Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17351, John Convers, Mass. Privateer

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. Privateer
on Conners, John converse
S. 17351
carded
CONTENTS

152111
Massachusetts
John Converse
of Middlesex in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Dike of the Regt commanded by Col ... in the Mass line for 6 mos. & Privateer.
Mile
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 20 Dollars ... Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of June 1833 and sent to him Present
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $40 ... Semi-ant. allowance ending 21 Sept ... 10 ... $50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832 }
Recorded by J H ... Clerk Book No. Vol. 2, Page 12.
73 Middlesex

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Middlesex ss.
On this seventeenth
day of August A.D. 1832
seventh
personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Clerks  Probate , now sitting at within and for the County of Middlesex in the Commonwealth
aforesaid John Converse of Billerica in said County of Middlesex & Commonwealth aforesaid aged seventy one years
Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
In 1777 late in the Fall, he enlisted at Woburn in said County for three months to go to Charlestown to guard the Hessian Prisoners, under Capt Bellinger of Woburn, marched to Charlestown, was stationed on Bunker Hill . - served the said three months & returned home again to Woburn.
In 1778 he again enlisted at Woburn, in the month of August, for the term of three months more, under Capt John Dix of Reading, Lt. Seth Johnson of Woburn & Ensign Joseph Johnson of the same Woburn, to go to Rhode Island - marched immediately to Rhode Island, to a place then called the Four corners, then to Siverton , then over Howland's Ferry on to the island: does not recollect the name of his Colonel. - General Sullivan commanded the whole. - During this time the British drove them from Newport up to Bulls Hill , & then our Army retreated off the Island. was about 1 week under Capt Moore , a Continental officer - saw Col Greene's Black Regiment at the time of the retreat.
In 1780, in the fore part of the month of May, he enlisted on board the Ship, Viper , at Boston, as gunner for the term of four months, under Capt William Williams of Boston, Lt Morris , Ensign Pope , to cruise against the Enemy on the water, sailed from Boston in May - while out, lay in the English Harbour about a fortnight, waiting for the bark Hebe , expecting to sail to the St Lawrence , - then sailed to the St Lawrence , then to Halifax and in sight of Halifax , had a fight of 5 glasses with a British Privateer, by the name of Revenge , at length captured, after hard fighting & brought her into Boston, when having served his four months, he was discharged & returned home again to Woburn & he served part of the term as a Marine & part as Gunner .
Has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person, he can procure, who can testify to his second  last term of service. The other terms are proved by Depositors hereto annexed. - None recoued any discharges.

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whichever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State, subscribed the day and year aforesaid Sworn to and
We
John CONNER
Nathanial Whitman a Clergyman residing in the town of Billerica- in the county of Middlesex & Jesse Dean hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Conner who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be seventy  seventy years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
Nathanial Whitman
Jesse Dean
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and 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 Nathanial Whitman who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said Billerica & Jesse Dean who has signed the same is resident in said town Multifield and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Isaac Isake Register a J. P. May Clerk of the Court of Probate in the said County of Middlesex do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Conner for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal. Follice this sever  seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty Two
Isaac Isake
I also certify that William Richards a Esquire whom our proper signature is set to the certificate to the Depositors hereto annexed, is a justice of the Peace in the said County of Middlesex
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office, this seventh day of August. A.D. 1832
Isaac Isake

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex, to wit,
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Concord on the seventh On the application of John Converse Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit:
within and for the County of Middlesex day of August A. D. 1832 claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer, In said Woburn on the 3 d day of March A.D. 1761
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it?
Answer, This birth is recorded in the Town Records of Woburn
3. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Answer,
at Woburn when I enlisted, lived since at Burlington & Billerica when I now live & have lived for many years past.
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom? Answer,
Enlisted
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 service?
Answer,
as stated in his Declaration
6. 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?
Answer,
Rev. Nathaniel Whitman & Jesse Dyer.
John Converse
Middlesex ss. In Probate Court. Aug. 17. 1832
Sworn to in open Court
Isaac Tufts Reg of Prob

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex County, ss.
On this second day of April, in the year of Our Lord, 1833, personally appeared, before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the peace, within the said County of Middlesex John Converse of Billerica in said County, who, being duly sworn deposeth & 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 & in the following grades. —
For three months, at Charlestown, guarding the Hessian prisoners, in the winter of 1777 & 1778. I served as a private —
For three months, in the year 1778, I served as a private in Rhode Island —
For four months, in the year 1780, I served on board the Ship Viper, part of the time, as a marine and part of the time as gunner. — the greater part of the time as a gunner, said ship was a privateer. — for which terms of service above named I claim a pension —
And in answer to the sixth interrogatory of Brief objections of the War Department, the said Converse, being duly sworn deposeth & saith, —
During the first term of service above mentioned, I served under, Capt. Wyman of Woburn. — do not recollect the other officers —
During the second term of service above mentioned I served

under capt. John Dins of Reading, Lt. Seth Johnson & Ensign Joseph Johnson, both of said Woburn. - General Sullivan general commander, - one week under capt. Moore a continental Officer - not seeing Col. Green's Black troops at the Battle -
During the third term of service on board the Dipsy, as above mentioned I served under capt. William Williams of Boston, Lt. Morris, Ensign Pope - John Converse
Sworn to & subscribed this second day of April A.D. 1833
Before me Marshall Preston Justice of the Peace -
I further certify that the above named John Converse, is the same person, who made oath to & subscribed the original declaration to which this is annexed.
Marshall Preston Jus of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts— Middlesex County, ss.—
I Isaac Fiske, Register or Clerk of the Court of Probate, within the said County of Middlesex do hereby certify that Marshall Preston Esq. and Wyman Rich- ardson Esq. whose own proper signatures are set to the certificates of the Affidavit & Depositions hereto annexed are Justices of the Peace, within the said County of Middlesex
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office, at Cambridge this nineteenth day of April A.D. 1833.
Isaac Fiske

17351 INVALID.
File No. 17351
John Converse
Pr. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. / , Page 445
[Arrangement of 1870.]

7/14
John Converse
Return this with the papers
First 6 Months Capt Dix's Co. Mass
5. 6. 16 P. 288
$20-
Hon D. Nelson

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Coon further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. * Has he mentioned 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? no
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? no
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Initial Concord Dep. for Gen. Concord

Josiah Converse of Burlington, Vermont, a part of William, - in the County of Franklin six - Massachusetts, testify & say, that John Converse, who is my bro brother, now of William, in said County, was absent, in the year seventeen hundred & eighty, as I be- lieve, about four months, on a pri- vateering voyage. Some time in September of that year, as near as I can remember - I went out in a boat, into Boston harbor to a vessel, & took him. I took David Kid & Jeremiah Tyler into our boat and brought them on shore the same & James. I am now seventy three years of age & my brother John is now seventy one years old -
I believe the name of said ship was the Viper, & the Commander's name was William Williams.
Josiah Converse
Subscribed in August D r 1832. Then the above named Josiah Converse, who is a credible witness, & his testimony entitled to full credence, personally appeared & made affirmation to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed.
Before Me. Stephen Willard Justice of the Peace

Joshua Reed Dep. In John Converse
7/14/44 John Converse application -

Joshua Reed of Holiston in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, sixty nine years of age, testify I say, - I have been acquainted with John Lawrence, former Ly of said Holiston, now of Milford in said County, for sixty years; I said Lawrence & many others, went abroad in the month of December, I believe, as near as I can remember, in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven, to Charlestown to guard the prisoners, we remained there on that duty three months, said Lawrence was there I did his duty the whole time. our Captain was Jesse Wymen of said Holiston - I believe we were not formed into Regiments but were in small parties, for the above purpose. Joshua Reed
Middlesex ss. August 1 st 1882.
Then the above named Joshua Reed who is a credible Witness, I entitled to confidence personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed. Before Me. Gordon Richardson Justice of the Peace