Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,235, Peter Blossom, Mass. Privateer. Vt.
Page 1

Service 
Mass
Privateer
Vr. 

Blossom, Peter

Number
S. 12235

Carded.
Page 2

Reduced from $78.96
see papers within
[illegible] to pay & letter to G.W
Harman 15th March 1841
-
on to Pension Agt 20th Aug 1841
transf to Albany, N.Y
from 4 March 1841-
notification to him
care of G. W. Clark
Augt: 21. 1841
[Next page]
Vermont [crossed out]
Albany, New York
18419
Peter Blossom
[..ittund] Co in the State of Vermont
was a Private in the company commanded
Captain Dairt of the Regl. commanded
in the Maj. Troops [star]
line for 15 months & 10 days
Mass. and Vt.
Nov 18/ob.
Records completed 
described on the Roll of Burlington
at the rate of 51 Dollars 77 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th d of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of May
1837 and sent to Joseph
Manson Esq. Wells, Vt

Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-ant. allowance ending
Revolutionary Claim, Ac June 7, 1832
Recorded by D Brown  Clerk
B[illegible] E 2. Vol. 3  Page 56
Page 3

Peter Blossom
23 Mo  1 week  Army
4 Mo. Mariner

2662
Page 4

State of Vermont
Rutland Count, SS.
On this 31 day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Rutland District now sitting, Peter Blossom a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 75 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 7, 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. 
In 1775 he resided in Barnstable County of Barnstable, Massachusetts  The (?) of April that year he was called out in the Militia to (?) a sloop load of flour that'd been obtained(?) for the army at Roxbury and was out one week under Capt. Davis of Barnstable
(?) the same year he enlisted (?) Capt Micheal Hamlinds Company  Leut Ray Smith  Ensign Howland for one year and served out the year in said company,  he was stationed at Barnstable the first six months, and the last six months at Plymouth.  There were no other troops at Barstable (?) he was stationed there but there were other troops at Plymouth.  He was discharged at Plymouth about the 1 May 1776 and as soon as he got home he enlisted into Capt John Gennis(?) Company. Leuit. Blossom, Ensign Hallock for one year and served in said company at (?) Cove eight months where he was discharged at that place, there were no troops with his company but there was another company on the other side of the cove. Soon after he enlisted under Capt. Hamlin, Leuit. Lathrop, Ensign Crocker for three months and marched to Bristol Rhode Island and served out his time of three months at that place and was discharged in the spring of 1777. The British were in possession of Rhode Island when he was at Bristol. he went twice on to the Island with a flage of truce. In the summer of 1777 he entered as a Mariner on board the armed sloop of ten guns under the command of Capt. James McGee, and sailed from Boston on a cruise and was at sea four months, took two (?) British Briggs and brought them into New Bedford  he was born in Barnstable aforesaid on the 4th day of December 1756. He supposed his birth is recorded in Barnstable. He never rec'd a written discharge
In the year of 1781 he moved to Wells in this
Page 5

County where he has ever since resided - he has no evidence of his service except the affidavits of Mr. Peter Crocker which accompanies this declaration p he is known to most of the inhabitants of Wells and Middletown. There is no Clergyman in Wells.
Peter Blossom

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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
R.C. Royce

We David Hubbard residing in Middletown and Cyrus Adams residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Peter Blossom who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 75 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
David Hubbard
Cyrus Adams
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
R. C. Royce 

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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that David Hubbard Esq who has signed the preceding certificate, is a credible person resident in Middletown and that Cyrus Adams who has also signed the same, is a resident in Middletown and is a credible person, and that their statements is entitled to credit.

I Raducy C Royce Clerk 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 Peter Blossom for a Pension. & that Robert Pierpoint who signed the application on the back hereof is Judge of said court
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 31st day of July  A.D. 1832
R. C. Royce
Page 6

I Peter Crocker of Middletown in the County of Rutland testify and say that I know that Peter Blossom who has signed & sworn to the foregoing declaration was in the service Eight months at Tarpaulin Cove, and three months at Bristol in 1776-1777. - that s'd Blossom & this deponent belonged to the same company both terms. be further testifys that ['he served' crossed out] there was a company stationed at Barnstable in 1775. and he is pretty positive that said Blossom belonged to the same company in 1775
/s/Peter Crocker
Sworn before me 31 July 1832 & I certify that said Crocker is a credible person }
/s/R. Pierpoint Judge of Probate Court
Page 7

Peter Blossom
Additional Declaration
Page 8

State of Vermont
Rutland 
On this 10th day of July 1833, personally came before the undersigned authority, Peter Blossom of said County, who being duly sworn doth on his oath depose and say in addition to & explanation of, his declaration of 31 July 1832 - that his memory is very poor & he is at a loss as to the names of the Regiments in which he served as stated in his declaration - but he is confident he belonged wither to the militia or State troops - he thinks however, Col. Nathl Freeman of Sandwich commanded the Regiment to which he belonged - there were no field officers in immediate command at the places where he served as he recollects, he being with small parties as stated in said declaration. He forgot to state in said declaration, that the year he came to Vermont (1781) in the fall, he  volunteered & marched to Castleton & served in the Fort under Ensign Morse, his Capt. (Merriman) did not go - & he served there a fortnight - And he further says that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot recollect particularly as to the precise length of all his services, but from his best of his recollection he served not less than ['two years' crossed out] one year eleven months & 21 Days as a private - and for this service he claims a pension. He further says that he has made diligent search & inquiries & has not been able to find any additional proof of his services.
Peter Blossom
Subscribed & sworn this day & year aforesaid before me
R Temple
Jus Peace
Page 9

State of Vermont
I Robert Pierpont Clerk of Rutland County Court do certify that Robert Temple before when foregoing affidavit was taken, is a Justice of Peace for said County, duly commissioned - and that his name (?) is in his own hand writing
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of said court this 10 July 1833
R. Pierpoint
Page 10

State of New York
Monroe County

On this 2 day of August 1841 before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Monroe, Personally appeared Peter Blossom, who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Michael Hamlin, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Nathaniel Freeman in the service of the United States, that his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of Vermont, from wherein he has lately removed.  That he now resides in the State of New York, where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be there payable in the future
The following are his reasons for removing from the said State of Vermont, to the State of New York is that he was old and infirm and no one to take care of him, and he moved to the said State of New York to live
Page 11

with one of his sons or his children
Peter Blossom
Sworn and subscribed to before me this day and year aforesaid
Sam'l Mead   Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Monroe County

On this 2nd day of August 1841 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Monroe Personally appeared John Blossom and made oath in due form of Law that he is the son of Peter Blossom that he knows the said Peter Blossom the person who has taken the above oath to be the same person described in the foregoing affidavitt
John Blossom
Sworn and Subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid
Saml Mead  Justice of the Peace
Page 12

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with John Blossom, who made the foregoing Oath, to be a person of undoubted veracity
August 2, 1841
Saml Mead
Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Monroe County
I certify that Samuel Mead Esq. was at the time of taking the foregoing affidavit a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and truly believe that the foregoing signatures  purporting to be his are genuine.  Witness my hand and seal of office, this fifth day of August 1841
James W. Smith   Clerk
Page 13

In reply to your request of    , received 24 for a statement of the military history of Peter Blossom a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.  S 712235

Last of Apr. 1775
1 wk
Private
Captain Davis
(no Colonel)
State of Mass.
May, 1775
1 year
Private
Captain Micah Hamlin
Colonel Nathl Freeman
State of Mass
Soon After
8 Mos.
Ccaptain John Grannis
No Colonel
State of Mass.
Soon after 3 Mos. 
Private
Captain Micah Hamlin
No CColonel State of Mass.
Summer, 1777
4 Mos. 
Mariner
On board Privateer Sloop of 10 guns commanded by Capt. James Magee
State of Mass.
Fall, 1781
2 weeks
Priv.
Captain Merriman
No Colonel State of Vt
Battles engaged in
Residence of soldier at enlistment...Barnstable, Barnstable Co. Mass date of application for pension, July 31, 1832,  his claim was al
Residence at date of application, Rutland Co Vt
Age at date of application,
Born Dec 4 1756, Barnstable, Mass.
Remarks:
In 1841 soldier refers to his children, the only name stated being that of John, at that time a resident of Monroe Co., N.Y.
For date of soldiers death you should apply to the auditors for the Interior Dept. & 
(omitted in cir. sent to Hazel B Keller)
very respectfully,
Commissioner
Page 14

No. 18419
Vermont
Peter Blossom
of Rutland Co. in the State of Vermont who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Davis of the Regt. commanded by --------------, on the Major Troops* for 23 months & 21 Days,
Mass and Vt*
Records completed Nov 18/05
(faintly written in pencil is the following...)
should be for 15 mo. 16 days  $51.77

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 78 Dollars 96 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of August 1833 and sent to R. Temple, Rutland Vt.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833     157.92
Semi-Anl. Allowance ending
 1 Sep. 1833                                           38.48
                                                               ======
                                                               $196.40

{Revolutionary Clam, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by D. Brown     Clerk,
Book E. Vol 3  Page 53

(left hand side and upside down)
Sent to Petitioner  19 Feby 1835
W/ solicitor d treasury 12 June 35
A Warner 13 Oct 1835
to same Apl 29, 1837
Page 15

Peter Blossom
78.96
39.48
Payments to be made at Burlington by the 
Prst. U. S. Bn Bk.
Agent for paying pensioners in the Agency of Vermont

Sep 1833 of Wells 50 years
Previous of Barnstable, Mass

Recorded by D. Brown
Clerk, in Book E. Vol. 3 Page 53

1 copy taken
Page 16

Revolutionary Claim. 
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Peter Blossom of the State of Vermont
who was a Private in the Revolutionary War
is entitled to receive Seventy-eight dollars and
Ninety Six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this
29th day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
Page 17

Rutland/Vt./10.July 1833

Sir
Enclosed you have the amended Declaration of Peter Blossom. Some time after I sent W. Blossoms : declaration last year, & forwarded an affidavit of his brother to prove his services, which does not appear to have been placed among the papers in his case. I presume however you will have no difficulty in allowing it as it is in as much as the claims of Peter Crocker, (whose affidavit is on the back of the declaration taken by the judge) has been admitted for like (?)
I am sir, respectfully your servant
R. Temple
J.L. Edwards Esq.
(?)
Page 18

The Commissioner of Pensions will make the necessary order and transmit the paper to the Pension Agent at Burlington, Vermont
G. W. Cannon
(?) - March 6, 1841
Page 19

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, August 27th 1835
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 Peter Blossom, as a private, is borne on the  payrolls of Capt Micah Hamblin's Company, where he is allowed from July 7th to the last days of December 1775, five Months and twenty six days.          5m - 26 d
Peter Blossoms name is borne on the fMuster rolls of Capt. John Grannis' Comy. where he is allowed from Feby 12th to Augt 31st, 1776, six months and eighteen days     6 - 18
Peter Blossom's name is borne on a muster roll of Lt. James Blossom's Company where he is allowed from Sept 1 to Nov 21st 1776 two months and twenty one days
2=21
_____
15-05
Peter Blossoms's name is borne on a payroll of Capt. Micah Hamlen's Company, in Col. Freeman's Regt. where he is allowed from
Page 20

Amount brought over - 15m 05d
Sept. 1778. eleven days
11
______
15-16
Exd
Edward D Ba
Page 21

Vt. 
Peter Blossom

Dec. Peter Blossom Vt 

[addressed envelope]
Sept 7.
E Poultney Vt
['25' crossed out]

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 22

[handwritten letter]

East Poultney August 31, 1835

J. L. Edwards Esqr,
I send herewith the certificate of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, showing the time which Peter Blossom served in the War of the Revolution as it appears in the Rolls in that office - Blossoms Pension was suspended on the death of the late Robt. Temple.
Respectfully yours &c
/s/Almon Warner
Page 23

Peter Crockers Affidavit
Page 24

I Peter Crocker of Middletown in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont aged seventy eight, being duly sworn do depose testify & say That in the year 1776 I was in Capt. John Grannis Company. James Blossom was Lieut & Samuel Hallet was Ensign. I know that Peter Blossom now of Wells in s'd Rutland County was then a soldier in said company & I am confident that he served with me at least eight months at Tarpaulin Cove in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1776
I further say that in the same year the said Peter Blossom served with me three months in Capt Michael Hawkins Company at Bristol Rhode Island. I know that the said Blossom was absent from home at other times & I then understood that he was in the army but have no personal knowledge of his services other than as above stated
/s/Peter Crocker

State of Vermont 
Rutland Company ss } Middletown Nov'r 10th 1836. Then personally appeared Peter Crocker the signer of the above affidavit & made oath that the same was made agreeable to truth
Before me /s/Almon Warner Just Peace
I certify that I have known Peter Crocker the afs'd Deponent for more than fifteen years, that he sustains an unblemished character for truth & veracity & affixed his name to the above affidavit in my presence.
/s/Almon Warner Justice Peace
Page 25

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss } 
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of the County court for the County of Rutland certify that Almon Warner is a Justice of the peace for said county and that his signature to the foregoing certificate is genuine
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said  Court at Rutland this 30th Nov 1836
/s/R Pierpoint
Page 26

[handwritten letter]

Pension Agency
Burlington Aug't 24 1841

Sir
I have the honor to inform you that Peter Blossom under act of 7" June 1832 has been paid to the 4" Mar 1841
I am Very respectfully Your Obt svt
/s/Jno Peck Pen Agt by Chas. F. Warner

J L Edwards Esq
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington
Page 27

[addressed envelope]

[margin notes: transfer to Albany from H church 1841
['Paid' crossed out] 
Aug 10. 1841
Mr Evans

[postmark: CLARKSON NY AUG 6]
['50' crossed out]

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com'r of Pensions
Washington D. C. 

FREE FREE ['PAID' 'PAID' crossed out] FREE
Page 28

[handwritten letter]

Hon J. L. Edwards

Dear Sir
Enclosed you have Mr Peter Blossom transfer from Vermont to the Pension roll of this state (New York) any thing incorrect please inform me - 
Very Resp'y Yours
/s/Geo W. Clark

Clarkson N.Y.
Aug 6 1941 }
Page 29

[addressed envelope]

May 16
Peter Blossom Vt & NY
18419

Free

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

[overwritten: Issue a new certificate (in lieu of the other one cancelled) at $51.77 per ann. - Send the cert: to Joseph Munson, at Wells, Vt.]
Page 30

[addressed envelope]

J L Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
[postmark: WASHINGTON D.C. APR 29]

Almon Warner Esq.
East Poultney
Vermont

[handwritten letter]

Mr Peter Blossom is thankful for the favor but thinks himself well entitled to the full sum stated in the Original
Please send the certificate to Wells
Yours Most Respectfully
/s/Joseph Munson
Page 31

Peter Blossom Vt.
Vt. Dec 12

[addressed envelope]

E Poultney Vt
Dec 7th}

Free

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 32

[handwritten letter]

East Poultney Dec'r 6th 1836

Sir
I send the enclosed affidavits in order to prove the identity of Peter Blossom as required by your letter under date of October 13, 1835
I am Respectfully yours
/s/Almon Warner
Page 33

[verso]

Peter Blossom Case
50
1.66
11/333

[recto]

David Blossom deposition for Peter Blossom 
No 1829
Page 34

I Ansel Goodspeed of Wells in the County of Rutland & State of Vermont aged seventy one being duly sworn testify & say that during the War of the Revolution I resided in the town & County of Barnstable & State of Massachusetts 
which was the place of my nativity. That during said War (the precise years I cannot now remember) I was acquainted with Peter Blossom then of s'd Barnstable. I know that he was absent from home a reasonable time, and then understood that he was in the army. I once see him on duty under the command of Cap't Hamlin
I further say that I removed to Wells fifty years ago my present place of residence when the same Peter Blossom there & ever since has resided. From the facts above stated & from a long acquaintance with him I have no doubt but Peter Blossom afs'd was for a considerable time a soldier in the Army of the Revolution
/s/Ansell Goodspeed L. Clerk

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss } Wells November 25, 1836 Then personally appeared Ansell Goodspeed, the signer of the above affidavit and made solemn oath the subscribed is made agreeable to truth
Before me /s/Almon Warner Just Peace

This certifies that I have known Ansel Goodspeed that aforesaid Deponent for twenty years, that he has resided in Wells for nearly sixty years & is more than seventy years of age. That he sustains an unblemished character for truth & veracity & affixed his name to the above affidavit in my presence
/s/Almon Warner Just Peace
Page 35

State of Vermont
Rutland County

I Roland Pierpoint clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland certify that
Almon Warner is a Justice 
of the peace for said County
and that his signature to the
foregoing certificate is genuine 

In testimony whereof I have hereto at
my hand and affixed the seal of said
Court of Rutland this 30th Nov 1836
R. Pierpoint 
Ansell Goodspeed:
Affidavit
Page 36

[addressed envelope]

Vt Feb 16
E Poultney Vt
Feb. 10

Free

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 37

[handwritten letter]

Wells February 9, 1935

J. L. Edwards Esqr.

Sir
In consequence of a Letter which I have seen addressed to the Hon. William Slade from this Pension Office under date of Jan'y 17, 1835 I make the following statement.
I served under Brigadier Gen'l Joseph Otis.
     "         "       Col. Nathaniel Freeman
     "         "        Maj'r Samuel Hallet
     "         "        Capt. Michael Hamblin
     "         "        Lieut. Benjamin Smith
     "         "         Ensign Lacheus Howland
Also under  "  Cap't John Grannis
     "             "  Lieut James Blossom
     "             "  Ensign Samuel Hallet
I belonged in the State of Massachusetts when in service
First served in transporting flower from Yearmouth to Kingston
Next Six months in Barnstable & six months in Old Plymouth.
Next at Tarpaulin Cove on Naushon Island. eight months 
Next. Three months at Bristol Rhode Island and about two Weeks in Castleton Verm't
The Force which I was employed was I believe Massachusetts State Troops
Page 38

[handwritten letter]

The length of time which I served is one year eleven months & a half.
I resided in Wells Rutland County when I made my declaration, which was made before the Probate Court for the district of Rutland
The amt. of my Pension is $78.96 per year and was paid to Sept'r 4th 1834
Respectfully yours &c
/s/Peter Blossom
Page 39

I David Blossom of Richmond in the county of Chittenden and State of Vermont, of lawful age towit of the age of seventy seven years being duly sworn do depose testify and say that I am acquainted with Peter Blossom for being my brother and I know, as well from family as well as my own knowledge that is of the age of seventy five years and am knowing to his entering the service of the united States at Barnstable in the county of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts and imediately from there he went to a place called Tarpaulin cove where he served eight months having enlisted or volunteered for the term of one year and being discharged before his time expired, said term of service performed in the year 1776. the month I do not recollect. (when he commenced) I further recollect, that afterwards to wit. in the same year in the month of November there was a call for soldiers to go to Bristoll from Barnstable aforesaid and said Peter Blossom went with me and performed a three months tour in the revolutionary war at Bristol in the State of Rhode Island in the company commanded by Capt Michael Hamlin under Gen. West, I also, know of his entering on board of a ten gun sloop in the service of the united states employed as a privateer under the command of Capt James McGee in the year 1777 (if I am not mistaken) where he served I think four months 
I further knew of his going out on alarms once or twice after we came to Vermont, in the year 1781 and further I say not, 
/s/David Blossom
Page 40

State of Vermont
Rutland county ss } Wells 9th August. 1832 Then David Blossom of Richmond in the county Chittenden and State of Vermont personally appearing and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth
before /s/William Potter Jr Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of Rutland County Court do certify, that William Potter Jr. before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken, is a Justice of Peace for said county duly commissioned and that the above is his signature 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court this 15. Aug. 1832
/s/R Pierpoint
Page 41

[handwritten letter]

67 William St.
Geneva, N. Y.

Department of the Interior
Washington, D. C. 
[margin notes: Miss V lm  S12235 RW]
[receipt stamp: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR RECEIVED OCT 24 1912 [illegible]]

Gentlemen:
Can you give me any information of Peter Blossom from Vermont. We know he fought abord of Privateers to prey on the Commerce of England, was captured, put in Prison, with three others he dug out and swam a River, they fired on them
Page 42

but he escaped, the he joined the regular army and fought till the end. I have no records have you? It may be he insisted from some other state but VT was his home. I would like the date of birth and death. 
Sincerely
Mrs. Samuel Howell
Page 43

1324 Elmdale Ave.
Chicago, Ill., Nov. 12, 1913
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-

Will you kindly send me the Revolutionary
record of Peter Blossom, pensioner under Act of 1832, Rutland County, Vermont.   He was placed on pension rolls Aug. 28, 1833, pension
commencing Mar. 4, 1834. If there are any 
children mentioned please give their names.

Besides this record would like to find out date of last payment made on the pension and would ask that you tell me what number to cite if I refer to the auditor in the Treasury Department.
Thanking you in advance for this information and trusting that I may here an early reply, I remain
Yours very truly,
Mrs. E. M. St. John