Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,559, for William Peirce, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
or Peirce, William Pierce
8.15.559
carded
CONTENTS

Peirce, Wm. MS. 51559

State of Massachusetts
County of Suffolk ss.
On this fourth day of December
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Judge of the Municipal Court now sitting at Boston in and for said County, William Pierce a resident of Boston in said County, aged Eighty 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 7th, A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Boston aforesaid on the twenty fifth day of December (old style) A. D. 1746, and that there is a record of his birth in the City Clerk's office in said Boston : that he was in the United States service from the _____ day of _____ A. D. 17 _____, to the _____ day of _____ A. D. 17 _____ as a _____ in the
: that he was residing at _____ when he entered the service; that he _____ and served for the period aforesaid under the command of _____
: that he marched from _____ : that he served with _____
of the regular troops; and _____ regular officers were known to him : that he was in _____ battle _____ and at the end of his service received a discharge : that he left the service on _____ and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at _____
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the day of _____ A. D. 17 _____, to the _____ day of _____ A. D. 17 _____ as a _____ in the _____ that he was residing at _____ when he entered the service; that he _____ and served for the period aforesaid under the command of _____
: that he marched from _____ : that he served with _____
of the regular troops; and _____ regular officers were known to him : that he was in _____ battle _____ and left that at the end of his service he received a discharge the service on _____
ALSO : that he was in the United States service from the day of _____ A. D. 17 _____, to the _____ day of _____ A. D. 17 _____ as a _____ in the _____ that he was residing at _____ when he entered the service; that he _____ and served for the period aforesaid under the command of _____
: that he marched from _____ : that he served with _____
of the regular troops; and _____ regular officers were known to him : that he was in _____ battle _____
that at the end of his service he received a discharge the service on _____ and left
Pierce Wm. Mass. S15559

that in the summer of 1777 he was chiefly instrumental in raising a Company of Light Infantry in Boston. which was then the only Infantry Uniform Company in said Boston excepting the Independent Corps of Cadets. The said Company was organized and officered early in that summer. The Officers were Commissioned by the Council of Massachusetts. That the Company was composed of Active Young men - who held themselves in constant readiness to do service for their Country - that they had the organization of a Regiment - John Hunkley of Boston was the First Captain. The Lieutenants were two - John Rice was First Lt and John Coolidge 2 d Lt. Zerachiah Hicks now living, and who makes the affidavit hereto annexed was Adjutant. That said Company was attached to the Regiment of Col Joseph Webb - whereof one - Hatch was Lt Colonel - and - Cunningham Major that the Company first publicly paraded on the first Anniversary of Independence July 4. 1777.
1. The first duty the said Pierce was detailed and drafted to perform, was in Boston as one of a sergeant's guard composed of seven men before the house of Commissary Hancick at "The Old Boston Stone" so called in Marshall's land, by the order of Col Webb. Under the General order of Genl Heath the sergeant was Ebenazar Wells Brown - The men were Thomas Rice, William Rice, Wm Poke, John Braisford, Ebenazar Baxter, John Kettle (all of whom are dead) and the said Pierce - that said guard was mustered at Faneuil Hall & then marched to the said Commissary's house - and that the term of duty was for three months in the United States service - viz from October 1777 to January 1778. 2. That he also did three months duty detailed and drafted in the said sergeant's guard composed of the same, or nearly the same men at the Arsenal or Laboratory as it was sometimes called at the bottom of the Common in Boston - where the present arsenal now stands - that the term of duty under the
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. William H. Davis
December 4 th A.D. 1932. Sworn to in open court by said William J. Leipe William Leipe before me Peter O. Maicher, Judge Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
We Leave at 11:00
residing in the City of Boston
and William P. Greenwood
residing in said Boston
and William D Greenwood hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Pierce who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty six - 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 as aforesaid.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid. before Peter A. Maheu, Judge
Wm P. Greenwood
Lech u Kiers
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the the answers to which are embodied in the foregoing application interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that William P. Greenwood and Lechariah Hector who has signed the preceding certificate, is are residents in the City of Boston aforesaid ; and that they, as well as the applicant William Peace are known personally to the judges have been so for many years and that they and are credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit. The last certify that the Reverend Francis Parkman is a clergyman of the City of Boston and his affidavit is entitled to full credit. Peter S. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston
I Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Pierce for a pension; that Peter S. Thacher is sole Judge of said Court and the signatures on these papers purporting to be his, are genuine. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Thomas W. Phillips Clerk

United States was from May to July inclusive 1778 - under the order of Col Webb as aforesaid and the said guard was mustered and marched in the same manner as when on duty at Ebenezer Hancock's - Col Webb commanded the Regiment
3. The said Pierce performed one months service in said Hinkley's Company under whom he marched to Rhode Island in August 1778 to join the army under General Sullivan. The Independent Com- pany of Cadets marched at the same time - also a Company of Ar- tillery and a draft of Militia - Col Webb commanded the detach- ment - Passed thro' Roxbury to Milton - Lodged the first night at Canton - Then a part of Braintree second day marched to Taunton, and thence to Tiverton opposite the Island of Rhode Island - Thence crossed over the Ferry to Rhode Island - Said Pierce was stationed at the Upper part of the Island all the time he was on the island - There was a skirmish between those of the troops that proceeded to the lower part of the Island and a detachment of the British troops that came out from Newport - He well remembers a tremendous storm of rain and a violent hurricane that blew over the tents and injured the ammuni- tion of the men and did much damage - The British fleet was in the harbor, and the French fleet outside - The storm dispersed the fleet and prevented an intended engagement, & thereby Gen Sullivan was forced to retreat -
Said Pierce well recollects Col Bradford of the Conti- nental Army - Col Scollay of the Cadets - Col Webb - &c - and that Gen Green was on the island with the army -
On leaving the island said Pierce's Company re- crossed to Tiverton, and was then marched to Boston and the Company was dismissed by Capt Hinkley at Fair- view Hall - None of the Company received written discharges - The whole company of light Infantry to which said Pierce belonged marched to Rhode Island under Col Webb, and did the months' duty there -

4. After returning from Rhode Island - in the winter of 1779 the said Pierce was detailed as one of the sergeants guard from said company to do guard duty at Gen Heath's Head Quarters in Summer Street Boston - The sergeants guard at this time also consisted of 7 men - all of whom, as well as those who did guard duty at Cambridge and at the Arsenal nearly all dead, except the said Pierce as he verily believes. - The company of Capt Hinkley succeeded the company of Independent Cadets in guard duty at Gen Heath's - and at the time said Pierce's term of duty was three months -
5. In 1779 said Pierce was drafted by Capt David of Boston Bell to do duty for three months - viz from August to November 1779 on board the guard ship lying in the stream or channel  opposite  the  wharf  of  the  Long Wharf in said Boston, containing British prisoners and commanded by Capt Nathl Wells - This duty said Pierce performed by a substitute, "an old countryman" whom said Bell obtained to perform the duty and said Pierce paid said Bell One hundred dollars therefor - But for this payment he has no receipt nor voucher -
The said Pierce further says that during the whole of said period he was a private in said Hinkley's Company - that he has always lived in Boston and now lives there -

87 Suffolk
Massachusetts 15283
William Pierce
of Suffolk in the State of Mass ts who was a Pen s : in the company commander by Captain Bell of the Reg t commander by Col. Webb in the Mass ts line for 10 months
M c
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass ts at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of June Boston Mass s and sent Jos. Willc.
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 66.6 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " - 16.6
$83.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk Book E Vol. 2 Page 64

19523
William Pierce
At. as private 10 mo - $33.33
By Joseph Willard Boston

BRIEF in the case of William Pierce. County of Suffolk - Boston in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court -  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Eighty six years -  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1777 Oct 3 - Private Gen. Sullivan   Drafted 1778 May 3 - Col. John Hunkley   1778 August 1 Lieut. Rice & Coolidge   1779 3 Col. Webb & Hatch   1779 Aug 3 - hired a substitute Major Cunnigham Genl. Heath Capt. David Bell -  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 0  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Boston  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witness, traditional evidence & documentary proof -  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
John L. Watson Examining Clerk. 2 nd March

Wm Pierce
19523
✓

I Levanah Hinks of Boston in the County of Suffolk declare that I am well acquainted with William Pierce of said Boston, an applicant for a pension under the late law of Congress for Revolutionary Soldiers; that I was second Lieutenant and adjutant of a company of Light Infantry commanded by Capt John Hinckley of Boston - which company was raised and officered in the summer of 1777- and I was an original member of said company - I also well recollect that the said Pierce was an original member of the said company - John Rice was First Lieutenant - John Coolidge was second Lieutenant, and I was chosen Adjutant of the company with the rank of Lieutenant - The officers of said company received their commissions from the Council of Massachusetts - there being no Governor of Massachusetts from the departure of Gen. Gage till the formation of the constitution in 1780 - The regiment we were attached to was commanded by Col Joseph Webb - Jabez Hatch was Lt Col - our Majors name I do not recollect - After the company was formed and till the latter part of the war - we were at various times on duty under the United States - I well recollect that said Pierce

was in our company at Rhode Island at the time of Gen Sullivan's retreat, where I also served - said Hinkley then com- manded the company - and our period of service was about one month -
Among other services, the said company did duty as sentries, at General Heath's head quarters in Summer St Boston for the term of three months - and I well recollect that said Pierce was engaged with us in that term of duty during that period -
I have been acquainted with said Pierce about sixty years - and have always regarded him as a respectable man - a man of veracity - and such so far as I know is his general repu- tation - I will further add that the said Pierce retains remarkably his bodily and mental vigor, and an uncommon retention of memory -
Leah Hinkley
Municipal Court of the City of Boston
Uffolk ss Dec 4. 1832 -
Sworn to and subscribed before me Peter O. Thacher Judge of the Municipal Court -

97 Francis Parkman a clergyman also the City of Boston on oath declare that I am well acquainted, and for many years have been with William Pierce, who is making application for a pension as a soldier of the Revolution, that he sus- tains and I believe ever has sustained a high character for integrity and veracity - and that I have full confidence in his honesty and in the truth and correctness of his statements -
Francis Parkman.
Dec. 4. 1832 } Norfolk } Is }
Personally appeared Rev Francis Parkman above named and made oath to the above declaration by him subscribed
Before me
Joseph Willard Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Sir Walter
I Thomas W Phillips Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, hereby certify that Joseph Willard Eugene who has received the oaths of Francis Park man withal, is a Justice of the Peace for the county of Suffolk and that the signature within purporting to be said Willard's is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this fourth day of December A.D. 1832.
Thomas W Phillips, Clerk.

This seal attested this fifth day of December A D 1832
Attest Thomas W Phillips Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston.
The above is the seal of the said Municipal Court Attest Thomas W Phillips Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, December 4 th 1832.
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 William Pierce's name is contained in a return of the Men in the Company commanded by Capt t John Hinkley, in a detachment of Guards, closing duty in the Town of Boston under the Command of the Hon - Major General Heath - in which company said Pierce was a private - The time of his engagement bears date February 13. 1778 and the time of his discharge May 13 - 1778 - The Bounties to each man was £ 2, per month - I further certify that no other of the rolls of said Hinkley appear to be on the files in this Office - Also that this certificate was made by me after the said Pierce had made and sworn to his declaration for a pension before the Hon Judge of the Municipal Court for the City of Boston. Edward D Bangs. Secy

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Pierce 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? Documentary evidence & living witness -
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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? yes
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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with 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.
‡ 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 authenticates 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 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

P
15559
INVALID.
File No. 15559
William Pierce
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 297
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Department of War Washington City

To the Department of War -
Accompanying this is the application of William Pierce of Boston for a pension as a soldier in the Revolution. The papers I believe are sufficiently full - If any deficiency should be suggested the department is requested to send to me who am Attorney to said Pierce, and immediate attention shall be paid to the same
Joseph Willard
Boston } Mass'ts }
Dec 5 - 1832 -