Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29729, William Coas, Mass. Privateer
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Mass. Coas, William S.29729
Privateer
CONTENTS
Page 2

[left page]
1244
Massachusetts
William Coas
of Gloucester in the State of Mass
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Pearson of the Regt commanded
by Wm Foster Col in the Mass
line for 2 Years from 1776

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of October
1832 and Sent William
Ferson Gloucester Mass

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $120 -
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33  40 -
$160 -
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
[paper torn] corded by J. H McBlair Clerk
[paper torn] ok D. Vol. 2nd. Page 43.

[right page]
Death not on A B -
J L.
Page 3

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex, Ss.
On this eleventh day of August, 1832, personally appeared before
the Hon. Daniel A. White, Judge of Probate of Wills &c. for the County of
Essex in the State of Massachusetts, William Coas, a resident of Gloucester
in said County and State, aged eighty years (being unable to appear in
Court by reason of bodily infirmity) 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 & served as herein stated
That he enlisted as a Private on or about the 18th January 1776.
in Capt. William Pearsons company in Colo. Joseph Fosters Regt of
Massts. State troops, stationed at Gloucester for the defence of the
Sea Coast; and served therein eleven months untill about
the 18th December, 1776; was then discharged without any
written document.
That he again enlisted, or was draft, as a Private in Capt.
Mark Pools company in Colo. Titcombs Regt. of Massts. militia
to serve at Rhode Island, on or about 15, April 1777 and
served therein, as well as he can recollect, three months; and
was discharged at Bristol about middle of July; not
having received any written discharge
That he shipped as a Seaman on board the private armd. Ship Genl. Stark,
of 20 guns, Wm. Coas, commander, about 5 April 1779 and served on board untill
about 10th November, 1779, having served the term of six months.
That he shipped as a Seaman on board the same vessel, same commander
about 1st Sept. 1780 and served on board untill about
untill the last of Novr. of first of Decr. 1780, being three months

That he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or an
annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is
not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State.
That he was born in said Gloucester on the 13th November, 1752
and that the same is recorded on the Towns books. That he lived
in said Gloucester when he was called into the service; has
lived there since the Revolutionary war; and he now lives
there.
That he entered the service at the beforementioned times by
voluntary enlistment; and that he has no documentary evidence
as required by the War Department.
That Jonathan Robinson and Caleb Lane, who served with the
applican in Capt. Pearsons company in 1776 will give positive testimony
of his service therein. That he has no positive proof of
his services in Pools company in 1777; that there is no Clergyman
in his immediate neighborhood to whom he is known who
can testify for him. That his neighbors Solomon Rowe,
and William Rowe will certify their general knowledge
of his service and character for veracity
William Coas
Page 4

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
[handwritten signature] D A White Judge of Probate

I Nathaniel Warner of Gloucester, State of Massachusetts, aged 71 years
on oath testify, that I am well acquainted with William Coas, the above
named applicant, and to my knowledge he served as a Soldier in
Capn. W. Pearsons company, stationed at Gloucester, in the year 1776
having my self served in Capt. D. Warners company at the same
place and in the same year
[handwritten signature] Nath Warner

We Abraham Williams, aged 75 years and Solomon Rowe aged 78
years, both of Gloucester, State of Massachusetts, on oath testify, that
we served in the Revolutionary ^war; and to our knowledge, William Coas
the applicant above name did serve at the times named in
his declaration and that his statement is true: and that
William Coas, now present, is the identical person who served
as above
[handwritten signature] Abraham Williams
[handwritten signature] Solomon Rowe
swn.

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid

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 Nathl. Warner
Abraham Williams and Solomon Rowe, who have signed the preceding
certificate are residents in said Gloucester; are credible
persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
And the Court further certifies, that it appears to
them, that the above named applicant is unable to appear
in Court by reason of bodily infirmity.
[handwritten signature] D A White Judge of Probate

I Nathaniel Lord, junior, 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 William Coas for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of Office this fourteenth
day of August, Eighteen hundred & thirty two
[handwritten signature] Nath. Lord jr.

[at bottom left of text is a folded diamond-shaped paper containing a dark circular mark; no text legible]
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex, Ss
On this eleventh day of August, 1832, before me William
Ferson, Notary Public in said County, personally came
Nathaniel Warner, Abraham Williams and Solomon Rowe
before named, who subscribed and made oath to the statements
above written; and I certify that said Warner, Williams and
Rowe are known to me as credible persons and their
statement entitled to credit.
Witness my hand and Notarial Seal
at Gloucester, the day and year aforesaid
William Ferson, Noty Public

[extremely faint circular imprint at left of signature; nothing legible in circle]
Page 6

2288
William Coas
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of [handwritten] William Coas of the County [end handwritten]
of [handwritten] Essex - [end handwritten] in the State of [handwritten] Massachusetts [end handwritten]
(Act 7 June, 1832.)

[all answers to the following questions are handwritten]
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Judge

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
bodily infirmity-

3. How old is he? 80 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[column headings: Period. Duration of Service. (Years, Months, Days.) Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]

In 1776 Jany 18th - 11 - As a Private Col. Joseph Foster.
Capt. Wm. Pearson
1777 Apr 15th - 3 - ditto Col. Titcomb Capt. Pool.
1779 Apr. 5th - 6 - Sailor Capt Wm. Coas of the ship Genl.
Stark -
1780 Sept. 1st - 6 - ditto same Commander & Ship -

5. In what battles was he engaged? none

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Gloucester in Essex, Mass.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence,
by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? depositions of living witnesses

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Regular - not being able to procure a Clergyman

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned.
Levin Belt
Examining Clerk.
Page 8

No. 2288.
Wm. Coas of Gloucester Mass,
Private
2 years

Admd
JLE

$80.

Wm Ferson Esq
Gloucester
Mass
Page 9

July 16, 1932.
BA-J/IIL
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Miss Josie W. Hubbard  William Coas
24 Prospect Street  S. 29729
Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Dear Madam:
The record of William Coas, requested in your letter of
June 18, 1932, is furnished herewith.
The data contained herein are obtained from the papers
on file in pension claim, S. 29729, based upon the service of
William Coas in the Revolutionary War.
William Coas was born November 13, 1752 in Gloucester,
Essex County, Massachusetts.
While residing in Gloucester, Massachusetts, he enlisted
January 18, 1776 and served eleven months as private in Captain
William Pearson's Company, Colonel Joseph Foster's Massachusetts
[handwritten] Regiment, defending the seacoast; he enlisted April 15, 1777 and
served three months in Captain Mark Pool's Company, Colonel Titcomb's
Massachusetts Regiment. On April 5, 1779, he shipped as a seaman on
board the private armed ship, "General Stark," William Coas, Commander,
(no relationship of the soldier to said Commander given), and served
until about November 10, 1779; on September 1, 1780, he shipped again
on the same vessel under the same officer and served three months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 11,
1832, at which time he resided in Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts.

Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 10

[left page]
29729
Revy INVALID.
File No. 29,729
William Coas
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32"
Index:- Vol. 2, Page 82
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right page]
Feby - 4 - 1901 -
Mrs. Frederic Smith
Canon City - Col.
1912 Feb'y 21 Hist to Miss
A. Godbold. V. L. M.
1932 - July 16 - Hist. to Miss Josie
W. Hubbard - JLL.
Page 11

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
[handwritten] William Coas - [end handwritten] which require further
proof or explanation.

[all answers to the following questions are handwritten]
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? yes.

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.
Page 12

2

[all answers to the following questions are handwritten]
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? no not being acquainted with any Clergyman
but has the affidavit of two neighbours -

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it? yes, as above-

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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes
the Judge & Notary have both done so

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? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? yes -

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 13

3
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 [italicized] about three or four months [end italicized] is too
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
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 line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer
the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated,
as above directed.
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.
Page 14

Jna. [crossed out text] 1st 1901

GREYDENN
CANON CITY P.O. COLO.
[to the right is an upside-down stamp with rectangular border: O.W.
JAN 26 1901
RECEIVED.]

To the Clerk in Pension Office
Dear Sir
Can you tell me if
there was an officer in
any regiment ^during the Revolutionary war from either
Connecticut or Massachusetts
named Coes. who
was honorably mustered
pvt. & perhaps years ago
his widow entitled to a
pension, thi thus last is
[underlined] a very [end underlined] immaterial point.
The gist of my inquiry is
Page 15

was there an officer, or private
named Coes - first name
not known - son's name
Samuel - in the U.S. army
during the Revolution -
If the pension bureau is
the wrong place to inquire,
kindly tell me where to
direct my next inquiry -
Very Sincerely
Mrs. Frederic Smith
Box 222 Canon City P.O.
Fremont County
Colorado
Page 16

150 Trenton Street,
East Boston, Massachusetts,
February 13, 1912.

Pension Department,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:  [handwritten: S. 29729]
Will you please send me the war record, if you have
it, of William Coas, of Gloucester, who was a privateersman in the
Revolutionary War, and oblige,
Very truly yours,
[handwritten signature] Miss A. Godbold.
Page 17

24 PROSPECT STREET
GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
June 18, 1932.
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: -
May I have
copy of Pension, of each
of the following Revolutionary
Solders: -
[all of the following surnames are underlined]
Jonathan Hubbard, of
Acton, Me.
Abraham Williams,
Gloucester, Mass.
John [checkmark]  Tarr, Jr, Gloucester,
Mass., granted Aug. 7, 1832

[circular stamp at bottom right of page, upside-down, with a ring of numbers 1 through 12 as the outside border: RECEIVED
JUN 20 1932
RECEIPT [illegible]
PENSION FILES [illegible] SION]
Page 18

24 PROSPECT STREET
GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
[written above Coas: (checkmark) OK]
[checkmark] William Coas, (Privateer)
Gloucester, Mass.
Thank you.
Yours Truly,
(Miss) Josie W. Hubbard
2 histories
Page 19

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau. [handwritten] William Coas S.F. 29729 [end handwritten]

[table with printed column headings, all answers are handwritten. Column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. (CAPTAIN. COLONEL.) STATE.]

Jany 18, 1776 11 mos. Pvt. William Pearson Joseph Foster Mass.
Apr. 15, 1777 3 mos. Mark Pool Titcomb "
Apr. 5, 1779 6 mos. Seaman ^on private armed ship Genl. Stark Commander William Coas
Sept. 1. 1780 3 mos " " " " " " " "

[all answers to the following printed questions are handwritten]
Battles engaged in, [checkmark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Gloucester, Essex Co. Mass.
Date of application for pension, Aug 11. 1832 His cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Gloucester Essex Co. Mass
Age at date of application, born at Gloucester Nov. 13. 1752
Remarks:

Very respectfully,
1565b3m10-08  Commissioner.
Page 20

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41 BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Coates, Charles GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT
NUMBER 3894 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED May 24, 1790
[handwritten under date] To - not shown- [end handwritten note]

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.