Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29626, Prince Bearse, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Dear Sir, Prince
NUMBER _____
S. 29626
CONTENTS

Dear
Paid to h. of the 5 Children at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838, from 4 March 1838, to 2 Aug 1838, the day of his death. as per Retified 9. Aug 1840
75 Pension
27229 Massachusetts
Prince Bearse
of Barnstable in the State of Mass who was a private in the Comfy commanded by Captain Grannis of the Mass commanded by Mass in the Mass time for 24 Months  mi.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of April 1831 and sent to Hono John Reed H. Representative
Arrears to the 4th of March 1831 $ 240.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 11  40 $ 280.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book C Vol. 2 Page 43

I hereby certify that Prince Bearse is the son of Prince & Desire Bearse that he was born in Yarmouth, County of Barnstable, & State of Massachusetts July 2, 1700 as appears by the records of the town Page 128 Yarmouth Sept 18, 1832
Benj. Matthews Jr Town Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Barnstable ss.
On this twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable N. Marston of the Probate Court Judge now sitting at Barnstable in and for said County, Primer Bense a resident of Barnstable in said County, aged Seventy two years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, A. D. 1832.
THAT he was born at Farmouth in Said County on the Second day of July A. D. 1760, and that there is a record of his birth in said Farmouth which he believes : that he was in the United States service from the first day of April A. D. 1776, to the last day of November A. D. 1776 as a Private in the Militia or state Service : that he was residing at Barnstable in Massachusetts when he entered the service; that he enlisted for Eight months and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt John Grannis, James Blossom Lieut. Sam Hallen 2d Lieut.
: that he marched from Barnstable to Falmouth & then crossed over to Nauset Island in the Vineyard Sound : that he served with one other Company commanded by Capt Elisha Sturtevant with none of the Continental or the regular troops; and there were no other troops stationed there except the two companies above mentioned  regular officers were known to him that he was in no battle and not in writing and at the end of his service received a discharge that he left the service on last day of November A.D. 1776 and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Barnstable
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the first day of January A. D. 1778, to the first day of January A. D. 1780 as a Private in the Militia or state Service so called that he was residing at Barnstable aforesaid when he entered the service; that he enlisted for two Years and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Capt Benjamin Lombart Joseph Lombart Lieut. John Hallen 2d Lieut. : that he marched to to Nyansis where we were stationed to guard the Harbor & coast : that he served with the Company above mentioned & no others & none of the regular troops; and & none of the Continental or regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle that at the end of his service he received a discharge but not in writing and left the service on the first of January A.D. 1780
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17 , to the day of A. D. 17 as a in the that he was residing at when he entered the service; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of
: that he marched from
: that he served with
of the regular troops; and
regular officers were known to him; that he was in no battle
that at the end of his service he received a discharge the service on
and left

No. 2. John M. Spear and Capt. Lemus D. Brasset are acquainted with me and can testify to my character and reputation of Revolutionary services
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.
D VINCE BRASSET
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
Almon Davis - Regt
We John M. Spear, a clergyman residing in the Town of Barnstable and Lemus D. Brasset residing in S. Barnstable hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Prince Bearse who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Almon Davis Regt
John M. Spear Capt. Brasset
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 certify that it appears to them that John M. Spear who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the Town of Barnstable; and that Lemus D. Brasset who has also signed the same is a resident in S. Barnstable and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By my hand and seal - Judge
I Almon Davis, Register of the court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Prince Bearse for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Almon Davis Regt.

No 26022 Prince Bearde Barnstable County Massachusetts
Primate 2 Years Admiral Application must be made to E. K. Bangs Secy of the State of Mass, for evidence of the documents required
Admiral's Office July 28 1883
Hon John Reed H R
Edward Davis Regt Barnstable County Massachusetts Barnstable

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 show what is necessary to be done. These 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, showing the Service of Prince Bearse, Barnstable County Massachusetts
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlist 1 st Ap l 776 - 8 - priv t Col l Grannis, 72 years County of Barnstable Massachusetts Traditional evidence & three Witnesses certified credible papers correctly Attached   Enlist 1 st Jan y 778 2 - - " Col l Lambert  
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 and 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) _____, who has 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 days 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 the 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 inquiry 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 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 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 _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine, with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly 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 fix 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 time 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.

Deposition of Eben Sears for Prince Bourne

1557_00105 I Ebenezer Sears aged Seventy seven years of Yarmouth in the state of Massachusetts testify & say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, that I served eight months on the Island of Naskau in the Vineyard Sound under the Command of Col John Francis, we commenced the term of service the first of April A.D. 1776 & continued eight months I well knew & still know Prim Bense who was one of the Company and served with us during all that time & further the deponent saith not
Ebenezer Sears
Barnstable V.S. Sep 12. A.D. 1832
Then the within named Ebenezer Sears personally appeared before me & made Solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition —
John Reed { Justice of Peace

29626 INVALID. Revg
File No. 29,626 Prince House His Rec. etc.
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 39
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 1 st , 1840.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," William Bearse, 1 of 5 child n . of Prince Bearse, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Massachusetts Agency, at the rate of eighty — Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1838, to the 2 d August 1838, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Edward G. Larrig Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Sir
I herewith enclose the Papers of Pence Sears, an Applicant for a Pension I find in looking them over that one Deposition taken by myself that of Ebenezer Sears nothing is said of his character I hereby certify that he is a near neighbor of mine & a man of excellent character and his deposition is entitled to the fullest confidence
H. Rep April 3. 1834 With Respect Yr Ob t
John Reid
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 24, 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 the Rolls of Capt. Benj. Lumbard's company, on which Prince Dearse claims for services, are not found in this office.
Edward D. Dange. Secy

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, November 8 1833.
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 name of Prince Berse as a private in the Sea coast service is borne on Capt. John Grannis's Muster Roll from the 1 st day of June 1776 to the 31 st of August for his sea coast Company stationed at the Elizabeth Islands Tarpanlin Cove August the 31 st 1776. Time of entry June 1 st . Time in service three months. 3. 00 Wages per month £ 1.16 Wages due £ 5. 8.
The name of Prince Berse is also found on "Lieut James Bloponis Muster Roll bearing date from the 7 th day of August 1776 in front to the 23 rd day of November 1776 for 72 men in the Sea Coast service stationed at the Elizabeth Islands, where John Grannis was Capt." "Time of entry September the 1 st . Time in the service two months twenty one days, 2.21 Wages per month £ 1.16. Wages due £ 4.17. 2.
There are no further Rolls of James Bloponis Company found in this office. and 5.21

no other Roll on which the name of said Berre is found, and I certify that the Rolls relating to said Lea Coast service are very imperfect.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy.

Deposition of Geo. Lewis for Prince Bearse

I. George Lewis of Barnstable in the State of Massachusetts aged Seventy Eight years Testify & say that I am well acquainted with Prim Bearse & have always lived a neighbor to him, During the Revolutionary War I was in the service with said Bearse. Eight months, commencing the first of April A D 1776 - We were stationed on the Island of Naskaw one of the Elizabeth Islands in the Vineyard Sound. Two companies were stationed there one commanded by Cap. Tye & one by Cap. Grannis I was in the company commanded by Cap. Tye & Prim Bearse was in the company commanded by Cap. Grannis - & further the deponent saith not George Lewis
Sworn Barnstable ss. Probate Court at Barnstable Sept. 22. 1832.
Personally appeared in open court George Lewis & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed in Court. And I certify that in the opinion of the Court, the said George is a credible witness. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court this day & year aforesaid
Almon Davis, Pres

3 Depositions of
John Brown & Richard Lewis for Prince Bearse

We Richard Lewis Aged Eighty one & Iabes Bacon Aged Seventy five Both of Barnstable in the State of Massachusetts, depose and say that we are well acquainted with Pruin Bears & have always been neighbors to him, that during the Revolutionary war we were both in a Company with him two years, that the Company was commanded by Benjamin Lumbert, that said Company was stationed at Hyannis that we enlisted the first of January AD 1778 & were discharged the first of January AD 1780 & Pruin Bears served in said Company two years. And further the deponents say not.
Richard Lewis Iabes Bacon
sworn
S. Barnstable ss. Probate Court at Barnstable in said County Sept. 22 A.D. 1832
Personally appeared in open court Richard Lewis & Iabes Bacon & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by them subscribed in court. And I certify that the abovenamed Richard & Iabes are in the opinion of the court credible Witnesses. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal affixed the seal of the court the day & year aforesaid, Henry Davis Register