Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,376, for Daniel Richards, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. Navy.
Richards, Daniel Mercy
N. 26,376
CONTENTS
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15108 Massachusetts
Daniel Richards
of Essex in the State of Massachusetts who was a Gunner of Art in the Company commanded by Captain Lincoln of the Regt. commanded by Col. Crafts in the Mass line for 2 years
State Only
Mass s Navy. Rec d of Ex Jan 25 '34 Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 124 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of May 1833 and sent Mr. Hart Newburyport Brattle Street
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $208.00 Rem d ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. .. 52.00 $260.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. H. Adelson Clerk, Vol. 2 9 Page 71

Massachusetts - 584
Mary Richards
Widow of Daniel Richards dec.
who was a pensioner under the Act of June 7. 1838 and who died on the 20 th Aug t 1835
of Boston in the State of Mass s - she was a seaman in the navy commanded by Captain Lincoln of the ship commanded by Brigs in the ship line for 2 years
Mass s and Navy Records. C.K.
Inscribed on the Roll of June 25 th Mass s  at at the rate of 10 4 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14 th day of March, 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Oct r 38, and sent to and won by Nathan Dyer, Mass.
Arrears to the 14 th of Sept r $ 260 00 Semi-annual allowance ending 52 00
$ 312 00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk, Book A - Vol. 1 - Page 126

Daniel Richards Map
Summer of Attilley 2 years
15086
W. Pratt Newburyport Mass

BRIEF in the case of Co of Essex
BRIEF in the case of Daniel Richarz Co of Essex in the State of Mass (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? 74 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.     Novem th In 1795 entered 1796. on board the Sloop was taken carried to Wallis as about 13 - - - Private Gen. Cap Turner Hancock - Commo re Manly - kept in close confinement. but now long his service on commission - he does not state - In way of a Sail Maker.   1798 entered 6 th Battery afterwards volunteered 26 months 3 Gunner Gen. Cap Lincoln. Major - Col Crafts.   5. In what battles was he engaged? took the British Frigate H.M.S.   
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Braintree Mass 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence , by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional a document and one living witness 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not attached agreeably to the regulations. The length of service is not distinctly stated
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

Daniel Richards
15086

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, Daniel Richards , a resident of Newburyport , in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 74 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 enlisted at Braintree in said State, in the month of November A. D. 1775 in the company commanded by Captain Turner , in which company Turner as lieutenant was a Lieutenant; considered then as an Independent company, and employed as guards on the sea coast, in this company he served as a private soldier, at said Braintree , and afterwards at Nantasket , until the month of December A. D. 1776 and was then discharged at
That immediately afterwards, and to the best of his present remembrance before the commencement of the year 1777, he entered on board the Ship Hancock , commanded by Commodore Stanley , commissioned by and in the service of the United States, mounting thirty guns, and manned by about two hundred and fifty men; entered and served on board said Ship, in the capacity of sailmaker's mate; was in said Ship on a cruise off Newfoundland , when they fell in with and after an action of three glasses, captured his Britannic Majesty's Frigate Porpoise commanded by a Scotch Gentleman named Sturton mounting thirty guns, and manned with about two hundred men: which Frigate they then fitted and manned, and employed with them on their cruise about one month: the principal destination of the Hancock , being at his own request employed on board the Prize Frigate, he became First sailmaker of the Hancock , and so continued the remainder of her cruise: On returning from said cruise, and while off Halifax they fell in with three British Ships: The Rainbow , commanded by Sir George Collier , mounting forty guns: The Flora , mounting thirty guns, and Brig Cabot mounting sixteen guns, by whom they were captured and carried to Halifax , where he was detained prisoner, denied liberty, and in close confinement during the principal part of this time, excepting only occasional permission in turn to walk in the prison enclosure: during this time seventy five of the crew of the Hancock died. — That in the month of January 1778 they were taken from prison, and put on board a Ship which was called, and pretended to be a Cartel, called the Dover Packet , in which they sailed from said Halifax under cover of a British fleet of vessels and a vessel of war, mounting sixteen guns said to be bound for Smalls Island , or New York , then in the possession of the British: — While at sea, and taking advantage of a dark and stormy night the prisoners rescued the Officers and people having command of the said pretended Cartel, took possession of her, and escaping a different course fortunately avoided the fleet, which in the morning were not within sight, and in seven or eight days afterwards reached Marblehead , and came to anchor there: the pretended Cartel was proceeded against as prize, condemned and sold, and her armament, sails, and rigging put on the Prisoner Ship Guinevere commanded by Captain Collier , and the British crew imprisoned: On this service he was absent thirteen months.
Afterwards, and in the month of March A. D. 1778 he enlisted at Boston in the company of Artillery commanded by Captain Ames Lieutenant Thomas was a sergeant first division and Peter a sergeant second division: the Regiment commanded by Colonel Craft — Paul Revere was Lieutenant Colonel, and William who for many years was a Naval Officer of the United States for the district of Boston , and Charleston , was Major; said Company were stationed at Boston — Beef — Castle Island (then so called) in Boston Harbor , at Rhode Island , and Newport — served as gunner in said Company until May 1780 — the term of service, six

months; Afterwards as a Volunteer served in said Company and regiment a further term of Three months as Bombardier, and until recruits were raised; when he was honorably discharged; he does not now remember whether he had a written discharge or not, if he had it is now lost: His pay as former was $10 per month and as Bombardier Ten dollars - as said maker
as as born at Abingdon Plymouth County 1758 - has a family record of his birth - lived in Boston when he voluntarily enlisted in the Artillery - lived in Braintree formerly - Mr. Davis' daughter Mary married his daughter - he is now in his ninetieth year - he has a house in Newburyport aforesaid and has resided there for the space of above fifty years from that he lived in Boston & Braintree
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed this day and year as aforesaid.
Daniel Richards J. White Judge of Probate.
We N. W. Williams a clergyman, residing in Newburyport aforesaid and Asa W. Willes Esquire, a Magistrate residing in Newburyport aforesaid, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Daniel Richards, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four years of age, that he is respected, and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and are now in that opinion.
Subscribed and sworn to before
W. H. Cady Justice of the Peace
N. W. Williams A. W. Willes

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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that the Reverend N. H. Williams, who has signed the foregoing certificate, is a clergyman residing in said Newburyport, and that the said Asa W. Wildes Esq. who has also signed the same, is a Magistrate residing at said Newburyport, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
D. A. White Justice of the Peace
I, Nathaniel Lord Jr. Register of the Court of Probate for the county of Essex do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Daniel Richard, for a pension. Also that William Woodbury is a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Essex, and that his signature to each of the affidavits indexed is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and seal of Office this eleventh day of September, A D 1832.
Nathaniel Lord Jr.
I, Jeremiah Planchard, of Newburyport, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby testify and declare, that I am well acquainted with Daniel Richard, of the same Newburyport, and do know that he served in the army of the United States, and in the war of the rebellion, and that he was attached to the Regiment of Artillery commanded by Colonel Crafts in the year 1861. I was also in said regiment, but not belonging to the same company, and therefore in different quarters, unable to say definitely how he served.
Jeremiah H. Planchard
Newburyport, July 10th 1832.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Exhibit A. Newburyport July 10th 1832. Hereby I, Jeremiah Planchard above named, who is personally acquainted with the person who came, and made oath in due form of law, to the truth of the above written deposition by him subscribed in my presence. I do also certify that said Jeremiah Planchard is believed by me to be a credible witness.
W. H. Wells Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office July 20 1832.
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
Daniel Richards served in "Capt. Seth Turner's Company, in the service of the State of Massachusetts Bay" from Jan'y 20 1776, for the period of four months & one day —
Also that he served as a gunner in Capt Amos Lincoln's Company, in the Regiment of State Artillery commanded first by Col. Crafts & afterwards by Col. Beman, from March 1. 1778 to May 1. 1780 — beyond which time there are no rolls to show his further service.
Edward D. Fages Secy

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the 3 d Section of the Act of Congress of July 11 th 1836 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Essex Co.
On this third day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace and Quorum in and for said county, Mercy Richards, a resident of Newburyport, county and State aforesaid aged seventy seven years, who being first 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 July 11 th 1836.
That she is the widow of Daniel Richards, late of the same Newburyport who is now deceased, and was a private in the army of the Revolution a marine and Saltmaster in the Navy in the service of the United States on board the United States Ship Harecote and afterwards a gunner in the Artillery, and afterwards in the Army of the United States during the course of the Revolutionary War - and a pensioner of the United States and of the Act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832, the benefits of which she continued to receive until the time of his decease which took place at Newburyport Aug 20 th 1835.
Her evidence of all which she respectfully refers to the papers and documents which were forwarded to the War Department by said deceased on her application for the benefits of said Act and such other facts as may be of record.
The said Mercy Richards doth further on her oath declare that she was lawfully married to the said Daniel Richards, at Somersworth, in the State of New Hampshire in the month of January in the year of our Lord 1782 at which time she was twenty one years of age - that at that time the said Daniel Richards was in said service - That by said Daniel Richards she had two children viz Daniel Richards who was born in 1783 and Alexander Richards who was born in 1785 both of whom have deceased.
That since the decease of her said husband she has not intermarried but is at this time remaining the widow of the said Daniel - all which will appear by the papers annexed.
Sworn and subscribed the day (one year aforesaid).
before me M c Worth Judson
Mercy Richards

Mercy Richards and 923 Daniel Richards
(923) Mercy Richards widow of Daniel Mass.
act. 7. July 38
married in 1782 Died in 1835
adm 2 years service of artillery 104th
no deduction
Wm Hoart Newburyport Mass
Wm Hoart Newburyport Mass

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 7th July 1830 entitled "An act granting half pay, and pensions to certain Veterans" —
State of Massachusetts, Essex County ss. — On this Seventh day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand Eight hundred and thirty Eight, before the Honorable Daniel A. Write , Judge of Probate for the county of Essex, as follows
Personally appeared Marcy Richards , resident of Newburyport , County and State aforesaid, aged Twenty Eight 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 July 7th 1830, entitled "An Act granting half pay, and pensions to certain Veterans" — That she is widow of Daniel Richards , late of said Newburyport deceased who was late a private in the Army of the United States for Matross in the Artillery , and also a seaman and a sail maker, in the Navy of the United States, in the War of the Revolution in which he served as she has always under oath and full belief either in one or the other capacities nearly the whole War, as will be shown in reference to the papers and documents, which were annexed to the declaration of the said Daniel Richards , made by the said Daniel in his life time, on his application to the War Department for the benefit of the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832, which she believes to be now on file at Washington, to which she respectfully asks leave to refer. — That for said Daniel the said Daniel Richards was placed on the pension list of the United States, paid by the Massachusetts Agency, under the said Act of June 1832, and Certificate was issued to him as Matross of Artillery , under date of May 20th 1833 and numbered 15,100. The benefit of which was regularly allowed until his decease, and then surrendered by her.
And the said Marcy Richards , doth further on her said Oath declare, that she was lawfully married to the said Daniel Richards , at Simsbury , in the month of January One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty two. That the said Daniel Richards her said husband died at said Newburyport , on the twentieth day of August, One thousand Eight hundred and thirty five. — That she was not married to him from the time of the said Daniel , as respects public opinion, but that she was married to him from the first of January One thousand Seven hundred and ninety four that the marriage took place at the time she was stated above.
sworn and subscribed the day, month and year above written
Marcy Richards
D. A. Write Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss. PROBATE OFFICE.
I Nathaniel Lord junior , register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that
Daniel A. White is judge
of probate for said county of Essex, and that his name subscribed to the annexed declaration of Mary Richards is his genuine signature. I further certify that William Woart is a justice of the peace for said county, and that his name subscribed to the annexed affidavits of Solomon H. Burner and Moses Moody is his genuine signature.
appears by the records in said office.
Given under my hand and seal of office, this twenty second day of August , A. D. 18 38 .
Nath. Lord Jr.
that they are respectable citizens, and that their testimony.
W. H. Cross Justice of the peace.
and Commonwealth do hereby certify that the within copy is a true copy of the original now on file in said office and the whole thereof.
...in the presence of... Mary Richards
...affidavits... ...Solomon H. Burner... ...Moses Moody...

I Solomon H. Currier, of Newburyport, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, aged Fifty four years - on oath do declare, that I was well acquainted with Daniel Richards, who was late of the same Newburyport, a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, now deceased, and with Mary Richards his wife. I do know that the said Daniel Richards died at said Newburyport, on the twentieth day of August One thousand Eight hundred and thirty five - That the said Mary Richards is now remaining the widow of said Daniel Richards, and that she has not intermarried since his decease.
Newburyport August 18th 1835.
S. H. Currier
I Moses Moody, of Newburyport aforesaid, aged fifty Eight years, on oath do declare, that Daniel Richards above named, was always well known to me. I do know that he died at said Newburyport, on the twentieth day of August A.D. one thousand Eight hundred and thirty five - That Mary Richards, of said Newburyport, is widow of said Daniel Richards, and personally well known to me, that she is remaining his widow, and has not intermarried since the decease of said Daniel.
Newburyport August 18th 1835.
Moses Moody
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex ss. Town of Newburyport August 18th 1835. Then personally came Solomon H. Currier Esquire, and Moses Moody, above named, and generally made oath in due form of Law, to the truth of the above written Affidavits, by them respectively subscribed, in my presence. - I do also certify that the said Solomon H. Currier and Moses Moody, are personally well known to me, that they are respectable citizens, and that full reliance may be placed upon their testimony.
William Austin Justice of the Peace

Recd 26,376
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26,376
Mercy Richard wid of Daniel Richard Sumner New War
Act: July 7 th 38
Index:—Vol. M Page 165
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Dec 24, 1901 Dr. S. L. Caldwell Colorado Spgs.

I George W. Roberts of lawful age depose and say that I have examined the records of this town and find no marriage recorded from the time the town was incorporated in 1754, up to the year 1800 and that according to the best information I have been able to obtain, I believe the records of the Rev. James Pike were destroyed at the time the dwelling house of the Rev. Pearson Thurston was burnt, which occurred I think in 1811.
Geo. W. Roberts Town Clerk of Somersworth Somersworth Jan'y 9 th 1837
State of New Hampshire Stafford ss. Jan. 9 th 1837
Then the above named Geo. W. Roberts personally appearing made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is in his belief true
Before me
Hiram R. Roberts, Jus. Peace.

State of New Hampshire Shafford County ss.
I Francis Cogswell Clerk of the Superior Court of Jurisdiction for said County, hereby certify that Hiram R. Roberts is a magistrate as within named and that the signatures affixed to these affidavits purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this tenth day of January A.D. 1837.
F Cogswell Clerk

Mercy Richards widow of Dan.
Mass.
Reg d U s N o Road
May 31. 1837
Mar 8 1782 same
order May 1 1789
Accts pay d R e

O. W. and N. Div.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
_____, 189____
Respectfully returned. The data furnished does not identify claim.
Please return _____ with this slip.
*** MEMORANDUM.
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Name of claimant, _____
Name of soldier, _____
Service, _____
(Company, regiment, and State.)
Additional service, _____ _____ _____
If unable to furnish service, give names of officer.

O. W. and N. Div.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
....., 189.....
Respectfully returned. The data furnished does not identify claim.
Please return..... with this slip.
————— ♦ ♦ ♦ ————— MEMORANDUM.
Claim No. .....
Certificate No. .....
Name of claimant, .....
Name of soldier, .....
Service, ..... (Company, regiment, and State.)
Additional service, .....

Wed apf Aug 7, 1838 Newburyport Mass - 78 Mr. Mays Stackpole Jan'y 17 & 22, Signersville N.H. Wed Aug 20, 1835
Wed General Blanchard Newburyport Mass

W 545— Mercy Richards Widow of Daniel Mass.
J. P. Schuchert Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Newburyport March 30th 1837
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Will you attend me to forward you herein, in behalf of Mrs. Mercy Richards, widow of the late Daniel Richards, who was a pensioner of the United States, now deceased, her application for the benefit of the 3 d section of the Act of Congress of July 11th 1836, with the evidence annexed, that if deemed satisfactory Certificate may be issued to her?
with great respect
Yours respectfully
W. W. Orent

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss. PROBATE OFFICE.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate county, hereby certify, that
William Woart esquire, before whom the declaration hereto annexed purports to have been taken, is a justice of the peace for said county, duly qualified to administer oaths; and that his name subscribed to the certificate thereon is his genu- ine signature.
attested by the records in said office Given under my hand and seal of office, this seventh day of March, A. D. 1837.
Nath. Lord Jr.

Limerick New Hampshire Jan 2 nd 1787
I Stephen Hapgood of lawful age depose and say that I saw Daniel Richards and Mercy Hapgood married that they were married by Rev. James Pike of Limerick at the dwelling house of Joshua Hapgood in the summer of the year 1782, according to my best recollections: that they soon after moved to Newburyport Mass. and that the widow Mercy Richards now of Newburyport is the widow of the said Daniel Richards
Stephen Hapgood
Shafford ss. State of New Hampshire Jan 2, 1787
Then the above named Stephen Hapgood personally appearing made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is in his belief true - Before me
Hiram R. Roberts Jus. of the P.
I the subscriber do hereby certify that the above named Stephen Hapgood is a man of credibility and his testimony to be depended on
Hiram R. Roberts Justice Peace

Adkinsburg June August 28th 1858
J. P. Edwards Esquire, Commisioner of Pensions.
Sir
I have been requested by Mrs. Mary Richards, widow of the late Daniel Richards who was a pensioner of the United States, under the Act of June 26th 1832, to forward you herewith her application for the benefit of the Act of July 7th 1838. She requests me in her behalf respectfully to ask leave to refer to the evidence accompanying her application for the benefit of the 3rd section of the Act of July 7th 1838 for proof after marriage, which was then deemed satisfactory her respect to the time not considered as prior to her leaving the United States.
I am Sir, very respectfully
Yours in Old Solomons M. M. Worth

DR. S. L. CALDWELL, 815 N. TEJON STREET, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.
Dec 9 th , 1901.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir,
I wish to get some information in regard to a Revolutionary pensioner who was on the rolls as late as 1840. She was Mercy Richards of Newburyport, Essex Co. Massachusetts. I would like to know for whose services she was entitled to a pension; whether father or husband; what his name & residence & what his services were; also when the pensioner died.
Yours truly S. L. Caldwell.

Rec'd