Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1227, Thomas Cloutman, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Cloutman, Thomas
W/1227
Hepsibah
B.L.Wt 13879-160-58-
Hepsibah
CONTENTS

Chas. Gregory Hon. Dec. 7/55.
98.765-Act March 3/55
April 20/55
Wepzibah Cloutman wid of Thomas Cloutman Pnt & Pen.
Hepsibah Cloutman in law,
Master Gunner,
Map: B. to Navy.
Resolutio nans war at Vol Acres, Jan. 9/1856, Map - Feb. 5/57.
M,
Vol. 6-147.3
Chas Gregory & Son Marble head Map

Massachusetts. 31,788.
Thomas Cloutman.
of the county in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Hooper of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Massachusetts for 23 months 22 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts.
at the rate of 79 Dollars 12 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Septem- ber, 1840, and sent to James Gregory Esq. Marblehead, Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1840 = $791.20
Pension allowance ending 4 Mar. 1841. 39.56
$830.76
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by S. A. Elliott Clerk.
Book E. Vol. 2 Page 15

1.073 Massachusetts Hepsibah Cloutman widow of Thomas Cloutman who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Mass. Line - Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 79 Dollars 12 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of July 1853 and sent to James Nelson Marblehead Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848. Page 51 Vol. 19 3 February 1853
Regim ss-98765

✓3500
Thomas Cloutman Mass.
act 7. June '32
  Vol 36. 52-10 Jan'y  76  Harper - pri  1.22    35. 268. 1 March  - Felly  pland  2 nd Gen. 3-    336. 1 June  "  "  3-    264 1 Sep.  "  "  4    detached roll. for 77.  12-     23.22  
Adhd 23mo. 220s / pri
$79. 12/100
Jas Gregory esq Marblehead Mass.

State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Essex . . . . }
On this twenty-fifth day of January A.D. 1840, Personally appeared before me, Daniel Appleton White Esquire, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said State and County, Thomas Cloutman, a resident of Marblehead in the said County of Essex, in the seventy-ninth year of his age, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, & from the best of his knowledge & belief, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he performed various services on the land & on the sea, as a Soldier & Seaman in the War of the Revolution: That his late father, who was named Robert Cloutman, was first Lieutenant of a Company of Sea Fencibles, under Capt William Hooper, in the employ of the said State of Massachusetts, stationed in & about the said town of Marblehead the first and second year of the said War: That his said father had also two apprentices, of the name of Elisha Stenny & Bartholomew Brown  Francis Jones , engaged in the same service & at the same time - the former belonging to said Hooper's Company, & the latter to another Company engaged in the same service under Capt. Francis Pelton  Edward Fettyplace : That your Declarant was too young to enter the service the first year, but on the second year, & on or about the tenth day of January, 1776, - when in but the fifteenth year of his age, he was admitted through the influence of his said father, Robert Cloutman, into said Hooper's Company, as a Private & Volunteer: That he resided in said Marblehead - where he was born & brought up at the time of his enlistment, & has resided there ever since: That he enlisted into said Hooper's Company for "the term of one year, unless sooner discharged by order of the Legislature": That said Corps belonged to no particular Regiment, but was raised - together with the another  forementioned Company under said Francis Pelton - for the especial defence of said town & the coasts adjacent: That he continued to serve in said Corps - doing his duty in & about said Marblehead until the last day of the following month of February, 1776.
That about this time another Company was ordered to be raised under Capt Edward Fettyplace for the additional defence of the said town of Marblehead, & more especially for the purpose of garrisoning the Fort of said town: That in order to fill up the List of said Company twenty-five men were allowed to volunteer from each of the said Companies of said Hooper and Pelton: That accordingly on or about the first day of March, 1776, your Declarant & twenty-four of his brother soldiers from said Hooper's Company - as also twenty-five from said Pelton's volunteered & entered said Fettyplace's Company: That he entered said Fettyplace's Company as a Private, & upon condition of serving therein during the pleasure of the Legislature : That he accordingly continued to serve in said Fettyplace's Company - doing his duty in said Garrison, & in & about said town of Marblehead - with nearly all his said brother soldiers (excepting part of them who were allowed to leave the Corps & join the State Brig Massachusetts,) until on or about the last day of (December, 1777,) when said Company was discharged by order of the Legislature aforesaid: That from the time of his enlistment into said Hooper's Company to the time of his discharge from said Fettyplace's, was two full years, lacking only ten days.
He further declares that he does not know of a single soul living who served

served with him in said Hooper & said Pettipage's Companies, & he further has no documentary evidence in proof of the same, & he begs to refer to the record of his said service which he believes is to be found among the Massachusetts Documents in the War Office, Washington to let the facts & particulars of it as herein stated and declared.
He further declares that the Summer after his said discharge he entered the Privateering Service & from time to time during the War was engaged therein eight different cruises , beside three voyages in Letter of Marque vessels, & as a Seaman in each case: that about the first of July, 1778, he went on a cruise of three months in the Brig Montgomery of Salem, of 14 guns, William Pattison commander - in which they captured a Ship bound from Ireland to Quebec, laden with provisions for the supply of the King's Forces at that place - also a Ship & a Brig, both bound from Jamaica for London & laden with Rum, Sugar, Cotton & Pimento, & got them all into the Port of Salem.
Also one cruise of three months in the Spring of 1779, in the Ship Monmouth of Newburyport, of 28 guns, (the same Ship that was lost the same year in the Pondicherry Expedition) Capt. Thomas Collier commander - During which they captured the Transport Ship Charming Sally of 500 tons, conveying King's Troops from Annapolis to Halifax, & having 20 guns between Decks - after a smart action, & got her safe into Newburyport; also while cruising off the Coast of Europe they captured the British Privateer Brig called the Grenade , of 14 guns, & ordered her home, but she was afterwards retaken & carried to St. Johns, Newfoundland. Also one other cruise of between three & four months in the Brig Freemason of Marblehead, of 14 guns, William Dennis commander, during which they captured a "Snow" bound from Liverpool to Newfoundland, laden with salt - also a Brig from Pensacola bound to London, laden with "Safflower". The Snow arrived safe home, but the Brig was retaken. Also one cruise of about 3 months in the Privateer Ship Thresh of Marblehead of 18 guns, (formerly a British Ship of War) Capt. Richard Corwell commander - During which they captured four prizes - one Ship, one Brig & two Sloops - all bound from Ireland to New York & laden with Beef, Pork, Butter, Cheese, Flour & Clothing for Soldiers, for supplies to the enemy's Forces on that station, & they succeeded in getting them all safe home, & the clothing was sent to the Continental Army. After this, in the month of March, 1781, news was received at said Marblehead that Capt. Cady, & was capturing every American vessel that attempted to pass around the Cape. It so happened that two Privateer Ships - the Julius Brutus of 18 guns, & the Neptune of 16 guns were then lying in Salem Harbor preparing for sea, & the owner offered them such volunteers as were willing to start in pursuit of said Pirates. That himself volunteered for the purpose, & were underway in less than 24 hours after the news arrived. They succeeded in capturing the Sloop, but the Brig made her escape. The same night over all her guns & furniture for a four months cruise, she was driven ashore upon the flats of the town of Yarmouth a complete wreck, & having lost all her boats. From this perilous situation they were taken by the inhabitants of said Yarmouth in almost a drowned condition from exhaustion, wet cold, & fatigue. The Selectmen of the town provided for the night. The next morning himself & ten others of his companions started for home on foot - a distance of more than eighty miles - & succeeded in reaching it after much suffering - having had to sell their shoes & brogue buckles on the journey to keep them from Starving.
A few days after this he engaged on another cruise in the Ship Oliver Cromwell , of 18 guns, belonging to Salem, John Bray commander. After being out about a month they were captured by the Maidstone Frigate, & carried into St. Johns, Newfoundland - put on board the Prison Ship & there kept for three months, when 14 of them were placed on board a British Cartel Ship & arrived home to Boston, after an absence of about four months, in the month of July or August, 1781. Soon after this he went another cruise in the Ship Margaret  Lafayette of Salem, of 16 guns, Ebenezer Reed commander - during which they captured the British Packet Brig Eagle of 14 guns, bound from Falmouth to New York; also a Brig from Jamaica bound to Halifax with a cargo of Rum - the former safely arrived, but the latter was retaken. Soon after this he went on another cruise of about three months in the same Ship Margaret  Lafayette , John Buffum commander - during which they captured the British Ship Realtio , bound from Newfoundland to Portugal, laden with 3082 quintals of dry Codfish, & ordered her home to Salem where she safely arrived, & we arrived home in the Privateer in the month of July, 1782.

We further declare that he was not aware that the existing Pension Laws made provision for his afore described Sea Coast Service, until himself and twenty two others of his brother Privateersmen signed a Petition to Congress, soliciting allowance for their Privateering Service in the said War of the Revolution: that the Revolutionary Pension Committee of Congress soon after reported a Bill for the relief of the Revolutionary Privateersmen, & he has delayed presenting his claim to the benefit of the law of June 7th 1832, encouraged by the hope & expectation that said Bill would pass, & he should thus be provided for; that he now learns it is very doubtful whether any provision will be made by law for his said Revolutionary Privateering Service; & he is thereby admonished by his old age, evidence & increasing infirmities, that he will soon be beyond the reach of the bounty which his Country has provided, & probably be deprived of its Bounty & Benefits altogether if he postpones his claim any longer & that he has grown old in the service of the Public, & recently feels the effects of the many hardships he endured in the cause of that Liberty which the exertions of himself & colleagues contributed to establish & maintain; and he now casts himself altogether upon his beloved Country for such relief as her existing laws provide, afford.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not borne on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.
Witnessed by the undersigned "Deputy Clerk," "Edward Pettibone," another; "3 months" & "in 1836" being interlined before signing.
Thos Cloutman
Benjamin Sparhawk
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written - The said Applicant being unable by reason of infirmity to appear in Court.
Before me, D. A. D. W. M.
{ Judge of said Probate Court
I, Joseph Cloutman, of Marblehead in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do on my oath testify & declare, that I am in the Seventy fourth year of my age; that I was born & brought up in said Marblehead, & have resided in said town nearly all my days: that I was well acquainted with many of my fellow townsmen in the Revolutionary War, & had & have personal knowledge of the services, or part of the services performed by many of them in said War on the Land & on the Sea: that among the rest I was well acquainted with Thomas Cloutman, who is understood to have signed the Declaration herein: And I do well recollect that said Thomas Cloutman performed service, in what was called the Sea Coast Service in the said town of Marblehead in the said War of the Revolution. And in particular I do well recollect that he belonged to the Company of Capt. William Hooper, some time in the year 1776, being the second year of the War. I recollect of seeing him exercising with said Hooper's Company as what was called a "Fugeller" or exemplar - in front of the ranks. I cannot swear positively how long he served, or whether he served in any other Company of said Sea Coast Service than said Hooper's Company - although I have no doubt he served as he has herein in his Declaration set forth. I also well recollect that Robert Cloutman, the late father of said Thomas, was first Lieutenant of said Hooper's Company, & also that my own late father, Joseph Cloutman, was some kind of an officer in the same company, the first or second year of the War.
Said Thomas Cloutman was also much engaged in the Privateering service of the said Revolutionary War - although I cannot swear to the particulars of it, except that I recollect he at one time belonged to the Privateer Ship Thorne.
Witnessed by the undersigned being first interlined.
Joseph Cloutman
John Bartlett
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Marblehead Jan. 25th, 1840 County of Essex }
Then the above named Joseph Cloutman personally appeared & in my presence submitted the above affidavit, & made oath in due form of law to the truth of the same.
And I certify that the said affiant is & has been a Constable of the said town of Marblehead for many years, & that he is a witness of good & undoubted character for truth & veracity, & that his testimony is entitled to full credit & confidence.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature & my Notarial Seal, the day & year herein above written. James Gregory, Notary Public.

Before me D. A. White
I, Joseph Cloutman, of Marblehead in the Co. of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do on my oath testify that I am in the seventy fourth year of my age; that I was in said Marblehead, & have resided in said town nearly all my acquaintance with many of my fellow townsmen in the Revolutionary War on the Land, & on the Sea: that among the rest I was well acquainted with Thomas Cloutman, who is understood to have signed the Declaration hereon - that said Thomas Cloutman performed service, in what was called service - in the said town of Marblehead in the said War of the Revolution I do well recollect that he belonged to the Company of Capt. William Cook's Company as what was called a "Fugeller" or exemplar - in I cannot swear positively how long he served, or whether he served
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. Daniel A. White is Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County; that
James Gregory Esquire is a Notary Public Justice of the Peace within and for said County; that his commission is dated A.D., 18 and will expire in seven years from that date; and that their signatures hereon are genuine.
WITNESS my hand and the seal of said Court, at Salem, January 25. A.D., 1840.
John Prince Clerk.
above written. James Gregory

State of Massachusetts, } 53. County of Essex .. }
On this sixth day of April, A. D. 1853, personally appeared in open Court - before the Court of Probate in and for the said County of Essex Hesterah Cloutman , a resident of Marblehead in said County, aged nearly sixty-seven 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 on the 3 d day of February, A. D. 1853, entitled an act to continue half pay to certain widows and orphans.
That she is the widow of Thomas Cloutman , who was pensioned as a Private of the Revolutionary War at the rate of seventy-nine dollars and twelve cents per annum - on the fourteenth day of September, 1840 - under the provisions of the law of June 7 th , 1832. That her said late husband was a resident of said Marblehead and was paid his said pension at the Agency for paying pensions in Boston in the State of Massachusetts; and she begs to refer to the evidence upon which he was pensioned in the pension Office, Washington, in proof of her title to the benefit of the said law of February 3 d 1853.
She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Cloutman on the fourteenth day of June, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-three; that her husband the aforesaid Thomas Cloutman sickened and died of old age and infirmity at his home in said Marblehead, on the twenty-second day of January A. D. 1851, and that she was married to him at the time above stated - as will appear by the proof herewith annexed.
She further swears that she was a widow at the date of the passage of the said Act of February 3 d 1853, and is still a widow, and that she has never before made application for a pension.
Witnessed by Walter R. Gregory
Hesterah Cloutman
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written -
Before me, E. H. White { Judge of said Probate Court.

I, Reuben Nichols, of Marblehead in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts, do on my oath testify and declare, that I am in the Forty-first year of my age; that I was well acquainted with Thomas Cloutman, late of said Marblehead Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, who died on or about the twenty-second day of January A.D. 1851. — That said Thomas Cloutman left a widow, named Hepzibah Cloutman, who is understood to have signed the Declaration hereon; and I do well know that said Hepzibah Cloutman is now a widow and has not intermarried since the decease of her husband, Thomas Cloutman aforesaid.
Reuben Nichols
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
County of Essex, } ss. April 18th, 1853.
Then personally appeared Reuben Nichols, above named, and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed — before me.
And I certify that said Reuben Nichols is a witness of good character for truth and veracity and is to me personally well known as such.
Attest, James Gregory, Justice of the Peace.

Extract from the Record of Marriages in the Town of Marblehead County of Essex & State of Massachusetts. Married by Rev John Bartlett Pastor of the 2 d Congregational Church in Marblehead
Eighteen hundred and thirty three, June, fourteenth
Thomas Clautman of this Town and Hepzibah Hyde of Boston
I certify that the above is a true extract from the Record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair legible letters and figures as follows, viz 1833 June 14
Glover Broughton
I Glover Broughton above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Clerk in the Town of Marblehead County and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Record with the exception above named as certified by me
Glover Broughton Clerk of the Town of Marblehead
Marblehead April 5 th 1853
Essex ss
Then personally appeared Glover Broughton above named and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed, and I certify that I have no interest in the pension claim in support of which this Certificate is issued
John Sparhawk Jr Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, April 19 th 1853.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Daniel A. White was Judge of Probate James Gregory and John Sparkhawk his new Justices of the Peace for the County of Essex.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their 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.
E. M c Knight Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Massachusetts — } ss. COUNTY OF Essex — }
On this twenty-eighth day of March , A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five , personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Hepzibah Cloutman aged seventy-nine years, a resident of Marblehead in the State of Massachusetts who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Thomas Cloutman deceased, who was a Private in the army of the Revolution  in the Company commanded by Captain  and a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act  in the of June 7 th 1832  Regiment of at the rate of Seventy-nine Dollars and twelve cents per annum , in the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the 18 th of June, 1812 , she further declares that she herself was afterwards pensioned at the same rate as her said husband, under the provisions of the 2 d section of the Act of the 3 d of February, 1853, on the 28 th day of July, 1853. that her said husband  at on or about the  day of  A. D. 18 , for the term of  and continued in actual service in said war for the term of  and was honorably discharged at on the  day of  A. D. 18 ; but that, to the best of her knowledge and belief, her husband never received any written or printed discharge,
She further states that she was married to the said Thomas Cloutman in said Marblehead , on the fourteenth day of June A. D. 1833, by one [blank] , a clergyman , and that her name before her said marriage was [blank] ; that her said husband died at said Marblehead , on the twenty-second day of January A. D. 1851, and that she is now a widow, and she begs to refer to the evidence upon which she herself was examined, as aforesaid, in proof of all the facts and details of her claim, — including such particulars thereof as are not herein set forth and declared.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "Act approved March 3, 1855," and prays that the certificate thereof may be sent for her to JAMES GREGORY & SON, of Marblehead, Mass.; and declares that she has not received a Bounty Land Warrant under this or any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
Glynbrook Cloutman

We Reuben Nichols and Henrietta L. Garney residents of Marblehead in the State of Massachusetts upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by said Hepsibah Chestman in our presence; and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and we know that she is now a widow.
Reuben Nichols
Henrietta L. Garney
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be; and that I have no interest in this claim.
James Gregory , Justice of the Peace.
State of _____
County. _____
We _____ and _____ having been duly sworn, depose and say, that we well knew who was a _____ in the war of _____ whose widow now applies for bounty land; that we knew him for more than years before his death, which occurred at _____ about years ago; that we know that he died about that time, because
that we have known his said widow from his death to this time, that she is now unmarried, and that we are disinterested.
Subscribed and duly sworn to before me, this _____ day of _____ A. D. 18 _____
Justice of the Peace.
It is hereby certified, that satisfactory proof has been exhibited before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, by the affidavits of _____ and _____ of the said County and State, whom I know to be credible persons, and who swear that they have no pecuniary interest in the of the foregoing application; that _____ the applicant in the foregoing declaration is now unmarried, and that she is the widow of the who was a _____ and that the said above stated.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, this _____ day of _____ 185 _____
Justice of the Peace.

Pinac 153, map:
BWDR
13.879
S Neo am

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office. Boston.
December 18 1855.
I Hereby Certify , That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Thomas Clontzman is borne on pay roll of Capt. Edward Fettiplace (comp. from Feby. 14. 1776 10 mos. 9 days) as Quarters Quamur.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

The following REGULATIONS, to be observed in the examination of the Revolutionary Rolls in this office, have been rendered necessary under the rules which are established in the Pension Department at Washington, viz :
1. Every application requiring search, or certificate, must be made to the Secretary, in writing, by the claimant, or by some person duly authorized by the claimant ; and the signature to the application must be attested by some magistrate.
2. The application must set forth, as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence and service of the soldier, and the names of the officers under whom he served ; and no search will be made until after the filing of such written application.
“Regulations to be observed in the examination of the Massachusetts Revolutionary Papers in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.”
“The application must be made to the Secretary in writing, by the claimant, or by some person duly authorized by the claimant, by a written power of attorney, attested by a magistrate. The signature of the claimant must in all cases be attested in like manner.
“The application must set forth, as fully as the circumstances of the case will allow, the residence of the soldier, &c., at the time of the service, and the names of the various officers under whom he served, as well as the nature of such service.
“The certificate of the Secretary must show that the search was made, after the filing of such application, by himself, or by one of his Clerks alone, and must be accompanied by the original application of the claimant, or of his attorney, and by a detailed statement, under the signature of the Secretary, and the seal of the State, of the circumstances which satisfied that officer of the identity of the party described in the application, with the individual who rendered the service.
J. L. EDWARDS, COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS.”

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REVOLUTIONARY SERVICES, made by the widow of the party who rendered the service.
county of Essex State of Massachusetts town of Marblehead
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is hereby requested to furnish evidence from the Rolls in his office, of the service of my late husband, Thomas Cloutman , in the war of the Revolution.
He was a native of the town of Marblehead in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts .
He enlisted from the town of Marblehead , in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts , in the year 1776 as a private in the Company commanded by Captain William Hooper in Sea Coast Guard Service , attached to no Regiment and he served as follows, * viz: —
Enlisted about the 10th of January 1776 for the term of one year "unless sooner discharged" and served until the last day of February of said year of 1776, when he was transferred to a Water's Company commanded by Capt Edward Pettyplace and finished his term. Afterwards enlisted again in said Pettyplace's Company in January, 1777, and served out all that year — always as a private. She believes was honorably discharged.
* Here describe, as fully as may be, the length of service, the rank, &c. of the claimant, or the capacity in which he served, and all other particulars known.

I am now near 70 years old, and my memory does not enable me to state the services of my said husband more fully than above stated.
WITNESS my hand, this fifteenth day of December , A. D. 18 55 .
Signed by said H. Clinton - as above - in my presence,
John Spaulding JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Elizabeth Clinton, by James Gregory, her atty.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1227
Hepsibah Cloutman,
Widow.
Thomas Cloutman,
Pri. Rev. War.
Act. Feb. 3. 1853.
Index:—Vol. 4, Page 134
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No 1340
App. of Herzibah
Cloutman widow of
Thomas.
Essex Co.
Mass:
31788
Act 3 rd Febry: 1853 $79 \frac{12}{100} per annum commencing 3 rd Feb. 1853.
James Gregory Marblehead Mass:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business

Mass 3500
Let to James Gregory March 28, 1840.
✓ Do: to same May 4 th '40
Do: to same Aug 11 th '40
Act. 7. June '32

Fenton Office, 23. June, 1853.
Sir.
Thomas Cloutman, was inscribed upon the roll of Massachusetts, as a private in the war of the Revolution, pensioned under the Act of 7 th June, 1832, at the rate of $79. 12 / 100 per Annum. He was paid at the Boston Agency. Be pleased to inform me to what time he was paid.
I have the honor to be Sir, Respectfully Yours V.A. Serot, S. Cal.
For the Commission.
Died 22 d January 1851. Paid to his death. F. Burch
Auditor.
Francis Root Esq r , Third Auditor of the Treasury,

Brief in the case of Hepzibah Cloutman, widow of Thomas, Essex County and State of Massachusetts, act 3 d Feb y , 1853,
Claim, ("original," or "for increase" )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner, under the act of 7 th June, 1832, Recent evidence of marriage,
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
James Gregory Esq., Marblehead, Mass.
Name and residence of Agent
S. C. Boynton, Examining Clerk.

Marblehead Aug 15 th 1840. Honored Sir:
Your favor of August 10 th inst. was duly received - referring to the cases of Mary Stacey & Thomas Cloutman. The part of it relating to the case of Stacey has been answered in my letter of yesterday & this day's date.
With respect to that part of it which shows refers to a Certificate from our Secretary of State "showing fragments to Capt. Pettypiece in April, June and August 1777, January 1778" - as not establishing any service of Cloutmans for 1777 - I will observe that it was not forwarded with that intention, but was intended to relieve your Honor's mind from an erroneous impression that Pettypiece was not in Public Service as commander of Sea Coast Guards after the year 1776 - as set forth in your favor of the 28 th of March last, in reply to the allegation of Cloutman's Declaration claiming for service in Pettypiece's Company through the year 1777.
Your Honor's said favor of the 10 th inst. states that "the service of Thomas Cloutman must be

be shown by the Secretary's certificate in his particular case."
In reply I will observe, that there are no Rolls of Pettyplaces Company after 1776 in the Secretary's Office, or at least none that are known to exist there, & that the presumption is that they are all lost or misplaced, unless they are merged in the mass of loose papers & rubbish about the State House. By the permission of our Treasurer I have made spent several days, in a fruitless effort to find them among the papers & receipts in his Department. Nothing of Pettyplaces Rolls were found excepting those of his men when they were reduced to a mere Sergeants' Guard in the year '81-'82 & '83 - Certificates of which, or from which, have been forwarded to your Honor in the case of Mary Stacy.
Under these circumstances, as living witnesses are out of the question in Cloutman's case, excepting the witness Samuel Bowden - who testifies to the identity & part only of the service of Cloutman - but cannot swear to the length of it, I have as a last & only resort obtained permission to search the papers of Samuel R Gerry Esq. Deceased, who was Commissary of the Sea Coast Guard in

in this town in the War of the Revolution. The result is, that I have found a number of "Beef Rolls", or rather Beef memorandums for the year 1777, which contain a list of all those who belonged to Fletchfield's Company in that year, & the quantities (generally) of Beef they drew from time to time. Three of these Rolls are forwarded herewith - one dated February 16 th , one August 16 th , the other December 31 st and all in the year 1777. They are united together by a piece of ribbon & the ends of the ribbon placed under a seal, & the name of the son of the Commissary, Samuel P. Gurney Esq. of this town written on the seal with the date of writing, and also his affidavit is forwarded identifying the papers .
These old papers are in rather a bad handwriting but the handwriting on their backs , which gives their dates & names, is sworn to by the son as the proper handwriting of the Commissary, his late father.
Colt Cloutman will probably never be able to furnish any stronger evidence in his case than that we forwarded - his name being contained upon each of the old memorandums.
Colt Gurney values the papers as a relic of his late father - however valueless in the abstract they may seem to be - and I have therefore very respectfully to request they may be returned to the writer after examination.
James L. Edwards Esq. P. of Pensions, Washington. D.C.
very respectfully your obed. servt. James Gregory

Marblehead, January 25 th , 1840.
Honored Sir:
I have the Honor herewith to forward to your Office the Declaration of Thomas Cloutman, an aged old Sea Captain of this town, who claims the benefit of the law of June 7 th , 1832, for part of his Revolutionary Services.
It will be seen by his Declaration that he was not aware that the existing Pension Laws made provision for those who, like himself, performed Public Service only in the Sea Coast Service of the Revolution - until after he & some twenty of his brother Revolutionary Privateersmen Petitioned Congress, several years ago, for a law which should enable them to claim an allowance for their Privateering Service .
Congress it would seem shortly after - that is, the Revolutionary Pension Committee reported a Bill for their relief, & he has been waiting ever since encouraged by the hope that said Bill would pass & he should

should thereby be provided for; but as it now appears very doubtful whether said Bill will pass, he & his friends have thought it imprudent to wait any longer, & he thus presents his claim to the benefit of the said law of 1832 - which claim he would undoubtedly have presented long ago, had he not been ignorant of the provision before made for his case.
He presents his claim at this late day under many disadvantages, inasmuch as all those who served with him are believed to be dead. Mr William Harris who died in December '38, & Mr William Hooper who died in April '39 - both Revolutionary Pensioners, in part for this very Sea Coast Service , are believed to have been the last survivors in this town who served in Hooper's & Pettapace's Companies - where Capt Cloutman did.
And both these old veterans informed me that the present Applicant served with them, but entertaining the hope that the Privateer Bill would pass, Capt C. neglected to take their affidavits till it was too late. It is therefore much to be hoped that the Massachusetts Documents will corroborate his service as set forth in his Declaration. I am, with the highest respect, Your dist.
James L Edwards Esq C. of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
James Gregory

Senate Chamber, Boston, January 18th. 1847.
Honored Sir:
Your favor of the 14th. of November last relative to the claim of Sarah Doleber, widow of Thomas Doleber - law of July 4th 1836 - was duly received, and its contents would have been attended to ere this had not official and other pressing engagements interfered.
In regard to the requirement named in your said favor - that satisfactory reason should be given by Mrs. Doleber for not presenting her claim before, I would respectfully observe - that she distinctly names the only reason, that I am aware of, in the body of her Declaration.
And in regard to the further testimony required, I have the Honor to forward herewith

The affidavit of the whole of the present Board of Selectmen of the town of Machias, covering all the knowledge they have in the premises; also the affidavit of Thomas Clinton, who, as will be found by my own affidavit, (on the same sheet,) is understood to be the only soul now living of all who served in the Companies where the widow's husband served.
In conclusion I would respectfully observe that the proof forwarded with her Declaration, and that now forwarded, is probably all the proof which the old widow can ever expect to produce in support of her claim.
I am, with very great respect, Your Honor's humble servt.
James Gregory
James P. Edwards Esqr. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Marblehead April 6th 1840.
Honored Sir:
Since the receipt of your Honor's favor of the 28th Ult. relative to the claim of Thomas Cloutman, under the law of June 7th 1832, - demanding proof of identity &c. Capt Cloutman has referred me to Mr Samuel Bowden of this place - the only person living in this town who served here in the Seacoast Service in the War of the Revolution - except Cloutman himself - for proof of his identity & service. I accordingly called upon the old gentleman & found he had a ready recollection of all the main facts of Cloutman's case, with the exception of the length of his service. Mr Bowden's affidavit is herewith enclosed.
With regard to the remark in your Honor's said favor "that there is no evidence that Capt. Fettyplace had command of any Company in actual service after 31 st December, 1776 - I beg leave to observe, that Capt Fettyplace continued in the command of the Fortresses (for there were several Heights fortified & all under his command) - in the pay & employ of the State of Massachusetts - throughout the whole War , & until the 19th of April, 1783.
The number of the men under his command varied at different times from One Hundred down to a mere Sergeants Guard.
Mr

In proof that Capt. Wetzelplace was in Public Service as commander of Matrosses in Marblehead, after Dec. 31 st 1776, I beg leave to refer you to the case of Jonas Dennis, late of this town, deceased. (Dennis entered this identical Sea Coast Service in January, 1776, & served in Hooper's & Wetzelplace's Companies throughout that year, & he afterwards entered Wetzelplace's Company again in the month of November, 1777, & served in it until May, 1778 — as appears by a statement among the papers of N. Bowen Esq., deceased, who acted as his agent — & purporting to be a copy of Dennis's Declaration.)
For this service, & about six months Naval Service on board the Brig Massachusetts, Dennis was Pensioned in Sept. 1833, to the amount of $99 16 , per annum.
The truth is that nearly all the men who served in Capt. Wetzelplace's Company were Marbleheadmen & Mariners , & although they informally enlisted for stated periods, yet as they were often wanted for the Public Naval Service they were as often allowed to leave said Company for said Naval Service, & others were then allowed to enter the Company in their stead, and

and this course was followed from the time of its organization, Feb. 1868, throughout the whole War.
I have the Honor to be, with great respect, Your Honor's old, servt., James Gregory
James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

Marblehead, June 20th, 1840.
Honored Sir, -
Your favor of the 24th, Ult. relative to the claim of Thomas Cloutman was duly received, requesting the evidence upon which I asserted in my letter of the 6th of April "that Capt. Pettysplace was in actual command of Coast Guards from 1776 to 19th of April, 1783, his Company ranging from 100 to a Sergeants' Guard &c"
In proof that Capt. Pettysplace was commander of Sea Coast Guards in this town as asserted by me, & for the length of time asserted, I have the Honor herewith to forward a Certificate of our Secretary of State, which will be found to show that Capt. Pettysplace was paid for the service of his Corps as late as Jan. 16th, 1778, & that three distinct payments were made to his Company in the year 1777 - the identical last year of Capt Cloutman's alleged service under him. The Certificate also shows that the Commissary of the Sea Coast Forces, S. R. Gerry Esqr., deceased, received pay for supplies of troops in this town as late as June 30th, 1779. A Certificate from the same authority, forwarded to your Honor on the 16th Ult. in support of the claim of Elizabeth Pribble, also shows that William Stacey of Capt. Pettysplace's Company, was paid for service therein. from Aug. 1 st 1782 to April 19th, 1783 - all which evidence - in
connection

connection with statements of the same purport made to me by William Hooper & others - old pensioners, now deceased, will, it is believed, fully support any assertion of the continual public service of Capt. Wottysplace & the men from time to time under him, from 1776 throughout the War.
With respect to the request of your Honor for Capt. Cloutman to state in what capacity he served in a militia Company at the age of 16, & also what his particular duties were, I will observe, that it was no uncommon thing for persons even under 16 years of age to perform the duties of soldiers in the old war.
We have one Pensioner of the law of 1818 in this town, Richard Frost, who, it is alleged & believed, was in service & full pay at West Point &c in Col. Tappan's Regiment, in 1782 - at the age of 12. He was however a large & able man for his age, & in such cases it is well known that some boys are more able to do hard fatigue duty than some middle aged men. It will be observed by Cloutman's Declaration that he claims for service as a private, although he thinks he might have acted part of the time in some other subordinate capacity, though he has no recollection of ever having a warrant as a non-commissioned officer. He states that his duties were the usual duties of a militia, drilling, exercising, keeping watch & standing sentry by night & day at the Fort & adjacent heights & exposed places.
Your Honor's favor observes that "the witness Bowden should

Should see & recognize claimant before his testimony can be availing." In answer to this suggestion I will remark, that after Cloutman informed me his witness were remembred him, I visited Mr Borden, the witness, in company with the applicant, to ascertain from his own mouth what he could conscientiously swear to relative to Cloutman's services, before writing out his services affidavit. He then distinctly repeated to me what he remembred of him & his services - I returned home, wrote it out, proceeded again to Mr Borden's residence, where it was read & signed by Mr Borden in the presence of the claimant & also the daughter of Mr Borden - whose name as a witness will be found signed to Mr Borden's affidavit.
Mr Borden, although nearly 90 years old, is remarkably hale - in his physical powers at least; for this very reason he is able cultivating a garden-field - which he has so cultivated for many years past to my certain knowledge, & which would be thought a considerable task for some young men to manage as he does; & I will add, that the character of both Mr Borden & Capt Cloutman for truth & veracity are beyond reproach, & that the testimony of hundreds of their fellow townsmen - our Selectmen included - might be adduced in proof of it if desired.
I am, very respectfully,
Your Honor's obt servt.
Darius Gregory
Darius L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

I, Samuel Russell Gerry of Marblehead in the County of Essex, Do on my oath testify & declare that my late father Samuel R. Gerry Esq. Deceased was Commissary of the Sea Coast Guards in the said town of Marblehead in the War of the Revolution - as I have always understood & believed - both from his own lips when living, from sundry papers left by him now in my possession. And I do further testify & declare that three several papers, purporting to be Beef Memorandums - one dated February 16th 1777, one dated August 16th 1777, & the other dated December 30th 1777 - are part of my said late father's papers - recently taken from a large mass of them which have been in my possession & the possession of the family ever since his decease. I am familiar with the handwriting of my said late father & I do well know that the endorsements & dates on the backs of said three several papers are in the genuine handwriting of my said late father; and in token of their genuineness & identity I have on this fifteenth day of August A.D. 1840, written my name & said date over a seal attached to them - which seal fastens the ends of a piece of narrow ribbon which connects them together.
Sam R Gerry
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Marblehead. County of Essex - - - - -
I, James Gregory, Notary Public & Justice of the Peace, & dwelling in the said town of Marblehead, do hereby certify that upon the day of the date hereof the above named Samuel R. Gerry personally appeared before me & signed & swore to the truth of the above affidavit in due form of law, & that he also signed in my presence the three several papers referred to in said affidavit. And I do further certify that said Gerry is a credible witness to me personally well known. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Notarial Seal, this fifteenth day of August, A.D. 1840. James Gregory, Notary Public & J. of the Peace.

I, Samuel Bowdine, of Marblehead in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts Do on my oath testify and declare that I am in the ninetieth year of my age, that I performed service in the company of Capt Francis Felton of said Marblehead-engaged in the Sea Coast Service in said town in the War of the Revolution: that I entered said Company in the month of July, 1775, & served the balance of that year, & then entered it again in January, 1776, & served in it until December of the same year - or until said Company was disbanded the latter part of the said year of 1776: that I am now a Pensioner under the law of June 7 th 1832 for this service - as private & Sergeant - to the amount of Seventy-one Dollars & ninety-five cents per annum. And I do further testify & declare that I was well acquainted with many of my fellow townsmen who served in said Sea Coast Service, not only in the company in which I myself served, but also in the Companies of Capt William Hooper & Capt Edward Pettyplace - all alike engaged in said Sea Coast Service. - And among others I well recollect Thomas Cloutman of this town who is the only one living of all who served there in said service that I know of, except myself, & who is the identical person now an applicant for the benefit of the said law of June 7 th , 1832.
Said Thomas Cloutman first served in the company that was commanded by Capt William Hooper, - of which Company his late father, Robert Cloutman, was first Lieutenant. And I do well recollect that in February or March, 1776, a detachment was made from both Hooper's & Felton's Companies to help fill up the Company of Capt Pettyplace aforesaid, & that said Thomas Cloutman was among the number that were so detached & joined said Pettyplace's Company. I cannot swear how long he served in said Hooper's & Pettyplace's companies, but I am certain that he served as I have stated, - and I am also further certain that there was no other Thomas Cloutman of Marblehead who served in the said War but him.
Witnessed by The word 'Marblehead' being first interlined.
Samuel Bowdine
Betsy Bowdine
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss. Marblehead, April 3 d 1840. Essex County.
Then the above named Samuel Bowdine who has been personally well known to me for more than forty years, & during all that time & always before - as far as my knowledge extends - has maintained a good character for truth, morality & veracity - personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit in due form of law & subscribed the same in my presence. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & offered my Notarial Seal, the day & year above mentioned.
James Gregory, Notary Public.