Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 21,844, William Coffee, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Coffee, William
P 21,844
CONTENTS

28.097 William Coffey application. 248
Nathl. Grolan Balt me

State of Maine County of Lincoln ss. At a Court of Common Pleas held at Topsham in said County on the Twentieth  20 th  day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty three, personally appeared in open Court before Ezekiel Whitman Esq. Chief Justice one of the judges thereof William Coffee a resident of Phippsburg in the County of Lincoln & State of Maine aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn ac- cording to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the ben- efits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States in the Militia, in the year 1775. as a waiter & boatman to Capt. James Lemont who was stationed that year at Hennewell's point at the mouth of Kennebec river, that from May till November of that year this applicant was in con- stant service under Capt. Lemont making six months . - That in the year 1777, this applicant served six months on guard duty and in trans- porting troops from Cox's head to Hennewell's point on Kennebec river, and was in Capt Jas W. Cobb's company, under the actual command of Lieutenant William Sprague - That in the year 1778, this applicant again went into service at Cox's head in May, under 6 mos Lieutenant Sprague , and was in constant service until November of that year, this service was in guard & garrison duty and in transporting guards & soldiers from one place to another on Kennebec river. - In the spring of the year 1779 - and when the

Bagadene expedition was got up this applicant was drafted to go, but was detained by Lieu- ut Sprague to assist in guarding the Ken- nebec River and to assist as a ferryman in transporting the troops from Cox's Head to Cunnemuck's point on Kennebec river. This applicant served this year till the latter part of November, making six months that year and in the whole time of the war two years. - Lieutenant Sprague's company belonged to Samuel McCobb's regiment.
This applicant was born in Georgetown State of Maine, March 25, 1764. His age is on record in the town books. - He lived in Georgetown when called into service, and has lived in that part of Georgetown now called Phippsburg ever since, and now lives there. He was a volunteer in all the service - was never a substitute, and never had a written discharge. He is known in his neighborhood to David Pacey of Phipps- burgh and David Lement of Bath, who knew him in the service and can testify to his services as a soldier, and Partin McCobb & Joseph Small Esquires to who can testify to his character for truth & veracity. - he further declares that there is no clergy- man residing in his neighborhood.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and he declares that his name is not on any pension roll of any agency in any State

State.
William Coffee
Sworn to subscribed, the day & year aforesaid before Ebenezer Whelman
Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas for the State of Maine
We Parker McCobb & Joseph Sewall, each of us Magistrate in the county of Lincoln hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Coffee who has subscribed & sworn to the above declara- tion, that we believe him to be seventy years of age that he is reputed and believed within his neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion. Parker McCobb Joseph Sewall sworn to subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
before Ebenezer Whelman And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion upon in- vestigating of the matter, & putting the interrogatories pre- scribed by the War Department, that the forenamed ap- plicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Parker McCobb, & Joseph Sewall
who signed the preceding certificate are credible persons and are magistrates in the County of Lincoln and that their statement is entitled to credit
Ebenezer Whelman
Attest Nat Coffin Clerk
State of Maine.
LINCOLN, ss— I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the Coun- ty of Lincoln, do hereby certify that the annexed paper, signed by the Judge and attested by the Clerk, contains the original proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas, at a special session thereof held at Tenham in said County, by the Hon. Ebenezer Whelman  Ch Justice one of the Judges of said Court on the 28 th day of August A. D. 1832 in the matter of the application of William Coffee for a Pension. IN TESTIMONY whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this first day of October A. D. 1832
Nathl Coffin
CLERK.

28,097. Wm Coffee
April 11. 1836 Ref'd to Com - Rev. J. S. S. S. June 3 d 1836 Com - disch d to li.
ens? Am not Kan. evangel. abt 24-1834
Hall of the
24
Hattogon
Batto
Mr

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 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 William Coffee
   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.     1775 - 6 - Waiter to Genl. Howe Genl. Howe 70 Traditionary evidence   1776 - 6 - Captain Genl. Howe 70 Witnesses of service   1777 - 6 - Private Genl. Howe - David Pearcy   1778 - 6 - Private Genl. Howe - David Lemont   1779 - 6 - Private Genl. Howe -   24 mos.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Does William Coffey's case come within the rule in all respects?
Ans. he appears in open Court of record & makes sub- scribes & takes oath to his declaration -
1 st He states he was born Mar 25. 1764 - at Georgetown now Phippsburgh -
2 d He has a record of his age in the town book -
3 d He lived in that part of Georgetown now Phippsburgh State of Main lived there ever since & now lives there -
4 Always a volunteer never a substitute.
5 th In 1775 - no field officers - Capt James Lemont appointed by the town - 1777-1778 1779 Lieut M c Cobb Col - Mr Sprague acting com- mander of Company.
6 th No warrant rec d any written discharge always dismissed
7 th Known to Peter M c Cobb & Joseph Swall Esq s . David Pease David Le- mont witnesses of his service.
He states the period of the war he served & returned all the duties to a pension - the Court give the opinion - The Clerk affixes his seal with device -

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
no return - but War Dept other proof as required
Best evidence from Rolls in Secy of State's office, Boston Massachusetts

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 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 , 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 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.

(3-223.)
No. 21.844 Rev
, Ex'r. REJECTED
OLD WAR INVALID.
William Coffee of Macon P.O. Pri Col M c Cobb Maf Troop
Service : _____
Enlisted : _____ , 18 .
Discharged : _____ , 18 .
Application filed : _____ , 18 .
Alleges : _____
Re-enlisted : _____
Attorney : _____
P. O. _____ 319

I David Lemont of Bath in the State of Maine aged about seventy four years, on oath do say that I well know William Coffee of Phippsburg formerly Georgetown, that he is about seventy years of age. The first time I knew him was in the year 1775. At that time he was a writer in the company of Capt James Lemont, and did duty as such and acted in ferrying the troops he was young at that time, and was in the service of Capt. Lemont about six months that year. In the year 1779. I was a soldier at Cox's head under Capt. Bangs. Lemont at this time the said Coffee was a soldier under Lieut. William Sprague who was stationed at Cox's head & small point as occasion required. I knew the same William Coffee at this time - he was then in actual service, and was engaged all the time in military duty & in transporting troops & arms from Cox's head to small point & other places on Kennebec river for the defence of the same against the British. According to the best of my recollection he served in the year 1779, six months. David Lemont
State of Maine. Lincoln Co. - August 28. 1833. Personally appeared David Lemont and made oath that the above affidavit was true, he having first subscribed the same. I further certify that said David Lemont is a man of truth & accuracy & entitled to credit on oath. Attest Nathl Grooton Sec. of Pen.

I David Percy of Phippsburg, in the State of Maine, aged twenty two years, on oath declare that I well know William Coffee of Phippsburg, that I have known him from his childhood, and that he is about seventy years of age, in the year 1770. The said Coffee, who was then quite young, and acted as a writer & ferrysman to Capt James Lemont's company then stationed, at Hounwell's point, on Kennebec river. I do not remember whether he carried a gun at that time but he was in constant service, from the spring till the end of the year.
In the year 1778. I was a soldier in Capt. James O'Colbie's company commanded by his Lieutenant William Sprague, at that time William Coffee was a soldier in the same company he acted on guard duty, and was attached to that part of the company which did duty in transporting the troops from Coxe's Head to Hounwell's point and across the river to arms of the sea - Coffee did duty this year six months. From my own knowledge, I know that William Coffee was in service during the war of the Revolution twelve months.
State of Maine, Lincoln ss. David Percy
August 28. 1833 - Personally appeared David Percy above named, and directed the same to be reduced to writing, and having read & subscribed the same made oath that the same & every part thereof was true. I further testify that said Percy is a man of truth, Attest Nathl Grooton Justice of the Peace.

part of the company which did duty in trans- porting the troops from Cox's Head to Kenne- bec's point and across the river to arms of the sea - Coffin did duty this year six months. From my own knowledge, I know that William Coffin was in service during the war of the Revolution twelve months.
David Rootes
State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
LINCOLN, ss—I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the Coun- ty of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Nath l Grolon Esq. whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE is legally commissioned and duely qualified to act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own prop- er signature to me well known.
IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this thirty first day of August A. D. 1832
Nath l Coffin
CLERK.