Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 33,985, Joseph Bates, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Bates, Joseph
S 33985
N. 5
{ B.I.W. 99 - 300 capt. Issued Apr 16. 1790 - no papers
CONTENTS

7203 Massachusetts.
See letter to Hon J. Barstow. March 15. 1836 Do. to same Sept. 23. 1836. Do. to Dickins May 13 "
Joseph Bates, Fairhaven, in the state of Massachusetts, who was a Captain in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bradford, of the Massachusetts line, for the term of nearly eight years.
is entered on the Roll of Massachusetts, at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 9 th of May, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th of March, 1819, and sent to Nahum Mitchell, judge, Plymouth, Massachusetts.
  Years to 4th of March, 1819.  $: 197. 42    Amount all'ce ending 4. Sept: 1819.  120    Mem o . \frac{27}{31}  $: 317. 42  
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }

Joseph Bates Fairhaven Captain Pracford Mass s Dec r Jan y 1777 to the close of year 1782
found on the rolls as Captain, Oct r 1779.
Admitted.
Country for sub. 1779

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Plymouth
ss.
On this ninth day of May  Dom 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared Joseph Dater of Fairhaven Co of Bristol aged sixty eight years, resident in the said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on his oath made the following declaration, by him signed, in order to obtain the provision made by 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," viz that he enlisted and entered into the war in the beginning of 1775 in the very beginning of the war as a Sergeant in the minute company - that on the 1 st of January 1777 he rec d a commission of lieutenant in Capt Joshua Laddys Company of Col. Bradfords Regt. (being the 14 th in the Massachusetts Line & continental Line) establishment continued to serve in the United States service in that capacity, and as Captain of a Company, till the close of the war year 1782 having served nearly eight years, six years of which he served as an Officer & he now exhibits his commission in evidence of his statement, that he had a commission of Ensign before any of these, which he lost - that he was in the battle at Harlem heights, White Plains, at the capture of Burgoyne, and in the battle of Monmouth at the capture of Cornwallis - that he bears no further evidence of his service - & that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for such not

And I, the said Judge, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Joseph Bates did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress; and that he needs the assistance of his country for support.
Nahum Mitchell
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Plymouth ss. May 22 d
1818.
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That Wm Nahum Mitchell is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, consisting of the Counties of Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket in said Commonwealth—that the same Circuit Court of Common Pleas is a Court of record—that the signature to the above certificate is the true signature of the said Judge, and that the seal thereunto affixed is the seal of the said Court.
Wm B Thomas } Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County of Plymouth

Ref'd from Edwards not regarded to be awarded now
6.6
John Estlin Esq. F.R.S. Bath
(P. 6)

Th Fairhaven Dec 14 1820
Sir You will recollect, or no doubt, will find that, the subscriber received from the War Department a Pension certificate dated the 5th of March 1819 agreeable to the provisions of an act of Congress of March 1818 making various provisions in favour of the officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary army; and as I had every reason to believe in consequence of services which they had performed for their country; — This being the case I felt conscious that I was one of those who stood foremost upon the list, as it generally fell to my lot to be in the front rank in the revolutionary army; and therefore agreeable to a resolution of Congress made a brief statement of my services together with my circumstances in life to Judge Mitchell. — He observed that in his opinion I had the best claim of any one who had made application to him, and at my request he assured me he would forward it to your Department, where I presume it is now lodged, and and in consequence of which a Pension certificate was granted me — The enclosed is a correct copy of that statement. — I conclude that act of Congress has not since been repealed or so modified as to exclude the subscriber from its provisions, although many alterations and amendments were attempted at the last session. — Agreeable to these provisions the Pensioners were required upon solemn oath to exhibit a schedule of their effects even to the most trifling article. (scraping, bedding and wearing apparel) but at the same time not called upon to exhibit a statement of their debts so as to enable the secretary to decide whether they really come within the provisions of the act or not. — I believe Sir there are to be found a very few among those who have been for thirty or forty years engaged in agricultural pursuits and by that means have supported large families who may not have old carts, ploughs, sleds, harrows with many other necessary farming utensils, together with many necessary articles of household furniture which by common calculation would amount to two hundred dollars, which perhaps would have been in my schedule, besides one house and a few acres of land which I also possess — and which would also have been appraised to more than that sum. — But understanding that every one whose schedule by any calculation could be settled

As that amount although their debts were so numerous as really to place them in insolvency and therefore in indigent circumstances were to be allowed this bounty originally intended them by the country and this names were from the Pension Roll, I have not thought it proper to incur any farther expense by renewing my application. You Sir can easily judge of my feelings when looking around in the circles of my acquaintance and in so many of those who were engaged in the service last year lasted as nine months, who during that period, never heard the whistling of a ball, who had then as four hundred dollars advanced to them as bounty besides their wages who are much younger than myself and better able to labor, who have had habitually intemperate, and are daily squandering the bounties of this country among grogshops and taverns; while I who served throughout the war, fought so many battles, underwent so many hardships, sustained so many losses which were never made up to me, spent so much time for which no compensation was ever made and am now almost seventy years of age, with a full wife with one and broken and obliged to support my family by the sweat of my face. I would ask should these things be. — Were I disposed to sell my house and few acres of land, and live on the proceeds of such sale, it might soon be entitled to the benefit of the act alluded to or some bankrupt law. — But, oh! my feelings upon such conduct; I do not profess to be a pauper, and hope and determine so to be while life and health will enable me to cultivate a few potatoes, and resort to that great market of Nature the clam flats. — I have known what it was to be in indigent circumstances in life which were the effects of my own industry, but they have been greatly impaired by failure of others and by losses at sea. — At the time my statement was made to Judge White, I owned the one fourth of a fishing schooner of seventy tons burden, for which I had previously been in debt, and had good reason as well as something like flattering prospects to make calculations on her earnings for my support. — But alas in a few months after, she together with her crew and cargo were all lost, and had it not been for the money received on my certificate I should have been left, in most trying circumstances inasmuch as I had effected nothing of insurance upon her. — I am at this time considerably in debt, and could you as the wisdom of congress points out, any method by which the life of myself and that of others in similar circumstances could be rendered comfortable, when in the course of nature we are so near the verge of the grave, I should feel much gratified and

believed that, the spirit of the act, of March 1818 had, then the desired effect, which was originally contemplated. But should there be no prospect of my receiving any further benefit, from the provisions of the act, alluded to. I must, request it, as a favour that you would enclose to me my three commissions which I presume are with you, and which I flatter myself are my property, and upon which I set, no small value that I may hand them to my three sons: That they may have the satisfaction of knowing that they are not indebted to strangers for the privileges they now enjoy and have more highly to appreciate the services of their father who laboured with zeal to establish that independence which is the pride and boast, of every genuine American citizen. — I feel as I have ever done the most perfect willingness, and indeed, no little anxiety, that any and every person so inclined, should be made acquainted, with my character not, only as a soldier, but a citizen. — and should you be anywise disposed to make any such enquiries I would refer you to the Hon. Marcus Morton who is a Representative in Congress from the District, in which I lived and from whom I think you would derive that satisfactory intelligence you might wish. —
I have the Honor to be Sir
Your Ob't. Servant
Joseph Bates

M. E. E. Dear
August 23, 1928
Mrs. Wirt Gerry Faust Marion Massachusetts
Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 33985, it appears that Joseph Bates was born (date not given) in Wareham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of said Wareham, he served in the Massachusetts Troops as follows:-
Enlisted in the spring of 1775, as Sergeant, officers not stated, and captured a brig in Tarpaulin Cove; from the spring of 1776, as Ensign in Colonel Gary's Regiment, was in the battles of Long Island, Harlem Heights, and White Plains; was commissioned January 1, 1777, Lieutenant, in Captain Joshua Eddy's Company, Colonel Bradford's Fourteenth Massachusetts Regiment, was in both battles of Stillwater and the battle of Monmouth; was commissioned October 8, 1779, Captain of a Light Infantry Company, in Colonel Brooks' Seventh Regiment, was in the battle of Morrisiana, and at the capture of Cornwallis, and served to the end of 1782.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 9, 1818,
Also served under Col. Scamnell (Alexander Scamnell of H. H.). To be included in next history. Recs 11/4/38

while a resident of Fairhaven, Bristol County, Massachusetts, aged sixty-eight years.
In 1820 soldier referred to his wife and three sons, but their names are not given, and there are no further data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

33 985 Very INVALID.
1910 Feb. 8. Hist. to Hon. Henry A. Barnhart, slip in M. File 23 1489. Joseph Bates - C 1910 June 13. Do John J. Lord. C 1917 Jan. 17. Do H. C. Mills. C 1928 - Aug 23; Hist to Mrs. Wirt Gerry Faust - M. E. C.
File No. 33,985
Joseph Bates Capt Rev War
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 27
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Inform Hon. Marcus Morton, Taunton, Mass. that no decision can be had in this case until Mr. Bates shall have exhibited to the Sec. of War his schedule, a- greeably to the acts of May 1. 1820. Send a blank form.
Responded with Schedule of property in use at the Prison Office 15 Mar. 1821 See letter to Mr. Morton, 15 Mar. 1821

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To Joseph Barker Esquire --- Greeting. We, Reposing a special trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to a Captain in the Pensylvania Key-Stone Battery of Artillery --- in the Army of the United States, to take rank as --- from the 8 th day of October 1779 --- You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of --- by doing and performing all manner of things therein belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as --- And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as you shall receive from us, or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, 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 us, or a future Congress, or Committee of Congress forementioned, or a Committee of the States.
Entered in the War Office and examined by the Board
Attest H. Wilson Secretary of the Board of War
Witness my Hand and Seal this 27 th day of October 1779, and in the fourth Year of our Independence. John Hanson Esquire President of the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia
John Hanson Esquire

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
For Colonel  John  Trumbull  Greeting . We Reposing special trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct, and Fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Colonel of the Light  Artillery  Regiment in the Army of the United States, to take rank as Colonel from the 11th day of January 1778. You are therefore strictly and urgently to discharge the duty of Colonel by doing and performing all manner of things therein belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Colonel . 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 States or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States or Commander in Chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, 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, the Committee of Congress before mentioned, or a Committee of the States.
Entered in the War Office and examined by the Board
Attest Ben. Heath Secretary of the Board of War
Witness Sam. Huntington Esq. President of the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia the 29th day of January 1779, and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine, and of the Independence of the United States the third.
Sam. Huntington President

THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
(Greeting.)
To Joseph Bates Esquire
Whereas special trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, do by these presents constitute and appoint you to be a Captain in the Seventh Air Artillery Regiment in the Army of the United States, to take rank as such from the _____ day of October 1775. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Captain by doing and performing all manner of things therein 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 His or a future Congress of the United States, or Committee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a Committee of the States, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the Army of the United States, 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, the Committee of Congress forementioned, or a Committee of the States.
Witness His Excellency John Hanson Esq President of the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia the Sixteenth day of September A.D. 1775 and in the Seventh Year of our Independence.
John Hanson
By Order of Congress Charles Thomson
Secretary at War.

Fairhaven 27 th Ap l 1818-
as it is required of all the Officers & Soldiers of the Revolution army who think themselves intitled to the late act of Congress to make a Statement of the services they have performed for their Country - I being one of number will endeavour according to the best of my recollection make as brief a Statement as my memory will admit. - - - - -
The first of my services was in the year 1774 then Living in Pitsfield on the Sabbath at Meeting an Express came into the Meeting House said the British had Marched out of Boston & was Slaying all before them the Meeting Immediately Broke up & in two or three hours we had a Company assembled on Horse back for Boston rode forty miles we Counter Marched & returned & came home that fall to Wareham in the County of Deymouth which was the place of my Nativety the Spring 1775 minut men was called for I immediately left out carried my arms & Ammunition usually three or four miles on the Sabbath to Meeting Soon Soldiers were called for to enlist I then enlisted as a Sergeant was stationed to guard the Coast and Neashar's Island to prevent the Enemy from taking Stock of it I stand where we had a brush with Capt Wallis and fleet at Saratoga Col took one large Brig from him Laden with West India goods, carried her into Bedford - in the Spring 1776 men were called for six or nine months to meet the British Army at New York I then Enlisted a Company in Col. Cargers Regiment of Bridgewater marched to New York and was there at the Battle of Long Island & the retreat of York Island in which the Regt. left their Baggage and I among the rest in which was my Commission so that I am unable to produce it Free of compensation for our losses made a stand at Harlem where I was at that Battle - Retreated to the White Plains where I was at that Battle when our time expired a part of our Regt. was Requested by Gen l Lee to stay and guard the Stores of the Army I spent out tarried some considerable time and altho' I never did any thing Return home that winter when the regular Army was raised for three years or during the war I then entered as a 2 d Lieut in Capt. Edys Comp y 1 st Mass t Regt. commanded by Col. Bragdon as you will see by my Commission I enlisted a large proportion of the Company marched them to Boston from thence to Tienderaga in ten days after my arrival Gen l Burgoyne came and Army came down the lake a retreat was ordered by Gen l Sinclair who ordered all the Officers to put their Baggage on board boats and send them down the lake to Schenoborough where the Enemy overtook the boats & took the whole and altho' I was to be made up by the State yet have never received any part thereof to the Value of $300-

we then Retreated to the half Moon at the mouth of the Mohag river where genl Gates came and took the command then March to and Saratoga met him at Bemis heights where we had Two Battles beat him he Retreated to Saratoga where we follow attacked took his army - we were then ordered to march to join the main Army under Genl Washington at White Marsh Pennsylvania Halted at White Marsh Valley Forge in the winter 1778 when genl Clinton evacuated Philadelphia we march and attacked him on the Plains of Monmouth where we had a Genl Engagement & beat him then March into the Jerseys & to Weymouth Soon after I Recd a Capt cy Commission & commanded a Light Infantry Company in the Brigade commanded by Marcus Detjotte at the time of Arnold's Treachery & the Execution of Andre: next Campaign I commanded a Light Infantry Comp y detach in Col o Sturges Light Infantry Regt when we were ordered on an Expedition to Storm Heart Washington on York I stand under the Command of Genl Lincoln the Enemy being aware of our intention we landed a little above Kings bridge and march to the Bridge & British at Morris Seneca had a sore Battle lost a good many men and almost all his Excellency's life guard: were then Soon ordered to join the Main Army & to march for Yorktown in Virginia where we met Cornwallis & Army the night we encamped before Yorktown I lost my Col o Seamus who was killed by the British lite Horse after he had surrender: our Reg t was then put into two Battalions one commanded by Maj r True the other by Col o Hamilton Genl Washington's Adjuant who Stormed one of the forts a little in advance of the Enemies main works while the Marquis De Lafayette with the French Troops Stormed another of these forts before their Main Battery in which last mentioned Fort I had the Honor to command with part of our Battalion & a Comp y of Virginia Riflemen with two 13. Pound mortars when the Enemy Surrendered to the American Army after a Siege of 14 days & nights after the Capture of Cornwallis we returned to the North River above Weymouth to back of New York to but when there was a Reduction of the Regiments preference being given to Senior Officers to stay I was then the first Capt cy in the 7 th Mass t Reg t commanded by Col o Brooks now Present Governor of Massachusetts being convinced that the war was over that my Country could not be benefited by any longer Service from me I gave my Comp y to Capt cy M c Neil & returned home with orders here to wait until call for after spending Eight years of the best of my life to Obtain the Independence of my Country
After returning home found it necessary for me to attend to some business for my trip bought a small farm for about $700. Sold my securities and gave me for my services for 2 1/2 (2 1/2) on the hand which was all they were worth at that time to pay for my farm

and have continued Agriculture ever since and am now almost 68 years of age worn out in the Service of my Country & hard labour: which by the blessing of God, I have bin able to procure a comfortable living and have some little property which were it rented out would upon computation half support my Self & wife as all my Children are of age & left us to serve alone
N.B. I will notice one service more I have done for the support of that Independence I lost so many battles to obtain that is in the last war we had with Great Britain, when the Town of New Bedford & Fairhaven with the large amount of Shipping was threaten to be burnt by the Enemy I was solicited to take the command of a Com ty of 700 Volunteers which I cheerfully accepted to gather with two full pieces of artill y to it spent my time & money until peace was declar d for which Service I rec d the thanks of the Governor & Council of Mass ts orderly
Thus Ends the Service of one who is a lover of the rite and Independence of his Country & no protection of loosing but one power of duty through indisposition of Body & through the whole scene
Joseph Dales
To all whom it may concern
N.B. for the truth of the above Statement in the Revolution war I shall refer all concerned to my Commission and the returns of the Corps in which I serv d which I suppose is in the Secretary's Office at Washington

Marion, Mass.
October 17, 1927
Dept of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
Will you please ascertain for me the following facts in regard to Lieut. (later Capt.) Joseph Bates the of 12 th Massachusetts who enlisted Nov. 6, 1776.
1. Did he ever apply for pension? 2. Upon what date -

after 1801 - did he die in Potsdam - or St. Lawrence county - New York?
3. Did his widow apply for a pension? If so, when?
Very respectfully,
[Mrs.] Wint Gervy Faust.

3 notes.
Ans May 13. 1836 by Col. Syc

Washington.
13 April 1836.
Sir,
Mr. Duval, under the authority of a letter from the son of the late Joseph Bates formerly a pensioner under the act of 1828, at the Mass. Agency, having requested me to ascertain whether he was entitled to commutation or the benefits of the act 15 May 1828. I will thank you to be so good as to inform me when and in what way he left the service and when he died.
I am, sir, very respectfully
Your Obed. Servt.
Francis A. Dickinson.
James L. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions.

Weymouth, Mass. June 2, 1910.
To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Will you kindly send me the record of Joseph Bates of Fairhaven , Mass.
He is said to have been born in Wareham, Mass. in 1750 and to have applied for a pension in 1818, when 68 years of age.
Very Respectfully
John J. Lord.
87 Commercial St. Weymouth, Mass.
JUN 3- 1910
JUN 9- 1910

one 2¢ Stp. Eng. record Er Stamped envelope more
Rev 1917
30 CHURCH STREET - ROOM 732 NEW YORK CITY
January 11th 1917.
Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
The writer is endeavoring to secure the Revolutionary War Record of one Joseph Bates, who was born at Wareham, Mass. in the year of 1750, on the 4th of May, being the son of Barnabas Bates and Phebe (Gibbs). No doubt, he applied to you for pension, and you have complete data regarding his Revolutionary War Record. If you would kindly send me a copy of this, it would be appreciated. I am attaching hereto stamped envelope for your convenience.
Yours very truly,
HOW.S
H. A. Wills
131

February 3, 1910.
Hon. Henry A. Barnhart, House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Barnhart:
In reply to your personal inquiry on the 5" instant, I have the honor to furnish you with statements of the only two Joseph Bates of Massachusetts, found on the record of pensioners of the Revolutionary War.
Sur. File No. 33,925, Joseph Bates was born (date not given) at Wareham, Massachusetts, where he resided when he served in the Massachusetts troops as follows.
Enlisted Spring of 1775, as Sergeant, officers not stated, captured a brig in Tarpaulin Cove; Spring 1776, Ensign in Colonel Cary's regiment, was in the battles of Long Island, Harlem Heights, and White Plains; Commissioned January 1, 1777, Lieutenant, in Captain Joshua Eddy's company, Colonel Bradford's 14th Mass. regiment, was in both battles of Stillwater and battle of Monmouth; commissioned October 8, 1779, Captain of a Light Infantry company, in Colonel Brooks' 7th regiment, was in the battle of Morrisiana, at the capture of Cornwallis, and served to the end of 1782.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 9, 1818, while sixty-eight years of age and a resident of Fairhaven, Bristol County, Massachusetts. The date of his death is not shown nor is there any family data enfiles
1822 he refused to be confirmed in the church, and did not state their names.
1818 1822 1850

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Bates, Joseph GRADE Private LINE Sheldon's Dragoons (Connecticut)
WARRANT NUMBER 5532 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Oct. 16, 1789 to Theo. Fowler
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.