Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15007, for Robert Lamb, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Lamb, Robert, Catherine
N. 15007
CONTENTS

Reported to Agent. See letter
Massachusetts 1532
Catharine Lamb, dec? widow of Robert Lamb
who died on the 1 st October 1800 of Suffolk Co. in the State of Mass. who was a commissioned  Master in the commanded by Captain Mass. of the commanded by in the line for 2 years
Increased from $320
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 600 Dollars Cents per annum. to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831. and 17 th January 1838, when she died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of Dec r . 1843 and sent to F. Ray, Parent.
Arrears to the 4 th of Semi-annual allowance ending Payable to Mary Lamb, only surviving child of said Catharine Lamb, dec. Former payments to be deducted
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d . }
Recorded by D. Pierce Clerk. Book C Vol. 1. Page 59.

This is to certify that the marriage of Robert Lamb and Catherine Lusk is recorded in the Parish Register of Christ Church, Boston, /fol. 124/ as having been solemnized on the twenty-sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and sixty nine, by the Rev. Matthew Byles, at that time, Rector of said Church.
William Crowell, Rector of Christ Church, Boston.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Suffolk, ss. I, Artemas Ward, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being absent of Record, certify, that the above named William Crowell, Rector of Christ Church in Boston in said county, this day personally appeared before me, and subscribed the above written declaration, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of said Court to be hereunto affixed this 22 d day of July, in the year eighteen hundred & thirty seven. Artemas Ward, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Suffolk ss
I Geo. C. Wilde, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County, do certify that Artemas Ward Esquire, before whom the foregoing declaration was made, was at the time of making thereof acting Chief Justice of said Court of Common Pleas, duly qualified as such - & that the signature before written, is his proper hand writing.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twenty second day of July A.D. 1837.
Geo. C. Wilde, Clerk.

Catherine Lamb No 2042. Wid of Rob t Lamb dec d Mass.
Marr d 1769 died 1800
Ad d as a post. ben efit 2yrs $320 per ann. commencing 4 Mar 1831 Mass. Court here
Hon ble Abbot Laurens Boston

State of Massachusetts, County of Suffolk, ss.
On this twenty first day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred thirty seven, in the city of Boston in said county, personally appeared before me, Samuel Shaw, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts aforesaid, Catharine Lamb, a resident of said Boston, she being unable from bodily infirmity to attend in Court, aged eighty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4: 1836. That she is the widow of Robert Lamb, who was a Commissary of Subsistence for the state of Massachusetts Bay, appointed by the Board of War of the United States of North America in the War of the Revolution and served in that office between three & four years during the latter period of that war. She further declares that she was married to the said Robert Lamb on the month of October, in the year seventeen hundred and sixty nine; that her husband the aforesaid Robert died on the first day of October, in the year eighteen hundred; and that she has remained a widow ever since, that

period, as will appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Albert, Dennis Shaw.
Catharine + Sarah L. Norwich.
Sworn to and subscribed by the above named Catharine Lamb, with her mark, she being un- able by reason of blindness to write her name before me; and I further certify that the com- petent officer is well known to me, has been so for many years, and that her declaration is well entitled to credit.
Boston 21 July 1837
Dennis Shaw. Notary Public of the Hosp. Judicial Court of Massachusetts.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss.
I George C. Wilde, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court in & for the County of Suffolk being a court of Record, do certify that Samuel Shaw Esquire, before whom the foregoing declaration was made, was at the time of making thereof, acting Chief Justice of said Supreme Judicial Court, duly qualified as such - & that the signature before written, is his proper hand writing.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Boston, the twenty second day of July A.D. 1837.
Geo. C. Wilde, Clerk.

State of Massachusetts Suffolk County, ss.
On this sixteenth day of September, in the year eighteen hundred and fortyone personally appeared before me, John Knapp, a justice of the Peace in & for said county, Mary Brant, a resident of Boston in said county, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath state that she is the only surviving child of her mother, Katherine Brant, who died at said Boston on the seventeenth day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight, and who was under the receipt of a Pension from the United States under the act of Congress of July fourth, eighteen hundred & thirty six, at the rate of three hundred & twenty dollars per annum, which sum she continued to receive up to the day of her death, on account of the revolutionary services of her husband, Robert Brant (between), who was an Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, and Commissary of Subsistence, to wit, an Assistant for and during the time specified in her petition for the grant of said Pension and the documents ac- companying the same, which are now on file in the Pension Office, and a Commissary from that period until the close of said War, and received the pay of a Colonel, as she is credibly informed, and believes.
Now the object of this declaration being made, is in order to obtain the payment of the difference of the amount of Pension through my, Mary, Alexander Brant of Washington, which is now claimed, in the right of my deceased mother, between the sum of 320 dollars a year, and at the rate of 500 dollars a year from the fourth of March 1831 up to the 17 th of January 1838,

The period of her death, and all other claim to a pension or annuity is hereby relinquished, except the present.
Sworn and subscribed to the above year above written, before me, John Knapp, Justice of the Peace.
Mary Lamb

State of Massachusetts { Suffolk County } ss.
I Thomas A Phillips Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being a Court of Record, certify that satisfactory evidence has been adduced before the Court to prove that Mrs. Katharine Swan, late of Boston in said county, Widow, deceased, was up to the time of her death a Pensioner of the United States, under the Act of Congress of the 4 th July 1835 at the rate of 320 dollars a year and died on the 17 th of January 1838, leaving one child, Mary Swan who survives.
In Witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of said Court this 18 th day of September 1841.
Thomas A Phillips, Clerk

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15007
Catharine Scamb
Widow of
Robert Scamb
Comm d Rev. Pa.
Act: July 4 th 1836
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 419
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Seald
of the 100th
By the Board of War and Ordnance of the United States of America To Robert Lamb Esq — of the State of Massachusetts Bay. By virtue of the Authority given us by Congress in the Act of the 23 Instant herewith transmitted. You are hereby appointed Commissary of Hides for the State of Massachusetts Bay You will proceed immediately in the faithful & diligent discharge of that duty as pointed out in the following Instructions and such others as the Board may from time to time think proper to give you — you will correspond from time to time with this Board and the Clothier General informing us & him of all material transactions in your department — From him you will receive monies as the Expenses of your Business — require them keeping an exact account of your expenditures & settling your accounts at least once a year with the Commissioner of accounts — you will make regular returns at least quarterly to the Clothier General agreeably to the direction of Congress — In all cases of difficulty you will consult the Board on common occasions take the advice and Instructions of the Clothier General. We would particularly recommend to you the strictest attention to economy in your expenditures as in the present situation of our affairs much depends on this — you are to receive all Raw Hides as well of neat cattle including Calves as of Sheep kind for the use of the Troops belonging to the United States within your district & have them well dried & cured & Exchange the same under the following exceptions as to Sheep Skins either for Shoes & Leather at the Customary rates of Exchange — so many of the Sheep Skins as are necessary are to be furnished the Commissary General or the Field Commissary of military or their deputies for the use of their departments when you shall be by them required to deliver them — If you can get the residue or any part thereof made into parchment for drum Heads let it be done and the parchment delivered to the Commissary General or Field Commissary of military Stores their deputies or their order — Such as are not disposed of in the manner above mentioned you are to exchange with the wool for leather or shoes or make Sale thereof for the benefit of the United States according to circumstances We would whenever it is practicable prefer the immediate Exchange for shoes which in all cases let be well made & substantial as much loss has heretofore occurred by the insufficiency of many of the shoes supplied the Troops — The leather so obtained you will have worked up into shoes and deliver them to the Clothier General or his order taking duplicate Receipts one whereof you will transmit to the Treasury Board — All Scraps or parts of leather proper for mending the Soldiers shoes or fit for making Caps agreeable to a pattern we will furnish you will have carefully preserved to be disposed of as shall be hereafter directed — When you shall be of opinion that Exchange cannot be made on reasonable or convenient terms you will contract with persons to Tan the Hides coming into your possession on the best terms possible — But put no hides out to tan except in cases of absolute necessity — as not only great delays in getting the leather but many impositions are practised by persons having Hides to Tan for the Public — You are hereby authorised to receive from all persons either acting under the old department or by any means having possession of hides or leather belonging to the United States within your district all such Hides or leather transmitting accounts of what you shall receive to the Clothier General & disposing thereof agreeable to the foregoing directions — If you can procure more shoes to be made within your district than can be produced out of the leather belonging to the United States in your hands or if you should have more of one Species of leather than of another — You are hereby authorised to purchase leather on the most reasonable terms for which it can be procured either for supplying the deficiency or for delivering out to workmen to be worked up into shoes and as we fear with all exertions that we shall be able to procure but a bare sufficiency of that necessary article you are hereby authorized to purchase good substantial shoes for the use of the Army In your purchase of leather or shoes you will confine yourself to your own district as many inconveniences will arise from extending your Business beyond the limits hereof — You will observe as to the Tallow Offal the direction of Congress contained in their resolutions of the 11 October 1777 in the words following
Resolved. That the Commissary General of Issues his deputies and assistants & all persons employed under him or them deliver over on demand to the Commissary of Hides all Hides Tallow feet & Offal of all Cattle Kind for the use of the Army taking a Receipt for the same any order or direction of any person or persons to the contrary notwithstanding — That the said Commissary of Hides shall receive and take care of the Tallow & all other useful Offal of the Cattle belonging to the United States — and see that the said Tallow is properly delivered to the Com ty Gen l of Purch s or his order taking receipts for the same reserving so much of the said Tallow as may be necessary for the manufacturing of the leather and the use of his own department In addition to this we recommend to you to procure as much Oil as possible from the Feet of the Cattle for the purpose of curing leather — When the Army is in your neighbourhood the Superintendent of Cattle will see that the Hides & Tallow are reasonably delivered to you by the Commissary acting with the Army

2 You will represent to the Board What Assistants and Clerks will be necessary in your district & on being informed we will transmit appointments for such as we deem necessary as by the regulations of the Clothing Department it is recommended to the Government of the respective States to purchase Clothing for the Troops of the several Quotas and as no doubt Shoes will be directed to be purchased in consequence of this recommendation we desire you will consult with the Executive Powers of the State of Massachusetts Bay on the Subject & Cultivate all possible Harmony with them in this and every other part of your Business that no Clashing may happen & the prices of the Articles raised by a Competition of Purchasers - You will have the Weight of the Hide when Green cut on the Butt thereof and when you are obliged to put Hides out to Tan you will provide a Stamp or Brand with the Letters U S for marking such Hides before delivery to the Tanners on the grain side so that the same may be distinguished when Tan as Continental property and prevent Impositions in substituting inferior Hides for those belonging to the United States you will also have expressed in the Receipts for Hides put to Tan their weight as well as their marks & the number of them There have been such impositions in the Shoes supplied for the Army we add this further direction that each individual pair be carefully examined in every part for the purpose of discovering Frauds These are generally in putting in Bad Leather cutting the quarters Low the vamp short almost cutting thro the Soal in Hollowing the Heel bad Sewing particularly the upper Leather to the inner Soal which being out of sight few St Stitches are taken & they presently come to pieces We would have the Shoes made with a full proportion of Large ones the quarters high & rather short & fitting close about the foot and the vamp coming up above the Buckle - You are also to stamp your name on the outside of the Soals of all shoes procured by you - You will in every hundred pair of Shoes either made or bought procure eight pair and no more fit for Officers as much perplexity & loss have arisen in the Business from the variety of persons heretofore employed in making Exchanges & the many Orders on the Commissaries for the delivery of Hides: and as we deem you and your assistants fully competent to manage the whole Business within your district you are hereby strictly forbidden to answer any such Orders given after your Receipt of these Instructions unless they are issued by the Authority of the Commander in Chief - As there will be no Continental Agents to interfere with you in your district & the whole Business is committed to your care we expect your utmost exertion & will be used in procuring immediate & constant Supplies of Shoes for the use of the Troops Who without great diligence in the Commissaries of Hides we fear will greatly Suffer
Given at the War Office the Fifth day of August anno Domini 1779 in the fourth year of our Independence
By order of the Board
Signed
Richard Peters

I Benjamin Wheeler of Boston in the State of Massachusetts hereby declare that the accompanying paper is a true copy of the original appointment of Robert Lamb Esq., Commissioner of Hides of the town of Watertown of the United States. He received no appointment - the first on the 31st of July 1770 from Timothy Pickering Quartermaster General - a copy of which has been attached to me. I was appointed his Assistant on the 10th of August - 1770 - and of course had access to all papers connected with Mr Lamb's duties as Commissioner which were kept in his office - I took copies of them and other papers while I had access to them - it has been always my custom through life to preserve copies of important papers. The originals were given to Mr Lamb's Family - I suppose that what has become of them. Mr. Lamb continued in the service three years and eight months - he chose three stations and had a horse island at his control of the government - the horse being marked with U.S. His duties during a part of his time were quite arduous

He being obliged to make journeys to various parts of the state. With regard to the amount of his pay, I can state nothing with certainty, but recollect hearing some one state in the government office at Philadelphia when I went on Mr Lamy business that the sales were $300 per month continental money. When my son got out of the money in silver at the time 1833 was remember - but I have an impression that it was about $600. - Benjamin Wheeler
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Suffolk ss I George C. Wilde Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court in & for said county of Suffolk, do certify that the above named Benjamin Wheeler personally appeared before me, & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court This nineteenth day of July in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty seven.
Geo. C. Wilde, Clerk.

To Mr Robert Lamb
You are hereby appointed Commissary to receive all Hides Tallow fat Skins belonging to the United States within the State of Massachusetts Bay and all Commissary of Issues and all other Persons receiving Cattle Sheep and Swine to Slaughter within your State for the use of the United States are requested to deliver to you or your Agents whom you shall authorise for the purpose all the Hides Tallow Skins and Tard of such Cattle Sheep and Swine on demand at such place or places as shall be best to prevent unnecessary expense of transportation as you and the Commissaries shall determine or on failure thereof as the Officer commanding the Troops in your State shall appoint The Hides and Skins so received you are to cause to be carefully dried and preserved and to Exchange the Hides for Shoest Leather at the Customary rates the Leather to be fit for Shoest cartridge Boxes & other Leather accoutrements & harness, The Skins with the wool may be exchanged for Stockings suitable for Soldiers Except such Sheep Skins as shall be necessary for the Department of the Commissary of military Stores to whom you are impowered to deliver them accordingly The Tallow and Tard you will cause to be carefully tried or rendered and then deliver the same to the Commissary General of purchases or his deputy or their order for the purpose of making Soap and Candles for the use of the Troops or Navy of the United States - as the Hides Skins and Tallow soon spoil if neglected especially in warm weather you will be careful to demand the same seasonably and cause them at once to be dried and rendered - You are impowered to hire such assistants and Labourers for the purposes before mentioned and such Teams for transportation as you shall find necessary in the Conduct of the whole Business using all possible economy - Once in three months you will make returns to this Board of all your transactions Specifying the number of hands employed and at what wages the quantity of Hides Skins Tallow and Tard received the quantity of such delivered and to whom and the quantity on hand. For all deliveries you will take proper receipts such Leather as is suitable therefor you will get made up into Strong Shoest taking care that a due proportion of them be large enough The residue of the Leather deliver to the Commissary General of military Stores and Quarter master General or their order respectively for the use of their departments unless otherwise ordered by this Board. when from time to time you shall have collected considerable quantities of Shoest Stockings send them by careful conveyance to the main Army directed to the deputy Clothier there except such quantities as shall be necessary for the Troops in the northern & Peceps Hill department and for the delivery of which you shall receive orders from the General Officers there commanding
Boston 31 July. 1778
Copy
By order of the Board
signed Jim Pickering
I Benjamin Wheeler of the City of Boston in the State of Massachusetts Merchant do make oath and say that I was assistant Commissary of Hides to Robert Lamb formerly of said Boston deceased from the month of July August 1778 to the month of April 1782. I kept the Books and papers of said Robert Lamb, and I copied his Commission as Commissary there preserved the Copy I made to this time. The foregoing is a true Copy made by me for said original Copy. I do not know what became of the original Commission. Said Robert Lamb performed the duties of Commissary during the period above mentioned.
Benjamin Wheeler
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
City of Boston ss. March 7. 1827 Then Benjamin Wheeler well known to me as a respectable and credible citizen made oath that the foregoing affidavit before him subscribed is true. Before me Wm Munt Justice of Peace

Catharine Lamb
widow of Robert Lamb, De o Company of Hides.
act 4 July 1836
Increase to $600 payable to Mary Lamb, only surviving child of Cath. Lamb, who died 17 th of January 1838, on which day the person ceased. Former pay- ments to be deducted Massachusetts Roll
Cut: to A. Ray Present

Extract from a paper contained in a volume
of the Washington Papers.
60 Fruit & Clothing Store
Springfield Decem r 21. st 1798.

Mar 17. 1843
Catharine Sedgwick
St. Catharine Sts Pemberton sq New York

Washington March 15 1843
Sir
I hope an adjournment is not necessary, in considering the subject of your application for a re-consideration of the case of Captain Smith who late a pensioner under act 1836 on the disqualification of the widow of Robert Smith. Who was a commissioning officer in the War of the Revolution. The application to me under is received in consequence of a letter I have received, praying me to renew the application.
I believe you admitted, the pay fixed by the resolution of Congress in 1776 & 1777 to be a guide to you for settling the amount of pension for service under act June 1832. On the 20 June 1777 Congress resolved "that the pay of a commissioning officer be $30 a month." In July 1778 Robert Smith was appointed to that office. There being no legislation between the date of the resolution and the time of his appointment, it necessarily follows he was paid under said resolution being a special base at the rate of $30 per month.
From the tenour of your letter of the 28 th Jan y 1842. I have no doubt but you have reasonable evidence that Robert Smith had a commissioning of field pay paid at one time $300 a mo. in continental money. If such evidence exist, may I ask if there is any given opinion in the testimony explanation of the value of the $300 continental money at that time? To rate a pension for two years service, according to the depreciation of continental money at any specified time appears to me, to be not only embarrassing but a wholly uncertain data. You very properly state that as far back as May 1777

The depreciation on continental money was so little that the officers and soldiers' pay, with the pay in view was not increased; The depreciation could not have progressed at a ratio so great from 1777 to July 1778 when Lander was appointed a commissary of stores to have reduced his pay to that of a Lieutenant. The assumption that, at one time Lander may have been paid $300 a month in continental money, but it is an assumption not he was always paid that sum. and of reason as to be determined at all, by payment made in continental paper, he would be too likely to seek a pension by a regular scale of association and not to reduce the whole time of service at the lowest standard.
I flatter myself if you will confer upon the merits of this case your consideration, you will see the justice of an increase of the present allowance or pension of not less than $200 per month.
I subscribe with great deference to the view,
And remain with great respect Sir & Sir Alex. Day
L. L. Edwards Esq. Commissary of Pensions

Washn June 30. 1845
Alexander Ray
submits case of Catherine Lamb, and ap- peals from decision of the Comm. of Pensions against an increase of pension.
R 102. Recd June 12. 1845
Pension office visit
To the Hon. James M. Porter Secretary of War

Washington June 30 th 1832.
Sir
In submitting with great deference to your consideration and decision the case of Catherine Lamb deceased late a pensioner on the Massachusetts roll under act 4 July 1830. at the rate of $320 per annum, as the widow of Robert Lamb a commissary of Forage in the war of the revolution for an augmentation of the late stipend at the rate of $50 per month, I would beg respectfully to state. Is the appointment of Robert Lamb in the Department of Forage is acknowledged? and as the service for upward of two years is also conceded. The question that arises is at what rate of pension is a commissary of Forage entitled to receive as an officer of the Staff, not holding rank in the line: we now request you give a reply to this inquiry. In the words of the Commissioner.
The commissioner of Pensions as you will perceive by reference to paper marked N o 1. rejects the allowance of pension claimed on the ground that Robert Lamb was paid for his services $300 per month. Sentimental paper money.
By the act 7 June 1832. Section 1 st it is expressly declared that an officer of the line shall be authorized to receive the amount of his full pay in the said line, according to his rank, but not exceeding in any case the pay of a captain in the said line: so that an officer of even higher rank, and greater pay under the specified clause of said act is brought down to the pay or pension of a captain of the line. and such we find has been the settled practice of the Department in the administration of said act in regard to officers of the line.
But how stands the matter with Staff officers of the army, their pension not having been prescribed under act 1832 to any fixed rate of pay. In answer, we give you the construction of the department N o 2. "In all cases the officer receives pay according to his rank in the line, provided he held any such rank, but in a case where the officer had staff rank only; his pension is determined by the amount of his monthly pay."

We have had, in express terms, the legislative direction under act 7 June 1832. in regard to officers of the line; and the construction of the Department as to the determined rate of pension to officers of the staff. holding their rank in the line.
But argues the commissioner against the claim of Catherine Lamb her husband was paid in continental money: The m d -designs m d permitted to examine the original application filed in this case. and there appears a prominent certificate as to the pay and service of Robert Lamb. as a commissary of stores in which it is stated his pay was believed to have been $200 a month in continental paper money: And it was further stated that the supposed rate to have been about $60 per month. So if the certificate be considered at all, in a liberal construction it most clearly proves that Robert Lamb was paid about $60 a month in gold currency.
According to my apprehension of the act 7 June 1832. and the supplemental acts thereto: It would appear that Congress never designed the then acts of munificence to a portion of our country or currency and avowedly meritorious as the officers and soldiers in the revolution: should be construed to settle a gratuity according to the amount of depreciated continental money an officer received while in the line of duty: And the construction is confirmed in a recent decision by your predecessor. In an appeal case, which it was supposed had settled the question in regard to rating pension by depreciated paper currency.
The case to which I allude, is one in which an appeal was made to the Hon. G. C. Sherman when Secretary of War, in behalf of Maria Lamb Brooks widow of Andrew Lawrence of New York under act 4 July 1836: If I am correctly informed an application was made in this case, for an increased rate of pension on the ground that Andrew Lawrence received a higher rate of pay while in the line of duty as a staff officer, than was allowed in computing the pension under act 4 July 1836.

The Commission I have advanced the same argument in the case of Thomasides Wides - as asserted in the case of Robert Lamb - that he was paid in continental paper money. The argument, however, did not prevail with the Secretary of War. He overruled the Commission's opinion and allowed the pension at the rate of pay, provided by the old Congress to the class of officer, not exceeding the pay of a captain of the line.
I must again solicit your indulgence in referring to the Commission's opinion and the concurrence of the late Secretary. - Knowing under what resolution of the old Congress which fixed the pay of officers of the continental line are to be considered under the act of June 1832 and the supplementary acts as a guidance in granting the rate of pension. By an extract recently presented from a letter to the Hon. John L. Russell under date June 6 1842 we have the following. "The rate of pay" says the Commission, "fixed by Congress in 1776 and the spring of 1777 was the rate which was allowed on the final settlement at the end of the war, and to grant pension according to the rate is in my opinion the only safe and proper course." We have here the decision of the Commission and the Secretary of War that the resolution of Congress of 1776 and the spring of 1777 as the only safe and proper course to adopt in rating of pension.
By reference to the Journal of Congress, "Vol 11. page 175 on the 20 June 1777" we find the following, "That the pay of the commissary of Wides be $80 a month." there being no disposition made respecting the pay of officers in the department of Wides between the 20 June 1777 and July 1778 when Robert Lamb received his appointment it appears consistent that Robert Lamb was not only appointed but paid under the resolve of 20 June 1777, which has been decided as heretofore shown and considered a special resolution.
It is therefore maintained under the Secretary of War decision in regard to the resolution of 1776 and the spring of 1777 being a pecuniary base.

Under the Secretary's decision, in the case of Hannah Ten Brook widow of Aaron Keermance, in regard to continental paper currency; And under the construction of the Department N o 2 "where the Officer has staff rank only, his pension is determined by the amount of his monthly pay. " that my constituent is fully entitled to the same pension claimed at the rate of an artillery captain's pay.
The question, and the facts in connexion is submitted with the most profound respect for your decision upon the merits of the case. And I have endeavored Sir, to present the case in as summary and as impartial a manner as the facts warrant. With the hope you will bestow on the subject your personal consideration, and carry out the views principles of liberality & justice, which former decision have governed case under the same principles.
I have the honor to remain Sir Your most Obt. Servant.
Alex. Ray
Note. I would remark, that the case of Mr. Ten Brook of St. John to which reference has been made, did not come under my observation. but the gentleman who had charge of it, communicated the facts to me, and it will be found as accurate I have no doubt. to be strictly true.
A. R.

(copy)
War. Department
Pension Office
May 21 1838
In reply to the question whether the grand children of a revolutionary soldier who died after June 7, 1832 without applying for a Pension, can receive the amount to which he would have been entitled had he applied, I have to inform you that the law does not grant such an allowance to any other person than the widow or children of a soldier in such a case.
An Officer of the Staff who received pay equal to that of a Captain of Artillery, would be entitled to the same amount of pension which the artillery Officer would receive provided he held rank in the line equal to such Officer. In all cases the Officers receive pay according to his rank in the line, provided he held any such rank, but in a case where the Officer has Staff rank only, his pension is determined by the amount of his monthly pay.
I have the honor to be
very respectfully
Yours. Or. Serv.
Wm. John Ewing
(sign)
J. A. Edwards.
House of Representatives.

J L Edwards Esq. Boston July 27 th 1837
Dear Sir,
I am unwilling again to trouble you with the case of Mrs Lamb - but I find Mr Lamb was appointed by the Authority of Congress - and I now send to you further testimony of persons who are known to me - and who are entitled to full credit - you will oblige me by giving the papers I now send to you as on examination and if the case comes within the Law it would be a most agreeable and peculiarly happy circumstance to the friends of Mrs Lamb.
I remain Dear Sir Your friend and Oblt Servt
Abbott Lawrence

Pensions Office
Boston, 18 th Febr y 1831.
It appears from an examination of the Rolls of this Office that Catherine Kaurle was a Pensioner of the U. S. at the rate of $320. per annum under the law of 4 th July 1830. and died on the 17 th of January 1831.
W. S. H. Wamp Pension Agent
Rev
John Knapp Esq r

To all whom it may concern This Certifies, that I have, for the last eighteen years, known Catharine, widow of Robert Lamb, who, as I have understood, served in the Commissary Department, in the war of Independence. I know Mrs Lamb to be a woman of a highly estimable character. She is between Eighty and Ninety years old, is quite destitute, and totally blind. She has, for more than twenty years, been dependent, for her support, upon the industry of an unmarried daughter; and I can say with great confidence, that if her case can, by a fair construction, be brought within the conditions of the act passed, by the Party justice of her country, for the relief of the widows of those who have served it, that relief could come to few who need it more, and to none more truly worthy of it than Mrs Lamb.
Attest
J. Pierpont Minister of Hollis Street Church
Boston 15 July 1837.

Dec 11. 1841.
Catto Lamb map 11/11 '36 fn in cccre
2. John Lamb
Commission of Customs New Department

Washington
Sept. 11. 1841.
Sir
I enclose you an application made by Mary Lamb in right of her Mother Catherine Lamb, late a pensioner in the Act 536. on the Massachusetts roll at the rate of $320 per annum, asking an increase of her allowed Mother's pension. By the enclosed letter from John Knapp Esq. you will be informed, there was no letter of administration taken out upon the estate of M rs Catherine Lamb.
I am very respectfully
Your Encl. A. H. Ray
J. L. Edwards Esq. Counsel of Pension

(Copy)
Pension Office
January 28. 1842
Sir,
The papers deposited here by you in the case of Catharine Lamb, dec d . have been examined and filed. The claimant, Miss Mary Lamb, who affirms that she is the only child of the deceased, alleges that Robert Lamb, Assistant Commissary of Wines, was paid as a Colonel. The claimant is mistaken. Mr. Lamb was paid $300 per month, continental paper money, which at the time when he served, according to the scale of depreciation, was not so much as a Lieutenant's pay. The pension, however, as a Lieutenant, was allowed to her mother, which was considered a liberal allowance. No increase can be granted.
I am &c.
(Signed) J. L. Edwards
W. Alex. Ray Present

Extract from a letter from the Commissioner of Pensions to the Hon. Secretary of War
6 June 1842 —

Extract from a letter date June 6. 1842. to the Hon. John C. Spencer. Secretary of War.
"The rate of pay fixed by Congress in 1776 and the Spring of 1777. was the same rate which was allowed on the final settlement at the end of the war, and to grant pensions according to that rate is in my opinion the only safe and proper course."
I have the honor to be very respectfully
Your Ov Serv
Signed J. L. Edwards.
Hon. John C. Spencer Secretary of War.

19. June Mrs A Lawrence 1000 New Market Boston
Recd Abt Lawrence
J. P. Colwell Esq. Washington D.C.

Devon,
Weymouth June 15 th 1843
Mr Lains wrote to you some time since respecting a pension for Mrs Lamb the widow of Robert Lamb - no reply has since received - Will you inform me of the state of the case - and let me know if you require any further evidence - (over)
Oblige your Obedient Servt
Abbot Lawrence
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Alexander Ray, Esq.
Boston November 29 th 1841.
Dear Sir,
I have just received your letter of the 25 th inst. addressed to Mrs. Mary Lamb, by whose direction, as she is still absent in the country, I have opened it; and in her behalf hasten to inform you, that on enquiry of her relations in the city I am assured, if any information otherwise than I must have known of, that her mother, the late Mrs. Katherine Lamb, died without leaving a Will, and that no administration has been taken on her estate. Her daughter being her sole heir, and there being no claims for or against her estate, except this for the arrears of her pension, nor any property to an amount, that would render it necessary, the commission of administration was omitted as unnecessary.
From the tenour of your letter I conclude, that under these circumstances the application of Miss Lamb in its present form will answer the purpose; - at any rate it is to be hoped, that the formality of an administration will be dispensed with by the Commissioners of Pensions in this case, particularly as she is not as by the person solely entitled to the benefits thereof, but the one to whom by our laws administration would be granted, if any were needed.
Wishing you success in this business and to hear from you again soon, I remain very respectfully your obedt Servt. John D. Sleeper

Boston May - 12 - 1857
Mr. Edwards
Sir
As I have not received any answer to my last letter - which I sent accompanied a copy of David Lamb's appointment I am afraid it may have miscarried -
At the solicitation of Mr. Lamb's widow who is quite aged - and without important I again write - requests as soon a convention you will favor done with line
Yrs
your obed Servant
H. Edwards Esq.
Wm D. Jarvis
P.S. You order that I may receive your answer as soon as it arrives please direct - 58 Pleasant St

Boston March 8 th 1837
Sir
I send you a copy of the commission of Robert Lamb - The widow of Mr Lamb states that a large number of papers belonging to her husband were destroyed some time since being supposed useless. The original commission was probably then destroyed. Of Robert Lamb, ap- pointment of which there can be no doubt - Besides the affidavit of Mr. Wheeler the account of Book of Col. Hatch - Boston Mass. Great for Wapsachants &c - is in evidence and belongs to the Mass. Historical Society - in that Book - we find Wood, &c - Provender delivered to the Commission of Hildes department in order of Robert Lamb - There is also a receipt in evidence from a Blacksmith for moving "Commission" and Horses - Mr. you also sent - J. L. Edwards Esq. Wm. D. Greville Com. & Pension

July 31.
Revolutionary Claims.
James L. Edwards Esquire.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington, Dist. of Columbia.

Massachusetts. . . . 1332.
Catherine Lamb, widow of Robert Lamb, Decd.
who died on the 1 st of October, 1800; of Suffolk Co. in the State of Massachusetts. who was an apt. "com-Jewt. Hides" commanded by Captain of the  commanded by in the State of Mass ts for 2 yrs. apt. "Company- of Hides."
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 320 Dollars Com per annum, to commence on the 1 st day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Au- gust, 1837 and sent to Hon. Abel Lawrence, Bos. Mass.
Arrears to the 1 st of March, '37 $1420:00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 14 Sept. " 160:00
$2080:00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk, Book . 7. Vol. 2. Page 34.
Dead. — 1 st Ap r for increase rejected. See letter to A. Ray Jan. 28. 1842. do. to same May 6. 1842 —
2

The undersigned certifies that during a part of the revolutionary war he was a blacksmith in the employment of the United States, and that Mr Frost was the Master workman of the shop in which he was employed -
Mr Robert Lamb was well known to me at that time - he was universally termed "Commissary Lamb", believed to be in the government's employ, and had his office at the corner of Wallis and what is now named Fremont Street - Boston - his sign read Miss "Robert Lamb. Commissary of Provisions -"
I also certify that the houses of the

Officers and others in the government service were stored at our shop. The accompanying order to Mrs. Com- Missy Samuels' House - was taken by me from a large number of similar orders for various officers - It After the death of Mr. Frost - they were given to me by his widow and remain hanging up in my own shop - about forty years - I took this order from among them and gave it to Miss Mary Samuels daughter - of Mr. Catherine Samuels widow of Robert Samuels -
Sam d Dow
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk ss. At Boston on this twenty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, the above named Samuel Dow, being eighty five years of

age, & who is personally well known to me personally appeared before me, & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed. True & I do further certify that the said Samuel Dow is well entitled to credit. Samuel Shaw, Assistant of the Superior Judicial Court of Massachusetts.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk ss
I George A. Wilde, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within & for the County of Suffolk, being a Clerk of Record, do certify that Samuel Shaw Esquire, before whom the foregoing declaration was made, was at the time of making thereof acting Chief Justice of said Supreme Judicial Court, duly qualified as such, and that the signature before written is his proper hand writing.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Boston, this twenty second day of July A.D. 1837.
Yas. C. Wilde, Clerk.

Boston June 29. 17
Mr. Street
Thos Commisary Lamb's Pass
by order of the States
Wm Brea
A B R. M.

Recd from the Revd Moore
Frederick Constable