Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S, 22,696, David Corson, Navy N. H. Privateer
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Navy
N.H.
Privateer

Corson, David

NUMBER
S. 22. 696

CONTENTS
Page 2

[left page]
2 [cut off] 99

New Hampshire
27190
David Corson
of Dover in the State of N.H who was a Seaman in the Ranger commanded by Captain Simpson of the ---- commanded by NH in the line for 
1 month private
3 " [months] Seaman

N.H + Privateer

Inscribed on the Roll of N.H. at the rate of 23. Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th..day of Feb. 1834 . and sent to James Bartlett Esq. [of] Dover NH

Arrears to the 4th of. Sep 1833. $58.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. Mar. 34 - 11.67
$70"00 [$70.00]

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book E. Vol. 1 Page 77

[right page]
See letter to Hon. J. Fry [illegible]
10 March 1836. papers cop'd [copied] + sent
on 12th/5 Hon. J A [illegible] do. to Hon. J. Fry is. H.R. Dec. 28. 1838
Date of death
not an [illegible]
Page 3

12.797
Page 4

[The following document has both printed and handwritten portions]

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th June, 1832.
State of New-Hampshire, County of Strafford } ss. At a Court of Probate holden 
at Wakefield in said County
On this 14 day of September 1832 personally appeared before the Judge of the Probate Court 
David Corson a resident of Milton in the County of 
Strafford and State of New-Hampshire, aged 71 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, crossed out] service of the United States in the 
year 1778, with Captain Thomas Simpson and served in the Naval Service 
[regiment, crossed out] of the United States, [under the following named officers, crossed out] : as follows - 
that in October or November 1778 he enlisted on board the Ranger
continental ship of War Capt Thomas Simpson commander
[??ijah ?] Hall 1st Lieut.  David Callum 2nd Lieut & Timothy [illegible]
Sailing Master.  The Ranger sailed from Portsmouth N. H. on a cruise
in company with the Ship of War "The Warren of 32 Guns bearing
the Commodore's flag together with the Queen of France.  The first prise [sic]
was a British privateer and soon after fell in with the Georgia
Fleet of Eleven Sail and Captured Seven.  The Ranger returned
to Portsmouth N. H. the last of April 1779  having served five
months.  That he again shiped [sic] on board of the Julius Ceasar
of Newbury porte in the first part of June 1780 under Captain
Nathaniel Bentley, a Mr Westcot was first Lieutenant
and immediately sailed from Portsmouth N.H. to the [eastward ?]
About one month after Sailing the Julias Ceasar took
a British ship bound to Hallifax and about five wee [paper torn]
after that capture took another vessel bound to Quebeck a [paper torn]
then returned to Newbury porte the last of September 1780
after having been out three and an half months on
the cruise aforesaid, where we were all discharged.  he never
had any written discharge to his knowledge or belief.  he
has in his possession a record of his age kept on a [illegible]
in the old Bible that belonged to his Father's Family.  from
that it appears he was born in Rochester N.H. in the year
1761 being 71 years old the 9th day of January last past

He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [signed] David Corson

And the said Court do hereby declare its opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier,
and served as he states. [signed] Daniel C. Atkinson Judge of Probate

I, James Bartlett [illegible] 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 David
Corson for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court,
this 14th day of September AD. 1932
[signed] James Bartlett

[a square paper seal is adhered to the bottom left corner of the page]
Page 5

I John Mc. Duffee of Milton in the County of Strafford 
and State of New Hampshire aged eighty years, do testify 
and say, That Capt. William Mc. Duffee late of Rochester 
in the County aforesaid was my Father. That in the year 
of 1778, as near as I can now recollect, he the said Capt. 
Mc. Duffee had Orders to enlist soldiers for one month to 
be engaged in the service of the United States in the war of 
the revolution, and to be stationed at the Great Island in this 
state.  I do further depose and say ["that say" is crossed out] that said Capt. 
Mc. Duffee did accordingly enlist a number how many 
I do not now recollect, but know that David Corson then 
of said Rochester and now of Milton aforesaid was one of 
them, they started for the place of Destination, my said 
father, David Corson and others, and I very well recollect 
I went as far as Dover for the purpose of taking back 
the horses.
Witness                                  his 
George N. Eastman      John   X    Mc. Duffee 
James Roberts.                     mark 

State of New Hampshire, Strafford County ss 
January 3rd AD. 1834 personally appeared the 
above named John Mc. Duffee with whom 
I am well acquainted and know to be a man of 
truth, and made oath in due form of law to the 
above affidavit by him subscribed is true. 

Before me James Roberts Justice of the Peace

12797 
Dec. 13-33
Page 6

State of New Hampshire- 
Strafford County SS  

I Francis Cogswell Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Stafford do hereby certify that James Roberts Esquire before whom the within depositions were taken is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Strafford and I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his true and proper signature. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this sixth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. 
Francis Cogswell Clerk
Page 7

testimony in the case of
Daniel Corson of N.H.

B.M. Bean
Page 8

I David Corson of Milton in the County of Strafford
and state of New Hampshire, Testify and say, that in the
Summer of the year 1778 Capt. William Mc. Duffee then
of Rochester in the County aforesaid, had orders to enlist
soldiers into the United States service for one month and
did accordingly enlist a number, at that time I was a living
at said Rochester and was the first person that the said
Mc Duffee then enlisted, I enlisted for one month as aforesaid
and marched for the Great Island, I do further depose and
say that after the expiration of said month, I turned
out as a volunteer, but how long that Company volenteerd [volunteered]
for I cannot now recollect as it never was [Cald ?] for
as I believe, and after said month service & I entered the
United States service on board the United States ship
Ranger as I declared in my declaration for the purpose
of obtaining a pension, at the making of which I did
not recollect the above enlistment, as that instrument
was made in something of a hurry.  And I do further
testify that I am seventy three years of age lacking a few
dayes am labouring under the infirmity of old age and
am dispossessed of all kind of real or personal [taxable ?]
property  [signed] David Corson

Strafford County ss. January 3rd. A. 1833, Subscribed and sworn
to before me - James Roberts Justice of the Peace

I am well acquainted with the above deponent David Corson
and Certify that he is considered a man of truth and veracity
James Roberts Just Peace
Page 9

12797
David Corson
N Hampshire

Evidence of Ranger
[illegible] being a
[illegible]
Apl. 17 18[??]

12797
Admitted. 1 m private
                5. "  Seaman
$24.13.

James Bartlett
Dover
NH
Page 10

BRIEF in the case of David Corson
6.  of Strafford   in the State of N H
(Act 7th June, 1832,)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  before the Court
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he?  7
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

........................Period..................|..........Duration of Service.............|.........Rank........|........Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.........|
_____________________________|__Years_____Months_____Days__|____As a ____|___Gen.__________________________________________________________________
entered on In 1776 board the [public ?] Sloop of War called the Ranger Cap Simpson
Sailed in 6° with the Warren..}
served on board as a seaman}..........................5...................
[June ?] . . 1780 [illegible] on board the armed ship [illegible] [illegible] and served
on board said ship................................................3...................15

5. In what battles was he engaged?  does not mention any battle took a
number of prizes
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Portsmouth N H.
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  traditionary  [Nine ?] living witnesses
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
[signed] George Taylor
Examining Clerk.
Page 11

March 14, 1938

BA-J/EEL [illegible pencil writing]
David Corson-S.22696

Mrs. Leonard J. Kane
148 Elm Avenue
Mount Vernon, New York

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of David Corson, who served in the New
Hampshire troops, and was living in Milton, that state, in 1840.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file
in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.22696, based upon the military
service in that war of David Corson.

David Corson was born January 9, 1761, in Rochester, New
Hampshire.  The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in said Rochester, David Corson enlisted in
the summer of 1778, and served one month as a private in Captain
William Duffee's New Hampshire Company:  in October or November,
1778, he entered on board The U.S.S. "Ranger", Captain Thomas Simpson,
and served as a seaman;  while on a cruise, eight British
vessels were captured;  the ship returned to Portsmouth, the last
of April, 1779;  in June, 1780, he entered on board the "Julius
Ceasar", Captain Nathaniel Bentley;  during this cruise, they captured
two British vessels and returned the last of September, 1780.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September
14, 1832, while residing in Milton, Strafford County, New Hampshire.

There are no data as to the family of David Corson.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the
name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of
the Revolutionary War pensioner, David Corson (S.22696), you should
address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records
Division, this city, and site the following data:
Page 12

David Corson
Certificate No. 27190
Issued February 20, 1834
Rate, $23.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
New Hampshire Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 13

[this page has short notes in different handwriting, written in different
directions all over the page]

[written left to right]
[Frg. ?] House of Reps

I. [or J.?] S. Edwards Esq
[illegible] Agent

Washington

[written bottom to top]
Mar 9

Dav Corson
MA

[illegible two words in parenthesis]

[Hn ?] J Fry Jr.
AR
Page 14

House of Reps - Washington March 8,1836
Dear Sir,
Enclosed I send you the petition of
D. Corson for an increase of Pension
I wish you to do me the favor to send
me his papers, as also your opinion upon
the Case.
Your friend
I. [or J. ?] Fry Jr.
Page 15

Daniel Corson

Hon. B. M. Bean
HR

The claimant must 
produce evidence to show
that the "Brig Julius 
Ceasar was a public,
and not a private armed 
vessel.  This may possibly
be obtained from the Executive
of the State by which 
she was comissioned

Pension Office
Ap'l 17 1833

James Bartlett
Dover
NH
Page 16

January 5,1933
BA-J/EEL
David Corson- S.22696
Hugh Montgomery-R.7493

Mrs. F.B. Corson
12 Brewster Road
Framingham, Massachusetts

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information
in regard to Bildad Andros, Hugh Montgomery and David Corson,
soldiers of the Rebolutionary War.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained
from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land
based upon military service of soldiers of that war.

A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made
in your behalf and no record found of such claims having been made
on account of the services of Bildad Andros, or similar spelling.
The histories of David Corson and Hugh Montgomery are given below
as found in the papers on file in claims for pension, S.22696, and
R. 7493, based upon the services of those soldiers in the War of the
Revolution.

David Corson was born January 9, 1761, in Rochester, New Hampshire.

While residing in said Rochester, he enlisted in the summer of
1778, and served one month as a private in Captain William Duffee's
New Hampshire Company.

On October or November, 1778, he entered on board the U.S.S.
"Ranger", Captain Thomas Simpson, and served as a seaman; while on
a cruise, they captured eight British vessels, and returned to Portsmouth,
the last of April, 1779:  in June, 1780, he entered on board
the "Julius Ceasar", Captain Nathaniel Bentley; during this cruise they
captured two British ships and returned the last of September, 1780.

David Corson was allowed pension on his application executed

[written by hand in right margin:]
Mrs Finch said "The Ranger" was a U. S. ship
Page 17

September 14, 1832, while residing in Milton, Strafford County, New
Hampshire.

There are no data as to family of David Corson.

[handwritten in left margin:]
Date of death not in AB

* * * * * *

Hugh Montgomery was born about the year 1749, place not stated.
His father and grandfather were both named Hugh and lived in Londonderry,
New Hampshire, where the grandfather died, date not given.
Soldier's father, Hugh Montgomery, moved to Londonderry, Vermont, in
1775, and died there in 1792.  It as stated that he did not serve
in the Revolution.  The name of soldier's mother is not given.

In 1779, the soldier, Hugh Montgomery, also settled in Londonderry,
Vermont.  He afterward lived near Manchester, Vermont; then
moved to the western part of New York.

He married in May, 1777, in Londonderry, Vermont, Hannah Hack.
She was born February 23, 1756, and was a resident of Londonderry,
Vermont, at the time of her marriage.

Hugh Montgomery died May 13 or May 27, 1819 (both dates appear
in the claim) at his residence in Cayuga County, New York.

On August 28, 1851, soldier's widow, Hannah, then a resident
of Darien, Genesee County, New York, applied for the pension that
might have been due on account of the services of her husband, Hugh
Montgomery, and alleged that her said husband served in the years
1775 and 1776, as a private under Captains George Reid and Samuel
McCoomb (probably meant for Samuel McConnell), Colonels John Stark and
Daniel Moore in the New Hampshire Troops; that he also served at
least two tours in the Vermont Troops, dates and officers names not
given; and that his entire service was between two and three years.

He claim was not allowed as she failed to furnish proof of six
months service as was required by the pension laws.

She died May 30, 1853.

[page number] -2-

[handwritten in right margin:]
Found sol. in NH book
Page 18

Hugh and Hannah Montgomery had ten children as follows:
Robert - born July 28, 1778, and died in the summer of 1822, in Darien, New York.
Joseph -    "    May  3, 1780, in Londonderry, Vermont, and in 1853 was living in Darien, New York.
Patty  date not given, married --------Olds.
Hugh   "       "       "
Henry   "       "       "
Martin- "       "       "
John     "       "       ", died when about two years old.
James   "       "       "
William  "      "       "
John      "      "       "

In 1853, the only surviving children were Joseph, Hugh and William 
Montgomery and Patty Olds.  The places or residence of the last
three above named are not given.

In 1851, Hugh A. Montgomery, a son of Robert Montgomery, and
grandson of the soldier, Hugh Montgomery, made affidavit in Jefferson
County, New York.

The soldier had five brothers, all of whom but the youngest,
were said to have served in the Revolutionary War.  Their names are
not stated.  Soldier's sister, Margaret Montgomery, was born June
12, 1763, in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and married ----- Mack, an
"own" cousin of the widow, Hannah Mack Montgomery.  Margaret Mack
was residing in Pamelia, Jefferson County, New York, in 1851.

John Mack, a brother of the widow, Hannah Mack Montgomery,
served with the soldier in the Revolutionary War.  There is no claim
for pension on file on account of the services of a John Mack.

The above is the history of the only soldier named Hugh Montgomery,
who served with the New Hampshire Troops, that is found on
the Revolutionary War records of this office.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator.

[page number] -3-
Page 19

[upper right corner] MDY

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

June 8, 1925.

Mrs. Frank Faust
Covington, Indiana.

Madam:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S-22696, it appears that
David Corson was born at Rochester, Strafford County, New
Hampshire, January 9, 1761.

While residing there he enlisted in the summer of
1778 and served one month as a private in Captain William
McDuffee's New Hampshire Company.

He entered at Portsmouth, New Hampshire and served
five months as a seaman on the U.S.S. "Ranger", Captain Thomas
Simpson.  They captured eight vessels.

He entered at Newburyport, in June 1780 and served three
and one half months on the ship "Julius Caesar", Captain
Nathaniel Bentley.  They captured two British vessels.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
September 14, 1832 while residing at Milton, Strafford County,
New Hampshire.

There is no data on file as to his family.
Page 20

The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau
fails to afford any information in regard to a David
Carson.

Respectfully,

Commissioner.
Page 21

148 Elm Avenue
Mount Vernon, N. Y.
February 22, 1938

Pension Department
Bureau of Veteran's Administration
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

May I have a transcript of the papers of
David Corson, a New Hampshire Revolutionary War
veteran, still living in 1840 in Milton, N. H.?

Sincerely yours,

Marguerite S. Kane
(Mrs. Leonard J. Kane)

[a round, inked stamp in the right margin below the signature]
RECEIVED 
FEB 24 1938
[illegible] SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM. 21
[illegible]
Page 22

[seal affixed]

12 Brewster Rood
Framingham, Mass.
Dec. 13, 1932.
Veteran's Administration
Washington D.C

Dear Sirs
Will you please send me the records
appearing on the pension papers of the following
men who served
in the Revolutionary War,
if they applied for pensions
F
Dr. Bildad Andros (Andrews, who married
Mary Stebbins and they were in Bradford, Vt.
in 1790
F
lt. Hugh Montgomery
of Londonderry, N.H. who died
Jan 4, 1800 and whose wife's name was Peggy
He died either in Derry of Londonderry as heir
buried in Derry
&
David Carson of Milton, New Hampshire
Thanking you very much
for your trouble
I am
Very truly yours,
Mrs. F. D. Annie F. P. Corson
Page 23

Mrs. Frank Faust
Covington, Indiana
3-31-1925

Pension Bureau of the Revolutionary War.

Dear Sir:

My Great Grand Father David Carson
was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and
drew a Pension is his name enlisted
on the Pension Roll there, his Wifes
name was Margaret and she died Nov 3rd
1856.  Please let me know and
Oblige
Mrs Frank Faust.
Covington.
Ind.
Page 24

Revy
Invalid
22696
of
David Corson
Seaman
U S. Sloop "Ranger"
Rev War
Act June 7 1832
Index: Vol. 1, Page 77
(Arrangement of 1870.]

1925 June 6. Hist to Mrs Frank
[illegible]
1938 Mar 14. Hist to Mrs
Leonard J. Kane - Es
Page 25

refer to the Comm on
revolutionary Pensions
Bean 250
Page 26

Amos M Hayes dep
item
B. M. Bean
H. R.
Beans
Page 27

I Amos M. Hayes of Northyarmouth in the state of
Maine in the seventy seventh year of my age do testify
and say that in the year 1780 I had orders to in list
men abound a privateer commanded by Captain Nathaniel
Bently, that in May or June of the same year I [illegible]
David Corson, then of Rochester in the County of
Strafford and State of New Hampshire and now of Milton
in said County of Stafford, that in immediately sailed
from Portsmouth in said State of New Hampshire
to the eastward, and after having been at sea about one
month we took a british vessel from Dartmouth bound
to Halifax, that in four or five weeks after that we
took another British vessel loaded with merchandise of 
various kinds and bound to Quebeck, that we took no
other vessel, but chased several to no effect, & after having
been out about three and a half month we returned to
New-Bury Port and from thence the said Corson and
I returned to Rochester aforesaid where we both then
resided
Amos M Hayes

Subscribed and sworn to by the above deponent Amos
M. Hayes at Milton in the County of Stafford this 5th
day of July AD. 1832 before me,
James Roberts Justice of the peace

I certify that from the best information I have
respecting the above named Deponent Amos M.
Hayes, that he is a regular member of the Church, and a
very respectable person for truth and varassity [veracity]

James Roberts Justice of the peace
[illegible]
Page 28

I Timothy Roberts of Milton in the County of Stafford
and State of New Hampshire, Aged seventy three,
depose, testify and say that in the Fall of the year
[illegible] 1778 I enlisted on board the Ranger A continental
ship, in the war of the revolution Thomas
Simson being Commander Elijah Hall 
First Leitenant [Lieutenant], Daniel Callum Second, and Timothy
Mumford sailing master.  That Daniel Corson
now of the town of Milton belonged to the same
vessel, that we sailed from Portsmouth in the
said State of New-Hampshire on a cruise in
Company with the [warren ?] and Queen of France
two Continental ships, that we took a british
private teer [privateer] some time after sailing, and the next
day came in contact with the Georgia Fleet and
took seven sail, and after [mooring ?] said vessels we
returned back to said Portsmouth having been
engaged about Five months Tim'o Roberts

Strafford Ss. September 14th 1832.
Subscribed and sworn to before me,
James Roberts Just. Peace

State of New Hampshire
Strafford ss
I James [Bartlett ?] [Reg ?] of the Court
of Probate for said County do hereby
certify that James Roberts whos name
is above subscribed to the four preceding [papers ?] is a justice of the
peace for said County
In witness whereof I have hereto
affixed the Seal of said Court this
14th day of September AD 1832
James [Bartlett ?] [Reg ?]

[in lower left corner is a square piece of paper over a piece of string or thread.]
Page 29

I certify that the within named deponant
Timothy Roberts is a creditable witness
James Roberts Justice of the Peace
Page 30

I Jonathan Dore of Milton in the County of
Strafford and state of New Hampshire, depose
and say that in the Fall of the year 1778 I was
in the war of the revolution on board the
ship Ranger with Daniel Corson now of said
Milton and others for about five month, that
we took a British privateer and seven
sale [sic] of British Vessels, we sailed from Portsmouth
in this state, that Thomas Stempson 
was Captain, Elijah Hall first leuetenant [lieutenant] 
and David Callum second and After returning
to said Portsmouth were discharged.

Witness James Roberts

Jonathan X Dore
his mark

Straford SS September 14th 1832
Subscribed and sworn to before me
James Roberts Justice Peace

I Certify that the above deponant is
a creditable witness,
James Roberts J. P.
Page 31

Jon Dore Dep
Page 32

This letter was attended
to Ap'l 9 '34 the error
Corrected - See letter to Agent
Portsmouth N.H.

Milton N.H.
March 31st, 1834

Hon. Benning M Bean, M.C.
City of Washington

[written on right side of paper] Free

[illegible notation written along left edge of paper]
Page 33

[Hilton ?] March 31st 1834

Mr. Bean my dear Sir,
It was not until Saturday last
that I received Mr. Corsons Certificate for Mr. Bartlett
and find a small error in the same, the Clerk (you will
see) has Call'd his name, Carson, and not Corson as it
should be, Mr. Bartlett, thought best for me to send it
back & have the Carson made into Corson as the name
is recorded at Washing & also on the book at Portsmouth
I so do & solicit you sir, to have the mistake made right, and
do sir, have the goodness to forward it to me as soon as possible
as the old man is now some impatient.  With the best respects
I am your most James Roberts