Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8953, for Isaac Phillips, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass Privaterr.
Phillips, Isaac Philips. or
S 8953
barded
CONTENTS

Date of death motion A. B.
Maryland 11.308
Isaac Philips *
of Baltimore Co in the State of - Maryland who was a Midshipman in the Armed ship - the Mars commanded by Capt Sampson wife Massachusetts war for
Midshipman? $ 55. 9 Mo 5 ds. } Mass. Privateer * Records completed
Inscribed on the Roll of Maryland at the rate of 55 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of April 1833 and sent to Pensioner, Baltimore. Md
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 110. - Pensional allowance ending 4 Sept " 27.50 $ 137.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk, Book E Vol. 5. Page 115
* Isaac Phillips
Records O.K. A.O. Nov. 15. 1904
Letter

11 Case
Letter
J. Phillips
Admitted
9 mos 5 days
Midshipman
$ 55.00
Pensioner
Baltimore
Maryland

12. 142
m d

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
By his Excellency LEVI LINCOLN , Esquire, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over said Commonwealth.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Know Ye, That John Williams Esq is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk.
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 caused the Public Seal of the Commonwealth to be hereunto affixed, this twentieth day of September A. D. 1832, and in the fifty seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor,
Edward D. Bangs Secretary of the Commonwealth.

United States of America,
District of Maryland -
At a District Court of the United States in the District of Maryland - September Term 1832 -
On this twenty seventh day of September eighteen hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before the District Court of the United States for the said District, now sitting - Isaac Phillips a resident of the City of Baltimore, in the County of Baltimore, and State & District of Maryland, aged seventy one 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 5 th 1832 -
That he entered the armed ship Mays in the service of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bay on the seventh day of June, seventeen hundred and eighty, which was under the command of Captain Simon Sampson, from which ship he was regularly discharged on the twelfth day of March, seventeen hundred and eighty one, and his wages were thirty three pounds, fifteen shillings, per m. m. - ( \pm 33 \text{ } 15 ) = $112 \frac{50}{100}

That the said Notes were payable in what was then called "New Money", being at a depreciation, but how great that depreciation was this petitioner cannot say - That he entered as a steward as a Midshipman, and was in rank the first Midshipman on board, and performed the duty of Boatswain Officer; That the said Ship was sent from Boston to France for a cargo of Arms, which had been purchased there by the Agents of the United States; on the passage out in the Bay of Biscay, they fell in with a British Cutter, sloop rigged, and with which the Ship had a severe action of about an hour, losing several men, killed, among whom was the Lieutenant of Maring, a valuable Officer; they then, having sustained some damage, made for their port of destination, without loss of time; Gorton Gridley Thaxter - understood to be now living - was Surgeon of the said Ship, during the whole of the cruise and voyage aforesaid - a native of Hingham, Mass.

On our arrival at Pointe aux Barques in the River Loire bound up to Nantes, we were visited by an Officer from St. Nazaire, who could speak no English, and having no one on board, who could speak French, we were obliged to have recourse to the Surgeon's Latin, thro' the medium of which we were enabled to make known the particulars of our trip &c.
On our passage home having taken in at Nantes a cargo of arms we captured and carried into Boston, an English Brig, belonging to Bermuda, called the Little Porgy from London with a cargo of Dry Goods.
The Petitioner further states that his Father was one of the Executive Board of War for Massachusetts Bay, and the Dick  Brigs Mary and Betsy Hazard & Tyannide were fitted out by the said Commonwealth and much of their preparatory work was made under the direction of Petitioner's Father.
This Petitioner further represents that he served on board several armed Ships, during the Revolutionary War, at least two years, exclusive of the said service on board the said Mary & Betsy. Sworn to and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid. Isaac Phillips

We Henry Payson, a Justice of the Orphans Court for Baltimore County, and Nathaniel Williams District Attorney of the United States for the District of Baltimore hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Isaac Phillips, who has subscribed and sworn to the aforesaid declaration, that we believe him to be seventy one years of age or thereabouts; and that we are of opinion that he served on Board the Ship Mars as set forth, altho' we have no personal knowledge thereof -
Sworn to and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
Henry Payson
Nathaniel Williams
And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and hearing the interrogatories, prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a midshipman in the service of the Pennsylvania Key Stone Battery, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that the persons who have signed the foregoing Certificate Henry Payson and Nathaniel Williams, are residents of the City of Baltimore, are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit -

I. Philip Moore, Clerk of the District Court of the United States for the District of Maryland, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Isaac Phillips, for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, this twenty seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty two. —
Philip Moore Clerk Dist. Ct.

In the Circuit Court of the United States, for the District of Maryland. March Term 1833.
On this fifth day of April Eighteen hundred and thirty three, personally appeared in Open Court before the honorable Elias Glenn, Judge of the Circuit Court aforesaid, now sitting, Isaac Phillips, a resident of the City of Baltimore in the said District, aged Seventy one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make this the following further Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 5 th 1832.
That is to say,

In answer to the First Interrogatory, misrecited by the War Department.
He says, That he was born in Boston, Massachusetts on the sixteenth day of October, seventeen hundred & sixty one
And In answer to the Second In- terrogatory, he says —
That he has not, in his pos- session any record of his age; but that he believes his birth is re- corded in the Parish Book of the West Church Society in Boston, — and which Doct. Mayhew then officiated as Pastor, and now which Doct r Lowell now officiates as Pastor —
None to be subscribed the day and year aforesaid by the said Phillips.
Isaac Phillips

I Philip Moore Clerk of the District Court of the United States for the District of Maryland. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Isaac Phillips, for a hearing.
In attesting whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this fifth day of April, A.D. one hundred and thirty three —
Philip Moore (B) Dist. Clk

12.142
✓
•

I Gidley Thaxter of Abington in the County of Plymouth Commonwealth of Massachusetts Physician, in the seventy seventh year of my age testify and say that Isaac Phillips now of Baltimore in the State of Maryland Esq. was a midshipman on board the Massachusetts State Ship Mass on a cruise and voyage to France from the month of July seventeen hundred and eighty to March seventeen hundred & eighty One - That I was a surgeon on board said Ship - That on our passage out we had an action with an English Cutter in the Bay of Biscay, in which we had two men killed & four or five wounded.
Gidley Thaxter
Plymouth Is. 22 August 1832. Then personally appeared before me the Subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace for said County, the above named Gidley Thaxter and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him Subscribed: and thereby certify that

the Said Ender Thaxter is personally known to me, that he is a creditable person & that to his deposition aforesaid is entitled to full credit
Ben Gay Jas: Pearce
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth being a Court of Record having a Clerk & Seal do hereby certify that Ebenezer Gay Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is a justice of the Peace for said County & that his name above subscribed is his true & genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court of Probate this thirtieth day of August in the Year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
Jacob H. Lord

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Sept. 14. th 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 Isaac Phillips was a midshipman on board the Mars in the service of Massachusetts Bay: - That, he entered on board on the Seventh day of June in the year Seventeen hundred & Eighty, and was regularly discharged from service, on the Twelfth day of March in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty one. That, his Wages were, Thirty three pounds fifteen Shillings per month. - That said Mars, during the time aforesaid, was under the command of Simon Sampson.
Edward D. Bangs: Secy
The above wages were in "New Money" - being at a depreciation - E. D. Bangs Secy

I Turner Phillips of Boston, County of Suffolk Commonwealth of Massachusetts (being now seventy seven years old), testify and say that, in the year one thousand seven hundred eighty, Isaac Phillips (then a resident in said Boston and now residing in the city of Baltimore, State of Maryland) at present United States Navy agent at that city) served in the capacity of Midshipman on board the state ship of war Mars mounting forty guns, as I believe twenty four carriage guns, commanded by Simon Sampson Esq. the ship I well remember saild from this port for France on some special business, but what that business was I will not presume to say, neither will I venture after such a lapse of time, to say how long the said Isaac Phillips continued in the service of the state. And I further testify that, said Isaac must now be seventy one years old, he was baptized by the Rev. Dr. Mayhew, as appears by a certificate which I now have from the Rev. Dr. Lowell in October 1761.
Witness my hand at Boston this tenth 18 th day of September eighteen hundred thirty two
Turner Phillips

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Suffolk. City of Boston September 18 th 1832.
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber as One of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Suffolk, Turner Phillips Esq r . the aforesaid deponent, and subscribed and made Oath to the truth of the above deposition.
John Williams Justice of peace for Suffolk Co.

May 13, 1938.
Mr. Donald R. Knox 1736 Que Street, N. W. Washington, D. C.
BA-J/ILL Isaac Phillips S. 8953 Turner Phillips S. 14140
Dear Sir:
You are furnished herein, as requested, the Revolutionary War records of Isaac Phillips and Turner Phillips, as found in their claims for pension, S. 8953 and S. 14140, respectively.
ISAAC PHILLIPS-S. 8953
Isaac Phillips was born October 16, 1761, in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and was baptized by the Rev. Dr. Mayhew, of the West Church of Boston; his birth was recorded in the records of that Church. The names of his parents are not shown. Isaac's father was a member of the Board of War for Massachusetts Bay, under which the ship, Mars, and brigs, Hazard and Tyrannicide, were fitted out by the said Commonwealth, and much of the preparation was directed by him.
Isaac Phillips entered June 7, 1780, at Boston, Massachusetts, as first midshipman on board the armed ship, Mars, commanded by Captain Simeon Sampson, in the service of Massachusetts Bay, went on a voyage to France for a cargo of arms, was in a severe engagement with a British cutter in the Bay of Biscay, on the homeward voyage captured an English brig, called "The Little Porgy," with a cargo of dry goods from London, and was discharged at Boston March 12, 1781. He served on private armed ships at least two years during the Revolutionary War also, no details of this service given.
Isaac Phillips was allowed pension on his application executed September 7, 1832, at which time he resided in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. He was then United States Navy Agent for the City of Baltimore. He made no reference to wife or children.
In 1832, Turner Phillips, of Boston, Massachusetts, made

affidavit in regard to the service and birth of Isaac Phillips, but did not state any relationship between them.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following:
Isaac Philips (as his name was borne on the pension roll) Certificate #11308 Issued April 23, 1833 Rate $55 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Maryland Agency. -----
TURNER PHILLIPS-S. 14140.
Turner Phillips was born September 12, 1755, in Pembroke, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, and was taken when an infant to Boston, Massachusetts, to live; the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, Turner Phillips was commissioned May 7, 1776, Captain Lieutenant in Colonel Thomas Crafts' Massachusetts regiment of Artillery, and served in Captains Joseph Balch's and Thomas Melville's companies; amounting in all to four months and eight days; he was commissioned May 8, 1777, Captain in that same regiment of Artillery, was on Spencer's expedition to Rhode Island, in 1777, was on General Sullivan's expedition in 1778, after which he was stationed at Boston where he continued until February 26, 1779, when he resigned his commission.
Captain Turner Phillips was allowed pension on his application executed August 6, 1832, at which time he resided in Boston, Massachusetts. He made no reference to wife or children at the time he made application for his pension. However, in 1837, the officer was deceased, and was survived by a widow, whose name is not shown; they were

not married until 1780.
Captain Turner Phillips referred, in 1832, to his brother, Isaac Phillips, Navy Agent at Baltimore Maryland.
In 1832, James Phillips, a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, made affidavit in behalf of this officer. In 1832, Thomas W. Phillips was Clerk of the Municipal Court of Boston. No relationship between these persons and the officer's family was stated.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following:
Turner Phillips Certificate #3931 Issued January 5, 1833 Rate $580 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832. Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

INVALID.
Re WIDOW, &c.
Navy
File No. 8953
Isaac Phillips
Midshipman
* U.S. Navy + Mass. (Rev. War)
Act June 7. 1832
Index: Vol 5- Page 115
[Arrangement of 1870.]
* Mass. and Privateer. Nov. 22, 1904. Records completed. J.
1938. May 13 - Hist. to Mr. Donald R. Knopf - See letter in Governor Phillips - JLR.