed] J L Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 30

Early in our Revolutionary War I entered as a Midshipman on board the armed Ship Cumberland, and after a Successful cruise in that Ship - I again volunteered in the same Capacity and entered onboard the States Ship Mars, Capt Sampson - equipped at the expence of the State of Massachusetts & which Ship was ^sent from Boston to France for a Cargo of arms - which had been purchased by our agent there for the United States. On our passage out-  in the Bay of Biscay - we fell in with a British Cutter, Sloop rigged, and with which we had a severe action of about one hour losing several men Killed together with our Lieut of Marines a valuable officer - Having in the action lost several important spars and our mainmast wounded - it was thought advisable to make for the port of our destination without loss of time. During the criuze and while in port in Nantz, France I have great pleasure in calling to mind the many happy hours passed in Company with the Surgeon of our ship, Doct. Gridley Thaxter, I believe - a native of Hingham Massachusetts. 
Having taken in our Cargo of Arms, we sailed for Boston and on our passage home Captured and conducted into the port of Boston a Brig belonging to Bermuda called the Little Porgy from London - with a Cargo of dry goods. A dilemma worth mentioning occurred, on our arrival at
Page 31

at Painboeuf in the River Loire, bound up to Nantz - We were visited by an officer from the Shore, who could speak no English, and having no one on board, who could speak French; we had obliged to have recourse to the Doctors Latin, through the medium of which, he was enabled to make known the particulars of our Ship &c 
The cruize & Voyage of the Ship Mars occupied about twelve months; during which time the said surgeon and myself formed part of the Ships Company; our cruise and voyage commenced in the Summer of 1780, during this period and before and after, my Father was a member of the Board of War of the State of Massachusetts, and the Ship Mars and Brigs Hazard & Tyranicide were fitted out by the said State; and much of their preparations were done under the directions of my Father. 
I served also on board private armed Ships during the Revolutionary War, in all, at least two years, exclusive of the time I served on board the Ship Mars. 
Baltimore 15th August 1832 
[Signed] Isaac Phillips
Page 32

Maryland 
City of Baltimore ss.
On this 15th day of August 1832, personally appeared Isaac Phillips, before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for the City of Baltimore, and made Oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God that the facts and statements forth in the foregoing narrative & Deposition are just and true to the best of his knowledge recollection and belief - 
Sworn to before 
[Signed] Saml Pickering

State of Maryland Baltimore County ss. 
I hereby Certify that Samuel Pickering, Gentleman, before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who hath hereto subscribed his name, was, at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the City of Baltimore duly commissioned and sworn
In Testimony Whereof I hereto set my Hand & affix the Seal of Baltimore County Court this fifteenth day of August Eighteen hundred and thirty two 
[SEAL]
[Signed] Arad Israel Clk
Page 33

East Cambridge May 16. 1843 

Sir
I enclose the application of Dr Gridley Thaxter for increase of Pension in rate and for additional service to that herebefore allowed
Respectfully 
Yr Obedt Servt
Wm Parmenter

James L. Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pensions
Washington
Page 34

Washington Decr 15 1843 

Sir
Some time since I believe in May last I forwarded the papers of Dr Gridley Thaxter for increased allowance as Surgeon in the Revolutionary War. As soon as convenient I should be pleased to know the decision of the Department in the case 
Respy
Yr Obedt Servt
[Signed] Wm Parmenter

James L. Edwards Esqr.
Page 35

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Gridley Thaxter 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? No[?]
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 amout of pension he is entitled? No 
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 
VII. Has the Court given their opinion? 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
Page 36

2
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? documtary & Liveing Witness who testafy to apart of his Service 
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? 
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? No 
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? Yes
XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 

EXPLANATORY NOTES. 
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how 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 ____ 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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3
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 objection able. 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. 
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.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
Secretary's Office, August 20th 1832. 
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 the name of Gridley Thaxter is borne on a roll of the officers and men belonging to the Ship Mars in the service of the State of Massachusetts; and he is therein stated to have served as Surgeon of said Ship from July 9 1780 to March 12, 1781- eight months and three days. 
[Signed] Edward D Bangs Secy
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THE AMERICAN RED CROSS 
U.S. Post 96
Sunmount N.Y.
Sept. 27/28

[Receipt mark] U.S. Pension Office OCT 11 1928

Commissioner of Pensions 

Dear Sir,
As I am a grandaughter of the American Rev [illegible], and am about to join the Daughters of the Am Rev. I shall greatly appreciate any data you may furnish me with Record of service and family data of Dr. Gridley Thaxter of Massachusetts. 
As Dr. Thaxter was my mothers father, I am entering the Society thru these channels. Thanking you
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for any information you may send me. I remain
Respectfully yours,
[Signed] Sally Thaxter Whitmarsh R.N.
U.S. Post 96
Sunmount NY

P.S. Would say I served a year in the World War as an Army Nurse and am a member of the American Legion. 
Trusting you will give my request your early attention. I remain
Very truly,
[Signed] Sally Thaxter Whitmarsh R.N.