Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,554, for Samuel Lawrence, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Continental
Lawrence, Samuel
N. 21.554
Mass.
Susanna.
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 476
Susanna Lawrence
the widow of the late Col. John Lawrence
who was a Major in the 1st Regiment of
by Captain of the
time for widow of Saml. Lawrence deceased late a Corp: Ensign & Lieutenant in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass a at the rate of 237 Dollars 13 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Feb y 1837 and sent Hon. S. Hear Hon. of Rep s .
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $1.304.21 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. (Oct 37) 118.50
$1.422.71
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Addison Clerk Book 8 Vol. 1 Page 58

Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Middlesex County ss. On this second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty six, personally appeared before Samuel P. Fay, Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Susanna Lawrence, a resident in Groton in said County of Middlesex, aged eighty one 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 Samuel Lawrence, who was a corporal, afterwards an Ensign, afterwards a Lieutenant, and afterwards was, or officiated as, an Adjutant, in the Army of the Revolution; That her said husband, Samuel Lawrence, enlisted in the eight months service, so called, and served the whole of that time in Colonel William Prescott's Regiment at Cambridge, and was in the battle of Bunker hill; That he continued in the service of the United States, in the army of the Revolution most of the time in the years 1775, 1776 1777, & a short campaign in the year 1778, and was in the battle at Rhode Island. That he left her the morning after their marriage on the 22 d day of July 1777 for Rhode Island with his men - He was then either a lieutenant or an ensign - Absent about six months. And she further declares, That she was married

to the said Samuel Lawrence, on the 22 d day July A.D. 1777. by the Rev. Phinehas Whitney of Shirley, an adjoining town to said Groton, (there being no ordained Minister in Groton, the place of their residence at that time,) who was duly au- thorized by the laws of Massachusetts, to join persons in marriage. That she has a record of her said marriage in her family bible, in the hand wri- ting of her said husband, and that she knows not of any other record thereof; that her maiden name was Susanna Parker. And she further declares, that her said husband, Samuel Lawrence died at said Groton on the 8 th day of November A.D. 1827. and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, all which will more fully appear by the proofs hereto annexed.
And she further declares, that she has had ten children by the said Samuel Lawrence, the first of whom, to wit Luther Lawrence Esq. now of Lowell, Mass. was born September 20 th A.D. 1778. just eight days after the return of her said husband from the army, at Rhode- Island, where he had been on duty two or three months as a substitute for his brother as I think, whose name was Amos who was a lieutenant in the militia, which was called out on that occasion, according to my best recollection - His service commenced with the nineteenth day of April 1775 as I have always understood. He was a minute man in the com- pany of Capt Farwell & acted as corporal I believe for part or all of the following eight months - I believe that at the close of that period he enlisted for the next year & was appointed an ensign & sent to the state of New York with the army - He has forgotten the names of officers with whom he served generally, so as to be certain of

them she thinks that at Rhode Island he served in the company of a Capt. Lakin in the regiments of Colo Robinson, but for the more particular proof of his service she refers to the evidence annexed. She has no documentary evidence now in her possession - but she feels confident of having seen more than one of the military commissions or warrants held by him, while in the army, which documents she believes were taken by some of the sons his sons. She hopes to be able to find them & have them annexed hereto. She  She further states that Dr. Gage Hurd now of Concord was present at her my marriage & was Surgeon of the regiments to which her husband belonged. He left Groton the same day for Rhode Island. Her husband always lived in Groton, went into the service from there
Suzanna Lawrence
Sworn to & subscribed before me
J. P. P. Day Judge
And the said judge of Probate does hereby declare his opinion, after examination of said Applicant & full investigation of the matter exhibited in evidence - that she is a credible person and that the statements contained in her declaration are true & entitled to full credit.
J. P. P. Day Judge
Meadow J. Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Suzanna Lawrence for a Pension in right of her late husband deceased; & that Samuel P. P. Day by whose own proper signature is twice above written, is also written to the certificate on the deposition of Caleb Dutton Esq. here annexed, is the judge of said Court duly commissioned and qualified. - I also certify that Caleb Dutton Esq. whose own proper signature is written to the several certificates to the depositions of Ezra Dinsmore, Isaac Merrill, Moses Chase, Samuel Moody Emerson, here to annexed, is a Justice of the Peace & a Notary Public in and for said County of Middlesex duly commissioned & qualified. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Twentieth day of December A.D. 1896. Isaac Dinsmore Esq. of Probate.

I Lydia Mansworth of Groton in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged sixty six years, do depose & say, that I was born, and have always lived in the township of Groton aforesaid, within one mile of the homestead and mansion of Amos Lawrence late of said Groton, deceased, and was from my youth well acquainted with Samuel Lawrence, son of said Amos, that said Samuel Lawrence lived the forty five last years of his life about one fourth of a mile from my residence, and there died in the autumn of 1827. That said Samuel Lawrence has ever been reputed to have served in the fore part of the Revolutionary War, for three or four years, a part of said time as an Ensign, part as a Lieutenant, & lastly as an Adjutant, in said service, that said Samuel Lawrence was married to Susanna Parker, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom are still living, with all of whom I have been acquainted, The Hon. Abbott Lawrence, Representative in Congress for the first Congressional District of Massachusetts, being one of them. That I have lately seen and examined the family bible of said Samuel Lawrence now in the possession of his widow, and I found therein a family record of births, deaths & marriages in the said Samuel Lawrence's own proper handwriting, by which it appears, that he was married to said Susanna Parker on the 22 d day of July A.D. 1777. and that their first son was born Sept. 28 th 1778. and I have not any the least

doubt, that said records are true as to facts and dates.
And I further depose and say, that I have often heard and it is matter of common report, that said Samuel Lawrence, served as abovementioned in the war of the Revolution, that he was a brave and meritorious soldier & officer therein; that immediately after his marriage aforesaid he went into said service at Rhode Island, and that he was in the battle at Rhode Island, when Gen. Sullivan retreated therefrom in 1778.
And I further depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Susanna, the widow of said Samuel Lawrence, she living about one fourth of a mile from my residence as aforesaid, that she has ever since the death of her said husband remained, & now is a widow; and that I have not any the least doubt, of the legality of the marriage of the said Samuel & Susanna, never having heard the same questioned in any manner, and they having lived together, as kind & dutiful; and affectionate, husband & wife, respectively, till the time of his death aforesaid.
Ezra Gainsworth

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex ss. Be it known, that on this second day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, before me, Caleb Nuttall, Notary Public, by legal authority appointed & sworn, and dwelling in Groton in the County of Middlesex afore- said, personally came Ezra Gainsworth afore- named, and made solemn oath, that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true.
And I do certify, that the said Gainsworth is a credible person, worthy of full credit and belief in the matter & things by him deposed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my notarial seal the day & year last aforesaid.
Caleb Nuttall. Not. Pub.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
MCS/HMM
April 1, 1930.
Miss Nellie C. Lawrence Massena New York.
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 21554, it appears that Samuel Lawrence was the son of Amos.
While a resident of Groton, Connecticut, he enlisted and served with the Connecticut troops as follows:
From April 19, 1775 eight months as corporal in Captain Henry Farwell's Company in Colonel William Prescott's Regiment, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. Immediately after this service, he was appointed ensign and served one year in Captain Joseph Moore's Company in Colonel William Prescott's Regiment, and was in the battles of Harlem Heights and White Plains. In the spring of 1777 he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant and served as such in Captain Nathaniel Lakin's Company in Colonel John Robinson's Regiment. from late in July 1777 until late in December 1777. In 1778 he served as lieutenant in Captain John Nutting's Company, and as adjutant in Colonel William McIntosh's Regiment and was in the battle of Rhode Island and served six weeks in all.
He married July 22, 1777 in Groton, Connecticut, Susanna Parker of Groton.
He died November 8, 1827, in Groton, Connecticut. The date of his birth is not given.
His widow, Susanna, was allowed pension on her application executed November 2, 1836, at which time she was eighty-one years of age and a resident of Groton, Connecticut.

They had ten children. The first child, Luther, was born September 28, 1778 and was a resident of Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1836.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Simon Lawrence, Josiah Lawrence who was born in 1740 or to Jonathan Lawrence who was born in 1731 and died in September 1809.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

I, Isaac Murd of Concord in the county of Middlesex in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do depose & say, that I am eighty years of age, that in the years 1776 & 1777, I was a student of Physic under the late Dr. Oliver Prescott, of Grafton in said county; that while residing at said Grafton in those years I became acquainted with, and was intimate in the family of Capt. Amos Lawrence of said Grafton, and in particular with the late Samuel Lawrence, son of the said Amos, and with Susana Barker, to whom the said Samuel was married; that on the first Monday of July A.D. 1777 I was appointed a Surgeon in Col. John Robinson's Regiment of the Massachusetts line in the Army of the Revolution, & am now a Pensioner of the United States for service rendered in that capacity; that about the time of my appointment aforesaid, I well remember attending the marriage of the said Samuel Lawrence with the said Susana Barker at said Amos Lawrence's house; and that immediately after said marriage, said Samuel Lawrence left said Grafton for the Army then at Rhode Island, he being an Ensign and Lieutenant  a Lieutenant in Captain Lakin's Company, and said Col. John Robinson's Regiment; that I also about the same time joined the Revolutionary Army in Rhode Island, and was there intimate with the said Samuel Lawrence, we both belonging to the same Regiment; and that he the said Samuel Lawrence remained in said service in the office of  Lieutenant  Surgeon till the last of December 1777, at which time I left the said service. Isaac Murd

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Middlesex ss. Be it known, that on this second day of November, one thousand eight hundred and thirty six before me, Caleb Brattle, Notary Public by legal authority appointed and sworn and dwelling in Groton in the County of Middlesex aforesaid, personally came Isaac Hurd, before named, and made solemn oath, that the affidavit aforesaid by him subscribed is true. And I do certify, that the said Hurd is a credible person, worthy of full credit & belief, in the matter & things by him deposed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my notarial seal the day and year last aforesaid.
Caleb Brattle. Not. Publ.

I Moses Chase, of Groton in the county of Middlesex Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy nine years, a Pensioner of the United States for services rendered in the Army of the Revolution, under the Act of Congress passed March 18. 1818. do depose & say, that said Groton has always been the place of my habitation, that I was well acquainted from my youth with Samuel Laurence, late of said Groton who died there about nine years since, leaving a widow, Susanna Laurence, whose name before marriage was Susanna Parker, with whom I have also from my youth been acquainted, who has remained and is still a widow, ever since the death of her said husband.
I further depose and say, that said Samuel Laurence, served in the Army of the Revolution, the "Eight months service" so called in the year 1775, being a Corporal in Capt Samuel  Henry Sedgwick's Company and Col. William Prescott's Regiment in the Massachusetts line; of which Company I was a private at the same time. I enlisted to enter into said Company on, or near, the first day of May in the year 1775, and said Laurence entered the same some time before me, I think about the 19th of April the same year; and we both continued to serve in said Company till the end of December in the same year; we were together in the battle at Bunker's Hill, & said Laurence had there a ball shot through

his hat. At the end of said eight months service said Lawrence was appointed an Ensign in Capt. Joseph Moore's Company, in said William Pres- cott's Regiment, in which company I enlisted as a private, and we both served therein, he as an Ensign, and I a private for the term of one year, - marching to New York, - retreating to Harlem heights on the 15th of September, my birth-day, were there in a battle; and afterwards retreated across Kingsbridge, & we were in the battle at White Plains. Afterward went to winter quarters at Fishkill. In the Spring # of 1777. we returned to Groton, and said Lawrence was made a 2d Lieutenant in Capt. Nathanial Lakin's Company, one Cheney being 1st Lieuten- ant therein, and I enlisted in the same company as a private. Capt. Lakin's Company belonged to Col. Robinson's Regiment. of the Massachusetts Some time in the Sum- mer of 1777. said Samuel Lawrence was married to Susanna Parker, at Groton; and immediately after we marched to Rhode Island, where we both remain- ed in the service, he 2d Lieutenant, & I a private, in said Lakin's Company, & Robinson's Regiment, of which one Jacobs was Lieut. Colonel till January 1. A.D. 1778. when I enlisted for three years, & sepa- rated from said Lawrence, and do not know any thing farther of said Lawrence's services in the war of the Revolution.
W. Chase
Mass. Hist. Soc. Vol. 2 p. 184 Foot The paper of M rs . Chase Groton Mass. Pen cut det. July 9. 1819.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex ss. Be it known, that on this fifth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, before me Caleb Butler, Notary Public, by legal authority.  duly appointed and sworn, and dwelling in Groton in said county of Middlesex, personally came Moses Chase above named, and made solemn oath, that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true. And I do certify that said Moses Chase is a credible person, worthy of full credit & belief in the matters & things by him deposed.
— In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal this day and year last aforesaid.
Caleb Butler, Not. Pub.

858- 3. Ac. Susanna Laurence wid of Sam Laurence Mass
Leat. 6 mo
Adf 1:17d
7:17 — 100. 88
Ens. — 12. — 120. 00
Cap. 4:13 — 11. 25
24 — $237.13
ad:
conf. 4th March 1831
Hon. S. Hoar H.R.

I Samuel Woody Emerson, now of Brookline in the State of Hampshire, but late of Pepper- ell in the County of Middlesex and Common- wealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy nine years, & do depose and say, that I am a Pensioner, of the United States under the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832, for services rendered in the Revo- lutionary War, principally rendered at Rhode Island in the years 1777 & 1778. — That previous to the time of said services, I was well acquainted with Samuel Lawrence of Groton in said County of Middlesex, that said Lawrence was a Lieutenant in Capt. Nathaniel Lakin's company, Col. John Robinson Regiment, of which com- pany I was a Corporal in the six months service so called at Rhode Island, in the year 1777, and that said Lawrence served during said term of time, as Lieutenant in said company, and that the Muster Roll hereto annexed, is in the hand writing of said Samuel Lawrence.
And I further depose & say, that I served as orderly sergeant in the company commanded by Capt. John Cutting of Pepperell in the County & Commonwealth aforesaid, in the six weeks service so called at Rhode Island in the year 1778. That said Samuel Lawrence was a Lieutenant in said Cutting's company, and on arriving at Rhode Island he was made Adjutant in Col. William McIntosh's Regiment, and served as such during said term of six weeks, and was in the battle Aug. 29 th 1778. when Gen. Sullivan retreated from the Island, and that the manuscript book hereto annexed, containing daily orders &c, is

also in the handwriting of said Samuel Lawrence. All the abovenamed services were considered as militia service for the State of Massachusetts.
# And further I say not.
Mass rolls, Vol 3. p 19
Sam l M. Emerson
Ad. 1 mo 17 days
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Middlesex ss. Be it known that on this twenty eighth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, before me, Caleb Brittle, Notary Public, by legal authority appointed and sworn, and dwelling in Lynnston in said County of Middlesex, personally came Samuel M. Emerson abovenamed, and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true.
And I do certify, that the said Emerson is a credible person, worthy of full credit and belief, in the matter & things by him deposed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal the day & year last aforesaid.
Caleb Brittle, Not Public.

Massena, N.Y.
Jan. 28, 1930.
Dept. of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Wash. D.C.
Dear Sirs: Please send me the military record and any other information which you may be able to find in the Revolutionary War records of the following:
✓ (A) Samuel Lawrence , of Groton, born Apr. 1754, an Officer in Am. War of Independence - died at Groton 1827. Married Susanna Parker in 1777.
✓ (B) Josiah Lawrence - born 1740 - served in Rev. War. Married Mary — in 1761 in Norwich. Residence Norwich.
✓ (C) Jonathan Lawrence - born 1731 - married Betsey Green of Canaan. Died Sept 1809. Residence in Canaan.
✓ (D) Simon Lawrence — ? ? ? ? ? ?
Thank you.
Sincerely
(Miss) Nellie E. Lawrence

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
1930, Apr. 1. List. to Miss Nellie C. Lawrence M.C.D.
File No. 21554
Susanna Lawrence widow of Samuel Lawrence Lieut. Rev. War
Act June 7 th 82
Index: Vol. 04 Page 421
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Caleb Butler of Groton in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 60 years, do depose & say, that I have constantly resided in said Groton since the latter part of January in the year 1802; that between the years 1814 & 1832, I was Clerk of said town twelve years, during which years I had the charge & custody of the records & other papers belonging to the Town Clerk's office, and have since unto the present time had access to said records & papers, so that I am well acquainted with said records; and having examined them for the purpose, I find, that it appears by them, that the Rev. Samuel Dana was the ordained Minister of said Town from June A.D. 1761, to May 15. A.D. 1775, and that the Rev. Daniel Chaplin was ordained the Minister of said town Jan. 1. 1778, & that from May 1775, to Jan'y 1778 there was no ordained Minister of said town; that it appears from said records, that said Ministers, respectively, during their Ministerial offices, joined in marriage most of the persons belonging to Groton, who were married during their res-

pective terms of office, and made certificates thereof to the Town Clerks for the time being who made records thereof, according to the laws of Massachusetts, in the book appropriate to that purpose. That it further appears, that no marriages are recorded in said book between May 15 A.D. 1775 & Jan'y 1. 1778, whence it is inferred that all marriages solemnized during that period in said Groton, were solemnized either by Ministers in neighbouring towns, or by Magistrates, who made no certificates thereof to the Town Clerk of Groton. That I have made careful search for the record of the marriage of Samuel Lawrence & Susanna Parker, reputed to have been married in the year 1777, and it is not to be found in the records of said Groton.
I further depose and say, that ever since January 1882 I have resided within one mile of the Mansion of the late Samuel Lawrence of said Groton, who died at his residence in November 1827, that I have been intimately acquainted with him, and his family; that I have likely seen and examined the family Bible of said Lawrence; that it contains a family register of marriages, deaths, & births, in his own handwriting, by which register.

it appears, that he the said Samuel Lawrence was married to Susanna Parker July 22. 1777. that their first child, viz Luther Lawrence, now living in Lowell, was born Sept. 28. 1778. and I have not the least doubt, but said regis- ter is precisely correct, as to all dates & facts. I further depose and say, that I am well
acquainted with Susanna Lawrence, late the wife of said Samuel, & have been ever since January 1802. That she has remained, and now is a widow, ever since the death of her said husband.
I further depose and say, that it is matter of common report, and I never heard it disputed or contradicted, that said Samuel Lawrence served in the Revolutionary War, from its commencement on the memorable 19th of April 1775 till about the time of the birth of his first child; part of said time, as Ensign- hart, as Lieutenant, and part, as Adjutant, & that he was a brave soldier & meritorious Officer.
Caleb Butler
Middlesex, p. Dec. 7 th 1836.
Then Caleb Butler, well known to me as a respect- able & credible person being also a magistrate of said County, was solemnly sworn, & made solemn oath to the foregoing affidavit by him. Subscribed before me J. P. Fay Prob. V. S. P.