Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15454, Marston Watson, Continental (Mass)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Mass)
Watson, Norton
Nr. 15454
Lucy
CONTENTS

Massachusetts - 1607
Lucy Watson widow of Marston Watson , decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 7 th of August, 1805 of Suffolk co. in the State of Mass- who was a Lieut in the _____ commanded by Captain Hap of the Regt commanded by Col. Glover in the _____ line for 1 year Lieut.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 160 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Jan- uary 1839 and sent to Hon. R. Fletcher , S t . S t
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1838 $480.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Mo. '39 80.00
$480.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by J. A. Elliot Clerk, Book A , Vol. 1 Page 143.

United States District Court Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Suffolk: City of Boston, ss
On this twenty ninth day of October in the year, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight, personally appeared before me, John Davis, of said Boston, Judge of the District Court of the United States for the District of Massachusetts, Lucy Watson, a resident of said Boston, aged twenty nine years, who, being duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7. 1838. entitled: "An act granting half pay and pensions for certain widows": That she is the widow of Warston Watson late of said Boston, Merchant, who was a second Lieutenant in the army of the war of the Revolution, and served in said war, according to the best of her knowledge and belief as follows: Her said husband at the time of entering into said service was an inhabitant of Plymouth in the then Province of Massachusetts Bay; that he enlisted in the fourteenth Regiment of Foot, commanded by Colonel John Glover, as a second Lieutenant; His Commission from the Continental Congress, bearing date the first day of January 1776. is herewith exhibited: - That he was attached as second Lieutenant to the company commanded by Captain John Glover Junior, and had joined the said Regiment at

Beverly in the Province aforesaid at the date of his said commission. That he continued at said Beverly with the said Regiment in the capacity aforesaid, until the ensuing summer (viz t that of 1776) when a requisition being made on said Regiment for vol- unteers to officer and man the Continental Schooner Hancock, Samuel Tucker Esquire commander for a cruise, that the said Warston Watson was detached from said Regiment as second Lieutenant of said Schooner for the said cruise, which continued about six weeks when the said Schooner Hancock arrived in safety at Warblehead, his said Regiment (Glovers) having in the mean time been ordered to the vicinity of New York, where it arrived August 2 d 1776. - The said Watson proceeded forthwith to join it there; -
That the said fourteenth regiment commanded by Colonel Glover, was in active service there, and engaged in skirmishes and battles, and often distinguished itself, particularly near Westchester, Frog's Point, and Dells Neck, about the Eighteenth of October in the same year. The same regiment afterwards formed a part of the rear division of the army, under the command of Major General Lee, and was stationed near the Highlands and Peeks Kill, while the main army under General Washington was manoeuvring in New Jersey. At this period said Watson was sometimes emp-

-loyed by Gen l Lee on confidential service, as is shown by Gen l Lee's orders to him dated Peekskill Dec r 2 d 1776: which also accompany this application. He continued under Gen l Lee's orders, until his capture at Chatham, December 13 th , when the regiment, (Col a Glover's) with the others of Gen l Lee's command, under the command of Gen l Sullivan, joined the main army under Gen l Washington near Trenton Falls. He said Lucy Watson further represents, that the said regiment to which her husband was attached, (Col a Glover's) was part of the troops under the command of Gen l Washington in the attack and capture of the Hessian troops on the morning of the 26 th of Dec r 1776, at Trenton, and afterwards at Princeton on the 2 d of January 1777, and that he, said Watson, went with the said regiment into Winter Quarters at Morristown, under Gen l Washington, and continued with it until sometime afterwards in that year, but up to what period she is unable to declare. In addition to the accompanying documents above mentioned, she prays leave to refer to the records and papers in the possession of the General Government, including those transmitted to it, belonging to this commonwealth, for confirmation of the facts here stated and a more full and accurate narration of the services and rank of the said Norton Watson in said war; as she is assured that sufficient evidence of the same, with further pertinent particulars, will be found by recourse to them.
Said Lucy further declares, that she was married to the said Norton Watson on the thirtieth

day of March in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy nine at Manchester, in the County of Essex, in the Commonwealth aforesaid; that her husband the aforesaid Marston Watson, died on the seventh day of August in the year Eighteen Hundred at said Boston; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, Seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz t at the time above stated. Lucy Watson
Sworn to and subscribed by the above named Lucy Watson, on the day and year above written before me, she being unable to appear in Court by reason of physical infirmity. The foregoing personally known to me —
John D. Sleeper Judge of United States District Court Mass t District

J V 2962 1607 1607 (Watson) widow of Marston Mass.
act 7 July 38
Marina 1779 died 1800
Allen Quat. 1 year of those ann.
Map bond line fol. Gloucester
Hon. R. Fletcher Ho. Rep

Martha Watson of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts, singlewoman depose and say, that the late Marston Watson Esq. of Boston deceased, was my oldest brother; that at the period of the commencement of the revolutionary struggle between the late colo- nies of Great Britain (now the United States) and the Mother country, my said brother was a lieutenant in Glousters regiment, and was absent from Plymouth, where I then resided with my father, on military service under the command of Genl. Washington for considerable time, how long I can not exactly recollect; - that I distinctly recollect hearing, and understanding, that he was present with the said regiment at the battle of Trenton, and have frequently heard his brother in law, the late Col. William D. Lee (who was, I believe a Major in Glousters regiment) and my said brother recount together the incidents of that battle, and I particularly remem- ber hearing them use the following expressions; that in crossing the river Delaware, during that in

dreadfully cold, dark and stormy night, blinded with snow, sleet and rain with the river encumbered with ice, they had no other guide to direct their movements, but Genl Washington's white horse, which constantly served them for a beacon in the darkness."
Attest Joseph Barron
Martha Watson
October 13. 1838
State of Massachusetts, Middlesex ss. Personally appeared before me the above Martha Watson, & declared on oath, that the declaration and deposition above made by her are true
Joseph Barron Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Elias Prentiss Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the County of Middlesex, being a Court of record do certify that Joseph Barron Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County, and that his name subscribed to the above Certificate is his genuine Signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the 26th day of October 1838.
E. Prentiss

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Town of Manchester August 21 st 1838
I the subscriber do hereby certify that it appears by the Registry of marriages in the Town of Manchester there is the the following record of marriage viz—
Marston Watson & Miss Lucy Lee both of Manchester was married by the Rev. Bangs Tappan March thirtieth one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine.
That it is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair, legible figures as follows
Marston Watson } March 30 th 1779 Lucy Lee }
John C. Long Town Clerk
I John C. Long above named depose and say That I hold the office of Clerk of the Town of Manchester in the County of Essex State of Massachusetts that the above is a true extract from the records of Marriages in said Manchester with the exception above named as certified by me.
John C. Long } Clerk of said Town of Manchester
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex, ss.
Manchester August 21 - 1838
The the above John C Long upread before me and made oath to the above certificate
God Reicher Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's office — Boston October 2 h . 1838.
I hereby certify, that the within named Joseph Hooper, is now, and was a justice of the Peace, at the date of his attestation for the said County of Essex.
Witness the Seal of the Commonwealth.
John O. Dinsmore
Secy of the Com.
Joseph Hooper

Benjamin Marston Watson of Newton in the County of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Merchant, being of the age of Fifty eight years depose and say, that at the death of my Father, the late Marston Watson Esq. I was in the twentieth year of my age, and have a distinct recollection of frequently hearing him mention the fact of his being in the continental service in the war of the Revolution under the command of General Washington all the year of 1776 and part of 1777, in the regiment commanded by Col. John Glover, and in the company commanded by Capt. John Glover junior. I recollect also hearing him mention his going on a cruise at sea, as lieutenant, under the command of Samuel Tucker Esq. in the Schooner Hancock in the continental service. I also recollect frequently hearing him speak of the services he was engaged in with the said regiment about New York, White Plains, Kingsbridge, Harlem heights, Bronx Neck and Westchester, and also, when the with said regiment was part of Gen. Lee's division about Peeks Hill and the Highlands, and understood from Gen his observations that he was sometimes employed by Gen. Lee confidentially, that is to say, as a long aid de Camp - I also distinctly remember hearing him say that very often their regiment viz Glover's, was very actively engaged in the battle of Trenton, and also hearing him speak of the severity of the weather on the night of the 25 th of December 1776

when the army crossed the Delaware river to make their attack on the Hessian posts, and I also distinctly recollect hearing him say, that he composed part of the guard, who com had charge of the Hessian prisoners, and the extreme difficulty of keeping them from freezing -
I also distinctly recollect hearing him speak of the severity of the forced march from Trenton to Princeton on the night of 2 January 1777, and the attack on the British Regiments there, and Genl Washington's intrepid bearing on that occasion, and the severity of the march after the battle of Princeton to Pluckemin B o and to their Winter Quarters at Morristown. -
I also further depose and say, that my said Father the said Marston Waldo Esq r died at Boston on the 7 th day of August 1800 at Boston aforesaid, and that my Mother Mrs Lucy Waldo has ever since remained his widow, and that she is now in her eightieth year in good possession of her mental faculties but so inform in her corporeal that it would be extremely inconvenient for her to make her affidavit any where else, than in her own apartments -
Benjamin Marston Waldo
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss. City of Boston. On this twenty

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office Boston October 30 th 1838.
I hereby certify, that the above named William Minot was a justice of the Peace at the date of his attestation for the County of Suffolk -
Witness the Seal of the Commonwealth.
John D. Sleeper Sister of Mrs. Comstock

Map
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15454
Lucy Watson Widow of Marston Watson Ex Rev. War
Act: July 7 th 1838
Index:—Vol. M , Page 309
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Peebles Hill Dec r 2 nd 1846
Sir -
You are to proceed until you meet the Detachment of 400 Men I have ordered from General Speers Corps - If they have not yet marched you are to inform em that They are only to carry their Blankets and Pots - no tents as They can be supply'd on the other side - If they have march'd and you meet em on the road their Tents may be delivered to the Master Musters General at Cromb Pond the Officers are not to carry a single Chest with em but merely a bare charge of linen - If any Men are foot Gall'd let em be put in Waggons improved for that purpose -
Charles Lee Major General
To Major General Speers

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, December 28. 1838 —
I hereby Certify, That at the date of his attestation Joseph Hooper Esq d was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex, ————— in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Town of Manchester December 26 th 1838
I the subscriber do hereby certify that it appears by the registry of marriages in the Town of Manchester there is the following record of marriage viz
Marston Watson and M rs Lucy Lee both of Manchester was married by the Rev. Benj. Tappan March thirtieth one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine.
That it is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows
Marston Watson } March 30 1779 Lucy Lee }
John C. Long Town Clerk
I John C. Long above named depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the Town of Manchester in the County of Essex State of Massachusetts, that the above is a true extract from the records of Marriages in said Manchester with the exception above named as certified by me
John C. Long Clerk of said Commonwealth of Massachusetts Town of Manchester Essex ss.
Manchester December 26 th 1838
The above John C. Long appeared before me and made oath to the above certificate.
Joseph Hooper Justice of Peace

James L. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.

Boston October 30 th 1838!
James L. Edwards, Esq re Commissioner of Pensions. Sir.
By request of M rs Lucy Watson of this city, widow of the late Marston Watson, Esq re . I send you herewith her petition & declaration for a Pension, &c. under the act of Congress, passed July 7: 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows;" together with sundry other documents in support of her claim; and I would be obliged to you in her behalf to afford them as early attention as you conveniently can, and augment her through me with the result. Should there be any deficiency or want of form in the papers, you are particularly desired to inform me of it, and the defect will be supplied without delay, so far as in her power.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, &c. John Knapp.
List of accompanying papers.
M rs Lucy Watson's Petition & Declaration. Certificate of John C. Leono, Town Clerk of Manchester of the marriage of Marston Watson and Lucy Lee. The original Commission given to said Marston Watson. An original Order from Major General Lee to Marston Watson to be in Col o Glover's Reg t . Deposition of John Hamard of Salem. Deposition of Benj. Marston Watson of Newton. Deposition of Martha Watson of Plymouth.

The original Commission and Order of Major Genl. Lee being esteemed valuable family relics, Mrs. H. Wilson is desirous that they may be restored to her hereafter, if allowable.

I John Howard of the City of Salem in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts sail maker depose and say, that I am now this 16 th day of October 1838 in the eighty fourth year of my age; that I was first a corporal and in the second year a sergeant in the regiment of foot commanded by Col l John Glover in the army of the United Colonies, afterwards the United States, stationed at Cambridge under the command of Gen l Washington; that I was with the said regiment at Cambridge from June to December 1775 and then that the said regiment was ordered to Beverly and there stationed; that I well recollect Master Watson at Beverly as second lieutenant in the said regiment in the company commanded by Capt John Glover Junior; that while at Beverly in the summer of 1776 a requisition was made from the said regiment to officer and man the Schooner Hancock in the continental service, commanded by Capt Samuel Tucker for a cruise; that I was one who volunteered as part of her crew and that lieutenants Joshua Dyer and said Master Watson were detached from said regiment as first and second lieutenants of said Schooner, viz Dyer as first and Watson as second for and during her said cruise, which contained about six weeks during which we made three prizes and arrived in safety at Marblehead; that the said Dyer and the said Watson did not go in the said Schooner Hancock on her next cruise but as I understood proceeded to join their regiment. I also further depose and say, that I am now in the enjoyment of a pension from the United States for the be-mentioned and other services during the revolutionary war.
John Howard
Essex ss Commonwealth of Massachusetts, October 16. A.D. 1838. Then personally appeared the above named John Howard, signer of the above, and made oath to the truth of the above deposition. Before me Larkin Thorndike, Jus. Rec. & Inquire.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ESSEX, ss.
I, JOHN PRINCE, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Essex, do certify, that Justin Thorneike Esq r of Salem is a Justice of the Peace
within and for said County, and that his signature hereon is genuine.
WITNESS MY HAND, and the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas, at Salem this 17 th day of October A. D. 1838.
John Prince Clerk.

J. L. Canan Esq. Committee of Privileges Washington

Horn of Rev. Jan. 7. 1839
Sir,
I enclose you some papers in the case of Mrs Watson -
very respectfully
Richard Fletcher
J. L. Cummins Esq

Revolutionary Claims for Pensions
Nav.
Ms. A. 9. 2. 20. 16
file in the
Lucy Weston No 30 N. W.
James L. Edwards, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington - District of Columbia.

Boston October 31. 1838.
James L. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir
Since despatching to you yesterday the Petition and Declaration of Mrs Lucy Watson of this city for a Pension, &c. under the late Act of Congress, "granting half pay Pensions to certain widows," with sundry testimonials in support of her claim, I have discovered that accidentally the enclosed Deposition & certificate concerning her marriage to the late Marston Watson, Esq. given by John C. Leong, Town Clerk of Manchester, was omitted. It was by her oversight that it was not contained in the same envelope with the other documents, that I had the honour to send you yesterday in her behalf. Hoping you will pardon the inadvertence and that no inconvenience to you will be occasioned by it, I remain very respectfully, your obedient Servant, &c. John Knapp

Marston Watson Mid 3 15454 Continental (mass)

IN CONGRESS.
The DELEGATES of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina , to Morton Watson Gentleman
to Rank of Second Lieut
WE reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Second Lieutenant in the 14 th Regiment of Foot Commanded by Colonel John Glover
in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Second Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Second Lieutenant — And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
By Order of the Congress.
John Hancock President
Attest Elias H. Thomson Secy. January 16 1776