Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,834, Samuel Cooper, Navy (Mass.)

SERVICE
Navy (Mass.) Cooper, Samuel Margaret
NUMBER
W. 24.834.
CONTENTS

3039 Massachusetts
Ref.
Margaret Cooper widow of Samuel Cooper who was a Purser in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 240 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30. day of Nov. 1843 and sent to Saml. Merrill Andover Boston, Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 1. Page 39

M Coopers
application

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
On this thirty first day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred & thirty eight, personally appeared before the Honorable David Cummins one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, of said Commonwealth. Margaret Cooper, a resident of Andover, in the County of Essex, widow, aged Seventy Six years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 th 1838, entitled an act granting half pay pensions to certain widows; that she is the widow of Samuel Cooper, formerly of the Town of Boston in this Commonwealth, Esquire, who served as a naval officer, in the service of the United States, during the revolutionary war.
Said Samuel was born in said Boston in the year 1759. He sailed in the year 1777 in the Frigate Hancock, Captain Manly from Boston, as Captain's Clerk. upon this voyage they captured the British Frigate Fox, but were afterwards retaken by a British squadron & carried into Halifax, where said Samuel was kept a prisoner for ten months. During part of the time he was kept in a dungeon, for attempting to escape from jail by undermining. Doctor John Jeffries, who had been a physician in Boston, procured his release from the dungeon & caused him to be placed in the Hospital, representing that he was sick. This service, lasted as she believes twelve months. Said Samuel was purser, on board the Warren Frigate, Captain Saltonstall in the expedition, which sailed from Boston in 1779, to Penobscot in Maine; in this expedition, he lost every thing he had with him, except the clothes upon him. He made his way through the woods of Maine, with his boy, observing the Indian tracks & making a fire at night to keep off the wild beasts. After enduring much fatigue and
M c Paul son of Capt. David Cummins

hardships, they arrived at Falmouth (now Portland); here he was taken sick with a fever brought on by exposure & suffering, in the service, & was detained by severe illness several weeks at the house of Samuel Freeman Esquire, in Portland.
This service, including his detention by sickness, lasted, as she verily believes, four months.
Said Samuel was also purser on board the Continental Frigate Alliance ( James Barry Captain ) as she verily believes, from August 1780 until the vessel was laid up at Philadelphia, at the close of the war in 1783. He volunteered to serve, was appointed purser & joined the ship at Boston, in August 1780 & sailed from Boston in February 1781, arrived at L'Orient in France in March 1781 & sailed for the United States the latter part of March. During this voyage the Alliance captured the Brig Atalanta having 114 men on board; about the 6 th of June 1781, returned to Boston. Said Samuel was purser on board the Alliance in December 1781, when she sailed from Boston for France having the Marquis La Fayette & Suite on board. Said Samuel was also purser, when the Alliance carried Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense, to France. — James Barry was captain of the ship & Matthew Parke, was captain of Marines on board the Alliance. After the close of the war, said Samuel was a notary public in the Town of Boston & judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Suffolk. He has often told me, that were he to write an account of his services & sufferings in the cause of his country it would make quite a volume. Said Samuel died in said Boston, on the 13 th day of January Eighteen hundred and nine, before any provision had been made for revolutionary soldiers & he received, as she believes, little or no pay for his services. She further declares

that she was married to said Samuel Cooper in said Boston, on the eighteenth day of December Seventeen hundred & eighty five, by the Rev Peter Thacher, pastor of Brattle Street Church; that her said husband Samuel Cooper, died in said Boston, on the 13th day of January Eighteen hundred & nine; 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.
She further declares on oath, that she hath never been married to any person, save to said Samuel Cooper, & that she is now & ever hath been, since his decease, his widow.
Said Margaret further states on oath that she hath no documentary evidence, in her possession, relating to said Samuel's services. He died thirty years since & his revolutionary papers have been lost or are mislaid, so that she cannot find them. Margaret Cooper
Essex ss Andover 31 st August AD 1838 Sworn to & subscribed, on the day & year above written, before, David Cummins
I further certify that by reason of age & bodily infirmity, said Margaret Cooper, is unable to attend in court. David Cummins
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I, Charles A. Parker, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said Commonwealth, hereby certify that David Cummins Esquire is a Justice of said Court & that the signatures above purporting to be his, are genuine: I also certify that Thomas W. Phillips is a Justice of the Peace in the County of Suffolk & that the signatures on these papers, purporting to be his, are genuine. Witness my hand & the Seal of said Court hereto set this 8 th day of September A.D. 1838. Cha s A. Parker, Clerk.

certificate as to Margaret Cooper's marriage. —
8 Dec 1785

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
City of Boston, July 28. 1838.
I the subscriber do hereby certify, that it appears by the Registry of marriages in the town (now city) of Boston, that there is the following record of marriage viz: Samuel Cooper & Margaret Phillips married by Rev: Peter Thatcher, eighth Dec: one thousand seven hundred & eighty five.
That it is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date, which is expressed in the records in fair legible figures, as follows — Samuel Cooper & Margaret Phillips, married by Rev: Peter Thatcher 8 Dec: 1785.
Samuel F. M c Cleary, City Clerk.
I Samuel F. M c Cleary above named do hereby say, that I hold the office of city clerk of the city of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, & State aforesaid, & that the above is a true extract from the records of marriages of said city, with the exception above named as certified by me.
Suffolk ss; Boston: Samuel F. M c Cleary. July 28 th 1838. Sworn to by said Samuel F. M c Cleary before me, Thomas W. Williams, Justice of the Peace for Suffolk County. —

642 1908
2000
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, mostly illegible.]
J. Coopers deposition

I, John Cooper, of Cooper, in the County of Washington, and State of Maine, aged Seventy two and a half years - depose and say that Boston in Massachusetts is my native place that I lived there from 1775 to the close of the revolutionary war, that the late Samuel Cooper Esq r deceased was my elder brother and was early engaged in the naval service of his Country. The first of his services according to my remembrance was as Captain Clerk in the Hancock Frigate Cap t . John Manly in 1776. or 1777. when they captured the Fox Frigate after a smart action - and soon after both Ships were taken by a british squadron and carried into Halifax where the said Cooper was kept in close prison ten months before he was exchanged.
The said Cooper was in the Penobscot expedition in 1779. as Purser of the Warren Frigate Cap t . Saltonstall as I understood at the time, in this disastrous affair the whole fleet were driven up the Penobscot river and destroyed - the said Cooper, with many others, escaped through the woods and got to Portland where the hardships he had suffered brought on fever and he lay dangerously ill for weeks at Judge Freemans house

The said Cooper was afterwards appointed Purser of the Alliance Frigate Capt. Barry and was in her when they captured an English Sloop of War and a Gun Brig. after a long and severe contest in which Capt. Barry was wounded and brought them into Boston. I frequently visited the Ship while the said Cooper was purser, and have often heard Matthew Patke my brother in law since deceased who was the Captain of Marines speak of said Cooper's services in detecting and defeating a conspiracy that was formed by the Crew for rising and taking the Ship into an english port when she was bound to France with the Marquis de La Fayette and other french officers as passengers. — I further say that according to my remembrance the said Cooper was purser of said Ship during the time Capt. Barry commanded from 1780. to about the close of the war, when the Ship, as I understood was hauled up at Philadelphia and the Officers belonging to Boston returned home by land. — I further say that Mrs. Margaret Cooper to whom said Cooper was married between the years 1783 and 1785. was his wife at the time of his decease in 1808 or 1809. and has remained

his widow ever since and now resides with her Children in the Town of Andover and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
John Cooper
State of Maine
County of Washington ss: On this 31 st day of August, 1838, John Cooper Esquire, above named, made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. And I certify that said John Cooper Esq. is a credible person & his depo- sition aforesaid entitled to full credit & belief.
Rufus K. Porter, Justice of the peace.
State of Maine
Washington ss..
I Asa L. Raymond Clerk of the Judicial Court within & for the County & State aforesaid. do hereby certify that Rufus K. Porter is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Washington duly commissioned & qualified. and that his signature above written is genuine — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this 31 st day of August AD: 1838 —
A. L. Raymond Clerk as aforesaid

1046 War Section.
Aug 2 Am
April 14, 1926
Mrs. E. H. Jones 2004 W. 101st Place Beverly Hills, Chicago, Ill.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 24831, it appears that Samuel Cooper (eldest son of William) was born in 1752 in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1776 or 1777, he entered at Boston, Massachusetts, as Captain's Clerk on the Continental Frigate "Hancock", Captain John Manly, they captured the Frigate "Fox", but were later captured by a British Fleet, and he was carried to Halifax, and held ten months, when exchanged.
In 1779, he entered as Purser on the Frigate "Warren", Captain Saltonstall, and went on the Penobscot Expedition, from exposure and hardships on this expedition. he was sick in hospital, this service, including time in hospital, was four months.
In August 1780, he entered as Purser on the Frigate "Alliance", Captain Barry, they had an engagement with a

Rev. and 1800
British Sloop of War, he was wounded in the temple; they made a trip to France, and he served on the "Alliance" until the close of the Revolution.
He was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Suffolk County, after the War.
He died January 13, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Soldier married December 8, 1785 at Boston, Margaret Phillips. She was allowed pension on her application executed August 3, 1838, while a resident of Andover, Essex County, Massachusetts, aged seventy-six years, at which time she was living with her children, no names stated.
Grand-children are referred to, but there are no names given, and there is no further data on file relative to children and grand-children.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.
Ch'd by miss Wilson

MRS. EDWARD HARTE JONES 2004 WEST 101ST PLACE TEL. BEVERLY 3125 BEVERLY HILLS, CHICAGO
Mr. Winfield Scott, Commissioner.
Department of the Interior.
Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:
Will you kindly furnish me with Rev. War Record of Samuel Cooper, of Boston.
With great appreciation.
Very truly yours,
(Mrs. E.H.) Charlotte Lopez Jones
1/9/26/
Registrar Dewalt Mechlin Chapter.
Return stamped letter with reply.

Ex. A. W. F. _____ Div. Rev. & 1812
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 15, 1912
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau.
1st name of widow XXXXXXXX , Margaret Phillips
Name of soldier Samuel Cooper
_____ soldier at enlist- XXXX address of XXXXX , Boston ment & after soldier "
XXXXX  Ben
Regiment Married 12/5/1785
State where enlisted birth 11/2/1759
Date of enlistment death - 1809-
Date of discharge
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers.
Return attached letter with reply.

1926 Apr. 14-Hist. to Mrs. E. H. Jones
Recd WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24234
Margaret Cooper wid. of Samuel Cooper Purser Rev war.
Act Mch. 3rd 1845.
Index: Vol _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Reported to Mass. State Agent March 11, 1839 (correctly)
Copy of John Cooper's declara- tion furnished Hon. R. Fletcher Feb 25, 1839
Ltr. to Pen. Agent, Hartford, (to disp. sc. on account of error of inscription) March 11, 1839.
Ltr. to J. W. Phillips Mar. 11, 1839
Mrs. Margaret Cooper,
April 5, 1841
to Hon. J. C. Bates 2. Feb. 1842
Massachusetts - 1776
Margaret Cooper widow of Samuel Cooper, decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 13 th Jan y . 1809 of Essex co. in the State of Mass ts - who was a Purser in the "Alliance" commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the _____ time for 2 years Purser.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts - at the rate of 240 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th  15 th day of Febru- ary 1839 - and sent to Mr. W. Phillips, Esq. Boston, Mass ts .
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1838 = $600:00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th M. 39. 120:00
$720:00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by S. V. Ellis Clerk Book A Vol. 1, Page 172
Certificate erroneously paged (80)

Jardin de depo Sihor B. Certifikat

I, Benjamin Russell, of the City of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, & Commonwealth wealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, aged seventy six years, do depose & say that I was well acquainted with Samuel Cooper Esquire, formerly a notary public in said Boston. I knew him well from 1783, during his whole life, until he died in 1809. I know him from the best information of those who served with him; particularly from Colonel Samuel Bradford & from Captain Bradlee that said Cooper served in the public ships of the United States during the revolutionary war at least as many as three years, I think more: particularly as purser in the celebrated frigate Alliance; commanded by Capt J. Barry & others. I have heard the declaration made by Margaret Cooper read & from my own personal knowledge & from the State ments I have heard in former years from those who served with said Samuel

Cooper, I am fully satisfied that the Statements contained in said declara- tion are true & entitled to full credit. I believe said Cooper's services in the War of the Revolution were very meritorious & that his sufferings were great. — His courage & devotion to the service of his Country were always conspicuous. — Benj. Russell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk p September 7 th A.D. 1838. Then per- sonally appeared Benjamin Russell Esquire and made solemn oath that the Statements contained in the foregoing deposition Subscri- bed by him, are true. Before me Thomas W. Phillips, Justice of the Peace.
I certify that Benjamin Russell is well known to me, & that his statements are enti- tled to full credit & belief; said Russell stated to me, that he receives a pension from the government of the United States, for his services, during the war of the revolution. — Thomas W. Phillips, Justice of the Peace. —

I, Joseph Ferdinand of the City of Boston, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts mariner, aged about eighty years, being first sworn, do depose & say, that I sailed as a Seaman on board the Continental Frigate Alliance, during the American Revolutionary war; James Barry was captain of the Frigate; Matthew Parke was captain of Marines; Dr Winship was physician. I sailed in said Frigate from the Port of Boston in 1780 or 1781 for France. We made L'Orient in France our place of rendezvous & cruised off the coast of England. I remember Mr Samuel Cooper, on board the Frigate Alliance; he was purser of the ship & sometimes on Sundays, he read prayers to the men, on the quarterdeck. I remember said Cooper many years after 1780, when he was notary public in Boston aforesaid; he prepared some papers for me. I verily believe said Cooper served as purser at least ten months, it may have been twelve months, on

board said Frigate. I did not sail on the Alliance, when she carried La Fayette to France, & therefore know nothing of said Cooper's services during that voyage. I receive a pension from the Government for my services as a seaman during the revolutionary war. Joseph his Ferdinand Mark In presence of Phineas Blair.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Suffolk ss. 17 August 1838. Then personally appeared Joseph Ferdinand and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed according to his best knowledge and belief is true
Before me Phineas Blair Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that the said Joseph Ferdinand has a good reputation for truth and veracity among the respectable citizens of Boston and from my acquaintance with him am of opinion that his state- ments are entitled to full belief -
17 Augt 1838 -
Phineas Blair Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Suffolk ss;
I Thomas W Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston hereby certify that Phineas Blair Esquire is a Jus- tice of the Peace, in the County of Suffolk. The two Signatures on this Sheet, purporting to be his, are genuine.
Witness my hand & the Seal of said Court hereto set, this fifth day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred thirty eight.
Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk.

J Ferdinand's Deposition in Margaret Cooke's case
he a fin to b

I, William C. Parke, of the City of Boston, in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, merchant, aged fifty six years, being first duly sworn, do depose & say that I am the son of Matthew Parke, who died in said Boston in the year Eighteen hundred & thirteen; said Matthew, was captain of Marines on board the Continental frigate Alliance, during the revolutionary war. Upon his decease his books & papers came into my possession & they have remained in my possession to this time. The following are true extracts from journals kept by said Matthew, during his employment on board the Alliance. I know said journals are in the handwriting of my said father, being well acquainted with said handwriting.
"To His Excellency B. Franklin
L'Orient 31 May 1780.-
Please your Ex
cellency; We had the honor of addressing your Excellency the 12 th of April last, requesting that you would be so good as to take our case into consideration; that you would endeavour to have our prize money & wages faithfully paid us & the ship sent back to America, where we all desire to be and from which we have been so long absent" Then follows other statements as to

their necessites.
The letter is signed as follows, James Warren 1 st L t M. James Deygg, 1 st Lieut Thos Elwood 2 nd do John Buttleby 2 nd do Arthur Robinson, midshipman James Lynd 3 rd do * Chap n Bangs, Steward . Benj Pierce Gunner. Isaac Barr, sailmaker. James Bragg (ass t ) Thos Hinsdale M ate * N. Blodget, Purser John Darling Boatswain
on page 31 st of the journal is the following; "Decr 24 1780. Being on shore all the last night, came on board this morning, was informed by Capt Hacker, that four of our people stole away the cutter; a general search was made thro' Boston for them & her, but could not find either." —
Decr 25, 1780. — Mr Fletcher & Mr Cooper being despatched after them towards Providence yesterday and this day apprehended them about twenty seven miles distance from this, on the road towards Providence and bro't back to Boston where they were confined in Goal."
on page 42 of the journal is the following. — "Samuel Downes came to Mr Samuel Cooper, Purser and informed him that a conspiracy was formed to take the ship; one Nahoman, an Indian, who informed him said that sixty or seventy were concerned. Soon after this Mr Cooper sent for Nahoman into his cabin, who informed him that the man before him on the Larboard watch, Bill, was the

principle. Capt Barry immediately sent for him & ordered him in irons hands and feet & ordered the pursuer to stop his allowance of provisions & liquor, which was done." "May 26 on page 68 in the following Weighed the Bread on board, find sufficient to last six weeks by McCoopers account."
I, further depose & say that I was well acquainted with Samuel Cooper formerly of said Boston, husband of Mrs Margaret Cooper. That I have frequently heard my father, Matthew Parke, speak of said Cooper's services aboard the Alliance frigate during the revolutionary war; he spoke of him fre- quently as pursuer & said that said Cooper received a wound in the temple from a splin- ter, during some fight, aboard the ship. I have frequently seen my late father & said Cooper together, as they were connected by marriage. William C. Parke
Peppell's 19 January 1839 Then personally appeared William C. Parke, and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed, is true.
Before me Phineas Blair Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said William C. Parke and believe him to be a man of good character and entitled to belief on his oath. Phineas Blair Justice of the Peace - Boston 19 Jan'y 1839
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk ss: I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston

th hereby certify that Phineas Blair Esquire is a Justice of the Peace, in the County of Suffolk and that the Signatures within purporting to be his, are his genuine Signatures. Witness my hand & the Seal of said Court hereto set this nineteenth day of January A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty nine.
Thomas D. Phillips, Clerk of said Court.
W. B. Parker Deposition in case of Margaret Toots application under Annuity Policy 7 1838, granting Pensions. —

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, January 21 st 1839.
I hereby Certify, That Thomas W. Phillips Esq d of Boston, is a _____ Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, _____ in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court. and he was so at the date of his attestation.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John P. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I William Jennison, of the City of Boston in the County of Suffolk & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, gentleman, aged eighty years, being duly sworn, do depose & say, that I was a Lieutenant of Marines on board the Frigate Boston, commanded by Capt. Hector McNeil & Captain Samuel Tucker. I served from February 1777 to 1780 aboard said frigate when we were captured at Charleston, South Carolina. — On board this frigate there was a purser, whose name was Pierce. — He messes with the wardroom with the Lieutenants & other officers — There was also another officer called a steward who had his appointment from the Captain. — removable at the pleasure of the Captain. —
I think the pay of the purser at that time, was twenty dollars per month. I know that the frigates during the revolutionary war had purser on board, whose duty was to distribute clothing, blankets & shoes among the men; the duty of the

here a Ju and to be Stewards was to deliver out the food to the men daily. I receive a pension from the Government of the United States for my services during the revolutionary war. —
William Jennison
Suffolk p 19 January A.D. 1839. Then personally appeared William Jennison, above named & made solemn oath that the above affidavit witnessed by him subscribed is true. —
Before me, Thomas W. Phillips, Justice of the Peace. —
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the said William Jennison and believe him to be a man of good charac- ter and entitled to belief on his oath.
Thomas W. Phillips Justice of the Peace. Boston Jan y 19 th 1839.

I, Joseph Ferdinand of the City of Boston in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, mariner, aged about eighty years, do on oath depose & say in addition to the deposition heretofore by me given in relation to Samuel Cooper's services on board the frigate Alliance, during the revolutionary war; that said Cooper was purser on board said frigate, dur- ing my knowledge of him there; he had a steward under him, called the purser's steward; said Cooper said that the stewards delivered clothes & provisions & gave to the men; the gov- ernment had no money to pay us; I do not remember that we had any- thing as pay, but the clothing & provis- ions. I verily believe had there been money to pay, said Cooper was the officer whose duty it was to pay us. said Cooper on the Lord's day read pray- ers on the quarter deck & at funerals he officiated as Chaplain. - He was always

attentive to his duty as purser was chap- lain. — He was always called & known on board the ship as Purser; he was at the head of that department and the Steward was an inferior officer under him. — I received pension from the government of the United States as a revolutionary sea- man. — I was a seaman on board the frigate Boston, Captain Tucker during the revolutionary war afterwards & went several voyages on board the Alliance; on each of these voyages, there was a Purser on board the ship; the purser messed with the officers and as I always understood, had the pay of an officer; that is, a commissioned officer. —
Attest Phoebe Blair.
Joseph his  Ferdinand Ferdinand Mark
Suffolk Is 18 Dec 1838 Then personally appeared Joseph Ferdinand and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed according to his best knowledge and belief is true —
Before me Phoebe Blair Justice of the Peace —
I certify that I have known said Joseph Ferdinand for some time and am of the

opinion that he is entitled to belief on his oath -
Phineas Blair Justice of the Peace Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk ss I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the City of
Municipal Court of the City of Boston, six years, hereby certify that Phineas Blair said that Esquire is a Justice of the Peace, in the County of Suffolk that the foregoing corresponded signatures, purporting to be his, are his genuine signatures.
Witness my hand the Seal of said Court hereto set this eighteenth day of December A.D. eighteen hundred & thirty eight. Thomas W. Phillips Clerk.

Mass Andover Mar. 16 1841
May it please your Excellency
Forgive this intrusion, — but to whom should I apply for redress, and assistance in this case, but to the "Father of his country" — and the friend of the widow, and the fatherless children of those who have fought their country's battles" — I am the widow of an Revolutionary Naval Officer, — at the age of 84 — have had three sons in the service of their loved country — but my husband where is he — my children where are they? — and owing to unavoidable circumstances — am now left in almost destitute circumstances — on account of the infirmities of age — a burden to all around me. — I have been for the last 5 years enjoyed the benefits of a pension — but alas! — when I most needed it, it was discontinued — My husband faithfully served his country during nearly the whole of the Rev. War — I was engaged to be married to him before the commencement of the War — but owing to his very peculiar circumstances — being either at sea — or in an enemy's prison — nearly the whole time — we were unable to be married until the close of the war — on this account, I am deprived of further assistance — by the rejection by the Senate — of the Bill to extend the pension 5 years longer — Can it be continued? — will our country forsake us in our distress? — shall we be permitted to go down with man to the grave" — on account of neglect from those so highly proper to attend the "memory of those who fought for the independence of their beloved country?" — God forbid! — heavenly Father! — To you Sir, can we only apply for help — it cannot impoverish the nation to "remember the widows & fatherless in their affliction" — Help us Sir, — and God will hear the prayer of the "widows & fatherless when they cry" — and bless you and yours, and all your concerns — until we meet at the great tribunal of a Holy God — God bless you Sir — may your sign on this paper be happy and prosperous —
With great respect your humble
supplicant Margaret Cookson
P.S. Can it be placed on the list herewith that if the 5 years pension be not continued? —

Boston Jan'y 21 st 1839 →
J. L. Edwards Esq., Sir,
I enclose herewith three depositions, in the case of Marja ut Cooper, applicant for a pension, under law of 7 July 1838.
Joseph Ferdinand , a seaman on board the Alliance, who has a pension for his servi- ces, deposes that there was a purser on board said frigate & a purser's steward ; that Cooper was purser, that he had an officer under him called, the purser's steward. He states also the respective duties of the two officers. — He sailed in other public American ships during the war; they each had a purser.
Wm Jennison , Lt. of Marines on board the frigate Boston from 1777 to 1780, deposes, that there was a purser & steward on board that vessel; he says that the offices were distinct & states their re- spective duties. He says the pay of pur- ser was twenty dollars per month.
In Capt Matthew Parker's journal, found

Cooper is called purser .
In same journal is a petition to Dr B. Franklin, signed by the officers of the Alliance, previous to Samuel Cooper's joining the ship; N. Blodgett, signs the petition, & adds to his name purser . Chapman Bangs, signs the same petition, & adds to his name Stewards , showing these were two distinct offices. — In the life of J. P. Jones by Sherburne New York edition, 1825, page 141, is a roll of officers & seamen aboard of the Bon Homme Richard, in 1779, commanded by J. P. Jones. Among the officers is, "Mathewin Mease, Mass, purser " & "Daniel Russell, Steward ". From these facts I infer that the office of purser , was known & recognised among the naval officers & men of the revolution, as well as the office of Steward . I have procured & send herewith agreeably to the suggestion in yours of the 11th of Dec r last authenticated copies of Park's journal, contained in his son W. C. Park's deposition. Cooper's office of purser is recognised there this service proved but after diligent search, I find nothing

in said journal, tending to fix the amount paid the pursuer. Had I found any thing to that point, I would have extracted it.
As to the proof of Saml Coopers services, I respectfully refer the Depart- ment to the deposition of John Cooper, a highly respectable very intelligent citizen of Maine, for many years High Sheriff of the County of Washington. — By that it appears S. Cooper was in service onboard the Alliance, as pursuer from 1780 to the close of the war, when the ship was laid up in Philadelphia & the officers, belonging to Boston, returned by land.
Major Benj Russell, of this City, swears that S. Cooper was reputed among naval officers of the Revolution, to have served faithful- ly with them & names several, now deceased.
Mr J. L. Adams will testify if required that they knew said Samuel Cooper intimately and that it was a matter of public notoriety in Boston, that Cooper served aboard the Alliance. 58 years having elapsed since the services were rendered, Death has removed most of those who served with said Cooper & unfortunately, no rolls

are in existence, as I understand at Wash- ington, to corroborate the pro of s of ser- vices in this ship, or to detect any at- tempted fraud. It would seem to be hardly equitable that the misfortune of the Government in not possessing such a roll of services during their voyages, should place the widows of those who served in this ship on less favorable ground, than if there had been a roll; especially when I think the Department must be satisfied that Cooper actually ser- ved. If S. Cooper were now living it is possible he might point to some tes- timony, his widow knows not of, but his lips have been sealed for thirty years.
If Matthew Parke, Capt of Marines on board the Alliance were living, he could state much. His journal kept without any reference to the present claim forti- fies much the claimants case. The son of Parke now aged 56 years, testifies that he frequently heard his late father speak of S. Cooper's services on board the Alliance; that he called him purser & he, the witness, remembers seeing a wound

upon the temple of S. Cooper which his father M. Parke said was caused by a splinter in some action on board the Alliance. —
As to the service as Captain's Clerk, I suppose, if we establish two years service as purser, it would not increase our pension to prove any service as Capt's Clerk, but perhaps I am mistaken in this idea.
John Cooper swears that Samuel was kept in prison ten months in Halifax a prisoner of war, having been captured in the Hancock where he was Captain's Clerk  Griffiths . The claimant states that this service lasted twelve months. Ten months captivity is proved by John Cooper's deposition; it is fair to presume that two months at least were  were spent in the service before the capture, and in returning home after his discharge.
The service in Satterthwaite's expedition as Capt's Clerk is stated to have occupied four months. The expedition occupied as much time as that and

in addition thereto, S r Cooper was detained several weeks at Portland by disease contracted whilst in the Service.
This is proved by J. Cooper's depo- sition. —
There is evidence also that during one voyage which lasted 8 or 10 months (reference to Ferdinand's first deposition in this case will show) Samuel Cooper officiated as Chaplain, as well as purser, should not this be taken into the account in making up the amount of pension?
If a favorable answer can be given to Mrs Cooper's application, it will relieve a very worthy woman who has but very slender means & who has several grand children depend- ent upon her, & she is now nearly seventy seven years old —
An early answer to this appli- cation is respectfully requested. our original application having been forwarded on 5 th September last very respectfully Sir Yrs Thomas W Phillips for Margaret Cooper

Person Offici Feb 23, 1849
Sir,
Agrably to your request I have the honour to transmit, herewith, "the Papers filed with the application of Mrs Margaret Cooper, of Boston, Mass. to obtain a Pension for the services of Samuel Cooper, who was a Juror in the U.S. Frigate Alliance" also the Papers  numbered from 1 to 4 inclusive. Be pleased to acknowledge the receipt of the same also "the Papers filed with the application of Mary Pratt, the widow of Eben Pratt to obtain a Pension." The former numbered from 1 to 4 inclusive; the latter
Wou L. W. McCulloch
Beuscher
Dear Brother      Hopedale July 21, 1828.
June 20th

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex County } ss.
Be it known, that on this eleventh day of May 1843, personally appeared before me, the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Essex Mrs. Margaret Cooper, a Resident of Andover in said County and Commonwealth, aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Provisions, made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3d. day of March 1843, granting Pensions to widows of Persons, who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of Samuel Cooper, who was a Pensioner in the Revolutionary War, and served, as she verily believes, as stated by her in her original Declaration for a Pension under the Act of the 4th of July 1838, to which Declaration and the Papers accompanying the same, now on file in the War Department she would refer for a more particular statement of his services, for the Proof of her marriage, identity and the time of her Husband's death.
She further declares that she was pensioned under said Act at the Rate of two hundred and forty Dollars per Annum, which amount she received from the 4th day of March 1836 to the 4th of March 1841, at the Agency in Boston, Massachusetts, and at the time of her receiving her last payment surrendered the Pension Certificate, granted to her, under said Act, to the Pension Agent at said City of Boston, agreeably to the Rules of the Department.
And this Declarant further allidges that she has not intermarried since the decease of her said Husband, but is now and ever since has been the Widow of said Samuel Cooper, deceased, as will more fully appear by the Proof hereto annexed.
Margaret Cooper
Witness Caroline L. Cooper }
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year first above written, and I certify that the Applicant is personally known to me to be the person within described.
Before me,
Samuel Merrill, Justice of the Peace

I Mark Newman of Andover in the County of
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston August 14 th 1843
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Samuel Merrill was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Wm. A. Dole
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Mark Newman of Andover in the County of Essex of lawful age on oath testify and say, that I am well acquainted with Mrs Margaret Cooper, the Applicant within named, and have been for many years last past; I know that she was the Wife, and is now the Widow of Samuel Cooper, deceased, and that she was a Pensioner under the Law of 1838, as within stated by her.
Mark Newman -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss: Essex County —
Andover May 11th, 1843.
Then personally appeared Mark Newman, Esq., who is well known to me to be a Credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by him subscribed, before me,
Samuel Merrill, Justice of the Peace.

M. Cooper

Boston Jany 21 st 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir,
I enclose three depositions and a statement of the case of Margaret Cooper under hand of 7 July 1838 as to pensions; to which depositions & State I respectfully ask your attention.
An early answer will oblige the applicant very much; perhaps you can take this case up sooner than others, as the original application was sent on, as early as 8 Sept 1838
The copy of J. Cooper's deposition was this day received from your office
I remain very respectfully &c
Thomas W. Phillips, — for Margaret Cooper.

Andover Massachusetts Nov. 27. 1843
Hon. J. G. Edwards,
Dr. Sir
Sometime since I forwarded under enclosure directed to you the Application of Mrs. Margaret Cooper for a Pension under the last Pension Law. Not having heard from the Department, I venture, at the request of the widow to write this line, hoping that the application was received, & not doubting it will receive all proper attention.
Very respectfully yours &c
Samuel Merrill

144 R. Mss. 7 July 1838.
Sep. 1832. Pension Department.
Cooper
Thos Joel R. Poinsett,
Secy of War,
City of Washington.

Boston, Sept 8 th 1838 —
Hon. Joel R. Poinsett Secy of War;
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose the application of Margaret Cooper for a pension. The husband, Samuel Cooper, I believe, was known to Mr Edwards of the Pension Department & from his character, the declarations of said Cooper as to his own services, having at that time no reference to obtaining a pension, will be received with some respect. Samuel Cooper was the eldest son of Wm Cooper, for nearly fifty years, the respected Town Clerk Clerk of Boston. Please di- rect any communication relating to this matter to me at Boston — very respectfully, yrs, Thomas W. Phillips. —

Dec 17 Pension Department J. L. Edwards, Esq Commissioner of Pensions, City of Washington D.C.
Was

Boston Dec r 14 1838
Sir,
Yours of the 11 th of December respecting Mrs Margaret Coopers application for a pension under the law of July 1838 has been received. The documents to which you allude, being Capt Matthew Parke's journal, on board the Frigate Alliance, now in possession of his son Wm C. Parke, I have seen. By that it would seem that Saml Cooper, the husband of Margaret, was on board the vessel in August or Sept r 1780. The entry "March 30 1781." is the following "Samuel Downes came to Mr Samuel Cooper, purser, & informed him that a conspiracy was formed to take the ship". Several other times Samuel Cooper is mentioned in this journal. Mr W.C. Parke will allow copies to be taken of such parts of the journal as may be wished, & will make oath to the truth of the copy also that the journal is in the handwriting of his father & that the same hath

been in his custody ever since the death of his father. I understand that Mr Parkes counsel advised him, not to part with the original document, on account of his having some unsettled claim against the Government of the U.S. for prize money. Will such a copy sworn to before a Justice of the Peace or Judge of a Court of Records be satisfactory? The original of course would be exhibited to the magistrate & the truth of the copy certified by him. I think nothing appears in the Journal of Parkes, from which we can ascertain what was paid to the pursuer. You will please observe also that by the deposition of Joseph Ferdinand, it appears that Cooper officiated as Chaplain, as well as pursuer, in the Alliance. —
As to the other service of said Cooper as Capt & Clerk on board brigante Hancock, I will endeavour to furnish more definite evidence of the length of the service; trusting however, if we satisfy the department of the honesty of our claim that a liberal rule will be applied to the evidence, inasmuch as 60 years years have elapsed since the first service was rendered & nearly thirty years since the death

of Cooper, the naval officer.
I shall esteem it a particular favor, if you will allow one of your Clerks, as soon as convenient to copy & send to me, a copy of John Cooper's affidavit in this case; omitting the attestation & formal parts. I wish merely to see what he testified to. I can supply the evidence you ask for, I think, as to the first service in Hancock Frigate. —
If more evidence is wanted as to his reputation of having served among revolutionary officers & soldiers, that he was a man of character & veracity, so that his own statements, might be trusted as to his services.
I remain Sir respectfully
Yrs Thomas A. Phillips, for Margaret Cooper.

Boston, Mass. ty Aug. 4. 1843.
J. G. Edwards, Esq. 2 Com d of Pensions
Dr. Sir,
I enclose Ap- plications for Pensions of Mrs Margaret Cooper & Eunice. Arns. Please enclose Certificates, & direct to me, at Andover, Mass. ty .
Most respectfully yours
Samuel Merrill.

✓ Margaret Cooper Mass. (1440) Act 7 July, 1838. Disbanded. See let. to Mr. W. Phillips ✓ To same Sec. 24, Dec. 18, 1838 do. to Sec. War, 29 Dec. 1838 copy of Cooper's deposition sent to Mr. W. Phillips, Jan. 17, 1839.

Boston March 5 th 1839.
J. L. Edwards Esq, Commissioner of Pensions, Sir
On the 12 th of Feby last I received a certificate granting a pension to Margaret Cooper, of Andover, Mass. under the law of July, 1838.
The pension Clerk informed me yesterday that her name has not been sent on among those to whom pen- sions are to be paid, when funds are here. Will you have the goodness to give the necessary direction to the Pension Agent in Boston, that she may receive her pension. Very respectfully yours
Thomas W. Phillips, for Margaret Cooper.

Treasury Department Comptroller's Office February 22 d 1849
Sir
I will thank you to transmit to this Office as soon as practicable the papers filed with the application of Mrs Margaret Cooper of Boston, Mass, to obtain a pension for the services of Samuel Cooper, who was a purser in the United States Frigate Alliance during the War of the Revolution — including all proofs of identity and service at any time furnished to the Pension Office; — which papers will be returned to you, so soon as their relevant contents can be here copied.
With great respect Your ob t Serv t M c Call Comptroller
James L. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions