Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37145, for William Lawrence, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Privateer (Mass.)
Lawrence, William
S. 37145
CONTENTS
Left column of dotted lines for handwritten entries.
Right column of dotted lines for handwritten entries.

20.263
Maine
William Lawrence Captain of the Privateer Friend of Lincoln Co in the State of Maine who was a _____ in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regiment commanded by Colonel _____ in the _____ Maine, for the term of from _____ 17 to _____ 17
scribed on the roll of Maine at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 1st day of January 1828.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th of November 1830 and sent to William Noart. Augusta. Maine.
arrears to 4th of March, 1830 - $209.03 semi-annual all'ce ending 4 Sep. 1830 - 48. -
$257.03
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. }
20 May, 1830.
Rec: Book D, Vol: 1. fol: 67
no papers enclosed. Call
Mr. Egan was in making a reference of any concern to me, must send a synopsis of the case - I have no time to write the papers to ascertain the question to be decided
J. M. G.

20.263
Maine
William Lawrence captain of the Private Friends of Litchfield in the State of Maine who was a _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regiment commanded by Colonel _____ in the _____ line, for the term of _____ from _____ 17 to _____ 17
scribed on the roll of _____ Maine at the rate of _____ Dollars per month, to commence on the _____ day of January 1828.
Certificate of Pension issued the _____ of Novem- ber 1830 and sent to William Moart. Augusta. Maine.
arrears to 4th of March 1830 $209.03 emi-annu l all'ce ending 4 Sep r 1830 48.00
$257.03
Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818; and May 1, 1820. 20 May, 1830.
Rec: Book D. Vol: 1. fol: 67
no papers involved case
Mr Evans in making a reference of any case to me, must send a synopsis of the case - I have no time to make the papers to ascertain the question to be decided
J. R. E

I William Lawrence of Carmel in the County of Benobscot & State of Massachussetts Gentleman testify and say that I was born in Medfield in the County of Norfolk Massachussetts - that afterwards when I was about fourteen years of age, I went with my Parents, to Nova Scotia and remained there until the war commenced between England & the United States.
That in the year Seventeen hundred & Seventy six, I was called on by the British to take the oath of allegiance to the English Government: which I refused; and in consequence thereof the English confiscated my property to the amount of Sixteen hundred Dollars.
In the year Seventeen hundred & Seventy seven, I returned to the State of Massachussetts and have continued an inhabitant of said state ever since.
Since the peace and when Mr Dexter was a member of Congress from Charlestown; I made application to Congress by said Dexter, for compensation, for my loss of property at Nova Scotia - Mr Dexter on his return told me, that no provision had been made for any person situated as I was.
I afterwards, at the time Mr Josiah Quincy was a member from the same district, I made application again by him.
In the year 1818 as near as I can

recollect I made another application to Congress for relief by Mr Faggart: but for what reason I know not my claim has never been granted and I never have received any compensation for my loss either in land or any thing else. I further testify and say that a few days since I received a letter from John Havers Esq of Northfield informing me that a law was passed in 1819 barring claims of this description and that this is the first time I ever knew that such a law had been made. Further I am now seventy two years of age and stand in need of my property
William Lawrence
Penobscot ss Jan y 25 th 1820 Then personally appeared the above named William Lawrence and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed
Before me John Godfrey Jus Paris

To the Hon ble ! the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives in Congress assembled, AD. 1817
The Petition of the subscriber - Humbly pleads - That, he was a native of the Town of Medfield in the Commonwealth of Massa- -chusetts, and in the year seventeen hundred and sixty two, removed to Annapolis in the Province of Nova-Scotia, where he by his in- dustry had accumulated a considerable Real Estate - and in the year eighteen hundred and seventy six was summoned by the Gov- ernment of said Province to take the oath of allegiance to the King of Great Britain, in compliance of which was to have his property secured to him, which he utterly refused, he then was immediately drafted into the Brit- ish service, - in consequence of which, and with a determination not fight against his native Country, he absconded and returned to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts - and in the year eighteen hundred & seventy seven entered into the American Service and re- mained in service a considerable part of the time during the revolution - in consequence of which, he suffered a total loss of his property at Annapolis - Since the Revolution he has exerted himself to the extent of his abilities to accumulate a little property to support him- self upon in his old age, but has failed, has remained

years ever since the loss of his property, he has no children or relations able to assist him - He therefore, as he is advancing to old age, implores the interference of Congress in his behalf - and humbly prays that the Government will grant him some consideration for the losses he has sustained - as he is informed, that all, who have applied in like circumstances have been remunerated - as in duty bound, will ever pray -
Northfield, County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, No. 100,
3. 1819 ~~~~~ William Lawrence

20263.
Maine William Laurence
of Lincoln Co. in the State of Maine who was a Captain of the Privateer  commanded by Captain himself  of the Regiment commanded by Colonel in the called the line, for the term of Second from 17 to 17 Maine
Inscribed on the roll of Maine at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st day of January 1828
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th of November 1830 and sent to R. C. Van Eng  Augusta, Maine
Arrears to 4th of March 1830 $ 209. 3 Semi-annual all'ce ending 48.
257. 3
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. }
Rec. P. K. D. 20 May 1830 Vol. 1. fol. 67.

Invalid
XXXXXXXXXX
Army _____ File No. 37145
William Lawrence Captain of the Privateer "Friend" Revolutionary
Act May 20 1830
Book 2 Index: Vol. _____, Page 67
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Elisha Frenal of Weston in the county of Middlesex in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being now of the age of ninety two years, do testify and say, that at the commencement of the Revolutionary War I resided at Annapolis Royal, in Nova Scotia, that I was well acquainted with one William Lawrence, who also resided at that place at the commencement of said war, & who now lives at Northfield in the county of Franklin in the Commonwealth aforesaid:- I do further testify and say that before the said Lawrence left Nova Scotia he was called upon by the Authority acting under the King of Great Britain, to take the oath of Allegiance, so called; in the said Lawrence being suspected, with many others, of being disaffected with the Government of Great Britain & attached to the cause of America; I do further say, that the said Lawrence utterly refused to take the oath, and from the measures adopted by the authority aforesaid in relation to those who thus refused, & from an attachment to the American cause, in the said Lawrence left said Annapolis Royal in the year 1777, in company with my son Samuel; and came to Boston in the State of Massachusetts & entered into the American service:- I do further testify and say that at the time said Lawrence left Annapolis Royal, he owned a valuable property, consisting of a good dwelling house, barn & about four or five hundred acres of land was under such cultivation as it then afforded him & his family a good support; - I do further say that the said Lawrence continued in the American service & with the Americans until the termination of the War between Great Britain & America. And further I say not.
Elisha Frenal

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Whiddeson vs. April 15 th 1817. Personally appeared Eliza Wendell within named and made oath to the truth of the within deposition by her subscribed. Taken at the request of William Lawrence of Northfield in the county of Franklin & to be preserved in perpetual remembrance of the thing.
Before
Ebenezer D. Hobbs Isaac Pitkin Jury of the Peace for the county of Whiddeson. Lawrence House

Hon Mr Laineys Letter
Hon Samuel C. Allen M.C.
mail. Washington D.C.

my dear Sir .
Boston 30 Jan y . 1818
I recollect well having presented a petition for William Lawrence a Nova Scotia Refugee. It was referred for a report to the Secretary of war. Possibly to some other Secretary. But I think to him. I recollect D r Kendalls certificate to be part you mention. And if I mistake not it made one part of the evidence in behalf of L. transmitted to me at Lockdington.
I should suppose by taking the Index of the Journals of Congress, you will easily trace what was done with his petition. I am certain it was presented & certain it was referred. The papers were transmitted to the Department which was destroyed with July's. I have a strong impression his claim was well authenticated. If papers of the Department were destroyed his probably shared the common fate.
Have you ever examined the acts passed for the relief of these refugees to see if his name be not now included in some of them? I think it was an affair of system when the first of the department was

favorable to infert of names and the amount of land granted in it all almost annually passed by Legislature -
Very truly & respectfully
I am yours
Hon S. C. Allen
Jonah Dumey
I do not find that the 'great constitutional question, arising out of Anderson's case, which made such a fluttering among you virtuous congressmen has been considered by your dull and drowsy constituents with any proportiona- ble sympathy. The truth is we eat, and drink and sleep and labour, the sky over our heads is bright, the earth under our feet is prolific, there is not wind enough abroad to cool our browns, no omens of change in the constella- tions, no tempestuous flickering in the clouds - In such a state of things we are too content to be disturbed at imaginary ills, and too short- sighted to be troubled about remote consequences

$8 per mo. from 1 Jan. 1828 act May 20. 1830 Rev. Col. Maine
rec d Nov. 5. 1830

Augusta Me Oct. 20. 1830.
Sir:
With this you will receive the additional declaration of William Lawrence an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of May 20. 1830. I believe that he has now complied with all the requirements of the War Department & I trust a certificate will now be issued for him without delay. Mr. Lawrence is exceedingly poor, upwards of eighty years of age with a helpless family, & having expended what little he could obtain in applications to congress for relief, is left entirely dependant upon his sponsor for support.
This pension certificate may be forwarded to W. C. Vose Esq. of this place or myself it is immaterial which - Mr. Vose is unable to attend to business & to oblige old Mr. Lawrence I have attended to this business for him without charge.
Yours respectfully, M. M. Merrill
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Petition of Henry Newell of Boston setting forth that he has completely equipped and manned the Schooner called the Friend for a cruise against the enemies of American Independence, to be commanded by William Lawrence, praying that a Commission may be granted him for that purpose.
Ordered that the prayer of said petition be granted and that a Commission be issued out to William Lawrence as Commander of the abovenamed Schooner, he complying with resolutions of Congress and the Council. Whereby a Commission was issued out and Instructions delivered accordingly.
Sec'y's Office - } A true copy of record as among the proceedings April 14 th 1817 } of the Council of the Massachusetts Bay on the 11 th Septem r 1777.
Attest A. Bradford
Secy. of Committee
The word " given " in the last line but one evidently omitted by the person who made the record, as the residue of the sentence implies, but I do not feel authorized to insert it - A. Bradford
Secy. of Committee

William Lawrence
Petition
Dec 4 - 1817
Ref d to the Committee on Pensions & Rev. Claims
Dec 18. 1817 - Report. Read & ordered to lie upon the Table
Dec 9 1817
Considered & rejected
Dec 2 o 1818
Ref d to the Secretary of War
February 28 - 1820
Ref d to the Secretary of War to report thereon -
March 7 - 1820
Secy. of War reports unfavorably to him
W m Allen Map.
Pension
William Lawrence
Mar. 10. 1828
Ref d to Com ee on Mil. Pensions
Apr. 29. 1828 - Bill reported h. 283
Granted $8.2
Dec 5 th 1828
Ref d to Com ee on Mil. Pensions
Dec 15. 1829
Ref d to Com ee on Mil. Pensions
Advocated
Reasonable
J.H.K.
see letter Sept. 21. 1830 to R. C. Vose to same Oct. 6. 1830. do. to H. Woart Oct. 18. 1830.
W m Allen Allen (Sept 28. see above to report W m W m Allen

To all to whom these presents shall come.
Be it known that we James W m Winthrop & William Winthrop both of Cambridge in the County of Middlesex Esquires, have been long acquainted with William Lawrence now of Northfield in the County of Hampshire in the Commonwealth aforesaid yeoman; that he was for several years beginning about 1780 or 1781 tenant to us upon the Governor's island in the harbor of Boston & has ever since that time resided in that part of the said Commonwealth which was then the County of Hampshire & of which that part now called the County of Franklin has since that time been erected into a separate County.
His history, as he has uniformly told it to us, & which has been confirmed to us by the Rev. D r Kendal late of Weston in the County of Middlesex now deceased, is that he, Kendal & a third person whom we do not recollect, at the beginning of our revolutionary war, lived at Annapolis in Nova Scotia, where they had lived about sixteen years, when the war commenced; that being attached to the politics of Massachusetts & having left their relations in this part of the Country, they became political accounts obnoxious to the Government of Nova Scotia, & the search was so strict for disaffected persons, that they were obliged to abscond & in May 1777, Lawrence, Kendal & a third person above mentioned, crossed the bay of Fundy in a canoe where the bay is upward of forty miles wide & arrived on the shore of the district of Maine. That he has ever since resided within this Commonwealth, & we believe has proved himself uniformly attached to the Constitutions & laws of the United States & of this State, & conducted as a good citizen ought to do.
Cambridge 15 April 1817
James Winthrop a Justice of the peace for the County of Mid le W m Winthrop a Justice of the peace for the County of Middlesex.

In the case of William Laurence the Committee on Military pensions
Report
That William Laurence was a native of the state of Massachusetts. Before the commencement of the revolutionary war he removed to Annapolis Nova Scotia where he acquired considerable property real estate. In the year 1776 he was summoned by the government of said province to take the oath of allegiance to the King of G. Britain by a compliance with which he would have had his property secured. He refused to comply with the requisition and was immediately drafted into the British service. but determin- -ined not to fight against his country he escaped. crossed the "Bay of Fundi" and returned to Boston where he entered the American service and continued in said service to the generally through the war in consequence of which he lost his property and was reduced to poverty and no means

relief. The foregoing statement is corroborated by Isaac Kendall who resided in Nova Scotia at the time the petitioner left that country, who proves that the petitioner owned four or five hundred acres of land well improved, and also testifies to his being in the service of the U.S. through the revolutionary war. It further appears that said Laurence was appointed commander of an American cruiser called the "Friend" which was employed in the American service.
William Laurence

Land office
The Honble
Oliver H. Prince
Senate U.S.

General Land Office 27 Jan'y 1829.
Sir.
In reply to your letter of the 20 th inst. I have to state that the name of William Laurence or Laurens, is not to be found in the lists of individuals entitled to grants of land under the laws relating to the Refugees from Canada & Nova Scotia.
With great respect, Sir
Your Obedient
G. W. Graham
The Honble Oliver H. Prince Senator U.S.

State of Maine
State of Maine } ss. Kennebec, County }
Be it known, that before me Robert C. Vose a justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared William Lawrence, and made oath, in due form of law, that he is the identical William Lawrence, named in act of Congress, passed on the twentieth day of May (1830) thirty: that he is entitled to a pension of Eight dollars per month, on account of services rendered, & losses sustained to and by the United States, during the War of the Revolution: that he now resides in Rich- -mond, in the county of Lincoln, Maine, and has resided there for the space of three years past: and that previous thereto, he resided in Prospect, in the same County. — And now request that my Pension Certificate may be sent to Robert C. Vose, clerk of the court, Augusta Maine — William Lawrence
Sworn and subscribed this } third day of September 1830. }
Before me Robert C. Vose, Just. Peace
I R. C. Vose, Clerk of the court of the county of Kennebec, in the State of Maine, do hereby certify that Robert C. Vose, before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn, was, at the time, a justice of the Peace, for said County, and duly empowered to administer Oaths.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court, this third day of September, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty.
R. C. Vose,

Additional declarations
I William Lawrence, aged Eighty three years, sup-wand within named do further depose and say that he never served in any company or regiment during the Revolutionary War, but sustained loss of property during said war to the amount of Sixteen hundred dollars, the particulars are mentioned in my petition to Congress prepared by the Hon Samuel Thacher and as I believe first presented to Congress by the Hon Samuel C. Allen Rep. in Congress from Massachusetts, where I formerly lived and afterwards by the Hon. Mr. Hinck & lastly by the Hon. Mr. Wingate, at whose instance I was placed in the Act of of the 25 th May 1830. as he has since stated to me both Mr. Hinck & Mr. Wingate were the Representatives of the District where I have lived for the last ten years & more - I further depose & say that I lived at West Prospect, Maine, for a number of years after I removed from Massachusetts I have lived in Richmond in the same County of Lincoln for the last three years where I now reside - William Lawrence
Kennebec County ss
Subscribed and sworn to this fifteenth day of September 1830 3 rd declaration. before me Robert C. Vose, Justice of the Peace
I William Lawrence, do further depose and say that in addition to the loss sustained in the Revolutionary War - I served in the year 1778 on board the Brig Satisfaktion of 16. Guns as Captain of marines. Capt Reed commanding said Brig. one cruise, and I was discharged at Boston - my Captain's Commission is now lost, and not to be found by me -
William Lawrence
Kennebec ss Subscribed and sworn to this twenty eighth day of September A. D. 1830. — Before me Robert C. Vose, Justice of the Peace

4 th Declaration of William Lawrence named in an act of Congress passed on the twentieth day of May A.D. 1830.
State of Maine.
Lincoln County p:
Be it known that before me Benjamin Shaw, a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid personally appeared William Lawrence, & made oath in due form of law that he is the identical William Lawrence named in the Act of Congress passed on the 20 th day of May 1830 & that in addition to his three several declarations made for the purpose of obtaining the benefits of said acts before Robert C. Dole on the 3 d 15 th & 28 th days of September last, he further states that in the year 1777 he commanded a private armed vessel called the Friend during one cruise from Boston, & as he verily believes a copy of his commission is now on the files of Congress with the other papers in his case. That he is very poor & needy & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support. His desires that his pension certificate should be immediately forwarded to Robert C. Dole of Augusta that he the said Lawrence may receive his just due.
William Lawrence
Sworn & subscribed this Twenty Ninth day of October A.D. 1830.
Before me
Benjamin Shaw Justice of the Peace, State of Maine.
No. 1 p: I the subscriber Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within & for the County of Kennebec do hereby certify that Benjamin Shaw Esq., before whom the above proceedings were had is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Lincoln & duly qualified as such:
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name & affix the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State this 28 th day of October September A.D. 1830. October 29. A.D. 1830.
Wm. Noart. B.

William Laurence
I swear that he was born in Massachusetts & at 14 years of age removed with his parents to Nova Scotia. In the year 1776 he had was  was required by the British Govt to take the oath of allegiance which he refused to do on which his property to the amt of $1600, was confiscated That in 1777 he returned to Massachusetts, & resided there ever since; & is now (in 1829) 81 years of age. That he applied for relief through Mr Dexter, Mr Quincy & Mr Jaggart Surprisingly members from that State, but without success. Two Justices of the peace of Massachusetts say that they have known Laurence since 1780 or 81. who has uniformly told them as above with the further fact that the search in Nova Scotia was so strict, that he & two others had to cross the bay of Fundi in a canoe where the bay is upwards of 40 miles wide. They state, that he has ever since resided in Mass a & they believe has uniformly professed himself attached to the U States and has conducted himself well.
Doct Kendal Swears that at the first of the revolution he resided in Nova Scotia & was well acquainted with Laurence who also resided there - That he was required to take the oath of allegiance - that he utterly refused; From the measures adopted by Govt against such persons, Laurence left  left Nova Scotia in 1777. That when L. left N S he had a valuable property consisting of a good dwelling house, barn & about 4 or 500 acres of land which afforded him & his family a good support & that he continued in the American Service until the close of the proceedings of the war. From an attested transcript of the council of Mass a bay it appears that L was appointed to the command of an American armed Schooner. in Sep. 1777.
The Comm r of the Genl Land Office informs me that Laurence's name is not on the list of persons entitled to lands under the law relating to the Canada & Nova Scotia Refugees.