Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 28686, Joseph Claghorn, Mass. Navy

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. Navy
Blaghorn, Joseph
S-28686
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.

State of New York & City and County of New York ss
On this _____ day of Augt 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Marine Court now sitting at the City Hall of said City Joseph Claghorn a resident of said City aged nearly Seventy two years who being duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath make the following as a true declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he the said Joseph Claghorn was born at Whitehaven in the State of Massachusetts on or about the _____ day of October in the year 1760 That some time May 1779 as near as he can now recollect he entered as a Sailer before the mast in the United States Sloop of war Providence of Twelve Guns commanded by Joseph P. Rathbone for one year That after _____ months service on board of said Vessel part of which time was employed in cruising, he was turned over to serve in the ship called the Queen of France of Twenty Guns also commanded by the said J. P. Rathbone That he entered the said Sloop Providence at New Bedford in the State of Massachusetts and was transferred to the Queen of France in Boston Harbor in the same State - at which last mentioned place after having served one year the full time of his engagement he received a regular discharge in writing - which discharge owing to the lapse of time has been worn out lost or mislaid and can not be produced That he the said Joseph Claghorn served on board the "Queen of France" about _____ months and was discharged therefrom as near as he can recollect in May 1780 That the Queen of France while he was on board sailed on a cruise with Com- modore Abraham Whipple's Squadron consisting of the Providence the "Queen of France" and the Sloop of war Ranger, which Squad- ron while this defendant was with them captured a part of what was called the Jamaica Fleet - Eight Vessels of which Fleet laden with Rum sugar &c were brought into Boston.
That after he was so discharged he served in private armed Vessels of the United States and was three times taken prisoner That while on Board the Queen of France he cap- tured himself by a Train in lighting That before entering into the Naval service and some time in the year 1777 as near as he rec- lects as to the date he served as a soldier in a Regiment of the Massa- chusetts Militia commanded by Colonel Pope in the company of Cap- tain Dillingham, for Eleven months or thereabouts, during the greater part of which time Captain Dillingham and his men were engaged in building a Fort at Fair Haven in the said State of Massachusetts - That this depo-

not having lost his discharge from the Service before mentioned he has no further documentary Evidence which he knows of that he can produce and the persons whose affidavits are annexed having died since their depositions were taken he is not aware of any other Witness in his behalf. That this deponent as will appear from the Examination of the annexed documents for several years past has been making his application for a pension, but as yet has never been been placed on the pension Roll to his knowledge or belief
City and County of New York ss. I James W. Keen of said City and County at law being duly sworn saith that Joseph Clapham, mentioned in the annexed documents was at my office in the City of New York on or about the 4th day of August last and requested this deponent to prepare his papers in order that he might apply for a pension for revolutionary services, under the act of Congress of the last session. That this last appearing to me to come within the the provisions of said act I promised to do as he request- ed and directed him to call on me again in some short time. I believe about two days and told him that he would then go to the Marine Court in said City and be sworn to the truth of his petition or statement That the preceding paper was accordingly prepared, but he did not call at the time appointed and some weeks afterwards I was informed that he died the next day but one after being at my office, with the cholera then prevailing in this city
James W. Keen
Sworn before me in open Court the 14 th day of November 1832
McNutt one of The Justices of the Marine Court of the City of New York

To the Senate & House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled
The Petition of Mary — Claghorn the widow, and of Maria — Claghorn the daughter of Joseph Claghorn late of the city of New York do respectfully represent That the said Joseph Claghorn who is the same person mentioned in the annexed documents departed this life on the sixth day of August 1832 intestate and without any property except a few household articles of household furniture of but very small value and leaving your Petition- ers his widow and only child surviving him
That that the said Joseph Claghorn as your Petitioners are informed and verily believe served his country as a soldier and a Seaman in the time of the revolu- tionary war as stated in the annexed documents. That he has applied from time to time for a pension un- der the several acts of Congress previous to the act of the seventh of June 1832 which also appears by the annexed documents. That his case was delayed on some technical grounds until after the passing of the said act of June last. That there being no doubt as to the merits of his case and the said last mentioned act extending to him a complete remedy within the letter of the law as your Petitioners are advised and believe, he made — his application to James McKee of the city of New York, who had formerly written to members of Congress in his behalf, to prepare his Petition & Documents for the purpose of making his application under the said act of the 7th June 1832. That such petition being drawn, as appears by the annexed copy thereof, it was approved of by him and the time was mentioned for him to call at said McKee's office and from thence to go to the Marine Court and be sworn to the same according to the provisions of the said act, but before the time

appointed for the attestation of the said Petition and documents, the said Joseph Claghorn was taken sick and died suddenly That your Petitioner the said Mary Claghorn is now about sixty six years of age infirm and wholly incapable of providing for herself Even the necessaries of life and has no source to look to, for the same except to the labour and to the kindness of her daughter your other Petitioner whose will is good but her means are inadequate - Your Petitioner therefore humbly submit, to your Honourable Body whither they may not hope for some small assistance which will enable the said Maria Claghorn to support her mother for the very short time that such support will be necessary - and thus save their feelings from the mortification of applying as a pauper for relief that the deceased went to the Recorder's office on Saturday as before informed & believing and died on Monday New York November the 2-1832 -
Mary Claghorn Maria Claghorn
City and county of New York ss. Maria Claghorn of said city being duly sworn doth depose and say that the foregoing Petition by her and by her mother Mary Claghorn subscribed in all respects true according to the best of her knowledge information and belief
Sworn before me in open court the 14th day of November 1832
Maria Claghorn
Watson one of the justices of the Marine court of the city of New York

Newyork Marine Court,
In the Marine Court of the City of New York, held at the City Hall of the said City in and for the said City before the Justices of the same court, on the twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and twenty three.
I present the Honourable John B Scott - Esquire, one of the Justices of the said Court
City of New York ss.
Be it remembered that on this Twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred twenty three personally appeared in the Marine Court of the City of New York in open court, the said court being a Court of record for the City of New York, according to the laws of the State of New York Joseph Claghorn aged Sixty three Years and about three Months, who being first duly affirmed doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provisions
made

on board the Queen of France he sailed with Commodore Abraham Whipple's Squadron consisting of the Providence Frigate (Flag Ship) and Sloop of war Ranger, and participated in the Capture of part of the Jamaica Fleet, Eight of which were brought into Boston loaded with Rum, Sugar &c. That after he was so discharged as aforesaid, he served in the private armed Vessels of the United States, and was three times taken prisoner That he has no other evidence of his said service in his power, except the affidavits of Jacob Smith and Samuel Brown, hereunto annexed. That during the period of his service on board the Queen of France, he ruptured himself by a strain in lifting, which has since lamed him somewhat, and now in his old age has become particularly troublesome. That in the Year 1777. he served in a Regiment of Militia commanded by Colonel Pope, and that in his service on board the Providence and Queen of France, from his skillfulness and capacity he was generally employed in sailmaking but that he entered as a common sailor, served as such, and in that capacity was subject to be put at sail making or any other service in the discretion of his officers.
That his original Declaration setting forth the

above two last mentioned circumstances was rejected and bore date 1st April 1819.
Sworn to in open Court this 24 th day of January 1823 } J. M. Moffatt J. P. Main Court
Joseph Claghorn
And in pursuance of the act of the first day of May 1820 I do solemnly affirm that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the Eighteenth day of March One thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Services of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18 th day of March 1818. and that I have not nor hath any other person in trust for me, any property or securities contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any Income other than is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. to wit.
  one work bench 1 } 1 Bible. 75 2 Hymn books 1.- 1.75 7.37 D m 9.2   Six Needles .25   Two Palms 1.-   one Rubber .25   two Hooks .37   one Chest 3.-   Candle Stand 1.-   Hammer .25   Martine Spike .25   

August 21, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Guy D. Josserand Copeland Kansas
BA-J/REL Joseph Claghorn-S.28688
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request a list of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War with surnames Cleghorn and Claghorn, who drew pensions for their service.
The Revolutionary War records have been searched and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon the service of any soldier with the surname Cleghorn. The record of only one soldier with the name Claghorn has been found. It is that of Joseph. His record is given below as found in pension claim, S.28688, based upon his military service in the Revolutionary War.
Joseph Claghorn was born in October, 1760, in White Haven, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not shown.
Joseph Claghorn enlisted, place not stated, sometime in 1777, served in Captain Benjamin Dillingham's Company, Colonel Pope's Massachusetts Regiment and was engaged during the greater part of this service in building a fort at Fair Haven, Massachusetts; length of service about eleven months. Sometime in May, 1779, at New Bedford, Massachusetts, he entered on board the sloop of war "Providence", commanded by Joseph Peck Rathburn, served as a sailor before the mast and was frequently engaged in sail making; after some months on the "Providence", he was transferred in Boston Harbor to the sloop, "Queen of France," under the same commander, and was in squadron composed of the "Providence", "Queen of France" and the "Ranger", under Commander Abraham Whipple when they captured a part of the Jamaica fleet and took eight vessels loaded with rum and sugar into Boston harbor. He was discharged in May, 1780. While on the "Queen of France", he sustained a rupture by a severe strain while lifting. After the termination of this service, he served on several armed private vessels, and was three times made a prisoner. There are no details of these last services.
Found sol. in Mass. Lts. mdel Capt. Dillingham also on sloop Providence under J. Peck Rathburn listed as sail maker.
Whipple comm mauld this squadron

Joseph Claghorn married Mary. The date and place of their marriage and her maiden name are not stated.
Joseph Claghorn applied for pension on August 4, 1832, at which time he was a resident of New York City. He died August 6, 1832, of cholera, then prevalent in the city, before his claim for pension had been completed. The pension which was due him on account of his service in the Revolutionary War was allowed his widow, Mary Claghorn, on her application executed November 2, 1832, at which time she was aged sixty-six years and resided in New York City.
One child, a daughter, Maria Claghorn, survived her father. In 1832, she was living with her mother in New York City. Her age was not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

MRS. BERYL G. PROFFITT, Chase President
MRS. J. C. CHADDICK, Larned Vice-President
MRS. F. E. WALLACE, Chase Corresponding Secretary
Kansas Federation of Women's Clubs
Seventh District
MRS. GUY D. JOSSERAND, RECORDING SECRETARY COPELAND, KANSAS
MRS. GUY D. JOSSERAND, Copeland Recording Secretary
MRS. J. W. JARROTT, Hutchinson Treasurer
MRS. KARL G. EHRLICH, Coldwater Scholarship Chairman
August 11, 1935
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
Will you please send me a list of the Cleghorns and Claghorns who drew pensions for service in the Revolutionary War?
If possible, would like to have the names of their wives, also, as a means of identification and the state from which each served.
I shall be deeply grateful for this and another information you may forward me. If there are charges for this service I shall pay for it.
Thanking you for this courtesy, I am - Yours truly,
Gertrude Cleghorn Josserand (Mrs Guy)
one of my Cleghorn 2nd Cleghorn

Army & INVALID.
Naoy
Resy
File No.
28,686
Joseph Blazhorn
Seaman Rev. M.
Act: .....
Index: —
Vol. 2
, Page
73
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1935 Aug 24 - List to Mrs. G. J. Grosserand E.L.

3372
New York
Joseph Claghorn, late of the City and State of New York who was a Seaman on board the U.S. Sloop Providence, command- ed by Joseph P. Rathbone of (Mass) Massachusetts for 12 months
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 48 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4 th of Mar. 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued in favor of Mary Claghorn Widow of the deceased 20 th December 1832, and sent to J.H. Murray New York City
Arrears to 6 th of Augt. 2 1832, it being the day of his death $68.26
Recorded by Geo. Cromwell, CLK. Book D Vol 5 Page 83
Duplicate cert te cate issued 27 March 1833 & sent to J. B. Murray Esq. N. York

Recorded by Ino Cromwell Clerk, Roll of New York Book D Vol. 5, Page 83.

War Department.
Revolutionary Claim.
Mary Claghorn, widow of Joseph Claghorn deceased, late of the City of New York, who died on the 6 th day of August 1832, is entitled to the amount which was due the said deceased, from the 4 th of March 1831, up to the time of his death, which is to be paid by the Pension Agent at New York, agreeably to the provisions of the Act of 7 th June 1832, at the rate of Forty-eight Dollars per annum.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 20 th day of December, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
Isaac B. 22 Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned J L Edwards

AK J. L. Edwards Esq.
Pension Office Washington
see letters to J. B. Murray & J. Laurence March 27. 1893
15 1 1/2 3 53 54

New York March 20. 1833
Sir
When I had the pleasure of seeing you last in Washington, it was under an expectation of receiving from you a certificate in favor of the widow of Joseph Claghorn, but that evening received a note from you of which I annex a copy, assigning a reason why the Certificate was not prepared.
Since then I am without a line from you, & the object of the present is to say that poor old Mrs Claghorn is in a very distressed condition & the hope deferred has rendered her mere so
May I ask the favor of a letter from you, enclosing the requisite certificate, and enclosing

New York March 20. 1833
Sir
When I had the pleasure of seeing you last in Washington, it was under an expectation of receiving from you a certificate in favor of the widow of Joseph Claghorn, but that evening received a note from you of which I annex a copy, assigning a reason why the Certificate was not prepared.
Since then I am without a line from you, & the object of the present is to say that poor old Mrs Claghorn is in a very distressed condition & the hope deferred has rendered her more so.
May I ask the favor of a letter from you, enclosing the requisite certificate, and instructing

me how she is to receive the back pay
Very respectfully
In Your most obedt
Genl B. M c Way
J L Edwards Esq
Copy of note referred to
War Dept.
Pension Office
Dec 15. 1832
Sir
The claim of the widow of J. Claghorn decd. has been admitted, but I am sorry to inform you that it was acted on at too late an hour to obtain the signature of the Secretary of War to the Pension Certificate.
I will however send it on to you by mail on Monday
I am with much respect
Your obedt Servt
Signed J. L. Edwards
Col James B. Murray of New York Present

United States of America
State City & County of New York ss -
Peter H. Wendover Sheriff of the City and County of New York being duly sworn doth depose and say. That he has known Joseph Claghorne in the annexed documents mentioned for the last Twenty  Years and upwards. That during that period he has borne as far as the knowledge of this deponent extends a Good Character - and this deponent further saith that he verily believes the said Joseph Claghorne is fully entitled to belief under Oath - and that he is also the same person in the annexed documents mentioned and referred to - And this deponent further saith that that he also doth believe that the said Joseph Claghorne is in poor and necessitous circumstances and is entitled unto and merits the assistance of his Country - and further saith not
Sworn to in open Court } this 24 th day of January 1823 }
P. H. Wendover
J. M. [unclear] Justice of the Marine Court.
Late a Member in Congress from the State of New York

I Jacob Smith of Newport in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, Mariner, being duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God do depose and say, that Joseph Claghorn of the City County and State of New York is to me well known; that the said Joseph Claghorn was a seaman on board the United States Ship, Queen of France carrying Twenty six Guns, commanded by John Pickers Rathbone and under the flag of Commander Abraham Whipple, on the cruise of said vessel in the summer of the year One Thousand Seven Hundred & seventy nine, that I the deponent was on board said vessel at that time and during the aforesaid cruise; that the said Joseph Claghorn was on board said vessel during the whole of the aforesaid cruise, and how much longer I know not. Newport Nov r 11 th 1822
Jacob Smith
State of Rhode Island &c Newport ss, November 11 th 1822 Then appeared Jacob Smith the deponent named in the above deposition who signed the same and made solemn oath to the truth thereof - Before me - Oliver Pease Justice Pease

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport.
I hereby certify that Dutee Pearce Esq whose signature is affixed to the foregoing attestation is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Newport in the County aforesaid, duly appointed & otherwise qualified as such, under the Seal of said State.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Newport this Eleventh Day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred twenty two of forty seventh of American Independence.
Henry Bruns

Deposition of Joseph Clagnon
ms

I was one of the prize Agents of the United States Ship of War the Queen of France commanded by John Peck Rathburn Esquire on her cruise in the summer of seventeen hundred and twenty nine which ship in company with the United States Ship of War the Providence commanded by Commodore Abraham Whipple and the Ship of War the Ranger commanded by Thomas Simpson Esquire captured on the Banks of Newfoundland on their cruise ten ships loaded with sugar Rum & bound from Jamaica to London and in the month of August of that year arrived safely with eight of them in the port of Boston. Not On receiving to the Books of the Company of said ship Queen of France on the application of Joseph Blaghorn of the City of New York I found his name on those Books and also an account opened with him on them. On finding these I was led to observe to him that it was  could be no proof or evidence that he was the person with whom said account had been opened for I could not identify him as from the lapse of forty three years I had lost every recollection of his person. But to establish that he was actually the person he had represented himself to be, he at once correctly named several of the Officers of said ship's Company and the Stations they had filled onboard and described some of their persons correctly, and he besides correctly named a number of Seamen of said ship's Company, and he moreover stated that he received all his prize money in cash an amount £1424. 11. 11. 1/2 paper money except one hogshead of sugar

weighing 15.1.14 and on a recurrence to his account I found the facts stated by him to be correct. In my mind therefore there cannot be any doubt whatever from these several facts that he was actually on board of said ship of France and made a part of her company on her African cruise in the summer of 1840 when she was in company with him.
Samuel Brown
Massachusetts District Is. October 17 1822
Then personally appeared Samuel Brown Esq. of Boston, who is well known to me and made oath to the truth of the above deposition, by him written and subscribed - Taken at the request of Joseph Blagdon, of the city of New York, to be used in support of his application for a pension from the United States. — Before me
W. Davis Dist Judge U. States Massachusetts District

Petition of Joseph • Cleghorn, for servi- • ces rendered during the war of the Revolu- tion -
Dec - 21. 1827
Ref d to Com ee on Rev d Claims
Jan. 2. 1828
Ref d to Com ee on Mil. Pensions
Jan. 19. 1829. Ref d to Com ee on Rev d Claims
Debs allowed
Johnson 3.4 h claims

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled —
The Petition of Joseph Olegorn respectfully sheweth — That some time in the Month of May in the year 1779 your Petitioner entered as a Common Sailor before the mast in the United States Sloop of War Providence of twelve Guns Commanded by Joseph Peck Rathbone Esquire for One year that after several months continuance in such service part of which was employed in cruising your Petitioner was turned over to the Ship Queen of France of Twenty six Guns and commanded by the same John Peck Rathbone — That your Petitioner enlisted and entered on Board the said Sloop Providence in New Bedford in the State of Massachusetts and was turned over and entered on Board the said Ship Queen of France in the Harbour of Boston & State of Massachusetts at which latter place he was finally discharged after having faithfully served out his Twelve Months the full term of his engagement and regularly obtained his discharge but which discharge from the great length of time is lost and cannot now be found — While on board the Queen of France he sailed with Commodore Abraham Whipple, Squadron consisting of the Providence Frigate (Hagg Ship) and Sloop of War Ranger, and participated in the Capture of part of the Jamaica Fleet Eight of which were brought into Boston loaded with Rum Sugar &c. . . . That after he was so discharged he served in private Armed Vessels of the United States and was three times taken prisoner. That during the period of his service on board the Ship Queen of France he Ruptured himself by a strain in lifting which has since lamed him, and now in his Old Age has become particularly troublesome —
The great length of time which has elapsed

and the deaths of his contemporaries renders him unable to produce such Testimony as was once in his power — That in verification of the Truth of his statement he has added his Oath to the truth which no circumstances of want however distressing could have forced from him — And nothing but his extreme distress would have induced the present application to the bounty of his Country — This is his last appeal, for worn out by hardships and distress, his race on this earth is nearly run —
Petitioner Yours, Respectfully leaves his case with you
Joseph H. Claughorn
New York 17 December 1827

Joseph Claghorn
Ms. Claghorn
Res a
April 20 th 1830
Ref d to the Com ee on Military Pensions
Washington
on Res a
Chairman of the Committee
Wm. J. C. Bates
Bates 2. Pensions

See
New York April 9th 1830
I send you some Documents relative to the Claim of Joseph Claghorn for a pension. His proofs which were made out about seven years ago should not come up to the letter of the law he is persuaded that his case is a meritorious one. He served a year in the land Service in and near New Bedford Mass. before entering into the Navy in the year 1779. He was captured in the service but owing to the long lapse of time has not as yet been able to prove his service on land or that the capture was occasioned while in the public Service except by his own oath. Even the Witnesses of his Naval Service have probably died since their Depositions were taken. Claghorn is now 70 years of age disabled by a Rupture and other infirmities - a proper object for the charity of his country no one can deny although the once abundant Evidence of his services have not been preserved. The time in which he can have any claim is short, and for the Honor of the country as well as to save him from the disgrace of becoming a public pauper it is hoped that something will be speedily done for him.  Respectfully Yours &c (in behalf of the above claimant)
Hon. J. C. Bates Chm com. on pensions
James Wilson

Petition of Mary Claghorn v. Maria Claghorn — " — to The Congress of the U.S.
Seaman
$40 per ann
Col. J. W. Murray N. York Duplicate Certificate issued 27 Mar 1833.
Give cert. to Mary Claghorn widow of Joseph

District of Columbia City of Washington
Personally appeared James B. Murray of the City of New York who being duly sworn deponeth and saith that Mary Mary Cleghorn who has subscribed one of the affidavits herunto annexed is known to this deponent as the widow of Joseph Cleghorn late of the City of New York and that Maria Cleghorn is the reputed daughter and believed to be such of the said Joseph and Mary and that they have no other children to this deponent's knowledge.
This deponent further saith that the said Mary is in very indigent circumstances, so much so as to be an applicant for public charity. That this deponent has personally known John Murray of said City of New York and who has subscribed another of the annexed affidavits for upwards of twenty years, during all which time he has enjoyed an unblemished reputation for veracity. That during the

prevalence of the Cholera in the City of New York in July and August last, the said John Minnie said as one of the deputy Health Wardens in the Tenth Ward and as such it was his duty to visit persons and places affected by Cholera, of which fact this deponent knew, being himself an Alderman and Health Warden of said City of New York Jas. B. Murray,
Sworn this 13th day of December 1832
Will: Webb Justiciary for Washington County

City and County of New York ss John Minuse of the City of New York being duly sworn doth depose and say that on Monday the sixth day of August last understanding that Mr Joseph Alghorn of said City since deceased was ill his deponent called on him and found very sick with the Cholera. That the said Alghorn informed his deponent that he had ap- plied or was about applying for a pension under the late act of Congress as a compensa- tion for revolutionary services. That his papers had been prepared and were at Mr McKeen's of- fice. That he had made an appointment to be sworn to the truth of his petition on the then preceding Saturday but was taken ill on that day which prevented his attending court for the purpose of completing his papers and documents - That the said Alghorn died on the same day the said sixth of August last -
John Minuse
Sworn before me in open court the 14 th day of November 1832
John W. McKeen one of the Justices of the Marine Court of the City of New York

Joseph bleghorn Petition of
Joseph bleghorn
Dec 16. 1829
Ref d to Com ee on Mil. Pensions
April 2. 1830 Report to the
April 20 1830
Ref d again with addl docs to Com ee on Mil. Pensions
Dec 15. 1831
Ref d to Com ee on Rev. Pensions
May 17. 1832 - Com ee - dist d to li
23 Rev Cambridge St. Paris

To the Senate and House of represent- atives of the United States in congress - assembled
The Petition of Joseph Claghorn of the city of New York respectfully shews that in the month of May 1779 he entered as a sailor before the mast in the United States Sloop of war Providence of twelve Guns commanded by Captain John Park Rath- bone, for one year. That after continuing several months in such service part of which time was employed in cruising from Petitioner was turned over to the Queen of France of twenty six Guns also commanded by the said John Park Rathbone. That your Petitioner entered and enlisted on board the said Sloop Providence in New Bedford in Massachusetts at which last mentioned place he was finally discharged af- ter having faithfully served out his twelve months the full time of his engagement and obtained a regular discharge which from the lapse of time is lost or destroyed. That your Petitioner while on board the Queen of France sailed with commo- dore Abraham Whipple's squadron consisting of the Providence Frigate or flag ship and Sloop of war Ranger and partici- pated in the capture of a part of the Samson Fleet, eight of which Fleet were brought into the port of Boston loaded with Rum, sugar &c. That after he was discharged as above men- tioned he served in private armed vessels of the United States & and was three times taken Prisoner. That while serving on board the "Queen of France" he became ruptured by great exertions in lifting of by which he has ever since been disabled and which is now become very trouble- some to him. And your Petitioner further shews that the great length of time and the decrease of his temporal means make it impossible for him to produce that Testimony which was once in his power. That in verification of the truth of the above statement he is willing to make oath. your Petitioner therefore hopes that your Honourable body will take his case into their serious consideration & do him justice And your Petitioner further shews that during the revolutionary war previous to his entering in the Naval Service as aforesaid he served under Captain Benjamin Bellingham in building a Fort at Fair Haven in Massachusetts for the space of eleven months or thereabouts.
Joseph Claghorn