Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,207, for John Sleeper, Massachusetts
Page 1

SERVICE
Mass.
Navy.
R.I.

Sleeper, John

NUMBER
S.18.207
Carded.
Page 2

726.
New Hampshire
John Sleeper
of Chester in the State of N Hamp who was a Private & Car in the Frigate Boston commanded by Captain of the regt commanded by when Private Col Green in the R Island line for 7 Years from May 177[?] & 1 yr army Mass & 1 “ navy Navy
Inscribed on the Roll of N Hampshire at the rate of 130 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of October 1832 and sent to Samuel Bele Chester NH
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $195-
Semi=anl. Allowance ending 4 Mar 33 65
__
$260
Died June 27, 1834
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J H [?] Blair Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 1st Page 184 –

Let to Hon J.R. Reding May 15 1844
Same May 16. 1844.
Declaration copd for Han. M Norris, Jr. H R May 23 1844
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58.70
Page 4

State of New Hampshire
Rockingham County } ss
On this sixth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared before William M. Richardson Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Judication for the State of New hampshire at Chester in said County of Rockingham, John Sleeper a resident of Chester in the County of Rockingham and State of Newhampshire aged seventy eight years the second day of the present month of August, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832, That he enlisted as a private soldier in the army of the United States, on the tenth day of September 1775 at Cambridge near Boston in the State of Massachusetts, in the company commanded by Captain Samuel Ward of Western Rhode Island and the Regiment commanded by Col Christopher Green, and under chief command of Col. Benedict Arnold and immediately marched by land from said Cambridge to Newburyport in the State of Massachusetts, and then took shipping and sailed to Kennebec river now in the State of Maine, and from thence by land through the wilderness to Canada, and arrived near Quebec about the last of December 1775, and was in the battle in Quebec under General Montgomery on the thirty first day of December 1775, and was there taken prison with most of Col. Arnolds party in storming the lower town, and kept in a British prison in said Quebec until the latter part of the summer 1776, he was then released on parole (with his fellow prisoners) and sailed in a British ship to the City of New York in the State of New York and was there landed and marched to the State of New Jersey and was there discharged in the month of September or October, and he returned home to Newburyport aforesaid.  He further declares that he enlisted at said Boston on board the United States frigate Boston, commanded by Captain Hector Mac Neil as a carpenter, and entered on board of said Frigate Boston about the last of the year 1776 and remained on board of said frigate Boston in said capacity of carpenter one year and he thinks longer, and was discharged from said Frigate at Boston in the State of Massachusetts, the said frigate Boston, in company with the United States frigate Hancock commanded by Manly of Marblehead captured the British sloop of war Fox of 28 guns during the time he was on board the said Frigate.  He further states that he was a resident of Newburyport in the County of Essex and commonwealth of Massachusetts when he entered the service of both the abovementioned enlistments.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
John Sleeper
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Wm M. Richardson
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State of Newhampshire
Rockingham County } ss
On this sixth day of August AD 1832 personally appeared before William M. Richardson Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Judication for the State of New hampshire at Chester in said County of Rockingham, John Sleeper a resident of Chester in the County of Rockingham and State of Newhampshire aged seventy eight years the second day of the present month of August, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by 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; he the said John Sleeper enlisted as a private soldier in the Newburyport in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the first of May in the year 1775 for eight months into the company commanded by Captain Ezra Lunt in the 12 Regiment of foot commanded by Col. Moses Little and immediately marched to Cambridge in said Masssachusetts and joined said regiment, and remained in the service of the United States in said Company & regiment until the tenth day of September in the year 1775, when he enlisted at said Cambridge into Captain Samuel Ward’s Company in Col. Christopher Greens Regiment for the Canada expedition under Col. Benedict Arnold by consent of said Capt Ezra Lunt –
He further states that he resided in Newburyport aforesaid when he first entered the service of the United States and has no documentary evidence of his service – and the only evidence he can procure of his service, is contained in the depositions hereunto annexed –
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 any agency of any state.
John Sleeper
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Wm M. Richardson
We Samuel Aiken & John S. Brown both residing in the town of Chester County of Rockingham & State of Newhampshire hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Sleeper who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy eight years old, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in this opinion.
John S. Brown
Samuel Aiken
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
W. M. Richardson
Page 6

I do hereby certify, the before named applicant is by reason of his age and his infirmities unable to attend court
And I do further declare that after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department. I entertain no doubt that the said applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. I also state that I am well acquainted with the applicant and with Samuel Niles and John S Brown that they on all credible persons & that this statement is enabled to full credit 
Wm M. Richardson 

I Peter Chadwick Clerk of the Superior Court of Judicature for the County of Rockingham aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court had before William Richardson Chief Justice thereof in the application of John Sleeper for a pension 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Seventh day of August Anno Domini 1832 
P. Chadwick Clerk of the Court Rockingham County
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5870
John Sleeper


$40
"90 - 
$130 per annum
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5870 
BRIEF in the case of John Sleeper of Chester in the State of New Hampshire (Act 7 June, 1832.) 

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In Open Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 78 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
[table headings]Period. | Duration of Service. Years, the Months, Days. | Rank. As a | 
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. 
[row 1]In 1775 1 May | - 4 10 | Private | Col Little Mass Line
[row 2] " " 10 Sept  | - 12 - | " | " Green's Col Leland
[row 3] last of 1776 | - 12 - | Captain | Frigate Boston

5. In what battles was he engaged? at the British Sloop of War Fox 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Newburyport Mass 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Proved his service both to the Army and Navy by living witnesses - 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Complete in every respect 

I  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case Benjamin L. Beall Examining Clerk.
Page 9

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section 
REL

April 23, 1930

Louise McLain
Hough
Nebraska

Dear Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.18207, it appears that John Sleeper was born August 2, 1754, place not stated

While residing in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts, he enlisted May 1, 1775, served as a private in Captain Ezra Lunt's Company, Colonel Moses Little's Massachusetts Regiment until September 10, 1775, when he enlisted in  Captain Samuel Ward's Company, Colonel Christopher Greene's Rhode Island Regiment, went on the expedition to Canada, was in the battle of Quebec, where he was taken prisoner and held until the latter part of the summer of 1776, was then released on parole and discharged in September or October, 1776.

About the last of the year 1776, he entered on board the frigate "Boston". Captain Hector McNiel, served a year or more as a carpenter and was on said Boston when that vessel captured the British Sloop of war "Fox".

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 6, 1832, at which time he was residing in Chester, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. 

He died June 27, 1834.

There are no data as to his family.

The above is the history of the only soldier name John Sleeper found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau. 

Very truly yours,

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
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Hough Nebr.
Feb 8th 1930.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir -
Will you please inform me if claim was made for pension on the services of John Sleeper of Kingston N.H., in the Revolutionary War.
Sincrly Yours -
Louise M. Lain

[stamped FEB 11 1930]
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18207
 INVALID. 18 
File No. 18207
John Sleeper
Capt. Rev War
Act: June 7 '32
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 344 
[Arrangement of 1870.) 

1930 Apr 28. Hist. to Louise McLain EEL
Page 12

House of Representatives 
May 17, 1844

Sir - I neglected to preserve a copy of my letter to you of the 16th, and I will thank you to furnish me with a copy of the same. 

Respectfully yours, 
John R. Reiling

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Page 13

Mr Walsh
1 paper
Hon M Norris Jr
1482
Page 14

Washington
May 22. 1844
J. L. Edwards Esq
Court of Pensions
Dear Sir I request a copy of the declaration of John Sleeper a Revolutionary Pensioner, now deceased, from the files of your office.
Yours &.c.
M Norris
Page 15

May 15 1844
Copy

Jon Sleeper
Admd May 15 '44

[address on side]
J. L. Edwards
Pension Office
Washington D.C.
Page 16

House of Representatives
Dear Sir: Will you have the kindness to 
have replied to me the papers in the pension in the said of of John Sleeper of Chester N. Hampshire-born in Newburyport Massachusetts. He was a revolutionary Pensioner 

Respectfully yours 
John R. Resling

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
Page 17

Admd May 16 1844

the do R. furnished with a copy of the letter of May 17 1844
Page 18

House of Reps
May 16, 1844

Dear Sir:- Your letter of the 15th is at hand. I have supposed that from knowing you wrote it one there are objections received from your office. If persons in cases  have admitted it to my charge as a Representative of the People, I should have received the response in the case of John Sleeper. If I cannot receive some replied of replies without opinion you state they are uninvited for no imposed "object" I should would receive have them. 
Respectfully
John R Resling

J.L. Edwards, Esq
Page 19

I William Dove of Hallowell in the County of Kennebec & State of Maine, a pensioner on the Maine Roll, on oath do testify say, that John Sleeper of Chester in the State of New Hampshire is well known to me, & I well recollect that he was a soldier in Cambridge in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1775. In the month of August of that year he enlisted into the company commanded by Captain Saml Ward for an expedition to Quebee under Col. Arnold. I enlisted about the same time & we marched in company through Newburyport & from thence to Kennebec river by water 

I David Pearson, of Newburyport, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy six years and upwards, on oath do testify and declare, that I am well acquainted with John Sleeper who now resides in Chester in the State of New Hampshire, and formerly resided in said Newburyport, and have always on him from Childhood. I [illegible]  that he the said John Steeper was private soldier, and served in the army of the United States, in the war of the revolution, and that he enlisted in the company commanded by Captain Ezra Lunt, in the regiment commanded by [several illegible words] in the year 1775 and as nearly as I can remember, in the month of April, directly after the Battle fight with the enemy at Lexington, marched to Cambridge and Prospect Hill, to remain there a considerable time, and I think, until after the battle of Breeds, in Bunker Hill so called, when he joined the soldiers selected to serve under Arnold at Quebec. I know that he went on the expedition, and that he was taken prisoner to the enemy, and did not return until the Summer of the year following, my being taken with him, and [illegible] with his family and to my knowledge of this fact. I  was a soldier in that same company with him, on his first enlistment. 
David Pearson

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex SS . Town of Newburyport July 20 1832. 
Then Daniel Pearson above named who is personally well know to me, personally came and made oath in due form of Laws, to the truth of the above written declaration, by him subscribed in my presence. I do certify and the said Daniel Pearson is believed by me to be a credible witness.  
W. Woart, Justice of the Peace
Page 20

I William Dove of Hallowell in the County of Kennebec & State of Maine, a pensioner on the Maine Roll, on oath do testify say, that John Sleeper of Chester in the State of New Hampshire is well known to me, & I well recollect that he was a soldier in Cambridge in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1775. In the month of August of that year he enlisted into the company commanded by Captain Saml Ward for an expedition to Quebee under Col. Arnold. I enlisted about the same time & we marched in company through Newburyport & from thence to Kennebec river by water 

I Amos Pearson of Newburyport, in the county of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged eighty two years and upwards, on oath do testify and declare that I am well acquainted with John Sleeper in who now resides in Chester, in the State of New Hampshire, but who formerly resided in said Newburyport, and do  at said John Sleeper was a private solder int he army of the United States in the war of the revolution, and do know that he enlisted in the company commanded by Capt. Ezra Lunt, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Moses Little, and marched from Newburyport in the year 1775 and served for some time at Cambridge, and then joined the soldiers which Marched to Quebec, I was then a sergeant in the name regiment, and am knowing to his enlistment and service in said Company, and to his other engagements as I have above stated. 
Newburyport, July 20th 1832
Amos Pearson

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex Ss Town of Newburyport July 20 1832. Then Amos Pearson, above named, who is personally well known to me, personally came and made oath in due for of Law, to the truth of the above written declaration by him subscribed in my presence. I do also Certify that the said Amos Pearson is personally known to me and believed by me to be a credible witness. 
W. Woart, Justice of the Peace
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I William Dove of Hallowell in the County of Kennebec & State of Maine, a pensioner on the Maine Roll, on oath do testify & say, that John Sleeper of Chester in the State of New Hampshire is well known to me, & I well recollect that he was a soldier in Cambridge in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1775. In the month of August of that year he enlisted into the company commanded by Captain Saml Ward for an expedition to Quebec under Col. Arnold. I enlisted about the same time & we marched in company through Newburyport & from thence to Kennebec river by water & afterwards thro the woods to Quebec. The said Sleeper & myself & several hundred others were taken prisoners the same day that General Montgomery was killed. The last of December 1775 or 1st of January 1776 the said Sleeper & number of others were confined with me in the prison first in the seminary, afterwards in the shore prison. we returned by water to New York & went afterwards into the Jerseys where we were paid & discharged by the commander in chief. I am unable to say how long said Sleeper was in the service before he enlisted for the expedition to Quebec, but I do know that he was in the service of the United States on the Continental establishment from August 1775 to the latter part of October 1776. about fourteenth months under one enlistment & was allowed & paid by the commander in chief accordingly. I am now seventy four years of age 
Wm Dove
Page 22

State of Maine, Kennebec Ss November 15, 1831. 

Then the within named William Dorr personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the within deposition by him subscribed. (The said Dorr being well known as a credible witness). Before me
Wm Woart Justice of the Peace 

State of Maine Kennebec, ss: 
I William Woart Junr Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within & for the County of Kennebec, hereby certify that William Woart Junr is a Magistrate that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine. 

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name & affix the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said State this fifteenth day of November A. D. 1831. 
Wm. Woart Sr
Page 23

I William Faris, of Newburyport, in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts a merchant on oath do testify that I was a Midshipman on board the United States Frigate Boston, commanded by Capt Heston McNiel, in the service of the United States, in the war of the Revolution, and on the continental establishment, nearly four years. I do know that John Sleeper, who then belonged to Newburyport aforesaid, but who now lives in Chester in the State of New Hampshire was on board said ship and in the Carpenters Gang.-- I am not able at this time, to say how long he continued in said service that I feel fully confident that he must have been on board in said service in the year 1776 & 1777 more than twelve months. 
Newburyport April 19st 1831
William Faris 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex ss. Town of Newburyport, April 19th 1831. Then William Paris above named personally came, and made oath, in due form of Law, to the truth of the above written deposition by him subscribed, the same having been reduced to writing by me, and I do Certify that the said William Faris is personally known to me, and that he is a creditable witness
Wm. Woart Justice of the Peace
Page 24

Gideon Wood of Newbury, in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Ship Carpenter, aged Eighty years, on oath do testify and declare, that in the year 1776, 777 I was carpenters mate on board the United States Frigate Boston, commanded by Capt Hector McNiel, and served on board said ship in the war of the revolution from eighteen to nineteen months, I do know that John Sleeper, who then belonged to Newburyport, in said county of Essex, but now lives at Chester in the State of New Hampshire, enlisted and entered on board said ship, about the time that I did and served in the Carpenter gang with me - The said John Steeper served on board the said Ship Boston in that capacity, more than Eighteen months- I was taken prisoner having been put on a board the said Ship Fox, a prize taken by the said Frigate Boston, and recaptured - said Sleeper was then on board the Boston- and returned in her. I cannot therefore say, at what time he was discharged but am confident that he did serve on board the said Frigate Boston in the year 1776 & 1777, on the continental establishment, a full term of Eighteen months - the said John Sleeper is well known to me, I have known him from his childlhood
Gideon Woodwell 
Newburyport April 19th 1831 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex Ss. Town of Newburyport April 19th 1831. Then Gideon Wardwell above named personally came and made oath in due form of Law, to the above written deposition by him subscribed, the same having been reduced to writing by me and I certify there the said Gideon Wardwell is personally came to me and that he is a credible witness 
Wm.. Woart Justice of the Peace
Page 25

NH
free
James L. Edwards Esquire
Pension Office
Washington D.C.

140
65
====
195
Page 26

Chester Augt 19th 1832 

Sir,
I enclose at the request of John Steeper a respectable old man who has resided in this village about twenty years the evidence & in This application for a pension 

The evidence that Wm Woart who took one of his affidavits is a magistrate has not been obtained under a belief that the evidence that he is a Magistrate was already in your office 

It will be very gratifying to Mr Sleeper to receive his certificate before the fourth of September 

Respectfully your obt servt
Samuel Bell 

James L Edwards Esquire