Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17382, Jonas Dennis, Mass. Mass. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Dennis, Jonas
S. 17382
Mass. Sea Service
CONTENTS
carded

21599 D. 59 Massachusetts
Anas Dennis
of Ellery in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Cooper of the Regt. commanded by  in the Mass line for Mass  Service 19th  Brigade  Artillery
State Navy
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 49 Dollars 16 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of Sept 1833 and sent to Miss Mrs. Ann Dennis
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833  $247.90 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 54  49.88
$297.78
5 Revolutionary Claim, } Rabot June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Warren Clerk Book  Vol. 2 Page 18
82 Ship

State of Massachusetts
County of Essex S. S. Marblehead
On this 10 th day of August A.D. 1832 Personally appeared before Me David Cummins esq: a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and a Court of Record within and for said County of Essex Jonas Dennis of said Marblehead County and State aforesaid Seaman aged Eighty years, who being first 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 7 th 1832. That he was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and at different periods belonged to the Militia of said State and a Seaman in the Naval service of said State, and that on the tenth fifth day of January Seventeen hundred Seventy Six he enlisted in a Company of Militia commanded by William Hooper of said Marblehead deceased, (as appears by documents now in possession of William Hooper his son) and that he continued in the performance of his duty from time to time until the last day of February following and was then discharged from said Company to perform duty in Marblehead Fort under the Command of Edward Fittipplace and that he continued in said Fort in the performance of Garrison duty from time to time until the last day of February Seventeen hundred Seventy seven, when he was discharged. Your declarant has no other documentary evidence of the foregoing service than appears by said William Hooper the son's Testimony
Your Declarant further saith, that on or about the fifteenth day of March seventeen hundred seventy seven, he entered the Naval service of said State of Massachusetts as a Seaman on board of the Armed Brig Massachusetts John Fish esq: then commander, for a six months cruise against the common Enemy, and on or about the twenty third of said April the Brig sailed on said cruise and after capturing a number of Prizes and the Brig's crew being greatly reduced in numbers the Capt thought it expedient to return home, after having been on their cruise about five Months, they safely arrived at Salem. Soon after the Captain was directed to proceed again to sea and complete their term of service and sailed again and continued on their cruise until the fifteenth day of November Seventeen hundred seventy seven and on that day arrived from their cruise and were dis.
Your Declarant further saith that on or about the twentieth day of November Seventeen hundred seventy seven he again enlisted in said Company commanded by Edward Fittipplace for the term of six Months and from time to time performed Garrison duty in said Marblehead Fort until on or about the twenty fifth day of May Seventeen hundred seventy eight and was then discharged.
Your declarant has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his last service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity (except the present) and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Jonas Dennis David Cummins

We Rev. John Bartlett a clergyman residing in the town of Marblehead and Benjamin Knight esq. residing in said Marblehead, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonas Dennis who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration, that we believe him to be eighty years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier and seaman of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid John Bartlett Benjamin Knight Daggett
And the said Judge doth hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the aforesaid Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Seaman, and served as he states; and the said Judge further certifies, that it appears to him that Rev. John Bartlett — who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman residing in the town of Marblehead and that Benjamin Knight esq. who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Marblehead and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
and said Judge further certifies that the aforesaid applicant is unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity. D. Cummings
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I John Prince Junr. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for the County of Essex, Do hereby certify, that the Hon. David Cummings esq. is a Judge of said Courts; and that the within signature is his genuine signature. and that John Prince of Marblehead is one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for said County of Essex; and that the signature annexed is his true signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas at Salem, this thirteenth day of August, Eighteen hundred and thirty two.
John Prince Clerk

State of Massachusetts
Personally appeared before me, the under-signed a Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex said State of Massachusetts, Jonas Dennis who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear unequivocally as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods below and in the following guides that I served as a Private in a company commanded by Lieutenant Hooper one Month twenty three days Robert Cloutman and Thomas Boarden were his lieutenants, which company, with a like company commanded by Francis Tilton of said Marblehead were formed under a resolve of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts and was not connected with any regiment but under the command of said Tilton he being the oldest Captain, and said Companies were appointed for the express purpose for the defence and protection of the sea coast of Marblehead and both companies were constantly and actively employed every day in building of Forts and redoubts and in the daily performance of military duty in said Marblehead That I served as a Private one year in Marblehead Fort under the command of C. Edward Fittyplace in the performance of Garrison duty, that I was a seaman on board the State Armed Brig Massachusetts commanded by John Fiske and served eight months, and that I served as a Private in the Fort at Marblehead Six months five days under the command of the aforesaid Edward Fittyplace in the performance of Garrison duty daily during said term that said Company was not connected with any regiment but under the command of the said Fittyplace during said period, and for all the aforesaid periods of service I claim a pension
Jonas his Dennis Mark
Essex ss Marblehead August 7- 1833
Sworn and Subscribed to
Before me John Prince Jus. Peace

79.16  20.00 99.16
75.16  19.16 12
No 9758 Jonas Dennis
Seaman 5 Mths Paid July 19  24
I Prince for C
Middlehead
Mar 99.16 2
108.52
49.58
111.16 247.90
Apr 17/1833
P. 341
506 July 20 1835
Mr. Bangs's Certificate re- g'd 26 Aug 1833
I Prince for En Middlehead Wages

BRIEF in the case of Jonas Dennis of the County of Essex in the State of Mass. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  bodily infirmity  3. How old is he? 80 years  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 Jan. 5 to 4 Feb. 1777 1 1 — Private Capt. Hooper Fletty place   " Mar. — 6 — Seaman Brig. Massachusetts, Capt.   " Nov. — 6 — Private Capt. Fletty place  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Marblehead  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  Regular 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Pelt Examining Clerk.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, September 14 th 1833.
* 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 Jonas Dennis, as a private, is found on an Account of Wages due to the Men under the command of Capt. William Hooper, where he is allowed from Jan'y 11 th to the last day of Feb'y. 1776 - One month and twenty one days —
1-21
Jonas Dennis' name is also borne on a List of the Company in Marblehead, under the command of Edward Fettiplace, where he is allowed from June 1 st to Sept. 1-1776 - three months —
3..-
Same, Dennis' name is also borne on a List of the Company in Marblehead under the Command of Edward Fettiplace, where he is allowed from Sept. 1 st 1776 to Jan'y 1 st 1777 - four months —
4. 8.21
Edward D Bangs Secy

I John Cash of Marblehead, in the County of Essex, and State of Massachusetts Mariner; On Oath Depose and Testify, That in the Revolutionary War, on or about the fifteenth day of March seventeen hundred and seventy seven, I enlisted as a Seaman on board the Armed Brig Massachusetts, John Fisk esq of Salem, Com- mander, in the service of said State of Massachusetts; And I well remember that Jonas Dennis of said Marblehead, entered on Board said Brig at the same time with me ; and that we sailed in said Brig from Salem on the twenty third day of said March bound for a six months cruise against the common enemy, and while on the cruise we captured several prizes, which reduced the Brig's Crew to a small number of men, and thereby obliged our Commander to return to Salem, before the term of our enlistment expired; And on our arrival at Salem, our Commander was ordered to proceed again to sea: We again sailed, and continued to cruise until on or about the fifteenth day of November following, at which time we arrived at Boston and were then discharged.
In presence of Nathan Bowen J c
his John Cash Mark
Essex Co. Marblehead August 6 th 1832
Then George Cash made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed and I further certify that he is a credible Witness — Before me John W Vine Justice of the Peace

I William Hooper of Marblehead in the County of Essex and State of Massachusetts on oath depose and say that I was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War and on the Fifth day of January seventeen hundred seventy six I enlisted in a company of Militia under the command of my late Father William Hooper of said Marblehead deceased, and that Jonas Dennis of said Marblehead enlisted in my said Father's company about the same time and that the said Dennis continued in said company in the performance of duty until the last of February following and was then discharged from said company for the purpose of doing duty at the fort at Marblehead under the command of Edward Fittyplace and I verily believe that the said Dennis continued to perform garrison duty in said Fort until the last day of February Seventeen hundred seventy seven and was then Discharged.
William Hooper
Essex ss. Marblehead August Sixth, Eighteen hundred thirty two.
Then William Hooper made Oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him Subscribed, and I further certify that he is a credible witness.
Before me John Niven Jus. Peace

Jonas Dennis
No. 9758
Application must be made to E. B. Bangs for evidence of the claim with money
Augt 26 1835
I Pardon you Sir Marblehead Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jonas Dennis which require 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? yes
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? yes
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 - 1 st Term of service - He mentions briefly each particular term of active service, when & where performed, the length of each term & the name of all the officers under whom he served
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
yes No Colonels mentioned
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? yes as to the last term 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? No 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 in 2 cases 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? so certified
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.

17382 INVALID.
File No. 17382
Jonas Dennis
Seaman Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 95
[Arrangement of 1870.]