Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19173, William Wyman, Mass.
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(3 - 1776)

SERVICE 
Mass.

Wyman, William

NUMBER
S. 19173
B.L. Wt. 29750-160-55

carded O.K.

CONTENTS
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Typed document completed in handwriting

1851

State of Maine
County of Sagadahoc

On this twentieth day of March A.D. 1855 personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, William, Wyman aged ninty two years, a resident of Phipsburg in said county who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical William Wyman who was a private in Capt. James McCobb in the detached [strikethrough] Drafted [strikethrough] Men, commanded by Lieut. Wm Sprague in the war of the Revolution with Great Britain, [strikethrough] declared by the United States, on the 18th day of June 1812; [strikethrough] that he was drafted at Phipsburg then Georgetown on or about the first day of April A.D. 1776 for the term of time indefinite and continued in actual service in the said war for the term of thirty months and was honorably discharged at Phipsburg [Phippsburg] on or about the last day of November A.D. 1780, as will appear by reference to the evidence in his pension case that he received no printed, or written discharge, that he has never received nor applied for, and is not entitled to bounty land for any other service [strikethrough] except that he received, for the same service, under the act of September, 1850, a warrant for 40 acres, No. - [strikethrough]

That he makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which he may be entitled under the act of March 3d, 1855, -  and that he prays that the certificate thereof may be sent for him to HORATIO WOODMAN, Boston, Mass.
Wm Wyman

Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, the day and year first above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said William Wyman to be the identical man who served as aforesaid, and that he is of the age above stated. I have no interest in this case. & I know him to be the person he represents himself to be my disinterestedness is such that Wyman pays me for my service without regard to the result
J.F. Mereen { Justice of the Peace

State of Maine
County of Sagadahoc

We William Wyman and Charles O. Spinney having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we are residents of Phipsburg in the said county, that we well know William Wyman who now applies for Bounty Land, -- that he is a credible and respectable person, -- that we have full confidence in the statements of his affidavit, executed & acknowledged in our presence, -- and that we are disinterested.
William Wyman Sr
Charles O. Spinney

Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this 20 day of March A. D. 1855
[Text covered by other illegible paper] Certify that the deponents are credible, and that I have no interest in the case.
J. F. Mereen { Justice of the Peace.
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Typed document completed in handwriting

For a certificate of Justiceship, reference is hereby made to the case of Frances Jane Percey under the same law, and for similar services, executed before the same Justice, on the same day with the within application, and enclosed this day in the same package with this case.
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134353 Act Mar 3 
Mar 15 55
William Wyman
Priv
Capt. McCobb
Enl
Lis
Revy War

The Ins June 52
Prn: Act / 32 Mes
Ad: 160Ac June 7/56
Boynton 
Hon: Hannibal Hamblin
U.S.S. 
[Strikethrough] H Woodman 
Boston Mass [strikethrough]

Cir H Woodman Mar 5/56
Vol Yr = 174

[Written diagonally across top of text above]
29750 is June 14156
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Typed document completed in handwriting

Hon. E. Hamilton
Feb 2/57

[Paper torn text missing]
State of --- William Wyman Cert 33349
who was a private in the ---  commanded by Captain --- of the --- commanded --- by in the Revolution line for 12 months Mass.

Inscribed on the Roll of Portland at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of June 1856 and Sent to Hon H. Hampton
U. S. Senate

Arrears to the 4th of ---
Semi-annual allowance ending ---

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by S T Getty Clerk,
Book H. Vol. 1. Page 83
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28117
William Wyman’s
application
247

Nath’l. Groton
Bath Me
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Typed document completed in handwriting

STATE OF MAINE.
COUNTY OF LINCOLN SS.

AT a Court of Common Pleas holden at Topsham in said County on the 28th day of August A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty [strikethrough] two [strikethrough] three personally appeared in open Court, before you Ezekiel Whitman Esq. [strikethrough] and of the Judges thereof, [strikethrough] Chief Justice thereof William Wyman a resident of Phipsburgh in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, aged seventy one years, who being first duly sworn according to
law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and was enrolled in a company of Militia in Sam’l. McCobbs regiment in Lincoln County his Captain’s name was James McCobb Jr. his Lieutenants name was William Sprague.-  In the year 1779. This applicant served two months, under Lieut. William Sprague, during July & August, as a guard, at a place called Seal cove & Cape Small point near the mouth of Kennebec River, this service was constant & comited in guarding American vessels from the British - and about the first of September the same year this applicant entered in Capt Jordan Parkers Company & served at a place called Cox's head on Kennebec River; four months till the end of the year 1779 making a term of actual service that year of six months.

That in the year 1780. In the summer of that year and as this applicant believes in August & September he served two months under Lieutenant William Sprague at a place called
Hunnewell's point near the mouth of Kennebec river this latter service was in guarding the river. In this service his Sergeants name was David Morse.  - This applicant was always a volunteer, never a substitute, and never had a written discharge from the service - He was born in Georgetown now Phipsburgh in the State of Maine on the fifth day of September A.D. 1762 has a record of his age he being in that part of Georgetown, now Phipsburgh when called into
service for now lives there. he is known to John Wallis & Abraham Day of Pitsburgh who can testify to his services and to Parker McCobb of Phipsburgh & Joseph Sewell Esq. of Bath who can testify to his services by tradition, there being no clergyman in his vicinity. he hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on any pension roll of any agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency in the State of ---
Wm. Wyman

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Before
Ezekiel Whitman } Judge of the Court of Com. Pleas for State of Maine.
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We Parker McCobb of Phipsburg [Phippsburg]  & Joseph Sewall of Bath each a Magistrate in the County of Lincoln hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Wilman of Phipsburg [Phippsburg] , who has subscribed and sworn  to the foregoing declarations that we believe him to be
years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have
been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Parker McCobb
Joseph Sewall
Sworn to subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Ezekiel Whitma
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War Department) that the above named applicant was that a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states and the Court further certifies is that it appears to them that Parker McCobb & Joseph Sewall who signed the preceding certificate are credible persons & thatt their statement is entitled to credit  
Clerk of the Court of Record and Court of Common Pleas for Lincoln County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the
said Court in the matter of the application of William Wyman for a pension.
Attest Natl Coffin Clerk

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of
the said Court, on this first day of October
A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
Nathl Coffin
Clerk of all the Judicial Courts
[the Courts of record and Court of 
Common Pleas - crossed out ]in 
Lincoln County.
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28117
William Wyman
Maine
April 11, 1836
[illegible] on Rev. pensions
Col. McCobb [illegible]
June 3, 1836
[illegible]

Ani Hon. Kavimargh, Apr 25, 1834
Could not find

Hall of Me
[illegible]
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim under the act of June 7, 1832 has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done.  Those points to which you attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return you papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

A statement, showing the Service of William Wyman

[the following is a table with columns separated by |}

Period when the service was rendered.| Duration of the claimant's service. | Rank of the claimant.| Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported.
1779| 2 months| private| Col. Saml McCobb, Lt. Wm Sprague| | Traditionary evidence Deposition of John Wallis & Abraham Day
1779| 4 months|-|Jordane Purker|-| |
1780 | 2 months | - | Lt Wm Sprague | | |
| 8 months | | | | | 
Iam, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
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[illegible] William Wyman's case come up to the rule in all respects. Answer he appears in an open Court of record in the County of Lincoln where he resides -
1. He states he was born in Georgetown now Phipsburg state of Maine Sep. 5. 1762 -
2. has a record of his age
3. he lived in Georgetown when called into service has lived there since the Revolution & now lives at the same place -
4. he was always a volunteer - never a substitute
5. He states Col. Saml. MCobb & Lieut. Wm Sprague & Capt. Jordan Parker -
6. He never received any written discharge from the Service was dismissed
7. He states that he is known to Parker MCobb & Joseph Sewall Esq & to John Wallis & Abraham Day who know of his service -
He proves by Wallis & Day 8 mon. actual service
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a soldier { Did you ever recieve a discharge from the service. and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
   To an Officer { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For [blank space] year [blank space] months, and [blank space] days, I served as a [blank space]. For [blank space] months and [blank space] days, I served as a [blank space] ; and for such service I claim a pension."
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 that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown 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 sum
them, that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time daring which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pubic seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well is 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.
The notes from [a] to [i] to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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I Nathl Sprague of Pipsburg County of Sagudahoc state of Maine of the age of fifty six year on oath do testify and say that in April of the year 1850 I required John F Mereen Esquire to take the deposition of Mary Day in relation to the service of Will Wyman in the Revolutionary war at was present with said Mereen at the taking of said deposition I was employed by Mr Wyman to collect some testimony in regard to his service aforesaid. I recollect the substance of her deposition very well she stated under oath that her father William Sprague was a Lieut under Capt James McCobb Col Samuel McCobb regiment & served for five years in the summer season and part of the time in emergences in the winter &  that they commenced this service in 1776 & ended in 1780 That William Wyman served under her father as private during that time & that she was very frequently over to the river where they were stationed  which was just a short distance from her fathers house and Wymans fathers house That John Wyman the brother of the said William used to go with her
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carrying over provisions for William and her father. That  she stated her statements were made from personal knowledge, she stated that Abraham Day was there in the same service and  drawed a pension from the United States & that she the said Mary drawed it after his deceased being his widdow she also states that her father was in no other service during the war & that they were out on this service at least six months a year during the time before mentioned. I father state that Mary Day is now deceased & has been dead several yes. That Mrs Day deposition afor said was in my possession until last June when my dwelling house was burned and the said deposition was burned in it the reason said deposition was retained by me was what i could not agree with the old gentleman about my compensation for procuring his testimony I also state that I now am disinterested in the result of Wyman application whether [illegible] it or not but yet I think that he deserves it. That I remember the contents of the Days said deposition because I have said it a number of times. 
Nath Sprague
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State of Maine
Sagadahoc county [ illegible] February 20, 1855
These personally appeared Nathaniel Sprague named in the forgoing affidavit who is personally know to me and is a person of truth & veracity and made oath to the truth of the forgoing deposition by him subscribed Before me J. F Mareen Justice of the peace
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April 6, 1937
Mr. Theodore R. Rideout
68 Federal Street
Brunswick, Maine

William Wyman
S. 19173
BA-J/AWF
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which
you request to know whether William Wyman who made affidavit in 1850 in behalf of Miriam Sprague,widow of Lieutenant William Sprague, in Phippsburg, Lincoln County, Maine, then aged eighty-eight years, received a pension for his (Wyman's) Revolutionary War
service.
The record of that soldier follows as found
in pension and [illegible]bounty land claims on file under S. 19173, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.
William Wyman was born September 5, 1762 in Georgetown (later Phippsburg), Lincoln County, District of Maine. The names of his parents were not given.
While residing in Georgetown, William Wyman
served as a private at various times in the years, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780, under Captains James McCobb, Jordan Parker, Lieutenant William Sprague, Colonel Samuel McCobb, in the Massachusetts troops; during the service he was stationed at Seal
Cove, Cox's Head, and Hunnewells Point to guard the Kennebec River.
He was allowed pension on his application
executed June 22, 1852, at which time he was living

[side note] Wm. Sprague, widow miriam W. 25057 contains this soldiers affidavit as given in the letter of Theodore R Rideout dated Feb. 2 1937
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in Phippsburg, Maine, where he had always lived.
The soldier, William Wyman, was, also, allowed
bounty land for the service rendered.
In 1855 William Wyman, Jr., was a resident of
Phippburg, Maine. John Wyman, brother of the
soldier was referred to as living during the Revolution.
The papers in this claim contain no further
reference to family.
In order to obtain the location of the land
referred to above you should apply to The Commissioner of the General Land Office, Washington, D. C., and
give the following data-
Warrant #29750- 160 acres - Act of 1855.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of
pension, name and address of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General
Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and give the following data:
William Wyman
Certificate #33349
Issued June 7, 1856
Rate $40. 00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Maine Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Maine Role
William Wyman who was a private in Col. Samuel McCobbs Regt. Capt. James McCobbs company [illegible]
---
[illegible] June 7, 1832
--
12 mo private $40 [illegible]

Hon. Hannibal Hamlin
[illegible]
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Sir:-
(1) I have come across this information and think this soldier to have been the father of the two Wyman soldiers whom you sent me information about. (That is the pensioners of 1812 of Phippsburg).
(2) William Wyman born 1763, died 1857, md May 1788, in Phippsburg, Mary Percy. Born Dec 17,1764,-Died 1844, both in Phippsburg. These were the parents of two pensioners of 1812 and therefore, makes me think that the soldier William Wyman of the Revolution, may be William, who married Mary Percy (?)
The Historical Story:-
Throughout the Revolution a detachment of militia, was on duty at the mouth of the Kennebec River. Capt. James Lermont of the second parish, was in command ogf a company stationed at Georgetown, in defense of the seacoast, from July 14 - Dec 31 1775, the roll of which indicates that his command was made up of details, from his own and other standing companies. Afterward Capt. James McCobb, of another Georgetown company, performed this duty, the nature of which is quite fully detailed in the given following deposition in March 1850, By William Wyman of Small Point , who was a soldier in Capt. McCobb's company and participated in this service:-
I, William Wyman of Phippsburg, Co. of Lincoln stat of Maine, at the age of 88 years, do testify on oath and say that I have always resided in what is now Phippsburg, once Georgetown. I was well acquainted with Williams Sprague. That I lived within one mile of his residence, when I lived with father; That said William Sprague always had his residence in Small Point so-called , in said Phippsburg, until his death which was some 20 years ago or there abouts. I knew that he was elected a Lieut. somewhere about the time that the colonies were declared independent by the continental congress; That I belonged to his company. That in the Spring and summer of the year 1777 we were stationed at Hunnewell's point in said Phippsburg with orders to watch the enemy's vessels, called shaving mills, and other plundering craft which infested the Kennebec River and the Harbors and Bays around both sides of Cape Small Point in said Phippsburg. Hunniwell's Point is situated at the mouth of the Kennebec River Lieut. Sprague commanded us while we were on said duties as Capt. James McCobb who was our captain was seldom present. We had our regular hours of drill and exercise and drilled say after day on the plat of ground generally where the fort now stands. We were stationed here that season from the time the river was clear of ice in the sprin till it closed in or near Dec., in said year. Our rations were brought to us by our friends] for we had to furnish our own rations] some three or four miles from our homes in Small Point. In winter we were allowed by Lieut. Sprague to go to our homes by turns, but all be ready at an hour's warning from Lieut. Sprague to resume our duties. Thus passed the Spring and Summer and Fall of the year in which Gen., Burgoyne was taken and the Winter following. In the Spring of the year 1778 we resumed our duties at the same place with the same rations as the year before, under Lieut Sprague. This year we drove  out of the river quite a large schooner of nearly 100 tons which was piloted by one Carlton, a Tory from what is called ed woolwich in this county. Carlton was shot after getting clear of the river, in passing Small Point by one of our men- the ball putting out both of his eyes. The winter following was passed similar to the preceeding of 1777, and spring 1779 brought us again
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To our old station. In the Fall of this year we had the good fortune to protect and save a schooner loaded with supplies of provisions and clothing for the men on the expedition to the Penobscot River, or Bagaduce as it was called. Said schooner was chased by a British privateer and took shelter above Hunnewell's Point in the Kennebec River, under Cock's Head. Lieut. Sprague commanded the detachment which was composed of men belonging to Capt. James McCobb's company, Col. Samuel McCobb's regiment, 1780, '81, & '82 to watch at Hunnewell's Point and the horse shoe beach and was on duty about the mouth of the river and Small Point day after day to my ceratin personal knowledge as I myself was one of his command from 1776 to 1780. We had a lookout on cock's head and Morse's Mountain, so called, where we could see for leagues around sea ward.
signed "Wm Wyman"