Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30643, for Asa Pease, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Pease, Asa
S. 30643
CONTENTS

15654 Massachusetts
Asa Pease
of Plymouth in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Grimes of the Regt. commanded by _____ in the Mass line for 6 months Pmt att - 5 " Carpenter's Pmt att 3
At State Navy & Mass Pmt
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 4 2 Dollars 57 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of July 1853 and sent I. N. Low Plymouth Mass
Arrears to the 4th of March 1853 $85.00 Pemi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 21.25 $106 25
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Morrison Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 5 Page 65
80 Phys

21563
Asa Pease Maps
Plants 6 Mts Carpenter's Mate 5 Mts
11
  USD  20.00    5  22.50        22.50  42.50  
J H Lona En Weymouth Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Co of Plymouth
Asa Peas in the State of (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 78  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.     Spring. In 1775. entered on 1777. board the State Vipe Cromwel cruized 6 5 As a Captain Mate - She was Gen. Gage Mate - the ship called Oliver Comm. by Capt Harding  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? no battle took place since his discharge  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Dartmouth Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional four living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Payson
Examining Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massa ts Chusett s . County of Plymouth ss.
On this thirteenth day of November, 1832, personally appeared in open court, before Hon. Wilkes Wood Judge of the court Probate for said county, now sitting at Rochester, within and for said County of Plymouth. Asa Bras, a resident of said Rochester, aged seventy eight years, having been born on the island of Martha's Vineyard in said Commonwealth, on the twenty eighth day of July 1754, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposeth, and his best knowledge the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and says that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. He enlisted in a company of militia raised by the state of Massachusetts for the term of six months, to aid in the War of the Revolution. He enlisted at Falmouth in the County of Barnstable and state afore- said in the spring of 1775. He is told, that his memory does not retain the fact, that Captain Grannis of Falmouth was Captain of the company. He is told that Captain Grannis was an officer of a company. The company was stationed at a place called Sarpenton Cove, on the island of Nausetunk, in Barnstable bay and there performed the term of service for which it was raised and was then dismissed without any written discharge. There were no field officers on the island, and he was in no engagement with the enemy. In the course of the time of duty a vessel of war, I think the Kingfisher, opened a fire upon us, which lasted an hour or two, but no person was killed or wounded.

In the year 1777 I think, but cannot say with certainty. I enlisted as carpenter assistant, on board a vessel of war in the national service, commissioned I think by the state of Connecticut, called the Oliver Cromwell, for the term of four months. Captain Seth Harding, I think, of Cape Cod, first Lieut. Parker Smith, I think of the state of Connecticut, second Lieut. Smith, a man by the name of Rice, I think an Englishman, first mate, a man by the name of Frisbie sailing master, and a man by the name of Marvin, I think of Connecticut, chief carpenter. The ship carried twenty guns and I think about one hundred men. She sailed from Acushnet river, then Dartmouth, now New Bedford, when she lay when I enlisted. The ship touched at N. proceeded to sea and cruised off the coast of England and made three prizes, one of them a vessel of war called the Weymouth, carrying fourteen or sixteen guns; on board which I was put. The Oliver Cromwell and Weymouth arrived in Boston the same day, as which place he, and, as I believe, the rest of the crew, were discharged, but without any thing in writing. As a Prize
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Attest Jacob H. Lord Register

I Ethan Nye of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say that in the Month of May or June the day of the month not now remembered In the year of our Lord Seventeen Hundred and Seventy five a Company of Militia in the Revolutionary War under the authority of said Com- monwealth and by the order of the same was stationed on the Island of Nantucket one of the Elizabeth Islands situate in the County of Dukes County in the Com- monwealth aforesaid at a part of said Island called Tarpaulin Cove that this Company was under the com- mand of Capt John Grannis then living and of said Falmouth but now deceased that said Company's campaign was for the term of six months - that I enlisted and performed duty in said Company on said Island as a private soldier that at the end of six months or about that time said Company was discharged that said Company had no written dis- charge - that the Subalterns in said

Company were Elisha Nye of Sandwich Lieut. and Stephen Nye of the same Ensign - that this Company performed the duty of Guarding and protecting said Island from the attacks of the British - and of protecting the stock thereon - That while we were there we were fired upon and attacked by the British Sloop of War King Fisher - and two or more other British armed vessels the names whereof are to me unknown - That one of these was what was then called a Bomb Ketch - That Asa Pease then resident in said Falmouth but now resident in Rochester in the County of Plymouth & Com- monwealth aforesaid - was a private soldier in said Company and performed duty therein during said Campaign and that I well knew him -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts                      Elnathan Nye Barnstable ss. Falmouth Sept. 18. 1832. Personally appeared Elnathan Nye above named and made Oath that the foregoing statement by him subscribed is true in all its parts - Before me Rich d S. Wood, Just. Peace I also certify that said Elnathan Nye is a person of veracity and entitled to full credit & belief Rich d S. Wood Just. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable, ss. I Almon Davis, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Records, in the County of Barnstable do certify that Richard S. Wood, Esquire, before whom the within deposition was executed, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable. And that I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his true & proper signature. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court, at Barnstable, on this twenty sixth day of September one thousand eight hundred & thirty-two.
Almon Davis, Clerk.

I Lot Gifford of Falmouth in the County of Barnstable Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say that in the month of May (the day of the month I cannot remember) in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and seventy five - a Company of Militia in the Revolutionary War by the Order & authority of the General Courts of said Commonwealth was stationed on the Island of Nauset one of the Elizabeth Islands - situate in the County of Dukes County - at a place on said Island called Narpaulin Cove - That said Company was commanded by Captain John Francis of said Falmouth - that the campaign for said Company was six months - that I enlisted and performed duty in said Company as a private - That at the end of six months or about that time said Company was discharged - That the members of this Company had no written discharge - that the Subalterns in this Company were Elisha Nye Lieut. and Stephen Nye Ensign - that the duty we performed was to guard and protect said Island - That while we were on said Island the British Sloop of War King Fisher made her appearance near the Island in Company with a Brig which the British had taken and converted into what was called a Bomb Ketch - that we were fired upon by both these vessels - that Asa Dyer then resident in said Falmouth but now resident in Rochester in the County

of Plymouth and Commonwealth aforesaid was a private in said Company and performed duty therein during said Campaign which was six months -
Lot Gifford
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Barnstable ss. Kalmaruth Sept. 18 th 1832.
Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid the above named Lot Gifford and made oath that the above and foregoing statement by him subscribed is true in all its parts and I certify that he is a person of truth and entitled to full confidence and belief.
Richd. S. Wood Justice of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Barnstable ss. I Henry Davis, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, in the County of Barnstable, do hereby certify that Richard S. Wood, Esquire, before whom the foregoing deposition was executed, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable. And that I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his true & proper signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court, at Barnstable, this twenty sixth day of September one thousand eight hundred & thirty-two.
Henry Davis, Clerk.

30 643
INVALID.
Recy
File No. 30,643
Isa Peace
Corp Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 319
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Ivory Snow of Swansey in the county of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire of Lawful age to give evidence do Testify & say that on the fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred & Seventy Seven I shiped on board the Oliver Cromwell man of war in the united States Service in the Revolutionary war in capacity of mearene and servid on board said man of war five months that the name of the capt was Seth Harding & Lieut. Timothy Parker the second Lieut. Smith first mate - Rice the Sailing master Frobee the Boatswain name - Pool - the Boatswain mate - Higgins the gunner names of the forgoing not recollected the Prizes taken were three (3 viz) one Brig & two ships the name of the Brig was Honour from Cork bound to Halifax the first ship taken was from Quebeck bound to Jamaica the name of her was Resolution mounting ten guns the other ship was from Jamaica bound to Whitehall mounted sixteen guns kept in company with the prize ship till we arrived in Boston - that we had no written discharges that Asa Douse acted on board said man of war in capacity of assistant carpenter we shiped at New Bedford Mass and were discharged in Boston Mass -
Ivory Snow
State of New Hampshire, Cheshire County ss. Swansey October 2 nd 1832 - Personally appeared this day the above named Ivory Snow and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true in all its parts - Before me Ephraim K. Frost justice of the peace  Thereby certify that the abovenamed Ivory Snow is a person of veracity and trust - and entitled to full confidence and belief -  Ephraim K. Frost justice of the peace  Cheshire ss. Oct 2. 1832
I Salma Hale clerk of the Judicial Courts in said County certify that Ephraim K. Frost is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, and I believe that the two foregoing signatures are his. In testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of our Superior Court of Judicature
S. Hale, Clerk

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.

21563
Asa Pias

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?
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? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
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.

21563
Asa Pias

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Mr. Davis which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy 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? yy 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? yy VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy 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? yy

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? 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? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes 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 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.

I Isaac Parker of Falmouth the County of Barnstable Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify & say, that in the Revolutionary war the Island of Nausquam one of the Elizabeth Islands situated in Dukes County in Commonwealth aforesaid was garrisoned by some Companies of Militia; that in November of the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy five I enlisted for twelve Months in one of those Companies, which was commanded by Captain Elisha Nye, who previous to that time had been lieutenant in a company on the Island under Capt. John Grannis; that there had been a company on the Island some months previous to my enlistment, and from the time of my enlistment two Companies were continued on the Island for the space of two years; that I was taken sick & left the Island, but continued to draw Rations & wages during the term of my enlistment; that I had no written discharge; that I recalled Asa Pease of said Falmouth now residing in Rochester Plymouth County Commonwealth aforesaid, being a private in one of those Companies, but whether before my enlistment or afterwards am not able to say.
Isaac Parker
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Barnstable ss.
On the nineteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two, the aforesaid deponent was examined, cautioned & sworn to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed and I do hereby certify that the said deponent is of good moral character and that full confidence may be placed in his statements.
Ward M. Parker Just. Pease

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable, ss. I Almer Davis Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, in the County of Barnstable, hereby certify that Wordell Parker, Esquire, before whom the within Deposition was executed, is a Justice of the peace for the County of Barnstable. And that, I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his true & proper signature. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Barnstable, this ninth day of October one thousand eight hundred & thirty-two.
Almer Davis, Clerk.

Asa Pease, papers.
Asa Pease
21503

We Jonathan Bigelow a Clergyman residing in the town of Rochester & Caleb Briggs Junior residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asa Pease who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion.
Jonathan Bigelow Caleb Briggs Jr.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Attest
Jacob H. Lord Reg.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the Rev. Jonathan Bigelow who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Rochester & that Caleb Briggs Jr. who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town & a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court Attest
Jacob H. Lord Register

to Pardon papers. Asa Pease
21503
I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing Inventory containing the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Asa Pease for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of said Court this thirteenth day of November in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord