Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 35217, Benjamin Curtis, Navy (Mass.)
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Navy (Mass)

Curtis, Benjamin
Curtiss or

S. 35217
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18,594

Maine

Benjamin Curtiss
(Mass)

of Hancock Co. in the State of Maine
who was a Mariner in the 
Frigate Dean, commanded by
Capt. Nicholson  - one year

Inscribed on the Roll of Maine
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on 
the 25th of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 of May 1822
and set to Hon. John Holmes
Alfred, Maine

Arrears to 4th of March 1822  370.63
Semi-anl. all'ce ending to Sept. 1822  48.00

$418.63

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818}

May 1, 1820
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Left side

The testimony on oath, of two or more disinterested and credible persons, certified as such by the Judge, proving explicitly and unequivocally, from their own knowledge, the service of the applicant, 9 months in Continuance, on continental establishment.




Right Side

17,201

Benjamin Curtis
Hancock Co. Mass
on board the Dean Frigate

Cap. Nicholson
July 1777 to Nov. 1778

15 mos.

April 25, 1818

(Print too faded to transcribe)

July 14, 1820
additional declaration

R.C. Vose Attorney

Augusta, Maine
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I Benjamin Curtis, age fifty two years, a Citizen of the United States born in Wells, York County, Maine, now of Monroe, Hancock County, Maine, do hereby certify that I entered on board the Dean Frigate, commanded by Capt. James Nicholson in July 1777 at Boston Massachusetts, in the war of the revolution against the common enemy, upon the Continental establishment.  I entered for the service as a Mariner and sailed from Boston to the West Indies, on a cruise we took two prisoner  and returned to Philadelphia.
I had the small pox very severely - I continued in the service on board said Frigate, and in the Hospital at Philadelphia until October or November 1778 when I was discharged by the Navy board, after having served more than fourteen months on board said Frigate and in the Hospital in continuation.  My discharge I lost afterwards at Sea.  From my reduced circumstances I need the assistance of my Country for support.  I hereby relinquish all claims to any pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States if any, and request to be placed upon the list for the District of Maine

Benjamin Curtis

I Eleazer Dickey, aged fifty eight years, at present of Monroe, Maine, do hereby upon oath testify and declare that I well know Benjamin Curtis above named a Mariner in the War of the Revolution being myself at the same time in the service, and having seen him on board the Frigate.  The said Curtis, I well knew of his serving as he has above states, I am now on the Pension Roll for Maine, for my services in the Massachusetts Line

Eleazer Dickey

Kennebec County

January 2, 1820 Personally appeared the above named Eleazer Dickey to me well known, a credible witness and he made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed.

Before me,
Robert H. Vose 
Justice of the Peace
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Additional declaration:

I Benjamin Curtis, within named do further testify and declare that according to my best recollection I entered on board the Dean Frigate in July 1777 for one year unless sooner discharge in this cruise.
I am confident I served on board said Frigate over eleven months, when I was taken sick the small pox and put into the hospital at Philadelphia I had the small pox severely and after I recovered I was unable to get my discharge, (although I had served then over one year), by reason of the Frigate being daily expected to arrive in the Delaware, the orders given to the hospital department were to retain all those who recovered from the small pox, until the Frigate returned to Philadelphia.
The Frigate did not return that summer, and it was as late as October or November before we were discharged.

Benjamin Curtis

State of Maine Kennebec Co.
Subscribed and sworn to July 14,1820
Before me Nathan Weston one of the Ustices of the S.J. Court
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I Charles Curtis, age fifty eight years now a resident of Swanville, Maine, do upon declare, that Benjamin Curtis of Monroe Maine enlisted in July 1777, as a Mariner on board the Dean Frigate Capt. Nicholson for the period of one year, or for the cruise, and entered on board said Frigate at Boston, where he served on board said Frigate several months, and then sailed on a Cruise, and did not return for more than one year afterwards.  The said Benjamin is my brother and I am personally knowing to his entering on board said Frigate, and from the frequent information received from him while on board the Frigate I know he must have served the full period he has in his declaration set forth - I was well acquainted with Lowell and Westcott who served with my brother and from facts related by them of Benjamin's service, and from circumstances related by him after his return, I have no doubts in my mind he served faithfully as he as declared.
The said Lowell and Westcott have both declared and I do not know of any one living at the present time within the State who served with my brother.

Charles Curtis (his mark)

Attest. R.C. ?

State of Maine
Kennebec Co.

Nov. 24th 1821 signed and sworn to being first distinctly ? and to him, and I am satisfied the deponent is a credible witness.

Before me,
Nathan Weston
Justice S.J.C.
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I James Moore, aged fifty five years of Frankfort Maine do upon oath declare that I have been from my youth acquainted with Benjamin Curtis now of Monroe Maine, to my knowledge the said Curtis enlisted in July 177 as a Mariner on board the Dean Frigate, Capt. Nicholson for the period of one year or for the cruise,  - the said Curtis entered on board the Frigate with Stephen Lowell and John Wescott, and from facts and circumstances related to me by said Lowell and Wescott, at the time or after their return home I know that the said Curtis, did serve on board said Frigate, and in the Hospital the full term of fourteen months - both Lowell and Wescott, have deceased many years ago, and I do not know any person who served with the said Benjamin Curtis, now living within the State - I have been acquainted with the said Benjamin as I before stated from my youth and I have heard him many years ago give an account of his service and have no doubt in my mind that he served the full term of fourteen months, as he has declared.

James Moore

State of Maine
Kennebec Co.
Nov. 21, 1821

Subscribed and sworn to, and I am satisfied the deponent is a credible witness and disinterested

Nathan Weston
Justice S.J.C.
Page 8

State of Maine

Kennebec County, ss.

On this fourteenth day of July 1820, Supreme Judicial Court , being a Court of Record, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Benjamin Curtis, aged fifty three years, resident in Monroe in the County of Hancock within said State, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, declare  that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. upon the Continental Establishment for the period of nearly fifteen months on board the Dean Frigate commanded by Capt. Samuel Nicholson in 1777 and 1778 and in the first cruise captured two of the Enemy's vessels, one of which was a twenty gun ship, out of Liverpool.

that his original declaration was made before Judge Crosby on the application for a pension.  And I, the said Benjamin Curtis, do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof , with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain person engaged in the land and naval service of the  United States, in the Revolutionary War,: passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

Benjamin Curtis

The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, viz:

Real Estate none
One cow and calf of the value of fifteen dollars
Four sheep and two lambs - seven dollars
One swine - four dollars
Farming tools - six dollars
Old household stuff (besides bedding) - five dollars

I have no debts due to me and I owe as much as two hundred dollars.  I was formerly a sailor; and followed the seas, sixteen years in the early part of my life, but my occupation has been for many years past that of a farmer, and having my leg broke about five years since, and being subject to the rheumatism, I am able at the present to do but little labor, My family consists of myself and my wife Jemima, aged sixty four years who enjoys a poor state of health, much afflicted with the Rheumatism, and nearly helpless, both live with one son Samuel, who is a man of small property
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Except the above and my bedding and clothing I have no estate or income whatever

Benjamin Curtis

Subscribed sworn to and declared both the oath and schedule on the fourteenth day of July 1829

Before me
Nathan Weston Judge
Justice S.J. Court
for said State

State of Maine
Hancock ss.

At the Supreme Judicial Court begun and holden at Castine within the County of Hancock and for the Counties of Hancock, Washington, and Penobscot on the second Tuesday of October (being the tenth day of the month) AD 1820

I Mason Shaw Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the Counties of Hancock, Washington and Penobscot do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copies from the record of the said Court and that the original was exhibited in open court.  And I further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is thirty seven dollars. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on the fourteenth day of October AD 1820

Mason Shaw
Clerk


See certificate of 
Mason Shaw clerk




Upside down

No. 2
Benjamin Curtis
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Invalid
Revy

File No. 35217

Benjamin Curtis
Mariner

Frigate Dean

Rev. War

Act 18th March 1818
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Hancock, ss.

ON the twenty fifty day of April AD  1818, before me the subscribe, one of the Judges of the Eastern Circuit, of the Court of common Pleas, in said Commonwealth, including the the Counties of Hancock, Washington, and Penobscot: Personally appeared Benjamin Curtis
who, being by me first duly sworn  according to law, on his oath made the statement and declaration by him subscribed, and hereto annexed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war."
And thereupon, I the said Judge do certify that I am satisfied  the said Benjamin Curtis did service in the revolutionary war, as stated in his said declaration, against the common enemy, and that he has made it appear to me, that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
Which proceedings and the testimony annexed, being all he has been able to produce, I now transmit to the Secretary, for the department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and caused the seal of said Court to be hereunto affixed by Mason Shaw Esquire, Clerk of said Court for said County of Hancock.

William Crosby Judge
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I William Borden, aged sixty five years now a resident of Swanville, Hancock County Maine, do upon oath declare that I well knew Benjamin Curtis within named a Continental Mariner in the War of the Revolution to my knowledge he enlisted in July 1777 on board the Dean Frigate Capt. Nicholson at Boston for the period of one year, or for the cruise, I saw the said Curtis sign the shipping papers and afterwards late in the fall saw him on duty on board said ship about five months, after he entered on board said ship in the harbor, they were preparing for a cruise - the ship soon after (I believe in January 1778) sailed and the said Curtis on board.  I did not see him until his return which was more than fifteen months from the time I saw him sign the shipping papers. I have  been always acquainted with said Curtis from his youth and the facts written with my own knowledge and from what was told me at that time I have no doubt he served on board said Dean Frigate more than the period of nine months, in continuation as he has said in his declaration declared - there were four others papers signed and stated on board said Frigate at the time said Curtis did, and none of them are living at the present time to my knowledge the above were all the Mariners I have any knowledge of that were on board the Frigate - I have been acquainted with the said Curtis for many years, we were boys, together, and he has  always sustained the character of a man of truth. 

William Borden (his mark)

Signed and sworn to being first distinctly 
I am satisfied that the deponent is credible an disinterested. 
Nathan Weston Judge

March 13,1821 
Before me, 
Nathan Weston Judge
S.J.C.
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Hon. John Holmes

U.S. Senate
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Augusta  April 23 1822


Dear Sir:

I enclose you the claim of Jonathan Hibbert, to a pension the original Discharge together with Hibberts' are also filed herewith

I likewise return you the Schedule of Benjamin Curtis  -- it will appear by examining Curtis' Schedule that the same has been examined and exhibited in open Court in the County where the applicant resides, although the Schedule was first made in Kennebec - The Secretary of War opined me that if I would exhibit this and other similar cases in the county where the pensioners reside, and have the original schedule filed in that county that he would dispense with rule requiring the pensioner to exhibit in his county first.  I did so with Curtis and many other cases and all the others have been admitted at the pension office where the amount of property did not prevent the facts must be in the recollection of W.W. Edwards and also I am certain the Secretary of War must remember the same to present the above to the Pension Office and get a report if possible before you leave the city.

Hon John Holmes
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I am sorry to trouble you so much although you gave me full liberty to send you my business when last I saw you

I am with great sincerity
your friend  ?
Robert C. Vose