Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30572, for Archibald Mc Neill, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
McNeill Archibald or Archibald
S 30572
CONTENTS

27503  Massachusetts Bricebald M c Neil of Boston in the State of Mass who was a Lieut. in the Comp y commanded by Captain Torrey of the Reg t commanded by Colo Webb in the Mass line for 9 months. Lieut
Set 6 16 m R. 6. Minthorp Aug c 10 '46
84 Suffolk
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 120 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of July 1834 and sent to E. Haskell Derby Esq r Boston Mass Arrears to the 4 th of March 1834 $360.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sep " " 60 $ 420.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded By George Taylor Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 54

28.359 Archibald McGill of Boston
Adm d of Month, Lunt Capt Torrey Colo Webb.
E Hasket Derby Esq. Boston Mass * adm d by W. Edwards

Commonwealth of Massachusetts— Suffolk ss.
On this eleventh day of November 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston now sitting, Archibald McNeil, a resident of said Boston, aged eighty three 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, 1832 —
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, & served as herein stated.
That on the 7 th of June 1780 he was appointed First Lieutenant in the Matross Company of Massachusetts State Troops in the Regiment usually styled the Boston regiment. Ebenezer Torrey was his Captain, and John Dagrone the Ensign. Colonel Webb he believes commanded the regiment —
He was stationed for the most part on Fort Hill in Boston, & a part of the time in the Guard Ship, where he had twenty Captains & nearly three hundred prisoners under his charge — He remembers that on one night nine persons died
He continued in the service until the close of the war a period of more than two years. His Regiment formed a part of the Garrison of Boston. He has no documentary evidence & knows of no survivor, whose testimony he can procure, to prove his services, — except such as is herewith exhibited. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever

to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State -
In answer to the several interrogatories prescribed by the War Department he saith, That he was born in Boston June 23 d 1750 - That his age was recorded in a family bible which was burnt in a fire that occurred July 30 th 1794. When called into service he lived in Boston, since the war he has resided in Charlestown, but mostly in Boston where he now lives - He entered the service on receiving a commission from Governor Hancock, which was lost at the fire above mentioned - He has stated the names of such officers as he now remembers, as well as the particulars of his service - He is well known to the Rev d Mr. Paul Dean Smith & Mr Daniel Wild -
Archibald M c Neil
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid, in open court. Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal court of the City of Boston
We Paul Dean, a Clergyman & Daniel Wild both of said Boston, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Archibald M c Neil who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty three years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion -
Paul Dean
Daniel Wild.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court, before me Peter O. Thacher Judge of the Municipal court of the City of Boston -

I Daniel Wild of Boston in the county of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Broker on oath depose & say that during the revolutionary war I frequently visited my Uncle Ebenezer Tower then a Captain in the Boston Regiment stationed on Fort Hill in that town & constituting its garrison. I remember to have often heard him speak of his Lieutenant Archibald McKell. About 1783 I became acquainted with the said McKell while on a visit to my Uncle & have continued acquainted with him until the present time. The said McKell has been a merchant extensively engaged in commerce & was at one time possessed of great wealth but having met with great reverses of fortune, is now much in need of the bounty of Government.
Daniel Wild.
Suffolk ss Boston November. 11 th 1833 Municipal Court. Then personally appeared in open Court the above named Daniel Wild & made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed. & I hereby certify that said Wild is a credible witness and personally known to me Peter O. Thacher Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.

I, William Pierce of Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Hair-dresser, aged eighty seven years, but of sound & perfect memory on oath depose & say that in the year 1776 I entered the Boston Regiment so called, & continued in it till the close of the Revolutionary War. During this period the regiment was commanded a part of the time by Col. Proctor & a part of the time by Col. Webb — I was well acquainted with Archibald McNeill, I remember that in the year 1780 he was appointed Lieutenant in Captain Sorey's Company in the aforesaid regiment — Captain Sorey's Company was stationed on Fort Hill in said Boston & remained there till the close of the War — During this time I frequently saw Mr. McNeill on duty at Fort Hill & can state with entire confidence that he was in active service either on Fort Hill or in the Guard Ship till the end of the war — a period of more than two years — Mr. McNeill was a faithful & active officer, & I consider him well entitled to the bounty of Government — William Pierce
State of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss. Boston Novm: 11. 1833 Personally appeared William Pierce, the deponent above named and made oath to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed as The above deponent is known to me, and is a creditable witness —
William Stevenson Notary Public
J. Justin of the County
Thomas W. Phillips Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston hereby certify that William Stevenson Esquire is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk & that I believe the above signature to be genuine witness my hand & the seal of said Court hereto set this 12th day of November A.D. 1833 Thomas W. Phillips Clerk

after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogations, presented by the war Department, the answers, & which are herein before embodied and it is their opinion, that Whereupon it is considered by the said Court that the said Archibald McNeil was a Soldier of the Revolution and served as he has been before stated. And further that the Reverend Paul Dean is a resident in the City of Boston, and is Pastor of the Central Universalist Church in that place. Also that Daniel Wild of the City of Boston, Broker, and that the said the said Paul Dean, have signed the foregoing Certificate are personally known to the Court, that they are credible persons and that full faith is due to their certificate & the facts therein contained.
Boston, November 11 th 1833.
Peter G. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss
I Thomas W Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston the same being a court of record in the County of Suffolk do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Archibald McNeil for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at said Boston, this twelfth day of November A. D. Eighteen hundred thirty three Thomas W Phillips, Clerk

(Copy, 7)
Application for certificate of Revolutionary Services made by the only child of the party who ren d the Service. —
State of Massachusetts
County of Suffolk — City of Boston. —
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Mass ts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of my father Abielabiah M c Neill in the war of the Revolution. —
He was a native of the Town, now City, of Boston in the County of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts. —
He enlisted from the Town of Boston in the County of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, in the year 1780 as a first Lieutenant in the Company commanded by Capt Ebenezer Dorrrey in Col. Dyer's Regiment, and he served as is particularly set forth in the annexed affidavit signed thereunto by my said Father on the 24 th day of September 1838. I am unable to give any further partic- =ulars of my said Father's services other than what is con- tained in said Affidavit, neither am I able to state whether he served in any other grade or capacity than a Lieutenant. —
My Father was married before the war, & had children at that time, who at one period temporarily resided in Groton Middlesex County, and it is possible a portion of his services may have been rendered from that town, tho' not very likely. —
I am now sixty nine years of age and my memory does not enable me to state the services more fully than above stated.
Witness my hand this 10 th day of June A 1846
Signed by said Mary M c Neill in my presence,
(Signed) Lowell M c Neill (Signed) Mary M c Neill Justice of the Peace

Copy of Affidavit
I Archibald McNeill of Yarmouth, Plymouth County, formerly of Boston, Suffolk County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the eighty ninth year of my age, do on oath testify and say, in addition to my former declaration for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, that I served as First Lieutenant in Capt. Ebenezer Tenny's Company of Col. Drooton's Regiment, commencing June 7. 1780 - at that date I received a Commission signed by John Hancock Governor of this Commonwealth and performed actual service under said Commission for the term of three years - First, under Col. Drooton, then under Col. Webb, and Col. Ward, and lastly under Governor John Hancock in person - Ebenezer Tenny was our Captain, myself 1 st Lieutenant, Benj t Bullen 2 d Lieutenant, John Daffern Ensign - we were stationed on Fort Hill in Boston and erected the Fortifications thereon under a French Engineer - I was stationed in Boston and vicinity and also on board the Guard Ship in Boston Harbour for the whole of my service of nearly three years - I have sought diligently for my Commission but have been unable to find it - In the year 1794 I was burnt out when I lost my dwelling house & rope walk, when my papers, and a large property were destroyed. I am in receipt of a small pension from the United States of $120. per annum, but as I consider inadequate to the service performed by me - (Signed) Archibald McNeill
Suffolk ss. - Boston September 24. 1833. Personally appeared the above named Archibald McNeill and made solemn oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true - Before me
(Signed) Augustus Peabody Justice of the Peace for Y o County.

(copy)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk. ss:
I Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston hereby certify that Augustus Peabody Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in the County of Suffolk & that the signature within purporting to be his is genuine.
Witness my hand & Seal of said Court this day this Twenty fourth day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred thirty eight -
Signed, Thomas W. Phillips Clerk.
copy
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Office, Boston: July 24. 1846 I hereby certify, that from an examination of the rolls and documents, relating to Military Services in the war of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that there is no evidence of service of any one of the name of Archibald McNeill -
No Roll of Capt Ebenezer Ferray, and not upon rolls of Col: Proctor, Webb and Ward, or General Hancock -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written -
(Seal) John G. Palfrey
Secy. of the Commonwealth.
copy of a letter from Eleazer Homer Esq. Pardon Office to Archibald McNeill.
Boston Oct. 12. 1833
Mr. Archibald McNeill
Gingham Sir - Since we wrote you respecting evidence of your claim, we have found a roll on which your name appears as a first Lieutenant under Capt. Ferray in 1780: if you can furnish any further evidence, we may perhaps find your name for the rest of the service -
Yrs Respectfully, Eleazer Homer Henry White

In reply to your request of May 10 ", received May 11, 1909 for a statement of the military history of Archibald McNeill a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 7, 1780 nearly 3 years 1 Lieut. Ebenezer Torrey Edward Procter Webb Ward Mass "Boston Regiment"  
Stationed in the vicinity of Boston and on the guard ship in the harbor.
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Boston, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Nov. 11, 1833. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Boston, Mass.
Age at date of application, Born June 23, 1750 at Boston, Mass.
Remarks: In 1846 soldier's daughter Mary McNeill aged sixty-nine years, stated that he was married before the Revolutionary War. No further data as to family.

into flour moss. 156 4 55
30 572 Rev INVALID.
1892 Jan 18 St D.H. Wright St Barrine D.S. 7
File No. 80 572
Decr. 19-1903 to A.W. Dingwall 2.
Archibald McNeill
Lieut Rev Mr
Act: Crime Jn 324
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 263
[Arrangement of 1870.]

30572
3-068. (Old No. 3-619.)
Bureau of Pensions.
Archibald M c Neil
Nov. 11, 1833 - 83
Boston Mass
June 80 Boston Mass Capt Ebenezer Torrey Col. Nathl Proctor Lt. 2 yrs
Born June 23, 1750, Boston
no Bat

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov r 9 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 remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Arch d McNeill is borne on a list in a book entitled Naval and Militia Officers Commissionated from December 16 th 1776. to October 11 th 1780. as first Lieutenant. in Capt Ebenezer Forry's Company. Col E Procter in the Boston Regiment.
Archibald McNeill claims for services under the above Officers. no other roll is found with his name thereon.
Edward D Bangs. Esq

J. L. Edwards Esq.

Boston June 19 th 1834 2 State St.
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit to you the several documents relating to the case of Archibald McNeill.
I have followed the directions con- tained in your favor of the 3 d inst. & hope to receive the Pension Certi- ficate —
Yrs
very Respectfully
E. Hasket Derby per
Br. H. Andrews —
J. L. Edwards Esq.

J. L. Edwards Esq.

No 2 State Street Boston May 23 d 1834
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I have the pleasure of transmitting to you the amended papers of Lieutenant Archibald McNeill an applicant for a pension.
In conformity to your suggestions he has procured & forwarded the deposition of William Pierce a very respectable and intelligent octogenarian of this City to prove the length of his active service & reduces his claim for a pension to the term of three nine months.
I trust you will find every thing satisfactory
Very Respectfully Yours J Hackett Derby Atty

Washington. D. C. of R. 5 August, 1856.
Sir,
I inclose papers, which I beg may be returned before the close of the session, with an answer to be returned to Mr. Hall.
Yours Resp.
Robt. C. Winthrop.

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk & State of Massachusetts, Archibald McNeill of Boston in said Suffolk, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he can not swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the fore periods mentioned below & in the following grades — For three months I served as First Lieutenant in the Boston Regiment in a Company commanded by Capt. Eben Torrey, vice Col. Edward Proctor Commanded the Regiment. For six months I served as First Lieutenant in the same Company & under the same Captain, the Regiment being commanded by Col. Webb — and for such service I claim a pension — And I subjoin that during the two periods above set forth I was engaged in active duty on the fortifications in Boston & its vicinage environs — Archibald McNeill
Suffolk ss. Boston June 19 th 1834 — There

personally appeared the above named Archibald McNeill & made solemn oath to the truth of the above affida- vit by him subscribed - And I hereby certify that he is entitled to credit -
E. Hasket Derby.
Justice of the Peace -
Suffolk ss.
Municipal Court - City of Boston. June 19. 1834
This certifies that Elias Hasket Derby Esquire whose signature is attached to this paper and before whom the deposition of the said Archibald McNeill is taken is a Justice of the Peace for the county of Suffolk, fully authorized to take depositions -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Municipal Court, this nineteenth day of June - A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty four -
Theodore S. Faxon Clerk pro tem.

I, William Pierce of Boston in the County of Suffolk & State of Massachusetts on oath depose & say - That I am now eighty eight years of age, that I was born in said Boston & have always resided there, that during the Revolutionary war I was well acquainted with Archibald McNeill then a Lieutenant in the company commanded by Capt. Torrey & Regiment commanded by Colos. Proctor & Webb - From the year 1776 to the close of the war this regiment composed the garrison of Boston; it was under the direction of General Heath who received his orders from General Washington -
From the exposed situation of Boston and the frequent visits of the enemies' cruisers, the officers & soldiers composing the above regiment were a great portion of the time in active service doing duty on the Common, Fort Hill, Fort Independence, Copp's Hill & other places. The company of which I was a member was at one period kept in active service more than nine months - during this period we slept in the guard houses at the several stations and did guard duty -
Archibald McNeill was a young, active & spirited officer & was very frequently called out - I feel very confident that on one occa-

sion at least he was on active duty as a Lieutenant for a period exceeding six months, & to the best of my recollection was on other occasions on duty for several months together—
I have no hesitation in saying that to the best of my belief & recollection, it is strongly impressed on my mind, the said McNeill was on duty considerably more than nine months during the time he was a Lieutenant in the above named Corps. The services of the said McNeill consisted principally in doing guard duty at the several posts in Boston & in Guard Ships in the harbor. William Pierce
Suffolk ss. Boston May 21 st 1834. Then personally appeared the above named William Pierce & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed — & I hereby certify that he is a credible witness —
Hasket Derby
Justice of the Peace for said Suffolk
Suffolk ss
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I Thomas A. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston the same being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Hasket Derby Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within the County of Suffolk & that his name written above is his genuine signature.
Witness my hand & the Seal of said Court, hereat set this twenty second day of May A.D. eighteen hundred & thirty four.
Thomas A. Phillips.

I, Archibald M c Neill of Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on oath depose & say That by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory I am unable to swear pos- itively as to the precise length of time I was engaged in active duty, while a Lieu- tenant in the Boston Regiment during the war of the Revolution; but that I can state with entire confidence that I devoted a period of more than nine months exclusively to the service of my Country - And although I am well satisfied that I rendered additional ser- vices & was employed a greater length of time yet I am willing to restrict my claim, and do hereby restrict it, to the period of nine months - Arch d M c Neill
Suffolk fs. Boston May 21 st 1834 - Then personally appeared the above named Archibald M c Neill & made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed - And I hereby certify that he is entitled to credit -
E. Harker Dury Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss
I Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of
(1834) - The Municipal Court of the City of Boston, (1834) the same being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that E. Haskell Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within the County of Suffolk & that his name written on the opposite side of this sheet is his genuine signature here.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court, hereunto set this twenty second day of May A. D. Eighteen hundred & thirty four.
Thomas W. Phillips

U. S. N. DIV. P. R.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., February 17, 1882.
Sir:-
Receiving as your request for a statement of the military services of Captain [illegible], [illegible] of the Revolutionary War you are informed that he was granted a pension for 2 months service as a 1st. Lieut. in Captain Fletcher Tolly's Co., Col. E. Procter's Regt., called the Boston [illegible]. He was commissioned June 7, 1740.
He applied for pension November 11, 1822, at which time he was a resident of Boston, Mass., and gave his age as 83 years.
Very respectfully,
Frank M. Elliott, Reg.,
Commissioner.
Great Barrington, Mass.

Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a formal letter.
Me
JAN 25 1892
Faint handwritten signature or initials.

FRANK H. WRIGHT, COUNSELOR AT LAW.
9 F 30572
GREAT BARRINGTON, MASS. January 19, 1892
General P. H. Warren Pension Commissioner
My dear Sir; -
My great Grandfather, Archibald McNeil , was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. I have his powder horn which bears his name, and "Grown Point".
I would be glad to get any information concerning his service, and would appreciate the favor if you will at your convenience give me such information as may appear in your office - I think he enlisted from Conn.
Yours truly Frank H. Wright