Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12367, John Bussey, Mass
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Mass

Bussey, John

NUMBER
S.12367
carded
===
CONTENTS
Page 2

[left side]
Let. E. Clark, July 12/53
SN.
Norfolk

[right side]
21.787
Massachusetts
===
John Bussey
[of] Norfolk in the State of Mass
[who] was a Lieutenant in the Company commanded
[by] Captain Todd of the Rgt commanded
[by] Co'l. Crafts in the Mass
[line] for 2 years
State Arty
===
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
[at] the rate of 400 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
[to] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
===
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Oct
1833 and sent Det Lee Child Boston Mass
===
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $1,000.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 200.00
[total] $1,200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
[Recorded by] D D Addison Clerk,
Vol. 2 Page 42
Page 3

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By His Excellency LEVI LINCOLN, Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
To all whom it may concern:

Know Ye, That David S. Child Esq'r is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned, and that to his Acts and Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.

In Testimony thereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this thirtieth day of January A.D. 1833, and in the Fifty Seventh Year of the Independence of the United States of America.

By His Excellency the Governor.
Edward D Bangs Secretary of the Commonwealth.

[at left: State Seal and signature:]
Levi Lincoln
Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Norfolk ss. On this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Probate Court now sitting at Roxbury in and for said County, John Bussey a resident of Dorchester in said County, aged 81 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 A. D. 1832.

THAT he was born at Canton then Stoughton in the ^s'd County of Norfolk then Suffolk on the eleventh day of June A.D. 1751, and that there is a record of his birth in the Stoughton Rec'ds: that he was in the United States service from about the fifteenth day of May A D. 1775, to ^about the fifteenth day of Jan'y A. D. 1776 as a Lieutenant in the Massachusetts State Troops [inserted: Regiment of artillery]: that he was residing at said Dorchester when he he entered the service; that he was commissioned on or about sd 15th May [inserted: by the said State] and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Col Richard Gridley in Capt Pierce's company and Capt L't Stephen Badlam & L't Vose were of same Co'y. that he marched from Roxbury to Dorchester: that he served at s'd Roxbury with Col Tupper's Regiment of Provincial but none of the regular troops; and Generals Ward Washington, Lee & Thomas and Capt afterwards Col Crane battle and after Gen Stevens regular officers were known to him was in Col Crane and L't after Gen Stevens officers were known to him: that he was in [blank] battle and at the end of his service received no written discharge: that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at said Dorchester and left the service on or about said fifteenth day of January.

ALSO: that he was in the United States service from about the seventeen day of May A.D. 1776, to about the fifteenth day of Feb'y A.D. 1779 as a Lt' and Capt Lt. in the Massachusetts State Reg't of Art'y: that he was residing at said Dorchester when the entered the service: that he bore said commissions under the same authority as aforesaid and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Col Thomas Crafts in Capt Todd's company and Col Paul Revere and Major Swan and after him Major Thomas Melville were of the same Regiment that he marched from Boston to Rhode Island, at two several times: that he served at s'd Rhode Island with many both of militia & of the regular troops; and Generals Lovell Sullivan Greene Lafayette & Glover and Cols Vose & Sprout regular ^& militia officers were known to him: that he was in the battle of Rhode Island and at the end of his service received no written discharge, and left the service on or about said fifteenth of Feb'y.
Page 5

He has no documentary evidence except the testimony annexed, his said commissions being lost

The general circumstances of my service were as follows, to wit: I was in Roxbury at the time of Bunker Hill Battle and was ordered by Gen Thomas to Lambs Dam so called to plant there two field pieces and open a fire upon the enemy's advanced posts on the neck. One man of my command was wounded on the head by a cannon shot. His name was Samuel Kelton The said Lt. Vose was afterwards aid de Camp to Gen Knox. During the second expedition which I was engaged in to Rhode Island a storm arose which was so violent that we could not keep a tent standing. Immediately after the storm the greater part of the volunteers went off and reduced our force about one quarter or one third. The battle was fought in a valley between Domini Hill & Quaker Hill. Col Wigglesworth commanded the guard and when the British came on he fought them in retreating until he arrived at the main body and there the battle took place. I recollect seeing Capt Thomas Phillips in the hottest of it

When about to retire from the island Gen Sullivan ordered 500 tents to be pitched on the main, to make the enemy think it was a reinforcement. [symbol indicating  footnote, see image 6]

He 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 the agency of any State.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.

[signed] John Bussey

We Thaddeus Mason Harris a clergyman, residing in the town of Dorchester and Abel Cushing Esq residing in said Dorchester hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Bussey who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one 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 as aforesaid.

[signed] Thaddeus Mason Harris
[signed] Abel Cushing

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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary officer and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Thaddeus M Harris, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in said Dorchester; and that Abel Cushing who has also signed the same is a resident in Dorchester and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.

[signed] Sherman Leland Judge of Probate

I Samuel Haven, Reg'r of the Court of Probate aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Bussey, for a pension.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.

[signed] Samuel Haven
[seal, lower left, reading: PROBATE COURT]
Page 6

[symbol indicating this is a footnote from image 5, q.v.]
After the British evacuated Boston they stationed three or four large vessels (74s) to protect their transports which might arrive from Halifax and elsewhere. We went down to Nantasket, threw up some works and mounted on them three 18 pounders and as day opened began to fire upon said vessels, and we soon drove them out in great haste After that we took several British vessels which arrived. The British returned the fire of our battery with several broadsides which passed over our heads.

[written upward at left:]
C'n L't John Bussey
No 6523.
Page 7

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth "ss"

On this fourth day of April, Eighteen hundred and fifty three, Personally appeared Before Jesse Perkins, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Plymouth, & State aforesaid, Clarissa Cobb, a resident of North Bridgwater in said County, being Forty-eight years of age, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, as well for herself as for Mary Bussey her sister, and other heirs of late John Bussey of Dorchester in the County of Norfolk & State aforesaid, That John Bussey, her father, was as she believes, a Lieutenant and Captain in the Artillery, in the War of the Revolution was stationed at the Forts around Boston-Harbour the first part of the War, and was also in the Artillery Service in the State of Rhode Island, and may have rendered other services in the Staff, that all his services amounted to upwards of two years, that he received a Pension from the United State under the Law of Congress of June 7, 1832, and as she believes he did not receive the full amount of Pension, to which he was entitled.
Page 8

for the services he rendered his Country She therefore claim an increase agreeable to the construction of the Act of June 7, 1832, and declares that the name of the said John Bussey, was enrolled onely on the Pension list in the agency for paying pensions in the State of Massachusetts

[signed] Clarissa Cobb

Sworn to and Subscribed by the said Clarissa Cobb on the day and year first above written, Before me and I certify that I not interested in the prosecution, or result of this claim.

Jesse Perkins, Justice of Peace.
Page 9

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, April 5th 1853

I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Jesse Perkins was a Justice of the Peace In the County of Plymouth in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

[signed] E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 10

6523
Jno Bussy
Lieut of Arty 2 years
W.C.E.
14 of
Apl 29 1833
P 361
Mr. Bang's Certificate
required [?] 22 Aug't 1833
D Lee Child Esq
Boston
[lined out: E.T. Leland Esq Roxbury]
Mass
Page 11

6523
BRIEF in the case of John Bussey of Norfolk Co. in the State of Mass
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court

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

3. How old is he? 81

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

[Table, 4 columns, 2 rows + headings]
Period. | 
Duration of Service. Years Months Days. |
Rank. |
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.

about 15 May '75 to about 15 Jan'y '76 | -- 8 -- | Lieut | Cap'n Pierce - Col Gridley

about 17 May '76 to about 15 Feb'y 79 | 2 -- 9 -- | Lieut & Capt Lieut | Cap'n Todd - Col. Craft

5. In what battles was he engaged?
Battle at Rhode Island under Sullivan

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? dont say

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

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Deposition not properly authenticated

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

[signed] H. C. Easton Examining Clerk.
28th Jan 33
Page 12

Rev War
12367
INVALID.
File No. 12367
John Bussey
Lt Rev. War
Act: June 7" 1832
Index:-- Vol. A, Page 52
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

[stamp] FREE
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C
[overwritten downward:] C Mass
Page 14

April 13, 1853
App'l of John Bussey deceased for increase pension
Mass:
Act 7th June 1832
Elijah Clark
Brighton
Mass:

[Printed on envelope, downward in image]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
PENSION OFFICE OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Commissioner.
Page 15

Brighton, Mass. April 11th 1853.

Dear Sir,

I enclose to you herewith the claims of the Surviving children of the late John Bussey of Dorchester, for an increase to the Pension allowed him
render act of 1832

Verry Respt
Your Obedent Servt.
Elijah Clark

Hon. L. P. Waldo,
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
City, D.C
Page 16

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Norfolk, ss

I, Sherman Leland Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Norfolk hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to me to prove that John Bussey of Dorchester in said County an Officer in the War of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of the year 1832 died at said Dorchester on or near the sixth day of March one thousand eight hundred and forty one and that he, at his decease, left Sally Bussey his lawful widow and that he also left John Bussey, Mary Bussey Jaazaniah Bussey and Clarissa Cobb his only surviving children and that the said Sally Bussey widow died at said Dorchester on the fourth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty six; that the said John Bussey, son of the said pensioner died at said Dorchester on the seventh day of December in the year one thousand
Page 17

eight hundred and forty four, and that the said Jaazaniah Bussey son of said pensioner died on the fourteenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty five; and the said Mary Bussey and Clarissa Cobb are still living and are now the only surviving children of the said pensioner.

In Witness whereof I the said Sherman Leland Judge as aforesaid have hereunto set my hand [interlined: and the] Seal [interlined: of said Court] this eighth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.

/five words interlined/
Sherman Leland
Page 18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
April 2 1853.

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 John Bussey is borne on a roll of Capt. Vose's Co. Col. Robinson's Regt. who served after the "battle of Concord" at Roxbury 14 days as private from Milton & was paid [pounds] 1. 8.S.

On rolls of 8 mos. service in 1775 as 2d Lieut. from Dorchester Capt. Thomas Pierces Co., Col. R. Gridleys Regt. of Arty. from May 8. His name is on muster roll of the Co. dated at Roxbury Sept. 29. The Coat roll of Co. (signed by privates) shows that it was still at Roxbury Dec. 30. 1775.

On roll of Capt. Gill's Co. (the 6th) Col. Craft's Regt of Arty. from May 9. 1776  to Aug 1. 1776 2 mos. 23 days as 1st Lieut. at [pounds] 4 per month, whole Amount [pounds] 11.4 s.

On roll of Capt. Gill's Co. (6th) Col. Craft's Regt. as 1st Lieut from Aug. 1 to Nov. 1 1776, 3 mos. at [pounds] 4 whole Amt. [pounds] 12.

On roll of Capt Gills Co., Craft's Regt. as 1st Lieut from Feby 1. to May 8 1777. 3 mos. 7 days at [pounds] 5. 10s per mo. Whole Amt. [pounds] 17. 15s. 8d.

On abstract of Capt. Todd's Co. (6th) Col. Crafts' Regt. from date of enlistments to Aug. 1. 1777 as Capt. Lieut. 85 days at [pounds] 9. per mo. whole amt. [pounds] 25. 10s.
Page 19

On abstract of 6th Co., Capt. Todd's Co. Col. Crafts Regt. from July 31 to Oct. 1 -- as Capt. Lieut. 2 mos. at [pounds] 9 per. mo, whole amt. [pounds] 18.

On abstract of 6th) Co. Capt. Todd, Col. Crafts, for Jany & Feby. 1779. 2 mos as Capt. Lieut. at 9[pounds]. whole Amt. [pounds]18.

Various abstracts of the officers of the (6th) Capt. Todd's Co. Crafts Regt. where the names of the subordinate officers are not found, give the services of a Capt. Lieut from Nov. 1. 1777 to Dec. 31, 1778, 14 mos. at [pounds]9. per month

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

[signed] E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 20

[Another shot of the same page as in image 19.]

On abstract of 6th Co., Capt. Todd's Co. Col. Crafts Regt. from July 31 to Oct. 1 -- as Capt. Lieut. 2 mos. at [pounds] 9 per. mo, whole amy. [pounds] 18.

On abstract of 6th) Co. Capt. Todd, Col. Crafts, for Jany & Feby. 1779. 2 mos as Capt. Lieut. at 9[pounds]. whole Amt. [pounds]18.

Various abstracts of the officers of the (6th) Capt. Todd's Co. Crafts Regt. where the names of the subordinate officers are not found, give the services of a Capt. Lieut from Nov. 1. 1777 to Dec. 31, 1778, 14 mos. at [pounds]9. per month

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.

[signed] E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 21

I, Mary Bussey of Dorchester in the County Norfolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Depose and Say, that I have reason to believe that my late father, John Bussey did not receive the full amount of Pension which he should have received, for the services he rendered his Country in the War of the Revolution. I therefore for my self & in behalf of Clarissa Cobb my sister, request the Secretary of this Commonwealth to examine the Rolls & Documents in his office, & furnish proof of the said John Bussey, who as I believe was a native of Canton in Said County, & that he was in the Service the first part of the War, and was in the Artillery Service some of the time, that he was Lieutenant, in the Artillery, & commanded company on Fort Independance in Boston ^Harbour, passed in Col Craft Regimt, and that while he rendered this service, he also rendered Service in the line of Staff Service, as Quarter Master, & as Paymaster. That he was also in the Service on a fort. in Rhode Island, that the greater part of his services were rendered in the Artillery, & since the War of Revolution, has been known by the name of Colo. Bussey of Dorchester, has services supposed to be near Seven years.

[signed] Mary Bussey

Middlesex.. ss.. January 21, 1853. Subscribed to by the Said Mary Bussey on the day & year above. Attest. Elijah Clark, Justice of Peace
Page 22

6523
John Bussey
Application must be made to E. D. Bangs Esq Secy of State of Mass for evidence of the claimant's service

Augt 22 1833
D L Child
Boston
[lined out: E. S. Leland Roxbury Mass]
Page 23

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 Bussey
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 amout 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 24

2

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. [dagger] 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? [crossed out: no]

Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? [crossed out: no]

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. [double dagger] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [crossed out: no]

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 25

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 [italics] 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.

[dagger] 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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

[double dagger] 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.

[pointing hand] 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 26

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept. 21 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 Bussey is borne on a Roll of a company of artillery commanded by Major Thomas Pierce in Col Gridley regiment and he is therein stated to have served as second Lieutenant [2 words underlined] from the eighth day of May AD 1775 three months & three days -- Also on a roll of Captain William Tod's Company Col Crafts Regiment of Massachusetts State Artillery and he is therein stated to have served as Captain Lieutenant [2 words underlined] eighty five days up to August first AD 1777 -- Also on another Roll of said Tod's company in said Crafts Regiment is therein stated to have served as a Captain Lieutenant [2 words underlined] from the thirty first day of July of the year last aforesaid to the first day of October
Page 27

of the same year -- also on an abstract of wages of officers belonging to said Crafts Regiment and is therein stated to have served two months from the first day of January AD 1779 -- It also appears that he was commissioned as ^first Lieutenant [underlined] Oct 9, 1776.

And I do further certify that the rolls of said Tod's company are imperfect.

Edward D Bangs, Sec
Page 28

I Thomas Melvill of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty one years testify and say that I was an officer in Col Thomas Crafts Regiment of artillery raised by the State of Massachusetts, and that I served therein as Captain and Major from May 1776 to February 1779; and that I was acquainted with L't John Bussey then and ever since a resident of Dorchester in the County of Norfolk & Commonwealth aforesaid; and that he served as a L't & Capt L't in said Regiment during the period aforesaid

[signed] Tho's Melvill

Suffolk ss Boston Aug 14, 1832. Subscribed & Sworn before
David Lee Child J. Peace [cross with dots symbol]

I Turner Phillips of s'd Boston aged seventy six testify and say that I served as a ^Capt Lieut. and Captain in Crafts Regiment of State artillery from May 1776 to Feb'y 1779 and that the facts contained in the above affidavit subscribed by Thomas Melvill are true

[signed] Turner Phillips
Page 29

Suffolk ss Boston August 14, 1832. Subscribed and sworn before
David Lee Child J.P. [cross with 4 dots symbol]

[crossed out: [cross with 4 dots symbol] See Certificate of Secretary of Massachusetts accompanying John Hill's application]

Suffolk ss. May 16th 1833. I certify that said Melvill & s'd Phillips whose names are subscribed and who were sworn before me to the aforesaid affidavits, are credible persons and their statements entitled to credit

D Lee Child Jus. Peace