Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,536, Bursley Crocker, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
brocker Bursley or Burseley Molly or Mary L.
W. 14.536
CONTENTS
2

27466 Massachusetts
Bursley Crocker
of Barnstable in the State of Mass who was a private in the Company by Captain Nye of the Regiment by Colo Nye in the — Mass line for
17 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 56. Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of June 1834 and sent to Hannah Reed H's Rep
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $169.98 Semi-ant. allowance ending 16 Sep " 28.33 $198.31
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 15

8/1/95
Bursley Crocker
Barnstable
Adm Private W. Morton Capt. Nye 6th Freeman
Hon. J. Reed

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Barnstable ss.
On this twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable N. Nelson of the Judges of Probate Court now sitting at Barnstable in and for said County, Barnstable a resident of Barnstable in said County, aged seventy seven 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 7th, A. D. 1832.
THAT he was horn at Barnstable aforesaid on the eighth day of October A. D. 1755, and that there is no record of his birth that he knows of : that he was in the United States service from the last day of May A. D. 1775, to the last day of November A. D. 1775 as a Soldier in the Militia or State Service : that he was residing at Barnstable in Massachusetts aforesaid when he entered the service; that he enlisted for six months
and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Alicah Hamblin, Captain, Benjamin Smith, Lieutenant , served three months at Barnstable to guard the coast harbor of Barnstable , he then marched to Plymouth to guard that place where he : that he marched from served three months  There were none : that he served with
of the regular troops; and none of the regular officers were known to him: that he was in no battle and at the end of his service received a discharge but not in writing : that he left the service on the last of November 1775 and that since the Revolutionary war he has resided at Barnstable aforesaid
ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the month of March A. D. 1777, to some time in the month of  some time in the month of  December A. D. 1777 as a Soldier in the Militia or State Service that he was residing at said Barnstable (as he thinks) when he entered the service; that he enlisted for a year unless sooner discharged, and served for the period aforesaid under the command of Nine months under the command of Elisha Hye, Captain, Silas Hatch 1st Lieutenant as he thinks - Stephen Hye was also a Lieut. : that he marched from Barnstable to Falmouth in said County to Nashawt Island one of the Elizabeth Islands , where he was stationed for Nine months : that he served with other of the militia at said Nashawt Island , but there were there none of the regular troops; and also at said Island there were no
regular officers were known to him : that he was in no battle there was a small fort on said Island mounting three nine pounders that at the end of his service he received a discharge but not in writing and left the service on or about the last day of December 1777 having completed & served the time of Nine months , at which time he was discharged, ALSO: that he was in the United States service from the day of A. D. 17 , to the day of A. D. 17
as a in the that he was residing at when he entered the service; that he and served for the period aforesaid under the command of : that he marched from : that he served with of the regular troops; and regular officers were known to him; that he was in battle
that at the end of his service he received a discharge and left the service on

He further states that in January 1777. Brigadier General Joseph O'Neil obtained two small cannon or field pieces from the Government of Massachusetts & brought them to Barnstable to defend the sea board from the incursions of the enemy — Twenty men were enlisted to manage said cannon, of which number I was one — I enlisted in said company of twenty men in September 1777 & served in said company of two years — we were often called upon & I went repeatedly to Falmouth & we once had a battle there with the enemy's vessels & left in September 1779 — Micah Hamblin was Capt of the company & Reuben Smith Lieut. —
I am well known to the Rev. Enoch Pratt my neighbor & Mr. Hamblin Crocker who can testify as to my veracity & also to my reputed services in the revolutionary war —
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.
Bursley Crocker
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
We Henry Davis, Rev Enoch Pratt & Hamblin Crocker a Clergyman and Hamblin Crocker residing in the town of Barnstable hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Bursley Crocker — who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be nearly sixty seven — years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.
Henry Davis, Rev
Enoch Pratt Hamblin Crocker
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certify that it appears to them that Enoch Pratt who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the town of Barnstable; and that Hamblin Crocker — who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Barnstable and a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Henry Davis Rev of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Bursley Crocker — for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office on the day and year first aforesaid.
Henry Davis, Rev

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Barnstable ss.
Probate court at Barnstable in said County May 31st. A.D. 1834.
Personally appeared in open Court, Purdie Crocker of Barnstable, in said County, who made a Declaration in Probate court Sept 21st. 1832 in order to obtain a Pension under the Act of Congress of June 7th. 1832 - And having been duly sworn testifies & says, that from lapse of time & decay of memory, he cannot state the services he performed in the Cannon Company under Capt. Micah Hambleton, with much more precision than he has already done, in his declaration aforesaid. He now re-states & says upon oath, that he enlisted in said Com- pany some time in the month of September 1777, but he cannot name the precise day - and he continued in said Company about two years, having been discharged, according to his best recollection in the month of Septem- ber 1779. That during the time he belonged to that company he was not in constant actual service, but was always obliged to be in readiness to march at a moments warning & was frequently called out & did march many times to Falmouth in the course of the two years aforesaid. That he feels certain that the whole amount of his actual service in said Company while at Falmouth and in marching to & from there in said Company with the Cannon, was at the least , two months and he believes it was much more, but he cannot state it with certainty. (overs)

He was sometimes gone one week — some times more, & at one time between three & four weeks
He also further states, that during all the time he belonged to the Cannon Company Nathaniel Freeman of Sandwich was the Colonel of the Regiment to which said Company belonged. —
He further states, that he thinks the same Colonel Freeman was also the Colonel of the Regiment to which Capt. Elisha Nye's Company belonged, but Col. Freeman was not in Command at Sandwich, nor was there any Colonel or other Officer of higher grade than Capt. in Command there at the time of his service there in the year 1777. —
He also states that he cannot now recollect who was the Colonel of the Regiment to which Capt. Hamblin's Company belonged, at the time of his service in 1775, but he supposes it was Colonel Freeman before named. —
That he cannot state with certainty the precise time of the beginning or end of his services in Capt. Hamblin's Company in 1775 — or in Capt. Elisha Nye's Company in 1777, for which he had made Declaration, but he knows that the servicemaster Capt. Hamblin was  six months — m. 6 Under Capt. Elisha Nye was nine months  9 And in the aforesaid Cannon Company? was at the least two months  2  17.5 Making One year & five months in the whole, for which time he claimed a pension
D. D. S. Col. Crocker
Sworn & subscribed in open Court the day & year first aforesaid
Attest Almer Davis , Regr.

Massachusetts 8299
Reported
Molly Crocker widow of Purdiey Crocker who was a Private in the Revolution Husband died 10th Sept 1838
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of Nov. 1847 and sent to
J. Howell Esq. Providence R.I.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 27

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Barnstable On this 23 d day of August  October 1847 personally appeared before me Nymphas Marston Judge of the Court of Probate in & for said County, Molly Crocker of West Barnstable in said County aged 53 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of an act of Congress passed July 7 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows", That she is the widow of Bursley Crocker late of said Barnstable deceased who was a soldier of the war of the Revolution & when the act of June 7 th 1832 was passed granting pensions to officers & soldiers of the Revolution, he applied for & obtained a pension under said act & was a pensioner at the time of his death & to the declaration he made to obtain said pension she refers for evidence of her right to same pension and she further declares that she was married to the said Bursley Crocker on the twenty eighth day of May A.D. 1781 as will appear by the records

of said Town, a certified copy whereof is herewith annexed. That her said husband died on the 20 th day of Sept r in the year 1838 and since that period she has remained unmarried. She was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January eighteen  seventeen hundred & thirty four, to wit at the time above mentioned. Molly J. Brooker mark
Witness - Mary N. Brooker
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable ss:
Personally appeared before me the above named Molly Brooker, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by her signed with her mark, she being unable from infirmity to write her name; and I further certify that from old age & infirmity she is unable to attend Court, and I also certify that she is a credible person & that her statements are entitled to credit.
Nymphas Marston - Judge of Probate
185

I Joanna Crocker of West Barnstable in the County of Barnstable & Common- wealth of Massachusetts do testify & say that Bursley Crocker the husband of Melly Crocker who has signed & sworn to the preceding declaration departed this life on the 20 th day of Sept r A D 1838 and since that period she has remained a widow Joanna Crocker
Barnstable Sept 1847 October 23 d 1847.
Sworn to & subscribed before me and I further certify that said Joanna Crocker is a credible witness
Nymphas Marston - Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston September. 11 th 1847
I hereby Certify, That Nymphas Mansfield is Judge of the Court of Probate, and George Stowell is a Justice of the Peace, (and have been such for the three months last past) for the County of Barnstable,
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.
Chas. G. Dyer,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

No 13484 Nelly Cracker Widow Pursey Map Act 7 July 1838
Married 1781 husband died 20 Sept 1838
1775 6 mo 1779 - 8 days 1778 9 - 24 days 15 mo 8 days

Barnstable Sept 8 th 1847.
I Ferdinand H. Kelley of Barnstable in the county of Barnstable and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify that I am Town Clerk of said town and have the custody of the records of Marriages which have taken place in said town, and it appears by said records that Bursey Crocker was married to Molly Pitcher on the twenty eighth day of May in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty one, the marriage as it stands recorded is in the following words and figures, to wit.
Bursey Crocker and Molly Pitcher were married on the 28 th day of May 1781 by Rev. Gales Shaw.
all which appears. F. H. Kelley, Town Clerk.
Barnstable Sept 8 th 1847.
Personally appeared before me the above named Ferdinand H. Kelley known to me as the Town Clerk of Barnstable and made oath to the truth of the above Certificate, and he is a credible person.
Geo Loomis } Jus. Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
August 2 1847.
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 Bursely Grocker is borne upon a Pay Roll of Capt Micah Hamblin's Company as a private from July 7 th to November 1 1775. 3 Months & 24 days.
Upon a Muster Roll of Capt Micah Hamblin's Company as a private from November 1 1775, 2 Months.
Upon a Pay Roll of Capt Micah Hamblin's Company of Matrosses, in Col Freeman's regt on the alarm at Bedford and Dartmouth, September, 1778 as a private, 8 days.
Upon a Petition of Capt Elisha Nye's Company stationed at "Nawshoan" to General Court about extorsion on necessary articles.
No

Service Named The petition is dated "Nawshoan August 20 1777."
The only roll of said Capt Nye for 1777 remaining in this Office is the one for 3 Months Service previous to April 1 1777, upon which the name of said Bursey is Not borne. Not upon Naval rolls.
The foregoing is all the evidence of Service of any one of the name shown by the Military records in this Department. And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said appli- cation, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper.
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To the Honorable Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Sir
I have to request that the records of the Commonwealth may be examined for the services of Bursey Cracken a soldier of the Revolution of West Barnstable in the County of Barnstable & in said Commonwealth. He was my husband & he was also a pensioner at the time of his death, & having been married to him soon after the war I believe myself entitled to a pension under the acts of Congress, as his widow, But I am not certain under what officer he served.
Witnesses Henry E. McCollum Mary L. Brockton XX mark
Barnstable July 24th, 1847
Signed & acknowledged in my presence
Charles H. Bursey, Justice of the Peace
Henry E. McCollum M.D.

Russell Guckin, Map. act 7 June 1832. $56 66 per annum
To what time was he last paid?
G. G. A.
Pension Office
Nov. 17 1847
Due 20 th Sept 1838
Paid to his death,
J. B. B.

10365
Refused
Massachusetts
Nelly Crocker
Widow of Purseley Crocker who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 20th Sept 1838 of Barnstable in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Nye of the Regt commanded by Col Nye in the Revolution line for 15 Mo. 8 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Pension at the rate of 50 Dollars 88 3/4 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1838 Sept.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of Mar. 1847, and sent to B. Howell Esq Providence
Total amount, $ R 50
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by L. R. Rumphkin, Clerk, Book D Vol. 1 Page 535

I Benjamin Hallett of Barnstable, in the State of Massachusetts, aged Seventy four Years do testify and say, that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary War - that I was a soldier in the company commanded by Capt. Elisha Hye on the Island of Nausetawick in the Spring, Summer and Autumn of the year 1777 - that I am well acquainted with Purley Brocke of Barnstable, who is an applicant for a Pension - I well recollect that he was in the said company of Capt Elisha Hye from very early in the Spring of s d year until some time in December of the same year - he was there according to my best recollection for the period of about nine months
Benj m Hallett
D

Commonwealth of Massachusetts To all to whom these presents shall come
Probate Court at West Farnsworth Jan. 22 d 1834
Personally appeared in open court the within named Benjamin Wallis, and made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition by him subscribed in open court. And I certify that in the opinion of the Court, the said Deponent is a credible Witness. In testimony whereof, I have thereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Probate Court the day and year aforesaid.
Almon Davis, Reg

I Nathaniel Jenkins of Barnstable in the State of Massachusetts aged Seventy five Years, do testify and say, that I was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War - that I enlisted in the Militia or State service the last day of May 1775 under the command of Capt Micah Hamblin. Bensa Smith Lieut. - I enlisted for six months and remained three months guarding the town of Barnstable and then marched to Plymouth where we continued three months. Bursley Brooker who was then & ever since has been, a neighbor of mine, enlisted in the same Company and at the same time and served as long as I did
I also testify that I was in the United States service from the 1st March 1777 to 1st of July 1777 on Nauset Island, in the Company commanded by Elisha Nye - that during all the time I was at Nauset, the above named Bursley Brooker, who is an applicant for a Pension, was also in Capt Nye's Company and I left him there a soldier in 2 d Company when I left, according to the best of my recollection.
Further saith not -
Nathaniel Jenkins

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable ss
Probate Court at West Barnstable Jany. 22 A.D. 1834
Personally appeared in open court the within named Nathaniel Perkins and made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition, by him subscribed in open court. And I certify that in the opinion of the Court the said deponent is a credible witness. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Probate Court the day and year aforesaid
Abner Davis Reg

I Alvan Jenkins of Barnstable in the County of Barnstable & State of Massachusetts aged Seventy years, do testify & say that in the month of January A.D. 1777. Brigadier Joseph Otis sent to Boston & obtained two field pieces or small cannon to defend the sea board from against the enemy vessels, against their approaching the shore & landing & doing us injury. Twenty men were enlisted to manage said cannon. I enlisted into sd. company in Sept. 1777 and at the same time Bursley Brocke of Barnstable, who is an applicant for a Pension also enlisted into the same service in the same company - he & I both served the same length of time in the same company - which was two years or thereabouts, and left the company in Sept. 1779 according to my best recollection - The company was commanded by Micah Hamblin the greater part of the time & Burs a Smith 1st Lieut. - We were stationed at Barnstable - often times march d to Plymouth, remaining there short periods, always returning to Barnstable.
further the deponent saith not. -
Alvan Jenkins

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Barnstable ss
Probate Court at West Barnstable Jan. 22 nd AD 1834
Personally appeared in open court the within named Alvin Perkins and made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition by him subscribed in open court, and I certify that in the opinion of the Court, the said deponent is a credible witness. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hands and affixed the seal of the said Court of Probate, the day and year aforesaid.
Abner Davis Reg

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, March 24 1834.
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 Bursley Crocker, as a private, is borne on the Muster Rolls of Capt. Micah Hamlin's Company, where he is allowed for service from 1 st July to 31 st Dec. 1775 six months.
ms. 6
Bursley Crocker claims for service under Capt. Elisha Nye, in 1777, but the roll he describes is not found in this office.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy

I George Hallet of Barnstable in the County of Barnstable & Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify & say that I am now eighty seven years old that I was well acquainted with Bursley Crocker late said Barnstable the husband of Molly or Mary Crocker now his Widow. Said Bursley & myself were Soldiers of the Revolution & served together. I have a distinct recollection that in the year 1777 we were both privates in Capt. Elisha Pyles Company stationed at Rushmore Island in the Vineyard Sound. We served together on said Island nine months at least during said year ending about December of said year - when said Bursley obtained a pension I gave my affidavit of this fact according to the best of my recollection & I now refer to it & perhaps to other sources of said Bursley but I have no recollection of other services in which we were together but of the services in Capt. Pyles Company I have a distinct recollection.
GEORGE HALLETT
Barnstable Sept 28 th 1837
Personally appeared the above named George Hallet and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed before me and I further certify that said George Hallet is a credible witness.
Geo. Fawell Just of the Peace

Map
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14536
Molly Crocker
Widow of
Bursley Crocker
Brin Rev War
Act: Mar 3 rd 1848
Index:—Vol. a , Page 154
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sir
Providence Oct 31 1847
I herewith enclose the application of Molly Cracker of Barnstable widow of Bursley Cracker for a pension under the act of Congress of July 7 th 1838. Altho the certificate of the Secretary of Massachusetts does not show the length of the service in Capt Elihu Nye's Company while stationed at "Nauschoan" (an Island in the Vineyard Sound) yet it shows that her husband was there as a soldier, as the petition to which his name is affixed dated August 10 1777 shows that such was his character. The deposition of Benjamin Hollett, proves that service to have been 9 months ending December of that year. I believe this was the amount of service allowed in her husband's application for a pension under the act of June 7 1832.
I am respectfully your obed Servt Benja Lowell
J. L. Edwards Esq

No 138484 Ms. A. 9.2. 9378 Molly Crocker wid of J. Purley Map act 7 July 1838
Adms 15 mo 8 days from f 50 88 per ann from 20 th Sept 1838, to 4 th March 1841
Adms, acts 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844 f 50 88 per Ann from 4 March 1843
B. Corwell Esq. Providence R Island