Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,695, for Samuel Joy, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Joy, Samuel Lydia
N 26,695
CONTENTS

Maine — 2128.
Lydia Joy widow of Samuel Joy, Decd.
who died on the 4 th of April, 1829; of York co. in the State of Maine who was a pri. in the capt commanded by Captain R. King, of the regt commanded by Col. Scammon in the Massetts line for 10 mos. private
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of Janu, 1838 — and sent to Mrs. H. Hayes, S. Berwick, Maine
Arrears to the 14th of March, 1838 $233:31 Pemi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. " 16.66
$249.97
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by S. S. Bliss Clerk, Book 4, Vol. 2 Page 9.

I Ivory Jay of South Berwick in the county of York State of Maine aged forty two years depose testify and say, that there is a large manuscript Book all in the hand writing of my father Samuel Jay, on which is written also by the hand of my father the family record, which was made before my remembrance as I have seen it since I was a little child - The following is true extract from the first part of said record viz
"Samuel Jay was born Sept. 22 1742 Sydia Hamilton was born Oct 29 1748 August 8 day 1764 we was married May 22 1766 Mary Jay was born" &c
I have no doubt the above record is true as I have often heard my parents say they were married by the Rev. Mr. Hassen at the time above stated - My said Mother is still living My Father died the fourth day of April A.D. 1829 & my mother has remained a widow ever since -
State of Maine } Oct. 13th 1837 - Ivory Jay county of York } Then personally appeared the above named Ivory Jay, and I certify is a person of truth and veracity, and made solemn oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed is true
Before me Wm. A. Hayes Just. Peace

I Ephraim Joy of South Berwick in the County of York, and State of Maine, Yeoman aged sixty nine testify depose and say that in the spring of the year 1775 in the month of April or May, my father Samuel Joy enlisted as a private soldier to go to Boston or Cambridge. He immediately after his enlistment joined his company & marched to Cambridge & did not return till the next December. He belonged to Captain Hubbard or Captain Pitkin's company. = I cannot say precisely how long he served, but have heard my father say he served eight months in this town & I should think he served that time. I have often heard him say, that he was in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
The next winter about the first day of February A.D. 1776 my said father Samuel Joy enlisted in Captain James Roberts com- pany of Massachusetts Militia for two months - to serve near Boston as a common soldier. He immediately marched to Roxbury joined the army & did not re- turn home till the first of April follow- ing. I have heard my father say that he was there on duty when the British left Boston, & that he worked on the Hill at Dorchester.
Also in the spring of the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven, my said father Sam- uel Joy enlisted in Capt. Samuel Gundy's company of Massachusetts troops for what term I do not recollect. He immediately

joined his company & marched to the state of New York, and remained there on duty till the following Autumn - He was a soldier in Capt. Grant's company at the Battle of Still Water & at the taking of General Burgoyne's army at Saratoga as I have heard him say -
I know that my father was out on two or three terms of duty as a private soldier during the revolutionary war for two or three months each time - when I cannot precisely say - I worked at home with my Mother when my father was in the army & I am very sure he was out five times - I have heard him say that he was at Ticonder- oga, at Bunker's Hill & other places - when in the army -
I have always understood that my father was married to Lydia Hamilton the eighth day of August A.D. 1764 - My parents had thirteen children - one ten & eleven years younger than myself - My father died the fourth day of April 1829 & left my Mother Lydia Joy a widow who is still living & has remained a widow ever since the death of my father -
Witness
Wm. A. Hayes - John Warren
Ephraim X Joy Marks

State of Maine
County of York ss. October 7th A.D. 1837 Then
Personally appeared the above named Eph-
raim Jay, who is known to me to be a
man of truth & veracity, and made oath
to the truth of the foregoing deposition by
him subscribed
Before me Wm. A. Hayes Justice of the Peace

Declaration, In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the Act of Congress of the fourth day of July A.D. 1836.
State of Maine
County of York ss. On this seventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, before William A. Hays Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate, being a Court of Record within and for the County of York, and State of Maine Sydia Joy of South Berwick in the County of York and State of Maine, Widow, aged eighty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to her oath, on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision, made by the Act of Congress passed July 11th A.D. 1836. That she is the Widow of Samuel Joy late of the part of South Berwick, which was later a part of York in said County of York, who was a private soldier in the army of the revolution.
In the spring of the year 1775 - in the month of April or May my said husband enlisted in the army of the revolution, either in Captain Peking's company or Capt. Phillips Hubbard's company of Massachusetts troops for the term of eight months. Immediately after his enlist- ment he joined his company & marched to Cambridge, where he served eight months the time for which he enlisted, in the month of December of the same year, he was dis- charged & returned home. He was in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Afterwards about the first day of February A.D. 1776 my said husband Samuel Joy enlisted as a private soldier in Capt. James Robert's company of Massachusetts Militia to serve two months. He immediately marched to Roxbury & joined the army. He served the two months for which he enlisted, and returned home the first part of April of the same year.
2 1776

Afterwards in the spring of year 1777 my dear Husband Samuel Joy insisted on Captain Samuel Grantz company of Massachusetts Soldiers from Seven on eight marching. He marched with his company to the State of New York, served at the taking of Burgoyne at the Battles of Still Water and Saratoga & did not return home till the next autumn.
He was out on duty at other times during the revolutionary war as a Soldier, and served almost every year during the war. I am so old & forgetful that I cannot state particularly his terms of service but hope evidence of his service will be found at Washington & that I shall be allowed a full pension for his long & faithful service.
She further declaring that she married to the said Samuel Joy on the eighth day of August A.D. 1764 - that her Husband the aforesaid Samuel Joy died on the fourth day of April A.D. 1829 - and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Witness Mrs. H. Hayes - Lydia  Joy John Warren Maria
I swear to & subscribed the day of year aforesaid, the said Lydia Joy being too aged & infirm to be able to travel and attend court.
Before me Wm. H. Hayes Judge of the Court of Probate, York Co. Maine

State of Maine.
York county ss.
I William Cutter Allen, Register of the Court of Probate of the county and State aforesaid, hereby certify that the Hon. Wm. S. Hays, is the Judge of said Court, and is also a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of York, and that his signatures herunto annexed are his genuine signatures. I further certify that I am personally acquainted with John L. Hays, Esq., who is a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Nottingham in the State of New Hampshire, and that his signature herunto annexed is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 18th day of October, 1837.
Wm. Cutter Allen, Reg. Pro. Ct. York county.

I John Warren of South Berwick in the county of York & state of Maine aged fifty six the tenth day of December next - testify, depose, and say that I was born & always lived the highest neighbor, about thirty rods from the house where Samuel Jay always lived - I have always heard it said by old people that the said Samuel Jay was out several campaigns as a soldier during the revolutionary war - I have often heard the said Jay speak of his being in the army at the Battle of Bunker Hill, at the taking of Burgoyne, & on other tours of duty - I have often seen Mr. Samuel Jay write & well know his hand writing - The following is true extract from a large manuscript book all in the hand writing of the said Samuel Jay - viz:
" Samuel Jay was born Sept 22 1742 " " Lydia Hamilton was born Oct. 29 1748 - " " August 8 day, 1764 we was married - " " May 22 1766 Mary Jay was born " " March 29, 1768 Ephraim Jay was born " " February the 20 day 1770 Ruben Jay was born " " April the 20 1772 Sarah Jay was born " " May 23 day 1774 Catherine Jay was born " " May 5 day 1776 Oliver Jay was born " " Oct 29 1778 Mehitable Jay was born " " March 25 1781 Samuel Jay was born " " June 7 1783 Benjamin Jay was born " " Sept. 20 1785 Lydia Jay was born " " Sep. 15 1787 James Jay was born - " " June 8 - 1791 Mehitable Jay was born - "

"March 22-1795" Henry Joy was born in "
The above is a true extract from said manuscript book and is all in the hand writing of said old Mr Samuel Joy. From my knowledge of the family I have no doubt every fact stated in said family record is true, of which the foregoing is copy. Mr. Samuel Joy died eight years ago last April, and his widow Lydia Joy, called in the above record Lydia Hamilton is still living & has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband. I have often heard it said they were married by a licencer in Portsmouth N.H. by the Rev. Samuel Hassen, as was lawful & usual before the revolution. They were respectable people & I never heard their lawful marriage doubted. I should so have heard if they had not been lawfully married. — John Warren
State of Maine
York County ss, October 7 th 1837.
Then personally appeared the said John Warren, whom I certify is well known to me to be a person of truth and veracity, and his statements are entitled to full credit & subscribed & sworn to the foregoing deposition
Before me Wm. A. Hayes J.P.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section WCS/eel
January 9, 1909
Gertrude Joy Downey 27 Gilbert Road Belmont, Massachusetts
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.26695, it appears that Samuel Joy was born, September 22, 1742, place not stated.
He enlisted and served as a private with the Massachusetts Troops as follows:
From April or May, 1775, eight months in Captains Pettingill's or Phillip Hubbard's Company, was in the battle of Bunker Hill.
From February 1, 1776, two months in Captain James Roberts' Company.
From sometime in the spring of 1777, seven or eight months in Captain Samuel Grant's Company, he was in the battles of Stillwater and Saratoga and at the capture of Burgoyne.
He served other tours during the Revolution, no details given.

He died in South Berwick, Maine, April 4, 1829.
The soldier married in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, August 8, 1764, Lydia Hamilton, who was born October 29, 1748. 1745. She was allowed pension on her application executed October 7, 1837, while a resident of South Berwick, York County, Maine.
They had the following children:
Mary born May 22, 1766. Ephraim " March 29, 1768. Reuben " February 20, 1770. Sarah " April 20, 1772. Catharine " May 23, 1774. Olive " May 5, 1776. Mehitable " October 29, 1778. Samuel " March 25, 1781. Benjamin " June 7, 1783. Lydia " September 20, 1785. James " September 15, 1787. Mehitable " June 8, 1791. Ivory " March 22, 1795.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

2837
Oct 30
me
July 36
30
Revolutionary Claims
Dear James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Dist. Columbia

South Berwick Oct. 24- 1837-
Hon. James L. Edwards
Sir,
Inclosed I send you
the Declaration of Mrs Lydia Jay for a pension - There is positive & direct proof of only eight of two months service - The other services were undoubtedly rendered & I hope will be consistent with your regulations to cause search to be made for evidence of service in your department, so that she may draw a full pension - You will please to send the certificate to my cover
Respectfully
Yours & Wm. A. Hays

22 P. Ron
22 P. Ron P. Ron P. Ron
Free
Mr. James L. Edwards Comm n of Pensions Washington D.C.

South Berwick, (Maine) June 15 th - 1838.
Hon. James L. Edwards -
Sir,
Some weeks since I forwarded to your department the book containing the family record of Samuel Jay, deceased with a view of obtaining a pension for his widow, Lydia Jay. In this case there can be no question but what the marriage took place before the services were rendered - when you shall be satisfied that every thing is fair in relation to the record please to return it - The old lady cannot live long, and it is desirable that you should forward the certificate as soon as possible - The material question is the amount of services to be allowed - I am satisfied that he served as a soldier, the greater part of the war of the revolution - His companions are mostly dead, or their minds so shattered that they cannot recollect who served with them - Besides you have in your department the Revolutionary Military papers of N. H. & Maine, so

that claimants cannot have recourse to them to obtain evidence of services. It is the intention of Congress to do ample justice to revolutionary soldiers & a certain class of their widows. Under these circum- stances it would seem the duty of your department to look for evidence from papers in your possession to assist applicants in establishing their claims, and even in making their declaration, where there can be no mistake in relation to the applicant.
Mr Jay living near the line served probably in N. H. a part of the time. - Now, Sir, you are respectfully requested to search for evidence of Samuel Jay service in the army, & if the declaration is not such as to cover such service as you may find he rendered, give me a notice that a new declaration may be made conform- ably to the facts. I hope for an answer soon.
Please to send me the form of an applic- ation for half pay by a widow whose husband died in the service during the late war.
Respectfully Yours &c
Wm. A. Hays

V2851 Lydia Joy Maine
vol 2 page 64 same Grant capl sketch to N. York name not on roll
vol 19 page 121. f not to Dec 1777 not on roll
adm 16 mo. per £33.33. no deduction
Wm A. Hayes J. Benwick M c

I John L Hayes of Portsmouth in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire of lawful age depose and say that I am a member of the Parish of which Rev Samuel Haven was formerly pastor, to wit from May 5 th A.D. 1752 to March 3 d 1806 that I have made diligent search in the records of said Parish and have found no record of any marriages which were solemnized by the said Haven. I further depose that I have made diligent search in the records of said town of Portsmouth and have been able to find no record of the solemnization of any marriages in said town of Portsmouth previous to the Revolutionary war
John L Hayes
State of Maine County of York ss On the sixteenth day of October A.D. 1837 personally appeared the said John Lord Hayes, whom I certify to be a person of truth and veracity, and his statements entitled to full credit and made solemn oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed is true, Before me, Wm. H. Hayes Just. Peace

I, Andrew P. Peabody of Portsmouth in the County of Rockingham & State of New Hampshire, of lawful age, depose & say, that I am the Pastor of the South Parish in said Portsmouth, & that the Rev. Samuel Haven was Pastor of said Parish from May 5 th , 1752 to March 3 rd , 1806, & that there is no record in existence of the marriages solemnized by said Haven, the said record such records having been known to have existed, but having been lost for several years.
Andrew P. Peabody.
Portsmouth. Rockingham S.S.
Personally appeared before me John L. Hayes a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Rockingham, on this the tenth day of October A.D. 1837. the above named Rev. Andrew P. Peabody whom I hereby certify to be a man of truth and veracity and made solemn affirmation under the pains and penalties of perjury, that the above deposition by him subscribed is true.
John L. Hayes Justice of the Peace

I, Isaac Blick of York in the County of York, a revolutionary pensioner aged seventy seven testify depose and say, that I have known Mr. Samuel Joy formerly of York, and afterwards of South Berwick even since I was a little child, his father lived within a mile of where I lived, and when he left his father's place he moved to within a half mile of where I lived & remained there a neighbor and well known to me as long as he lived. He was married to Lydia Hamilton eight or ten years before the revolutionary war. They had four or five children born before the war. His widow the same Lydia Joy is still living with her son Isaac Joy on the same farm which formerly belonged to his father the said Samuel Joy. I well remember that in the spring of the year 1775, one Amos Thompson came to Berwick & York to enlist soldiers to go to Cambridge & join the army. I well remember that he enlisted three soldiers viz: John Thompson, Stephen Pillsbury, and the same Samuel Joy. They immediately went to Cambridge & joined the army, I think in Capt James Pitkin's company. They were called eight months men, and served till the next December when the said Joy having served out the term for which he enlisted was discharged & returned home. The said Joy was stationed a part of the time at Small's Point, but was employed most of the time in building Bunker's as he was a very good carpenter.
Again on or about the first of February A.D. 1776. I enlisted in Capt James Roberts company of Massachusetts Militia as a common soldier to serve two months. The same Samuel Joy enlisted & served in the same company with me. He joined the company a few days after I did & served as long as I did. We were stationed at Roxbury, but our fatigue was after the eleventh of March at Dorchester Heights. We were there on duty when the British left Boston on the seventeenth day of March 1776. Afterwards on the last day of March the same year our

company was discharged having served out our term of two months - The said Joy was discharged when I was, and started to go home with me, but he out travelled me & got home the day before I did. Joseph Blackbourn was the Lieutenant of company, and our Robinson was the Colonel of our Regiment in
The said Samuel Joy was out in the army several times after this service, but not having been with him I cannot specify the particular services I know he went to New York, but how many times & how long he stayed I cannot state.
The said Samuel Joy died about eight years ago, and the said Lydia has remained a widow ever since
Isaac Chick
State of Maine
York County ss. On the seventh day of October AD 1837 - personally appeared the said Isaac Chick, who is known by me to be person of trust, and veracity, and his statements are entitled to full credit, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed
Before me Wm. H. Hayes Jus Peace

FRED JOY, COUNSELLOR AT LAW, 95 MILK STREET.
John Mum Boston, July 2, 1896.
My Dear Sir:-
My great great grandfather, Samuel Joy, of Berwick, Maine, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War . His widow, Lydia Hamilton Joy, received a pension from our government. This pension was granted somewhere between 1835 and 1843. At the time the pension was granted, they were  she was living in South Berwick, Maine, as I understand it. I understand that a part of the proof given to obtain the pension was a diary or family record kept by said Samuel in his lifetime. If this is so, and the government has it in the files in the case, can it be returned to me? I desire this very much, as a genealogy of the Joy family is being prepared, and I understand this book, or diary, to contain valuable information on this point. Could I have all the papers in that case copied, and if so, what would it cost me? I do hope, if you have that family record, that if possible it may be returned to me, for I would prize it exceedingly, and it cannot now be of any use to the government, as the pensioner died in 1843.
Very respectfully yours,
To Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington,
D. C.

26. 69 5 - wid Samuel Joy
Oct. 7, 1837 - 88 South Berwick Me.
Spiz 75 - Yrs Me Mass Apr to Elizabeth Wingill (?) Cal Seaman Prt. 8 m
Bunker Hill Stillwater
Feb 76 - Apr Jas Roberts Cal - Prt. 2 m
Spz 77 - Apr Samuel Grant Cal Prt 7 or 8 m
Mar. Lydia Hamilton
Aug. 8, 1764
Dec Apr. 4, 1829
He was born Sept. 22, 1842

O. W. & N. Div.
W. 26695.
D. W. B.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 1, 1896.
Sir:
In reply to your communication of recent date, in which you call for the return of a diary or family record, which you believe to have been filed with the pension claim of Lydia Joy, widow of Samuel Joy, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that a search has been made and it does not appear that such diary or family record was ever filed with said claim.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr Fred Joy,
95 Milk Street,
Boston, Mass.

O. W. & N. Div. W 26695. L. W. B.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 23, 1896.
Sir:
Replying to your communication of the 23rd inst., you are advised as follows:-
It appears from the declaration on file in the case of Lydia Joy, widow of Samuel Joy, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, that the said soldier participated in the battles of Bunker Hill, Stillwater and Saratoga, and also that he served at the taking of Burgoyne.  an affidavit on file in the case by Ephraim Joy, son of the above named soldier, it is stated that he served at Ticonderoga and Peekskill.
There is nothing in the papers showing the names of the soldier's father or mother, though an affidavit in the case by one Isaac Chick says that  the deponent knew the soldier's father well, but it does not state his name.
Relative to the diary or family record referred to in your former letter I would state that it would appear from an affidavit on file in the case, which includes a copy of that portion of the record or diary showing the births of the thirteen

children which were born to the said Lydia and Samuel Joy, that this record or diary on  from Oct. 13, 1837, was in the possession of Ivory Joy, one of the said children.
There is no appropriation of money for carrying on work of this character, and as all the available clerks are engaged on other and more important work of the Bureau, compliance with your re- quest for copies of the papers on file in this pension claim is deemed impracticable.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr Fred Joy,
95 Milk Street,
Boston, Mass.

27 Gilbert Road ✓
Belmont, Mass.
March 13, 1928.
War Pension Bureau Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
Will you kindly send me facts about the pension allowed Lydia Hamilton, daughter of Gabriel Hamilton of Berwick, Maine (b. Oct. 29, 1748 d. Feb. 22, 1843) on account of services of her husband, Samuel 5 Joy (b. Berwick, Me. Sept. 21, 1742 d. Berwick, Me. April 4, 1829) a soldier of the Revolution.
Thanking you in advance, I am
Very truly yours,
Gertrude Joy Downey.

July 18 '96 diary in claim Fred Joy Boston Mass, JMB
July 28 '96 statement to Fred Joy Boston, Mass JMB above ex h papers Mar. 29 97 JMB
May - 8-1903 - H. H. C. Quincy, Mass. N. H. C. 1929 Jan. 9. list to Gertrude Joy Downey Mess
26695 WIDOW, &c.
no 8
File No. 26695
Lydia Joy widow of Samuel Joy Ohio Rev. name
Act: July 4 th /36
Index: - Vol. 1 , Page 382
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Lydia Joy Mann
Suspended
for 17 years 1838
W. A. Bays

I Samuel Chadbourne of South Berwick in the County of York, and State of Maine, upon an aged eighty two, testify depose, and say that I am now a pensioner for services during the revolutionary war that previous to the twelfth day of May A.D. 1775 Seven hundred & seventy five I enlisted as a soldier in the continental army, and on that day to wit the twelfth day of May A.D. 1775 I joined Captain Ebenezer Dunning's Company, and marched to Cambridge. I was attached to Col. Dunning's Regiment of Gen. Heath's Brigade, I enlisted for eight months, served my time out, was discharged in December & returned home - Samuel Jay was out the same time I was - He served the same eight months I did, as a private soldier, and returned home with me - I cannot say to what company he belonged, but I am sure he was there as a soldier, for I saw him there repeatedly on duty as a soldier - He was stationed a part of the time at Brooklyn near Cambridge - The same Samuel Jay always lived very near me, within a hundred rods from my father's house - Several years before he first went into the army he was married to Lydia Hamilton, who is still living. They had several children, before the war broke out - & afterwards a numerous family - The said Samuel Jay and I were both in the battle of Bunker-Hill.
The next winter in February A.D. 1776 the said Samuel Jay & I enlisted in Captain James Preble's Company of Massachusetts Militia to serve two months in the war of the revolution - We joined our company and marched to Brattlebury, where we were stationed - The said Jay & I both worked in fortifying Dorchester Heights - We were on this

duty when the British left Boston. We both served the two months for which we enlisted and returned home together. and One Hanson was the Lieutenant of our company. The whole company served the two months as before stated and were all discharged at the same time.
Witness Wm. A. Hayes
Seaman his Chadbourne Marks
State of Maine County of York ss - On this seventh day of October A.D. 1837. Then personally appeared the said Seaman Chadbourne, who is well known to me to be a person of truth and veracity and I do certify that his statements are entitled to full credit, and subscribed of sworn to the foregoing Deposition
Before me Wm. A. Hayes J.P.

Hon James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Revolutionary { Washington claims }

South Berwick Feb 1 - 1838.
Hon. James L. Edwards
Dear Sir,
Inclosed with this is the Book which contains the family record of Samuel Jay late a revolutionary soldier deceased, in his own hand writing - There can be no question about the marriage, The Book I believe to be genuine - I regret that no more than ten months service can be allowed as Mr Jay says he was in the army much longer - When you shall be satisfied that the family record is genuine Mr Sony Jay would be much obliged if you will cause it to be returned as he is attached to it as a relic of his father -
Yours & Mr. A. Hayes