Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,419, Sampson Freeman, Navy (Mass.)

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Service:  Navy (Mass) Freeman, Sampson
Number: S.17419

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[This is a handwritten document]
Maine             __9751-
==============================
                        29.751
Sampson Freeman of Augusta in the State of Maine who was a Mariner in the Ship commanded by Captain McNeil of the [U.S. is crossed out] {The following two words are redacted] commanded by  Ship Boston [The following two words are redacted] in the  U.S.Navy. [The following word is redacted] line  for 1 year

[The following word is crossed through] Mass
==============================
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine - at the rate of  - 8 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
==============================
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of February 3_ Present and sent  R.C.Vose
==============================
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 30              168.00
Semi-an. allowance ending 4Mar 35    24.00
                                                            =====
                                                          $ 192.00
                      {Revolutionary Claim,}
                      {Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nath Rice, Clerk,
Book    E     Vol. 1          Page 16,

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[Information on this page is handwritten]
                             28 100
                      Sampson Freeman
                       U.S. Ship Boston


Mariner   ---- 3 months
Steward   ---- 9    "
                      __________
                        12   "


Declaration in open Court
Aug 15th 1833



R.C. Vose

Augusta,
        Me

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                           Declaration
                     ============
          In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

STATE OF MAINE,}  ss.
KENNEBEC COUNTY,}

On this fifth day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. Nathan Weston, Jun'r, a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, of said State, Sampson Freeman a resident of Waterville in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine, aged sixty seven 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 7, 1832.   That he enlisted in the [Army is redacted] navy of the United states in the year 1777 with Captain McNeil and served [in Col is crossed out] the Navy [regiment is crossed out] of the United States [line or troops is crossed out] under the following named officers:  McNeil Captain.  That in October 1777 he shipped as a mariner for one year on loan the continental ship Boston, a frigate of 36 guns, Hector McNeil Esq commanded[one word redacted].  That he served on board said ship eleven months as a waiter to Leut Grose, and nine months as a steward of the ship.  That he entered on board at Newbury Port, cruised in various parts of the Atlantic Ocean, took the English Brig [illegible]. and was verbally discharged in Boston in October or November 1778

And to the interrogatories propounded under instructions of the [blank] department, he answers:  That he was born in Ipswich Massachusetts in 1765 and that his life is recorded in his family bible.  That Ipswich was his home during his revolutionary service.  That about 1806 he moved to what is now Welch, Maine.  That in 1830 he moved to Waterville, where he now lives.  That he never took any written discharge.  That he enlisted, was [illegible] or [illegible] as a substitute.  That Brown was first Leut of the ship, Grose second and Welch third Leut and Furlong sailing master.  And that he reports the rolls of the ship will [illegible] his service, But dont know of any person living who served with him, or of any evidence he can procure of his service.

He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or an annuity, except that present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.

                       [Signature] Sampson Freeman 
sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Before Nathan Weston Junr
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
                               Nathan Weston Junr

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State of Maine
Kennebec, ss.
At the Court of Common Pleas begun holden at Augusta within and for the County of Kennebec on the second Tuesday of August/being the thirteenth day of said month/A.D. 1833

On this third day of term August fifteenth 1833, personally appeared in open Court Sampson Freeman by whom the within declaration in order
to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832 was made before the Hon Nathan Weston Ken. Port the 5th day of September 1832, & makes oath in due form of law, that the within declaration, by him made & signed is true.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states.
                           [Signature]Ezekiel Whitman
                           Chf. Just C.C. Pleas
I John A. Chandler, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within & for the County of Kennebec do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Sampson Freeman for a pension.  In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said Court & subscribe my name this 15th day of August, 1833
                           [Signature]J.A. Chandler, Clerk

                    State of Maine
            ===============
Kennebec, ss.--I, John A. Chandler, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Kennebec, hereby certify that the Hon. Nathan Weston, Jun'r, before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of Sampson Freeman for a pension.

     In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this fifth day of September A.D 1832.
                              [Signature] J.A. Chandler

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[This statement is handwritten]
Additional Declaration of Sampson Freeman an applicant for a pension under the act of June, 7 1832.


Original Declaration & proof now on file in the war Department.
   (See letter to R.C. Vose of July 9, 1834)



                             R.C.Vose
                         Augusta, Me

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[This statement is handwritten]
I Sampson Freeman of Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine an applicant for a pension under act of Congress of June 7, 1832, do, in addition to my declaration now on file in the War Department further on oath declare that in 1818 I lived on a plantation called No. 5 in the County of Oxford, Maine, which plantation is now called Weld, & I was then the owner & possessor of one hundred & fifty acres of land with buildings thereon, besides oxen, cows horse [illegible]. That when I afterwards heard of the pension law I continued to hold said property which was worth about five hundred dollars.  That I afterwards removed to Peru in the same county, & there owned a farm & stock.  That I moved to Waterville about four years ago, where I lived on a farm belonging to my wife, when I heard of the passage of the act of June 7, 1832 & was told that it provided for all who served in the Revolutionary war, without regard to property.  I then immediately applied to Robert C. Vose, Esq. of Augusta, /who had written me a letter soon after the passage of the act of 1818 that he would assist me obtaining a pension./for assistance.  That afterwards made my declaration as before mentioned I further on oath state that I have always endeavored to state my service correctly, & believe that I have done so, that I did actually serve on board the Boston Frigate as stated in my declaration, & as is supported by evidence of Gideon Woodwell whose deposition I myself to Massachusetts to obtain, as I did not then, & do not now know of

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[This statement is handwritten]
of any person living in Maine who served with me.  I believe myself justly entitled to a pension, & pray that my name may be placed on the pension list accordingly.   
                           [Signature] Sampson Freeman

State of Maine,
Kennebec, ss.
                Subscribed & sworn to this 30th day of August 1834.
  Before me  Wm Woart [illegible] Justice Peace

I Robert C. Vose of Augusta, Maine, on oath state that in 1818, & afterwards I was engaged in preparing the declaration of Revolutionary soldiers applying for the benefit of the act of Congress of March 18, 1818, & from some one of the applicants who came to me at Augusta for assistance, I learned that there was a man named Sampson Freeman living in the County of Oxford in this State who had served on board the Boston Frigate during the Revolutionary war.  This information I obtained either in 1818, or soon afterwards, & I then wrote a letter to the said Freeman informing him that I would assist him in procuring his pension.  Not hearing from him in answer to my letter, I made some inquiry afterwards in relation to the man, & I learned that he was a farmer of some property, which would prevent his being placed on the

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[This statement is handwritten]
pension list.  After the passage of the act of June 7, 1832, I again enquired for said Freeman, & I found that he had moved into Waterville in this County, & he very soon after made application to me for assistance in procuring his pension.  As he had no evidence to support his declaration, & as it was returned from the War Department for the want of it, & as I know of no one in Maine who served on board the Boston Frigate, under Capt McNeil during the period when Freeman said he served.  I made enquiry in Massachusetts, & learned that Gideon Woodwell whose deposition is furnished as evidence for Freeman was living, & thereupon Freeman went to Massachusetts by my advice, & procured his testimony.  I fully believe that Sampson Freeman who has sworn to the foregoing declaration is the same man to whom I write as above mentioned, & that he was at that time, as he states, a man of some property, & now continues to be.  I fully believe that he served as he has stated.

                        [Signature] Robert C. Vose 
State of Maine
Kennebec, ss.   Subscribed & sworn [the word "to" is crossed out] this 30th day of August 1834, the deponent being a credible witness.
                Before  [Signature] Wm Woart Jr 
                               Justice Peace

State of Maine
Kennebec, ss.  I John A Chandler Clerk of the Judicial Courts for Said County, hereby certify that William Coart Jr before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is a Magistrate.
            Witness my hand & the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State this 30th day of August 1834.
                     [Signature]  J.A.Chandler

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                    Invalid
                 =======
Revy                    [The letters  am  are written vertically in the right margin]

               ________________   Navy

File No.  17419
    Samson Freeman
                             Marine
U.S. Ship Boston U.S.N.
                      Rev War
                    ___________________

Act:   June 7, 1832
Indes:- Vol. 1,            Page  16

              [Arrangement  of 1870.]

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[This document is handwritten]
    Maine
      Revo
Act 7 June 1832
Sampson Freeman

  Suspended
[illegible]  18 Sept. 1834

    Letter to 
  R.C. Vose
      Augusta
22 Nov. 1833

[illegible]  Mar 12,1834
[illegible]  9th July 1834

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[This statement is handwritten]
Additional Declaration of Sampson Freeman,
under act of June 7, 1832, with additional evidence of Gideon Woodwell

Original Declaration in this case now on file in the Pension office.



R.C. Vose
Augusta, Me

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[This statement is handwritten]
I Sampson Freeman of Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832.  My papers being now on file in the War Department, & I do further upon oath testify & declare, that in October 1777, I entered on board the United States Frigate Boston, Hector McNeil Esq commander, at Newbury Port, Massachusetts, for one year.  That I entered as waiter to Lt Grose  & as such sailed in the Ship to Boston where we lay two or three months.  That while at Boston I discovered that one McIntire who was captain of the stewards, was in the habit of stealing & carrying away from the Ship, provisions & stores belonging to the officers.  This I made known to Capt McNeil who examined particularly into the facts & circumstances of the case, & upon finding that I had been uncommonly vigilant & attentive to my duty & for this particular act was deserving of reward, immediately displaced said McIntire from his situation of Capt of the Stewards, & appointed me in his room.  That said McIntire immediately left the Ship & I have never since heard of him.  I further state that I continued to serve on board said Ship

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Ship, during her cruise, in my last named capacity until her return to Boston in October 1778, when I was verbally discharged.  Having served at least nine months as Captain of the Stewards as aforesaid.  I furnished with my case the testimony of Gideon Woodwell, who was carpenter's mate of said ship during said service, & who distinctly recollected the facts I have now stated.  I know of no other evidence I can obtain of my said service.  That I accidently heard after my declaration was first returned from the pension office for evidence, that said Woodwell was living in Newbury Port, & travelled there more than an hundred miles for the purpose of obtaining his evidence, which was duly forwarded to the Commissioner of pensions.  I therefore pray that my name may be placed on the pension Roll under said act of June 7, 1832

                       [Signature] Sampson Freeman

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[This statement is handwritten]
I Gideon Woodwell, of Newbury, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts in addition to the deposition which I have already given as respects the services of Sampson Freeman on board the United States Frigate  Boston, in the war of the revolution and in explanation thereof do further on oath testify and say --That when said Freeman entered the service, on board said Ship, he was at first a waiter to Leutenant Grose, and I well remember was soon promoted,-there was difficulty with one McIntire who was Captain of the stewards, by reason of malpractice, and that Freeman who had been the cause of his detection, took his place, but how soon, as for what length of time I am not near able to state particularly - I do know that the said McIntire was turned out and his conduct while in office was communicated to the officer by Freeman, this took place soon after the Frigate arrived in Boston, before sailing on his cruise in the year

                     [Signature] Gideon Woodwell


Essex,ss. Newbury Port May 19th 1834 [illegible] personally came Gideon  Woodwell [illegible], and made oath in dueform of Laws to the truth of the [illegible] depositor [illegible], in my presence, I do also certify that the said Gideon Woodwell is personally well known to me thus he is a respectable man, and fully [illegible] by me to be credible witness.

        [Signature]   WWoart  Justice of the Peace

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 [This statement is handwritten]
              State of Maine
Kennebec, ss.
                  Subscribed & sworn to this 12th day of April A.D. 18234.  The said Sampson Freeman being well known to me as a man of veracity & entitled to credit.

   [Signature]  Wm Woart [illegible]  Justice Peace 


                          State of Maine

Kennebec, ss.
            I John A. Chandler, Clerk of the Judicial Courts held within aforesaid County, hereby certify that William Woart, [illegible], is a Magistrate as above, & that the above [Crossed out "certificate"] signature purporting to be his is genuine.
            In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State & subscribed my name this 12th day of April 1834.

                         [Signature] J.A.Chandler

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[This page is handwritten]
Sampson Freeman

Maine

add

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[This statement is handwritten]

                              Augusta, Me,   Nov 3rd, 1834

Sir:

         Your letter of the 18th of September last in relation to the claim of Sampson Freeman to a pension under the act of Congress of June 7th, 1832, was duly read.  I send you herewith the affidavit of Gideon Woodwell (which was returned to me with your said letter for explanation as to the signature.) with the required explanations made by the Magistrate before whom the same was sworn.  On examining the paper in this case now on file in your Department you will find another deposition of W. Woodwell's in which he is more particular in his statements.  You remark in your letter that "when all the necessary explanations shall be made a decision will be made upon this claim which under all the circumstances is regarded as extremely doubtful."  While at Newbury Port myself a week since, I enquired particularly as to the standing & character of the said Woodwell & what dependence could be placed upon his statement.  I found that his reputation as an honest man, & as a man

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[This statement is handwritten]
of veracity was unimpeachable, & that his statement was entitled to the fullest credit.  I was informed by W Woart before whom Woodwell's affidavits were sworn that [redaction] Hon. Jeremiah Nelson who was for a long series of years the Member of Congress of Essex North District had offered to certify to his knowledge of Woodwell's character in the event that it should be necessary.  Mr. Nelson is now in the City of Washington, & reference is had to him if there is a doubt remaining on your mind that Mr Woodwell is entitled to full credit.  In addition to the evidence which has already been presented in this case, I now transmit you the affidavit of Francis George a resident in this county of his knowledge of Freeman's service.  Mr George is now a pensioner under the act of 1818 but did not mention his naval service in his declaration.  He applied at my office in September last for information as to that service, whether if now delcared for, & proved it would increase his pension and on being asked by my Clerk if he knew Freeman & recollected his service, stated this knowledge of the man, & declined giving a deposition in his favor, until after he has seen the man & satisfied himself of his identity.

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[This statement is handwritten]
Freeman has been to see Mr George, & obtained the affidavit which is herewith transmitted.  If any further evidence is necessary as to Mr George's being a credible, & entirely disinterested witness, it can readily be furnished.  I have been personally acquainted with him for many years, & know him to be a man of truth & veracity.
     I trust that Freeman's claim to a pension will now be admitted, & hope very soon to receive his pension certificate.  He has been at great trouble & expense in procuring evidence, which if not now satisfactory to you, he must submit to a personal examination at Washington.

                    I am, Sir,
                        very respectfully,
                           your [illegible]
           [Signature] Robert C. Vose

Col. J.L. Edwards}
 Comm. of Pensions} 
 Washington, D.C.}

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[This statement is handwritten]
Deposition of Francis George in support of the claim of Sampson Freeman to a pension.




            R.C. Vose,
               Augusta,
                       Me.

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[This statement is handwritten]
I Francis George of Leed in the County of Kenebeck State of Maine aged seventy two years * Pursuant to the [illegible] Roll [illegible] the act of Congress of March 18, 1818 do upon oath testify and say that am acquainted with Samson Freeman who now lives in Watervil in the County of Kenebeck and know that he [the words "is the" are crossed out] was on board the United States Frigat Boston in the war of the Revolusion   Said Frigat was Commanded by Capt McKneil the full term of twelve months in the years of 1776 and 1777  The said Freeman who is now present served on board said Frigat in the month of October 1776 and was for several months as a water to Lut Grose and afterwards Capt of Stewards  I was a seman on board the same time  I reclect that Freeman was made Capt of the at Boston and for the Saith  [illegible]
             [Signature]  Francis George   

State Mane  County of Kenebeck  Ss
Personaly appeared Francis George of Leed and subscribed to this Depesion and was sworn this first Day of November 1834  Depondant being a credibel witness
              Before me [Signature] George Lothrop
                Justice of the Peace

                State of Maine

Kennebec, Ss.
            I thereby subscribe Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within & for said County, hereby certify that George Lothrop, Esq is a Magistrate, & that the above certificate purporting to be his is genuine.

                In testimony whereof, I hereunto sign my  name, & affix the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State, this 3rd day of November 1834.
                       [Signature] J.A. Chandler  Clerk

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         Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
                   ==============

             Secretary's Office,  May 11,th 1833.

I hereby certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remains in this Department, it appears that the "United States of America" were charged by "the Board of War," for supplies furnished for that use of the Ship Boston Hector McNeil commander in only 1777.

              [Signature]Edward D. Bangs, [Illegible]

[illegible]

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[These statement are handwritten]
I Gideon Woodwell, of Newbury, in the county of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty three years, on oath do testify and declare, that I am acquainted with Sampson Freeman, who lives at Waterville in the State of Maine and do know that he served as a Mariner on board the United States Frigate Boston, in the War of the Revolution, said Frigate then under the Command of Capt McNeil - and that he served therein the full term of twelve months, in the years 1776 and 1777 - the said Freeman, who is now present entered on board said Frigate in the month of October 1776, and was for several months a waiter to Lieutenant Grose - and afterward Captain of the Stewards.  I was Carpenters mate on board the same Frigate - and served as such at the same time with said Freeman, and do know that he served the full term of twelve months as I have above stated on board the said Frigate.

                      [Signature]Gideon Woodwell

            Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Essex Ss. January 29 1834 Town of Newbury Port Gideon Woodwell above named, personally came, and made oath to the truth of the above written deposition by him subscribed. -  I do also certify that said Gideon Woodwell is a credible witness personally well known to me.
                     [Signature] WWoart  Just Pa

          Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
             Essere, ss.  Probate office.

I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that William Woart esquire, before whom the above written affidavit purports to have been taken, is a justice of the peace for said county; and that the signature of his name to the above written certificate appears to be his genuine signature.
Given under my hand and seal of office this twenty ninth day of January, A.D. 1834.

                      [Signature] Nathl. Lord jr

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[This statement is handwritten]
      Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex, Ss. Town of Newbury port - October 24, 1834.
I William Woart, Notary Public and Justice of the Peace and [Illegible] in and for said county notwithstanding my having Certified in the within written document that the within named Gideon Woodwell made oath to the truth of the within written deposition by him & subscribed, being called upon as I understand by the commissioner of pensions to explain the reason of the signature of the within named Woodwell having the appearance of having first been traced in pencil - do further Certify - That after the deposition of said Woodwell had been reduced to writing made by me in the presence of the said Woodwell. and of the within named Sampson Freeman, with whom the said Woodwell appeared to be acquainted and stated his perfect full recollection of - said Woodwell by mistake as otherwise subscribed his name with my pencil which was laying on the table, which was noticed and by same one present traced over with ink at his request and presence.  The said deposent Gideon Woodwell, although at advanced age appears in full possession of his faculties ready intelligent and in grand health, well known in the vicinity as an honest upright and fair mined man.

             [Signature]   WWoart  


[The name "Sampson Freeman" is written upside down at the bottom of the page]

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[This statement is hand written]



1 year mariner
     $48
    R.C.  Vose
          Augusta

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Augusta, Me, June 2d, 1834.

Sir:
I enclose you with this the additional declaration of Sampson Freeman, an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832. whose original declaration  & the evidence in support thereof are now on file in your office. Annexed to the additional declaration now forwarded is a further & more particular deposition from Gideon Woodwell, who was then a carpenter's mate with Freeman & who is now a very respectable & intelligent man. HIs evidence, in connection with the other papers, I think must now be deemed amply sufficient. Your early attention to this is particularly requested. 
Very respectfully, 
Your Obt Svt
Robert C. Vose

Col. J.L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions.}