Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30008, for Lawson Nurse, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Nurse, Lawson
S. 30008
CONTENTS

15957 Massachusetts Dawson Morse
of Middlesex in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Morse of the _____ commanded by _____ in the _____ line for 7 mos & 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 25 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Aug 1833 and sent to Adams Adams Framingham Mass Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $57.00 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 12.50 $69.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Johnson Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 59

Lawson Nurse
14869
✓
Clarins 7 1/2 months.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss.
On this Thirtieth — day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honourable Judge of the Court of Probate, in and for the County of Middlesex aforesaid, now sitting, Lawson Nurse a resident of Framingham in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy one 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 7, A. D. 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
I was born in said Framingham on the sixth day of June seventeen hundred & sixty one as appears by the annexed certificate, & have lived there ever since —
I believe it was in June seventeen hundred and seventy six that I was drafted with eleven others as a separate guard in Framingham and towns adjoining, as a sergeant's guard & went to Sherburne in the same County to guard the stores — The storehouse was the same that is now occupied by Deacon William Clark — I was on that duty six weeks only. Nash Eaton ( discharged ) was the only other that was drafted from Framingham. The sergeant of the sergeant — I believe the sergeant of the guard was one Clark of Sherburne; but I have not heard or thought of him for many years & cannot learn what has become of him. We had no rations, & I boarded at Col. Bullard's a maltster in Sherburne.
I enlisted or was drafted, I am not entirely certain which, into the state troops some of the last days of the year seventeen hundred & seventy eight for three months — I joined a company which marched from Framingham to Providence on the first day of January the next. In two or three days we went to North Kingston & remained there on duty till the end of the three months. I was dismissed at that place but had no written discharge. Our company was scattered along the shore nearly a mile to keep guard.

til the end of the three months. I was dismissed at that place but had no written discharge. Our company was scattered a- -long the shore nearly a mile to keep guard it was our principal duty except to eat very hard salt beef & still harder bread. I understood there were other companies along the shore employed in the same manner, but I never saw them, nor much of any thing else. I can name several of the company, but none of the commissioned officers, except that I believe the Captain's name was Burbank - Needham Maynard, now a judge in Tennersee (if living) was the orderly sergeant. Abel Child, David Sawyer Peter Rice, Increase Clapham, Joseph Richards all of Framingham were of our company - They are all dead, unless Richard may be living at a great distance. Deputy Sheriff Jacob Belcher of Framingham was also in the company. His deposition is to be found in the records of the county of is annexed hereto.
In the year seventeen hundred & eighty, I a- -gain enlisted into the state service for three months; this was just before the "alarm men" were called - I joined a company commanded by Capt. Walter M c Farland of Hopkinton & marched from Framingham on the first of July of the same year, for Silverton in Rhode Island. We were there a very short time; went to Butts hill, Wickford Wickford, but spent most of our term at Providence. and completed it at that place. There we were principally engaged guarding the labora- -tory & looking after an old ship which had some prisoners in it. John Mayhew of Fram- -ingham was Lt. and John Ware of Sherburne was the Ensign. Sipio Howe of Marlborough was the Colonel. Reuben Johnson of Hopkinton was orderly sergeant, & Noah Eaton & John Park of Framingham were corporals. They are all dead - or at a great distance Daniel Eaton of Framingham was the Lt. Mayhew's waiter & his deposition is an- -nexed hereto. I know of no other persons who can testify to other facts than contained in my deposition I have no documentary evidence, and know of no other survivors who can testify as to any other facts than contained in my deposition for me - I never had any written discharge Hon. Josiah Maynard, & Luther Belknap Esq. both of Framingham will testify as to

of our company were of our company... all dead, unless Richard may be living at a great distance. Deputy  Deputy Jakob Belcher father of Tremeighan was also in the company. His deposition is annexed hereto.
In the year seventeen hundred & eighty, I again enlisted into the state service for three months; this was just before the "alarm men" were called - I joined a company commanded by Capt. Walter M c Farland of Hopkinton & marched from Tremeighan on the first of July of the same year, for Silvertown in Rhode Island. We were there a very short time; went to Butts hill, Newport Middletown, but spent most of our term at Providence, where we were principally engaged guarding the laboratory & looking after an old ship which had some prisoners in it. John Mayhew of Tremeighan was Lt. and John Ware of Sherburne was the Ensign. Scipio Howe of Marlborough was the Colonel. Reuben Johnson of Hopkinton was orderly sergeant, & Noah Eaton & John Park of Tremeighan were corporals. They are all dead - or at a great distance Daniel Eaton of Tremeighan was the Lt. Mayhew's waiter & his deposition is annexed hereto. I know of no other persons who can testify to other facts than contained in my deposition I have no documentary evidence, and know of no other survivor who can testify for me - I never had any written discharge.
Hon. Jos. Maynard, & Luther Belknap Esq. both of Tremeighan will testify as to my character for truth - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Lawson Norris
Sworn to & subscribed The day & year aforesaid

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 any state,
We, Artemas B. Murray , a clergyman, residing in Framingham — and Josiah Adams also residing in Framingham — hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Lawson Nurse who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; — that we believe him to be seventy one years of age: that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Artemas B. Murray
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
J. P. P. Fay  Probate
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 above-named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify, that it appears to them that Artemas B. Murray , who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Framingham and that Josiah Adams who has also signed the same, is a resident in Framingham and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. P. P. Fay  Probate
I Isaac D. Dike Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Lawson Nurse for a pension.
I also certify that Josiah Adams whose own proper signature is set to the certificate on the several depositions hereto annexed is a justice of the Peace within said county
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Isaac Dike

1 with  com Plume
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, mostly illegible.]

We the subscribers hereby declare and certify that that we have long known Major Lawson Morse of said Framingham, & that he has ever sustained the charac- ter of an honest & upright man - His character for truth has never to our knowledge, or in our belief, been impeached & his statements are al- ways, believed by all his acquaintances
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Charles Fossin } set Clergymen Middlesex, ss. } Isaac Fisher Deputy of the } in Framingham I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Lawson Morse for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court this twelfth day of June 1833. } Elias D. Temple } Town Clerk of } Framingham Moses Edgell } Selectmen of Nathan Stone } Framingham Samuel Warren }
Middlesex ss. August 30 1832. Then Rev. Charles Fossin, Elias D. Temple, Samuel Warren, Moses Edgell, & Nathan Stone, made oath that the foregoing declaration by them subscribed is true before me; & I certify that they are all credible witnesses. Jonah Adams } Justice of the peace.

Framingham - Co. Middlesex. (Mass.)
This certifies that it appears by the records of said town that "Lawson Nurse the son of Abraham Nurse & of Remiah his wife was born upon y e 6 day of June A.D. 1761"
Attest
Elias Temple { Town Clerk of Framingham
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, mostly illegible.]
Mem. Aug. 30. 6 th J. et.

I Daniel Eaton of Framingham in the County of Middlesex aged sixty eight years testify and say that I enlisted in the service of the State in the year Revolutionary war in June seventeen hundred and eighty, a few days before the "alarm" so called was given. About the first of July of the same year I marched from Framingham, (where I enlisted,) to Tiverton, in a company commanded by Captain Walter M c Farland of Hopkinton. I was waiting to our lieutenant whose name was John Mayhew. I enlisted for three months - We were at Tiverton but a few days, & went to Butts hill on the north end of the island, & very shortly removed to Middleton - we then returned to Butts hill, and then we returned went to Providence, where we remained till the expiration of the three months - At Providence our company was employed in guarding the laboratory and the provision store  the laboratory and an old ship which lay there. John Ware of Sherburne was our Ensign, & Col. Scipio Home of Marlborough commanded the Regiment. Reuben Johnson of Hopkinton was the orderly sergeant - Noah Eaton of Framingham was the orderly corporal - John Park of Framingham was also a corporal - Most of the above persons I know to be dead & do not believe that any of them are living, except John Ware who is at a great distance if living, & Northerton who is in the same situation. Lawson Nurse of said Framingham, en-
-listed at the same time, into the same service for the same term (three months) and was with me in the same service at the same time.

Johnson of Hopkinton was the orderly sergeant - Rock Eaton of Framingham was the orderly cor- poral - John Park of Framingham was also a corporal - Most of the above persons I know to be dead & do not believe that any of them are living, except John Ware who is at a great distance if living, & Nathaniel who is in the same situation Lawson Nurse of said Framingham, en-
-listed at the same time, with the same service for the same term (three months) and was with me in the same company the whole of the term; and was dismissed at the same time & came home with me. I received no written dis- charge & understood that none were given
I also remember that about the year six- teen hundred & seventy six a serjeant's guard was drafted to go to Sherburne in adjoining said Framingham to guard some stores. Said Nurse was one of the number and was said to be there some weeks but I cannot say whether more or less than six.
Daniel Eaton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. Augt 30. 1832. Personally appeared Daniel Eaton, personally known to me as a credible witness, & made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true
Before me Josiah Adams Justice of the peace D. H. G. G.

so Middletown. (Mass.)
I Jacob Belcher of Framingham in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy one years testify & say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and well remember that Hanson Morse then to ever since of the said Framingham enlisted or was drafted into the service of said state as a soldier in that war in the latter part of the year seventeen hundred & seventy eight I was in the same company & lived in the same room with him - his term of service was three months, which he served out at North Kingston in Rhode Island - Our Capt. was Lieut. Burbank of Holliston; The Lt. was Joshua Leland of Sherburne. The Regiment name of the Col. I have forgotten - I was dismissed with said Morse at the end of the three months - but no written Discharges were given to my knowledge Jacob Belcher
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex p. August 30. 1832. Personally appeared Jacob Belcher, known to me as a credible witness & made oath that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed is true S. Austin

14869
Lawson Nurse Mass
March 9 Mo 15 Days
Isiah Adams Framingham Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 25
1835
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Lawson Nurse Middlesex Co. Mass.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Draft 1776 — 1 15 Sergants Guard 71 years Traditionary   Draft 1778 — 3 — — Capt Burbank 24 years Mansfield Evidence   Enlist 1780 — 3 — — Col Walter Massa Witnesses for our service no Colonel given Papers not authenticated  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (s) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
' A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
 If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (1) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

30008
Recd INVALID.
File No. 30,008
Lawson House
St. Peter's
Act June 1 st 52
Index — Vol. 2 , Page 307
[Arrangement of 1870.]