Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20975, Thomas De Russy, Navy (French)
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Navy (French) De Russy, Thomas W. 20975 Madeline Beissiere
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[left side]
18[3?]3  10-24 Examined by Barrett
 Newspaperman
[on side]
Notification of discont[?] issued 27 Oct delivered to Mr William [Boer..?]

(2280)
New York
Thomas De Russey
Lieutenant
In the navy of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 dollars per month, to commence on the 18th of April, 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th of April 1818 and sent to R. Ricker, Esqr.  City of New York
Arrearages to 4th Sept 1818
4 Mos 17/30  $91.33
 {Revolutionary claims Act 18th March, 1818
Frigate Pallas
Capt Denis Collineau
from May 1779 to Spring of 1780
Discontinued under Law
1 May 1820  9 mo
City of New York
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Virginia  684
Madeline B. De Russy
widow of Thomas De Russy
N.Y.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 21st February 1821 of Eliz. City Co. in the State of Virginia who was a Lieut Navy in the Frigate Pallas commanded by Captain Collineau of the - - commanded by __ in the - - line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 135 Dollars _ [Cents crossed out] per annum, to commence on the 4th of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of November 1842 and sent to Col. R.E. De Russy, Old Port Comfort, Va.
 Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $675
Act of July 7, 1838
Recorded by D. Brown  Clerk
Book A. vol. 2 Page 182
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State of New York, ss.
Printed by E. CONRAD, Frankfort-street.
To the Hon. Richard Riker
Recorder of the City of New-York, and one of the
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, called the
Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, which is a
Court of Record of the State of New York.
The Declaration under Oath of Thomas De.Russy 
formerly an officer engaged in the Service of the United States
during the Revolutionary War, now a Citizen of the United States and resident of
the City and County of New-York, respectfully sheweth,
THAT the said Thomas De.Russy enterd [entered] in to service a Lieut in the
month of May or June 1779 on board of the Frigate Pallas under the Command
of Captain Denis Cottineeau and joined the division and the command of
Paul Jones at Lorient a Port of France, the Captain and all the
Officers of the Frigate Pallas aforesaid was Commissioned by the Hon [short for honorable]
Benjamin Franklin who was at that time the Plenipotentiary
at the
of the United States untill the spring of the year 1780 having served
Eleven month or about that term that after having made several cruises
to different parts of the Enemy Costs [Coasts], while ^ under the command of Comodore
Paul Jones while on the Cost [Coast] of Scotland we attacked and captured
the ship Countess of Scarborough of 22 Guns in about 50 minutes
that I am now about 57 years of age

And the declaration further sheweth, that the said Thomas De Russy is
now a citizen of the United States, resides in the city of New-York, and is, by reason of his reduced circumstances in life, in need of assistance from his country for
support
-
Therefore the said
Thomas De Russy
conceives himself
entitled to the benefit of the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, ""An
Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the
United States in the Revolutionary War," approved 18th March, 1818, and requests
your Honor will examine into the truth of the matter aforesaid, certify and transmit
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the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, to the Honorable Secretary of the Department of War, to the end that such relief may be had in the premises as is by law in such case made and provided. And in support of the facts above set forth, the said   Thomas De Russy -  refers to the Certificate from Captain Dennis Cottineau who was then the Commander of the Frigate Pallas und[er] the Command of Paul Jones which are hereunto annext [annexed]

City and County of New York, ss.  Thomas De Russy of the City and County of New-York, being duly sworn, saith that the matters by him set forth in the foregoing Declaration, are in all respects just and true.    T. De Russy
Sworn before me this Eighteenth day of April 1818      R Riker
  Recorder of the City of New York

City and County of New-York, ss.
of    being sworn, saith, that    well acquainted with

Sworn before me this    day of    181
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Sold by J. B. Jansen

NEW-YORK MAYOR'S COURT.

In the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, held at the  City-Hall, in and for the said City, before the Judges of the same Court, of September term, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty

PRESENT the Honorable Peter A. Jay Recorder of the City of New York City of New-York, ss.   Be it Remembered, That on the Eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty personally appeared in the  Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the city of New-York, in open court, the said court being a court of record for the city and county of New York, according to the charter of the said city and the laws of the state of New-York, Thomas DeRussy aged fifty nine years, resident in the city of New York State of New York and United States of America who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the revolutionary war as follows:   That he embarked in the Sloop of war Pallas, Dennis Cottineau commander in the capacity of Lieutenant early in the spring of one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine there lying in the River of Loire before Nantz whence they sailed for Lorient where they joined commodore Paul Jones commanding the U. S. armed ship Bonhomme Richard and hoisted American Flag and pennant.  And having received commissions from Doctor Franklin then the American Ambassador in Versailles they made several cruises round the British Isles in company with and under the command of Paul Jones and at the end of September fell in with a British fleet from the Baltic attacked them and took the two principal man of war Serapis and Countess of Scarborough with which they made the Dutch port of Texel that in January one thousand seven hundred and eighty this deponent passed with the said Capt. Cottineau on board said fifty gun ship Serapis with which they arrived dismasted to Lorient and that the said vessel was sold for the French Kings service in the course of the ensuing summer which put an end to the campaign which had lasted about fourteen months and that his original declaration is dated the Eighteenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen and that his pension certificate is No. 2280
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And I 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 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 18th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen;  and that I have not, or 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, to wit:

Real Estate   none
Personal Estate as follows (except bed bedding & wearing apparel
20 wooden chairs
5   Mahogany tables
1   good carpet
1 do. nearly worn out
common Kitchen and Table Furniture

Furniture contained in my school room
a carpet - chairs - desks and about 200 vols.  And I do further certify that my Family consists of my wife named Magdelaine aged 55 years two sons named Amedee aged 23 and Adolphus aged 17 years and that my wife and children are not in a capacity to contribute to my support - And Further that my occupation is that of a Teacher of French which I have followed for Eleven years

T, De Russy

Sworn in open Court this
18 Sept. 1820
Benj. Ferris, Clk
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[underlined] issued 17th August 1818
Notification of discontinuance issued 27 October 1820 & delivered to Mr. William Boerum, Present. -

No. 2280
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I, Benjamin Ferris -
Clerk of the city and county of New-York,
and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the city of New-York,
Do hereby certify, That the foregoing deposition and the schedule thereto annexed,
are truly copied from the records 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 about four hundred and fifty Dollars
-
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
Court, this twenty second day of September
1820
Benj'n [Benjamin] Ferris
Clk [Clerk]
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Declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows."
 State of Virginia
Elizabeth City County } Ss.
On this fifteenth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and forty two, Personally appeared before Francis Mallory, one of the Justices of the County Court of Elizabeth City County, Madelaine Baissiere de Russy, a resident of Old Point Comfort in Elizabeth City County, aged Seventy seven years, who, being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made "An Act granting half pay and Pensions to Certain Widows." That she is the widow of Thomas DeRussy, who was a Lieutenant in the Navy of the United States during the War of the Revolution and that for the particulars and Evidence of his Service she refers to the records of the Pension office and the papers upon which he received a Pension under the act of Congress of 1818. - She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas DeRussy on the fifteenth day of August in the year
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Seventeen hundred and Eighty seven; that her husband the aforesaid Thomas DeRussy died, in the City of New York on the 21st day of February in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty one|: 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. | That she was then married to the said Thomas DeRussy at "Cap Francais, St. Domingo." and has never again married, but remains his Widow. | That for proof of her said Marriage, She refers to the annexed declarations made at the French Consuls' office, in the City of New York, bearing his seal and signature, under date of Twenty ninth of Feby Eighteen hundred and Eight;  Her marriage contract having, among other papers, been destroyed at St. Domingo during the insurrection of Seventeen hundred and ninety three.
 M B. DeRussy
 Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year first before written, before me, she being unable to attend Court in consequence of bodily infirmity.
  Frs Mallory
Justice of the County Court of [N y th?] City -
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State of Virginia
Elizabeth City County } Ss  I W S Armistead - -
Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Francis Mallory, before whom the foregoing declaration was executed is one of the Justices of the County Court of Elizabeth City County and that his signature to the same is genuine.
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this seventeenth day of October in the year One thousand eight hundred and forty two.
  W W Armistead
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[underlined]    Translation
 French empire
Commissariat of New York and New Jersey

Before us, Gabriel Rey, Divisionary General, Commissioner of Commercial Relations for France at New York and performing the functions, attributed to a recorder of vital statistics for frenchmen, assisted by Mr. John Baptiste, Anne Marie Lombart, Chancellor of the Commissariat.
 This day, the twenty first of Prairial in the thirteenth year, the second of the French Empire (about May 21 1805) Have appeared, Mr. Thomas de Russy, a native of St Malo, Department Isle et Vilaine, and Mrs. Madeleine Baissiere, his wife a native of Cape Francais, Department of the North of San Domingo, late a resident of San Domingo, now of the city of New York and living on Upper Read Street No. 3. They were accompanied by the french gentlemen Dewus and Pascal Schisano, both of legal age and living apart in this city of New York. They have stated and declared that of their marriage were born in the state      over
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2
of New York three male children whose names are as follows
[underlined] Louis Gustave born on the seventeenth of September, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety five.
[underlined] Rene Amedee, born on the nineteenth of November one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven.
[underlined] John Baptiste Adolphe, born on the thirty first of December one thousand, eight hundred and two.
 They, the said Mr. and Mrs. de Russy have also declared that they had the misfortune to loose [sic] in this city their eldest son, named Rene Emile in June, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety six; the same was born at Cape Francais in the year one thousand, seven hundred and eighty eight, that they have a fourth child, older than the three above named, [underlined] Rene Edward born at Cape Francais on the nineteenth of June, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety two, and was baptized in the month of April the following year in the parish church of this city. He had for godfather Mr. Rene Emile, his father [his brother - written above], and for godmother Mrs. Gervaise his grand-aunt; that through events which occured [sic] at the Cape they have lost his extract of baptism and that they have made this present declaration to make up the deficiency. They, the said     over
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Mr. and Mrs De Russy declare also that the reason they have not made sooner the present declaration and that of the births and death and in the time required by law is, that having lived almost continually in the country they did not know that we filled the position of a recorder of Vital statistics, charged to record the civil condition of Frenchmen. All of which is sworn to and request made to have it recorded - Approved and certified and after it had been engrossed was signed by those who appeared, by the assistant the chancellor and as the Commissioner. (Also signed in the register)  T. de Russy, B. de Russy, Dewus, Pascal Schisano, Lombart, Ch de Rey, Commr.
 The present copy was compared with the original by us John Baptiste Anne Marie Lombart Chancellor of the Consulate of France at New York with the register of vital statistics Part B.B.B. page 38 - Certifies that it is identical, the word [underline] "assisted" on the margin of 1st page is approved.
  Lombart
  Chancellor of the Commissariat of France at New York
Today, the twenty-fourth of February one thousand eight hundred and eight    over
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4
in the fourth year of the French Empire, Before Us, Gabriel Rey, Divisionary General, Consul of France for the state of New York and New Jersey and performing the functions attributed to a recorder of vital statistics for the French, assisted by Mr. John Baptiste Anne Marie Lombart, chancellor of the Consulate appeared
Mr Thomas De Russy, merchant, native of St. Malo, Department Ille et Vilaine, residing in this city of New York, Broad Street No + accompanied and assisted by the French gentlemen Dewur and Pascal Schisano, all of legal age and residing apart in the city of New York; Who have declared to us that from his marriage with Miss Beissiere a native of Cape Francais, Island of San Domingo was born o[n] the [underlined] twelfth of August one thousand eight hundred and six at about nine o'clock in the morning in the house in which he then occupied Read Street no. 3 a boy, which he exhibited to us and declared that he had given him the name of [underlined] Charles Gaston
 All of which was signed by those who appeared, the Secretary and assistant Approved and ordered to be engrossed for record     over
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5
They have signed with us after its reading. (Signed in the register) on the day and above cited - T. de Russy  Dewur, P. Schisano, Lombart, Chancellor, Ed Rey, Consl.
" The present extract has been compared by us John Baptiste Anne Marie Lombart, Chancellor of the Consulate of France at New York with the register of Vital Statistics part C.C.C. page 35 and fol."
  Certified to be identical - (a word cancelled void)
 Lombard  Chancellor of the Consulate of France at New York.

We Gabriel Rey, Divisionary General, Consul of France at New York certify that the signature of Mr. Lombard which appears above in the two copies and elsewhere is that of the Chancellor of the Consulate and in that capacity it has to be added in Judicial matters as well as in others.  In testimony thereof we has subscribed the present and impressed the seal of Imperial Seal of the Consulate.
New York, the 29th of February 1808
Rey

[Circle containing the word "Seal"]

From the French by Fred J. Braendle
Aug. 8th 1916
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June 1, 1932
BA-J/MCS
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thomas de Russy
W. 20975

Captain Rene E. de Russy
Luke Field
Territory of Hawaii

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter requesting information in regard to Thomas de Russy who served during the Revolution.

The data furnished herein were obtained  from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 20975, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Thomas de Russy.

He was born in St Malo, France, date not given.

He entered the service of the United States in the spring of 1779 at Nantz, France, as lieutenant on board the frigate, "Pallas", Captain Denis [arrow from "Denis" to note in left margin: "See his signature for spelling of this name."]  Cottineau, and sailed for L'Orient where they joined the squadron of Commodore John Paul Jones.  All the officers of the frigate, "Pallas", received commissions from Benjamin Franklin who was at that time Ambassador to France and said vessel, with others under Commodore John Paul Jones, made several cruises around the British Isles.  Late in September, 1779, they fell in with a British fleet from the Baltic and captured the "Serapis" and "Countess of Scarborough" and carried them to the port of Texel in Holland.  In January, 1780, Thomas de Russy, in company with Captain Cottineau, was placed on the "Serapis" and they sailed for L'Orient, arriving dismasted, and in the course of the following summer the vessel was sold for the service of the King of France.  The service of Thomas de Russy, the length of which was about eleven or fourteen months, ended in the spring of 1780.

From 1800 until 1813 Thomas de Russy was a merchant.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 18, 1818, at which time he was fifty-seven years of age and was living in New York City.

He died there February 21, 1821.
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Thomas de Russy married August 15, 1787, at Cape Francais,* St. Domingo, Madelaine Baissiere or Bessiere who was a native of that place.

She was allowed pension on her application executed October 15, 1842, 
 at which time she was seventy-five years of age and was
living at Old Point Comfort, Elizabeth City County, Virginia.

Reference was made to the following children of Thomas and Madelaine de Russy:

Rene Emile who was born at Cape Francais in 1788 and died in New York City in June, 1796.
Rene Edouard who was born at Cape Francais June 19, 1792.
Louis Gustave who was born September 17, 1796.
Rene Amedee who was born November 19, 1797.
Jean Baptiste Adolphe who was born December 31, 1802.
Charles Gaston who was born at #3 Read Street, New York City, August 12, 1806.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator

*probably meant for
Cape Francois, West Indies
See Harpers Encyclopedia of
U.S. Hist page 105
Wed
6 /3 /32
This information found
for above history was
mailed.
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[pre-printed document]
State of New-York.
-
CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW-YORK, SS.
I, BENJAMIN FERRIS, Clerk
of the City and County of New York
and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas,
in and for the said City and County,
Do hereby certify, That Richard Riker, Esq.
before whom the annexed affidavits were made, and who hath subscribed his
name to the Certificate also hereto annexed, was on the day when the said
Affidavits were made, and the said Certificate signed, Recorder of the City of
New-York, and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, called the
Mayor's Court of the City of New-York, and duly commissioned and sworn.
And further that the said Court is a Court of Record of the State of New-York; and that the signature of R. RIKER subscribed to the said Certificate is the proper hand writing of the said Richard Riker.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of the said Court, this twenty second [handwritten]
day of April 1818 [handwritten]
Benj'n [Benjamin] Ferris [handwritten]
Clerk [handwritten]
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Know all men by these prsents that I [,] R.E. De Russy now in the City of Washington do hereby constitute and appoint Richard Burgess of the same place my true and lawful attorney with full and ample power to examine into and prosecute any claim that I may have as one of the heirs and legal representatives of my deceased parents Thomas De Russy who was a Lieutenant in the Navy of the United States in the War of the Revolution and of Madeline B. De Russy his widow - both of whom were on the pension lists of the United States for any arrearage or Increase of Pension to which either of them [^may be entitled^] resulting from the services of my said father in the War of the Revolution - and my said attorney is hereby invested with full power and authority to ask and demand at the Pension office an inspection and examination of any and all papers in relation thereto remaining in the files of said Office, as fully and effectually as I myself might or could lawfully do if personally present - The word above "may be entitled" [underlined] being first interlined -
Given under my hand and sale at the City of Washington this 4th day of December 1852 -

R.E. de Russy 
[noted place for Seal]
In presence of
C.A. Ogden
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The Secy of War decided against this case Feb. 20. 1821.
Page 23

[pre-printed stationery letterhead -- including printed (centered) separating lines:]

EMPIRE FRANÇAIS.
          -------
COMMISSARIAT
DE NEW-YORK ET NEW-JERSEY.
               -----------------

[handwritten text:]

[ 1st 4 words written in especially-large letters:]n Pardevant Nous Gabriel Rey, Général
Divisionnaire, Commissaire des relations Commerciales de
france à New-york, y remplissant les fonctions Attribuées
al'officier [sic; standard spelling would have been "à l'officier"] Public Chargé de Constater l'Etat Civil des français,
assisté de Mons[ieu]r. [abbrev. here, with "r" in superscript]  Jean Baptiste Anne Marie Lombart Chancelier du Commissariat; [? (final punctuation unclear)]

[larger letters up to "An":] Aujourd hui Vingt-un Prairial An treize, Deuxieme
de L'Empire francaise;

[1st 2 words & name in larger letters:] Sont Comparus Monsieur Thomas De Russy
Natif de S[']t [abbrev. "Saint"; "t" in superscript] Malo, Département D'Ille et Vilaine [see Comments], et Madame
Madelaine Baissiere, Son Epouse, Native du Cap fr[ançais? [remainder of word/line covered-over]
Department du Nort [sic; "Nord" seems meant] de S[ain]t [abbrev.; "t" in superscript] Domingue, habitants [unclear text at end of line]
de S[ain]t Domingue, en Cette Ville de New-york, y Demeurant
Upper Read Street N[']o. ["o" in superscript; abbreviation for "Numéro"] 3. Accompagnés [added phrase in margin] et assistés [end of addition] de Messieurs françois Decous [?]  et Pascal Schisano tous deux Majeurs et  demeurant
Séparement en Cette Ville de New-york; Lesquels Ont
dit et Déclaré que de leur Mariage, il est né, en cet Etat de
New-york, trois Enfans [sic (modern spelling "Enfants")] Mâles dont les noms Suivent,: [names in larger letters:] Louis Gustave, né le Dix Sept Septembre, Mil Sept-Cent quatre
vingt quinze, [names in larger letters:] René Amedée né le dix Neuf Novembre, Mil Sept Cent quatre vingt dix Sept et [3 following names in larger letters:] Jean Baptiste
Adolphe né le trente-un Decembre,  [?] mil huit-Cent Deux:
Ont aussi déclaré les dits Sieur et Dame De Russy, qu'ils
ont eu le malheur deperdre, [seemingly intended to be understood as  "de perdre,"] en Cette Ville, leur fils ainé
nommé
[2 names in larger letters:]  René Emile en Juin mil Sept Cent quatreVingt 
Seize, le dit né au Cap francais en mil Sept Cent quatre-vingt
huit; qu'ils Ont un quatrieme Enfant l'ainé des trois premiers Ci-dessus, nommé [2 following names in larger letters:] René Edouard, né
au Cap Francais le Dix Neuf Juin Mil Sept Cent quatre-vingt ["vingt" appears below last full line of text here -- *and* at beginning of Image 24's text]

[handwritten (seemingly-added) designation; significance unclear; centered:] 3
Page 24

-Vingt Douze [completion of year given in last line in Image 23's text & here] et a été baptisé au mois d'Avril Suivant en
l'Eglise Paroissiale de Cette Ville,, Il [revised from "il"?] a [revised from something else?] eu pour parain M[']r. [abbrev. "Monsieur"; "r" in superscript] [following 2 names in larger letters:] René
Emile, Son frere, et pour maraine Madame [following name in larger letters:] Gervaise, Sa
grande tante, que dans les évenemens qui ont eu lieu au Cap,
ils Ont perdu Son extrait de Baptẽme ["p" added above line] et qu'ils font laprésente [written attached, but "la présente" meant] declaration pour y suppléer; [following word in larger letters:] Declarent aussi les dits
Sieur et Dame [following name in larger letters:] De Russy que S'ils n'ont pas fait plutõt
la présente Déclaration et Celles de Naissance et de Décès
dans letems  [written attached; "le tems" (modern spelling "le temps") meant] exigé parla [written attached; "par la" meant] loi, C'est qu'ayant presquetoujours [written together; "presque toujours" seems meant]
Vécu [?] à [?] la Campagne, Ils [?] ignoroient que nous Emplissions [?]
les fonctions attribuees à l'officier Public chargé deConstater [words written attached, but "de Constater" seems meant]
l'Etat Civil des français; [following word written in larger letters:] Desquels dires [?] et Declarations
ils nous Ont requéroient [?? (very unclear)]  Acte, à eux Octroyé [following 2 words in larger letters:] Dont Acte

[following 2 words written attached in larger letters:] Detout ["De tout" seems meant] quoi a été dressé lepresent [written attached; "le présent" seems meant] Auguel Ont Signé
les Comparuus, [? ("Comparus" seems meant)] les assistans, le Chancelier et nous Commissaire
(ainsi Signé au Registre) [following initials & family name written in larger letters:]  E. De Russy, B. De Russy;
[Large letters in all following proper names & in final abbreviation in  line of text which follows:]  Decous, Pascal Schisano, Lombart Ch[']r. [abbrev. (for "Chancelier" ) ; final character in superscript above "."] et Rey. Cons[']l
__ [?] (abbreviation (for "Consul"?) .; final character (unclear) in superscript] 
[quotation marks found at start of each following line of text:]
" Collationnée [?] a été lapresente [written together; "la présente"n seems meant]  Expedition
" par Nous Jean Baptiste Anne [?] Marie
" Lombart, Chancelier du Consulat de
" france à New-york [sic; i.e., "New-York" (the                city)] Sur [?] le Registre
"  del'Etat [meaning "de l'État"] Civil, Coté B_B_ B f[']o. [abbrev. "folio", with "o" in superscript] 38 Recto
"  Certifie ["Certifié" meant] Conforme, Les [?] Mots [following 2 words underlined:] et
assistés [?] [end of underline] ala [written attached,  but "à la" seems meant] marge de la premiere page
approuves.

[large signature:] Lombart
[large, looping flourishes beneath, containing the following text:]
[upper-left segment:]n Chanc[']r. [abbrev. "Chancelier"; "r" in superscript] [upper-right segment:] du Cons[']t [abbrev." Consulat"; "t" in superscript]
[lower segment:] de france à New-york

[following word written large:] Aujourd'hui Vingt quatre fevrier, Mil
[1st word in continuing text in Image 25:] huit

[nearly-centered; handwritten addition; significance unclear:] 3 [?]
Page 25

huit Cent huit, Quatrieme Anneé [?] de L'Empire francais

[1st 4 words -- and all initial capitals -- in following line especially-large:]
 Pardevant Nous Gabriel Rey, Général Divisionnaire,
Consul de france près les Etats de New-york et de New Jersey,
y remplissant les fonctions attribuées à l'officier Public
Chargé de Constater L'Etat Civil des français, Assisté de
[names in line of text (especially "Jean Baptiste" and "Lombart") in larger characters:]
 Monsieur Jean Baptiste Anne Marie Lombart, Chancelier
de ce Consulat;

Est Comparu Monsieur [following names in larger letters:] Thomas De Russy,
Négociant, Natif de S[']t [? (abbrev. for "Saint"; unclear if "t" written in superscript)] Malo, Dèpartement [? (modern French "Département") ] ] d'ille [?] et Vilaine,
Demeurant en Cette Ville de New-york, Broad Street [unclear abbreviation, with 2 characters in superscript ("N[']ee.??)]
accompagné et assisté de Messieurs francois [initial capital large:] Decous
et [initial capitals large:] Pascal Schisano, tous d'Eux majeurs d'age et demeurant
Separement en Cette Ville de New-york;

Lequel nous a déclaré que de Son Mariage avec [title and name in larger letters:] Demoiselle Madelaine Beissiere native du Cap-francais,
[name in large letters:] Isle S[']t [abbrev. "Saint"; "t" in superscript] Domingue, Il lui est né, le Douze
Aout, mil huit Cent Six, vers les Neuf heures du matin,
dans la Maison qu'il occupait àlors Readstreet [sic; modern name "Reade Street"] N[']o [abbrev. "Numéro"; "o" in superscript] 3
[following 2 words in larger letters:] Un Garcon qu'il nous a representé et auquel
il a déclaré donner les prenoms de [names in larger letters:] Charles Gaston

Tout quoi le dit Comparant, ainsi que
Ses [following word in larger letters:] Assistans ont requis [?] Acte à Eux Octroyés Dont
Acte, Auquel [struck-through ("on"?)] ils ont Signé,  avec Nous et le [struck-through (?) "Chan-"]celier,
Après lecture; Les Jour, mois et An que Dessous
      (Signé au Registre) [following names in this text block (especially initial capital letters ( also of "Et")) in larger letters:] T. De Russy, Decous, P.
Schisano, Lombart Chan[celi]er. ["er" in superscript] Et Rey Cons[u]l. ["l" in superscript]

[quotation marks seen at left of each line of text in following text block:]

" Collationnée [?] a èté [?] lapresente [sic; "la       présente" seeming modern equivalent] Expédition par Nous Jean Baptiste
Anne Marie Lombart Chancelier
du Consulat de france à New-york
Sur le Registre de l'Etat Civil, Coté [sic (spelling for meaning in question probably "Cote" ]
C C C f[oli]o. [abbrev.; "o" in superscript] 35 verso. Certifiee Conforme
un mot [2 unclear words follow:] rayé [?] Nul. [?]. "

[signature (?):] Lombart
[text seen within looped flourishes beneath "Lombart" in signature:]
[at left:] Chanc[elie]r. ["r" in superscript] [at right:] du Cons[ula]t. ["t" in superscript]
[below:] De france a New-york.

[separate text block (seemingly written by a different person):]
[1st line in larger letters (especially capital "N" & "R"):] Nous Gabriel Rey, Général Divisionnaire,
Consul de france à New-york, Certifions Monsieur
Lombart, dont la Signature En-apposée [?] aux deux
Collationnés ci dessus et [?] -de l'autre [?] part Est
Page 26

Chancelier de ce Consulat et qu'en cette qualité foi [?] doit [?] y être ajoutée tant [? (word unclear)] en Jugement que [?] hors [?]

En témoin de quoi Nous avons signé
d'en [? (unclear)] présenter et y avons apposé Le Sceau
Impérial du consulat.

A Newyork [sic] Le 29 fevrier 1808/.

[seen to right of stamped text in image; signature with flourishes below:] Rey

[stamped "Seal" :]
COMMISS[aria]T.["T" in superscript] De FRANCE À N-YORK ET JERSEY

(text surrounding image of a bird (eagle?) (possibly with arrows below; with imperial crown above) ]
Page 27

Luke Field, T. H.
May 6, 1932.

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:

Request that I be furnished extract copy of any information that
may be found in your records relative to my great grandfather, Thomas de
Russy, who was a Lieutenant, Colonial Navy, 
serving on the frigate "Pallas"
in the squadron of John Paul Jones about 1779.

Thomas de Russy later settled in New York and still later removed
to Old Point Comfort, Virginia.

Prior to his service in the Colonial Navy, Thomas de Russy, had been
an Officer in the French Navy, but volunteered for service under the
Colonial Government, with the fleet that was fitted out at Brest, France,
and which later sailed under the command of John Paul Jones.

I believe that Thomas de Russy was at sometime subsequent to the
Revolutionary War, about 1818, granted a pension.  On this assumption my
inquiry for information is based.
Thanking you for any information you may furnish.
Very truly yours,

Rene E. DeRussy,
Captain, Quartermaster Corps,
U.S. Army.

[round stamp "RECEIVED MAY 17 1932" the rest blurred]
Page 28

8466
Madeline B. De Russy of Thomas
 Virginia

Admitted

Lieut. Navy  9 mo -- $135
Cap. Collineau, Frigate Pallas

died 21 Feb, 1821

Act of July 1838

Col. R.E. De Russy
Old Point Comfort Virga [Virginia]
Page 29

New York February 9th 1821
 We certify on honor that we have attended Mr. Thos. De Russy of this city, who was taken sick on or about the 24 Decr 1820 of an Erysipelas Inflamation of the right leg & thigh, In consequence of which he had been totally deprived of his bodily strength to such a degree as to be unable to move in or from his Bed; & that, from existing circumstances & the nature of the disease, we consider that his recovery will be tedious, & will yet require a very long time -
  Francis E Berger   M.D.E.
Chs Guerin D.
Page 30

Copy
New York 1st July 1818
To the Hon. Richard Ricker
New York
Sir;
I have the honor to represent to you that the Honorable certificate of my services on board Ship Pallas under the command of Capt. Dennis Cottineau bears a date which evidently proves that when I applied for if I had no other view than to place it as a badge of honor among my papers and repair the loss of Doctor Franklin's brevet [*see note in Comments] burnt with several papers of all kinds in the conflagration of the Cape Francois. Captain Cottineau's death gives a new weight to his obliging expressions as to my character and my act of naturalization serves also as an additional proof that none of these instruments have been procured for the purpose of soliciting any pecuniary reward from the Government.
General Dearborn, as you see in the letter annexed to my declaration, seems to have considered my services as deserving some credit, and when I presented my two eldest
sons for the U.S. Army, I thought
that
Page 31

that the favors conferred on them were partly considered as a reward for my having shared as an officer in the glory acquired for the American colonies in sight of their enemies land.
Enjoying at that time an agreable [sic] rank and independence in society I only sought an opportunity of acquiring some military fame, and little foresaw that I would ever solicit any reward for having liberally embraced a cause which I had been taught to consider as just and honorable.
Circumstances however render this step necessary and I think I can deservedly show my name among those who have well served their country, and accept with gratitude and pride a reward merited by zeal and acquired with glory.
 With the most sincere respect I remain Sir:
 Your humble obedient Servant
  T. De Russy
[underlined] Facts
 I joined in the month of April, Capt. Cottineau in Nantz and enlisted in the armament of the private vessel Pallas in which my father was concerned.     W
Page 32

We sailed for L'Orient [see Comments] with American flag and was breveted by the Hon. Doctor Franklin. The engagement with the Scarborough took place in September. We took our armed prizes in Texel where we remained three months. Capt. Cottineau took the command of Serapis when Paul Jones passed to that of the U. F. Alliance. I followed my Capt. and after sailing through the channel ^ in January and after having lost our main and mizen [mizzen] mast in a gale near the Island of Groix [see Comments] we entered in distress in L'Orient, where I continued till the month of March; Capt Cottineau having gone to Paris, and Paul Jones not coming to port. I heard that Serapis was sold or intended to be sold to the King and obtained my discharge.
Since that the Serapis was really armed on the Kings account and destroyed by fire in the East Indies.
  I made this declaration because Commodore Landais, through motives of delicacy has limited his certificate to what he has seen, and as he had left Holland long before us - and was in [underlined] Paris when we returned to L'Orient it was necessary to show that my services have really continued more than nine months, and it
Page 33

would be easy to [underline] proof it by the newspapers of the time, admitting that the Esteem of my Capt. Cottineau so reputed for his honour and bravery would not have been bestowed on an officer who abandon his post before all dangers are over.
Page 34

Copy
 War Department
 January 22d 1807
Sir,
 Your letter of the 12th inst. was duly received - and I have in consequence of it placed your son on the List of applicants for admission into the Military school.
 The certificate of your service on board the Pallas is, agreably [sic] to your request, herewith returned.
 I am very respectfully, Sir,
 Your ob. [obedient] Servt [Servant]
H. Dearborn.

Mr. Th. De Russy
Page 35

Copy

City of New York } ss.
Be it Remembered, that, Thomas DeRussy who hath resided within the Limits and Jurisdiction of the United States for the Term of Five Years, and within this state of New York for the Term of One Year at least, appeared in one of the Courts of the Justices of the Peace (and which is a Court of Record) held in and for the City of New York in the State of New York, on the Twenty Eighth day of May in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and five and having made Proof to the satisfaction of the said Court, that he is a Person of Good Moral character, attached to the Principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well [dispssed?] to the Good order and Happiness of the same; and having in the said Court taken the Oath prescribed by Law, do support the Constitution of the United States, and did it in open Court absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all Allegiance and Fidelity to every Foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty, and particularly to the emperor of the French of whom he was then, a Subject, the said Thomas De Russy was
Page 36

was thereupon pursuant to the Laws of the United States in such case made and provided, admitted by the said Court to be, and he is accordingly to be considered a Citizen of the United States.
 Given under the Seal of the said Court in the Day and Year above Written
 Per Curiam
  John Sidell - Clerk

(Seal)
Page 37

Copy.
New York 10 Feb. 1821. 
with what sensibility my dear General have I learned the Interest which my son had Inspired you with, in making you acquainted with the loss of my pension, for which you were pleased to extend ┃ to me your assistance. This misfortune is in a great measure owing to simplicity on my part; having two or three hundred volumes for my school, I made mention of them to the Recorder, & this Gentleman having asked me in a decisive manner what value I set upon them, I estimated them at what I had ┃ given for them, and saw him value them at their original cost. I objected, saying that were they to be sold, I would not get that price for them, & I think he replied that it was a mere form, of no consequence since they appertain'd to my profession. 

deprived of my pension, having exhausted the little purse of my eldest son, In order to pass peacefully through with my cruel sickness which has kept me to my bed since the 24th Dec last, I have sold all those above mentioned books, valued at 250 Dolls. which have scarcely produced
Page 38

produced 43 Dolls. & it will soon be necessary that I advise some way of disposing for my maintenance of some other parts of my inventory.
 I cannot comprehend how it has been supposed at Washington, that I was above the want of this pension, what consoles my natural pride, is, that I have deserved it by a campaigne the most brilliant and perilous that occurred during the Revolution, with Paul Jones and his strategems, which led us in the Deepest Bays of the three Kingdoms, how many times have the shores of the Enemy appeared ready to over whelm us! People of my age may recollect what were the alarms on the coasts of England; what was the general anxiety for the destruction of Paul Jones, in short the briefatory of this expedition is at least Sixty merchantmen destroyed, a small two Decker quite new (the Serapis) & a large Corvette (the Countess of Scarborigh ) well secured in the Harbour of Dunkirk and Lorent; where I terminated the campaign in the Serapis. One observatim which for the want of confidence I do not address to the Honorable the Secretary of War, is that from the year 1800 to 1813,
Page 39

I had constantly made payments as a merchant into the custom of the United States, having very diligently traded with the Islands of Cuba et Teneriffe Martinique et Gouadeloupe, & towards the last years with Nantz & [Bordeaux?] when I was so unfortunate as to fail, my accounts with the Custom House amounted to upwards of 11,000 Dolls. which all have been punctually paid, Thus, my carrier either military or mercantile has not been useless to my adopted Country & perhaps this consideration will have some weight with a Government in which generosity & Justice are honored. 
You see my dear General, how naturally your sensibility excited my confidence, my son will communicate to you my new application, for which you have been pleased to express an interest; your delicacy in assisting me has always added a new price to the favours which I have received. If you could at this time possess the means to assist truth in a hearing you may conceive of what new value it would be to your devoted friend _ J.
Page 40

I am under the necessity of dictating to my Son, not being able to write at so much length.
 I am my dear Sir,
 Your sincere friend & Humble Svt
  Thos. De Russy

Dear General,
 My Son has by inattention deprived me of signing what I addressed to you, & I feel the impropriety and repeat to you with an hesitating hand but a heart always true, that the uniformity of your kind disposition to me inspires me with a gratitude which death alone can interrupt.
 T. De Russy

Addressed to General Jos. G. Swift
 New York
Page 41

To the honorable The Secretary of War
  Thomas De Russy late a Lieutenant in the Navy of the Revolution begs leave to represent,
 That under the Act of 18th March 1818, he was inscribed on the Pension List roll of the New York Agency at the rate of twenty dollars per Month to commence on the eighteenth Day of April 1818
 That in pursuance of the Act of the 1st of May 1820 he exhibits a Schedule of his Property and took the Oath prescribed by the said Act in the manner therein directed and transmitted a copy of the said Oath and Schedule to the Secretary of War.
Page 42

That all the Property he possessed at that period amounted to five hundred Dollars - and no more, rating the same at more than double it would sell for, but nevertheless the Secretary of War has been pleased to strike his name from the said Pension List
  That since that time he has been reduced to the necessity of selling his books for his subsistence, which were valued in the said Schedule at two hundred ^ and fifty Dollars and which produced at the sale forty two Dollars and sixty-two cents and no more -
 That he has been for a long time confined to his bed by a very painful and tedious disorder and has no means whatsoever of support - That
Page 43

he has no property excepting a few necessary 
articles of household furniture and no income whatsoever -
 The said Thomas De Russy therefore h opes that the Secretary of War will reconsider his Case and replace him on the Pension List -
   T. De Russy
New York Feby 20 1821

New York Ss: Thomas DeRussy being duly sworn deposeth and saith that the matters stated in the preceeding [paper torn] are strictly true in all re [paper torn]
 Sworn this 10th Day of February 1821 before me
 Bev Robinson
 Not. Publ.
Page 44

New York Ss: I Beverley Robinson do hereby certify that on the Day of the Date hereof 
I attended the above named Thomas DeRussy at his house and administered to him the preceeding oath - I further certify that he is well known to me - That he is a Gentleman of respectability and entitled to full faith and Credit -
 In testimony whereof I have  granted this under my Notarial Seal this tenth Day of February 1821 -
 Bev Robinson
 Not. Publ
Page 45

Sales at auction on act of Mr De Russy, Jany 31st 1821
_________
[Five columns without headings but they appear to be:  Item(s) sold |# of units | Price per unit | Purchaser | Total price-Dollars & Cents

Boyers Dictionary |2 yrs\ |[dk meaning of abbreviation but seems to indicate number of units sold}   $4 | Turnbull  | $8
Louis 15th  | 2 "  | 1/  | Cash |  .25
Chevalier Bayar  |  Ludlow |  .31
Cure of Wakefield | 2 |  1/ |  Cash  |  .25
  "          "         "      |4 |   9d  | Sicard  |  .37
Debate Dans les affairs Desoslons |  4 |  6d | Deming | .25
Village abandonne | 10 | 3d |  Cash |  .35
Essay sur Frederick II |  |  |   Clark  |  .15
Parni |  2  |  5/  |  Duplantier    1 25
Amusements de societe |  2 |  9d | Cash |  .18
Reponse de Carnot | | | 9d | Cash | .12
Athala | | | 9d | Cash | .9
Cure de Wakefield | 3 | 9d | Clark | .28
  "       "        "         | 3 |  6 | Cash | ,18
Analyse |  |  6 | Cash | .12
Village Abandonne | 9 | 3d | Ferlat | .28
Charles Quint | 6 | 6/ | Feuillet | $4.50
Gresset | 2 | 3/ | Cash | .75
Renouv Periodiques | | | 3/ | Cash | .31
Directoir | | | 3/ | Cash | .75
Pensees de voltaire| |  | 3/ | Dup;antier | .12
Village Abondonne | 7 |  3 | Bonichon | .21
Histoire de linde | 7 | 4/9 | Feuillet | $4.13
Essay sur linde | | " | Ludlow | .28 
Bonaparte | | " | Duval | .15
Cour d'histoire nate. | 2 |  2/ | Bonichon | .50
Tableau Historiques |  | | " | Duplantier | .25
Commentaire sur la henriade | | " | Ludlow | ".38
Memoirs de Sully | 3 | 8/ |Laisne | $3
Dictionaire de lafable | | "  | Salomon | .18
Mde. Neker | 2 | 2/ | Ludlow | .50
Chauleiu |  | " | Salomon | ,28
__________
$28.78 [Total]
Page 46

[Page 2 of the auction of Thomas deRussy's books. Five columns which appear to contain the following information:  Item sold | # of units | Price per unit | Purchaser | Total price]

Amt brot forward (unknown symbol)  28.18
Blairs Lecctures | | " | Charles | .37
Maximes de Louis | 15 1/.. | " | Lafond | .25
Bonaparte & Bourbons |  | " | Duplantier | .25
Racine  5 Vs. | | 3/ | Do. | 1.88
Bezout | [5 or 2 ] | 2/ | Cash | .25
Descn. de St Domingue, denoncin. | 2 | 6d | Salomon | .12
Dict d'elocution | 2 | 4/ | Ferlat | 1.00
Grammaire | | " | Cash | .25
Regnard | 4 | 3/9 | Duplantier | 1.87
Contract Social | | " |   Do. |  .31
Ami des enfans | 3 |  2/ | Cash | .75
Campagnes | | " | Salomon | .6
Voltaire | 12 | 2/6 | Duplantier | 3.75
Tesoro Espanol | | " | Cash | .25
Baumarchais | | | " |  Lasson | .25
Moliere | 6 | 3/3 | Duplantier | 2.44
Vocabulaire | | | Ludlow | " | .18
Expedition| & Charles 5th | 2 | 1/ | Cash | .25
Vie de Louis XV | 4 | 4/ | Duplantier | 2.00
Voyage au Nord de L'europe | 5 |1/6 | Ludlow | .94
Napoleon | | " | Duplantier | .12
Corneille | | " | Lafond | .56
Bonaparte | | " | Cash | .12
Cure de Wakefield | 2 | 1/ Cash | .25
Total  $47.52
Commission &c 5%  $2.40
Advert &   .50
Catalogues  2.00
___________________
                    4.90

$42.62

E.E.   C G. Fontaine
     pr Chas L Fontaine
Page 47

Old Point Comfort. Virga [Virginia]
Oct 18. 1842

To J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
 Sir,   I do myself the honor to enclose a declaration of my Mothers in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 -
  should there be any further evidence required or should the form adopted in this declaration be incomplete, I would be thankful for an early information of the fact.
 with the highest respect
 I am Sir, Yr obt Servt
  N E de Russy
  [?] Esqr
Page 48

Copy

New York
15th feb. 1821

Dear Sir:
 The peculiar distress of the worthy and brave old man who indites the enclosed, induces me to ask the favour of your perusing letter when your leisure will allow.
 I have not a doubt that Mr. De Russy is incapable of making a false statement.
 With great Respect
 your most obt. hum[ble] Svt
  J.G. Swift

Hon. John Calhoun
Page 49

No 8466
Declaration of Madelaine B. DeRussy
Widow of Thomas DeRussy
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1838.
Page 50

Louis Gustave born on the 17th Septr 1795
Rene Edouard born at C Francois 19th June 1792
 Extracts translated from the papers of Mrs De Russy on file herewith.
  F.H. Davidge

Pension office
Oct 20th 1842
 See French document in the claim the names of other children are on it also
Page 51

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C.
19
In reply to your request of
received
for a statement of the military history of Thomas De Russyof
the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Spring 1779
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
Apring.
RANK.
Lieut
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
COLONEL.
STATE.
Dennis Cottiman on Ship Rullan
┃ of
-- 2856
Commodore John Paule Jones
Squadrow
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted at Nantz, France
Battles engaged in, with ships Serapis & Countess of Scarborough
Date of application for pension, Apr. 18, 1818 His I. was al-
Residence at date of application, New York City N.
Age at date of application, born in St Mals France, Fred Feb. 21, 182.
Remarks: Herar at "Cope Francois, St. Domingo Aug 15, 1787
Madelaine Bissiere a native of said place. She was al. pens on
ape. Oct. 15. 1842 while living at Old Point Comfort, Elizabeth City Co
A Sys Children, Rene Emile G. Cap Francier 1788, N.Y. June
Rive Edward A Cap Francain June 19, 1792. Louis Gustave
Septer Amedee Nov 19. 1897 Jean Baptistead
Dec. 31, 1802, Charles to read some city and
Commissioner.
compered with translate
N. Y. City ┃
a
Va
1796.
Rolph
806
Page 52

Mr. J. Adolphe DeRussy,
2612 Carondelet Street
New Orleans, Louisiana.
 Sir:
 In reply to your letter of the second instant, you are advised that the data as to the children of Thomas DeRussy, furnished you from the Revolutionary War pension Claim, W. File, No. 20,975, was taken from the statements of Thomas and Madelaine DeRussy, which were made before Gabriel Rey, Commissioner of commercial relations for France at New York.
 The dates as given in French in said paper, are as follows: 
Rene Emile, ne en mil sept cent quatre vingt huit, qu'ils ont eu le malheur de perdre en Juin mil sept cent quatre vingt douse.
Louis Gustave, ne le dix sept Septembre, mil sept cent quatre vingt quinze.
Rene Amadee, ne le dix neuf Novembre, mil sept cent quatre vingt dix sept.
Jean Baptiste Adolphe, ne le trente un Decembre, mil huit cent deux.
Page 53

Charles Gaston, ne le douse Aout, mil huit cent six.
  Very respectfully,
 G M Saltzgaber
Page 54

C. W. &N. Div.
F. S.
M. E. C.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., November 27, 1895.

Sir:
Referring to your request for the naval record in the Revolutionary war of Thomas DeRussy, I have the honor to advise you that
he applied for a pension on the 18th of April, 1818, at which time he
was residing in New York City and fifty-seven years of age, and in his
declaration he made the following statement concerning his services:

"That he embarked in the Sloop of war Pallas, Dennis ["Denis" written above] Cottineau
commander in the capacity of lieutenant early in the spring of one
thousand seven hundred and seventy nine then lying in the River of
Loire before Nantz whence they sailed for Lorient where they joined
Commodore Paul Jones commanding the U. S. armed Ship Bon homme Richard
and hoisted American Flag and pennant and having received commissions
from Doctor Franklin then the American Ambassador at Versailles they
made several cruises round the British Isles in company with and under the
command of Paul Jones and at the end of September fell in with a
British fleet from the Baltic attacked them and took the two principal
men of war Serapis and Countess of Scarborough with which they made the
Dutch port of Texel, that in January one thousand seven hundred and
Page 55

Eighty this Deponent passed with the said Capt. Cottineau on board
said fifty gun ship Serapis with which they arrived dismasted to
Lorient and that the said vessel was sold for the French King's
service, in the course of the ensuing summer, which put an end to the
campaign which had lasted about fourteen months."
He married Madelaine Baissiere, at Cap Francois, St. Domingo, on the 15th day of August, 1787, and died at the city of
New York, February 21, 1821.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Capt. C. H. Clark
Office of Chief of Ordnance
War Department.
Page 56

C. W. & N. Div.
F. S.
M. E. C.
W. 20975,

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 24, 1896.

Sir:
In returning herewith your letter of March 20, 1896, you are
advised that Thomas de Russy made an application for pension on April
18, 1818, at which time he was residing in New York City, and fifty-seven years of age, and his pension was allowed for about fourteen 
months' actual service as a lieutenant in the navy during the Revolutionary
war; served on the U. S. Ship " Bon Homme Richard.
Very respectfully,

Acting Commissioner.

P. Isham, Esq.,
146 Broadway,
Room 409, New York, N. Y.
Page 57

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE
O.W. & N. Div.
  Memoranda

Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
 Midshipman Thos De Russy
Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible)
Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible)
Date of death (as near as possible):
Christian name of widow
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?

Remarks: Was brevetted Lieut by Ben Franklin for gallant conduct on board the Pallas.  John Paul Jones.
Your name and address:
 Capt. C. H. Clark, Office of Chief of Ordnance - War Department
[rectangular stamp]
O.W.& N. DIV
NOV 25 1895
CHIEF'S DESK
Page 58

GREATEST STORE SOUTH
LONDON, BERLIN,
PARIS, FLORENCE.

NEW YORK
116-120 WEST 32ND ST.
Rev Sue

MAISON BLANCHE COMPANY
IMPORTERS,
WHOLESALERS & RETAILERS

NEW ORLEANS. August 2nd, 1916.

Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir.
Beg to acknowledge receipt of your W. 20975, Rev. of the 26th ulto
furnishing the history of Thomas DeRussy, a sailor in the Revolutionary 
War. As there is a discrepancy as to the dates as furnished by you, and
the records of the family, will you kindly advise me, if the information
that you were kind enough to furnish as to his children, was taken from
the pension application of Thomas DeRussy, dated April 18th, 1818, or
from that of his widow, which application you state was executed on October
15th, 1842. Thanking you for your letter, and awaiting your further
favor, I beg to remain.

Yours very truly.
J. Adolphe DeRussy.

Address 2612 Carondelet St.

U.S. Pension Office
O
AUG
4
1916

Leave for me
Page 59

Rev/LHM [handwritten at top]

MB [in wreath]
MAISON BLANCHE COMPANY
IMPORTERS, WHOLESALERS & RETAILERS

LONDON, BERLIN, PARIS, FLORENCE.
NEW YORK  116-120 WEST 32nd ST

GREATEST STORE SOUTH [beneath drawing of building, as part of letterhead]

NEW ORLEANS.  July 15th, 1916

Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir.

On July 4th, 1916 I wrote to The Adjutant General, War
Department, Washington, D. C. as follows,
" If consistent will you kindly furnish
me with the record of Thomas de Russy,
who was in the War of the Revolution,
his wife having received a pension from
the United States, for his meritorious
services in this war."

And under date of July 10th, I am advised as follows,
" The name Thomas De Russy has not been
found on the rolls, on file in this
office, of any military organization in
service in the War of the Revolution.
The collection of Revolutionary War
records on file in this office is far
from complete, and it is suggested as a
possibility that the desired information
can be obtained from the Commissioner
of Pensions, Washington, D. C."
In connection thereto, if you can furnish me with any information
regarding Thomas DeRussy, who was my great, grandfather I will
consider it a great favor.
Yours very truly.
J. Adolphe DeRussy.
Address 2612 Carondelet St

Jas[hand written at bottom]
Page 60

20975

Revy Widow, &c.
File No. 20975
Madeline B. DeRussy
Widow of
Thomas De Russy
LT. Rev. War

Act July 7th 1838
Index:
Page 61

Sir
 In my declaration before you, in behalf of Mr Thomas de Russy, I could only affirm upon oath what I know to be certain: that I told you that I believe what Mr de Russy told you before me, "That Capt Paul Jone's with the Pallas, and other vessels under American flags remained in the Port of  Texel in Holland about three months from the time of their arrival there in the beginning of October 1779.
  I am Sir  Your most humble Servant  
P. [Landais?]
New York  July 20 1818
Page 62

Mistss Luc Mocquet Cottineau, the Widow of Dennis Cottineau, Capt in the American Navy, declares: that she has been personally acquainted with Mr Thos de Russy ever [since] the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety [?] and knew him by reputation long before as having been a distinguished officer under the command of her husband during his campaign from the Spring of One thousand seven hundred and seventy nine to the end of the winter of the ensuing year when Capt Cottineau Entered Lorient  with the fifty gun ship Serapis the prize of commodore Paul Jones in the same Engagement (in September) when her husband (said D. Cottineau) had Capt the sloop of war Countess of Scarborough.
 That during the uninterrupted & friendly correspondance and intercourse which continued between Mr. De Russy and her husband She has frequently heard the particulars of that Campaign mentioned between them, and that her husband always considered Mr de Russy as an officer of real merit.
 She finally declares that the Certificate
Page 63

given by Capt Dennis Cottineau to Mr Thos De Russy is entirely written with the hand written of D. Cottineau deceased and contains but the expression of his sentiments for that Gentleman.  [?]
  Luce Mocquet Cottineau

Sworn before me this 1 July 1818
  R Riker
Page 64

[illegible]
I do hereby certify ^ for oath that on the 11th of May, in the year one thousand ^ seven hundred and seventy nine being captain of the frigate of the United States called the Alliance, when I went then in her into port L'Orient, where I found three french armed vessels, the first of them called the bonhomme Richard the  Her captain John P. Jones was commander of her, and of the ship Pallas Captain Dennis Cottineau, and of the brig. Vengeance captain - Ricaut all three bearing the flag of the United States; and that then Mr. Thomas de Russy was second lieutenant on board the Ship Pallas -
 [different handwriting]
 That after this & in the month of September 23d day of that month 1779 the Alliance having rejoined after her particular cruise the Bonne Home Richard Pallas Vengeance attacked & captured the Serapis  & Countess of Scarborough - That the
Page 65

Bonne home Richard just two days afte the action, & all the other vessels remained together in the Texel when I left them on the 17 Octr to go to Paris. That the next Spring I saw the Serapis in Port L'Orient this I think was in May 1780 Capt Cottineau took charge of the Serapis -
  P. La[illegible]
Sworn before me this 1st day of July 1828
 R Riker
Page 66

Thomas De Russy
Officer of the Navy
 Let him aprove [approve] 9 mos service in the Naval Service of the U States by the evidence of two witnesses certified by the Judge to be credible who have personal knowledge of the fact
 The certificate of Dennis Cottineau does not show the time he served.
 War Dept Pens. Office
5 June 1818

[on side]  Admitted
Page 67

City and State of NEW YORK, ss.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this Eighteenth
day of April
in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and Eighteen before
me Richard Riker Recorder of the City of NEW-YORK, and one of the Judges of the Court
of Common Pleas, called the Mayor's Court of the City of
New-York, which is a Court of Record, personally appeared
the aforesaid Thomas De Russy
who being by me duly sworn to the truth of the facts stated 
in the foregoing Declaration and from the Certificate from Captain Dennis Collineau
who was the commanding officer of the Brig Pallas. the whole of the Services
of the aforesaid Thomas De Russey

WHEREUPON I being satisfied that the said Thomas De Russy did
serve in the Navy of the United States under the Continental Establishment
in the Revolutionary War, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months
and longer, to wit for the term and the manner stated in the Declaration of the said
applicant; and that the said applicant is fairly and justly entitled to the benefit of the
Act aforesaid. THEREFORE I DO HEREBY CERTIFY and transmit the testimony
in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, as before set forth, to the Honorable the
Secretary of the Department of War

GIVEN under my Hand and Seal of the said Court, in the
City of NEW-YORK, this Eighteenth day
of April in the Year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen

R Riker
Page 68

[in French]
Nous ancien officier de la Marine      et Captaine de Vailleau des Etats unis de l'amerique Certissons atou?  lequit apartiend [?] que Monsieur Thomas de Russy a Sari en qualite d'officer sur la frigatte La Pallas que je Commandois en ha  ? mile Sept Cent Soixantte dix neuf, dans la Dirigion du Comadore de Paul Jones et quil s  Comporte a?ee L'intelligence et [ink blot] qui Caracteriqen? ? officer de Mercitte en f? Navy? je lai ai desiree ce  attestation pour Ser ?ir en ce que de raison.
  a Philadelphia le 15 Janvier 1794
  Denis Cottineau
Page 69

Capt. Isaac D. De Russy
 1st Infty] U.S.A.
In reply to your personal request that certain papers filed in the claim of your grandmother Madeline B. De Russy [?rct] of Thomas A Lt. in the Navy War of Revolution - File No
 be delivered to you for preservation as family souvenirs. I have to inform you that papers which contain [words crossed out] material evidence in which this claim for pension was originally established cannot be surrendered by the office - The following information from such [papers?] as cannot be delivered to you is furnished, and contains a full account, so far as known in the case, of the services of your grandfather and his marriage &c -
 In the Declaration for pension - [words crossed out] Mr. T.  de Russy makes the following statement in regard to his services
Page 70

The following original papers are returned to you there [underlined] not being material [?] pension case - viz - The naturalization papers of Thos De Russy. A letter of General H Dearborn  A letter of Thos. De Russy [?]   & on Richard Riker - A letter of Genl. J.G. Swift - And a letter of Thos De Russy to Genl J.G. Swift

[right side]
Mrs. De Russy in [underlined] her application for pension made the following statements In regard to her marriage with your Grandfather &c - viz:  +   +
 And the following [?]  The Copy of a statement made by your Grandfather & Grandmother in regard to the    births of their children &c before the French legent at New York City in 1805 - viz:
Page 71

Viz:   +     +
Also the following is a full copy of a certificate furnished Mr De Russy by his Captain in the U.S. Navy - Dennis Cottineau - viz:
Mr De Russy also  [in?aret] declaration made the following statement in regard to his [illegible] & family, viz:      +    +    +