Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38,276, for James Otis, Connecticut

SERVICE
SERVICE Many.
Otis, James
NUMBER _____
D. 38276
Loann Agency and Residence
CONTENTS

5.358
Connecticut
James Otis
Mariner Brig Lexington } Capt. Barry Ship Albane } Pen n
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 26 of March 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 of Jany 1819 and sent to Jeremiah G. Brainerd Esq. Judge Superior Court, New London Conn:
Arrears to 4th of Sep 1818. 5 mos 6 / 31 d 4 / 30 42.60
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4th March 1819. 48
$ 90.60
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
1.82
Pension sent July 19th 1819 to William H. Brainerd Esq. New London Conn

James Otis
(5358)
March
1819

State and District of Connecticut, ss.
ON this 26 th day of June 1820 personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court holden at within and for the County of Middlesex in said State, on the 26 th day of June 1820, the same being a court of record, proceeding according to the course of common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having power of fine and imprisonment, James Otis
aged seventy nine years, resident in the town of Middlesex in said County in said State, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he ser- ved in the revolutionary war as follows: That he the said  He shipped as a seaman at Philadelphia on board the U.S. brig Lexington commanded enlisted for the term of  on the  day of by Capt. John Barry and continued with him when he removed to the U.S. in the year 1776  to the State of  shipped for  during the war in the year 1776 and served until he was released in England in the company commanded by Captain  in the regiment commanded where he had been a prisoner, after the peace  in the line of the State of by Colonel
on the continental establishment: That he continued to serve in the said corps until  when he was discharged from the said service in  in the state of
That he made a declaration to obtain a pension under the law of the 18th of March 1818, as nearly as he can recollect, having no minutes, on the  in March day of 1818- ; and had transmitted to him a certificate for a pension from the Secretary for the Department of War, No. 5350-
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of 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;" 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 sub- scribed.
That I am by occupation a laborer but feeble and infirm through age - I live with my son Ephraim R. Otis & have no family of my own with me I have no other property but my clothing James Otis -

That I am by occupation a laborer but feeble and infirm through age - I live with my son Ephraim B Otis & have no family of my own with me I have no other property but my clothing James Otis -
1820 79
Signed Sworn to and declared on the 26th before sd County Court
day of June 1818
Charles Lathrop Clerk
I, Charles Lathrop Clerk of the County Court for New-London County, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Declarant dollars and has no property
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this 26th day of June
1820
Charles Lathrop
Clerk of the County Court for the County of New-London.

Received for proof of service.

State of Connecticut ss London
Be it remembered That at said New London the State of Connecticut this 26 th Day of March AD 1818 - before me Francis G Brainard a Judge of the Superior Court of said State of Connecticut personally came and appeared James Otis of New London in said State of Connecticut and being duly and solemnly sworn according to the usage of said State for such solemn Oath declared and said - That he served in the Navy of the United States in the War of the Revolution on the Continental Establishment in the Character of a Mariner for the Term of Three Years - in Manner following vizt That at Phila- delphia sometime in the Month of June 1778 and being the first time that he entered as a Seaman or Mariner on Board of he entered as a Seaman or Mariner on Board of The United States or Continental armed Ship Lexington - John Barry Esq - Comman- der for the Term of Three  One Year - That he accord- ingly served on Board said Ship Lexington as a Seaman or Mariner for the Term of One Year when he was discharged therefrom and imme- diately or soon after - That is sometime in the part of the Summer of the year 1779  in the year 1779 - he entered as a Sea- man or Mariner on Board the United States or Continental Ship of War Alliance - John Barry Esq - Commander and served on Board said Ship of War as a Seaman or Mariner for the Term of Three  Two Years - making the whole Term of his Service Three Years - At the end of said two last Years he was again discharged - That his findings are left out autograph by him or against That he is and always has been a President Citizen of The United States - Not from his resided in said State he never of interest from his Country for support Sworn before me The Day and Year aforesaid
James Otis
Francis G Brainard a Judge of the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut Witness my hand and seal of said Court hereunto affixed - at said New London the Day and Date aforesaid Francis G Brainard a Judge of said Court

Witness the hand of said James Otis affixed - at said New London the Day and Date aforesaid James Otis  James Otis of said Coast
And The said James Otis the applicant in this case in addition to and explanation of his said Declaration further on solemn oath declares and states, That sometime in the month of July following his entrance on board said Con- tinental Armed Brig Lexington he sailed from Phila- delphia in her down as far as Cape May bound on a cruise but could not get out by reason of British Ships being off - After lying in the River about six weeks They finally got out and in company with a Continental Ship of 20 guns (name now forgotten) commanded by Captain Biddle, conveyed some Merchants out. That said Brig Lexington cruised off & on, proceeded to the Spanish Main, returned, and put into Charleston. That after being gone nine or ten months They returned to Philadelphia where where after having been on board said Armed Continental Brig, Lexington The term of One Year or more . That at Philadelphia he thinks sometime in the year 1779 - but it might be in the year 1780 - he entered on his Declaration Declaration he has stated on board The Continental Ship Alliance, and sailed from Philadelphia for France and arrived at L' Orient. After staying at L' Orient several months They sailed thence for the United States, and arrived at New London sometime in the month of April or May 1782 - The Spring next after the Burning of New London - and the Storming of Fort Griswold That after lying at New London several months They sailed for Philadelphia - from which said Ship Alliance sailed again for France but that he the said James Otis on account of sickness and infirmity was left at Philadelphia and did not proceed to France but was considered as belonging to said Ship and liable to do duty when able if called on until the close of the war, but was not.
James Otis Sworn before me this 18th Day of November 1818 - And I further certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said James Otis did serve in the Navy of the United States in the War of the Revolution in Maryland as in his Supplemental Declaration he has stated - and against the Common Enemy - James Otis  James Otis State of Connecticut

I Jeremiah G Brainard Judge etc as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said James Otis did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy - and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress - The foregoing declaration was made to me as the applicant declared in order to obtain the provisions made by the late 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"
New London Nov 26 th 1818
Witness the Seal aforesaid
Jeremiah G Brainard Judge of Superior Court State of Connecticut
I Jeremiah G Brainard Judge as aforesaid do certify that James Otis the applicant in this case is in reduced, indigent and needy circumstances - Jeremiah G Brainard Judge as aforesaid State of Connecticut Nov 18-1818

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
D.F. 38276
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of James Otis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1778 1 year Mariner on U.S.S. Lexington Commodore John Barry Navy   Summer 1779 2 years on U.S.S. Alliance " " "        
Battles engaged in, none stated. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Shipped at Phila. Pa. Date of application for pension, Mar. 16. 1818 His ch. was al. Residence at date of application, New London County, Conn. Age at date of application, 77 yrs.
Remarks: Valdian was residing with his son Ephraim R. Otis in New London Co. Conn. in 1820. There is no other data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
and from statement this was to many conflicts statements & nothing definite about his family

1893 Feb 28 Hist to Howard Charlton Meriden Conn. J.S.
Ulch - 17-1900 Miss Roselle Myllyo - Boston Mass C.E. MacLean E. Hartford Ct
Apr. 28, 1920 - C.E. MacLean E. Hartford Ct, date of death not shown, for date of last payment abbl, to Aut. Inst. Sect.
1920 Dec. 7 Hist. to Mrs. A. L. Scham
Invalid XXXXXXXXXX
File No. 38276
James Otis E. Harker Brig Lexington and ship "alliance" Revolutionary
Act March 18. 1818
Index: Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Admiral

James L. Edwards Esq - Sir -
I must apologise for returning to you - Department the Discharge of James Otis without for the Proof - He is an old man and almost helpless - It is impossible for him from the Nature of his Service to procure additional Proof - Comrade Barry is dead and I know of no Officer then belonging to the Alliance now living - The few last letters gave to another are so scattered in the World that their Depositions cannot be taken
I can only say that he appears to be an honest old Sailor and needs Support
That he served in the Alliance as he has stated I am fully satisfied from Facts and Circumstances within my knowledge and recollection -
Comrade Barry arrived at New London in the Alliance from St. Vincent microstony Revolutions in April 1782 - and remained there several months - About a year after I formed some acquaintance with the Captain and was occasionally on Board -
From certain Facts and Circumstances which Otis relates he must have belonged to the Ship at that time - He used to refer to the Books and Bills of the Ship Alliance for 6 months preceding and 6 months succeeding April 1782 -
Decem. 30. 1818 - I am respectfully & Your Obedient Servant Jeremiah Brown

Nov. 8
Solomon

ANNUAL CONTINENTAL CONGRESS OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION MEMORIAL CONTINENTAL HALL WASHINGTON, D. C.
308 Pearl Street Burlington, Vermont November 5, 1920
Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,-
Will you give me what information your records show of one James Otis who
aw VLM
James Otis navy is the only one of New London send it

believe was placed on pension roll in 1831 of New London County, Conn.
Any information will be greatly appreciated as I am trying to establish a line of descent for the Daughters of American Revolution.
Respectfully yours
Ella F. L. Isham (Mrs. Arthur L.)

ANTN
W. N. DIVISION MAR 12 1900 RECEIVED
Can I get from the Pension Office, Washington D. C. any particulars in regard to James Otis , one of the Revolutionary pensioners ?
I find his name in the list of Connecticut pensioners, but I want to learn something of his record as a soldier if possible. There is a tradition of his having blown up a British ship in New London harbor, and I would like to know if there is any authority for the story.
If it is within your power to give information in regard

to the military record of the pensioners, please let me hear from you. All I act- ually know of him I got from the list of Connecticut Pensioners and know of no other book to consult.
I would be glad of any information.
Yours truly
C. E. MacLean East Hartford, Ct.
P.O. Box 181
March 6th 1900

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Mr. H. May Evans, Commissioner, Sir:
Can you tell me whether James Otis, Seaman in the U.S.S. Lexington and the U.S.S. Alliance is the same James Otis mentioned in the Record of Connecticut Men in the War of the Rev- olution" among the Connecticut invalid pensioners on page 648 as a private in the 3rd Regt. how he was an invalid, and when he died.
Can you tell me the date of the death of James

McLean, or McLean (it is spelled both ways in the Record of of Ct. Men) or anything about his service.
I wish to know of these two - James Otis and James McLean - all that the records can give me.
Thanking you for the in- formation you have already given and hoping to hear from you soon.
Yours truly C. E. MacLean
East Hartford, Ct.
P. O. Box 181
April 12th 1900

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT,
COURT HOUSE, BOSTON.
To the Officer in Charge of the Records in the Pension Office, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir;
Will you be so kind as to look at the record of James Otis , who served in the Navy in the Revolutionary War? There is a story that he blew up a British ship, in New London Harbor, but whether that is true or not, he received a pension from the

United States Government, and I should be very glad to have the particulars which were given in his application for the pension.
He lived in Franklin, Connecticut, and died March 20, 1834.
Should there be a fee for the examination of the records will you please inform me how much it will be before any extended search is made?
Very Truly Yours
(Miss) Roselle Dyer
Supreme Judicial Court Court House
Boston Massachusetts
March 5, 1900

THE MILLER BROS. CUTLERY CO.
MANUFACTURERS OF
Fine Pocket Cutlery, Ink Erasers and Steel Pens.
FACTORY, MERIDEN, CONN.
NEW YORK OFFICE, 325 BROADWAY.
Meriden, Conn., February 27, 1893.
Hon. Chas W. Filer,
Pension Bureau,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
I am desirous of getting information as to whom the Pension of James Otis, who died at New London, Conn., March 20th, 1834, was paid, also a description of service during the Revolutionary war.
I am trying to identify him with James Otis, of Capt Huntington's Company of Norwich, a Marine and Pensioner, and thought if I could get above facts, I might make connections. Please send above with expense for same, as soon as convenient, and oblige.
Yours truly,
J Howard Charlton
P. S. I write the above at the suggestion of Hon. Jonathan Trumbull of Norwich, Ct.