Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 36,727, for James Peirce, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Peirce, James or Pearce
S. 36,727
CONTENTS

5972 Maine
James Pearce, private
Capt Varnum Mass'tts line, War
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
scribed on the Roll of the Dist of Maine at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 10 th of Apr 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th of Jan'y 1819 and delivered to R. B. Wood Esq. of Augusta Maine.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 4 mo. 2 5/100 38. 66 semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 th Mar 1819. 48. 00 $86.66
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818 }
Opinion of Atty Genl June 11. 1821 handed to
Copy of A. Bradford's certificate sent to Treasury Dept July 8. 1828.
Refutation sent July 10th 1828 to
H. H. Rose August No 20 Schedule Off

30 9
James B. Pierce
5972, 565 ft
not entitled
28 Jan 1875
Mar 1819
Robert C. Rose } Augusta Maria }
Admiral John Darnley

State of Maine.
I John Davis Clerk, for the County of Nemebec of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the second Eastern Circuit, embracing the counties of Lincoln, Ken- nebec and Somerset, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court ; and that the original was exhibited in open Court ; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, including debts due to the declarant therein stated, is five hundred sixty  five dollars and cents , and deducting therefrom the amount of what the declarant owes, as set forth in said Schedule, the value of said property in the opinion of said Court, is five hundred twenty five dollars and  Cents
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twentieth day of June 1820.
John Davis Clerk of said Court for the County of Nemebec

copy.
State of Maine.
306
KENNEBEC COUNTY, ss.
ON this 15th day of June , 1820, personally appeared before Nathan Weston Jr Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, being a Court of Record for said Counties, proceeding according to the course of the common law, having original jurisdiction, unlimited in amount, keeping a record of their proceedings, and having the power of fine and imprisonment, James Pierce aged Fifty nine years, resident in Wales in the County of Lincoln within said Circuit, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, viz. in the Company commanded by Captain Smith and Regiment commanded by Colonel Michael Tappan Jackson of the line of the State of Massachusetts upon the Continental Establishment, for the period of during the war, and was in both the battles of the taking Burgoyne and in the battle of Monmouth constantly and wintered at Valley Forge, having served constantly  constantly  six years & eight months
that his original declaration was made before Judge Weston on the tenth day of April 1818; that he is now on the Maine Roll, and that his pension certificate is numbered 5,972 . And I, the said James Pierce do further solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an 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," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
James Pierce
The following is a Schedule of my whole Estate and income, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, viz: Forty five acres of very rocky land in said Wales, with a small unfinished house & barn thereon of the value of three hundred & fifty dollars. One horse, of the value of thirty dollars. Three cows of the value of forty five dollars, one yoke of small oxen, of the value of forty dollars, one two year old steer, of the value of ten dollars, Two yearlings of the value of ten dollars. Twelve sheep and eleven lambs, of the value of twenty four dollars. Three swine of the value of twelve dollars. Old household stuff, besides necessary bedding, not exceeding twenty dollars in value. One old watch of the value of seven dollars. Implants of husbandry, of the value of seventeen dollars. I have no debts due to me that I have any prospect of collecting and I owe as much as forty dollars. My income does not exceed forty dollars a year, from the above property.

I am employed as an elder and preacher of the Baptist church; but have no provision made for my support, and from age and infirmity being lame and nearly blind am unable to labor. My family at home consists of myself, my wife Mary aged sixty years, who has been very infirm for several years and is not able to labor, Samuel Pierce aged twenty six whom I have hired by means of my pension, and Elizabeth Colby aged nineteen whom I brought up and who takes care of my wife and family -
Except the foregoing and my necessary clothing, bedding, I have no property or income whatever.
James Pierce
Subscribed, sworn to and both the oath and schedule Declared on the fifth day of June 1820 before me
Nathan Weston Jr 6 J 666 Pleas.
Three copy
Attest John Davis Atty

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War of the United States.
I the subscriber, being Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset, do hereby certify to your Honor, that James Pierce , a citizen of the United States, now resident in Waltham , in the said County of Lincoln , in the District of Maine, on the tenth day of April , A. D. 1818, made application to me to receive his declaration under oath, and such other evidence, as was in his power to produce; and to transmit the same, and the proceedings had thereon, to your Honor; that he might be placed on the pension list of the United States, agreeably to the provisions of an Act, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," passed March 18, A. D. 1818, which declaration, and the other evidence produced by the said applicant, is hereunto annexed.
And I do further certify to your Honor, that after a full examination of the said applicant, and a careful consideration of the evidence in the case, it appears to me that the said applicant did serve as a private soldier , in the war of the revolution, until the end thereof against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, for more than nine months, as stated in his declaration aforesaid; and that from his reduced circumstances, he needs the assistance of his country for support.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the Court in which I preside, to be hereunto affixed, this twentyssecond day of May in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
Nathan Weston C. Just C. C. C. Pleas 2 d E. Circuit

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
KENNEBEC, ss.
THE Subscriber, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts, held within the said County of Kennebec, hereby certifies, that the Honorable NATHAN WESTON, Junior, Esquire, before whom the annexed proceedings were held, is Chief Justice of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Second Eastern Circuit of Massachusetts, embracing the Counties of Lincoln, Kennebec and Somerset ; and that by the direction of the said Judge, I have affixed unto his Certificate bearing his signature, the seal of the said Court in which he presides.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand : Dated at Augusta, in said County of Kennebec, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
John Davis

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I James Pierce, aged fifty seven years, a citizen of the U. States, born on the Isle of Shoals near Portsmouth New Hampshire now resident in Wales in the District of Maine, upon oath testify and declare, that in December 1776, I enlisted as a private soldier in the war of the revolution, against the common enemy, upon the continental establishment, for the term of three years in Capt Varnum's company and Col. Michael Jackson's regiment of the Massachusetts line. This period I served nearly out and then enlisted again as a private in the same service and establishment for during the war, in the same company, then commanded by Capt Ebenezer Smith and in the same regiment. I served until June 13th 1783 when I took my final and honorable discharge from the army at Newburgh New York, having served six years and eight months. I sold my bounty land to a Mr Pickering who took my discharge with a promise to return it which he never performed, and if it be not now in the war office, I know not whether it is in existence. I was in both the battles at the taking of Burgoyne, & in the battle of Monmouth. I was there one winter at Valley Forge. From my reduced circumstances, I am in need of assistance from my country for support. And I do hereby relinquish all my claim to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the U. States, if any; but I am not to my knowledge boone on any pension list whatever. I request that I may be placed upon the pension list for the District of Maine. James Pierce
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Lincoln p.
On the tenth day of April A.D. 1810 James Pierce above named, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration, by him subscribed. Before me Nathan Weston Jun. C. Just Court C. Plead 2 Eastern Circuit

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I William Stinson of Bowdoin in the District of Maine of lawful age upon oath testify and declare that I served three years with the within named James Pierce in the continental army, in the same regiment, being part of the service by him within stated. He sustains the character of a man of truth. William Stinson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Lincoln ss.
On the tenth day of April A.D. 1810 William Stinson above named, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed. Before me, Nathan Weston Hon. C. Just. C. Court C Pleadings Eastern Circuit.
I John Neal of Litchfield in the District of Maine, of lawful age, upon oath testify and declare that I am well acquainted with James Pierce within named. From his reduced circumstances, he is in need of assistance from his country for support. He sustains the character of a man of truth. John Neal
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Lincoln ss.
On the tenth of April A.D. 1810 John Neal Esq above named, after having been carefully examined, made oath to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed. Before me Nathan Weston Hon. C. Just. C. Court C Pleadings Eastern Circuit.

James Penn
306

War Department,
PENSION OFFICE,
10th July - 1820.
SIR,
You are hereby informed that the Secretary of War does not, on account of the amount of your property, consider you entitled to a Pension under the Acts of the 18th March, 1818, and 1st May, 1820; and has, therefore, directed your name to be stricken from the Pension List.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
To Mr. James Pierce.
Wales.
Maine

I James Pierce of Wales Maine a pensioner under the act of Congress of March 18. 1818 - do upon oath declare that I have sold one Cow, one Steer and one swine, mentioned in my schedule 5th to pay my debts. My farm mentioned in said schedule where I now live is rocky and unproductive and being myself unable to labor the whole income does not exceed Twenty dollars per year. I owe debts which I am unable to pay - I should not have near enough hay from my place to keep my stock where it now for contributions from my neighbors I receive but small sums for my services as an Elder of the Baptist church there being no provision made for my support. If I am deprived of my pension, having nearly lost my eye light I must depend upon public or private charity for my support - I served six years eight months in the war of the Revolution was Honorably discharged in June 1783 -
James Pierce
Subscribed and sworn to Dec 27. 1820. before me.
Nathan Weston Junr Just. S. J. C.

James Peirce
306

We the Subscribers Selectmen of Wales in the County of Lincoln, Maine, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Pierce of said Wales, a pensioner under the law of Congress of March 18, 1818. To our knowledge he purchased forty five acres of land (as returned in his Schedule) after he obtained his pension from Government, and applied much of his money which he rec d to the payment of his land, which he purchased for one hundred and sixty dollars, his land is poor and rocky, and much labor and expense is necessary to render it productive, the net yearly income does not exceed twenty dollars.
He is considerably advanced in life; and from age and infirmity can perform but little labor; his Stock of Cattle as returned on the Schedule, though small, is much more than can be kept through the winter, with the hay his land produces, and to our knowledge his income is not sufficient for his support without the helping hand of Charity,
Wales 9 th October 1820.
Joseph Small } Selectmen Isaac S. Small } of Wales Elihu Nickerson }

No of orig Pay 170.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
1 July 1828.
James Peirce, _____ of Wales, _____ in the County of Lincoln, _____ in the State of Maine, _____ has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private _____ in captain Silas Peirce _____'s company, in the 8 th regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, A. Dickinson.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to _____ in the _____
It further appears that _____ is now on the pension list of the _____ agency, and has been so since the _____ at the rate of _____ dollars per month.
James Peirce is not found as having received gratuity - nor is the name of Silas Peirce as a Captain returned as an officer serving to the end of the War. The soldier may nevertheless have as he states received his gratuity - if the name of the person he mentioned from whom he received the certificate, it may possibly be traced.
3rd office July 2 1828 P. H. Haynes Aud
cancelled

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
July 11. 1828
James Pierce of Wales, in the County of Lincoln, in the State of Maine, has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a private in captain S. Pierce's company, in the 8th regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, A. Dickinson.
In a reference on the 10th inst. the man was incorrectly stated as belonging to the Virginia line - and of course could not be found.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
July 12. 1828
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to James Pierce in the Mass ts Line
It further appears that James Pierce is now on the pension list of the any agency agency , and has been so since the 3 d March 1826 at the rate of dollars per month.
Peter Hagner Aud
/correct/

James Peice, Private Map's line - Col. M. Jackson's Regt.
Port offin Augusta Me.

State of Maine.
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act entitled "an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the revolution" approved on the 15 th of May, 1828. I, James Pierce, of Wales, in the County Lincoln in the State of Maine, do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued in its service until its termination; at which period, I was a private soldier in Captain Silas Pierce's company in the eighth regiment commanded by Col. Michael Jackson, of the Massachusetts line. And I also declare that I afterwards received certificates for the reward of eighty dollars, to which I was entitled, under a resolve of Congress passed the 15 th May 1778. - And I further declare, that I was not, on the fifteenth day of May, 1828. on the Pension list of the United States. - Witness my hand this seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight
Witness
James Pierce
Bartholomew Jenkins
Elias Wright
Before me John Potter Esquire one of the Justices of the peace within and for the County of Kennebec & State of Maine Bartholomew Jenkins and Elias Wright personally appeared this day (before being inhabitants of Augusta in said County), who did severally make oath that James Pierce by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed and believed to have been a private soldier in the army of the Revolution in manner as above stated - I further certify that the above named persons are in my opinion credible & disinterested witnesses -
Witness my hand this seventh day of June A.D. 1828
John Potter Justice of the Peace
I Robert Charles Dose, Clerk of the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Kennebec, in the State of Maine, do hereby certify, that John Potter, before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Kennebec, and duly empowered to administer oaths. -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County
this seventh day of June A.D. 1828.
(R. C. Dose)

Augusta Me. June 7. 1828.
Sir:
In pursuance of your circular of the 28th. Ult. I herewith forward you a declaration of my services as a private soldier, in the Massachusetts line, during the war of the Revolution, with the accompanying evidence. If the papers are satisfactory to your department. I presume I am entitled by the law of Congress approved May 15th. 1828. to two years pay - viz. from 3 d . March 1826 to 4th. March 1828. in which case I wish you to transmit by mail the amount due me directed to the care of Robert L. Rose. Esquire, Clerk of the Courts, Augusta, Maine. - I would further observe that I was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of Maine & drew my pension up to the 4th. of March 1820, at which last mentioned period my name was dropped from said list & I have not received any money from the United States since the said 4th. of March 1820. on account of my pension - If any further evidence of my services is required, it will be found at the Pension Office & in the records of the War Department
I am very respectfully
Your Hb. Svt.
James Pierce
Hon; Richard Rush Secy. of the Treasury Washington

Act 1828 Settled at Treasury Con d with Adm rs File # 36727

I HEREBY certify that the accompanying page numbered from to  is truly copied from the original in the Department of War; and that Secretary Bradford's certificate is the evidence of service upon which James Pierce's name was placed on the Pension List.
James L. Edwards.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That James Lewis Edwards , who has signed the foregoing certificate, is charged with the general superintendence of the Pension Business in the Department of War, and with the safe-keeping of the Rolls, Books, Papers, and Documents, on file in said Department, in relation to said business; and that to his attestations full faith and credit are and ought to be given. In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- scribed my name, and caused the seal of the Department to be affixed, on this eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight
P. B. Porter
Secretary of War.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretary's Department July 6. 1818
By this I Certify, That it appears by public Official Documents remaining in this Department, that James Pierce served as a Soldier in Capt. Varnum's Company, and Col. M. Jackson's Regiment, (being one of the Regiments in the Massachusetts Line, and on the Continental establishment,) in the American Army, in the War of the Revolution, From 2 d April 1777 to 31. Decr 1780, being three years and eight months. during war, transferred to Light Infantry
(Signed) Alden Bradford
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Mass ts

36727 Rev INVALID.  Am
File No. 36727
James Pierce Rev Rev
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 320
[Arrangement of 1870.]

James Pearce, Wales, Pr. Col. M. Jackson's Mass. Reg
1774 to 1783
April 10. 1818
Admitted =

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT, July 6 - 1818
BY THIS I CERTIFY, That it appears by public, official documents remaining in this Department, that James Pierce served as a Soldier in Capt. Warren's Company, and Col. M. Jackson's Regiment, (being one of the Regiments in the Massachusetts Line, and on the Continental Establishment,) in the American Army, in the War of the Revolution, from 2 d April 1777 to 31. Decr. 1780, being three years and 8 months. during wch. time transferred to Light Infantry -
Alden Bradford
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.