Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 15085, for William Morgan, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Morgan, William Hannah
W 15085
CONTENTS

Massachusetts. . . . . 1271
Hannah Morgan, widow of William Morgan decd
who died in the year 1807 ; of Essex co. in the State of Massachusetts. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain J. Swan, of the Regt. commanded by Col. J. Glover, in the Massetts. for militia
2 years private
Inscribed in the Roll of Massachusetts - at the rate of 80 Dollars per annum to commence on the 1th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 o day of Au- gust, 1837 and sent to Wm. Ferson, Esq. Gloucester, Mass.
Arrears to the 1th of March '37 = $480:00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept. " 40:00
$520:00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 5 o }
Recorded by S. A. Elliott Clerk, book A, Vol. 2 Page 55

1170
Hannah Morgan widow of William Mass. 1270.
Marrid Apr. 70. he died 1807
adm d
2 years pri 80 pp
no deduction
Wm Ferson Esq Gloucester Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss.
On this fourth day of January 1837, personally appeared before the Hon. David Cummins, one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, Hannah Morgan, a resident of Gloucester in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged eighty seven years (being unable to attend in Court by reason of bodily infirmity) who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4, 1831. That she is the widow of William Morgan, who was a private in Capt. Joseph Swasey's Company in Col. John Glover's Regiment of Massachusetts State Troops, stationed some months at Beverly as sea coast guards. That he enlisted in said Company in the month of March, 1778 for one year and served therein until in the month of August. Said Regiment was required to furnish men as seamen for the Government vessels, the Hancock, Capt. Tucker and the Franklin, Capt. Skimmer. Said Morgan entered on board the Franklin as privates master's mate in the month of August, and soon after sailing, was captured off Nantucket about the last of August or first of September, in a prize ship, Capt. Diamond, private master by an English Letter of Marque from New York bound to Ireland. He was detained a prisoner nearly two years and escaped by running away from the enemy.
That he resided in said Gloucester when he entered the service and continued to reside there until his death.
She further declares that she was married to the said William Morgan by the Rev. Mr. Chandler on the fourth day of April in the year seventeen hundred and seventy one; that her husband, the aforesaid William Morgan died on the twenty sixth day of May, one thousand eight hundred & seven, at Gloucester; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by the proof hereunto annexed.
Hannah X Morgan mark
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me. The said Hannah Morgan by reason of her advanced age and bodily infirmity being unable to attend Court.
Justice Cummins / Jus. C. C. Pleas
We Benjamin Webber and Elizabeth Webber of Gloucester aforesaid on oath testify that the aforesaid William Morgan died on the twenty sixth day of May, eighteen hundred and seven. That Hannah Morgan above named has remained a widow since that period and has not since inter married, & that said Hannah is well known to us as the widow of s d Morgan. deceased Benjamin Webber
Elizabeth Webber
Essex ss. January 4 th 1837. Then the above named Benjamin and Elizabeth Webber, who are credible and disinterested witnesses, subscribed and made oath to the above affidavit, before me.
William Terson, Noty Public.

William Morgan & Hannah Webber were married April 11 th 1770 by Sam l Chandler Minister of the Gospel Baptist in Gloucester
A true copy of Record for Town of Gloucester Attest Will m Saville Town Clerk
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex ss. I William Terson, Notary Public for said County certify, that William Saville, who has signed the preceding certificate is Town Clerk of Gloucester, that he has charge of the records of said town; that full faith ought to be given to his acts; and that the above is his genuine signature William Terson, Not y Public
Essex, ss. May 23 rd 1837. Personally came before me, William Saville above named and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed; and whose credibility I hereby do certify Witness my hand and Notarial Seal William Terson, Not y Public
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex ss. I John Prince Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in said County do certify that Hon. David Cumming is one of the Judges of said Court & that his signature hereon is genuine
Witness my hand & seal of said Court May 20 1837.
John Prince Clk

I Benjamin Dibble of Gloucester, State of Massachusetts, aged eighty one years on oath testify, that I served in the war of the Revolution in Capt. Joseph Swasey's Company in Col. John Glover's Regiment of Massachusetts troops stationed at Beverly, as sea coast guards. That I enlisted in said Company in the month of March 1776 as a private and served therein to some time in August, when I went on board the State's vessel, the Hancock, Samuel Tucker, commander; and then sailed on a cruise; that my enlistment was for one year. That I was intimately acquainted with William Morgan named in the foregoing declaration all my life; that to my knowledge he enlisted as a private in the above mentioned Company and Regiment for the term of one year in the month of March 1776 and that he served therein till in August, when he enlisted on board the State's vessel, the Franklin, — Skinner, commander as Prize Master's Mate, and sailed in company with the Hancock on a cruise. The Franklin took a prize in 8 or 10 days out, Capt. Dimeson was put on board as Prize Master and said Morgan as Prize Master's mate; and said prize was re-taken off Nantucket the last of August or first of September 1776 by an English Letter of Marque from New York bound to Ireland. He remained a prisoner about two years and then ran away from the enemy and returned home. That to my knowledge the preceding declaration of his services by Hannah, his widow is just and true.
Benjamin Dibble
I Jabez Darr of Gloucester, State of Massachusetts, aged 78 years on oath testify that in the war of the Revolution I enlisted as a Corporal in Capt. Joseph Swasey's Company in Col. John Glover's Regiment of Massachusetts troops and served all the year 1776. I was first stationed at Beverly: from thence march to New London and went by water to New York; and was discharged at Morristown about 1st January, 1777. That I was well acquainted with William Morgan named in the preceding declaration of Hannah, who was a private in said Company and that the soldiers enlisted on condition that they might leave to go on board the Mass. State vessels. That to my knowledge said Morgan, by permission of the officers of his company went on board the Franklin, Capt. Skinner, as Prize Master's mate; but do not clearly recollect the month; suppose it may have been in August 1776.
Jabez Darr
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Boss I, J.S.
On this sixth day of January, Eighteen hundred and thirty seven, before the subscribers, a Notary Public for said County, personally came the above named Benjamin Dibble and Jabez Darr and made oath to the truth of the statements by them subscribed. And I certify that I am well acquainted with said Dibble and Darr, who are well known to me as credible witnesses.
Witness my hand and Notarial seal this day and year above written
William Ferson, Noty Public

James L Edwards, Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.

Gloucester, Ms. 2d August, 1837. James L. Edwards, Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions, Sir,
Agreeably to what you have required by your letter dated May 16th. 1837 in the case of Mrs. Hannah, widow of William Morgan, who served in Capt. Joseph Swasey's Company, in Col. Glover's Fourteenth Massachusetts Regiment in the Continental establishment in 1776, such evidence, in relation to the several particulars mentioned, has been obtained; and is herewith enclosed.
It is not practicable to obtain further evidence of his capacity, believing that two credible witnesses having knowledge of the fact, is proof of the claim. She expects an allowance for one years service of her husband, William Morgan.
I am very respectfully Your obed t serv t .
William Ferson

Conn June 4 Sam C. Edwards Indian Dep. Morgan
free
James L. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Gloucester, June 5. 1837. James L. Edwards, Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 1st instant in relation to the service of Samuel Elwell in D. Giddings Company Col. Fosters Regiment in 1776, I am requested by his widow to say. If you have the pay roll entire from May to 31st of August 1776 of D. Giddings, and if his name is not borne on that roll nor on either of the other Captains (Lane, Pearson, Saunders, Warner, Roby) for said period, it is conclusive against his claim; and she consents to receive pay for 5 months 18 days as Sergeant.
Further information of Do. Swazys Co. in Col. John Glover's Regt. in case of W m Morgan in answer to your letter of 16th May, received from John Howard of Salem, who was in said Regiment
John Glover, Col o .
Gabriel Johnson Lt. Col.
W m . R. Lee, Major (afterwards, Col l Port Salem) Nicholas Newberry, Sergeant Major
8 Companies - about 500 men
Names of Captains recalled
Joseph Swazy - Joshua Orne - W m Curtis
Thomas Grant - Moses Brown - - Bond
Were stationed at Beverly to protect the coast from Privateers-men, barge, & landing - They manned a fort at Beverly. Were drilled twice a day and marched each day along the coast towards Cape Ann and places exposed to the ravages of the enemy. John Bradford of Boston, Commissary. Were ordered, he says by Genl. Washington to furnish men for the Hancock & Franklin, two States vessels. Were marched to L Island last July or 1st August. 1776.
Very respectfully y r ob. serv t
William Ferson

Wm Morgan
Joseph Swaggy Capt. none
Thomas Grant — no "Thos."
Joshua Orne — no Orne
Moses Brown — no "Moses" that contains Morgan's names
Wm Curtis — no "Wm" Curtis,
— Road — in 76 —

James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Gloucester, Ms. May 26. 1837.
James L. Edwards, Esq m
Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 16th instant, in the case of Hannah, widow of William Morgan, dec d a private, in Capt n J. S. Swayne's Co: in Col. John Glover's Reg t . I reply. That the Hon. Secretary of War now has on file all the information asked for in the above letter about the services of said Regiment. I refer to a pension certificate N o 16,980 date May 16. 1820, granted to Benj t Webber, a private in S. County and afterwards in the Hancock; and the evidence in his case will show the nature of the service on land and by sea.
Col. John Glover's Regiment was on the Continental establishment. He was, of Marblehead, a fishing town in this County; and his regiment was composed of seafaring men from that and other towns on the sea coast.
The terms of enlistment were that his soldiers, when wanted, should serve on board the Hancock & Franklin, two vessels fitted out by the authority of Massachusetts.
For the character of Col. Glover's men, see Gordons History of the Amer. Revo. Vol. II. Chap. IV.
Mr Morgans paper is returned, authenticated as directed by your letter of the 12th instant
Very respectfully your obed. serv t
William Ferson

William Morgan in March 1776 Pvt Capt. Joseph Bracey Col. John Glover Mass State Troops. Detached at Brattle Prize masters mate on the Franklin Gloucester Mass at enlistment. widows appli Jan 4, 1837. married Hannah Webber Apr 4, 1771, at Gloucester, Mass. Husband died May 26, 1807 at Gloucester.

105 History of Soldier to Edgar Allan Poe Re letter in Apr. 7. 18991, V. L. M. Rev. War.
Rev
Oct. 3.
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15085
Hannah Morgan Widow of William Morgan Rev. War
Act: July 4 th 1836
Index:—Vol. M , Page 68
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I John Howard, aged 82 years, of Salem in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, served as Sergeant in Capt. Thomas Grants company in Col. John Glovers 12th Mass t Regiment in 1776 stationed at Beverly; and I William Bean, aged 83 years, of Marblehead in s d state served as private in Capt. John Glover Jun r . company in 1776, stationed as above in s d Col. Glovers Reg t on oath testify & declare in answer to the information required by the Commissioner of Pensions letter, the 16th of May last.
"A full statement of the services under Captain Joseph Swary in the year 1776 is required; where stationed or marched?"
Answer. Capt. Joseph Swary was an officer in John Glover Regiment, being the Fourteenth raised by the State of Massachusetts and placed on the Continental establishment. The Col o . John Glover, was of Marblehead and his regiment was recruited in that and the adjacent maritime towns from the seafaring class of men principally, to serve one year, and were stationed at Beverly, where we manned a Fort. We were daily on drill, when the weather would admit; and marched to different parts of the coast within 5 miles to prevent the enemy landing for plunder or getting provisions. The regiment furnished Capt. M g ford, with 20 seamen when he fortunately captured a ship on 17 May, 1776 laden with military stores, ordinance, &c. Said regiment also furnished men for the Mass t Gov t Schooners the Franklin, Capt. Scherer and the Hancock, Capt. Samuel Tucker. We presume that it was by the consent of Gen l Washington that these men went as seamen on board said Schooners; the regiment was drawn up and the men volunteered to go on board of said Schooners, with the consent of the Officers of the regiment. The regiment marched to New York in July or August.
"The names of the Company Officers" Answer. John Glover, Colonel — Gabriel Johnson, Lt. Colonel — William R. Lee, Major — Fosdick, Adjutant Major — Nicholas Newberry, Sergeant Major — John Bradford of Boston, Commissary. 8 Companies of which, Thomas Grant, Moses Brown, Joshua Orne, William Burgess, John Glover Jun r . Captains; and one not recollected and Joseph Swary were Captains; and Robert Williams was his first Lieutenant.
"How paid or subsisted"
Answer. Being on the Continental establishment, we were subsisted and paid by the State of Massachusetts; and were paid by Col o . Glover. We drew rations twice a week.
"Their daily duties"
Answer
Turned out every day at 9 o'clock A.M. and 2 o'clock P.M. to drill the men; then marched, as above stated, to different parts of the coast to guard it from the incursions of the enemy, then in possession of Boston.

"Probable number of the corps embodied" Answer. We think there were probably 500 men in said regiment
"By what authority detached to serve on board the Franklin" Answer. At this distance of 61 years we do not positively know; but fully believe, as before stated, was by the approbation of Genl Washington, having the free consent of the officers of the Regiment
William his Bean Mark
John Howard
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex, ss. On this 31st day of July, A.D. 1837, before me William Ferson Notary Public by legal authority admitted and sworn and duciling in Gloucester in said County personally came William Bean & John Howard before named, who subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition; and I certify that said William Bean and John Howard are known to me as credible witnesses.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal the day and year above written.
William Ferson, Noty Public

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Morgan, William GRADE Private LINE New York (Invalid)
WARRANT NUMBERS 7464 and 13515 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 15, 1792 to William Skelt or Shett, admr.
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.