Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37044, Joseph Green, Navy (N.H.)
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(3-1776)
Service
Navy (N. H.)  Green, Joseph   Number S. 37044

Contents
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Notification sent December 20, 1820 to R. C. Vose  Augusta, Maine
May 28, 1822 A 13
6185  Maine
Joseph Green, Mainer N H
Ship Ranger J P Jones 1 Year in the Navy of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of the District of Maine at the rate of 6 Dollars per month, to commence the 9th of July 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Jany 1819 and [illegible] C R C Vose. Augusta, Maine
Arrears to 4th of 5 yr. 1810 1 mo 23/31 4/30 14.99
Semi-anl. all'ee ending 4th March  1819 $48.00
$62.99
{Revolutionary Claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}
Bowdoin.

Continued
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Joseph Green, Bowdoin, Lincoln County.  Midshipman Ship Ranger 
Cap John P. Jones
June 1777 to May 1778 
1 year July 9 1818
Admitted
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Joseph Green Midshipman on 6 Ship Ranger.
M Paul Jones
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

I Joseph Green, a citizen of the United States aged seventy nine years, born in Portsmouth New Hampshire, now of Bowdoinham in the District of Maine, under oath testify and declare, that in October 1777 I shipped as a midshipman for a cruise of under months, at Portsmouth on board the United States Ship Ranger of twenty guns commanded by John Paul Jones Esq, in the War of the Revolution, against the common enemy, upon the continental naval establishment. We sailed from Portsmouth on our cruse the first of November 1777 and shipped for France. In the same month of November on our passage, we took two new merchant vessels from the enemy, and I was made prize master of the Prize Brigantine Mary and ordered  for France. My written orders from Capt Jones are hereunto annexed. I arrived at Nantes in France with my prize in December following where my ship Ranger had arrived before me.
I soon afterwards returned to the said ship Ranger. We sailed from Nantes, and cruised in the Irish channel, took a number of prizes, burnt two ships in the harbor of Whitehaven. We took also the British sloop of war Drake of twenty guns, after a severe engagement, and carried her into Brest. We there refitted, and in December 1778, after I had served fourteen months, we sailed on our return to America. Capt Jones had then left the ship and Lieut. Thomas Simpson had the command. After we
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had been at sea five weeks, and had taken two prizes from the enemy.  I was put as prize master on board a private brig, in which prize about a fortnight after, I was taken by the enemy, and carried into Cork in Ireland when I was taken, I lost my midshipman's warrant and all my papers, except the annexed orders, which were accidentally preserved.  At Cork I was shipped on board an enemy merchant ship and sailed to New York, where I made my escape and returned home to Portsmouth, when I arrived in May 1779.  The ship Ranger never returned to Portsmouth, but was taken and burnt afterwards by the enemy.
From my reduced circumstances, I need the assistance of my Country for support, and I do hereby relinquish all my claim to every pension heretofore allowed me by the las of the U. States, if any; but I am not to my knowledge borne on any pension list whatever.
[signature] Joseph Green

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Kennebec SS 
On the eighth day of July A.D. 1818 Joseph Green abovenamed after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the above declaration, by him subscribed.  Before me, Nathan Weston [illegible] Just C.C.C. Phas 2d E. Circuit
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Cgf
Copy  State of Maine.
Kennebec County, SS.
On this Third day of June, 1820, personally appeared before Nathan Weston, [illegible] Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Sommerset, being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common law; having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Joseph Greene aged eighty one years, resident in Bowdoinham in the County of Lincoln within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz.  on board the Ship Ranger commanded by Capt. John Paul Jones upon the Continental Establishment, for the period of fourteen months. that his original declaration was made before Judge Weston on the ninth day of July 1818; that he is now on the Maine Roll and that his pension certificate is numbered 6185.  And I, the said Joseph Greene do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, since that time, by give, sale, or in any manner whatever, 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 eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.  
Joseph Green

The following is a Schedule of my whole estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, viz:  one cow and one heifer both of the value of twenty dollars - seven  sheep and four lambs of the value of fourteen dollars - old household stuff, [illeg] necessary bedding, not exceeding ten dollars. I have no debts due to me the income derived from the above property does not exceed ten dollars a year   My occupation was a Seaman, but from age and infirmity am wholly unable to labor and have been so for ten years past - my family consists of myself and my wife Mary aged Seventy Seven years wholly unable to labor we live with our four sons and are wholly dependent upon the bounty of Government for our support except the foregoing and my [illegible] clothing and bedding I have no [illegible] or income whatsoever.
Joseph Green.
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Subscribed sworn to and declared, both the oath & schedule, on this third day of June 1820
Before me, Nathan Weston Jus of P
CCC Pleas

A true Copy,
Attest  J M Davis llk
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Lincoln Js Circuit Court of Common Pleas
August Lunn 1820 Received and filed 
Attest Nat. Coffin Clerk
A true Copy Attest Nat. Coffin Clerk
37 297 79
Joseph Green
819
61885 
March 1819
Declaration is to lie
Made in the Court of the County where the Declarant resides
R C Vose Augusta Maine
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Joseph Green W. 28282
Joseph Green
S. 37044
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. Mary Pelham Hill
10 Elm Street
Topsham, Maine

Dear Madam:

The data furnished herein concerning the Joseph Greens in whom you are interested were obtained from pension claims, based upon their service during the Revolutionary War.
Joseph Green-W.23282
The data which follow relative to Joseph Green were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W.23282, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.
Joseph Green was a native of Falmouth, Cumberland County, District of Maine; the date of his birth and names of parents were not stated. 
While resided in Falmouth, Joseph Green enlisted January 1, 1777 and served as a private in Captain Burbanks' company in Colonel Sprout's Massachusetts regiment, and was discharged December 31, 1779.
He married November 7, 1784 at Falmouth, District of Maine, Hannah Colbert.  He died September 12, 1785.  The widow, Hannah Green, married October 7, 1788, Eleazer Hill of North Yarmouth, Cumberland County, District of Maine; he died December 21, 1831.
The widow, Hannah Hill, was allowed pension on
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account of the service of her husband, Joseph Green, on her application executed April 11, 1846, at which time she was aged eighty-three years and living in North Yarmouth, Maine.

It was not stated whether they had children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the widow, Hannah Hill, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data:

Hannah Hill, widow of Joseph Green
Certificate # 3908
Issued February 16, 1849
Rate $80.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1848
Act of February 2, 1848
Maine Agency.

**********

Joseph Green-S.37044

The data which follow concerning Joseph Green were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 37044, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.

Joseph Green was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: date of his birth not shown, nor were the names of his parents stated.

While residing in Portsmouth, this Joseph Green shipped sometime in October, 1777 as midshipman on the United States Ship "Ranger", commanded by Captain John Paul Jones, and sailed from Portsmouth bound for France, in November, 1777 he was put in command of Brigantine
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"Mary" a merchant vessel captured from the enemy, which he landed at Nantes, France; he then returned to the "Ranger", cruised in the Irish Channel and captured several prizes, and was in an engagement with the British Ship "Drake", was again put in command of a
captured Brig, with which he was captured and carried to Cork, Ireland, from thence shipped to New York in an enemy merchant vessel, from which he escaped in New York, and returned to his home in Portsmouth, New
Hampshire in May, 1779.
Joseph Green was allowed pension on his
application executed July 9, 1818, at which time he was aged seventy nine years and living in Bowdoinham, Lincoln County, District of Maine.
His wife, Mary, was aged in 1820 seventy-seven years, and he then referred to four sons, names not given.
Joseph Green died May 28, 1822.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further data in regard to family.
In order to obtain the name and address of the
person paid the last payment of this pension, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C. and furnish the following data:
Joseph Green
Certificate # 6185
Issued January 28, 1819
Rate $8.00 per with
Commenced July 9, 1818
Act of March 18, 1818
Maine Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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October 6, 1937
BA-J/AWF
Joseph Green $37044

Mrs. Mary Pelham Hill
10 Elm Street
Topsham, Maine
Dear Madam:
Your letters of September 20, 21, and October 2, addressed to the Pension Department, the Archives Department, and Veterans Administration, have all been received by this department as the Revolutionary War
pension records are in the custody of the Veterans Administration.  You request the Revolutionary War records of Joseph Green of Cumberland County, Maine, who you state received a pension while living in that
state, and Joseph Green of Bowdoinham, Maine, a pensioner.
Their records are furnished herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
-----
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____________, 19___
S37044

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military  history of Joseph Green a soldier in the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
======
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
-------
Oct. 1777 | -- | Midshipman, on U.S.S. Ranger commanded by John Paul Jones; in Nov. 1777 put in command of Brigantine Mary, a captured merchant vessel which he landed at Nantes, France, then returned to Ranger, was an engagement with British ship Drake, than again put in command of captured Brig with which he was captured & carried to Cook Island, from there stopped to NY in an enemy merchant vessel, escaped from it in NY & returned home in May 1779.

*Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Portsmouth, NH
Date of application for pension, July 8, 1818 [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Bowdoinham, Me.
Age at date of application, 79 born in Portsmouth NH date not stated
Remarks: In 1820 his wife Mary was 77 years old & they had 4 sons names not stated, there is no further data on file as to family

* Aided in capturing many vessels

Respectfully,

5-2856 Joseph Green died May 28, 1822. 
A.B.
Commissioner.
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3

BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
DEC 1 1921 19__
Chief of Rev. War Section
Sir:
I have this day received from
Mr. C. M. Bryant 
Cash  30/100
requesting copy as per letter herewith.
ting post of addresses
letter herewith.
(handwritten)
Copy delivered to Mr. C.M. Bryant in person Dec. 1, 1921
AW
Very respectfully,
O.J. Randall
Chief of [Illegible]
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Cash 300 from Mr. C. M. Bryant Dep Comr's
Room, Bureau, for copies of two pages from Rev
War & use of Joseph Green, Navy S 7.37044 
Proctor [Illegible]
12/1/21

(Dept. Stamp)
FINANCE DIVISION
DEC 1 1921
BEREAU OF PENSIONS

no Receipt required
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(MF 42)    Date Nov 29 1921.
Name Joseph Green
No. 37044
Navy of Rev 
Photographic copies wanted of 1
pieces, consisting of 7 pages.
Remarks: 1 neg & 1 positive copy
-
A.E. Wilson
exr. J.A. Wood
Chief Record Dive
Serial 5732
Law Clerk.
No. ___
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MISS MARY PELHAM HILL
10 ELM STREET, TOPSHAM, MAINE
CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION
VITAL RECORDS OF MAINE
October 2nd., 1937,
To the Director of Pensions,
Dear Sir; 
Since writing your office, and
having received no reply, I am giving you
more information which I have learned, since
writing you, and that is,
List 35c Green, Joseph Cont. navy Mids8pm
83 yrs. Lincoln County Maine,
Died May 28, 1822,
of ship "Ranger".
He was of Bowdoinham Maine,
Do not know where he was born or came from
to Maine, and any information which you
may be able to give me in connection with
him, or his family, will be fully appreciated
and I am very truly yours,
Mary Pelham Hill
(Received Stamp)
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MISS MARY PELHAM HILL.
10 ELM STREET, TOPSHAM, MAINE
CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION
VITAL RECORDS OF MAINE
September 21st, 1937,

To the Pension Dept.,
Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs;-
Will you kindly give me whatever you
may have on your records relating to one
Joseph Green,
who died I believe in Bowdoinham Maine.
He was a pensioner, from Maine.
An early reply will be appreciated, and I am very truly yours,
Mary Pelham Hill
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1FD3
Revo
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
I am anxious to learn something of
Joseph Green and his service in the War of
the Revolution, I have searched for records in
every place I can think of before venturing to
trouble you.  All I have found was at the State
Library in Augusta, Maine, in a list of Pensioners of the American Revolution, Vol. 4, is this record.  "Joseph Green, Midshipman in
Continental navy. Annual allowance $96, Placed or pension roll Jan. 28, 1819, commencement
of pension July 9, 1818.  Died May 28, 1822, Age 83"
Can you give me the date & place of his birth
and any particulars of his service?
I shall be very grateful for any data you 
may be able to send
Very sincerely
Lillian Tarr Freeman
6 Crescent St.
Westerly, Rhode Island
March 14, 1921,

(Pension Office stamp March 15 1921)
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left column
1921 Apr 16 Hist. to L. T. Freeman AW
1921 Dec. 1 Copy of J. P. Jones letter
delivered to Mr. C. M. Bryant
of Deputy Commr's Room, Bureau
of Pensions. AW
1937 - Oct. 6 - hist Mary
Pellican Hill AW

right column
Invalid
File No. 37044 Navy
Joseph Green
Mariner
Ship "Ranger"
Revolutionary

Act March 18, 1818.
Index : Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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By John Paul Jones Esq  Captain of the American Navy [at] Sea

Mr Joseph Green
Sir,
You are hereby appointed Commander of 
our Prize the Brigantine Mary. you are to Navigate her with all possible dispatch to Nantes Bordeaux, or some other of the most convenient and safe Ports in France, should you be able to hold way with the Ranger you are to keep Company untill I give  yourOrders to make the best of your Way, either by hailing you, or if at a distance by hoisting a Jack at the Maintop gallant mast head, I depend on you being particularly careful that no part of the Cargo be embezzled or destroyed, on your arrival you are to make application by Letter or Personally to H. Lee, or Thomas Morris Esqrs. American Agents at Nantes and Bordeaux, who are authorized to make sale of the Prize, should you meet with any of the Enemy Ships, you are to personate the late Master Thos. Riches, Hail from malaga, and let one of your men pass for the mate, the rest for the Crew, you are not to leave the Vessel, yourself untill you see her Cargo delivered of which you are to take a particular
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particular, and exact Amount, you are also to take an inventory of the Vessels Stores, and you are to return the Miditerranean pass to me together with any other papers which you may discover on board, you are notwithstanding to Obey all future orders from me however different the foregoing.

Given on board the Ranger at Sea
23 day of November 1777
Jn P Jones




(Office stamp)
The National Archives
Of the 
United States

(Notation)
S. FILE 37044
Joseph Green 
NAVY
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State of Maine.

I Nathl. Coffin Clerk, for the County of Lincoln of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the second Eastern Circuit, embracing the counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do here by certify, that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and that the original was exhibited in open 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, including debts due to the declarant therein stated, is forty four dollars not deducting therefrom the amount of what the declarant owes, as set forth in said Schedule.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this thirtieth day of August 1820.

Nathl. Coffin Clerk of said Court for the County of Lincoln
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Copy
By John Paul Jones Esq. Captain of the American Navy &c.

Mr. Joseph Green
Sir
You are hereby appointed Commander of our
Prize the Brigantine Mary, you are to navigate her with all possible despatch to Nantes Bourdeaux, or some other of the most convenient and safe Ports in France.  Should you be able to hold way with the Ranger you are to keep company, untill I give you orders
to make the best of your way, either by hailing you, or if at a distance by hoisting a Jack at the main top gallant mast head.  I depend on your being particularly careful that no part of the Cargo be embezzled or destroyed, on your arrival you are to make application by letter, or personally to Wm. Lee, or Thomas Morris Esqrs.
American Agent at Manton and Bourdeaux, who are authorized to make sale of the Prize, should you meet with any of the enemy's ships
you are to personate the late Master Thos. Rishes, Hail from Malaga, and let one of your men pass for the mate, the rest for the crrw, you are not to leave the vessel yourself untill you see her cargo delivered of which you are to take a particular and exact amount, you are
also to take an inventory of the Vessels Stores, and you are to return the Mediterranean pass to me together with any other papers which you may discover on board, you are notwithstanding to obey all future
Orders from me however different the foregoing.
Given on board the Ranger at Sea
23d day of November 1777.
Signed      Jno P. Jones
File in claim of Joseph Green
Sur File 37044
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Copy

By John Paul Jones Esq. Captain of the American Navy &c.
Mr. Joseph Green
Sir
You are hereby appointed Commander of our
Prize the Brigantine Mary, you are to navigate her with all possible despatch to Nantes Bourdeaux, or some other of the most convenient and safe Ports in France.  Should you be able to hold way with the Ranger you are to keep company, untill I give you orders
to make the best of your way, either by hailing you, or if at a distance by hoisting a Jack at the main top gallant mast head.  I depend on your being particularly careful that no part of the Cargo be embezzled or destroyed, on your arrival you are to the application by letter, or personally to Wm. Lee, or Thomas Morris Esqrs., American Agents at Nantes and Bourdeaux, who are authorized to make
sale of the Prize, should you meet with any of the Enemy's ships you are to personate the late Master Thos. Rishes, Hail from Malaga,
and let one of your man pass for the mate, the rest for the crew, you are not to leave the vessel yourself untill you see her cargo delivered of which you are to take a particular and exact amount, you are also to take an inventory of the Vessels Stores, and you are to return the Mediterranean pass to me together with any other papers which you may discover on board, you are notwithstanding to obey all future Orders from me however different the foregoing.
Given on board the Ranger at Sea
23d day of November 1777.
Signed
Jno P. Jones
File in claim of Joseph Green
Sur File 37044
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War of the United States.
I the subscribed, being Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do hereby certify to your Honor,
that Joseph Green, a citizen of the United States, now resident in
Bowdoinham, in the said County of Lincoln, in the District of Maine, on the eighth day of July 
A.D. 1818, made application to me to receive his declaration under oath, and such other evidence, as was in his power to produce;
and to transmit the same, and the proceedings had thereon, to your Honor; that he might be placed on the pension list of the United States, agreeably to the provisions of an Act, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war,"
passed March 18, A.D. 1818, which declaration, and the other evidence produced by the said applicant, is hereunto annexed.
And I do further certify to your Honor, that after a full examination of the said applicant, and a careful consideration of the evidence in the case, it appears to me that the said applicant did serve as a non commissioned officer in the naval service of the United States, in the war of the revolution, against the common enemy upon the continental naval establishment for more than nine months, as stated in his declaration aforesaid, and
that from his reduced circumstances, he needs the assistance of his country for support.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the Court in which I preside, to be hereunto affixed, this fifteenth day of July in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Nathan Weston [Illegible]
C. C. C. Pleas  2d E. Circuit.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

KENNEBEC, SS.

THE Subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the said County of Kennebec, hereby certifies, that the Honorable NATHAN WESTON, Junior, Esquire, before whom the annexed proceedings were held, is Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset; and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed unto his Certificate bearing his signature, the seal of the said Court in which he presides.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand: Dated at Augusta, in said County of Kennebec, this fourteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
John Davis
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We the Subscribers Assessors of Taxes for the town of Bowdoinham in the County of Lincoln & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that the property of Joseph Green of said Bowdoinham is valued by us as follows -Viz.
Real Estate - $133.00
Personal Estate - 21.00

And we further certify that the said Green is about 80 years old as we believe and is decriped in consequence of wounds received in the War of the American Revolution, as also in consequence of old age.
Robert Wilson
Eliha Hatch } Selectmen & Assessors of the town of Bowdoinham

Lincoln SS July 13th, 1818 Personally appeared the above named Joseph Green & made oath that the foregoing statement subscribed by the selectmen [illegible] of the [illegible] Bowdoinham is true before me.
Samuel Gray, Just Peace

Bowdoinham July 13, 1818 I hereby certify that Joseph Green aforenamed is in low circumstances in life and that his property (if any he have) is not competent to give him a decent and comfortable support; and that he stands in need of the assistance of his country's support.
Samuel Gray
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administrative Archives

NAME Green, Joseph
GRADE Private
LINE New Hampshire

WARRANT NUMBER 3136
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Aug. 26, 1790 to Manassah Cutler, assignee

-----

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.