Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15008, for Silas Lawrence, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Lawrence, Silas Susanna
VP 15008
CONTENTS

21.785- Massachusetts
Silas Lawrence
of Falmouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Gannett of the 1st Regt commanded by Col Basset in the Mass line for 18 mos & 23 days Private
5 " 23 " Sergeant
Mar & Me
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 89 3/4 Dollars 61 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Oct 1833 and sent to Silas Lawrence David Falmouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $224.03 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March - 44 80 $268.83
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. L. Adison Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 51
85 Barnstable

4027. Massachusetts
Rep.
Susanna Laurence
widow of Silas Laurence, who was a
Pensioner under act 1832
who died on the 14. March 1841
of Barnstable Co. in the State of Massachusetts
who was a Pr. & Sergt. in the company commanded
by Captain Grinnell of the regt. commanded
by Col. Bassett, Mass. in the Mass.
line for 5 mos. 23 days, Pr.
18 " 7 " Sergt.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at the rate of 89 Dollars 61 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834 . 1841
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 d day of June
1844 and sent to Hon. J. Grinnell, House of Representatives,
Arrears to the 14th of
Semi-annual allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3. }
Recorded by Book C.
D Brown Vol. 1.
Clerk. Page 59.

I Susan Lawrence of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable on oath depose and say - That Silas Lawrence late of said Falmouth who was a pensioner of the United States under the Law of June 7 th 1832 was my father, and that he died on the fourteenth day of March eighteen hundred and forty one - and that my mother Susanna Lawrence who has this day made a declaration before the Judge of Probate in order to obtain a pension, has not been married since the death of my said father and is still a widow -
Dated April sixth eighteen hundred & forty four. Susan Lawrence
Barnstable ss April 6. 1844
Then personally appeared Susan Lawrence above named and made oath to the truth of the above deposition and subscribed the same before me - And I further certify that I am acquainted with said Susan and that she is a credible witness
Nymphas Marston Judge of Probate B. County

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Barnstable
I Timothy Reed Register of the Court of Probate in and for the said County of Barnstable hereby certify that the Hon. Asaph Marston is the judge of said Court and that the signature to the within Certificate purporting to have been made by him is his genuine signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hands and affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of April A.D. eighteen hundred and forty four Timothy Reed Reg. Probate

I Lucy Lawrence of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable on oath depose & say - that Silas Lawrence late of said Falmouth who was a pensioner of the United States under the law of June 7 th 1832 was my father, and that he died on the fourteenth day of March eighteen hundred & forty one - and that my mother Susanna Lawrence who has this day made a declaration before the Judge of Probate in order to obtain a pension, has not been married since the death of my said father and is still a widow.
Dated April sixth eighteen hundred & forty four.
Lucy Lawrence
Barnstable J. April 6. 1844
Then personally appeared Lucy Lawrence above named and made oath to the truth of the above deposition and subscribed the same before me - And I further certify that I am acquainted with said Deponent and that she is a credible witness.
Nymphaas Marston - Judge of Probate Falmouth County.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Barnstable ss
I Timothy Reed Register of the Court of Probate in and said County of Barnstable hereby certify that the Hon. Asaph Marlow is the judge of said Court and was such on the sixth instant and that the signature true to the within Certificate purport- ing to have been made by him is his genuine signature
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of April A. D. eighteen hundred and forty four
Timothy Reed Reg. Probate

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the Act of Congress of the 4 th July 1836. State of Massachusetts Barnstable County ss:
On this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four personally appeared before Nymphas Marston Judge of the Court of Probate in & for said County of Barnstable Susan na Laurence a resident at Falmouth in said County of Barnstable aged ninety-seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 4 th eighteen hundred & thirty six - That she is the widow of Silas Laurence who was a soldier and sergeant in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war - That he served on the island of Nauskaun, first, as she believes, under Capt t Grannis, and after under Elisha Nye, for a considerable time, but from old age & decay of memory she cannot now state how long, or for how many seasons or in what years he served. That he was at the time of his death a pensioner of the United States under the law of June seventh, eighteen hundred & thirty two, and she refers to his declaration & the proofs accompanying it, now as she supposes, in the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions at Washington, for the time & length of his services & the nature of the same. which were as she supposes in the militia. That he was a resident at said Falmouth at the time of entering into the ser-

vice aforesaid and ever subsequent. She further declares that the annual amount of the pension to her said husband was eighty nine dollars & sixty one cents as appears by his pension certificate which is annexed to this declaration, and she has no other documentary evidence. All the foregoing statements she makes according to her best knowledge & belief. And she further declares that the services of her said husband were all rendered subsequent to her marriage with him. She further declares that she was married to said Silas Lawrence on the ninth day of December in the year seventeen hundred and seventy - that her husband the aforesaid Silas Lawrence died on the fourteenth day of March in the year eighteen hundred and forty one, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period & is now a widow, as will more fully appear by the proofs hereinunto annexed.
Witness Tho Shaw
her Susanna J. Lawrence mark
Wamstable Jp. April 6 th 1844
On this day before the subscribers, judge of Probate for said County, the above named Susanna Lawrence made oath to the above declaration and subscribed the same with her mark she being unable by reason of old age to write her name, - being done at her residence in Saltonstall in said County she being unable through bodily infirmity to attend Court. - Nymphaas Mansfield - Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Barnstable ss.
I Timothy Reed Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Barnstable hereby Certify that Hon- orables Marston is the judge of said Court and was such on the sixth instant, and that the signature to the Certificate on the opposite page purporting to have been made by him is his genuine signature -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of April A.D. eighteen hundred & forty four Timothy Reed Reg

Extract from the Town Records of the town of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable in Massachusetts - to wit -
"Silas Lawrence and Susana Hinkley were married December ninth in the year seventeen hundred and seventy "
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the records of the town of Falmouth aforesaid with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows - "December 9 th 1770 "
Ch s W. Jenkins { Town clerk " { of the town of Falmouth
I Charles W. Jenkins above named depose & say that I hold the office of town clerk of the town of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable in Massachusetts - and that the above is a true copy of the records of said town with the exception above stated as certified by me.
Ch s W. Jenkins - Town Clerk
Barnstable ss: April 9 th 1844.
Then personally appeared the above named Charles W. Jenkins and made oath to the truth of the fore- going declaration by him subscribed - Before me Sarah V. Browne Clerk of Court

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Barnstable ss
I Timothy Reed Clerk of the Courts in and for the County of Barnstable aforesaid hereby Certify that Samuel P. Cross well Esquire of Salumeth in said County is a justice of the Peace & Quorum in and for said County and was so on the ninth instant and that the signature to the within certificate purporting to have been made by him is his genuine signature
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court at Common. Beats this tenth day of April A.D. eighteen hun- dred and forty four
Timothy Reed Clerk

26. 929.
Silas Lawrence
Falmouth.
Sept 5 Mo. & 23 days
Paid 18 " " 7
Rate 2 1/2
Capt Grannis. Col
Dupett. Mass
 60.78  25.00  3.83   89.62  179.23  44.80   224.03 
Abner D. Davis Esq Falmouth Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Barnstable ss. On this Third day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate now sitting at Falmouth in and for said County, Silas Lawrence a resident of Falmouth in said County, aged eighty 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 act of Congress passed June 7th, A. D. 1832.
: THAT he was in the United States service from the first day of July or thereabouts A. D. 1775, to the thirty first day of December A. D. 1775, as a private in the Militia, or as he believes State troops of Massachusetts: that he was residing at Falmouth aforesaid when he entered the service; that he enlisted at the time for six months, or more, cannot say positively for what length of time, and served for the period aforesaid under the command of John Grannis Captain, Nye or Blossom Lieut. does not know or recollect any superior officers there: that he marched from said Falmouth, & passed over on to the Elizabeth Islands in said State of Massachusetts: that he was in no battle but it was this year I think, that the British work at Tarpaulin Cove was attacked and left the service on by an enemy, sleep & was I think killed, which fired shot and shells at them for some time; the service assigned the company was to defend the sea coast, and prevent the enemy's carrying cattle and sheep from the Islands, and give information of their movements - That he was born in Sandwich the 12th of January 1748 that there is no record of his birth but he knows of it by his father's family bible - this period.
5-23 ALSO: that he was in the United States service from about the first day of January A. D. 1776, to the thirty first day of December A. D. 1776, as a private in the aforesaid Militia or State troops of Massachusetts: that he was residing at Falmouth aforesaid, or more probably had never left the Islands when he entered the service; that he enlisted or extended again for one year or more as he believes and served for the period aforesaid under the command of the aforesaid John Grannis Capt. Blossom Lieut. Lieut Col. Basset which Basset of the 1st Mass Regt commanded throughout the time; as he recollects, that Col Basset had all the: that he marched from soldiers paraded to hear the Declaration of Independence read through
: that he was in no battle and left the service on but had one smart skirmish with a party of the enemy which landed from a British frigate, but cannot say positively whether it was this year or the next, this was the time I think that they burnt a house belonging to Mr. Robinson & carried off some of his cattle & sheep
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from about the first day of January A. D. 1777, to the same time in the day of year A. D. 1778, as a private in the 3rd State troops or continental line: that he was residing at Falmouth or on the said Islands when he entered the service; that he enlisted and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Elisha Nye Capt. Stephen Nye Lieut. and thinks some other officer had commanded part of the time but cannot say positively, Lieut Col Basset being as he supposes all the while: that he marched from continued on the Islands for through the purposes above mentioned : that he was in no battle
and left the service as he cannot say when or at what time or month; but it has always been his impression and belief that he was in the service aforesaid about two years and eight months, and well recollects that he was still a soldier on the Islands in company with sergeant Hatt (now dead) when he first heard of the surrender of Genl Burgoyne & his army: That he can make oath that he served as above mentioned two years, or more as positively as he can swear to any thing else; and that he has no recollection that he ever had any written discharge

THAT he is not upon the pension roll under the act of 1846 as a pensioner in the nor in any other roll at the time  his application  he was residing at  That none of the officers  he served under and that the time are living to his knowledge, and the most of them he knows are dead; and The evidence which accompanies this application is the best he can produce which also contains the original order for Capt Greville to enlist a company and the said Laurence further says that he is a Laurencwright by trade and by an old day book of his it appears he built a house for the Lt Gov Bardon on Nantucket one of the Elizabeth Islands in the year 1775 and completed the same in June of that year just before he entered the service, all which he will vouch for. as he will vouch for the same  as he will vouch for the same and that the said Silas Laurence  just before the time of his application
he herewith furnishes the testimony of Lt Gifford, Isaac Packer, & Pierre Hetch, and his son Isaac who demounting but what he furnishes and says the Residue. He has resided in said Falmouth the whole time. The Revd Benj Woodbury & William Nye of said Falmouth are his neighbors, and can testify to his character and representation of services as a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
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.
Silas Laurence
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Abner Davis, Regr We Benj m Woodbury a Clergyman
residing in the town of Falmouth and William Nye also residing in said Falmouth
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Silas Laurence who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty four 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.
Benj m Woodbury William Nye
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid. Abner Davis, Regr
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 certify that it appears to them that Benj m Woodbury who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the town of Falmouth ; and that William Nye who has also signed the same is a resident in said Falmouth and both credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nyphar Marston - Judge
I Abner Davis Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Silas Laurence for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Abner Davis, Regr

Barnstable
At the Court within mentioned Lot Gifford of Falmouth witnessed before says that he was in John Greenes company for State troops in the Plumb Island in 1775 and well remembers Peter Lawrence within mentioned who is now present and has known him ever since, and well remembers that said Lawrence was in the same company six months or thereabouts S.
Lot Gifford
Barnstable
At the Court within mentioned Isaac Parker a pensioner under the act of 1816 testifies and says that he remembers seeing Peter Lawrence within mentioned at Tappan's house in the fall of 1775 he was then a soldier under Capt John Greenes; and in the year 1776 knew him very well seeing him frequently he being still a soldier under Capt Greenes; but he Parker was in the other company under Capt Elisha Wye
Isaac Parker
Barnstable
At the Court within mentioned Prince Hatch of Falmouth appeared & testifies says that he well knew Peter Lawrence within mentioned now present, being a private soldier himself in the Plumb Island, and knows that said Law- rence served in said Island as a private soldier under Capt John Greenes, & perhaps under Elisha Wye likewise, but cannot say certainly, neither can he say precisely how long Lawrence served, whether it was one two or three years, knows him well & knows that he served a long time, but thinks he left the Island before said Lawrence did
Prince Hatch
Notary Public
Probate Court at Falmouth in said County Oct 3d. A.D. 1832
Personally appeared in open Court the above named Lot Gifford Isaac Parker & Prince Hatch and severally made oath to the truth of the above depositions by them severally subscribed in Court. And I certify that the said Lot Isaac & Prince are in the opinion of the Court credible witnesses. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the court The day & year aforesaid
Almon Davis
Register

April 17 1844 44169
J. L. Edwards Esq Com r of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
Dear Mr. Grinnell Yours of 10/10/43
Presented by - Jos. Grinnell

Barnstable Mass. April 10. 1844
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions }
Sir I enclose the papers of wid. Susanna Lawrence for a pension which please examine and make returns to me
Respectfully Timothy Read

Washington City
April 15 th 1844
Sir:
Herewith I hand you the application of Lu- -sannah Lawrence for a Pension, which please examine and in- -form me of the result—
With great respect &c— Jos. Grinnell
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm ee of Pensions

6169. Susanna Lawrence Mass s
Act July 4 th 36
Ad d
5 mo. 23 pmo
$84 7 d s day -
$89.61 per an
5
Hon. J. Grinnell H of R.

Mass.
Re WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15008
Susanna Lawrence
Widow of Silas Lawrence
Sergt Rev War
Act: July 4 th 86
Index:—Vol. A , Page 419
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Silas Lawrence Payments to be made at Boston Mass by the First Natl. Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Mass.
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 2 Page 57 by N. W. Adams Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Silas Lawrence of the State of Massachusetts who was a Private & Sergeant in the army of the Revolution is entitled to receive = Eighty Nine dollars and Sixty One cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Twenty Sixth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Three
L. Wood Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Evans
Commissioner of Pensions.

I Braddock Dinnick of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable in Massachusetts, Esquire, aged eighty three years on oath depose & say. That I well knew Silas Laurence late of said Falmouth who was at the time of his death a pensioner of the United States on account of his services in the war of the Revolution, and I am well acquainted with the woman who was his wife and is now his widow and have been acquainted with her ever since my youth, and she was the wife of said Silas as long ago as I can now remember, and I have no doubt that she was married to said Silas in the year 1770 as she has stated in her declaration taken this day before the Judge of Probate - that I was present at the taking of said declaration and saw her sign the same with her mark, and she is the same person whom I have always known as the wife of Silas Laurence aforesaid - I further testify that said Silas died about three years ago, I think in the month of March, though I cannot state the precise time.
Braddock Dinnick
Barnstable 6 th April 6. 1844
Personally appeared the above named Braddock Dinnick and made oath to the truth of the above deposition & subscribed the same and I certify that I am personally acquainted with said Dinnick & that he is a credible witness
Before me - Nymphas M aton Judge of Probate for said County

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Barnstable ss
I Timothy Reed Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Barnstable hereby certify that the Hon- orables Manson is the judge of said Court and was such on the sixth instant and that the signature to the within certificate purport- ing to have been made by him is his genuine signature
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this tenth day of April A.D. eighteen hundred and forty four
Timothy Reed Reg Prob

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov. 27, 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books
and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of
the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears
that Silas Laurence's name is borne on the pay
roll of Capt John Grannis' company, stationed at the Elizabeth Islands from the 22 d day of July to the 31 st of December 1775. five months & twenty three days as a private.
That Silas Laurence is on said John Grannis roll from the 4 th day of January to the 29 th day of February 1776, one month & twenty eight days as a private.
m days 5. 23 1. 28 3 — 3 — 2. 21 16. 179
To John Grannis
SIR,
YOU are hereby empowered immediately to inlist a Company, to consist of Forty-seven able-bodied effective Men, including Serjeants, Corporals, Drummers, &c. as Soldiers in the Massachusetts Service, for the Defence of the Sea-Coast in this Colony, and cause them to pass Muster as soon as may be.
By Order of Congress,
Attest. Sam d Greenman
Jas: Warren President. Sec'y.
the 5 — Day of July A. D. 1775.

Court of Elizabeth island Company

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov. 27, 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books
and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of
the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that Silas Laurence's name is borne on the pay roll of Capt John Grannis' company, stationed at the Elizabeth Islands from the 22 d day of July to the 31 st of December 1775. five months & twenty three days as a private soldier.
That Silas Laurence is on said John Grannis roll from the 4 th day of January to the 29 th day of February 1776, one month & twenty eight days as a private soldier.
That Silas Laurence's name is borne on the pay roll of said Capt John Grannis' company from the first day of March to the first day of June 1776. Three months as a private soldier.
That Silas Laurence's name is also on said John Grannis pay roll from the first day of June to the thirty first day of August three months as a private soldier.
That Silas Laurence's name is also borne on Lieut James Blossom's muster roll of the company the John Grannis to twenty first day of November 1776. two months & twenty one days.
That Silas Laurence is also on said John Grannis pay roll from the first day of January to the first day of February 1777.
Edward D Bangs. Secy
m days 5. 23 1. 28 3 — 3 — 2. 21 16. 194

I Elisha Nye of Hallowell, Kennebec County, Maine, aged eighty seven years, do upon oath testify say, that I well know Pilas Lawrence of Falmouth, Massachusetts. That said Lawrence served as a private in a Company of which I was captain, stationed on the Elizabeth Islands during the Revolutionary war from sometime in December 1776, or the early part of the year 1777 to the summer of 1778, a period of fourteen or sixteen months. I well recollect he served in my company more than a year & my impression now is that he served nearly a year & an half. But the exact period I cannot now recollect. My company was stationed on Naushon Island, Elisha Nye
State of Maine } subscribed & sworn to this 3 d day Kennebec, ss: } of January 1833, the deponent being a credible witness. Before me, Wm. Wood L. Justice Peace.
State of Maine } I the subscriber Clerk of the Judicial Kennebec, ss: } Courts for said County hereby certify that William Wood L. before whom the above proceedings were had is a Justice of the Peace for said County, & that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I affix the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State & my signature this 3 d day of January 1833. J. A. Chandler Clerk