Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19,011, for James B Oliver, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Oliver, James B.
S. 19.011
carded
CONTENTS

32.800 McGuire James R. Plant
of Somerset Co. in the State of Maine who was a Pri of Arty in the (Ampt) commanded by Captain Parker of the Regt commanded by Col McCall in the Mass line for 1 year, 3 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Portland at the rate of 75 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of Jan'y 1801 and sent to Liberty & Corners
Arrears to the 4th of Present Semi-ann. allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by W. H. H. H. H. Clerk Book 6. Vol. 1. Page 41

STATE OF MAINE.
HUGH J. ANDERSON,
Governor of the State of Maine.
To all who shall see these Presents,
GREETING.
16 A. D. 1839
Know ye, That Thomas Stearns of Penobscot in the County of Penobscot Esquire, whose name is borne upon the paper hereunto annexed, was, on the twenty first day of March A. D. 1839 appointed and Commissioned, and on the thirteenth day of November A. D. 1839 qualified as a Justice of the Peace within and for our said County of Penobscot that he still continues to hold said office: and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
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 Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed.
GIVEN under my hand at AUGUSTA, this fourteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty- five and in the year  70 th year of the Independence of the United States of America.
BY THE GOVERNOR.
Philip B. Dinsmore Secretary of State.

I William Oliver of Georgetown in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine aged eighty eight years on oath depose and say that I was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and in 1778 - 1779 and 1780 belonged to a company of Artillery commanded by Capt. Jeremiah Parker, Col. Samuel M'Clobb's Regiment - That James B. Oliver was a private in said company and served nearly or quite two years therein, a part of the time as Capt. Parker's quarter - That said Oliver performed the service in the years before named - I also depose and say that I was well acquainted with said James from his boyhood - That said James was born in Georgetown and brought up by Capt. Parker - I also depose and say that I am well acquainted with said James at this time, that he now resides in Stark in the County of Somerset - I also depose and say that in 1780 the dwelling house of John Wilson Clerk of Capt. Parker's company was burned in the night and he the said Wilson was burned up in the house and with him the orderly book and the records of said company - I also depose and say that that the circumstance of Wilson's death the burning of his house and papers are well known to the aged inhabitants of Georgetown. I also depose and say that James B. Oliver was a soldier in the army of the Revolution and served as above stated, and that it is so believed in the vicinity of his former residence and that no inhabitant of Georgetown will dispute the fact. I also

depose and say that Capt. Parker's Company was stationed at a place called "Cox's head," in that part of Georgetown now known by the name of Phippsburg. I likewise depose and say that said Company was supplied with a cannon and a chest of arms by the provincial Government of Massachusetts, called I believe the Convention.
W m Oliver
State of Maine. Lincoln ss July 9 th - 1845 personally appeared William Oliver who is well known to me as a witness of veracity and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed before me
Thomas Mays
{ Justice of the Peace
Georgetown July 9 th - 1845. I hereby certify as a magistrate that the statements made in the foregoing affidavit of William Oliver have been handed down as by tradition and are received by the inhabit- -ants of Georgetown (my native place) as true.
Thomas Mays

Jotham Trafton of Georgetown in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine aged eighty six years depose on oath and say that I am a native of the Town of Georgetown aforesaid That I have always resided in that place — That I distinctly remember many occurrences in the time of the Revolutionary war — Among others I remember the feet at Cox's head — I also remember that Capt Jotham Parker commanded a company of men and served in the time of the Revolution. I also depose and say that John Wilson Clerk of Capt Parker's Company was burn- -ed in a house in Georgetown and the Records of said Company were said to have been burned with him — This I think happened in 1780 — The occurrence was much talked about at the time and has been kept in remem- -berance by the inhabitants of Georgetown and I have no doubt of its truth. I also depose and say that James B. Oliver who now resides in Stock in the County of Som- -erset and State of Maine is said by the inhabitants of Georgetown to have been a soldier in the Revolutio- -nary war and to have served in Capt Parker's Com- -pany and I have no doubt of the fact.
Jotham Trafton
State of Maine Lincoln ss July 8 th 1845 Personally appeared Jotham Trafton who is well known to me as a man of veracity and made oath that the above affidavit by him signed is true before me Thomas Hovey Justice of the Peace

I Allen Clary of Georgetown in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine aged eighty nine years before and say that I am a native of the town of Georgetown aforesaid - That I have always resided in that place - That I distinctly remember many occurrences in the time of the Revolution- ary war, among others I remember the fort at Cox's head - That Capt. Jordan Parker had a company of men stationed at said fort for the period of about two years - I also remember James B. Oliver who was brought up by Capt. Parker, and serv- ed in said company under Capt. Parker as I believe the whole of the time Capt. Parker was stationed at said Fort - Said Fort was in that part of Georget- own now called Phippsburg - I also depose and say that John Wilson Clerk of Capt. Parker's company was burned in a house in Georgetown and the records of said company were said to have been burned with him this happened I think in 1780 - The occurrence was much talked about at the time and has been kept in remembrance by the inhabitants of Georgetown & I have no doubt of its truth. Allen Clary cross
State of Maine Lincoln ss July 8 th 1845 personally appeared the above named Allen Clary and made oath that the above affidavit by him signed is true before me Thomas Hays Justice of the peace

July 8 th 1845 I hereby certify from my own personal knowledge that the within named Allen Clancy is a witness of veracity.
Thomas May

I Jeremiah Sperry of Georgetown in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, aged eighty five years on oath depose and say that I was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and served in a company of artillery commanded by Capt. Jordan Parker, Col. Samuel Wobb's Regiment — That James B. Oliver was a private in said company and served nearly or quite two years therein in the years 1778 — 1779 and 1780 — That said company was stationed at Georgetown aforesaid — I also depose and say that I was well acquainted with said Oliver — That he was a native of Georgetown and brought up by Capt. Parker aforesaid — That I still am acquainted with said Oliver — That he now resides in Starks in the County of Somerset and State of Maine — I likewise depose and say that in 1780 the Clerk of said company, John Wilson, was burned in a house in Georgetown in the night time and with him was burned the orderly book and Records of said company. I also depose and say that James B. Oliver was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and served as before stated. That the burning of the house — The death of the Sergeant and loss of the orderly book has been handed down by tradition and is now believed by the inhabitants of Georgetown as a well established fact.
Jeremiah Sperry

State of Maine Lincoln ss July 8 th 1845 Personally appeared Jeremiah Spinnay and made oath to the within affidavit by him signed before me.
Thomas Mear { Justice of Peace
Guyton July 8 th 1845 I hereby certify that Jeremiah Spinnay is a man of veracity, and that the state- ments made by him are well substantiated by him and his son
Thomas Mear

No 37171
James B. Oliver
Mr
act 7 June 1832
Aug 45
B.
2.

United States of America
District of Maine ss.
On this 15 th day of August 1845, personally appeared before Ashur Ware, Judge of the United States District Court for Maine District, James B. Oliver a resident of Stark in the County of Somerset in said District of Maine aged Eighty years, who being first duly sworn in open court, 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 and served under the following named Officers; as herein stated - viz; In the latter part of the year 1778, he thinks in October he enlisted in a Company of Artillery commanded by Capt: Jordan Parker, in Col: M c Cobb's Regiment, and served at Cox's Head, so called, and at other places on the coast of Georgetown, or Phippsburg for the space or term of twenty two months and was discharged in the summer of the year 1780 - but had no written discharge. having served in said Company and regiment for the term aforesaid - of twenty two months. That he made a declaration before James Linnen a Justice of the Peace several years ago in order to get his pension, which he believes, was forwarded to Washington, but he has never heard any thing more of it. 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. He further states that John Wilson, was Clerk of said Parker's Company during the time he served as he has

above stated, and that afterwards in the year 1780. The dwelling house of said John Wilson was burnt up, and the said Wilson was burnt in the house, & with him were also burnt, as he believes, and as is generally believed in Georgetown, all the records and rolls of said Parker's Company to the time of said Wilson's death, and the depositions of William Oliver, Jotham Grafton, and Allen Clary & Jeremiah Spinnery, afford all the evidence he is able to procure of his said service which depositions accompany this his declaration.
Witness.
DWY/NA/6086
James B. Oliver mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Before -
John Wren
District judge of the United States for the District of Maine

I, Denny M c Cobb, of Bath, do testify and say that I am well acquainted with James B. Oliver, who has made and subscribed the foregoing declaration for obtaining a pension - that I have known him for many years and that he is a man of truth and veracity, and I do fully believe that the foregoing declaration signed by him is true - I very well recollect said Parker's Company being at Georgetown as he has stated, I was then about ten years old, and remember that a British Privateer was driven from the mouth of the Kennebec river by said Company.
Denny M c Cobb
Sworn to and subscribed this 15 th day of August 1845.
Before -
before
Ashur Ware
Lateral Judge of the U.S.
for the District of Maine
I certify that I have for many years been acquainted with Gen. Maloot (above named) and that in my opinion full credit may be given to his statements.
Ashur Ware
United States Maine District ss }
Circuit Court Clerk's Office
In testimony that the Honorable Ashur Ware before whom the foregoing proceedings were had is Judge of the United States within and for Maine District and that the signatures thereto are genuine, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Circuit Court this fifteenth day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred and forty five John Russell Clerk U.S. Maine

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of James B. Oliver a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Oct. 1778 12 mos. Pvt. Jordan Parker Samuel McBobb Mass.                                                   
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Brookton, Lincoln Co. Me.
Date of application for pension, Aug 15-1846 - Houlton Me.
Residence at date of application, Franklin Co. Me.
Age at date of application, 88 at Bangor Me.
Remarks: There is no data as to family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

P
19011
INVALID.
1914 Mar. 21 Hist. to Mrs. Lester E. Murray V.P. S. 1923 Sept. 27. Dist. Comm. J.B. Moore. aw.
File No. 19011
James M. ... Miss ...
Act: _____
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 283
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 37.171 James B. Oliver
Mr
Sitter 28 June 1846 assign d to Joseph Pope to same Sept 2 '46 to same Sept same Sept. 10. 46. Sitter to Joseph Pope 6 th Oct. 1849.
act 7 June 1832

Portland, Me, July 22. 1846.
J. L. Edwards Esq, Commr. of Pensions }
Sir,
I forward herewith two certificates of the Secy of Massachusetts, one stating that James B. Oliver's name is not on any roll of Capt. Parker's company in his office. The other that there is no roll previous to 1781. — As the service of Oliver was before that time, it of course cannot be found in the office of the Secretary. — I also forward the declaration of Judge Groton, shewing that Oliver has heretofore made application & effort to obtain a pension but without success. — Having complied, as far as possible, with what is required in your letter of Jan'y 28. 1846, I hope his claim will now be allowed upon the evidence before furnished, and a certificate in his behalf forwarded to me. —
I am, Sir yours very respectfully Joseph Pope.

Pension Office, January 28. th 1846.
Sir,
The papers in the case of James B. Oliver under the act of 7. th June 1832 have been examined and filed.
This claim is made for service as a matross in 1778 and 1780 under Captain Jordan Parker, Col. M'Leobb. But before it can be admitted the certificate of the Secretary of the State of Massachusetts sustaining the same must be forwarded.
The fact of applicant having delayed to assert his claim until the late day is well calculated to create a doubt about its validity, which the most satisfactory evidence can only remove.
I am Sir respectfully your obt servt. J. L. Edwards
Joseph Pope Esq. Portland, Maine.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston; May 4. 1846.
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 there is no roll of Capt Jordan Parker's Company previous to the year 1781.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Palfrey; Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Portland Dec r 8. 1845.
J. L. Edwards Esq r } Comm r of Pensions }
Sir,
I forward herewith the application of James B. Oliver for a pension - The papers got mislaid in my Office is the reason they were not forwarded earlier -
I am Sir,
Yours very respectfully, Joseph Pope,

P.14 Portland Maine Sept 10. 1850
Joseph Dupo.
Rel to the application of James B Oliver for a pen- sion, under the act of June 7 th 1832. u
7
Ref d to Com ee of Pensions for a Report
Dep Interior Sep 19. 1850

Portland, Maine, Sept. 10. 1850.
To the Hon: Secretary of the Interior
Sir,
A number of years ago I forwarded to the pension Department, the application of James B. Oliver for a pension under the act of June 7. 1832 - The applicant served in a company commanded by Capt. Parker (if I rightly remember the name) which was stationed at Georgetown Maine. Proof of his service was furnished by depositions of credible witnesses; and also proof that the clerk of the company was burnt to death in the house where he lodged which was destroyed by fire and all the records of the company in his possession were burnt with him. - His claim was not allowed for want of record proof of his service, which, for the above reason, it was impossible to produce. I applied to the Secy. of Mass tt for proof, if any rolls could be found in his office of the company in which he served. No such rolls could be found; but I obtained a certificate, shewing that such a captain was stationed, at George-

town, which was recognized as being in the state service, but no names of the company were given. That certificate I forwarded, which was received, but still the claim of Oliver was rejected, because no roll of the company, bearing his name upon it was produced. - We shewed the utter impossibility of furnishing such proof, the rolls of the company having been destroyed by fire as above stated, which was after the service was performed. We have furnished the next best evidence that could be procured; viz; the certificate of the Secy. of Mass ts that there was such an acknowledged company, stationed at Georgetown, and the depositions of witnesses of undoubted veracity, that Oliver was in that company, and performed the service he has declared for. And now Sir, we request of you the consideration of his case, and whether, under all the circumstances, his claim ought not to be allowed. And if you should so so decide, will you please grant a certificate of pension for him, and forward it to me at Portland, and oblige me who is, Sir, very respectfully, Your Obed Serv t Joseph Pope,

21 J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions, Washington D.C. September 24. 1850.
relative to the case of James B. Oliver. Papers enclosed, 11 in number.
Adm - 1 year 6 months, private Artillery. p 75 Act of June 1832
Dickins & Coombs Present.

Pension Office,
September, 24 th 1880,
Sir,
I have the honor herewith to transmit the papers, numbering 11, relating to the case of James B Oliver, on which Mr Joseph Pope appeals, and a brief of the evidence.
The claim has been rejected because there is no record proof adduced. It is shewn, indeed, that Captain Parker, under whom he alleges service, was commissioned to command a company of Matrosses at Georgetown in August 1777, but whether he did raise such a company, and if so, how long he kept it in employ, is not shewn. No returns of any company commanded by him exist prior to 1781.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, Your Obed t Servant, Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, Secretary of the Interior
J. L. Edwards

J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions, Washington D. C.
X. 7

Portland, Maine June 29. 1849.
J L Edwards Esq, Commr. of Pensions, Sir,
In the year 1845, I forwarded the application of James B. Oliver for a pension under the act of June 1832. — His declaration taken before Judge Ware stated a service of twenty two months from Oct. r 1778 to June 1780 in the Company of Artillery commanded by Capt. Parker, and stationed at Georgetown at the mouth of the Kennebec river.
His service was proved by the affidavits of sundry witnesses who served with him, and their credibility was certified.
It was also proved, that the statement made, that the orderly sergeant, John Wilson, was burnt in the night time in his shanty in which he lived alone, and his orderly book & all the records of the company burnt up with him, was believed to be true, and was traditional in Georgetown. — Col. M c Cobb made affidavit before the Judge to the credit & respectability of the appli-

cant - and also that Capt Parkers Company did essential service in the revolution in protecting property from being plundered by boats crews from British vessels. 2
The first objection to the allowance of the claim was, that the certificate of service from the Secretary of Massachusetts was not obtained, or his certificate that there were no rolls of the company in his Office, embracing the time in which the service was alleged to have been performed. A certificate to that effect was afterwards sent. Another objection was, the want of some reason to be assigned why he had so long delayed to make his application. That objection was afterwards obviated, by the affidavit or certificate of Judge Groton to whom Oliver had applied in order to obtain his pension. The last objection made to the allowance of his claim, was for him to prove that there was an organized Company, or one that was recognized as such by the authorities of Massachusetts & stationed at Georgetown 2
After a great deal of search at different times in the Secretarys Office, I have been able to procure the certificate which is herewith forwarded, which, I presume will be deemed

Satisfactory. I would therefore, now, respectfully request that his case may be again taken into consideration, and, if allowed, that a certificate of pension, in his behalf, may be forwarded to me.
I am, Sir, very respectfully, Yours Joseph Pope

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston :
April 24 1847.
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 Gordon Parker was commissioned a Captain and Benjamin Potts and Theophilus Batchelder Lieutenants of a Company of Matrosses stationed at Georgetown. — August 21 1777
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. D. Calhoun, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

James B. Oliver
Mch 46
I
3 —

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston; March 10 1846.
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 the name of James B. Oliver, is not borne upon any Rolls of Capt. Parker, Col. McCobb or upon any other documents in this office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John G. Sawyer, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To the Secretary of State Massachusetts James B. Oliver a soldier in the war of the Revolution requests evidence of his services.
This applicant avers that he served as a private in a company of Artillery commanded by Captain Jordan Parker, in Col. Samuel M'Robb's Regiment for the space of twenty two months in the latter part of the Revolution- ary war. He therefore requests the Secretary to examine the rolls in his office and grant a certificate of the length of his services.
James B. his Oliver mark
Cumberland Jo Jun. 22 nd 1845. signed in my presence. Jacob Merrill Justice of the peace

I recd Valter Groton's prayer of the Court of Probate for the County of Lincoln, State of Maine, hereby certify that soon after the pension act of 1832 passed, William Oliver David Oliver, John Oliver, Jeremiah Green- ing & some others applied to me, then living in Bath, to assist them in obtaining pensions for revolutionary services under said act. They claimed full pensions, mostly for sea coast services under Captain For- dun Parker, who was appointed to take command of a Company of Matrosses or artillery men. The evidence of their services was mostly depositions of their comrades. The rolls of Capt. Parker at that time were not to be found, as I was officially informed, in the office of Secretary of State. Soon after these persons with many others, were admitted pensioners by such testimony as I have stated. I was afterwards addressed by Mr. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions, that it was necessary that such pensioners names should be shown to be on the rolls returned by their respective officers. This I supposed could not be done so far as regarded the service of Capt. Parker's Company - as I was informed that he had made no returns, and that his

rolls had been destroyed by fire; about the time I obtained this information as near as I can recollect, one James B. Oliver of the town of Harts in this State who lived in Georgetown at the time of the Revolutionary war, applied to me to help him obtain a pension for service in Capt Jordan Patten's company, - as nearly one quarter of the active men in the lower part of Georgetown at that time, were Olivers - I went to Massachusetts & could get no certifi- cate of service in Jordan Patten's company, and I informed James B. Oliver that it would be useless to spend time & money to endeavor to establish his claim to a pension, as Mr Ed- wards would insist on record proof of his service which I could not then obtain. I also certify that it has this day been proved that about four years since, the same James B. Oliver made application to the Commission of Pensions for a pension for services ren- dered in Capt Patten's Company, that his declaration was informal, and so not considered. In testimony whereof

I have hereunto caused the seal of said Court to be affixed and subscribed my name hereto this 20 th day of July in the year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty* six
Arthur Grotenspeyer of the Court of Probate for the County of Lincoln
This date should be 1846 .

Sept 10 46
Geo. Wm Crump Esqr Pension Office, Washington, D.C.
8

Portland Sept. 5. 1846.
Geo. W m Crampe Esq r .
Sir,
Yours of the 2 d inst. is received, and I would respectfully ask leave to state, that the alledged service of James B. Oliver was completed or performed a year or more before the date of any of Capt. Purkis rolls in the Office of the Secy. of Massachussetts, and of course his service could not be found on those rolls.
The rolls embracing the time of his service were never returned, and it is presumed they were burnt in the house with the Clerk of the Company as stated in the depositions which were forwarded with his application, and which I presume will be admitted, where no rolls can be found.
I forwarded two certificates of the Secy. one stating that Oliver's name was not found on rolls in his office, the other, that there were no rolls

previous to 1781 , which was long after the service of Oliver was performed. I hope therefore that on reconsideration of his case, his claim will be allowed.
I am Sir,
Yours very respectfully Joseph Pope

Ja s B Oliver Rev's Boy Pension Clapp-

James B. Oliver Pension Claim.
In July, 1836, N. Groton, Judge of Probate for Lincoln County, Maine, certifies that soon after the Pension Act of 1832, William Oliver and others applied to him to assist them in obtaining pensions for revolutionary services. They mostly claimed full pension for sea coast service under Capt. Jordan Parker, of a Massachusetts company. Their services were mostly proved by the depositions of their comrades. Capt. Parker's rolls could not then be found in the State department of Mass. They were soon after admitted to pensions under the evidence he has stated. He was afterwards advised by the Commissioner of Pensions that their names must be shown on the rolls of their companies. About the time this was communicated, one James B. Oliver, who during the Revolution lived in Georgetown, applied to him to assist in procuring a pension for service in Capt. Parker's Company, as nearly one fourth of the active men in the lower part of Georgetown were then Oliver's. He informed said Oliver that it would be useless to make the attempt as the record proved not be found. It has this day been proved that about 4 years ago said Oliver did apply, but his application was informal and not considered. (G. A.)
In August, 1845, James B. Oliver Declares that in the latter part of the year 1778, he thinks in October, he enlisted in an Artillery Company commanded by Capt. Jordan Parker in Col. M c obb's Regiment, and served at Capt's Head and other places East of Georgetown or Phippsburg for the

term of 22 months. He several years ago made a Declaration which he believes was forwarded to Washington, but he has since heard nothing of it. John Wilson was Clerk of the Company during the time he served in it. In 1780 the dwelling house of said Wilson was burned, and Wilson was burned in it and with him, as was generally believed, the rolls of said Parker's Company to that time. (N 1 & B.)
Evidence.
1. Denny M c Cobb testifies to the good character of Claimant. Well recollects Parker's Company being stationed at Georgetown and driving off a British privateer, deponent being then about 10 years old. (N 2 & B.)
2. William Oliver, 88 years old, (in 1845,) was a Revolutionary soldier, and in '75, '79 & '80, belonged to Capt. Jordan Parker's Company, Col. M c Cobb's Regiment. Claimant belonged to that Company, and served nearly or quite 2 years, part of the time as the Capt's waiter. He served during the years named. Know Claimant from his boyhood. He was born in Georgetown and raised by Capt. Parker. In 1780 the dwelling house of John Wilson, Clerk of said Company, was burned in the night, and the said Wilson, with the Company books, burned up in it. Parker's Company was stationed at Cox's Head, afterwards known as Philipsburg. (N 1 & C.)
3. Nathan Traughton, 86 years old, has always lived in Georgetown. Recollects many events of the Revolution. Recollects the fort at Cox's Head, that Jordan Parker commanded a Company of men and served in the Revolution. That John Wilson, Clerk of his Company, was burned in his house, and with him the Company books, as was reported. This was

in 1780, he thinks. Claimant is believed by the citizens of Georgetown to have served in Capt. Parker's Company. (No 2 R.
4. Allen Meary, 89 years old, has always lived in Georgetown. Remembers the fort at Cox's Head during the Revolution, and that Capt. J. Parker had a Company stationed there. Remembers Claimant, who was brought up by Capt. Parker and served in his Company, he believes as long as the Company was stationed there. John Wilson, Clerk of the Company, with the Company records, was burned up in a house in Georgetown in 1780. (No 3 & C.)
5. Jeremiah Spinnery, 85 years old, served during the Revolution in Capt. Jordan Parker's Company. Claimant was a Private in that Company, and in 1778, 79 & 80, served nearly, if not quite, 2 years. The company was stationed at Georgetown. In 1780 the Clerk of the Company, with the Company records, was burned up in a house. (No 4 & C.)
6. The Secretary of State of Massachusetts certifies that there is in his Office no roll of Capt. Jordan Parker's Company prior to 1781. (Q D.)
7. The same officer certifies that the name of James B. Alvis is not found upon any roll of Capt. Parker's Company or any other document in his Office. (Q E.)
8. The same officer certifies that Jordan Parker was commissioned Captain of a Company of Matrosses stationed at Georgetown "August 21. 1777." (Q F.)

James B. Oliver Brief
Dickins & Coombs

Claim of James B. Oliver, for a Pension under Act of 7 th June 1832.
The claimant, in his declaration alleges, under oath, that in the latter part of the year 1778, (he thinks in October) he enlisted in the Artillery Company commanded by Capt. Jordan Parker, in Col. M c Cobb's Regiment, and served at Cox's Head, and other places on the East of Georgetown, or Phippsburg, (Maine) for the term of twenty-two months, and was discharged in the summer of 1780 - but rec d no written discharge. He also states the fact, that after he left the service, in 1780, the dwelling house of John Wilson, Clerk of Capt. Parker's Company was burnt up, and Wilson was burnt in it, together with all the rolls and records of said Company, as has always been believed by Citizens of Georgetown, &c.
There is in evidence three certificates of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, (marked D, E & F.
The first, marked D, shows that there

is no roll of Capt. Jordan's Company among the Archives of Massachusetts prior to the year 1781 .
The second, marked E, shows that claimant's name is not to be found upon any rolls of Capt. Parker's Co. or any other document in the Office of the Secy. of State of Mass.
The 3 d , marked F. shows that Capt. Jordan Parker was  commissioned  Captain of a Company of  Matrosses, stationed at Georgetown  on the 21 st of August 1777.
The fact that no rolls of said Company exist, from its organization in 1777, to the year 1781, fully corroborates the statement of the Claimant and divers respectable witnesses, that the records of said Company were destroyed by fire in the latter part of 1780.
The fact that Claimant's name is not borne upon any of the rolls in the State Department of Massachusetts, is accounted for by the fact, that no rolls exist covering any of the time in which he alleges he was in service.

And the Certificate of the Secy. of State marked F. proves that there was at the place where , and during the  time which , claimant alleges he served, an Artillery Company commanded by said Jordan Parker .
All the record evidence that does exist, therefore, is perfectly consistent with, and strongly corroborative of, the facts stated by claimant, in his declaration.
It will be observed that the fact of the burning of Wilson's house, in which Wilson himself, with the records of said Company were destroyed, in 1780, is established by the testimony of William Oliver and Jeremiah Spinnery, who were soldiers in said Capt. Parker's Company , and by Jonathan Grafton and Allen Clancy, who lived in Grafton at the time, and distinctly recollect the fact.
If there ever was a fair case made out for the admission of parol evidence, surely this is one. And if the parol evidence is held to be admissible, it estab-

tishes the claim, if it is possible to establish any fact by parol evidence.
We invite particular attention to the dispositions of William Oliver , and Jeremiah Shinnery , both of whom belonged to Captain Parkers Company , and served with the Claimant nearly two years in 1778, '79 & '80 . It is worthy of remark that these witnesses write their names , and that the Justice of the Peace certifies that they are well known to him , as persons of veracity.
We also call attention to the dispositions of Jonathan Dugton and Allen Clary , who, although they did not belong to Capt. Parkers Company, lived in Georgetown while said Company was stationed there, and distinctly recollect the services of the Claimant. All these witnesses knew the Claimant well while he was in the service, and have known him intimately ever since. We cannot conceive how any parol evidence could be of a more
These depositions are all in file Newbed C.

satisfactory character. It in every respect comes up to the strictest rules prescribed by the Pension Office.
An objection was at one time made, that the Claimant had failed for so long a time to assert his rights. This objection, however, is completely obviated by the Certificate of Judge Grotow (marked A) which shows that Claimant applied to him to assist in preparing his claims, soon after the Act of 1832 was passed - but that he (Judge Grotow) knowing that the Commissioners of Pensions had rejected the claims of his comrades, resting upon the same evidence, advised him not to go to the trouble and expense of making out his papers. It appears also, that some years prior to the making out of the present declaration, the Claimant made out one which he supposed was forwarded to the Pension Office, but which does not now appear among the papers. Respectfully Submitted
Deborah H. Coombs
Hon A. H. H. Grant
Sec'y of the Inter. Oct. 31 st 1850.

Admit
1. year 6 months private of Artillery
$ 75
Still living
Dickins & Coombs
Present
Jan 4. 1851

Pension Office H.C.
Will you please tell me if a James B Alvin of Georgetown who enlisted from there, and rumor says was a drummer boy, Enlisted about Jan 1877, if he afterward had a pension, He was born at

Could tell me who his father was, and can you tell me who Thomas Alvin's children were he enlisted from Georgetown Jan 1877 served till Feb 1880,
Enclose stamp for reply
Mrs Chas E. Merry Box 95 Madison, Maine,

MISS EMMA T. STRIDER REGISTRAR-GENERAL MEMORIAL CONTINENTAL HALL WASHINGTON, D. C.
April 21, 1923.
Miss Julia B. Moore, Augusta, Georgia.
My dear Miss Moore:
Your application upon the record of your ancestor, James Brush Oliver, is under examination in this office.
In looking up the references given we find that you have stated that he was a Revolutionary pensioner. Will you kindly forward pension to this office for verification of this paper.
If not in possession of this document, you may obtain same, free of charge, by applying to the United States Bureau of Pensions.
Sincerely yours,
(Miss) Emma T. Strider
Registrar General, N.S.D.A.R.
ETS/K
Will you be good enough to give me facts relative to the above? I shall greatly appreciate the courtesy.
(Miss) Julia Baudry Moore .