Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,551, William Curtis, Mass.

SERVICE
mouse
NUMBER _____
W 14.551
or Courtis William Courtis.
Mary
CONTENTS

2876
Massachusetts
Mary Curtis.
widow of William Curtis dec d
Mass
Curtis
was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the about 1812.
of Essex Co. in the State of M s .
who was a Private in the Comp y . commanded
by Captain Hovey of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Snow in the M s .
time for 7 mos & 7 days Pick Pn y .
13 " 415 " Pn y Curtis.
Inscribed on the Roll of M s .
at the rate of 80 Dollars 36 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of May
1839 and sent to Gregory Marblehead M s .
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 39, $241.08
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept., 40.18
$281.26
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by N. Addison Clerk, Book 14 Vol. 1st Page 80

3195
May Curtis Mapashetts.
admitted    7 a 9 doo P day  $24.10     13 1/2 mo P a 5,  56.25       80.35  
on roll vol 35 page 81
James Gregory Marblehead. Mass.

State of Massachusetts, } ss. Marblehead. County of Essex.
On this thirtieth day of August A. D. 1838, personally appeared before me David Cummins Esquire, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas & a Court of Record, within & for said State & County, Mary Curtis, a resident of said Marblehead, aged nearly eighty-one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oaths, & from the best of her knowledge & belief, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7th, 1838, entitled "an Act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows": That she is the widow of William Curtis, who was a Private in the Company of John Selman of the 21 st Regiment of Massachusetts Foot, commanded by Colonel John Glover, in the War of the Revolution; that her said husband was a resident of said Marblehead at the time of his enlistment, & enlisted as a volunteer in said Corps & in said town, in the eight months' service, on the twenty-fifth day of May A. D. 1775; that he continued in said Corps doing his duty in & about said Marblehead until the 22 nd day of June following, when he marched with said Regiment to Cambridge near Boston, & joined the American troops encamped there under the command of General Ward; that in a short time after General Washington arrived, took the command; that he continued with said Regiment doing his duty at said Cambridge & around sd. Boston until the thirty-first day of December following, when the term of enlistment having expired said Regiment was discharged.
She further declares that her said husband again immediately enlisted at said Cambridge, as a Private & volunteer, on or about the first day of January, 1776, in the Second Regiment of the Continental Army, New York Line, commanded by Colonel (afterwards General) Knox, for the term of one year, & that he served in that Company of said Regiment which was commanded by Capt. (Denny); that said Regiment continued doing its duty at said Cambridge & around Boston, until the 17 th day of March following - the day on which the British Forces evacuated Boston, when said (Denny's) Company was detached from the Regiment, to join a Brigade of Infantry under the command of General Heath, with which Brigade he marched and his husband marched to Norwalk in the State of Connecticut, thence to New London, thence proceeded through the Sound by water to the East River, near New York, & landed a little above the City; that her said

in said Corps doing her duty in & about said Marblehead until the 22 nd day of June following, when he marched with said Regiment to Cambridge near Boston, & joined the American troops encamped there under the command of General Ward; that in a short time after General Washington arrived, took the command; that he continued with said Regiment doing his duty at said Cambridge & around Boston until the thirty first day of December following, when the term of enlistment having expired said Regiment was discharged.
She further declares that her said husband again immediately enlisted at said Cambridge, as a Private in a short time after the first day of January, 1776, in the Second Regiment of of Artillery Continental Forces, New York Line, commanded by Colonel (afterwards General) Rhea, for the term of one year, & that he served in that Company of said Regiment which was commanded by Capt. (Denny); that said Regiment continued doing its duty at said Cambridge & around Boston, until the 17 th day of March following - the day on which the British Forces evacuated Boston, when said Denny's Company was detached from the Regiment, to join a Brigade of Infantry under the command of General Heath, with which Brigade her husband marched to Norwalk in the State of Connecticut, thence to New London, thence proceeded through the Sound by water to the East River, near New York, & landed a little above the City; that her said husband continued with said Brigade from time to time doing his duty, in the neighborhood of said City, during which period he was in the Battle of White Plains on the 28 th of October of the same year, after which the American Army, including said Brigade, retreated to the Jerseys, where they crossed the Delaware River on the night of the 26 th of December, & on Christmas day captured a body of Hessian troops; that in a few days after this he was in the Battle of Trenton, on or about which day the term of her said husband's service expired; that on the very day her said husband's service expired the Corps in which he then was, with others whose terms expired on that day, were

paraded & urged by their officers to enlist again for a short period with the view of getting time to enlist permanent recruits. That her said husband accordingly again enlisted with others of his fellow townsmen, into the same Capt. Pennys Company, which had previously been attached against the Nova's Dist. for an additional term of "Six weeks", & shortly after went into Winter Quarters at Morristown, & there continued until the expiration of the said term, & was then discharged, on or about the middle of February, A.D. 1777 - soon after which he returned to his home in said Marblehead.
She further Declares that she was married to the said William Curtis alias Courtey on the fifteenth day of January, seventeen hundred & eighty-four; that her husband the aforesaid William Curtis died while engaged in the Merchant service out of said Marblehead, in the West India Trade, before the late War with G.B. & that she has remained a widow ever since his death; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety-four, viz: at the time above stated - as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Several affidavits made before signing.
James Gregory
her Mary X Curtis mark
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written - the said applicant being unable by reason of infirmity to appear in Court. Before me, David Cummings

Extract from the Record of Marriages in the Town of Marblehead County of Essex & State of Massachusetts
Seventeen hundred eighty four January fifteenth
Mr William Courtes & Mrs Mary Mason both of this Town
I certify that the above is a true extract from the Records with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows May 1 st 1784 Jan y 15.
Richard Homan
I, Richard Homan above named, depose & say that I hold the office of Clerk of the Town of Marblehead, County & State aforesaid, & that the above is a true extract from the records, with the exception above named, as certified by me & that Courtes & Curtis is in my opinion the same person
Richard Homan Clerk of the Town of Marblehead
Essex ss.
Marblehead September 13 th 1838.
Then personally appeared Richard Homan a credible witness & made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
Before me
James Gregory, J. of the Peace.
I, William Thompson, of Marblehead, in the County of Essex, & State of Massachusetts, do on oath testify & declare that I am in the Eighty-second year of my age: That on the fifteenth day of May, 1775, I enlisted as a Private & volunteer into the 21 st Regiment of Massachusetts Foot, which was commanded by Colonel (afterwards General) John Glon, & into that Company of said Regiment which was commanded by Capt. Hall Smith - for the term of eight months. That I served in said Company & Regiment until the last day of said year of 1775, when the term of the said Regiment having expired I was discharged: That a few days before the term of said Regiment expired I enlisted into the second Regiment of Artillery of the New York Continental Line for the term of one year, & on the first day of January 1776 joined said Regiment, & served in that Company of said Regiment which was commanded by Captain Denny: That the said Regiment was commanded by Colonel (afterwards General) Knox: That I continued in said Company & Regiment doing duty around Boston until the British evacuated the place, when I marched in said Company (which was now detached from said Regiment) to New York & thence to New London in the State of Connecticut, & thence proceeded by water through the Sound to New York: That we were on our march from Boston - attacked by the Brigade commanded by General Howe: That we were employed in & about New York till its surrender to the British in September of the same year: That we were afterwards attached to a Regiment of Artillery commanded by Colonel Duvée, & stationed at "Powle's Hook" opposite New York City: That we shortly after evacuated that Post, & were ordered to Fort Lee on the right Bank of the Hudson River: That we shortly after crossed said River & joined the American Army in the Country north of New York City, & were in the Battle of White Plains: That after said Battle we retreated into the Passaic, & did duty there skirmishing with the enemy from time to time, & crossed the Delaware on the night of December 26 th , & next day captured a Body of Hessian Troops: That in a few days after this we were engaged in the Battle of Trenton: That on or about the same day of said Battle our term of service expired, & we were paraded, & solicited to enlist again for a short time, with the view of the Officers getting time to enlist permanent recruits: That myself & others of my fellow townsmen who belonged to said Capt. Denny's Company accordingly enlisted for an additional term of six weeks, & shortly after went into winter Quarters at Morristown, in the State of New Jersey, where we continued until the latter term of our enlistment expired, when we were discharged, on or about the middle of February A.D. 1777: That I well know William Courtes, sometimes written Curtis - the late husband of Mary Courtes, who is understood to have signed the Declaration hereon, & I do well recollect that said William Courtes was with me in all the service which I have above described. He enlisted into said Glon's Regiment with me in all the service which I have above described. He enlisted into said Glon's Regiment with me in all the service which I have above described. He enlisted into said Glon's Regiment with me in all the service which I have above described.

Second year of my age: That on the fifteenth day of May, 1775, I enlisted as a Private & enlisted into the 21 st Regiment of Massachusetts Foot, which was commanded by Colonel (afterwards General) John Glance, & into that Company of said Regiment, which was commanded by Capt. Joel Smith - for the term of eight months, that I served in said Company & Regiment until the last day of said year of 1775, when the term of the said Regiment having expired I was discharged; That a few days before the term of said Regiment expired I enlisted into the second Regiment of Artillery of the New York Continental Line for the term of one year, & on the first day of January 1776 joined said Regiment, & served in that Company of said Regiment which was commanded by Captain Denny: That the said Regiment was commanded by Colonel (afterwards General) Knox: that I continued in said Company & Regiment doing duty around Boston until the British evacuated the place, when I marched in said Company (which was now detached from said Regiment) to New York & thence to New London in the State of Connecticut, & thence proceeded by water through the Sound to New York: That we were in our march from Boston - attached to the Brigade commanded by General Hester: That we were employed in & about New York till its surrender to the British in September of the same year: That we were afterwards attached to a Regiment of Infantry commanded by Colonel Dudgeon & stationed at "Powle's Hook", opposite New York City: That we shortly after evacuated that Post, & were ordered to Fort Lee on the right Bank of the Hudson River; That we shortly after crossed said River & joined the American Army in the Country north of New York City, & were in the Battle of White Plains: That after said Battle we retreated into the Jerseys, & did duty there skirmishing with the enemy from time to time, & crossed the Delaware on the night of December 26 th , & next day captured a Body of Hessian Troops: That in a few days after this we were engaged in the Battle of Trenton: That on or about the same day of said Battle our terms of service expired & we were banded, & selected to enlist again for a short time, with the view of the Officers getting time to enlist permanent recruits: That myself & others of my fellow townsmen who belonged to said Capt. Denny's Company accordingly enlisted for an additional term of six weeks, & shortly after went into winter Quarters at Morristown, in the State of New Jersey, where we continued until the latter term of our enlistment expired, when we were discharged, on or about the middle of February A.D. 1777: That I well knew William Courtes, sometimes written Curtis - the late husband of Mary Courtes, who is understood to have signed the Declaration hereon, & I do well recollect that said William Courtes was with me in all the service which I have above described. He enlisted into said Glance's Regiment a few days after myself & in the latter part of May 1775, & served in said Regiment, & in the Company commanded by John Selman, deceased, until the last day of said year, & was then discharged at the same time with myself. I myself served in the Company commanded by Joel Smith. Said William Courtes enlisted into said Capt. Denny's Company at the same time with myself & continued doing his duty therein through all the service I have above described & for the period of fifteen months & one half, beside seven months & seven days in said Glance's Regiment at Cambridge, near Boston, in the year 1775. After our terms of enlistment expired in said Denny's Company, expired I again entered the service "for & during the War", but said Courtes then left the Army & returned home. I myself continued in the Army throughout the whole War, & was at the capture of Lord Cornwallis. I have been a Pensioner under the Act of March 18 th 1818, for nearly 20 years for said service. Said William Courtes died many years ago, while engaged in the Merchant Service out of this Port - in the West Indies, & I have no doubt he has been dead as long as his said widow has known thereof. I have always from my youth up been well acquainted with said William Courtes - whose maiden name was Mary Selman - Sister of the aforesaid John Selman, & I further well know that she is now a widow, & has remained a widow ever since the death of her said late husband, the aforesaid William Courtes. Joseph Mansfield J. Grazier (Oath certified next page.) William X Thompson mark

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Marblehead, October 25th, 1888. County of Essex - - - - -
Then personally appeared the within named William Thompson - a witness who is personally known to me to be of good moral character, & good & undoubted character for truth & veracity, & made solemn oath, in due form of law, that the within affidavit by him subscribed is in all respects true.
Before me, James Gregory, J. of the Peace.
3/95.
May Custus Massachusetts.
admitted
7 - 7 dos R dry $24.10 13 1/2 dos R dry 56.25 80.35
on roll vol 35 page 84
James Gregory Marblehead Mass

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14551
Mary Curtis Widow of William Curtis Pri Rev War
Act: July 1 st 38
Index:—Vol. A , Page 161
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Marblehead, November 13 th 1888.
Honored Sir, — I have the Honor herewith to forward to you the Declarations of Mary Standly alias Stanly, Mary Couptis, alias Curtis, & Hannah Gilbert — all of whom claim the benefit of the law of July 7 th 1838.
I have the Honor also to forward at the same time the Declaration of Abigail Selman who claims the benefit of the previous act of July 4 th 1836.
I have the Honor to be — very respectfully — Your H. Servt. James Gregory
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ESSEX, ss.
I, JOHN PRINCE, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Essex, do certify, that Hon. David Cummings is Judge of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County. That
James Gregory Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, and that their signatures hereon are genuine.
WITNESS MY HAND, and the Seal of said Court of Common Pleas,
November 7. A. D. 1838
John Prince Clerk.