Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9,394, for John Manley, New York
Page 1

SERVICE.
Navy. (New York)
Manley, John or Manly
NUMBER S.9394 carded
Page 2

Let to Clerk of the Court, Feb 14, 1831

32.817
New York City
John Manly (Manley) of _______ in the State of _________ who was a Midshipman on the Trumball commanded by Captain Nicholson of the ______commanded by _________ in the Navy for ____________.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York City at a rate of 144 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th of September, 1865.

Certificate of Pension issued on the 12th day of February 1837 and sent to Hon. H.C. Murphy Arrears to the 4th of Present Semi-Anl. allowance ending Oct 5th August 1848
(Revolutionary Claim Acct June 4, 1832 (crossed out) August 5th, 1848

Recorded by ----------- Clerk Book C2. Vol. ?? Page 47
Page 3

No 1
City and County of New York   ss:
On this first day of April 1845 personally appeared John Manley
a resident of this city, aged upwards of eighty years who being first
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 1832. That he entered the service of the United States
in the Frigate Trumbull, then in the port of Philadelphia,
under the command of Capt James Nicholson as a 
Midshipman early in the spring of 1781. I think in March. Sailed
from Cape May on the tenth day of August following, say high
noon, immediately on clearing the Cape we discovered three
sails to the eastward; they made chase after us, we carried
away our fore topmast and rendered a perfect wreck; in this
situation the enemy came along side, at midnight (the Iris
Frigate and Sloop of War General Monk-). After an action of 
near three glasses-- we were compelled to strike; we were
towed into New York and sent to the Jersey Prison ship, and
there remained until late in the fall. I think the latter
part of November. I hereby relinquish every claim to a pension
or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is
not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. And
further that this deponent in the fall of 1782 was attached
to the United States Ship of war Genl Washington, Capt Joshua
Barney Esqr Commander; said ship was employed as a packet
to Europe, with dispatches, and so continued until April one
thousand seven hundred and eighty four; she was the ship
that brought over the preliminaries of peace from L' Orient
and also a heavy loan of money, which your petitioner 
deposited in the Bank of North America, Chesnut Street,
by order of Robert Morris Esqr our financial agent. This
ship made three voyages to Europe the first to L'Orient,
the second and third to Havre and Plymouth; and further
before we departed from L. Orient there was forwarded to Capt
Barney through the hands of "Benjamin Franklin from Ver.(saille")
Page 4

(Ver)saille" a passport from the "Crown of Great Britain" for our ship
having "dispatches of high importance," and to proceed home 
"immediately"-- and lastly, here is a copy from memory (and I 
believe strictly correct.) of a discharge from my Commander.
"I hereby certify that the bearer John Manley was one of
my
midshipman on board of the Sloop of War General Washington
under my command for near two years, and an attentive, active officer.
Joshua Barney
Baltimore
April 4th 1784."

And further this deponent saith not
Subscribed and sworn to before me this}
first day of April}
A.D. 1845}            Jn. Manley
M. Ulshoeffer

First Judge New York
Common Pleas & ex officio
Justice of the Peace

State of New York City}                                  Robinson
and County of New York }  ss    
I James Conner, Clerk of the City and County of New York
do hereby certify, that Michael Ulshoeffer before whom
the annexed deposition was taken, was at the time of taking
the same, First Judge of New York Common Pleas & ex officio
Justice of the peace in and for said City and County, duly 
commissioned and sworn, and authorized by the laws of this State to
take the same; and that I believe the signature of said First Judge there
unto subscribed is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
James Conner
my hand and affixed my seal of the said County, the 20th day of May 1845
James Conner   Clerk           L.S.
Page 5

No 2.
We Thomas De Witt, a clergyman residing in the city of
New York, and James Van Antwerp residing in the said city,
do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John
Manley, who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed 
Declaration. That we believe him to be eighty years of age that
he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where
he resides to have been a midshipman in the Navy of the 
United States in the revolutionary war, and that we concur in that opinion-
Sworn & subscribed}         Thomas De Witt.
this 28th May 1845.}          
M. Ulshoeffer                       James Van Antwerp
First Judge Com. Pleas

No 3
The Court Common Pleas for the City and County of New York
do give their opinion upon the above and annexed
papers. that he above named applicant John Manly was
midshipman in the Navy and served as he states, and that
it appears to them that Thomas Dewitt(De Witt)
who has signed the
above certificate is a clergyman resident in the City of
New York, and that James Van Antwerp who has signed the same
is a resident in the said city and is a credible person,
and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I
Andrew Warner Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the Court aforesaid in the matter of the
application of John Manley for a pension. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office
this 28th of May A.D. 1845
LS
Andrew Warner
Clerk.
Page 6

James R. Manley's
Affidavit
No 9
[illegible sentence]
No.5.
Page 7

No. 5.

New York April 2d 1845-
I James R Manley of the city of New York, {aged
within one week of Sixty three years} do declare, that I am
brother to John Manley and to Ann Manley: that I well
remember during my boyhood, of hearing the history of my brother
John's captivity on board the Jersey prison ship, and
the incidents of his capture by the Iris frigate. that I well remember
many of the particulars
of what he called the night battle off the
capes of Delaware
I also have very often seen the large book
in which the journal of his voyages
with Commodore Barney in the Ship Genl. 
Washington were recorded with all the
precission(precision) of a Log book, and I know what the(he) haves now
in his possession were  a part of the same. I certify to the
authenticity of my mother's letter to her sister Mrs Orrick
then living in Reid Co Maryland touching my brother's
captivity, & my father's exertion to have him discharged or
exchanged. I further certify from the record in the old
of the old family bible, that my sister Ann who testifies
to some of the facts relative to my brother John, is now in her
Eighty third year of age & that my brother John is in his
Eighty first year of age. All these things I believe are true,
upon the strongest testimony, that the nature of the case
admits when the party certifying, could not have been an
Eye witness
Subscribed and sworn to}              James R Manley M.D.
fore me this 2d Apl 1845}
M. Ulshoeffer
First Judge New York Common Pleas
& Ex officio Justice of the peace
Page 8

STATE OF NEW YORK}
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK,} SS.
I, James Conner, Clerk of the City and County of New-York,
DO HEREBY CERTIFY,
That Michel Ulshoeffer
before whom the annexed
deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, First Judge New York Common Pleas
& ex officio Justice of the peace}
in and for said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn,
and authorized by the laws of this State to take the same; and that I believe the Signature of said
First Judge
thereunto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the
said County, the 20 day of May 1845

James Conner
Clerk.
Page 9

I do
certify that I am well
Satisfied
as
to the credibility
of
the within
witness James R Manley
and that
I full credit all he
has stated 
NY  July 9. 1845
M Ulshoeffer
[illegible](short for First Judge)
Page 10

My Mother's  Letter
Oct. 22. 1781
wrot(wrote) in Philadelphia
to Mrs Orrick Charlestown
Maryland

1: 8 to
James Orrick
Charlestown Maryland
No 12
John Manley
(S 9394)
Page 11

No. 6.
Philedelphia  
October 22 1781
My Dear Sister
[illegible first part of sentence]
having put off writing to go from week to week
expecting to have been able to have acquainted you of John's return
before this but my expectation have been [illegible] all have 
been a
Letter from him aquainting us that [illegible] has not been on board
to see him since he has been there But that he he had found a friend 
who suplyd(supplied) him with what [illegible] received he wanted [illegible] we have
been told has offerd(offered) to get him [illegible] provided he would stay and
with [illegible] he not complying with [illegible] Board the prison ship poor boy has lost his cloaths again being taken and Board
the mark at the time thay(they) are taken and his [illegible] Kentaning
on Board the trumbull was Brake [illegible] and plundered before they
got to port Stanley is gone in the [illegible] again to Endeavor his Excelia
as he has got but little satisfaction of the[illegible] [illegible] and [illegible] any next
to be able to aquaint you of his safe return home
the rest of the family are in tolerable health Blygio Be
[illegible] except my self who[illegible] very weak in Body But [illegible] to [illegible] [illegible] to the 
[illegible--sentence] of his providence
Believing they are [illegible] of a [illegible] [illegible] and that 
they shall [illegible remaining sentence] very dear Sister [illegible]
to say in all things the will of the Lord be [illegible] and to make it the
[illegible] before of our  kencaning days in this world to prepare for the next
unto which may one and ours have an abundant entrance in the Lords
own time and way is the sincere[illegible] prayers of your ever
Loving Sister
Catherine Manley

[illegible] [illegible] to be  Remembered most affectionately to
you and [illegible] as Joes, Bille and Expect to hear from you [illegible] [illegible]   Cath
Page 12

July 31, 1906.

Mr. Chas. M. Bryant,
Washington, D. C.

Sir:
In response to your inquiry relative to John Manley, a Revolutionary
War pensioner, you are advised that the following information
is contained in his claim for pension, S. File No. 9394.
He was born in November. 1764 and was the oldest son of
Robert and Catherine Manley. He enlisted at Philadelphia, Pa.,
February 1st or 2nd, 1781, as Midshipman, on the Frigate "Trumbull."
Captain James Nicholson, and was in an engagement with the
British vessels "Iris" and "Gen. Monk", off Cape May on the night
of August 10, 1781 when he was wounded and captured, sent to New York
and confined in the Jersey prison ship till the last of November
when he was exchanged. He then made a voyage to Havana on
the "The Queen of France, Captain Hann, and returned in the
spring. On June 15, 1782, he was attached to the U. S. Ship of
War "General Washington", Commodore Joshua Barney, and made three
voyages to Europe during which they brought over the preliminaries
of peace, many dispatches of great importance and a loan of five
million dollars in gold and silver which he accompanied by a
Page 13

Mr. Chas. M. Bryant -- 2.

party of marines, delivered to the Bank of North America, in Philadelphia;
he was discharged at Baltimore on April 4, 1784. He
also served on six Letters of Marque and while on one of them,
the "Aurora", Captain James Sutton, in May, 1780, he was in battle
off the Capes of the Delaware. He acted as Lieutenant on the
ship " General Hamilton", Commodore Joshua Barney, for a few days
in 1789, and after the war was an officer in an artillery regiment.
His pension was allowed by special act of Congress, 
August 5, 1848, upon an application executed April 1, 1845 at which time
he resided in New York City, having lived there before the Revolution
and ever since. He died June 7, 1855.
His father, who also resided in New York City, was one of the
committee of Public Safety at the commencement of the war, and
served as a Lieutenant in Colonel Malcom's regiment. After the
capture of New York City and the destruction of his property by
the British, he lived with large family at Elizabethtown, New Jersey,
till 1783 when he returned to New York.
In 1845 Dr. James R. Manley, a brother of the sailor, aged
63, and Ann Manley, a sister, aged 83 or 84, lived in New York City.
In 1781 one Mrs. Orrick, a sister of the sailor's mother,
lived at Charlestown, Cecil County, Maryland.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Page 14

1906 July 31. Hist. to
Mr Chas. M. Bryant
Wash. D.C.    aw
1907 Mar. 19. Fragment of a
log book kept by John Manley
of the Gen. Washington in
1783, forwarded to the
Navy Dept.     aw


Invalid
Revy Navy
(crossed out WIDOW, &d.)
File No.  9394    aw. July 28. 1906
John Manley
Midshipman ┃
U.S. Navy
Rev War

Act August 5/40
Index: Vol. 4, Page 47
{Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

THIRTIETH CONGRESS-
FIRST SESSION.
Report No. 110.
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 99.]
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
JOHN MANLEY.
JANUARY 19, 1848.
Mr. LAWRENCE, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions,
made the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom were referred
the memorial and accompanying papers of John Manley, praying
for a pension report:
That the petitioner, John Manley, of the city of New York, who
is probably, the last survivor of the prisoners confined during the
revolutionary war on board the old Jersey prison-ship, in which so
many of our brave countrymen lost their lives from the cruelty of
the enemy, applies for the benefit of the act of the 7th June, 1832,
giving pensions to certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution.
His proofs not being strictly in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the Pension Office, he is directed to Congress for relief.
He has established his case to the satisfaction of the
committee, by the best evidence of which his case is susceptible, and
such parts of it as is material are hereto annexed. The rules of
the Pension Office requiring a certificate of an officer, or the affidavit
of two witnesses personally acquainted with the facts, cannot
now be obtained, for, as far as can be ascertained, the commanders
certainly, and the comrades probably, of this venerable survivor of
our navy of the revolution, are all dead.
The statements presented by him carry with them the force of
evidence themselves, inasmuch as they furnish us with some facts
which have as yet not appeared in the written histories of the navy,
and which would, in their particularity, have escaped the recollection
of any one except an actor in the events himself. The testimony
produced by him consists:
Page 16

2
Rep. No. 110.
First. His own affidavit of the facts and circumstances, with the
affidavits of the Rev. Dr. De Witt and James Van Antwerp, Esq.,
of the city of New York, who testify to their acquaintance with
the petitioner, and the general reputation in the neighborhood of
his being a midshipman in the navy of the revolution. To these
affidavits is appended the certificate of the clerk of the court of
common pleas of the city and county of New York, under the seal
of that court, declaring the opinion of that court to the same effect.
These affidavits and certificates are hereunto annexed, and marked
No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3.
Second. The affidavits of Ann Manley, the sister of the petitioner,
sustaining his statements, so far as the same is within her knowledge.
and of Dr. James R. Manley, his brother, in relation to the
family history; which affidavits are also annexed, marked No. 4
and No. 5.
Third. An original letter, from the mother of the petitioner, to
her sister, dated Philadelphia, October 22, 1781, mentioning the
capture of her son on board the Trumbull, and his imprisonment on
board the prison-ship. This is marked No. 6.
Fourth. Portions of the journal kept by the petitioner on the
voyage of the ship General Washington, from Philadelphia to Havre,
from June 8th to June 11th, 1783, both inclusive, and from June
28th to July 1st, 1783, both inclusive, when she arrived in the latter
port. These portions of the journal are filed with the papers
before the committee.
From these proofs, and other statements among the papers of the
petitioner before the committee, it appears that the petitioner has
never received any annuity or pension from the government; that
he entered the service of the United States as a midshipman on
board the Trumbull frigate, 28 guns, James Nicholson, commander,
in the spring of 1781; and that he sailed in her early in July of
that year from Philadelphia.
The Trumbull was blockaded in the Delaware until the 8th of
August, when she put to sea; but was captured the same night by
two British cruisers, the Iris of 32 guns, and the General Monk of
18 guns, after a gallant resistance and the loss of five killed and
eleven wounded, of whom the petitioner was one. We learn from
his papers, now for the first time, the names of all the officers on
board the Trumbull, viz: James Nicholson, commander;
Maltby, first lieutenant; Richard Dale, second lieutenant; John
Morrow, surgeon, and Samuel Morrow, assistant; John Manley, the
petitioner; and David Haight, of New Jersey, midshipman. Captain
Alexander Morrow* was a volunteer.
Upon the capture of the Trumbull, the officers and men were all
taken to New York and confined in the prison-ships, where they
remained until the last day of November, 1781, when the officers

A letter of Captain Nicholson, giving an account of the action, is to be found in the Philadelphia
papers of September 27, 1781; but neither that letter, nor the naval histories of
Cooper, and others, give us the names of all the officers.--(See Pennsylvania Packet of above date.)
Page 17

Rep. No. 110.
3
were exchanged. They returned to Philadelphia; here the petitioner
again entered on board a public ship, and, in October, 1782,
sailed in the General Washington, under Commodore Barney, who
was despatched by the American government with despatches to
Dr. Franklin, then our minister at the court of Versailles, and who
brought home, on the 12th of March, 1783, the news of the signing
of the preliminary articles of peace, and also a large amount of
gold and silver.
The definitive treaty was signed on the 3d of September, and it
found the petitioner still on board the General Washington; he
remained in her still, under Commodore Barney, until the 4th of
April, 1784, when he received an honorable discharge under the
hand of that brave commander.
The time of actual service of the petitioner was two years and
three months, namely ten months on board the Trumbull and the
Jersey prison-ship; and on board the General Washington one year
and five months, seven months of which was after the war, making
one year and eight months' actual service during the war.
It will be observed, that although the proofs in this case are not
of the form or character required at the Pension Office, yet taken
collectively, they cannot be said to be less conclusive and satisfactory.
The committee do not hesitate to recommend that the petitioner
be allowed the usual pension, for one year and eight months' service
in the navy as midshipman, and ask leave to bring in a bill accordingly.

No. 1.
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK, SS:
On this first day of April, 1845, personally appeared John Manley,
a resident of this city, aged upwards of eighty years, who
being first sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the
United States in the frigate Trumbull, then in the port of Philadelphia,
under the command of Captain James Nicholson, as a midshipman,
early in the spring of 1781--I think, in March. Sailed
from Cape May on the tenth day of August following, say high
noon; immediately on clearing the cape, we discovered three sail
to the eastward; they made chase after us; we carried away our foretopmast,
 and rendered a perfect wreck; in this situation the enemy
came alongside, at midnight, (the Iris frigate, and sloop-of-war
General Monk.)  After an action of near three glasses, we were
compelled to strike; we were towed into New York and sent to
the Jersey prison-ship, and there remained until late in the fall --I think
the latter part of November. "I hereby relinquish every
claim to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that
my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State."
Page 18

4
Rep. No. 110.
And further, that this deponent, in the fall of 1782, was attached
to the United States ship-of-war General Washington, Captain
Joshua Barney, commander; said ship was employed as a packet to
Europe, with despatches, and so continued until April, one thousand
seven hundred and eighty-four; she was the ship that brought
over the preliminaries of peace from L'Orient, and also a heavy
loan of money, which your petitioner deposited in the bank of
North America, Chesnut street, Philadelphia, by order of Robert
Morris, esq., our financial agent. This ship made three voyages to
Europe, the first to L'Orient, the second and third to Havre and
Plymouth; and further, before we departed from L'Orient, there
was forwarded to Captain Barney, through the hands of "Benjamin
Franklin, from Versailles," a passport from the "Crown of Great Britain",
for our ship, having "despatches of high importance,"
and to proceed home "immediately;" and, lastly, here is a copy,
from memory, (and I believe strictly correct,) of a discharge from
my commander:
"I hereby certify that the bearer, John Manley, was one of my
midshipman on board of the sloop-of-war General Washington, under
my command, for near two years, and an attentive active
officer.
"JOSHUA BARNEY.
"BALTIMORE, April 4, 1784."
And, further, this deponent saith not'
JOHN MANLEY.

Subscribed and sworn to before me, this first day of April, A. D. 1845
M. ULSHOEFFER,
First Judge New York Common Pleas,
and ex-officio Justice of the Peace.

STATE OF NEW YORK,}
City and county of New York}   SS:
I, James Conner, Clerk of the city and county of New York, do
hereby certify that Michael Ulshoeffer, before whom the annexed
deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, first
judge of New York common pleas, and ex-officio justice of the
peace in and for said city and county, duly commissioned and
sworn, and authorized by the laws of this State to take the same;
and that I believe the signature of said first judge thereunto subscribed
is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my seal of the said county, the 20th day of May, 1845.
JAMES CONNER, Clerk. [ L. S.]
Page 19

Rep. No. 110
5
No. 2

We, Thomas De Witt, a clergyman, residing in the city of New York,
and James Van Antwerp, residing in the said city, do hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with John Manley, who has subscribed
and sworn to the annexed declaration; that we believe him
to be eighty years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the
neighborhood where he resides to have been a midshipman in the
navy of the United States in the revolutionary war; and that we
concur in that opinion.
THOMAS DE WITT.
JAMES VAN ANTWERP.
Sworn and subscribed this 28th May, 1845.
M. ULSHOEFFER.
First Judge Common Pleas

No. 3.
The court of common pleas for the city and county of New York
do give their opinion upon the above and annexed papers;
that the above-named applicant, John Manley, was a midshipman in
the navy, and served as he states; and that it appears to them that
Thomas De Witt, who has signed the above certificate, is a clergyman,
resident in the city of New York; and that James Van Antwerp,
who has signed the same, is a resident in the said city, and
is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
And I, Andrew Warner, clerk of the said court of common pleas,
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the court aforesaid, in the matter of application of John
Manley for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of office, this 28th of May, A. D. 1845.
ANDREW WARNER, Clerk. [L. S.]

No. 4.
Personally appeared before me, Ann Manley, of the city and
State of New York, who, being duly sworn, does depose: That she
is the sister of John Manley, of this city, and that she well remembers
that said John Manley entered the navy as midshipman, in
the winter of 1780-81, on board the Trumbull frigate, then lying
in Philadelphia harbor, under the command of Captain James
Nicholson; and that he was captured in that ship soon after they
left the capes of the Delaware, )off Cape May,) by two British
men-of-war--the Iris, frigate, Captain Dawson, and the sloop-of-
Page 20

6
Rep. No. 110.
war General Monk, Captain Rogers, and carried into the port of
New York; and that he was there a prisoner on board the old Jersey
prison-ship, lying at the Wallabout, until the autumn of 1781,
when, through the exertions of her father, he was exchanged. He
was then attached to the sloop-of-war General Washington, Joshua
Barney, esq., commander, and sailed with him until April, 1784,
when he was discharged, and returned to his father's in this city.
And the deponent further says: That the letter, viz: the letter
of her mother, dated October 22d, 1781, wherein she informs her
sister, Mrs. Orrick, that her son John was then on board the prison
ship, (which letter my brother has in his possession,) is genuine,
for she well knows her hand-writing, and was acquainted with
all the then attending circumstances.
ANN MANLEY.
Sworn to before me, this 31st March, 1845.
M. ULSHOEFFER,
First Judge New York Common Pleas.
I do certify that I am well satisfied as to the credibility of the
above witness, Ann Manley, and that I credit all she has stated.
M. ULSHOEFFER,
First Judge.
NEW YORK, July 9, 1845.

No. 5.
NEW YORK, April 2, 1845.
I, James R. Manley, of the city of New York, (aged within one
week of sixty-three years,) do declare that I am brother to John
Manley and to Ann Manley; that I well remember, during my
boyhood, of hearing the history of my brother John's captivity on
board the Jersey prison-ship, and the incidents of his capture by
the Iris frigate; that I well remember many of the particulars of
what he called the night battle, off the capes of Delaware. I
also have very often seen the large book in which the journal of
his voyages with Commodore Barney in the ship General Washington
were recorded, with all the precision of a log-book, and I know
that the leaves now in his possession were a part of the same. I
certify to the authenticity of my mother's letter to her sister, Mrs.
Orrick, then living in Cecil county, Maryland, touching my brother's
captivity and my father's exertion to have him discharged or
exchanged. I further certify, from the record in the old family
Bible, that my sister Ann, who testifies to some of the facts relative
to my brother John, is now in her eighty-third year of age,
and that my brother John is in his eighty-first year of age. All
these things I believe are true, upon the strongest testimony that
Page 21

Rep. No. 110,
7
the nature of the case admits when the party certifying could not
have been an eye-witness.
JAMES R. MALEY, M.D.
Subscribed and sworn to
before me, this 2d April, 1845.
M. ULSHOEFFER.
First Judge New York Common Pleas,
and ex-officio Justice of the Peace.

I do certify that I am well satisfied as to the credibility of the
within witness, James R. Manley, and that I fully credit all he has stated.
M. ULSHOEFFER,
First Judge.
NEW YORK, July 9, 1845.

STATE OF NEW YORK,}
City and county of New York,}  SS:
I, James Conner, clerk of the city and county of New York, do
hereby certify that Michael Ulshoeffer, before whom the annexed
deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, first
judge of New York common pleas, and ex-officio justice of the
peace in and for said city and county, duly commissioned and
sworn, and authorized by the laws of this State to take the same;
and I believe the signature of said first judge thereunto subscribed
is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said county, the 20th day of May, 1845.
JAMES CONNER, Clerk.  [L. S.]

No. 6.
PHILADELPHIA, October 22, 1781.
MY DEAR SISTER: Having put off writing to you from week to
week, expecting to have been able to have acquainted you of John's
return before this; but my expectations have been disappointed.
We have had a letter from him, acquainting us that Mr. Jinkins
has not been on board to see him since he had been there; but that
he had found a friend who supplied him with whatever necessaries
he wanted. Mr. Jinkins, we have been told, has offered to get him
paroled, provided he would stay and live with him; which he not
complying with, [he] remains on board the prison-ship. Poor
boy has lost his clothes again, being taken on board the Monk at
the time they were taken, and his chest, remaining on board the
Trumbull, was broken open and plundered before they got to port.
Manley is gone in the Jersey again, to endeavor his exchange, as
Page 22

Rep. No. 110.
8
he can get but little satisfaction of the commissary here; and have
in my next to be able to acquaint you of his safe return home.
The rest of the family are in tolerable health, blessed be God, except
myself, who am very weak in body, but desire to be resigned
to the Divine will in every dispensation of his Providence, believing
they are chastisements of a loving father, and that they shall
redound to real advantage. May we, my dear sister, be enabled to
say, in all things. The will of the Lord be done; and to make it
the chief business of our remaining days in this world to prepare
for the next, into which, may we and ours have an abundant entrance
in the Lord's own time and way, is the sincere desire and
prayer of
Your ever-loving sister,
CATHARINE MANLEY.
Anna desires to be remembered most affectionately to you and
uncle, as does Bill, and expect to hear from you next post.
C. M.
Page 23

Point & annex to
Report
S Law[illegible]
J Manley
No. 6
Page 24

(No. 6)
Philadelphia October 22. 1781
My dear Sister
Having put off writing you from week to
week expecting to have been able to have acquainted you of
John's return before this, but my expectations have been 
disappointed, we have had a letter from him acquainting us
that Mr. Jinkins has not been on board to see him since he
had been there; but that he had found a friend who supplies
him with whatever necessaries he wanted. Mr. Jinkins we
have been told has offered to get him paroled provided he would
stay and live with him, which he not complying with remains
on board the prison ship. Poor boy has lost his clothes again being
taken on board the Monk at the time they were taken and his
chest remaining on bound the Trumbull was broken open and
plundered before they got to port. Manley is gone in the Jersey again
to endevor his exchange as he can get but little satisfaction of
the Commissary here and hope in my next to be able to acquaint
you of his safe return home. The rest of the family are in tolerable
health blessed be God except myself who am very( crossed out sick) weak in
body but desire to be resigned to the Divine will in every dispensation of his Providence, believing they are chastisements of a living
father and that they shall redound to real advantage. May
we my dear sister be enabled to say in all things the will of the
Lord be done and to make it the chief business of our remaining
days in this world to prepare for the next, into which may we and ours
have an abundant entrance in the Lord's own time
and way is the sincere desire and prayer of your ever loving
sister.
Catharine Manley
Anna desires to be remembered most affectionately to you and
Uncle as does Bill and expect to hear from you next post.
C. M.
 end
Page 25

Aug 23/45
Rec d
No 11
Jnd Manley

(upside down at bottom of page)
J L Edwards Esg.
Pension Office
Washington
Page 26


New York Aug 21th 1845

Sir/
Yours of the 15th In+ duly [illegible] to hand wherein you say
my letters afford no means of assertaining(ascertaining) the lenght(length) of our cruising on
Board the Frigate Trumble(Trumbull) & Gen Washington & no evidence of my grade true sir that my misfortune doubly so I cannot produce my
Certificate from Capt Barney tho it aids no doubt forwared to Washington
at the time the first U.S. Bank was broke up with their papers & no
doubt but it is in the treasury Office, when this bank was about 
organising I made applycation(application) for the office of runner. I had in the board
several good friends. Whitehead Fish, got the place by two or three
[illegible].,I was so put out about it, that I neglected to call at the Bank
for it and the distruition of the War office accounts for my
difficulties-- I never was on a Cruise inno [illegible]. The Trumbull
was bound to Cape [illegible] and from their(there) to go on a Cruise.
The Washington was a ship [illegible] running back & forward to
France untill(until)1784 (April) when she was dismantled & sold.
The Trumbull left Philadelphia a few days after the 4th July
1781- we was blockaded by various men of war (in Cesuplets)
untill(until) Aug. 10th 1781 we thought our way was clear and put to
Sea on our clearing Cape May we discovered three sail two
made chase after us and was finally Captered(captured) that night
as I have related-- lodged on board the old Jersey then
laying here in the Wallaboght and also confined with
Eight hundred & fifty more unfortunates untill(until) the latter part
of November following when some of our Officers, myself
Page 27

included. Vir Capt James Nicholson or Commander-Mr
Maltbie, 1st Lieut Richard Dale, 2nd Lieut *Capt Alexander Murry (late Commodore) Doc. John Morrow & Samuel his
brother assistant & David Haight of N Jersey and Jn Manley
both Midshipman were (dis)charged as I was told others
say we were parold(paroled). Our Capt J secured a waggon and we all
huddled into it as far as Trentown when we took to our water
tacks and we all arrived home their(there) being no Continentle
ships or vessels in that port or in fact scarce any where else"
Rich Dale,
myself and one or two more made a voyage
to the Havanna in a New-ship, the Queen of France,
Capt Hunn of twenty guns. Dale war our fist(first) Lieut.
returnd(returned) early in the spring found Capt Barney their
Commander of the Genl. Washington formerly the Genl
Monk to which I was imediately attachd(attached) and with
him
remained untill our Navy was broke up as I have
related-Thus youll(you'll) perceive that I entered the
Navy Commencing on board. The Governor Trumbull
and ended with the Genl Washington the 4
April
1784 and when the Constitution took place. My Capt
Joshua Barney Came to this City, one of the Genl
Washingtons suit for he was a favourite of the Genl
Page 28

myself being an officer, in a Regiment of Artillerey & on that day
on Duty Barney Calld(called) on me at my Fathers that
same evening wished me to make up my mind &
enter the Navy again he assured me he would procure
me he a Lieut Commission, and he wish much to have
some of his old Officers. the President has assured
him he should have the command of one of the
first Frigates that was built- I declined for various
reasons and having an aged Father with a large family
who has been ruined by the war, his property burnt by
the fire shortly after this City was captured, and an exile
Eight years. I thought it my duly(duty) to abide with him
and make myself nowfull at home--
It was very
early in the spring it may have been in February that enterd(entered)
on duty in the Trumbull so that I have been upwards of
three years in the Navy and in one Naval Battle, that is our
Navy. Struck down and taken up for dead by the [illegible] of a
shot. I have the honor of bearing the scars of a revolutionist
it is my pride -
& one battle in the merchant service
I am Sir with respect
Your Honorl(Honorable) Liut
Jno(John) Manley

Mr JL Edwards 

*Capt Murry was a volunteer
on board this ship
Page 29

Dec 16 '44
To--
                Edwards Esq
Ciru          Pension Agents
                 Washington City
                  DC

ans?  Dec. 16. 1844
Page 30

To Mr Edwards
Newyork Decr(Dec.) 14th 1844
Pension Agents
Sir/
I have a brother now in the 81st year of his age, who
my belief is entitled to a pension from Government & he needs
it:
The facts are there -1. In the winter of 1780-81, he entered
on board the Trumbull frigate as Midshipman Commodore
James Nicholson Commander; was taken by the Iris B. frigate
and carried to Newyork where the commissioned officers were parold
on Long island & others sent to the Jersey prison ship, where
he remained 17 weeks. 2. When exchanged by the exertions of
our late father, finding no vessel of the U.S. ready for sea, he
went one voyage to Havanna in a merchant ship and was taken up
to assist to take Providence in [illegible] the South Carolina frigate--
3 on his return he repaired on board the ship called the Washington Capt Barney and continued in
her till 1784- when all were displayed & ship sold by order
as if said of Robert Morris. While with Capt Barney he made 
two voyages to Frances & brought home the money of the U.S.
procured there & with a file of Marines delivered it at the
Bank in Philadelphia- he was wounded by a splinter in
the action with the Iris frigate & was reported to be dead.
All this can by verified by his own Oath, and measurably by
the oaths of his sister now 83 years, & myself now 62 years
old- he
for many years had the Journal of these voyages
but they were destroyd(destroyed) as of no value after they had been kept
nearly 40 years - he was however Eight days work of
the Washington picked up among waste papers, which can
he brought in evidence- The object of this letter is
Page 31

to enquire of you, whether the evidence, thus presented
will be sufficent to warrant 
you as the Pension agent to
put him on the Pension list- The circumstantial
details which he makes are confirmations strong as they
can possibly be of the correctness of the claim - but if
they are not sufficient with the oaths I have mentioned
to warrant you to act in the premises- he would be
pleased to know it, so that he might prepare a petition to congress-If you would be pleased on an
occasion like this, to depart from your regular routine
of business and answer this letter speedily, you
would confer a great favour and expredite the claims
of one who in point of personal character ranks as
high as any individual in this city-
Mr Wm Radcliff in his life time, was about undertaking
for my brother, but providence by his death interfered
to knowledge of the winter may be had by enquiry
of Mr Butler Linator, or Mr Fish or Phenix or Leonard or deClary-
Members of house of Representatives-

Yours very respectfully
James R Manley   in the
behalf of John Manley
Page 32

No 15-37.0110
John Manley
N.Y.
Act of June '32
Trumbull Midshpn(Midshipman)
10 mo
Washington from 15 June} 14. 1882
to 3 Sept 83}
Page 33





New York May 28th 1845
Sir/
Yours of the 10 [illegible] with my papers came to 
my hand thru my Brother J. R. Manley. I herewith
inclose(enclose) them trusting that they are now conformable
to the regulations that you forwarded me-
I entered the Navy, a Midshipman early in 1781 and
continued in it untill April 1784. when the last ship
that I saild(sailed) in was dismantled in Baltimore, I was a
Midshipman untill the day of my discharge say April 4th.
the Letter of my mother's and the remains of my
Journal, if not wanted- I should wish returned.

I am respectfully yours
Jn.(John) Manley

J L. Edwards Esq
Page 34

No 8
July 5, 1845
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of
Pensions
Washington D.C

Jno Manly
NY
DC18 June 45
[illegible] 30
May
Page 35

Newyork(New York) July 2nd 1845
Sir
It is now some time since
I forward you
my papers as you directed.
I am desireous(desirous) of
hearing the result. Be pleased to drop me
a line and I shall esteem it a favor- 
respectfully yours
Jno.(John) Manley

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 36

Newyork(New York) July 10th 1845
Sir
your favour of the 7th I received yesterday. I imeialely(immediately)
calld(called) on Judge Ulshoeffer who imediately(immediately) Certified
on the affidavits. I hereby inclose them. this morning I calld(called)
on Mrs Few (daughter of Commodore James Nicholson of the
Trumbull Frigate captured of Cape may by the Frigate Iris
of 32 Guns. & the Genl. Monk, Sloop of War the 10th of Aug 1781) her
daughter informd(informed) me she was unwell enfeebled by age &
and her memory much impared Could I have seen her I am
sure she would have recollected my frequent calls at her Fathers
or Bussiness respecting the ship - but so it is. I had my long
walk for nought- time has reduced the number of those
revolutionary characters and of the Witnesses of their services yes and
sufferings too. I have given the best in my power. I have saild(sailed)
in eight armed vessels two of them Public ships the others
Letter of Mark Privateering I detested- The Trumbull of 32 Guns
the Genl. Washington of Eighteen guns & pounders, we midshipmen
recieved Twenty Dollars a month their(there) was four of us on Board the 
Washington vir Henry Barney, Jn Drisdoll, James Van Bibber &
myself-- on board the Trumbull their was the following
Mr Maltbie our Lieut Son- David Haight- Jacob Bamper Jro
Calder McSeldon &-- Nicholson & myself. I have a letter now
before me a letter from the War Department, dated 15 June 1832 from
the Honorable Lewis Cass to the Hone(Honorble) Samuel A Foot Chairman
of the Committee on Pensions in the Senate, wherein he says
Page 37

My impression is that the applicant should produce the best
evidence in his power. If he has no living nor documentary of his
services he should transmitt as detailed a statement under Oath
as he can prepare showing the time, place, and manner of his
employment the 
Corps to which he belonged, and such circumstances
connected with the subject &c  you will say this respects land
service when troops are calld (called)out and not enrolld(enrolled) we naval
officers or men are placed in a situation pretty similar- True,
we undoubtedly were enrolld But those rolls was burnt up in
the War Office - my Officers and associated in arms are say
all, numbered with the Dead, and I only are left alone to tell
thee and I expect you take "it By & large, as the sailor says "
and Enter my name amongs the names of Revolutionary
pensioners,
I am sir yours
Jno(John) Manley

J L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington D.C.
Page 38

John Manley
Midshipman
Navy.
$144 per an.
from 4
March 1831
Act June 7 1832
from 4 Sept /45
when application was made
to Congress
S.L.
Page 39

H. R.  No 99
John Manley

Cert  32,815
Old File No 9394
to be recorded
and given file  N[rest is torn off](No 99)
as Navy case
Page 40

Recd April 23d.
New York April 20, 1845
James A. Manley
Requests the Secretary to
Land for the Commissioner
of pension and examine
his brother John's
papers
8125. Red Apl 25/45
Pension Office


(writing written upside down)
L. Marcy
War
hington(Washington)
Page 41

Newyork. April 20th 1845
Hon Wm(William) L. Marcy-
Sir/
I need not tell you that I am one of
those who are pleased to see you in the administration, because I believe
that placed in any station, you will do your duty not only with intelligence
but under the distinct admonitions of a well regulated conscience. If
your situation is agreeable I congratulate you-although I may
say that I would have been better pleased if you had been placed
at the head of the hearing. I count you among my friends, and as
friends may occasionally be useful, I am about to make a trial. Do not
cast away the letter as one of importunity for oneself no, no. I ask
you to do what I think will give you satisfaction--I ask you to make
it matter of business at your earliest leisure to see the Commissioner
of pensions Mr Edwards and look at the papers of my oldest brother
John Manley now in his 81st years of age, who has presented to the
Commissioners his claims for a navy pension. the papers are
1. his own Oath that he was a midshipman on board of the U S.
frigate Trumbull commanded by Commodore Nicholson which
ship was taken on the 10th Augt(August) 1780 or 1781 by the British frigate
Iris & sloop of war Genl Monk, when he John Manley was taken to the
City of New York & suffered imprisonment for 17 week on board
the Old Jersey prison ship- his own oath that he after exchange
was a Midshipman in the ship Genl Washington, Commodore Barney
commander and sailed with him till April 1884, and made
three voyages to Havre & L Orient- and brough(brought) the treasure
furnished the government, on the first voyage & himself commanded
the detachment of men who delivered it at the Old bank of North America
in Philadelphia. 
2. Two pages or eight days work of the ship on one of these voyages being part of a folio Journal kept by him as Midshipman-
3. My own Oath and my Sister's oath {84 years old} now}, that their
facts were the current family anecdotes, long as I remember being
but a child, although she at the time spoken of was a woman
4. A letter from my sainted mother written in October 1781 in
Page 42

which she with Christian resignation laments the lot of her
poor boy (then on board the prison ship) to her sister Mrs Orrick
then living in Charlestown Maryland-such things cannot be false
my brother John & all our family have lived in New York, ever
time the peace of 1783. and were residents before the war-our
Father Robert Manley was a Lieutenant in Col Malcom's regiment
and one of the Committee of pullie safety then the war commenced.
My brother 
is a man of fair fame. well known to hundreds in the
city as a man of privity, and a Christian for more than 50 years.
In this evidence he asks a pension, and if he could will come
to Washington a half hour conversation with any intelligent
men touching the particulars of
his cruises and Capture
would flash conviction, on the minds of those most skeptical.
He never had a formal commission, neither had any other
midshipman at that time -His 
certificate of honorable
discharge in 1784 from Commodore Barney, was handed in as
a paper of recommendations, to Jonathan Burrall, the cashier
of the first United states bank in 1791 where he applied for a
situation in the bank then going into operation, and never
was returned- He is more than 80 years old, and every man
with whom he served so far forth as he knows is among the dead
for when he entered the service he was but 15 years old, being born
as the family bible records shews in Novr 1764.
Will you have the goodness to do this piece of service
for him and address a line to me soon?
I am your's(yours) very respectfully
James R Manley

re 13
Page 43

38.102
John Manly,
NY
certf' 32817
Act 5 Augt 1848,

NYork City Roll

$12 per month,
Corng 4 Sept 1845,
payable to Robert T. Manly,
Committee
place on roll act 7,
June 1832,
Hon H. C. Murphy
Present
Page 44

1832              1779            265
    68               1764           333
_______            _______        _____
1764                     15         795
                                         795
                                       795
                                      _______
                                       882.45    



333
  95
_____
  1665
 7997
_________
316.35
Page 45

No 4
Personally appeared before me, Ann Manley of the city
and State of New York who being duly sworn does depose, that she
is the sister of John Manley of this city, and that she well
remembers that said John Manley entered the Navy as 
Midshipman in the winter of 1780-'81 on board the Trumbull 
Frigate then laying in Philadelphia harbour under the 
command of Capt. James Nicholson and that he was captured
in that ship soon after they left the Capes of the Delaware
(off Cape May) by two British men of War -the Iris frigate Capt.
Dawson and the Sloop of War Genl. Monk, Capt Rogers, and
carried into the port of New York; and that he was there
a prisoner on board the Old Jersey prison ship laying at the
Wallabout, until the autumn of 1781 when through the
exertions of her father he was exchanged. He was then
attached to the Sloop of war Genl. Washington, Joshua Barney
Esqr. Commander, and sailed with him until April
1784 when he was discharged and returned to his fathers
in this city.
And the deponent further says that the letter vir. the
letter of her mother dated Oct. 22nd 1781 wherein she informs
her sister Mrs. Orrick that her son John was then on board
the Prison ship( which letter my brother has in his possession)
is genuine, for she well knows her hand writing and was
acquainted with all the then attending circumstances.
Sworn to before me this}
31st March 1845}
Ann Manley

M. Ulshoeffer
First Judge New York
Common Pleas

I do certify that I am well satisfied as to the credibility
of the above witness Ann Manley and that I credit all she has stated.
N.Y. July 9. 1845
M. Ulshoeffer
First Judge
Page 46

No 5.

New York April 2d 1845

I James R. Manley of the City of New York, (aged
within one week of sixty three years) do declare that I am
brother to John Manley and to Ann Manley; that I well
remember during my boyhood of hearing the history of my
brother John's captivity on board the Jersey prison ship, and the
incidents of his capture by the Irs frigate, that I well remember many of the particulars of what he called the night
battle, off the cases of Delaware - I also have very often seen
the large book in which the journal of his voyages with
Commodore Barney in the ship Genl Washington were recorded,
with all the precession of a Log book, and I know that the
leaves now in his possession were a part of the same. I certify to the authenticity of my mother's letter to her sister Mrs
Orrick then living in Cecil C. Maryland, touching my brother's
captivity, and my father's exertion to have him discharged or
exchanged. I further certify from the record in the old
family bible, that my sister Ann who testifies to some of
the facts relative to my brother John is now in her eighty
third year of age and that my brother John is in his eighty
first year of age. All these things I believe are true, upon the 
strongest testimony, that the nature of the case admits,
when the party certifying, could not have been an eye witness.
James R Manley M.D.

Subscribed and sworn to}        
before me this 2nd April 1845}
M. Ulshoeffer
first Judge New York, Common Pleas
and ex officio Justice of the peace
Page 47

I do certify that I am well satisfied as to the credibility
of the within witness James R. Manley and that I
fully credit all he has stated N.Y. July 9th 1845
M. Ulshoeffer
fst.Judge

State of New York City}
City and County of New York }  SS

I James Conner, Clerk of the City and County of New York,
Do hereby certify, that
Michael Ulshoeffer- before whom the annexed
deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same,
First Judge of New York Common Pleas & ex officio Justice
of the peace in and for said City and County, duly 
commissioned and sworn, and authorized by the laws of
this State to take the same; and I believe the Signature
of said First Judge thereunto subscribed is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand,
and affixed the Seal of the said County, the 20th day
of May 1845
James Conner
Clerk

(circled LS)
Page 48

Ann Manley
affidavit

No 2

[illegible] his enlistmet
& capture

No 4
Page 49

No. 4.
Personally appeared before me,
Ann Manley of
the City and State of New York who being duly sworn
does depose, that she is the Sister of John Manley of
this City and that she well remembers that said
John Manley, entered the Navy as Midshipman in the
winter of 1780, 81 on board the Trumbull Frigate then
laying in Philadelphia harbour under the command
of Capt James Nicholson, and that he was captured
in that 
Ship soon after they left the Capes of the Delaware
{off Cape May} by two British men of War, the Iris
frigate Capt. Dawson and the Sloop of War, Genl Monk
Capt Rogers, and carried into the Port of New York; and
that he was there a Prisoner on board the Old Jersey
prison ship laying at the Wallabout, untill the autumn
of 1781 when through the exertions of her father, he was
exchanged. He was then attached to the Sloop of war
Genl Washington, Joshua Barney Esqr Commander, and
sailed with him untill April 1784 when he was discharged
and returned to his father's in this City
and the deposent further says that the letter viz the 
letter of her mother dated Oct. 22nd 1781 wherein she informs
her sister Mrs. Orrick that her son John was then on board
the Prison ship (which letter my brother has in his
possession) is genuine, for she well knows her hand
writing and was acquainted with all the then
Page 50

attending circumstances.

Sworn to before me}  Ann Manley
this 31 of March 1845}
M: Ulshoeffer
first Judge New York}
Common Pleas}

I do certify that I am well
satisfied as to the credibility of
the above witness Ann Manley
& that I credit all she has stated
NY July 9, 1845
M: Ulshoeffer
1st judge
Page 51

STATE OF NEW-YORK,}
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK }  ss.

I, James Conner, CLERK of the City and County of New-York,
DO HEREBY CERTIFY,
That Michael Ulshoeffer  -- before whom the annexed
deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, First Judge of the
New York Common Pleas & ex-officio} 
Justice of the Peace}  in and for
said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn,
and authorized by the laws of this State to take the same; and that I believe the Signature of said
First Judge--
thereunto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the
said County, the 20th
day of May 1845

James Conner
Clerk.
Page 52

No 14
John Manley
N.Y.
Act of June '32


Nos. 1. 2 & 3.
Page 53

(No, 1)
City and County of New York   ss:

On this first day of Apl. 1845, personally appeared John
Manley a resident of this City, aged upwards of Eighty years
who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make
the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit
of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the
Service of the United States in the Frigate Trumbull, then in the
port of Philadelphia under the command of Capt James
Nicholson as a Midshipman early in the spring of
1781.
I think in March- saild(sailed) from Cape May in the tenth day of
August following say high noon immediately on Clearing the
Cape we discovered three sail to the Eastward they made
Chace(chase) after us- we carried away our fore-topmast & rendered
a perfect 
wreck, in this situation. The Enemy came along
aside at midnight (the Iris Frigate and Sloop of war General
Monk.) after an action of near three Glasses-- We was compeld(compelled)
to Strick(strike)- we was towed into New York and sent to the Jersey
Prison Ship and their(there) remained untill late in the fall. I
think the latter part of November. I hereby relinquish every claim
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"
And further that this deponent in the fall of 1782 Was attachd
to the United States ship of War Genl. Washington. Capt Joshua
Barney Esqr Commander said(which is crossed out) ship was employd as a Pack(Packet)
to Europe, with dispatches and so continued untill April
one thousand seven hundred and Eighty four, she was the ship
that brot(brought)over the preliminaries of peace from L.Orient and
Page 54

also a heavy Loan of money which your petioner deposited
in the Bank of North America Chesnut Street by order
of Robert Morris Esqr our financial agent.  this ship made
three voyages to Europe the first to L. Orient. the second & third
to Havre & Plymouth, and further, before we departed for
L. Orient their was forwared to Capt Barney thro the hands of "Benjamin Franklin
from Versalles"(Versailles) a passport from the "Crown of G. Brittain
for our ship," having "dispatches of high importance," and to
proceed home "imediately"- and lastly, here is a copy
from memory (and I belive(believe) strictly correct.) of a Discharge from
my Commander-

I hereby Certify that the Bearer John Manley was one of
my Midshipman on board of the Sloop of War General
Washington under my command for near two years.
and an attentive, active Officer-
                                                    Joshua Barney
Baltimore
April 4. 1784
and further this deponent saith not-
                                            Jn: Manley
Subscribed & sworn to}
before me this first day }
of April AD 1845-}

M. Ulshoeffer
first Judge  New York
Common Pleas & ex officio
Justice of the Peace
Page 55

STATE OF NEW-YORK,}
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK }  ss.

I, James Conner, CLERK of the City and County of New-York,
DO HEREBY CERTIFY,
That Michael Ulshoeffer  -- before whom the annexed
deposition was taken, was, at the time of taking the same, First Judge of the
New York Common Pleas & ex-officio} 
Justice of the Peace} in and for
said City and County, duly commissioned and sworn,
and authorized by the laws of this State to take the same; and that I believe the Signature of said
First Judge--
thereunto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the
said County, the 20th
day of May 1845

James Conner
Clerk.
Page 56

No. 2
We Thomas De Witt, a clergyman residing
in the City of New York, and
James Van Antwerp
residing in the said City, do hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with
John Manley, who has subscribed and
sworn to the annexed Declaration - That
we believe him to be eighty years of
age - that he is reputed and believed in the 
neighbourhood where he resides to have been
a (marked thru), of the United States in the revolutionary war, 
and that we concur in that opinion-
Sworn & subscribed}       Thomas DeWitt
this 28th May 1845,}        James Van Antwerp
M. Ulshoeffer
1st Judge Com. Pleas
No. 3.
The Court of Common Pleas for the City & County
of New York do give their opinion upon the above
and annexed papers, that the above named applicant
John Marley was a Midshipman in the Navy & 
served as he states, and that it appears to them
that that Thomas DeWitt who has signed the
above certificate is a Clergyman resident in
the City of New York, and that James Van Antwerp who
has signed the same is a resident in the said City
& is a credible person, & that their statement is
entitled to credit-
And I Andrew Warner Clerk
of the said Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the Court aforesaid in the matter of the application
of John Marley for a pension-In testimony whereof
(unable to read due to seal placed over it) hereunto set my hand & seal of office this
(unable to read due to seal placed over it)A D 1845
Andrew Warner
Clerk
Page 57

J. L. Edwards
Pension office  D.D.
Washington

(written on left side, sideways)
Sept. 18. 1845.
Rec to claim of
John Manley.
Page 58

Newyork Sept 15 1845
Sir
It is one month this day that I answered yours of 15 Augt.
I then informed you we were bound to Cape Franeday and their(there)
to fill-out for a cruize. that we left Cape may on the tenth day
Augt 1781 about noon and was Captured that same night 
by the Iris frigate. Capt Dawson and the Sloop of War Genl Monk Capt Jn Rogers and brought into this place (NYork) and their(there) imprisoned
on board the Jersey prison ship untill late in the fall
when our Capt Nicholson and Lieut Maltbie & Richard Dale
and the late Commodore Alexander Murry, and our Doctors
Jos & Samuel Morrow and a few more of us was paroled net.
and soon arrived at Philadelphia. The spring following I
was attached to the Sloop of war Gen Washington (formerly
the Genl. Monk.) Joshua Barney Esqr Commander, and with
him I continued untill the 4th April 1784. I already 
informed you this ship was employd(employed) as a Packet
to and from France & England with dispatches we
was not permitted to cruize but if an Enemy
Came in our way, and we could capture them to do
it which we also did. (Captured a Brig. the second
day we were out-) with respect to my grade I can 
not prove more than I have done by my sister (she has
every four or five months when I had leave of absence
to go and see my parents & family, that then resided
in Elizabeth-town New Jersey) always seen me in a
Midshipmans uniform and side Arms- and farther
as I have already told you our pay as such was
Page 59

Duely(duly) payd(paid) us and that was twenty Dollars per month,
I do not know, nor have I ever heard that any Naval Officer
received a pension nor men either, they were left in the
back-ground untill June 27th 1832 -
War Department, Lewis Cass to the Hon Samuel A Foot, Chairman
of the Committee of Pensions in the Senate
says the Certificate of a Commissioned Office of one can be
obtained is required. But if it cannot, then corroborating
statements of two credible witnesses must be produced,
not that these witnesses should certify from their personal
knowledge to the actual knowledge to the actual service of the applicant; but that they should by direct or in direct 
circumstantial evidence, confirm the account given by himself,
these principles have regulated the department, heretofore, and
they appear to me to be founded in reason and Justice-When
however, the rolls are known to be imperfect. Considerable 
relaxation should be allowd(allowed), particularly with respect to the nature
of the Circumstances required to be known, we all know that
when the War office was destroyd(destroyed) then rolls, were destroyd(destroyed) &
that is my difficulty and one that ought to require every
allowance, their certainly can arise no presumtion(presumption) against
the applicant and time has so reduced the number of those
veterans and of the witnesses of their "services and sufferings",
that to demand of them positive proof independently of their
own statement, would be to deprive many of them of the 
benefit of the act. My impesion is that the applicant should
produce the "best evidence in his [illegible], if he has no
living nor documentary evidence of his ervices (services), he should
Page 60

trasmit as detailed a statement, under Oath, as "he can prepare,"
showing the time, place, and manner of his employment, the
ship, or ships, which he belonged, and such other circumstances
connected with the subject, as he may be able to recollect,
and as will serve to guide an examining officer in his
investigation of the Justice of his claim, to this should the
Certificate under Oath, &c &c-
This traditionary evidence
in the absence of other proof will corroborate the statement
of the honest applicant and check the attempts of those who
are dishonest; and it appears to me to be as far as it will be
safe to go. "These are my impressions, hastily written in
answer to your letter," I have the more confidence in them,
as they are fortified by the opinion of Mr Edwards &c-
I really think that I have to the very letter, came up[illegible]
the Pate "secretary of War directions." I am really sorr(sorry)
to be then troublesome, and if I must apply to C[illegible due to torn page](Congress) (with-from page behind) ss.
I know I shall succeed, but it will put me to much
trouble and fatigue for I shall strive hard to go to Congress
in person, and tell my own story for I think I can give
them a straight history of myself-my friends meet me- "Well
Mr Manley have you got your pension no" what not yet-
not yet-
Yours respectfully
Jno(John)Manley

J L Edwards Esqr
Washington
Page 61

Oct 15 '45
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington Do. (DC)
(Maryland-crossed out)

NY
case of- Manly
Page 62

Newyork  Sept 1845-

Sir/
Yours of the 15 Augt(August) came to my hands, whilst I was writing my last
letter to you, I thought I would finish it and let it go for what it may be worth--
your of the 15th says thus afford no means of [illegible](containing) the lenght(length) of your cruizes in the
Trumbull and Genl Washington, and no evidence of your grade, and that there are
the difficultes(difficulties), and unless you can make out, first the period of the Tumbull's sailing
and the time of your Exchange, and record, the commencement and termination of
the several Cruizes in the George Washington. It will be unavailing to address
this Department. I think I told you I never was on a Cruize the Trumbll(Trumbull)
was bound to Cape Franceway with dispatches from Robert Morris (they are now at
this moment before me here it is. 

(there is writing over the top of this next section)
 **{When you open your instructions you will be clear}** of the Capes, and I hope
**{with a passport of escaping the enemy shout you unfort}**

(this is written over the section...I am wrong I am writing the orders of Robt Morris a year after this for Capt Barney is be delivered to the French & spanish, admirals if they were their(there)you must proceed to the[illegible] where they may be found Cape Frances or ports near their(there))  
 
unately be taken, you must sink your dispatches which you will keep in readyness for that purpose).
and when they are delivered, to fit & proceed on a Cruize. I have
already informd you that to the best of my recollection I was attached to this
Frigate in the winter of the year 1780, & spring
of 1781. however, we
was blockeadeed(blockaded)  for several months. (I could give you a long story about that,). On the
10 day of Augt a day I well remember, to this day, we was pursued 
and Captured by the Frigate Iris & Loop(Sloop) of War Genl Monk a few hours after
we was out (I have given you the perticulars) I was Exchangd late in 
the fall with our Commader James Nicholson & Lieut Maltbie & Richard
late Commodore Dale our 2nd Lieut and a number of Officers, as I have already related.
Respecting the George Washington I have it now before
Day & date (a Volume of it altogather.)
Copy of a letter from Robert Morris to
Capt Barney of the Ship Genl Washington- Marine Office,
7th Oct 1782-
Sir/ with this you will receive sundry letters.. which you will
make up in such a manner, that in case of Capture, they may be sunk
before you strike your Colors, I hope, however, that you may meet 
a happier fate- You will make the first port you can arrive at in Europe,
Page 63

                                                           part
France, will be better than any other port, the various letters that may be
directed to private individuals you will put in the post office, but public
letters you will yourself take charge of and proceed with all possible expedition
to Paris, where you will deliver them. Inclosed are letters
of Introduction; any necessary expences for the Ship will be defrayd(defrayed)
by Mr Barkclay the American {Agent-crossed out} Counsel, to whom you will apply
for that purpose. If you arrive at L'Orient, you will probably find
him their(there) 
(We did find him their(there) and our Commander made his home
their,(there) and the person that is now writing to you frequently, was sent
(I being one of his Midshipman) on Buissonss(Business) respecting the Ship-)- You
will take Mr Franklin's Orders after you get to France for your departure
destination
and destination(Designation-crossed out), he may perhaps direct you to call at some port in the
West Indies, in which case he will give you ample directions &
Instructions--
as your safe and speedy arrival is of great importance, "you
will take Care not to Case any Vessel but to avoid as much as possible everything
which can delay or endanger you." I hope your expenditures in
Europe may be moderate, for we can ill afford anything unnessary,(unnecessary)
and I trust your continuance their(there) will be short. You will show this letter
to Mr Franklin when you see him, and he will probably be enabled in
some short time to determin(determine) your future movements. Should you return
to America imediately (immediately). I think it will be safest, as the enemy are
now about to Evacuate Charleston, and it will be midwinter when
you arrive, that you should fall in to the southward & run up the
Coast into the Chesapeake, but of this you will determine according to
your own discretion, and be directed by circumstances as they arise.

I am Sir, your most Obedient servant
Robert Morris

'Capt Barney of the Ship Genl Washington'
Page 64

We was fifty odd days at Sea on our passage home, a very boistorous(boisterous) time we
had of it, sprung our fore-top-mast. Carried away the two lower spindals
of our rudder, it was early in January 1783 We recived(received) our dispatches and accompanyd(accompanied)
with our Pasport(passport) under the signature of the King of England
for the Ship Genl Washington belonging to the United States of America.
Our Captain smild(smiled) at the singular coincidence, and wondered if the
King has seen or heard the name of his Ship when he signd(signed) the Passport
we brought home with us five million of Dollars in Gold & Silver
as I before informd(informed) you. I find that on the twelft(twelfth) of March we arrived
at Philadelphia. It must be a great oversight if my sister if
did not qualify to my habitual dress of a midshipman an in
the Interval of Our Voyages, the family residing at Elisth(Elizabeth)town
 N Jersy(Jersey)
I always payd(paid) my parents a Visit, if it is smitted. It can be rectifyness
should it be necessary. I was always respectd(respected) as a Midshipman have obeyd(obeyed)
accordingly, about nine months including my imprisonment
and from Sept I cannot name the day but 1781 untill the 4 April 1784
I served in that capacity and respected accordingly. Whenever 
Capt Barney, visited ships, his midshipman attended him
and I was generally the one, he was a perticular friend of mine
and when I heard of his Death, which took place 1 December
1818. I could not reframe from tears- I paid Mr Albert Galatan *Mrs Galatan is Mrs Few's sister 
in a visit a few days ago. I mentioned to him that she Mrs Few was
the oldest daughter of the Commodore's and she has spoke
to me at different times, respecting my being one of his Officers
& when we had the Federal Possession in this City 1709 he
Commanded the little ship Gl Hamilton & sent for me &
requested me to be on board as one of his Lieut which I did & was
pleasd(pleased) with my old Capt attention--

Respectfully yours
Jn. Manley

I think Mr G. will forsail on his sister -in-law to give her testimony if required.
J.L. Edwards. Esqr
Page 65

PAID(stamped)

NEW YORK (postal stamp)
13 NOV


J.L. Edwards Esqr
Pension CommissonerCommissioner)
Washington. D.C.
(written sideway on left side of page)
Nov. 15,1845.
Adal  te case
Jn.(john) Manley.


[illegible] 96 L(symbol for Pounds) for [illegible] 
2 years. 7 ms 19 days

Sept. 4 45
Page 66

Newyork November 11th 1845,
Sir/
After a months delay the unavoidable I answer  yours of October
last--
I entered the Navy on board the Trumbull Frigate Capt
James Nicholson. The first or second day of February 1781 as one
of his Officers, a Midshipman. We were a long time preparing
for Sea, and then, in a manner tho a poor one, we were a long time
before we got the Capes then a blockaded. On the tenth day
of August we left Cape May and were Captured that Night [illegible] this
port and imprisoned on board the Jersey prison ship untill the
last day of Nov.--
on the fourth day of June Capt Barney arrives
in Philadelphia, in a few days. I went on board his ship
to
the Washington, Sloop of War. I shall say the fifteenth of the same
month for I was desirous of being employd(employed); and with him
I continued untill the fourth day of April 1784 this ship
was the remains of our Amerian(American) navy; 10 months in the Trumbull
21 months & 19 days on board the Genl Washington making
two years seven months and nineteen days I have
rendered to United States and they have paid me at the
rate of ninety six pounds per year. Equal to twenty Dollars
per month, this statement. I am prepard to qualify to 
as the Law directs, to the best of my recollection--
I remain Sir yours respectfully
Jn. Manley

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington,
Page 67

I do certify that on the 12th day of November,
A.D. 1845, before me
came John Manley
to me personally known, who on oath declared
that that contents of the within
Letter by him
subscribed and in all things true-
and I do further certify that said Manley is a
person who is
deceiving of full credit
M. Ulshoeffer
first Judge New York Common 
Pleas [illegible]
Page 68

STATE OF NEW-YORK,}
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK,}  SS.
I, ANDREW WARNER, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and
County of New-York, being a Court of Record and the County Court, DO CERTIFY,
That Michael Ulshoeffer whose name is subscribed
to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument, and
thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, First
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas dwelling in the
said City, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same; and I
FURTHER CERTIFY, that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of such First
Judge and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or
acknowledgment is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal
of the said Court, the
13 day of Novr
1845
Andrew Warner
Clerk.
Page 69

Please favor me with a few lines
as soon as convenient
your respectfully
J Manley
Page 70

No6- 

New York, Dec 8/45.
Jno. Manley
Wants a pension.
No 402.
Rechlec 10/45
Pension Office

John Manley NY
NYork

(written upside down on left side of page)
PAID(stamp)
Hon. William L. Marcey(Marcy)
Secatary(Secretary) of War
Washington, (DC)
Page 71

Newyork. Dc(December) 8th 1845

Sir/
The lenght(length) of my services of the Revolutionary War one
year and nine months, with Commodor(Commodore) Barney in the G. Washington
and Eleven months in the Frigate Trumbull, including my
imprisonment. The whole 
service two years and ten months; here I was
arrested by receiving a letter from our Commissioner of Pension 
Mr J. L Edwards, & post 25 Nov the [illegible] of it, caused me to drop my pen, 
I will nor give it-"The proof is not satisfactory." It is not in my power
to grant a pension on "upon such slight evidence" I am & your Ob'sert(obedient servant)
J. L. Edwards

Mr John Manley,
Newyork,

To you Sir I am personally unkowron(unknown). I take
the liberty of addressing you upon the Intimacy of a "Brother
of mine James R. Manley." of this City. Begging of you Sir to
take the trouble to call on Mr. Edwards and look over my papers
now in his possession. The Honorable Mr A[illegible](Albert?) Gallitan advised me 
to do so, this Gentleman feels an interest in my behalf having been
a Midshipman and Captured in the Trumbull Frigate
when under the Command of Commodore James Nicholson &
with him captured on the 10th of Augt. 1781, by the Iris
Frigate, Davison Commander and the Genl Monk sloop of war
John Rogers Commander, and towed into this port & cast into
prison on board the Old Jersey for was 4 months and a more
doleful situation few human beings were ever put; I thought
I had got thr(thur) this tedious process, and was patiently in
waiting for my pension Certificate- want of documentary
Page 72

Testimony is the difficulty- I cannot remady(remedy) the misfortune
my associates in war, and my fellow Citizens since the peace
are all gathered to their fathers, traditionary evidence If
permitted. I could give in abundance. I am well known
in this City by hundreds as a revolutionary Officer and
as one that has gone thro(through) many trials and sufferings that
accompany a naval life. two Battles, one under Capt Nicholson 
and was one of the wounded, one on board a letter of Mark(Marque?)
ship the Aurora Capt. James Sutton in May 1780 a few
hours after we left the Capes of the Delaware I could relate as
many events, during our strugle(struggle) with great Britten(Britain) as very
few can at this period. My much respected Father Robert Manley,
who long since decasd(deceased) was one of these persons who with a
Pears, Larher, Willet & a Lamb, turnd(turned) out with their lives
in their hands then it was, that men's souls was tryd,
and had we not succeeded their lives would have been the
forfiture(forfeiture)-
I was placd in the Navy thro(through) the influence
of my Father the year 1781 in the Trumbull, 1782 in
the Sloop of War Genl. Washington, Joshua Barney (a man
whose memory I shall ever respect thro the remainder of my
days,) he gave me an honorable discharge at the time
our ship was put out of Commission, by order of Robert
Morris, Navy agent, on the 4 April 1784, we then had no
Secretary of War, we had to get along as well as we could-
we wore in leading strings.
With high respect
I am your Huml. Sert(Humble Servant)
Jno. Manley

Honl(Honorable) Wm. L. Marcey
Secatary at War(Secretary of War)
Dec. 8. 1845
Page 73


The petition of when Manley a midshipman in the revolutionary war
who was wounded
in the action between
the American Frigate
[illegible](Governor?) Trumbull and the
English frigate Iris
in 1781 &
who was imprisoned
in The Old Jersey prison
ship, for a pension.

Presented by(crossed out)
Mr Murphy

Dec 16 Riffend to
Com on Rev Penser
Jan 19, 1848. Bill 99
Referred to Com(crossed out)
[illegible]
Revolutionary pensions
H.C. Murphy
Page 74

To the Honorable Senate, and house of Representatives
in Congress assembled-
The Petition of John Manley, Shuveth, That your Petitioner
during the Revolutionary war was a Midshipman in our Navy,
and under the 
Command of Commodore James Nicholson
of the Governor Trumbull Frigate then in the Port of Philadelphia
he entered the service the winter of Eighty and Eighty
one then undergoing heavy repairs from damages received in her
action with the Watt on the 2d of June previous, consequently
we was not prepared for Sea untill late in the spring and when
prepard(prepared) was blockaded by the enemy The Media & Amphratiate two
Frigates- saild(sailed) from Cape May on the tenth day of August with
several armed vessels among the number the (Royal) Lewe of 20 guns
Stephen Duature the father of the 'late hero' on our clearing
the Cape, we [illegible] three vessels of War to the Eastward, they made
sail after us, we makeing our offing, with a brisk gale from the
westward at 3 P.M. we was dismasted in the Chase, fore topmast
went over the side by the fore cap our head sails all went with
our main top gallant sail with them we could sail no other way
then before the wind at midnight they came along side the
frigate hailed us upon answering they gave us a broad side
we battled three glasses was compeld to strike our Captureer
proved to be the Iris Frigate & Genl. Monk sloop war, Dawson
commander of the first Jn.(John) Rogers, the latter, we was roughly
handled 10 or 12 killd(killed), and as many wounded, we were towed
into N York. the Crew disposed off in the Prison Ships, the
Old Jersey principally, Officers or parole on long Island. It was
my lot to spend between three & four months on board the
Old Jersey our Offiers(Officers) except those that belonged to the
Page 75

Eastward returnd(returned) to Philadelphia, their(there) being no public Vessels
their(there) Mr Robert Morris our Navy agent proposd(proposed) to us to make a
short voyage to Havanna, we did. Richard Dale 2 Lieut. Capt Murry
Volunteer and several others, myself amongst the number, on my
return I was attachd(attached) to the sloop of war Genl. Washington, Joshua
Barney Esqr Commander bound to L. Orient with dispathes(dispatches) for
our Ministers, then at Versalls(Versailles), and with him continued running
running to Haore & Plymouth untill, the 4th day of April 1784
then the ship's Crew was dischargd(discharged). Ship Sold, by order of Robt
Morris, we then laying at Baltimore this was the last Ship
in Commission of the American Navy - I kept a regular
Journal while on board this ship of Various transactions and
took much pains to keep it in good order, from that time untill
a few years since, but owing to several years Illness, and carelessness
of my friends, they was mutilated in such a manner, that I have
but Eight days, reckoning entire, My Commander gave me a handsome
discharge on my departure from Baltimore, but that is mislaid
the want of at has put me to all this trouble-- My Companions
in War, and they were many "that knew of my services", every one
are dead. I was in my sixteenth year of my age when I entered
the Navy, and the youngest officer on board the Different ships- I have
an aged sister that is still living, who has attested to what I relate,
in her Eighty fourth year, dwells near me, healthy in Body &
sound in mind. Mr. J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
has in his possession my papers, I did not expect to trouble your honourable
body with this claim, but he did not feel disposd(disposed) to "take it in himself"
Consequently your Petioner prays that Congress will take his
Page 76

Case into consideration and grant him such relief, as you in
your wisdom shall judge your petitioner merits and
your petitioner, as in duty bound will ever pray
Jn Manley

Newyork
March 13th 1846

P.S. I have the honour of bearing the scars in the Battle
with the Iris it is a mark of the Revolutionary war, and "It
is my pride"-
Page 77

(top of page only)

Says that he performed services in the Navy during the
war of the Revolution- The petitul[illegible] offers no evidence
whatever to establish the service for which he asks a pension
The committee recommend the [illegible] of the following [illegible]
Page 78

Petition of 
J Manley
for a Pension

Committee on
(Naval Affairs--crossed out)
March 19. 1846 Referred to the
Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
Aug. 8. 1846 Refr U. to [illegible] 1835
(Mr Maclay-crossed out)
Dec 17. 1847 Referred to the
Committee on Revolutionary
Pensions

[illegible] not  sent
with petition by
overnight when [illegible]
sented in 1846.

Mr Maclay
Rev Pensions