Petition of Jonas Farnsworth 27 Feb 1778
[Collections of the Maine Historical Society XV:390]
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives of the State of Masstts Bay in General Court: assembled: Humbly sheweth -
That Jonas Farnsworth Adjt of the Sixth Regiment of Militia in the County of Lincoln: was Caulled upon to Do Duty at Machias this Last Summer Past {1777}: as well as the field & staff officers: - as by Rolls sett forth and Passed, - Likewise Capt Joseph Sevey; Capt Stephen Smith; Capt Samuel Libbee: Capt John Hall: Lewta William Nicholas: and Lewta Joel Whitney: and Capt Henry Dyer with thear Respective Companys under thear Command as is Sett forth by the Rolls Passed by your Honours. - being obliged to attend at Every alarm: was almost totally hindered from Doing any thing for them Selves; or Raising scarcely any Provition for the Suport of thear Respective Families -
Therefore your Protitioners Humbly Prays that the additional Pay may be Paid out of the States Store. - in such articals of Provition & Cloathing as is wanted for thear Releaf. -
Likewise your Protitioner begs Leave to acquaint your Honours; - that Capt Samuel Libbee and his Company found them selves whilest on Duty 126 Days Rations. - also Capt Henry Dyer and men - 44 Days Rations. - also Capt John Hall and men 76 Days Rations. - and Lieut William Nicholas and Company 149 Days Rations: all which your Protitioner Prays may be Replaced in Provition as theay are in grate Nessessity for the same. -
also your Protitioner beg Leave to acquaint your Honours that Coll. Campbell of the afore sd Regiment: Layd before your Honours a Staff Roll whearin Coll Foster was maid up 41 Days Service and Drew his Pay, but Did not Draw his Rations: Likewise a Roll of Capt Joseph Sevey: also a Roll of Capt Joseph Libby boath of Machias, which Did Duty thear when the ship ambuscade Viseted us: and your Honours Payd nothing more than the Established Pay which is but a Small Recompence for thear Time: in that Valuable Part of the year. -
your Protitioner prays that your Honours would allow an additional Pay to Capt Joseph Sevey & Capt Joseph Libby and the good men under thear Command then: and also allow them thear Rations with the Rations Due to Coll Foster, out of the State Store, as they was obliged to find themselves at that Time, and Never as yet had any alowance for it, and are now under the gratest Nessessity for the same.
also Prays that your Honours will allow the several accounts hearwith Presented. -
and as in Duty bound your Protitioner will ever Pray -
Jonas Farnsworth
Boston February 27th 1778