Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2373, David Covel, Navy (Mass)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Navy (Mass) Love, David Lovill, -
R. 2373
CONTENTS
Betsy

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. COUNTY OF LINCOLN, }
ON this 27 th day of Novem r . 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before John Ruggles Es q Justice of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, David Covee a resident of Mistol in the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, aged seventy three 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. Vis as a seaman on board the United States Brig Cabot or Capot commenced by Capt. Elijah Hillman I think one of our lieutenants name was Hamilton & another Phillips. that he entered on board said Brig about the twentieth day of August 1775 & sailed in her on a cruise from Martha's Vineyard on the twenty ninth of August next following that he served on board said Brig about three months when he was put on board a prize brig captained in the English channel of which James Thayer was prize master and a Mr Carr prize master's mate & ordered to the United States before reaching the United States we were recaptured & steered for England but owing to bad weather put into Dunkirk Ireland & was there imprisoned about nine months he was carried from thence to Dublin imprisoned there a few days then put on board a ship & sent to England there put on board a guard ship & confined about ten weeks including the time in Dublin & on the passage from thence he was removed to the Mill Prison & confined there two years & was released in the fall of 1778. I do not know as I ever had any written discharge I have some papers which I gave to General Dearborn about thirty years since I cannot tell exactly what they were I afterwards called on him for them & he told me he must have lost them as he could not find them
And to the Interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the war department he answers that he was born in Martha's Vineyard in the State of Massachusetts in the year of our Lord 1759 has a record of his age in a book present in court was living in Martha's Vineyard when called into the service since the Revolutionary war he has lived there a part of the time & the remainder of the time in St. George, Thomaston & Mistol all in the State of Maine & that he now lives in said Mistol, that he entered the service as a volunteer, was not drafted nor a substitute however of no regular officers except those before named belonging to the vessel & has before stated all the general circumstances of his service as near as he can recollect
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
David Covee
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Before
John Ruggles Judge of said Court.

State of Maine.
LINCOLN, ss—I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that the annexed paper, signed by the Judge and attested by the Clerk, contains the original proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas, at a special session thereof holden at Bristol — in said county, by the Hon. John Ruggles one of the Judges of said Court on the 27 th day of November A. D. 1832, in the matter of the application of David Covel for a Pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 27 th day of November A. D. 1832.
Nathl Coffin CLERK.
My about the twentieth day of August 1813 I was on a cruise from Martha's Vineyard on the twenty ninth of August next following that he served on board said ship about three months when he was put on board a prize brig captained in the English Channel of which James Thayer was prize master and a Mr Carr prize masters mate & ordered to the United States before reaching the United States we were recaptured & steered for England but owing to bad weather put into Duncank Ireland & was there imprisoned about nine months he was carried from thence to Dublin imprisoned there a few days then put on board a ship & sent to England there put on board a guard ship & confined about ten weeks including the time in Dublin & on the passage from thence he was removed to the Mill Prison & confined

WE, Henry Schanbulein & John Sproul 3 residing in the town of Bristol and afusant  residing in the hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with David Cassell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Henry Schanbulein John Sproul 3
State of Maine.
LINCOLN, ss....Sworn and subscribed this twenty seventh day of November
A. D. 1832
Before me, John Ruggles J. C. C.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interroga- tories 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 Henry Schanbulein who has signed the preceding certificate, is resident in the town of Bristol and that John Sproul 3 who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town and an credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. It also appears that there is no clergyman residing in the vicinity of said applicant who could without too much inconvenience & expense attend said court
State of Maine.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. Attest John Ruggles J. C. C. Nathl Coffin Clerk
LINCOLN, ss....I NATHANIEL COFFIN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby cert-
fy that
Esq. whose name is affixed to the above certificate, as a
is legally commissioned and duly qualified to
act as such, and that the name so affixed is his own proper signature, to me well known.

David Covill
24
22407
A. D. 183
CLERK.
See Formah & Co. page 1rd 281 page
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas this day of

State of Maine } County of Lincoln } ss.
On this seventh day of May A.D. 1852: one thousand eight hundred and fifty two , personally ap- peared before the Probate Court for said County of Lincoln, Betsey Covill, a resident of Bristol in said County of Lincoln and State of Maine, aged eighty six 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 provisions made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836;— and also to obtain the allowances of pension to which her hus- band, hereinafter named was entitled in his life time; That she is the widow of David Covill, who was a private, in the war of the American Revolution; that he entered as a seaman on board of the United States ship Cabot, on or about the twentieth day of August, A.D. 1775, and sailed in her on a cruise from Martha's Vineyard, on or about the twenty ninth day of said August; that he served on board of her about three months, when he was put on board of a prize brig which said ship had captured in the English Channel, and ordered to the United States; that before he reached the United States they were retaken, and owing to bad weather were landed in Dunkirk in Ireland, where said Covill was imprisoned about nine

months, and was then carried to Dublin and imprisoned a few days, when he was put on board a ship and sent to England and confined on board a guard ship about ten weeks, including the time he was on the passage, and was from thence removed to the Mill Prison, where he was confined two years and was released and sent in the fall of the year 1878.
She further declares that she was married to the said David Covill on the Tenth day of October in the year seventeen hundred and ninety six that her husband, the aforesaid David Covill, died on the 2 nd day of May in the year eighteen hundred and fifty; and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proofs hereto annexed.
witness W m Cox
Becker for Lovell Mack
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before the Probate Court for said County of Lincoln.
Amos H. Maney Judge

22 1/2 David Covell Lincoln County Maine
Seaburn
Hon Mr. Kavanagh H.R. Nathan Coffin Clk Lincoln County Maine

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of David Coell, Lincoln County, Maine
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     not Aug 1775- 3 Seaman Capt Hill man 73 Martha Vineyard Voluntary   2 19 29   2 3  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  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 services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. 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.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. [e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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. [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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. [k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases. [m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
R. Newman John

March 15, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Charles Doly 413 N. Pennsylvania Roswell, New Mexico
Bl-J/EEL David Covel-R.2373
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to David Covel, who served during the Revolutionary War, was taken prisoner, carried to England and placed in Old Mill Prison.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, R.2373, based upon the military service of David Covel in that war.
David Covel was born in 1759, in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The names of his parents are not shown.
After the Revolution, he lived in Saint George, Thomaston and Bristol, Massachusetts (Maine). It is not shown that he ever resided in Virginia.
While residing in Bristol, Lincoln County, Maine, David Covel applied for pension on November 27, 1832, and stated that while a resident of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, he volunteered and went on board the brig, "Gaget" or "Cabot", Captain Elijah Hillman, about August 30, 1775, sailed from Martha's Vineyard about August 29, 1775, and after being on board this vessel for three months was placed on board a prize brig, captured in the English Channel, James Thayer, prize master, and ordered to the United States, but that before reaching this country, the prize brig was recaptured; that the vessel put in at Dunkirk, Ireland, where he was held as a prisoner for about nine months; then taken to Dublin and held a few days; then placed on a guard ship and held for ten weeks, after which he was taken to England and held in the Mill Prison until in the fall of 1775, when he was released.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension laws.

David Covel married October 10, 1796, Betsey. Her maiden name and the place where they were married are not shown. In 1882, she was aged eighty-two years and resided in Bristol, Maine.
The soldier died May 3, 1850, place not shown.
There is no reference to children.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

March 5-1995-
U.S. Pension Dept.
Rev T 1812
Dear Sir
David Covel was taken prisoner and taken to England and placed in Old Mill Prison in Plymouth England. He was captured in the Brigantine's Cabot's Prize Oct. 24 1776 and committed June 1777. Did he apply for a pension and did he name wife and children in his application papers, I shall be very much pleased to know. (He was from Va.)
Respect,
Mrs Charles Dohy 413 N. Pennsylvania
Roswell
New Mexico
State D. A.R. Chairman) (General Relands)

9373
0. Diana Cowell
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: REJECTED _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Not on printed list of 1852. Bridges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
0. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
1935-mar 15- Miss B. Mrs. Chas. Daly - 88 L.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston :
February 2, 1853.
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 there is no evidence that any private named vessel called the Cabot was in the service during any part of the war.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
W. L. Chaplin Secretary of the Commonwealth.

H Woodman
June 10/57

Pension Office.
10 th June 1854.
Sir,
The additional evidence in the case of David Cavell of Maine, has been received. I would inform you that the proof adduced is wholly insuff- icient to establish the fact that Da- vid served as a seaman in the man- ner described by him in his appli- cation.
Horatio Woodman Esqr.
Boston.
Mass.

Boston, July 15 th 1854.
Sir,
Your letter of the 10 th ult o in the case of the application for arrearages of Revolutionary Pension, under the act of 1832, of David Covil, whose declaration is on file, was recd. It is one of those cases where lapse of time renders it impossible to procure that proof which might have been obtained twenty years ago. Still, if such proof as that enclosed, which must now take its place, will answer, none can be furnished - and it was on account of what was said in relation to it, in a personal interview at your office, that I was induced to procure it - as lapse of time ought to let in such testimony, - and as I have no doubt of Mr. Covil's services.
Respy. Yr. Abt. Det. Horatio Woodman.
Hon. J. P. Waldo, Comr. of Pensions.

Boston, Mass. Sept. 16. 1852.
Sir,
Some years ago, an application was made by David Coill, a seaman in the War of the American Revolution, for a pension. The certificate has not been received. I now enclose the power of attorney of his widow, and request that the pension certificate of said David Coill may be sent, for her, to me; or that the reason for the delay in the granting of said certificate may be stated.
I am, respectfully, William Rogers.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City. — 3

Boston, Mass. June 7. 1834.
Sir,
In the case of the application for arrears of Revolutionary pension by the widow of David Covel, of Maine, under the act of June 7. 1802. I now enclose a declaration and other papers.
Yrs Abb. Sat. Horatio Woodworth
Hon. S. P. Wells. Com. of Pensions.

Maine
Rev. David
Covell
Suspended
See let. to Rev. B.
Kavanagh
February 5. 1834
Mr Rogers Jan 28/53 H. Woodman June 1809.
Act. June 7. 1834
H. Woodman July 1809

July 19/54

Pension Office.
19 th July 1854.
Sir,
The additional evidence in the case of David Covill of Maine, is but hearsay, and in no way serves to establish his service as a seaman.
H. Woodman Esq. Boston. Mass.

State of Maine.
LINCOLN, SS.
I, EDMUND B. BOWMAN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that William Cox whose name is affixed to the annexed paper as a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, was on the day of the date thereof, legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such; and that the signature to the annexed papers purporting to be his is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court this thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty- four
Edmund B. Bowman Clerk.

Lincoln County State maine Bristol
July 7th 1854.
Know all men by these presents that I Jeremiah Palmer
Do hereby testify and say that I have heard David Coris say in his life time say that he served on board the United States Ship Cabot a Brigg and the said David Coris was put on board of said Brigg as one of her crew to carry said Brigg into some port in the United States but was taken and put in prison in England and there one three years
William Cox
Jeremiah Palmer
Alex G. Poland
Know all men by these presents that I Robert McFarland of lawful age Do hereby testify and say that I have heard David Coris say in his lifetime say that he served on board the United States Ship Cabot a Brigg and the said David Coris was put on board of said Brigg as one of her crew to carry her into some port in the United States but was taken and put in prison in England and there remained one three years
Witness -
Robert McFarland
Alex G. Poland
Lincoln County, State Maine
The above named Jeremiah Palmer and Robert McFarland. Subscribed and their names and I swore to the above statements before me this fourteenth day of
July 1854
Wm Cox Justice of the peace Bristol

a number of such evidence can be obtained off Messang

copy of letter of Comt. Pensions, Feb 4 5/34

(Copy)
War-Department Pension Office Feby 5 1834
Sir
The claim of David Gvill of Bristol who claims a pension under the act of June 7 1832, in consequence of having entered on board the brig Cabot, Capt Elijah Hillman in August 1775 and after serving three months was captured in a prize and detained as a prisoner until 1778, has been examined,
If the statement of the claimant is correct as to the time of his entering the service, and the officers of the vessel, this brig Cabot must have been a private armed vessel, and service on board is not with in act. The ship Cabot belonging to the United States was fitted out at a different period of the war and under other officers than those stated by the claimant. If the claimant can procure testimony upon this point which may serve to explain his statement, his papers will be again examined. In the mean time they are placed on file,
Hon E Havencough Hqs M
Signo J. L. Edward Comm-

Wm E. Kavanaugh
Me Feb 5. 1834
a. 6
Rec Vol 32 p 30
Ms. A. 1. 6

Manuf.
P.O.
July 5. 1834
In
The claim of David Gorill of Bristol , who claims a pension under the act of 1832 in consequence of having entered on board the brig Cabot Capt. Elijah Hillman in August 1775 and after serving three months was captured in a prize and detained as a prisoner until 1778, has been examined.
If the statement of the claimant is correct as to the time of his entering the service, and the officers of the vessel, this brig Cabot must have been a private armed vessel, and service on board is not within the act. The ship Cabot belonging to the  of the war United States was fitted out at a different period, and under other officers than those stated by the claimant. If the claimant can procure testimony upon this point which may serve to explain his statement, his paper will be again examined. In the mean time they are placed on file.
Hon. E. Kavanaugh N.R.

WASHINGTON CITY, Jan 24 th 1853.
SIR:
We ask your perusal of this letter, sent you for the purpose of gathering up claims against the Government in your part of the country.
It is indispensable that claimants in most cases should employ an Attorney to prosecute patent their claims against the Government, or be subject to great delays and much uncertainty as to the result.
For many years our Agency has been successfully engaged at this seat of Government in the prosecution of claims against our own Government and against the Governments of other nations; and continues to prosecute with promptness, fidelity and efficiency, claims of all descriptions.
For the prosecution of claims for Revolutionary half-pay, pensions, &c., &c., we believe we have, besides many years experience in the business, far greater facilities for prosecuting these claims, than others; for we have Army Rolls and Records of the Revolutionary services of more than 60,000 officers and privates —showing generally the date of their services, company and field officers under whom they served, their grade or rank in service, dates of commission, day of entering the army, place of birth often, and age when they enlisted, and amount of pay due them for their Revolutionary services when they left the army.
The above Rolls and Records of the Revolution are our own private property, and were obtained at great expense, and we do know of but few agents in the country who have anything at all of the kind.
We endeavor to transact business upon a fair professional basis, and upon reasonable rates of charges.
The assistance of a competent Attorney or Justice of the Peace is also often requisite near the claimant to attend the due execution of papers, and for other purposes—who might also collect, or cause to be collected, very many valuable claims, under instructions, hereafter to be forwarded to such by us.
There are many very good Revolutionary pension claims yet unadjusted in your part of the country, which under my special directions, can be very readily found, and which will pay far better fees to the Attorney than bounty land claims, or the ordinary fees of the profession.
In all cases, if you will so far devote your attention to this proposed business, as to search thoroughly for claims in your country, I will, as an inducement to your exertions, allow you one-half of my stipulated fees (besides what the claimants may allow you) in all cases, which you may forward me, after the first three cases.
Besides bounty land, half-pay, pension claims, &c., for Revolutionary services, there are now many other classes of claims existing, all of which I will prosecute with unremitting effort.
When the warrant or certificate is obtained the same will be forwarded to your care, and my fees will be by you returned to me or made subject to my order; and when money is to be drawn here, my fees will first be deducted and the balance forwarded.
In all cases claimants must give a clear statement in writing of the nature and grounds of their claim, and if upon examination I find the claim can probably be sustained, I will forward Forms and Instructions, such as will enable any one with ease to prepare the papers correctly.
In bounty land and Revolutionary pension claims I will immediately transmit Forms and Instructions after receiving an acceptance of the agencies herein proposed.
Should you not however accept the agency herein proposed, the benefits of which might be extended by personal effort, by advertisement and by employing others to travel in quest of claims, taking with them our directions, &c., to receive from you a stipulated fee or interest in each claim obtained—should you not however accept, then have the goodness to hand this letter to some energetic lawyer or Justice of the Peace whom you can recommend, and who will promptly proceed to the work, and thus oblige,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
L. BLANCHARD TRUE.
Attorney for Claimants.
Believe I have proof of your service abundantly REFERENCES.
I consider Mr. L. B. True's Revolutionary Records of great value to claimants. By them he has recently furnished record proof of more than seven years service of a Revolutionary officer, for me, in a case when the Keeper of the Public Records had notified me that no record evidence existed of the service; and thus a claim of more than $4,000 has been saved to one of my constituents, which otherwise had been lost.
I can most cheerfully recommend Mr. True as an agent to all claimants.
Hon. MOSES B. CORWIN, M. C.
FEBRUARY 26, 1851.
From the highly satisfactory testimonials given by many gentlemen of my acquaintance, to the character and qualifications of Mr. True, I have not the slightest hesitation in recommending him to all who may desire his services, as fully competent to give entire satisfaction in whatever he may undertake.
HORACE STRINGFELLOW, Rector of Trinity Church.
WASHINGTON, July 15, 1842.
I take pleasure in stating that Mr. L. BLANCHARD TRUE, of Washington City, is a graduate of Bowdoin College, the highest literary institution of the State, and among the foremost in New England; that he is a gentleman of good character and worth. I doubt not he will give full satisfaction wherever he may be employed.
GEORGE EVANS, U. S. Senate.
August 2, 1841.
Refer to Heads of Departments and to Members of Congress generally, of past and present Congresses.

M rs Rogers Jan 28/53

Pension Office Jany 28 1853
Sir
I herewith enclose a report of the claim of David Carrill of Me, made to the Hon E. Kavanaugh, Feby 5 1834, which will declare to you the reasons for the suspen- sion of the claim, and what is necessary to do to complete it.
Wm Rogers Esq Boston Mass

STATE OF MAINE
LINCOLN, SS.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
I, EDMUND B. BOWMAN, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts within and for the County of Lincoln, do hereby certify that Arnold Blaney whose name is affixed to the annexed paper, as a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, is legally commissioned and duly qualified to act as such; and that the signature to the annexed papers purporting to be his is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Supreme Judicial Court this seventh day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty two
Edmund B. Bowman CLERK.

Know all Men by these Presents,
THAT I, Betsey Covill, of Bristol, of the County of Lincoln and State of Maine, widow of David Covill late a seaman in Company , Captain in the Regiment of  war of the American Revolution , deceased, have constituted, and do hereby constitute William Rogers, of Boston, Mass. my attorney, for me and in my name, to demand and receive from the Government of the United States, the pension and arrearages of pension to which I am or may be entitled, by reason of the service of David Covill aforesaid ; to give all necessary receipts and discharges therefor; to appoint an attorney or attorneys under him for said purpose; and to do all things in the premises which are or may be necessary.
Witness my hand and seal, this seventh day of May A.D. 1852
Andrew Maney Wm Cox } Two Witnesses.
her Betsey Covill mark
State of Maine
County of Lincoln
Personally appeared the above named Betsey Covill and subscribed and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney, to be her free act and deed, this seventh day of May A.D. 1852. Before me,
Andrew Maney
} Justice of the Peace, for the said County.