Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 5157, for Robert Peirce, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Pierce, Robert or Pierce
S 5157
carded
CONTENTS

15547 Massachusetts
Robert Pierce P. Pierce or of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Chamberlain of the Regt commanded by Col. Cury in the Mass line for 21 months & 6 days
Me
73 Plymo
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 67 Dollars 34 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of June 1833 and sent Jacob H. Lond Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $134.68 Semi-ant. allowance ending 11 Sept. 33.67 $168.35
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Levi Johnson Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2 Page 64

Robert Pierce.s
Declaration
200 1/8

State of Massachusetts County of Plymouth ss
On this twenty second day of august A.D. 1832. personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. William Wood Judge of probate for the County of Plymouth now sitting at Hano- -ver in said County, Robert Pierce of Situate in the County of Plymouth and State 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 in the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
About the first of June A.D. 1776 I enlisted in a company commanded by Capt n Francis Chamberlain, 1 st Lt Joseph House, 2 d Lt Nathaniel Chittenden, and marched through Hanover, Bridgewater, Taunton, Pawtucket, Providence, to New Haven, thence by water to New-York, and served five months as a private soldier in the war of the American Revolution in Col. Crarys regiment. Lt Col. not recollected, Major Paine. Adjutant William Torrey, were employed while there in throwing up breast-works at different places in the vicinity of New York. I was in one engagement at Harlem Heights, and one at White Plains, ascended the River as far as Fort Hill, and were there discharged by Capt n Chamberlain and returned to Situate.
So late in the fall A.D. 1776 I enlisted in a company commanded by Samuel Stockbridge, and marched through Hingham to Wantasket and served as a private soldier three months, being cold weather our duty was altogether standing guard other officers not recollected, except that Gethalus leaving the latter part of the time was a corporal - and Saban those all the time, I well recollect that Capt n Francis Chamberlain was there with a company, from the circumstance of his being a Situate Man, and a neighbor.
In the spring of 1777, I again served as a private soldier on Castle William in Boston Harbor, six months at work on the fort under Capt n Tufts, and Col. Burbeck who was principal engineer, and at the end of the term was discharged, and paid by said Burbeck.
About the middle of Oct r 1777 I enlisted under Capt n - - Maynard Pierce, and marched through Bridgewater, Taunton &c to Rhode Island upon a secret expedition as it was called, and served one month and six days, in Col. Theophilus Cottons Regiment, was discharged Nov r 28 th and paid by Capt n Pierce, and returned to Situate.

In February 1778 I again enlisted in Capt n John Furness Company and marched through Hingham, Braintree, Quincy, Dorchester, Roxbury, & Boston to Cambridge, and was stationed at Winter Hill so called, and served two months in Col. Eleazer Brooks Regiment was then discharged and returned to Scituate.
It was again in the latter part of the summer of 1778 I enlisted in Capt n Jehoshua Barreys Company and marched through Hingham, Weymouth, Braintree, Quincy, Dorchester and on to Castle William, and served there three months on patrol duty, and guard duty. the Regiment was stationed at different places the officers of which I never knew. I well recollect the French Fleet under De, Estaing lying in Boston Harbor while I was there, in whole amount of service Twenty months & six days.
I never received a written discharge, and have no docu- mentary evidence except what is herein enclosed, and the following persons are all, known to me at present who can testify to the service - above described, viz. Caleb Rogers, Gideon Young, & Job Cuming, and whose depositions are hereto annexed. I was born in Scituate Oct r 17 th 1761, and in proof the Town Clerk certificate is herein enclosed. I lived in Scituate until some time after the close of the Revolutionary War. I then lived in Providence Rhode Island Six years or there about, I then lived in New York City, and State from eighteen to twenty years, since which I have lived in Scituate. I served as a volunteer at all times, was never drafted, and never served as a substitute for any one.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Attest Jacob H. Lord Register Robert Perrin
We Samuel Deane a Clergyman residing in the Town of Scituate and Ebenezer F. Fogg residing in the same Town hereby testify that we are well acquainted with Robert Perrin 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 neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Samuel Deane Ebenezer F. Fogg Sworn, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Attest Jacob H. Lord Register

And the 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 applicant was a soldier of the revolution, and served as he states, and the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Samuel Deane who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the Town of Scituate and that Ebenezer T. Pogg who has signed the same is a minister in the Town of Scituate and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. — By the Court Attest Jacob H. Lourd Register
I Jacob H. Lourd Clerk of the Court of probate for the county of Plymouth, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Robert Pierce for a pension. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Twenty Second day of August A.D. 1832.
Jacob H. Lourd

20 Oct 8 Robert Pierce Massachusetts
Private Do Mrs 6 days
16.17 - 1.17 17.54
J. H. Lord Plymouth Mass

County of Plymouth  BRIEF in the case of  Robert Pierce  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 71 Years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enlisted In 1776 — 3 — Private Gen. Capt Chamberlain (Clary)   " 1777 — 3 — — " Stockbridge.   " 1778 — 6 — — " Duffs, " Burbeck   " 1778 — 2 — — Heaynard Pierce   " — — 3 — — " Col Cotton, " Brooks   Capt Zayner " Brooks  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Harlem Heights, White Plains  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Festuca Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary & 3 living witnesses all certified as correct  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
M. L. G. Examining Clerk

Job bearings Deposition for Robert Pierce

I Job Bowring of Situate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts do testify and say, that Robert Prince of Situate in said County served with me six months on Castle William as a private in the states service in the war of the American Revolution, under the direction of Col: Burkanka who was the chief engineer. In Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven, employed in all the different branches of repairing the fort.
Witness - Paul Litchfield
Job his  Bowring mark
Plymouth July 28 - 1832 Then the above named Job Bowring made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true before me.
Samuel H. Sumner Just: of Peace And I certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named Job Bowring for many years, and that he is a credible person. Attest Samuel H. Sumner Just: of the Peace

Caleb Rogers Deposition for Robert Rine

I Caleb Rogers of Hanover in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts on oath do testify and say that Robert Pierce of Scituate in said County of Plymouth served with me one Campaign of five months as a private soldier in the State Militia in the war of the American Revolution at New-York In the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six, in the Company commanded by Freeman Chamberlain, whose first Lieutenant was Joseph House, the second was Nathaniel Whittenden, In the Regiment commanded by Col. Gary of Bridgewater.
Caleb Rogers
Plymouth 1 st July 25 - 1832 Then the above named Caleb Rogers made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true.
Before me Samuel C Turner Just. Peace.
And I certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named Caleb Rogers for many years and that he is a credible person.
Attest Samuel C Turner Just. of the Peace

I Gideon Young of Scituate in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts aged seventy one years on oath do testify and say that in the year 1778 - Robert Purn of Scituate aforesaid was a soldier in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution that he served at Cambridge to guard Burgoyne's Army but how long he served or in what Company, I do not now recollect but that he was there in said service. I do know, I having been there at the same time and saw him there - and further saith not.
Gideon Young
Plymouth ss August 2 - 1832 Then the above named Gideon Young made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true before me. -
Samuel H Turner Just. of Peace And I certify that I have been personally acquainted with the above named Gideon Young for twenty five years, and that he is a Credible Person. - Albert Samuel H Turner Just of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth P. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Samuel A. Turner Esq. is a Jus- tice of the Peace for said County & that I believe his name subscribed to the within & annexed Certificates are true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twentieth day of December A.D. 1832
Jacob H. Lord
Robert Pierce - Gideon D. Allen Deposition for

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Augt 15 th 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the Name of Robert Pierce, is born on a Pay Roll of Capt d Howard Pierce Company, in Col o Theophilus Cottons Regt. drafted from the Towns of Scituate & Hanover on a Secret expedition, to march to Newton, in September 1777, he is therein stated to have served, including time to return One Month & Six Days
Edward D. Bangs, Secretary

Robert Pierce

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 8. 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Robert Peirce is borne on a roll of "Capt. John Turner's Company, in Col. Eleazar Brooks Reg t at Cambridge" — in the public service — & he is therein stated to have served two months, viz from Feb y 3 d to April 3, 1778.
Edward D Bangs. Secy

Renham
5154
INVALID.
File No. 5157
Service Robert Pierce
Print RW Nov
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. M , Page 296
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Robert Pierce which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. * Has he mentioned 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? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? (documentary) 3 witnesses all confirmed as credible
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. † Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.