Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,555, for John Presbrey, Connecticut

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Comm. Sea Service
Presbrey, John
Q 1-8 5 5 5-
Mass
R. D.
Carded
CONTENTS

74 Bristol
6715 Massachusetts John Presbrey of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain  of the regt commanded by Col Dean in the Mass line for 12 (May 24 D o Pirate 3 - Cape Mass and Conn Sea Service
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 53 Dollars 67 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of March 1833 and sent to Hon J L Lodge St of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1833 $107.34 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept " 26.83
$134.17
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H Blain Clerk, Book D. Vol. 2 nd Page 75.

John Nesbitt
J.S.H.
3989
where we shall also see weeks and afternoons were spent in Providence for the in the winter of season

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, BRISTOL, ss.
At a COURT of PROBATE holden at Taunton — in and for said County on the Twenty Seventh day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the Honorable My Adj. HODJAH
BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared John Presbrey a resident of Taunton in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy two years,
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated in reply to the fifth subjoined interrogatory; to wit, under Capt. Joseph Trow S t . Luberun Field & Ensign Take whose first name I do not recollect, the regimental officers he does not remember; again under Capt. Robert Crossman  Robert Crossman & S t Benj. Shorr, in the regiment under Col. John whose name I do not recollect, if indeed he joined any regiment, they were under Brigadier Gen. George Godfrey; again under Capt. Ebenezer Dean, whose other company officers he does not remember, in the regiment under Col. John Doyett as he thinks; again in the naval service of the State of Connecticut in the Brig Defence of fourteen guns, under Capt. Samuel Smedley, S t Angel; again under Capt. Edward Blake whose company officers he does not remember, in a regiment under Col. George Williams, whose other officers he does not remember; again in Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island, where he cannot remember any of his officers; again under Capt. Matthew Randall, S t Nathan Hack, Ensign John Godfrey; the regimental officers he cannot remember; again under S t Nehemiah Pratt, he cannot remember any other officer of the company or regiment;
and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Taunton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty.
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? I have in my possession a record of my age in a book kept by my father in which he has recorded the births & deaths in his family and wherein my birth appears recorded in his hand writing, as having been on the fourteenth day of February old style in the year aforesaid.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? I have always lived in Taunton aforesaid.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? Sometimes I voluntarily enlisted, once I was a substitute for my brother William Presbrey, sometimes having been enrolled in the militia according to Law, we were called out by our officers. —
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. I served under Capt. Trow four months, in the militia, we marched in the month of December from Taunton aforesaid to Roxbury near Boston, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five, we staid there about two weeks, thence to Winter Hill Fort in Cambridge where we staid till the first of March seventeen hundred & seventy six, in these places we were on guard duty; from Cambridge we went to Dorchester point, now called South Boston, & carried there fascines to make a fort, while so employed I remember four American soldiers, including a sergeant, were killed by one cannon ball from the first gun that was fired at us by the enemy; I cannot remember what other officers or regiments were there with us; I served four months; Under Capt. Crossman we marched from Taunton to Warren in the State of R. Island and there staid about two weeks, thence we crossed Plade's Ferry and marched down to Howland's Ferry in Dartmouth in the same State, where we staid three months; this was in the fall of the year seventeen hundred and seventy six and the particular month I cannot remember; we then guarded the coast against any incursion of the enemy who held the Island; at this time, I being enrolled in said company of militia, the company were called out to service; Under Capt. Dean I served three months, our company marched from Taunton to Howland's Ferry in the month of December in the year seventeen hundred & seventy six, this time I enlisted; we were on the same duty as last aforesaid and our guard house was on a point a little south of the Ferry, while there, I was once on a party detached for forage on Rhode Island, we were then attacked by the enemy with three field pieces; but succeeded in bringing off our forage without loss; Under Capt. Smedley I shipped at New Bedford in the said County of Bristol in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven, in what month I do not remember; but as soon as we arrived
Services, time { 1st mo? 1st: 2 weeks 3m?

1. Where, and in what year were you born? Ans. That he was born in Taunton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty.  2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? I have in my possession a record of my age in a book kept by my father in which he has recorded the births & deaths in his family and wherein my birth appears recorded in his hand writing, as having been on the fourteenth day of February old style in the year aforesaid.  3 Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? I have always lived in Taunton aforesaid.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? Sometimes I voluntarily enlisted, once I was a substitute for my brother William Presbrey, sometimes having been enrolled in the militia according to Law, we were called out by our officers. —
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
I served under Capt. Frow four months, in the militia, we marched in the month of December from Taunton aforesaid to Roxbury near Boston, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five, we staid there about two weeks, thence to Winter Hill Fort in Cambridge where we staid till the first of March seventeen hundred & seventy six, in these places we were on guard duty; from Cambridge we went to Dorchester point, now called South Boston, & carried their fascines to make a fort, while so employed I remember four American soldiers, including a sergeant, were killed by one cannon ball from the first gun that was fired at us by the enemy; I cannot remember what other officers or regiments were there with us; I served four months; Under Capt. Crossman we marched from Taunton to Barron in the State of R. Island and there staid about two weeks, thence we crossed Slade's Ferry and marched down to Howland's Ferry in Riverton in the same State, where we staid three months; this was in the fall of the year seventeen hundred and seventy six and the particular month I cannot remember; we then guarded the coast against any incursion of the enemy who held the Island; at this time, I being enrolled in said company of militia, the company were called out to service; Under Capt. Dean I served three months, our company marched from Taunton to Howland's Ferry in the month of December in the year seventeen hundred & seventy six, this time I enlisted; we were on the same duty as last aforesaid and our guard house was on a point a little south of the Ferry, while there, I was once on a party detached for forage on Rhode Island, we were then attacked by the enemy with three field pieces; but succeeded in bringing off our forage without loss; Under Capt. Smedley I shipped at New Bedford in the said County of Bristol in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven, in what month I do not remember; I served in this Brig two months & thirteen days, on a cruise in which we took no prize, we arrived in Boston, where I was paid my wages & dismissed; Under Capt. Platt I served in what was called Spence's secret expedition ; I enlisted this time, we marched from Taunton down by the Bay opposite the east side of R. Island, where we marched and countermarched for some time, and at length encamped in Helbon Wood , so called, opposite said coast, on a height of land, from some cause or other the expedition failed; we served in this expedition thirty two days; In Sullivan's expedition , I served fifteen days, I enlisted in Providence; but, as above said, cannot remember my officers; it was in some company of militia; we marched to Rhode Island; and on Easton's Beach near the British lines, being on Pigut guard next to a regiment of Continentals, when the troops were about to retreat, I, & my brother who was with me, were ordered to go in some regiment of Continentals, with which we continued during the next day during the Battle of Dunker Hill ; this regiment as I recollect repulsed three attacks of the enemy's artillery; during the retreat after the Battle, in the night I was employed in a boat transporting the Troops & baggage to the Main across Howland's Ferry ; again under Capt. Randall I entered as a substitute for my brother William Presbrey , and served in this company, which was Militia, as a corporal, for three months, marching from Taunton to Warwick in  Services, time { 4 mo ? { 1st: 2 weeks { 3 mo { 2 mo { 1 mo { 3 mo { 15 mo: 2 weeks {

over 15m: 15 days { 10 days 15m: 25 days.
Rhode Island where we staid about six weeks and afterwards were stationed in Providence for the rest of the term, guarding against any incursion of the enemy; this was in the winter of seventeen hundred and seventy eight & seventy nine; but I do not remember the time of entry or dismissal. Again I entered the service under Lt. Pratt, I was enrolled in his company of militia & marched according to order in the fall of the year seventeen hundred and eighty to Natick in Newton, now Derry, in this State where we served ten days to prevent an incursion which was apprehended from the enemys ships in the Bay. As during all the aforesaid services I was either only a private soldier or a corporal, I cannot suppose that I noticed particularly at the time the other troops or officers in company with which we served and have now no recollection of any of them. I refer for proof of my several services, to the several affidavits hereto annexed, and I also annex hereto an ancient paper purporting to be a muster roll of Capt. Blake's company, which his widow gave me and told me she found it among her deceased husband's papers.

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the whom was it given, and what has become of it? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission was it signed, and what has become of it? I was a soldier and once a captain and on no occasion received a written discharge; as was usual when service was out the Company was dismissed; I received no money it was not usual to furnish warrants to non commissioned
7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
I am known to James L. Hodges, member of Congress and to the Reverend Luther Hamilton both of Taunton and to the Reverend Erastus Maltby of the same Town
And the said John Presbrey doth further declare that he has no claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of  John Presbrey
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies
WE Erastus Maltby a clergyman Luther Hamilton a clergyman James L. Hodges residing in the Town of Bristol aforesaid and James L. Hodges residing in the Town of Taunton certify that we are well acquainted with John Presbrey who has subscribed to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy two years of age; that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in the
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year last aforesaid.
Erastus Maltby H. Baylies
AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and the examination of the depositions and rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary soldier as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Erastus Maltby preceding certificate is a clergyman — resident in the Town of Taunton Bristol, and that James L. Hodges — who has also signed the same is a resident in said person, and that their — statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, BRISTOL, ss.
I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Presbrey — of Taunton — in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court above written.
Anselm Bassett

The applicants furnished a minute roll which has been taken out by Captain McWhirter. His name was borne for 1 mo - 2 days - in 1777

I the undersigned do hereby certify that the following is a list of the names of the persons who have been admitted into the several regiments of the Massachusetts Militia, and who have been honorably discharged therefrom, to wit:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol B. Scituate Aug d 16 th - 1832 -
Then personally appeared Dea. Pratt of Scituate aforesaid, aged Seventy Seven years, who on oath testifies, that in the fall of 1776, John Presby of said Scituate, was ordered with myself and others under the command of Brigadier Genl. Geo. Godfrey, Capt. Robert Crossman and Lieut. Ben a Shiner, all of Scituate aforesaid, under whom he served two weeks at Warren R.I. and immediately afterwards - four weeks at Howland's Ferry making a campaign of six entire weeks; - That the said John Presby also served three months in the winter of 1778 and 1779 at Warwick and Providence. R.I. under the immediate command of Capt. Matthew Randall, Lieut. Nathan Hatch and Ensign John Godfrey. - In the latter service the said John Presby acted as corporal; - And that the said Presby served with one, ten days at Slades Ferry, in the fall of 1780, under the command of Lieut. Nehemiah Pratt of Scituate aforesaid.
✓ Dea. Pratt
Before me, James L. Hoolyer, Jur. Public

I hereby certify, that my brother, Seth Presby and John Presby served, in the Massachusetts Militia in the war of the Revolution, in the winter of 1775 and 1776, four months, near Boston. The Officers being Capt. Israel Know, Lt. Lebalum Field and Ensign Taber. I also certify that Seth Presby served as a Sergeant in the Continental Army, five months, in New York City and the Jerseys, in the year 1776 - Beginning with the month of July, his commanding Officers being Col. Casey of Bridgewater, Lieut. Col. Stephen Richardson, and Capt. Simon Cobb, all of Massachusetts. I also certify that John Presby served in the Militia of Massachusetts in the war of the Revolution, at Howland's Ferry, three months, in the year 1777. under the command of Capt. Ebenezer Dyer; — I also certify that John Presby served in the Militia in Warwick and Providence, principally in Warwick - Rhode Island, in the winter of 1778 and 79 three months, his Officers being Col. Daggett, Lieut. Col. Hathaway and Capt. Randall, all of Massachusetts. Simeon Presby
Bristol R. Jan. 10 th September 19 th 1831 Then personally appeared, Simeon Presby, and made solemn oath, that the foregoing certificate by him subscribed, is just and true, according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before me,
James L. Flockton, Not. Public

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Bristol ss.
Sworn August 3 rd 1832.
Then personally appeared Abel Dean of Taunton aforesaid, and made solemn oath, that John Presby, an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 9 th 1832, did serve in a Secret expedition, thirty two days, under the command of Col. George H. Williams, Capt. Edward Blake, and Lieut. David Carver, all of Taunton, Mass. and Lieut. John Pratt of Easton, Mass. That said Presby with the said Dean, mounted to one Hicks' in Severn, N.S. thence to Fogland Ferry and to a Wood, called Hobborne Woods in Rhode Island, and thence back to Fogland Ferry and thence home. This expedition commenced on the 29 th of September 1777, and was commonly called Spencer's expedition;
Abel Dean
Before me, James L. Halsey. Jus. Pacis.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Bristol ss. Sworn Aug. 4 th 1832.
Then personally appeared Seth Presby a resident of Taunton, in the County of Bristol & State of Mass. and made solemn oath, to the following statement, viz: That his Brother John Presby of said Taunton was did serve fifteen days, in the months of August & September 1778. in what was called Sullivan's expedition, and that with myself, he was in the battle, as a private, at Quaker Hill. on the Island of Rhode Island. That the said John Presby also served, according to my personal knowledge, ten days, at Slades Ferry, Mass. under the command of Lieut. Nehemiah Pratt of Taunton, aforesaid.
Seth Presby
Before me, James L. Halsey. Jus. Pacis.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Bristol St. Taunton Aug d 3 rd 1832.
Then personally appeared John Reed, of Taunton aforesaid, Esquire, and made solemn oaths to the following statements, viz: - That in the year of our Lord 1777 in the month of June, John Presbery of Taunton, aforesaid engaged to serve as a common hand in the naval service of the war of the Revolution, on board the Brig Defense, carrying fourteen guns, of the State of Connecticut, and commanded by Capt. Smedley of said State and Lieut. Arnyell of Providence R. Island; That the said Presbery was engaged in the said service according to my personal knowledge, about two months . Said Brig sailed from the port of New Bedford and arrived at the port of Boston, Massachusetts, John Reed
Before me,
James L. Hodges, Jus. Paris

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
93 556 ss. I James Spratt, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that James L. Hodge Esq. whose signature is affixed to the foregoing & annexed certificates, is a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this Monday next after August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three —
J. Spratt
John D. Sleeper
Commonwealth of Massachusetts —
Bristol ss. I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in & for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that James L. Hodge is a Justice of the peace in & for said County of Bristol and duly qualified to administer oaths and that the signatures to the foregoing certificate purporting to be his, are his genuine signatures — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this fifteenth day of January Eighteen hundred & thirty three —
Anselm Bassett

Rev. D. ... John Pratt Dear Pratt Simeon Presby When Reed
Washington Feb 22 nd 1833
I hereby certify to the entire credibility of the foregoing witnesses - Dear Pratt, Simeon Presby and John Reed. --- James L. Hodges.

The applicants furnished a minute roll which has been taken out by Capt Bell (in which his name was borne for 1 mo - 2 days - in 1777)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol B. Scituate Aug 16 1892
Then personally appeared Dea Pratt of Scituate aforesaid, aged Seventy Seven years, who on oath testifies, that in the fall of 1776 John Presbrey of said Scituate, was ordered with myself and others under the command of Brigadier Genl. Geo. Godfrey, Capt. Robert Crossman and Lieut. Ben a Shur all of Scituate aforesaid under whom he served two weeks at Warren R.I. and immediately afterwards - four weeks at Howland's Ferry making a campaign of six entire weeks; - That the said John Presbrey also served three months in the winter of 1778 and 1779 at Warwick and Providence R.I. under the immediate command of Capt. Matthew Randall, Lieut. Nathan Clark and Ensign John Godfrey. - In the latter service the said John Presbrey acted as corporal; - And that the said Presbrey served with one, ten days at Slides' Ferry, in the fall of 1780, under the command of Lieut. Nehemiah Pratt of Scituate aforesaid.
Dea Pratt
Before me, James L. Hodge, Jus. Pacis
[Large decorative flourish signature]

John Presbey of Bristol Mass.
3989
Adm'd
12 mo 24 day Private 3 " 1 " Corporal 15 mo 14 day P. H. H.
$ 53.67. P 196.
A Ballette of Bristol Mass.

BRIEF in the case of  John Presbrey  of Bristol Co in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? in open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 72 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.     In 1795 Dec 4 - Prin Gen. Capr Cron   76 - 1 14 - Crossman   " " 3. - " Dean   77 - 2 - 13 - Shipped with Capr Medley   " - 4 - 2 " Capr Blake secret expediter   78 - - 3 - 13 Capt " Rindal   80 - - - - 10 Pr Lieut. Pratt  
5. In what battles was he engaged? Quaker Hill
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Santon
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living Witnesses Traditional evidence
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.
C. H. S. Blair Examining Clerk.

John Shatry
39.87
A. G. Galt

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Presby of Bristol Co Mass. 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? no 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? 
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? 
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes  NO - And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? Yes  NO -
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 the 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.
†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 authenticated 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 end 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.

1 18555
INVALID.
File No. 18555
John Brethren Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. / , Page 353
[Arrangement of 1870.]