Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 5164, for Joshua Prentiss, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass,
Prentiss, Joshua
S 5164
CONTENTS
carded

15757 Massachusetts
Joshua Prentiss a Col. in the State of Mass. who was a Lieutenant in the Company commanded by Captain Merritt of the Rgt commanded by Col. Dyer in the Mass. for 8 months & 18 days
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Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 100 Dollars - 73 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 nd day of Feb 1833 and sent J. Prince Marblehead Massachusetts
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 219. 46 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 86 $ 306. 32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Atkinson Clerk, Book E Vol. 24 Page 65
588 V. 24

to of Mass man
9766.
Printed
1

State of Massachusetts
County of Essex S.S. Marblehead
On this 10 th day of August A.D. 1832. Before Me David Cummins esq. Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and a Court of Record within and for said County of Essex, Joshua Prentiss of said Marblehead County and State aforesaid aged eighty eight 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. 1832. That he was in the Revolutionary War and Commissioned as Lieutenant in a Company of Militia John Merrill of said Marblehead Commander, in Col. John Glover's Regiment of Infantry and enlisted in said Company on the twenty fourth day of April Seventeen hundred and seventy five and did duty in said Company at said Marblehead until the twenty second day of June following at which time the Regiment marched from Marblehead and joined the American troops at Cambridge then under the Command of General Ward, in a short time afterward General Washington arrived at Cambridge and took the command of all the American Troops there, that the Regiment to which this Declarant belonged continued at Cambridge performing duty from time to time until the thirty first day of December Seventeen hundred seventy five, and was then Discharged.
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 the Agency of any State
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Joshua Prentiss David Cummins
We Rev. John Bartlett a clergyman, residing in the town of Marblehead and Benjamin Knight esq. residing in said Marblehead hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Joshua Prentiss who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty eight years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been an officer of the Revolution. And that we concur in that Opinion
John Bartlett Benjamin Knight David Cummins
And the said Judge doth hereby declare his 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 Officer and served as he states. And the said Judge further Certifies that it appears to him that Rev. John Bartlett is a clergyman resident in the town of Marblehead and that Benjamin Knight esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Marblehead and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit; and that the above named Applicant is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity.
D Cummins

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I John Prince Junr. Clerk of the courts of Common Pleas, being a court of Record within and for the County of Essex, Do hereby certify, that the Hon. David Cummins esq. is a Judge of said courts, and that the within signature is his genuine signature. and that John Prince of Marblehead, is one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for, said County of Essex, and that the signature annexed, is his true signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas, at Salem this thirteenth day of August, Eighteen hundred and thirty two.
John Prince Clerk
I Mason Harris of Marblehead in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, Yeoman, Doth on Oath Depose and say, that in the Revolutionary war in the year seventeen hundred, and seventy five, I belonged to a company of Militia Commanded by Capt. John Selman, in Col. John Glover's Regiment of Infantry: and that I belonged to said Regiment, from the twenty fourth day of April of said year, until the thirty first day of december following: and during this period, I well remember, and knew Joshua Prentiss of said Marblehead who was a Lieutenant in Capt. John Merritt's Company, in Col. John Glover's Regiment, and I well remember, that the said Joshua Prentiss entered the service in said Merritt's Company about the same time that I entered in Selman's Company and that we continued from time to time doing duty in our said Regiment, at Cambridge Mass. until the thirty first day of December Seventeen hundred & seventy five, at which time our Regiment was discharged at Cambridge.
Mason Harris
Essex ss Marblehead April 24 th 1833. Then personally appeared Mason Harris the above named, and made Oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit by him subscribed. And I further certify that he is a credible witness.
before me. John Prince Junr.

1 1 1 Commission hereto attached remained for safe keeping & placed in Chiefs room.
W L P Apr 23. 1904

Joshua Prentiss
N o 9966
Sent 8 Mr 7 days
14. 16 06
Apr 17 1833
P. 341
 80  26.64  3. 06  350 109.73  44 
J Prince Jr
Marblehead
Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Joshua Prentiss of the County of Essex in the State of Mass.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? bodily infirmity  3. How old is he? 88 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. As a Gen.     In 1775. th Apr. 24, to 31 Dec. '75 — 8 7 Lieut. Col. Glover, Capt. Merritt  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Marblehead  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Deposition & Commission  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Regular
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Bell Examining Clerk.

to go, Ill. to the city of...
Rev. Man
5164
INVALID.
File No. 5764
John Prentiss Lieut. Col. Inf.
Act: June 14 1882
Index:—Vol. M , Page 302
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1894 Dec. 7 Hist Geo. D. Prentiss, Chicago Nov. 7-1900. H. D. Louis N. Farnsworth - Salt 1916, Aug. 11. History to Elizabeth Prentiss

Central Parkway
Also remarks

PW Sec am Ere 1
August 2, 1916.
The Honorable The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I should be very glad to be favored with a copy of the records of your office concerning my ancestor, Lieut. Joshua 85164 Prentiss of Glover's Massachusetts Regiment, who served in the Company of Capt. John Merrit of Marblehead. Also anything concerning Col. Azor Orne, of Marblehead, a member of the Committee of Safety, who was also a Revolutionary patriot, and served, I think, in the War of 1812. Prentiss's record covers but the one War, the Revolution.
Thanking you in advance, I beg to remain,
Very truly yours,
Elizabeth Prentiss
Address--
Miss Elizabeth Prentiss, Care G.B. Weed, Elverhoj Art Colony, Milton-on-Hudson, New York.

JOSEPH R. WALKER.
MATTHEW H. WALKER.
Walker Bros, Bankers.
Salt Lake City, Utah.
ESTABLISHED 1859
Nov. 1 st 1900
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: Will you please procure for me a Certificate from the Pension Bureau, showing the service of Joshua Prentiss in the Revolutionary War. He was Lieutenant in Capt. John Murrills Co. from Marblehead. His Commission is dated Feby. 12 th 1773. and he was afterward pensioned for his services. This certificate is desired for the purpose of proof as to eligibility for membership in the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Any expense attached to the search I will remit.
Yours Respectfully, Louis N. Farnsworth

521-531 Wabash Ave., Chicago, Nov 15 th 1894.
Hon. Wm. Lockren Com. Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir. Will you kindly furnish me with the military history of Joshua Prentiss, Marblehead Mass. I have records, showing that he served as Lieutenant in the revolutionary army, in Cambridge, in Capt. John Merritt's Company from Marblehead, for eight months, for which he had a pension. The statement is also made that he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in a military company of Foot in Marblehead under command of Capt. Thomas Pedrick, commission dated Feb 12 th 1773 and issued by Thomas Hutchinson Governor-in-Chief of the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
Any information in addition to the military history that may be shown on the records, will be of great interest, and will be duly appreciated.
Yours Respectfully George D. Prentiss C/o American Book Company.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Joshua Prentiss a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. F. 3-164.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 24, 1775 to Dec 31, 75 Lieut. John Merritt John Glover Mass                                     
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted at Marblehead Mass
Date of application for pension, Aug. 10, 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Marblehead, Essex Co Mass
Age at date of application, 88 yrs.
Remarks: There is no data relative to family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

N o 9766 Joshua Prentiss.
J Prince jun Esq Marblehead Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joshua Prentiss 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? 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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes 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? no Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? no 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. Made 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.

THE CONGRESS OF THE COLONY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.
To Joshua Greenlee Gentlemen
GREETING.
WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Courage and good Conduct, Do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you the said Joshua Greenlee to be Lieutenant of the Eighth  First Company in the Regiment of Foot whereof John Glover was in Col. raised by the Congress aforesaid, for the Defence of said Colony.
You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Lieutenant in leading, ordering, and exercising the said Company in Arms, both inferior Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline; and they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Lieutenant and you are yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall, from Time to Time, receive from the General and Commander in Chief of the Forces raised in the Colony aforesaid, for the Defence of the same, or any other your superior Officers, according to military Rules and Discipline in War, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you.
By Order of the Congress,
Watertown, the 19 th of May Sam Freeman Secretary P. T.
Jos Warren President P. T. A. D. 1775.