Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31212, for William Lee, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Lee, William
S. 31212
CONTENTS

Maine 21.875
William Lee
of Maine in the State of Maine who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Henry of the 8th commanded by Colonel in the Mass line for 2 years
Granted on the Roll of MAINE at the rate of 320 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Sept 1833, and State of Maine
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $800.00 Pension allowance ending Sept 32 160.00 $960.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Wilson Clerk, Book C Vol. 1st Page 32

State of Maine In the County of ... Court of Common Pleas December Term 1832. The Court certifies that Thomas Jensen, William Oliver, John Oliver & David Oliver the persons who have subscribed oaths to the affidavits accompanying the applica- tion of William Lee before named, are all credible persons & entitled to credit in court.
John Ruggles J.P.
No 2.702 William Lee 17
Sent R. Jones Capt. Huntley McCobb
5402 400 1600 500
Mather Groton E Bath Maine terms
1832

State of Maine.
LINCOLN, ss. I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that the five annexed papers signed by the Judge and attested by the Clerk, contain the original proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas, at a special session thereof holden at Beth - in said county, by the Hon. John Ruggles one of the Judges of said Court on the eleventh day of August A. D. 1832, in the matter of the application of William Lee for a Pension. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 14 th day of August A. D. 1832. Nathaniel Coffin CLERK.
of the United States in the militia, on the first day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy six; and was commissioned on that day, by the council of the colony of the Massachusetts bay as a second Lieutenant, in the fourth company of the regiment of militia in the County of Sineolus ; said company commanded by James M c Cobb Jr. and the Regiment was commanded by Samuel M c Cobb and of which Benjamin Sewell was Lieutenant Colonel. That from the first day of July 1776, till the opening of the year 1777, he said Lee , during the years 1776 - 1777. & 1778, was in actual service in said militia, as a second Lieutenant, four months each of those years. In 1776 four months
he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on any pension roll of any agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency in the State of
Wm Lee
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Before
John Ruggles
Judge of the Court of Com. Pleas for the State of Maine.

STATE OF MAINE.
COUNTY OF LINCOLN SS.
At a Court of Common Pleas holden at Bath in said County on the 11 th day of August A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty-two, personally appeared in open Court, before JOHN RUGGLES, Esq. one of the Judges thereof,
William Lee resident of Georgetown in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he
intend the service of the United States in the militia, on the first day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy six; and was commissioned on that day, by the council of that colony of the Massachusetts bay as a second Lieutenant, in the fourth company of the regiment of militia in the County of Lincoln; said company commanded by James M c Cobb Jr, and the Regiment was commanded by Samuel M c Cobb and of which Danvers Sewall was Lieutenant Colonel. That from the first day of July 1776, till the opening of the year 1779, he said Lee, during the years 1776 - 1777. & 1778, was in actual service in said militia, as a second Lieutenant, four months each of those years. In 1776 four months
he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on any pension roll of any agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency in the State of
Wm Lee
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Before
John Ruggles
Judge of the Court of Com. Pleas for the State of Maine.

I Silas Stearns of Bath a clergyman residing in said town on oath declare that I am well acquainted with William Lee and have known him for a number of years, he is the same per- son that subscribed and made oath to the foregoing declaration that he is about eighty years old, and is reputed & believed to have served in the Revolutionary war and I concur in that opinion.
Silas Stearns
Subscribed & sworn to the day and year aforesaid
J. Reagles J. C. C. P.
I the undersigned Clerk of the Courts of Record and Pileg Tallman of Bath, declare that we have been for many years well acquainted with William Lee who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration, that he is a man of truth and veracity and for many years a magistrate in Lincoln County and is reputed & believed to have served as an officer in the Revolution- ary war.
Pileg Tallman
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War Department) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Silas Stearns who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Bath and that Pileg Tallman is resident in the same town, who has signed the next preceding certificate, is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Courts of Record and Court of Common Pleas for Lincoln County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
Attest Nathl. Coffin Clerk
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this _____ day of _____ A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-
Clerk of the Courts of Record and Court of Common Pleas in Lincoln County.
I Parker H. Cobb further declare that I am a son of Col. Saml. H. Cobb, who commanded the Regiment of Militia in Lincoln County during the war of the Re- bellion, that I have always lived a neighbor to William Lee, and from what I have learned from him and from inspecting my father's papers I have no doubt of the truth of what he states in his application.
(not present)

I William Oliver of Georgetown in the County of Lehigh aged seventy six years. on oath do say that I am well acquainted with William Lee, before named I knew him during the revolutionary war, and knew him to be a Second Lieutenant, from the year 1776 to the end. he was second Lieutenant, in Capt Hinkley's company at Bayadence in 1779. and took command of said company after Capt Hinkley was wounded in the engagement with the British at that place.
Wm Oliver
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid in open Court J. Ruggles J. G. G. P. Attest Nathl Coffin Clerk
I John Oliver of Georgetown, in the County of Lehigh aged about seventy one years on oath declare that I well know William Lee of Georgetown, knew him to be a second Lieutenant in the American service from 1776 to the end of the war. I was in Capt Hinkley's company at Bayadence in 1779, and was present when said Lee who commanded, after Capt Hinkley was wounded. I knew said Lee the whole war and often saw him in service. John Oliver
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid. in open Court J. Ruggles J. G. G. P. Attest Nathl Coffin Clerk
I Daniel Oliver of Georgetown aged seventy three years on oath declare that I well know William Lee before named that he is about eighty years of age. I knew him to be a second Lieutenant, from the year 1776 to the end of the Revolutionary war and often saw him during the war in service.
Daniel Oliver
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid in open Court
Attest Nathl Coffin Clerk J. Ruggles J. G. G. P.

State of Maine In the County of York ss. Court of Common Pleas December Term 1832. The Court certifies that Thomas Lemen, William Oliver, John Oliver & David Oliver the persons who have subscribed know to the affidavits accompanying the applica- tion of William Lee before named, are all credible persons & entitled to credit in law.
John Ruggles J.P.

N. Groton Esq Bath M t .

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of William Lee
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 during the months of July, August, September, October, November - " 4 2 2 d Lieut Col. Samuel McCobb Lt Col eighty one years Depositions of William Oliver, Thomas Lennon, David Oliver & John Oliver. all of Georgetown, who knew him in service & now know him. also oath of Revd. Silas Stearns & Peleg Tallman Esq as to traditional evidence.   1777. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. - " 4 2 2 d Lieut Dum. Small of joined M ty M ty "   1778. June, July, Aug. Sept. & part of October - " 4 15 2 d Lt same Col. "   1779 June, July, Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 7 " 2 d Lt at Bayard under Capt. Wilkely & at (ox) head under B. H. Smith "   1780. July, Aug. Sept. 3 " 2 d Capt. Parker   1781. Aug. Sept. Oct. 3 " 2 d Capt. Parker.   1782. July, Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 4 " 2 d   29 15 days.  
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
Handwritten signature and scribbles at the bottom of the page.

State of Massachusetts Bay
In Council June 19 th 1711
Resolved, That in addition to the Two Muster Masters appointed on the 10 th Instant, for mustering the men who may enlist into the Service, for the Expedition to St Johns, William Small Esq r of George Town and hereby is also appointed a Muster Master for the same Service and the Council are desired to furnish him with such sums of money as they shall judge necessary to pay the Bounties. Also
Resolved, That the several Muster Masters, the Store-keeper, & Commissary, appointed for this Expedition, shall severally give Bond in the sum of Two Thousand Pounds, to the Treasurer of this State, for the faithfull discharge of the trust reposed in them

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (s) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of do hereby certify (h) 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 have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
 If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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 the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ 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 have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration:
It is absolutely necessary that each case should be complete of itself without dependance upon any other. The regulations cannot be neglected unless for some good reason -

Sent to War Dept. Jany. 16, 1913. e
25
A return of Capt. James McCobb's co. Lincoln Co. Mass. Militia.
A return of the Lincoln Co. Mass. Militia regt. signed by Lt. Col.
Dummer Sewall dated Georgetown, Nov. 19, 1779. A return of the 1 st
regt. of Lincoln Co. Mass. Militia dated Georgetown. July 20, 1776.
Lee, William. Mass. S. 31.2/2

State of Maine.
NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that the annexed paper signed by the Judge and attested by the Clerk, contains the original proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas, at a special session thereof holden at Bath in said county, by the Hon. John Ruggles one of the Judges of said Court on the eleventh day of August A. D. 1832, in the matter of the application of William See for a Pension. In TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 29 th day of December A. D. 1832. Nath. Coffin CLERK

31213 31212
Rev INVALID.
File No. 31,912
William Lee
Lieut Rev War
Act: June 1 st 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Maine Lincoln County, } sst. Nathl. Coffin
I, Clerk of all the Justices Court of the County, and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Nathaniel Groton is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the seventh day of February 1828, and will expire on seventh day of February 1835, and that his signature above written, official genuine. Three certifies annexed are genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of said County, this fifteenth day of October 1837
Nathl. Coffin
CLERK.

I William Oliver of Georgetown. in the State of Maine aged seventy seven years, in addition to my former testimony, in the application of William Lee of Phip- psburgh. I on oath declare, that I knew said Lee when he first came to this Country before the Revolutionary war. I knew him in the year 1776, he at that time was a Lieutenant in the militia, in Col. Samuel McGobb's regiment, and during that year, I saw said Lee in service, during the summer & fall months , the service was at the mouth of Kennebec river, and at Wiscasset - In the years 1777 & 1778 said Lee was out as a Lieutenant, several months each of those years, but how long each year, I cannot tell. In the year 1779 - said Lee volunteered, I think in the month of May, in Capt John Hinkley's company, and took the rank of second Lieutenant, I was a soldier in the same compa- ny, and served under said Lee, who went to Bayadene, & was there till the retreat. He then repaired to Cax's head, & joined Capt Benj. Lemons's company, I think the latter part of this year said Lee went further down the river & served some time under Capt Jordan Parker at a place called Hemnewell's point - I often saw him in service. In the year 1780, said Lee served as an officer under Capt. Jordan Parker, the summer & fall months, also in the year 1781 - about the same term of time under the same Captain Parker.

I stated said Lee to be a second Lieutenant, he acted as such when I saw him in service at Bayadene, & under Capt Lemont, & Jordan Parker and I supposed he was second Lieutenant under James M'Gobb Jr - whose first Lieutenants name was William Sprague.
Wm Oliver
State of Maine County of Lincoln ss on this 25th day of Septem- ber A. D 1833 Personally appeared before me Nathl Grooton, one of the justices of the Peace in & for said County, William Oliver above named, who has long been known to me and dictated the foregoing affidavit, by him signed and under oath declared that the same & every part of the same is true. I further certify that said Oliver is reputed to be seventy seven years old and that his statement under oath is entitled to full credit & belief In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year aforesaid Nathl Grooton Justice of the Peace

David Oliver of Georgetown, in the State of Maine, aged seventy four years, on oath do say that I knew William Lee during the war of the Revolution and now know him. He is now very aged. He was a Lieutenant in Col. Sam l . M c Gobb's regiment of mi- litia - his Captain's name was James M c Gobb Jr. when he first went into service - I knew said Lee in the years 1776 1777 1778. 1779. 1780 & 1781 - He was in actual service some months in each of those years, but how long I cannot say, every summer & fall the militia, in Georgetown were out at Cox's head & Hunsenwells point, to guard the coast where two places were fortified, and said Lee was always out when service was to be rendered. I within a few miles of said Lee, and saw him often  often  when I saw said Lee in service at Wiscasset in the year 1776 at Wiscasset, where I then was under Capt. Parker - I know that said Lee went to Bagaduce in 1779.
David Oliver State of Maine County of Lincoln ss on this 20 th day of September A.D. 1833 Personally appeared David Oliver, and under oath di- lated the foregoing affidavit, and read & subscribed the same in my presence: and made oath that the same was true. I further certify said David Oliver, to be a man of truth & veracity & entitled to credit under oath. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year aforesaid. Nathan Groton, Justice of Peace

Nathaniel Groton Esq. Bath. Maine.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 5 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 William Lee was commissioned as Second Lieutenant, July 1, 1776.
The name of William Lee as Lieutenant is borne on a Pay Abstract of Capt. Benjamin Lemont's Company, in Col. Samuel M c Call's Regiment, having commenced service June 26, 1779, and being discharged September 24, 1779, - where he is allowed two months and twenty nine days, for service and travel.
Exad.
The said William Lee claims for service under Capt. Hinkley, at Bagaduce, and under Capt. Jordan Parker, in 1780 and 1781, at Kennebec, the rolls for which service are not found in this Office.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

War Department
Pension Office
2 August 1833.
Sir.
The papers in the case of William Lee, have been again examined, and are herewith enclosed to you.
By the certificate of E. D. Bangs Esq. it appears that during June, July, part of August & part of September in 1779, he was attached to Capt. Lemont's Company, and his own declaration & three witnesses set forth that he was at that time in Capt. Hinkley's Company at Bagaduce. This conflict between the two statements requires some explanation, and alone, prevents the admission of his claim.
I am, Respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
H. Norton Esq Bath etc.

Does the application of William Lee come within the rules in all respects?
Answers. He appears in a court of record, and makes & subscribes his declaration in open Court. States where he was born, his age: where he resided, when he entered the service, & where he has resided since, gives the names of his Colonel & other officers & furnishes the original returns of the regiment & company & proves, why he served in other companies. He mentions & distinctly proves the periods of the war he served, where and what months. He shows that he lost his commission, & by E. D. Hays certificate, that he was commissioned as he declares - He relinquishes all other claims to a pension - He produces the evidence of Rev. Salas Means a clergyman, & of Ptey Tallman Esq. of his character & traditional testimony of his services - The papers are all connected together by a single ribbon & sealed by the Clerk of the Court. The seal has a device. The court give their opinion - The answers to the seven interrogatories, are all distinctly embraced, in the application. The clerk has given his certificate in every case.
He produces the testimony of William Oliver, David Oliver, John Oliver & Thomas Leeman of his actual service, they being all in the same regiment & knowing of his service - William Oliver's testimony explains the difficulty that appears, by Mr. Baileys

certificate. & shows that he was at Paganucc under Capt Hinkley at the time Lemont returned his name, as serving under him, during the summer months of the year 1779. He hopes he has brought his case within the rule, as it is extremely difficult for him, having retired from the service of any court & eighty one years of age to again appear before any judge or court. The bulk & documents of his papers he trust will be no objection to the validity of his claim, as he believes he has produced evidence in this way, that few revo- lutionary officers of his rank can -

I William Lee, in the eighty first year of my age, and the same person named in the foregoing application for a pension, in explanation of my original declaration and the evidence given to support the same, and the apparent conflict between the same, and the certificate of Edward D. Bangs Esq., do on oath say that I was detached from Sam l M c Cobb's regiment as a second Lieutenant, and annexed to Capt John Hinckley's company, as I now believe, in the month of May 1779. And marched with the same, as stated in my original application, and arrived before Bayadonna and landed with Capt Hinckley & other troops to attack that post, on the morning we landed, which according to the best of my recollection was in July of that year. The British troops attacked us on the beach, and Capt Hinckley was shot, he was immediately taken on board a transport accompanied by his first Lieutenant, and due in time for three days, the command of his company devolved on me for a short time, I remained helping carry on the siege, till the British fleet drove the American forces off of the Penobscot river. Col. M c Cobb who commanded my regiment, was at the siege of Bayadonna, and upon the retreat ordered me to be attached to Capt Benja. Lemuel's company, and as I believe to take the

place of Maren his second Lieutenant, and to go to the Kennebec river to do duty there. Col. McCobb, on the defeat of the American forces, owing to the death of Capt. Hinkley, divided his company among other com- panies in his regiment, I returned to Ken- nebec and in 1779 did duty under Capt Ding's Lieut. as I believe about twenty five or thirty days. I now recollect that on account of the death of Capt. Hinkley and the breaking up of his company Col. McCobb ordered Capt. Ding's Lieut. to return me for all the service that sea- son up to the latter part of September which included the time I was at Paganum under Capt. Hinkley & the short time I was under Capt. Lieut. - Mr. Bangs certificate says "service & travel" this must mean my travel to Paganum, the distance, the way I went by land to Camden on Penobscot bay & then by water to Paganum neck, was from seventy five to a hundred miles. and on my return, after the defeat, I travelled at least one hundred & forty miles. Capt Ding's Lieut. left for home the latter part of September 1779. and I then was ordered by Col. McCobb, to join Capt. Parkers company at the mouth

of Knoxville since, I am satisfied no re- turn of Capt. Hinkley's company was ever made, except of such officers & soldiers as were returned by other Captains of Compa- nies. It had entirely escaped my recollection, that Capt. Lemont returned me for the whole campaign of 1779 to the latter part of Septem- ber. I now remember it. I lost all my papers, that would have refreshed my memory, all the officers that knew me at Bunkerhill are dead, and the evidence of Thomas Lemont, William Oliver & John Oliver, who were sol- diers in Capt. Hinkley's company, is all the testimony I can get, my own loss of recollection also is such that I am obliged to speak with caution, being at a very advanced age, and obliged to trust to memo- ry for events that happened so long ago.
State of Massachusetts  Massachusetts County of Franklin  Franklin August 8 th 1833 Personally appeared William Lee, who dictated the for- going affidavit, and ordered the same to be reduced to writing and having read the same subscribed his name therefor, made oath that the same & every part thereof was true. I further certify that he is the same William Lee named in the foregoing application that he is a man of truth and integrity, and so reputed in his vicinity, and that full credit would be given to him under oath. Nath. Patten Jus. of Peace

True Extract from of a Resolue passed both Houses June 29 th Instant
Attest Jno. Avery Deputy
In the House of Representatives Jan y 23. 1777
Resolved that in consequence of the appointment of Dummer Sewall by this court as Muster Master of the Continental Forces to be raised in the county of Lincoln and his dispos'dness to serve in that capacity, that he be & he hereby is discharged from serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Regiment which he has been before appointed by the Brigadier & Field Officers of said county - and that he attend the duties of a Muster Master in the aforesmentioned department
Sent up for concurrence.
Sam l Freeman Sp o P.T
In council Jan y 23. 1777
Read & Concurred
John Avery dep y Sec y
True Copy
Attest John Avery Deputy

I Thomas Lennon I Thomas Lennon of Georgetown in the County of Lincoln State of Maine, aged about twenty- ten years on oath declare that I am well acquainted with William Lee of Georgetown in the County aforesaid. I have known him about fifty years. In the year 1779. I saw him at the siege of Baggadence and an officer in the American army, and belonged to Capt John Hunkley's com- pany. I knew him then and he was called a good officer, he is about eighty years of age, came from Leeds in England before the Protestant war, and held a commission as a second lieut ant the whole war. He has been a Magistrate in Lincoln County many years, and is a man of truth and veracity. Thomas Lennon Thomas Lennon
Subscribed and sworn to the day and aforesaid in open Court. J. Reagles J. C. C. P.
Attest Nathl. Loffin Clerk

in the mouth of the Kennebec river, and in 1777 four months at the mouth of Kennebec river & at Wiscasset, and 1778 at mouth of Kennebec river & at Penobscot. During all said years, and the time of actual service, said Lee was in the line of his duty in guarding the sea coast, from the ravages of the British pirates and ships of war; and in quelling the insurrections of Tories — that during the three years aforesaid he served under Genl. M c L. 11 th Reg t during 1776 & a part of 1777. The said Lee served as Second Lieutenant part of the year 1777 and the whole of the four months of 1778 under Capt. Jordan Parker, in place of Theophilus Batchelder whose place he took in said Parkers company tho' he regularly belonged to Genl. M c L. 11 th Reg t company.
The said Lee further makes oath that in the spring of the year 1779. (as he believes early in the month of May), he was detached as a Second Lieutenant and assigned to the company of Militia raised as volun- teers and drafted men commanded by Capt John Finkelley of Georgetown — that he marched in said company to Townsend and thence to Leavittown. to Penobscot Bay & thence by water to the siege of Bagaduce. In the month of July, as he believes he was attached to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Sam l M c L. Cobb, who was present at the siege — that he was on board a transport and was among the first of the American forces

2 11 0 that landed to attack the British at that place that on landing Capt. Hinkley's company was attacked by the British, and Capt. Hinkley was mortally wounded in the groin by a musket shot. That upon the wounding of Capt. Hinkley, he was carried back on board the trans- port with his fifth Lieutenant John Potter, & this applicant then took command of the com- pany, & acted as capt. That at the siege of that place, General Lord Commodore the land forces & Commodore Sutton the naval forces. This applic- ant after the defeat at Bagaduce, retur- ned across the wilder side to Kennebec river, and then down to Georgetown, as he belie- ves about the first day of September, 1779 and was then immediately ordered by Colonel Mc Cobb, to the mouth of the Kennebec river & remained there in service till the last of December, in the same year, making as he believes eight months of actual service in the year 1779. That in the year 1780. he served three months during the campaign at the mouth of the Kennebec river, under Capt. Jordan Parker, and in 1781. he was called out by said Parker, & served most of the summer & fall of that year, at least three

months - and in 1782 he served under the said Capt. Patten during the summer & fall of that year. - He further declares that he held a commission as before stated from the first of July 1776, to the end of the revolutionary war - that he has within a few years last past lost his commission. He further declares on oath that he is the same William Lee whose name name is borne on the return of Capt. James M. Cobb Dr. to Dummers Sewall Lieutenant Colonel in 1776 said roll marked at the top with the letter B. that said return is in the original handwriting of James M. Cobb Dr. & signed by him - He further on oath declares that he is the same William Lee whose name is borne on a return of the regiment of militia, made by Dummers Sewall Lieutenant Colonel in October 1779. marked A. The said Lee further makes oath that he always acted as a volunteer & was never drafted or ever acted as a substi- tute, except when he took the place

of Theophilus Batchelder in Capt. Parker's company - That he was in no regular battle except at the siege of Boayadue - That in the whole he lived at least twenty nine months as a Second Lieutenant - He further on oath says he was born in Leeds, in Yorkshire in England - that he came to Boston with his father, at the time the tea was destroyed and prior to the Revolutionary war. - That he was born in the month of February, 24 th day in the year 1753 & has no record of his age except in a family Bible made by his father. -
That he came to Kennebec to the town of Georgetown in the latter part of the year 1773. - that he lived in said town at the time he was called into the service in the year 1776 & has lived there ever since - The part of said town then Georgetown is now called Phippsburg. - that he had a commission as Second Lieutenant, dated July 1. st 1776, signed as he now believes by the council of the colony of

Massachusetts Bay, & it is not in his power to find it, & he believes it is lost. He further on oath says that he is known in his neighborhood to Rev d Silas Starnes of Bath, Rev d Parker McCobb of Phippsburg, & Hon d Piley Tallman of Bath, who can all testify to his character also to William Oliver, Amos Whetmore John Oliver, David Oliver, & Thomas Levins for Lee
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid John Ruggles J. Clerk.