Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5086, for Thomas Melvill, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Melvill, Thomas
S. 5086.
Melville or
CONTENTS
Carded

2505.
Massachusetts
Thomas Melville
of Boston in the State of Mass
who was a Major in the
commanded
by Captain
of the reg t
commanded
by Col Crafts
in the Mass
line for 2 years
Thomas Melville Records etc.
Apr. 18 1831
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
9
at the rate of 600 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of Nov
1832 and sent D L
Child Batten
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $900 --
Perannal allowance ending 4 Mar 33 300 --
$1200 --
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H B Blair Clerk,
Book D- Vol. 2 nd Page 67

Extract from records Federal Court Records of my Grandfather Marriage of Father Birth
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } County of Suffolk.
Boston Fe. January 29 th 1818.
This Certifies to whom it may concern, that Thomas Melville, son of Allan & Jane Melville, was born on the fifteenth day of January A.D. 1751. as appears by the Registry of Births within the Town of Boston.
Attest, signed Tho' Clark. Town Clerk.
This Certifies that I am personally acquainted with Thomas Melville Esq r . Naval Officer of this Port. that I have known him as an Inhabitant of the Town of Boston more than forty years, and that I never knew any other person of that name residing within the said Town of Boston, excepting his son Thomas Melville jun r . Certified under my hand this twenty ninth day of January A.D. 1818.
(signed) Tho' Clark. Clerk of the Town of Boston

Extracts from the Records of the Church in Federal Boston Massachusetts —
1750 — April 20 th were married Allen Melvil & Jean Cargill —
1751 — January 20 th Allen Melvil, Merchant Had a Son baptized called Thomas —
NB — the original of the above was certified as a true copy from said records by William E Channing
Pastor of said Church Boston Jan y 29 1810

Thuma, Melvina
Boston Mass
No 1457.
Mayor of City of Boston
Mr & Mrs Melvina Thuma couple with
Nov 27 1832
$600
D. L. Child Esq. Hon. Mr. Pillsbury Esq. Boston Mass

old case
BRIEF in the case of Thomas Merrill of Boston in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? eighty one years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1776 5 = Captain Genl Grafton   7/1 to 7/93 2 3 6 Major of Artillery Genl Grafton  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Rhode Island  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Boston Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses, documentary proof, & traditionary evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Affecting living witnesses not stated as reliable 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. H. Alderson Examining Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Suffolk ss. On this Sixth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Municipal Court of the City of Boston now sitting at Boston in and for said County, Thomas Melvill a resident of Boston in said County, aged 81 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 7th A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at said Boston
on the sixteenth day of January A. D. 1751, and that there is a record of his birth in the Rec d of S d Boston that he was in the United States service from the ninth day of May A. D. 1776, to the fifteenth day of Feby A. D. 1779 as Captain & Major in the Massachusetts State Reg t of Artillery that he was residing at said Boston
when he entered the service; that he was commissioned by the Ex ce Council and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Col Thomas Crafts and Lt Col Paul Revere was of the same Regiment
: that he marched from Boston to Rhode Island , from to from to two several times : that he served at Boston & in R Island with none (that he particularly recollects) — of the regular troops; and Generals Heath, Sullivan, Spencer, Lafayette, Col Smith and Adj t Pock — regular officers were known to him: that he was in the battle of Rhode Island and at the end of his service received no written discharge: that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at said Boston and left the service on or about the said fifteenth day of February
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17 to the  day of A. D. 17 as a in the : that he was residing at when he entered the service; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of
: that he marched from to , from to from to : that he served at with of the regular troops; and regular officers were known to him: that he was in battle and at the end of his service received written discharge
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17 to the  day of A. D. 17 in the : that he was residing at when he entered the service; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of
: that he marched from to , from to from to : that he served at with of the regular troops; and regular officers were known to him: that he was in battle and at the end of his service received written discharge

The general circumstances of his service so far as he recollects them were as follows: viz. On the 9 th of May 1776 he received the Commission of Captain from the State of Massachusetts in the Regiment of Artillery raised by, and commanded by Col Thomas Crafts. On the 5 th of November of the same year he was commissioned by the same authority, as first Captain in the rank of Major of said Regiment and on the 8 th of May in the year following as Major thereof. In the year last mentioned said Regiment marched from Boston to Worcester & received prisoners capt d from Burgoyne's army either by Gen Gates or Stark, this application does not now recollect which. He served in the State of Rhode Island with two companies of said Reg t in the year 1776, under the command of Gen Spencer, and in the same State Newport in 1778 under Gen Sullivan, and he was present with several companies of said Regiment in the battle, which that General fought with the enemy's forces near Duke's Hill in said Rhode Island
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 agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
in open Court before Peter O. Thacher Judge We Charles Lowell Judge a clergyman, residing in the City of Boston, Pastor of the West Church here
and James Phillips Esquire residing in said Boston hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Melvill who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one 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.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
in open Court before Peter O. Thacher Judge
Charles Lowell James Phillips
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and the answers to which he declared were embodied in the foregoing declaration, after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Charles Lowell, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the City of Boston; and that James Phillips Esquire who has also signed the same is a resident in said Boston and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.
Clerk's certificate on next page
I
of the
do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.

Further certify that the within named Thomas Melvill produced in court as the time of the foregoing application three Commissions, the first marked A, dated ninth of May A.D. 1746 - the second marked B, dated eighth Nov. A.D. 1746. the third marked C dated eighth day of May A.D. 1777. and hereunto annexed.
Peter O. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss
Mayor Thomas Melvill
I, Thomas A. Phillips Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, a Court of Record, legally established in this Commonwealth, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Melvill for a pension, also that the Honorable Peter A. Thacher is sole Judge of said Court and that his name written in the within papers are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Boston this sixth day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty two.
Thomas A. Phillips, Clerk.
Ms. A. 9. 2. 17

I Turner Phillips of Boston in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Esquire, aged seventy six testify and say that I was in the service of the United States as a Lieutenant and Captain in Massa- chusetts State Reg t of Artillery, from the month of May 1776 to the month of February 1779, and Thomas Melvill then and ever since of said Boston, was a Captain & Major and served in these capacities in said Regiment during the period aforesaid.
Turner Phillips
Sworn in open Court, August 6 th 1832 before Peter O. Thacher, Judge
Attest Thomas W. Phillips Clerk of said Court
I John Marston of Boston in the County of aforesaid aged seventy six testify & say that I was a Captain Lieutenant and Lieutenant in the Massachusetts State Regiment of Artillery Commanded by Col Crafts, from Septem- ber 1776 to February 1779, that the fore- going affidavit signed and sworn by Turner Phillips is true to the best of my knowledge & belief.
John Marston
Sworn in open Court, Aug 2 d 6 th 1832
before Peter O. Thacher
Judge of Municipal Court
Attest, Thomas W. Phillips Clerk of said Court

Reuben
5086
INVALID.
File No. 3786
Thomas Melville Major Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: Vol. M , Page 253
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Thomas Melvill. Records corrected Apr. 18 th 9

C State of Massachusetts Bay.
Seal
The Major Part of the COUNCIL of the Massachusetts Bay in New England.
To Thomas Melvill Esquire, Greeting.
You being appointed Major of the Regiment of Train of Artillery raised within this State for the Term of three Years for the defence of the same, and for the more immediate defence of the Town, and Harbor of Boston whereof Thomas Crisp Esquire Colonel. By Virtue of the Power vested in us. We do by these Presents, reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct. Commission you accordingly. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Major in leading, ordering, and exercising said Regiment in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good Order, and Discipline: And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Major, and you are yourself to observe, and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Major Part of the Council, or your superior Officer.
Given under our Hands and the Seal of said State at Boston the Eighth Day of May in the Year of our Lord 1777.
By the Command of the Major Part of the Council.
John Avery Dp. Secy
for back A. W. 1777 Col. Crisp Major Melvill Lieut. Derby John Metcalf Ensign S. H. Allen Jabez Fisher Bliss Wm. Phillips Benjamin H. Greenleaf David Sewall
AM DR RT

B
STATE of the Massachusetts-Bay } The Major Part of the COUNCIL of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England.
To Thomas Wetwell Esquire Greeting.
YOU being appointed first captain with the Rank of Major of the said Artillery raised for the defence of this State, with more immediate reference to the Town and Province of Boston whereof Sir Francis Cagle is etc.?
By Virtue of the Power vested in us, W E do by these Presents, (reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty Courage, and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly.—You are therefore carefully and timely to discharge the Duty of a Captain in leading, ordering, and exercising said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers ; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline : And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Captain and you are yourself, to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the major part of the Council or your superior Officers.
GIVEN under our Hands, and the Seal of the said State, at Boston the Twenty Eighth Day of Novr in the Year of our Lord, 1776.
By the Command of the Major Part of the Council.
John Adams Esq. Secy
Abdoms Jer: Powell A. Wat Wm Vrop M c Headlioun Moses Gill Solomon Isaac Dyer John Taylor Benj Austin E. Thuger Jr Richard Derby Esq. John Wheatcomb W m Phillips B. White

A
State Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay.
The Major Part of the COUNCIL of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England.
To Thomas Atkinson Esquire Greeting.
YOU being appointed Captain of the Subne Company in the Regiment of the Train of Artillery, raised by this State for the defence thereof and for the more immediate defence of the Town of Harbour of Boston, whereof Thomas Crafts Esq. is Lt. Colonel
By Virtue of the Power vested in us, W E do by these Presents, (reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly. — You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Captain in leading, ordering and exercising said Company in Arms both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline: And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Captain and you are yourself, to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the major part of the Council or your Superior Officers.
G I V E N under our Hands and the Seal of the said Colony, at Watertown the Ninth Day of May in the Year of our Lord, 1776.
By the Command of the Major Part of the Council.
Samuel D. Kinsman Secy
Gen: Powell W. Brattle H. Bowdoin M. Bowdoin Winthrop Richd. D. Webb Esq. Fluering John Whitecomb Dea. Taylor J. Holton B. White Moses Gill Gabe. Fisher Wm. Phillips Dan. Hopkins

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Melvin, Aliard GRADE Private LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11531 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED November 29, 1790 To John Blair, Adm l .
*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.