Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,730, James Josiah Coffin, Navy (Mass)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Navy (Mass.)
Coffin, James Josiah
S. 29730
CONTENTS

27208
Massachusetts
James Josiah Coffin
of Falmouth in the State of Mass
who was a Seaman in the Frig Alliance commanded
by Captain Paul Jones of the Mass command
by _____ in the Mass
time for
9 Months
Copies of papers sent to Hon. J. Reed H. Jan 27. 1836 - see letter to Hon. M. H. Sibley Jan. 11. 1838
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 36 - Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 10th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Mar. 1834 _____ and sent to Hono John Reed H. R.
Arrears to the 10th of Mar. 1834 - $ 10 8 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 34 .. 18
$1 26
{ Revolutionary Claim } { Act June 7, 1833 }
Recorded by George Taylor Cl ok 6 Vol. 2 3 Page 14

26158 James Lucas (P.H.)
Petition for pen- sion
Deficiency supplied
Adm 9 th Seaman Capt Paul Jones
Hono. John Reed H. B.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
County of Nantucket ss - On this thirteenth day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand, Eight Hundred & Thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Judge of the Court of Probate in and for said County, James Josiah Coffin a resident of Nantucket in said County aged Seventy Seven years - who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declarations, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th. 1832
That he was born at Nantucket on the Eighteenth day of March 1755 - that he was in the naval service of the United States, during the war of the Revolution, and make the annexed & following statement of facts, touching his service aforesaid -

In the year 1779 I was taken, by the British private Ship of war from London, Samuel Hill, Commander, and carried Prisoner to England. In January 1780 I got over to Amsterdam, & finding no vessel could leave for America for a long time, on account of Ice, I was advised by Mr John D'Annaveil, who was then Agent for American Affairs, to go by land to Lorient, where was lying the Alliance Frigate, John Paul Jones, Esq r Commander, my- self & some others left Amsterdam for Paris, & Paris we waited on Doctor Franklin, who supplied us with money, enough to get us on to Lorient, where we met Cap t Jones & the Alliance, I went on board the Alliance as volunteer and lived in the wardroom with the Officers. After being on board the Alliance four months, Cap t D r Landais, came on board & took the Command of the Ship, I then left the Alliance and went on board the Luzerne, of 20 guns Cap t Bell for Philadelphia.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State - James Haffin
Sworn & subscribed to, the day and year first aforesaid -
We, Martin D. Morton, Clerk of the District of Nantucket, Jesse P. Smith a clergyman in the town of Nan- tucket, George W. Ewer, Postmaster of said town of Nantucket and Benjamin Brinker and Albert Garmen citizens residing in

said town, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James Joniah Coffin who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration - that we believe him to be Seventy Seven Years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been an officer in the naval service of the United States in the war of the Revolution; - and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed as aforesaid - M. T. Morton L. H. Swift Geo. W. Ewer Henry Hunted Albert Gardner
And, the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary officer in the naval service of the United States, and served as he saith -
begin here And the Court further

certify, that Martin D. Norcross who is also Collector of the District of Nantucket, John H. Swift who is a clergyman in Nantucket, George W. Ewer who is Postmaster, and Benjamin Dunder & Albert Durfee who are residents of Nantucket, are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit — Isaac Coffin Judge of Probate
I, Timothy Hussy, Register of the Court of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the origin- al proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of James J. Coffin for a pension —
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day of year first aforesaid —
Timothy Hussy } Reg. of Probate }

26158
James Isaiah Coffin Map
Letter 7 Nov 1833
10 06
May 30 1833
Letter 16 Aug 1833
P-227 Adm. G. m Seaman Capt Paul Jones
Hono J. Reed Yarmouth H. A. Shop

BRIEF in the case of James Boston Coffin  bonny of Nantucket in the State of  Naples  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? from court,  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1776 he entered on board the William Smith Buckner Com y As a Gen.   in the engagement of Waltham went to France upon coming home - prisoner in   England - gone in whole 11   1778 - he entered for a service 5 1778 Providence John   to Rathbone Captain service 5   1779 - in town for 2 in the Brigantine Paul Jones   in his different cruises, service as a   seaman $10 per month  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? several battles and some captures - and prisoner  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Nantucket Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not attached agreeably to the regulations - 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

Invalid
Rev  .
Naval 29430
File No. _____
James Josiah Coffin
Seaman
Frigate "Allison"
Rev War
Act June 7 1832
Index: Vol. 2 , Page 14
[Arrangement of 1870.]

A I, Isaac Coffin, of Nantucket, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Nantucket and State of Massachusetts, make oath & say,
That I have been during more than twenty years Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for the County of Nantucket, appointed by virtue of a Commission under the hand and official Seal of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I further make oath, that there is no Seal of a distinguishing character from other Seals, as to mark or device, of the Court of Pro- bate in this County. But it has been the custom to affix the common wafer stamp in cases requiring the Seal of this Court.
Isaac Coffin Judge of Probate

State of Massachusetts Franklin County Four of Franklin S. - Author fifteenth day of March 1833 before the subscribers Justice of the Peace and for said County, Anne W. Grace Coffin, known to me as Judge of the Probate of Wills &c - who made oath to the truth of the matters contained in the affidavit on the other side written -
Charles P. Putnam Just Peace
I further certify, that during many years I have had a con- siderable conversance in the Court of Probate and have ever kept papers & documents thereof from,

and the only seal ever used to authenticate the papers of that Court has been and is the ordi- nary wafer or letter stamp -
Charles Dunbar

be given here In the matter of James Isaiah Coffin's Petition for a pension, his papers are deemed satisfactory at the Pension office, except in the following particular: viz.,
That the Seal of the Clerk has no device or inscription, by which it can be distinguished from any other Seal.
This deficiency is supplied by an affidavit from the Honora- ble Isaac Coffin Esq., and by the certificate of Charles Rankin — a Justice of the Peace in paper marked A

begin here
State of New York Columbia County ss
On this 24th November 1832 Personally appeared before me Isaac McCracken one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Columbia, I know him who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath or affirmation state that he is Seventy Six Years of age and that in the Month of February 1776 James J. Coffin and myself engaged to go a Voyage in the Schooner William. I served as Bunkers Master. From Nantucket to some part of Europe we took in a part of our cargo at Nantucket which Port we left some time in the Month of March and proceeded to Old Town (Now Edgarstown) in Mar- thas Vineyard where we took in some oil and proceeded to Dartmouth (Now New Bedford) where we completed our Lading and sailed from Dart- mouth the first part of April and bound for Billingsport over our own port, and went to Bordeaux where our cargo was disposed of. We took on Board a cargo of Powder Wines Woollen Cloths etc. We did not sail from Bordeaux until about the first of October when the nights began to be longer than the days the better to escape the enemy nothing occurred worthy of notice after leaving Bordeaux until we were nearly up

with the Bermudas when we were taken by the Ship Galitea Thomas Verdun Esq. Master. Captain Brinker James Coffin Ephraim Gardner my- self were taken on board the Galitea Not long after being on board James Coffin was ordered aloft to rip topsails which he refused to be- ing a prisoner which availed him nothing he was soonely lodged and put on duty the Galitea then up- for Bermudas when in mid-way the space of a day or two from thence we proceeded to New York then in the possession of the British when Cap- tains Gardner and James Coffin who had performed the voyage with me in the Schooner William were put on board of a Prison Ship, Capt Brinker was sent ashore at Ber- mudas Timothy Brinker Subscribed and affirmed to before me the day of January above mentioned Timothy Brinker M c Guire J.D.
I certify that I am acquainted with Timothy Brinker who has subscribed and affirmed to the above affidavit that he is a credible person & entitled to Credit
J. M c Guire J. P. Peace
State of New York Columbia County ss I. Joseph D. Merrill, Clerk of the said County do Certify that James M c Guire Esq. before whom the preceding Affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Superior Court for the City of Hudson, and that I am acquainted with his hand wri- ting and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit, to be his free act and deed and signature. Witness my hand and seal of Office this 27 th November 1832 J. M c Guire

A Statement of Facts
In the year 1776 in February I engaged to go a voyage in the Schooner William, Joshua Bunker, Master, we took in part of our cargo at Nantucket, which part we left some time in March, & proceeded to Oldtown now (Edgartown) in Martha's Vineyard, where we took in some oil and proceeded to Dartmouth, now (New Bedford) where we completed our lading which was furnished by Messrs. Root & Farnum, under the direction of Messrs. Nicholas & John Brown, of Providence Agents for the Government, our vessel & cargo was in Government account, we sailed from Dartmouth the fourth of April bound for Bilboa but we over run our Port and went to Bourdeaux where our cargo was disposed of and we took on board a cargo of Powder, Arms, Wooling, Cloaths &c &c on account of Government, we sailed from Bourdeaux about the first of October when the nights began to be longer than the days the better to escape the Enemy, Nothing Occured worthy of notice after leaving Bourdeaux til we were nearly up with Bermuda when we were taken by the Ship Galatea, Thomas Jordan, Esq. Commander, Our Captain myself and too others was taken onboard the Galatea, in a short time after being onboard, I observed our Captain a very respectful Old Gentleman, Sick'd of the Water seek, I then was order'd aloft to Reef top sails which I refused, I observed I was a Prisoner, But that excuse availed me nothing, I was severely flog'd & put on duty, the Galatea bore up for Bermuda where we arrived in course of a day or two, our Captain was there promised to go on shore, from Bermuda we proceeded to New York, which was then in possession of the English, when I was put onboard the Whitby, Prison ship, where I worried away a miserable life til after the taking the Hessians at Trenton, when with others I was exchanged, some time in the month of January 1777, we were landed at New Haven, and my not being well able to travel I did not reach Dartmouth, the Port we sailed from, til the last of January, my wages in the William was Ten dollars per month.

My term of service during this period may be stated at Eleven months -
James Hoffman

A Statement of facts
In the year 1778 in June I engage to take a Cruise as Volunteer in the Government Sloop Providence, John Dr. Rathbone, Esq r Commander, then lying at Dartmouth now (New Bedford), which Port, we left some time in June, and proceeded to Otago Harbour, which place we left some time in July, and made the first part of our Cruise along the Coast of Nova Scotia, and when near the Isle of Sable, we fell in with a fleet of Ships from England, the first was the Caladen 74 which we sailed past & soon lost sight of her, the next was a large Ship full of Troops, we engaged her from 6 @ 8 o'clock in the Afternoon, til nearly 12 at night, when the wind came on to blow strong, and we had got into shoal water, Cap tn Rathbone, thought it not prudent to continue the Action any longer, we could not make them strike we hauled our wind as shore, in the Action we had a number of men wounded, three or four days after we fell in with & took a large Snow called the Katy, Cap tn Hovey, from Port Glasgo, for New York, with a full Cargo of stores for the supply of the English Army, I was ordered on board to take charge of her, & conduct her into some Port in America After having charge of the prize 6 or 8 days I was taken by the Greyhound frigate, Cap tn Dickson, & carried Prisoner to Halifax where I was kept til November, when with others I was exchanged and sent up to Boston in a Cartel, in Boston I met Cap tn Rathbone, he had then the Command of the Queen of France, and requested me to accept the Appointment of Master But my health would not permit, Cap tn Rathbone ordered my wages paid for the time I was engaged in the Service as volunteer & Acting Lieutenant, from June to November, While in Halifax I learnt that the Ship we engaged went on shore the night we left her & was lost, she had nearly three hundred Scotchmen on board, some of which was brought up to Halifax while I was there, by them I learnt that in the Action, we killed & wounded 70 or 80 - The terms of this part of my service may be stated as five months - James Hoffman

begin here Supplementary Affidavit
James J. Coffin of Newbedford , in the state of the attachments, petitioner for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7. 1832, in addition to my former state- ment, make oath and say, that the Schooner William, on board which vessel I first served, although fitted out by individuals, was equipped and manned by them as agents for the government, and for the public, & not private service — she was not a privateer, nor was she owned by private individuals, but the vessel and cargo were on govern- ment account. I always considered that I was in the Government service at that time. In regard to my capacity

on board the Alliance frigate, I state, that I was under the command of the officers of that ship, during the time stated in my declaration. I did not enter my name on the books of that vessel, but I considered myself under command of her officers, & should have deemed myself under an obligation to take part in any ac- tive service demanded of me.
James H. Coffin,
Nantucket 8 th December 6 th 1853. Before the subscribers as Justice of the Peace and for the County of Nan- tucket came James Josiah Coffin above named, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed. Charles Parker Justice

Nantucket 13 th Decr 7. 1833 To Benjamin Gardner, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, a part of Record in the County of Nantucket, do hereby certify that Charles Brinker before whom the foregoing affidavit has been made, is a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Nan- tucket, and that his signature to the certificate of the oath administered is genuine — Witness my hand as Clerk and the seal of said Court this Seventh day of December AD 1833 —
Benj Gardner Clk cc PLS R

J. J. Coffin

Nantucket 4 th February 1834.
Rev. John Reed,
My Dear Sir
In a note to you from J. L. Edwards, Esq r of 23 rd December 1833, respecting claim for Pensions, he observes that the Schooner William was not enrolled amongst the Commissioned Vessels, belonging to the Government of America, early in the year 1776 there were not many Commissions Issued But, the Schooner William capt n unker, was Commissioned by the Government, and was when taken, returning from France with a cargo of warlike stores for Government, and ought to have been enrolled as a component part of the Navy.
Respecting the frigate Alliance capt n Jones, as to my name not being enrolled, it was not customary in that day to call on a Gentleman to enrol immediately to sign the ship's articles, But, when in Amsterdam I engaged with John Dunnacal Esq r who was then Agent for American Affairs , to join the ship Alliance, and he furnished me with money to get me on to Lorient, for that purpose I joined the ship, and considered myself as much bound to perform the duties assigned me as any man on board.
Please have the goodness to try once more to get something for me, Only further with great respect
I have the honour to be
Your Most Hum ble Servant,
James H. Coffin

House of Representatives
Feb 20 th 1834
Sir
I have recd a letter from Mr. James I. Coffin Esq. an applicant for a Pension - His letter seems to me to be written in a manner to entitle it to consideration & I have always understood he is a man of good character
I herewith enclose the letter & beg You will re-examine his case
Yours Ob t
Sir!
John Reed

Washington City
House of Rep Jan 14. 1836
Sir
There is a Petition now pending in the House of Representatives in favor of James J. Coffin who now receives a small pension. The Committee want the Papers in your office in support of his pension - Will you send them to me.
In Ob t Serv t
John Reed
James L. Edwards Esq.
A. B. Coffin of Nantucket Mass ts