Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18019, Isaac Hilton, Mass. Privateer

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass. Privateer
Hilton, Isaac
S. 18019
carded
CONTENTS

1853B
Name 18.550
Dane Milton
Portland in the State of Maine was a Mariner in the Company commanded by Captain Lockill of the Regt. commanded in the allap?  me
for 5 mo. mariner S+P 18 " drummer Privateer
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 86 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Sept 1833 and sent to D. Murphy. Portland Me
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1833 - $215.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 34 - 43.00
$258.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by E. Brown Clerk Book 2 Vol. 5 Page 21
1853B

at Marlhall, (18553) Agent, pending payment 28 th Aug t 1834
let to D. Hopkins 28 th Aug t 34 let same 2 Jan y 1835 same 5 March 1835
letter to F.O. Smith July 22: 1835
let to Freeman Brunsford 893 Aug 14 '36. Copies of papers sent to Mr H.O. Smith, Dec 24. 1836 do to Hon. J. Morris, June 5. 1838.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
MAINE DISTRICT SS.
At a Special District Court of the United States begun and held at Portland, within and for said District, on the twenty fifth day of July - A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty- two , before the Honorable ASHUR WARE, Judge of said Court.
On this twenty fifth day of July - aforesaid, personally appeared in open Court before said District Judge Isaac Hilton a resident of the city of Portland - in the county of Cumberland in said Maine District, aged seventy one 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 served as a drummer in the company commanded by Captain Abner Lowell which company was raised for the purpose of guarding the town of Falmouth in the county of Cumberland & State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven as he thinks  was enlisted in said company in the month of April. William McLellan was the first lieutenant, and Dudley Comstock the second lieutenant, and Enock Moody was orderly sergeant & clerk of said company. Said company while he belayed to it did not form a part of any regiment as he believes but was raised particularly for the protection of Falmouth after that town had been burnt by the British. That he served in said company about sixteen months and was discharged by said Captain Lowell if he remembers aright on about the fifteenth day of October A.D. 1778 - that he resided in said Falmouth (where he was born) at the time of his said enlistment.
And the said Hilton upon his oath aforesaid doth further declare that on the eighteenth day of October A.D. 1778 he shipped as a mariner on board the ship Cumberland of Falmouth a private ship commissioned under the government of Massachusetts carrying twenty guns commanded by Captain Collins whose Christian name he does not remember of which ship William Rogers was first lieutenant and a Mr. Herring if he remembers his name correctly was sailing master, and Samuel Hark was in said ship in the capacity of Captain's Clerk if he remembers aright - and that Isaac Shattuck was steward - Hanahiah Tukey was a seaman on board - that six months after said ship sailed from Boston Falmouth (as he thinks) said ship sailed on the next day after his shipment aforesaid) - and six months after she arrived at Boston where he was discharged left her - And said Hilton upon his oath aforesaid doth further declare that about two months after he left the ship Cumberland he shipped as a mariner on board the privateer ship Arnold Mores Brown Commander - said ship mounted twenty guns & was commissioned under the government of Massachusetts & sailed in said ship Arnold a few days after he shipped in her as aforesaid and made a cruise of about four months & returned to Newbury Port and was discharged - and said Hilton upon his oath aforesaid doth further declare that he shipped again as a mariner on board the Monmouth a privateer ship of twenty guns commissioned under the government of Massachusetts the next day after he left the said ship Cumberland - that Captain Newman whose christian name he does not remember that he thinks a Mr. Johnson whose christian name he has forgotten was first lieutenant & John Perkins was his lieutenant that he sailed on a cruise immediately after in said last ship of about five months & was then discharged - And said Hilton upon his oath aforesaid doth further declare that as near as he can now remember in June A.D. 1780 he shipped again as a mariner on board the privateer ship Effingham mounted sixteen guns commissioned under the government of Massachusetts & commanded by Joseph Estlin - and sailed on a cruise soon after he shipped & was taken about twenty days after he sailed by the British privateer ship George Captain Wale and carried into Bristol England where he was confined as a prisoner and remained in Mill Prison in Plymouth and remained so confined in said prison two years and as he thinks four months more than two years before he was liberated - he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on any pension roll of any agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency in the State of
that he —
Isaac Hilton
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Before,
Asher Ware
U. S. Judge for the District of Maine.

We Elijah Shaw a Oneyman residing in the city of Portland in the county of Cumberland & Enoch Morse resident also in said city hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Isaac Hilton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be seventy one years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier - and a sailor of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Elijah Shaw Enoch Morse
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid by us two persons known to me to be the persons described in and who are known to me to be the persons described in and who are known to me to be the persons described in
Asheville July 10th R.P. & Co Bureau of Pensions
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War Department) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states - and that said Hilton was also a revolutionary mariner a sea-man and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Elijah Shaw who has signed the foregoing certificate is a Oneyman residing in the city of Portland in the county of Cumberland in the District of Maine and that Enoch Morse who has also signed the same is a resident of the said city in the county and in the District aforesaid and that the foregoing statement is entitled to credit.
I, John Muzzey Clerk of the District Court of the United States for Maine District, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Isaac Hilton for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty seventh day of July A. D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
John Muzzey Clerk of the U. States District Court for Maine District.
I Isaac Hilton within above named depose and say that in the within application for a pension sworn to by me as aforesaid the said Hilton Isaac Hilton made a mistake in naming Captain Newman as the commander of the ship Monmouth on board of which ship I served as within stated and that Alexander Pope was the commander of said ship Monmouth in the time of my said service on board said ship as within mentioned. Further depose and say that at the time I made oath to the facts in said application I inadvertently made said mistake in consequence of said Newman's having been master of said ship previously and that I have more clearly recalled

Me - Mar 2?
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington.

Portland Feb. 23 1835 -
Sir,
I hope I shall not trespass too far upon the indulgence of the War Department by addressing you once more upon the subject of the application of Isaac Hilton, Joseph Kezai, John Le Lillan & David Davis; but I venture to urge upon your consideration some some particular circumstances which you probably do not know, and which appear to me to be deserve some attention.
The ancient town of Pemaquid was burnt by the British in Oct. 1775 - about one half of the houses were destroyed and the people almost universally removed their furniture papers &c into the country and such was the hurry & confusion that a considerable portion of was lost & destroyed. Such were the peculiar circumstances of danger to which Pemaquid was exposed that although many of the inhabitants after a year or two returned to Portland yet they were exposed to alarms were exposed to alarms very frequently during three or four years next following 1775  when some of their vessels were seen at a distance when some of their own vessels were seen at a distance off the harbor it was apprehended that the enemy were again approaching and new scenes of tumult & confusion resulted - furniture, other articles & papers were hastily sent off into the country the owners not knowing not knowing where they were carried - continual alarms of this sort and generally attended with loss - will I think satisfactorily account for the loss of military papers. The alarm was sometimes so great that even people in the country feared to come into Portland lest the enemy should be there, and they should be severely treated as inhabitants of Pemaquid who were peculiarly exposed to hostile resentment.
At one time while the principal inhabitants were removing articles of value & the road into the country was thronged with individuals & teams, the females on foot carrying their large looking glasses - except one who was while removing her removing her deceased father upon a wheelbarrow - and now knowing where they should find a house or even a barn to shelter them it may well be believed that papers could have little or no security. - Such a state of things was frequent for 3 or 4 years more or less confusion attending every instance. Loss of property was frequent & numerous - this is now well remembered - and the loss of papers amidst calamities so much more serious was perhaps scarcely thought of. - This being matter of history or tradition at least is susceptible of as satisfactory proof as can ever be exhibited of such matters. Perhaps these petitioners for pensions shall have produced such proof to account for the want of written documents more especially since the situation & the circumstances of Pemaquid were so peculiar to itself - & perhaps have not a parallel any where else.
Now Sir, I will venture to request you to re-examine the cases of the petitioners above mentioned - and to say whether such circumstances ought not to do away the objection of the want of documentary evidence. Does it not afford a strong presumption of the loss of such papers after such a lapse of time and during the confused & tumultuous period of the revolution when the documents which do remain are characterized by carelessness

If you consider this a proper subject of consideration to you also consider that you should have proof of it - and require it, please to let me know and will furnish it to the full extent of my description. As it is matter of history I did not think it necessary to instruct the applicants to furnish it. Allow me then to make a few brief observations upon each applicant's case.
Isaac Hilton's case is perhaps the strongest as far as respects his real claim to a full allowance which can be found. No one doubts that he was, through the whole revolution in actual service  exposed to the danger of the enemy either on land or on sea - nor that he was more than two years in actual service in Lowell's company and it excites much surprise that he should not be allowed a full pension; and the fact that he was two years and eight months confined in an English prison from which he was not liberated until the time of the peace in 1815 renders him a subject of public commiseration in this quarter. I am fully aware that where there are some returns of company rolls a presumption naturally & legally arises that such evidence may and ought to be produced in similar cases; but I submit it to your consideration whether the peculiar circumstances I have mentioned above (which are as well known to be true as that there was a revolution) ought not to be received as sufficient to repel the presumption arising from the want of company rolls in all cases. - Allow me to refer you to the cases of David Abbott & Sarah Abbott soldiers in the same company & also that of Joseph Thomas to whom full pensions are allowed and yet their names are not found upon any company rolls. In this respect Hilton's case is as like theirs - It is true that the evidence of the exact period of service is more clear in their cases than in Hilton's because they all enlisted enlisted at the same periods and nearly at the same periods and all left about the same time so that they could swear positively for each other. Hilton can find no witness who enlisted and left when he did - and for this reason is not able to procure proof so clear & so certain ; but may it not be considered also that after such a lapse of time the testimony he has procured is as full as can be expected from the frail memory of man. I hope that a further consideration of his case taking these additional circumstances into view will lead to the allowance of a full pension for Hilton than whom no man seems to have a fairer claim, in fact, to the bounty of his country. —
As to Viegas - so far as the above circumstances apply to his case I still hope something will be allowed to him - that he was in actual service for some time of eight or ten months at least there cannot really be any doubt although he does not produce such full evidence as in other cases would certainly be required. There are some discrepancies in his declaration - and perhaps in the testimony but while making proper allowances for the mistakes of memory perhaps you will yet consider him entitled to some allow-

The cases of McEllam & Davis I thought sufficiently proved, not aware how important it was considered by the War Department that documentary evidence should be required. — After the deposition was taken I recollected that it was not stated that these two applicants lived the whole term of their service in the barracks within the fort which the witness declared — I regretted the omission — If the addition of this testimony will produce a more favorable opinion of their case I will thank you to inform me. — What is above said as to the probable reason wherefore documentary evidence cannot be obtained will apply with equal force to these two cases, for the danger applied to Cape Elizabeth as well as to Palmyra — they lying on opposite sides of the same harbor and being originally parts of the same town.
I regret that I did not direct the applicants to exhibit the evidence that Portland was in a continual state of alarm which caused many hasty removals for during the years 1776, 1777, 1778 & 1779 — possibly even later when in the confusion both property & papers were often lost — but facts so well known here — it was not considered important to mention from the natural belief that such facts would be generally known. I hope you will excuse this long epistle dictated by a solicitude which I believe I may say is universal here that these applicants who are all poor & aged, may, in the receipt of their country's bounty, find their declining life rendered more comfortable.
I am Sir very respectfully Yr. obedt servt J. D. Hopkins
P.S. From your letter I am induced to think that you examined only the papers first forwarded in McEllam's case. There I have understood some defect. Another application with new testimony was forwarded by me.

Additional declaration of Isaac Hilton of Portland in the county of Cumberland State of Maine. -
The said Isaac Hilton on oath declares that he was an enlisted soldier in the Artillery Company commanded by Isaac Almon Lowell from the Spring of the year 1777 to some time late in the Spring of 1779 that said Company was in the Massachusetts line and was stationed in Falmouth in the county of Cumberland aforesaid of which the city of Portland constitutes a part - The said Hilton further declares that his said service in said company was under three different enlistments and it might be more than three but he cannot certainly state more than three - and the said Hilton further states that Joseph Noyes of said Falmouth was Commissary & that he and the other soldiers in said company received their rations from him - That he said Hilton further states that he served as drummer in said company according to his best remembrance as much as nine months of the aforesaid period and the remainder of the said time as a matross and said Hilton further states that his term of service aforesaid was more than two years but how much more he is unable to state - and he thinks & believes it was about two years and two months - probably two years and three months.
Isaac Hilton
State of Maine.
Cumberland ss. On the twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty four Isaac Hilton above named personally appeared and made oath that the declaration above by him subscribed is just & true in all its parts according to the best of his knowledge resolution & belief before me J. D. Hopkins Jut of the peace for the county of Cumberland.
in District
District Clerk's Office September 26. 1834
In testimony that J. D. Hopkins Esq. is a Magistrate as above & within that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine I have hereunto set my hand & seal official this day & year last above written
John Mufsey Clerk U. S. Dist. Court Maine

I Joseph Thomas of the city of Portland in the county of Cumberland State of Maine testify depose and say that in the spring of the year 1778 I enlisted as a drummer in the company of Artillery, stationed in the town of Falmouth of which said city constitutes a part, which said company was commanded by Ebenezer Lowell being a company in the service of the State of Massachusetts and that I continued an enlisted soldier in said company more than two years. I further testify that when I enlisted as aforesaid Isaac Hilton of said Portland was a drummer in said company - and that said Hilton was at that time an enlisted soldier in said company according to the best of my knowledge recollection & belief for as much as one year before my said enlistment, and that said Hilton continued to be an enlisted soldier in the same company with me for as much as one year after my said enlistment according to the best of my knowledge recollection & belief. - I further testify that Joseph Vose of said Falmouth was one commissary and that we received our rations from him. My age is seventy four. And further saith not. Joseph Thomas
State of Maine.
Cumberland ss. On the sixth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty four the above named Joseph Thomas personally appeared & made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is just & true according to his best knowledge recollection & belief before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace within & for the county of Cumberland and I do certify that the said Joseph Thomas is entitled to full faith & credit as a witness, and that good faith & credit is due to his declarations under oath.
J. D. Hopkins Justice of the peace for the county of Cumberland.

I Joseph Veazie of the city of Portland aged seventy three years do hereby testify & say that I know Isaac Hilton of said city to be an enlisted soldier in the company stationed in the town of Falmouth in the county of Cumberland & State of Maine commanded by Abner Lowell that said company was a company in the Massachusetts line and that it was supplied with rations by Joseph Vosey Commissary. — that said Hilton was a drummer in said company pretty much all the year 1777 — and that said Hilton continued to be an enlisted soldier in said company all the year 1778 — how much longer said Hilton remained in said company I do not now remember but I believe and have no doubt but that said Hilton remained a soldier in said company until about the time that the ship Cumberland from Fal- mouth aforesaid was at Portland which according to my best recollection was in the autumn of 1779 — I further say that I was a soldier in said company myself and well remember said Hilton belonging to it. Said Hilton was a drummer in said company  the the principal part of the time above mentioned but I believe he served part of that time as a private soldier.
Joseph Veazie
State of Maine.
Cumberland ss. On the eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty four the above named Joseph Veazie personally appeared and made oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is just & true according to his best knowledge recollection & be- lief before me the undersigned. And I do certify that the said Joseph Veazie's declarations under oath are entitled to good faith and credit. —
J. D. Hopkins, Issued the peace for the county of Cumberland.

Additional Declaration of Isaac Hilton. 1896
Half Myrtle Commonwealth of Expectations to Prob- fate in 1779
Freeman Bradford Portland U.S.C.

I Isaac Hilton of Portland in the County of Cumberland State of Maine on oath make the following declaration in addition to the one now on file in the Pension Department in order to obtain the benefit of the act of June 7, 1832
That he the said Hilton with about 18 others enlisted sometime in the spring he believes of 1777 and was put by Col Peter Noyes under the Command of Peter Merrill who was then a sergeant and did service as a drummer under said Merrill about six weeks he thinks. During this time he was stationed in Falmouth then called now Portland near the foot of King Street. The men under said Merrill did duty as a guard, were subject to Military discipline at all times, drew rations as Soldiers and received pay as soldiers. were subject to the Roll call, and kept continual on the heights in and about Portland.
Immediately after this he with others enrolled himself under the Command of William M c Lean of Portland who was a Lieut. He was under said M c Lean about two and one half months he believes and was stationed as before stated in Portland. He with the rest of his fellow Soldiers were employed a part of this time in erecting and repairing fortifications in and about Portland. The Company had no Barracks and were obliged to bodge in private Houses, at any place between what was then called the Hay Market & River Street, a dis- tance within the bounds of the Town. He the said Hilton had his quarters in Bangs Street within the limits

before described and one Bryant the Fifer of the Company had his quarters a few rods from him in the same street. There were soldiers that belonged to the 6 company who did not belong in the Town of Falmouth. During this period the British soldiers made some depredations upon the Islands in Buzzards Bay and their shipping was frequently seen off the Harbour. In this campaign which he considers as commencing at the time of his enlistment under Sergeant Melick he was not permitted nor did he perform any labour or duty other than a soldier. During the whole time he was drummer.
Sometime in the summer of 1777 Abner Lowell having his commission as capt. in the said Hilton enrolled himself under said Lowell and served in his company a part of the time as drummer and a part of the time as Matross until about the 18 of October AD 1778 he believes a period in whole of fourteen months. He believes this period was under two enlistments but owing to the great length of time that has elapsed and the consequent loss of memory he is not able to state. He is sure that he served in Portland the full period of Eighteen months during his time of service under Capt Lowell a guard house was built in or near the fort Peter Noyes was Col. but he does not recollect that any other Company was stationed in Portland at that time. He was not permitted

to perform any other duty than that of Drummer and Matross. He drew rations and took them to the quarters where he lodged there being no Barracks in Portland at that time. Joseph Hays was the commissary of the Company. William McGettigan was 1st Lieutenant a part of the time and one Dudley Goumet the other part. Enock Moody was Ensign. He recollects among his fellow soldiers one Vaise. For his services with Sergeant Peter Mearns Lieut McGettigan and Capt Goumet he claims a pension for at least eighteen months.
Soon after this term of service expired and in the month of October eighteen hundred & seventy eight he enlisted under Capt Collins commander of the ship Cumberland of twenty guns and went on a cruise to the West Indies. The ship had on board one hundred & twenty seven men including officers. She sailed the last part of Oct in the same year & month in which he enlisted and when out from Portland about fourteen days she fell in with and captured his Britannic Majesty's Ship Lady Gage loaded  carried with wine & clothing for the soldiers of the British Army. The Lady Gage had 45 men. The Cumberland sent

Her prize into Patten's under the command of Benjamin Brockman Prize master. William Rogers was Lieut. of the Cumberland and our Murrell was Sailing Master. He the said Hilton was paid by Simon Mays and by Col Sergeant of Cape Ann but he does not know whether they were agents for the ship Cumberland or paymasters under the Continen- -tal establishment. He knows not whether the Cumberland was a privateer or a govern- -ment vessel. In the course of the cruise of the Cumberland she fell in with and captured a Guineaman off the Island of Martinico and sent her into a port of that Island with the slaves she had on board. The vessel that we captured subsequently arrived safely in Boston. On our voyage home the Cumberland fell in with off New York the British ship Leighton having on board saddles and military implements for the use of the enemy who were then in New York. The British ship was captured and carried safely into Boston.
Same time in April he believes 1779 he again enlisted under Capt Moses Brown of Newport Commander of the ship

Arnold twenty guns and sailed from said Newburyport on a cruise to Newfoundland and after she had been out about ten or twelve days she fell in with a British Brig loaded with Dry Fish and took her and carried her into New- buryport. In the discharge of one of her Bow chains the Gun split and fearing that the rest of the Guns of the chain would wear unsearched they returned to Newburyport. He was out in this cruise about six weeks.
Soon after this cruise sometime I think in June 1779 he enlisted under Capt Ross Commander of the Ship Monmouth of 20 guns and went on a cruise to Halifax. The Monmouth belonged to the Continental Establishment. He cruised in the Monmouth about six weeks and returned in about six weeks. During this cruise they took no prize. She had about 120 men.
Sometime in fall of 1779 he enlisted on Board the Effingham sixteen Gun and forty five men Capt Joseph Costings Commander and in twenty one days from the time of sailing from Boston while off the Western Islands he was captured by the British Ship George Capt Wade and carried into Bristol England a prisoner in Irons. From Bristol he with

thirty two others were conveyed around to Plymouth and put on Board the British Guard ship Blenheim ninety Guns and then retained in Irons about six weeks. He was then taken out of Irons and sent ashore and examined by two magistrates and condemned for high Treason and sentenced to be hung, as soon as the rebellious subjects of North America as they were then called were subdued. He was then committed to Mill prison where he remained two years and eight months suffering during the whole of that period for food and clothing. At the expiration of this time he was exchanged for some prisoners taken by Paul Jones and sent to Cherbourg in France. From Cherbourg he travelled to a place called St Malo. he believes about one hundred miles south west of Cherbourg. for the purpose of finding an American Vessel to bring him to his country. When he arrived at Malo. the vessel he was in pursuit of had left two days previous, and being nearly distanced he was obliged to enlist on board a French Vessel of War. He continued in the French Vessel for nearly a year before

He could procure a commission home. When he arrived in America hostilities had ceased between our country and great Britain. Your applicant is unable to support himself in consequence of bodily infirmity and hopes that he may be allowed a full pension for his services in behalf of his country. He believes he served as a private at least two or three years in the following manner.
Under Sergeant Merrill. Lieut. M c Lean and Capt. Lowell at least. Eighteen months. Under the Capt. of the Monmouth. one and a half months - Under the Capt. of the Cumberland six months. Under the Capt. of the Effingham. one month making in the whole about twenty eight months.
Isaac H. Hinton
Cumberland Mass. August 3. 1836. Then personally appeared Isaac Hinton above named and swore the above and foregoing declaration by him subscribed is true.
Before me Freeman Bradford Justice of Peace

21.319
Received of the 29th May 1880.
Received from the Honorable John Ander- son, Member of Con- gress, from the State of Maine, and respect- fully referred to the War Department by the Secretary of the Navy.
May 29 th 1880.

For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of an act for regulating pensions to persons on board private armed ships approved  hired on the thirteenth day of February A.D. 1813 I Isaac Hilton of Portland in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine do hereby declare that I shipped as a private seaman on board the ship of Effingham of Boston (Massachusetts with) Joseph Costings Master sometime in the month of December A.D. 1777 according to my best recollection of the time - and I further declare that said ship Effingham was a pri- -vate armed ship or vessel of the United States bearing a Commission of letter of Marque and I further declare that said ship Effingham in her first cruise fell in with a British armed  private ship called the George of Bristol in England on the twenty first day of January A.D. 1778 and I further declare that on the day next before mentioned the said ships Effingham and George had a smart engagement for which continued more than an hour in which I received a musket ball in my right leg a wound on my head with a cutlass by means whereof I was disabled and I further declare that the said British ship George in the said engagement conquered and took said ship Effingham and made prisoners of all her officers & crew & put a prize master on board said ship Effingham and took all the officers & crew of said ship Effingham & put us as prisoners on board the said ship George and that the said officers & crew of said ship Effingham were carried by said ship George into Bristol aforesaid from whence said officers & crew of said ship Effingham were carried by a tender to Plymouth in England & there put on board a guard ship - from thence we were all carried before two British magistrates and there examined and committed to Hill Prison in said Plymouth charged as rebels taking  depredating against the British king taken upon the high seas and I further declare that sometime in February A.D. 1778 accord- -ing to my best recollection as to the month I as one of the crew of the said ship Effingham with the rest of her crew was committed to said Hill Prison and that I remained in said prison under said commitment and for no other cause more than three  and four months years and until I and several others perhaps more than twenty were released in consequence of an exchange of prisoners and sent to Cherbourg in France where Capt. John Paul Jones had a number of English prisoners for whom an equal num- -ber of American prisoners among whom I was one were exchanged and from France I was unable to get home to the United States until after peace was declared between Great Britain and her former colonies the United States - and I said Isaac Hilton further declare that I have never received any pension from the United States nor been on the pension list and that I have never before made application for a pension and the only reason why I have not heretofore made such application is that I had hoped to be able to get my living without it and intended so to do should it be in my power and I further declare that my extreme poverty and other inability to procure a living without the aid of

assistance of my country is the only reason why I make the present application and until within a short time since I have never acquainted myself with the particular provisions made by the laws of the United States for such cases as mine.
Isaac Hilton
State of Maine.
Cumberland ss. March 29 th A.D. 1830 Before me James D. Hopkins Esquire a Justice of the peace within & for said county duly empowered to administer oaths in the said county of Cumberland personally appeared this day Silas Haulk of said Portland and Aaron Chamberlain of the same Portland — two respectable witnesses of the said county who did solemnly make oath that Isaac Hilton by whom the foregoing declaration is subscribed is generally reputed & believed to have been a seaman in a private armed ship or vessel of the United States bearing a Commission of Letter of Marque during the revolutionary war and to have been captured in such private armed ship by the British during the American Revolution as stated in said declaration. Witness my hand this twenty ninth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty.
James Deane Hopkins Justice of the peace for said county and duly qualified to administer oaths in the same county.
State of Maine
Cumberland ss
I William Vaughan, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts for the County of Cumberland, State of Maine, do hereby certify that James D Hopkins before whom the foregoing Affidavit was sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace, duly empowered to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twenty ninth day of March A.D. 1830.
William Vaughan, Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 12 1835.
* 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 Isaac Hilton, is with others borne on the following, viz
Falmouth July 31 st 1777."
A true return to the Honorable Council of this State of the Matross Company stationed at Falmouth in the County of Cumberland in the State of the Massachusetts Bay. Said Company consisting of eighty men including Officers, and serving under the commands of Abner Lowell. At the ends of the above mentioned Return is the following, viz
I have mustered the above named Men agreeable to the Sea Coast Establishment in May last, and are now well equipped and fit for duty. Falmouth, August 11 1777. Attest Peter Noyes Col.

The Pay or Muster Rolls of Capt. Abner Lowell Company, after March 30 th 1777, are not found in this Office.
Isaac Hilton claims for services under Capt. William McLellan, prior to his services under Capt. Lowell, but the roll is not found in this Office. Wm. Tufts. Depy Secretary.

Isaac Hilton's application for pension July 1832 No 1353
P
See Isaac Hilton's declared in which he states that he was on board the Effingham a pris- oner from the 1777

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 21, 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 Isaac Hilton, as a Matross, is borne on a Return of a Matross Company, stationed at Falmouth, under the command of Capt. Abner Lowell, - dated Falmouth, July 31, 1777. - No term of service is stated on said Return.
Isaac Hilton claims also for service, as Mariner, on board the Ship Monmouth. - In this Office is found, on the List of the Ships of War, armed Vessels and Transports, on the Expedition to Penobscot, - the Ship Monmouth, of 200 Tons, and 20 guns, commanded by Alexander Rop; - but there is no roll or list of the Crew of said vessel.
Isaac Hilton claims for other service, on board of the Ship Cumberland and the Ship Arnold; - but the evidence that Ships of those names were employed in the service of this State, is not here found.
Edward D. Dany, Secy
Aug 21 1833 Asa D. Dany

INVALID.
File No. 18,012
Isaac Hilton
(Mariner & Drowned Per Was)
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 452
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Marie
Isaac Milton
Letter to Hon. J. Morris 5 June '38
to Hon. A. Pierce 27 Dec "
" " same Aug. 9. 1840
" to F. Bradford Jan 8. 1844.

21319. Isaac Hilton Maine Act 18 March 1818
Rejected 29 May 1820 See letter to Hon John Anderson H.R.
File filed with adm't papers of Isaac Hilton Maine Act June 1832.

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by Marion B Hudson
Sur Claim No. 7 18019
Certificate No. _____
Claimant Isaac Helton.
Soldier Mass. Inf Privateer
Service _____
Additional Service _____
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
No claim other than above.

Payments to be made at Portland. Res d N. Br. Bk Agent for paying Pension- es, in the Agency of Name

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Isaac Hilton of the State of Maine. who was a mariner and drummer during the war of the Revolution — is entitled to receive Eighty-six dollars and cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 18th day of September, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
J. P. Kirtland
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. §
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Isaac Hilton of the State of Maine. who was a Mariner and drummer during the war of the Revolution — is entitled to receive Eighty-Six dollars and cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 18th day of September, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
Lee
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Pottawatomie Aug. 3. 1836
Dear Sir
Enclosed you have the papers of Isaac Hilton of Pottawatomie in the County of Camberland who has been upon the Pension Roll but was dropped in consequence of not making due and proper proof as was required by the Department. Mr. Hilton has made an additional declaration and has stated all the material points of his service as clearly as he can. He was aware that he might not be right in the time in which he served as his memory has failed him but he is very clear as to the length of time he has served. He is destitute and in actual need of assistance. He states that his pension Certificate

has been given up to Mr Hopkins who has heretofore undertaken in his whalf and supposes that it has been transmitted to the Department and if he is restored to the pension list he prays that a new pension certificate may be granted him His certificate may be transmitted to the Secretary
Very respectfully Your obed Servt Freeman Bradford
Hon. James L. Edwards Comm r of Pensions Washington D.C.

The merits of the before named applicant make it more desirable that his case may receive the earliest, and the most favorable consideration of the Department. I trust you will find him within the rules that entitle him to a place on the pension roll -
Most truly your obed Servt Francis J. Smith
17m. J. L. Edwards Washington D.C.
Portland Augt. 3 rd / 30

Maine Aug 31 ut
Pension
FREE
Hon Lewis B. Gage Secretary of War
Washington
Adm
Sim's Maine 20
18. Drummer \frac{44}{22} \frac{486}{2}
Missy \frac{172}{45} \frac{215}{2}
Dorland

Dec 24
Dear Helen
Chas. H. Harker
Mr. Edwards Sam P. Russell Wailuku
M. B. Smith

Will Mr. Edwards favor me with a copy of the papers on the case of Isaac Hutton, for presentation to Congress, & Miss West over him Francis J. Smith
Ms. A. 1. 1 Jan 27 th p 6

Dec 26
Isaac Hill
me.
1833 Mrs. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington
St. Louis Mo. J.B.

Room of the Committee on Pensions
Sept 21 st 1858
Sir. Will you have the goodness to furnish to the Committee of Pensions the grounds on which the application of Isaac Hilton of Portland, Maine was rejected. Application under the act of 1852
Yr obed Servt J. M. [?]
J. L. Edwards Esq Chairman of Pensions

July 21 PORTLAND JUL 17 Me.
Isaac Hilton Esq
18533 FREE
Am. L. Edwards
Commission & Pension Washington D.C.
Hon. J.O. Smith Portland, Me.

Pittsfield July 16- 1836-
Hon. J. T. Edmonds.
Sir - The papers of Isaac Milton who was formerly upon the pension list, are supposed to be in your Department. Will you be good enough to inform me whether they are to be found there, and what proofs are required to re-instate him upon the roll - He is as meritorious as ready, & God knows that is saying enough for his claim - I mean, this is his reputation here.
I am, most truly Your obedt Servt Francis Spaulding
cc

Pension Office 21 August 1831 C. M. [unclear]
Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War, Washington.
FREE

Portland Aug. 13 1834
Sir,
Isaac Hilton, a revolutionary soldier, name who stands on the Pension list, A P 18,553, & who is allowed $66. per year, supposes that a mistake has been made, probably through a defective representation of his case, inasmuch as David Cobb & Enoch Morse, two pensioners in this city, are allowed $100. per year, who served in the same company, i.e. a Company of Artillery, stationed in the ancient town of Falmouth, commanded by Col. Lowell. I think it probable that it was not mentioned in his application that Lowell's was an Artillery Company; but such was the fact, and there seems to be no reason, why Hilton should not receive as much as his fellow soldiers. Can the mistake, if there be any (and it seems that there is) be rectified; - and if so, will you have the goodness to mention whether any other, and what, steps will be necessary to have it rectified.
I am Sir with respect Yr. affec n
J. D. Sleeper
The Hon. The Sec y of War.

Dec. 31, 1834
Mr.
Dec 31.
J. D. Edwards Esq. Commissary of Pensions Washington.
PAID

Portland Dec. 25 1834-
Sir,
J. M'Ilhon, Davis, J. Hilton & Dr. Veazie, whose applications for pensions are in the office of the War Department, have frequently called on me for information relative to their cases. - They express an apprehension that their cases, having been decided, information of the mail may have been transmitted, and by some accident, failed of arrival. I write at their request for information. Will you be so kind as to inform me, as soon as your leisure & convenience will permit -
Very respectfully Yr. affec. son! J. B. Hopkins
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions.
25 8 3/4 33 I W Letters on file David Davis - let 701 milld 7 July 1834