Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1319, for William Reeves, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Reeves, William Abigail
W1319
CONTENTS

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Reeves, William Abigail
W 1319
CONTENTS

Maryland,
William Reeves,
private,
Massachusetts Line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 4 th of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th of April, 1818. and sent to Hon: M c Little, House of Rep s U. States.
Arrearages to 4 th Sept r 1818. 5 3/4 mo s $ 40. 25.
$ 40. 25
Deer
{ Revolutionary claims, } { Act 18th March, 1818, }
(One Year in 1776
Continued
see letter to Hon. H. Johnson, 9 th March 1846-
William Reeves Massachusetts Line

William Peavey
Application
for Pension
1878. 7. 4 1878. 4. 3 5. 1/31 8 $40.24
31 ) 800 ( 25 62 180

We hereby certify that we have been personally acquainted with Capt Wm Reeves for a number of years, that he is an old and respectable ship-master of this place, that owing to his long confinement and infirm situation he is reduced to a state of want, and stands much in need of a pension from Government -
John Snyder
Joseph Alunders
Thorndick Pratt
T. Sheppard

Baltimore April 6 th 1818
I do hereby certify that the Statement Capt William Reeve gives in his petition relative to the movements of the British Ships of War Phoenix and Little Rose up the North River in the month of August 1776 - is correct and agrees with what I heard him relate many years ago - In consequence of which I have no doubt he must have been attached to the row Gally Independence —
John Snyder

State of Maryland
City of Baltimore to wit:
Seal remembered that on this Tenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, William Reeves aged fifty seven and upwards a native born citizen of the Town of Salem, in the State of Massachusetts residing in the city of Baltimore State of Maryland, an Applicant for a Pension under the Act of Congress, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," personally came before me the undersigned and then and there did make the following Declaration under Oath by me administered to him.
The said William Reeves declares and saith that he did, in the latter part of the month of December seventeen hundred and seventy five enlist under Lieutenant Francis Cook in Captain Parkers Company - (which said Company) was attached to Col d Hutchinsons Regiment in the Massachusetts line on the Continental establishment for the term of one year - commencing on the first day of January seventeen hundred and seventy six - and that he joined the said Regiment at Winter Hill at the Back of Boston - where the said Regiment quartered for the Winter - That early in the Spring the said

Regiments removed to the Town of Roxbury on the South part of Boston - and after making preparation the said Regiment went on Dorchester Heights, and built two Forts, one on each Height - And another Fort he assisted in building on Dorchester Point - fronting Castle William - where we exchanged some shots with the British - The British soon evacuated Boston - and shortly after our Regiment received orders to March for New York - And on our arrival at New York, Capt n Baker's Company, to which he belonged, being most of them sea-faring men - were requested to serve on board the United States Row Galley (mounting One thirty two pounder) in the Bow - called the "Independence" And a short time after he went on board the Independence She was sent on an expedition against the British Ship of War called the "Phoenix" (mounting Forty guns) - The Rose, twenty gun Ship and a Schooner tender, which were at Anchor, a few miles above Fort Washington, up the North River - We towed a Sloop fire-ship along side the forty gun Ship - which grappled the Ship in the Main (rigging) and the Ship took fire, on the quarter - But by cutting her Main Shroud where the grapples were fast - the cable - and making

Said, the Ship cleared herself from the fireship - which dropped along side the enemies Schooner and burnt her - We then returned to New York and shortly after which our Troops were defeated on Long Island - When we were then employed, in taking our Troops over to New York from Long Island - which we effected, in getting over to a man, before the enemy knew that they had left their post, the weather being very foggy - A short time after this, the British took New York, and we had to retreat with the Gallery, up the North River, a head of Fort Washington - When the British sent three Frigates up the North River, which chased us ashore a few miles, above Fort Washington - When we had to jump over board and swim to the shore, to avoid falling into the hands of the enemy and the Gallery was taken by them - We then went down to Fort Washington by Land - a short time after which the British invaded Fort Washington, and he with some others made their escape in a flat bottomed boat - over to Fort Lee on the Jersey side of the river, two hours before, the Fort Capitulated - in a few days after that, the British crossed the North River, some miles above Fort Lee, with a powerful Army, and we had to retreat from Fort Lee thro' the Jerseys, with a handful of men - Our Army at this time being

at the White Plains — We had General Washington, General Putnam and General Mifflin, with us, for our guides — And on our arrival at Trent town, we transported our small Army over the Ferry, to the Philadelphia side — it then being late in the force — having suffered much by laying on the frozen ground, and encountered other hardships, he was taken down with the camp fever — was sent to sick quarters at Philadelphia, where he remained sick, until the middle of January Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Seven, after the time of his enlistment had expired — when he was Honorably discharged — which Certificate of discharge he has mislaid or lost — and from his reduced circumstances needs the assistance of his Country for support.
Sworn to and subscribed before me.
W m Reeves N o Price Chief Judge Balt y Court.
I hereby Certify that from the foregoing declaration and the Certificates of John Snyder Lother hereunto Attached. I am satisfied that William Reeves served as a private in the Land and Naval Service of the United States, in the revolutionary war against the common Enemy. For one year and is entitled to a pension under the Act of Congress lately passed & above referred to.
N o Price Chief Judge Balt y City Court — 10 th April 1818.

City of Baltimore to wit:
I Thomas Harwood Clerk of Baltimore City Court hereby certify that the Honorable Nicholas Price Esquire before whom the foregoing proceedings were taken and certified and who has thereto subscribed his name was at the time of taking and certifying the same and still is Chief Judge of Baltimore City Court, duly Commissioned and qualified and to all his acts as such face faith and credit is and ought to be given.
In Testimony I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of Baltimore City Court this tenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and eighty.
T. Harwood Clerk Baltimore City Court

William Beeres
170
Sept. 1810
Contenu

SCHEDULE.
United States of America (A.) Maryland District ss.
ON this fifteenth day of September 1820, personally appeared in open court (*) being a court of record, (†) (B.) in the District trial in and for the said (C.) District of Maryland
William Peers aged Sixty years, resident in the City of Baltimore in said (D.) District who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, declare, that he served
in the Revolutionary War, as follows: (E.) That he enlisted into the service of the United States under Capt. Baker in the latter part of December 1775 at Salem in the state of Massachusetts, which Company of Artillery was attached to Col. Hutchinson Regiment in the Massachusetts line and engaged for one year from 1 st January 1776 That at New York he was put on board a Row Galley and taken prisoner as stated in my original Declaration made at Baltimore on or about the 4 th April 1818 as will appear by my pension Certificate bearing date 14 th April 1818 and numbered 170 which Declaration was made before the Honorable Judge Brice
and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

my property Consists of one dining table one Breakfast do, one pine & one common Chairs, 2 looking Glasses, Bureau, some pictures, And Irons, some glasses ware, 6 knives and forks, some spoons, one tea kettle one Tea Kettle, 3 pots, 1 quadrant & 3 charts, the whole not worth more than $50—
I am by profession a mariner but having been greatly afflicted have not been to sea for five years past and now confined with the dropsy supposed incurable My distressed Family Consists of my Wife named Abigail aged 44 years, Daughter Eunice Maria 22 years, Ann Amelia 15 years, Eulalia 12 years Henrietta 10 years Son Washington Franklin 7 years. and Theodore 4 years none able to support themselves at the present time— and from my reduced circumstances and real indigence am unable to support myself without the assistance of my Country except by private or public Charity
Wm Reeves
SWORN to and declared on the 16th day of September 1820
BEFORE, the Dist Court aforesaid
I, Philip Moore Clerk of the said Dist Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Sche- dule is Sixty Dollars and — Cents.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said court, on this 20 day of Sept 1820
Philip Moore Clerk of the court for the Dist of Maryland

* The whole of the form prescribed in the first section, to verify the amount of property of the applicant, the oath of the party, and the certificate of the clerk excepted, must be done while the court is in session.
† All are courts of record, within the contemplation of the Act of Congress:
1st, Which are expressly made courts of record by the laws of the State which create them;
2d, Which have been solemnly adjudged, by the tribunals of the several States, to be courts of record;
3d, Which proceed according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount;
4th, Which have the power of fine and imprisonment;
And courts which proceed according to the civil and canon law, having neither of those attributes, are not courts of record, although they may keep a registry of their proceedings, and possess a seal. The court should, in every instance, state, on the face of the proceedings, that it is a court of record, and state why it is such.—( Opinion of the Attorney General of the United States. )
DIRECTIONS FOR FILLING UP THE BLANKS.
A. District,—circuit,—county, or corporation, as the case may be. B. State why a court of record. C. After repeating the district, circuit, county, or corporation, insert the declarant's name. D. District, circuit, county, or corporation. E. Here set forth the regiment, company and line; or ship, corps or vessel, and the date of the original declaration; and if he has received a pension, the number of his pension-certificate should be inserted. F. Here enumerate each article of real and personal estate, necessary bedding and clothing excepted, and subscribe the same. The declarant must also mention his occupation, his ability to pursue it, the number and names of his family residing with him, their ages, and their capacity to contribute to their support, in order that the department may be enabled to decide whether the applicant is in such indigent circumstances as to be entitled to the pension. It is the opinion of the Attorney General, that the words of the third section of the Act of the 1st May, 1820, "in such indigent circumstances as to be unable to support himself without the assistance of his country," comprehend those only, who are incapable of supporting themselves without the aid of the government, except by private or public charity.
Extract of a CIRCULAR LETTER from the War Department, to the several Agents for paying pensions, enclosing the foregoing Form.
"For the guidance of persons already on the pension list, or who may hereafter make application for that purpose, it may be proper to state, explicitly, that, as experience has proved the necessity of a rigid adherence to particular forms in such cases, no instrument of writing drawn up contrary to this form can be admitted as a proper voucher."

Maryland
Abigail Reeves dec d widow of W m Reeves
who served in the Revolutionary,
war, as a Private Mass Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. & end 31st August 1848, when she had Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Decem r 1849 and sent to
Hon C. B. Smith Washington
Increased from $40-
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2/1848. Page 144 Vol. 1 257 Book D Payable to surviving children Eunice Maria, Eveline, Henrietta, Washington & Theodore Reeves-
Henrietta Reeves, Jan'y; 6/58

October 4th Baltimore Sept 14. 1848.
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Herewith I send you my application & Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 29 th July 1848 entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving widows of officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary war."
Be pleased to direct, to the care of. Rev. Searly Hou Baltimore,
Very Respectfully, Your obedt Servant. Abigail Thewes
1848 7 o

State of Maryland
In Baltimore County, Orphans' Court.
On this twenty fifth day of September 1848, Personally appeared before said Court, the same being a Court of Record: Abigail Reeves a resident of the City of Baltimore, aged 70. years, who being 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, passed July 29 th 1848. That she is the widow of William Reeves who was a soldier of the Revolution in the Massachusetts line, and a Pensioner of the United States. That she has not now any documentary evidence of his military services in her possession, but refers to the proofs on file at the pension Office, on which his pension was allowed in 1818, she further declares that she was married to him the said William Reeves on the 23 rd day of April seventeen hundred and ninety five, that her husband the aforesaid William Reeves died on the 30 th day of October in the year eighteen hundred & twenty. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place previous to the second of January, eighteen hundred, viz; at the time above stated, she further declares that that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a Pension except an unsuccessful Petition to congress some years ago.
Abigail Reeves
Sworn and Subscribed before
Charles Howard John H. Briscoe John Burnas
Justices of the Orphans Court for Baltimore County

Maryland ss.
I hereby certify, that Charles Howard, John H. Briscoe and John Burnes, Esquires, who have subscribed the foregoing certificate, were at the time of so doing, the three Justices of the Orphans Court for Baltimore County, duly commissioned and qualified according to Law. In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of said Court, this twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty eight.
Test-
D. M. Levine Register

State of Maryland, City of Baltimore
October 6 th , 1848
I H. B. Corkery, Rector of the Catholic Cathedral in the City of Baltimore aforesaid, Do hereby Certify that I have in my custody the records of said church from which Records it appears that William Reeves and Abigail Grate, both of said City, were lawfully joined in Matrimony on the (23,) twenty third day of April in the year of our Lord (1795) seventeen hundred and ninety five.
H. B. Corkery, Rector of the Cathedral
Sworn to and subscribed on this 6 th day of October 1848,
Before me
J. Buchanan
A Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore
State of Maryland,
Baltimore County, Set.
I hereby Certify, That James Buchanan
Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit was made and who has thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore, duly commissioned and sworn.
In Testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court, this
14 th day of October A. D. 1848.
W. Bradford Clerk Baltimore County Court.

State of Maryland City of Baltimore
} S.S. On this 27 th day of September Eighteen hundred and forty eight. Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore aforesaid, Personally appeared Matthew Kelly a resident of the City of Baltimore aged say 67 years, and made oath according to law, That he was person acquainted with William Reeves and with his wife Abigail Reeves residents of said City, from the year 1808, untill the death of said William Reeves in the year 1820 and that his acquaintance with the said Abigail Reeves his widow has continued to this date. That she has not married again since his death but still remains the Widow of him the said William Reeves who was a revolutionary Pensioner of the United States. And that the Abigail Reeves now about applying for a Pension is the identical person above mentioned who was the wife and is now the Widow of him the said William Reeves; And this deponent further deposes that he is not interested in said application.
Matthew Kelly
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above mentioned; before me. And I do hereby certify that said deponent Matthew Kelly is a person of good character and entitled to credit.
Henry F. Fries
State of Maryland,
Baltimore County, Set.
I hereby Certify, That Henry F. Fries
Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit was made and
who has thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore, duly commissioned and sworn.
In Testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court, this
14 th day of October A. D. 1848.
J. M. Bradford Clerk Baltimore County Court.

No 49
Abigail Reems Mrs of William Ma
act 29 May 1849
Mamma 1795
Mistress died 1820
Adm Rm 1/2 $40 00
(Mort March 1841)
Alexander Young Esq. Baltimore Ma

State of Maryland } City of Baltimore } S.S.
On this 13 th day of October in the year eighteen hundred and forty eight - Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore aforesaid, personally appeared John Rofs a resident of said city, aged sixty  seventy years, who being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that he was personally acquainted with William Reeves and with his wife Abigail Reeves from the year 1798 until the death of said William Reeves in the year 1820, That his acquaint- -ance with said Abigail Reeves, widow of said William Reeves has continued to this time, she having not married again since the death of her said husband who was a revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, That the said Abigail Reeves of this city, now applying for a Pension is the identical person above mentioned; And that he, this deponent is not interested therein.
John Rofs
Sworn to and subscribed in the day and year first above written, before me - And I do hereby Certify that the above named deponent John Rofs is known to me as a person of good character and entitled to credit.
H. K. Long
State of Maryland,
Baltimore County, Set.
I hereby Certify, That Henry H. Long Esquire before whom the annexed affidavit was made and who has thereto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace of the State of Maryland, in and for the City of Baltimore, duly commissioned and sworn.
In Testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of Baltimore County Court, this 14 th day of October A. D. 1848.
Jerry Bradford Clerk Baltimore County Court.

(A.)
County of Prince George State of Maryland
On this nineteenth day of August, 1871, personally appeared before me the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, being known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed.
Given Under My Hand
Thos. J. Warington
Subscribed to before me this 19th day of August, 1871. Thos. J. Warington
Thos. J. Warington
Notary Public

Oct 29 1849 Re: of the the case of the names of the citizens Inverness
admitted Private of 96 per a. c. - 4 March 1848 to 31 st Aug t 1849, when she died, children Eunice, Maria, Eveline Henrietta Washington & Theodora Reeve, debt which has been paid
Hon C. B. Smith (Washington)

State of Maryland In Baltimore County Orphans Court.
It is hereby Certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before the Orphans Court for Baltimore County, the same being a Court of Record, that Abigail Reeves was a Prisoner of the United States at the rate of Forty Dollars per annum. That the said Abigail died on the thirty first day of August in the year Eighteen Hundred and Forty Nine, leaving surviving Five Children to wit: Maria Maria, — Caroline — Henrietta — Washington, — and Theodore. — That neither of the said Daughters of said Abigail was ever married, and that the Five Children above named were the only surviving Children of said Abigail Reeves at the time of her Death. —
In Witness whereof the undersigned Justices of the Orphans Court aforesaid have hereunto set their hands on this Twenty seventh day of November in the year Eighteen Hundred and Forty Nine. —
Charles Howard. John H. Briscoe John Burnet

Maryland. Gt.
I hereby certify, that Charles Howard, John H. Briscoe and John Barnes Esquires, who have subscribed the foregoing certificate, were at the time of so doing the three Justices of the Orphans Court for Baltimore County duly commissioned and qualified according to law.
In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of the said Orphans Court this twenty-seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine
Test.
D. M. Levine
Registrar

Aligail Ranch Williams - Nov 28 1888 Honorable George C Whiting Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D C

A. L. Edwards
Abigail Reeves, widow of William Reeves, who was a private in Massachusetts Line and a pensioner of U.S. at 96 p pr an m . died Nov-1820.
Her Pension certificate issued 13 th Jan y 1849 is for only 40 p! 27. Should it not be for 80 p her annum.
Show her Certificate to Mr. Edwards
Toll 29 Jan y 1849
Alex r Yearley & Son

Reported Abner yearly & sons Feb 7, 49.
38.
Maryland Abigail Reeves widow of W m Reeves who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars —
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. —
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of Jany 49 and sent to
Sly. Gearly & Son, Baltimore MD
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 5 1848, Page 144 Vol. 1
Act 29 July. Coak

James
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1319
Abigail Reeves, dec. Widow.
William Reeves, Prn. Rev. War.
Act: July, 29th, 1848.
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Baltimore December the 16 th 1857
To the Honorable Mr George C Whiting
Sir I hope you will please to excuse me for troubling you with this note sir I wish to beg the favour of you to inform me if the orphans of Revolutionary Soldiers are intitled to pay for services rendered I have read in last weeks days paper from the annual Report of the Commissioner of Pensions it appears it appears that the pension office has added to the roll of pensioners during the year under all the various acts Revolutionary Soldiers widows and orphans my Father William Reever for served in the war seven years and he received one years pay previous to his death and my mother under later acts of Congress Received six months pay and if there is any pay for orphans I am truly one my sister and my self were never married and therefore we have had to toil from our youth up and now we are getting in years and are still bending over the needle a working for few for a mere pittance and I do not expect to have that much longer as times is very hard and all work is stoped and my sister in bad Health and is not able to do hard work for her living sir I beg that you will please to excuse me I am sorry to trouble you but I that you thought could tell me best as I would be be very glad to know please Direct 182 Ann street Fells Point Baltimore
Henrietta Reever