Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,732, John Collins, Mass. Navy
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Mass.
Navy
Collins, John 
NUMBER
S29,732
CONTENTS
Page 2

[Left side of page: Text handwritten perpendicular to right side text]
Letter to F E Hassler
Aug 11, 1854
[Text missing] T D Eliah 22 Decr. 1854.

[Right side of page:] 
Massachusetts 30.949
John Collins of --  in the State of Massachusetts [text missing]
who was a Mariner in the John Sally command[ed] by Captain Smith of the
commanded by Navy in the Mass.
line for 6 months
Navy [handwritten note]
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of Jany.  1837 and sent to Hon. John Reed, H. R.
Arrears to the 4th of July. '36  110.00
Semi-an. allowance ending Mar. '37  10.00
__________
$120.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June [stuck through 7, 1832.] 28, 1836
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E. Vol. 2. Page 15
Page 3

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Barnstable. On this Seventeenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared in open court before the
Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate
now sitting at Wellfleet in the said County, in and for said County, John Collins a resident of Truro in said County, aged Eighty one years, who being first duly 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, A.D. 1832.
THAT he was born at White Haven, England & came to American when seven years of age that he was born on the fifteenth day of June
A. D. 1753, and that there is no record of his birth that he knows of: that he was in the United States service from [crossed out- the] sometime [crossed out- day of] in November A.D. 1778, to [crossed out - the] about the ^middle crossed out - day] of June A.D. 1779. He shipped as Master of the Sch [cross out - in the] Stark's in the employment of the Board of War: that he was residing at Truro and left his home of went to Boston [illegible] when he entered the service; that he entered on board the said Schooner as her Commander of sail'd [sailed] as her Commander, [crossed out - and served for the period aforesaid under the command of] That he sail'd [sailed] for Charleston S.C. for provisions for the Board
of War. When off Wilmington N.C. was taken by the British Ship Jason carried into New York and put on board the Prison ship Good Hope
detained on board of [crossed out illegible] said prison ship until about the last of May 1779 when he was discharged & proceeded to Boston, where he arrived about the [crossed out - :that he served with] the 10th 15th of June '79, When he arrd [arrived] at Boston he saw there Capt. Downey who commanded the Jason when he was taken by her - the said ship Jason having been taken & brought into
to Boston. [crossed out - of the regular troops; and - where known to him that he was in - battle -regular officers - and at the end of his service received a discharge]: that he left the service [crossed out - on] as stated above and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Truro aforesaid
[Handwritten perpendicular to text left side: Hon J Reed]
[Handwritten perpendicular to text right side: 31063]
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from [crossed out -the] some time mouth of November A.D. 1775, to [ crossed out -the] some time in [cross out-day of] the month of June A.D. 1776 as first mate of the Schooner Sally in the employment [illegible] of the Board of War that he was residing at 
True at that time & went to Plymouth to look
 a voyage when he entered the service; that he ship'd [shipped] as mate as aforesaid
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Gamaliel Smith
who commanded said Schooner: That he sail'd  sailed in said Schooner in the capacity of Mate as aforesaid from Plymouth and after a
passage of sixty days [crossed out - that he marched from] arrived Baltimore & there took on aa load of Flour for the Government & proceeded with it to Boston
[crossed out -that he served with]
Page 4

 
where we arrived about the 20th of June 1776, having been employed as nearly as he can remember seven and an half  months; Ten other vessels sailed from Plymouth for the Southern States for provisions, about the same time that the Sally sailed; they all put in to Alexandria, & were there all destroyed by the British except one; she had loaded & left Alexa [Alexandria] before the British arrived there.
    In consequence of old age and the loss of memory he cannot state the exact commencement & termination of his services with more precision than he has done in this declaration. But he is certain that he served on board the Sally more than seven
months & he thinks seven & an half. When the Sally arrd'd [arrived] at Baltimore the Small Pox was prevailing there, & some of her crew took
the disorder which caused her to be detained for some time. He is certain that it was at least six and an half months & thinks it was seven, from the time he ship'd [shipped] on board the Stark's to the time he arrived in Boston after being discharged from the Prison Ship, which discharge was about 10 or 12 days before before [sic] his arrival in Boston.
   Nathan Harding of Wellfleet was with me all the time I was on board the Stark's & also on board the Prison ship & I left him on board her when I was set on shore. There is no person now living who was with him on board the Sally. The Rev. Stephen Bailey & Benjamin R Witherell Esquire live near me & are acquainted with my character & my reputation as a soldier
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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.
John Collins [signed]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Abner Davis Rev [signed]
 
We Stephen Bailey a Clergyman residing in the town of Wellfleet and Benjamin R. Witherell
residing in said Wellfleet hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Collins
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a mariner in the service ^of the United States at the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Abner Davis Regr [signed]
Stephen Bailey [signed]
Benjn R Witherell [signed]
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary [crossed out soldier] seaman and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that the Rev. Stephen Bailey
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the Wellfleet
and that Benja R. Witherell Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in Wellfleet
and both credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nymphas Marston Judge [signed]
Abner Davis Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Collins
for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Abner Davis Regr
{Paper Seal illegible]
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Invalid
[illegible]
[handwritten added to form:] Navy
File No.
29732
John Collins 
Mariner
Schooner Sally"
Rev. War
Act June 28. 1836
Index: Vol. 2, Page 15
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 6

Blank page
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24th CONGRESS,
1st SESSION.
H. R. 282.
Prive
FEBRUARY 4, 1836.
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.
An Act
Mr. JANES, from the Committee on Revolutio
the following bill:
BILL
onary Pensions, reported
Granting a pension to John Collins.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative
of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
Secretary of War be, and he hereby is directed to place on
the revolutionary pension roll of the United States, the name of
John Collins, of the State of Massachusetts, who shall be
entitled to and receive a pension at the rate of twenty dollars,
per annum, from the fourth day of March, A. D. eighteen
hundred and thirty-one, and to continue during his natural life.
Approved 28th June 1836
A true copy compared with
the Roll in this office
Dept of State ⎬
June 30th 1836
Asher Dickins
113
Chief
Clerk
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John Collins
Mass  0 1832

Hon. L.P Waldo Comr Pensions
Page 9

24th CONGRESS, 1st SESSION. H. R. 283. FEBRUARY 4, 1836. 
Read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow. 
Mr. JANES, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, reported the following bill: A BILL 
Granting a pension to John Collins.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
3 the Secretary of War be, and he hereby is directed to place on 
4 the revolutionary pension roll of the United States, the name 
5 of John Collins, of the State of Massachusetts, who shall be 
6 entitled to and receive a pension at the rate of twenty dollars 
7 per annum, from the fourth day of March, A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty one, and to continue during his natural life.
Page 10

Revolutionary 
Authority from the heir of John Collins Mass admd (1832). 

Filed July 31. 1854 
F.E. Hassler Washington Mr Anderson
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[Ms]  Truro July 16th 1854
Mr. F E Hassler

Dear Sir, there was a letter came to my hand this morning of the 21 inst from you, directed to the Heirs of John Collins, A Rev. Officer, He was my own Father, You write that you think there might be a pension procured for his services during the War, He was the very man, that was taken three times in the Revolutionary War. Trying to defend his country, the last time that he was taken, they found out that he was an Englishman born, his sufferings was heart rendering, was abused, dreadful, sat with Iron chains around his ancles, put in a cell and lived upon bread and water for many weeks, called him nothing but a rebel, he carried the scars around his ancles that the chains made, into his grave, it was enough to draw tears from the hardest heart to hear him relate his sufferings, I never heard a person this life disbelieve a thing he ever said, altho my Father he was a very worthy respectable man, a kind and affectionate parent, Beloved by the Community at large, both small and great, it was before I was born but I so frequently heard him speak of it that it is very fresh in my memory. He has been dead fourteen years, all he drew was twenty dollars per year, he endured so much, he said that he thought he deserved
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more, he expected his case was misrepresented, when he died his place was sold to strangers, and the documents I presume were lost, I have a letter in my hands now, that came from the Hon John Reed, Dated Washington City, Jan 13th 1837, saying Capt Collins I have obtained a certificate of your pension, and I hereby enclose it to you, and by sending it to Boston you can obtain what Congress has granted you, by a special Law, the debt has been too long deferred, I have wrote you what Mr. Reed wrote, can send you the letter if you wish, If you wish, I can send you a certificate signed by all the Officers and selectmen of Truro, that I was his own child, he wished me to petition and see if there could be something granted me after his death. I was his youngest child, if there was any thing it was his desire I should have it, this misfortune, I am a widow and destitute, not the first cent of income in this world, and my health is very poor, was a widow before he died, Dear Sir, could you be so kind as to use your influence, that I may draw something. I do earnestly pray that you may have a blessing conferred on you, in this world, and in a better one, that is to come, beyond the grave, My sister left two Daughters, they are both married, if in your power Please write me if they have a right, and must have the same as I do, they have Husbands, and are not in the circumstances that I am, Please write me a few lines on receiving this, if possible. Yours with respect and esteem, 
Harriet C Paine

Please Direct your letters Mrs Harriet C Paine Truro
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my Father was Master of a Vessel Carying Naval Stores, for the Army I believe.

I write you my case as it is, the last year has been the hardest year I ever saw, when I was left a widow, I had two children a Son and Daughter my Son Married, and went to California in a Company from New York when arriviving to San Francisco their Company seperated; thought it best, he never has been heard of, and his wife died left me a little ophan child. My daughter married a very fine man, he died a year ago last Feb. left her two little children, I wrote you as it is with me, hoping and trusting you will take an Interest for me, pardon and excuse me, I trust H C Paine
Page 14

Han 9
Jon Collins

James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pension Washington City 

$20 per ann. to com: 4 March 1831- act 28 June 1836. 

put him on roll of Massachusetts among act June 1832 pensioners - 

Send cut  to Hon John Reed, H. R. --- -
Page 15

W City H. Rep Jany 183 

Sir
I have this day received a letter in behalf of John Collins  to whom I am quite cer a small pension was granted by law last year July or last session of Congress I have not the law before me. When & how can he receive his money 
Yr Ob Servt
John  Reed 

N.B. I I enclose the letter of Mrs Horner & the Bill
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John Reed 

Hon the C John Reed M. C.
Washington City
Page 17

Hobble John Reed 
Boston Dec 29th 1836 

Sir,
I have received a letter from Capt. John Collins of Truro, inclosing your Letter to him, and a Bill from the Senate, granting him a pension of twenty Dollars per Annum from March the fourth 1831. to continue during his natural life, he has requested me to apply for payment at the Pension Office the Clerk informed me that I must send the bill to the Pension Office at Washington, to be exchanged for a Certificate from Jas L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions, I now enclose it back to you, and beg the favour of you to apply for one that will answer, as soon as convenient and forward it to me at Boston that I may collect the same , or send it to him, or deliver it to his order at Boston as he may direct 
Respectfully Yours &c. 
Eleazer Homer

Please direct to me to the care of J P Bigelow Sec P
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Mem 
there was a Sett Sally bo't of New Holbrook Wellfleet
----
 also an order from the Board of Way to pay the Jackson all hire of a Sett Sally to Capt Sampson or order 2452 Sep 12 1777-
Page 19

Eb'n Horner's 
Letter
Page 20

Boston October, 17 1832 
I the subscriber do hereby certify, that was acquainted with Captain John Collins, (now resident of Truro in the County of Barnstable, in the State of Massachusetts), from about the year 1787, as respectable Ship Master, and when he transacted business for several years at Boston, and North Carolina, in which I was sometimes interested, and he always appeared to give satisfaction to those concern'd with him, and I esteem'd him as a faithful Honest man, and whose word could be depended on. I have frequently heard him say that he was employed, by our Government, during the Revolutionary War, which I believe correct 
Eleazer Homer,
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Certificate Secy of State of Mass
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Board of War Boston December 14 1798 
-----------
Present 
Samuel P Savage Esq 
John Brown Esqr 
Eleazer Johnson Esqr 
James Prescot Esqr 
Thomas Walker Esqr 
Isaac Phillips Esqr 
Nathaniel Gorham Esq. 

Samuel P. Savage Esqr President. 
Ordered That the Commissary General deliver Captain Collins for the use of the Schooner Starks 19 Bread - 12 Beef & ½ Bushel Salt 

The above is a true copy from the Minutes of the Board of War. 
Att Edward D. Bangs Secy
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[table, 8 columns, headings are missing]
[row 1] December 12 1778 | John Collins | Master | £30"0"0 | 21 | £12"0"0" | £30"0"0 | £51"0"0 
[row 2] Ditto d'o | Ebenezer Rich | Mate | 22 10 0 | do | 15 15 0 | 22 10 0 | 38. 5. 0
[row 3] Ditto d'o | Daniel Hurd | Seaman | 18"0"0 | do | 12 12 0 | 18 0 0  | 30. 12. 0
[row 4] Ditto d'o | Nathl Harding | ditto | 18" 0 0 | do | 12 12 0 | 18 0 0  | 30. 12. 0
[row 5] Ditto d'o | Benj'n Gross | ditto | 18" 0 0 |  do | 12 12 0 | 18 0 0  | 30. 12. 0
======
[row 6] [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | [blank] | 74 .11 | 106.10.0 | 181 . 1 . 0

Ordered that Mr. Ivers pay Capt John Collins for his Postage bill & Harbour pay to Jan 4 1779 £181.0.0
True copy attest Loring Secy

Boston January 4th 1770.  Errors Excepted John Collins. 

The above is a true Copy of an original paper among the the military of the Secretary office of Massachusetts 

Edward D Bangs Esq
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Revolutionary Claim of heir of John Collins 

Massachuetts admitted 
Act 1832 

Filed Aug 7" 1854 
F E Hassler 
Washington
Page 25

Washington D.C. 
5 August 1854 
Hon. L. P. Waldo Commr of Pensions. Present 

Sir: I beg leave to present herewith a letter from the heir of John Collins (admd, Massachusetts Rolls, 1832) and to ask a review of the case, and reference to the testimony in the case of Nathan Harding, (also on Massachusetts Rolls act 1832) from which it will appear that Harding served for seven months on board the Schooner "Stark" of which John Collins was master, and that this service was proved by the affidavit of the said John Collins. 

A comparison of these two cases seems to me to present an anomaly. Here are two individuals doing service on board of a vessel, one in the capacity of subordinate, and the other in that of Captain, or master, and yet the one is allowed full credit for the time he served (and that too upon the evidence of the other) and pensioned accordingly, while the other is not credited with the same length of service. 

John Collins is pensioned at the rate of $20 per annum, while the evidence shows that he served seven months as Captain of the schooner "Stark" Nathan Harding a subordinate, serving on board this same vessel, and
Page 26

under the command of Collins, is allowed credit for the same seven months, and this service was proved by the testimony of the same Collins, and Harding pensioned at $86 per annum, while the maximum pension of a private of Infantry is $80.

I am unable to perceive by what rule John Collins was pensioned at $20 per annum. His pay whilst serving as master of the "Stark" was £20 per month about $75, and even if he were allowed for only six months service, it seems to me his pension should not have been less than $25 per month. under this belief I am led to ask a reexamination of this case and a careful comparison of the testimony in the before mentioned case of Nathan Harding. 
Very Respectfully 
Yr Ob Servant

F.E. Hassler
Page 27

J.L. Edwards Letter
Page 28

War Department Pension Office May 19th 1834

Sir
I have In reply to your letter 12th current to inform you that Isaac Snows claim has been admitted, and certificate of pension for him is herewith enclosed 

A Certificate of Pension for Jonathan Rogers was sent to you 27th 

The certificate of M. Bangs Secy of the State of Mass. as to the name of John Rogers has been placed on file, some explanation is required, The John Rogers who has been pensioned does not appear to have been a Seaman, and M. Briggs certificate relates to such service only no one of name appears to have applied for a pension (from Mass) exept the one who has been pensioned 

I have the honour to be J. L. Edwards
Commiss of Pensions 

Hon. I. Reed House of Representatives
Page 29

Capt John Collins 

favd by Cap Rich Truro
Page 30

Boston October, 17. 1834. Capt Jn Collins 

Sir Captain Rich has handed me a memorandum requesting him to apply to me for a copy of this shipping paper, & names of the Board of War, both which I have now sent & Certifyed by the Secretary of this State, 

The evidence of the Schooner Starks, is not found no further then the commencement of the voyage as I have stated, nor is there any evidence found of the Schooner Sally Captain Gamaliel Smith. I think living evidence of that voyage & service, will answer, as the papers may be lost as many documents are missing, and this fact, is known at the war department, perhaps it may be best to send back the first certificate that I may make it correspond with the proof herewith sent, if necessary, I can have it exchanged 

Should any further evidence be found before Mr Read goes on to Washington, which may be the case, it shall be duly noticed & ready for him, in the mean while I remain with esteem Your Friend & Humble Servant 
Eleazer Homer
Page 31

John Collins Papers

Hon. John Reads Letter

Old Pensions
Free
John Read

Josiah Whitman Esq
Wellfleet
Page 32

Dear Sir 

Since I last wrote to you I have found a letter from the Commission er of Pensions as to the case of Mr John Collins. I herewith enclose it to you the letter-- I should think if we should live until next winter it would be expedient for Cap Collings to Petition to Congress for relief 

July 28. 1834 
Your Friend &c
John Read
Page 33

John Collins - 

January 5. 1836. 
Refd to Com'er on Rev Pensions 
Feb. 4 1836 
Bill reported No 283
Reed, Rev Pens

John Collins
Petition
Page 34

To the Hon the Senate & House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. 

The Petition of John Collins of Truro in the County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts Humbly sheweth that he was employed by the Board of war during the Revolutionary War, and was in that service and while imprisoned thirteen month Seven months of the time was imprisoned on board the old Jersey Ship, that he has sent on his papers to the war office but has been refused a pension, that he is now old and infirm and needs his pension for his comfort he therefore prays your Hon. boders to take his case into consideration and order his pension under the act of the 7th of June 1832, and as in duty bound will ever pray. 
Truro, November 19th 1835. 
John Collins
Page 35

H. R. 283 
John Collins

Comm Pensions
Page 36

H. R. No. 283.
24th CONGRESS, 1st Session. [Rep. No. 276.] Ho. of REPS 
JOHN COLLINS. [To accompany bill H.R. No. 284]
FEBRUARY 4, 1836. 

MR. JANES, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following 
REPORT: 

The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to which was referred the petition of John Collins, report: That he sets forth in his declaration, under oath, for a pension, that he was in the service of the United States from some time in November, 1778, to about the middle of June; that he shipped as master of the schooner Starks, in the employment the board of war; that he sailed as commander of said schooner from Boston, in Massachusetts, for Charleston, in South Carolina, in the fall of 1778, for provisions for the board of war; that when off Wilmington, in North Carolina, was taken prisoner by the that when on British ship Jason, and carried to New York, and put on board the prison ship Good Hope, and detained as a prisoner there until the last of May, 1779, when he was discharged, and that he arrived at Boston about the 10th or 15th ofJune. 

The petitioner states under oath, that he is certain it was six months and a half, and thinks seven months from the time shipped aboard the Schooner Starks until his return to Boston. It appears, by the affidavit of Nathan Hardin, who is a pensioner, that the said John Collins was master of said schooner at the time he states; that he, the said Hardin, shipped . aboard of her as a seaman at Boston, in November, 1778, and was on board at the time of her capture off North Carolina, and was taken and imprisoned with the petitioner. Said Hardin testifies that he was discharged from the prison ship at New York the latter part of June, 1779, and that the said Collins was discharged a few days earlier, thinks about the middle of June. 

It further appears, by a certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts , that the name of John Collins is borne on a portage bill for the schooner Starks," owned by and employed in the service of the board of war, as master of said schooner, from December 14th, 1778, and was paid for one month advance-wages, thirty pounds." It also appears by an order from the board of war, under date of December 14th, 1778, that the Commissary General was directed to deliver to Capt. Collins provisions for the use of the schooner Starks; a copy of which is certified by the Secretary of State for Massachusetts. 

The petitioner further states in his declaration, that he was in the United 
---------
Blair & Rives, printers.
Page 37

[Rep. No. 276.]
States service from some time in the month of November, 1775, to some time in the month of June, 1776, as first mate of the schooner Sally, commanded by Capt. Gamaliel Smith; that he sailed from Plymouth to Baltimore , and there took on board a load of flour for Government, and transported the same to Boston, at which place he arrived about the 20th of June, 1776.

Ebenezer Lewis said that he has been an inhabitant of the same town with the said John Collins since the commencement of the revolutionary war, and that he was knowing to his being mate of the schooner Sally during the war. 

The petitioner states that he was born June 15th, 1753. He claims to have served thirteen months in the whole; and having proved six months' service as set forth in this application, including the time he was imprisoned on board the prison ship Good Hope, the committee report a bill in his June, 1776. favor for that length of service.
Page 38

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Secretary's Office, Novem: 13th 1833 

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 John Collings is borne on a Portage Bill for the Schooner Starks, owned by, and employed in the service of the Board of War, as Master of said Schooner, from Dec 4th 1778, and was paid for one month Advance E. Wages, Thirty Pounds 

John Collins claims further service on board said Schooner, in the year 1779, the rolls for which are not found in this office. 
Edward D Bangs Secy 

John Collins claims for service, as Mate, on board the Schooner Sally, in the employ of the Board of War. It appears by a Charter party between James Warren Esqr of Plymouth. For & in behalf of the Board of War on one part, & Thomas Jackson of said Plymouth Neman, owner of the Schooner Sally, on the other part that vessel was to be fitted at Plymouth for a Voyage to N. or South Carolina & back again to some port in this State dated March 1777 but no rolls for officers is found in this Offices 
Edward D Bangs Secy
Page 39

Truro December 6, 1833 

I Elezer Lewis of said Trust County of Barnstable and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that I am eighty five years of age and have ever been inhabitant of said Truro, and was aquainted with Capt. John Collins of this town before the war of the Revolution, and during said war, and have been ever since, and was knowing to Capt Collins being Mate of the Schooner sally during said war of the Revolution, Gamaliel Smith of this Town then being master of said Schooner 
Eleazer Lewis

Barnstable SS Truro  Decem 6th 1833 
then personly appeared the above named Elezer Lewis and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me 
James Small R Justice of the peace 

Barnstable Ss Apl 17th A.D. 1834 
I James Small above named one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Barnstable hereby further certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Eliezer Lewis and that he is a man of truth and a credible witness 
Witness my hand day aforesaid 
James Small Justice of the peace
Page 40

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Barnstable SS

I, Abner Davis, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record for the County of Barnstable hereby certify that James Small Esq of Truro in said County is a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Barnstable, and that his name herein subscribed is his true & proper signature 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court at Barnstable this tenth day of May AD 1834 Attest Abner Davis Clerk
Page 41

I Nathan Harding of Wellfleet in the County off Barnstable & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty two years, who have received a pension under the act of 1832. Do testify and say that in the month of November 1778 I shipped on board the Schooner Starks of Boston in the employ of the Board of War, for a voyage to South Carolina . That when I shipped Capt John Collins of Truro in the County of Barnstable was the Commander of said Schooner, and that I shipped under him, we sailed in about one month and had a rough passage and as we were making the Coast of Carolina were taken by the Ship Jason and carried into New York and put on board Hope Prison ship, and there we were kept untill June 1779. Capt John Collins was discharged a few days before I was, I was not discharged untill the latter part of June, and I personally am knowing to Capt John Collins being master of said Schooner Stark and to his imprisonment and discharge but by reason of age cannot state the day but believe it was the from the Middle of June 
Nathan Harding
Wellfleet April 25th 1834
Page 42

Barnstable SS Wellfleet April 25th 1834 
Personally appeared me the above named Nathan Harding and made Solemn Oath to the above declaration by him subscribed before me 
Benj R Witherell Justice of the Peace

Barnstable Ss April 25, 1834 
I Benjamin R Wetherell Esq above named one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the ┃ Barnstable further certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Nathan Harding, and that he is a man of truth and a creditable witness 
Benj R Witherell Justice of the Peace

Barnstable ss. --- Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
I Abner Davis, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of Record for the County of Barnstable hereby certify that Benjamin R. Witherell Esqr is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that above written, is his true & proper signature, and that I believe his name above written  is his true & proper signature, in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court May AD 1834 
Abner Davis Clerk
Page 43

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

NAME Collins, John___ RANK Private___ 
LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8207___ ACREAGE 100___
ISSUED February 25, 1790 to John Ludlow, assignee

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.