Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22936, for Solomon Peirce, New Hampshire

SERVICE
NUMBER
A.H.
Peirce, Solomon or Pierce.
S. 22936
CONTENTS

21.697 New Hampshire
Solomon Pierce of Keolis in the State of N.H. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Emerson of the Regt commanded by Col. Noyes in the N.H. line for 7 months 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of New Hamp at the rate of 25 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of Oct to Betsy and Sarah Sam Dana Grotton Mass
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1831 $62.50 Semi-annual allowance ending March 4, 1832 12.50 $75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N.H. Addison Cl Book 2 Vol. 151 Page 110

State of New Hampshire
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Hillsborough D.S. 1632.
On this twenty seventh day of August personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate within and for the County of Hillsborough in the
State of New Hampshire of Hollis in said County Solomon Deere aged eighty one years
Who being 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say About the 1st December A.D. 1775, I entered a company commanded by Capt. Noah Worcester to go to Cambridge, until the year, could be enlisted to sue- ced the eight months men; my engagement was for six weeks, but we remained two months before the army could be filled. Obediah Parker was Lieut. Robert Sever of Raby Ensign, and Daniel Baily Orderly Sergeant; we were (then) in Col. Durgyn's regiment and I was gone full time months to Cambridge. 2. In July A.D. 1776 I entered for five months to go to Ticonderoga was in the company of Daniel Emerson, Obediah Parker and William Merrill Lieutenants and Grimes, Ensign, and his company was in Col. Wingates regiment. In July I marched to Ticonderoga and then served until the middle of December following; My enlistment expired the 1. December, but was employed in making coal under J. Merrill, and could not be discharged until they had done their coal; so that I served some time more than five months, but I can state the day on which I was discharged.
He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever 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 in open Court - Solomon Deere
We Eli Smith. Bernard Parker. Judge of Probate.
a Clergyman residing in the town of Hollis in the county of Hillsborough and I, Jesse Worcester of the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Solomon Deere who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be eighty one years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Eli Smith. Before me B. Parker Esq. Joel Justice Friend Jesse Worcester Hillsboro County

And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion, that 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 so on as he states.
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Coli Smith who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said Hollis & that Joseph Worcester who has signed the same resides in Hollis and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Colman Parkin , Judge of Probate - Charles H. Atherton  Proctor in Cause Clerk of the Court of Probate for the County of Hillsborough aforesaid do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Solomon Pierce for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two .
Colman Parkin  Proctor in Cause
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, mostly illegible.]

12 Declaration of Solomon Pierce No. 1
This case contains three Papers. Nos 1. 2. 3
(12.655)
The Applicant desires to be placed on the Mass a Agency at Boston & that his Cert a may be sent to his agent.
Sam. Danahy. Guston Ms.

State of New Hampshire.
Hillsborough
middlesex , to wit,
At the Court of
Probate . . . . .
begun and holden at
Amherst . . . . .
within and for the County of
Hillsborough
A. D. 1832
on the
twenty seventh
day of
August
claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following
On the application of
Solomon Pease
Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1 Where, and in what year, were you born ?
Answer,
in Epton Ms. on the 18 Oct. 1750.
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer,
I have no such record.
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer,
When called into service, I lived in Hollis N.H. where, I have ever since, and now do live
4 Did you ever receive any written discharge, from service? Answer, I never received any such discharge.
5. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer,
I was always a Volunteer and entered the service on my own motion
6. 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 service?
Answer,
I saw Gen. Washington at Cambridge in 1775, I stood guard at his door, Gen. Sullivan was also there & Col. Prescott & many others - at Princeton I labored 1. day for Gen. Sullivan being at the Chimney
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?
Answer,
Capt. Bailey, Mr. Prescott, Benj. M. Farley, Wm. Ames and Benj. Pool Esqrs. Solomon Pease
Attest
C. H. Hutton Clerk

Solomon Pierce
12. 655
N Hampshire
on Note Col. Mangah Nest Capt. Emerson Co
N. Hamp.
Parade 7 Mar 15 days 14 ob
March 12. 1833
Phila E
Present
P 291
Same Diana Griscom Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Solomon Pierce of North Stock in the State of New Hampshire  Rollis (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? 81 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.     Dec 15 th In 1775 " 2 " Private Cap. Worcester P. Durgin   July - 76 " 5 15 " " Emerson G. Wingate  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None Stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Herol, N.H.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? In addition any Evidence & Living Witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Witnesses not Stated as credible, Justice Place not certified to. & the papers not properly Authenticated 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
L. D. Adison Examining Clerk.

F. H. DAM ATTORNEY AT LAW
TELEPHONE PRIVATE EXCHANGE 39
Perkins 205
MUTUAL LIFE BUILDING, 222 SANSOME STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
Sep. 16, 1902.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen: Kindly send me the revolutionary record of Solomon Pierce (also spelled Peirce and Pers), born June 15, 1742; married 1763 to Emily Tesson; and died in West Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 16, 1821. I am told that he took part in the battle of Lexington and later served in the campaign at Bennington, and that he received some pay. Also be kind enough to send me the references to the records where you obtain your information and I shall gladly remit charges. Mr. Pierce is my great-great grandfather.
And you will greatly oblige
Yours very truly, F. H. Dam.

K.P.
Boston Mass
May 26 1896
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir, —
Please forward to me any information in relation to Thomas Kenney supposed to have been a revolutionary soldier from Pittston Me, whose widow Hannah afterwards drew a revolutionary pension — also in relation to

Solomon Pierce of Townsend Mass. and oblige,
Miss. H. P. Lander # 331 Pearl St.
Cambridgeport Mass

Solomon Pierce
12. 5 55
On roll Capt. Emerson
Ja. Bana

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Solomon 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?
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? 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? 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.  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.

Revolution
22936 INVALID.
File No. 22,936
Solomon Pierce
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 99 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 329
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 4 '96 sold & used to Miss H P Saunders Cambridgeport Mass JMB
Apr. 3-1902
F. H. Dam - San Francisco Cal

22936
3-068. (Old No. 3-649.)
6-20
Bureau of Pensions.
Solomon Pierce
Aug 27, 1832 - 81
Hollis A.H.
Dec 175 - Hollis A.H.
Capt. Frank Worcester
Col -
Put. 2 m
July 76 -
Capt. Daniel Emerson
Col. Wingate
Put. 5 m
Room Gaston Mass
Oct. 18, 1752
no Bat man

O. W. & N. Div. L. W. B. I. 22936. W. 26745.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., June 4th, 1896.
Madam:-
Replying to your request for information concerning the military records of Solomon Pierce and Thomas Kenney, soldiers of the Revolutionary war, you are advised as follows:
Solomon Pierce made an application for pension on August 27th, 1832, at which time he was residing at Hollis, N. H., and 81 years of age, and his pension was allowed for seven months and fifteen days' actual service as a private in the N. H. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Daniel Emerson and Col. Wingate. Place of enlistment not stated.
Thomas Kenney made an application for pension on April 15th, 1818, at which time he was residing at Hallowell, Maine, and 57 years of age, and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Cushing and Col. Joseph Vose. Place of enlistment not stated.
His widow, Hannah, made application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
Miss H. P. Lander, 331 Pearl St., Cambridgeport, Mass.
Commissioner.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex
ss.
July 25.
183 l.
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, within and for all the Counties in said Commonwealth.
Joshua Davis
who subscribed the
Deposition
and made solemn Oath, that the same is just and true in all its particulars according to the best of his knowledge and belief
Sam. Dana
And I do further certify that the above named Joshua Davis is a disinterested and credible witness Sam. Dana justice of the peace

Wilton N.H.
I Joshua Davis of Hollis aged 88, do depose and say that I served in the war of the revolution, as by my declaration and file in the office of the secretary of war, will appear. I further say, that I am well acquainted with Solomon Pierce of Hollis; and that in the latter part of the year A.D. 1775, some troops were wanted to sustain the army, after the time of the months should expire, and before the year's men could be raised and organized. - And Capt. Noah Worcester raised a company in which said Solomon Pierce was to have served for six weeks, and they marched to Cambridge, and were stationed near the colleges; we were in Col. Durgin's regiment where he served two months until the troops from Connecticut should arrive, when the said Joshua Davis Solomon Pierce was discharged at No. 2. in Cambridge. —
in presence of.
Jesse Worcester
Joshua Davis mark.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. I Elias Priney clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Middlesex, do certify that Samuel Dana Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, within said County, and that his name set to the within annexed Certificate is his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court the twenty ninth day of March 1833.
E. Priney.
Affidavit No. 2 for William Davis the son of Solomon Davis

When I examined this claim today, there was testimony only one, not "two living witnesses";
There were two only, not "three Papas" in the case
B.M.D.
June 27, 1927.