Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,011, for Robert Thorndike, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Thorndike Robert
NUMBER
Mass. Mass Sea Service.
S. 32.011
CONTENTS
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I Benjamin Thorneke of St George County of Lincoln & State of Maine aged Seventy Three your testafy and say That I am well acquainted with Robert Thorneke (formerly of Cape Elizabeth now of Thomaston) and am knowing to his enlisting on board the twenty gun ship Hars in the United States Service in 1780 Capt Evers commanded the ship - I am well knowing to his containing - in the ship for the term of six months I further say I was known to Robert Thorneke enlisting 1799 under Capt Jashua Jordan & that he went from home in the service about six months - Robert Thorneke is my brother and the facts are perfectly within my recollection
Benjamin Thorneke
Signed this August 6. 1832
Personally appeared the above named Benjamin Thorneke and made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me - he is a man of veracity
Asa - Coombs } Justice of the Peace

State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN, ss—I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Isa Coombs
Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper; as a JUSTICE OF THE
PEACE is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this twentieth
day of August
A. D. 1832.
Nathl. Coffin CLERK.

Robt Thornlike
8

Robert Thorndike
8.
N o 6615.

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. COUNTY OF LINCOLN, }
1832
On this Eighth day of August A.D. personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Robert Thorne a resident of Thomaston in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine , aged Seventy two years, who being 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he enlisted in the State Militia in 1779, in May at Portland under Capt Joshua Jordan Col. M c Coll, he was conveyed in a Transport to Bagaduce (now Castine) and was engaged in endeavouring to drive the enemy from that place. That after the defeat he returned to the State at Spring point at Portland and continued in service six months & was discharged. That in 1780 he entered on board the United States Ship Mars 20 guns Capt Owens master he cruised in said Ship Between Cape Cod & Cape Sable guarding the coast. That he continued in said Ship for the term of six months that he was prize master on board said Ship and carried one prize loaded with provisions into Boston that his total time of service in U States service was twelve months - I have resided in Thomaston for forty years last past.
That he was born at Cape Elizabeth in State of Maine 22 April 1760 That the record of his age is in Cape Elizabeth Town record
That at the time of his enlistment he lived at Cape Elizabeth Maine and after the revolutionary war he lived at Cape Elizabeth then removed to Thomaston where he now lives That he does not recollect from whom he received his discharge and that he is unable to find them having been lost from the lapse of time It further declares that he is known to the Rev Job Washburn & Rev Prince both of Thomaston who can testify to his character for veracity and to their belief in his service above set forth
He hereby renounces every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Sworn to and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid.
Robert Thorne John Ruggles pro. b.c. P.
We, Job Washburn a Clergyman, residing in the town of Thomaston and Rev Prince residing in the town of Thomaston hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Robert Thorne who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two 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 day and year aforesaid.
Job Washburn Rev Prince John Ruggles pro. b.c. P.
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 Job Washburn who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Thomaston and that Rev Prince who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the said for a pension.
Attest Nath Coffin Clerk
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of

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 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 Thomaston in said County, by the Hon. John Ruggles one of the Judges of said Court on the Eighth day of August A. D. 1832, in the matter of the application of Robert Thorndike 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.
Nathl Coffin CLERK.
We, John Wagon

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Robert Thorndike , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
L. 32,011
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1779 6 mos. Private Joshua Jordan McCobb Mass.   May 1780 6 mos. Marine James Nevins ship "Mars" "        
Battles engaged in, Benedict Expedition
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 8, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Thomaston, Lincoln Co., Maine.
Age at date of application, born Apr. 22, 1761 at Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Remarks: there is no family data on file.
Respectfully,
Brother Benjamin
Commissioner.
6-2856
{ James Nevins was 1 st Lieut. on the "Mars" 10 mos. previous to Mar. 81 - See Mass. Book }

32011 Rev INVALID.
File No. 32,011
Robert Thorndike
Rev War
Act: June 1 st 1824
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 31
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Apr. 14/96 Soldier presumed Mrs. Helen M. Little, Portland, Me. 1917 Sept. 24. Hist to Mrs. William H. Simonds letter in W. 26,665 Job Ingraham. * 1930 May 3. Photos mailed to Edw. N. Gould. See Matthew Beveridge W. 25232. Q NY

18.292
Maine
Robert Thordike
of Lincoln Co in the State of Maine who was a Private  thunder in the Company commanded by Captain Evens of the Regt ; commanded by Col M Cobb in the Mass s  line line for Genl : for 1 st Seaman
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 24 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of August 1833 and sent to Azariah Prince . Thomaston
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 . $ 48.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept . — 12.00
$ 60.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book E Vol. 1 Page 39

Rob t Thorndike
Admit 6 Mosquito 20. 1 No. Seaman 4
Hezekiah Prince Esq r Shenastown Me

0015
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Robert Thorndike which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? 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? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

 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?  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  XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no - see Quere 14 Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  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? no  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 
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 the 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.
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 authenticated 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 end 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.
He must produce proof that the Mary was a public-armed vessel. Service in private ships does not entitle any one to compensation under the act of 7 June 1832

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, May 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 Robert Thorndick , as Seaman, is found on a Pay-Roll of the Officers, Seamen, and Marines, belonging to the Ship Mars, in the service of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, James Nevens Commander, dated Boston, June, 1781, — time of entry, May 3, — time of discharge, June 12, where he is allowed one month and nine days.
Edward D. Daps Lcy

Richard Keating of Thomaston State of Maine Aged Eighty years Testify and say I have been acquainted with Robert Thornike of Thomaston who is an applicant for pension - That I was at the siege at Penobscot (Bagadose) in 1779 and says said Thornike there who was a soldier (Tho not in the same company with me) I have had frequent conversations with him on the subject of his services as stated in his declaration, and have no doubts to the correctness of his statement
Rich d Keating
Lincoln ss May 24 1833
Personally appeared the above named Richard Keating and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed and I certify that the said Keating is a person of truth and veracity -
Hon d Prince Justice of Peace

State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN, ss—I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Hieremiah Prince Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 29 th day of May A. D. 1832. 3.
Nat. Coffin
CLERK.

Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a justice of the peace for the County of Lincoln Robert Thorndike 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 services, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades - Under Capt Joshua Jordan & Col M c Cobb he served as a soldier from May to November AD 1779 for the term of six months at Penobscot - and Spring Point Portland Maine - Massachusetts state troops Also as a Marine on board the ship Mars - a Massachusetts State vessel, Capt Evers or Newens Master from May untill November 1781 for the term of six months I served as a soldier six months I served as a Marine - six months - and for such service I claim a pension
Robert Thorndike Subscribed and sworn to this 24 day of May A.D. 1833 before me H er kiah Prince for Peace
State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN, ss— I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Herskiah Prince Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 29 th day of May, A. D. 1832. 3
Nat. Coffin CLERK.

see request in Matthew Beveridge, W. 25232,
SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.
1-681
PHONE Branch 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 42573
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 139.
April 23, 192/30.
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Pension Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copies of 3 pages from Revolutionary War pension claim of Robert Thorndike, S. 32011, Mass. Troops.
No. of copies 1 of each Shall form be kept standing? ..... days
For further information see Mrs. Finch Room No. 5033 Phone No. 541
Approved:
Chief Clerk of Bureau. Kpr.
Margaret M. Finch Chief of Division.
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph ..... single or double space? ..... Facsimile signature? .....
Mimeograph ..... one side or both sides? ..... Facsimile signature? .....
Folding ..... once or twice? Assembling ..... Once?      Twice?      Side?      End? Stapling
Electric typewriter ..... Fill in addresses? ..... Dated? .....
  Addressograph from lists ..... Cards, size .....   Envelopes, size ..... Pay rolls .....   Proof list ..... Corrections .....   Labels (submit sample) ..... Tabulation sheets .....   Fill in letters ..... 
Photostat Size actual Official use? ..... Repay? Yes $ .45 Blue Print ..... Size ..... Official use? ..... Repay? ..... $ .....
Remarks .....
(OVER)

NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus.
.....192 . (Date)
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
 Make new addressograph plate  Change present addressograph plate  Destroy present addressograph plate  } On list.....
as follows:
Now reads   1 .....  2 .....  3 .....  4 .....  5 ..... 
Should read   1 .....  2 .....  3 .....  4 .....  5 ..... 
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made ..... 192 .
Operator .....
MULTIGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Type set by ..... Date .....
Remarks: .....
MIMEOGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Cut by .....
Remarks: .....

O. W. & N. Div. F. S. M. E. C. I. 32011.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 14, 1896.
Madam:
In returning herewith your letter of March 31, 1896, you are advised that Robert Thorndike made an application for pension on August 8, 1832, at which time he was residing in Lincoln Co., Me., and seventy-two years of age, and his pension was allowed for six months actual service as a private in the Massachusetts troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time served under Capt. Joshua Jordan and Col. McCobb. Enlisted from Portland, Maine.
From the data given no record has been found of the other soldiers mentioned in your letter. The Bureau is, therefore, unable to furnish any information concerning them.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mrs. Helen M. Little, 42 West St., Portland, Me.