Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23225, James Frazier, Md. Sea Service
Page 1

(3-1776)

Service: Md, Sea Service

Frazier, James

Number: S. 23225
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11.613

Maryland

James Frazier

Arundel Co. in the State of Maryland
who was a Marinier in the [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] under of the command [illegible] of [illegible] Commodore [illegible]

Mariner/Gr [gunner] 48$

Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland at the rate of 48 dollars. [cents lined out] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of May 1833  and sent to J.F. Brice, Annapolis, Md

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833, 96.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 24.
$120.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded byJ T Sprague Clerk
Book C Vol. 5 Page 105

suspd [suspended] Let [Letter] to P. Agent. [Pension Agent] Oct 2 [illegible]
Suspn [Suspension] removed - Letter to P. [pension] Agent J.H. [illegible]
Mar 9. 1840
" let [letter] Jas Frazier, July 1 / 44
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No. 21622

James Frazier
Anne Arund County Maryland

Admitted 1 year
Mariner $48.-

Jas. F. Brice Esq
Annapolis Maryland
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War Department,
Pension Office,
183

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 a 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 your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (this: }). You will, when you return your papers to the Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of James Frazier Anne Arundel County Maryland

[BEGIN TABLE]
Period when the service was rendered. Entered 1 June 1782

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. 1
Months. -
Days. -

Rank of the Claimant. Mariner

Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Commodore [illegible]

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service. 72 Years Dorchester County Maryland

Proof by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary evidence, witnesses certified credible no clergyman certificate + no reason given
Documentary evidence paper correctly authenticated, not property attached to the Registers certificate -  

[END OF TABLE]

I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J.L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of
⎬ ss.
On this
day of
of
A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
with
line, under the following named officers:
and
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
A.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
and C.D. residing in (the same)
who has
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,
Clerk of the Court of
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
do hereby certify that the foregoing
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
day of
& c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 6

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 receive 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
enquiry 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
his genuine signature.
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
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."
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 place 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.
[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 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.
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 we
as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witness
; and the one character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper time, under his seal of office.
[ ] The notes from [a] to [ ] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is [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.
Page 7

James Frazier
21622
Page 8

STATE OF MARYLAND
ANNE-ARUNDEL COUNTY, SCT.
On this 26 day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
thirty two, personally appeared in open court, before the court of Anne-Arundel county, now sitting,
James Frazier,
a resident of the City of Annapolis, the county of Anne-Arundel, and
State of Maryland, aged 72 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.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein
stated; that he served under Commodore Grifome; that he entered the service on the
first day of June
in the year one thousand seven hundred and Eighty two, and left
the same on the second day of June
one thousand seven hundred and Eighty three
having served one year, that he had a discharged but has lost the rank
that he was in the battle of Cages Straights [Kedges Strait] and off Cape Henry
and in said engagements served under Commodore Whaley
in the year one thousand
seven hundred and Eighty two; that he, at the time of entering the service, resided near Cambridge town, Dorchester county, and State of Maryland; that he
enlisted in the naval or marine service
that he served with the belonging to the large
Fearnought, commanded by Captain Shaddin; that he was wounded in the battles of Cages Straights. [Kedges Strait] severely.
that he has as documentary evidence; but that he knows of no person whose
testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. that he was born in the lower parts of Dorchester County in the year 1760, it has no record of his age, the same being lost. The said James Frazier 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 any Agency, but that of the Agency
of the State of Maryland
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. James Frazier
his
mark
to
We, John Stalker
, residing in the City of Annapolis and
George Dunn residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
the said James Frazier
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we
believe him to be Seventy Two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood
where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid John Stalker
George Dunn
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Stalker
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the City of Amity
and that George Dunn
who has also signed the same, is a resident
in the City of Annapolis, and are creditable persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Gideon White
Theo H. Dorsey
I, Sam Brown Jr., clerk of the Orphans Court of Anne-Arundel County, do hereby certify that the
aforegoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of
James Frazier
for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Twenty sixth
day of October 1832
Sam Brown Jr. Reg. Wills. A.A. County
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Land Office; Annapolis; August 15th 1832

I hereby certify that it appears by a return roll of the Barge "Fearnought;" commanded by Captn. Levin Speddin; ["that" is lined out] that the name of James Frazier; of Dorchester County; appears upon said roll; as having entered on the 1st of June 1782; for the term of one year; - bounty [illegible],

George G. Brewer
Reg n L[and?] Off. [illegible] MD.
Page 10

The name of Moser Mace is not found on the Maryland roll.
Page 11

June 28 44 
[Annapolis JUN printed on stamp]
[FREE stamp]
J L., Edwards 
Commisioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 12

Annapolis June 25th 1844
Sir, I have been informed by the
pension agent at Baltimore that the
Pension granted by your department is
not sufficient for the auth of services
rendered by me in the
struggle for liberty and independence
I served my country three long years for
which I only received forty eight
dollars per annum an amount
inadequate to support me in my
declining years. I would feel grateful
if you would consent to settle upon me a
small pittance more, as I am now
totally unable to do any kind of work
what without eye sight and the
use of my limbs, I have been informed by
the same source that if I made
application it would be increased.
I therefore hope that you will be so
kind
Page 13

as to instruct me how I shall proceed to recover an additional pension.
I remain with high esteem your most obt  servt [shorthand for obediant servant]
James Frazier

J L Edwards 
Com of pensions
Page 14

Oct 2
[Annapolis Sep 30 stamp]
[FREE stamp]

James Frazier
Moses Mace
Md.
J L Edwards
Pension Office 
City of Washington
Page 15

Annapolis October 1st 18_9 [possibly 1849]
Sir, There is a certain man by name of George Dunn that is in the practice of hiring persons to serve for him in all pensions coded some of them. he has agreed to give $30.00 and others $20.00 and as he has not paid one has warranted and the other is about to warrant for his services this goes to prove a fraud practice on the government which makes me write to you and those persons named are James Frazier and Moses Mace. 

I am a friend to justice and citizen 
J L Edwards
Pension Office 
City of Washington
Page 16

March 7.
B108
March 7 1840.
Pension Office
James Frazier
Md.

Secretary of War
Washington

FREE [black stamp]
Annapolis Md Mar 5 [black round stamp]
Page 17

Annapolis March 5th 1840
Sir,
James Frazier, for whom I some years
since, obtained a pension, informs me that it
has been stopt. As has applied to me to write to
you, for the purpose of getting it renewed.
He is very injured, and from what I can
learn, indigent, and greatly needs assistance
the restoration of his pay, will not only
be showing the object of charity, but also
be awarding an act of justice to a veteran
soldier whose conduct during the war
of the revolution, was meritorious. 
with great respect
Sir your Ob. s. t.
James F Brice
Page 18

Invalid
Revy
Navy
File No. 23225 Ovv
James Frazier
Mariner
U.S. Navy 
Rev. War
--
Act June 7th 1818
Index: Vol. 6, Page 106
[Arrangement of 1870.]