Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6108, for David Lancaster, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Lancaster, David or Daniel
R. 6108
I have searched previous as Daniel, by alphabetical order
CONTENTS
[Faint, illegible handwriting on the left side of the page]
[Faint, illegible handwriting on the right side of the page]

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. Franklin
ON this twentieth day of October A. D. 1832 personally appeared
before the Hon. William S. D. D. Judge of Probate of said State, David Lancaster a resident of Franklin
in the County of Franklin and State of Maine, aged Sixty four years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted  was drafted in the Army of the United States, in the year 1777
with Captain Grant and served in Col. South's regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers: Genl. Litchfield. North
Col. He was drafted in 1777 in a company commanded by Capt. Grant and was ordered to White Plains where it was stationed at Red Bank. Genl. Washington at the time commanded. It did then six months the service of his enlistment, and then he enlisted for three years in the company of Capt. Bailey in the regiment of Col. Sackett he thinks. Bailey was arrested & Lt. Wade then took charge of the company. The troops were ordered to Red Bank. He remained with service about three months when he came home sick by care of his officers. - and has never of his office be released - and he never of service and continues of service having nearly or over the 90 days service.

And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the war department, he answers:
He was born in Warwick on the year 1755, where he supposed the record of his age to be. He resided at Warwick in the time of his revolutionary service. He now resides in Newport. He enlisted in the Service - and left it after having nearly completed the term of service, by reason of sickness. -
He has a pension from his Commonwealth of Virginia. He received the application of Ellen Hovey as his next of kin after the expiration of his revolutionary service. From the report of the war department he is unable to recollect particularly the dates or circumstances of his service.
Badly was captain, was lieutenant and first ensign of my company in Col. Jackson's Regiment - he I think Col. Jackson commanded the regiment - I do not remember the names of any other lineal regiments stationed near. I know of no one by whom
I can prove the service in Jackson's regiment who is now in the position of the N. to be sure. I have a letter from him who testified to the truth of my service.
Footnote: I am not sure if the name may be a mistake in name of the Colonel, but I think it is as I left before my time was out.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.
David Lawrence
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. in open Court
William D. Williamson Judge of Probate for the County of Bristol
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
William D. Williamson Judge of Probate

State of Maine.
WE  Robert Coburn a Clergyman, residing in the town of Penobscot in the County of Penobscot and Isaac Bicknell residing in the same town, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Mr David Lancaster who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Robert Coburn Isaac Bicknell
STATE OF MAINE.
ss. Sworn and subscribed this Twenty day of October A. D. 183
Before me,
Justice of the Peace.
I, Alexander Savage, Deputy Clerk of Probate Court, certify that Samuel Prescott is a Justice of the Peace in the County of Penobscot, and that the above is his genuine signature, the endorsement of which I have affixed my name to the seal of said Court this 20th day of October 1832. Alexander Savage
State of Maine.
AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Robert Coburn who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Penobscot and that Isaac Bicknell who has also signed the same, is a resident of the same Town and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
William D. Williamson Judge affirmed
State of Maine.
I, Alexander Savage, Deputy Clerk of Probate for the County of Penobscot hereby certify that the John D. Williamson before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Judge of Probate of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of David Lancaster for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this Twenty, fifth day of October A. D. 1832
Alexander Savage

23563
David Sanasor State of Maine
j
ans? Hon P. Sprague
Apr 26 th 1834
same May 1 st 1834
James Thomas Present to Burke Maine

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjained notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service
David Lancaster Providence, R.I.
   Period when the service was terminated Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Aug 1777 6 Capt. John North Gen. Varnum Rhode Island Providence 7   Inter. 1777 2 6 Baily Col. Brooks Concord Maine Traditional evidence & 1 witness  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription, it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no seal, his seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the same, and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
His name is not on the rolls of Jackson's regiment see (j)

November 20, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. H.T. Ware 337 Marlborough Street Boston, Massachusetts
BA-J/WHF/eel David Lancaster-R.6108 William Lancaster- Certificate #1120 in lieu of bounty land.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your statement on margin of letter from this office, dated October 13, 1933, in regard to William Lancaster, who, you stated, was a Revolutionary War pensioner of Penobscot County, Maine, and who died January 15, 1815; in marginal note you make further request for record of David Lancaster, of Maine, a Revolutionary War soldier.
As stated in letter of October 13, there is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a William Lancaster, who served in the Massachusetts Troops or who applied for pension while a resident of that state, or of Maine. The William Lancaster who you cite as a pensioner, served in the War of 1812. His record and the record of the only soldier named David Lancaster, found on the Revolutionary War records of this office, are furnished you herein.
David Lancaster R.6108 E.H.
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 6108, based upon the military service of David Lancaster in that war.
David Lancaster was born in 1758, in Woolwich, state not given.
While a resident of Newport, Penobscot County, Maine, he applied for pension on October 20, 1832, and alleged that while residing at Woolwich, he enlisted in November, 1777, served six months in Captain Grant's Company, Colonel North's Massachusetts Regiment, marched to Rhode Island and was stationed at Tiverton for six months; that he immediately re-enlisted, served under Lieutenant Wade and Captain Bailey
Further by 9/20/33

Colonel Jackson's Massachusetts Regiment; served thirty months, when he was given a furlough on account of sickness and returned home and did not re-enter the service.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension laws.
There are no data as to soldier's family.
*****
William Lancaster Certificate 1130 In lieu of bounty land
The War of 1812 records of this office show that William Lancaster enlisted April 2, 1814, for the war, served as private in Captain Treat's Company, 21 st Regiment, United States Infantry, was taken prisoner August 15, 1814 and died in captivity, January 15, 1815. The date and place of birth and place of residence at enlistment are not stated.
William Lancaster was survived by ten children, five adults and five minors, the only names shown are Mary, Thomas and Catharine Lancaster, their ages not stated.
Certificate No. 1130 for five years' half pay in lieu of bounty land was issued in behalf of soldier's minor children. The pension began March 19, 1821 and ended March 19, 1826; at that time the minor children were residents of Penobscot County, Maine. The name of soldier's wife is not stated and no reference to her is made. One Caleb Billings was guardian of the minor children. It is not stated whether he was related to the family.
*****
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.
See 1830 list
See m here book.

Maine
Daniel Lancaster
very kindled
Ans d Hon. P. Sprague ap d 26 th  of  May 1824 could not locate
6.105

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
6105
P. O.
Dana (Pawcasset)
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
name not found on rejected list
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Cont
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
1983-Show 21-Next to Mrs. F. V. Hale - Letter in case from Lancaster, City of. 11.30 - in her bl. Col

C O P Y
War Department Pension Office
1 May 1834
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 29th inst. I have to inform you that the claims alluded to in the enclosed letter have been examined. My object in returning the papers to you with the letter of Messrs. Allen and Appleton, was to enable those gentlemen the better to supply the defects pointed out.
** * * *
Unless David Lancaster can prove his services as heretofore required, his claim cannot be admitted. If he enlisted and served as he states in Col. Jacksons regiment, he would probably come within the act of 1818. A strong presumption therefore arises against his statement, which is increased by the absence of his name from the rolls of the army. If he served 6 months at Rhode Island, he must prove it by the rolls in the Secretary's Office at Boston.
* * * * *
The papers in these cases I have placed in our files.
I have the honor to be
Hon. P. Sprague Senate U. States.

Ebenezer Hasey of Caton a soldier of the Revolution aged seventy four years & say that I was in the service in Jan y 1777 at Scituate Rhode Island that I served in the Company under the command of Capt Brantley & in Col Norths Regiment that I well know David Lancaster, who served in the same Regiment company with me - he was then to my knowledge three months or thereabouts. He was in Capt Grants company - think.
Ebenezer Hasey
Subscribed Feb 16 1832
I know Mr. Charles Wilson and can certify him to be a man of truth & integrity. I am a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Providence, R.I. and have been a member of the same for many years. I have been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Providence, R.I. and have been a member of the same for many years. In evidence of which, I have offered my name to the seat of your Court the 20 th March 1833
Alexander L. Sarge