Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17983, Samuel Goddard, Continental (Mass.)
Page 1

Continental (Mass) 
Goddard, Samuel
Number S. 17983
D.L. Mt. 13137-100 Sgr. of Arm. Officer
Issued Nov. 19, 1792
No papers
carded
Page 2

913
Massachusetts
Samuel Goddard, decd
Boston in the State of Mass: 
who was a Artificer in the - commanded 
by Captain - of the Regt commanded
by Col. Baldwin in the Mass
line for 2 years Continental

Subscribed on the Roll of Boston
the rate of 24 Dollars 00 Cents per
annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1826
Endg 26 December 1846

Certificate of Pension issued teh 27th day of 
March 1837 and sent to 
Dickins & Coombs 

Arrears to the 4th of Present
Semi-anl. allowance ending
dectg former payments at $144
up to 4 March at 31 and from
that time at $188 per ann
Revolutionary Claim,
Act May 15th, 1828

Recorded by H. R. Weightman Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 1  Page -
Page 3

Commonwealth Massachusetts
Middlesex County. 

Be it known that on the seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred forty four personally came before me the subscriber and justice of the peace in and for said county and duly authorized to administer oaths, Samuel Goddard, a resident of Hopkington in said County of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Aged eighty five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain an increase of pension under the law of June 7th, 1832. I was in the service of the United States during the war of the Revolution for the term of five years and eight months and held the office of sergeant of artillery artificers. a considerable portion of this period my service in brief is as follows. In September 1777 I enlisted into the United States service in Capt. Woods Company, who then lived in Westford in the County of Worcester of commonwealth aforesaid in a few months we went to Danbury in the State of Connecticut where I remained for a short time and as a part of the regiment had never had the small pace they were sent to Woodbury in said State to have it and I was sent as a nurse. From Woodbury I went to Fishkill in the State of New York and while there
Page 4

I was transferred from Capt. Wood's Company to Capt. Sisor (I am not sure the last name is spelt right). I remained there about three years and was likewise transferred from Sisor's Company while at Fishkill to Capt. Painter's Company. and as many of the soldiers had enlisted only for three years their time expired while I was at Fishkill and myself and others that had enlisted during the war was transferred to Capt. Thomas Patten's Company of artillery artificers. I went from Fishkill under Capt. Patten to Virginia and was with him when Cornwallis was taken and was under Capt. Patten until the close of the war. I had my discharge while in Capt. Patten's Company at West Point signed by George Washington for further and full particulars would refer to my original application for a pension on file, to the warren and papers forwarded by L. M. Stone on the 23rd day of January A. D. 1844, and to the proof from the Secretary's office herewith presented. And the applicant further alleges that he is a pensioner at the rate of one hundred and forty four dollars per annum under the law of May 15th 1828. The object of this application is to obtain such an increase of pension under the law of 7th June 1832 as the nature of my service such as sergeant and foreman of artificers would entitle me to. 

Saml. Goddard
Page 5

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Secretary's Office, Boston, September 11th, 1844

I hereby certify, that at the date of the annexed attestation Samuel D. Davenport was a justice of the peace for the county of Middlesex, 
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written. 

John G. Palfrey,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 6

Middlesex ss.
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year first written by said Samuel Goddard who has been long known to me as a credible witness & respectable man 
Samuel D. Davenport, Justice Peace (signature)
Page 7

Wm Valentine
Albany N.Y.
Page 8

State of Massachusetts 
Middlesex County ss 
On this twelfth day of August A.D. 1850 before me S.D. Davenport a Justice of the peace in & for said County personally appeared Betsy Goddard a resident of Hopkinton in said County aged sixty five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the increase of Pension which may have been due Samuel Goddard and under the Acts of Congress passed May 15th 1828 & June 7th 1832. That she is the widow of Samuel Goddard deceased late of said County & State, and a pensioner of the United States, That her husband the said Samuel Goddard did at Hopkinton in the County aforesaid on the twenty sixth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred & forty six and at the time of his death left this Declarant a widow. In support of which claim declarant refers the Pension Department to the evidence on file in that office, the further declares that she still remains a widow
Betsy Goddard her X mark 

Subscribed & Sworn to this twelfth day of August 1850 her before me 
S.D. Davenport Jus of the Peace, (signature)

I certify that I am personally acquainted with Betsy Goddard & that she is the Identical person above named and described.  I further certify that the reason of her not writing her name is that she never learnt to write as she had no opportunity to attend school when young 
S. D. Davenport Justice of the Peace (signature)
Page 9

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss.
I Seth Ames, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth for said county by do hereby certify that S.D. Davenport, Esq. whose signature is attached to the document from which this certificate is endorsed, is one of the Justices of the Peace duly qualified, commissioned, & sworn, in and for the said County of Middlesex. 
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this Seventeenth day of October A.D. 1850
Seth Ames (signature)
Clerk
Page 10

Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
I Jane Fiske Register of the Court of Probate and for the County of Middlesex and hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that Samuel Goddard was a pensioner of the United States, that he resided in Hopkinton in said County of Middlesex and died at said Hopkinton on the twenty sixth day of December in the year Eighteen hundred & forty six & that he left a widow at the time of his death, whose name is Betsey Goddard, who is still living and the widow of the said Samuel Goddard, not having married since the death of her said husband Samuel Goddard. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred

Jane Fiske Rg
Page 11

BA-J/AWF
Edward Goddard-S.44166
Samuel Goddard-S.17983

Mr. J. C. Wright
5624 Western Avenue
Chevy Chase, Maryland

Dear Sir:
In compliance with your request of recent date you are furnished herein the Revolutionary War records of Edward Goddard and Samuel Goddard. 

Edward Goddard-S.44166
The data which follow in regard to Edward Goddard were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension. S. 44166, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. 

The date and place of birth of Edward Goddard, and names of his parents are not given. 

Edward Goddard enlisted on "Robinson's farm"
opposite West Point, New York, sometime in February,1776, served as private and corporal in Captain Potter's company in the Sixth Connecticut Regiment, and in Captain Eaton's company, was discharged in the month of June, 1783, from Colonel H[illegible] Swift's
Second Connecticut Regiment. During his service he was in the battles of Kings Bridge, Long Island, and several other battles, not named.

He was allowed pension on his application
executed April 10, 1818, at which time he was aged fifty-nine years, and a resident of Eaton, Madison

[Handwritten at bottom]
See his request [illegible]
Edward Goddard S. 44166
Page 12

2-
County, New York

The soldier, Edward Goddard, in 1820 referred
to his wife as aged forty-nine years, and two
children, aged respectively ten years and eight
years. Names of wife and children are not shown. 

The papers on file in this claim contain no
further discernible family data.

In order to obtain the date of last payment
of pension, name and address of person paid, and
possibly the date of death of this pensioner, it
is suggested that you apply to the Comptroller
General, General Accounting Office, this city, and
furnish the following data:

Edward Goddard
Certificate # 7807
Issued March 19, 1819
Rate $8.00 per month
Act of March 18, 1818
New York Agency
************
Samuel Goddard-S.17983

The data furnished herein relative to Samuel
Goddard were obtained from papers on file in claim
for pension, S. 17983 based upon his service in
the Revolutionary War.

The date and place of birth of Samuel Goddard,
and names of his parents are not given.

While a resident of Westboro, Worcester County,
Page 13

3-

Massachusetts, Samuel Goddard enlisted sometime in September, 1777, served in Captain Wood's company,
Captain Sizer's company, Captain Painter's company, Captain Thomas Patten's company, in Colonel J. Baldwin's Regiment of Artillery Artificers; he was at the surrender of Cornwallis "in Virginia", and was discharged, June 9, 1783.

He was allowed pension on his application
executed May 4, 1829, at which time he was a
resident of Hopkinton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He continued to live there in 1844. He died December 26, 1846, in Hopkinton, Massachusetts.

His widow, Betsy Goddard, was living in 1850,
in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, aged sixty-five years.

There is no reference to children, and the
papers on file in this claim contain no further
discernible family data.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 14

35823
Samuel Goddard
Mass
Act 7 June 1832
Adm
2 years Sergt (Sargent) of Artillery
$188 perAnn [per annum]

deducting what has
been paid under the act
of 1824, at the rate of $144-
per Ann from 4 March 1831

S.M. Stone
Boston Mass
Page 15

35.823.
Samuel Goddard
Mary
Let. to L.M. Stone Aug 16 1844
188
  13
____
564
188
___94___
2538

Act June 7th 1832
Page 16

[page 1]
Repd: to agt: by letter

Novr 11, 1844
date L.M. Stone Dec. 9, 1844

[page 2]

No. 32.234
Massachusetts
===========
Samuel Goddard
Boston in the State of Massachusetts
who was a Sargeant in the ------ commanded
by Captain ----- of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Baldwin in the Anti[illegible]
time for 2 years Continental ["Mass" crossed through]
======= 
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 188 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=======
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of
November 1844 and send to L.M Stone
Boston Massachusetts
========
Arrears to the 4th of Sept: 1844 $2538.00
Semi-annual allowance ending in March 94.00
====
$2632.00
====
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by WM Steward Clerk
K E Vol. 2 Page 30
Page 17

Boston, 12th Sept. 1844

Sir,

In answer to your letter of the 16th ult. I have the honor to transmit herewith the certificate of the Secretary of this Commonwealth as to the service of Samuel Goddard accompanied by his declaration as suggested in your letter. 

I regret exceedingly that I should have been the medium of causing any papers to be transmitted to the Department bearing the appearance even of having been altered for improper purposes. The result of the search however at the Secy. Office will I trust remove any doubts of the Dept. as to his having served as heretofore stated. 

I am very respy. 
yr. obt. sert.
L. M. Stone

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Comr. of Pensions 
Washington
Page 18

Boston, 6th. Decr. 1844

Sir,
In the case of the increase of pension recently allowed to Samuel Goddard under the law of 1832, I have supposed it was the intention of the Department to have required the surrender of his certificate under the law of 1828 and with this view of the matter I now have the honor to enclose the same. 

I am very respy.
your obt. svt.
L. M. Stone

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Com. of Pensions
Washington 
DC
Page 19

Samuel Goddard, decd.
Declaration 
Betsy Goddard
15 May 1828 (crossed out)
7 June 1832 (crossed out)
com 3 ma '26
Inc to $240 per ann.
dedg. former payts at 
(?) 188 per annum x endg.
26 December 1846, payable
to Betsy Goddard,
his widow

Dickens & Coombs
Present
Page 20

Washington 30 Oct, 1850

Sir,
Enclosed we have the honor to present to you this appreciation of Betsey Goddard widow of Samuel Goddard for an income of Pension.
Yours most faithfully
Dickins L Combs
To the Comisioner of Pensions.
Page 21

35823
Samuel Goodard
Mass
Act T June "32
Page 22

Boston, 23rd January 1844
Sir,
I transmit the enclosed papers at the request of Mr. Samuel Goddard named therein who is desirous of ascertaining whether he would be entitled to an increased note of pension under the law of Jun 7th 1832, as foreman and Sgt. of Artificers, provided applications was made in due form under said law. Mr. G. is now a pensioner under the law of 15th May 1828 at $144 per annum, as a resident of Hopkinton, Middlesex County, Mass. The inquiry is made in order that he may be saved any unnecessary expenses of and application in case he is not entitled to an increase.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Yr. obt. svt.
L. M. Stone
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 23

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept. 4, 1844
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 Samuel Goddard is borne upon the Continental Army Books from Shrewsbury in Col Baldwin's regiment of Artificers from Dec 10 1777 to Dec 31 1779. 24 Months & 20 days @ Col P
"to May 1 1775 4 mos 20 days @1044
to May 1 1779 12 mos @ L 9.00
to Dec 31 1779 8 mos @ L 13.100"
and in General Knox regiment of Artificers Capt. Pattin as Serjeant from Jan 1 to Dec 31 1780  12 months.
Page 24

Pension Office
August 16th 1844
Sir,
In the case of Samuel Goddard, his warrant of Sergeant of Artillery Artificer bears the appearance of being altered or retraced as to the date, which will render it not only unavailing as evidence, but will inspire such a distrust of that point in his claim that will constrain the Department to require record proof of the date of the appointment. Our records do not show when he was appointed.
We should make a declaration under the law of June 7th 1832, as he is entitled to an increase proportioned to the length of his service as Sergeant to be shown by some record or other document than his altered or retraced warrant.
I am, sir,
Very respectfully,
Your Obt Servant
J L Edwards
L. M. Stone, Esq
Boston, 
Mass.
Page 25

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone: and that said application and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service. 

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

John G. Palfrey,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 26

3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by
Claim No. 
Sur. File No. 17,983
Claimant
Soldier Samuel Goddard
Service Rev. War.
Additional Service
No_ claim, State records_, 190_
No claim, combination records_, 190_
REMARKS:
No inv, wid or rej claim except as above

Chief Division
0-8
acnl
Jan. 6/10
Page 27

P 17983
INVALID.
File No. 17,983
Samuel Goddard
Artificer Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 147
{Arrangement of 1870.}

1939 - Dec-15- (?) to Mr. J.C. Wright - See his request in Edward Goddard S. 44166
Page 28

discharge in favor of Saml. Goddard
Sargeant of Artillery, Artificers, dated 
9 June 1783 and signed by Geo. Washington
Page 29

BY HIS EXCELLENCY
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq
General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.
THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof Samuel Goddard Sargeant
in the Company of Artillery and Artificers, having faithfully served in the United States Five years & eight months and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.
GIVEN at HEAD-QUARTERS the
9th June 1783
(illegible)
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S Command,
J Trimbull ("Justice"?)
Land issued Nov- 19- 1792 W Office
REGISTERED in the Books of the Company
J Batten Capt. Adjutant
Artillery Artificers
THE above Sergeant Samuel Goddard
has been honored with the BADGE of MERIT for five Years faithful Service.
J Batten Capt. Comdr.
Artillery Artificers
Page 30

Samuel Goddards discharge

HEAD-QUARTERS, June 9th 1783.
THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough.

GEORGE WASHINGTON
Sergeants Office Boston August 29, 1803(?)
These certify that Sam. Goddard has served to the benefit of the Revolution (?) as passed by the Legislature of this Commonwealth in favour of the Soldier in the late Continental army and this discharge is declared by this discretion(?)
John Avery(?) Reg.

M Samuel Goddard 
Discharged
Recd. 7th June 1803
his choice 20 Dt.
Washington

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

This may Certify that the within named Saml. Goddard was a native of Massachusetts from which he went into the Continental Army and is entitled to the donation granted by the General Assembly of Massachusetts. .

James Mellen Lt. Col. Commandant
of the 3rd Massachusetts Regiment
of the late Continental 

Samuel Goddard.
Sur. Files 17,983.
Mass.
Page 31

Revolutionary Claims. No. 913

Under the Act entitled, An Act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution approved 15 May 1828.

I certify that Samuel Goddard of Hopkintown in the County of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts is entitled to receive pay under the above mentioned Act as a surviving Sergeant of artillery artificer in the ____ Line of the Army of the Revolution at the rate of Twelve dollars and ___ cents a month payable during his life on the third day of March and third day of September, in each year It is provided by law that the said pay shall not in any way be [illegible] fesable or liable to attachment, levy, or seizure by any legal process whatever.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Treasury of the United States this Seventeenth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine and of Independence, the fifty fourth-
SD Ingham (signature)
Secretary of the Treasury

[along side]
Pay certificate of 
Saml Goddard
Page 32

Revolutionary Claims. No. 913

Under the Act entitled, An Act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution approved 15 May 1828.

I certify that Samuel Goddard of Hopkintown in the County of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts is entitled to receive pay under the above mentioned Act as a surviving Sergeant of artillery artificer in the ____ Line of the Army of the Revolution at the rate of Twelve dollars and ___ cents a month payable during his life on the third day of March and third day of September, in each year It is provided by law that the said pay shall not in any way be [illegible] fesable or liable to attachment, levy, or seizure by any legal process whatever.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Treasury of the United States this Seventeenth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine and of Independence, the fifty fourth-
SD Ingham (signature)
Secretary of the Treasury

[along side]
Pay certificate of 
Saml Goddard
Page 33

1659 
No. of Original payment  974 [handwritten]

Revolutionary Claims 

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
8 June 1829 

Samuel Goddard of Hopkintown in the County of Middlesex in the State of Massachusetts has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution,” approved the 15th of May, 1828.  He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination , at which period he was a Sergeant ---  in captain Patten's company, of Artillery Artificers line; and that he did not recollect to have received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing. 

The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office. 

By Order of the Secretary. 
F.A. Dickins (signature)



TREASURY DEPARTMENT. 
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE, 
9 June 1829 

It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to Samuel Godard in Capt Pattens Co. of Artificers 

It further appears that Samuel Godard is not now on the pension list of any- - -  agency, and has not been so since the 3 March 1826.

[illegible signature] - Could be Peter Hagner 


written on bottom is an illegible word, followed by 
57,517
Page 34

BOSTON
JUN
Revolutionary Claims
To the Secretary of the Treasury
of the United States
City of Washington
District of Columbia
Page 35

Act 1828
Settled at
Treasury
Consd. with 
Invalid file
#17,983
Page 36

1659
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the acts entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May 1828. I, Samuel Goddard of Hopkinton in the county of Middlesex in the state of Massachusetts, do hereby declare that I enlisted in the Continental Army of the Revolution for an during the war, and continued in its service until its termination; at which period I was a Sergeant in Captain Thomas Patten's Company of Artillery Artificers. And I also declare that an agent was appointed to receive the pay for the company to which I belonged, who sent to me in final settlements over three hundred and ninety dollars; but I do not recollect whether I received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars; to which I was entitled under a resolve of Congress, passed the 15th of May, 1778.
And I further declare that I was not on the 15th day of May 1828 on the Pension List of the United States. Witness my hand this fourth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine
Samuel Goddard
Before me, Matthew Metcalf, a justice of the peace in the county of Middlesex in the state of Massachusetts, personally appeared this day, Thomas Bucklin Esq and Ephraim ... both of Hopkinton in the said county, who did severally make oath that Samuel Goddard by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution in manner as therein stated.
Witness my hand this fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine.
Matthew Metcalf, Justice of the Peace
I, Abraham Biglow clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Middlesex in the state of Massachusetts do hereby certify that Matthew Metcalf before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace and duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court this twentieth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine.
Abraham Biglow
Page 37

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*.

NAME Goddard, Samuel GRADE sergeant LINE Artillery Artificers

WARRANT NUMBER 13137 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED November 19, 1792
to- not shown-

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General land Office records in the National Archives.
Page 38

Samuel Goddard
Sur. File 17,983
Mass.
Page 39

To Samuel Godard of the Fifth Company in Col J. Baldwins Regiment of Artificers in the Service of the United States of America 

Greeting

Reposing Special Trust and Confidence in your Prudence and Good Conduct I do by these presents, appoint you to be a Foreman to the Fifth Company of Artificers in the service of the United States-- you are therefore Carefully and Diligently to discharge the duty of a Foreman by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto Belonging and I do Strictly Charge and Require all Non Commissioned Officers and Soldiers under your Command to be obedient to your Orders as foreman in P. Company and you are to observe and Follow Such Orders and directions from Time to Time as you Shall Receive from Me or any of your Superior Officers According to the Rules and Discipline of War in Persuance of the Trust Reposed in you for which this Shall to your sufficient Warrant 

Given Under My Hand this 1sh day of October 1780

J Baldwin Col. of Engineers, &
Comdr of Artificers (signature)
Page 40

Oct 3rd: 1780    Resolves of Congress
March 15: 1779


Samuel Goddard
Sur. File 17,983
Mass.
Page 41

To Samuel Godard of the fifth Company in Col. Baldwins Regiment of Artificers in the service of the United States of America
Greeting 
Depositing Special Trust and confidence in your prudence and good conduct I do by these presents appoint you to be Second Serg't to fifth Company of Artificers in the Service of the United States- You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Serg't by doing And performing all manner of things thereunto belonging and do strictly charge and require all non commissioned officers and Soldiers under your command to be obedient to your orders as second serg't in sd Company and your are to observe and follow such orders and Directions from time to time as you shall receive from me or any of your superior officers according to the Rules and Discipline of War in pursuance of the Trust reposed in you for this. This shall be your sufficient Warrant.
Given Under my hand at Fish Kill April 1
1781
William Morse  Commander (signature)