Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3650, Peter Boston, Conn. Sea Service Mass. Sea Service

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SERVICE                 NUMBER
Conn. Sea Service  Boston, Peter   W3650
Mass. Sea Service    Rhoda


CONTENTS

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27217
Massachusetts
Peter Boston
of Nantucket in the State of Mass
who was a Seaman in the (illegible) (illegible) commanded
by Captain Williams of the _______ commanded
by (blank) on the Mass.
line for 7 mos & 26 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts 
at the rate of 31 Dollars 50 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of March
1834 and Sent (illegible)
(Line illegible)

Arrears to the 4th of March 1834  $94.50
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept. 34  15.75
$110.25
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by DD Addison Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 2nd.  Page 42

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Peter Boston [signed]

Page 4

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Nantucket ss.   On this Twenty Seventh day of September
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the
Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Nantucket
in and for said County, Peter Boston a resident of Nantucket in
said County, aged Seventy years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, A.D. 1832.

That he was born at Nantucket in the State aforesaid
on the eighth day of June A.D. 1762, and that there
is a record of his birth in the town of Nantucket: that he was in the United States
service from the first day of July A.D. 1718, to the (blank) day of (blank)
A.D. 1718 as a Seaman in the Ship Oliver Cromwell
(blank) : that he was residing at Nantucket,
when he entered the service; that he (blank)
(blank)  and served for the period aforesaid under the
command of Captains Goyt & Harding as in the following narrative
(blank) : that he marched from (blank)
(blank) : that he served with (blank)
of the regular troops; and (blank)  regular officers
were known to him: that he was in battle (blank)
(blank) and at the end of his service received a discharge
(blank)  :  that he left the service on (blank)
(blank)  and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at (blank)
(blank)   ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the (blank)
day of  (blank)  A.D. 17(blank), to the (blank) day of (blank) A.D. 17(blank)
(blank) as a  (blank)  in the (blank)
that he was residing at (blank)
when he entered the service; that he (blank)
(blank) and served for the period aforesaid under the command of (blank)
(blank) : that he marched from (blank)
(blank)  :  that he served with (blank)
(blank) of the regular troops; and
(blank)  regular officers were known to him; that he was in (blank) battle
that at the end of his service he received a discharge (blank) and left
the service on (blank)
(blank)  ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the (blank)
day of (blank) A.D. 17(blank), to the (blank) day of (blank) A.D. 17(blank)
that he was residing at (blank)
when he entered the service; that he (blank)
(blank) and served for the period aforesaid under the command of (blank)
(blank)  : that he marched from (blank)
(blank)  :  that he served with (blank) of the regular troops; and
(blank) regular officers were known to him; that he was in (blank) battle
that at the end of his service he received a discharge (blank) and left
the service on (blank)

Page 5

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his
name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any States.
Peter Boston [signed]

Sworn to an subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.

We Seth F. Swift, a clergyman, residing in the town of Nantucket
and Joshua Coffin & Benjamin Worth residing in Nantucket
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Boston who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy
years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Seaman in the war 
of the revolution, and the we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Seth F. Swift [signed]
Joshua Coffin [signed]
Benjamin Worth [signed]

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the
interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Seaman and
served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Seth F. Swift, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Nantucket; and that
Joshua Coffin & Benjamin Worth, who (has) [crossed out] have also signed the same (is a) [crossed out] are resident(s) in Nantucket, 
and are credible person(s); and that their statement is entitled to credit.

(Illegible) Coffin Judge of Probate [signed]

I, Timothy Hussey, Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of
Peter Boston for a pension.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Timothy Hussey [signed]
Regt. of Probate

Page 6

I shipped at Nantucket with Sylvanus (?) Pinkham a
(illegible) master of his ship Oliver Cromwell, to go as
a Seaman on that ship - This was two or three
years after the battle of Bunker Hill - The ship 
was then at New London, commanded by William
Goyt. (Ilegible name) was first lieutenant, Geo-
don Chapman was second lieutenant, Sylvanus
Smith was a quarter master & also Sylvanus Swain.
We went from Nantucket to New Bedford and
walked from New Bedford to New London.
On arriving I immediately joined this ship under
Capt. Goyt, and lay in New London, attached
to the ship, nine months before we went to
Sea. During this time we made one attempt
to get to sea, but found our ship too  (illegible)
and put backs, to alter this construction of
this vessel by shortening her masts. This we did.
Capt. Goyt was then removed, on account of
dissatisfaction with him, & I shipped anew

Page 7

under Capt. Seth Harding of Cape Cod. Our first 
lieutenant was Parker. The other officers were Chapman, Frisbie & Smith as above. We came down
to New Bedford, anchored off Nantucket Bar,
and then went to sea.

On this cruise we took the ship
Weymouth from the West Indies bound to 
Liverpool. She mounted 18 guns; we mounted
24, & after two or three broadsides we took her.
We put a crew onboard and sent her to Boston.
Her cargo was sugar & coffee.

We then went south & cruised
off Antigua, where we fell in with this
ship Defence. [sic]  Capt. Swedley of New London,
mounting 18 guns; we consorted with her and took
two (illegible), (2 words illegible), & Admiral Keppel and sent
them to Charleston - and afterwards went
on to Charleston & cleaned our ship.

Page 8

This cruise, from the time of our leaving Boston, until
our arrival at Charleston was about three months.

I then, in company with Brown
Coffin, Benjamin Bunker, David Giles & Jedediah
Fitch of Nantucket, went to Boston and shipped
onboard the brig Hazard. John Foster Williams
master; George Little was a lieutenant - William
Day was a (illegible) master. This was in June 1779.

A fleet of us then went down
to (illegible). The ship Warren, Saltonstall
Commodore, the Skyrocket, Monmouth, Black
Prince, Tyrannicide, Hector, Hook Providence,
Hacker, master, were of this number. We went
up the river against an island occupied by the
British. We lay there, blockading the enemy
for 15 days and made an unsuccessful
attempt to land. We lost, in this attempt a
large number of men. Then the Reasonable an
English 64 gun ship came into this river as far
as she could, & sent a flag to our Commodore

Page 9

proposing that, if we would give up the vessels,
he would hand our men at liberty. Our captain
then refused to be any longer under the 
command of the Commodore, & having consulted together,
determined to land their (illegible) and bare their
ships. This was done. We all got ashore, &
were taken by a tribe of friendly Indians to
(location illegible). We found they did
not know the way, & undertook to pursue our
own course & we finally arrived at Boston.

Page 10

Massachusetts,
Rhoda Boston
widow of Peter Boston
[Map]
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 31 Dollars 50
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued
the 28" day of April 1853
and sent to 
F. E. Hassler
Present

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
[February] [crossed out] 
July 29" [written in] Page 37, Vol. A

Page 11

18710
Peter Boston
(illegible)

[word crossed out]

W.C.E.
510 V16 OC
March 6. 1833

Posted 7 Nov 1833  [crossed out]

Seaman 7 mo & 26 days
admd
Brig Hazard
Capt. Williams
Hn. M. Reed
Yarmouth Port 94
Mass

Page 12

BRIEF in the case of Peter Boston
of Nantucket in the State of Mass.
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration before a Court or a Judge?  a Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3.  How old is   70

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[Column 1]  Period.
2 or 3 yrs after battle of Bunker Hill
June '79

[Column 2]  Duration of Service.
Years,  Months,  Days.
about 3  [written under Months]
don't say how long

[Column 3]  Rank.
As a
Sailor
do

[Column 4]  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
{Ship Oliver Cromwell -
 {Sylvanus Pinkham  Prize Master
{Capt Goyt. - Capt  
{Harding    
Brig Hazard - Capt Williams

5.  In what battles was he engaged?
(Illegible) Ship Weymouth of 18 Guns which was captured

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Nantucket

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
One living witness

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentications?  and if so, in what respect?
No Seal to Declaration  the parts of it
not properly connected together

CERTIFY that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Wm. C. Easton (signed)
Examining Clerk. 
17 Jan 1833
Bunker's declaration which}  
was absent on the same (illegible}
this

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State of Massachusetts}
Nantucket Town & County}

On this ninth day of November in
the year 1852 personally appeared before the Judge of
Probate for the County of Nantucket Rhoda Boston
a resident of Nantucket in the County of Nantucket
aged seventy four 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 by the act of Congress, passed July 7th 
1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions
to certain widows"  That she is the widow of
Peter Boston who was a Seaman in the War of the
Revolution and who was a pensioner under the Act 
of June 7. 1832 as will appear by his pension certificate
dated March 10th 1834 and Recorded in the Pension Office
in Book E vol. 2 page 42 (supposed) by DD Addison

27.217 [circled]
She further declares that 
she was married to the said Peter Boston in the
month of September in the year seventeen hundred
and ninety five; that her husband the aforesaid
Peter Boston died on the 30th day of September in
the 1837 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 hun[dred]

Page 14

and ninety seven (illegible) at the time above stated.
She further swears that she is now a widow
and that she has never before made any
application for a pension.  Rhoda Boston [signed]

Sworn to and subscribed on the
day and year above written before me, the applicant
being unable from bodily infirmity
to attend Court.    Samuel Mitchel [signed]
Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Nantucket County.

I George Cobb Clerk of the Supreme
Judicial Court within and for the County of
Nantucket, hereby certify that Hon. Samuel
Mitchell, is Judge of Probate for the County
of Nantucket, duly commissioned and qualified
as such, that the signature to the above
certificate purporting to be his signature is
genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand, and affixed the seal of said
Court, this Fifteenth day of November
in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty two.
George Cobb, Clerk [signed]

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Nantucket for State of }
Massachusetts}

I William Cobb Town Clerk of the
Town of Nantucket do hereby certify
that in Book No. 1 on page 136 it appears
that "Peter Boston was married to Rhoda
Jolly in Nantucket by Peleg Coffin a
Justice of the Peace"

And I certify that the 
above is a true copy of the record with
the exception of the date which is expressed
on the said record in fair legeble [sic] figures 
as follows
November 5th (fifth) 1795 (seventeen hundred
and ninety five)
William Cobb Town Clerk [signed]

I William Cobb above named
depose and say that I hold the office of
Town Clerk in the Town of Nantucket in the
County and State aforesaid and that
the above is a true extract from the records
of said Town with the exception above
named as certified by me.
William Cobb [signed]

Sworn to before me
Edward M. Gardner [signed]
Justice of the Peace

Page 16

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Nantucket County.

I, George Cobb, Clerk of
the Supreme Judicial Court for the
County of Nantucket, hereby certify, that William
Cobb is town clerk for the town of Nantucket, 
that I am well acquainted with his hand writing,
and that the signatures within, purporting to be his,
are genuine:  And I further certify, that Edward
M. Gardner within named is a Justice of the
Peace within and for the County of Nantucket
duly commissioned and sworn.  That I am 
well acquainted with his hand writing, and that the
signature to the within certificate purporting
to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court, this Fifteenth day of
November in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and fifty 
two.
George Cobb, Clerk. [signed]

Page 17

[Check mark] N01212
Rhoda Boston
widow of Peter
Mass

Page 18

Revy [?]  WIDOW, &c.

File No. 3650
Rhoda Boston
Widow
Peter Boston
Pvt. Revl War

Act:  July 29, 1848
Index: - Vol. (illegible), Page 71
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 19

Peter Boston
of   18.710
Nantucket, Massachusetts

In the War of the Revolution

H John Reed

Paid (illegible)
$ 80

Page 20

I, Benjamin Bunker of Nantucket in the County
of Nantucket and State of Massachusetts, make oath
and say, that I am well acquainted with Peter
Boston of said Nantucket. I have known him
and also his family more than Fifty Years.
He was an apprentice to me at the time of the
expedition to Penobscot under the command of
Commodore Saltonstall. I will recollect of
Peter Boston being with us in that expedition.
I also recollect distinctly the fact of the ship
Oliver Cromwell coming down to Nantucket
Bar, & anchoring there as is stated in the
affidavit of Peter Boston. At this time she
shipped two or three Nantucket men to go on
her besides such as she had before. The statement made in Peter Boston's affidavit,
of sundry particulars in relation to the expedition 
to Penobscot, has been read to me by
the magistrate and agrees with my
recollection of those facts.
From my knowledge of the
character of Peter Boston, formed

Page 21

upon an acquaintance during more than half
a century, I fully believe any statement which
he may make.   Benj" Bunker  [signed]

State of Massachusetts
Nantucket SS
Nantucket  Nov. 20 1832  On the day
& year above mentioned, before me came
Benjamin Bunker and made solemn oath
to the truth of the foregoing deposition by
him subscribed.
I further certify that I will know
Benjamin Bunker above named and
know his reputation in the community.
He is of firm integrity, and of a
most blameless character & unquestioned
veracity.
Charles Bunker Justice of Peace [signed]

Page 22

Certificate that Charles Bunker is a Justice in Nantucket.

State of Massachusetts
County of Nantucket SS.  October 1. 1833

I, Benjamin Gardner of Nantucket in the
County of Nantucket, Clerk of the Judicial Court
in Nantucket, hereby certify,
That Charles Bunker, the magistrate whose
certificate appears above, is a Justice of the Peace
(illegible) and for the County of Nantucket & that
full faith & credit are due to his acts in the
Capacity aforesaid. Witness my hand & Seal
of office, at Nantucket  October 1. 1833
Benj Gardner Clk  [signed]

Page 23

Commonwealth of Massachusetts}
County of Nantucket}
Town of Nantucket}

On this fifth day of October 1833,
personally appeared before me the
subscribed as Justice of the Peace in &
for said County,  Peter Boston,
who being duly sworn, deposeths and
Saith, that by reasons of old age 
& consequent loss of memory, he cannot
swear positively as to the precise length
of his service, but according to
the best of his recollection, he served
not less than the periods mentioned.

Page 24

below, and in the following grades.

1. A cruise of three months, I served
as a Seaman onboard the Oliver
Cromwell, in the summer of 1778
beginning in July - Three months.

2. In June 1779 I went to Boston 
shipped onboard Brig Hazard,
as in the body of my narrative, went
to Penobscot as therein stated, and
the whole time of this service, as a 
Seaman was 10 months.  Ten months.

3.  I served as a Seaman onboard

Page 25

this ship Confederacy, Capt. Harding,
who has formerly commanded the
Oliver Cromwell, three months in
the spring & summer of 1780.
Three months.

For these services, being Sixteen months 
and also I claim a pension.

Peter Boston [signed]

United States of America
State of Massachusetts
County and Town of Nantucket } SS...Before me
came Peter Boston and made oath to the
truth of the foregoing supplementary affidavit
by him (illegible).
Charles Bunker [signed]
Justice of the Peace

Page 26

United States of America
State of Massachusetts
County of Nantucket SS.

They will make known, that
I, Benjamin Gardner Clerk of the Court
of the [crossed out word] aforesaid in Said County, do
certify, that Charles Bunker whose signature
appears as verifying the foregoing
affidavit is a Justice of the Peace in the
County aforesaid, the Signature 
appearing as his, is genuine.  Witness my
hand & Seal of the office,  Oct 9 1833.

Benj Gardner Clk  [signed]
(illegible letters)

Page 27

I Isaac Coffin of Nantucket in the
County of Nantucket, State of Massachusetts.
Judge of the Probate of (illegible)
make oath & say, that I (illegible)
Peter Boston of said Nantucket.
It is a matter of general reputation
that he served in the United States
Service during the war of the Revolution. 
He is recorded as 
a public record kept in my 
office as being Seventy years of
age.  His veracity is unquestionable,
and whatever statements
he makes may be relied upon.
Isaac Coffin
[signature]

Page 28

State of Massachusetts}
Nantucket SS.}   Nantucket No 241832 (?)

On this twenty fourth day of November in
the year of our Lord 1832, before me
the subscriber as Justice of the Peace in &
for said County came Isaac Coffin
Esquire, & made oath to the truth of
the foregoing affidavit by (illegible name)

Charles Bunker Just P-  [signed]

Page 29

I, Simeon Coffin of Nantucket
in the State of Massachusetts, make oath,
That during more than
sixty years, I have been acquainted with
Peter Boston of this town, who is a petitioner
for a pension under the act of Congress passed
June 7, 1833.
During the war of the Revolution
he went by the name of "Boston Boston"
and during many years after he was known 
by that name -- and the Peter Boston who
now asks for a pension is the same person
who served in the Revolution by the name 
of Boston Boston.  We went to school
together, & I will recollect his service
during the Revolution.
Simeon Coffin  [signed]

Nantucket SS.
Feb 21. 1834  Simeon Coffin, known to me
as of credit as a witness & (illegible) to
belief came before me & made oath
to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by
him subscribed.
Charles Bunker [signed]
Just. Peace

Page 30

I, Isaac Coffin of Nantucket in
the State of Massachusetts, Esquire, make oath
that I have been acquainted with Peter Boston
who is now a petitioner for a pension, more than
50 years. In early life, during & after the 
Revolutionary War he passed by the name of
"Boston Boston." I at that time knew
of his service & state that "Boston Boston"
aforesaid & the present "Peter Boston" are the
same person.
Isaac Coffin  [signed]

Nantucket Ss.
Feb 21. 1834}  Before me a Justice of the
Peace in & for the County of Nantucket
came Isaac Coffin & made oath to the
truth of the foregoing affidavit. The said
is a person of credibility & integrity.
Charles Bunker Just Peace  [signed]

Page 31

Peter Boston's Petition
Additional affidavit
by
Brown Coffin

Page 32

I, Brown Coffin of Nantucket in the
State of Massachusetts make oath and
say, that I shipped onboard the Brig Hazard,
Capt. John Foster Williams at Boston, and
went onboard of her to Penobscot, as the 
expedition to that place. I do recollect
that Peter Boston, the same person
who now petitions for a pension, was
a Seaman onboard of the Brig Hazard.
He did not do anything on that 
expedition, but very improperly anchored
at the mouth of the River and afforded
them time & opportunity to fortify
themselves.  The enemy did fortify
themselves - chained their vessels together
So that we could not pass (illegible) the 
river through their line. George Little
was our first lieutenant & with others
petitioned for leave to go in with (illegible)
Company & take the British vessels.

Page 33

return there, was six weeks, and during
this time Peter Boston, to my knowledge, 
served onboard - and was as
good a man as any aboard. The
officers were also satisfied with him
as he was always ready at a call.
Benjamin Bunker also was onboard.
Witness my hand - Brown Coffin [signed]
I further make oath that I was born in 
June 1753. & am, of course, in my
eighty first year & have always lived
in Nantucket, except when at Sea, which
has been about 40 years.  Brown Coffin [signed]

Page 34

Nantucket}
Dec 6. 1833}  SS. -- Before the subscriber a Justice of
the Peace in and for the County
of Nantucket, came Brown Coffin, and
made oath to the truth of this foregoing
affidavit by him subscribed. I further
certify that the deponent is a person of
veracity & is entitled to credit.
Charles Bunker  Jus Peace [signed]

State of Massachusetts
Nantucket } Ss. -- I Benjamin Gardner
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, a
Court of Record in the County of Nantucket,
hereby certify, that Charles Bunker who
administered the oath to the foregoing
affidavit is a Justice of the Peace in the 
County aforesaid -- and that his signature
to the foregoing certificate is genuine.
Witness my hand as Clerk, and the Seal
of Said Court.
Benj Gardner Clrk [signed]
(illegible letters)

Page 35

I, Barnabas Swain of Nantucket in the
State of Massachusetts, affirm that I have been
acquainted with Peter Boston, who is a petitioner
for a pension, more than 60 years. In early 
life he went by the name of Boston Boston.
I knew of his service in the war of the
Revolution, & I state that Boston Boston
who then served as Peter Boston the present
petitioner are one & the same person.
Barnabas Swain [signed]

Nantucket Ss.
Feby 21. 1834}
Before me a Justice of the Peace in &
for the County of Nantucket, came Barnabas
Swain, who is known to me as
a person of veracity & entitled to credit
and affirmed that the foregoing
affidavit is true.
Charles Bunker [signed]
Justice of Peace

Page 36

Hon. I. Reed [signed]
[at bottom of page]

Page 37

I, Peter Chase of
Nantucket in the State of Massachusetts, make
oath and say, That during sixty years
I have known Peter Boston, a petitioner
for a pension under the act of Congress passed
June 7, 1833.
During the Revolutionary 
War, and long since that time, this individual
was known by the name of "Boston
Boston". I knew him by that name
during that time, and I state upon 
oath that the "Peter Boston" who now 
applies for a pension is the same person
who was formerly known by the name
of Boston Boston.
It has always been a 
matter of general reputation in this town
that Boston Boston, alias Peter Boston,
Served in the naval service during the
Revolutionary War.  Peter Chase [signed]

Page 38

Nantucket Ss. }  I hereby certify that
Feby 21, 1834}   Peter Chase who has
subscribed the within written affidavit
this day appeared before me a Justice
of the Peace in and for the County of
Nantucket, & made oath to the aforesaid
affidavit. I further certify that the
aforesaid Peter Chase is a person of veracity & that his statements are entitled
to credit.  Charles Bunker  [signed]
Jus. Peace

Page 39

State of Massachusetts,
County of Nantucket} Ss.  I, Benjamin
Gardner, Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas (illegible) within and
for the County aforesaid, hereby certify
that Charles Bunker who has and hereto (illegible)
the depositions hereunto annexed of Isaac
Coffin, Barnabas Swain, Simeon Coffin
and Peter Chase, is a Justice of the 
Peace in and for the County of Nantucket 
and that the signature purporting to 
be his, is his handwriting.
(Illegible) memory
of a (illegible) I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the Seal of the Court
aforesaid in Nantucket this Twenty
Second day of February 1834.
Benj Gardner Clrk [signed]
C C Pls

Page 40

Peter Boston

Mr Reed

Page 41

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Peter Boston which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides. [handwritten] Yes [/handwritten]

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

[handwritten] Yes [/handwritten]

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

[pen stroke]

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

[handwritten] Yes [/handwritten]

V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?

[handwritten] No [/handwritten]

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

[handwritten] Yes [/handwritten]

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

[handwritten] Yes [/handwritten]

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

[handwritten] Yes [/handwritten]

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

[handwritten] Yes [/handwritten]

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

[handwritten] No [/handwritten]

Page 42

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood to his revolu-tionary [revolutionary] service?

[handwritten] Yes [/handwritten]

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-ing [obtaining] it?

[pen stroke]

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary [underline] evidence [/underline], and has not obtained the testimony of at leas one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

[pen stroke]

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, as the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? [handwritten] Yes [/handwritten]
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

[handwritten] Yes [/handwritten]

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

[handwritten] No [/handwritten]

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not which of them is not so answered?

[words crossed out that are not legible] [handwritten] Yes [/handwritten]

[divider]

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recol-lection [recollection] he served no less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following gades: For - year - - months and - - days. I served as - -. For - - months and - - days, I served as a - - ; and for such service I claim a pension."

Page 43

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italics] about three or four months [/italics] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

QUERE XIV. [italics] Proof of Service [/italics]

In a case where the name of the applicant is not found in the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may adminis-ter [administer] the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. [italics] Mode of authenticating papers. [/italics]

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of the office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being im-properly [improperly] attached to the certificate.

Page 44

House of Representatives
May 6th 1834

Sir

I have this day received the papers in the case of Peter Boston or Boston Boston I happen to know Boston well. He is a colored man, but most distinguished as an honest upright good man. He once applied to me to aid him by advise in a controversy which led me to enquire very particularly into his character. I state the above as an act of justice to a humble claimant.

With Respect
[illegible]
John Reed

I herewith enclose
Bostons Papers.

Page 45

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
[divider]

Secretary's Office, Feb. 17 1834.

I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the service of Boston Boston, as a Lea-man, is found on a Pay Roll of the Guy Hazard, John Foster Williams, Com-mander [Commander], where he is allowed for service one month and twenty six days from July 12, 1779

mos
1
days
26

Edward D Bangs Esq

Page 46

Pension Office
April 26 1853

Mass Rolls}
Act June 7 1832} Peter Boston
$31.50 p an} to what-time/w.

Triplett

F Burt Esq
Auditor

Paid to 4th Sept. 1837

BLB.

Page 47

Rhoda Boston
widow of Peter
Mass
adm. 29 July 1848
pri 7 mos & 26 days $31.50
per annum from
4 March 1848

Art to
F. E. Hassler Esq
Present

Page 48

Nov. 18 . 1852

Revolutonary
Pension claim
Rhoda widow
Peter Boston
was a Pensioner
act 1832,

Massts [Massachusetts] Rolls
Massachusetts
Act 7th July 1838.
[divider]
filed 19 Nov 1852

F. E Hassler

Page 49

Washington, D.C.
19 Nov. 1852

Hon. I. E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir,

Enclosed please find the application of Rhoda widow of Peter Boston for a Revolutionary Pension, it will be seen that there is a slight error which I as attorney will correct, that is she is entitled under the act 29 July 1848 in lieu of that 7 July 1838.

Hoping a certificate may issue

I am respectfully
F. E Hassler

Page 50

State of Massachusetts}
Nantucket Ss.}
November 11th 1852}

Then personally appeared William Harris of Nantucket of lawful age to testify and before me Edward M Gardner a Justice of teh Peace for the County of Nantucket duly commissioned did depose as follows.

I was acquainted with Peter Boston the husband of Rhoda Boston now a widow in Nantucked for the period of twenty years that I was often with him during his last sickness and saw his corpse after he died and knew it to be the corpse of said Peter Boston and also followed it to the grave and saw it buried. Peter Boston died int he fall of the year . I can=not [cannot] say precisely in what year but I ver=ily [verily] believe it was in the year 1837.

William Harris

Taken subscribed and sworn to on the day and date above mentioned
before me
Edward M Gardner
Justice of the Peace

Page 51

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Nantucket County

I, George Cobb, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Nantucket, hereby certify that Edward M. Gardner within named, is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Nantucket, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signature to the within certificate pur-porting [purporting] to be his is genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this fifteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and fifty-two.

George Cobb, Clerk.

Page 52

State of Massachusetts}
Nantucket Ss November}
the 11th, 1852}

Then personally appeared before me Edward M Gardner, a Justice of the Peace of the County of Nantucket duly commissioned Thomas Snow of Nantucket of lawful age to testify and deposed as follows.

I Thomas Snow knew Peter Boston of Nantucket the husband of Rhoda Boston now residing in said Nantucket a widow, and that about fifteen years since in the autumn of the year as I verily believe I was called on to assist in laying out the corpse of the said Peter. I went to his house and found that the said Peter was dead and did assist in laying out the corpse of the said Peter Boston and I knew the corpse to be his

Thomas Snow

Taken Subscribed and sworn to on the day and date above mentioned before me
Edward M Gardner
Justice of the Peace

Page 53

Commonwealth of Massuchusetts.
Nantucket County.

I George Cobb, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Nantucket, hereby certify, that Edward M. Gardner within named, is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Nantucket, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signature to the within certificate pur-porting [purporting] to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this Fifteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.

George Cobb,
Clerk

Page 54

State of Massachusetts}
Nantucket Ss}
Nov. 13, 1852}

Then personally appeared Frederick Worth of Nantucket before me Edward M Gardner a Justice of the Peace duly qual=ified [qualified] and on his oath doth say Th on the thirteenth day of September in the year 1837 he made a coffin for the corpse of Peter Boston of Nantucket and that he measured the corpse of said Peter for the purpose above mentioned, and that he assisted in placing the corpse of said Peter in said coffin and that he knew for many years Peter Boston of Nantucket and that he also knew the corpse to be the corpse of said Peter Boston, and the said Peter had not been dead at that time more than forty eight hours

Frederick Worth

Taken subscribed and sworn to before me on the day and date above mentioned. 
Edward M. Gardner}
Justice of the Peace}

Page 55

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Nantucket County.

I George Cobb, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court, for the County of Nantucket, hereby certify that Edward M. Gardner is a justice of the peace within and for the County of Nantucket, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature to the within certificate is genuine.

Witness my hand and the seal of the Court aforesaid hereunto af-fixed [affixed], this fifteenth day of November in the year of Lord, one thousand eight hundred & fifty two.

George Cobb
Clerk.

Page 56

Brief in the case of Rhoda Boston widow of Peter
County and State of Massachusetts
act July 29 1848

[divider]
Claim, ("original" or [crossed out] "for increase." [/crossed out])

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

Husband was a pension act '32
Record proof of marriage

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Name and residence of Agent
T.E. Hapler Esq present

Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.