Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 43,833, for Caleb Parce, Massachusetts

SERVICE
Mass.
R. J.
Pearce, Caleb or Pearce.
NUMBER _____
NUMBER S 43 833
CONTENTS

1891 March 26. C.E. Pearce history Prior
18.585.
New York Caleb Pearce
of Niagara in the State of New York who was a Private in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Richmond of the P. Island line, for the term of one year
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 16 of May 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 of May 1822 and unto Caleb Pearce A. H. Tracy. to be
Arrears to 4th of March 1822 365:16 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1822 48
45 mo 20/31 360 5:16 $413:16
Rev. 5 { Revolutionary claim, } for 164 { Act 18th March, 1818. } + Pearce. May 1 1820

State of New York      On this sixteenth day of May Niagara County } In the year one thousand eight hundred and eighteen before me (Sally Townsend one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County personally came Caleb Pierce aged sixty years and upwards who being by me first duly sworn according to law and on his oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions of the late act of Congress entitled An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War; That the said Caleb Pierce in the month of January or February of the year 1776 at Swansea in the state of Rhode Island enlisted in a company commanded by Benjamin Doming in the Regiment commanded by Col. Peabody of the Rhode Island line of Conti- nental troops and which was afterwards commanded by Col. William Rich- to serve twelve months. That he continued to serve in said Company or in the service of the United States until the month of November following (as he believes) when he was taken sick (being then on furlough) and was hospitalized in consequence from which joining the company to which he belonged until after it was discharged from service - that in the month of January following he applied for and received pay for twelve months service That in the month of April or May 1777 he again enlisted in the Company to serve in the United States Army as a Recruiting Ser-

granted by Lieut. John Medbury — That he served in that capacity about Eigh- teen months when the period for which the was attached Regiment to which he was attached had expired, when he left that service and joined the company commanded by Capt David Wheeler com- pany of Washington militia, at Lane brought in said state and was in said company at the Battle of Bunker Hill
That he is in reduced circumstan- ces and stands in need of the ass- istance of his County for support and that he has no other ordinary means of his own of his said service
Caleb Paine
Sworn to and declared before me this day and year aforesaid before me
Ch. Howland Judge of probate Can. prob.
Norfolk County ss — Samuel Martin being duly sworn says that he was acquainted with the above named Caleb Paine in the year 1777 and that the said Caleb was then acting as a recruit- ing sergeant and in the U. S. service and believing the preceding statement to be true —
Samuel Martin
Sworn to and declared before me May 16. 1818 Ch. Howland

Niagara County
I Charles Townsend Judge In as aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Caleb Paine did serve in the revolu- tionary war as stated in the proceed- ing declaration. In transmitt the testimony to the Secretary for the department of War conformably with the provisions of the aforesaid act of Congress State of New York Ch: Townsend Niagara County Clerks office
I Frederick B Merrill Clerk of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Charles Townsend before taken the pre- ceding affidavit & certificate of service had been made is one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County acting as such under the author- ity of the State and that the preceding so secured is the proper hand writing of the said Charles Townsend
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set My hand and affixed the County Seal at Buffalo this 16th day of May 1818
F. B Merrill
I Charles Townsend Judge do as aforesaid do certify that it it appears to my satisfaction from the enclosed affidavits that the within named Caleb Paine is in is in indigent circumstances — that I have no personal knowledge of his circumstances, and but little acquaintance with the witnesses — but from that I am of opinion they are entitled to aid Ch: Townsend Judge

5 papers with the claim
Returned that the affidavit may state how long a period he served under Col. Richmond
3 June 1820
Length of time that in Allien to Allien's affidavit
11 July 1820
Interested in Jan y 1820 76 for 12 m. Steward and Capt. Richmond till Nov.
Following April he served out the War but it would early
have been 14 m. on Cont y establishment Port R was
not on that establishment till Sept r 96. The line he
afterwards served in is not evident nor the name of
the Col y to whom he was attached so as to ascertain
whether he was on the Cont y List whether there is evidence of the service having started.
Case of Caleb Pierce
Chas. Townsend
Judge
Buffalo, N.Y.
Nov r 9 Sept r 10. 1819.
Niagara County ss
Caleb Pierce being duly sworn deposes and saith that he cannot with certainty state the time of this commence ment of his service under Col. Richmond, but that he was in Chas t Demings Company when said Richmond Richmond took the command of it (and which from the best of his remembrances was in the month of April or May 1776) and that he continued to serve under Col. Richmond untill he was taken sick as mentioned in the fore- going affidavit — That at a subsequent period and while in the service under Col. Brewer he received a severe wound in his thigh and further saith not
Caleb Pierce
Sworn to and subscribed June 22. 1820 before me
Chas. Townsend Judge Court Com: pleas

State of New York } Niagara County }
On this fifteenth day of February 1821 - personally appeared in Open Court - being the Court of Common Pleas of said County, a Court of record, constituted as such by the laws of said State. Caleb Force of said County aged about Sixty four years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary War as follows. That in the year 1776 he enlisted for twelve months as a private in Capt Benjamin Deming Company of Col William Richmonds Regiment of Rhode Island troops & that he served and received pay for that period of time - that in the year 1777 he again enlisted as a private in Col. Brewers Regiment and served ten months therein, in which time he received a wound from a bayonet in his thigh - That in the year 1778 he again enlisted as an orderly Sergeant under Lieut. Midbury in a regiment commanded by Col Jackson of the Massachusetts line for the period of eighteen months and continued to serve therein for the most part of that time as a recruiting officer. And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the purview of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income whatever.
The whole of the said property debts &c. having been assigned to Benjamin J. Doughty in trust for my creditors pursuant to an act of the state of New York passed April 7. 1819 entitled "An act to abolish imprisonment for debt in certain cases", in consequence of which assignment he this deponent was on the 25 th day of September last exempted from imprisonment according to Law.

That he is by occupation a farmer — that in consequence of a disorder in his bowels and from his debility in his leg which has somewhat perished by reason of the wound before mentioned, he is totally unable to labor. That his family residing with him consists of Mary his wife aged Sixty one years who in all probability will not live but a short time in consequence of a consumption with which she is afflicted — & Elliot his son aged Eighteen years who is able to support himself.
Sworn to and declared
Caleb Paine
On this 15 day of February 1821. before me
J. E. Marshall Clk.
of Niagara Com. Pleas
I John E Marshall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Niagara do hereby certify that the foregoing oath is truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the above named Caleb Paine has no property.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 19 th day of February 1821
John E. Marshall Clerk of the Court for the County of Niagara
Pension certificate (if granted) to be sent to Charles Townsend Buffalo (Niagara County) New York

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Caleb Pearce a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. 43,833.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Enl. at Orange R.R. Jan 11 Feb 1776 1 year Private Benjamin Deming Henry Babcock William Richmond R.I.   Enl. at Pocumtuck Mass Apl 12 May 1777 ✓ David Wheeler capture of Ft. Ann Brewer Mass troops   Soon after above 10 mos.   1778 18 mos. Orderly Sergt. on recruiting duty. H. John Medway Jackson  
Battles engaged in, Fort Ann + received bayonet wound of thigh at Stillwater
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓
Date of application for pension, May 16, 1818. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, 1820: Hamburg, Niagara Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, "sixty years + upwards."
Remarks: in 1821 he referred to his wife Mercy aged sixty-one years + son Miel eighteen years.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

1906 Nov. 5 Hist. to Mrs. Homer E. Dudley. 1918 apl. 24. Hist. to Mrs. Edith P. Head. ♀.
43833
INVALID.
Rev
File No. 43.833
Caleb Pierce
Rev Rev War
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 890
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Adm l Hon. = J. L. E.
Hon. A. H. Tracy, H. R.

If Mr Edwards will submit the case of Caleb Pierce to the Secy of War this day so that the result can be known this evening or in the morning he will much oblige his
Yours sincerely Albert B. Tracy
May 7th 1822

Hon. J. H. Tracy, H. R.
fee
Hon.
Albert H. Tracy Minister of Congress Washington City
Paper relating to the application of Colt's Patent of Barnesburg New York for an arm for the Washington
Caleb Stearns

Hon. J. H. Tracy, H. R.
fee
Hon.
Albert H. Tracy Member of Congress Washington City,
Caleb Pease -
Paper relating to the application of Colt's Patent of Guns through New York forwards to me by Hon. Mr. McCallum

State of New York Erie County - Town of Buffalo } I, Joseph W. Moulton a Commissioner to perform certain duties of a Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, do Certify that heretofore to wit on the twenty third day of June 1820 - Caleb Searce of the town of Hamburg in this County presented to me a petition praying a discharge under pursuance of the act entitled an act to abolish imprisonment for debt in certain cases" and being satisfied that he came within said act, he having taken the usual oaths therein required. I thereupon appointed the 22 d day of September then next after for his creditors to appear and show cause why he should not be discharged. On which day no sufficient cause being shown by his said creditors and being satisfied that he came within the true intent & meaning of said act that he had complied with its requisitions,

I thereupon, (he the said Cobb having Assigned his property to Benjamin J Cluff of Hamburg, for the use of his creditors, excepting out of such assignment his wearing apparel and bedding & expenses for carrying on the proceedings under said act) I did discharge him from imprisonment & all liability to imprisonment for his debts aforesaid —
I further Certify that the Schedule or Inventory hereto annexed is a copy of the account of his estate debts & credits exhibited to me in pursuance of said act. And I further Certify that the said Caleb on this seventeenth day of November 1821. — personally appeared before me and voluntarily submitted to an investigation respecting the particulars of his estate, debts and dues — And he

being by me duly sworn did depose and say in substance as follows viz:
1. That the debt marked in said inventory, arose from a note given to Todd of Erie County Pennsylvania, given nearly three years last past. That one Rufus Spurr of Linn County purchased of the Insolvent a horse and some other articles amounting to $68 that for security of the same the Insolvent took an assignment of an article or contract for the conveyance of a lot of land in Heidelberg in the County, that the land being estimated at $250 the said Insolvent gave the said Spurr a Bond for the payment of the surplus arising from the sale of said lot after paying himself. That Spurr being in debt to Todd, urged the Insolvent to give his note to Todd for $100 which was indorsed on the said bond. The Insolvent then calcu- lating that he had sufficient indemnity in said article or contract - that said article or contract became forfeited afterwards, to the original proprietors (The Holland Land Company) in consequence of the nonpayment of the consideration & interest. The Insolvent therefor lost his demand and the note remains unpaid & unsatisfied against him.

This insolvent further deposes that the Bond mentioned in debt No 2. was for Two hundred fifty Dollars instead of fifty and that the mistake was made by his attorney in making out his papers under said act - That the Coll d mentioned in item No 3. was sold between three & four years since and the note remains unpaid - That the groceries goods, leather, medicines & mentioned from item 4 to 12 inclusive were purchased for the use of his family (consisting of himself wife & three children) from one to 2 or 3 years ago - That the note in item 13. given to Bang rs W. Pratt was for a horse bequest 2 years ago exchanged for another which died last fall - that the debt No 4 was for Blacksmith work done in shoeing his teams mending his farming tools &c - That the Bond debt in item 15. was given for the insolvent becoming Bail or security for others, and the debts in 16 & 17 were for costs recovered from a suit brought against him on that security -
The estate which he the said insolvent invented was regularly assigned to the assigned leg ee appointed for that purpose for the benefit of his creditors - that the said insolvent now being interrogated in relation thereto deposes that the value of the property

To assigned except what by law was reserved to himself & family, & to defray the expenses of his insolvent proceedings) would not amount to more than fifty Dollars; that Thomas one of the debtors is dead & left no property; that Gordon is insolvent in his circumstances; that Telebeck is in parts unknown - that Bolcon has taken the benefit of the insolvent law, & that Root claims a set off against the demand against him for costs of suits wherein he acted as attorney for the said insol- vent as party thereto. The said Insolvent further did depose and say on being interrogated respecting his property for some years past, that in March 1818 he signed an article or contract for the conveyance of eighty six acres of land in Ham- burgh, that this article given by the Holland Land Company by their agent, was once renewed after the original article had run out or became forfeited - that there was one Dollar only paid on the same for said land, and nothing more has since been paid to the land office - that it was renewed for six years and expires in a year from July next. That the consideration for the same payable to the land office was five Dollars and twenty five cents per acre with annual interest - and that nothing of the principal or interest has since been paid.

That about two years ago he sold & assigned the said article to Caleb Pierce of Hamburg for the consideration of three hundred dollars (being the estimated value of the improvements made on the land viz: twenty five acres cleared - a log house & a small frame barn - and the chance of the rise of the land in value - tho' since that time lands have so fallen in value that the insol- vent merely believing that this property will revert back to the original proprietors in conse- quence of the accumulation of principal & interest & the scarcity of money - - That he rec d in payment for the same from time to time 1 st sixty dollars cash which he paid out on his debts & to support his family 2. a span of horses valued at $100 which he disposed of to Zenas Barker of Hamburg & took his note for $50 which he afterwards turned out to his credit and a yoke of oxen which he sold in the family 3. in meet flock, potash $20 cash, amounting to $100 which the said insolvent turned over to Phalarde Benoit of Buffalo in payment of a debt against him 4. $50 as security for me to H. B. Potter of Buffalo for costs of suits against him The said insolvent further deposes that his debts arose in consequence of sickness in his family, his personal infirmities, extreme poverty & the hardship of the times, during eight years past in which time

the said Insolvent resided in Herkburgh has a great part of been unable to attend to outdoor business. is 64 years old and is in a great measure crippled by a bayonet wound received from the British (which has somewhat perished) at the battle of Saratoga. The said Insolvent further deposes that his two principal Creditors reside out of the state and that he has not money enough to pay the postage of a letter to them much less to defray the expenses of taking their testimony in corroboration of his own, if that should be deemed necessary.
And having understood that the foregoing examination was thought expedient in removing suspicions excited it is said to the prejudice of said Insolvent's petition to be placed on the pension list. I further Certify that from all the information which I have received, I am satisfied that said Insolvent is extremely poor, and a fit object for the Munificence of his Government.
Buffalo Nov 1821-
[Handwritten signature: J. H. H. H. H.]
State of New York Erie Co. ss. I James L. Barton Clerk in and for said County do Certify that Joseph W. Moulton whose name is subscribed to the foregoing document was and still is a Commissioner to perform certain duties of a Justice of the

the Supreme Court in for the state of New York and the above is her signature —
James W Barton Clerk By J. A. Barker Dep
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]
Sept 11 - Nov 1851
[Large, dark, mirrored bleed-through text]
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text at the bottom of the page]

Copy of the Inventory and account of all the creditors left separate Parcel their residence, the consideration of their debts together with the estate real & personal both in law & equity in possession reversion & remainder of the said C. Parcel. Presented with, & annexed to a petition for the benefit of the act for the relief of his person from imprisonment. June 23 rd 1828.
Demands owing by the Insolvent
  $ 100  1. A Note of one hundred dollars to Mr. Todd of Erie in the State of Pennsylvania given in part payment of an Article of Land assigned to me by R. Ferrr -    57  2. A Bond for (a) fifty dollars given to Rufus Spurr of Erie aforesaid in part payment for an Article of Land -    12  3. A Note to Thomas Smith of Chautauqua County given for a Colt twelve dollars    6.  4 An account for groceries to Sheldon Chapin of the town of Buffalo and County of Niagara for Six dollars    1.70  5. A Note to R. B. Peacock Esq. of Buffalo for goods one dollar & seventy Cents -    1.  6 An account for leather to Thomas J. White of Hamburg in the County of Niagara one dollar -    18.  7 A balance of a Judgment obtained for Goods to Philander Bennett of Buffalo eighteen dollars    0.25  8 An account for groceries to Valentine Bennett of Clear Point Cattaraugus County twenty five Cents -    6.  9 John L. Larned of Providence Rhode Island an account for groceries of (about) six dollars -    3.  10 David C. Hough of Hamburg Niagara County an account as a Physician for Medicine & attendance for three dollars    197.95   
(a) - the words two hundred & by mistake of the atty omitted, according to the Insolvent's declaration on a Subsequent interrogation

 11. An account for dressing Cloth to Miles Eter of Hamburg 6. 27 of Six collars & twenty Seven Cents  12 An account for Medicine to Townsend Hirt of Buffalo 2. of two Dollars  13. A note given for the balance of a purchase of a horse 10. to Benjamin W Pratt of Buffalo ten Dollars  14. An account for labor as a Blacksmith to John English 4. of the town of Hamburg four Dollars  15. A Bond for Security for Costs given to John Milly 50. and Joseph Allen of the town of Hamburg in the suit of Earl Pierce against John Milly & Joseph Allen fifty Dollars now in suit in the Court of Common Pleas of Niagara County  16. A Note given by me & Caleb Pierce Junior to Herman B. 15. Potter to be paid in Wheat corn or flour on the day the said Note was given for Costs of fifteen Dollars payable the first of February next  17 A note given as above for the same Consideration 15. & same & payable on the first of February 1822. by the same persons to the same 
$300.122
Inventory of Estate
Two beds & bedding, two Chests, two wheels, two tables, eight Chairs, one pot, one Bake pan, one Spider, one frying pan, one tea Kettle, one trammel, two flatirons, one shovel, one pair tongs, one pewter platter, one pewter basin, three tin basons, three pans, two bowls, one quart tumbler, six Knives, six forks, eight Spoons, six cups & saucers, one Teapot, one Sugar bowl, one milk cup, five tea Spoons, six plates, eight table Spoons, one looking glass, one wooden Clock, two pails, five empty casks. one gun, two barrels of flour fifty

weight of pork, one ax one cupboard ~
A note against Elias Thomas near Erie in the State of Pennsylvania for _____ 22.75
A note against Nicholas Gordon of Warsaw in the County of Genesee _____ 1.68
A note given by Martin Tilsback of Caledonia } 4.0 in the County of Genesee _____
A note against John Bolcom of Hamburg in } 8.81. said County _____
{ A note given by John Root of Buffalo dated June } 68.48 16. 1815 for _____ 30.
{ An account the amount of which is about _____ Said Root has an unsettled account against me 135.72 to what amount I do not know but suppose there is a balance due me _____
Clothing for myself & wife very indifferent Dated June 23. 1820,
(Signed) Caleb Pearce
(A Copy / J. H. HAMILTON

The undersigned inhabitants of the County of Erie & State of New York being personally acquainted with Caleb Pierce who is now about to apply for a pension on account of his Revolutionary services under the late made and provided for that purpose to support the poor and indigent that are deserving the charity of government on account of their former services. Do hereby certify that Caleb Pierce is poor and indigent in his circumstances and not capable of maintaining himself in any relief by means of his own resources.
Philander Bennett Amos Shepard R. Brown
R. Kennedy G.W. Foster Geldon Chapin J. Knowlidge

State of Rhode Island ss Providence ss I Henry Alexander of Providence in said county being duly sworn deposeth on his oath saith that he is personally acquainted with Caleb Pease who served as a Private in the company commanded by Captain Benjamin Dunning of Col William Ashmun's Regiment of Rhode Island continental troops in the service of the United States for more than nine months that this deponent together with the said Caleb Pease did serve in said Regiment at the same time and that this deponent has no interest whatever in the claim of the said Caleb Pease on the United States for a pension and further the deponent saith not.
Henry Alexander
State of Rhode Island ss Providence July 15 1820
Then Henry Alexander made oath to the above deposition
Before me William Austin C J P

State of Rhode Island & Providence I Whipple Martin Esq. certify that I have been acquainted with Henry Alexander who gave the within deposition before me and he is a man whose testimony is to have full faith and credit given to
Whipple Martin B J B Plus
25 July 1825  The within certificate is not the official of the within deposition

State of Rhode Island ss
Providence ss. I Reuben Pease of Providence in said county being duly sworn deposith on his oath sayeth that he is person- ally acquainted with Caleb Pease of Hamburg in the State of New York that in the year 1776 in the said Caleb Pease served as a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Benjamin Deming of Col William Richmond, Regiment of Rhode Island continental troops in the Service of the United States for more than nine months that this deponent together with the said Caleb Pease also did serve in said Regiment at the same time and that this deponent has no interest whatever in the claim of the said Caleb Pease on the United States for a pension and further the deponent saith not. Reuben Pease
Providence July 15 1820
Then Reuben Pease made oath to the above deposition Before me
William Mather S. H. & P.

State of Rhode Island ss
I Whalen Martin certify that I have been acquainted with Ruben Pratt who gave the within deposition before me and he is a man whose testimony is to have full faith and credit given to. Witness
Whalen Martin 888 Piers.
Official capacity of the undersigned officer

25 July 1821 The credibility of the witness, with regard to the existence of the angel, and supposed to

State of New York Niagara County }
Levi Pierce of Cayuga County in said State being sworn
sayeth that in the year One thousand seven hundred and Seventy six he was well acquainted with Caleb Pierce of Hamburg in the County of Niagara - That in that year he the said Caleb was an enlisted private of Capt. Demings Company of Rhode Island Troops and verily believing that he served nine months or more in said Company which company he also believes was under the command of Colonel Richmond and that he is not interested in the claim of said Caleb for a pension
Levi Pierce
Sworn to and subscribed this 8 th day of February 1820 before me
Ch. Townsend
Judge Court Com. Pleas

Clarissa E Pierce R.S.
Dec 28 1890
Caleb Pierce lived in N.Y. & Canada }
✓

CLARENCE E. PEIRCE, PAWTUCKET, R. I.
P. O. Box 186.
December 29th, 1890.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly furnish me with a copy of such records as may be on file in your department concerning Caleb Pierce and his wife, Mercy [Wheeler] Pierce, for genealogical purposes? Said Caleb was born 1753, is said to have enlisted in the Revolutionary army at the age of 17 years, died 1836. His wife was born 1750, died 1826. They lived at Black Rock, Schoharie County, N. Y., and Dumfries, Canada.
This information is desired for use in compilation of records of a portion of the family of Wheeler, and your kindly attention at convenience will oblige
Yours truly,
C. E. Peirce.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Recd Sec 1/1
April 17. 1918
6 Beaumont Ave Catsonsville Ind.
Pension Office
Dear Sirs:—
Will you please tell me if Caleb Pierce, or Peice Peace served during the War of the Revolution. He was born 1753, -1836 and married Mercy Wheeler born 1750 died 1826. His children

are a fullers; Jessie, Rowland, Levi; Wheeler and Mial.
Thanking you for an early reply.
I remain
(Mrs) Edith P. Head.
P.S. Is there a Revolutionary Record of James (V.L.M. negatur) Wheeler? daughter Anna. He died 1805 probably in Mass.

185 P. 5 Buffalo N.Y. 1005 Elmwood Ave. October the twenty fifth 1906. Conmissionment of Pensions.
Will you kindly send the record of Caleb Pearce, of Erie Co. N.Y. J. M. Penson Lib. of 1818, and greatly oblige Very truly Yours Miss Homer E. Dudley

Hamburg County of Niagara State of New York February 2-1821-
To The Hon ble S ir C. Colhoun Secretary of War
The Memorial and Petition of the subscriber Caleb Pearce of the Town of Hamburg aforesaid Respectfully represents -
That your petitioner served as a Soldier in the Regiment of Continental Troops commanded by Col. W m Richman of the State of Rhode Island in the year 1776 for Twelve Months, and rec d his pay pay at the End of said service for that Time - He was in the retreat from the Island of Rhode Island under General Sullivan in that year - That your petitioner again entered the service of the United States in the year 1777, and was in the Regiment commanded by Col. Pomeroy at the capture of Burgoyne in which campaign he served Ten months, and received a wound by a bayonet being run through his thigh, by reason of which his leg and thigh was nearly perished, which disenabled your petitioner from being able to labor - Your petitioner again entered the Continental Army in the year 1778, enlisted as an Ordinary Sergeant under Lieut nt Medbury, in a Regiment commanded by Col. Jackson of the Massachusetts Line - Your petitioner believes Col. Jackson's Christian Name was Henry but of this he cannot be certain as there were two of that Name who commanded Regiments in the same line - In this Regiment he served out the whole time of his enlistment which was for Eighteen Months, and was employed on the recruiting service for the most part of the time, in which he had great success - Your petitioner would further represent, that he is now advanced in Life being Sixty four years of age, and that he has no property to support himself and his aged Wife who is very infirm, and without the aid of government he must depend on charity for a subsistence - as has been before stated he is not able to labor to obtain a support, by reason of the wound he received in fighting for

The defence of his country - your Petitioner firmly believes he is entitled to be placed on the Pension list by either of the three Terms of Duty above described - Evidence of his first service is herewith presented, among which is a printed statement from Capt J Devoll of the same Regiment that it belonged to the Continental establishment by the Resolves of Congress of May 1776 - As to living evidence of your petitioner, performing the two last Terms of Duty, he knows no way to obtain them, without incurring an expense beyond his ability to discharge - Your petitioner is too infirm himself and is too poor to pay any other person to go to Massachusetts, where he presumes he could obtain ample testimony of his service in Col Jackson Regiment - He however confidently hopes that the Role of that Regiment may be found on the Books of the War Department - The proof of your petitioner's circumstance is herewith forwarded, all which he hopes, will be found satisfactory and sufficient to place your petitioner on the Pension list agreeably to the Act of Congress.
act of Congress — That all the P. M. be appointed P. M. and be paid the same salary as the present P. M. and be subject to the same rules and regulations. Pat. Office D. C.

Caleb Pierce the within Petitioner wishes to explain to the Secretary of War the difference between the first and second petition he has forwarded to the War Department, there has a number of errors and mistakes occurred in the first petition, arising either from your petition, not being lawful as to dates, or to Judge Townsend not comprehending what was stated. In the first tour of duty, in Col. Richmonds Regiment, your petitioner was taken sick in camp, and furloughed in consequence of such sickness. Again your petitioner served with Col. Wheeler in the Massachusetts Militia, joined the Northern Army in the year 1777 then commanded by Genl. Scuyler, and was in the action when Fort Ann was taken by the British, and soon after that your petitioner enlisted in and joined a Regiment of Continental Troops commanded by Col. Brewer, and was in said Regiment at the capture of Burgoyne, and served 10 Months in said Regt. and after this that is in the year 1778 your petitioner, enlisted in Col. Jacksons Regiment of the Massachusetts Line of the Continental Army, and served in that Regt 10 Months, as stated in my 2 d petition. The dates are misplaced in this petition, they should have been as stated above. Also in Samuel Martins Certificate the year is written wrong it should have been 1779 instead of 1777. The dates are very unaccountably transposed in this petition but they are all put down truly in the second petition, to which your petitioner begs leave to refer the Hon ble Secretary of War.
Hamburg State of New York Caleb Pierce
June 30th 1821