Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8617, Alexander Coffin, S.C. Sea Service

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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C. Sea Service

Coffin, Alexander
Mary

NUMBER
W. 8617
B.L.Wt.34935-160-55

CONTENTS

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New York 28 5 [unreadable]
Alexander Coffin Jr
of New York C. in the State of New York
who was a Midshipman in the So. Ca. Frigate commanded by Captain Joynce for 14 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 84 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22d day of April
1834 and sent to Claimant New York City
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $252.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept 4 '34 42.00
---
$294.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Saml H. Page Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 131

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5315
Illinois

Marry Coffin
widow of 
SC Alexander Coffin
who serviced in the Revolutionary
war, as a Midshipman

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 90 dollars --- cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 30th day of June 1853 and sent to F. E. Hassler

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Mar 3
200577
Aug 11 / 55
Mary Coffin Wid:
of Alexander Coffin
Midshipman
Pensioner
Act Feb 3, 1853
[unreadable]
Pen. Cert. Vol. A. page 192
Willoughby 24 /56
[unreadable]
F E Hassler
Washington
DC

Vol. {unreadable]2-29

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.
State of New York}
County of New York}ss. on this Twentieth day of  April one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court before John T. Irving Esquire Judge in the Court of Common pleas for the city and County of New York now sitting, Alexander Coffin Junior, a resident of the city of New York aged sixty eight 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, 1832.

That he was born in Nantucket State of Massachusetts on the fifteenth day of November A.D. one thousand seven hundred & sixty four, as may appear by family record now in the possession of his Father Alexander Coffin residing at Hudson in the State of New York.

That he entered the Naval service of these U. States, or perhaps more properly, the Naval Service of the State of South Carolina sometime in the month of February or March one thousand seven hundred & eighty one, as a Midshipman on board of the Frigate South Carolina, carrying Forty guns, and about 500 men under the command of Commodore Alexander Gillon, this applicant being in Amsterdam in Holland where the said Frigate was built, & was owned and commissioned, as he understood & believes, by the State of South Carolina.

That the names of the principal officers belonging to the said Frigate as the time of his entering and subsequently were to the best of his recollection & belief as follows, viz. Capt. John Joyner, Lieuts Nicolas Bartlett of Marblehead & William Grinnell of Rhode Island__ White of Marblehead __ Joshua Barney of Maryland, ___ Marston of Boston, John Morrant of So Carolina, Sailing Master, Luke Mathewson of New York succeeded by Fitzgerald of Connecticut.

Captains, as there were two, of Marines Michael Ellison and ___ Spencer both of South Carolina.

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That the said Frigate being commanded and appeared as above mentioned after long waiting for an opportunity to put to sea and evade the British squadrons which were constantly cruising off the Texel finally sailed from thence about the middle of September 1781 took an English prize in the North sea which was not being worth sending in was burned, they then proceeded North about, cruised a short time off the west coast of Ireland, took the British Privateer Alexander of 16 guns & 70 or 80 men which they manned & ordered to a Port in France, meeting with no more prizes they then shaped their course for, & arrived at, Corunna in Spain about the middle of October for water & provisions & some necessary repairs, which detained them sometime, when ready they again put to sea, & off the coast of Portugal took a prize which was carried in company with the Frigate into Tenerife where she was sold from Tenerife they sailed for the better part of November for the coast of America and arrived in January 1782 off the board of South Carolina Charleston being then in possession of the British forces. That in the course of said cruise they one night fell in with a British fleet of Transports, under convoy of a sloop of war or two, but through mismanagement or wrong calculation, suffered them to get, before daylight, between the Frigate & the Land, & before she could then overtake them, they crossed Charleston Bar & so escaped.

That the Stores of provisions of the Frigate being nearly exhausted, they next shaped their course for Havana for a fresh supply, & give the ship some very necessary repairs and on their passage to that Port they fell in with and captured five large Jamaican men laden with sugar, coffee, rum & c & c which were carried in company with the Frigate into the Havana and there sold by the Commodore for one hundred thousand Dollars or upwards as this applicant understood & he there r'ced as his share of prize money about five hundred Dollars and in 1808 or 1809 on the certificate of Herman De Roy Esq he received from Charleston between 2 and three hundred Dollars more on the same acct.

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that they arrived at the Havana some time in the month of Feby. 1782. where the Frigate was long detained having to go through a fully thorough repair, to be [unreadable] down &
caulked &c, not then being coppered, and in the month of May as this applicant believes he obtained his discharge for the purpose of returning to his native country after so long an absence from it.

That by the Books of the said Frigate which this applicant afterwards saw at Charleston in the year 1791 he thinks & believes that he was attached to her in the capacity of midshipman as above stated, for the space of fourteen or fifteen months, but cannot positively state, as he has no documentary evidence in his possession or within his reach to which he can refer.

And he further declares that he has lately caused enquiries to be made at Charleston aforesaid with the view of obtaining such documentary evidence as might be useful in substantiating the account of his services as herein before related, but has been informed
in reply, that all such evidence relating to said Frigate and the employment during the period of his service on board of her has been either lost or accidentally mislaid.

And in confirmation of the statements in this declaration contained this applicant refers to an affidavit of Herman LeRoy Esqr who was a
passenger from Holland on board the said Frigate during the time he continued attached to her, & who also left her at the Havana & who is acquainted with the nature of his services and the employment of the said Frigate during the period of the same, which said affidavit is to this declaration annex'd.

And this applicant further states that since the revolutionary war he has resided in the

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States of Massachusetts and New York and now residing in New York City.
And tis applicant further states [last two words crossed out] begs leave to state the names of his Excellency Martin Van Buren via President of the United States, the Honorable Gulian C. Verplanck
C.C. Cambreleng, Campbell P White members from Congress from the state of New York. the Honible (honorable) Nathaniel Silsbee [a or the] senator from Massachusetts. Col John Trumbull and Herman LeRoy Esq of the City of New York to whom he had been long been known in the City & state of New York & elsewhere; and who can testify to his character for veracity, and the belief of his services as herein before stated.

And this applicant hereby relinquishes and claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state.  [Illegible signature with marks across the top] Alexander Coffin Jr.
Sworn to and subscriber the day and year first aforesaid Abm. Asten Clerk com Pleas

I Gideon Lee Mayor of the City of New York also hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Alexander Coffin here who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration and believe him to be Sixty eight years of age or more that he is re____ I believe in the neighborhood where he resides to have been engaged in the naval service of the United States during the revolution and concur in that opinion.
Gildeon Lee (signature)
Sworn and subscribed in open court this day 
and year aforesaid Abm Asten Clerk Com Pleas

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State of Illinois
County of Sangamon & S.S. Be it Known
that on this twenty ninth day of march AD 1835, before me J. W Taylor Judge of the County Court ofsaid County, a court record in aforesaid County & state. aforesaid personally came mary Coffin aged 80 years of the town of Springfield widow of Alexander Coffin, who is known to me to be a credible person to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by an act of Congress passed the apel, 1833, & the amendatory act thereof passed March 1833. granting pensions to the widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Alexander Coffin who was a revolutionary Pensioner on the N.Y. Rolls at the rate of $ 80 per annum. That she was married to the said Alexander at Hudson N.Y. in the year 1816 that her husband died in the City of New York in the year 1836, that she has never intermarried and is now his widow that she is the very identical person who has therefore made an application for the Benefits of this act 3rd Apl.

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1853 that she has not been allowed the same, she furthermore refers to her original application and the proofs there unto answered for the proofs of marriage to X the death of her said husband, Alexander H[illegible] she contitutes and appoints P.E. Hassler of [illegible] her lawful [illegible] tract in such matters as may be necessary in this her application and to receive her certificate of Pension when issued.
Marry Coffin

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FORM OF A DECLARATION to be made by a party who desires a warrant.  [ STATE OF Illinois COUNTY OF Sagamon ] On this third day of August  A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five , personally appeared before me , a Justice of the Peace  within and for the county and State aforesaid Mary Coffin , aged eighty  years, a resident of Springfield , Sagamon County  , in the State of Illinois, who being  duly sworn according to law , declares that she is the identical widow of  Alexander Coffin pens.  and now draws a pension as such as will fully appear in her papers in the Pension Office , upon which certificate recorded  Page 192. Vol. A under Acts 3rd Feb. 1832 & Feb. 28 1855 was issued and made payable at Springfield Illinois. She further more constitutes and appoints  F. E. HASSLER of Washington , D. C. her Attorney to receive land warrant when issued. She makes the declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved the  3rd day of March 1855. She also declares that she has never applied for  nor received , under this or any other act of Congress any bounty land warrant.   Mary Coffin  ( signed )       We, Reuben F. Ruth  and Caleb Birchall , residents of Springfield , in the State of Illinois upon our oaths , declare that the foregoing declaration was signed  and acknowledged by Mary Coffin  In our presence, and that we believe , from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be .  Caleb Birchall ( signed )  R. F. Ruth ( signed ) The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn  to and subscribed before me on the day and year above  written : and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons ; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim. Wm F. Elkin ( signed ) Jus Peace

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State of Illinois
County of Sangamon
I hereby certify, That Wm F Elkin Esq, before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgment were made, and who has hereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of
Sangamon County Court, this 
third day of August 
one thousand eight hundred and fifty five
N.[illegible] Clerk

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200577

FORM OF DECLARATION FOR BOUNTY LAND.

ACT 3D MARCH 1855.

Mary Coffin
APPLICANT.
Revolution Pensioner

F.E. HASSLER, 
ATTORNEY.

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Alexander Coffin [illegible]
New York City 
New York

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WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office, 
183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necefsary to be done. Those points to whch your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

A Statement, showing the Service of Alesander Coffin J. New York Co. New York

Period when service was rendered
Mar 1781

Duration of the claimant's service
Years.
Months. 14 or 15
Days.

Rank of the claimant.
Midshipman
S. Car
Frigate

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. 
Com. A. Gillon
Capts. Joynce
Kettesen & Spence
Lou. Basttite
Grinnell
White
Barney

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.
68 years
S. Car. 

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Wilnefs's
" " H. La. Roy
" " John Trumbull

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J.L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.

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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. 

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 
4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 

DECLARATION, 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory, or Districk of County of } ss. 

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank), with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the state of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I, [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of [blank] &c. 

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia. except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: [blank]
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.  
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c. 

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.

{To a Soldier)Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
(To an Officer) Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination , before a Judge or Justice of the Court of record of the proper county,
and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will for
follow the rule laid down
for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. (Every claimant must state, with precision
the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite asa to enable the department to determine to what amount pension he is entitled. 
In a case where the applicant casnnot, 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 in the best of his
recollection he served not less than the
the periods mentioned below and in the following grades for ___ year ___months and___Days. "I served as a ___, For ___months and ___Days, I served as a ___; and for such services, I claim a pension"
It is important in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each 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 about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions highly  objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement,
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
(f)The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g)The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h)The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and
it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
            Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
        Proof of Service.
(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses with
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same,
as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the
nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule of (j) note applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(?) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department with the declaration

Joseph Rowen

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State of Illinois
County of [?] ⎬ SS.
Be it Known that on this twenty ninth day of March
A.D 1835, before me J. W. Taylor Judge
of the County Court for the aforesaid County
duly authorized to administer oaths
in & for the County & State aforesaid one
William W. Pease, aged 38 years of the
town of Springfield & Known to me to
be a credible & disinterested witness who
being duly sworn according to law
doth on his oath declare that he is well
acquainted with Mary (of for
present, as having been the wife & is
on the endow of Alexander
Coffin who was a resident of and
who died in the City of New York & that
she has not intermarried but remains
his widow, that she is the identical
Mary Coffin who has heretofore
made application for a pention
he Knows the facts of the marriage &
death of Alexander Coffin from an
association with the family for years
& that said Mary Coffin is the identical
Mary Coffin who lived in N.Y.
from the fact of having seen her in his
in association as Mary Coffin the
indin of Alexander Coffin formerly
during his life a resident of New York
that Mary Coffin is now a
resident of the time of Springfield

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Illinois.
William W Pease
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year here[illegible]before set forth, and [illegible] certify, that I am [disinterested?]
John W Taylor Co. Judge

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Alexander Coffin 
New York 
[illegible] 7th June 1832
Suspended [illegible] letter to T. Harrison Esq
June [illegible]th 1833

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(left page ) No 2565 Mrs. Mary Coffin of Alexander Let to F. E. Hassler Sept. 19/53  Navy Let : to F. E. Hassler Apl. 7th/55  ( right page )  Kitty Jenkins , William W Pease ,Jane E West ,Carolina J White, Asher Taylor

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Recy WIDOW, &c. File No. 8617 Mary Coffin Wid Alexander Coffin Midshipman Rev  Act : Febry 3rd 1853Index : - vol. A , Page 145 [ Arrangement of 1870.]

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State of Illinois
County of Sangamon
Be it Known
that on this twenty ninth day of March 1855 personally came before the undersigned county Judge of aforesaid county.
duly [illegible] to administer oaths in and for the county and state aforesaid. 
Jane E [illegible] aged 45 years resident of the town of Springfield who is to the known to be a credible and disinterested witness, who after being duly sworn according to law [illegible] on her oath declare that she is well and personally acquainted with Mary Coffin of the Town of Springfield and has known her for thirty five years that she has known her from association in the family as the wife of Alexander Coffin and since his death as a widow. that the Mary Coffin who now applies for a pension is the very identical person who has heretofore made application, that she knows that she is identical and wife of Alexander Coffin who died in the City NY from the fact [offering?] associated with her in New York as also in the town of Springfield her now residence that she also knew Mary Coffin now present as the wife of Alexander

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Coffin in the time of Hudson New York  that when she first became acquainted with Alexander Coffin  his name was Alexander Coffin Jr.   Jane E. West ( signed ) Signed & sworn to the day & year above first written. I further certify that I am disinterested.  John W Taylor ( signed ) Co. Judge  { State of Illinois Sangamon County ]I Noah W. Matheny clerk of the County Court for said County do hereby certify that  John W. Taylor Esq. whose name is subscribed to the above certificate was in the day the same  bears date County Judge for said County  duly commissioned and qualified  and that  as such full faith  and credit are due to all his official acts and that his signature  therein  is genuine.  Given under my hand  and seal of office   Springfield this 29th day of March AD 1855.  N.W. Matheny ( signed / sealed ) clerk     ( vertical at bottom ) ( Revo. Pensioner Mary Coffin  widow  Alexander  Act 3rd July 1853  suspended   filist  April 1855 F.E> Hassler  of  Washington  City)

Page 25

24464 New York  Alexander Coffin  Jr. of N York City in the State of New York  who was a Midshipman onboard the So. Carolina  commanded by  Com. Gillon in the U.S. Navy  15 months Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 90 Dollars  per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of Pension issue the 28 day of Dec 1833  and sent to Hon. C.W. Lawrence Ho Reps  Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 - $ 225.00  Semi-anl. allowance ending Mar 4. 34  $ 45.00  ( total $ 270 ) {Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832. } Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk, Book E Vol. 4 Page 94 See let. to Pen. Agt. & Penr July 14, 1834

Page 26

( left page and vertical on page ) (  Let. Jno Fleming  esq. 16 Aug 34 A. Coffin Jr. 16 Aug 34) ( right page identical to previous page )

Page 27

Mary Coffin , widow of Alexander  Ill Admd 3rd Feby 1853 15 mos midshipman  $ 90 per annum from 3rd Feby 1853

Page 28

Brief in the case of Mary Coffin  widow of Alexander  County and State of Illinois act 3rd Feby 1853  Claim ("original ")  Proof exhibited , ( if original ) Is it documentary, tradionary , or supported by rolls ? If either, state the substance.  Her husband was a pensioner under the act of June 7 1832 at $ 90 a year ( service provided in his papers )  Marriage  proved by Caroline J White who was present at the ceremony. Death of her husband proved by Asher  White  who was at the death & funeral. Reputation of marriage, cohabitation , the identity as the widow of the  pensioner proved by Kitty Jenkins, W W Pease & June S Wash , all   properly certified

Page 29

FREE ( post mark ) [  ILLINOIS MAR  .. ( illegible ) ]  Honorable L. P. Waldo Washington  City  D.C.  ( vertical notes  Mary Coffin wid Alexander  ) (Boynton)

Page 30

Addl Proofs                                                     
Mary Coffin                                                  Widow                                                     
Alexander                                                            Triplett                                                                                       Illinois                                                    suspended                                                          act 1855                                                           filed 28 June 1855                                                F. E. Hassler

Page 31

[ City, County and State of New York ] SS.  Caroline S. White being duly sworn  says she   fifty two years of age  that she  is the wife of ... ( illegible ) S.P. White, and resides  at No 99 East Seventeenth Street in the City of New York  ; and that she was very well acquainted with  the late Captain  Alexander Coffin Junior in his life time ; and that she was  present at , and witnessed the marriage of   the said Captain Alexander Coffin  Junior, and Mrs. Mary Gelston in the City of Hudson, which took place  as deponent thinks in the year 1816. the marriage ceremony was performed by the Reverend  Ezra Sampson - and deponent further says  that she was well acquainted with the said Mrs. Mary Gelston , now Mrs. Mary Coffin, before he said marriage , and since , down to the present time, and that the said Mary Coffin  , the widow of Alexander Coffin   Junior is now living with her son in law  Mr. Edward B. Pease in the City of Springfield Illinois ; and that deponent is not in any way interested in this claim of Mrs. Mary Coffin for a pension.  Caroline J White ( signed )  Subscribed and Sworn to before me this 25th day of June 1855  and I further certify that Caroline White  the deponent is a credible witness. Wm Currie ( signed ) Commissioner Judge

Page 32

( top of page  ) Caroline J White deposition                      
( bottom of page )  [State of New York City and County of New York ] SS. I, RICHARD B. CONNOLLY, CLERK of the City and County of New York , and also Clerk of the Supreme Court for the said City and County , being a Court of Record  DO HEREBY CERTIFY , That  William Currie  before whom the annexed deposition was  taken, was at the time of  taking the same, a Commissioner of Deeds, for said City and County, duly appointed and sworn , and authorized to administer oaths to be used in any Court in said State, and for general purposes ; and that his signature thereto is genuine, as I verily believe.  In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court  and County the 26th day of June 1855.  Richd B. Connolly ( signed ) Clerk.

Page 33

( top of page  )  Asher Taylor deposition.               ( bottom of page ) [ State of New York City and County of New York ] SS.  I, RICHARD B. CONNOLLY, CLERK  of the City and County of New York , and also Clerk of the Supreme Court for the said City and County  , being a Court of Record , DO HEREBY CERTIFY  , That Francis S Hoffman before  whom the annexed deposition was taken, was at the time of making the same a commissioner of Deeds, for said City and County, duly appointed and sworn, and authorized to administer oaths to be used in any Court  in said State, and for general purposes and that his signature thereto is genuine, as I verily believe.  In Testimony Whereof , I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court and County  the 26th day of June 1855.  Richd B Connolly ( signed ) Clerk.

Page 34

[ City, County and State of New York ] SS.  Asher Taylor being duly sworn, says  that the is Sensory of Marher (?) Five Insurance Company of the City of New York and resides  at No 186 West 32nd Street  in said City , and is fifty four years of age  and  that he was well acquainted with  the late Captain Alexander Coffin Junior in his life time, and with his wife Mrs. Mary Coffin . that said  acquaintance  commenced about the year 1819 , when the said Captain Alexander Coffin and Mary  his wife were brung together in the City of New York - And  the deponent  further say that the said Captain Alexander Coffin  Junior died  in the City of New York in the year 1836 , in the month of February as deponent thinks - that deponent saw him  the said Alexander daily  , during his last illness, and saw his corpse on the evening of the day  in which he died, and attended his funeral of the said Alexander  Coffin Junior, was at the time of his death as deponent understood  and believing  , an Inspector of Customs , in the New York Custom house, and the fact of his death and the exact date thereof can probably , as deponent is informed be proven by returns and vouchers of the  Collector of the Port of New York  which should be on file in the Treasury  Department, or Washington - and this deponent further says that  he is not in any way very interested in this Claim of the  aforesaid Mrs. Mary Coffin for a pension. Asher Taylor ( signed ) Subscribed and sworn to before me  this twenty sixth day of June1855 and I further certify that Asher Taylor the deponent is a credible witness.  Francis S Hoffman ( signed ) Com. of  pleas

Page 35

Addl Proofs
Revo Pension
Mary Coffin widow. Alexander Triplett
Illinois suspended, acnt 855
filed 28 June 1853
J.E. Hassley

Page 36

[ State of Illinois Sangamon County] I Noah W. Matheny Clerk of the County  Court for said County do hereby certify that the Hon Thomas Moffett before whom the annexed affidavit was made and who has thereunto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing , Judge of the County Court of Sangamon County , State of Illinois duly commissioned and sworn and that the  signature is genuine and that  said Court is a Court of Records and that said affidavit was much in open Court.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court  at Springfield in said County this 19th day of May  A.D. 1853.  N W Matheny  ( signed / sealed ) Clerk  County Court Sangamon County Illinois

Page 37

NEW PENSION LAWS
FORM OF WIDOW'S DECLARATION.  No. 1.
State of Illinois
County of Sangamon } SS.
Mary Coffin of Springfield Sangamon Co. State of Illinois makes oath and says that she is the widow of Alexander Coffin Jun deceased who was a pensioner of the United States received his pension in the city of New York.
that the said Alexander Coffin Jun died at the city of New York on about the first day of February A.D. 1836
She further states that she was married to the said Alexander Coffin Jun in Hudson, Columbia Co. New York on the tenth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and sixteen by one Ezra Sampson a Minister of the Presbyterian Church and that her name before her said marriage was Mary Gelston and there are two children of the said Alexander Coffin Jun by petitioner now living, whose names are as follows: Mary A Pease, wife of E B Pease & Caroline J Coffin, of children by his former marriage, Sarah Taylor, Haniel D Coffin, and Marion Craig  only surviving children of the said Alexander Coffin Jun deceased, and that her husband received a pension up to this time of his death, and for about four years previously.
She furthermore by these presents constitutes and appoints irrevocably F.E. HASSLER, of Washington D.C., her true and lawful attorney to prosecute and demand from the U.S. Government any pension or money or land that she may have right to -- hereby confirming her said attorney's lawful acts in the premises.
Mary Coffin (Mark of a Seal)
Subscribed, acknowledged, and sworn to and before me, this nineteenth day of May A.D 1836 and I further certify I am not interested in this claim.
Thomas Moffett Judge of the County Court of Sangamon County State of Illinois which is a Court of Record
//////////////////////////////////////////////
#2   It is hereby certified, that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me the undersigned, one of the [ illegible ] Court of New York in the state of New York by the affidavits of Kitty Jenkins and of the above named County and State, being proven to me to be a person entitled to credit that Mrs. Mary Coffin is the Widow of the late Alexander Coffin Jun who was a Midshipman in the United States service, in the War of the Revolution and that said Mary Coffin is now, and was on the 3rd February, 1853, the widow of Alexander Coffin Jun to the best of their knowledge and belief. The said Mary Coffin is my sister.
Kitty Jenkins
In testimony whereof, I have set my hand seal to this Thirty first of May in the year 1853.
A.W. Bradford [illegible]

Page 38

State of New York, 
City and County of New York, 
I, RICHARD B. CONNOLLY, CLERK of the City and County of New York, and also Clerk of the Supreme Court of said City and County DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That A. N. Bradford whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument and thereon written was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment Surrogate of the City & County of New York dwelling in the said City, elected and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same.  And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Surrogate and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine. 

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court the 31 day of May 1853.
Rich. B. Connolly Clerk.

Page 39

Claim of Mary Coffin
FOR A PENSION.
Act of February 3, 1863
Widow of Alexander Coffin
Pensioner N York Co., N. York 1832.
War of Revolution
Filed 6 July 1853
1853
F.E.HASSLER,
ATTORNEY,
WASHINGTON CITY, D.C.

Page 40

READ THIS.
NOTES. 
1. Which must be made before a judge of a court of record in open court, unless applicant is from bodily health unable to appear; it then can be made before the judge, who will certify to the fact of the disability to appear. 
2. Must here state, whether a revolutionary soldier or officer, or pensioner, naming the State where the pension was paid or if the husband served and died in the service during any war since 1790 -- naming them thus: Wayne's, or Indian wars prior to 1800; War with Great Britain, 1812; Seminole War, 1817 and 1818; Black Hawk War, 1832; Florida War, 1835 to 1842; Cherokee and Creek Disturbances, 1836, &c.; Mexican War, 1846 to 1848; and giving the name of the Captain, Company Regiment, and Colone; and whether militia volunteers, or regular army and place of muster, discharge, or death.
3. Deceased person's name and residence. – 
4. The place. – 
5. The date of death. – 
6. Husband's name, or father's name. 
7. Name of the minister, or justice of the peace; and if married in any State or county where any public records of marriages are kept the marriage should be proved a duly certified copy of the record or his testimony of credible witnesses who were present at the marriage; and where such testimony exists, and is not produced, satisfactory reasons must be stated, under oath, why it is not produced; and, in all cases where record evidence of the testimony of witnesses who were present at the marriage could be procured and is not, the claim will be rejected, unless other testimony of a very full and satisfactory character is produced. If it is shown by affidavit that no record evidence or testimony of eye witnesses can be procured, the claimant may then produce the best other evidence in her power, such as the testimony of witnesses, who were acquainted with her and her husband during his lifetime, knew them to live together as man and wife, and that they were reputed so to be, and that the fact of their having been married was never called in question by their acquaintances. 
In no case, however, will the mere statement of the witnesses, that the claimant is the widow of the deceased, be taken as evidence of the marriage; but the witnesses must state the facts and circumstances from which they derive their knowledge or opinion that she is the widow of the deceased. 
A certificate from the clergyman or magistrate who solemnized the marriage is not competent evidence, unless the genuineness of the certificate be proved, and the person who gave it be shown to have been authorized to solemnize marriages. 
9. This blank is left for the purpose of the applicant's stating whether any bounty land or pension has at any time been received by any one; if so, by whom, and when 
10. Naming the war. 
All records or copy of records must be attached to the original declaration by a tape, the ends of which must pass under the seal of the court, in order to prevent the improper addition of any evidence after the papers have been duly executed and certified to by the judge and clerk. 
If the widow was re-married, all the facts of marriage and death of second husband must be proven. 
A probate court is the most convenient court in which to make these proofs.
The law (3d February, 1858) grants pensions to the widows of revolutionary soldiers, without reference to date of marriage, who served six months and over.

Page 41

Pension Office
September 1853
Sir
Please report time of last payment to or death of within named pensioner
Respectfully,
S. Cole 
F Burt Esqr
[ ] and for Comm
Present
Alexander Coffin, Jr.
$90 pr ann. Act of June '32
Died 1st Feby. 1836, 
Paid to his death.

Page 42

34.935
[illegible]

Page 43

New York, Augt. 1834
Geo Wm Crump Esq.
Dir
On the 16 July I recd your letter of the 14, requesting me to return the pension certificate issued for me and dated 22 April 1834. One having previously been issued dated 28 Dec.1833 and forwarded to me which I had duly rec'd. Subsequently to my having returned the certificate of April last I met Tho Fleming Esq Presdt. of the Merchants Bank who told me that he had rec'd orders not to pay my pension till further instructed; I yesterday again saw Mr. Fleming who informed me that he had not yet rec'd any further order on the subject.
Will you Sir have the goodness to inform me on what grounds this small pension is suspended; an answer by return of mail will oblige Sir.
Your very Obt. Servt.
Alex Coffin Jr

Page 44

New York 17 July 1834  Geo. Wm Crump Esq.  War Department Washington   Sirs. I yesterday received your favor of the 14 inst. requesting the return of the certificate issued for me dated 22nd April last . I confess I was not a little surprised when I read the certificate as I had previously read one dated 28 Dec 1833 & I could only presume that there had been some mistake committed. I now  .. ( illegible ) agreeably to your desire return the one of 28 April last.  I am Sir with due consideration  & respect your Obt Servt. Alex Coffin Jr. ( signed )

Page 45

Mr. Alex Coffin Jr.  New York p Rising States ( upside down on page not legible )

Page 46

Do W. Alex Coffin Jr. in [illegible] Walden, SC. [illegible] 1808 Do Ct 1808 Do Ct Apr. 23. To cash remitted [illegible] Connecticut 200.00 Mar 26 Pay ash recd for [illegible] from Comptroller June 24 “ Exps. On to htr oil 8.35 of this state 196.75 “collecting [illegible] demand against this 4.92 June 24 Proceeds of oil sales [illegible] acct 108.96 State for wages due from So. Carolina. “ Proceeds of sales of oil recd. Frigate 196.75 Mr. Blazing Star 130.67 “ Exps. Recording power of atty. 2.00 “ Postage [illegible] .37 Balance due 220.37 _______ $436.38 $436.38 ===== ===== [illegible] excepted Charleston 23 June 1808 Signed Postm. Joshua Walden

Page 47

New York April 1833    The Honble . Lewis Cass Secty of War Washington   Sir, Having served as a Midshipman in the revolutionary  war, on board the  South Carolina Frigate , I  wrote to a friend in Charleston S.C to obtain for me from the proper authority there  , a certificate of my time of service station etc on board that ship presuming that his  Books were either there or  at the seat of the South Ca. government I hereto annex copy of the letter of my friend to the Comptroller Genl of the State and his answers thereby.  A.C. Jr.  ( signed )                                     Charleston 24 Oct 1832 Thos. Harrison Esq.  Comptroller Genl Columbia  Sir, Permit me to bring to your notice the annexed letter  rec'd by me  on the 13 inst . requesting some information as therein stated. Will you , Sir, have the goodness as  I am referred to the Department over which you preside  to direct what may be necessary in the premises & communicate the result to me with the document required if attainable.  Your Obt Servt  signed Jacob R . Valk     Jacob R. Valk Esq.  Sir, In answer to your letter of the 24 Inst. concerning request copy  of a letter from  Alex Coffin Jr.  I have to inform you that his Portage Bill Book of the Frigate South Carolina has been lost or mislaid , either by a Committee of the Legislature or  a former Comptroller Genl . I have examined my office  thoroughly  & inquired of the Clerks of the City of causes  & it cannot be found  there is no document in this office containing the information desired. Very respectfully yr  obt servt signed - Thos. Harrison

Page 48

( duplicate of page 47New York April 1833
The Honble Lewis Cass 
Secy. of War 
Washington 
Sirs
Having served as a Midshipman in the Revolutionary war, on board the South Carolina Frigate to a friend for Charleston S.C. to obtain for me from the proper authority then, a certificate of my time of service stationed on said that ship, presuming that he Books were either there or at the seat of the South Co. government, & hereto annex copy of the letter of my friend to the Comptrollet Genl of the State and his answers thereto.
A.C. Jr.
Thos Harrison Esq Charleston 24 Oct 1832 
Comptroller Genl Columbia 
Sir,
Permit me to bring to your notes the annexed letter recd. by me on the 15 Just. requesting some information as therein stated, will you sir have the goodness, as I am referred to the Department over which you preside. paid to the Dean & on which you presides or direct what may be necessary in the premises & communicate the result to me with the document required if attainable.
Your obt. Svt.
Signed Jacob R. Walk
Jacob R. Walk Esq 
Sir
In answer to your letter of the 24 First concerning copy of a letter from Alex Coffin Jr. I have to inform you that the Postage Bill Book of the Frigate South Carolina has been lost or mislaid either by a Committee of the Legislature, or a former Comptroller Genl. I have examined my office thoroughly & inquired of the Clerk of the law [illegible] and it cannot be found: their is no document in this office containing the information desired. P
Very respectfully 
Yr. Obt. Servt.
Signed –Thos. Harrison




 )

Page 49

Copy
Do M. Alex Coffin Jr. in [illegible] Walden, SC. [illegible]

1808                                                                       Do    Ct        1808                                                                        Do Ct  
Apr. 23. To cash remitted [illegible] Connecticut  200.00           Mar 26 Pay ash recd for [illegible] from Comptroller    
June 24 “ Exps. On to htr oil                                      8.35                  of this state                                                     196.75                 
              “collecting [illegible] demand against this  4.92            June 24 Proceeds of oil sales [illegible] acct         108.96
              State for wages due from So. Carolina.                                   “   Proceeds of sales of oil recd. 
                              Frigate 196.75                                                                   Mr. Blazing Star                                   130.67            
             “ Exps. Recording power of atty.                  2.00
             “ Postage [illegible]                                        .37
                Balance due                                           220.37
                                                                              _______
                                                                              $436.38                                                                                          $436.38
                                                                              =====                                                                                         =====

[illegible] excepted Charleston 23 June 1808
Signed Postm. Joshua Walden

Page 50

NOTE: (Word " Cancelled" is written across the body of this document.)

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLARIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Alexander Coffin Jr of the State of New York who was a Midshipman in the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive Eighty Four dollars per annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 22d day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty four
Lew Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned.}
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Page 51

{ City and County of New York ] ss. Herman Le Roy of said City aged seventy five years being duly sworn doth depose and say  that he is well acquainted with Alexander Coffin Junr who has subscribed and sworn to the proceeding declaration and believes him to ne sixty  eight years of age and that this deponent knew  the said applicant whilst he was acting as a Midshipman  on board the South Carolina Frigate in the years 1781  and 1782 as stated in said applicants declaration, and this deponent further says that  he was a passenger onboard said frigate from Holland until he arrived at Havanna in the year 1782 and that the said applicant was then actively  engaged on board the said frigate  as such midshipman , and this deponent further states that he has heard the above declaration read and to the best of this deponents knowledge and recollection he believes the statements made by the said applicant to be true and that the said applicant is a man of good character  and his statements are entitled to credit, and further this deponent saith not.  Herman LeRoy ( signed )  Sworn and subscribed in open Court the day and year afore said.  Abm Asten ( signed ) Clk Com Pleas                                                           [ City and County of New York ] ss. John Trumbull of said City aged seventy seven years being duly sworn doth depose and  say that he is well acquainted with Alexandre Coffin  Junr who has subscribed and sworn to the proceeding declaration that he knew him as a midshipman on board the south Carolina  Frigate in the 1781  while this deponent was a passenger from Holland

Page 52

Corienna in Spain in said Frigate  and that from his knowledge  of the said applicant  he believes him to have served as he states in the proceeding declaration and that his  statements are entitled to credit and further this deponent saith not.  Jno. Trumbull ( signed )  Sworn and subscribed in Open Court the day and year aforesaid. Abm. Asten ( signed ) Clk for Pleas                                                         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 above named applicant  was engaged in the Naval Service of the United States during the Revolutionary War and served as he states. Jno. T. Irwin ( signed ) .. ( illegible ) Justice of the Court of Com. Pleas for the City and County of New York                   I  Abraham  Asten Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York do hereby certify that  the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Alexander Coffin Junior for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this twentieth day of April 1833.                        
Abm. Asten ( signed ) Clk

Page 53

Alexr. Coffin Junior Esq. lives @ 391 Hudson New York

Page 54

Charleston  2 Nov 1832  Alexr Coffin Jr Esq        Dr  Sir, Your letter of the 3rd Inst. came to hand on the 15th - and in  conformity with your claim I made all the enquiry in my power which resulted i this being  referred to the Comptroller 's office  here - I there  sought for the  required  in formation  - but was informed that the books  were all in Columbia - accordingly  I  addressed the following letter to the department.  Charleston 24 October 1832                      Thomas Harrison Esq. Comptroller General Columbia SC   Sir , Permit  me to bring to your notice the  annexed letter  received by me on the 15th Inst. requesting to me information  & or certificate as therein stated - will you Sir have the goodness ( as I am on enquiry referred to the department over which you preside ) to  direct what may be necessary in the premises and communicate the result to me if the document required is attainable. very respectfully  your obt servt  Jacob R Valk ( signed )  In answer to which I received the following -  Jacob R. Valks Esq Office of Comptroller General Columbia 25th October 1832.  Sir In answer to your letter of 24th Inst. Covering copy of a letter from Alexr. Coffin Jr. I have to inform you that the Portage Bill Book of the Frigate  South Carolina has been lost or mislaid, either by a Commitee of the Legislature  or a former Comptroller General . I have examined  my office thoroughly , and enquired of the Clerks of the two Houses and it cannot ne found, there is no document  in this office containing the information desired   Very respectfully  your obt servt  ( signed ) Thos. Harrison

Page 55

You thus see the result of my efforts - I regret exceedingly this unpropitious character - I [illegible] however still been [illegible] in mind - and should any future enquiries lead to the desired result. The same [illegible] be promptly communicated - 
Remaining
Dear Sir
Respectfully V. Ob. Servt.
Jacob R Valk

Page 56

In the matter of the application of Alexander Coffin Jr for a Pension
__________________________________________

Declaration under Act of Congress June 7, 1832

24603

Admd
14 mo. Midshipman on board Frigate
84$

Page 57

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
State of New York.
City and County of New York} LS: On this [blank] day of one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appears in open court before John T. Irving Esquire, First Judge of the court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York now sitting Alexander Coffin Junior, a resident of the city of New York in the County and State of New York aged [ blank} 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 1832.
That he was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts on the fifteenth day of November A.D. one thousand seven hundred and sixty four as may appear by family record now in the possession of his father Alexander Coffin residing at Hudson in the state of New York. 
That he entered the naval service of the United States some time in the month of February or March one thousand seven hundred and eighty one as a Midshipman on board the Frigate South Carolina, carrying forty guns and about five hundred men under command of Commodore Alexander Gillon, this applicant being at that time at Amsterdam in Holland where the said Frigate was built, and that at the time of volunteering the said service he received the ordinary Midshipmans warrant which had since been lost or mislaid.
That the names of the officers belonging to the said Frigate at the time of his entering the service as above stated were to the best of his recollection and belief as follows viz:
Captain John Joyner
1st Lieut. Nicholas Bartlett of Marblehead
2nd Lieut William Grinnell of Rhoade Island
3rd Lieut Joshua Barney of Maryland
4th Lieut Marston of Boston
Sailing Master Luke Matthewman of New York succeeded Fitzgerald of New London.
Officers of Marines: Cap Mihael [illegible] of So. Carolina
That the said Frigate being so commanded and officered as above mentioned after long waiting for an opportunity to put to sea, and evade the British squadrons, which were constantly cruising in sight of the Texel, finally sailed from Amsterdam

Page 58

said about the middle of September in the anio year 1781, took an English prize in the North Sea which not being worth bording in was burned - they then proceeded North about, cruised a short time off the west coast of Ireland took the British Privateer Alexander of sixteen or eighteen years and eighty or ninety men, which they manned and ordered to a fort in France - [   ]ing with no more prizes they then shaped their conne for and arrived at Bounna in Spain about the middle of October following, for water and provisions and necessary repairs which detained them some time - When ready, they again put to sea, cruised a short time off the coast of Portugal, took one prize which was carried in company with Frigate into Teneriffe, where she was ools - From Teneriffe other sailors the later end of November for the coast of America, and around in the month of January 1782 off the coast of South Carolina, Charleston being then in posesion of the British forces that in the course of said cruise they one night fell in with a British fleet of transports under convoy of a Hoof of war or two, but strongh midmanagement or wrong calculation offered them to get before day light between the Frigate and the land, and before the cento them overtake them, they cooped Charleston Bar and so escaped - 

That the stores and provisions of the said Frigate being nearly exhausted, they next shaped their course for the Havana for a fresh supply and in order to give the ship some necesary repairs, and on their vohage to that port, fell in with and captured five large English Jamaica men laden with sugar coffee rum for which were taken into the Havana and sold to the Commodore that they arrived at the Havana in Feby 1782.  where this applicant obtained his discharge & left the Frigate to return to his country after a long an absence from it.

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That by the Books of the said Frigate which this Applicant afterward saw at Charleston in the year 1791 he thinks and believed that he was attached to her in the capacity of Midshipman as above stated, for the space of about fifteen months, but cannot positively state; as he has no documents any evidence in his posesion or within his reach to which he can refer.

And he further declares that he had lately caused inquiries to be made at Charleston aforesaid with the view of obtaining such documentary evidence as might be useful in substantiating the account of his services as herein before related, but has been informed in reply that all such evidence relating to said Frigate, and her employment during the period of his service on board of her, has been either lost or accidentally mislaid.

And in confirmation of the statements in this declaration contained, this applicant refered to an affidavit of Herman LeRoy, Esquire [line] who was a passenger from Holland on board and the said Frigate during the time he continued attached to her and who is acquainted with the nature of his services and the employment of the said Frigate during the period of the same, which said Affidavit is to this Declaration amended and marked (     ) 

And this applicant further stated that since the Revolutionary War he has resided in the States of Masachusetts and newyork, and now resides in Newyork City.

And this applicant begs leave to state the names of his Excellency Charles Van Doren Vice President of the United States, the Hon: Campbell P White, C.C. Cambiding and Gulia

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Verplanck [sentence illegible] for the State of New York are Hon. Nathaniel Silsbee M.S. Senator from Masachusetts and Colonel John Trumbull and Herman LeRoy Esquire of the city of Newyork, to where he had been long known in the city and state of newyork and elsewhere, and who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services herein before stated.

And this applicant hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and [illegible] that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State

Sworn to and proscribed the day and year first aforesaid

We [illegible] Lee i Mayor of and residing in the city of newyork, and Herman LeRoy of [illegible] Trumbull residing in the same place do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Alexander Coffin Jurror who had described and sworn to the above Declaration, that we believe him to be [blank] years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to where he resides to have been engaged in the naval service of the United States during the revolution and that we concur in that opinions

Signed - Gedion Lee, Herman LeRoy, [  ] Trumbull

Sworn and priscribed the day and hear first above written. [initiald] NJ

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I Abraham Asten clerk of the Court of [illegible] Hias for the city and county of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of the [illegible] Court in the matter of the application of Alexander Coffin [illegible] for a pension.

In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this [blank] day of April 1833.

Signed Abraham Asten

The above is a correct copy of what was forwarded, with perhaps a summonaterial [illegible].  
[signed] A.G.[  ]

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New York Common Hias.---

In the Matter of the Application of Alexander Coffin [illegible] for a Pension

Declaration under Act of Congres June 7th 1832 and proceedings of the Court thereon.

Original papers mislaid in which there was an item in the [illegible] of a merchant crediting the claimant for part of his wages rec? from the Government.  [signed] GWO.

Aomd 15 mo Midshipman of a Frigate

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The National Archives  Form VAM-51  12-5-41
Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*
Division of Veteran's Administration Archives

Name: Coffin, Arthur 
Grade: Private
Line: Maryland
Warrant Number: 11038
Acreage: 100
March 11, 1791 to Arthur Coffin

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.