Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15705, John Whitcom, Continental Mass. Navy.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental
Mass.
Navy.
Whitcomb, John.
Whitcomb or
8 15705
Carded.
CONTENTS

76 Plym
15273.
Massachusetts
John Whitcomb
Situate in the State of Mass who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain of the  commander by Lord  Cushing in the Mass. line for 12 Mths 28 Days Continental  And
Call & M c  U.S. Navy
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 42 Dollars 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of June 1833 and sent Jacob H. Lord Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $84.2-
Semi-ann. allowance ending 2 nd Sep r . 21.05
$105.27
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. McBlain Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2. Page 91.

This may certify, that it doth appear on the publick Records of the Town of Scituate, (Book 4. folio. 133.) that "John Whitcomb, Son of John Whitcomb Junr. and Hannah his wife, was born April 24 th A. D. 1759."—
Ebenezer Bailey Town Clerk of Scituate.
Scituate, (Mass.) Augt. 18 th 1882.—

John Whitcomb
Statements
17418

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth ss
On this twenty second day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon d Wilkis Wood, Judge of the Court of Probate for the said County of Plymouth, now sitting at Hancaster in said County John Whitcomb a Resident of Scituate in the said County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy four 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 7 th A.D. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following Officers and served as here in stated, to wit:
1 st The first of September as he thinks, A.D. 1776 he entered said service as a private in the Company commanded by Thomas Turner of Pembroke Lieut Benj r Vassal, Ensign Benj r Studley. He passed muster before Captain Hatch of Pembroke. Muster master, marched thro' Bridgewater to Taunton and then took water carriage down the river and was landed on Rhode Island near Newport. His Company was attached to Col o John Cushing's Regiment. He served three months at or near Newport his duty to keep guard, no enemy appearing in his term, was then discharged and returned home to Scituate the last of November the day of the week was Friday. he knows of no one living by whom he can prove this service.
2 d The following week on Wednesday, the first part of December A.D. 1776. He entered said service as a private, in the Company commanded by Joseph Stetson of Scituate Lieut Benj r Studley and Ensign Holmes he went directly to Boston, when his Company with one or two others was stationed at a part of the town called Acumoodg's lane, near a wharf. His duty was to guard Gen l  Ward  the public stores and the town. A quarter guard was sent every week to Roxbury to guard the Magazine then located at Jamaica Plains, so called. He having served three months was discharged and returned home the first of March A.D. 1777. he can prove this service by Benjamin Briggs, who served with him. Also see an attested copy of roll of Cap t Joseph Stetson's Company of said Campaign accompanying Charles Turner's application.
3 d In May A.D. 1777. he enlisted as a private in the Army of the United States for eight months and served in the ninth Regiment of the Continental line under the following named Officers to wit: Col o Henry Jackson, Lieut Col Cobb and Major Tyler. His Company was at first commanded by a Brown, who was soon detached to another command and then Thomas Lamb the Lieut took the command, the Ensign was a Frenchman name not recollected. About the middle of June following his said enlistment he was ordered to Boston & joined said Regiment, and soon a part of said Regiment and he among them were sent to Plymouth and continued there about one month employed in cutting wood, which he believes was freighted to Boston for the

use of the troops. then returned to Boston and joined his Regiment, which marched immediately through Worcester to Peekskill, joined Genl Putnam, crossed the North River marched thro' Jersey and joined Genl Washington at White Marsh. Soon he was sent to the Hospital at Lancaster and had the small pox. And when his term expired he was discharged and returned home to Scituate in Febry A.D. 1775. he received a written discharge but has lost it. He can prove this service by Noah Barrell and Francis Litchfield who served with him and their depositions are annexed.
He has served as aforesaid eight months in the Continental line and six months in the States' troops or militia making in all fourteen months
He did not receive a written discharge from the States' service nor has he any documentary evidence of his said service.
He was born in Scituate April 24. A.D. 1759. His birth is recorded in the town records of Scituate. He lived in Scituate when he entered said service and has lived there ever since except being absent about six years between 1803 and 1810 being then in the naval service of the United States under Captains Hull, Rogers and Smith. He volunteered or enlisted into said service, he was not drafted or a substitute. He has named all the Officers under whom he served that he now remembers also all the important occurrences of his service.
He is known in his present neighbourhood to Samuel Deane, Samuel C. Turner and others who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. he relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity or an annuity except the present and declares his name is not contained on the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
John Whitcomb
We Samuel Deane a clergyman residing in the town of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts and Samuel C. Turner residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Whitcomb who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy four years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Samuel Deane Samuel C. Turner
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
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

revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Samuel Deane who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the said town of Scituate and that Samuel A. Turner who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the said County of Plymouth do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Whitcomb for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court this twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

17418 John Whitcomb Mass
Private 12 mos & 28 days adm'd
$42.11.
Jacob H Lord Plymouth Mass

BRIEF in the case of of Scituate
John Whitcomb in the State of  Mass (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1776 1 28 privat Gen. Putnam Col. Cushing   1777 3 " " Stetson   8 sergeant Brown Lockman   12 mo 28 days  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Scituate  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Three living witnesses & B.D. Bangs certificate  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. D. Dyer  Examining Clerk.

O. W. & N. Div. P. S. M. E. C. I. 15705.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 27, 1896.
Madam:
In returning herewith your letter of March 19, 1896, you are advised that John Whitcomb made an application for pension on August 22, 1832, at which time he was residing in Scituate, Mass., and seventy-four years of age, and his pension was allowed for twelve months and twenty-eight days' actual service as a private in the Massachusetts troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time served under Capt. Thomas Turner and Col. John Cushing.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Mrs. M. F. Dunham,
14 High St.,
Worcester, Mass.

P
15705 INVALID.
File No. 15705
John Whitcomb Pre New War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 7 , Page 405
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Noch. 27/26 Soldier pensioned Mrs. M. F. Nunham, Worcester, Mass. W.E.C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Aug t . 15 th 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the Name of John Whitcomb is found as a Pay-roll of Capt. Amos Farnes Company in Col. John Cushing Reg t . who marched to Rhode Island in Sept. 1776. & is therein stated to have served Fifty eight days.
Edward D. Bangs, Secretary

17418
John Whitcom
carrying off, should accompany the police. officer the certificate of a marriage, bearing the official signature and seal of the officer. In every case where the clerk of the court or other official officer has no legal seal or attached to the certificate. under the seal of office of the certifying officer, or as to persons not having such seal, by the signature of the officer. The seal of office of the officer certifying the marriage written on the same sheet of paper which contains the signature of the officer. The seal is not in every instance where the certificate is not countersigned by the officer. 100. The seal of the officer must be attached to the certificate of the officer.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Whitcomb which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than 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 service 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 merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Noah Burrell Dep - John Whitman -

I Noah Barrall of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged seventy three years on oath do testify and say that in the month of May A.D. 1777 John Whitcomb of said Scituate entered with me the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution for eight months, and was attached to Col Henry Jackson's Regiment marched from Roxbury thro' Worcester to Peekskill upon the North River thro' the Jersey to White marsh and from there ordered to Lancaster Hospital and had the small-pox were then discharged at the end of the term, said Whitcomb served the whole of said term in the same Regiment tho' not in the same Company with me, and further saith not -
Noah Barrall
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. Aug. 6. 1832. Then the above named Noah Barrall made oath that he above affidavit by him subscribed is true - before me. Ebenezer T. Fogg - Just. peace.
I further certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named Noah Barrall, for a number of years, and that he is a credible person -
Attest Ebenezer T. Fogg - Just. peace

Benjamin Briggs
Dep-
John Whitman

I Benjamin Briggs of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy two years on oath do testify and say that in December A.D. 1776. John Whitcomb of Scituate aforesaid entered with me as a private in the service of the war of the Revolution in the Company commanded by Joseph Stetson for the term of three months and that said Company was stationed in Boston to guard the public stores, town &c and said John Whitcomb served the whole of said term as aforesaid and further saith not,
Benja Briggs
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. July 26. A.D. 1832 Then the above named Benj r Briggs made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true.
before me - Ebenezer T. Dagg - Just. peace
And I certify that said Benj r Briggs is a credible person.
Attest - Ebenezer T. Dagg - Just peace

I Francis Litchfield of Scituate in the County of Plymouth & State of Massachusetts on oath do testify and say that in the month of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seventy seven. John Whitcomb of Scituate aforesaid enlisted with me into the Army of the United States for the term of eight months and that we served together in the same Regt, altho not in the same company. The Regiment was commanded by Col Henry Jackson, the number of said Regiment I do not recollect. We marched in the same Regiment to Pennsylvania and joined General Washington at White Plains  White Plains , and after serving the whole of said term of eight months in the month of January following we were both discharged and arrived home at Scituate in February. The said John Whitcomb and myself were privates in said service and further saith not. Francis Litchfield
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss - July 24. 1832 Then the above named Francis Litchfield made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true - before me, Ebenezer T. Doyg - Justiciarius And I certify that said Francis Litchfield is a credible person. Attest Ebenezer T. Doyg - Justiciarius

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Ebenezer T. Pogg Esq is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that I believe his name subscribed to the several certificates annexed to be his true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty fourth day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
Jacob H. Lord
Francis L. Knight D.D.
Deputy
John Whitman