Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14612, for William Pritchard, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Pritchard, William Dennis, Lydia
W. 14612
Former widow
CONTENTS
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Massachusetts. 2231.
Lydia Dennis, former widow of William Pritchard, decd.
who died on the during the Revolutionary War of Middlesex co. in the State of Massachusetts who was a pri. mat. & sea. in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Massachusetts service time for 8 mos. private 26.66 6 " Mates 25. 4 " 2 dys. seaman 32.53 $84.19
Increased from $26.66 per annum. Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts - at the rate of 84 Dollars 19 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831, deduct- ing amt. paid under former certificate
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of Janu- ary, 1840 and sent to James Gregory, Esq. Marblehead, Mass.
(diff. of rate) Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1839 $489.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Feb. 40 = 42.09
$531.09
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
Recorded by S. A. Elliot, Clerk, Book A, Vol. 2 Page 49.

4 3526.
adm C Smasri 26. 66.
No deduction
Jas Gregory Esq Marblehead Mass-

State of Massachusetts County of Middlesex.
ss. Concord.
On this thirteenth day of February, A. D. 1838, personally appeared in open Court, being the Court of Probate of & for the said County Middlesex, Lydia Dennis, a resident of Lincoln, in the said County of Middlesex & the State aforesaid, aged Eighty Nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 15th A. D. 1836 - & the act explanatory of said act, passed March 3rd A. D. 1837.
That she was born in Marblehead in the County of Essex & State aforesaid, & always resided there until the last 5 1/2 years, during which time she has resided in said Lincoln with her widowed Daughter. - That she was first married to William Pritchard of said Marblehead, who enlisted as a private in the 21 st Regiment of Massachusetts Foot, commanded by John Glover (afterwards Brigadier General in the Continental Army) & in the Company commanded by John Selman - on the thirtieth day of May A. D. 1775 - for the term of eight months, & served for that period or until he was honorably discharged. That according to the best of her knowledge & belief he afterwards enlisted as a private again in the same Regiment, at the commencement of the year 1776 - for one year, but she does not recollect whether said Regiment was then commanded by said John Glover, or Jonathan Glover, or William R. Lee, nor is she certain that her said second husband's second enlistment was not in the fifth Regiment of Massachusetts Foot or Militia, but her better recollection is that her said husband's services for the period of both his enlistments were in the 21 st Regiment aforesaid. She further declares that her said husband, the said William Pritchard, served out the full terms of both enlistments, or until he was honorably discharged, but that owing to the fact of her great age & consequent loss of memory, & the additional fact that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim, & knows of no person living who has any knowledge of it or who was present in the corps in Company which he served, she cannot depose positively to those particular facts.
She also further declares from the best of her knowledge,

belief, as aforesaid, that her said husband, after he was discharged from the aforesaid service entered on board a ship or vessel - name not recollected - but commanded by Capt Richard James late of said Marblehead, Delaware, - to take a load of Sps to France. That said vessel was in the employ of the State, & proceeded from Salem or Boston - she is uncertain which - to the Penobscot River - took in her load of Sps - proceeded to France, & when in sight of her Port was captured, her officers & crew made prisoners of war. That the said William never returned home again, but died while a Prisoner of War as aforesaid. That said Pritchard was born & brought up in said Marblehead & made it his permanent residence till his death.
She further declares that she was married to said William Pritchard December 15th A.D. 1768. - That she was again married - after said Pritchard's death - to John Dennis March 23 d 1780, & that said Dennis died in said Marblehead - where he always resided - March 20th A.D. 1827, & that she was a widow both July A.D. 1836, & still remains a widow, as will appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Her words "as a private again" "or Company" interlined before signing. Witnesseth, L. C. P. Day Probate
Lydia X Dennis mark
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before me,
L. C. P. Day
Judge of Probate for the said County of Middlesex
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex
I Isaac Pitkin Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid hereby certify that Samuel P. P. Day Esq. is the Judge of said Court duly commissioned & qualified & that his signatures above written are his genuine signatures;
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. I affixed the seal of said Court this nineteenth day of February in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty eight. Isaac Pitkin Reg.

I, John D. Preson, of Marblehead in the County of Essex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Bricklayer, Do in my oath testify & declare; - That some time in the month of December now last past, while on a visit to the town of Lincoln in this State, I there saw the Lydia Dennis, whose Declaration is hereto annexed.
Said Dennis requested me upon my return to Marblehead to call upon Mr George Cash of this town - a Revolutionary Pensioner under the law of 1818, & ascertain whether he had any recollection of the Revolutionary services of William Pritchard her first husband, & if so have his affidavit taken to prove the fact with the view of claiming a Pension for his services aforesaid. - That on my return from said Lincoln I accordingly called upon said Cash - who I have always understood, believed to have been a person of good character for truth & veracity - who stated to me that he was well acquainted with the said William Pritchard; that he enlisted in the Regiment commanded by John Glover the same day with himself for the term of eight months, that the said Pritchard & himself served out the full terms of their enlistments in said Regiment - mostly at Cambridge near Boston - where they were both honorably discharged & both paid off on the same day; - but that he knew no further particulars of the said Pritchard's services.
That a few days after this, & before I had an opportunity to have his the said Cash's Affidavit taken as said Dennis requested - said Cash was suddenly seized with violent illness which terminated fatally on the 11th day of January now last past.
I have always from my earliest recollection been acquainted with the aforesaid Lydia Dennis, & was also acquainted with her second husband, John Dennis, who died between ten & eleven years ago; & I do further know that she the said Lydia has not married since his death.
Witnessed by, Robert B. Preson James Gregory
John D. Preson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss Marblehead March 10 th 1818. County of Essex - - - - -
Then John D. Preson, above named, a person whom I know from my own personal knowledge to be a witness whose character for truth & veracity is every way credible & good, personally appeared & made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit, by him subscribed, before me.
James Gregory, Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Town of Marblehead County of Essex } March 5 th 1838
I hereby certify that William Richardson and Lydia Follen both of this Town were married December fifteen One thousand seven hundred & sixty eight by Rev W m Whitwell.
I also certify that said Richardson was Published Minister. I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows Decem r 15 1768 Rich d Homan
I hereby certify that John Dennis and Lydia Prichard were married March Twenty third One thousand seven hundred & eighty by Rev William Whitwell.
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows March 23 1780 Rich d Homan
I Richard Homan above named do hereby and say that I hold the office of Clerk in the Town of Marblehead County of Essex State of Massachusetts & that the above are true extracts from the records of said town with the exceptions above named as certified by me.
Rich d Homan Clerk of the town of Marblehead
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Essex ss. } - - - - -
Marblehead March 8 th 1838
Then personally appeared Richard Homan a credible witness made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
Before me
James Gregory, J. of the Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. John Prince Clerk of
the Court of Common Pleas in said County do certify that James Gregory Esq r is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County and that his signatures hereon are genuine Witness my hand & the seal of said Court April 7. 1838.
John Prince Clerk

Massachusetts - 2,231.
Lydia Dennis, formerly widow of William Pritchard, dec'd.
who died on the during the Revolutionary war, of Middlesex Co. in the State of Massachusetts, who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Selman, of the reg't. commanded by Col. Glover, in the Massachusetts. time for 8 months - private.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts, at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of August, 1838, and sent to James Gregory, Esqr. Marblehead, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838, $186.62 Pemi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. " - 13.33
$199.95
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d . }
Recorded by G. T. Rhodes Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2, Page 49.

Lydia Dennis, formerly wid. of Wm Pritchard. Massachusetts
Suspended sue let to James Gregory July 18. 1838
act July 18. 1836

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14612
Lydia Dennis Widow of William Pritchard Pri Rev War
Act: July 4 th 86
Index:—Vol. a , Page 176
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Imab Aug 1.
Ms. A. 9. 2. 4
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

Marblehead, July 28 th , 1888.
Honored Sir, — I have received your favor of the 18 th inst. in which you state that the claim of Lydia (Dennis, formerly widow of William Pritchard) "may at any time be allowed for the service in 1775 in Colonel Glover's Regiment, but some proof will be required in support of the 12 months' service in 1776, & that no rolls of that service are to be found among those forwarded from Massachusetts to this office."
Since the receipt of your favor I have made diligent enquiries of veterans in this neighborhood, & have found but one who served in Glover's Regiment in the second year '76, & he cannot recollect that Pritchard was there, but he states that immediately after the expiration of the first term the "eight months service of '75" — most of Glover's men went into other Regiments & that a large portion went into Colonel Hitchcock's Regiment: that Capt Francis Symonds who commanded

one of Glovers companies the first year & in '75 entered said Hitchcock's Regiment in '76, & that his company in particular was composed almost entirely of Marbleheadmen .
Hitchcock himself was from Rhode Island, & it is believed by the veteran referred to that the Troops he comman- -ded formed part of the Rhode Island Line . I have an original discharge in my possession signed by "Doc. Garrison" dated Fresh Freshkills, Dec 30th, 1776 — which was found among the papers of Joseph Pope, one of my deceased fellow town's men, which discharges from the general Hospital himself & five other Marbleheadmen , adding — of " Symonds Company, Hitchcock's Regiment ".
From all therefore that I can collect, I should deem it more than probable that Pritchard's second period (12 months) of service was performed in said Regiment.
Pritchard's widow will be NINETY years old before the current year closes, & although her general health is remarkable

for a person of her great age, she cannot recollect precisely the necessary particulars respecting the Corps in which her husband served for 12 months. Perhaps I may say it would be remarkable if she could. Probably not one of Pritchard's companions in arms from this quarter is now living.
It is probable, Honored Sir, that you have the Record of the names of those who served under Hetchcock in '76 in your office. I submit whether if and Pritchard's name is among them his widow may not with propriety be allowed for it notwithstanding she cannot positively identify & prove it in the absence of all living documentary evidence accessible to her? The issue is with your Honor, & if Pritchard's name is not there, or, if there, you cannot feel authorized to consider it him without more proof, his venerable & indigent widow must be content with what you offer to allow for the first term of his service, & trust to the bare possibility of finding proof for the second period hereafter.
James L. Edwards Esq. 39 am. very respectfully your Honor's ob. Servt. C. & O. Washington, D. C. 3 James Gregory

Payment to be made at Boston, Massachusetts, by Franklin Haven, Esqr. Agent for paying Pen- sioners, in the Agency of Massachusetts.
for new certificate for 26.66 Shipri 25. 6 mo Matros 32.53 4 - 20s Seaman $84:19
deduct what was pd on former certificate
Jas. Gregory, Jr Marblehead Mass.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A, Vol. 2, Page 49, by
G. H. Rhodes Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, Lydia Dennis, of Middlesex Co. Mass. formerly widow of William Pritchard, deceased, who was a private in the
Revolutionary war, is entitled to receive twenty-six dollars and sixty-six cents per annum, during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the fourth of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Second day of August, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
G. Cooper Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

2,231.
made Appalachian Haven, Ely Waring Pen- Agency of rolls
Homestead

Marblehead Nov. 28th. 1839
Honored Sir:
I have the Honor to forward herewith the Affidavit of Mrs. Lydia Dennis of Lincoln in the County of Middlesex Massachusetts, & formerly of Marblehead, & also her Pension Certificate.
At the time Mrs D. was Pensioned she did not succeed in establishing the second year's service of her first husband, William Pritchard, which was claimed in her Declaration - which was duly made before the Judge of Probate of said Middlesex County, February 13th, 1838. The Supplemental Declaration of Mrs D. now forwarded claims for the balance of Pritchard's services performed mostly in 1776. The vessel he was in at the time of his capture - the Brig Union Capt Ambrose James, although she was clearly engaged in the Public Service, your Honor refused to allow anything for to the widows of John Nutting & William Standley of this town upon the alleged assumption that she was not armed, & therefore Mrs D. has not made any claim for the service of her said first husband, William Pritchard, in

on board that vessel. Said Berg was employed at the time in conveying a load of Spies from Penobscot to our then Allies the French - was captured while in sight of her Port - and poor Pritchard lost his life in the incarceration which followed. The widow asserts that this vessel was armed with small arms &c to resist Boarders, but with what foundation I cannot state.
I am, very truly & respectfully, Your Honors' ob't. Servt. Thomas Gregory
James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secretarys Office - March 5. th 1838
I hereby certify, that it appears by original documents remaining in this office that William Prichard served as a private in Selman's Company (Glovers Regiment) from the 30 th of May to the 1. st of August 1775, and is credited with "2 1/4 months Service".
That Francis Goss served as a private in Bacon's Company, same Regiment from 4 th June to August 1 st 1775, and is credited with "2 months and 2 days service". And that John Dipper served as a private in Symonds' Company, same Regiment, from June 4 th to August 1. st 1775, and is credited with "2 months and 2 days Service"
Witness my hand, and the Seal of the Commonwealth.
John P. Bigelow
Sec'y of the Com'th

Marblehead, April 9th, 1838.
Honored Sir, — I herewith transmit to you the Declaration of Lydia Dennis, widow of John Dennis & formerly the widow of William Pritchard, sometimes written Pritchardson. Said Pritchard was in the Land service, it is believed, for something like a year & a half at the commencement of the War. It is also believed that both periods of his service were performed in the 21 st Regiment of Massachusetts Foot, as the widow in her Declaration has set forth. But as there is but one person living in this town of the 700 Marbleheadmen who composed, almost exclusively, the said Regiment, & who served therein the first period only, to wit, the eight months Term, — this, together with the fact that the Rolls & Documents which undoubtedly bear his name for the second enlistment, are now in Washington, & therefore beyond the reach of the widow & her friends, — the fact of the precise corps in which said Pritchard's service was performed is involved in some uncertainty. I have little doubt however that your Honor will find that his entire service was performed in said 21 st Regt. as the widow says. I am however inclined to think that said Regt. was commanded for the Term of the SECOND enlistment by Colonel Hitchcock, instead of Colonel Lee &c as she says.

This seems to be the better traditional opinion.
I here say traditional opinion for there is not so much as ONE living in any part of the country that I am aware of who served in said Regiment the said second enlistment. With regard to first service I have said there was one & only one living in this town. This I believe to be strictly true, & I will add that I know of but barely one more living elsewhere, to wit, in Upper Beverly in this County. Neither of these persons served in the same Company with Pritchard. The one living in Marblehead has no recollection of Pritchard (this last witness did not serve in the same corps the second enlistment & the same is true of the other witness). The one in Beverly, I am given to understand, is in the same predicament. Neither of them served
But to remove all doubt of his being there (the first of enlistment) I herewith forward a certificate from the Secretary of the Commonwealth to that effect. This Certificate is founded upon the only documents in relation to said Regiment now remaining in the archives of the State, & it  they carry the service - That is, the documents - carry the service no further than the 1 st of August, '75.
The Documents are merely Pay Rolls made out for the first payment of the eight months service referred to. There is probably two other sets of Pay Rolls in existence somewhere, but where the Secy. does not know.
The second service of said Pritchard in said 21 st Regt you

undoubtedly have in Washington — or rather you undoubtedly have full records of the second service of said Regiment there. To that Record the widow must appeal, & I therefore beg leave to refer you to it, for there is not one person living to my knowledge who performed service therein, & therefor the widow's case is hopeless with regard to said second service unless she can be allowed to rely upon the documents in your possession for the adjustment & allowance of her claim. There are no documents in the State House appertaining to it, & they tell me they are all in Washington .
x                      x                      x                      x The Certificate I forward you also contains evidence for the suspended cases of John Dipper, alias Dupan & Francis Goss. The Certificate in form of the widow of the latter, dated Feb 3 d 1888 — which you forwarded me allows only for the Matross service . Your Honor will recollect that her Declaration sets forth Eight months service in Glover's Regiment, Bacon's Company beside. I therefore herewith forward you the Certificate, issued as above for the Matross service with the view of obtaining a new one which shall embrace the service in said Glover's 21 st Regt. of Massachusetts Foot." Mrs. Boley, "formerly widow of Francis Goss" has, as you are undoubtedly aware from your Records, drawn the amount due her by said Certificate. What your Honor will be satisfied she is entitled to a larger allowance I have no doubt.
And now, Honored Sir, as these Certificates do not (for they cannot) show that the several husbands served

drawn the amount due her by said Certificate. That your Honor will be satisfied she is entitled to a larger allowance I have no doubt.
And now, Honored Sir, as these Certificates do not (for they cannot) show that the several husbands served out the eight months for which they enlisted, it is obvious the applicants must fail in obtaining the allowances which may be justly due them, unless you can feel warranted in considering the widows' Declaration as to the precise length of service - aided by the Declarations of successful applicants in former years, supported as they then were by living witnesses as conclusive evidence in their favor.
Living witnesses, as I before observed, is out of the question now, except indeed to prove that the first enlistment of the parties in said Glens Regiment was for the period of eight months. And if this you will probably be better satisfied if I can refer you to documents now on file in your office.
I would therefore respectfully refer you to the Declaration of Joshua Prentiss (a commissioned officer in said Regt.) Richard Martin & Nason Harris, late of this town now deceased, who made their Declarations shortly after the 1st of June 7th 1832, & in whose favor Pensions were granted in July or August 1833. Copies of their Declarations are now in the office of a magistrate in this place, & in them the fact of the time of the enlistment of the Corps, generally & in particular the time of discharge is distinctly asserted.
I will again draw, Honored Sir, that these widows must lose their just claims if the evidence previously & now adduced shall not be found sufficient.
I am with great respect your Honor's ob. Servt.
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissary of Pensions. Washington D. C.
James Gregory

35. 268 - on 1 March 76 for 3 mo -
330 from 1 June to 1 Sept
268 1 Sept - 61 days X
39- 4 - Mass Priz Seamen 4. 2 07
  Vol 35 - p. 268-330 - 1 st March to 1 Sept 76 Matrops -  6 00    39- 4 1 sep 76. to March 77. Seaman -  4. 2 75  

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, November 27 th 1839.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of his attestation Charles Wheeler was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I, Lydia (Dennis, of Lincoln in the County of Middlesex & State of Massachusetts, Do on my oath testify & declare, that I am in the ninety-first year of my age; that I was formerly the widow of William Pritchard, & am now the widow of John Dennis; that both of my said late husbands, as also myself, were born & brought up in Marblehead in the County of Essex & State aforesaid: that I myself always lived in said Marblehead until a few years last past, & since I lost my last said husband about a dozen years ago: that I was married to said William Pritchard several years before the Revolutionary War, & he was captured while in his Country's service, while employed in conveying a load of Hay in behalf of the Government to France - was carried to Prison in England & there died, about the middle of the said War: that a few years after his death, before the end of said War, I was married to my last said husband, John Dennis, who was also much engaged in said War both on the Land & on the Sea.
And I do further declare that I was Pensioned on the second day of August A. D. 1838, to the amount of twenty-six Dollars & Sixty-six cents per annum - under the law of July 4th, 1836, for part of the Revolutionary services of William Pritchard my said first husband: that at the time I made my (Declaration for the benefit of said law I declared for other service of said William Pritchard than that for which I am now Pensioned: that by reason of my great age, infirmity, consequent loss of memory, I could not define the particulars of said other service, & therefore never recovered any thing whatever for it: that upon further reflection & enquiry I am satisfied that my said late husband William Pritchard, immediately after his discharge from the Company of John Selman, of Colonel John Glover's Regiment - the last day of the year 1775 - entered the Sea Coast Service of the said

said State of Massachusetts: That on or about the eighth day of January, 1776, he entered said service as a Private & Volunteer in said Marblehead, & served under Captain Francis Pelton until the last day of the following month of February - about which time a new Company of Matrosses was ordered to be raised under Capt Edward Pettyplace , for the purpose of doing Garrison Duty in the Fortress of said Marblehead: That said Company was raised mostly by detachments of twenty five men each from said Pelton's Company, & another of the same description under Capt William Hooper: That said detachments were taken from said Companies on the first day of March, 1776; That her said late husband, Forty-nine others from said Pelton & Hooper's Companies accordingly joined said Pettyplace's Corps of Matrosses on the said first day of March, 1776 : That her said late husband, William Pritchard, continued to serve in said Pettyplace's Company, as a Private & Matross until on or about the latter part of the following month of August - making a period of nearly nine months service altogether in said Sea Coast Forces.
And I do further testify & declare - from the best of my knowledge & belief, That about the said latter part of the said month of August, 1776, the State Brig Massachusetts, commanded by either Capt Southwick or Capt Fiske was in want of hands to make up the complement of her crew, & that a number of said Pettyplace's Corps of Matrosses - who were nearly all Marbleheadmen & mariners - were allowed to join her, & that her said late husband, William Pritchard, was one of the number who joined said Brig as a Seaman - in company with John Nutting , Thomas Barker , William Pressey , & others of his companions in arms & fellow townsmen - That her said late husband continued to serve on board said Brig Massachusetts as a Seaman aforesaid for several cruises , during the balance of the year 1776, & part of 1777: That she knows of no person living who served in said Sea Coast Service & in said Brig Massachusetts, whose

whose testimony she can procure in proof of the same, & she begs leave to test the truth of the statements herein set forth by a reference to the Rolls & Records of said service among the Massachusetts Documents in the War Office, Washington.
Witnessed by Geo. Weston Charles Wheeler
Lydia her X Dennis mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Lincoln, November 16 th 1839. County of Middlesex }
Then the above named Lydia Dennis personally appeared & made oath in due form of law to the truth of the above affidavit - by her in my presence subscribed.
Before me, Charles Wheeler Justice of the Peace.