Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,141, Benjamin Tucker, S.C. S.C. Sea Service
Page 1

S.C. Tucker, Benjamin R.10.141
S.C. Sea Service Sarah
Page 2

Sarah Tucker 
8.6
______

Mary J. Ryan to Charles R. Brewster } Power of Attorney
Page 3

SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY
Printed and sold by Wm Riley, 41 Broad-street }

The State of South Carolina
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT
I, Mary T Ryan of Charleston in the State aforsaid, the only survinging child of Sarah Tucker, widow of Captain Benjamin Tucker, deceased do make constitute, and appoint Charles R, Brewster my 
true and Lawful Attorney for me and in my name to examine the papers on file in the pension office at Washington City, and to ask fora nd receive, the certificate of any amount to which I may be entitled in right of my said mother, Sarah Tucker, for a suspended pension.
with power also, an Attorney, or Attorneys, under him for that purpose, to make and substitue, and to do all lawful acts for effecting the Premises, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney or his Substitute or Substitues, shal do therein, by virtue thereof.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this 28th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one.
SEALED AND DELIVERED
IN THE PRESENCE OF
Charles H Simonton  MT Ryan

Be it Known, That on the 28th, day of November one thousnad eithhundred and fifty one and in the Seventy Sixth year of the Independence of the United States of American, before me, Charles H Simonton Notary Public, by Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of the State, duly commissioned and sworn, came Mary T. Ryan the only surviving child of Sarah Tucker Widow of Capt Benj Tucker above named, and acknowledge the foregoing power of Attorney, to be her act and deed.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed my Seal of Office, at Charleston in the STate of South-Carolina, the day and year last mentioned.

Charles H Simonton
Not "Pub"
Charleston District
So Carolina
Page 4

State of South Carolina
Charleston District
I hereby [illegible] and appoint F. L. Brockett, Esquire of Washington City my substitute under the within power of Attorney, and request him to act for me in the premises. Givein under my hand and seal this 28th day of November A.D. 1851
Charles R. Brewster
Page 5

State of South Carolina
City of Charleston
On this the 23 day of March of 1852
Personally appeared before me Huey S 
Ries N,P. and Exificio Magistrate in a for said duty
Mary J Ryan whose being duly sworn according to law doth on
his oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the bountiful of last of [illegible] paper 9th July 1836.
[illegible],  [[illegible] she is the daughter and heir at law of Sarah Tucker, deceased, the widow of Benjamin Tucker, deceased, who was the commander of several vessels in the army of the Revolution, [[illegible] the sloop of war Argo
[illegible] Pulaski and others he also had commission of a gun at the siege of Charleston at Fort Daniel. He was also a prisoner for a considerable time. He was in the army of 
the Revolution several years.
That his [illegible] mother's [illegible] [illegible] some time in the year of 1778. Not her aforesaid Father [illegible] [illegible] service in the Army of the Revolution after their marriage,
That her aforesaid Mother died on the
day of July 1842, and left herself the declarant
her only living child.
Page 6

she most respectfully asks the Hon Commissioner of pensions to [illegible] her afsd claim to the allowed and that the certified evidence the same [illegible] him enclosed to his [illegible] Isaac H Trabue of Frankfort Kentucky and with his only and such others as he may [illegible] does she wish that her commissioners to [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] in reference to her afsd claim or claims
Sworn to  and subscribed before her on this day and year afsd 
M T Ryan
Hy S Rice
[illegible]

State of South Carolina
Charleston Dist

I Herny  S Rice do hereby certify that Mrs Mary T Ryan is known to be a lady of respectability in whose statements and fullest faith and credit should be place In Testing whereof I herby sign my name and offer my Seal of Office in the City of Chareleston
Page 7

[illeligible] [illeligible] this third day of March one thousand eight hundred fifty two
Hy S Rice
AP Exifo Magt
Page 8

State of South Carolina
District of Charleston
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the 3rd section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836
On this 6th day of January 1838 personally appeared before me Lawrence Ryan notary Public and [illegible] for the District Mrs. Sarah Tucker a resident of [illegible] City and State aged Seventy Seven years, who being [illegible marked out] duly sworn according to law Doth [illegible marked out] makes the following declaration in order to obtrain the benefit of the provision made by the action of Congress proposed 4th July 1836. that she is the widow of the late Benjamin Tucker, who during the war of the Revolution was master of the sloop Argo, which was captured by a British Privateer by whom he was wounded and had a piece of his ear bitten off, That Edward Blake Esq. and others of Charleston, with authority of the State in January 1780 gave him the Command of the armed sloop [illegible] Pulaski of 23 or more men, That he sailed for supplies to the West Indies. That, on his return he found the city invested by Sea and Land by the Enemy that, by the adoption of a strategy he sailed through, and fired into; and escaped from the British fleet, that, upon hislanding he was much applauded by the peopel, and the Governor gave him the Command of a [illegible] during the Seige at Fort Darril (Darrell) within the City of Charleston; That, when the city fell, he was made a prisoner. that in about 12 months there after, he escaped to Georgetown and was found by General Marrion with the command of some small [illegible], that some three or four moths after he was again captured by the British, carried to New York and menaced with execution, that, he escaped from them and upon the evacuation of Charleston returned again to his home She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Tucker on the [blank] day of [blank] in the eyar Seventeen hundred and Seventy Eight [illegible] and that her husband the aforesaid Benamin Tucker died or was drowned at sea in the year 1793, and that she has remained a widower since that [illegible] as [illegible] more fully appeared by reference to the proof into [illegible] Sarah Tucker [signature]
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me the said notary, and I do hereby also certify the credibility of the applicant and that she is too feeble to attend a court.
Lawrence Ryan
NP & [illegible]
for Charleston Dist SoCa
Page 9

State of South Carolina
District of Charleston
On this 10th day of January 1838 personally appeared before me Patrick Cantwell Notary Public  [illegible] District Mr William Smith said a resident of Marymboro City of Charleston aged sixty six years who being duly sworn accourding to Law Doth [illegible] oth make the following dedication that [crossed out text] from when he heard and beleived in relation to the summering and services of the said Benjamin in the ware of the Revolution, and having read the applicant of Sarah Tucker the widow [illegible] mentioned of said Benjamin, and also of Mr Joseph Righton in regard to the Service this Deponent doth hereby declare that, he believed the stastement contained in the said affidavit to be true, and that from his knowledge of the said Mr. Tucker the widow aforemeon Mr Jos Righton are aforsaid they the applicants are entitled to the fullest credit for respectability and veracity.
Sworn to before me and subscribed on the day and year avove written and endorsed notrary also certify the credibility of the applicant Certain words in the 7th and 8th line being stricken out with blue ink
P Cantwell Not Pub and [illegible]
Wm Smith [illegible] (signature)

State of South Carolina
District of Charleston
Mr. Job Palmer aged ninety (90) years a resident of the city of Charleston Maketh oath and saith that he was well acquinted wiht the late Benjamin Tucker mariner and with his family and said that Mrs Tucker was and is a lady of respectability and that her statements are entittled to the fullest credit and saith that he was present at the marriage between the said Benjamin and said Sarah Tucker about the year 1778 and that said Benjamin is supposed to have been lost at sea abou tthe year 1793 and that said Sarah his widow hath remained a widow and unmarried [illegible] that period 
Job Palmer (signature)
The words "ninty" being inserted 2nd line and the word [illegible] 6th line stricken out Sworn and subscribed to before me this 11th day of Januarly 1838 I also certify the credibility of the applicant P. Cantwell Not Pub [illegible] District
Page 10

State of South Carolina
District of Charleston

On this 9th day of January 1838 Personally appeared before me Patrick Cantwell, notary public and [illeligible] District Mr Joseph Righton a resident of [illeligible] city aged seventy six years who being first duly sworn according to law Doth on his Oath make the following declaration, in order that the widow of the late Benjamin Tucker mariner namely Mrs. Sarah Tucker now aged about seventy seven years may obtain the benefit of the provision made by the [illeligible] section of the act of Congress proposed 4th July 1836 - This despondent with that he was well acquainted with the late Benjamin Tucker Mariner, who during the War of the Revolution was captured, and imprisoned and wounded, and had a piece of his ear bitten off by the people of a Britsh Privateer. That he was a gunner in a corps of artillery of which this despondent was sergent, and served with this dept at Fort Darrill in the City of Charleston, during the siege of said city, and became a prisoner to the British on the fall of same. This deponent saith, he heard and believed the said Benjamin Tucker was master of the sloop Argo at the time of his capture at aforsaid and was subsequently in command of small armed rebels during the war, Deponent saith that he was intimate in the family of S. Benjaming Tucker and has no dought of said Sarah Tucker being his lawful wife and widow, and that, they were married about the year 1778 as set forth in the said Darahs affidavit. This deponent saith, that, said Benjamin Tucker was lost at sea about the 1793, and that the said Sarah Tucker has remained a widow and unmarried ever since that period

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me the said notary and I also certify the credibility of the applicant has been written for [illegible] in the 26 line
Patk Cantwell not public
Jos. Righton
Page 11

State of South Carolina
Charleston District

Personally appeared before me Patrick Cantwell notary public in and for the district aforesiad, Charles John Steedman who being duly sworn, maketh oath, that he is well acquainted with Mrs Sarh Tucker, Benj Palmer, Capt Joseph Righton and William Smith [illegible] that they are persons of Respectability and on whose Oaths the full and consequential reliance can be placed. that this deponent remembers in his younger days, to have often heard of the circumstances of the [illegible] man being the [illegible] of Beng Tucker, while a prisoner to the British and further believes that the statement made to Mr Tucker to be counsel and true.
Sworn to before me this 11th day of January 1838.
Charles Jno Steedman
Pat Cantwell
not pub and [illegible]
and I also certify the credibility of the applicant P Cantwell n.p.

State of South Carolina
Charleston District
Office  Court of Common Pleas, Charleston

I Charles C Strohecker, Clerk of the Court of Common pleas for Charleson district, certify that Lawrence Ryan and Patrick Cantwell Esq are magistrated as set forth in the annexed affidavits, and that the signatures perporting to be theirs are genuine, I further certify that full credit is due to the statements of Mrs. Sarah Tucker. and to Mers Righton Palmer, and Steedman the applicants above mentioned In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 12the day of January 1838 and in the 62nd year of American Independence
Charles C Strohecker CCP
Page 12

Charleston S. C. 6 March '52

F. L. Brockett Esq
Washington City

Dear Sir
On the mind [illegible] I uncautiously and unwisely by the representation made to me by one Isaac H. Trabue gave him some [illegible] the [illegible] of which I do not exactly understand [illegible] him to obtain for me a pension in the right of my father, Benjamin Tucker I regret now very much that I did so, because
Page 13

I feel the impropriety and injustice I have done to you, to whom I sent a power of attorney through my friend Mr Brewster who is your attorney here, and because Mr Trabue is a total stranger to me, and after consultations with my son and my relations and friends, I perceived that I have errored in doing so, I therefore wish you could aid me in revoking any authority which I have given Mr Trabue for that purpose Please show this letter to the officers fo the pension department in Washington and say to them that I now revoke all authority so given to Mr Trabue and wish you and your
Page 14

attorney Mr Brewster in Charleston to act for me and no one else I was induced by Mr Trabue to sign the papers I write to you about by his earnest entreaties and very pushing manner at the time
I send to you the paper he left with me and do not know what was the character of the papers he carried to Washington with him the day after he left me.
Be assumed that I feel deeply the indelicacy of the injustice I did you in having any thing to do with a stranger in this [illegible] since [illegible] after employing you through my friend Mr Brewster
yours respectfully M T Ryan
Page 15

Charleston So Ca [ripped] [illegible] 1838
Sir
Mrs. Tucker intreats your attention to the further consideration of her case; one of the papers enclosed is in reference to the injury he sustained from the people of the British privateer while he was in command of the sloop Argo The other paper is ? ? collaborative proof of his service while in command of the sloop Count Pulaski ? 23 men, all at the same wages for so small a craft will be significant proof it is thought of its character.
It is very much feared that it will be difficult to procure much stronger direct proof in support of this claim than is furnished by the affidavits of Mrs Tucker, and of Mrs Jos Righton and Nicholas Coba which are on file in your office?
The letter which you did me the honor to write me on the SS Ulto requires more proof.
unfortunately I have kept no duplicate of those affidavits. and if, after perusing them again it will be seen that the claim is not supported by the [illegible] Righton and Cobia, more especially as referred three months service as gunner at fort Dorrill, and of being taken a prisoner under arms and kept so, for 12 or 14 months. I have to request in the name of this poor and aged widow that the ?? please to send back these papers. or copies of the widows affidt (affidavit) and of those of Righton and Cobia to the end that all that is possible may be done for her
I  am sir with [illegible] respect your obedient and humble servant Patk Cantrell
J L Edwards Esq
Commander Pensions
Page 16

Charleston S. Carolina
March 4th 1852

Sir

I [illegible] to you the papers in the care of Mrs. Sarah Tucker [illegible] you will please cause the claim to be allowed and that certificate to be enclosed to [illegible] at Frankfort Kentucky,
Respectfully yours
Isaac H Trabue
Hon J. C. Health
Com. of Pension 
Washington City
Page 17

Washington  March 11/52
Sir,
In the case of Mary T Ryan only child of Sarah Tucker widow of Benjamin under act of July 4 1836 Enclosed herewith a telegraphic dispatch dated the 5th inst also the letter of Mrs. Ryan revoking the authority given to one Isaac H Trabue of Frankfort, Kentucky to act as the attorney in the prosocution of the claim of Mrs. Ryan for a pension in which case I was previously empowered. I will thank you to file the enclosed with the papers in your office in order to arrest all action in the case until I can procure a new [illegible] in accordance with your regulations,
I am very respt
F. L. Brockett
Page 18

J. J. Coombs Esquire
Washington
Sumterville So Ca 3d February 1854
Dear Sir
My last to you was s comment to which Unfortunately refer you [illegible] I was in hopes by to day I should have got some important pension claims perfected to send your last as usual Judges and others are not in attendance; you have accompanying this power of attorney of Mary T Ryan Sole Surviving child of Benjamin and Sarah Tucker which is a pending case being one of those furnished by Messrs Trabue who [illegible] [illegible] this knowledge of it from files in the department. It partakes both of the character Military [illegible] The widow Sarah Tucker died in July 1843 I was personally acquainted with Joseph Wrigthon Wrighton who was a Revolutionary pensioner and his widow now enjoys a pension who I perceive was [illegible] to Benjamin Tucker various kinds of Service Many important papers in Support of the claim were burnt I have taken up and in view some claims of his of [illegible] continental soldiers who accompanied Gen. Green when he came to the South to the rescue of this part of the country. Are not their Services already on record at least that which they rendered before coming South? and if so would not the individual testimony of Vaughan be Satisfactory to identify and prove this Service, and others who did the Records were lost or destroyed and unless the examining officer makes allowances for these [illegible] it will be impracticable to establish many meritorious claims which otherwise can certainly be accomplished. I beg your attention to give me your views in reference thusto Our mail is now in [illegible] direct from Willmington by Rail Road in place of the Circuitous sea route via Charleston
Yours respectfully
James Taylor:
Page 19

Charleston So Ca
12 January 1838

Honble Joel R Poinsett

Sir

The friends of Mrs. Tucker the honorable [illegible] in right of being the widow of the late Captain Benjamin Tucker mariner respectfully solicit your kind attention to the proofs which accompany this letter in support of her claim.
Will you have the [illegible] to direct any further action you may require in this case to me and it shall be promptly attended to.
On the 24th December proofs in support of the claims of Mr Richard Fordham, for wages due his father for Revolutionary service of Mrs. George as the widow of Captain James George and David Hamilton and of Mrs Brown the only surviving child of the [illegible] and celebrated sargent [illegible] were also sent to your address and sir, the parties and their friends are anxious to hear your decision, they are all residents of this city
[illegible] the honor [illegible]
sir
with [illegible] respect
your obedient and humble servant
Patk. Cantwell
Page 20

State of South Carolina.
City of Charleston.
Know All that By These Presents that I Mary T Ryan, the only living child of Sara Tucker the widow of Benjamin Tucker who was the commander of the sloop of war Argo, and Count Pulaski in the Army of the Revolution, and also served in said offering Army for several years [illegible]. By virtue of this Present [illegible] constitute and Appoint Isaac H. Trabue, of Frankfort Kentucky my true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my [caret] name to prosecute my claim in and to a Pension, due me in right of my [illegible] mother Sarah Tucker Decsd, under the act of Congress passed 4th of July 1836, or any other act or acts of Congress.

I hereby Revoke all other authority heretofore given to  Prosecute [illegible] [illegible] Name or any one of them. Given under my hand and seal on this the 3rd day of March 1852, 
In Presence of Jno C Jeannerett}

MJ Ryan
[hand drawn seal]
Page 21

State of South Carolina
Charleston District
Personally appeared Mrs M T Ryan who being duly sworn deposed and saith that the within instrument of [illegible] has been clearly and distinctly mad (made) over to her and does acknowledge the same to be her own free act and deed MT Ryan
Sworn to before me this
third day of March 1832
Hy S Rice
AP & Exfur Marty
Page 22

Benj. Tucker
S. Ca. Sea Service R.10141.

"Account of harbour pay [illegible] board Sloop Count Polaska since Nov. 15, 1779"

A very interesting account of the capture of the Sloop "Argo" by the privateer Unicorn, signed Benj Tucker. Master of the Argo dated Sept. 28, 1779 this paper is in the claim AW Mar 27, 1914.
keep in there
has been removed from this claim and locked up in the Records Div.
AW. Dec 7.1911
Page 23

South Carolina
Act 4th July 1836
Sarah Tucker, widow
of Benjn Tucker
Let to P. Cantwell 2 [illegible]
Jany 1838. de di Hon
H B Legore 2d March
1838
10741
Page 24

WASHINGTON AND NEW ORLEANS
Telegraph Line,
Office, corner of 7th and D streets.
The following communication was received
at [blank] o'clock, [blank] min., [blank] M.
Dated Charleston 5th Mch o'clock, [blank] min [blank] M.
For F L Brockett Pension agent
I shall revoke the authority by My Which which I improperly gave to Isaac H Trabue upon his representation to recover a pension claiming rights of my father having previously given you a power of attorney
Mary T Ryan
Page 25

Power of attorney
Mary T. Ryan pension due
Sarah Tucker
Sarah Tucker, widow
of Benjamin
So. Carolina Act 1836 sus.
Page 26

Know all men by these Presents,
That, I, Mary T. Ryan of Charleston So. Ca. only Surviving child of Benjamin and Sarah Tucker both deceased late of Charleston So. Ca. said Benjamin who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution, do hereby constitute and appoint my true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my name, to prosecute against the Government of the United States, before any department thereof, any and all claim or claims I have to arrears of pay or pension money, under any Act or Acts, Resolution or Resolutions of the Congress of the United States, and especially the Acts, 4th July, 1836, 7th July, 1838, 3d March, 1843, 17th June, 1844, 2d February, 1848, and 29th July, 1848, as well as the more ancient Acts of 18th March, 1818, 15 May, 1828, and 7th June, 1832. Said Attorney is moreover authorized in my name to demand at any department of the said Government, a re-consideration of any decision hitherto or heareafter to be given touching my interests, and to obtain from any department or the archives thereof, any and all information or evidence, of whatever character, relating to, or in any wise bearing upon the claim or claims we hereby seek the investigation of. Said Attorney is moreover authorized to do any thing and all things necessary to carry out the foregoing purposes, and to receive the certificates of pension or other character of drafts or evidences of the amounts due me, and to appoint one or more Sub-Attorneys, to confer upon him or them all the powers therein conferred upon him, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may do, by virtue of these presents. Hereby conuntermanding and revoking all powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given for prosecuting said claims.
WITNESS my hand and seal, this 26th day of January 1854.
Mary T Ryan (round seal black and white with LL script in center)
State of SouTh Carolina
BE IT KNOWN THAT ON THE 31 day of January 1854 before me the subscriber, a Magistrate and State aforesaid, personally appeared Mary T Ryan subscriber to the foregoing power of Attorney, and acknowledging the signing, sealing and delivery of the same to be her own voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein set forth. In testimony whereof I do hereunto subscribe my name
H W Schroder
Magistrate  (hand drawn circle with LP inside)
Page 27

10,141
Sarah Tucker
Service
Enlisted: REJECTED, 18 .
Discharged: , 18 .
Application filed: , 18 .
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized. Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for , 18
Page 28

Benjamin Tucker late mate of the then wartime Sloop Argo doth make oath that he was Master [illegible] and things, mentioned and contained so far as the [illegible] [illegible] his knowledge and true; and what was not he believes to be true

Sworn this 20th of September, 1779
John Troup, J.D.

Benjamin Tucker
Master of the sloop Argo