Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,451, John Graves, Mass.
Page 1

SERVICE
Mass
Graves, John
NUMBER
S17451
carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

John Graves of Essex Co. in the State of Masstts who was a [illegible] in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Masstts line for 14 Mo, 10 days [illegible] [crossed out]Increased from $87.72
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts 
at the rate of 95 Dollars 10 cents per annum to
commence on the 4th day of March, 1839, deducting amt. received under former certificate
---
Certificate of Pension re-issued the 6th day of March, 1839 and sent to Jas
Gregory Esq. Marblehead, Massts.
Arrears (Diff. of rate) to the 4th of March, 1839 $59.04
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept 47.55
$106.59
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by A. Allister
Book 8 Vol 2 Page 30
Page 3

On this 10th day of August AD 1832. Personally appeared before me David Cummins esq. a judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and a Court of Record within, and said County of Essex, John Graves of Marblehead County and state aforesaid aged seventy eight 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 7th 1832 — That he was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and about the twenty first day of July seventeen hundred and seventy five, he enlisted in a company of Militia infantry, commanded by Francis Felton of said Marblehead, and that he continued to do duty in said Company from time to time at Marblehead, for protecting the sea coast and places adjoining from the Enemy’s landing at any time - and that he continued in said service until about the last day of October, seventeen hundred and seventy six at which time the company was discharged.

And your Declarant further saith that he again entered the service as a mariner, and that he entered on board the armed brig Tyrannicide, on her first cruise, Jonathan Haraden of Salem Commander, on or about the middle of March, Seventeen hundred and seventy seven: and that we sailed from Boston and while on our outward bound cruise we took several prizes in the English Channel and afterward was chased by an English seventy four, and hove overboard our funds, and then sailed to Bilboa in Spain, and from then to France, about the month of June and was there supplied with every necessary to proceed on our passage homeward, and were ordered to proceed without any delay to Boston; having taken on board warlike stores and other necessaries for the American Army. We arrived at Boston about the middle of October seventeen hundred and seventy seven, and was then discharged. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the (present) & declares that his (service) is not on the ? roll & (sworn) to and described the day and year aforesaid. John Graves
D. Cummins
Page 4

We, John Bartlett-- a Clergyman resided in Marblehead and Benjamin Knight esq, also a resident in said town of Marblehead hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Graces of Marblehead who has subscribed and sworn to the written Declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier and mariner of the revolution and that we concur in that opnion. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

D Cummings
John Bartlett
Benjn Knight

And the said Judge foth hereby declare his opnion after the investigation of the matter and after (illegible) the interrogation prescribed by the War Department that the above named Application was a revolutionary soldier and seaman and served the states. And the said Judge further certifies that it appears to him that Revd John Bartless who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman, residing in Marblehead and that Benjamin Knight esq who has also signed the same, is a resident of the said town of Marblehead, and is a credible person, and that then statement is entitiled to credit. And the said Judge further certifies that the above Applicant is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infimity.
D Cummings
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I John Prince, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of Record, within and for the County of Essex, Do hereby Certify that the Hon. David Cummins esq is a Judge of the said Courts and that the within signature is his genuine signature and that John Prince of Marblehead is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County of Essex that the signature  annexed is his true signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas at Salem, this thirteenth day of August Eighteen hundred and thirthy two.
John Prince
Page 5

John Graves
No 9761
private duty 14 months 10 days
Seaman 7 months
21 months
10 days
[crossed out][illegible]
[crossed out]Apl 17 1833
p. 341
[illegible] July 20 1833
Mr Bang's [illegible]
Reg 26 Augt 1833
J. Prince Jr
Marblehead
Mess
Page 6

Brief in the case of John Graves of the County of Essex in the State of Mass (Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? bodily infirmity
3. How old is he? 78 years
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.
In 1775 July 21st to the start of Oct. 76 | 1 year 2 months | 10 days  | As a private | Capt. Francis Felton
in 77 Mar 15th to the 15 Oct 77 | 7 months | Mariner | Brig Tyrannicide, Capt Jonathan Haraden, Cmd
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Marblehead
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Regular
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.
Page 7

17451
Invalid
File No. 17,451
John Graves
[illegible]
Act: June 7, 32
Index: Vol 1, Page 443
Arrangement of 1870
Page 8

I John White of Marblehead in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts on oath depose and say, that in the Revolutionary War I belonged to the Naval Service of the State of Massachusetts and entered as a Seaman on board the Armed Brig Tyrannicide on her first cruise Jonathan Haraden of Salem Commander, and that on or about the middle of March Seventeen hundred seventy seven I entered on board said Brig at Salem, and I very well remember that John Graves of said Marblehead entered about the same time on board said Brig as a sail-Maker and that we sailed from said Salem on a Cruise against the common enemy and while on our outward bound cruise we took a number of prizes in the English channel and was afterward chased by a British Man war of Seventy four guns and hove overboard our guns and then sailed for Bilboa and from thence to France about the month of June and was there supplied with every necessary to proceed on our passage homeward and were ordered to proceed without delay to Boston having on board warlike Stores and other necessaries for the American Army, and that we arrived at Boston about the middle of October
Seventeen hundred and Seventy seven and was then discharged. John White
Essex ss. Marblehead August 6 1832
There personally appeared John White and made Oath in due form of Law to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him
Subscribed and I further certify that he is a credible witness before me John Prince Justice of the Peace
Page 9

I William Hooper of Marblehead in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts on 
Oath depose and say that in the Revolutionary war I was a soldier and that
on or about the twenty first day of July, Seventeen hundred seventy five I enlisted
in a Company Militia under the command of William Hooper late of said Marblehead
and I very well remember that John Graves of said Marblehead enlisted about the
time in a company of Militia commanded by Frances Felton of said Marblehead
and that both Companies were appointed to do duty [illegible] Marblehead from day
day in protecting the Seaboard at Marblehead and places in the vicinity from the
depredations of the enemy landing in their boats at any time and that John Graves
continued in said Company performing said service until on or about the last day of October Seventeen hundred Seventy Six at which time the company was Discharged.
William Hooper
Essex Ss. Marblehead, August 6th 1832
Then personally appeared William Hooper and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed and I further certify that he is a credible witness. 
Before me
John Prince, Justice of the Peace
Page 10

Payments to be made
at Boston Mass
by the [illegible]
Agent for paying Pension
in the Agency of Mass
Issue new certificate
14-10 d [illegible]
7 mo Sailmaker
$35.10
deduct what has been pd
in this Certificate
Jas. Gregory
Marblehead Mass-
Recorded in the Pension
Office in Book Vol 2
Page 26
by 
D. D. Addison
Clerk
Page 11

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, John Graves of the State of Massachusetts
who was a Private of Artillery &c in the Army
of the Revolution is entitled to receive
Eighty Seven dollars and Seventy two cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi
annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year
Given at the War Office of the United States
, this Twentieth day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
John [illegible]
Acting Secretary of War

Examined and
Countersigned.
[illegible]
Page 12

Gra
70
Application must be
made to E.D. Bangs
Esq. [illegible] of State of  Mass
for evidence of the claim [illegible]
---
Augt 26 1833
J, Prince Esq
Marblehead
Mass

35
26.66 -
1.11
62.77
35 Sailmaker
12 _ 50
2 _ 8.66
1.44
95.10
Page 13

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Graves which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V. Has he mentioned 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? 
No. He must specify each particular tour of active service, when & where it was performed & the names of officers under whom he served from July 1775 to October 1776
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
The mere circumstance of an applicant holding
himself in readiness to perform active service when called will not entitle him to a pension.
Page 14

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes, so certified
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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.
Page 15

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 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 shewn 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 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and the 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.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 16

John Graves
Page 17

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Septem 4 1833
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 John Graves is found on a List
of the Company in Marblehead under the command of Francis Felton, where he is allowed from Jany 8th to Feby 29th 1776 -- one month and twenty four days
John Graves name is also borne on a list of the for company in Marblehead, under the command of Francis Felton where he is allowed from the first of March to the last
day of May 1776, three months.
John Graves name is also found on a list of the Company in Marblehead under the command of Francis Felton where he is allowed from the first day of June to the last day of August 1776 three months-
& ┃
John Graves name is also found on a list of the
Company in Marblehead, under the command
of Francis Felton, where he is allowed, from
the first of September to the 15th November
1776, two months and fifteen days
Edward D Bangs [illegible]
Page 18

State of Massachusetts
Essex SS Marblehead -
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace
for the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts - John Graves, who
being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his services, or to every minute particular respecting the matter
of his services, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grade.
That he served at Marblehead, in a company commanded by Francis Felton of said Town Nathaniel Lindsay and Benjamin Ashton
being Lieutenants of said Company, for the period of one year, three months and ten days. That the said Feltons Company was formed
under a resolve of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, for the protection of the Sea Coast, and was unconnected with any Regiment, but was (together with a like Company commanded by William Hooper of
Marblehead) stationed at Marblehead, and there employed in erecting Fortifications, and the continued performance of Military duty. And that he continued in active duty as a member of said Feltons company
for the period above stated until the said Company was discharged. And for the above service, together with the period of seven months that he served as a seaman on board the Armed Brig Tyrannicide, he claims a Pension
John Graves
Essex ss Marblehead August 1833
Sworn to and Subscribed
John Prince Just Peace
Page 19

I, John Graves of Marblehead, in the County
of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do in my oath testify & declare, that I am in the Eighty seventh year of my age. that I performed service in the War of the Revolution both by Land & Sea.
that I was pensioned on the thirtieth day of September, 1833, for part of said service; that among other service I went one cruise in the Massachusetts State Brig Tyrannicide, Jonathan Harraden of Salem
commanding, served on board said Brig as a Sailmaker, (which is & always has been my profession) from some time in February, 1777, to sometime in the month of October following: that when I entered
the Naval Service aforesaid, I entered it as a
Sailmaker & for a nine months cruise; that
at the time I made my declaration for the
obtainment of my said Pension, I omitted through old age & infirmity & consequent defect of memory to state the fact of
my having served as a Sailmaker in said cruise, & that I make this Affidavit with the view of obtaining an allowance in addition to my present Pension & by & through
the additional allowance due a Sailmaker over
& above a Seaman in said service.

John Graves his mark
Witnessed by Samuel E Graves
Thomas Gilbert
(oath certified on next page)
Page 20

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Essex SS Marblehead Dec 5th 1838
Then personally appeared the within named John
Graves, who appears to have a sound mind for a person of his great age, & whom I have known for more than thirty years as a person of good moral character & good character for truth & veracity & made solemn oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him [illegible]
Before me,
James Gregory J. of the Peace
Page 21

Marblehead Dec 8th 1838
Honored Sir,
I am requested by Mr John Graves, a Revolutionary Pensioner of this town
to forward to your Honor the accompanying affidavit respecting & enforcing his claim to an additional allowance, through his services as a Sailmaker for some 8 or 9 months in the Massachusetts State Brig Tyrannicide. It appears from the representations of Graves & his friend, that through some oversight at the time he made his declaration he claimed for his services on board said Brig as a
Seaman only. It is obvious, your Honor
well knows, that J Graves served as he states
(of which I believe there is no doubt) he is entitled to an addition to his Pension the same as John Howard Esquire of Salem in this County who was pensioned April 20th, 1833, & had his pension afterwand increased through being Sailmaker of the Schooner Hancock Tucker commander. The Pension Certificate is forwarded herewith
I am, very respectfully,
James L. Edward Esqr
C of P. Washington, D.C.
I am very respectfully your
[illegible]
James Gregory
Page 22

21.598
Massachusetts
John Graves
of Essex in the State of Map
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Felton of the Rgt commanded
by             in the Mas
line for 7 months Mariner
14 months [illegible] Private of [illegible] miln
Inscribed on the Roll of Mas
at the rate of 87 Dollars 72 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of Sept
1833 and sent J. Prince
Jr. Marblehead Mas
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $219.30
Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 March '39 43.86
$263.16
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D D Addison Clerk
Book E Vol. 2 Page 24
Page 23

Service - Mass. 
Graves, John 
Number - S.17.451
Carded
Contents - (blank)