Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,341, Elkanah Cook, Mass. Navy Privateer
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( 3 - 1776)
SERVICE  
Mass.  
Navy
Privateer

Cook, Elkanah  
 Elkanh



Number - S.30.341

CONTENTS
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30367
Massachusetts
Elkanh Cook
of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts
who was a seaman in the company commanded
by Captain Washburn of the Regt commanded
by Col Lathrop in the Mass
line for 2 months & 17 days private
4 Month 21 days Seaman

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 27 Dollars 35 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Jan
1836 and sent to 
J.H. Lond Esq Plymouth
Arrears to the 4th of March 1836 $136.75
Semi-ani. allowance ending Sep 13.67
$150.42

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2 Page 15
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Elkanah Cook


20642






Elkanah Cook
Declaration
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REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS


Commonwealth of Massachusetts

County of Plymouth, ss.

On this twenty-ninth day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Hon. Wilkes Wood, Judge the Court of Probate now sitting at Scituate within and for said County of Plymouth Elkanah Cook a resident of Kingston in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy three 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.

In the year 1777 or 1778 he cannot now recollect which with certainty, He volunteered in the service of the United States for three months was marched to Rhode Island and did duty in the Company commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Washburn the whole of said term.
That in the year 1777 or 78 on an alarm he with many others of the militia were marched to said Rhode Island and did duty two or three weeks cannot now recollect which with certainty, but is confident of two.
James Bradford was with him in both the above companies and belonged to the same Company. His deposition he has obtained and is herewith annexed.


over
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In the year 1779 he sailed from Baltimore in the Schooner Flying Fish Capt. Sacket Master bound to St. Eustacia as soon as clear of the Capes wasa taken by an English Privateer out of New York.  In four days after was retaken by the United States 20 Gun Ship Saratoga Capt. Young Commander from Philadelphia bound on a Cruise off Charleston and the ?.  Capt. Young told him if he would ? for the Cruise he should have the same wages and prize money as those who shipped in Philadelphia, He accordingly shipped and who? of Capt. L, Agent.  In five or six weeks fell in with an English letter of Marque ship of 20 guns.  Engaged and took her.  She was from Charleston bound to Liverpool with a valuable cargo in the Action the English lost 11 men killed and nearly twice that number wounded.  In four or five days fell in with and captured a Scotch Brig of eight Guns loaded with swine.  The Capt. put one ? together with Elkanah Cook and others on board as Prize crew and ordered to Philadelphia. After a passage of 7 or 8 weeks arrived at Philadelphia.  Heard of arrival of said Saratoga at Cape Franc? with her Prise which was [illegible] [illegible] account of her. some prisoners arrived from Charleston and brought news
that such a ship was lost in a squall in chase of a ship that
arrived there. He remained in Philadelphia til aforesaid Agents
Advised him to go a short voyage, got a voyage to the
West Indies, was taken by the English, sent to England
put on board a man of war ship and there remained till
the end of a Revolutionary War. About three years
After went to Philadelphia and was told that everything
relating to his cruise in the Saratoga etc. was setled [sic] 
two years previous, and nothing then remained in the
hands of the Agents. Thus he lost six and half months
wages and his share of Prise money

His Birth is Recorded in the Records of said Town of
Kingston and also in the family Records of his late Father
Benjamin Cook. He was born in Kingston 1759 and has always
had his home there
Elkanah Cook
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Jacob H Loud, Register
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We, Zephaniah Willis a clergyman, residing in the
town of Kingston and John Thomas
residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted
with Elkanah Cook who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three 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. Zephaniah Willis, Clericus
John Thomas

Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Before me
Eli Cook Justice of Peace

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 Rev Zephaniah Willis
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of
Kingston and that Hon. John Thomas 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
Jacob H. Lord
Register

I Jacob H. Land 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 Elkanah Cook for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office, this
twenty ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Jacob H. Lord
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received no pay on board the Trumbull - and of course not in service

Service to Newport was but 2 months (B?)


Admitted
2 months 17 private
4 months 21 Seaman


J.H. Loud Esq.
Plymouth
Massachusetts
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Plymouth ss.

Be it known that on this twenty first day of January AD 1836

Personally appeared before me, the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Elkanah Cook a resident of Kingston in said County and Commonwealth aged seventy six, who being first duly sworn on Oath makes the following affidavit explanatory of his former declaration to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
He would premise that from lapse of time and advanced age he is unable to be very precise as to dates and the exact year of his service but the occurrences are fresh in his recollection.
In 1777 or 1778 he enlisted in Capt. Ebenezer Washburn's Company for three months and marched to Newport and served this term of three months and was discharged and came home to Kingston.  Several of his neighbors were in the same Company and some of them were living in 1832 who testified to his services whose depositions are now filed with his former application.
Pretty soon after he volunteered at Kingston to go in same Company with Capt. Ebenezer Washburn, first went to Bristol and then to the Ferry and having served a period of time which he knows to be more than two weeks and he feels quite confident
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it was not much short of three weeks when he was discharged & returned home to Kingston. In these two campaigns, he enlisted from Kingston & in his former application he sent all the evidence he knew of which he supposes to be now in the Pension Office. He is not able to state the names of any General officers with certainty though he could detail some dates of the time. He never had any written discharge, was paid off at Esq. Washburns when he got home & in these campaigns was in no battle.

After this he went into the sea service & sailed out of Baltimore & Alexandria in private vessels, some armed & some not. In the fall of the year which he thinks to be 1779 though he is not positive & has no means of ascertaining he sailed from Baltimore in a Schooner called Flying Fish about 70 tons loaded with tobacco bound to St. Eustatia & in less than a week was taken by a British privateer from New York the Captains name was Lawton but the name of the privateer he cant tell in four or five days after this was retaken by the American Frigate Saratoga of 20 guns commanded by Capt John Young as near as I recollect. Capt Young told me that if I would ship in the Saratoga I should stand on the same footing as those who shipped at Philadelphia, and I did ship for the cruise. We then being about 200 miles East of Cape Henlopen beat in & landed the prisoners & then sailed & cruised off Charleston & in six weeks
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took the Ship mentioned in my declaration. We continued cruising off Charleston till the expiration of two months from the time we left Cape Henlopen. We then bore away for the West Indies with the prize & in four or five days we took a Brig loaded with wine bound to Charleston & I was put on board of her to help bring her into Philadelphia. After a passage of six weeks we arrived at a place called Ready Island in the Delaware having suffered seventy with hunger & cold. We were detained by the Ice three weeks when we got to Philadelphia & discharged the Cargo & stripped the Brig. I was then ordered on board the Frigate Trumbull which lay hauled up at Philadelphia & when the Ice was out of the River we were employed in hoisting out the guns &c & heaving down the ship & then hoisting the guns &c in again. I was on board the Trumball two months & 9 or 10 days for which I never got any thing but my board. To recapitulate my service I served not less them as follows viz: 

In Capt Washburns Company in 1777 or 8 --- 3 months 
------- 17 days 
on Board Saratoga 
From time I shipped till we landed prisoners at Capes + sailed again ----not less than 0.12 days 

Cruise off Charleston ---- 2. months 

Bore away for W. Indies to taking Brig not less than ---  0. 4 days 

On Board Brig taken as a prize to Ready Island ---- 1 month  -. 2 weeks - 

Lay at Reedy Island on account of  Ice ---- 0'' 3 "

On Board Frigate Trumball-- 2 " 9 days
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my naval service I do not know of any person living whom I can apply to testify for me. I was away from home & among strangers & whatever became of them I dont know. The Saratoga & all on board was lost.

I was born in Kingston May 17, 1759 & my birth is recorded in our Family & also on town records & I believe I sent a certificate of the Town Clerk with my former application. Kingston has always been my home except when at sea & other occasional absences.

I have stated all I recollect about the several services I performed. I never had any written discharge. In my former application I referred to several persons to whom I am Known.  I can now name all the inhabitants of Kingston particularly Rev. Mr. Willis, Col John Thomas, Thomas P. Beall Esq. &c. 

I relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & I declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Elkanah Cook  [signature]

Subscribed & sworn to before me the day & year first above written & I do hereby certify that said Elkanah Cook is reputed & believed to be a man entitled to full credit as a witness.
Jacob H. Loud [signature]
Jus. Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss
I, John B Thomas Clerk of the Judicial Court for the said County of Plymouth, in said Commonwealth, hereby certify that Jacob H. Loud before whom the foregoing deposition 
was sworn is a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid duly commissioned & qualified - and that I believe his name hereto subscribed to be his true and proper signature

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
Hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court on this thirty second day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six
John B. Thomas [signature]

[seal]
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20642
Elkanah Cook
Massachusetts
Suspended 21 June 1833
Letter to JH Loud 22 December 1835
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[Table of four columns, headed:]
Period. || Duration of Service. || Rank || Names of general and field officers under whom he served.
Volunteer In 1777or [177]8 || 3 months || ___ ||Captain Washburn
____ || 15 days || ___ || Captain Washburn
1779 || [illegible][illegible] seaman || taken prisoner || Captain Sacket
____ || shipped on board the Saratoga || retaken[illegible] was the Saratoga || Captain Young 

8. In what battles was he engaged? Some fight at sea.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Massachusetts
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witness and traditionary evidence.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly
certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
M. Clagett, examining clerk
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Etc.  
File No. 30341
Elkanh Cook
Private and seaman
Capt. Washburn  Co
Col Lathrop's Regiment Revolutionary War

Act June 7, 1832 
Index: Volume 2, Page 15 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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3 months or so E. Washburn Newport private 2 months 17 [days]
2 weeks or more ___Bristol Seaman 2.16
2.5
4.20
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Number 20642
Massachusetts
Elkanah Cook
Suspended
Letter to GH Loud 22 December 1835
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I James Bradford of Kingston in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged Eighty three years testify and say that I well know Elkanah Cook of Kingston in said County of Plymouth 
That said Elkanah Cook served three months in the Revolutionary War on Rhode Island in the State of Rhode Island in the same company with my self, said Company was commanded by Captain Ebenezer Washburn said Cook and myself volunteered at said Kingston in the year 1777 or 1778, I can not now recollect which, we were discharged at the end of said service and returned to said Kingston in Company and both now live in said Kingston 
I further Testify that I served two or three weeks with said Elkanah Cook in 1777 or 78 on an [illegible] to said Rhode Island 

James Bradford  [signature]
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth SS.
August 18. 1832
This day personally appeared before me the subscriber
James Bradford and made oath to the truth
of the within Deposition by him subscribed
And I certify that I am well acquainted with
said James Bradford and that he is considered a
Man of truth and veracity.
Eli Cook Justice of the Peace
Plymouth Ss. 
I, Jacob H Loud Register of Probate do hereby certify
that Eli Cook Esquire is a Justice of the Peace for said County that the above is his true signature. In testimony whereof
have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this
nineteenth day of December A.D. 1832
Jacob H Loud
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War Department
Pension Office
June 21st 1833
Sir
The documents in support of the claim
of Elkanah Cook have been examined and
placed on our files. It appears from his
statement that he served three months and 15 days 
as a private and 6 months and 15 days as a Seaman
on board the Schooner Flying fish and Ship
Sarratoga [sic]
There is no evidence in this office
to shew that these vessels were public armed
Vessels. The presumption is therefore that they
were private vessels. The act of June 7 1832
does not provide for those who served on board
of private armed vessels. His claim cannot
therefore be allowed unless he can produce
the most satisfactory evidence that the Schooner
Flying fish and Ship Saratoga were public
armed vessels.
I am Very Respectfully
Your Obedient servant
J. L. Edwards
JH Loud Esquire
Plymouth
Massachusetts
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Jacob H. Loud Esquire
Plymouth Massachusetts
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office January 15 1836
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 Elkana Cooke, as a
private, is borne on a payroll of Captain
Ebenezer Washburn's Company of Militia in
Colonel Thomas Lathrop's Regiment. where he is allowed
for services in December 1776, seventeen days-months 0, days 17.
Elkanah Cook claims for further services
under Captain Ebenezer Washburn at Rhode
Island, in 1777 or 1778, but the roll is
not found in this Office. The pay rolls of 
Captain Ebenezer Washburn's Company in
Colonel Brooks Regiment for services as Guards
in Cambridge, from November 5th 1777 to April
3rd 1778, is found in this Office, but the
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name the of Elkanah Cook is not borne on them.
The following abstract is also found in this
Office, viz. An abstract of the pay for Captain
Ebenezer Washburn's Company, in Colonel John Cushings
Regiment of Militia Newport November 1st 1776
where fifty one privates are allowed two months each.
Names are not mentioned. Dated March 7th
1777
Edward D Barnby
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James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
DC

Massachusetts December 21
[illegible stamp]
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J.L. Edwards Esq.

Plymouth Massachusetts
Probate Office
December 14. 1835
Dear Sir
By the enclosed which I received from you a
about 2 ½ years since you will understand the objections
made to the claim of Elkanah Cook to be placed on the
pension roll
The old veteran has the perseverance of a Revolutionary
patriot whether he can obtain a pension or not. He
sent me word a day or two since that he could now
satisfy you of the character of the “Saratoga" he had
no doubt. He referred me to the edition of the
Life a Writings of Washington" by Jared Sparks, Volume 7 
page 154. Letter to the Chevalier de Ternay
dated Head quarters at Orangetown August 16. 1780
where he says the Saratoga is recognized as a public armed vessel. Also in a marginal note on same page.
As I am not possessed of the work referred
to I can only refer you thereto presuming that
of the reference is true that the evidence will be
satisfactory
May I hear from you soon in relation to
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this subject. I never had any doubt of the honesty of
Mr. Cook as he is represented to me by the principal
inhabitants in the neighboring town of Kingston where
he resides to be a man of integrity and truth.
Very respectfully
Your obedient. Servant
Jacob H. Loud
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Sir
Probate Office
Plymouth January 22, 1836
I enclose herewith an affidavit pursuant to yours
of Dec 22d 1835 by Elkanah Cook. You have his original
papers on file. We have no copy thereof and the old fellow
says that the affidavit is his best recollection of his service. He says that for the 3 months under Captain Washburn
at Newport that he thinks you have the Deposition of
James Bradford (now deceased) and Joseph Everton both of his
neighborhood & he rather thinks they were in both campaigns. They have been pensioned for same service. I
send you Mr. Bangs certificate for 17 days and this
was probably for the short period which he calls two
or three weeks. It is not at all improbable that he
may be mistaken as to year
As to his naval service you will percieve [sic] that he
relates the history of the manner how he came on
board the Saratoga. He says that Eli Cook Esquire
prepared his previous declaration and that cannot believe that he ever claimed for service on board
the Flying Fish but that he related the story to
Mr Cole just as he has to me. He says that Mr.
Cook thought that he would not be entitled to any
thing for his service on board the Frigate Trumbull
and he thinks Mr. Cook did not put that in his
former declaration but he says that the agent of
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Government who took charge of the prize in which he
came to Philadelphia who he supposes was Navy agent
directed him to go on board the Trumbell and as she was a
Public armed vessel he thinks he is entitled for the term 
he was on board of her.
He also says that in his original application he
the procured the certificate of Rev M. Willis and
Honorable John Thomas that he was a credible person and had
The reputation of being a Revolutionary Soldier and seaman.
The Saratoga and all on board were lost. The prize
Crew being few in number and from different parts
of the Union he has never seen or heard of them since
he cannot recollect their names.
He says he rendered more service in the Revolution
then almost any man in his town, a great portion
of it being in privateers. But that his service on
the land was as well substantiated as any service
can be by the testimony of living competent witnesses respectable men. His naval service in public
armed vessels he is aware must depend on his
own credibility and reputation. The story he tells is a probable one and in some measure is corroborated at least
as to the character of the Ship
Yours etc
J. H. Loud