Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,040, for John Pressey, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Thass
Pressey, John
S 300 40
CONTENTS

Lapachasalle - 31,
John Prepaz
Esq. in the State of Mass.
he was a P.M. in the Arty commanded
Captain Currier of the Regt. commanded
by - Fays - in the Mass.
time for 8 m. in Ar.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass.
the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of Nov. 1838, and sent to Wm. W. W. and Newburyport, Mass.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. $199.95
Semi-ant. allowance ending 13.33
$213.28
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. Brins Clerk Book 6 - Vol. 2 - Page 66.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832.
State of Massachusetts: County of Essex ss.
On this twenty ninth day of September, A.D. 1835, personally appeared in open court, before the Honorable Daniel Appleton White, Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid now sitting in Newburyport - John Pressey, a resident of Newbury in the County of Essex, aforesaid and State of Massachusetts aged Seventy nine Years, who being first 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. 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated
He enlisted at Amherst in the company commanded by Captain John Currier in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Frye, Massachusetts Militia and served in said company at Cambridge in said Commonwealth the full term of Eight months as a private. He enlisted in the month of April or May in the year 1775. to serve for Eight months, and faithfully served until late of December following when he was honorably discharged at Cambridge. He voluntarily enlisted - name Captain Currier as Captain Col: Frye as his Colonel - and said was Lieutenant of the company
He was born at Amherst in the year 1756 has no record of his age except in family bible when called into the service he lived in Amherst ever since which he has lived in Newbury Captain Currier and Colonel Frye were officers when he served - he had no written discharge
Stephen Sargent Esq. of Amherst @ John Bancroft will testify as to his character for veracity and there being that he served as he herein states
That he now resides in Amherst aforesaid, and has resided there for twenty years and that previous thereto he resided in same place except when in said service
That he did not sooner apply for the benefit of said Act, by reason of his not being able until very recently to find any person able to testify to his service
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
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
D. Appleton White Judge of Probate

We Peter S. Eaton a Clergyman, residing in Amesbury aforesaid, and Stephen Sargent, jun r a Magistrate residing in Amesbury aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John P. Drey who has subscribed and sworn to the within declaration, and that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age: that he is resided, and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in this opinion. Subscribed and sworn to September 29 th 1835. Peter S. Eaton. before Edward Dorr, Justice of Peace. Stephen Sargent jun r
And the said Court hereby declares its opinion, after the Investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Soldier of the Revolution, and served as he stated.
And the Court further certifies, that the Reverend Peter S. Eaton who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident at said Amesbury and that Stephen Sargent jun r who has also signed the same is a Magistrate resident in said Amesbury, and is a Credible Person: and that their statement is entitled to Credit.
D. A. White Judge of Probate.
I Nathaniel Lord Jun r Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Essex aforesaid do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John P. Drey for a pension, also that Edward Dorr and William Ward, within named are Justices of the Peace for said County of Essex, and that their respective signatures to the foregoing and annexed certificates are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office the Twenty fourth day of September A.D. 1835.
Nath. Lord jun r J. V. O. O.

N o 33306
Massachusetts
John Preby
Suspended
Left N o Coast 29 Oct 1833

30040 Rey INVALID.
File No. 30,040
John Pressley His Rev. Mr
Act: June 1 st 82"
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 328
[Arrangement of 1870.]

33.306
Ino Preky.
Mass.
act 7 June 1832
adm
Smapi
26. 6/100
Hm W. art. Esq Newburyport Mass

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 18 th 1835.
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 the roll of Capt. John Currier's Company, in Col. Frye's Regt. for eight months service, in 1775, is not found in this Office. — John Pressey claims for eight months service under the above named Officers, from May 1775.
A muster roll of Capt. John Currier's Compy. for seven days from April 19 th 1775, is found in this Office, but the name of John Pressey is not borne on it.
for the Secretary of the Committee Wm. Duff, Clk.

Newburyport September 17 th 1838.
J. L. Edwards Esquire. Commissioner of Pensions Sir!
Will you permit me at the request of Mr. John Dredge, whose application for the benefit of the Act of Congress of June 1832, is on file in your department, to forward you herewith the original commission of the Captain under which he served, in the revolutionary war, with such additional evidence, as he feels confident will be satisfactory, in removing the objections, then made? I request in his behalf, respectfully request, that if such sufficient, certificate may be issued to him, for the roll of Newbedford Agency.
I am Sir very respectfully Yours obediently W. Wood

Hancock 829. 5
Leaps John Carriss w/m Morrison enclosed Hunt

J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington.

Newburyport October 17th 1835.
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Permit me at the request of Mr John Pressey, to forward you herein, his application for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832, with the accompanying evidence of his service, which he directs me to say, is the only testimony which he has been able to procure.
I am Sir very respectfully Yours obedt Servt J. L. Edwards

IN CONGRESS.
The DELEGATES of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina , to John Currier Esquire
WE reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Captain of a company in the 1 st Regiment, commanded by Col. Frye
in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Captain by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Captain — — — — — And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
July 1 st 1775.
By Order of the Congress.
Attest Chas Thomson Secy.
John Hancock President

Oct 21
Mas.
Original
J. L. Richards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
FREE

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss. PROBATE OFFICE.
I Nathaniel Lord junior, register of probate for said county, hereby certify, that
Edward Dorr esquire, before whom the several affidavits hereto an- nexed of Christopher Challis and David Currier purport to have been taken, is a jus- tice of the peace for said county, and his name, subscribed to the certificate on each, is his genuine signature; and that William Broot esquire, before whom the several affida- vits hereto annexed of Henry Gale, Amos Tilton, Jonathan T. Gale and William Bartlett purport to have been taken, is a justice of the peace for said county, and his name, subscribed to the certificate on each, is his genuine signature.
approved by the records in said office
Given under my hand and seal of office, this fifteenth day of September, A. D. 1838.
Nathaniel Lord Jr.

I Christopher Challis of East Kingston in the County of Rockingham, and State of New Hampshire, aged eighty years and upwards, on oath do testify and say That I was a private and served in the Army of the United States in the year 1775; in the company commanded by Captain John Currier who then lived in Amesbury, in the State of Massachusetts, I served in his company in Colonel Froye's Regiment eight months, beginning in April or May, 1775. John Peasey who now lives in Amesbury aforesaid, served in the same Company with me the same time; as I have stated in a former deposition. I do further say, that after my said term of service expired in said Currier's company I enlisted and served in Colonel Poor's Regiment in Captain Noyes's Company, and three years afterwards in different Companies. And am now a pensioner under the law of 1818. I know the fact that said John Currier, whose Commission is now before me to be annexed to this deposition, was in the said service in 1775 for eight months at Cambridge; but whether he served longer or not, I am unable to say, as I went afterwards, in the New Hampshire line.
Christopher Challis
State of Massachusetts Essex County, ss. } Salisbury Feby. 24 th 1838.
Personally appeared Christopher Challis above named and made oath in due form of law, that the above written declaration by him subscribed in my presence is true. And I certify him to be a credible witness. Edward Dorr, Just. Peace.
I Henry Gale, of the same East Kingston, aged Seventy years and upwards on oath do declare that I am well acquainted with the above named Christopher Challis, who has signed the above deposition, and have known him from early infancy, he has always sustained the character of an upright honest man, and acknowledged and believed in the neighbourhood, where he resides, to be a man of truth and veracity. the said Challis was a soldier of the Revolution.
Henry Gale
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss Town of Newburyport February 24 th 1838 Then personally appeared the above named Henry Gale, and made oath, in due form of Law, to the truth of the above written Affidavit by him subscribed in my presence. I do also certify that the said Henry Gale has long been known to me personally; that he is a respectable Citizen, and a credible witness.
W. D. Dorr, Just. of the Peace

I Amos Tilton of the same East Kingston do testify and declare that I have known the within named for more than Twenty Years, and know him to be a respectable Citizen and that he has always sustained the best Character for Truth and veracity the time Challis - as a Soldier of the revolution
Amos Tilton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Town of Newburyport February 24th 1838. Then personally came Amos Tilton above named, and made oath in due form of Law, to the truth of the above written deposition by him subscribed in my presence. I do also certify that he is a respectable Citizen.
W. W. Oath, Justice of the Peace
I Jonathan T. Gale of the same East Kingston, on oath do declare that I have always lived in the immediate neighbourhood of the within named Challis, and know that he always sustained an excellent Character for truth and veracity.
Jonathan T. Gale
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. Town of Newburyport February 24th 1838. Then personally came Jonathan T. Gale above named, who is personally well known to me, and made oath in due form of Law, to the truth of the above written affidavit, by him subscribed in my presence. I do further certify, that the said Jonathan T. Gale is a credible witness.
W. W. Oath, Justice of the Peace
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

I David Currier of Amesbury in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged sixtyeight years, as son of John Currier late of said Amesbury, deceased, on oath testify and declare. That my said father, was out in the army of the revolutionary war, a Captain, but in what regiment I do not remember; he was in the battle of Bunker's hill. I distinctly remember hearing my father often say that John Pressey, who is now living in said Amesbury was also out with him in his (said John Currier's) company. My Father and said John Pressey were of ten together as long as my father lived; and I have often heard them talk of their being together in the army and their adventures; and have always understood and do believe that they were in the army together as above stated.
DAVID CURRIER
State of Massachusetts,
Essex County. ss. Salisbury April 16 th 1838
Then personally appeared David Currier above named, and made oath in due form of law, to the truth of the above written declaration by him subscribed in my presence. And I do certify that said David Currier is a credible witness well known to me.
Edward Dorr, Justice Peace.

David Currier of Hampshire in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, aged 75 years, was of John Currier, late of said Hampshire, deceased, on all times and places. That said father was not in the army of the United States, but in said army at the time of the war, he was in the battle of Antietam, and during the war, he was in the army of the Potomac and was wounded and was in the hospital for the war, he was in the battle of Fredericksburg, and was in the battle of Chancellorsville, and was in the battle of Gettysburg, and was in the battle of Appomattox, and was in the battle of Five Forks, and was in the battle of Sailor's Creek, and was in the battle of High Bridge, and was in the battle of Rowan's Creek, and was in the battle of White Oak Road, and was in the battle of Appomattox Court House.
Deposition of David Currier.
He was born in the town of Haverhill, Massachusetts, on the 14th day of December, 1800. His father was John Currier, and his mother was Sarah (Dow) Currier. He was educated in the common schools of his native place, and in the Haverhill Academy. He spent his early years on his father's farm, and in the winter months attended the district school. When he was 21 years of age, he went to Boston, and engaged in the business of a shoemaker. He continued in that business until he was 45 years of age, when he returned to Haverhill, and engaged in the business of a farmer. He continued in that business until his death, which occurred on the 10th day of January, 1876. He was married on the 10th day of December, 1825, to Sarah (Dow) Currier. She was born in the town of Haverhill, Massachusetts, on the 14th day of December, 1800. She died on the 10th day of January, 1876. They had children as follows: John, Sarah, David, Mary, Elizabeth, and Hannah. John, Sarah, David, and Mary were married. Elizabeth and Hannah were single at the time of their mother's death.

I William Bartlet - of Amesbury, in the county of Essex Commonwealth of Massachusetts, age Sixty nine years, on oath do testify and declare
That I knew John Currier late of said Amesbury deceased, and do know that he was a captain in the army of the revolution, and served therein as such, I knew the fact from him, and others, but not otherwise personally - I have many years before his decease, conversed with him respecting his service in the revolutionary war - I also knew (and am well acquainted with) John Prosser - I have testimony of subscriptions and believe that he was a soldier of the revolution, and that he served as a private under the said John Currier.
I married a daughter of said John Currier, and have always been well and intimately acquainted with the family - I have often heard him speak of his being at the Battle of Bunker Hill, & of several other services, particularly at Saratoga -
Wm Bartlet
Newburyport Sept 14th 1830
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss September 14th 1830. Then personally appeared the above named William Bartlet, who is personally known to me, and made oath, in due form of law to the truth of the above written deposition by him subscribed in my presence. I do also certify that said William Bartlet is to me a credible witness.
W. W. Grafton Justice of the Peace

I Christopher Challis of East Kingston, in the county of Piscataqua and State of New- Hampshire aged seventy seven years, on oath do testify and declare, that I am well acquainted with John Pressy who now resides in Amesbury, in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and do know that he the said John Pressy was a private in the army of the United States, in the war of the rebellion, and served at Burnside, in the Company commanded by Capt. John Currier, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Foss - to the said Pressy enlisted about the first of May 1865 - to serve in said Company for Eight months - I enlisted at the same time, in the same company and served with him until the last of December following - I am now a captain in the the said John Pressy was in the same mess with me, or not - I can only testify that he enlisted at the time I have stated above, and that he served in the same company with me until the expiration from the time we enlisted, at the expiration of which time I enlisted into Capt. Munsell's Company in New Hampshire line and do not know whether said Pressy continued in the service afterwards or not - I further say that I know of no other person now living who served in said Currier Company with us -
Christopher Challis
August 12th 1885.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex ss. August 12th 1885. Then personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace, in and for said county Christopher Challis above named, and made oath, in due form of Law, to the truth of the above written deposition by him subscribed in my presence. I do also certify that the said Christopher Challis is a credible witness.
William H. Southwick Pres.