Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11120, John Ward, Mass. Privateer
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(3-1776)

SERVICE      Mass.       Privateer

Ward, John

NUMBER       R. 11120

Born in Ireland

CONTENTS
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State of Maine 
County of Washington ss 

On this eleventh day of September A D 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon John Dickinson Judge of the Court of Probate of Wills &c [et cetera] in and for the County of Washington now sitting at Cherryfield in said County John Ward a Resident of the Town of Harrington in said County 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 March 18, 1818 __  That he was born in the County of Wexford Ireland and came to Boston in the United States at the age of nine or Ten - there entered the Merchant service and went to the West Indies Kingston Jamaica __ was there impressed and put on board the English man of war Dublin __ made his escape from this ship in Lisbon, Portugal, travelled thro the wilderness to Setubal, and sailed from thence in a small schooner to Newbury Port in the US _ there entered a Privateer fitted out by Otlef Nathe & John Tracey in said Newbury Port   William Armstrong an Irishman, Capt and James Smith Lieut who kept a Tavern in Newbury Port of the sign of the seven stars & took on a cruize as British armed Brig
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bound up the straits, loaded with [crossed out 'clothing'] military clothing as sweeps,  Carriages, Looking glasses & returned in the same vessel at Newbury Port __ there left the Privateer, and having been a Deserter from the Ship Dublin as [crossed out 'a Desert'] aforesaid and under the apprehension I might be taken and recognized by the English and punished for [crossed out 'my'] desertion and being desirous of enlisting in the Army of the Revolution he then changed his name of Ward and assumed that of Byrne or Burns, after the name of John Byme or Burns who lived in the Salem, Mass and who was a Recruiting Officer in the Army of the Revolution __ that he enlisted with said Byrne in the Town of Lynn State of Massachusetts, and near the tavern of one Mr Newell - he does not recollect the year he enlisted but it was as the three years service or during the war - that he was in Capt Abraham Watson's Company, Col Jackson's Regiment __ said Watson was a very tall man-- Parker was Lieut of said Company, and __ Rice was Adjutant of the Regiment __ that he served during the war and until peace, and was then discharged at a place called Continental Village about two miles east of West Point, which discharge was accidentally burnt with my jacket in a camp while he was getting hay or as salt
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And the said Court does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter, that the aforenamed Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears  to him that Joseph Wallace who has signed the preceding certificate is a Resident in the Town of Harrington and that Joseph Adams who has also signed the same is a Resident in the Town of Cherryfield and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit - And the said Court is further of opinion, that the aforesaid annexed Schedule of property is just and true __ 
John Dickinson  Judge 

State of Maine
Probate Office, Machias,  
Washington ss ___  I Aaron L. Raymond Register of the Court of Probate for and within the County of Washington do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Ward for a pension. __ In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office, this thirteenth day of September A.D. 1832.- 
Aaron L. Raymond Register of Probate 

[writing vertically from top to bottom of page at right edge of page at bottom, as follows:]
John Wards application for Pension  Sept. 11th. 1832
22418.
In service __ act  1818,
Suspd

[writing vertically from bottom to top of page at left edge of page in middle, as follows:]
22.418 __
John Ward
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March in the Town of Harrington County of Washington - that after being discharged he came to this State, and lived with Col Crane at a place [crossed out 'called'] now called Whiting - lived with him one season and then came to Harrington, where he has lived ever since  --
John Ward
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid __         John Dickinson  Judge

We Joseph Wallace residing in the Town of Harrington and Albert Church [crossed out 'Joseph Adams'] residing in the Town of Cherryfield hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Ward, who has subscribed and sworn to the aforesaid declaration - that we believe him to be Seventy three years of Age.   That he is reputed and believed in the Neighborhood. where he resides where he resides to have been a Soldier and that we concur in that opinion and believe the statement he has made to be true & that he has no property but what is contained in the schedule below 
Jos: Wallace
Albert Church

Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid  --
John Dickinson Judge
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Schedule
Of all the property now owned and possessed by John Ward the Applicant aforesaid 
One Cow   $15 
One Heifer, me year old - - 7 -
One Hog --- 3 _
4 old chairs ---  ___50 
One beds and bedding - - 8  __
Pots & the cooking utensels ___  4 ,
$37"50 
His family consists of himself & wife 
John Ward 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid John Dickinson Judge
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I John Ward of Harrington County of Washington, State of Maine a revolutionary soldier certify and say, that I enlisted in Capt Watson's Company, Col Jackson's (Henry Jackson) Regiment under the name of John, Byrnes (or Burns) for the reason stated in my original declaration __ that I served in said Regiment until the war was over.  Said Regiment was called the Ninth Massachusettes Regiment or Boston Regiment   The said Col Henry Jackson was a Batchelor, but he had a Brother William Jackson, who died near west point and [crossed out 'had'] who was a married man and had a family - The fine Sergeant in said Company was a Frenchman named Evans,-- The Corporal was named Vaughan - Another corporal was called Mitchell - A youngster about fourteen year old, who went by the name of Little Greene was fifer - one-- Sherlock, --- Kirby (Englishman) John Mitchell and Samuel Mitchell were Privates in said Comany.   The Regiment was stationed most of the time at Continental Village.   We had frequent skirmishes with Delancey's troops so called --- while I was employed in the Privateer service I was taken Prisoner and confined on board the Jersey ship two months and suffered every thing but death - I During the time a taken on Col Jackson's Regiment, the Powder
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waggon was robbed, and Major Prescott's effigy was drawn out on a board and set up before the door of his Marquee   Prescott was called an excellent  Officer but a severe one-- I also certify and say that for some years past I have owned no property except what is mentioned in the schedule attached to my original declaration.  About Forty years ago I purchased a lot of land of the State of Massachusetts, for which I paid Ten dollars being one of the Littler) lots so called   About twenty six years ago I was under the necessity of mortgaging this lot for debts contracted for the support of my family __ This mortgage was afterwards about ten years ago redeemed by my son Isaac Ward who now owns the property and I have no claim upon it __ I was taken sick about Twenty three years ago, the same year Eclar was deceased, and this sickness left me a cripple and I have been a cripple ever since __ and am entirely dependent on others for support - - 
While I was a Soldier as before mentioned .  I was employed a good deal during the Summer season, with one Kirby, in sawing
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boards with a whip saw to cover the roofs of the huts built for the Soldiers 
John J Ward 

Washington Jany 26' 1835 
The above named John Ward personally appeared and acknowledged the foregoing statement by him signed to be true 
Before me 
Wm Freeman Just of Peace.
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I John Ward of Harrington County of Washington State of Maine do further testify and say that I served as Soldier in the Revolutonary war   I was enlisted under the name of John Byrne or John Burns in the three years service or during the war by John Byrne (or Burns) of Salem (at Lynn ) _  I was enrolled in Capt Watson's Company.  and in 9th Massachusetts Regiment called at that time the Boston Regiment commanded by Col Henry Jackson who was a Bachelor or single man - He had a Brother called William Jackson, who lived in Windsor above west point _ Caplain Watson was a tall man, taller that Washington, and stooped- one Parker was First Lieutenant __  One Evans a Frenchman was First Sergeant, and one Daughan was second sergeant - Samuel Mitchell and John Mitchell belonged to the same Company and one Greene who went by the name of little Greene, being a youngster, was Fifer __ I was in an engagement at Groton, North river and in one at Fishkill - I was discharged at a place then called the Continental
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nental Village, after the war was over __ Col Greaton's Regiment,  Col Glovers Regiment, and Col Hatch's Regiment to the best of my recollection were at West Point at the time I was discharged
John Ward
Nov 19

Washington Setbr 19 1838 
Then the above named John Ward personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration 
Before me   Wm Freeman   Just Peace
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John Ward
Maine Suspended
Roll.

R. W. Young
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I applied under the Revolutionary Pension laws for the pension of John Ward, otherwise it may be John Byrn, (who for some reason altered his name), but did not for want of sufficient proof obtain- He actually served during the whole war, and was entitled to the pension. He is now dead, but his widow I believe is alive-- I have been requested to make another attempt. His declaration is on file - Will you call at the Pension Office and examine it. If there is any prospect of success, let me know. If it can be obtained, something handsome can be made. Also of Joseph Sibby on Maine Roll. act of 1832.
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John Burns or Bryan _

13.633 to 15603 _. page 151 __ John Bryant  Vol 1 ---
15.648  -  15953 _  Not on
39.500 - 40902 _  Not on


Feby 22 

Al N Loin
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No. 22.418
Maine
John Ward
Suspended

Let to Wm Freeman 26 Feb '36
do            do.    Apr. 6 - '39 -
Let. to Hon. J. A. Lowell, Feby 26, 1840.

11120
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John Burn or John Ward }  not certain which name _ he was known by both names

Oct '32 of Maine 

Report to Hon. JWm Lowell
H.R
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[crossed out 'Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1878.']

11.120
P. O.
John Ward
Service :  Washington Co.  Me.
born in Wexford Co. Ireland
Enlisted : Search from Boston or Merchant Service,  18 . 
Discharged :  REJECTED,  18  .
Application filed :           , 18  .

Alleges :

Re-enlisted

Attorney :
P. O.

Recognized.      Contract.
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Apl. 2
Ward Jno at Me.

[round postage-cancellation stamp with printing inside , as follows:] NARRAGUAGUS MAR  27

[writing vertically on page going from top to bottom of page, as follows:]
[crossed out '50']
Hon. James L Edwards   Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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Cherryfield March 26 1839 

James L Edwards Esq 
D Sir 
I have supposed that the press of business in your Office was so great, that some considerable time must elapse, before you would have an opportunity of considering the cases of Mr Bangs, Collins, Perry & Ray, whose applications for pensions were made at by me, and forwarded to you by Albert G Lane Esq Register of Probate _ On this account I have refused to trouble you by enquiries on these subjects - These widows however are so impatient, that I now take the liberty to request, that you would be good enough to decide on their claims, as early as possible, and communicate to me the result of your examinations 
In the case of Richard Collins a late Pensioner, whose Widow has applied for the continuance of the Bounty you will find by referring
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to the original papers, that part of his claim for services was surrendered to save the trouble of obtaining proof, and he was contented to receive pay for the remainder, which was proved It is only for this latter part, that the widow makes any claim and as her Husband's application was granted I trust you will see no cause be reject hers, 

I send you a new Affidavit of John Ward take without any reference to his former declaration; that you may see whether his [crossed out 'memory'] present memory agrees with his former statements. There can be no kind of doubt that he has performed the services enumerated and that he richly deserves a pension __  but whether he can procure the necessary proof is doubtful   I wish you would be good enough to give his case another examination and see whether you cannot find any record
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in your Office, which will substantiate his claim He deserves, and wants it
With much Respect
Ys  Wm. Freeman



act '38 --- 3494  Dec'd Mary Perry
Act '38 --  3495. Abr Banks
Act '36  4146   Rachel Ray -
Act  36   3601  home Mary Collin's
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
Form VAM-51 
12 - 5 - 41
 
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD* 

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives 

NAME  Ward, John
GRADE  Private
LINE   New Jersey 
WARRANT NUMBER   8834
ACREAGE    100
ISSUED  October 1 1789 
to- not shown- 


*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives