Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8257, for John Pilsbury, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. Sea Service
Pilsbury, John Pillsbury or Lydia
P 8257
CONTENTS

2754 Massachusetts John Pillsbury
Newburyport in the State of Mass who was a Seaman in the Brig Independence commanded by Captain Sampson of the Mass Brig Independence on the Mass for 24 Months
Not Recd
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 96 Dollars  Cents per annum, commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of July 1834 and sent to Wm Ward Esq Newburyport Mass
arrears to the 14th of Mar 1834. $28 8 Femi-ant. allowance ending 11 th Sep " 48 $336
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 66
80 Eph

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS: COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss.
On this eleventh day of September A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the HONORABLE DANIEL APPLETON WHITE, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, now sitting, John Pillsbury , a resident of Newburyport, in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 78 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 entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
He first entered as a Seaman on board the private armed Schooner Washington commanded by Captain Thomas Jones, mounting four carriage guns, besides small arms, and manned with about thirty men, and commissioned by the Government of the United States (and as he believes the first private fitted at Newburyport - In the best of his present remembrance, sailed in her from said Newburyport, in the year 1775, cruised in her about one month, in Boston Bay.
Afterwards, in the Winter of 1775, or beginning of the year 1776, he entered on board the same Schooner having about the same armament, and then under the command of Captain Joseph Stockton and cruised in her off the Eastern Shore about six weeks -
Afterwards he entered on board the private armed Schooner Ranger, commanded by Captain Peter Roberts, mounting six carriage guns, several swivels, and small arms, and manned with about fifty men, also commissioned by the Government - Sailed in her from said Newburyport, in the month of September 1776, on a cruise against the Enemy, cruised off Newfoundland, and there captured a British Brig & Schooner in -
Afterwards fell in with a large Brigantine from New Bedford and for Ireland, with a number of passengers, having on board a full cargo of Salt and Oil. (which passed in her) took her commander and some men and sent on board ten men, including Officers, to examine her situation and report. As it became dark suddenly, and soon blew a heavy gale, in which the prize was separated from the private (and as he believes the day following the first officer of the Prize and the crew succeeded in regaining possession, and made for Ireland, in about three days after fell in with the American State Brig Independence commanded by Captain Sampson, mounting sixteen or eighteen guns, manned with from twenty to thirty men by whom she was retaken and ordered for Boston, with about twenty other crew: - Several of the crew of the Ranger with Samuel Nason and himself were ordered on board the State Brig Independence before mentioned, and cruised in her about three weeks, when being then off Cape Sable, they fell in with his Britannic Majesty's Brig Hafe, commanded by Captain Nason, and a transport of sixteen guns and fifty men - the Hafe mounting sixteen guns - they fought for about an hour and a half, and in a severe action with them had five men killed and badly wounded, and being overpowered were compelled to surrender, soon after put on board the Hafe and sent to Halifax, and confined on board a prison ship called the Burlington, and there he remained for some time, after which he was removed to the prison on shore, where he was taken ill with fever, and removed to the Hospital, from thence after very severe suffering he was with from three to four hundred other American prisoners put on board the ship Royal Society, and ordered for New York, under convoy of a Brig of sixteen guns - In about four or five days after leaving Halifax rose upon the officers and crew of the prison ship and they understood were about to take them to New York, and succeeded in capturing her, and taking advantage of a dark and tempestuous night, avoided the Enemy, and altering their course got clear, and in about eight or nine days afterwards arrived at Marblehead - Having been absent from the United States on said cruise sixteen months, during which term he suffered very severely -
He afterwards entered on board the Private armed Brig Yates, commanded by Captain Joseph Johnson

mounting as far as he now remembers light carriage guns and during the appearance of Sackett's ... with from twenty to thirty men, and commanded by the Government as letter of marque - served as seamen on board her as nearly as he can now remember in the year 1778, and was in her on a cruise from Three months.
He afterwards entered on board the letter of marque as above mentioned commanded by Captain Louis Newman, mounting six carriage guns, and manned with about twenty five men, and was absent on her on a cruise from Three to four months in the year 1778 or 1779, as nearly as he now remembers.
was born in Newbury, since Newburyport after 1754 has no record except Town books, lined there when he entered the service voluntarily - refers to a letter to Colonel Dyer dated March 1778 for his character for veracity. (a) which in his revolutionary service had no written discharge -
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.
John Peabody
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
J. B. Pierce
JUDGE OF PROBATE.
We, James Morse (D.D) a clergyman, residing in Newburyport aforesaid, and Asa W. Wildes Esquire, a magistrate, residing in Newburyport aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Peabody who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 78 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.
Subscribed and sworn to before
James Morse
James Morse A. W. Wildes

John Pillsbury
15079 John Pillsbury
Admiral
24 Months
Seaman
Ship Independence
Capt Sampson
Mr. Hoar Esq. Newburyport Mass

And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Rev. Samuel Morris D.D. who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Newburyport and that the said Ebenezer Wildes Esq. who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident at Said Newburyport and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
D. H. White Judge of Probate
I, NATHANIEL LORD Junior, Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Pillsbury for a pension: also that William Coart is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex, and that his signature to the affidavit annexed is genuine.
also that I believe Samuel Meder , before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been taken, to be a justice of the peace as therein stated; and that the signature of his name thereto is his genuine signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eleventh day of September -- A. D. 1832.
Nath. Lord Jr.

To all whom it may concern — I Samuel Nowell now of Wolfborough in the County of Strafford and State of New Hampshire — but formerly residing in Newbury-port in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify depose and say — that in the year 1776 or 77 John Pillsbury of said Newbury-port and myself shipped on board the privateer Ranger under the command of Capt Peter Roberts — soon after we sail'd we captured a large British Brig, and the said John Pillsbury and myself with five others were put on board the Prize — on board of her were eighty seven persons — they rose on us and retook the Brig — the said prize Brig was again captured by the States Brig Independence commanded by Capt Sampson — the said John Pillsbury and myself entered on board the said Brig Independence and composed a part of her crew — on board of which brig we were captured by the British Brig Hope and Ship Vancy and carried to Halifax and imprisoned about sixteen months — at or about the time that our imprisonment at Halifax expired it was deemed expedient that we should be removed from Halifax to New-York — we were shipped on board a British Ship under convoy of a British Brig of fourteen guns and ordered for New-York — a few days after leaving Halifax in a severe gale we were separated from our convoy and rose on the Officers and crew of said Ship — secured them and obtained
own in + ! on my and in new as red to my Ship five days about night, and safe to time
John

possession of the vessel - steered for Marblehead where we made our triumphant arrival in a few days - and I do further certify and state that the said John Pillsbury was an active an efficient co-operator in all these transactions.
Samuel D. Merrill
State of New Hampshire
Stratford ss - July 9. 1832 Then personally appearing the above said Samuel Merrill made solemn oath that the foregoing statement by him subscribed is just and true before me
Samuel Meder Justice of the peace
" I do also certify that the above named Samuel Merrill is a credible witness Samuel Meder Justice of the Peace
State of New Hampshire
Stratford county ss. I Francis Cogswell clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county of Stratford do hereby certify that Samuel Meder Esquire before whom the above and foregoing affidavit was taken was at the time it was taken and now is a Justice of the Peace for said county of Stratford and that I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his true and proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty eighth day of June A.D. 1834.
Francis Cogswell Clerk.

State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Essex. }
On this twenty eighth day of - June - in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three before the subscriber a Judge of the Court of Probate, Essex County, held in and for the County and State aforesaid, being a Court of Record, personally appeared Mrs. Lydia Pillsbury ————— who is to me known as a resident of the City of Newburyport in the County of Essex ————— and State of Massachusetts aged Seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, approved 3 d February A.D. 1853, viz:
That she is the widow of John Pillsbury, late of said County, deceased, who was a Seaman in the Massachusetts State Navy in the war of the Revolution, and a pensioner of the United States under Act of the 7 th June 1832 at the rate of $96. per annum which was paid to him at the Agency of said State at Boston ————— That there is no public record of her marriage - that she was married by the Rev. John Pratt of the Baptist Church of Newburyport, Mass. the records of which Church have been lost or destroyed. That she has no private record of her marriage, and that she was not married prior to 1800 but as follows.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Pillsbury ————— on the tenth twelfth - day of December ————— in the year Eighteen hundred and twelve (1812) as will more fully appear by the proofs hereto annexed: That her husband the aforesaid John Pillsbury
died on the seventeenth day of March ————— in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty six (1836) —————. She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a Pension.
Subscribed & sworn to before me the day and year first above written, and I certify that I have no interest in the application as attorney, agent or otherwise.
D. H. Kimball Judge of Probate
Lydia Pillsbury
I do hereby constitute and appoint Samuel M. Knight of Washington D.C. any time a lawful attorney for the purpose of presenting this my application for a Pension, to attend to the same while pending and to receive the Certificate when issued and to do all things necessary and proper, as freely as I could do were I personally present. Dated this twenty eighth day of June 1853
Witness.
W. Broadstreet
Camden Pillsbury
Lydia Pillsbury
State of Massachusetts } ss.

I do hereby constitute and appoint Samuel M. Kellogg of Washington and any lawful attorney for the purpose of presenting this my application for a Pension to attend to the same while pending and to receive the Certificate when issued and to do all things necessary and proper as fully as I could do were I personally present. Dated this twenty eighth day of June 1853
Witness
W. Broadstreet
Lydia Pillsbury
Caroline Pillsbury
State of Massachusetts
County of Essex
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me the undersigned Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Essex a Court of Record held in and for the said County that John Pillsbury, a Prisoner of the United States.
Died on the seventeenth day of March — eighteen hundred and thirty six — and that he left surviving him the following named widow and children viz: Mrs Lydia Pillsbury, widow — and one Daughter Caroline Pillsbury —
Witness my hand this twenty eighth day of June — A.D. 1853.
W. H. White Judge
State of Massachusetts
County of Essex
I do hereby certify that Hon. Daniel A. White, whose genuine signature appears attached to the foregoing declaration and certificate, was at the date of the same a Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex, held in and for said County (a Court of Record) duly commissioned and sworn. Witness my hand and seal of said Court this twenty
eighth day of June — A.D. 1853.
Geo. R. Lord, Register.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Essex City of Newburyport ss On this first day of July, in the year Eighteen hundred & fifty three before me the subscriber a Notary Public by legal authority admitted & sworn & residing in the City of Newburyport personally appeared Caroline Pillsbury of said Newburyport, singlewoman who being first sworn according to law doth on her oath declare & say that she was present & witnessed the marriage of Capt John Pillsbury late of Newburyport, to Miss Lydia Tenney also of said Newburyport, and that the ceremony was performed by Rev John Peak pastor of the first Baptist Church in Newburyport aforesaid on Sunday evening the twelfth day of December in the year eighteen hundred and twelve
Caroline Pillsbury
Subscribed & sworn to before me the said Notary at Newburyport, the day & year first above written & I further certify that I have no interest in the claim made by Mrs Lydia Pillsbury of S. Newburyport, widow of Capt John Pillsbury deceased, a Pensioner of the United States for services rendered by her husband in the war of the Revolution agreeable to the provisions of the act of Congress approved 3 a February 1853 as attorney, agent or otherwise -
W. Bradstreet Notary Public

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Essex City of Newburyport
I William Bradstreet, a Notary Public legally admitted & sworn and resid- ing in the City of Newburyport, do hereby certify that the following is a true copy from the Newburyport Herald a paper printed in Newburyport, aforesaid and dated De- cember fifteenth eighteen hundred and twelve - Married on Sunday evening by Rev. John Peabody, Capt. John Pillsbury & Miss Lydia Tenney both of Newburyport In testimony whereof I the said Notary have hereunto affixed my Signature and Seal of Office at Newburyport aforesaid this day first day of July in the year Eighteen hundred & fifty three
W. Bradstreet Notary Public
Seal & Signature may probably be found at the office for Sarah Warrington soldier, died in Mexican War and granting a transfer of certificate to Mrs. Car- rier widow of

P. O.
8257 Lydia Pillsbury Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

Pension Office
September 15/53
Sir Please report time of last payment to or death of veteran named per name
Respectfully
J. Gale for Comr.
J. Burt Esqr
3 Aud Present
John Pillsbury, act 32, $96. p. an. — Paid to 4 th March 1836, no date of death on our Books.
J. Burt Auditor.

No 2559
Mrs Lydia Pillsbury of John
Rejected Set of Mr. Knight Sept 14/53 Grog
8257

July 7 th 1853.
Appl. of Lydia Pillsbury, widow of John Pillsbury, Essex co. Mass.
96
Oct 3 rd Feby., 1853.
27504
Rev.
Rejected Sept 17/53. Gray
J. M. Knight, Wash n , D.C.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Records

12
Rev. Hon. L. H. Waldo, Court of Pensions, Present.

Washington.
July 5 th 1853
Hon: S. P. Waldo } Com te of Pensions. } Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith the declaration of Mrs. Lydia Pillsbury, widow of John Pillsbury deceased, (late a pensioner on Mass. roll, under act of 1832) for the benefits of the 2nd. section of the act of 3rd. Feb y 1853; together with evidence of her marriage, and death of her husband.
Very respectfully,
Your ob st Serv t
S. M. Knight

J. L. Edwards Esquire.
Commissaire of Levees.
Washington.

Newburyport July 14th 1834
J L Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Customs
Sir
Permit me to return you herein, the papers in the case of John Lilbury, amended as required by the regulations of your department. -
Very respectfully your obedt Servt
J M. Crafts

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 29 th 1834.
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 John "Pilsberry", as a Seaman, is borne on a List of Officers, Seamen, Marines and Boys belonging to the Brigantine Independence Commanded by Simeon Samson. fitted out on account of the State of Massachusetts Bay. where he is allowed from November 6 th 1776 m do one Month and twenty four days. — 1 = 24
John "Pillsberry's" name is borne on a List of Officers, Seamen, Marines and Boys belonging to the Brigantine Independence. Commanded by Simeon Samson. fitted out on account of the State of Massachusetts Bay. where he is allowed from Jan y 1 st 1777. Six Months and five days. — 6 = 5 7 = 29
John Pillsbury claims as a Prisoner on board the Prison Ship Bolanger at Halifax no evidence of which is found in this Office.
Colonel D. Bangs

City of Newburyport
Ebenezer Johnson Clerk of the City of Newburyport in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. hereby certify that it appears by the records of said City now in my custody that an intention of marriage between Capt John Pillsbury and Miss Lydia Tenney both of Newburyport was entered in the Book of records of intentions of marriage November twenty eighth, One Thousand eight hundred and twelve.
I also certify that there is no record of the marriage of the above named parties in my Office.
I further certify that I have examined a file of the Newburyport Herald a Newspaper printed in Newburyport from which I make the following extract "married in Newburyport on Sunday evening December thirteenth Eighteen hundred and twelve by Rev John Peabody Capt John Pillsbury and Miss Lydia Tenney both of Newburyport." also that the said Newspaper is genuine, and that the said Lydia Tenney named therein is the Widow of the said John Pillsbury.
Given under my hand and the seal of the City of Newburyport this twenty ninth day of June in the year Eighteen hundred and fifty three.
Ebenezer Johnson City Clerk
I Ebenezer Johnson above named on oath do declare that I hold the Office of Clerk of the City of Newburyport aforesaid, and that the above is a true Extract from the records of said City now in my possession with the exception only that in said record the date is expressed in fair legible figures -

Nov r 28 th 1812
Eleazer Johnson City Clerk
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Essex City of Newburyport
On this twenty ninth day of June in the year eighteen hundred & fifty three person- -ally appeared before me the subscriber, Eleazer Johnson, Clerk of the city of Newburyport and made oath that the foregoing statements by him made & signed are true
W Bradstreet Justice of the Peace

I take pleasure in saying that the Widow Lydia Pillsbury is a regular member in good standing of the First Baptist Church of Newburyport. She is one of the oldest members of this church now living, & has ever sustained an irreproachable character.
That she was the lawful wife of Capt John Pillsbury, deceased, no one doubts, though the record of her marriage cannot be found. It has never been the practice of this church to keep a record of marriages; & it is well known that in former years clergymen were very remiss in making either a private or public record of the marriages they celebrated, so that if such records were necessary to substantiate the legality, or certainty of a marriage multitudes of our most respectable aged people would be sadly deficient. That Mrs Lydia Pillsbury was the lawful wife of Capt John Pillsbury there is hardly room for even an unreasonable doubt, as there are hundreds in this place that can testify to their living together in this relation above reproach.
Benj. I. Lane Pastor of the First Bap Church of Newburyport

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex County ss City of Newburyport
On this first day of July in the year eighteen hundred fifty three Rev. Benjamin I. Lane personally appeared before me and made oath that the foregoing statements by him written & subscribed are true
W. Bradstreet Justice of the Peace