Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 15796, for Barnabas Mc Coy, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Mcboy, Barnabas
W 15796
Reed, Mary
(Former widow)
CONTENTS
This woman's 2 nd husband, Francis Ryan, Mass., also served in the Revolutionary War.

3640
Massachusetts
Mary Reed, formerly widow of Barnabas M c Coy, Francis Ryan,
who died in the year 1782 of Essex Co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Pitman of the reg't. commanded by Col. Tyler in the Mass. line for
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 80 Dollars ————— Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 d day of Decem r . 1841 and sent to W m R. Baldwin Presents
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r . 1841 $840:00 Semi-annual allowance ending 1 st Mar ch 42. 40:00
$880:00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Not July 4, 1836, Section the 3. }
Recorded by J. Brown Clerk, Book C. Vol. 1. Page 68
Agent notified Letter to Hon. L. Saltonstall 31 Jan. 1842

Affidavit of Lydia Walden in the case of Mary Reed, Widow of Barnabas M c loy also of Francis Ryan de d

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Salem - County of Essex ss
I Lydia Walden of Salem in said County and Commonwealth Aged Seventy three years do on Oath testify and say that I was born in Lynnfield in said County that I am the daughter of W m Young Flint and am his fourth Child by my late Mother Phebe Flint, that I have a Sister Mary whom we generally called Molly who is the third Child of our parents; at the time of the Revolutionary War said Mary was living in Salem, And unknown to any of our family she went into the Army with a Man by the Name of Barnabas M c Bay a Soldier; to whom I always understood and believed she was lawfully married after their arrival at Head Quarters of the Army on the Hudson River, said Barnabas M c Bay died in the Army as was always understood and believed, And my Sister said Mary afterwards married to a Man by the Name of Francis Ryan (also a Soldier) previous to his leaving the Army; this I know from the following facts viz. That after the Army was disbanded in 1783 said Francis Ryan and his Wife my said Sister Mary came home together from the Army, bringing with them a Daughter whom they called Polly they came to my Mothers house at Lynnfield for the purpose of taking up their abode with our Mother, then

a Widow, who refused to let them live with her unless they could give proof that they were lawfully married, thereupon Said Francis Ryan took from his Pocket book a Marriage Certificate and read it, I also took it and had I know it was a certificate of Marriage of Said Francis and Mary Signed by the Name of Barnard, the Chaplain of the Army, My Mother and all the family were perfectly Satisfied that they were lawful husband and wife and received them into our house as Such; and they continued to reside there several years and then removed to Salem, where Said Ryan followed the occupation of a Butcher, he died there upwards of forty years since, My Sister Said Mary afterwards married Isaac Reed who also died Some ten or twelve years ago and my Sister Said Mary has ever since remained a Widow, and resides alternately at Danvers and Lynn, I am confident that my Said Sister Mary was lawfully married in lawful to Said Francis Ryan and I have seen the Certificate of their Marriage Signed by Parson Barnard a number of times and I know as well as I know anything in the World that I did not see that they were married before the close of the Revolutionary War,
Lydia E. Walder

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
Benjamin Merrill Esq r 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,
December 20. A. D. 1838.
John Prince Clerk.

State of Massachusetts
Essex County /s: Dec. 20. 1838
I, the aforenamed Lydia Walden who is a credible witness, made oath that the aforesaid affidavit by her subscribed is true.
Before (R. J. Merrill) Inst. Clerk

Mrs Mary Read widow of Barnabas McCoy & Francis Ryan

Sir, Please pay unto Francis Ryan the wages that's due to my deceased husband Barnabus McCoy for his six months' service for the town of Scituate for the year seventy nine and you will oblige your humble servant
Mary her  mark McCoy
To whom it may concern
Attes:
This may certify that Francis Ryan is married to the deceased Barnabus McCoy's Widow Which said McCoy died at West Point
Jonathan Cury Lt. in the same Regt.
Sept 2 nd 1784
Rec d Twenty nine shillings 8 d in full
1.9.9
Francis Ryan
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, S ci : April 23. 1841.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of an original document belonging to the files of this office.
Witness the Seal of the State.
John D. Sleeper
Secy of the Com tee

2931 Mary Reeds declaration
Mass
Vol 28 p 179 - admitted for 3 years 9 Sept '81 -
Since 14 Dec '83 3 years admitted 14 Dec '86

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex County ss }
On this seventeenth day of November in the year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty seven Personally appeared before the Hon David Cummings a justice of the court of common pleas for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Mary Reed, a resident of Danvers in the county of Essex and Commonwealth aforesaid. Aged seventy four years, who being first 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 Acts of Congress passed July 4. 1836 and March 3 1837.
That She was formerly the Wife and likewise the Widow of Barnabas McCoy dec d likewise the Wife and Widow of Francis Ryan dec d , both of them Soldiers in the Massachusetts line in the Revolutionary Army. Said Barnabas McCoy her first husband was a Resident of the Town of Andover in said County of Essex, He enlisted and served two Tours as a Soldier, one tour of six months under Capt Jeremiah Putnam of Col d Tylers Reg t of Militia, the other of nine months in Col d Benjamin Tuckers Reg t . This was before her marriage to him, then again in March 1781. He said Barnabas McCoy enlisted for three years for the Town of Danvers in said County of Essex in Capt Thomas Emersons Compt. of the eleventh Mass s Reg t Col d Ben- jamin Tupper. And in the following May She accompanied him Barnabas McCoy from the Rendezvous in Boston to Westpoint in the State of New York, thence to Nelsons point on the East side of Hudson River where on the fifteenth of June in the year Seventeen hundred eighty one She was lawfully married to said Barnabas McCoy by the Rev d John Barnard, Chaplain to the Army, in Capt Asa Abbot's Quarters. She continued with said Barnabas McCoy as his Wife, and he did duty as a Soldier until the month of October in the year Seventeen hundred eighty two, when said Barnabas McCoy died at Westpoint in consequence of an injury received

in the breast, and ordering Wood for the Army. He had been previous- ly transferred to Capt Asa Abbotts Comp y in the same Reg t . Then in May Seventeen hundred eighty three. She intermarried with Francis Ryan who was then in the Army. at Newburgh in the State of New York, by the Rev John Barnard aforesaid, Said Francis Ryan was previous to that time Acting Forage Master under Commissary Ballard, and at the time of her marriage to him was an Orderly Ser- geant, and Book keeper to Commissary Bell, and he was finally discharged from Capt John Hartshorns Comp y of Col. Michael Jacksons eighth Mass s Reg t having served two terms of duty as a soldier of three years each, the first in Col. Tiffins Reg t the second in Col. Jacksons Reg t and ended his Service in December Seventeen hundred eighty three
She further declares that she was married to her first husband Said Barnabas Mc Coy on the fifteenth day of June Seventeen hundred eighty one at Nelsons point in the State of New York by the Rev John Barnard, and that her husband Said Barnabas Mc Coy died at Westpoint in the month of October Seventeen hundred eighty two, and that she married secondly to Francis Ryan at Newburgh in said State at the quarters of Capt John Hartshorn who with his lady were present in May Seventeen hundred eighty three by the aforesaid Rev John Barnard. She continued in camp with her husband Said Francis Ryan until the last of Decem- ber of that year when they returned home together to Lynnfield having one child by Said Ryan, a Daughter named Mary. Since dead, they lived two years at her Mothers at Said Lynnfield and then removed to Salem where Said Francis Ryan died on the nineteenth day of December in the year Seventeen hundred ninety two, - And she married her third and last husband Isaac Reed in the month of June in the year Seventeen hundred ninety five, who died in December Eighteen hundred twenty three and that she was a Widow on the fourth day of July Eighteen hundred thirty six and still remains a Widow, as will more fully appear by Reference

to the proof hereto Annexed
She further declares that she formerly had in her possession the certificates of her two first marriages, from the Rev John Barnard and that the said certificates with various letters and other papers were kept by her in a Chest which she took with her to the Poor House in Danvers, where she has been an inmate for fourteen years past and that her Chest was kept in an out building belonging to the Poor house, and that about nine years ago, all her said papers including her Marriage certificates were destroyed by the Children and the establishment without her knowledge until all traces of the same had been lost, and that the then Superintendent of the house Mr Heath is now deceased, —
She further declares that whilst at West-point, and as she believes in the month of November seventeen hundred and eighty three she received from Pay Master Allen, Seventy dollars being part of Arrears of Wages due her first husband Barnabas McCay. Said pay Master Allen informed her that he could not pay her the residue until their arrival in Boston, and accordingly in the Spring of seventeen hundred eighty four, she obtained from the Select Men of Lynnfield a certificate of her personal identity and went to Boston and received from the Treasurer of the Commonwealth the sum of one hundred forty dollars being the balance of pay due her former husband said Barnabas McCay, whose name was found on the list of the dead and she signed her name for said payment. Mary Ryan.
Her Mary Reed mark
Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me: the said Mary Reed being unable to appear in Court by reason of her advanced age and bodily infirmity. David Cummings Jus. C.C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss.
I John Prince Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in said County do. certify that David Cumming Esq. is one of the Judges of said Court - that Daniel Needham is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that their signatures hereon are genuine.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court November 18. 1837.
John Prince Clerk

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15796
Mary Reed Widow of Barambas McCoy & Francis Ryan Prisoners
Act July 4th 86
Index: Vol. M , Page 155
[Arrangement of 1870.]

McCay - Capt. Johnson - (Parker) R.D. in 79 - 4-11- Tappan, rest all D.L. 1780 6 - entire 9 ap'ts at Danvers 1781 - 3 yrs
Ryan - Tappan - length 110 6 discharged - D.L. McCay M. 1781. d. Oct 1782

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by W. Rice
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant Francis Ryan
Soldier _____
Service Mass. Rev. War.
Additional Service _____
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 191 _____
No claim, combination records _____, 191 _____
REMARKS:
No Surv. Reg. or Wid. claim based on the service of the above-named soldier.
MAR 18 1911

Waltham Dec 14 - 1838.
Dear Sir,
I enclose a letter suffi- cient just out by me. Do not take the trouble to write to me con- cerning the application - I will call in the course of a few days.
With great respect
Yr obed Servt
S. D. Atkinson

Jan 29. 1842
Rev. L. Edward Saltonstall  Handley  HR born miss of Perkins.

Ho: Prof. J. G. G. 1842
Dear Sir,
I enclose a letter, asking for information, not withstanding the compliment to myself, with flattering style - It comes from a poet, & a worthy man.
Very resp y
Yr Obd t
Leah Stone Hall.

Mary Reed formerly widow of Barnaby McCoy.
Mass
Ad July 4 1836
Married 1781.
died 1782
Allot 2 d for $80 per ann. Mass. militia (as line. Col. Egan. (4 th Putnam. On roll)
Mr. R. Baldwin Presents.

Dec 24. 1824
C. L. Doy Barn M. Doy Mrs Ryan
Edwards Prison
Wash.
Her A. C. Hand Ror de

Dear Will you have the goodness to inform me whether there is most of the Revolutionary Service of Barnabas M c Roy & Francis Ryan in your office - Did Ryan (particularly) serve his 2 Terms as alleged in papers of Mary Re c - College Rds H st R Dec 24/210      C. A. Hana
Col Edwards
#

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex County ss.
I Andrew Mansfield of Lynnfield in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Aged Seventy Three Years. Do on Oath testify and say That I was born and brought up in the Vicinity of where I now live, And that I was acquainted with Mr Young Flint and his family who were near Neighbours of mine previous to the War of the Revolution, they had a Daughter Mary commonly called Molly Flint, who went with the Army on its March from this part of the Country to the State of New York, and she was absent for about three years and returned here with Francis Ryan a Soldier as his Reported Wife having one Child called Mary. Since dead, they resided on the farm then belonging to her Mother, a Widow, which farm I afterwards purchased and am at present in possession of the same Said Francis Ryan continued to cultivate Said farm about two years after his return from the Army, He and Said Mary lived together as Man and Wife, And it was always Reported and believed that Said Francis Ryan and Mary his Wife were lawfully Married during their absence in the Army and I never heard this fact disputed by any person, during their residence in this place Said Francis taught School in the Winter evenings being an able person and otherwise well qualified to teach after about two years Said Francis and Mary his Wife removed from this Neighborhood, as was Reported to Salem where he subsequently died, And Said Mary remarried with Isaac Root of Danvers by whom she Said Mary had several

Children, - Said Isaac Reed died in Danvers ten or more years since leaving Said Mary his Widow who has not since married and is an inmate of the Poor house in Said Town of Danvers. Andrew Mansfield
I Ebenezer Lawrence of Lynnfield in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Aged Sixty eight Years do on Oath testify and say That I have Resided in this Town over fifty Years. I knew Francis Ryan and his Wife Mary formerly Mary Skink daughter of Mr. Young Skink of this Town of Lynn- field. they lived on the Farm then owned by her Said Marys Mother, never in possession of Mr. Andrew Mansfield, it was always reported and believed and I never heard it disputed that Said Francis Ryan and Mary his Wife were married in the Army of the Revolution and while here they Resided together as Man and Wife and were Respected and considered as such by their Neighbors and Connections and they had one Child named Mary Ryan which Child lived in my family and was brought home with their Parents from the Army. Said Francis Ryan and his Wife Mary removed to Salem where he died and his Widow Said Mary afterwards married Isaac Reed who died some ten years ago or perhaps more and left Said Mary his Widow who is now living an inmate in the Poor house at Danvers and has not married since the death of her late husband Isaac Reed aforesaid
Ebenezer Lawrence

Essex County ss Simsfield this 17 th October 1837
Then personally appeared the before named Andrew Mansfield and Ebenezer Lawrence and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavits by them Respectfully Subscribed, the word „May, in Mr Mansfield's affidavit being interlined before Signing.
I further Certify that Said Andrew Mansfield and Ebenezer Lawrence are Respectable Inhabitants of the Town of Simsfield and to their testimony full Credit and belief are to be given and Said Andrew Mansfield has held many important public Offices in Said Town. Viz Selectman, Assessor, Treasurer, Town Clerk &c for the Space of forty Years.
I also further Certify that I knew Barnabas McKay the alleged first-husband Mary Reed the declarant were joined together one term of Six months, in Capt Jeremiah Putnam's Compt Col Tyler's Reg t of Militia Stationed at Providence and other places in Rhode Island in the Year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Nine, I am a Minister of the United States under the Act of June 7. 1832.
Daniel Needham Justice of Peace

Sir
Boston Massachusetts November 18. 1837
I transmit herewith Documents in support of the Claim to a pension of Mary Root formerly the Wife and Widow of Barzabas McKay and also Wife and Widow of Francis Ryan both of her said husbands having served in the War of the Revolution. No record evidence of her Marriage to said McKay and Ryan can be found, and the case rests on the proof accompanying the Declaration, corroborated by the general report of her Neighbours, be pleased to give this claim the usual course.
I am Respectfully Sir Your Obedt
Reuben Baldwin
James P. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions Washington

Mrs Reed — Ryan
No. 3 21st
James L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions Washington
Jun 26 May 25 Mss.

Mrs Reed — Ryan
M rs B 2 Sept
James L Edwards Esq. Com t of Pensions Washington
Jun 25 May 25 M rs D.

Sir
Boston Massachusetts May 21 st , 1838
I respectfully solicit the attention of the Department to the application for a pension of Mrs Mary Reed, (N o 2931) widow of Barnabas M c Coy also the widow of Francis Ryan, forwarded 18 th November last,
From the circumstance that the case of Mrs Mary Kelly forwarded at the same time has been long since examined and allowed and other applications sent since having been answered, I apprehend that the case of Mrs Reed may have been overlooked, and she is very impatient to hear from it. I find the certificate of Mrs Kelly was issued 16 th Feby last; a reply to this is requested
Very respectfully
Sir Your Obedient Reuben Baldwin by C o W m Athorp
James L e Edwards Esq r Comm r of Pensions Washington

Sir
Boston Massachusetts
June 15 th 1838
Your letter dated 31 st May has been rec d . As respects the case of Mrs Mary Reed widow of Barnabas M c Coy dec d likewise of Francis Ryan dec d I would observe, as the Department refer'd me to the Army books in the Office of the Secretary of this Commonwealth, your letter has been handed to the Secy and also to the Treasurer, neither of whom can give the information sought-for, the Army books alluded to contain the Service only from the years 1776 to 1780 ending 31 st December of that year, and during that period no evidence of Service is given of any Non Commissioned Officer or Soldier who enlisted for less time than three years or during the War, although M c Coy the first husband of the applicant served by two short enlistments previous to the last mentioned period, yet his Service for three years, commenced in 1781. No evidence therefore of said Service or of any final Settlement of the paymaster accounts with the Troops can be found in the Public Offices here which fact I presume the Commissioners of pensions has been often apprized of, the probability is that all such records if any exist are in the Department at Washington.
Mrs Reed has already received the gratuity of $50. from this State as the acknowledged

Wife and widow of Francis Ryan her Second husband, the evidence on which this claim was allowed was similar to that furnished in her application for a pension, and founded on general reputation never questioned by any one here, and the fact of her marriages admitted; the decision of her case is submitted to the Department.
In the case of Mrs Elizabeth Stockwell widow of James Owens, it cannot be expected that a person of the advanced age of the applicant can be very precise as to dates and time of service rendered at so distant a period, it is a fortunate circumstance if they can give the names of Vessels or Regiments in which the alleged service was performed, Supposing in most cases the Records and Rolls on file in the Department will supply any defect of memory as to length of service, I am aware that great reliance is placed on what is supposed may be found of record evidence in the Department, as personal testimony any further than identity of person, at this late period is almost out of the question.
One of the witnesses in this case, Thomas Seward Esq r , is one of our estimable Citizens, an Officer of great trust under the City Government, a son of Capt Thomas Seward of Col Cranes Reg t of Artillery in the War of the Revolution, and himself a Member by Succession of the Mass ts State Society of Cincinnati, and although a Boy at the time of the

alleged Service of James Owens, is at this time a Man of Strong mind and memory)
Mrs Stockwell Claims a pension for the Service of her former husband James Owens as follows viz t On board the Frigate Warren in 1778 in Ship Monmouth Capt Rops 1779 to Penobscot, in the Alliance Capt Barry to France and back in 1780 & 1781, As to the first and last Service here given, if the Records of those Vessels on file do not determine their duration and time it will be difficult if not impossible to obtain it from any other Source, The Monmouth although a Privateer was one of the Vessels taken into the Service by the State of Mass s and was engaged in the Penobscot expedition, this is Suscep- tible of proof if the Department should doubt the the fact, a further examination of this case is requested
I am Very respectfully Sir Your Obedient
Reuben Baldwin
James L Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions Washington

of the Service the note
Hon. Everett Saltonstall M.C. Washington

Sir
Boston Decem 21. 1838
Application was made to the Pension Department in November 1837 by Mrs Mary Reed of Danvers through me as her Agent for a pension for the Service of her two first husbands in the War of the Revolution, viz t Barnabas McCoy who died in the Service, and Francis Ryan a Sergeant who survived and returned home. The Service of both husbands is admitted; and the only difficulty in her case is the want of Record proof of her Marriage, as she was married in camp to both husbands by the Chaplain Rev d John Barnard and her Certificates of Marriage which she says she brought home with her, are lost or destroyed. They were received on their return home as lawful Man and wife by her family. An Affidavit of her Sister Lydia Walden to that fact is herein enclosed to you, and I have to request in behalf of this old Lady that you will be pleased to present it to Mr Edwards the Com d of pensions to further her claim for a pension for the Service of her Second husband Francis Ryan who was a Sergeant. As there has been much correspondence with the Department relative to the claim I respectfully solicit your personal application to Mr Edwards with the Affidavit enclosed,

and in case he should reject this as insufficient evidence of her marriage, I wish all the documents in the case with drawn from the Pension Department; and with her Memorial herein also enclosed presented to Congress, and request your kind aid in procuring the passage of an Act placing Mrs Mary Reed on the pension Roll for the Service of her husband Francis Ryan, absent the full pay to which she is entitled if any thing under the Act of July 4, 1836.
As matter of reference I would state that the letters from the Department on this subject are dated May 31 st and June 21 st , 1838.
This old Lady is very destitute and has been an inmate of the Poor House at Danvers, her case calls for sympathy. She will be grateful for your kind attention and I shall be obliged by your informing me of the progress and result of her application from time to time.
I am very respectfully
Sir Your Obedt
Reuben Baldwin
Hon Leavitt Saltmarsh W.C. Washington.

Recd
Oct 30 Mat map
James L. Edwards Esq. Comr of Pensions Washington

Boston Massachusetts April 26 th 1839.
Sir
In your letter to Hon Mr Saltonstall dated January 12 th 1839. touching the case of Mrs Mary Reed you state that I have not complied with the requirement contained in your letter to me dated May 31. 1838 in which you say it was stated, that Mrs Reed should apply to the Secretary of the Commonwealth for proof of her statement that she received from the State Treasurer the annuity due for the service of her first husband Mr Gay, and that no notice has been taken of this requirement,
The department appears to be under a mistake in this latter sentence quoted, for in my letter of June 15 1838. in reply it is stated that a thorough search had been made in the Office of the Secretary of this State as well as the Treasurer and Land Agency and no such proof could be obtained. Nor do I think it essential to her claim to establish any proof of the service of Mr Gay, as she depends more on the service of her second husband Sergeant Francis Ryan for her claim to a pension. And said Ryan as she alleges performed two terms of service under an engagement for three years viz from 1777 to 1780 as Sergeant in Col. Dufresne's 11 th Mass. Regt and again in 1781. to the fall of 1783.

as Sergeant in Capt John Hartshorn's Comp y of Col Michael Jackson's 8 th Mass s Reg t . All this Service was given in detail by the applicant herself from memory and it is believed will be corroborated by the Army rolls on file in the Department.
It is scarcely possible to give any more concise testimony of her Marriage than the mass of circumstantial evidence already adduced, and which would be admitted before any Court of law in this State as conclusive proof, this Case is again presented for consideration and your reply requested.
I am respectfully Your Obs t
Reuben Baldwin
J L Edwards Esq r Con d of Offensions Washington

Dec 1. 1841
Map.
Mary Kea
James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington
R. B. Patton P. M.

Washington, December 1 st 1841
Sir
I would respectfully call your attention to the case of Mrs Mary Read, formerly the widow of Barnabas Mc Coy & Francis Ryan deceased, who claims a Pension under the Act of July 4 th 1836 & the amended act of 3 March 1837. The lack of satisfactory proof of the legality of the marriage of the applicant, has hitherto prevented the admission of her claim, and in order to remove that impediment, I herein enclose a Certified extract from documents in the Secretary's office of Massachusetts, which I trust will effectually remove that objection to the admission of her claim.
Be pleased to give the above mentioned case a further investigation, and make known to me at this place the result.
Very Respectfully Sir I am Your Obedient Servant
Reuben Baldwin
James L. Edwards Esq- Commisr s of Pensions Washington