Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 45038, for Samuel Nowell, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Privateer (Mass.)
Howell, Samuel
S 45038
CONTENTS

20.322
New Hampshire Samuel Nowell
of Strafford Co. in the State of N. Hampshire who was a _____ in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regiment commanded by Colonel _____ in the Special Act line, for the term of _____ from _____ 17 to _____ 17
Inscribed on the roll of New Hampshire at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 4 day of March 1830.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 of April 1831 and sent to Rev. L. Woodbury Portsmouth N.H.
Arrears to 4th of March 1831 $96. - Semi-annual all'ce ending 4 Sep. " $48. - $144. -
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 10, 1818, and May 1, 1820. } 2 March 1830
Rec: Book D. Vol: 1. fol: 173

To the Congress of the United States now convened at the City of Washington.
Samuel Howell heretofore residing in Boston and Newbury-Port in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but for more than four years last past living in Wolfborough in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire, asks leave respectfully to represent, that in the year 1773 I lived in said Boston; my occupation was that of a boat builder and ship Carpenter. I was one of those who participated themselves in that celebrated achievement, the destruction of a cargo of tea in the Harbour of Boston - I was then young, enterprising and courageous; and I presume my broad axe was never more dexterously used than while I was staving the chests and throwing them overboard. -
Your petitioner views the destruction of said tea as the principal initiating scene which preceded and powerfully influenced and produced that civil rupture between Great Britain and her then American Colonies, which has resulted in the Independence of the United States and its unprecedented consequences. -
In 1775 I embarked in another enterprise of extreme peril and danger - I was then in Boston - The American Commissary of supplies then stationed in Cambridge came into Boston disguised as a ferryman determined if possible to remove his family out of said Boston which was then in possession of the British Troops, with which fact the British were made acquainted, and efforts were made to apprehend him - He was secreted by his friends - The fact was made known to one James Swift and myself we agreed should the next night prove favourable to our purposes, to have the Commissary conveyed on board my boat, run the British guard boats, and place him in a situation of security, which we effected - Our achievement the next day became public - I became an object of British blood thirst - I was compelled to dress in disguise to prevent being recognized - A humane stranger learned its cause and with great humanity gave me to understand that a vessel was then at the wharf near us, in which was a quantity of furniture belonging to people who by permit were moving out, among which were a number of feather beds; the vessel to sail that day for Nantasket; that could I contrive to get on board and secrete myself under the feather beds, my prospect of escape would be promising - A guard of two British soldiers were on the wharf watching the vessel - My unknown humane friend furnished me with a sufficient quantity of Rum and Sugar, of which they after drinking very plentifully were soon off watch and guard -

Without any delay, with the consent of an unknown friend I secreted myself under the feather beds and made my escape - The next day indignant at the loss they had sustained by my mysterious escape, they proceeded to inflict on me all the punishment which they had power to inflict - They destroyed a wharf and five stores standing thereon nearly new property which I owned in right of my wife, given her by her grandfather, Capt Horatio Foster - by which barbarous act I was placed in a situation destitute and penny less. -
In 1775 or 76 I shipped on board the privateer Ranger under the command of Capt Peter Roberts - we took some prizes and among others a British Brig, bound for Ireland. Having on board eighty seven men - I with several others were sent on board said Brig. to examine and see what she was - whilst we were on board her the wind came on to blow hard and increased to a gale which parted us from our privateer and we lost sight of her - The Tories soon after rose on us and retook the vessel and steered for Ireland; but in a few days we fell in with an American Brig called the Independence, commanded by Capt Sampson who were just on board of her at first were taken out - I entered on board the said Brig Independence, and continued on board, cruising for about a fortnight when we were captured by two British vessels a ship, and a Brig of sixteen guns each, our vessel carrying but fourteen; after a persevering and heroic action of two and an half or three hours in which our privateer was completely crippled and cut to pieces - after this brave but unfortunate conflict and capture I was put on board the said British Brig called the Hope, commanded by Capt Dawson and carried up the bay of Fundy, then on board the Gullane was carried to Halifax and imprisoned about sixteen months; three months and nine days of which time I was manacled and pinioned, because I had devised and almost executed a plan for the escape of myself, and the other American Prisoners by digging a subterranean passage, extending from under the room of the Prison, beyond the walls of the Prison, we should have completely succeeded in emancipating ourselves, but for the treachery of one Knowles whom I then denounced as a Traitor, and whom I should now so denounce, were he living, and within the reach of the sound of my voice - He disclosed to the keeper of our Prison whose name I well recollect was Nible our plan and progress. His fatal disclosure, thwarted and blighted every prospect of escape, which we then prevailed to an alarming degree, and proved fatal to many brave prisoners - I experienced an attack of it, which brought me apparently to the last verge of life, but thanks God I recovered and now live to

witness the astonishing prosperity of our Country after suffering at Halifax about sixteen months as before mentioned, the number of Prisoners increasing it was deemed expedient to remove us from Halifax to New York. Arrangements were accordingly made for our removal - I with about four hundred others were put on board a British Ship, and under convoy of a Brig of fourteen guns ordered to New York. Four or five Days after leaving Halifax we experienced a very powerful gale, which proved very providential for us; for in the night of the gale, we were separated from the convoy - Several of us immediately and resolutely determined to rise, and possess ourselves of the command of the Ship, in which we were being conveyed to New York, some others hesitated, and I well remember telling one Cohoon (a fellow prisoner) that then was the propitious time to effect our liberation from the worst of thralldoms - We rose and thank God who assisted us in this apparently last struggle, we subdued the Ship's Crew, secured the Capt and other Officers, steered for Northhead, where we made our triumphant arrival in a few days; restored to our common Country four hundred of American Prisoners, many of whom afterwards performed much heroic service for our Country, and have been held in high estimation as fellow citizens; added to which were the British Prisoners we had in the Ship, and they constituted a strong and formidable crew. -
I have thus given a true, and unvarnished statement of what occurred to me in the several scenes before alluded to - The statement is rather general, for many minor occurrences transpired in relation to the same scenes, the suggesting which would excite much interest and amusement but I have omitted to disclose them through a desire to confine myself to the most prominent facts - I will now subjoin some remarks which I apprehend are indispensably necessary to be known to Congress in investigating my claim for remuneration. -
While on board the several privateers we made a number of prizes exclusive of those before mentioned out of the avails of which I never realized or received one Dollar - I never realized or received one Dollar for wages which I contracted for and earned, neither from the government of the United States, the government of Massachusetts, or from any individual whatever. -
Your petitioner has not until now asked for relief - He did not peril his life for money, but for the benefit of his Country - His views were not mercenary, but patriotic, he had no wish to accumulate wealth, but aid his Country, and render it independent, happy and glorious - Although his personal sufferings and sacrifices have been indiscriminately severe, he has cheerfully, and joyfully sustained

them, although for years past, he has been very destitute of property, he has not asked for a crumb from the rich and sumptuous table of his Country, but has laboured and toiled with diligence, and what labour and toil would not produce, has been benevolently supplied by his friends.
He is about eighty one years old, in good health, but now wholly unable to labour, and has been thus unable for more than four years last past - He has no means whatever to subsist, but is wholly dependent on the bounty of his friends for his daily support -
He knows not that an individual (except himself) who was engaged in the destruction of the Tea is now living; but he avers under the solemnity of an oath, and on the honour of an old soldier, that his representation in relation to that scene is strictly true.
At the time he was thus actively, and zealously jeopardizing himself for his Country, he was happy, his Country miserable -
He was happy in the conscious discharge of a duty paramount to all others.
The scene is reversed. His Country is rich and happy. He is poor and miserable - He regrets being compelled to make an appeal to the liberality and beneficence of his Country, but, he must suffer the regret, and make the appeal - He knows his Country can relieve him, and feels confident, that Country, Soldiers, to close his life on this soil of happiness and independence without giving him some pecuniary token of national compassion. Wolfborough Feby. 23. 1830.
Samuel Howell
State of New Hampshire } Personally appeared Samuel Howell Strasburg 85 } and made solemn oath that all the foregoing facts stated in the foregoing petition by him subscribed are just and true.
Before me Joseph Dyer Justice of the Peace We certify that Samuel Howell signer of the foregoing petition is from the acquaintance we have of him, a person of uniform repute, a person of strict truth & veracity.
Joseph Dyer } Justice of the Peace Thomas Rust } in & for the Samuel Dabney } County of Strafford John W. Morse } among us in the neighbourhood of said Newell
John Galt } Select William Thompson } Men of Wolfborough

21 Cong } 2 Sep } 3
Petition
of Samuel Nowell, praying for pension on acct. Revolutionary services
1830. March 4. referred to committee on Pensions — March 30. Report H. Bill 160. Bill not passed by H. R.
1830 Dec. 20 referred with Bill S. 30. to Com. Pensions
Move to be discharged
W. Woodbury

45038
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 45038
Samuel Nowell
Rev War
Act: 2 nd March 1831
Index:—Vol. 3 , Page 366
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Washington March 28-
Hon. John H. Eaton Esq.
Secy of War
City of Washington
Pender
pen: to com: A. March 1830 $8 pr mo. Rev. Roll at 2: March 1830
John H. Eaton

Hon. John H. Eaton Secy of State, at War
Wolfborough March 27. 1831
In the second day of this month we met passed the Congress of the United States, and was approved by the President granting to Samuel Nourse of this State a pension of eight dollars per month during his natural life, commencing on the fourth day of March 1830 - Mr Nourse requests me to apply to your Dep t for his pension certificate -
Enclosed you will find a letter addressed to me on the subject by the Hon. Mr Woodbury late of the U.S. Senate from this State - I also enclose the Affidavit of Mr Nourse which will evidence to you, that he is the individual for whose benefit the act was intended -
Your early attention in forwarding the certificate will afford much satisfaction and relief to the feelings of Mr Nourse, who is now about eighty two or three years of age, and extremely infirm -
Very respectfully Yours Friend Joseph Harrar
I Samuel Nourse of Wolfborough in the County of Strafford & State of New Hampshire do hereby certify that I am the same Samuel Nourse who employed the Hon. Levi Woodbury late a Senator from New Hampshire in the United States Senate to procure an act to be passed by the Congress of the United States granting me a pension
Samuel Nourse
State of New Hampshire { March 27. 1831 Strafford ss - - -
Sworn to and subscribed
Before me - Joseph Harrar Justice of the Peace

20
J. Ferrand Esq.
Conseiller et la
Verdplano ch n. g.

[PRIVATE-No. 40.] AN ACT for the relief of Samuel Nowell. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War cause to be paid to Samuel Nowell, of New Hampshire, a pension of eight dollars per month during his natural life, commencing on the fourth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty. Approved, March 2, 1831.
Intmonta. 21st. Mch. 1831.
Dear Sir,
I enclose to you a copy of the act in favour of Mr. Nowell.
He had better write at once to the Secty. of War for his Pension Certificate and on receiving it he will be able to get the money in arrear at the Branch Bank in this town.
You must send with his letter an affidavit, that he is the Samuel Nowell who employed me to get his pension and had better enclose this letter to the Secty. of War as he knows my handwriting.
Yours respectfully
Levi Woodbury

I John Gilberry of Newburyport, in the county of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Merchant, of the age of seventy-five years, and upwards, on oath do testify and declare, that at the commencement of the revolutionary war, and as early as the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five or six - I was a seaman on board an American privateer Schooner fitted out at said Newburyport commanded by one Peter Roberts who has long since deceased - Samuel Vowell who was then of said Newburyport boat builder and formerly belonged to Boston in said Commonwealth and who now lives in Wolfborough in the State of New Hampshire, was as a seaman, on board the same Schooner - the Schooner was fitted out by the State was armed with several guns powder and swivels and small arms - We took several prizes and among others an English Brig bound from Newfoundland for Ireland, with a full cargo of fish, and having on board from eighty to ninety men - principally passengers - The said Samuel Vowell, myself and eight others were sent on board the Prize Brig to examine her, the said privateer continuing near and intending to send an armed party off and a sufficient number of people to secure the prisoners and carry the prizes into port - While we were making the necessary preparations on board the Prize, it came on to blow fresh and the wind increasing to a gale, we were parted, and lost sight of the privateer.
The next morning the Crew of the Prize Brig rose upon us and retake the vessel and were proceeding for Ireland, but within three days from that time we fell in with an American Brig called the Independence, commanded by one Sampson, by whom said Brig was again captured, who put on board a prize Master and crew - taking out the principal part of us who had been put on board among whom was the said Samuel Vowell and myself, who entered as seamen of the said Brig Independence - we continued on board said Brig crossing about two weeks when we fell in with two British armed vessels of sixteen guns each - we having only fourteen - we were brought to action and continued fighting said vessels a ship and Brig - the Brig was called the Hope commanded by one Capt. Dawson and after an engagement of three hours, in which we were overpowered we were obliged to surrender, our Brig being shattered and cut to pieces - we were carried to Halifax Cumberland in the Bay of Fundy - and afterwards taken on board a British armed Brig and came to Halifax.
The said Samuel Vowell and myself, with the greatest part of our crew, were imprisoned and sent Halifax - to the best of my present recollection over one year - from that time a number were sworn, and I think that said Vowell was one of the number - I was while confined a prisoner sick several times with fever - said Vowell was also sick with fever - The number of prisoners increasing at said Halifax - and it being considered by the British Government necessary to remove some of them - said Samuel Vowell and myself with from three to four hundred others, were put on board a ship which had formerly been used as a Whaler in the Coast of Greenland, about four hundred tons and under convoy of a Brig of fourteen guns, ordered to New York to be confined there -
About four days after leaving Halifax we experienced a gale of wind and in the night separated from our convoy - we rose upon the ship - and succeeded in getting possession of her and after we had secured the Commander, whom I think was named Burroughs, and the officers and crew - made the best of our way for the port of Marblehead where we soon - afterwards arrived - and where the said ship was condemned as prize and sold - We run very considerable hazard, in an attempt to rise on the said ship, as she was commanded by an able officer, and was well manned - I am unable to say whether said Vowell had any share of the proceeds of sale of said ship, or of any of the prizes which we captured - or whether any was received by any other of the crew - I know that I was never able to obtain any - and none taken by any other, was paid to either.
Newburyport Feby 10th 1830.
John Gilberry

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss Town of Newburyport - Be it known, and made manifest to all whom the same shall be read, that on this thirteenth day of February, in the year of our LORD, one thousand eight hundred and thirty, before me William W. Abbott, Notary Public for the county of Essex, by legal authority commissioned and qualified, and of Justice of the Peace for said county, in said county residing therein; personally came John Pillsbury, whose name is subscribed to the within written affidavit reduced to writing by me, and made oath to the truth of the same. (And I do certify that said John Pillsbury is personally known to me and believed by me to be a credible witness.
In testimony whereof I do also hereunto set my hand and affix my seal of Office this day month & year last above written.
W. W. Abbott, Not. Pub. Ma. Pa.

Wolfborough N.H. Feb'y - 26.
Free
Hon. Levi Woodbury Esq. U. S. Senate Washington City,

Hon. Levi Woodbury Esq.
Wolfborough N.H. Feby 24. 1830
I enclose to you the petition of Samuel Burroughs living in this Town, in which he asks such compens- ation and relief, as Congress may feel disposed to award him, either by placing his name on the list of prisoners, or granting him a sum in gross - No person acquainted with him doubts the facts detailed in his petition - His neighbors have often heard him relate them, with many others of minor im- portance, but still both interesting & amusing - The old gentleman (almost entirely helpless) enjoys good health, and is excited to a high degree of ani- mation while giving an historical detail of the trials he encountered, and the sacrifices he experienced immediately proceeding, & during the two or three first years of the war - He has obtained from his lawyer part the affidavit of Capt. Pillsbury, which sus- tains him in his statement as far as it extends, & he knows of no individual except Capt. Pillsbury, who has survived those scenes - There may be others living, but of living the parties unknown to him - He is very desirous Congress should view his case with liberal and benevolent feelings, and relieve him from those anxieties & perplexities, which old age, helplessness, and pecuniary distress unavoidably produce - I have advised him to forward his peti- tion to you; and I hope Sir, that your efforts & influence may procure for him some immediate & substantial pecuniary relief -  Have the goodness to write me on the subject, as early as may be necessary and you would very much oblige me, by enclosing some papers or pamphlets, exhibiting any important speeches, or other interest- ing proceedings of Congress -
Very respectfully Yours Ob't Serv't
Joseph Farrar