Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23787, for John May, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Mass.)
May, John
S. 23787
CONTENTS

477
1853. Jan'y 19. Dea T. Merrill
New Hampshire
John Mays
of Grafton Co. in the State of N. Hampshire who was a sergeant in the company commanded by Captain Morton of the regt commanded by Col. Rust in the Massachusetts line for one year from January 1776
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Hampshire at the rate of 60 Dollars - Cents per ann to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of September 1832 - widowed to George Kimball, Lebanon, N.H.
Arrears to 14th of September 1832 $90.
Semi-annual allowance ending 6 Mo. 1833 30
died Feb. 19-1836.
$120.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Allison Clerk, Book D, Vol. 1 Page 170

Aug 6 1872
Sergt. Anty. 12420 Percasso Cotto Ryca $60 per an $120 per annum

at Cambridge Mass - After remain- ing at Cambridge till spring we went into Boston. I there proceeded to New York. - That I fought in the Battle on Long Island of that year, I therefrom retreated to New York. - From that place was detached to Fort Lee - Washington at N. York. - and there taken pris- oner at the taking of the Fort, by the enemy, and detained as such until the first of Jan'y 1777 when I was liberated on parole I then had completed my term of enlistment, which was for one year - I arrived home, the last day of March following, having been detained on the way by sickness, caused by imprisonment. I further say that my present place of residence is the same, where I made my first application. - John May.
State of New-Hampshire
Grafton ss. July 20. 1832 Then personally appeared
The above named John May and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed, is just true -
Before me Geo. Kimball Jus. Peace

I John May of Canaan in the County Grafton, State of New Hampshire, aged 76 years last May, depose to say that I was on the pension roll, under the act of March 18. 1818, and was dropped therefrom on account of the amount of my property. That the Certificate of be- ing a pensioner by virtue of said law, I forwarded to the War Department, by way of testimony, in an attempt to obtain a pension under the con- struction of the pension acts by Genl. Port- er when he was Secretary of that Department. That the letter from the War Department in relation to my late attempt for a pension, informing me that my name is stricken from the pension roll, is dated Apr. 17. 1829. — That I was an underly Sergeant in the continental line of the War of Revolution. That in the first of Jan'y 1776 in the town of Plymouth Mass. I enlisted in Capt Barnard Morton's company of Artillery of Col. Henry Knap's Regiment and imme- diately joined my company & Regiment

at Cambridge Mass. After remain- ing at Cambridge till spring we went into Boston. I then proceeded to New York. - That I fought in the Battle on Long Island of that year, I therefrom retreated to New York. - From that place was detached to Fort Lee - Washington Superior N. York. - and there taken pris- oner, at the taking of the Fort, by the enemy, and detained as such until the first of Jan'y 1777, when I was liberated, on parole I then had completed my term of enlistment, which was for one year - I arrived home, the last day of March following having been detained on the way by sickness, caused by imprisonment. I further say that my present place of residence is the same, where many I made my first application. - John May
State of New-Hampshire
Grafton Feb. July 20. 1732 Then personally appeared The above named John May and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed, is just true -
Before me Geo. Kimball Jus. Peace

State of New Hampshire
Grafton
I George Woodworth Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Grafton, do certify that George Kimball Esq. is a justice of the peace within & for said county and that I believe the within to be his genuine signature.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court which I have hereunto affixed this 30 th day of July 1832
G. Woodworth Clerk
Return to Geo. Kimball - Commissioner, N. H.

Declaration of John May 1 May 1820
N. H.
Returns to be made to George Kimball Esq Cannun Grafton Co N. Hamp.
(March 1820)

State of New Hampshire } On this fourth Tuesday Grafton County ss } of February A.D. 1829.
personally appeared in open Court, the Court of Common Pleas for said State being a Court of Record for said State made so by the laws of the said State creating it, John May resident in Canaan in said County holden in said County, aged seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the acts of Congress of the 18 th March 1818 & the first May 1820 - That he the said May enlisted for the term of one year in the month of December A.D. 1776 in the State of Massachusetts in the Company commanded by Captain Dimon Norton in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry Knox in the line of the state of Massachusetts on the continental establishment that he continued to serve in said Corps until he was taken prisoner by the enemy by whom he was detained as such till after the expiration of the year when he was liberated on his parole and returned home - that he served in said Corps till within six weeks of the close of the year when he was taken prisoner as foresaid - that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present that his means is not on the roll of any State except New Hampshire & that my reasons for not making earlier application for a pension are, that I was ignorant of the steps necessary to be taken and that the attempt would be attended with cost, and moreover I was told it would be in vain to try to get a pension for myself as my means property must be reduced to a mere nothing before he could succeed, that being stricken from the list by force of law of 1820 my former certificate bearing date the 3 d day of December one thousand eight hundred and nineteen and numbered 16117 it would be out of my power to get myself restored to it - And in pursuance of the act of the 1 st of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the

provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18 th day of March 1818 that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule herunto annexed they are subscribed - My family consists of three persons, myself wife two years younger than myself and a daughter of feeble health, that since the 18 th of March 1818 that I have possessed about the amount of property named in the annexed schedule and pretty much of the same kind with this, and labouring much harder than a man of my years ought to do, I have in some sort, supported my family.
John May
State of New Hampshire Grafton Is
An Inventory of the property of John May of Canaan in said County appraised by the subscribers Selectmen of Canaan as shown to us by the said John May.
The one half of one hundred acres of land orchard & the buildings on the same (yearly rent 22.50) } $325.00
One three year old steer - - - - - 22.50
One cow 17.00 one heifer 13.00 - - - - - 30.00
12 sheep 18.00 one calf 5.00 - - - - - 23.00
1/2 of three sheats 6.00 - - - - - 6.00
3 beds & bedding at 7.00 - - - - - 21.00
3 beststeads & cords - - - - - 1.50
1 Desk 4.00 one pine case of drawers 2.50 - - - - 6.50
1 Table 3.00 one wooden clock 5.00 - - - - - 8.00
5 chairs 3.00 one loom 2.00 - - - - - 5.00
1 brass kettle 3.00 one pot 1.25 - - - - - 4.25
1 tea kettle 50 one spider 50 - - - - - 1.00
Other small articles of furniture - - - - - 12.50
Sundry farming tools 7.25 - - - - - 7.25
Sundry Joiners tools 8.50 - - - - - 8.50
Furniture in use.

Process for family use
  3 3/4 Tons of hay (by estimation) 12.00   3 bushels of wheat 29/ 4.50   15 bushels oats 25 3.75   15 bushels of Corn 7.50   40 bushels of potatoes 5.00   150 lbs. of Pork 10.00   4 barrels Cider & barrels 4.00   $528.75 
Canaan Feb. 11 th 1829.
John May.
John H. Harris } Selectmen of Canaan Joshua Wells }
State of New Hampshire
Grafton Is Feb. 24 th 1829. Then the above named John H. Harris & Joshua Wells personally appeared before me and made solemn oath that the above schedule of the personal & real property of John May is, in their belief true. Rembrace the whole of the same. & that the same is appraised according to their best skill & judgment.
James Wallace. Jus. Peace.
Sworn & subscribed on the 27. day of February 1829 G. Woodworth Clerk
I George Woodward Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of this Court that the said John May did serve in the Revolutionary war. as stated in the preceding declaration. against the common enemy for the term of nine months under one engagement. I also certify that the foregoing oath & the schedule thereto annexed are truly copies from the records of said Court. And I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the foregoing schedule is five hundred twenty eight dollars seventy five cents
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court Writs affixed this 28 th day of February 1829
G. Woodworth Clerk

September 1, 1936.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. S. R. Sheldon 7054 - 18" Avenue N.E. Seattle, Washington
BA-J/ady John May S.23787
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to John May, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.23787, based upon his military service in that war.
John May was born in May 1756 or 1757, day, place, and the names of his parents are not stated.
While a resident of Plymouth, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, John May enlisted January 1, 1776, served as orderly sergeant in Captain Dimond Morton's Company, Colonels Henry Knox's and Crane's Artillery Regiments; was in the battle of Long Island and retreat to New York; was in the battle of Fort Washington where he was taken prisoner on November 16, 1776 and he was discharged on parole in January 1777.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 21, 1819 at which time he was a resident of Canaan, Grafton County, New Hampshire. He was still living there in 1832.
In 1829 soldier referred to his wife, about seventy years old, and a daughter, her age and no names were stated.
In 1777 David Lothrop, a brother-in-law of soldier, was living in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the name of his wife not shown. There are no further family data.
The soldier, John May, died February 19, 1836, place not given.
On a B.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
2 pages next time M.A.R.

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L. D. L.
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier John May of Canaan, N. H. and Plymouth, Me.
Service Mass. G. H.
Additional Service New War
No _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No claim except J. 23787 of Canaan formerly of Plymouth, " # 40973 John May of Pittsfield, Vt. W. R. 23917 John May of New Gloucester, Me.

10,111/12 New Hampshire
John May
of Canaan in the state of N. Hamp. who was a Sergeant in the regiment commanded by Colonel Snodgrass of the Mapachusetts line, for the term of One year
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Hampshire at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 21 of Sep  1819
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 of Dec r 18 and sent to  Daniel Blaisdell Canaan New Hamp.
Arrears to 4th of Mar. 1820  43.69
Semi-ann. all'ce ending
5 Mo \frac{10}{30} \frac{4}{31}
$ 43.69
{ Revolutionary claim, { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Discontinued
Metaphysical principle & George Tinkler Canaan N.H. 17 th Feb. 1829.

Attribution
23487 INVALID.
File No.
23,787
John May Berg Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 9, Page 958
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1909 July 31. Hist. to Mrs. Andrew Oliver A.C.P. 1936 Sept 1. Hist. to L.R. Sheldon. A.C.P.

Allison Mich. July 20 th
Pension Office.
Upon your records does one find the name of John May who, through family records we know to have had a pension for Rev. War Service. John May, Canaan New Hampshire formerly from Lyndeb- Mars.

We can trace John May in seven generation going back to the emigrant John May 1640, from Mayfield England.
I am in Resp. Mrs Andrew Olson. Trowbridge St. Allegan. Mich.

7054 18th. Ave. N.E. Seattle, Wash, August 10, 1936.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
✓ Will you kindly furnish me with the pension record of John May , born 1757, Plymouth, Mass., who was on the pension roll in 1819 of Grafton County, New Hampshire, as sergeant in the New Hampshire Continental Line.
I especially desire the date of his death and any information regarding his wife and children that may be in the record.
Thanking you for the service, I am,
Yours very truly,
S. R. Sheldon
S. R. Sheldon.

Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of March next, in Portsmouth N.H. At the U States Branch Bank
Recorded

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818,
John May ————— late a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the New Hampshire Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to com- mence on the 21 st day of September one thousand eight hundred and Nineteen
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this 3 rd day of December one thousand eight hundred and Nineteen
C Vandeventer Acting Secretary of War.

I John H. Harris do certify that the within named John May is the identical John May named in a declaration which I have this day seen & which is made at the Court of Common Pleas now held at Haverhill in the County of Grafton & State of New Hampshire.
John H. Harris
Grafton Court of Common Pleas February term 1829
Sworn to in open Court
Attest Roll Woodward Clerk

John Magee application for pension
Sergeant 76 9 months Knox Maples
Recd
Family

State of New Hampshire
Grafton ss.
on this twenty first day of September 1819 before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County, personally appeared John May of Concord in said County being sixty two years of age, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provisions made by the late act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war."
That he the said John May enlisted into said service on the first day of Sept- r 1776 in Plymouth Massachusetts, for one one full year, in the Company commanded by Capt. Dinwiddie Morton in the Regiment commanded by Col. Henry Knox, that he was first marched to Cambridge, thence to New York, & was in the battle on Long Island, then retreated to New York from thence retreated over the North River to the Jerseys then crossed the River to Fort Washington where he was taken prisoner on the sixteenth day of November 1776 and again marched to New York where he remained a prisoner about six weeks and was liberated on parole of honor and was immediately taken sick which confined him until after the term of his enlistment expired, that he was an orderly Serjt in said Company during his service in said Company which was in Artillery.
That he now is and always has been a Citizen of the United States, that he has hitherto received no pension, that his circumstances in life are reduced & that he now stands in need of his Country's uprearing for support.
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid
Daniel Blissdell { One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Grafton

I Daniel Blaisdell further as afore said do certify that it appears to my satisfaction from the within declarations & annexed affidavits that the said John May did serve in the war of the revolution as within stated on the Continental established more than nine months at one period of the war and that from my own knowledge I am satisfied that the said John May is in reduced circumstances in life & stands in need of his country's assistance for support; as I now transmit the declaration & proceedings had before me, to the secretary for the department of war, pursuant to the afore said act of Congress.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court this twenty third day of Novr. AD 1819
devoir or as growing is used by our Court
Daniel Blaisdell } One of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Grafton

I William Farr of Lunenburg in the County of Worcester State of Massachusetts, formerly of Littleton in the County of Middlesex of Lawfull age do Testify & Say. That I was a Soldier in the Revolutionary army. in Capt. Dimond Morts Company of Artillery & I do Certify that John May th of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth State of Massachusetts was a Sergeant in said company that he enlisted at Plym- outh in Jany 1775. that he was detached from the company to Fort Washington and was then taken Prisoner & that after that time I did not see him during the time we were together he was on active good Officer as a Sergeant, that he now lives in the Town of Canaan in the County of Grafton State of New Ham- =shire. W m Farr
State of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. July 3 d 1819.
Personally appeared William Farr Subscriber to the foregoing deposition and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the same before me The same William Farr is a man Nath l Spooner. Justice Peace of Credibility & there can be no doubt of the truth as he has no doubt of the truth as he has testified ———

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. I John B. Thomas Clerk of the Judicial Courts for said County of Plymouth hereby certify that Nathaniel Spooner Paine is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Plymouth duly commissioned and qualified to admin- ister oaths & take depositions and that the signature to the foregoing attestation is the true signature of the said justice
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court This seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen
John B. Thomas

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. I hereby certify that William Jackson Esquire is a justice of the peace within and for the County of Plymouth in said Commonwealth duly qualified to administer oaths & take depositions - that the signature to the foregoing certificate is the true signature of the said justice and the seal hereunto affixed is the seal of the courts in said County of Plymouth
W B Thomas Clerk of the Judicial courts in the County of Plymouth
2 May East 1802

I Moses Cotton of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esq r , do Testify & say, that I lived near Mr John May in Plymouth aforesaid till I was about thirty years of age, that said May was my intimate acquaintance and that I am certain said John May enlisted into the Army of the united States in the beginning of the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy six. And further say that I had information of said Mays being taken Prisoner in fort Washington on the north river in November 1776. and at the time the prisoners were discharged on parole about the beginning of the year 1777 I was informed said John May was discharged with them, & was taken sick on his way home in the State of Connecticut, was called upon by said John Mays brother in law Mr David Lothrop of said Plymouth to go to Connecticut after him, but upon more mature consideration it was thought best to send Mr Crosby Lee after him, who was taken prisoner in said Fort, and discharged on parole with said May, and who bro't the news of said Mays sickness to Plymouth Further saith not. Said May now lives in Canaan in the County of Litchfield State of New Hampshire. Moses Cotton
Blym o fs Plymouth 5 th September 1880
Then appeared Moses Cotton Esq r and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts above stated; before me ————— Will m Jackson Jm t Clerk and said Cotton is a Man of truth and veracity ————— }

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss I hereby certify that William Jackson Esquire is a justice of the peace within and for the County of Plymouth in said Commonwealth duly qualified to administer oaths & take depositions - that the signature to the foregoing certificate is the true signature of the said justice and the seal hereunto affixed is the seal of the courts in said County of Plymouth
W B Thomas Clerk of the Judicial courts in the County of Plymouth
7 May East 1802

Benjamin Goodwin of Bristol, in the county of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island do hereby certify and say that John May late of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts but now of Canaan County of Grafton in the State of New Hampshire served as a sergeant in the Company commanded by Capt. Dimond Morton in the Regiment of Artillery first commanded by Col. Knox and afterward by Col. Crane, that he and I enlisted together in a Company as Sergeants January 1776 for one year in Nov. of the same year we were taken prisoners in Fort Washington and in January 1777 we were discharged on Parole, — on our march homeward Mr. May was taken sick in Connecticut and we left him, in that there was I returned to my home in Plymouth.  Benj. Goodwin
State of Rhode Island to Bristol ss at Bristol Nov. 12 th 1818  Personally came Benjamin Goodwin Subscribed to the foregoing declaration and made solemn Oath to the truth of the same before me — The said Benjamin Goodwin is a man of Credibility and there is no doubt of the truth of what he has testified.  Daniel Bradford Chief Justice Pleas County Bristol
State of Rhode Island ss Bristol Nov. 12 th 1818.
I hereby certify that Daniel Bradford Esq r Signer to the above is Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Bristol in the State aforesaid.  Rich d Smith of said Court
at Bristol

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME May, John GRADE Private LINE Massachusetts
WARRANT NUMBER 4701 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED May 16, 1796 to — not shown —
*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.