Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8814, for Richard Lawrence, New York
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
New York

Lawrence, Richard
NUMBER
S.8814
Carded
CONTENTS
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11, 103.
Maryland
Richard Lawrence
of Baltimore Co in the State of Maryland
who was a Lieut & Pr in the Company commanded by Captain Richmough of the
New York Troops-
9 Mo. Lieut.   $120.00
10 Mo. Pr.   $33.33
[total] $153.33
Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland at
the rate of 153 - Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of March 1833 and sent to J. Robb, Esqr., Chf Clk W. Dept
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - $306.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 $76.66
[total] $383.32

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by John T. Sprague, Clerk
Book E, Vol. 5 Page 111

Dead,
See letter to L. Young, Sept. 15, 1837
same Sept 25, 1837
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State of Maryland
City of Baltimore } to wit

On the Twenty third day of March in the year
of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three, Before the subscriber a Judge of the Orphans Court of Baltimore County  -- personally appeared Richard Lawrence a resident of the City of Baltimore aged Seventy Seven years or thereabouts who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832 - 
That early in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy five, being then about Nineteen years old he joined a volunteer Company of Infantry
(in the City of New York where he then resided) called the Fusiliers commanded by Captain Richmough and served in said Company, at the time the British armed Ship the "Asia" fired
into the City of New York, was also serving in said Company at the time General Washington and Lea passed through New York on their way to or near Boston, that he marched in and with the said Company to Kings Bridge and remained there some time as a guard to protect the Cannon and other munitions of war which had been removed from New York to that place for safety at the time of the firing into the City as before mentioned - that in
the year 1777 he had occasion to go to Charleston South Carolina, and while there volunteered to and did assist in guarding that 
City by night to prevent the Tories and Negroes from burning the place and at one time was the first to give the alarm when
a Negro was detected in the act of setting fire to a House, who was afterwards
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afterwards burnt for the crime, that some time afterwards he returned to the State of New York and joined as volunteer some regulars under the command of Captains Drake and Lawrence and while with them had a smart engagement at Hoboken with a sloop belonging to the British. That in the year 1780 he obtained a Lieutenants-Commission in the State Levies of New York in which Capacity he
served nine months and during all the time was in active employment. During a part of it he was stationed with the American Army
near the Heights above Dobbs Ferry about twenty five miles from New York, and was there exposed to the fire of a British armed
Vessel while the Americans were building a Block House at that place, and while there he was several times despatched with others
to reconnoiter the British at Kings Bridge for the purpose of giving information to the American Commander at West Point, and once
returning from thence his party was discovered by the British and fired on by two armed vessels. That some time afterwards Captain Jonathan Lawrence and himself were ordered to proceed to and join a Regiment at Albany. Captain Lawrence started and left him
(deponent) to collect an additional number of men which he did in a few days and then proceeded with them to Albany and there
joined a Regiment of Infantry Commanded by Colonel Malkolm and Dubois, to which regiment he remained attached until his
term of service expired, and was sent to several places on duty during the time.  That afterwards he went to Philadelphia and in the year 1782, settled in the City of Baltimore where he now resides, deponent
further
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further saith that at his request the annexed Certificates signed by Jonathan Lawrence and Saml Ver Verlin, were written, and that the
Commission hereto annexed, is the Identical Commission herein before mentioned. He also says he is personally known to the Revd Mr
Williams, Mr Isaac Causton, Generals Saml Smith and Wm McDonald, the Hon'ble Henry Payson, John Purviance Esqr., and many other respectable citizens of Baltimore. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the
Pension Roll of any agency in any State, Territory or District.
This deponent upon his oath aforesaid further 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, to wit:  For nine months as a
Private in the Company under Captain Richmough; he served one month under Drake & Lawrence and he served as a Lieutenant
under and by virtue of the annexed Commission Nine months and for such service he claims a pension -
[signed] Richd Lawrence
Sworn and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid-
Mr. Stephen Williams a Clergyman residing in the City of Baltimore in the State of Maryland, and Isaac Causton residing in the same place, hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with
Richard Lawrence who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration-
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declaration; that we believe him to Seventy seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that
opinion.
[signed] Stephen Williams
[signed] Isaac Caustin (X) his mark
Mr. Caustin being lame in the right hand is the cause of his making a mark.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
------------------------------------------------
Interrogatories propounded by the said Judge to Richard Lawrence and his answers --
Question 1st - Where and in what year were you born
Answer - I was born in the City of New York in the year 1756.
Question 2nd - Have you any record of your age and if so where is it
I have not any record of my age-
Question 3. - Where were you living when called into the service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do
you now live?
Answer - I lived in the City of New York at the time I entered into the service, and shortly after the war settled in the City of Baltimore where I have resided ever since
Question 4 - How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you Volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom.
Answer - I Volunteered and served as a private in Capt Richmough's Company. I was also a Volunteer in the service under Captains
Drake and Dubois; afterwards I served as Lieutenant in the State levies of the State of New York in a Company Commanded
by Capt Jonathan Lawrence, and was a part of the time of my service attached to a Regiment commanded by Colonel
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Malkolm and Dubois at Albany.
Question 5. - State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the General Circumstances of your Service.
Answer - Captain Richmough was the first officer I served under, he was a State officer. I afterwards served under Captains Lawrence & Drake, who were as well as I can recollect Continental officers, when I afterwards obtained a Lieutenant's Commission. I served under Captain Jonathan Lawrence, a State officer; the company was a part of the time attached to a Regiment commanded by Cols. Malkolm and Dubois who were I believe also state officers.
Question 6th - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom
was it given and what has become of it, did you ever receive a Commission and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it?
Answer - When I first entered into the service in a Militia Company I served as long as the services of the Company were required
and was then dismissed, subject to be called out again when wanted.  My service under Lawrence and Drake was very short
it being a very temporary engagement, to reconnoiter the Enemy.  I was soon dismissed. 
I received the annexed Commission, signed
by George Clinton, then Governor of the State of New York.
Question 7th - State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for Veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution-
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Answer - I am acquainted with most of the old inhabitants of Baltimore -  among them are General S Smith, General Wm McDonald, the
Hon'bl Henry Payson, the Revd Mr Williams, Isaac Caustin and John Perviance Esquires, any of whom can, I verily believe, testify as to my Character for veracity and their belief of my
services as a soldier of the Revolution-
[signed] Rich Lawrence
---
And the said Judge doth hereby declare his 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 said Judge further certifies that it appears to him that Stephen Williams,  who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in
the City of Baltimore, and that Isaac Caustin who has also signed the same, is a resident in said City and is a credible person and
that their statement is entitled to credit. And the said Judge also Certifies that the above named applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court -
[signed] Henry Payson a Judge of
the Orphans Court of B. Cy.

I, David M. Perine Register of Wills for Baltimore County do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before the Hon'ble Henry Payson a Judge of the Orphans Court of Balt. County
in the matter of the application of Richard Lawrence for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 23d day of March in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty three.
Cert.  D.M. Perine Register of Wills
for Baltimore County
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FREE

Honorable
J.S. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

[written sideways:  Rich'd Lawrence
Sept 13
M W]
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Baltimore Sept. 12th 1837.

The Honorable J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of pensions
Washington

Sir,
I am requested by Doctor Lawrence, son of the late Richard Lawrence, a Lieut. of the Fusiliers during the Revolutionary war, to inquire, whether the documentary testimony
produced on his behalf is in your office, and whether it can be furnished to aid in an intended application to have the pension
continued to his needy widow, and to enable his son from its purport to ascertain, whether Bounty land is not due them.
From your acquaintance with all the circumstances connected with this application, it is to be presumed you can determine in the probability of success in these continulated proceedings, and your opinion on the
subject will be deemed a peculiar favor conferred on them and
Your Most Respectful
and Obt Sert
Saml Young
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RECORD DIVISION.
3 - 525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.  _________, 19____
S.F. 8874

In reply to your request of______received______
for a statement of the military history of Richard Lawrence, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
(1) 1775
LENGTH OF SERVICE: 9 mos.
RANK
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. Richmough - Fusiliers
STATE:  N.Y.
(2) 1777 
LENGTH OF SERVICE - 9 mos.
While in Charleston, S.C., assisted in guarding
the city
(3) 1777
LENGTH OF SERVICE: 1 mo.
CAPTAIN:  DRAKE & LAWRENCE
STATE:  N.Y.
(4) Sept. 11, 1780
LENGTH OF SERVICE: 9 mos.
RANK:  LIEUT.
CAPTAIN: JONATHAN LAWRENCE
COLONEL: MALCOLM & DUBOIS
Battles engaged in -  Engagement at Hoboken with British sloop
Residence of soldier at enlistment - New York City, N. Y.
Date of application for pension, Mch 23 1833 His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Baltimore City, MD., Since 1782
Age at date of application, born in N.Y. City in 1756
Remarks: He married in 1804, name of wife is not stated.  A Son Dr Richard Lawrence is referred to in 1837 at which time his father was not living
---
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

6 -- 2856
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The People of the STATE OF NEW YORK,
By the Grace of GOD, FREE and INDEPENDENT
To Richard Lawrence Gentleman, GREETING
-
We reposing especial Trust and Confidence, as well in your Patriotism, Conduct and Loyalty,
as in your valour and readiness to do us good and faithful Service; HAVE appointed and
constituted and by these Presents DO appoint and constitute you the said Richard Lawrence, Lieutenant of a Company of the Levies of N.Y. for the Defence of the Frontiers of this State ---

YOU are therefore, to take the said Company into your charge and care, as Lieutenant
thereof, and duly to exercise the Officers and Soldiers of that Company in Arms, who are hereby commanded to obey you as their Lieutenant and you are also to observe and follow such Orders and Directions, as you shall from Time to Time receive from our General and Commander in Chief of the Militia of our said State, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in
Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you, and for so doing, this shall be YOUR COMMISSION, for and during our good pleasure, to be signified by our Council of Appointment. IN TESTIMONY whereof we have caused our seal for Military Commissions to be hereunto affixed. WITNESS our trusty and well beloved George Clinton Esquire our Governor of our State of NEW-YORK, General and Commander
in Chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the same, by and with the Advice and Consent of our said Council of Appointment, at Kingston the Eleventh Day of May
in the Fourth Year of our INDEPENDENCE and in the year of our LORD, ONE THOUSAND, 
seven hundred and eighty.

Passed the Secretary's Office, 11th Sept 1780
By His EXCELLENCY's Command
[signed] G.W. Clinton
Robt Harput, Dep'y Secretary
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8814
INVALID.
Rev. War
File No. 8814
Richard Lawrence 
Lieut  Rev War
---
Act: June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. 1st, Page 215
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mch. 1 - Hist. to Fred A. Smith
Letter in S.F. 42807 Richard
Lawrence V. L.M.
Page 14

I Do hereby certify I am well acquainted with the applicant Richard Lawrence from my youth. In the beginning of the Revolutionary war between America and England
he enlisted under the command of Capt Ritsmow [Richmough] Company was called Fusiliers. Served about six months in the year 1775 - it was the same time the Asia Sixty four* fired on the City of New York, and further he was assisting to Remove the Cannon from the Battery.  In the year 1780 he Received a
Lieutenant's Commission under the command of Capt. J. Lawrence to go to the North of the State of New York and Served nine months: one time at Fort Stanwix and further he has served in Different Forts, one in particular in New Jersey, in a Battle made prize of the Muskets  - one he gave me.
[signed] John Lawrence
Sworn and
Subscribed Before me Adolphus L Mabie Justice
February 11th 1833

I Do hereby Certify I am well acquainted with the applicant Richard Lawrence of serving in the Revolutionary war, between America and England and acted as Lieutenant in the
year 1780 and further I have seen him under arms and doing duty in New Jersey.
[signed] Samuel VerVelen (X) his mark
Sworn and Subscribed 
Before me Adolphus L Mabie Justice
Febuary 11th 1833

I am personally acquainted with John Lawrence and Samuel Ver Verlen, I believe them to be men of Good Standing in society and can be relied upon their veracity.
Adolphus L Mabie Justice

[* HMS Asia was a 64-gun British gunship]
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I David Pye, Clerk of County of Rockland Do hereby Certify That Adolphus L Mabie whose name is subscribed to the within affidavits was on the day of date hereof a Justice of
the peace of the town of Orange, in the county aforesaid, Commissioned and sworn and authorised by law to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and verily believe
that the signature of Adolphus L Mabie Subscribed to the same is Genuine-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office this Eleventh
day of February, 1833-
David Pye
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Sept 23
R. Lawrence 
New York

The Honorable
J.L. Edwards, Esquire
Com'r. of Pensions
Washington

FREE

[circular stamp: BALTIMORE MD
SEP 22]
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The Honorable
J.L. Edwards Esquire
Com'r of Pensions
---
Sir
From the tenor of the communication I had the honor of receiving from you on the 18th last, I indulged a hope that the claim of Mrs. Lawrence to a continuance of the pension granted her late husband Richard Lawrence, would be allowed to her.
On proceeding to obtain the necessary documents prescribed by the regulations with which you were pleased to favor me, I find that the marriage of Mrs. Lawrence took place in the year 1804.  I ask leave therefore to trouble you with the inquiry whether this circumstance will militate so far against the claim I purposed submitting to you, as to compel her to have recourse to Congress for a special act in
her favor.
Very respectfully
Your Most Obt Serv't.
Sam'l Young