Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13841, for Richard Martin, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Martin, Richard
S. 13841
CONTENTS
Carded

21.677 Massachusetts
Richard Martin of Essex in the State of Mass. who was a 1st Lieut in the Company commanded by Captain Folsom of the G.H. commanded by ... in the Mass. line for 6 months, 28 days, 8 months 12. D. Gunner
Entered on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 77 Dollars - 11 - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Oct. 1833 and sent to Anne Markhead Mass.
Arrears to the 1 st of Sept 1833 $112.78 Pension allowance ending Feb 1834 - 38.56
$231.34
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. A. Woodruff Clerk Book E Vol. 2 Page 54

Martin
9756
John Martin - Shatopique

State of Massachusetts. County of Essex S.S. Marblehead.
On this tenth day of August A.D. 1832. Personally appeared before me David Cummins esq r a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and a Court of Record within and for said County of Essex. Richard Martin of said Marblehead, County and State aforesaid aged nearly eighty five years, who being duly sworn according to Law, on his Oath, doth make the following Declaration; in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he was a Soldier in the revolutionary War, and on or about the twenty fourth day of April seventeen hundred and seventy five he enlisted as a soldier in John Selmans Company, of Col John Glovers Regiment of Infantry, and continued doing duty, at Marblehead, until the twenty second day of June following, at which time the Regiment marched to Cambridge, and joined the American Army under the Command of Genl. Ward: Soon afterward Genl Washington arrived, and took command of all the American Troops at Cambridge. And that he continued doing duty from time to time until the month of October following, at which time Capt Selman with Capt Broughton, were appointed to the Command (by Genl Washington) of two Armed Vessels belonging to the State of Massachusetts, to sail on a secret expedition to intercept two British vessels, that had sailed from England bound to Canada, with munitions of War: The crews of both the American Vessels were taken from Col Glovers Regiment, and he the said Declarant was one of them, and entered on board the Vessel commanded by Selman. Having cruised for some time and receiving no intelligence of the said British Vessels, the Commanders of the two American Vessels, concluded to return to Marblehead, and on or about the first day of December following, arrived there in safety; and soon after returned to their quarters at Cambridge. He continued at Cambridge until the last of said December, at which time the Regiment was discharged.
Your Declarant further saith, that he again entered the service, and on or about the fifth day of January seventeen hundred seventy six, he enlisted in a Company of Militia
Commanded

commanded by Edward Flettyplace of said Marblehead, and was ordered to perform Garrison duty in the Marblehead Fort, and continued to do duty there from time to time for the period of twelve months, and was then discharged, about the fifth day of January, Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven. Your declarant further saith, that he has no documentary evidence; and knows of no person who can testify to this last mentioned period of service. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the General State.
Sworn to, and Subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
David Cummings
We John Bartlett, a Clergyman residing in the Town of Marblehead, and Benjamin Knight esq. also residing in said Town of Marblehead, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Richard Martin, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be nearly eighty five years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
John Bartlett Benjamin Knight
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
David Cummings
And the said Judge doth hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter; and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states: and the said Judge further certifies that it appears to him that John Bartlett, who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Marblehead; and that Benjamin Knight esq. who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said Town of Marblehead and is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit. And the said Judge further certifies, that the above named Applicant, is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity.
David Cummings

Beaver Martin
John Prince Lapham

William Bean of Marblehead in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts Seaman On Oath doth depose testify and say that I was a Soldier in the Revolutionary war and belonged to a Company commanded by Capt John Selman of Marblehead in Col. John Glover's regiment of Infantry, and I will remember that Richard Martin of said Marblehead enlisted in said Company at the same time I Did, and went from Marblehead to Cambridge and was with Capt Selman on the cruise of said Expedition to the River St Lawrence for the Purpose of intercepting two British Vessels laden with Munitions of War and bound from England to Canada, and that the said Richard Martin continued in said service on board of the Vessel Commanded by Capt. Selman from the time we left Marblehead and until we returned back again, on or about the first part of December Seventeen hundred and ninety five, and until the Regiment was discharged about the last of said December.
William Bean
Essex ss Marblehead August 6 th 185
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
And I also Certify that the above William Bean is a credible witness. John Prince Judge John Prince Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I John Prince Junr. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of Record, within and for the County of Essex, Do hereby certify, that the Hon David Cummins esq. is a judge of said Courts, and that the within signature is his genuine signature. And that John Prince of Marblehead is a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Essex and that the signature annexed, is his true signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the seal of said Court of Common Pleas, at Salem this thirteenth day of August eighteen hundred and thirty two.
John Prince Clerk
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex and Town of Marblehead, Massachusetts — Richard Martin of said Marblehead, 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, or to each minute particular in the manner 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. I served as a Private in Capt John Selman's Company, Col. John Glover's Regiment at Marblehead, One month twenty eight days. I served as a Private four months at Cambridge in said Selman's Company Glover's Regiment. I served as a Seaman on board the Armed Schooner in the State Service on a Secret expedition, One month. I served as a Private in said Selman's Company One month at Cambridge after my return from said said Secret Expedition. I served for twelve months as a Private in a Company, Commanded by Edward Gettyplace in the Fort at Marblehead. Said Gettyplace's Company was a Company charged with the duty of taking care of and performing garrison duty in the Fort, and was not connected with any Regiment, but placed under the immediate command of said Gettyplace. That I continued doing active duty as a Private Soldier in said Fort at Marblehead, as a member of said Company for the period before stated. For all which aforementioned periods of service I claim a Pension.
John D. Gove
Essex ss. Marblehead August 1833.
Subscribed & sworn to before me
John Prince Justice of Peace.

5- 6-
1- 25 H
Richd Martin No 9756
up Peach 6.28 Dr - Gunne 12 18-28
Apr 16 06 \frac{333}{22} 311
Apr 17 1833
P. 341 \frac{54.00}{20.00} 34.11
5-06 July 20 1833 \frac{77.11}{77.11}
Mr Bangs's Cashbook re- and 26 Augt 1833
\frac{271.12}{132.22} \frac{38.56}{192.78}
I Prince jun En
Marblehead
Mass

BRIEF in the case of Richard Martin of the County of Essex in the State of Mass. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? bodily infirmity  3. How old is he? 85 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 1775 Apr. 24 to the last of Decr. — 6 28 Private Col. Glover, Capt. Solomon   276 Jan'y 5. to 5 Jan'y " 77 1 — 9 Genl of Artillery Capt. Frettyplace  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Marblehead  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Disposition  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Regular 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

April 28, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-5/1000/ee1
Mr. Arthur H. Nechan 924 E. Marguerita Avenue Alhambra, California
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letters and those of your wife, dated February 9, 1937, in which are requested the Revolutionary War records of Henry Allard; John Day, of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, wife Olive; Jonas Robbins; John Guptill, born in Berwick, Maine, baptized March 17, 1736, married Mary Woodman and resided in Gouldsborough, Maine; Richard Martin, born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, baptized July 12, 1747, married Hannah Gruff, and died March 19, 1836; Samuel Swatland or Sweatland; Joseph Thomas, possibly of Maine, born in Scituate, Massachusetts, February 5, 1753, married Phebe Tyler.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon the service in the Revolutionary War of John Day, as described by you, nor of Henry Allard, Jonas Robbins or Samuel Swatland or Sweatland, the surnames searched under all spellings; no record could be positively identified as that of the John Guptill in whom you are interested nor was any record found of the Joseph Thomas, who resided in Maine or Massachusetts or who was born February 5, 1753. The record of one has been found, however, who married Phebe Tyler. The record of that Joseph Thomas and that of Richard Martin are furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

April 28, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Arthur H. Meehan 924 N. Marguerita Avenue Alhambra, California
BA-J/SEL Richard Martin-S.13841 Joseph Thomas -W. 2972
Dear Sir:
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.13841, based upon the military service in that war of Richard Martin.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Richard Martin are not shown.
Richard Martin enlisted, place not shown, April 24, 1775, served as a private in Captain John Selman's Company, Colonel John Glover's Massachusetts Regiment, was stationed at Marblehead, Massachusetts, until June 22, following, then marched to Cambridge and served there until October following, at which time his captain(John Selman) and Captain Broughton were selected by General Washington to take command of two armed vessels belonging to the state of Massachusetts, to sail on a secret expedition to intercept two British vessels that had sailed from England bound for Canada loaded with munitions of war. The crews of the two vessels were taken from Colonel Glover's Regiment and Richard Martin went on board the vessel commanded by his Captain Selman; they cruised for some time and receiving no intelligence of the British vessels, returned to Marblehead, where they arrived about December 1, following, and soon after returned to Cambridge where soldier continued to serve until the last of December of same year when he was discharged. January 5, 1776, he again enlisted and served as a quarter gunner under Captain Edward Fettypence, stationed at the fort at Marblehead, Massachusetts; length of this service, one year.
Found sol in mass S+S VOL. X pages 295 & 296
this capt in mass S+S
For verification of this sea service see cl. John Selman V. 22182
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832, at which time he was aged eighty-five years and resided in Marblehead, Massachusetts.
There are no data as to soldier's family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Richard Martin (S.13841), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Richard Martin Certificate No.21677 Issued October 8, 1833 Rate, $77.11 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Massachusetts Agency.
***** Joseph Thomas W.2972
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.2972, based upon the military service in that war of Joseph Thomas.
Joseph Thomas was born May 2, 1761. The place of his birth and names of his parents are not stated.
Joseph Thomas enlisted at Newburgh, New York, in October, 1778, for three years, served for two years as a private in Captain Peter Mills' Company, Colonel Baldwin's Regiment of Artificers, then was transferred to Captain Patten's Company of Artillery Artificers, was at the siege of Yorktown and surrender of Cornwallis, his term of enlistment expired a few days before the surrender but he continued to serve for sometime and was discharged at Philadelphia, date of discharge not given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 25, 1819, while residing in Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, where he died April 24, 1831.
The soldier married June 1, 1785, at Reinpack(evidently meant for Rhinebeck), New York, Phebe Tyler. She was born August 30, 1769. The place of her birth and names of her parents are not shown.

Phebe, widow of Joseph Thomas, was allowed pension on her application executed August 27, 1838, while residing in Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
She died March 15, 1847, in said Great Bend Township.
Joseph and Phebe Thomas had eleven children, as follows:
  Charity Thomas . . . . .  born  March 2, 1786,  married Benjamin Tyler, no relationship to each other shown.    Sarah Thomas. . . . .  "  November 8, 1787,  married William A. Conklin.    Abigail Thomas . . . . .  "  October 4, 1789,  married Thomas Young.    Aaron Thomas . . . . .  "  November 8, 1791,  in 1839, living in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.    Elsey Thomas. . . . .  "  December 24, 1793,  married David Niver.    Elias Thomas. . . . .  "  January 15, 1796,  in 1851, was living in Linden, Iowa County, Wisconsin.    Mary Thomas . . . . .  "  March 26, 1798,  married Aaron Dexter.    Joseph Thomas, Junior. . . . .  "  June 26, 1800,  in 1824, was living in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.    Emily Thomas. . . . .  "  August 20, 1802,  married Joseph Conklin, and in 1850, was living in Broome County, New York.    David Thomas. . . . .  "  February --, 1806 (torn),  in 1851, was living in Susquehanna County Pennsylvania.    Oliver Thomas. . . . .   aged 14 years in 1824.   
Nine of the above named children survived their mothers: they were Charity Tyler, Mary Dexter, Sarah Conklin, Emily Conklin, Oliver, Aaron, David, Joseph and Elias Thomas. The dates of death of the two deceased daughters, Abigail Young and Elsey Niver are not shown, nor are the dates of marriage of any of the daughters given and no names of wives of the sons.
In 1819, John and Elias Conklin made affidavit in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, in support of Joseph Thomas' Claim for pension: No relationship was given to William A. Conklin and Joseph Conklin, who married soldier's daughters, Sarah and Emily.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
EXECUTIVE Assistant
to the Adjutant General

924 N. Marguerita Avenue, Alhambra, Calif.
February 9, 1937.
Veterans Administration, Revolutionary War Division, Washington, D.C.
Attention Mr. A. D. Hiller.
Dear Mr. Hiller; -
I am inclosing several requests for information regarding ancestors of my own and my wife's which we need in our genealogical research work.
If the number seems excessive, I hasten to apologize, and to state that I do not expect you to allow them to interfere in any way with your regular work, but hope merely, that whenever you have spare time you will just sandwich them in.
Sincerely yours,
Arthur H. Mecham
Arthur H. Mecham.
7000000000 FEB 18 1937
MAIL SUB-DIV.
RECORDED INDEXED FEB 18 1937

February 9, 1937.
Veterans Administration, Revolutionary War Division, Washington, D.C.
RE: RICHARD MARTIN.
Gentlemen; -
Will you please send me a report on whatever you have on file regarding my ancestor Richard Martin, born Marblehead, Mass, and baptized July 12, 1747. He died March 19, 1836, married Hannah Cruff, of Marblehead, on March 14, 1771.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Maude Mecham
Mrs. Arthur H. Mecham, 924 N. Marguerita Ave., Alhambra, Calif.
FEB 15 1937

1937-Apr 28 - List to Arthur H. Meeham. B.A.
Rev War
1384 INVALID.
File No. 13841
Richard Martin
Miss Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 239
[Arrangement of 1870.]

N o 9756
Rich d . Martin
Application must be made to E. Q. Bangs Esq for evidence of the claimants interest
Aug 26/1833
I Promise you Sir Marked M o

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Richard Martin 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 No. 2 term. He must state distinctly each particular term of active service, when & where they were performed, the length of each term & the names of all the officers under whom he served
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
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? yes in one case 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? yes in one case 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 in one case 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? so certified
 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.

Richard Nixon
1913-1994
1

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, September 4 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 Richard Martin , as Quarter Gunner, is found on a List of the Company, in Marblehead, under the command of Edward Fettiplace, where he is allowed from
3 mos. June 1 st to Sept 1 st 1776, three months. — J r  Richard Martin's name, as Quarter Gunner, is borne on a List of the Company in Marblehead, under the command of Edward Fettiplace, where he is allowed from Sept. 1 st 1776 to Jan y 1 st 1777. 4 " four months —
7 mos. Richard Martin claims for further services under Capt. Edward Fettiplace, the Rolls of which are not found in this Office —
Edward D Bangs. Secy