Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,140, for Turner Phillips, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Phillips, Turner.
S. 14.140.
Carded
CONTENTS

Dead. See letter to Hon. D. Webster Feb. 28. 1837
Date of death not on A.B.
3931
Massachusetts
Daniel Phillips
of Boston in the State of Massachusetts who was a Lieut. Capt. in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Paul Revere in the Massachusetts State Troops for two years from 1776
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 5 87 1/2 Dollars & Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5. day of Jan y 1833 and sent Hon. Daniel Webster U.S. Sec y
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 870.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4. March 1833 200.00
$ 1110.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Henry H. Sylvester Clerk, Book D Vol. 23 Page 95

5. Declaration
State of Massachusetts Boston, County of Suffolk } ss.
On this sixth day of August A.D. 1832. personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston now sitting Sumner Phillips, a resident of Boston in the County of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, aged seventy six 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 7 th 1832.
In the year 1776 the State of Massachusetts raised a Battalion of Artillery consisting of six Companies, commanded by Thomas Crafts as Lieut. Colonel Paul Revere as Major and six Captains & their Commissions dated on or about the 9 th of May 1776; in the third Company of this Battalion commanded by Joseph Balch, I received a Commission as Captain Lieutenant. This Battalion was raised for one year, for the defence of the State. On the Alarm occasioned by the enemy taking possession of Rhode Island in December 1776 two Companies commanded by Thomas Melvill & Jonathan Eales

(tho' by their enlistment confined to the State) volunteered their services to proceed to the State of Rhode Island for the defence of that State, and proceeded agreeably to orders to Providence, where they continued under the command of Genl. Spencer till some time in April 1777, at this time I was captain lieut. in the Company commanded by Tho. Melvill, who was then the first captain in the Battalion.
In May 1777 the term of service for which the battalion was raised expired, and a Regiment of ten companies was raised for the defence of this and the neighbouring States and went to serve for the period of three years; Thomas Crafts was commissioned Colonel, Paul Revere Lieut. Col. & Thomas Melvill Major, Commissions dated May 8 th 1777, at which time I received a captain's commission.
The Companies of the Regiment were stationed partly in the town of Boston, in the forts on the islands in the harbour of Boston, and at the forts in the vicinity of the town, and one detachment at New Bedford.
Early in August 1777 they served as a guard over the Hessians (prisoners) and on the 27 th of the same month the Lieut. Col. Major, & captain

15 Lieutenants &c &c received orders to hold 3. themselves in readiness to March for Worcester to guard Burgoyne's troops (prisoners) to Cambridge and marched on the 28 th .
When the secret expedition to Rhode Island was planned in the Autumn of 1777 the Regiment on the 27 th September, marched for Siverstown in the State of Rhode Island and with the Militia there assembled was placed under the command of General Spencer. On the failure of this expedition, they were ordered to resume their former stations.
The regiment was, at times, doing duty under the command of the Continental Generals Heath and Gates.
On the second expedition to Rhode Island the field officers and nine Companies of the regi- ment on the 28 th of July 1778 received orders from Major General Heath to proceed to Siverstown in said State, and join the Army under the command of Major General Sullivan (and were engaged in the battle on the 29 th of August 1778) this expedition having also failed from causes which it is unneces- sary to state, the regiment (with the exception of my Company) which was attached to General Glover's brigade, and ordered to the town of Bristol R.I., under the apprehension that, the French fleet

which had been disabled and was then in the harbour of Boston would be attacked by the enemy, was ordered to return to Boston, to garrison the forts in that harbour, for the protection of the fleet and town; this apprehension increasing on the appearance of the enemys Ships in the vicinity of the harbour of Boston, I received orders after being stationed at Bristol a short time to join the regiment in for some of the states here mentioned I have had recourse to the orderly books commencing June 8 th 1777.
The regiment returned to Boston some time in September 1778, where they continued doing duty until February 26 th 1779, when I resigned my com- mission.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state or of the United States.
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Turner Phillips
My own Court Before Peter O. Thacher Judge

The following Interrogatories were propounded to Turner Phillips above named, by the Hon'ble Peter O'Stracher Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, State of Massachusetts.  1 st Where, and what year were you born?
Answer, In Pembroke in the County of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts on the 12 th Septem r 1758.
2 nd Have you any record of your age?
Answer, I have not, my knowledge on this subject is derived from the information of my parents, who removed from Pembroke to this town when I was an infant.
3 rd Where were you living when called into service? where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer, In Boston; which has been my permanent place of residence since the Revolution and is now.
4 th How were you called into service?
Answer, I solicited the appointment.
5 th What officers did you serve with?
Answer, By the foregoing declaration and by the certificate of the Hon'ble Edward D Bangs, Secretary of State, hereto annexed, they will be known.

6.
6 th ) Did you ever receive a commission and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it —
Answer, I received two commissions, the first as Capt Lieut. the other as Captain of Artillery; they were signed by the Executive Council of Massachusetts (the first Governor was chosen in 1780) on my retiring from the service I did not consider them of any importance and they are mislaid or lost —
7 th ) State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution —
Answer, From the lapse of time, it is extremely difficult to find persons now living, who were acquainted with me in the years mentioned in this declaration, and who would testify their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution; However have it in my power to name the following persons, John Parker Esq. Jos. Levingston and Messrs Zachariah Hicks and David H. Bradley, I flatter myself that the certificates of the Hon ble Edw d D. Bangs

Secretary of this State, and Tho' Metcalf Esq. and John Marston Esq. two of the surviving officers of the regiment would prove this fact - For the names of such persons as would testify my character for veracity I would name the Hon'ble Lemuel Shaw, Chief Justice of this State, Hon'ble Daniel Webster, Hon'ble Nathan Appleton Hon'ble Charles Wells Mayor of the City, Harrison Gray Otis & Thomas H. Perkins Esq.
In open court before Peter A. Thacher Judge
Turner Phillips
We Charles Lowell a Clergyman residing in the City of Boston, State of Massachusetts, and James Phillips, residing in the same City, in the sixty sixth year of his age do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Turner Phillips, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six years of age; that he is reputed, and from the best information where he resides believed by the former, and from the personal knowledge of the latter, to have been an officer in the aforesaid regiment of Artillery.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
August 6. 1892 -
Chas. Lowell
James Phillips
Sworn in open Court, before Peter A. Thacher, Judge
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 heretofore. And the Court further certifies, that Charles Lowell who has signed the preceding certificate, in Parton of the West Church there is a Clergyman resident in the City of Boston, and that James Phillips who has signed the same is a resident in said City and is a credible person, and that their statements is entitled to credit
Peter A. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court.
W. Thomas Melvill residing in the City of Boston, formerly a Major of the regiment of Artillery raised by the State of Massachusetts during

9. the revolutionary War, and commanded by Col. Thomas Crafts, and John Manston Captain died in said regiment, residing in the same City testify and declare that Turner Phillips who has signed the declaration herein contained was an officer in said regiment and held a Captain's Commission.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
H. R. Melville
August 6 th 1832, In open Court, before
John Manston
Peter A. Thacher Judge
I Thomas W. Phillips Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Turner Phillips for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this day of August 1832.
N.B. See Clerk's certificate on next page

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss
I Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, a Court of Records legally established in this Commonwealth do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Turner Phillips for a pension also that the Honorable Peter O. Tracher is the sole Judge of said Court & that his signatures in the annexed papers are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at Boston this sixth day of August in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & thirty two.
Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk.

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 on 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 Phillips (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.

Rev War
14.740 INVALID.
1938. May 13 - suit to Mr. Donald R. Knox - J.L.C.
File No. Rev War Turner Phillips Lieut & Capt. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: —Vol. 1 , Page 296
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 5266.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 16, 1832.
I hereby Certify, that it appears from an examination of the Public Records, Army Books and Muster Rolls existing in this Department, that a Resolve was passed by the Legislature of Massachusetts, May 7. 1776. for raising for the State Service in the Revolutionary War, a Battalion of Artillery to be composed of six companies, and to serve for the period of one year; that another Resolve was passed, April 14. 1777, for the raising of a Regiment of Artillery in the State Service, under the command of Col. Crafts, and to serve for the period of three years; that Turner Phillips was engaged in said Service, under the Resolves aforesaid, first as Captain Lieutenant and afterwards as Captain; that his accounts as existing on the Army Books state his services as follows, viz - "from Jan'y 1. 1777 to Feb 26. 1779, 25 months, 26 days" - and that it further appears from said

Books that four months and eight days of said service was as Captain Lieutenant, with the pay of £9 per month, and twenty one months and eighteen days was in the capacity and with the rank of Captain, with the pay of £12 per month, exclusive of rations. And that his accounts in this Office are not brought down further than said 26 th of Feb. 1779.
Edward D Bangs, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

No 5200
Turner Phillips
Leapt 21. Mr 18 days Lent 2- 12   24 - 0
adm 8.16 33.35 5.00 25 12.50   579.96
Hn. D. Webster Nat US

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Turner Phillips which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension 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.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

Hon'ble Lewis Cass Secretary of War Washington.

Boston August 8 th 1832.
Hon'ble Lewis Cass Secretary of War,
Sir
For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 entitled "An act supplementary to the act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution"
I have now the honor to forward you my declaration and (as far as possible) the other documents required by your regulations; in addition to which you are respectfully requested to notice the certificates of the Secretary of this State, and of Thomas Melvill and John Marston formerly officers of the regiment in which I served.
It will doubtless be observed that the certificate of the Secretary does not comprise the whole time of my service as stated in my declaration, this may be accounted for, from the irregularity in which the books and records were kept in that time of hazard and excitement (1776) "the time that tried mens souls"

It has been my endeavor strictly to comply with your regulations, if I have failed in doing so, I regret it, and would esteem it a favor if you would inform me wherein I have been deficient. The further testimony of my services be necessary, permit me to name my Brother, Isaac Phillips, Navy Agent at Baltimore, who I doubt not has a perfect remembrance of it.
Should you be of opinion (as I doubt not you will) that, I am entitled to the benefit of this munificent Act of Congress, you will oblige me by ordering the payment to be made in this City.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully
Your most obedt. servant
Turner Phillips

Will Mr Edwards be kind enough to enable Mr Wolsten Damer to see this letter, so far as it respects the time of Captain Leamer having left the Army

Hon. D. Webster
28 Feb 1837
O. C.
Rec. Vol. 45. pa. 157

War Dept. Pension Off. Feb. 28. 1837
Sir
In answer to the enclosed letter I have to inform you that the late Capt Turner Phillips left the service on the 26 th February 1779. The widow As it appears from the letter of Mr Andrews that Captain Phillips was not married till 1780. The widow has no claim to a pension under the act of July 4. 1836.
I have the honor
Entd.
Enter this on Ref. Widow's claim Mch. act 4 July 1836 - 3 rd sec.
Hon. D. Webster Senate U. States -

Requested May 11 - 1938 by Donald R. Knapp.
1736 Que St N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Rev War pension claims Isaac Phillips - 5895-3 and Turner Phillips 5. 14140
He read both of these pension claims while here -