Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4763, for Pierce Rogers Rea, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Rea, Pierce Rogers
S 4763
CONTENTS
carded

80 Mndolsy
Massachusetts 15. 473
Pierce R. Rea
of Middlesex in the State of Mass ts who was a Sergeant in the company commanded by Captain Winship of the Regt t commanded by Col. Nixon in the Massachusetts line for 8 months
80
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of June '33 and sent Mrs. Varnum Lowell Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 — 80 Pension allowance ending 4 Sept r — 20
$100
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 2. Page 42

June Doyen Area
24458
Not for sent to London

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex — ss.
On this twelfth day of February AD 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate now sitting at Concord within and for the County of Middlesex — in the Commonwealth aforesaid Pierce Rogers Reg of Tewksbury — aged 78 years
Who being 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 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say: that in April 1775 he was an apprentice in Salem in the County of Essex, Commonwealth aforesaid, he enlisted into the army of the Revolution for eight months and was mustered in the Company of Capt. Ebenezer Winship, the regiment of Col. John Nixson and Thomas Nixson Lt. Col. — as a sergeant in the Militia. He was stationed on Winter Hill in Cambridge and was in the battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775 and served out the term of his enlistment but received no written discharge, and returned home in January 1776 — —
That he was born in Boston

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, as a pension, to the said name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
James M. Rea Pierce M. Rea
We Enoch W. Freeman  Benjamin
Joseph, & William Brown
Esq. of Taunton
in the county of Middlesex hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Pierce Mogens Rea
who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and therefore in the opinion, JP
Wm Brown E.W. Freeman
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and passing the necessary orders prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and entitled to the states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Enoch W. Freeman
who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Justice of the Peace in the town of Dorchester & William James M. Rea
Isaac Fiske  Justice of the Peace do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Pierce Mogens Rea
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at the date — Mayh — in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
I also certify that John Varnum whose name is subscribed is written to the following certificate is a justice of the Peace within said county of Middlesex — Isaac Fiske
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Midhurst ss. D.W. 10 th 1832 Then the above named Wm Brown Esq. & the Rev. Enoch W. Freeman on an oath of the truth of the above certificate by them subscribed. I also certify that I am personally acquainted with Wm Brown & know him to be an upright & respectable man, & that E. W. Freeman is a respectable clergyman in Dorchester
John Varnum Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, ss. wit.
At the Court of Crook  Ordinary  Concord within and for the County of Middlesex on the Twelfth day of February A. D. 1833 — On the application of Isaac A. Dyer claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer. I was born in Gloucester in the County of Essex a Commonwealth grieved on the 24 of April 1754.
2. Have you any record of marriage, and where is it?
Answer. I have one in the family bible, and it is also recorded in the books of the town Clerk of Gloucester.
3. Where were you at the time you were called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer. My Father removed to Danvers in the County of Essex when I was four years old, and at fifteen I commenced my apprenticeship with James Andrews of Salem, and was residing in said Salem when I enlisted into the Army. After the war I removed to the Town of Beverly, and resided there till 1792, when I removed to Pentucket, where I now reside.
4. When you were called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer. I enlisted as one of the militia of said Salem.
5. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer. I recollect seeing Genl. Washington, Genl. Putnam, Col. Gannett, & many other Officers, among whom was Col. Sumner.
6. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character and services, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Answer. The Reverend Mr. Freeman, of Lowell, who is now Parish Minister. Mr. Moore Esq. of Pentucket. John Parsons Esq. the late Member of Congress. Subscribed to this day Isaac A. Dyer known to the day Isaac A. Dyer  100  1754  1833

244 56
Prince Rogers Rea Mass
Admit as a sergeant 8 mo. $40.00
Mrs Varnum Lowell Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjocined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Pierce Rogers Lea  Newbury in the Middlesex County State of Mass
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist 1775 - 8 — Capt. H. Smith Col. Nixon 18 years Salem Mass Living Witnesses for the whole service  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pensions to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served within an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal; and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

83.

Lowell Mass 52 Willow st. April 3, 1895-
Dear William Lochren; Dear Sir -
We wish to learn something about our Grandfather - Pierce Rogers Rea, who entered the Revolutionary war at 21 years of age - He was born in Gloucester - April 4, 1754 -
Some one has told us to apply to you - Can

you tell us any thing of interest - When he entered, how long did he remain? under whom did he serve? and in what engagements did he take part? we have his gun and canteen
Very truly yours (miss) Harriette Rea -
We received a pension Can you tell us what it was? -

Int. Hist. to Miss Harriette Willow H. Lowell, Mass. M.S.
Rev War
4763. INVALID.
Apr. 24/95 Kea. 32
File No. 4763
Pierre on end P. Rea
Sgt. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index: Vol. M , Page 311
[Arrangement of 1870.]

24458
Free
The Hon. J. C. C.
Secretary of War Washington D.C.
Pension office.

Tewell March 20 th 1833
The Hon ble J. Cope Sec y of War
Sir, I have the pleasure to enclose the petition of David P. Rea, which I hope will entitle him to a pension. He is my friend & resides in my vicinity.
With respect
Yours Mr. Scott.
John Morrison

Q. W. & N. Division.
8. 4763
P. S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
M.A.C.
Washington, D. C.,
April 24, 1895.
Dear Sir:-
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of --- Pierce Rogers Res --- 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.
   DATE OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1775 8 mos. Sgt. Ebenezer Winship John Nixon Mass.  
Battles engaged in, Bunker Hill. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Salem, Mass. Date of application for pension, February 12, 1833. Residence at date of application, Concord, Mass. Age at date of application, Born at Gloucester, Mass., April 24, 1754. Remarks:
Very respectfully, Miss Fannyette Rea, 52 Willow St., Lowell, Mass.
Commissioner.

I, William Reed of Salem in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, cord- wainer, on oath testify and say that I was a soldier in the eight months service at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, at Cambridge, in Capt. Foster's Company - and that I knew Pierce Rogers Rea, then of Danvers the town adjoining Salem - now of Tewksbury in the County of Middlesex, man, and knew him as a soldier in Capt. Winship's Company, in and Brig. I often saw him there while I was there, had known him previous, and have known him since; and knew that he was en- gaged in a similar service with me -
Witness Sylvester Proctor
Wm Reed.
Essex. ss. August September 8 th 1832. -
Then William Reed above named personally appeared subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate
Before me John W. Proctor Justice of Peace & Notary Public

I Gideon Foster of Danvers in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, on oath depose and say, that I commanded a Company of Militia in the eight months service at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and was stationed at Cambridge - that I then knew Prince Rogers Rea, of Danvers, now of Tewksbury in the County of Middlesex, as a soldier in the Company commanded by Capt. Wier ship, who was in the same service with myself - We were there at the time of the Battle at Bunker Hill. - I have known said Rea since - and believe that his statement of his service is to be credited. Gideon Foster
Essex ss. September 10 th 1832.
Then Gideon Foster, aged Eighty three years, and who is personally known to me as a respectable citizen of Danvers, personally appeared, and made oath that the above certificate by him subscribed is true before me.
John W. Proctor Justice of the Peace A Notary Public

I further certify that the said Gideon Foster and William Reed, are persons well known to me, and that entire credit may be given to their statements - I have known them for twenty years to be men of fair and unimpeachable character for truth.
John W. Proctor, Jr. Recv.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Essex ss. I John Prince Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in the County of Essex hereby certify that John W. Proctor Esq r is a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public in and for said County and that his foregoing signature are genuine.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Court of Common Pleas at Salem this sixth day of March A.D. 1833.
John Prince Clerk.