Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16849, Noah Hall, Mass. Privateer

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass. Privateer
Hall, Noah
S. 16849
CONTENTS
boarded

Maun 21.538
Israel Wall
of Maine in the State of Maine who was a Lt Capt in the Company commanded by Captain King of the R.P. commanded by Col Walker in the and Brigade line for and Brigade 2d Arty Ser t ant 14 " Private 13 " Lieutenant 6 " Captain
Inscribed on the Roll of MAINE at the rate of 318-Dollars 40-Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Sept 1833 and sent to Admiral Collingwood Maine
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 $796.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 - 157.20 $953.20
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by [Signature] Clerk. Book [Signature] Vol. [Signature] Page [Signature]

(Declaration of Noah Hall, of Gouldborough in the County of Hancock, and State of Maine Gentleman, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th. A.D. 1832.
State of Maine County of Hancock, ss.
On this fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two, personally appeared before me David Perham, Esquire, one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas of the State of Maine, within and for the County of Hancock, Noah Hall a resident of the town of Gouldborough, in the County of Hancock & State of Maine, Gentleman, aged  ninety 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 provisions made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th. A.D. 1832,
That the said Noah Hall, entered the service of the United States, as a Lieutenant, on the twenty th day of April, in the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy five, in the Company commanded, by Captain Frazar, in the Twenty Second Regiment of the Massachusetts Line, commanded by Col. Walker in the Brigade, commanded by Brig. Genl. Thomas, in Major Genl. Ward's Division at the time of entering the service as aforesaid the said Hall resided in the town of Roxbury in the County of Bristol, and Colony of Massachusetts Bay. Capt. Frazar's Company was organized at Saugus in said County of Bristol, there marched to Roxbury near Boston then said Hall continued to do duty as Lieutenant in said Company. In July of the same year the said Hall received his Commission as Lieutenant from the then United Colonies of America, signed "by order of the Congress" by John Hancock, President and attested by Charles Thompson Secretary bearing date July 1 st 1775 which said Commission is hereunto annexed. The said Hall continued to serve as aforesaid under his Commission of Lieutenant until the fifth day of February one thousand seven hundred & seventy six, during which time said Hall was engaged with the common enemy the British in a number of small engagements. The said Hall by orders derived from General Washington commanded a party of soldiers and attacked a body of British forces stationed in the Boston Light House (the British being then in the possession of Boston) killed and wounded a number of the enemy, took about forty prisoners, and burnt & destroyed said Light House. In February one thousand seven hundred & seventy six

said Hall received a Captain's Commission from the Major part of the Council of the Massachusetts Bay in New England - bearing date the 6th day of February 1776, and signed by the proper authorities, which is hereto annexed - of the Regiment to which said Hall was attached as Captain of a Company, was commanded by Colo. French - Lieutenant Col. Leonard, and Major Mitchell were officers in said Regiment, during this period of time said Regiment & company were stationed at places called Winter Hill, and Dorchester Hill in said Colony of Massachusetts Bay, Washington, Putnam and Heath, were General Officers, at said time and at said place, said Hall served the whole period to which his said Captain's Commission extends, as Captain in the Regiment aforesaid - During said period said Hall with the American forces generally were employed in checking the advance of the British in these parts till they evacuated Boston - after the expiration of said Captain's Commission, said Hall returned to his home -
In August 1776, said Hall received a second Captain's Commission from the Major part of the Council of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England signed by the proper authorities and bearing date the 30th day of August 1776, which said Commission is hereto annexed. The Company of which said Hall was Captain, belonged to a Regiment commanded by Colo. Wilard Marched to Ticonderoga Crown Point, and Lake Champlain, Genl. Gates was the chief Officer in command, said Hall was in the engagement with the enemy on Lake Champlain under the chief command of Benedict Arnold, then a General in the American Army. The engagement was a severe one, and the British were the victors, killing & wounding, and taking prisoners a number of the Americans; and all the American vessels but one were captured by the British; said Hall and most of his Company escaped in the vessel not captured, and retreated with the other troops through the woods to Ticonderoga - Carlton was a Lieut d Colonel - Brewer was a Colo. of a Regiment - Brewer was a Lieut d Colonel & Howard was Howard was a Major at Ticonderoga & Crown Point. In December 1776, the campaign being closed the Regiment to which said Hall was attached, as Captain, was broken up and said Hall, his health being some impaired by sickness and the fatigues of the service returned to his home - the term of said Hall's service in this campaign was, to best of his knowledge four months -
In June 1777, said Hall entered as Lieutenant on board the private armed vessel, called the Eagle, fitted out at Boston

(3) under the command of Samuel Avery, said vessel was commissioned by the American authorities to cruise and fight against the enemy - said vessel cruised along the coast of Newfoundland and in the English Channel for the period of four months during all which time said Hall served on board as first Lieutenant - said vessel during said period captured eight sail of British vessels, some of which were armed, and warm actions ensued before capture. The Eagle during said period was attacked by a convoy of the Jamaica Fleet, a frigate of large size, but escaped with considerable injury & returned to Boston -
In October 1777 said Hall served as a volunteer fourteen days in Captain Williams Company stationed at Tiverton in said Massachusetts Bay State. Rhode Island - General Spencer commanded the American forces at said time & place - and the expi- -ration of said period said Company was disbanded and said Hall returned home - In the next follow- -ing year, said Hall served nineteen days as Capt- -ain of volunteers on Rhode Island, under General Sullivan. said Hall had the command of four, eighteen pound cannon - General Green, General Lyfayette were present - said Hall during most of said period was engaged in fighting the enemy - In the Fort commanded by said Hall nine hundred English Balls were collected, having been thrown from the enemies guns - On the east part part of the Island said Hall was in an engagement with the enemy who had fixed pieces, and small arms, the Americans having only small arms, the engagement lasted the most of a day - the Americans retreated with the loss of about four hundred men - the British force being greatly superior - the Campaign being broken up said Hall returned home -
Previous to all the foregoing periods of service said Hall served as Sergeant in a volunteer Company commanded by Capt. James Williams of Tiverton aforesaid, for a period of twenty one days, said Company marched from Tiverton to Redbank in said Massachusetts - Generals Warren & Heth were there - said Company was then broken up the officers & soldiers generally entering other companies said Hall then by request of General Godfrey collected & took charge of a Company of volunteers & marched

(41) from said Farmington to the neighboring town of New Bedford and there rescued a large quantity of cattle which the English were endeavoring to take from that place - said Hall was engaged six days, and killed & took a number of the enemy - all the periods of service of the said Hall against the British armament to about twenty two months and an half; said Hall served as a volunteer at all the periods aforesaid, except when trapped in the line as afore specified - Said Hall's age is as aforesaid, a Record of which is in the Town Book, Said Hall was born in the year 1741 at Raynham aforesaid, in which town he resided when he entered the service of his country - he resided in said Raynham till within thirty years when he moved to his present residence in said Gouldsboro' The names of officers over the Regiment of which said Hall has aforesaid - all his commissions are hereunto annexed.
John Sumner Clerk of the Town of Gouldsboro', Nathan Shaw Barney S Hill Abijah Jones & Abijah Cole Esqrs all of said Gouldsboro' have all been acquainted with said Hall for thirty years and can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution -
Said Hall knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services - The affidavit of Ebenezer Stetson, since supposed to be deceased taken several years ago is herewith annexed - said Hall has no further documentary evidence than what is herewith annexed, and has truly stated all the particulars deemed important that can at this distant period, and at his great age be recollected -
Said Hall hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Noah Hall
Sworn to and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid by
David Perham Justice of the Court of Common Pleas of the State of Maine.
We John Sumner Nathan Shaw & Barney S. Hill all of Gouldsborough aforesaid Esquires residing in the neighborhood of the aforesaid Noah Hall, hereby certify that

we are well acquainted with the said Noah Hall who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be ninety years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution; and that we concur in that opinion.
John Sumner Nathan Shaw Barney S. Hill
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid David Perham justice of the Court of Common Pleas in the State of Maine
And I David Perham, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Maine and for the County of Hancock within said State do hereby declare my 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 that from bodily infirmity the said applicant cannot attend Court, and the said Judge further certifies that there is no clergyman living in the vicinity of the said Applicant, and that it appears to him that John Sumner, Nathan Shaw & Barney S. Hill who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in Gouldsboro, aforesaid and are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit. Dated at Gouldsboro in said County of Hancock this fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
David Perham justice of the Court of Common Pleas in the State of Maine

State of Maine
Hancock ss
11637 I Thomas Cobb, Clerk of the Courts for the County of Hancock in the State of Maine, do hereby certify that David Perham, is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, a Court of Record within this County and State and that the foregoing signatures annexed are his true and genuine signatures -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County aforesaid at Castine in said County of Hancock this fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two -
Tho. Cobb
{ Clerk of the Superior Courts within & for the County of Hancock aforesaid

11.637 Noah Hall
April 20 th 1833
Obj 5
Captain 6 mos 20 days Lieut 13 " 15 Sergt - 21 Private - 14 21 70 349
Thos. Robinson Esq Ellsworth
Lieutenant
Honedsboro'
Maine

11.637
STATEMENT in the case of Noah Hall County of Hancock in the State of Maine (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes  3. How old is he? 90.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enlisted In 1775 20 th April Served till 5 th Feb. 1776 Lieut. Gen. Putnam, Col. Walker, Capt. Hink of the 22 nd regmt.   1776 Feb. Served the whole period to which his said Captain's Commission extends. Captain Gen. Thomas, Col. French, Col. Washington, Col. Witerel, Genl. Gates, Genl. Arnold   1776 30 th August To the best of his recollection 4 months. Captain Genl. Ward, Col. French, Genl. Washington, Col. Witerel, Genl. Gates, Genl. Arnold  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Lake Champlain - Rhode Island -  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bristol City. Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional, Documentary & credible Witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned Years, Months, Days.
   1777 June on board a private armed vessel. " 4 " 1 st Lieut. Capt. Avery - Capt. Williams, Genl. Spencer   Vol. 1777 Octo. " " 14 Examining Clerk.   1778 " " 19 Captain Genl. Sullivan, Greene & Lafayette -   Vol. - " " 21 Sergeant Capt. Williams -   Vol. - " " 6 Captain J. Waugh  
March 12, 1833

16849 INVALID.
File No. 16,849
Noah Hall
Capt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 163
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Noah Hale
Col
Bouldsboro
Me

Hancock J. Gouldborough 29 th April 1833.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid, Noah Hall 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, in the following grades: For six months and twenty days, I served as Captain For one year one month & fifteen days, I served as a Lieutenant For twenty one days, I served as a Sergeant For fourteen days, I served as a Private; and for such service I claim a pension.
Nathan Shaw Justice of the Peace
State of Maine Cobb.
Hancock J. I Thomas Cobb Clerk of the Courts of Hancock County certify, that Nathan Shaw is a magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine. That he was commissioned by the execution of this state on the twenty fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty nine for the term of seven years; and that he was duly qualified and is still in office; all of which appears by said Shaw's commission, by me examined.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of our Supreme Judicial Court, and subscribed my name, this sixteenth day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred & thirty
Thos. Cobb
Clerk of the Courts of Hancock County

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Noah Hall which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? for the reason 5. VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
No. see Quere 14
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.
no. see quere 14

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
the seal of the Atty General

I Conner of lawful age do testify & say that I belonged to the Continental establishment of the United States in Febry 1776 in the Company commanded by Capt. Noah Hall, that we were stationed near Boston where we continued until the British left Boston; Noah Hall still continued Capt. of said Company when we marched for Ticonderoga, I belonging to said Company continued there & said Hall's Company until about the last of December 1776 when I was discharged; E Conner of Boston
Dighton Dec. 26. 1819.
Boston Dec. 26. 1819. Then personally appeared Conner of lawful age & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me & I further certify that the above named Conner is a man of truth & veracity Thomas Richmond
Yrs. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol County ss. I James Sproat Clerk of the County of Bristol of Bristol aforesaid do hereby certify that Thomas B. Richmond Esq. before whom the annexed Affidavit of Ebenezer Stetson appears to have been made a Justice of the peace, duly qualified for that purpose acting under the authority of this Commonwealth and that subscribed thereto is his own proper signature
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the County aforesaid at Taunton in said County on this Twenty eighth day of December in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and Nineteen
J. Sproat Clerk of Court Co

Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay.
The Major Part of the COUNCIL of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England,
To Noah Hall — Gentleman — Greeting.
W. H. 1776 W. Spener H. 1776 W. 1776 99 comb for money order bill order YOU being appointed Captain of a Company raised by the Colony as a temporary reinforcement to the American Army until the 1st April next in the Regiment whereof Jacob French Esq. is Col. By Virtue of the Power vested in us, WE do by these Presents, (reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly.—You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Captain in leading, ordering, and exercising said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline:—And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Captain and you are yourself, to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from your Superior Officers
GIVEN under our Hands and the Seal of the said Colony, at Watertown, the fifth Day of February in the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the Third, Anno Domini, 1776.
By the Command of the Major Part of the Council
Saml. Weston

1776
Colony of the Massachusetts Bay.
The Major Part of the COUNCIL of the Massachusetts Bay, in New-England,
To Eph: Hall Gentlemen Greeting.
YOU being appointed Captain of a Company in the Regiment under the command of Aaron Wilard Esq: is Colonel
By Virtue of the Power vested in us, WE do by these Presents, (reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly.— You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Captain in Arms both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline: And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Captain in all things, as you shall from time to time receive the several Orders and Instructions of us or our Superiors.
GIVEN under our Hand and the Seal of the said Colony, at Watertown the 23rd Day of March in the Year of our Lord, 1776.
By the Command of the Major Part of the Council.
John D. Sleeper
James Appleton Benjamin Russell Ebenezer Dyer Joshua Loring William D. Cushing John D. Sleeper Henry Gardner Samuel D. Sewall

IN C O N G R E S S.
The DELEGATES of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, to Noah Hall Esq r .
WE reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, DO by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Lieutenant in Capt. King's Company, in the 2 d Regiment, commanded by Colo. Walker
in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Lieutenant by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Lieutenant . And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
July 1 st 1775.
Attest. Chas. Thomson Secy.
By Order of the Congress.
John Hancock President