Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 33018, for Thomas Luce, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. Mass. Sea Service Navy
Luce, Thomas
S 33018
CONTENTS
[Blank lined area for entries]
[Blank lined area for entries]

7075
Massachusetts
Thomas Luce
of Dukes City in the state of Massachusetts who was a Seaman in the navy  ship Alliance commanded by Colony of the line, for the term of 15 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 20 th of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th of Mar 1818 and sent to the Hon. W. Folger .
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1817 75. 33 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 th Sept. 1819 48. —
$ 123. 38
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
Papers copied and sent to 1 st Auditor of the Treasury July 7 th 1848.
Pension roll of Thomas Luce, ship Alliance, Dukes Co. Mass.

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\begin{array}{r} 27.38 \\ 48 \\ \hline 95. \end{array}

The claimant was at the ex- pense of the time of the Alliance.
15 mo. in the Alliance.
Adm. 6
Hon. W. Folger, H. R.
Date cert. 5 March

DISTRICT OF Dukes County, ss.
On this twenty third day of May  July 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of the United States for the said district, personally appears Thomas Luce aged Sixty years, resident in Fishery in the said County , who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, 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:" That he the said Thomas Luce enlisted in the service of his country in the state of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Nathan Smith of the Troops for the defense of the New Coast that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States until the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty except what time he was a prisoner when he was discharged from service in Massachusetts state of Massachusetts from the service of the Piles Lander that he was in the battles of the taking of Seneca & Oswego from guns & Scarborough of twenty guns, took of his artillery all artillery there and carry us then into the level country and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
George Athearn Judge of the Court of Probate for said County
I, George Athearn Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Thomas Luce did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; 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.
May 28 — 1818 —
George Athearn Judge of the Court of Probate for said County
Dukes County ss. Edgartown July 18 th 1818. I certify that George Athearn Esq. is Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Dukes County, and that full faith and credit ought to be paid to all his official acts therein and there are to the above is his true signature, Cornelius H. Hanchett County Clerk, V. P.

Dukes County ss. On the tenth fifteenth day of Feb y 1819. before me the subscriber Judge of the Court of Probate personally appeared Thomas Luce, and made oath that he entered the United States Frigate Alliance, Peter Landais Esq s Commander at the Port of Penbref France on the fifth day of April in the year, seventeen hundred & seventy nine, and on the fifteenth day of April embarked on board said Alliance Frigate, that he continued to serve on board the Alliance a Seaman in the service of the United States, until the arrival of the Frigate Alliance in Boston Massachusetts, on the sixteenth day of August in the year seventeen hundred & eighty, and on the twentieth day of said August, was discharged from service in Boston State of Massa- chusetts.
Thomas Luce
Dukes County ss. on the day and date above written personally appeared Tho d Luce and made oath to the above declaration before me
George Whelan Judge of the Court of Probate Dukes Co.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dukes County ss.
Circuit Court Common Pleas Nov term 1800
On this sixteenth day of November year eighteen hundred & twenty Personally appeared in open Court (being a Court of Record) of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for said County of Dukes County Thomas Luce aged Sixty two years resident in the Town of Tisbury in said County of Dukes County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows. I sailed from America in the Sloop Channing Sally of ten guns, Francis Brown Commander in November 1776 was taken in January 1777 & carried to England & committed to Prison as a Prisoner of war remained there until March 15 th 1779 & then was put on board of the British Cartel Milford & carried to Nantes River in France & set on Shore & liberated at the town of Peen Reef & entered on the 5 th of April 1779 per the Alliance United States Frigate - Peter Handen Esq d Commander which Ship at that time was lying in Brest Harbor. She came to Nantes River & I embarked on board S d Frigate Alliance on the 15 th April 1779 in capacity of a Seaman & served on board S d Frigate until August 20 th 1780 at that time was regularly discharged in the Port of Boston State of Massachusetts - during the time that I served on board the Alliance Frigate she captured many Prizes amongst others her Turn Over

Britannic Majesty's Frigate Swafur of Countess of Scarborough a twenty Gun Ship - of the date of my original declaration was on May the 23 rd Eighteen hundred & Eighteen of the Number of my Pension Certificate is (7045) & I solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 & 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 to diminish or to bring myself within the Provision of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain Persons engaged in the land & Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18 th day of March 1818 & that I have not nor have any person in trust for me any property or securities Contracts or debts due me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule herunto annexed & by me Subscribed
Real Estate
  Thirty three acres of old pasture land valued at $100   Three & a half of Meadow & Tillage land with   a small House & Barn thereon valued at 200   Total acres of Pasture land valued at 5 3/4 per acre 22   Six acres of wood Land valued at 50   Income of four acres of Pasture land $372 
Perronal Estate
  One Cow & Calf - valued at 20   twelve Sheep - " 20 12   two Hogs - " 20 10   House hold Furniture (exclusive of bedding) 13.75   of every description valued at $428.75 

I am Blind of both my Eyes & have been so for upwards of thirty years - therefore, am not in a capacity to follow any occupation - My Family consists of five that reside with me myself included their names & age as follows, 
Thankful have my Wife aged fifty four years an Infirm Sickly Woman not able of taking care of herself & mostly Bed-ridden for many years past, Anthony Luce my Son aged twenty seven years Born Blind & remains so. About one year ago had his thigh Broken in consequence of his Blindness & remains a Cripple as well as Blind. Betsey Luce my Daughter aged thirty four years. Fanny Luce my Daughter aged seventeen years. Their occupation is to take care of their Blind Father, Sick Mother & Blind & Crippled Brother & do what they can by spinning & weaving for the Support of the Blind Sick & Crippled Family & I furthermore declare that I am indebted to Sundry Persons to the amount of one hundred & ten Dollars.
Sworn to & declared this Thomas Luce 16 th day of November A.D. 1820
Before me Fairburn Ware Judge of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for Southern District Turn Over

J. Cornelius Merchant Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Dukes County Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby Certify that the foregoing Bill & the Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court, & I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount of value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is $28 Dollars & 75 Cents. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court on this seventeenth day of November 1820
Cornelius Merchant Secy.
The foregoing is a true Copy of the Original compared by me Cornelius Merchant Secy.
Thomas F. Russell
J. F. Russell
Mr. G.
heirs etc.
com.

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
L. W. B. P. I. 33018.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
January 31, 1898.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning Thomas Luce , unclassified you are advised that he made an application for pension on May 23, 1818, at which time he was 60 years of age and residing at Tisbury, Mass., and his pension was allowed for fifteen months' actual service as a seaman in the Mass. Navy, Revolutionary war. He enlisted at Boston, Mass., and served on board the ship "Alliance."
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. Charles E. Banks,
"The Trafton,"
Washington, D. C.

I the Subscriber testify and declare that I entered a Company under the command of Capt Nathan Smith in the Spring of the year 1776, for the defence of the Sea coast, in which Company I continued till the month of November the same year when I was discharged, in the same month I entered on board the Sloop Charming Sally of New Haven, Francis Brown Commander, commissioned to cruise against the Enemies of America was captured on the 16 th of January 1777, by the British She was then carried into England, and put into Mill Prison, was a Prisoner twenty six months & twenty days, was one of the first hundred Prisoners exchanged from Great Britain, to France in the Medford Cartel, under the command of one of his Majesties Lieutenants by the Name of Hook on the 5 th of April 1779, the same day I was set on Shore from the Cartel. I entered on board the American Frigate Alliance Sir Peter Landers Esq r Commander, and continued on board the Alliance cruising against the Enemies of my Country till her arrival in Boston in the year 1780, when I was discharged, then I entered on board the Brig Active Commanding by James Barnes Commander, in Boston proceeded to Philadelphia and took the Mail to France and back to Boston where I was discharged in Sept r 1781
That I the Dukes County ss. on this seventh day of April A.D. 1818 Personally appeared the above named Thomas Lee and made oath to the above declaration by him subscribed
Before: George Atkinson Judge of the Court of Probate for said County
In behalf of the above named Thomas Lee, I have to state that he has been deprived of his Eye sight a number of years as he says having nine years his expenses for family to bring up, but by his upright conduct, prudence and Industry, has been able to keep above board
George Atkinson
These May certify that the above named Tho s Lee an Inhabitant of the Town of Tisbury in Dukes County aged is labouring under the Misfortune of Blindness for many years has one son born blind a wife sick for many years but has always used the utmost possible exertion with which and the assistance of friends he has hitherto prevented becoming publicly chargeable is without any estate or income by which to derive a support
Elijah Hillman one of the Selectmen & over seer of the poor of Tisbury

Dutchess County, N.Y. 18 Edgertown July 18 th 1818 I certify that George Atharn Esq. within named Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Dutchess County and that full faith and credit ought to be paid to all his Official Doings therein and thereout and that the within is his true Signature Cornelius Marchant, County Clerk Not. Pub.

United States,
Massachusetts District,
William Earl of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, and District of Massachusetts - the maketh oath - That he was placed on board the United States Frigate Alliance, commanded by Peter Landais, in October 1779 - having been wounded on board the Bon Homme Richard - That he remained on board the Alliance until the August 1780 - and that he well knows Thomas Suce to have faithfully served as a mariner, on board the Alliance during that time -
William Earl
Mass ts Dist r July 13. 1812
Then William Earl made oath to the truth of the above certificate before me
M c David Dist r Judge Mass Dist r

United States.
Massachusetts District -
Gardiner Hammond of Boston, in the County of Suffolk and District of Massachusetts, maketh oath - That he served as a mariner on board the United States Frigate Alliance, commanded by Peter Landais - from February or March 1779 - until August 1780 - That in April 1779. Thomas Luce entered on board said Frigate as a mariner, and that he well knows said Thomas Luce to have faithfully served as a mariner on board said Frigate, from April 1779 - until August 1780 -
G Hammond Mass. Dist. Ct. July 13. 1811
Then Gardiner Hammond made oath to the truth of the above certificate
Before me J. Davis Dist. Judge Mass. Dist.

Hon ble Judge Davis

Hon ble Judge Davis -
Sir I am personally acquainted with Capt Gardner Hammond & Mr William Earl. They are men of good reputation, and their testimony is entitled to full credit. . . . Respectfully Your Ob dt Serv t
Aug c 8 th 1818
W Stevenson
Mass. Dist. Ct. Aug. 8. 1818
William Stevenson Esq. who signed the above certificate is well known to me. He is a gentleman of veracity, and full credit may be given to his declaration. Dawson

I Samuel Nash of Holden in the county of Worcester in the State of Massachusetts on oath do testify and say that I entered as a marine on the articles of continental frigate alliance of thirty six guns. Peter Landais Commander. on the first day of April Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine. I was then at Penbeauf a Small Town in France situated on Saint's River &c. that the Ship Alliance was then laying at Brest. that the Ship came from Brest to Penbeauf. and on the fifteenth day of April Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine I went on board and joined the Ship and continued to do duty as a marine on board of the Ship Alliance till some time in the month of August Seventeen hundred and eighty when the Ship arrived at Boston and I was discharged from the Ship. I further testify and say that I am perfectly acquainted with Thomas Luce of Fishery that he joined the Ship alliance with me at Penbeauf and that he continued to do duty as a marine on board of the Ship Alliance Peter Landais Commander till some time in the month of August Seventeen hundred and eighty at which period the Ship was laying at Boston and the said Thomas Luce was with him at his discharge from the Ship.
Samuel Nash
Dukes County ss. Edgartown February 17/1819
Then the above named Samuel Nash appeared before me and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth he made oath to the above declaration and subscribed the same in my presence to be just and true in all its parts.
John Pitkin Jr. Justice of the Peace

Dukes County ss
Egyptown February 17 1819
These may certify that the within named Samuel Dash is a man of good character and that full faith and credit ought to be attached to his word and declaration
Thos (A. H.) Justice of the Peace
Dukes County ss — Egyptown February 17 th 1819
Should certify all whom it may concern that Thomas A. H. the above named is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Dukes County being Commissioner sworn and that full faith and credit ought to be paid to all his doings in said capacity in the said County and elsewhere
Commissary Marshal Clerk of the County Public for said County Dukes County

Edyborough Feb 17 1819
M r Thomas Luce having called on me to give him a Certificate of what I know of his Character
I hereby certify that I have known him for thirty years last past. He has always sustained the character of an honest virtuous & upright man. He had the misfortune to lose his eyesight about the time that I first knew him. Under this disadvantage he has exerted every nerve to support his family such is his religious character that I do not believe he would perjure himself to gain the whole world. It has been by the kindness of like friends that he has been able to support himself & family. Neither to I have met the least doubt of his claim to his Pension under the late grant to the soldiers & seamen in the Revolution War
Joseph Thaxter { Minister of the Gospel
Hon ble Walter Faquier Esq r My representative in Congress from Massachusetts
It will be highly gratifying to me & many others if you will use your influence to obtain the Pension for Mr Luce. I do believe his claim is just & that few if any are more worthy of it

I can certify that I have for many years been well acquainted with Mr. Thomas Linn and family; Mr. Linn has been blind a great many years, his Wife has been a long time sick and helpless, his son blind from infancy and he has no one to whom he can look for support.
Silas West & Physician
Tisbury Decm. 5. 1820.

We the subscribers hereby testify that Thomas Luce of Tisbury in Dukes County has not been taxed for his Poll or Property, that he possesses in the town of Tisbury for many years on account of his being blind and having a son born blind and his wife an infirm sickly Woman for many years past and further that the said Thomas Luce has been blind for upwards of thirty years and his son that was born blind, is now twenty seven years of age and in consequence of his blindness had his thigh, he often which rendered him a cripple, he has two Daughters one of thirty four years of age, the other in venter whose Occupation is to take care of their sick Mother, and blind crippled Brother & blind Father. —
N.B. the whole Amount of the property belonging to the above named is $3372 in Real Estate as appraised by two disinterested Persons and we conceit it to be its full value.
Given under our hands this 20 Sept 1820
H. Cottle Jabez Luce Matthew Murny } Selectmen for Tisbury
The foregoing is a true Copy of the Original compared by me John Lewis Marchant

The Grafton.
Connecticut Avenue.
Washington D.C.
GEO. A. MILL'S & SON.
January 23 1898
Commissioner of Pensions. Washington D.C.
JAN 26 1898 FILED
Sir:- I have the honor to request information of the record of service of Thomas Luce, of Dukes County, Mass. a Revolutionary Pensioner, borne upon the rolls as such, according to the published reports (Washington 1835) of the Pension Establishment of the U.S. Inquiry at the War Department has failed to elicit the information as his name is not on their rolls.
Very respectfully
W. E. Banks

Jan. 31/98. Charles. E - Banks - Washington, D.C.
Invalid Army & WIDOW, etc.
Navy File No. 33018
Thomas Luce
Seaman
Ship "Alliance"
Rev War
Act: 18th March 1818
Index :- Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]