Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 33,463, for Abel Peirce, Massachusetts
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Mass.

Peirce, Abel
or Pierce

NUMBER
S. 33,463
B.L.Wt.683-100

CONTENTS
Page 2

No. 683.
Abel Peirce
Private
Massachusetts Line 

Warrant issd. in his own name 26th Feby. 1818 and delivered to Alanson Drury, substitd Atts

Alanson Drury substitute Att
Page 3

[left side] From
Vermont Roll (crossed out) to Massachusetts 1,262
Abel Peirce
Vose's Regt
Private
Massachusetts line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 13th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 of June 1818,
and sent to R. Temple, Esq Rutland, Vt.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818.
4 months 22/30 $37.86
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818}
79 War
4 years
Continue
Sudbury, Rutland Co
[right side] 1888 April 11. EH Brigham M.D.
with history Prior
New Certificate
issued 19th April
1827, & sent to
Jno S. Lillie, Esqr
Boston
[written vertically in left margin]
Notify sent to Pensioner 21 April 1827
Medford Mass
Page 4

State of Vermont
Rutland County} Personally appeared Abel Peirce and being duly sworn according to Law doth depose and say that he is now fifty Eight years old that he served in the revolutionary army of the United States by voluntary enlistment in the year AD 1779 to serve as a soldier for and during the War that he served in Capt. Greens Company of the first Regiment in the Massachusetts Line of troops commanded by Col. Vose that he served until the 9th day of June 1783 when he was honorably discharged from the army by Genl Washington that since which time and before he been a Resident Citizen of the United States that he now lives in Sudbury in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont and that from his reduced circumstances he is now in real need of assistance from the United States and requests his name inserted on the Pension role of the United States and his Pension certificate forwarded to him at Sudbury in said County and he further says that his discharge has been forwarded to the war office a copy of which he requests might be enclosed with this testimony
Abel Peirce
Sworn and subscribed before me at Orwell in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont this 13th day of April 1818 
Pliny Smith Chief Judge of Rutland County Court
I the subscribing authority hereby certify that I am of the opinion & it appears to my satisfaction that the above named Abel Peirce was a revolutionary soldier and served in the army as stated as stated in the above Deposition In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the County Court seal to be affixed Date as above written
Pliny Smith Chief Judge of Rutland County County
Judge Smith
R Temple Clk
Page 5

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT I ABEL PIERCE late a Private Soldier in Capt. Greens Company, and Col Jos Vose Regiment, in the 1st Massachusetts Line of Troops & Revolutionary war now of the town of Sudbury in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont have made, constituted and appointed Dudley Frink of the town of Buffalo in the County of Niagara and State of New York my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name, to ask for, demand and receive of and from the Secretary of War of the United States, or such other persons as may be duly authorised by law, to grant the same, a Military Land Warrant due me for my service in the Revolutionary Army and the aforesaid Dudley Frink is hereby authorised for me and in my name to receipt for the same, and all other writings necessary, duly make and execute that I could do were I personally present, and I hereby further authorise the aforesaid Dudley Frink to appoint one or more substitutes or attornies under him, for the purpose of carrying into effect the intention of this instrument, and at pleasure to revoke their powers and whatsoever my said attorney or his substitutes may lawfully do in the premises, I hereby ratify and confirm.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 11th day of December one thousand eight hundred and seventeen
Abel Peirce
IN PRESENCE
OF}
Joseph Warner
Linus Burr
STATE OF Vermont
Rutland COUNTY, ss.} PERSONALLY APPEARED Abel Pierce to me personally known and being duly sworn, doth depose and say that he is the same individual described in and who executed the above power of attorney, freely and voluntarily for the purposes herein mentioned.
Abel Peirce
Sworn and subscribed before me this 16th day of December A.D. 1817
Joseph Warner Justice Peace
STATE of Vermont
Rutland COUNTY, ss.} PERSONALLY APPEARED Joseph Warner and Linus Burr and being duly sworn, do depose and say that they and each of them are personally acquainted with Abel Pierce and well know him to be the person described in and who executed the above power of attorney, and who subscribed the same.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 16th day of December 1817, and I certify that the above deponents are in my opinion credible witnesses.} Joseph Warner
Linus Burr
Joseph Warner Justice Peace
STATE OF Vermont
Chittenden COUNTY, ss.} I David Russell Clerk of the Supreme Court of said State and of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Joseph Warner before whom and at the time when the above acknowledgement, and the above depositions were made, was and is a Magistrate duly qualified for that purpose, and acting under the authority of said State, and his name subscribed thereto is his own proper signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of [illegible] Court this 27th day of December in the year of one thousand eight hundred and seventeen at Burlington
David Russell Clerk
Page 6

Origl Disch./Admd./
Abel Peirce
Pr. Mtts L.
RS Claim
Exd. non l.
Page 7

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT I Dudley Frink of the town of Buffalo in the County of Niagara and State of New York do hereby make, substitute and appoint, and by these presents have made, substituted and appointed Alanson Drury of Plattsburgh and State of New York my true and lawful substitute and attorney, for me and in my name, to do and perform all acts and things in the prosecution and recovery of the claim of Abel Peirce late a Soldier in the United States' army and now of Sudbury in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont against the United States at the proper department, at the City of Washington, that I could do by virtue of his several powers of attorney to me executed, with powers of substitution were I personally present, and whatsoever my said substituted attorney shall legally do in the premises, I hereby ratify and confirm. Given under my hand and seal at Burlington this 22d day of January 1818
Dudley Frink
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of}
David Russell
J Clark Jr
STATE OF Vermont
Chittenden COUNTY, SS.} PERSONALLY APPEARED Dudley Frink the signer and sealer of the above instrument and acknowledge the same to be his free and voluntary act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned. Before me, in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Notarial seal of my office to be affixed to the presents, at Burlington this 22d day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
David Russell Notary Public
Page 8

6.
1262
Abel Peirce
86
Page 9

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
MIDDLESEX, ss.
At the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Middle Circuit, begun and holden at Concord, within and for the County of Middlesex, on the second Monday of September A.D. 1820
Before the Hon. SAMUEL DANA, Esquire, Chief Justice,
and
WILLIAM WETMORE, and
STEPHEN MINOT, Esquires} Associate Justices of said Court.
In open Court here, being a Court of Record for said Circuit, proceeding according to the course of common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, Abel Peirce now resident in Medford in the county of Middlesex} in said Circuit, who is named in Pension Certificate No. 1.262 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, Abel Peirce late a Private in the army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the "Pension List, Roll of the Vermont Agency, at the rate if eight "dollars per month, to commence on the thirteenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
"Given at the War Office of the United States, this 30th
"day of June one thousand eight hundred and 18.
L.S.
J.C. CALHOUN, Secretary of War,"
appears, and 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 none
Personal Estate none
Abel Peirce
Sworn to before 
Wm. Wetmore Judge above named"
"And the said Abel Peirce on oath declared that he enlisted into the service of the Revolutionary war in the autumn of the year 1779 into a Company commanded by Capt. Moses Ashley in the first Massachusetts Regiment under the command of Col. Joseph Vose for the term during the war; that he was at the battle at Young's house near the White Plains; also at the battle near King's bridge' and at the capture of Cornwallis, that he served during the war and was
[written vertically in left margin-This copy is ammended by the original schedule by striking out the word "Massachusetts" & inserting "Vermont"
Feb:19th.1821. 
ABC]
Page 10

'furloughed" the ninth of June 1783; which "furlough" or "discharge" is now with the papers in the war office accompanying his first application. He is now in the sixty fourth year of his age; is infirm having lost the use of his right leg and right arm occasioned by wounds he received in the Revolutionary war; has no wife nor children under his care and is not able to do but very little labour.
Abel Peirce
Sworn to before
Wm. Wetmore
Judge within named }"
Page 11

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, Abel Peirce 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 revolutionary 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.
Abel Peirce
Middlesex ss. C.C.C.P. Sept. Term, A.D. 1820
The the abovenamed Abel Peirce took and subscribed the aforewritten Oath before me,
Wm. Wetmore Judge of said Court."
I, ABRAHAM BIGLOW, Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and Schedule thereto 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 property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is nothing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, at Cambridge, in said County of Middlesex, on this 30th day of Sept.1820.
Attr.
Abrm Biglow Clk
Page 12

Medford Mass
Apl 10
Free
Hon. John C Calhoun
Secretary of War
Washington
[written vertically] Mr Edwards
Recd 17 Apl.1820
Page 13

Medford Massachusetts April 9 AD 1821
to the Right honourable J.C. Houn Secretary at war Sir my indigent circumstances causes me to adress your Honour in my humble situation concerning my pension Certificate Sir I was not aprised of the mistake that was made by him Mr Fisk in regard of my transfer from Sudbury Vermont to Medford Massachusetts till february last past when I amediately applyed to Mr Biglow Esq Clerk of said Court and had it with its alterations returned to your honour I have called every Monday morning for some time but to my mortification have not Sir as yet Received the glad tidings of great joy due to the faith full Revolutionary Soldier I served threw the hole of the war in different Companies and Regiments and have been in many hard fought battles-please Sir 
to turn over
Page 14

Serv in at Length in 1779 Vollunteered my self for during the war in Moses Ashleys Company Joseph Vose Regt. was disbanded or furloughed 9 of June 1783- and honoured with the bages of Merit by his Exceelency the Commander in Chief Sir I have received during the Revolution four wounds two very severe my Right Legg broke My scull fractured a baynet wound threw my Left hand and a flesh would in my thigh. Sir I humbly pray your honor to see that my grievances may be adrist 
I pray God to have you Sir in his Holy keeping
Abel Peirce
Medford Massachusett
Page 15

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER
County of Middlesex ss.
On this 19th day of February 1821 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Middlesex personally appeared Abel Peirce who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Moses Ashley in the regiment commanded by Colonel Joseph Vose in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Vermont from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the state (district, or territory) of Massachusetts-and at Medford in said County of Middlesex where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future.
Abel Peirce
Sworn to and subscribed to, before me, the day and year aforesaid.} Saml Bartlett
NOTE. The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.
Page 16

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex Ss. I Abraham Biglow Clerk of the Judicial Courts in the County of Middlesex, do testify that Samuel Bartlett Esqr is a Justice of the Peace acting under the authority of this Commonwealth & his name set to the within certificate is his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and & affixed the seal of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas this 19th day of February 1821.
Abrm Biglow
Page 17

A Copy of 
Abel Peirces 
Discharge
Copied from an original Discharge now on file in the Office
Nat Cutting
Page 18

By His Excellency
George Washington, Esq;
General & Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America
These are to certify that the Bearer hereof Abel Peirce a Soldier in the first Massachusetts Regiment, having faithfully served the United States Three years & 8 months & being inlisted for the War only, is hereby Discharged from the American Army.
Given at Head Quarters the 9th Day of June 1783.
(signed) George Washington
By His Excellency's 
Command,
(signed:) J. Trumbull Jr. Secy
Registered in the Books
of the Regiment,
(Signed:) Ralph H. Bowles Adjutant.
The above Abel Peirce has been honored with the Badge of Merit for three years faithful Service.
Joseph Vose Col.
Page 19

Head Quarters, June 9th 1783.
The within Certificate shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, & until Proclamation thereof shall be made. He is to be considered as being on Furlough.
George Washington
Twenty Dollars the Massachusetts gratuity by resolve of 5th March 1801 has been paid under a Warrant dated 28th January 1803-. see Roll No 4.
War Department. Section of Bounty Land.
The Transcript on this and the preceding Page, is correctly copied from an Original Discharge now on File in the Office.
Nat Cutting
[written vertically-A Copy of Abel Peirces 
Discharge]
Page 20

U.S. Br[illegible] Bank
1t
Boston 13 April 1827
Sir,
I was not a little surprised to find the papers returned as not being compleat, when such papers had heretofore been received and are in exact conformity with the enclosed form transfered from the War Department.
It appears that the new form requires other evidence than the oath of the pensioner as to his identification:- this evidence it will be difficult to obtain in this case, as the pensioner is now absant and will not probably return till after the next semi annual payment becomes due: He is well known to me as being the identical Abel Peirce a Revoluty pensioner on the Roll of this agency: And as the papers are made out in conformity with the only form we ever received, till the one you inclosed in the returned papers; I have presumed again to forward them; And shall here after attend to the additional requirements contained in the new form.
Very Respectfully
Yr Obdt Srvt
John S. Lillie
J.L. Edwards Esq
War Department
Washington
Page 21

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By His Excellency Levi Lincoln Esquire,
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said
Commonwealth.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Know ye, That John S Lillie Esq is a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Suffolk.
in the aid Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned, and that to his Acts and
[left side under the seal-Levi Lincoln (signature)]
Page 22

Attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In Testimony, Whereof, I have caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this Third day of April A.D. 1827 and in the fifty forth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor.
Edward D. Bangs Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Page 23

(Application for a New Certificate)
County of Suffolk Boston April 3 1827, on this day, personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Suffolk, Abel Peirce whom on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Capt Moses Ashley in the regiment commanded by Col Joseph Vose, in the service of the United States, that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Vermont, but has been transfered to that of Massachusetts that he received a Certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War, which certificate, on or about the seventh day of September last was, together with his pocket book, he thinks, stolen from him in or near the city of Boston.
Abel Peirce
Sworn and Subscribed to
before me, the day and year aforesaid}
John S. Lillie Justice Peace
Page 24

This origl pension certificate is sent to the Department apprehending that it might be wanted there--if not--the Pensioner desired to have it returned to this Office--and if it is consistent with the Rules of the Pension Office, it would be a great gratification to him, to receive at the same time, his original Discharge filed there with his final application.-
Clerks Office Cambridge
Feb.16.1821.--
Page 25

33464
Revy INVALID.
om
File No. 33,463
Abel Peirce
Pri Rev War
Act: 18" March 18"
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 320
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

33463
BOSTON MEDICAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION,
19 BOYLSTON PLACE, BOSTON, MASS.
JAMES R. CHADWICK, M.D.
Librarian.
EDWIN H. BRIGHAM, M.D.
Assistant Librarian
EDWARD J. FORSTER,
Treasurer
April 5, 1888.
In reply to communication
of [blank] 188
Commissioner of Pensions,
Wasington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Can you give me any information as to the military service as derived from your records of
Abel Pierce,
Revolutionary Pensioner
who died at Medford, Mass.
About 1843 or 1844.
I have an old pocket book belonging to him which he carried during his service and as I desire to put it in a loan collection of revolutionary relics I desire the
Page 27

above information to put it on the label. Any report made will not be used (probably cannot) as the basis of any claim against the U.S.
Truly yours,
Edwin H. Brigham
[stamp-U.S. PENSION OFFICE A
APR
9
1888]
[stamp-O.W. & N. S.
APR 9 1888
RECEIVED]
Page 28

He was residing in April 1818, in Rutland Co Vt aged 58 years & stated that in Feby 1821 he had removed from Sudbury, Rutland Co Vt to Medford in Middlesex Co Mass. He volunteered in July 1779 for 9 mos with Capt Green in the 1st Mass Regt Colo Joseph Vose and Nov 3, 1779 he volunteered for & during the war under Capt Moses Ashley in the same regt & was discharged June 9 1783 signed by Genl Washington & he was awarded the "Badge of Merit" for faithful service. In Sept 1820 he stated that he was in the 64th year of his age. He was in the battle at Young House near White Plains, Kingsbridge & at the capture of Genl. Cornwallis at Yorktown (Oct 19.1781) He recd 4 wounds his right leg broke his scull fractured, a bayonet wound through his left hand & a flesh wound in his thigh which resulted in losing the use of his right leg & right arm In a letter dated Medford Mass April 9 1821 he stated that he served "in different compys & Regt & have been in many hard fought "battles, I at length in 1779, volunteered myself for & during the war" which seems to strongly indicate that he served one or more periods in the militia or state troops & was in the movements & conflicts that was directly connected with the battles of White Plains Oct 28, 1776 & [illegible] the loss of Fort Washington Nov 16 1776
Page 29

BY HIS EXCELLENCY
GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQ.
General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.
THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof Abell Peirce soldier
in the First Massachusetts Regiment, having faithfully served the United States Three years & 8 months and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.
GIVEN at HEAD-QUARTERS the 9th day of June 1783
G Washington
Page 30

By HIS EXCELLENCY'S 
Command,
J Trumbull SwSy
REGISTERED in the Books
of the Regiment,
Ralph F. Bowles Adjutant,
THE above Abel Peirce
has been honored with the BADGE OF MERIT for three YEARS faithful Service.
Joseph Vose Col
Page 31

HEAD-QUARTERS, June 9th 1783.
THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until the Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
Twenty Dollars the Massachusetts gratuity by resolve of 5th March 1801, has been paid under a Warrant dated 28th Jany 1803-see Roll Nov 4
Abel Peirce or Pierce
L.Wt. 683-100
Mass
[written vertically] Abel Peirce discharge
recd 23d June 1802
Wislowr
20 [illegible]