Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4,172, Newell Grace, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Grace Newell
P 4,172
CONTENTS

Newle Grace 21857
MS A. 1. 1 v. 1, p. 1

Declaration of New Grace in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832
Territory of Michigan } County of Wayne }
On the tenth eleventh day of September A.D. 1832, personally appeared before the Mayor of the City of Detroit, in said County and Territory New Grace, now a resident of said City of Detroit aged eighty five years, who first being 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 7 th 1832: That he was born in Newburyport in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1742, and that while living in West Cambridge in said State, he volunteered in a Company commanded by one Captain Mann for the period of eight months, and was in the Battle of Lexington, and with the American troops followed the British as far as Cambridge: that, at the expiration of two months, he enlisted in a Company of Artillery commanded by one Captain Joseph Smith and belonging to a Regiment commanded by Colonel Crane, having been stationed after the battle of Lexington and during the two months aforesaid at Cambridge and Mystic; the Volunteers having obtained permission to enlist in the Artillery if they chose: that he does not recollect the precise date of his enlistment, but that it must have been the 19 th day of April and the 17 th June 1775 and was for the term of three years: that after his said enlistment he was at the battle of Bunker Hill under General Warren, Col. Prescott and other officers whose names he cannot at this distance of time recollect: that, after the Battle of Bunker Hill he returned and was stationed at Cambridge Common for some time, and was ordered from thence to Fort No. 2 near Cambridge, where he remained about three months, and then went to Long Island, with Col. Crane, and arrived there immediately after the Battle, and retreated from thence at night to the Jersey Shore and marched to Trenton, and was engaged in the Battle at that place, which resulted in the defeat of the British and Hessian, the battle having taken place about day light, and the enemy not being anticipated that the American Army was so near them: that from Trenton he was ordered to Kings Bridge and remained a few days, and from thence to Stillwater, where under Captain Wood, he constituted one of the Guard who was directed to convey the prisoners to Boston and Prospect Hill, and that he remained at the last mentioned point, and White Hill (where the Hessian troops were stationed) until his discharge in

The fall of the year (as he believes) 1788. : That he received a regular discharge, but does not recollect by whom it was signed, being illiterate and unable to read. That he kept the discharge for two or three years, and lost the same, supposing that it would never be of any service to him. That he remained in the service three years to the best of his knowledge, but the precise time he is unable to state with certainty. That he recollects one of the officers belonging to his company was named Randall, a Lieutenant, who was cashiered for cowardice. That he is unable from extreme old age, debility, and poverty from obtaining other testimony than that herewith transmitted. That after his discharge he lived in Hartford Connecticut, and capsized between Boston and Kennebec; he also lived in the State of City of New York, State of Illinois from whence he went to Sion in the State of New York, and then removed into this Territory. That he is unacquainted with any Clergymen in this City, having lived here but a short time. That the reason why he is unable to specify more particularly the names of the Regular officers, who were with the Troops, he served in the Continental and Militia Regiments, arises from the circumstance that he was constantly in active service, moving with little intermission from one place to another, and from the further circumstance that his memory is so impaired, that he cannot recollect with accuracy names & dates. That there was a record of his age in the possession of his mother, but what has become of it he does not know. That he is unacquainted but with two or three individuals in the place, being so aged and infirm as to be unable to hold much intercourse with the Society in which he resides, that intercourse having been limited almost exclusively to Elias Doty and Charles W. Whipple, with whom he has been in the habit of visiting and conversing with.
We hereby affirm that he has any claim 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 Territory. Given to and subscribed this day and year first above written. Isaac Underwood City Clerk. - Renell L. Place mark
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states; And that the foregoing Declaration contains the answers of the applicant to interrogatories propounded by the Court, and particularly to those contained in a letter of instructions, dated at the Department of War, Pension Office June 27th 1832. And the Court do further certify that the individuals, Elias Doty and Charles W. Whipple who have subscribed the certificates herewith annexed are gentlemen of character and worthy of belief; and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I certify that I have been acquainted with Merrill Grace the applicant named in the foregoing declaration, and believe him to be a man of truth and veracity, and that he served in the War of the Revolution for the period of three years, and that he is of the age stated in said declaration. My knowledge of his character and services having been derived from the information of others who knew him before and during the Revolution, and whose testimony I have examined, and from frequent conversations with him touching the events of the Revolution obtained while he was a member of my family; and I further certify that so far as he has acquired a reputation in the community, that reputation would corroborate my own statement that he was a Soldier of the Revolution and that he is respected and believed to have been one in the neighborhood.
Dedham Sept 10 th 1832.
Edward D. T. P.
I certify, that from my acquaintance with Merrill Grace, the individual mentioned in the within declaration, that he is of the age therein set forth, as I believe. And further, that from frequent conversations with him in respect to some of the events of the Revolution, I do not entertain the smallest doubt that he served during the period he states; having moreover heard him relate incidents which took place, and which could probably not, as I think, have been derived but from personal knowledge (he being an illiterate man) I am fortified in the belief expressed: And I am free to say that I believe him to be a man of undoubted veracity, notwithstanding some little discrepancies which might appear in his statements, and which would naturally occur from a consideration of the fact, that he is uneducated, and his memory, and mind much impaired by old age and consequent debility; and further, that so far as he has established any reputation, it is decidedly in favor of the fact that he was a Revolutionary Soldier and that he is respected and believed to have been one in the neighborhood.
Dedham Sept. 10 th 1832.
Marshall Whipple

in favor of the fact that he was a Revolutionary Soldier and that he is reported and believed to have been one in the neighborhood. Deduct Sept. 10th 1832. Marshall Whipple
I John Winder, Clerk of the Magistrate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Russell Darrow for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court the eleventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.

Territory of Michigan and Wayne County ss
(3)
Be it remembered that on this fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Rachel Grace of Farmington, Oakland County and Territory aforesaid, of lawful age, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that she resided in the Town of Nashua, in the State of New Hampshire at the commencement of the Revolutionary War and for two years thereafter; after which she removed to the State of Massachusetts where she remained until the termination of said War, and subsequent thereto lived two years in Wilmington in said State of Massachusetts; that she was well acquainted with Merrill Grace while she resided as aforesaid, at the said Town of Nashua, in said State of New Hampshire, that she knows the said Merrill Grace was in Captain Mann's Company during the said War; that the said Mann commanded a Company of Militia, & the said Merrill Grace served in said Company, as this deponent believes, eight months and was at the Battle of Bunker Hill; that after the time aforesaid this deponent believes the said Merrill Grace served with Colonel Crane, who commanded a Regiment of Artillery and was in said Regiment as this deponent best recollects, two years: And this deponent further saith, that she cannot speak with greater certainty touching the services of said Merrill Grace, but does know that he was absent from home during said War during the period of three years or thereabouts, from the fact that she was intimate in the family of said Merrill Grace, and from the fact also, that at the commencement of said War he went with, and served in the same with the father of this deponent, and from the further circumstance that the said Merrill Grace was frequently the subject of conversation in the family, and Town in which he resided, where it was universally understood that he was engaged in the Revolutionary struggle. And this deponent further saith, that she believes, and it was commonly reported and understood that the said Merrill Grace was in the several engagements at Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill being entered the service at the very commencement of said War.
Sworn and subscribed before me the day and year first above written R. H. W. Wheeler Justice of the Peace
Rachel Grace mark

Territory of Michigan
County of Wayne
Be it remembered that before me Ellis Doty Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Personally appeared Benjamin Graue and made oath in due form of Law, That in the year 1775 this deponent was in the service of the United States, that he served in Captain D. Livermore's Company of Infantry in Col. Starmels Regiment and during that year he was frequently in company with his Brother Newel Graue, who enlisted in said year 1775 into the service of the United States, and served in Captain Joseph Smith's Company, in Col. Cram's Regiment in the line of the State of Massachusetts. That the said Newel Graue did serve in the company & Regiment as aforesaid, as this deponent has been informed & verily believes, from two to three years; That this deponent was in sight of the Battle at Bunker Hill and knows that Newel Graue was in said Battle, and this de- ponent is satisfied and verily believes that said Newel was at the Battle on Long Island, and this deponent further saith, that Newel Graue has not for twenty years past been in possession or owned any Real or personal property to the amt. of one hundred dollars, at any one time, to the best of his knowledge or belief. That this deponent saw Newel Graue after the taking of Burgoyne at Still Water, with the Troops that was returning to Cambridge, and was doing so on at that time being in the year 1777 - And further, the said Newel did about two years since make application for a Pension and I did at his request make an Affidavit, of facts as above which Affidavit was forwarded to the Secretary of War.
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 5 th day of March A. D. 1832
Benjamin his X Graue mark
Ellis Doty Justice of the Peace

See letters 8 July 1834 to Thos L. Lyon Present
Newell Grace (8) Mich. Terr. Surf d act 7 June 1832.
Proof of Maria's Satisfaction got by D. P. Groom July 7. 1834

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
(9)
4172 P. O. Newell Grace
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Plum Creek No. 20657.
Thos. C. Sheldon Esq.

Detroit Jan y 26 th 1833
(7)
Sir
I should be very much obliged, if you will assist an old Soldier to obtain a small pittance which the Government have intended to bestow on him, in common with others, who in the Revolution rendered their services. Neele Gray, now residing in the Town of Farmington in Oakland Co. M.T. Eighty six years of age, has for some years past been an unsuccessful applicant to the Government for a Pension, the history of his services for the country in the Revolution are briefly these; That in the year 1775 residing in the State of Massachusetts near Boston, volunteered his services at the first disturbance at Lexington, afterwards enlisted in the regular service, when he continued in all three years or more, was in the Battles of Lexington, Bunkerhill, Long Island and Trenton, was discharged in Mass. his discharge was lost, and there is no evidence living of his services (within his knowledge) except Benj m Gray & Wife. That his declaration of his services under oath before the competent authority has been taken, together with all the evidence to be obtained, and the same has been forwarded to His Excellency Lewis Cass Secy. of War to which there has not been any answer, all previous applications were answered

and deemed not sufficient to prove his services - and further it is alleged that said Neevel Grace has varied his statements of services rendered &c. all of which may be very probable and what ought to be expected, from so old a man, with memory and other faculties impaired, and besides, he is unlearned and cannot read or write. It is now two years since his first application to me, and from my examinations of him under oath and other ways, I have no doubt of his services for at least three years, and that he is justly entitled to a Pension and ought to have rec d . it for twenty years past, his last application was under the Law of June 1832 the papers were made out by Cha s W. Whipple Esq r . and forwarded to the Sec y of War in Oct. last. Please call on the Sec y . ascertain from him, whether he has decided on the claim for Pension, if he has not, get the Papers examine them and resume the application in person, you will be more likely to succeed before him, than from any other quarter, S l . Edwards Esq r . who is at the head of the Pension Bureau, considers himself strictly bound to certain rules, and will not exercise any discretion in matters of any doubt.
I hope you will be successful, in obtaining that which a poor old Soldier has so justly merited, and altho' he has already lived to an extraordinary

Old age, I think he may still live to see one hundred years, he is wholly destitute of property, and subsists on the charity of the People.
Very respectfully Yours Col. H. S. G. E. Doty
Thos. C. Sheldon Esq.

Nov. 14.
Mr. J. J.
Hon. James  Cash 2153.7 Sec of War. (Washington City)
4172
James Cash

Plant Oct. 23 rd 1832. (6)
Sir,
I Enclose herewith the Declaration of Murrell Grace, with the testimony in support of his claim to a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832. It will be remarked, that two of the affidavits were taken sometime since, and submitted to the War Department with an application for a pension under the Act of Congress in that behalf made, but which was rejected in consequence of the discrepancies in his statement, and from the fact that his name was not found on the Rolls in file in the Dept.
As the rules are somewhat relaxed, in order to give effect to the late Act of Congress, I trust his own statement made in due form, and corroborated as it is, by the testimony of individuals who had a personal knowledge of his services will be deemed sufficient to entitle him to a place of the Physick Roll.
To expect from an illiterate man, a correct and connected statement of the precise period of service, of acts &c, can hardly be regarded as reasonable, more espe- cially when the individual applicant has attained the age of eighty seven years, and is laboring under all the infirmities of mind and body, incident to the few who attain that age. Mr Grace was examined by the Court with care, and every member was satisfied that he served during the period he states.
To you, Sir, who have seen the person in whose behalf I make this application, I need

Lately say that his wants are very great, supported as he is by the voluntary contribution of a relative who is himself to sustain any longer the burden.
(The pension agent) I have conversed with Miss Doty, on the subject, and on whose family Mr. Green resided, and his own views are submitted in the within documents.
I am, very Respectfully Yr. ob. Servt. Thos. Whipple
Rev. Saml. P. Hildreth Secy of War
11.
Any communication touching the application of Mr. Green may be directed to me:
A. W. H.

Pension Agency (4) Detroit M.I. Sept. 6 th 1852
Sir
Please send me the papers in the case of Samuel Grant, it being an original application for Pension. Mr. Grant has seen the Secretary of War, by whom, he has been advised to make application for pension under the new Law, and by whom, he expects to get an approval of of his said application, all papers, in the case being submitted to him -
Very respectfully Your ob d .
H. Sir v. J.
E. W. D. W. A. P
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Jonathan Tyler, of Woburn, in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bearing - Testifies that he is now seventy years of age & well remembers a man by the name of Newell Grace, who lived in said Woburn, before the Revolutionary war, & was a Blacksmith. I have this day for several days lately seen the same man & know him to be the same person. - He has has lately come here & states that he has lived since the Revolution, in the State of New York for many years & for several years past, has lived in the State of Illinois. - I well remember he intended to be serve in the Continental Army, - I belonged to the Army, & was stationed for a time at Cambridge near said Woburn. & there frequently saw said Grace & know he enlisted into a company of Artillery, in Colonel Cram's Regiment of the name of his Captain. I do not remember, know he continued in the Army, while it remained in said Cambridge & marched away with it in the Spring of 1776. - He enlisted in the beginning of the war, how long he remained in the Army, I cannot tell, -
Jonathan Tyler Cambridge, Mass. October 21, 1830.
Then personally appeared the above named Jonathan Tyler & made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by him subscribed. Before me, Norman Richardson, Justice of the Peace.
Middlesex ss. 21 Oct. 1830. The above named Jonathan Tyler is a Credit Witness & his testimony entitled to confidence. Wymann Richardson Justice of the Peace

I Abraham Biglow, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Mid- dsex in the State of Massachusetts, do certify, that Wyman Richardson is a justice of the peace within & for said County, & his name subscribed to the within certificate is his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereun- to set my name & affixed the seal of said Court, this 22 d day of October 1830
Abraham Biglow