Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,133, for James Nourse, Massachusetts
Page 1

SERVICE Mass
Nourse, James
Elizabeth
NUMBER W. 15. 133
Page 2

6506

Massachusetts.
__________________

James Nourse
of Lynn, Private,
Vose's Mass. Regt.   3 years.

In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
______________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on 
the 30th of March 1818.
______________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 of Jan. 1819
and sent to Hon. John Davis,
Boston, Mass.
____________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1818; 5 mo. 2/31 4/30 -  41.57
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1819 -                        48.
                                                                                                ________
                                                                                                      89.57
Diff. between ini. & rev:
pernsion on 4 Sept. 1818.
$20.73

{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}

[note in pencil] Not [illegible]
[note in pencil on opposite fold] Notification sent October 18, 1820 to Ichabod Tucker, Salem, Mass.
Page 3

No. 28
James Nourse Priv.
Vose's Massts. Regt.
1777 to 1783.
_____________

[very faintly in pencil] Correct [illegible] Pensioner, priv. [illegible]
Page 4

United States
Massachusetts Dist.

James Nourse of Lynn in sd. District, a resident citizen of the United States and applicant for a pension from the United States under an act entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," maketh oath that he so served as a private soldier in the war of the Revolution ^in the Continental establishment in the company commanded by Nathaniel Cushing, Captain, & joined the first Massachusetts regiment commanded by Cpt. Joseph Vose, & served from March 20, 1777 for about five years next after, that after the expiration of sd. time he served in the invalid regiment commanded by Col. Lewis Nichola for about three years, & received ["my" crossed out] his pension from the war department of the United States commencing on the 17th November 1815 under a certificate that bears date the 28th of March and which is the only pension ["I have" crossed out] he had, and which pension ["I" crossed out] he hereby relinquish[es]. By reason of my reduced circumstances in life, I am in need of assistance from my country for support.    James Nourse

My discharge I sent to the War office in order to obtain my land warrant about fifteen years since where it now is [illegible] was burned in the sd. office.   James Nourse

Mass.tts Dist. SS. 30 March A.D. 1818
sworn to before me Jn. Davis D[?] Mass. [?]
Page 5

MASSACHUSETTS DISTRICT, SS/
Boston June 5 A.D. 1818
IT appearing to my satisfaction, that James Nourse
subscriber to the annexed declaration, sworn to before me, did serve in the revolutionary
war against the common enemy, as stated in said declaration, I now transmit the testimo-
ny in the case, with the proceedings had thereon, to the Secretary of the department of
war, pursuant to the directions of the Act entitled "An Act to provide for certain per-
"sons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary
"war;" the testimony and proceedings in the premises being the declaration aforesaid,
["with the accompanying documents marked" crossed out]
together with this certificate.
                   In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
                   seal of the District Court of the United States for this District
                   to be hereunto affixed.
                  Jn Davis } Judge of the District Court U.S. 
                                        Massachusetts District.
Page 6

6506
James Nourse
[faintly in pencil]January 1819 [illegible]
Page 7

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
ESSEX, ss.
At the Circuit Court of Common Pleas of the Middle Circuit, begun and holden at Salem, within and for the County of Essex, on the third Monday of June, A.D. 1820.
Present, Hon. SAMUEL DANA, Chief Justice.
                  Hon. WILLIAM WETMORE, and
                  Hon. STEPHEN MINOT, Associate Justices.
In open Court here, being a Court of Record for said Circuit, proceeding ac
cording to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in 
point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having the pow-
er of fine and imprisonment, James Nourse
resident in [left blank] in said Circuit, who is named in
Pension Certificate No. 6506 now in his possession, of which the
following is a true copy, to wit,

"WAR DEPARTMENT.........REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
"I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March 1818,
James Nourse late a private
"in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate
"of eight dollars per month, to commence on the thirtieth
"day of - March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
"Given at the War of Office of the United States, this twenty ninth day
"of January on thousand eight hundred and twenty
                   J. C. Calhoun, Secretary of War,"
[initials "L.S." appear printed in a box]

appears, andn exhibits to the Court here a Schedule, subscribed by him, as follows, to wit, 

SCHEDULE,
containing his whole estate and income, his necessary clothing and bedding
excepted, to wit, Real estate in Lynn aforesaid consist-
ing of 2 small houses - one is very old - one barn, one 
shop, of the value of -- -- -- $800.00
one hundred acres of land in Ohio -- -- -- 50.00
Personal estate - 
one desk -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 12.00
one mahogany table -- --    5.00
3 small tables -- -- -- -- -- --  4.00
1 looking glass -- -- -- -- -- - 3.50
1 doz. chairs -- -- -- -- -- -- --5.00
crockery and glass ware -- 7.25
1 doz. small silver spoons -- 6.00
brass and tin ware -- -- -- -- 5.00
iron and wooden ware -- -- 7.00
1 doz. knives & forks -- -- -- 1.50
Books -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5.00
horse, waggon & sleigh -- 57.50
two stoves and funnel -- --10.00
Page 8

1 shovel & 1 hoe -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --   1.00
wood on hand -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --   3.00
Income by business, shoemaking -- -- 100.00 
                                                       _________________
                                                                            1082.75
Debts due from said Nourse are as follow
viz. To Edward Southwick by note & mortgage & acct. -- -- 800.00
         To Daniel Galeucia by note -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  400.00
         To other persons -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 100.00
                                                                                                                  ___________
                                                                                                                     1300.00

Said Nourse served as a private in the army of the revolutions a-
bout six years - part of the time belonged to the Company com-
manded by Capt. Nath.l Cushing, Col. Joseph Vose's Regi-
ment - a part of the time served in carious companies in the
invalid Regt. commanded by Col. Nichols - he became lame
while in said service and has continued lame ever since - Was
formerly on the list of invalid pensioners - his age is fifty eight 
is unable to do but little work in consequence of his lameness - 
has a wife aged 56 years, her health is poor; has two 
children with him, one aged 19 years, the other aged
eleven, whom he supports - has two apprentice boys un-
the age of 21 years, to wit, about 14 years old - they do not
more than earn their living.
                                                             - Jas. Nourse

Sworn to & declared before
Wm Wetmore Judge
within named
Page 9

and at the same time he produces to the Court here the following Oath,
taken and subscribed by him, before the Hon. Wm Wetmore
a Judge of said Court as aforesaid, to wit,
I, James Nourse do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United 
States on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not,
since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property,  or any part thereof, with
intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "an
act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revo-
lutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of  March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and
that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due
to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me
subscribed. So help me GOD.
                                                                          James Nourse

ESSEX, ss.  C.C.C.C. P. June, Term, A.D. 1820.
Then the abovenamed James Nourse
took and subscribed the aforewritten Oath before me
Wm Wetmore Judge of said Court.

I, ICHABOD TUCKER, Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do hereby certify
that the foregoing Oath, and Schedule thereunto annexed, are truly copied
from the record of the said Court ; and I do further certify, that it is 
the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the prop-
erty exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is
_______ ["dollars" crossed out] nothing

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed
the seal of the said Court, at Salem, in said County of Essex,
on this 17th day of July A.D. 
1820
Attr. Ichabod Tucker
Page 10

Massachusetts
_____________________   
Elizabeth Nourse  [faintly in pencil] [?]. 2576
widow of James Nourse
who served ^Mass in the Revolutionary 
war, as a Private
_______________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 96 Dollars _____
Cents per annum to commence
on the ["4th day of March," crossed out] 1 July, 1848.
______________________
Certificate of Pension issued
the 30 day of Oct. 1852
and sent to Horatio Woodman
Boston, Mass
_____________________
Recorded on Roll of Pensions under act
February 2, 1848, Page 118 [?] vol. 2
Page 11

235
wid.w Eliz.a Nourse
Page 12

235
Elizabeth Nourse
widow of James
Mass
~
Act of July 38
5 years
~
Married Sep '85
Admd
~ 2 years pri
~
80
~ 
No deduction

Ben Merrill
Salem
Mass
Page 13

Declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838 entitled An Act granting half pay & pensions to certain Widows : 

State of Massachusetts  Essex County ss :

On the third day of August 1838 personally appeared before the Honorable David Cummings a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Massachusets

Elizabeth Nourse a resident of Lynn in the County of Essex aged 74 years who being first duly sworn [scratched out] according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July. 7. 1838 entitled An Act granting half pay & pensions to certain Widows,
That she is the Widow of James Nourse, a Revolutionary Soldier who was placed on the Pension List Roll of Massachusetts Agency on the time & for the Services stated & proved in his application on file, to which she begs leave to refer.
That she was married to the said James Nourse on the fifteenth day of September in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty five : that her husband the aforesaid James Nourse died on 29th April 1829 : that she has never been married since : that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated. 
     Elizabeth Nourse

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me, the applicant being unable to appear in Court by reason of her advanced age & bodily infirmity.       David Cummings
Page 14

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
ESSEX, ss.

I, John Prince, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Essex, do certify, that Hon. David Cummings is Judge of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County. That

Jon. Tuttle & Benj. Merrill Esquires, are Justices of the Peace, within and for said County, and that their signatures hereon are genuine.

WITNESS MY HAND, and the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas,

August 7, A.D. 1838,
John Prince Clerk
Page 15

I Thomas Bowler of Lynn in the county of Essex & State of Massachusetts on Oath testify that I am clerk of said Town and have the Custody of the Records thereof, and the following is a transcript therefrom viz.
"The Genealogy of James Nurs and Elizabeth his Wife
John their Son   Born March 25th, 1786
Edmund their Son   Born April 15th 1788
Lucy their Daughter    Born April 8th 1790
Robert their Son   Born October 6th 1792
Rebekah their Daughter   Born October 25. 1794
Elizabeth their Daughter   Born April 25, 1797
Mary their Daughter   Born March 3. 1800
James their Son was Born Nov: 24th 1808
Robert their Son was Drowned July 5th 1810
Mr. James Nurs Died Apr.l 27. 1829

I further testify that no particular date either of the day month or year is annexed to the above record of marriage; and the probability is that no legal return of the marriage was made by the Officiating Clergyman. I have no doubt of the fact of their marriage, as I was personally acquainted with the family. The Record of Births shew that their first child was Born on the twenty fifth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty six.

State of Massachusetts
Essex ss Lynn Augst 1838
Sworn to before me Jon. Tuttle  Justice of the Peace
Page 16

I, William P. Nourse of Lynn in Massachusetts on oath testify that I have been a frequent visitor and acquaintance in the family of James Nourse late a U.S. Revolutionary Pensioner and during all that time viz. for nearly twenty years past I have seen hanging w/i his house and in the house of Mrs. Elizabeth Nourse his widow a carefully wrought Sampler framed neatly, which is now here before the Magistrates, on which are the following words and figures, viz:

"Family Register.
"Mr James Nourse born Feb.7th 1762
"Mrs. Elizabeth Mansfield born May 10th 1763
"Marryed September 15th 1785
"Childrens Names --- Births --- Deaths
"John -- March. 25. 1786
"Edmund -- April. 15. 1788
"Lucy -- April. 8. 1790
"Robert -- Oct. 6. 1792 -- July. 5. 1810
"Rebecca -- Oct. 25. 1794
"Elizabeth -- April. 15. 1797
"Mary -- March. 3d. 1800
"James -- Nov. 24. 1808"

and I have no doubt that the above is a true record, as it is very old.
    Wm P Nourse
Page 17

Lynn, August 3rd 1838'

I, Deborah Ramsdell, of Lynn in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts do testify and say, that I was present at the marriage of James Nourse and Elizabeth Mansfield, both of Lynn aforesaid, that said marriage was solemnized at the House of her father the late Mr. Robert Mansfield Sent., by the Rev. Obadiah Parsons the then minister of the first Parish in Lynn, and though I do not remember the date of said marriage, I have no doubt of its having been at the time specified on their family register, to wit on the fifteenth of September A.D. one thousand seven hundred and eighty five.  
Deborah X her mark Ramsdell

Essex Ss Aug 3rd 1838
Personally appeared the above named Deborah Ramsdell and made oath that the above declaration by her subscribed is true.  Before me Jonth. Tuttle (?) J. Peace
Page 18

This certifies that I am personally acquainted with the witness named Deborah Ramsdell and that she is a credible and respectable witness.  Jonth. Tuttle Just. Peace
Page 19

Lynn, August 3rd 1838
I, Jerusha Williams of Lynn in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts do testify and say that I was present at the marriage of James Nourse and Elizabeth Mansfield both of Lynn aforesaid, that said marriage was solemnized at the House of her father, the late Robert Mansfield, senr. by the Rev, Obadiah Parsons, the then Minister of the first Parish in Lynn, and though I do not remember the date if said marriage I have no doubt of its having been at the time specified on their family registers, to wit, on the fifteenth day of September A.D. one thousand seven hundred and eighty five. 
Jerusha X her mark Williams
Aug 3rd 1838
Essex Ss Personally appeared the above named Jerusha Williams and made oath that the above deposition by her subscribed is true before me . Jon th. Tuttle Just. Peace
Page 20

This certifies that I am personally acquainted with the witness named Jerusha Williams and that she is a credible and respectable witness.
Jonth. Tuttle, Just. Peace.
Page 21

We Edmund Wait and William P. Nourse both of Lynn in Massachusetts, on oath testify that we were acquainted with James Nourse late of Lynn who was a Revolutionary Pensioner: he died in 1829 and left a widow Mrs. Elizabeth Nourse who is now living and  is applying for a Pension: She has never been married since his death. We are neighbors to her.
Wm. P. Nourse
Edmund Wait

State of Massachusetts, Essex County SS: August 2d 1838 
Then the abovenamed William P. Nourse and Edmund Waitt made oath that the above affidavit by them subscribed is true.

Before Benj. Merrill, Just. Peace
Page 22

Massachusetts
James Nourse, Priv
served 3 yrs from 1777
__
Sched. June 1820
Real Estate - $850 
Personal - $132.75
Income by shoe making - $100
_____
Total $1.082.75
In debt to sundry persons
names given $1300  
Real Estate Mortgaged 
29 [?] 1816
Schd. ???? Mar 1823
Dated  June 19, 1823
Personal Property, $24 -
___
Accounts for the decrease of proprty etc.
The Real Estate was taken from him by virtue of a mortgage decd. given to Eben. Southwick July 26, 1805 to secure the payment of $400with interest [?] 
The premises are subject to another mortgage to Geucia for the sum of $400 & interest which is considered of no value;l the mortgage money to secure the payment of which the mortgaged sd. lands, is now the unpaid $300 {?] of mortgages within - 
The military land in Ohio valued at $50 is worth nothing & his heirs abandoned it - 1 horse and waggon & sleigh worn out 2 stoves broken & of no use some other {?] worn out and destroyed a certificate from the Mortgagee that they are in the possession of the property
---
aged 61 yrs. health bad & cancer mass in leg, so that his income is worth nothings & wife old and feeble.___
John W. Proctor Esq. (of Danvers Salem Mass. Mar 1819)
Page 23

[all handwritten] 
(86 )
Masachusetts. [Massachusetts]
-
James Nourse,
private,
In the Army of the Revolution.
-
Inscribed on roll of Mass: under
[illegible] 30 April, 1816 at $4 per mo:
Comg.[?] [illegible] [illegible] 1815. Stricken from
same and placed on all [illegible] Pensioners 
under act 18" May[?] 1818, at $8 per mo:
Comg.[?] 30 March 1818. Stricken off
Revolutionary roll under act [illegible]
1820 [illegible]
---
Reinstated on roll of Invalid
pensioners under act 1st May,
1820, at $4 per month, com
mencing [commencing] 4th March, 1820.
-
Certificate issued 30th January,
1822 and sent to Hon: Gideon
Barstow; House of Representatives.
Amount from 4 March 1820 [bracket]
to 4 March, 1822 
$96.
-
Page 24

Elizabeth Nourse
widow of James 
Mass. Increase 
Admd. 96$
per annum from 1 July 1848
under the J & Res. 1 July 1848
deducting former payments at 80$/pre annum.
Page 25

Massachusetts
Elizabeth Nourse
widow of James Nourse
who was a Private 
in the Mass. line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars _ Cents per annum, to commence o the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issues the 28th day of Oct. 1843 and sent to Jonathan Tuttle
Lynn Mass.
Page 26

Massachusetts
Elizabeth Nourse
widow of James Nourse
who served in the Revolutionary was, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of arch, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd day of Dec. 1848 and sent to Hon. D. P. King...
Page 27

Massachusetts - 192
Elixabeth Nourse,
widow of James Nourse decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of Mar 18 1818
and who died on the 29 Apr. 1828. of Essex in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the corps commanded by Captain Cushing of the Regt. commanded by Col. Vose in the mass. line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 Dollars _ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Sept.  '38 and sent to and Benj Merrill Salem, Mass.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. $200 on Semi-annual allowance ending 4th Mar 40.00
$240.00
Page 28

Massachusetts

James Nourse,
private,
In the Revolutionary War.

An Applicant for increase of Pension who now stands on the roll at $ 4...
Present ratio of disability cert. to lev. } Total.

Time of closing the testimony} 31 Dec. 1817.

March 12.1818
Ref'd. to the Committee on pensions & Revolutionary Claims.

Increased under Law 18 March 1818.

Award of Congress,
Page 29

Massachusetts
James Nourse
Private

In the invalid regt. commanded by Capt. Lewis Nichols during the Revolutionary War.

Ratio of disability certified. Total.

Date of closing testimony. 17 Nov 1815

Pension allowed commencing the 17th Nov. 1818 [?]

Certificate of pension issued the 18th March, 1817 and sent to Benj. Austin, Esq. agent for invalid pensioners, Boston, Massachusetts.

amount due to the 4th March 1817 $62.45/100
Page 30

Massachusetts
James Nourse
Private,
In the revolutionary War 
evidence transmitted by Honorable Judge Davis, of Massachusetts, applicant for increase of pensions who now stands on the roll at $4 per mo. placed ont he roll by the act of the 30th April 1816.
& has been paid at that rate to the 4th day of September, 1817.

[?] laid before Congress at their present session.
Page 31

Lindsey, New York City

Rev. Widow, etc.
File No. 15133
Elizabeth Nourse
widow of James Nourse
Priv. Rev. War
Act: Feb 20th 48
Index: - Vol., N, Page 89
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 32

James E. Edwards Esq.
Comt. Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Page 33

Salem, Masstts. Augt. 8, 1838

James E. Edwards, Esq. Commit. Pensions,

Sir,
I herewith inclose the applications under Act of July 7. 1838 for Pensions of Widow Elizabeth Nourse, & Widow Elizabeth Claridge.

I am very respectfully [?]
Benj. Merrill

Please address reply to me.
Page 34

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Essex County

I Elizabeth Nourse, having been duly sworn, depose and say, that I am the identical Elizabeth Nourse named in the accompanying certificate of Revolutionary Pension, - that my late husband received ninety six dollars per year, as pension until his death, - that I therefore return my pension certificate that a new one may issue to me t the same sum per annum which he received, and pray that it may be sent for me to Horation Woodman, of Boston, Mass. at which place I desire that it may be payable.
Elizabeth X her mark Nourse
Witness H.F. Mudge
James Nourse
Subscribed and duly sworn to before e this seventh day of August 1852 - and I certify that she is the pensioner named in the said certificate.
B.F. Mudge } Justice of the Peace
Page 35

Brief in the case of Elizabeth Nourse widow of James 
County and State of Massachusetts
act  Jn Res. 1 July 1848

Claim "for increase"
Proof exhibited

Husband was a pension at 96$ per annum, under the acts Mch 1818 & May 1820 - She was admitted in 1848 at 80$. She now claims the benefit of the Jt Res 1 July 1848 to which she is entitled.
Page 36

No 2570
Page 37

WAR DEPARTMENT
WIDOW'S PENSION

I certify that in conformity with the act of February 2d, 1848, Elizabeth Nourse, widow of James Nourse who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.

Given at the War Office of the United States the 22d day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.

Examined and Countersigned
J.L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Page 38

I Joseph Vose of Milton in the County of Norfolk & state of Massachusetts. Esquire, do testify & say that James Nourse, on the 28th of March 1777 enlisted as soldier in the first Massachusetts Regiment which I then commanded during the war; in which regiment he served till some time in the year 1780, when by reason of a sore on his left leg, which was occasioned by a fever he was, in consequence of a certificate from Doctr. Townsend then surgeon transferred to the invalid Regiment, commanded by Colonel Nicola.

Dated at Milton
3d Oct. 1814 

Joseph Vose, Co. 1st Mass Regt.
Page 39

Norfolk Co. Milton, 3rd day of October 1814.

Then the within named Joseph Vose Esquire, personally appeared before us, two of the commissioners named in the commission hereunto annexed , & made oath to the truth of the deposition by him, herein subscribed

Frederick Breed
P. G. Robbins} Commissioners appointed by Hon Jn Davis
Page 40

UNITED STATES
District, Ss.

I, John Davis Judge of the DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES of America for the Massachusetts District, BY AUTHORITY of an act of Congress, passed the 25th day of April, 1812, entitled, "An Act to revive and continue in force an Act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary War, and for other purpses," - Do hereby especially authorize and commission Dr. James Gardner, Dr. Peter G. Robbins and Frederick Breed of the county of Essex and District of Massachusetts of them to take all evidence persuant to the rules and regulations of the said act for substantiating the claim of James Nourse of the town of Lynn in the county of Essex and district of Massachusetts to be placed on the Pension List of the United States by reason of known wounds received in said war, or since (as prescribed in the 4th section of "an Act concerning invalid pensioners," passed the 25th of April, 1808,) - while in the actual service of the United States, and in the line of his duty. And when the same shall be completed, to return the evidence, affidavits, certificates and proceedings had hereupon, together with this commission, to the Secretary for the Department of War.
Given under my hand and sear at Boston the fifteenth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen.
Jn. Davis
Page 41

Increase of Pension.
UNITED STATES.
DISTRICT, SS.
To Doctor
of and Doctor
of 
in said District.
Pursuant to an Act of Congress of the United States, passed the 25th of April, 1812, entitled "An Act to revive and continue in force an act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary War, and for other purposes" - You are hereby appointed and authorized to examine
who is inscribed on the Pension List of the United States and is claimant for an increase of pension conformably to the 5th section of the act of the 10th of April, 1806, revived as aforesaid; and you are to report unwriting and on oath or affirmation your opinion of the nature of his disability and in what degree it prevents him from obtaining a subsistence by manual labor; and in your proceedings in the premises you are to be regulated and governed by said act.
Given under my hand and seal at 
this day of
in the year one thousand eight hundred and
Page 42

RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOR
SUBSTANTIATING CLAIMS TO A PENSION

VID "An act to provide for Persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the revolutionary "war," passed the 10th of April, 1806, revived and continued in force for six years longer, by an Act of th 25th of April, 1812.

   "Sec.2 And be it further enacted, That in substantiating such claim, the following rules and regulations shall be complied with; that is to say; all evidence shall be taken on oath or affirmation, before the Judge of the District, or one of the Judges of the Territory in which such claimant resides, or before some person speically authorised by commission from said Judge.

"The nature of such disability, and in what degree it prevents the claimant from obtaining his subsistence, must be proved by the affidavit of some reputable Physician or Surgeon, stating his opinion eithe rfrom his own knowledge and acquaintance with the claimant, or from an examination of such claimant on oath or affirmation, which when necessary for that purpose, shall be administered to said claimant by said Judge or Commissioner. And the said Physician or Surgeon, in his affidavit, shall particularly describe the wound or wounds from whence the disability appears to be (illegible)

"Every claimant must prove, by at least one credible witness, that he continued in service during the whole time for which he was detached, or for which he was engaged, unless he was discharged, or left the service in consequence of some derangement of the army, or in consequence of his disability resigned his ocmission; or was after his disability in captivity or on parole, until the close of the Revolutionary War. And in the same manner must prove is mode of life and employment since he left the service, and the place or places where he has since resided, and his place of residence at the time of taking such testimony.

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary for the Department of War, return to the respective District Judges, the names of all such persons, as have been transmitted to him by the several District Judges pursuant to the Act for the Regulation of Claims to Invalid Pensions, and in whose cases the examining physicians have neglected to specify the ratio of disability; together with such defective returns of physicians. And the said District Judges, respectively, shall forthwith cause the examining physicians to specify the several rates of disability which have been so neglected; or, in case of sickness, death, or removal of one or both such physicians, to make new appointments,. and cause the several rates of disability to be specified, and by the said physicians returned to them as soon as may be; of which they shall make return to the Secretary of War, &c. &c. &c.

Vid. Law of the 18th of April 1796 - Laws of the U. S. Vol 3, page 374
Page 43

" Every claimant shall by his affidavit give satisfactory reasons why he did not make application for
pension before, and that he is not on the pension list of any state ; and the Judge or Commissioner
shall certify in writing his opinion of the credibility of the witnesses, whose affidavits he shall take, in
all those cases, where by this act it is said the proof shall be made by a credible witness or witnesses.
And also, that the examining Physician or Surgeon is reputable in his profession.

" SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said Judge of the District, or person by him com
missioned [commissioned]
as aforesaid, shall transmit a list of such claims, accompanied by the evidence, affidavits,
certificates and proceedings had thereon in pursuance of this act, noting particularly the day on which
the testimony was closed before him,to the Secretary for the Department of War," &c. &c. &c.-" And it
shall be the duty of the Judge or Commissioner aforesaid, to permit each claimant to take a transcript of
the evidence and proceedings had respecting [illegible] [illegible], [illegible] he shall desire [illegible], and to certify the same to
be correct.

" SEC. 5. And it be further enacted, That an increase of pension may be allowed to persons already
placed upon the Pension List of the United States, for disabilities caused by known wounds received
during the Revolutionary War, in all cases where justice shall require the same: Provided, That the
increase, when added to the pension formerly received, shall in no case exceed a full pension.
" Every invalid making application for this purpose, shall be examined by two reputable Physicians
or Surgeons, to be authorised by commission from the Judge of the district where such invalid
resides ; who shall report in writing, on oath or affirmation, their opinion of the nature of the applicant's
disability, and in what degree it prevents him from obtaining a subsistance by manual labor, which report
shall be transmitted by said Physicians or Surgeons, to the Secretary for the Department of
War," &c. &c. &c.

-

Extract from an Act of Congress of the 25th of April, 1808, entitled ""An Act concerning
Invalid Pensioners."
" SEC. 4. And be it further, enacted, That any officer, non commissioned officer, musician or private,
who has been wounded or disabled since the Revolutionary War, while in the line of his duty, in the
actual service of the United States, whether he belong to the Military Establishment or to the Militia,
or any volunteer corps, called into service under the authority of the United States, may be placed on
the Pension List of the United States, at such rate of compensation, and under such regulations as are
prescribed by the act, entitled, "An Act to provide for persons who were disabled by know wounds re
ceived [received]
in the Revolutionary War,” passed April the tenth, one thousand eight hundred and six."
Page 44

I, James P. Putnam of Danvers in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Physician do testify & say, that some time in November in the year one thousand, seven hundred & seventy seven, was called upon to visit James Nourse then a soldier of the revolutionary army, who was then at Lynn in said County sick, & on furlow. The peculiarity of his disease was a fever sore on his left leg, which must have been of very long continuance, & was then very formidable & continued to be extremely painful & troublesome till some time in April following, when he so far recovered as to be able to walk, but with great difficulty.
Dated at Danvers this 22d day of August .D. 1815} James P. Putnam
Page 45

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Danvers August 22d 1815 [1812?]
Then the within named James P. Putnam personally appeared before me, one of the Commissioners named in the Commission hereunto an
nexed [annexed], & made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed.
James Gardner[bracket] 
one of the Comm. [illegible] [Commissioners] appointed for the [illegible] pose [purpose?]
Page 46

[all handwritten]
I Aaron Lummus of Lynn in the County of Essex & State of Masachusetts [Massachusetts] do testify & say that I have lived near James Nourse about thirty two years & have been often called on to visit him on account of a fever sore on his left leg which has been very troublesome ever since the year 1783 so as to unfit him for busines [business] a conside
rable [considerable] part of the time & for about eight years he has been almost wholly depriv'd [deprived] of the benefit of doing any business by reason of the extreme pain in his Leg & debillity. I have this day examin'd [examined] his Leg & find his ankle joint very stiff & ulcer very troublesome  - said Nourse is esteemed to be a man of good moral habits. 
Aaron Lummus Attg. Physician
[flourish]
Lynn Oct 31 1815
[capital L in flourish]
Page 47

[written sideways on document] No6 Aaron Lummus
[beginning of horizontal writing] Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Esex [Essex], Ss  - Nov. 12th 1815. Then the within named Aaron Lummus, made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by his subscribed, before me.
P.G. Robbins Commisione [paper torn] [Commissioner] [flourish] [illegible]
Page 48

Dr.[?] James Gardner
Lynn Dec. 12th 1815 recvd. 20th
Petition of James Nourse
for a pension.
Free[?]
Hon. Timothy Pickiring Esquire,
Member of Congress,
Washington.
Page 49

[all handwritten]
Lynn Dec. 12 1815

Dear Sirs,
There is a man in this Town, James Nourse. He served as a private soldier thiro'[?] [through] the revolutionary War. In the year 1777 he fell sick of a violent fever, which terminated in a fever sore on his left leg. This confined him from duty nearly one year. He however returned to the service & continued till the close of the war & was honorably discharged by Gen. Washington. The sore for many years was very troublesome & subjected him to great in
convenience [inconvenience]. During the last ten years it has almost wholly taken him from labor. He is a man of sober habits, but of obscure life & parentage. His better in formed [informed] friends of late have advised him to apply to Government for a pen
sion [pension]. Accordingly he made application to Judge Davis, who directed a commission to me & two others to make the necessa
ry [necessary] examination & take the proper affi
davits [affidavits] to substantiate his claim. We have executed the same misions [mission] & made return to the office of the secretary of War.
Nourse requests me, & I have taken the liberty, to solicit your attention to the
Page 50

[all handwritten]
matter, so far as to call up the subject in the secretary's office, in order for a decission. Should there be any informalities or de
fect [defect] in our doings or return, will you have the goodness to state them to me for cor
rection [correction]? His obscurity & want of the proper information have kept him back from an earlier application. It is the opinion of all, who know him, & the nature & ex
tent [extent] of his misfortune, that he is just
ly [justly] intitled [entitled] to the assistance of that Govern
ment [Government], in support of which he has made himself and family indigent.
Your attention to the subject will confer a favor on a good, but unf[paper torn]
tunate [unfortunate] citizen
I am, Sir, with great respect your obedient servant,
James Gardner

Hon. Timothy Pickering Esq. 
Washington 

N13. Nourse sent his discharge to the War office at Philadel
phia [Philadelphia] to obtain his land warrant, & it was de
stroyed [destroyed], when that office was burnt - But by means of other certificates he obtained.
Page 51

[all handwritten]
House of Representatives
Jany. 16. 1816.

Dear Sir,
I intended some time since to have called at your office & to have handed to you the inclosed letter from James Gardner Esq. of Lynn, in Masachusetts [Massachusetts], but my remotenes [remoteness] from the office & other circumstances have prevented. That no further delay may take place, I now present it to you in this manner, and request you will direct search to be made for the petition therein referred to & having considered the same, that you will advise me of what can be done for the relief of the petitioner James Nourse.
Very respectfully,
[illegible]
Timothy Pickering.

Honble [Honorable] William Crawford
War Department
Page 52

Increase of Pension.

UNITED STATES.
Masachusetts [Massachusetts] DISTRICT, Ss
To Doctor James Gardner
["of" is crossed out] [handwritten] Lynn [end handwritten]
and Doctor [handwritten] Aaron
Lummus [handwritten] of Lynn [end handwritten]
in [handwritten] the County of Essex in [end handwritten] said District.
Pursuant to an Act of Congress of the United States,
passed the 25th of April, 1812, entitled " An Act to re
vive [revive] and continue in force an act to provide for persons
who were disabled by known wounds received in the
Revolutionary War, and for other purposes""-You are
hereby appointed and authorised to examine James
Nourse - who is
inscribed on the Pension List of the United States, and
is claimant for an increase of pension conformably to the 5th section of the act of the 10th of April, 1806,
revived as aforesaid; and you are to report inwriting and on oath or affirmation your opinion of the
nature of his disability and in what degree it prevents him from obtaining a subsistance by manual
labor; and in your proceedings in the premises you are to be regulated and governed by said act.
Given under my hand and seal at [handwritten] Boston
[end handwritten] this [handwritten] third [end handwritten] day of [handwritten] November [end handwritten] 
in the year one thousand eight hundred and [handwritten] Seventeen [end handwritten]
M. Davis
Dist [District?] Judge U.S.
Mast [Massachusetts?] Dist
Page 53

Original Claim.
UNITED STATES. 
DISTRICT, Ss.
I, [blank] Judge of the DISTRICT COURT of the United States of America for the [blank] District, BY AUTHORITY of an act of Congress, passed the 25th day of April, 1812, entitled, " An Act to revive and continue in force an Act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary War, and for other purposes,"
-DO HEREBY ESPECIALLY AUTHORISE AND COMMISSION [blank] of the county of the District of [blank] to take all evidence pursuant to the rules and regulations of the said act for substantiating the claim of [blank] of the town of [blank] in the county of [blank] and district of [blank] to be placed on the Pension List of the United States by reason of known wounds received in said war, or since, (as prescribed in the 4th section of "an Act concerning invalid pensioners," passed the 25th of April, 1808,) - while in the actual service of the United States, and in the line of his duty. And when the same shall be completed, to return the evidence, affidavits, certificates and proceedings had hereupon, together with this commission, to the Secretary for the Department of War.
Given under my hand and seal at [blank] 
the [blank] day of in
the year one thousand eight hundred and
Page 54

Lynn Mas. [Mass.] Sept. 16/48

Inclose are the Declarations of Elizabeth Nourse & Hannah Bruce for Pensions under the Act of 2d Feb. 1848. Please re
turn [return] the proper ["vouchers" is crossed out] papers to me or them directed to Lynn Essex Co. Mas. [Mass.]
B.F. Mudge
To Commisioner [Commissioner] of Pensions [bracket]
Page 55

[handwritten initials] I. H. P

O. W. and N. Division,

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., [handwritten] June [end handwritten] 189[handwritten]3.
Sir, [end handwritten] 
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of [handwritten] James Nourse[end handwritten], a soldier in the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
[column headings: Dates of Enlistment. Length of Service. Rank. Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered. Captain. Colonel. State.]

[handwritten] March 1777. War. Pre or.[?] 
Nathaniel Cushing. Joseph Vore. Mass.
Furloughed Nov 1777 as sick resulting in fever sore in left leg
(Transferred in 1780 to Invalid regiment )- Discharged June 11, 1783. [end handwritten]
Battles engaged in, [handwritten] none stated [end handwritten]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [handwritten] Lynn Esex [Essex] County Mas [Mass] [end handwritten]
Date of application for pension, [handwritten] Nov 15. 1815 for disability [end handwritten]
Residence at date of application, [handwritten] Lynn Mass [end handwritten]
Age at date of application, [handwritten] born Feby 9, 1762 & died April 29, 1829 [end handwritten]
Remarks: [handwritten] Married Sept 15, 1785 to Elizabeth Mansfield, She born May 10, 1763 [end handwritten]
Very respectfully,
[blank line] Commissioner.
[handwritten] John D Lindsay Esq
Ast Dist Attorney
New York City [end handwritten]
7941 b-3 m
Page 56

?I. H. P.

O. W. And N. División

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,

Washington, D. C., June….., 1893

Sir
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of James Nourse, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[Table]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT.   | March 1777
LENGTH OF SERVICE. | War| Furloughed Nov 1777 as Sick resulting in fever sore in left leg | Transferred in 1780 to Invalid regiment - Discharged June 11. 1783
RANK. | Privt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. |
CAPTAIN. | Nathaniel Cushing
COLONEL. | Joseph Vose
STATE. Mass

Battles engaged in, | None Stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, | Lynn Essex County, Mass
Date of application for pension, | Nov 15 1815 for disability
Residence at date of application, | Lynn Mass
Age at date of application, | born Feby 9. 1762, died April 29. 1829
Remarks: | married Sept. 15. 1785 to Elizabeth Mansfield, She born May 10. 1763

Very respecfully, ———————— Commissioner.

John D Lindsay Esq
Ast Dist Attorney

7941 b-3 m
Page 57

O. W. & N. DIV.
F. S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D. C., May 15, 1893.
[illegible]
Sir:-
Referring to your request for the military history of Robert Nourse, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, I have to request that you will please furnish, for purposes of identifica
tion [identification], the full name of the daughter who received a pension for his services together with her place of residence at the time pension was allowed. Please return all papers with your reply.
Very respectfully
Wm. Lochren
Commissioner.
Jno. D. Lindsay, Esq.,
Asst. Dist. Attorney,
New York, N.Y.
Page 58

[illegible]
Page 59

District Attorney's Office
City & County of New York.

[handwritten] June 6th 1893
Hon. Wm. Lochran
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sir - 
Referring to your letter of the 15th ultimo[?] I have the honor to enclose a letter which I know will give you the denied information. 
The pension was paid to Elizabeth Nourse of Lynn, Mass.

Yours respectfully,
Jno. D. Lindsay
[end handwritten]
Page 60

[round circle stamp]
PE[illegible]
D
U
JUN 7 18[illegible]
OFFIC[illegible]

[rectangle shaped stamp]
[not discernable]
Page 61

[all handwritten].
June 4th -93

Dear John,
You wrote to your Uncle to make some inquiry concerning your paternal Grandmother's father. - His name was James Nourse. His widow - Elizabeth Nourse (Born Mansfield)

James Nourse Born Feb 7_1762
Died Apr. 29_1829

Elizabeth " May 10th 1763.
Dec 24 1853
_________
My Grandmother received a pension during the later part of her life - the last payment made in 1853. I think she
Page 62

always received & signed her name - it may be her daughter Lucy my mother took the last payment!
She resided in Lynn at the time. - 
_____
I imagine my mother had an Uncle Robert - as it seems to be a name in the family. - 
With love to the Family. 
yrs
Aunt Etta
'36 S [illegible]
Page 63

Not intelligble in its entirety
Page 64

District Attorney's Office
City & County of New York

March 6th 1893

Dear Sir,

My paternal grandmother's father - Robert Nourse of Massachusetts was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and his daughter received a pension till her death. 
I desire to substantiate his service from your records in order to qualify for admission to the "Sons of the Revolution" and this I am informed I can do by application to you. 
[?] I  may be favored by a reply in due season.
I am sir
your obdt servant
Jno. D. Lindsay
Asst. Dist. Atty

The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Page 65

Danvers Aug. 2.1823 - 

Sir:
Enclosed are duly authenticated copies of the Mortgages mentioned in the declaration of James Nourse of Lynn in the County of Essex, which was forwarded to the Pension office, with the view of procuring a restoration to the pension list of the said James Nourse under the Act of March 1823. It is hoped that the evidence will now be found satisfactory.
With the highest respect,
I have the honour to be,
Your most obt. Servt.
John W. Proctor

Hon. J.C. Calhoun
Secretary at War
for the U.S. of America
Page 66

Copy
James Nourse 
to Edward Southwick
Page 67

Know all Men by these Presents that I James Nourse, of Lynn in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts cordwainer, in consideration of one dollar paid me by Edward Southwick of Danvers in the same County and Commonwealth Tanner and for securing payment of my rate hereafter mentioned, the receipt of which I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto him the same Edward Southwick half an acre of land with the dwelling house barn and other buildings thereon lying in said Lynn and the same where I now dwell bounded southerly on the road leading from Gravesend so called, westerly on the road leading from woodend (so called) to flax  pond (so called) or however otherwise the same may be bounded, being the same land I purchased of Robert Mansfield by his deed recorded in the Registers office Essex County April 22.1796 reference to which being had for a more particular bounds will these appear. - 

To have and to hold the same to the said Edward Southwick to his heirs and assigns to his and their use and benefit forever. And I do covenant with him the said Edward and his heirs and assigns that I am lawfully seized i fee of the premises; that they are free of all incumbrances; that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Edward. And that I will warrant and defend the same to the said Edward Southwick his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons. And Elizabeth my wife for the consideration of one dollar paid her by said Edward doth relinquish to him and his heirs her right of dower in the foregoing described premises.

Provided Nevertheless That if the said James Nourse aforenamed his heirs or assigns shall pay or cause to be paid unto the said Edward Southwick
Page 68

or his heirs executors or assigns the sum of four hundred dollars with interest for the same on or before the first day of August which will be in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six agreeable to the conditions of my rate which I have given the said Edward this day for the aforesaid sum and payable at the aforesaid time and for which this deed is given as security, then they are to be both void and of no force or effect but on failure thereof to remain in full force throughout .

In witness to which we have hereunto set our hands and seals this twenty six_ day of July one thousand eight hundred and five. signed sealed and delivered in presence of us John Nourse    Edmund Nourse}  James Nourse & a seal   Elizabeth Nourse & a seal

Essex ss. October 14.1805. The above said James Nourse acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be his free act before me James Gardner J. Peace
Essex ss. Recd. October 28.1805. & recorded & examined by John Pickering Regs.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex Ss.  To all people to whom these presents shall come, I, Ichabod Tucker, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts of said Commonwealth, within and for the County of Essex, do certify that Amos Choate Esq. by whom the annexed copies are certified is Register of deeds within and for said County of Essex, and that his signature to said copies is the proper hand writing of him the said Amos Choate.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said Commonwealth at Salem in said County this twenty ninth day of August Anno Domini 1823. - Ichabod Tucker, Clerk

True copy of record; Book 177
Leaf 65  Attest. Amos Choate Reg.
Page 69

Know all Men by these Presents That I James Nourse of Lynn in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts cordwainer, in consideration of the sum of four hundred dollars paid by Daniel Galeucia of said Lynn in said County and State aforesaid yeoman, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said Daniel Galeucia his heirs and assigns, a lot of land situated in said Lynn being one half of an acre and bounded southerly on Graves end road, (so called) easterly on Abijah Ramsdell's land, northerly on land of Robert Mansfield, and westerly on a road leading to Salem Turnpike road with a dwelling house and all other buildings on said premises.
To have and to hold the same to the said Daniel Galeucia and to his heirs and assigns to him and their use and benefit forever. And I the said James Nourse for myself my heirs, executors and administrators do covenant with the said Daniel Galeucia his heirs and assigns that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises; that they are free of all incumbrances; that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Daniel Galeucia. And that I will and my heirs, executors and administrators shall warrant and defend the same to the said Daniel Galeucia his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of any persons.
Provided Nevertheless That if said James Nourse or my heirs executors or administrators shall pay said Daniel Galeucia his heirs executors administrators or assigns said sum four hundred dollars with lawful interest on or before the twenty eighth day of December which will be in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine, then this deed as also a certain note bearing even date with these presents given by said James Nourse to said Daniel Galeucia. Daniel Galeucia of the penalty of __________conditioned to pay the first mentioned sum and interest at the time aforesaid shall both be void otherwise shall remain absolute.
Page 70

In witness whereof I the said James Nourse and my wife she releasing her right of dower in said premises have hereunto set our hands and seals this twenty eighth day of December in the year or our Lord eighteen hundred and eight.   

signed sealed and delivered in presence of us Simon Galeucia  John L. Galeucia}  James Nourse ___ seal         ---------  and seal

Essex January 4.1809. Then James Nourse acknowledged the within instrument his free act before me   Ezekial Savage Jus. Pac.

Essex ss Received January 4.1809. recorded and examined by Amos Choate Reg.
True copy of record, Book 185, Leaf 274  Attest. Amos Choate Reg.

Copy
James Nourse
to Daniel Galeucia
Page 71

No1.
Osgood Carlton
Page 72

I Osgood Carlton of Boston in the County of Suffolks, Esquire, do testify & say that James Nourse was transferred to the invalid regiment, commanded by Colonel Lewis Nichola, on account of lameness contracted while in the service of the United States. He served faithfully in said regiment till honourably discharged; having been enlisted in the Massachusetts line of the American Revolutionary Army for & during the war. - & had faithfully served more than three years in said army.

Dated at Boston the 31st day of October Anno Domini 1814}    Osgood Carlton Capt. Late Revolutionary Army

Suffolk ss. Boston, October 31st. 1814.
Then the above names Osgood Carlton Esquire, personally appeared before us two of the commissioners named in the commission hereunto annexed & made oath to the truth of the deposition, by him above subscribed.

Frederick Breed
P.G. Robbins} Comissioners appointed by Hon. Jn Davis
Page 73

I, Daniel Galeucia, testify and say that sometime in November on thousand seven hundred & seventy seven James Nourse a soldier of the revolutionary army returned home to Lynn on furlow - that said Nourse was very lame in consequence of a fever sore on his left leg - that he was confined from November 1777 till April 1778 by reason of said sore & was under the care & attendance of Doctor James P. Putnam of Danvers serving the above said town [?]. - I further testify & say  that said Nourse when he was discharged from the service ^in 1783 returned to Lynn where he resided about four years, then moved to Salem where he resided about seven months - then returned to Lynn where ^he has ever since resided - that in consequence of the said lameness he was unable to pursue his usual occupation that of a laborer in husbandry - that after he was twenty on years old he so far obtained the art of shoemaking as to
Page 74

be able to work at this business wit some degree of advantage considering the disadvantages under which he labored on account of this lameness - that for several past the lameness has so increased as to render him unable to pursue this branch of business with any degree of ease or convenience or profit. I further testify that the moral conduct & habits ^of said Nourse have always been regular and correct to the best of my knowledge or belief.
Daniel Galeucia

Essex ss. Lynn August 24th 1815 then the above named Daniel Galeucia made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed before us.
Frederick Breed
James Gardner} Two fo the Comss. named int he annexed Cmmd.
Page 75

Dec 30 1815

Honble Secretary of the Department of War of the U States Washington

Papers in the case of James Nourse a Revy soldier
Page 76

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. - 17th Novr. 1815
The subscribers appointed Commissioners, by the enclosed Commission from the Honble. John, Davis District Judge of Massachusetts district  do report to the Honble. Secretary of War of the United States that we are personally acquainted with the deponents who have testified in the affidavits herewith returned, to wit, Doctor Aaron Lummus, Capt. Robert Mansfield, Capt. Daniel Galeucia, Osgood Carlton Esq. & Colo. Joseph Vose & Doctor James P. Putnam & know that they are all esteemed men of high credibility & veracity - & that Aaron Lummus Esq. the examining physician is reputable in his profession & of long experience and practice.
The taking of the enclosed affidavits & testimony was closed before us on the seventeenth day of November AD 1815.
The undersigned reside in the same town & are all personally acquainted with James Nourse the applicant & know him to be a man of good moral habits.
Given under our hands this 17th day of November AD 1815.

James Gardner
P. G. Robbins
Frederic Breed} Commissioners etc.
Page 77

I, Robert Mansfield of Lynn in the county of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify & say that James Nourse a soldier in ^the Revolutionary Army returned home to Lynn in said county from the army in the month of November 1777 - that at that time he was sick & that his sickness terminated in a fever sore on his left leg with which sore he was confined to his bed from Nov. 1777 to April 1778 & under the constant attendance of Doctor James P. Putnam of Danvers, that he so far recovered as to be able to return to the army in the fall of 1778 - That he continued in the service to the army - was disbanded in 1783 - that he has ever since that time suffered much pain by reason of said lameness - that ^ever since he was discharged he has resided in said town of Lynn, excepting about seven months when he resided in Salem - that his lameness prevented him from him from pursuing his occupation as a laborer on the land - that he, after he was twenty one years old, partially learned the art of a cordwainer. At this business he has wrought, tho with inconvenience till within the last eight years, when
Page 78

he has been prevented by reason of said sore leg - that ever since it happened the sore has been painful & often prevented him from business or even walking, that his manner of living has been wrecked.
Robert Mansfield

Essex ss. August 24th 1815

Then the above named Robert Mansfield personally appeared before us two of the commissioners named in the annexed commissioners & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed.

Frederic Breed
James Gardner}  Two fo the Commissioners named in the annexed commission

No4 
Robert Mansfield
Page 79

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Lynn in the Massachusetts district December 31. 1817

Pursuant to the commission here unto annexed, being first sworn, we, the subscribers, physicians of said town of Lynn, have examined James Nourse, therein named, who is claimant for an increase of pension and are of opinion that the said claimant is by reason of a fever sore on his left leg, & which happened to him while in the line of his duty as a private soldier in the revolutionary army, wholly disabled from labor as a farmer - that his said leg is not only almost useless, but subjects ^him to constant & severe pain, which unfits him for business of any kind,  & requires contacts surgical attention to render it in any degree supportable.
James Gardner
Aaron Lummus} Surgeons Sing. [?]

Essex ss. 31 December 1817 Then the above named James Gardner and Aaron Lummus made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by them subscribed before me Robert W. Hovelt [?] Just. Peace
Page 80

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3rd of March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7th 1838.
State of Massachusetts
On this 19th day of July 1843 personally appeared before the subscribed and of the justices of the Peace for the County of Essex, Elizabeth Nourse a widow of Lynn in said County aged seventy eight years who being first sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the pension made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd of March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War - That she is the widow of James Nourse, formerly of said Lynn, who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution and was subsequently a pensioner of the United States; and that she also received an annual pension of Eighty dollars under the act of Congress of July 7th 1838 during the time that act was in force, as will fully appear by reference to documents in the Pension Office at Washington  particularly to those forwarded by the Agent for paying pensions in Boston. - She further declares that she is still a widow.

witness Sarah Nourse        Elizabeth X her mark Nourse

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before us Jon. Tuttle Jus Pacis

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the declarant above named.   
Jonth. Tuttle Jus Pacis

Lynn July 19th 1843
Page 81

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Secretary's Office July 21st 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the attestation hereto annexed, Jonathan Tuttle was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex
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.
Jno [illegible]
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 82

E Nourse
aa
2498
[illegible]
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DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 2d February, 1848, entitled "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution."
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, Essex COUNTY, ss.
On this fourteenth day of September 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid,
Elizabeth Nourse
a resident of Lynn in the county of Essex aforsaid aged Eighty Four years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of person who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of James Nourse who was the resident of Lynn and who as private in the War of the Revolution 
and is the identical person who drew a pension under the Act of 17th June, 1844, on account of the Revolutionary service of her late husband aforesaid, at the rate of eighty dollars and cents per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Elizabeth Nourse her mark
L.S.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me,
In presence of 
B.F. Mudge
James Nourse B.F. Mudge Justice of the Peace. 
Certify, That the declarant is personally known to me, a widow and a pensioner, as she declares. B.F. Mudge Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Essex County, SS.
Ebenezer Shillaben clerk of the Common Pleas Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that B. F. Mudge is a Justice of the Peace, in and forbid County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said Court, this fourteenth day of September 1848
E. Shillaben Clerk.
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I James Nourse ^of Lynn testify & say that I am not now, nor never have been on any pension list in this state, nor any of other of the United States. I further testify that the reasons why I have not applied before this time re; first, I never, till of late, knew that there was provision made by government for persons in my situation; secondly, I lived in an obscure part of the place not in a situation to obtain information on any subject; thirdly, The difficulties attending the undertaking by reason of the great lateness of time since the disbandment of the army & the dispersed situation of the officers, whose affidavits were necessary to substantiate my claim. I have further been deterred from making the application by reason of the loss of my discharge from the service of the U.S. signed by General Washington, which was destroyed when the War office was burnt in Phyledelphia, where it was lodged for the purpose of obtaining my land Warrant. James Nourse
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. November 17th 1815
The within named James Nourse made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed.

Before us  James Gardner
P. G. Robbins}  Comms.
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James Nourse 
Proctor.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss.

At the Court of Common Pleas held at Salem, within and for the County of Essex in on the third Monday of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three.
On this nineteenth day of June A.D. 1823 personally appeared in open Court the same being a Court of Record for said County,  proceeding according to the source of the common Law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount. Keeping a record of its proceedings and having the power of fine and imprisonment ; James Nourse resident in Lynn in said County, aged sixty one years, who was first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Act of the 18th of March 1818, and the 1st of May 1820, and the 1st of March 1823, that he the said Nourse enlisted and served for the term of six years and two months in the service of the United States; viz - that he enlisted on the 28th day of March A.D. 1777, in the 1st Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Col Joseph Vose, and in the Company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Cushing, in the line of Massachusetts in the continental establishment ; - that he continued to serve in this Regiment about three years, when by reason of lameness produced in the service he was transferred to the Corps of invalids commanded by Col. Lewis Nicola, where he continued until the termination of the War and was honourably discharged in the State of New York at West Point. June 11th A.D. 1783 - 

And I the said ^James Nourse, do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have  not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof, with intent ^thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, passed on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities contracted or debts due to me, nor have I any income other that what is contained in the Schedule following, to wit - 
The ordinary wearing apparel of myself and my wife and of my Son, a minor living with me
One desk of the value of eight dollars
Two small tables of the value of four dollars
One Looking Glass of the value of three dollars
Six Chaires of the value of two dollars
Six small silver spoons of the value of two dollars
 A small quantity of Crockery, Glass , Iron, Wooden and Brass ware all of the value of Five dollars
$24
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And I further declare that since the exhibition of my first Schedule in June 1820 the following changes have been made in my property; - 

The dwelling house, shop, barn and lands appurtenant to the same that I then occupied in Lynn were taken from me December 28.1821 by virtue of a mortgage deed given by me to Edward Southwick of Danvers, July 26.1805. to secure the payment of a Note of that date for the sum of Four hundred dollars and interest which remains unpaid. The same premises are also subject to another mortgage to Daniel Galucia for the sum of $400 - and interest which is considered of no value; all the mortgage money to secure the payment of which, I mortgaged said Lands is now due and unpaid; The lot of military bounty land situate in Ohio and estimated in my first Schedule to be of the value of $50. - I since find to be worth nothing at all and I have wholly abandoned it.  My horse is dead; - my wagon and sleigh worn out and destroyed; - my two stoves are both broken and rendered useless, the funnels are burnt and rusted out and of no value;  -My wood is long since burnt up; my hoe and shovel are worn out and gone; six of my chairs are worn out and broken; - my books are of no value except my Bible; - and all the other articles mentioned in the Schedule are worn out and decayed, excepting those before mentioned as now remaining.  My health is poor, and my lameness so great, by reason of a wound in my leg, that the Income from my business is reduced to nothing, and I am unable to labour but very little. My wife is old and feeble and unable to earn her living, and I am unable to obtain a comfortable subsistence without the aid of Publick or Private Charity. 
Jas. Nourse
Sworn in open Court before John M. Williams
Judge of C.C. Pleas
Property valued at $24

I Ichabod Tucker, Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and Schedule have been admitted to the record of the said Court, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is $24. - 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court, on this seventeenth day of June A.D. 1823
Ichabod Tucker
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I hereby certify that I took possession of half an acre of land with two small dwellings Barn & shop standing on the same situate & laying within the Township of Lynn. Which where formerly own by James Nourse. and which said Nourse gave me a deed of Mortgage of on the 26th day of July 1805, to secure the payment of his Note of the same date for four hundred Dollars & interest. seven hundred eighty six Dollars 70/100 being due on sd. Note on the 28th day of December, 1821. Being the day possession was taken of said estate. Which amount I then, as well as now, consider the full value of the estate. Daniel Galucia who holds a subsequent Mortgage on the same estate, and who has a right by law to redeem it from me, was it considered of any more value, has utterly declined doing it. not considering it of any more value.
Edw. Southwick

Essex ss. July 12.1823. The the above named Edward Southwick made solemn affirmation under the pains and penalties of perjury (he being a member of the Society of Friends) that the above certificate by him subscribed is correct and true 
before me John W. PRoctor Jus. Pacis & Not. Pub.

I hereby certify that I hold a Note against James Nourse of Lynn for the sum of four hundred dollars dated December 28. A.D. 1808 -- on which there is now due the original sum and the interest to this date (excepting $21.60 cents of interest -- land that I hold a mortgage of the estate formerly belonging to said Nourse as collateral security for the payment of said Note; - that said estate is now in the possession of Edward Southwick of Danvers, and that I do not consider it worth redeeming, or my demand of any value - 
Daniel Galeucia
Essex ss. July 12. 1823. The the above named Daniel Galeucia made thta the above certificate by him subscribed is true, before me - 
John W. Proctor  Jus. Pacis -
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Hon. John Calhoun Secretary at War for the United States of America

Washington City
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Danvers July 12. 1823.
Hon. J. Calhoun Secretary at War for the United States of America
Sir,
Enclosed is a duly authenticated copy of the Statement of James Nourse of Lynn in the County of Essex, on which he claims a pension allowed to poor soldiers of the Revolution. - He is now an invalid Pensioner at the rate of four dollars per month. - It is believed that he has complied with the requisitions of the Law in all respects, and that he is entitled to receive the Pension. - That regulation which requires copies of deeds of conveyance of land to be transmitted, it is understood applies to such conveyances as have been made since 1818. Should it be otherwise, copies of the Mortgages mentioned in his statement and the accompanying certificates, will be obtained from the Registry of Deeds in this County, and be transmitted to Washington.
If the certificate is granted you will please to have it forwarded by Mail to me at Danvers County of Essex Mass -
With the highest respect - 
I have to honour to be, your most obd. Servt.
John W. Proctor