Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14857, Belcher Hancock, Continental Mass.
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Continental, Mass
Hancock, Belcher Ann
W.14857
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182
Massachusetts
Ann Hancock Je....
widow of Belcher who was a Sients
 Captain in the Revolution Mass.
 .... from #344i66
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 386 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
..neg 28th Nov. 3, 1847
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of Meay/5/4 and sent to Thomas Campbell Bafton
Massa.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 33
A.I.43
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[sideways on left]
81 Ann Hancock 
widow of Capt Belcher 
81 Hancock

[right side]
81- Boston, Mas 
Ann Hancock 
widow of Belcher Mass 
Married in 1788 

Act 7. July 3 years d
admd 
21. Mo. 24 ds Lt 296.66 
2. 6. Capt 48 
24. $344.66 

no deduction . H. Bradford Esq 
Boston
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United States of America Mass. District, at a Special District Court of the United States holden at Boston within & for the District of Massachusetts on Friday the twenty seventh day of July A.D. 1838 Ann Hancock, a resident of Boston in the County of Suffolk & State of Massachusetts, aged seventy seven years in November last who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows- That she was Beck Hancock, who was an ensign, first Lieutenant, Capt lieutenant & Captain successively, in the army of the revolution in the Massachusetts Line in which or stations he served more than three years ten month exclusive of the whore of the year 1776, which she believe he served in said army as a ing served in the said aring as first Lieut- Grant from Jany 1. 1777 to April 16-1779- from April 16 1779 to Augt 28, 1780, as Captain Lieut I from 28th Augt 1780 to Novr 2d 1780 as Captain & all in Col Joseph Vose's Regiment, as will
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more fully appear from an inspection of the commissions hereto annexed appoint ing him to the several offices aforesaid & by the annexed certificate from the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts That she was married to the said Belcher Hancock on the 7th day of January A.D. 1788, as aphas also by the affidavit of Rev Dr John Pierce of Brookline, State of Mass which is hereto annexed- That her Husband, the aforenamed Belcher Hancock, in the 14th of May A.D. 1813, aged 59 years. That she has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband deceased as above stated, as will also appear by reference to the affidavit of Rev. Dr Pierce annexed. That she was as will appear by the declaration estatement above ) not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January A.D. 1794- at the time above stated, Jany 7, 1788 - 0 Ann Hook Subscribed of sworn to by the said Ann Hancock in open Court on the day & ⎬ Judge of District year above mentioned David Court of U.S. Mass District
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Secretary's Office, Boston July 19. 1838 I hereby certify that from the Books of the Army of the Revolution it appears Belcher Hancock served as a Capt. Lieutenant in Col. Vose Regiment from 1 Jan uary 1777 to December 31st 1779 Thirty six months. and the said Belcher Hancock also served as a Captain in Col. Vose's Regiment from January 14 November 1st 1780 - Ten months. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of --- this Commonwealth the day ┃ above written John P. Bigelow our Rolls say January 6 1780 Peck of the County
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Warren White of Boston County of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, aged forty seven in testifies & says, after being sworn ac cording to law 1 that he has known Mrs Ann Hancock for more than Twenty years last past, being a near neighbor to her for the last fifteen years. I also having known her while her husband Capt. Belcher Hancock was living who lived & died in Roxbury, adjoining Brookline & between Boston & said Brookline & in that part of Roxbury near the bounds of Brookline-- that be lives the 1 1 she was the reputed & as he fully lawful wife of said Belcher Hancock-- & that he further believes & is confident He has not been married any one since the death of her said husband & that she is now living with her Son, who is the next door neighbor of him said White Marren White
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State of Massachusetts Suffolk Boston July 20th 1838 Then personally appeared the within named Warren White being sworn to testify the truth & nothing but the truth, subscribed & made oath to the declaration or statement within as true Before me --- Alden Bradford Just Peace Suffolk ss Comm in the Allen in & I qua . Commonwealth of Massachusetts Charles A. Parker, Clerk of the Court of Pleas, the same being a Court of Record County of Suffolk do hereby certify that Bradford Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned lified, & that his signature above written is genuine Witness my hand of the Seal of said Court at Boston this Twenty Seventh day of July A.D. 1838, Chas H. Parker Con
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Brookline, 16 July 1838 This certifies, that by the Records of Brookline Church Belcher Hancock and Ann Ackers of Brookline, were married on 7 January, 1788; that said Capt. Belcher Hancock, an officer in the revolutionary army, died a member of my parish, on 14 Mar 1813, A. 59; that I attended his funeral, that I have known said Ann Hancock between forty one & forty two years; that she is still living; and that I know her to be the widow of the said Captain Belcher Hancock. Attest, John Pierce, Laster Alden Bradford of the Congregational Church & Society in Brookline of of March, before signing. John May inserted insted
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State of Massachusetts Suffolk S. July 19th 1838 Then personally appeared the within named John Pierce D.D. 2 made solemn oath to the truth of the within declaration or affidavit by him subscribed Before me Alden Bradford Just Peace I also certify that Rev. Pierce John Pastor of the church & Society of Brookline County Norfolk State of Master ) 7 four miles from is & has been well known to the for forty years move is a credible man highly respectable
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Clergyman. & immedi at Succhar of Rev ⎬ the Jackson who maried said Belcher Hancock An Ackery Alden Bradford Just Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk County. We Deater Babcock and Lester Leland being duly Sworn depose and say that we well knew Ann Hancock who was the widow of Belcher Hancock, and who was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States , that the said Ann Hancock died on the 28th day of November 1847, and that she left six children, viz: Henry H. Hancock, Ann Brackett Mary Babcock Belcher Hancock and William Hancock and Ebenezer Hancock, and that the said children are all now living Dexter Ballock Lester Penland Subscribed and sworn to before me this 20th day of September 1853, and I certify that said deponents are respectable and credible witnesses Lyman Mason Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County, Edward G. Loring, Judge of Probate for said County hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to me by the affidavit of Dexter Babcock and Lester Lealand, that Ann Hancock, who was the widow of Belcher Hancock, and a revolutionary pensioner of the United States , died on the 28th day of November eighteen hundred and forty seven, and that she left six children viz: Wm & Henry H. Hancock Ann Brackett, Mary Babcock, Belcher 1 1 Hancock and Ebenezer Hancock, all of whom are now ┃ living, Edwd or Witness my hand and the Seal ┃ 1 of the Probate Court, hereunto affixed this 23rd day of September 1853. de Loring Judge of Probate
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Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14857
Ann Hancock Widow of Belcher Hancock
Capt. Rev. War
Act: March 3rd, 1843 and June 17th
Index:-Vol. a, Page 310
{Arrangement of 1870.]
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Massachusetts. 44 - Ann Hancock,widow  of Belcher Hancock, decd who died on the 14th of May 1813. of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts who was a Lt. Capt. in the by Captain commanded of the regent, commanded by Col. Vose, in the Massachusetts line feet. 21 months & 24 days, Lieutenant 2 months & 6dags, Captain Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 34 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of August 1838 and sent to A. Bradford, Esqr. Boston, Mass. Arrears to the 4th of March 1838, $689.32 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 1. 172.33 $861.65 5 years pension Recorded by Book 2 Revolutionary Claim, C Act July 4, 1838, Section the 1st Rhodes Clerk Vol. Page 94
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Let to Henry ┃ K. Huncock , Sept. 26, 1838. correcting he shd be "B. to whom cast it should have been
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182. Massachusetts 2 Ann Hancock widow of ┃ Belcher Hancock who was a Lieut & Captain in the Massachusetts line for 21. May the 24 days Lieut 6 " Capt --- Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 344. Cents per Dollars annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. Certify 29. and sent to icate of Pension issued the day of May 1848 Alden Bradford Boston Mass [Act of March 3, 1843. 1 Recorded in Book Vol. Page 43
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Thayer Nov 2/3 Same Dec 29/53 Thos Campbell 8 May 1884.
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44 Massachusetts 
Ann Hancock widow of Belcher Hancock decd who died on the  --- of the State of Mass who was a Lieut in the commanded by ——in the Revolution for Tomas Cap….14 11 Lieut
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston, at the rate of 386 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 
Certificate of pension issued the 20th day of May 1854 and sent to Thos Campbell Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending (Dafton) Such from $344.66 Revolutionary Claim, July 7, 1838. eightman Book D 1 Page 75 A. 1.94
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Documents 
Sergt Dec. 75- Wymans Co 
Ensign 1 Jany 76- 
Lt. 1 Jany 77- Patterson - Cushing Capt 
Lt. 29. Sept. 79 - 1st Regt Vale Col 
Capt 28 Aug 80- 1 

resigned Nov. 2 80. 
Nobody Capt
3.30.30.3.
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Belcher Hancock St 1 Jung 77 Capt 6 Jany 80 Vose resigned 2 Nov. 80
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186.66 Ann Hancock died 28 Nov 1847 

Wm Hancock 1 -- Henry R Hancock 2 -- Ann Brackett 3 -- Mary Babcock 4 -- Belcher Hancock 5 --  Ebenezer Hancock 6 

10 cep 200
14  186.66
=  386.66
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Belcher Hancock Served as Capt Lt. for 3 years from Jany 1, 1777 to Dec 31, 1779, & as least from Jany 1 to Nov 2, 1780 - 10 months 

In estimating rate of pension due his widow the 10 months as Capt. should rate as 10/24 of the amount or 5/12 & not 5/24, as it was rated 

5/12 of 480 = $200. 
7/12 of 320 186 2/3
= $386 
344.66
The above is the proper calculation 
9.8. 5/6 

J. M. T.
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8 Nov 47 
$344.66 

Ann Hancock, Act 1838, $346.66 per ann: Died 28" Nov. 1847. paid 

F. Bush Auditor
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Pension Office 30 May 1854. 

Massachusetts Rolls $344.66 per annum Act 7th July 1838. 

Ann Hancock widow of Belcher To what time paid? When did she die? 

L. P. Waldo Commr 
Francis Burt Esqr Third Auditor
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Ann Hancock 
wid of Belcher, of Mass 

admit case act 38 

application for increase 

Commissioner Mr Witt will plan court with me M. M. Thayer 
Boston Mass
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Washington D.C. April 24th 1854 

Sir: In the matter of the application of the children of Ann Hancock widow of Belcher --- Mass. act 38 admitted for an increase of pension, the date of the Commissioners relied on as fixing the date of the Service, although it appears both by the Records of Secretary of State of Mass, and of your office that he served as Captain from Jan'y 1780 to 2d Now of that year. In a conversation with you not long ago. I understood you to lay it down as a rule of action, that if a person was credited on the returns with service in a certain the  [crossed out, illegible] grade
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or was recognized by his superiors in said
from a fixed date you would allow the service from such date although he might not
have been commissioned till a subsequent date. 

In order to show that your view of the matter, if I have correctly stated it) is the true one, I will refer you to a Resolve of the Provincial Congress of Mass, 27th June 1775
-
See, American Archines, 4th Leries
Vol. 2 1875, Page 1452, (in Col Hills room) as follows: Ordered

That Capt Shillaber be the directed to bring in a Resolve for the purpose of assuring the officers and Soldiers, that notwithstanding
the date of the Officers commissions, the pay of both officers and soldiers shall commence
from at the time of their enlist
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ment. I therefore claim that he should be allowed as Captain from 1st Jan'y 1780 to 2 Nov 1780, 

I am Respectfully Your obt Svt
J. M. Thayer 

Please direct the certificate or report in this case to Thomas Campbell Esq. Boston Mass.
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Boston Mass, , Dec 21st/53

Sir In reply to your letter of the 23d ult, in relation to the case of Ame Hancock of Mass, widow of Belcher admitted act '38. I have to state that the certificate of Secretary of Mass. shows the was entitled to about worth $42 per year more than she received, 

It is my impression that I stated the ground of application for the increase, in my letter, I showed the certificate of the Secretary of Mass. to Mr Waldo, who after reading it remaked that the claim was self evident. 

The claim is simply for the difference between what Mrs Hancock was allowed, and what she was entitled to as shown by the certificate of the Sec of Mass The application is made by one of the children, and it is desired that
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the pension be paid to them individually They do not wish an Executor or administrator to act in the matter, Iron of heirship &c. I have already filed, Very truly yours, J. M. Thayer

Hon Com of Pensions
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Wash. Nov 17th 1853 

Sir I enclose application in of children of Ann Hancock, and of Belcher, act 38 admitted Mass asking for an increase for months as Capt, and fourteen months as Capt Lt. The rate previously allowed must have been I think I clerical error

 Respectfully J. M. Thayer 

To Com. of Pensions
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Jas. L. Edward Esq.
Commis of Pensions 
Washington

[on left, various computations]
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Boston July 17th - 38

You may possibly detect a little descrepancy between the commissions & the  statement of the Secy taken from the army books as to of record as to the account of debt & credit of the officers in Mass Line -  but his statement is made from the Army books where the accounts are made up & recorded & there Hancock is credited for service in the Rank certified by Secy.

The natural conclusion, as it seems to me, is that soon after his appoint as Lieut,, he acted as Capt. Lieut, the record giving him credit as Capt. Lieut most of the time from the date of his commission as Lieut. But you are the Judge-  
respecty Yours- H. Bradford
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To Henry K. Hancock of Boston, Son of Mrs Ann Hanncock, is desirous of preceiving the commissions of his late Father - and after seen and examined by, you will be glad to receive them again - 

The widow & Son request you send the certificate directly to my care. 

Alden Bradford
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Increase
Ann Hancock dec.d widow
of Belcher. 
Mass. 

Admittd
Act 7th July 1838.

10 mos Captain  $200.00
14 mos  Lieutenant $186.66
Total  $386.66

$386.66 per annum from 4th March 1836 to 28th Nov. 1847 when she dies. Deducting former payment of $344.66 per annum - & excepting two years. 

Pay
Henry K. Hancock Executor for benefit of 
Henry K. Hancock,
Belcher Hancock, 
William Hancock, 
Ann Brackett, 
Mary Babcock, & 
Ebenezer Hancock, only surviving children

Certificate to, 
Thomas Campbell, Esqr. 
Boston
Mass.
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Brief in the case of Ann Hancock decd widow of Belcher.

Suffolk County and State of Massachusetts.
act 7th July 1838

Claim, (original for increase ")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

Ann Hancock was pensioned for her husbands service as a Lieutenant for 21 mos & 21 days and a Captain for 2 mos 86 days. It is now shown he served as a captain for Ten months, and an increase for such service is claimed.

Ann died 28th Nov. 1847
Henry H. Hancock, Belcher Hancock, William Hancock, Ann Hancock Brackett, Mary Babcock & Ebenezer Hancock, only surviving children
Henry K. Hancock Executor. Bond $10.000.-

(If for increrease.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Signature of Charles H. Rhett.
Examining Clerk.

Name and residence of Agent
Thomas Campbell Esq
Boston
Mass
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Ann Hancock, widow of Belcher
act 38, admit Mass.

Know all Men by these Presents,
THAT I Mary Babcock,
of Boston in the State of Massachusetts
do hereby constitute and appoint J. M. Mayer of Washington to be my true and lawful attorney for the purpose of prosecuting any claim I may have on the Government of the United States for pension or arrears of pension on account of the services of Me my mother Ann Hancock  on account of the services of her husband Belcher Hancock as an officer in the War of the Revolution, and the said
J. M. Thayer is hereby authorized to take all necessary legal and proper steps in the prosecution of said claim in the same manner that I might do for myself and that the certificate be made payable to Henry R. Hancock, Executor

Witness my hand and seal this 23 of September 1853
Signature of Mary Babcock


Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk County.
Personally came before me the above named Mary Babcock and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney by her subscribed
to be her free act and deed.

Signature of Wm Palfrey Justice of the Peace
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Additional evidence
Ann Hancock
wid of 
Belcher Hancock, 
admitted, act '38 etc. 
Mass.

Thomas Campbell
attorney
Boston
Mass.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
SUFFOLE COUNTY.

The subscriber, Register of the Court of Probate for said County, Hereby Certifies, and Attests, that on the tenth day of
January in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight, Henry Hancock of Bolton in said County Merchant, was duly appointed executor of the will of Ann Hancock
late of said Boston, Widow deceased, testate, and became bound according to law for the faithful discharge of said trust, by giving bond, the penalty in which was ten thousand Dollars,

Given under my hand and the seal of said Court, at Boston, aforesaid, this tenth day
of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty four

Signature of H. M. Willis
Register of the Court of Probate,
Suffolk County.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Suffolk County.

We Dexter Babcock and Lester Leland being duly sworn depose and say that we well knew Ann Hancock who was the widow of Belcher Hancock and a revolutionary pensioner
of the United States, that she died on the 28th day of November 1847, that she left six children and no more to wit:
Henry M. Hancock, Belcher Hancock, William Hancock, Ann Brachett, Mary Babcock and Ebenezer Hancock, and that the said Henry K. Belcher, William, Ann, Mary & Ebenezer are
all now living.

Signature of Dexter Ballack and Lester Seeland

Subscribed and duly sworn to before me this tenth day of May 1854 and I certify that the above named deponents are respectable and credible witnesses.

Signature of Lyman Mason
Justice of the Peace
for said Suffolk County

I think there is evidence already on file
in this case authenticating the official
character of Justice Mason
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{Note: folded paper covering part of document]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk County.

The subscriber, Register of the Court of Probate for said County, Hereby Certifies, and Attests, that on the tenth of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight Henry K Hancock of Boston, in said County Merchant  was duly appointed executor of the will of 

Ann Hancock 

late of Said Boston, Widow deceased, testate, and became bound according to the faithful discharge of said trust. 

Given under my hand the seal of said Court, at Boston, aforesaid, this twenty third day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty three. 

Signature of H M Willis
Register of the Court of Probate, Suffolk County.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
Sept. 24. 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 of Belcher Harris borne on the books of the Continental Army, and credited by his services as Captain Lieutenant in Col. Vose's Regiment from Jany 1, 1777 to Dec. 31, 1779. 36 months   And as Capt from Jany 1. to Nov. 1, 1780  
10 months resigned Nov. 2. 1780

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Signature of E M Wright
Secretary of the Commonwealth
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State of Massachusetts-
Suffolks [ILLEGIBLE]. City of Boston, April 7th 1843.

On this day - above written - personally appeared before the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace & Notary Public in & for said County, & residing in Boston aforesaid. Ann Hancock, a resident of said Boston, aged eighty two years & long well known to me, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3d. March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war - That she is the widow of Belcher Hancock, who was a Lieutenant & Captain in the army of the United States in the war of the Revolution, in the corps of [ILLEGIBLE] regiment, commanded by Colo. Patterson and that the annual amount of the pension she received under the act of July 7th 1838 was three hundred, forty four dollars, sixty six cents. She also declares further that she is still a widow Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written Before me Alden Bradford Just. Peace & Noty. Pub

Ann Hancock
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary Office April 7th 1843.

I hereby Certify that at the date of the within attestation Alden Bradford was a Justice of the Peace & Public Notary for the County of Suffolk.

Witness the [ILLEGIBLE] of the State
[ILLEGIBLE] A [ILLEGIBLE]
Secretary of the [ILLEGIBLE]
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By John Paterson Esq,
Colonel of the 26th Regiment of Foot in the Continental Army
To Belchar Hancock Greeting
By virtue of the Authority from the American Continental Congress to me given Reposing Special Confidence in your Loyal good Behaviour [Behavior], I do appoint you the said Belchar Hancock to be a Serjeant [Sergeant]  in my Regiment, and in the Company whereof William Wyman Esq. is Captain You are therefore to Observe and obey all such Orders as you shall receive from me, or any of your Superior Officers. According to the Rules and Articles of War, Whereof this shall be your Sufficient Warrant Given under my Hand & Seal at Arms at Charlestown this day of December Anno Domini 1775. Concented [Consented] to William Wyman Capt 26 Regt
Jn Patterson C of 26 Regt
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IN CONGRESS.
The DELEGATES of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York,  New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Mary-Land, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, to Belcher Hancock Gentleman
WE reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Ensign in the 15th Regiment of Foot Commanded by Colonel John Paterson
in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Ensign by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Ensign. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
By Order of the Congress.
John Hancock President
Attest Cha. Thomson Secy
January the First 1776
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IN CONGRESS.
The DELEGATES of the UNITED STATES of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia, TO
Belcher Hancock Gentleman Greetings
We, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, 
Do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be first Lieutenant of the
Company Commanded by Nath. Cushing Esquire in the Battalion whereof
John Patterson Esquire is Col.
in the Army of the United States, raised for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of first Lieutenant by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as their First Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress, for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, In Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress. 
Dated at Boston January 1st, 1777
By Order of the Congress
 John Hancock PRESIDENT
ATTEST Cha. Thomson Secy
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THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED

To Belcher Hancock Esq.
Greeting. We, Reposing special trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be a Captain Lieutenant in the First Massachusetts Regiment in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such from the 16 day of April 1779. — You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Captain Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Captain Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the rules and discipline of War, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue inforce until reworked by this, or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress beforementioned, or a Committee of the States.

Entered in the War Office and examined by the Board
Attest Ben Stoddert
Secretary of the Board of War

Witness his Excellency Saml Huntington, Esquire President of the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia the 29th day of September 1779, and in the fourth year of our Independence.

[signed] Saml Huntington President
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State of [illegible; covered by a small scrap of paper] Bay

[underlined] To Belcher Hancock Esq. — Greeting [end underline]—

Reposing special trust and Confidence in your Ability, Courage, and good Conduct, we do by these Presents constitute and appoint you the said Belcher Hancock, to be Captain in the First Regiment of Foot, one of the fifteen Battalions raised by this State to serve in the Continental Army, whereof Joseph Vose Esquire is Colonel. You are therefore carefully & diligently to discharge the duty of a Captain, in the said Regiment in all things appertaining thereto, observing such Orders & Instructions as you shall receive from the Colonel of said Regiment, or any other Your Supervisor Officers, for which this shall be your Sufficient Warrant till you shall receive a Commission in manner and form pointed out by the Resolves of Congress of March the 8th & June 28, 1779. —

Dates at Boston this 28th day of August AD 1780.

And in the Fifth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.

By Order of the Council
John Avery D[illegible]

[signed]J Bowdoin President
Page 51

Head Quarters Nov 2nd 1780
I do hereby certify that Capt. Belcher Hancock has, at his own request, obtained permission from His Excellency the Commander in Chief, to resign his commission in the service of the United States.
[signed]D Humphrys Aide De Camp

[stamp in lower right corner] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES