Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,302, John Burgess, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Miss
Burgess, John Borges or
S. 30.302.
✓ ...
CONTENTS

Massachusetts 24760
John Burges
Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Washburn of the reg t commanded by Colonel in the Mass line for eight months & 18 days
Not found
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 28 Dollars 64 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Nov r 1834 and sent to J Bartlett Plymouth
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r 1834 100.34 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 31, 14 32 $114.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 43
see letter to J. Bartlett Nov. 10 1834 at same time March 1835 see letter to J. Bartlett, March 16 37
70 Plymouth

John Burgess 23097 Deposition of William Burgess John Churchhill

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH, ss.
ON this 15 th day of Augt 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before Solomon Strong Judge of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Plymouth within and for said County of Plymouth, John Burgeff a resident of Plymouth in said County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged near 68 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. 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. That is to say, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That, he thinks in the year 1778, or 1779 he enlisted at Plymouth into a company under command of Lt John Washburn & served therein two years at the garrison on the entrance  entrance of the harbor of Plymouth, where was a fort mounting 20 guns & he has forgotten how many more. But I have no discharge.
He was born in said Plymouth & has always lived there & in Duxbury in said County: but has no record of his birth. Whether his service was State, or Continental he knows not.
herever rec d - any pension, & renounce all pension but the present.
Other side

And for character refers to Major Joseph Thomas & Dr James Thresher , oldies of the Revolution & both of said Thresher . author.
John Burgess
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year aforesaid before the Court. Herman Bleas
W. H. [Signature]
John Burgess

We, James Hendacee a clergyman, residing in the town of Plymouth and Zachary Bartlett residing in the same Plymouth hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Burgess who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 68 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion. James Hendacee
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Z Bartlett before the Court of Common Pleas Attest J. W. M. Mearns Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that James Hendacee who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Plymouth and that Zachary Bartlett who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Plymouth and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By order of the Court J. W. M. Mearns Clerk
I, J. W. M. Mearns Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Burgess for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
J. W. M. Mearns Clerk
1
two place

23097 Bro Burgess Mass
Admitted
Private 8 mo & 18 days
996
26.66 1.98 28.64
Zaccheus Bartlett Esq, Plymouth Mass?
Bro Burgess Plymouth  Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Burgess Plymouth & Revere
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist 1779 2 — — Priv Capt Warblum Garnet Plymouth 68 Y Plymouth th Mass Traditionary evidence Deponents  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county or State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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 the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 , in the militia, &c. without specifying the terms, 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Nathan Burgess of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth aged sixty nine years on Oaths do testify & say that my fathers family moved on to the headland at the mouth of Plymouth Harbour called the Gurnet distant about an eighth of a Mile from the Fort in the Spring of the Year Seventeen hundred & seventy nine I being about the time of the removal on there nearly ten years of age. My brother Thomas was a Soldier there before the family moved there. At the time of the removal above mentioned my brothers William Burgess & John Burgess enlisted into the Company there & served as Soldiers at that Port ever after we moved there until the close of the War with the exception of one winter when there were no Soldiers there. When we moved on there the Officer in Command there was Lieut John Washburn & he commanded till the winter when the troops were withdrawn. The following Spring Solomon Bartlett kept a Serjeants guard there with twelve men until the peace. My brother William died in January in the Year Eighteen hundred & thirty six. My brother John is now living & is a Pensioner. My brother Thomas died several years ago. I lived on the Gurnet from the time we moved there in 1779 until the end of the War & I have ever since lived in that vicinity. Nathan Burgess
Plymouth J. Sept 1, 1838 Then the above named Nathan Burgess personally appeared & made Oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed Before me & I hereby certify that he is a credible person. Jacob W. Lord Justice of Peace

30 302
Rev INVALID.
File No. 30 302
John Burges Rev Rev 1840
Act: June 1 st 32 nd
Index: —Vol. 9 , Page 98
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Burge's for Increase of his Pension

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
SS.
A. D. 18
Then personally
appeared the above-named
acknowledged the above Instrument to be before me,
and free Act and Deed,
Justice of the Peace.

Plymouth Sept 26, 1838
Sir
I send you the application of Lucy Burgep the Widow of William Burgep dec d for a Pension under the Act of July 7. 1838.
I also send you the application of John Burgep for an increase of his Pension. He is now a Pensioner under the Act of June 7. 1832.
I wish these two cases to be considered together as the same service is involved in both, & I ask your consideration to a few suggestions in relation to these claims.
These two men were brothers & both were pensioned under the Act of June 7. 1832. William served elsewhere than on the Gurnet or Fort at the entrance of Plymouth Harbour. It is in relation to their services on the Gurnet that I wish to call your attention. Dr. Bartlett who prepared their papers is deceased & no one here is able to state precisely in what manner the service on the Gurnet is set forth in the Declarations but from the small amount of pension allowed John it is evident that but a short term of service is allowed him which is supposed to be for service under Solomon Bartlett

in a Sergeants Guard. We conclude therefore that in the examination of these claims you did not consider it established beyond a reasonable doubt that there was a continuous service in that Fort for nearly the whole War. These two men served each more than two years on that Fort. The history of the service there is as nearly as I can ascertain is as follows. The Fort was built there in 1776. From July 1776 to January 1. 1777 William Westm was Captain of the Company there & Andrew Sampson who is now living at Drybury was his Lieut. From January 1. 1777 to January 1. 1778 Andrew Sampson was confirmed as Captain of that Fort & served as such that year. A reference to Capt Sampson's papers on your files will show that fact. In 1776 there was another Company located in the vicinity commanded by Jeps & Harlow who were on the Gurnet a part of the time. Early in 1778 Capt Stephen Churchill was appointed by the Council at Watertown to the Command of this Company. John Washburn was his Lieut. How long Churchill remained in Command I cannot precisely ascertain but the service was continued under John Washburn

who was still styled Lieut & remained there with about thirty Soldiers until the fall of the Year next preceding the establishment of the Sergeants Guard of 12 men. The Company was in that fall disbanded & through the winter there was no service there. In the following Spring which I suppose to be 1782 a Sergeants guard was established of 12 men under Solomon Bartlett which continued to the close of the War. The most of these facts I have derived from General Goodwins Books & the rest from aged persons now living. I send you here with the Affidavits of Major Judah Alden of Danbury & Capt Andrew Sampson also of said town both now living & highly respectable citizens to the fact of a continuous service there.
John Burgess & William Burgess commenced service there in April 1779 & served there till the close of the War with the exception of the Winter when there was no service.
I send you the affidavit of Deacon Samuel Sampson of Middlebury who enlisted into said service on the Grenadiers as he states in

March 1780 & served till November of same year He found Mr John Bunyip a Soldier there when he enlisted & left him in the service when his term expired.
I also send you the affidavit of Nathan Bun- yip a respectable citizen & a brother of John & Wil- iam who testifies to the services of his brothers there.
I suppose William claimed a pension for these services in his own Declaration. He was always dissatisfied with his pension.
If you are satisfied that there was a contin- uous service on the Gurnet & that these men served there John Bunyip will be entitled to a pension of $80 per year henceforth & the difference between his present pension & $80 per year since March 4, 1831.
Lucy Bunyip will be entitled to a pension of $80 per year for 5 years from 4 March 1836 & also for difference between the pension he drew & $80 per year from March 4, 1831 to day of his death.
I can furnish other affidavits to the gen- eral fact of service on the Gurnet during nearly the whole War if the present evidence is insufficient.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions Washington
Yours with respect J. H. Lord

I John Burges of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States aged Seventy three years do make the following Supple- mental Declaration in relation to my services in the War of the American Revolution in order to obtain an increase of my pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. believing that I have had great injustice done me in the amount allowed me for my services. Zachrus Bartlett Esquire who prepared my original application for a pension having now deceased I cannot state in what manner my services were set forth by him. Since I made my said Declaration I have been able to ascertain with certainty that I went on to the Gumbel Fort at the entrance of Plymouth Harbour with my two brothers William & Thom- as in April 1779 from which time we served until the ratification of Peace as privates with the exception of a single winter when there were no troops there. When I went on there the number of Soldiers was about 30 as near as I can recollect & were under the Command of Lieut John Washburn. Capt Stephen Church ill commanded the Company but he was

not there after I enlisted Lieut John Washburn remained in Command there until the disbanding of the Company there as I before related. In the following Spring a Guard of 12 men was established there under the Command of Sergeant Solomon Bartlett which was called a Sergeants Guard & my brother William & myself enlisted in this Guard & served until the ratification of the Peace.
John Burgess
Plymouth Jp. Sept 1. 1838 Then the above named John Burgess personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed Before me & I certify that he is a credible person
Jacob H. Lord Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth County
I John B. Thomas, Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the said County of Plymouth do hereby certify, that Sarah H. Lord Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was sworn, was, on the day of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Plymouth, duly commissioned and qualified under the authority of said Commonwealth to administer oaths and take depositions. And that his signature subscribed to the Jurat of the same deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court this tenth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
John B. Thomas

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Jan y 29 th 1834.
* 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 name of John Burgess is borne on "a Warrant No 106. to pay Sergeant Solomon Bartlett and Men on the Roll Anno d as a Guard at the Gurnet, dated June 10 th 1783" where he is allowed to have received £ 17-12-0 — £ 17-12-0 — No other document subsequent to Sept 30, 1777, for enlistment, services, or discharge is found in this Office: Edward D. Bangs. Secy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth Y. I Jacob H. Lord Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Arad Thompson & Seth Sprague Jr. Esquires are Justices of the Peace in & for said County & that the signatures to the sev- eral annexed affidavits purporting to be signed by them are their true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of the Court of Probate for said County this twentieth day of September 1838.
Jacob H. Lord

I Samuel Sampson of Middleborough in the County of Plymouth, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy four years do testify and say, that I am well acquainted with John Burges of Plymouth in the County of Plymouth and Commonwealth aforesaid, and have always been acquainted with him since the year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty, that I was in the War of the Revolution, and am now a pensioner.
I further testify and say, that I was with the aforesaid John Burges, in the War of the Revolution, on the Gun net, in the County of Plymouth, guarding the Fort, situated there, and the Magazine.
I went on to the Gun net in the Month of March in year, Seventeen Hundred and Eighty, and remained there until the Month of November of the same year. I do not recollect the day of the Month, I went on to the Gun net, nor the day of the Month I left the Gun net.
I served with the said John Burges all the time that I was on the Gun net. I found the said John Burges on the Gun net, when I went on, and left him there when I came away.
Our Company was Commanded by Lieutenant John Washburn.
attest. Amad Thompson Elish Ward
Sam l Sampson

Plymouth Jp. September 1 st 1838.
Then personally
appeared Samuel Sampson the Subscriber to the foregoing affidavit and well known to me to be a creditable witness and made oath to the truth of the same —
Before me
Wadsworth
Justice of the Peace

Judah Alden aged eighty seven years depose & say that I was an officer in the war of the Revolution. & in 1775 was stationed at Plymouth at which time there was a detachment on the Gurnet at the entrance of the harbor & in 1776 a company was raised for the express purpose of fortifying the Gurnet & according to my best recollection & belief there was a guard of soldiers there during the war I was about in the Army & do not know by personal & positive know- ledge but from all the oral testimony & multitudes of facts & reports I have heard & known. I verily believe the fact to be as I have above stated having always lived on the main. land in sight of the Gurnet I have had a good oppor- tunity to know & being interested in every thing relating to the Revolution. I have no doubt of a guard having been on the Gurnet during the war Judah Alden
State of Massachusetts Plymouth County ss On the first day of September 1838 Personally appeared Judah Alden above named & made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me I further certify that said Judah Alden is a man of sound mind & good memory & a credible witness he is personally known to me Seth Sprague Jr. Jur. Com.

I Andrew Sampson of Duxbury aged eighty nine years depose & say that in the year 1776 the Com- pany was raised by the State of Massachusetts to fortify & guard at the Gurret at the entrance of Plymouth harbor. I was lieutenant of the Company in 1776 & its Captain in 1777 in the year 1778 said Company was commanded by Stephen Churchhill after him I think Lieutenant John Washburn. I have every reason to believe that there was a guard of soldiers there all the while I was not there after 1779 & cannot say positively. But living near the Gurret & having been an officer there I had a good opportunity to know. I think after the second year the Company was smaller & finally there was only a Sargents guard. I have always supposed & never doubted the facts above stated & had there been any period in which there was not soldiers at the above place I should have known & recalled it given under my hand at Duxbury this first day of September 1838
Andrew Sampson

State of Massachusetts
Plymouth County ss On this First day of Septem- -ber personally appeared Andrew Sampson within named & made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed before me I further certify that I am personally acquainted with said Andrew Sampson & that he is a respectable man of sound mind & good memory & a credit witness
Seth Sprague Jr for Ben

I William Burges of Plymouth, Massachusetts a soldier in the Revolution in a garrison & fort on the Quonsett, where stands Plymouth Light at the entrance of said Plymouth harbor. I be- lieve in the years 1779 & 1780, to wit, that John Burges who now applies for a pension, was a private. I believe for two years, in the same company commanded by Lt John Washburn, & I have no reason to doubt, but he was duly discharged.
William Burges
Massachusetts. Plymouth Aug 15-1832
Then said William Burges subscribed & made oath to the truth of this deposition, & he is a credible witness Lachens Bartlett Justt. of Peace

Henry Church for John Burgess with his petition

I Solomon Churchill of Plymouth, Massachussetts, a soldier for over two years in the war of the Revolution in 1777-1778 & 1779 at the garrison on the Gurnet, so called, where was a fort at the entrance of said Plymouth Harbour under the command of Capt Stephen Churchill, & afterwards of Lt John Waldo Burn, testify, that John Burgess of Lynn - auth. & now petitioning for a pension, came & joined into said company with me, & to the best of my knowledge & belief served two years therein, & was duly dis. & discharged
Solomon Churchill
Plymouth ss, Massachussetts Aug 2 1832
Then said Solomon Churchill subscribed, & made oath to the truth of this deposition, & I declare him a credible witness.
Lachus Bartlett Justice of peace

...of the ... of the ...
...the ... of the ... before ... the ...
...the ... of the ...
1833
William ...

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office August 28 th 1834.
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 among the records of "Warrants to pay Rolls" is found one of which the following is an exemplification:—
N o 106 Warrant to pay Serjeant Solomon Bartlett & Men on the Roll annex'd as Guards at ye Gurnet. Dated 10 th June 1783— 152 = 6 =
Ent'd Octo. 31, 1783
  Solomon Bartlett Serjt 21 2, 3   Nat l Burgis Privt 17 = 12   Wm Burgis Do 17 = 12   Benj Pierce Do 17 = 12   Geo Churchill Do 14 14 8   Wm Cobb Do 16   Edn d Cole Do 16   John Burgis Do 17 = 12   Ezra Morton Do 14 1 4   "all paid" 
Edward D Bangs. Secy
paid Nath l Goodwin & Entered Oct. 31, 1783 Exam d Payment C.B.
17 8 135 12
E. D. B.

Ino Burgis' additional declaration
before me Jachens V. Stell  notary the per

I John Burgess of Plymouth, Mass- sachusetts - in amendment, & explana- tion of my former declaration made to obtain a pension on Aug t 15 - 1832
Testify, that I did not intend in my said declaration to affirm, that I served two years under one enlistment, as the Government seems to have understood me. I meant to say, & now say, under oath, that I served two years in that garrison, altho' I have not a clear recollection of enlisting but once, & that for a year. My belief is, that at the end of that term I still continued a soldier in the garrison almost as a matter of course and for the space above stated, so informally were things then done, as shown by the defects of the public Records of this service
John Burgess
Plymouth - Jan'y 31 - 1834
Then John Burgess aforesaid subscribed & made oath to the truth of this affidavit before me Zachariah Bartlett Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The undersigned Clerk of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that the within copy of the foregoing affidavit was true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at the first day of
February A.D. 1845
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

Feb 10
Mass. John
J. Edwards Cady Room 118 Appension Washington City D.C.

Plymouth, Mass. Feb. 5-1835 J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir - I am sometimes afraid, that my oft-repeated apologies may seem at last almost impertinent. Without however being sentimental, I know you will so far pity the sorrow of the poor old men, as  as  as  as John Burgess as to afford them any reasonable means of satisfaction, or peace in their petition. They have in their certificates for about $28 per annum. It will be seen, that they claimed, each for two years in the State service at the Green Mt. in this town; & that Will- transmitted two depositions from men in the same company, Seth Bush- ing, & Eben Wright, that he served eight months in the Continental army at N. York. I dare they beg you to let them know, for what services & specifically, on what evidence

- evidence their certificates were granted because, with the perseverance of honest men, & countenance by every body, that persons them, they still have a hope that they shall convince their Country that they did as they have sworn with great consideration,
I am, Sir, of your ob. serv t
Iachus Bartlett
P.S. Benjamin Post of Middleborough Mass was pensioned in 1815 for three years service. His dis- charge was forwarded to Washington as his only evidence. It is his only means of obtain- ing a late State gratuity; if it can be re- turned to him, it will be a great favor.
L. Bartlett

Deposition
The Sampson for
Wm Burgess and John Burgess

I Thomas Sampson of Duxbury County of Plymouth & State of Massachusetts - Do testify and say that I was stationed on the Gyrant at the mouth of Plymouth harbour in the time of the Revolu- -tionary War, when at the same time William Burgess & John Burgess as private soldiers un- -der the command of Lieut John  C Warburton - that they served there for the defence of Plymouth harbour for a considerable length of time by how long I am not able to say -
Duxbury Jan'y 18 1834
Thomas Sampson
Plymouth Gp - Jan'y 18 1834 Then the above named Thomas Sampson personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed -
Before me Jonathan Atkinson Justice of Peace

Map - Sept 2 o 23097
G. Chavis Esq
Some mislaid or business Mr. Department Washington City

Boston Augh 29. 1834
J. S. Edwards Esq
Sir
By direction of Inchoos Bartlett Esq of Plymouth in this State I enclose a copy of the "Record of Warrants No 106. to pay Sergeant Solomon Bartlett brothers" as requested in yours of 21 st .
Copy C. S. Bartlett