Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,463, for William Meservy Phillips, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Phillips, William Meservey. Walsh, Elizabeth.
W. 15.463
Former Widow
CONTENTS

4975.
Reported
Massachusetts
Elizabeth Walsh formerly widow of Genl. M. Phillips who was a Major  Deacon  of the in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 100 Dollars 41 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Feb 1841 and sent to James Gregory Marblehead Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book L Vol. 1 Page 58

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Essex . . . . . } 55
On this fourth day of April A. D. 1843, personally appeared in open Court, before the Probate Court within and for said County of Essex, Elizabeth Walsh, a resident of said Salem, but formerly a resident of Marblehead in said County aged nearly eighty-five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following (Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Acts of Congress, passed July 7 th , 1838, and the 22 d of August, 1842, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is (was formerly) the widow of William Messervy Phillips, who was a Private in the company of Capt William Bacon of the 21 st Regiment of Massachusetts Foot, commanded by Colonel (afterwards General) John Glover in the War of the Revolution: That her said late husband was a resident of said Marblehead at the time of his enlistment & enlisted in said Corps & in said town, in the eight months' service, as a Private and Volunteer some time in the month of May A. D. 1775: That her said husband continued in said Corps doing his duty in and about said Marblehead until shortly after the Battle of Bunker's Hill, when said Regiment was ordered to Cambridge, near Boston, whither he marched with it & joined the American Army stationed there then under the command of General Ward: That shortly afterward General Washington arrived and took the command: That her said husband continued with said Corps doing his duty at said Cambridge & around said Boston until the thirty-first day of December, following or then about, when the term of service having expired said Regiment was disbanded or discharged.
She further declares, that her said husband again entered the Army service, immediately after his said discharge, and enlisted at said Cambridge about the first of January, 1776, as a volunteer, into the Company of Capt Denny or Deme, of the second Regiment of Artillery of the New York Continental Line , commanded by Colonel (afterwards General) Knox - for the term of one year: That he served as a Corporal in said Corps & continued doing duty around said Boston until the British evacuated it, the siege was raised, about the middle of March following, when said Denny's Company was detached from said Regiment to join a Brigade of Infantry under the command of General Heath, - with which Brigade he marched soon afterward for New York via of Norwalk in Connecticut, from which latter place they proceeded through the Sound by water: That on their arrival at New York they were stationed at Paulus Hook - at which post they were at the time of the capture of the City by the British: That after said capture he continued to do his duty with said Corps in & about the

neighborhood of said City, was engaged in the Battle of White Plains on the 28 th of October following, - After which said Corps retreated with the rest of the American Army into the Jerseys, where they crossed the Delaware in the latter part of December following and captured a Corps of Hessian Troops, & was in the Battle of Trenton a few days afterward, - about which time his Term of Service expired: That about the day his Term of one year expired he was induced, with several others of said company, to enlist again for the further Term of six weeks - at the special request of their Officers - because the recruits for the new forces had not arrived at Camp: that he said husband continued doing his duty as a Corporal afterwards in said Company for a further Term of six weeks - part of which was in their Winter Quarters at Morristown - and until about the middle of February, 1777, when he was discharged, returned to his home in said Marblehead.
That the whole length of his service in said Denny's Artillery Company, as Corporal, was one year and six weeks.
She further declares that immediately after his return home to said Marblehead he entered the naval service of the State of Massachusetts - about the first of March, 1777, - as a Seaman & volunteer, and served one cruise in the Brig Freedom, John Clouston Esq. commander, during which they captured a number of Prizes, - went to France - procured a cargo of soldiers' clothing & warlike stores and returned home to Boston after an absence of about six months.
She further declares, that her said husband was in much other service in the said War of the Revolution besides that which she has herein declared & set forth; but she is at present unable to describe the particulars of said other service, and she begs to refer to the Revolutionary Record & the proofs hereto annexed to corroborate the same.
She also declares that she was married to the said William Masey Phillips on the twenty-fourth day of May, in the year seventeen hundred & seventy-eight; that her husband, the aforesaid William M. Phillips died in the West Indies, while engaged in the Merchant service in the year of our Lord 1784; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz: at the time above stated.
She further declares that after the death of her said named husband, she was married to John Walsh on the fifth day of September, A.D. 1791; that he was lost at sea in the Merchant Service A.D. 1805, and that she is still a widow.
Witnessed by
Elizabeth her X Walsh mark
Hannah Webb
Known to me, subscribed, on the day and year above written -
Before me, D. H. Fiske, Judge of said Court.

I, William Thompson, of Marblehead in the County of Essex, do on my oath testify and declare, that I am in the eighty-fifth year of my age; that I took an active part in the War of the Revolution & served first in the eight months' service at the siege of Boston in the year 1775 - in the Regiment commanded by Col. John Glover; that in 1776 I enlisted again at said Cambridge, for the term of one year, into the Company of Capt. Deering or Dennis of the Artillery (Second or New York) Regiment - proceeded to New York immediately after the evacuation of Boston by the British - in the month of March, 1776 - and was stationed at Paulus Hook at the time of the capture of that City, & was afterwards in the Battle of White Plains - and at the Crossing of the Delaware & Capture of the Hessians at Trenton the latter part of that year - also the Battle of Princeton - after which we went into Winter Quarters at Morristown, where the term of our enlistment expired - but at the request of our Officers our Company enlisted for six weeks longer to enable the new recruits to be got together - and at the expiration of said six weeks we were discharged.
After my said discharge, I immediately enlisted again into the same Regiment for "three years or during the War" & continued to serve therein from time to time, as a Corporal & Sergeant, during the war, until June, 1783, when I was discharged at West Point - During which service I was engaged with the Army at the Siege of Yorktown & capture of Lord Cornwallis - for which service I am now a Pensioner under the Law of 1832, & was first pensioned under the Law of 1818.
And I do on my oath aforesaid further testify and declare, that I was well acquainted with William Merrow Phillips of said Marblehead, and the former husband of Elizabeth Walsh, whose maiden name was Harris, & who I now understand is living in Salem in said County, & is an applicant for a Pension on account of said W. M. Phillips' Revolutionary Service. Said William Merrow Phillips belonged to said Glover's Regiment at the same time I did myself, & according to the best of my recollection he served therein as a private during the whole term of eight months above described. Said Phillips was also a corporal a Corporal in said Capt. Deering or Dennis' Company in the one year's term above described; and I myself was also a Corporal in said Company at the same time. Our Company was divided the latter part of the season, & I was retained in Lieutenant Stevens' half & marched into the Jerseys from "Pigeon Hill". I did not see the other half of the Company left behind after that - in which Phillips remained, but I afterwards understood that Phillips continued to serve therein till his term expired, & I have no doubt whatever of that fact.
Witness my hand,
William his Thompson mark
Rebecca Bartoll
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Marblehead, August 16th. 1841. County of Essex
Then the above named William Thompson signed the above affidavit & made oath to the truth of the same before me the subscriber. And I certify that said Thompson is a credible witness to me personally well known. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Notarial Seal the day & year herein written.
James Grogan, Notary Public, S. of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Essex, ss.
Probate office.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that the honorable Daniel A. White, before whom the foregoing declaration proceedings have been taken, is the judge of probate for said county; and his name, subscribed to the certificate thereon, is his genuine hand writing; the same being done in open probate court.
Given under my hand and seal of office. this fourth day of April, A.D. 1843.
Nath. Lord Jr.
Extract from the Record of publications of intentions of Marriages in the Town of Marblehead, County of Essex State of Massachusetts.
"The intentions of Marriage between Mr. William Meservey Phillips and Miss Elizabeth Ricker of this Town published May 9. 1778" "Certificate May 23. 1778"
I Richard Homan, depose and say that I am Clerk of the Town of Marblehead County & State aforesaid, & that the above is a true extract from the Record.
Richd Homan Clerk of the Town of Marblehead.
Essex ss. Marblehead April 19 1843 Then Richard Homan a credible witness personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit before me the subscriber.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Notarial Seal, the day & year herein written.
James Gregory, Notary Public & Justice of the Peace.
8992
Elizabeth Walsh wid of Mr. N. Phillips
Mass.
Act of July 38
m 78. d 84 91. - 05
Nancy Eaton of Marblehead in the County of Essex, do on my oath testify & declare that I am in the forty-seventh year of my age, that I am well acquainted with Elizabeth Walsh, who is now living in Salem in said County, & who is understood to have signed the declaration before the said Elizabeth Walsh was forming a resident of said Marblehead and I well knew that her first husband was also an inhabitant of Marblehead & was named William Meservey Phillips. I recalled well when she was married to said Phillips, & I mostly used the wedding word "the well" say after the marriage. Said Phillips has then been a great many years, & I heard no doubt he died at the time has since under her heretofore declared. After the death of said Phillips said Elizabeth married John Walsh or Welsh & he has now also been dead many years, & I well knew that said Elizabeth, has not remarried since his decease.
Nancy Eaton
Witnesses: Mary Brewster
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Marblehead, April 22 d 1843. County of Essex }
Then the above named Nancy Eaton signed the above affidavit & made oath in due form of law to the truth of the same before me the subscriber and I certify that said Nancy is a credible witness to me personally well known.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, & affixed my Notarial Seal, the day & year herein written.
James Gregory, Notary Public and Justice of the Peace.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15463 Elizabeth Walsh Widow of Wm. M. Phillips Coop. Rev. War.
Act: March 29 48
Index:—Vol. M , Page 318
[Arrangement of 1870.]

7672
Reported to Agent. See letter
Massachusetts
Elizabeth Walsh, formerly widow of William W. Phillips,
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the — 1784 of Essex Co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a Capt. Artill. Seaman } in the company commanded by Captain Baker of the regt. commanded by Col. Glover in the Mass. line for 12 mos. Capt. Artill. 54 " 9 " 18 days, Seaman 38.53 " 11 " do. 7.88
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 100 Dollars 41 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Increased from $80:66
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of Nov r 1843 and sent to Jas. Gregory Marblehead, Mass.
Former payments to be deducted Total amount, $
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book A. Vol. 1. Page 145.

7672
Rev Jan 18
Massachusetts
Elizabeth Walsh formerly widow of William M. Phillips who was a pensioner under the Act of — and who died on the Year 1784, of Essex in the State of Mass. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Mear of the Regt commanded by Col Hovey in the Mass. line for 8 months Private 12 a Corp.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of 80 Dollars & 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Sept. 1843 and sent to James Gregory. Marblehead, Mass.
Total amount, $ 403. 30.
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Mrs. Sampson Clerk, Book 4. Vol. 1. Page 145.

5264. Rejected
see let to James Gregory February 9. 1841.
at 4 July 31

8992 Elizabeth Walsh, widow of M. McPhillips - Map
let to James Gregory, June 10. 1843
Act 7 July, 1838

No 8992 Elizabeth Walsh Mass s Act July 7 th 38
Admitted
8 mo pri $26.66 12 m Cor. Ar. 54.00 $ 80.66
Open new certificate for $54 - 12 mo. Corp! Arilly 38.53 9. 19. H. Leaman 7.88 2. 11 - 100.44
Deduct what has been p d
James Gregory Esq Marblehead Mass s

Marblehead, May 1 st 1843.
Honored Sir:
I have the Honor to forward herewith the Declaration of Elizabeth Walsh, of Salem, in the County of Essex, and formerly of Marblehead, claiming the benefit of the laws of July 7 th , 1838, and August 23 rd 1842, through the Revolutionary Service of her first husband, William Meservy Phillips, formerly of Marblehead.
This is the same case on which I had occasion to write Your Honor on the 26 th of January, 1841; and as the law prevented her claiming at that time, at her request I took the affidavit of William Thompson, who was the only person known to be living at that time of Mr Phillips' companions in arms, & Thompson himself died soon after his affidavit (attached to the Declaration) was taken.
James L. Edwards Esq. Comm te of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
I remain, with great respect, Your Honor's humble servt. James Greville

Mass
E. D. Walsh
EXH
Hebron June 1841
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Marblehead, January 26th, 1841.
Honored Sir, -
I am earnestly requested by Mrs Elizabeth Walsh, formerly widow of William Moses Phillips , both late of this town, to make an enquiry of your Honor in her behalf.
Phillips was in Glover's Regt. in 1775, & was in Colonel (afterward General) Knowl's Regt. in 1776. In 1777 he was on cruise, if no more , in the Massachusetts State Brig Freedom.
Mrs Walsh was married to him May 24th, 1778, & she thinks he was in said Brig Freedom, on the Brig Sylvania  after her marriage to him, but this she cannot state with any good degree of certainty.
The service performed before her marriage it is understood she can prove , but having married after Phillips' decease, she must of course show service after her marriage to him in order to claim as the law now stands.
I am therefore instructed by the widow & her friends very respectfully to ask in her behalf, the

5264.
Elizabeth Walsh formerly widow of Dr M. Phillips (Mass.)
act 4 July '36
6/17/88 2. see to him 2. page

the favor, that that portion of the Massachusetts Documents which contains the Rolls of the said Brigs Freedom & Syraniade - after May 24th 1778 (the date of marriage) might be examined, with the view of ascertaining whether either of them bear the name of William M. Phillips , her first husband aforesaid; & if either of these Rolls bear his name after said date, it is respectfully requested that the widow might be informed of the fact, through the writer, with the necessary particulars.
If written authority from the widow should be demanded before an answer to these enquiries can be given, it shall be promptly forwarded.
I am, with great respect, Your Honor's obl. servt.
James Gregory
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions. Washington, D. C.

Marblehead, July 14th 1843.
Honored Sir,
I duly received your favor of the 10th inst. relative to the application of Elizabeth Walsh, for the benefit of the law of 1818, 41, through the services of her first husband William M. Phillips.
On making application to the Secretary of the Navy, in conformity with the suggestion contained in your said favor, he has furnished Mr. M. with the accompanying Certificate.
It will be seen that there are no rolls of the 1776 Corporal Service of Phillips, in Capt. Beane's Company of Col. Knox's Regiment, but that service , and the first term also, is distinctly set forth in the affidavit of William Thompson, annexed to the widow's Declaration.
I am, with very great respect,
Your Honors humble Servt.
James Gregory
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions. Washington, D. C.

Marblehead, November 9th, 1842.
Honored Sir:
Upon calling at the Pension Office in Boston the day before yesterday, for the purpose of obtaining the amount of Pension allowed Mrs Elizabeth Walsh - under the laws of July 7th, 1838, and August 23 d 1842, - for the service of her first husband, William M. Phillips , the Pension Agent informed me that he was authorized by the Department to pay her only at the rate of $80.00 per annum, instead of $80.66- as allowed on the Pension Certificate.
Under these circumstances I left the Certificate at the Pension Office and took the pay at the rate of $80.00 per annum only. I have therefore very respectfully request that that the Agent may be authorized to pay the remainder.
While writing, I also beg leave in behalf of Mrs Walsh very respectfully to submit the following statement of what the writer understands to be the amount justly due her, on the principle upon which claims are understood to be adjudicated by the Hon. Department: -
  Phillips served altogether - say 31 months, viz: - The Affidavit of William Thompson shows that he served as a Corporal of ARTILLERY for one year & six weeks - say 13 1/2 months - which - at Infantry pay only - ($7.33) gives -  8 54"15  
  The State Certificate shows that he served as a Private for - say 8 months, and also that he served as a Seaman 9 months & 19 days. Taking of this Private & Seaman Service all that the Artillery service fell short of two years, viz - about 10 1/2 months - at the pay which a Private of Infantry alone would give, and the service over & above the Artillery service would amount to  35"00  
Making for altogether - at Infantry pay = $89"15

I therefore very respectfully beg to submit that the last named sum - at the least - is her just per annum allowance, instead of $ 80.66 - as named in the Certificate.
I am, with very great respect, Your Honor's humble servt. James Gregory
James L. Edwards Esqr Commission of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Mr. Walsh 5357
E. Walsh
$100:41 per a
James Gregory Marblehead Mass

State of Massachusetts. County of Essex ... } ss. Salem.
On this nineteenth day of January, A.D. 1844, personally appeared before me, James Gregory — a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Essex, Elizabeth Walsh , a resident of said Salem, and formerly a resident of Marblehead, in said County of Essex, aged eighty-five 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 provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3 d of March, 1842, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is (was formerly) the widow of William M. Phillips, who was a Pirate in the Company of Capt William Bacon of the 21 st Regiment of Massachusetts Foot, commanded by Col. John Glover in the year 1775; Also, a Corporal in the Company of Capt. Denny of the 2 d Regt. of New York Artillery, Continental Line, in the year 1776; Also, a Seaman in the Massachusetts State Brig Freedom, Capt John Clouston, commander, in the year 1777.
She further Declares that she was pensioned for said service under the laws of July 7 th , 1828, and 23 d of August, 1842, — on the twenty-seventh day of November, 1843, — to the amount of One hundred dollars and forty-one cents per annum, and that she is still a widow.
Witnessed by,
W. A. Waldo
Elizabeth her Walsh mark
Sworn to and subscribed this nineteenth day of January, 1844, before me the subscriber, — and I certify that said Declarant is personally well known to me —
James Gregory, Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston January, 20 th 1844
I hereby Certify , That at the date of the annexed attestation James Gregory was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Palfrey. Secretary of the Commonwealth.

P. H. H. John A. Bolles, Secretary
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, July 11 1843
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 W m H. Phillips, is borne upon the Eight months rolls, as a private from Marlborough in the Company of Capt W m Bacon, Col John Glover (the date of enlistment is not given); he received Jan 1. 1778 a boat in consideration of his services for the term of eight months, agreeable to an act of the Province for that purpose.
The name of W m H. Phillips is also borne upon the Pay Roll of the Brigantine Freedom Capt John Cluett, and credited with services as a Seaman from Feb 4. to Nov 21. 1777 (aged 19 years) — There are no rolls in this office of Capt Denny or Col Knapp's regiments, and no rolls showing further service of said Phillips.
And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this
several other terms of service, both by Land & Sea, the particulars of which I am at present unable to describe with sufficient minuteness.

Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone: and that said application and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances which tend to satisfy me of the identity of the party described in the application with the individual who rendered the service.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
M. A. Bolles
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
James Gregory Esq Salem

To the Honorable John A. Bolles, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts— Sir, —
Pursuant to the Regulations of your Honors' Office respecting applications for proof of Revolutionary Service, I, the Subscriber, beg leave to state, that I was formerly the widow of William Meservy Phillips ; that my said late husband was a native of Marblehead in the County of Essex, and that while he resided there he performed the following terms of service in the War of the Revolution, to wit: —
One term of eight months, (as a Private,) from about the first of May, to the 31 st of December, 1775, in the Company of Capt William Bacon of the 21 st Regiment of Massachusetts Foot commanded by Col. John Glover.
One term of 12 months, (as a Corporal,) from the first of January, to the 31 st of December, 1776, in the Company of a Capt Denny or Denis of the 2 d Regt. of New York State Artillery, Continental Line, commanded by Colonel Knox. Also one other term of six weeks in the same Corps, commencing January, 1 st 1777.
One term of about six months, (as a Seaman,) from about the first of March, 1777, to the end of the following month of August, in the Massachusetts State Brig Freedom, John Clowston Esq r commander.
Also
several other terms of service, both by Land & Sea, the particulars of which I have at present unable to describe with sufficient minuteness.
(over)

Such being a brief statement of the services of my said late husband in the Revolutionary War, I do therefore respectfully petition and request that the Rolls and Records of the Massachusetts Revolutionary Fines, touching the premises, may be examined; and in case they or any of them shall be found to corroborate my said statement, that the proper Certificate of any & all such facts may be delivered for my use & benefit.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at Salem, in the County of Essex, this twenty-ninth day of June, A. D. 1843. Witnessed by, Henry Walsh Elizabeth her Walsh mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Salem, County of Essex } June 29th, 1843.
Then the above named Elizabeth Walsh personally appeared and signed the above statement, and acknowledged the same to be her free act.
Before me, James Gregory, S. of the Peace.