Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30556, for William Lucas, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Lucas, William
S. 30556
CONTENTS

10.303 Massachusetts
William Lucas
of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Mate in the Company commanded by Captain Washburn of the Regt commanded by Col. Gary in the War time for 22 months & 12 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 7 3/4 Dollars 67 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Apr 1833 and sent Hon. L Col. Gery of Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 $ 149.34 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 1,  37.33 $186.67
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. G. G. Allen Clerk Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 49

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this 14 th day of Augt 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Solomon Strong Judge of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Plymouth within and for said County of Plymouth, Wm Lucas a resident of Hanover  Hanover in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 77 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 act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he enlisted at Plymouth, in Massachusetts, a private in Capt James Hadlow's Company - Colo Corey's Regt - Genl Sullivan & served six months therein in various parts of New York in 1776 See Herkshire Ripley's deposition. In 1777 he enlisted a private into Captain Nathan Shaw's Company, John Shaw Lt and served three months at Rhode Island These officers I know to be dead, & I can find no person to testify to his services - In the same year I enlisted into Captain Elisha Sturtevant's company a private, & served three months therein at Bristol in Rhode Island. But can find no one to testify for me. He also enlisted & served a private at Roxbury near Boston in Captain James Churchhill's company, in the winter the enemy held posses-

-ession of Boston - See Sam Lucas deposition & Sam Cole's & James Baughan's
He then entered in 1778 into Captain Porridge's company, at Dorchester, near Boston, & served there three months
See Cole's, James Baughan's & Sam Lucas deposition
He then entered a private into Captain Carty's company in 1778 & served three six months at Rhode Island. See Sam & Abijah Lucas deposition.
He has no discharge & knows not whether his services were State, or continental.
For character He refers to Col. Issac Leven & Thomas P. Beal both of said Kingston
He was born in said Plympton in 1765, but has no record of my birth, & has always lived in Leavens, formerly part of Plympton - & in Plymouth & Kingston - Massachussetts
His say name is on the pension roll of Col. Hale and General's all pensions, but the present
William Lucas
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 10th day of January A.D. 1841
Wm. M. Merrill

Wm Lucas.
2396
Depositions of Lt Her b Ripley Lem Cole James Naughton Samt Lucas Abijah Lucas.

We, Joshua Barrett , a clergyman, residing in the town of Plymouth and William Clark residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Lucas who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 77 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in this  the neighborhood where he has resided  has to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
before the Court of Common Pleas 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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Joshua Barrett who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Plymouth and that William Clark who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Town of Plymouth and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By order of the Court
W. B. Munroe Clerk
I, W. B. Munroe Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Lucas for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
W. B. Munroe Clerk

23096 Mr Lucas man
Private 22 Mar 12 day at M
22 12
How L leaf 9- How L 2 leaves
John B Thomas Plymouth Mr

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 subjined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those 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, shewing the Service of William Lucas Dymouth (Mass)
   Period when the service was rendered 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.     Enlist 1776 " 6 priv Clarkburn Col Cary New York 77 years   " 1777 " 3 " " Shaw Genl Sullivan Rhode Island Massachusetts 2nd declaration   " " 3 " Sergeant Bristol 1 declaration   x " time Not stated Churchill R Island { Witness   1778 " 3 " Partridge Roxbury   " " 6 " " Curtis Dorchester   " " 1 12 Rhode Island  
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 do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ of the Court 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 certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident 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 he 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 , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years, 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 affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character 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 in note [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.

Henry Robt Sam Lucas
Wm Lucas
For charter Wm Lucas

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I, M c B. Morris Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County of Plymouth, hereby certify that John Gray and Lawrence Bartlett Esquires are Justices of the Peace for said County of Plymouth, before whom the depositions hereto annexed were sworn, and that their names thereto subscribed is their true & proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court on this first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
M c B. Morris

I Herekiah Ripley, of Kingston State of Massachusetts a Lieutenant in Captain James Harlow's Company, of Col: Carey's Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, doing duty with the continental troops for six months at and near New-York in the year 1776. & now a pensioner, testify that William Lucas, of the same Kingston and now a petitioner for a pension, was a private in the same Company for the same six months, and we were discharged at the end of said term at the same time. Herekiah Ripley
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Plymouth ss. July 9. th 1832. Then personally appeared the above named Herekiah Ripley, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by him subscribed, and I further certify that the said Herekiah Ripley, is a gentleman of good standing in society and a credible witness.
John Gray Jur. Peace of the } County of Plymouth. }

I Samuel Lucas of Carver Mas- sachusetts a soldier in the war of the Revo- lution testify, that I was six weeks in the army at Roxbury, under Captain James Churchill in state, or continental services at Roxbury, the winter the enemy held possession of Boston. And I also testify, that I was a soldier in the same Revolution war for six months at Roxbury under Capt- Burt's Colo Jacob's Regt. Genl. Sullivan in 1778, & I also testify that William Lucas now of Kingston in Massachusetts, & now a petitioner for a pension, was a soldier in the same companies, in the same two terms of service, to the best of my knowledge and belief he was regularly discharged
Samuel Lucas
Mesa. Plymouth the 10 July 4 1832
Then said Samuel Lucas subscribed & made out to the truth of this deposition before me and I declare him a credible witness
Jacobs Bartlett Justice of peace

I Lemuel Cole of Plympton, Massachusetts a soldier for three months in the army of the Revolution in Roxbury & Dorchester in said State in 1778, testify, that William Lucas of Kingston in said State, now petition- er for a pension, was a soldier for the same three months in the same company, com- manded by Capt. Calvin Parttridge, & was regularly discharged, & came home together.
Lemuel Cole
Remounted p. July 7-1832 - Then Lemuel Cole above said subscribed & made oath to the truth of this deposition, & I declare him a credible witness
Jacobs Bartlett
Justice of peace

I Abijah Lucas of barver. Massachusetts a soldier in the war of the Revolution for six months at Rhode Island in Captain Curtis' company - under General Sullivan in 1778. & as I suppose in continental ser- vice, testify that William Lucas of Kingston and petitioner for a pension, was a private in the same company the same six months. & I have no doubt was regularly discharged
Abijah Lucas
Massachusetts July 11th 1832
Then said Abijah Lucas subscribed & made oath to the truth of this deposition, & I believe him a credible witness
Lachary Bartlett Justice of Peace

I James Vaughan of Garrow, Massachusetts, a soldier in the Revolution war for three months in 1778 in Capt Partridge's company in Roxbury & Dorchester in said State, testify declare that William Lucas of Kings- ton in said State was a soldier there at the time same to my thorough belief, for he now states to me circumstances & occurrences that then & there took place which I believe he could not have known, unless he belonged to the corps with me James Vaughan
Deposited July 7 th 1832 Then James Vaughan above written subscribed & made oath to the truth of this deposition, & I declare him to be a credible witness
Isaacus Bartlett. Justice of Peace.

We Henry Cobb of Kingston, & Samuel Lucas of Carver, in Massachusetts - of the respective ages of 37 & 80, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Lucas of Kingston aforesaid a claimant of a pension under the laws of 1832, who has subscribed & sworn to a declaration in order to obtain said pension, that he is & feels, & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion, & believe him to be 77 years of age -
Henry Cobb Samuel Lucas
Massachusetts - Plymouth ss Augt 14 1832. Then Henry Cobb & Samuel Lucas subscribed & made oath to this certificate Isaacus Barrett Justice of peace

[Arrangement of 1870.]