Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3.788, for James Thacher, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Mass) Thacher, James
5,3788
Mass.
Va.
{ D.Lt. 21 H. 400. S. J. ... Issued Apr. 9, 1790 no papers carded
CONTENTS

32100
Massachusetts
Jammy Thacher
of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts who was a Surgeon in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Massachusetts line for [blank]
Continental Service Records etc. Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 600 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of January 1844 and sent to Hon. Joseph Grinnell H. of Rep.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1843 $7500.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 44 300 Interest which has been paid under the act of 15th May 1828. $7800.00
Revolutionary Claim, Age June 7, 1832.
July 6 Hon. W. Parmachenee May 27, 1845
Nov 11 Parmachenee May 19, 1846.
Alfred Roy Jan 23/54
Lebanon Oct 31/55
May 1844

Portion of Robert Hodge &c
Sent Jan'y 21. 1885.
Mr. Vandervort

To the Hon. Secretary of War
Respectfully represent Betsey H. Hodge of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth, & Susan T. Bartlett of Cambridge, in the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that they are the only surviving children of James Thacher late of Plymouth aforesaid, Physician, deceased, who was a Surgeon in the Army of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States under the several Acts of May 15. 1828 and of June 7. 1832, and that the increase of pension received by said James Thacher was computed from the 4 th day of March 1831.
Your petitioners beg leave to suggest that a reference to the Acts aforesaid it will appear that said Thacher was entitled under either of said Acts to receive the amount of his full pay in the Continental line according to his rank in the line, not exceeding the full pay of a Captain in said line. That said Thacher's pension should have been the same under the Act of May 15. 1828 as under the Act of June 7. 1832 the phraseology of each Statute being the same. Your petitioners therefore believe that their said Father was entitled to have had his increase of pension computed back to the 3 rd day of March 1826.
Wherefore for the reasons aforesaid they desire a revision of the said James Thacher's pension by the Honorable Secretary of War & that a Certificate may be issued to them to receive the Amount which they claim said Thacher ought to have rec d to wit the sum of One hundred & twenty dollars a year from the 3 rd day of March 1826 to the 4 th day of March

1831 by virtue of the provisions of the law aforesaid
Betsy H. Hootzge Susan V. Bartlett
Asst. M c L. S. Lewis

James Thacher
Mar 1819

SCHEDULE.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Plymouth ss.
On this fourteenth day of August 1820, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, proceeding according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, having a power also of fine and imprisonment, and keeping a record of their proceedings, personally appeared in open Court, being a court of record for the said County James Thacher aged 67 years, resident in Plymouth in said County, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. for the term of seven years & a half in the Hospital department as surgeon to 1 st Virginia Reg't & 1 st Massachussetts and that he has received a pension certificate dated 21 st Jany 1819 and numbered 5590 in pursuance of his original Declaration made March 30 th 1818 and also takes and subscribes the following oath, viz.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Family profession a Physician but in consequence of extreme deafness & being afflicted with an incurable malady a rupture my professional business is annihilated & it is impossible for me to resort to any other employment I am therefore dependent upon charity for subsistence I have for several years received pecuniary aid from a widowed daughter Do an unfortunate concern in a manufactory a few years since I was obliged to surrender the whole of my property I am now in debt to the amount of several hundred dollars. My family consists of myself & wife Susan who is 64 years of age & is very infirm I have no estate Sworn to, and declared, on the 14 th day of
Aug t 1820 before Nahum Mitchell } Justice of the Court } James Thacher
I, John B Thomas clerk of said court do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is NO dollars and NO cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the court, on this twenty ninth day of December 1820.
John B Thomas Clerk of the Court for the County of Plymouth

James Thacker
Mass
at 7 June 32
adm
2 nd Surgeon
$600.
Deduct what has been paid under the act of 15 May 28 from 4 March 31.
Hon. Jos. Grinnell H.R.

State of Massachusetts Plymouth County } s.s.
On this fourth day of December 1843. Personally appeared before me, Charles H. Warren, a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the State aforesaid. James Thacher a resident of Plymouth in said county, aged eighty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath state: That he is now in the receipt of a pension under act of Congress 15 May 1828 at the rate of $480 per annum, for his revolutionary service as a Surgeon, and received the semi-annual payment due on the 4 th of September last.
Now the object of this declaration being made, is in order to relinquish the pension I now enjoy under act 15 May 1828, for the benefit of an increased pension under act 7 June 1832, at the rate of $600 per annum. And the payment of the increase thereon from the 4 March 1832.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and year above written. James Thacher
C. H. Warren J. C. C. Pleas
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth
Clerk's Office, Dec 4 1843
I, Nathaniel Clarke of the Judicial Court for the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Hon. Charles H. Warren is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County  State of Massachusetts duly commissioned & qualified & acting under the authority of said Commonwealth, & also that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Superior Judicial Court on this day of year aforesaid.
Nathaniel Clarke

Rev. War Section.
Ad. Am
December 18, 1923.
Mr. Samuel F. Batchelder, 73 Tremont St. Boston, Mass.
Sir:
In response to your letter of the twelfth instant, you are advised that from the records of this Bureau, it appears that four hundred and fifty acres of bounty land were allowed on Warrant No. 2236, which issued October 26, 1789, on account of the services of David Townsend, Surgeon and Physician of the General Hospital, during the War of the Revolution. There is no further data on file as to said soldier and no data at all as to family, owing to the destruction of papers in such claims, when the War Office was burned in November 1800.
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3788, it appears that James Thacher was a Surgeon in the First Regiment of the Virginia Line, and in the General Hospital Department, no details of these services given, and on July 1, 1778, was appointed Surgeon of Colonel Henry Jackson's Massachusetts Regiment of the Line. He served in all for seven and one half years and until the close of the Revolution.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 11, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Plymouth, Massachusetts. In 1820 he stated that he was 87 years old and referred to his wife Susan aged 64 years, and to a widowed daughter, name not stated.
He died May 23, 1844, at Plymouth, Massachusetts. He left no widow and but two surviving children; Betsey H. Hodge of Plymouth and Susan T. Bartlett of Cambridge, Mass.
From the papers in the pension claim, S. 46437, it appears that John Browne Cutting served during the Revolution and until its close. He was Apothecary General of the Middle Department. There are no details of service stated.
In 1816 he lived in Stafford County, Virginia, and he was allowed pension on his application executed May 31, 1828, while residing in Washington, District of Columbia, his age is not on record and it is not stated whether he was married.
From the papers in the pension claim, S. 1634, it appears that Josiah Bartlett on April 20, 1775 was a student of medicine with Isaac Foster and then volunteered

as Mate in the first Military Hospital at Cambridge; he was appointed December 1, 1775, Surgeon's Mate in the General Hospital by John Morgan, Director General and Physician in Chief; promoted February 1, 1779, Second Surgeon in the Military Hospital of the Eastern Department by Surgeon General Philip Turner, and served in that capacity until the reduction of the army, when on October 6, 1780, he was appointed Hospital Mate by Director General W. Shippen, Junior, which office he resigned May 9, 1781.
In 1781 he went to Europe and the West Indies as Surgeon on a ship of war, name not stated, and the year following commenced practicing his profession at his native place, Charlestown, Massachusetts, where he was still residing in 1819.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 30, 1819, at which time he was 60 years old.
There is no data on file as to family.
From the papers in the pension claim, S. 1831, it appears that Gad Hitchcock entered the service in May 1775, as Surgeon's Mate of Colonel John Bailey's Regiment, General John Thomas' Massachusetts Brigade, and

was stationed at Roxbury, Massachusetts. In September 1775, he was transferred to the Hospital Department and continued at Roxbury until the troops marched to New York in the spring of 1776, when he left the army on account of indisposition. He rejoined the army in June 1776 as Chief Surgeon of Colonel Simeon Carey's Regiment, General Fellow's Massachusetts Brigade and during the last five months of his term he was Surgeon of the Brigade Hospital in New Jersey. He left the service in December 1776, the term of his enlistment having expired.
He was allowed pension, on his application executed March 23, 1818, while living at Pembroke, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. In 1820, he was living in Hanover, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, aged seventy-one years, and then stated, "I have no family now with me". There is no further data on file as to family.
Very truly yours,
Commissioner.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
PLYMOUTH ss.
At a Court of Probate holden at Plymouth in and for said County, on the first  Mon day of December eighteen hundred and forty four.
IT is satisfactorily made to appear to the said Court that James Thacher late of Plymouth in said County, Physician deceased, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, died on the twenty third day of May now last past, that he did not leave any Widow & but two children whose names are Betsy H. Hodge & Susan T. Bartlett his only surviving children
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, this second day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty four.
Jacob H. Lord
REGISTER.

1922 Dec. 18. History to S.F. Batchelder. act.
Rev. Mar. 3488 INVALID.
File No. 3488
James Thacher Surgt. Mass. line
Act: June 7/32
Index: — Vol. 24 , Page 372
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Continental Service. Records corrected Mar. 12 '94 a

See letter to h. of War 28 July 1828.
Notified to him 13th Feb: 1821 to Hon. Mr. Robert, A.R.
5590.
Massachusetts
James Thacher Surgeon Massachusetts line 79 to 88
the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War Continental Service Records etc.
scribed on the Roll of Mar 13 '20 Massachusetts at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 30 of March 1818
ertificate of Pension issued the 21 of Jan y 1818 and sent to Nahum Mitchell judge East Bridgewater Mass t
arrears to 4th of September 5 2 1/2 / 30 103.95 emi-ann. all'ee ending 4 March 120.
$ 223.95
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Plymouth
continued

The United States of America , in CONGRESS assembled,
To James Thatcher Esq. GREETING:
WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Prudence and Fidelity, DO, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be surgeon of the Regt. commanded by Col. Henry Jackson - to rank as such from July 1. 1779 You are therefore faithfully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a surgeon to 1 st Regiment by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions, from Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress for that Purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of the United States, or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress, the Committee of Congress before mentioned, or a Committee of the States.
Witness his Excellency Sam Huntington Esquire President of the Congress of the United States of AMERICA, at Philadelphia the 26. Day of October 1780, and in the fifth Year of our Independence.
Entered in the War Office, and examined by the Board. ATTEST. Boardman Secretary of the Board of War.
Sam. Huntington President
File 3788

Furnish me copy of letter referred to within
Sm

Washington
Oct 30/55-
Judge J. Minton Comr of Pensions, Sir
In Jan y 1854. I made application as attorney in fact. In the case of Jas. Thacher doct. who was pensioned under act 1837. Massachusetts role. claiming an increase of his stipend as Surgeon under act March 15. 1828. Having received Commissioner Thacher's letter disallowing the claim, I respect- -fully request to be favored with a copy of the letter.
I remain very respectfully Yours Ex-Ser Alex. N. May

I James Thacher do further ret for the and declare, that from my reduced circumstances I need the assistance of my country for support, and do therefore desire that a pension may be allowed me agreeably to the late act of Congress of the 18 th March last, and do relinquish all former pensions granted me (if any) by any other law of Con- gress.
James Thacher
Sworn to April 11 th 1818 Before me
Nahum Mitchell: Judge Dec (S)

James Thacher
Plymouth
(Officer)
30 March 1818 — Surgeon
Jackson's regt Mass. pks. hts.
79 to 83

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
On this 30 th  ss. day of March A.D. 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared James Thacher of Plymouth aged  years, resident in the said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on his oath made the following declaration, by him signed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," /see his said Declaration enclosed/
/ He has not stated what Reg. t he belonged to, but it appears he was sometimes in the Virginia line & sometimes in the Massachu- setts' line, and sometimes perhaps in the general hospital department. He is now a very respectable Physician but unfortu- nate and poor. A. Mitchell

And I, the said Judge, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said James Thacher did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress, and that he is poor & needs the assistance of his country for support. —
Nahum Mitchell
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ss.
1818.
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, consisting of the Counties of Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket in said Commonwealth—that the same Circuit Court of Common Pleas is a Court of record—that the signature to the above certificate is the true signature of the said Judge, and that the seal thereunto affixed is the seal of the said Court.
} Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County of

Washington Jan'y 21. 1845
Sir
I send you the petition of the Heirs of James Placher formerly a Surgeon in the Revolutionary Army -
They claim the amount of inward pay on the ground that the Law of 1828  1822 confers the same right as the Law of 1822 1832 the phraseology being the same in
Respectfully
Yours obedt Servt
Wm Paton
James L Edwards Esq
Clerk of Pensions

Dec 19 43
To Thatch
Pitch
1828
175
Gumill
Ho
James J. Edwards Esq
Custom House
Warrington City

House of Representatives
Washington City Dec r 18. 1843
James L. Edwards Esq r . Pension Office.
Sir
I have been requested by my constituent Judge Warren, to ask your early attention to an application made by the venerable Dr. Thacher and now before your office for an increase of his pension, you will oblige me very much in giving the claim early consideration.
Very truly with great respect &c.
H. S. Grinnell
P.S. Some days since I enclosed to you a letter from Dr. Thacher Esq r of New Bedford, asking for arrangements on the Pension of Mr. Pitcher, you will oblige me by giving me as early a reply as you conveniently can in this case.

Pension.
Thacher.
Howland Payment
Exc. pension of heirs of James Thacher Abijah Clason.
P40. see Mch 7/45
Pension Office
May 16/45 found among Dr. Fochian's papers.
It would appear to have been before the Com. of Rev. 2. Thacher

To the Hon Secretary of War.
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose the application of the heirs of James Thacher, deceased, surgeon in the Army of the Revolution for an allowance of pension under the Act of May 15 th 1828 - together with the decision of the Commissioners of Pensions thereon.
It is respectfully urged, that this is one of a limited number of cases, not exceeding five or six, in the State of Massachusetts, in which it is believed that the full increase of pension authorized by law has not been granted.
The single point, in these cases to be presented is this. That the Acts of May 15 th 1828 and of June 7 th 1832 are similar in their provisions & phraseology so far as they apply to the pay of surgeons and that therefore the increase of pension to surgeons ought not, as is the rule of the Department, to be limited to the Act of June 7 th 1832 but should be extended to the Act of May 15 th 1828.
I have the honor to enclose the application of the heirs of Abijah Chase, who claim an allowance upon the same grounds.
32100
32197

I have the honor to be Very respectfully.
Yr. Ob. Servt
Wm. H. Armstrong

Act 1828
Settled at
Treasury
Cons. with
Invalid file
# 3,788

I James Thacher of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts, Physician, do upon oath testify and declare, that I was surgeon in the Ninth Massachusetts Regiment under the command of Col. Henry Jackson. That I served during the war of the Revolution, and to the close of it, and that I received a commutation certificate at the close of the war, and that my certificate of service see to be found in the Department of War at Washington, by reason whereof I claim the benefit of the act of Congress, passed the 15 th day of May 1828 - that I am a pensioner under the act of Congress of March 1818.
James Thacher
State of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. Plymouth 7 th June 1828. Then personally appeared, before me the Subscriber, the abovenamed James Thacher, and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true.
Wm. Thomas Justice of the Peace
I Joseph Thomas of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts, Gentleman, upon oath, depose and say, - That I was Capt. of Artillery during the Revolutionary war. That I knew then James Thacher surgeon of Col. Henry Jackson's Regiment. That ever since the war I have intimately known him, having lived for the whole period, or nearly so, in the same town with him, and that he is the same person, who has subscribed the above declaration for the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 15 th of May 1828.
Joseph Thomas -

I Nathan Hayward of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts, Physician upon oath depose and say, that for many the whole period since the Revolutionary War I have known James Thacher, having lived for the most part in the same town with him. that he is every where reputed to have served as a Surgeon during that war, and that he is the same person, who has subscribed the foregoing declaration for the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 15 th May 1828.
Nathan Hayward
State of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss.
Plymouth 7 th June 1828 Then personally appeared, before me the subscriber, the above-named Joseph Thomas and Nathan Hayward and severally made oath that the Depositions by them made and subscribed is true.
Wm. Thomas, Justice of the Peace
State of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss.
In testimony, that the above written William Thomas was a Magistrate, authorized to administer oaths, and take Depositions in the State of Massachusetts at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the County Seal, and subscribed my name and quality at Plymouth 7 th day of June 1828
Wm. H. Morton Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County of Plymouth

Revolutionary Claims.
Under the Act entitled, An Act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution; approved 15 May, 1828.
James Thacher
Pay Certificate of
I Certify that James Thacher — of Plymouth in the County of — in the State of Massachusetts is entitled to receive pay under the above mentioned Act, as a surviving Surgeon — in the Massachusetts Line of the Army of the Revolution, at the rate of Forty — dollars and — cents a month, payable during his life on the third day of March, and third day of September, in each year.
It is provided by law that the said pay shall not in any way be transferable, or liable to attachment, levy, or seizure, by any legal process whatever.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the Treasury of the United States, this third — day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine, and of Independence, the fifty fourth.
D. H. [unclear] Secretary of the Treasury

James L. Edwards Esq. Commission of Pensions

Washington
Decr 13. 1843.
Sir!
I have with enclose, 500 James Mackin pension certificate under the act 15 May 1828. at the rate of $480. And his declaration for the benefit of the act 7 June 1832. for an increased rate of pension of $600 per annum. on account of his services as a Surgeon during the war of the revolution.
I am very respectfully
Your En. Sir
Alex. Ray
James L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions

175.
No of orig Pay 175
Revolutionary Claims.
Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
23 July 1828.
The annexed paper, relating to the claim of James Thacher under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether a commission, and, if so, what commission, was received at the War Department, from the claimant, on an application stated to have been heretofore made by him for a pension.
Richard Rush.
The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.
See letter of the Secretary of War of the 28 th of July 1828.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
30 June 1828.
James Thacher of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such to the end of the war,
at which period he was a Surgeon in the Ninth regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, under the act of Congress of March 1818. dollars, paid to him by the agent in the State of but does not state the amount or what agency.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, H. Adkins.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
July 1. 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for the commutation of five years full pay to James Thacher Surgeon in the Mass line, amounting to Twenty four hundred dollars.
It further appears that James Thacher Surgeon is now on the pension list of the Massachusetts agency, and has been since the 3d March 1826 at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month.
Am Haysen Aud

1775.
President Ephraim Emerton 19 Chauncy Street, Cambridge
Treasurer Francis Webber Sever 4 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge
Curator Edward Locke Cookin Widener Library, Cambridge
Secretary Samuel Francis Batchelder 73 Tremont Street, Boston
12 December 1922.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Revolutionary War Section, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:-
Have you any pension data on the following Massachusetts men who were in the medical department of the American Army during the year 1775 at Cambridge:-
 John Brown Cutting S 46437  Gad Hitchcock S 1531  James Thacher S 3788  David Townsend B.L.W. 22 36 450 -  Josiah Bartlett S 1634 
Any information that you could give me regarding the Revolutionary service and biographical data concerning the above will be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully yours,
Samuel F. Batchelder.
SFB-B