Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21038, William Albert, R. I.
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Service R.I.
Albert, William
Number S. 21038
carded
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211.01
Rhode Island
William Albert of Newport in the State of R. Island who was a Pr & Drmr. in the company commanded by Captain Thomas of the Rgt commanded by Col Topham in the R. Island line for 10 mos Private 12 mos Drummer

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 77 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 22d day of Aug 1833 and sent Hon D.J. Pearce Newport R. Island

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $154.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept $38.67
$193.33

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk
Book E Vol. 20 Page 101
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Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Rhode Island County of Newport SS.
On this eighth day of September 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Probate of the town of Tiverton now sitting, William Albert, a resident of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode-Island, aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He in the summer of 1777 belonged to a company of militia in Tiverton under the command of Benj Borden in Col. Cooks Regiment. That he was drafted at [illegible] times from said company of militia for a month at a time and marched to defend the shores of Tiverton Bordering on the Bay, to protect our people from the degradations of the enemy, who on every occasion that they could take, did land on the shores and burn the dwelling houses of the inhabitants, drife off the stock and destroy all other property that came in their way and take prisoners and carry to Newport all the men whom they could surprize in from the summer of 1777 till the month of March 1779 he served in the guards as drafted militia from said company as he verily believes one half of the time, and for said time that he was actually in service received pay for the same of the state as he supposed.
In the month of March 1779 he enlisted as a drummer into Captain Alexander Thomas Company, at Tiverton, for one year. (This was the years service of the state line.) Thomas Wall was lieutenant of the company and Nathaniel Humphrey was orderly serjeant in Col [illegible] Regt. He was stationed during the first part of this service at Tiverton near Howlands ferry and at Little Compton below fagland ferry. General Ezekiel Cornde he thinks had the [illegible] command. When the British left Rhode Island late in the fall of 1779, he was marched with the regiment or a part of it to Newport and took possession of it soon after it was evacuated by the enemy. Here we staid some time and were then marched back to Tiverton hear to Howland ferry, when in the month of March in the year 1780, and after had served out his year for which he enlisted he was discharged.
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And said Alberts said that he faithfully and truly served his country in the War of the Revolution for the periods aforesaid and received, at the time pay for the same, but in a currency greatly diminished from its nominal value.

He further declares that he was born in Tiverton aforesaid the 29th day of August 1760. That he lived in said town when called into the aforesaid service, and has resided there ever since and doth still live therein. That he hath no record of his age. That he never received any written discharge from any of his said services, but was verbally discharged by his commanding officers. That he has no documentary evidence of any
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his said services.
That he is not acquainted with any clergyman in his vicinity or neighbourhood, but he refers to Hon. Job Durfee and Charles Durfee Esquires who are citizens of said town of Tiverton and his neighbours, who testify to his character for veracity, and their belief that he was a soldier of the Revolution, and also to the accompanying depositions. All the foregoing services he performed as a private soldier and musician.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Will Albert - X his mark
Asa Gray Clerk

We, Job Durfee Esqr. residing in the town of Tiverton aforesaid and Charles Durfee Esqr. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Albert who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid.
Job Durfee
Charles Durfee
Asa Gray Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatries prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Job Durfee Esq who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the said town of Tiverton and that Charles Durfee Esqr. who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Tiverton and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Asa Gray Clerk of the Court of Probate for the town of Tiverton in the County & State aforesaid a Court of Record, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of William Albert for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two. And of American Independence the fifty seventh.
Asa Gray Clerk of Court of Probate
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16998
William Albert
Rhode Island
Drummer 12
Pri 10
22

506
July 6 1853

P422

Hon D J Pearce
Newport R.I.
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Brief in the case of William Albert County of Newport in the State of Rhode Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 72 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. Draft in 1777*
Duration of Service. time not stated
Rank. Private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Genl Cornde, Capt Borden, Col. Brook

Period. Enlisted 1779
Duration of Service. 1 year
Rank. Drummer
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Capt Thomas Col Topham

5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Tiverton R. Island
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witness for the term of 1 year as drummer
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.

M. Clagett Examining Clerk

* He was first drafted in the summer 1777 and served half of the time to March 1779

44
33.33
77.33
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State of Rhode Island &c.
County of Newport} ss.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice
the Peace within and for the County of Newport, William
Albert, an applicant for a pension, who being duly sworn
deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the
consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively
the precise length of his service, but according to the best of
his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned
below, and at the periods of the ever therein mentioned, and
in the following grades - namely: In Captain Borden's company
of Militia, as a private, from the month of June 1779 to March
1778 four months - and under Capt. Borden in the same company
as a private, from March 1778 to March 1779, for at least Six [illegible]
services of one month each. And in Capt. Thomas' Company
Topham's Regiment from March 1779 to March 1780, as a drummer
twelve months - making in all at least twenty two months service for 
which I claim a pension.
And I further declare, that during all the time  
mentioned, I was in actual military service, and was not employed
in any civil pursuit, and that the company to which I re [illegible]
ively belonged both in the State line, and in the Militia [illegible]
dy ordered into the service by the State of Rhode Island.
William Albert X his mark
Subscribed and Duly Sworn 
at Tiverton in said County of
Newport on this 20th day of
July 1833
Charles Durfee Justice
of the Peace
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate of the Town of Tiverton
in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray, Clerk of said Court of Probate, do hereby certify
that Charles Durfee whose signature is affixed to the within
Deposition of William Albert and the annexed Deposition
of Isaac Negus is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of
Tiverton & County of Newport in the State aforesaid duly
commissioned under the Seal of said State, engaged thereon
according to Law, and fully qualified to act in his said capacity. 
And I do further certify that the signatures of his name
to said Depositions are his genuine Signatures.
[seal]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed the seal of said
Court at said Tiverton this twenty-fifth
day of July in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred
& thirty three. And of American
Independence the fifty eighth.
Asa Gray, Clerk.
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I Isaac Negus of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of
Rhode Island aged Seventy eight years on solemn oath
depose and say, that during the war of the Revolution and
since I have been well acquainted with William Albert of
the same Tiverton, an applicant for a Pension. I in the
year 1778 & 1779 belonged to a Company of Militia in said
Tiverton commanded by Capt. Borden, and I well remember
that said William Albert belonged to and was on actual
service in the same Company; I have been on service
with him frequently, in guarding the shores of said Tiverton, 
more particularly in the vicinity of Howlands ferry
and in the year 1778 - our periods of service were for a
month at a time, and we were in actual service for at
least one half of the time according to the best of my recollection.
Isaac Negus
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport Sc
Be it known that on the 20th day of July
1833. personally appeared the above named Isaac
Negus and made oath to the truth of the same
above statement by him subscribed and I do
hereby certify that the Deponent is a credible
Person
Before me Charles Durfee Justice of the
Peace
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O. W. and N. Division.
3 - 525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., May 1. 06
I.S.C.
Surv. File 21,038
Rev. War.
Madam:-
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history
of William Albert, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his
widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
June 1777 | 4 mos. | Pri. | Benj. Borden | Cook | R. I.
Mch. 78 | 6” | | “ “ | | |
Mch. 1779 | 1 yr. | Drum. | Alexander Thomas | John Topham. | “
Battles engaged in, none mentioned
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Tiverton, R. I.
Date of application for pension, Sept 8, 1832 His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Tiverton Newport Co. R. I.
Age at date of application, born Tiverton R. I. ? Aug. 29. 1760. Death not shown
Remarks: His claim was allowed.
For date of last payment of pension apply to the Auditor for the Interior Dept. 
Treasury Dept. citing following data, Cert, 21 101, Issued Aug. 22, 1833.
Act June 7, 1832 R. I. Agency
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
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Rev. War
21038
INVALID.
File No. 21,038
William Albert
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 5
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1906 May 1 - History to
Viola Albert Strous, I SC.
1908. Aug. 6. Hist. to Mrs. Louise
P. Bates, A. P.
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16998
William Albert
[illegible]
Hon. D. J. Pearce
Newport R. I.
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
William Albert which require further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
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? No
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 amout of pension
he is entitled? No He should state each particular tour of
active service performed by him from 1777 to 1779 -
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
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? yes
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2
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? 2 Citizens
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? 2 living witnesses
 to his last tour of 1 year.
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? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? yes
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? yes
XVI. +Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
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.
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3
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.
[pointing finger symbol] 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.
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Wm. Albert
16998
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Sam'l. Peckham Deposition
Wm. Albert
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I Samuel Peckham of Westport [preceding word lined out] Dartmouth, County of Bristol
& State of Massachusetts aged 73 years or thereabouts,
do hereby testify & say that I am well aquainted
with William Albert of Tiverton, County of Newport
& State of Rhode Island, and am knowing to his being
a Revolutionary Soldier for one year, the year
begining the 25th Day of March 1779. & that he 
served in the Rhode Island State Troops, so called, in
Capt. Alexander Thomas’s Company a Drummer
in Col. John Toping’s Regiment. And that I
served a Drum major in the same Regiment with
him, said year. Samuel Peckham
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport} Sc
Be it known, That on the 6th Day of September AD 1832
Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for
said County, personally appeared the above named Samuel
Peckham and made oath to the truth of the above
Statement by him Subscribed, And I do hereby certify 
that the Deponent is a Credible Person
Abner Simmons Justice Peace
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I Joshua Petty, commerant of Tiverton, in the County of Newport 
and State of Rhode Island of the age of Seventy four years
being first duly sworn according to Law do on my oath make and
give the following deposition. I am now and was during the
Revolutionary War well acquainted with William Albert
residing in Tiverton aforesaid, an applicant for a pension under the
Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. I was discharged from
Capt. Thomas’ Company of the Rhode Island State Troops on
the 16th (I think) day of March one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy
nine at Tiverton aforesaid, and I saw the aforesaid William
Albert on that day enlist in said Capt. Thomas’ Company
as a Drummer for one year. I also saw said William
Albert afterward doing duty in said Company, at several
different times-
Joshua Petty
Newport Sc. At Tiverton September 7, 1832
Personally came the above named Joshua Petty and
made solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing Deposition
and subscribed the same. Anid I further
certify that said Deponent is personally known to me
and sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Before me
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk’s Office of the Court of Probate, for the Town of Tiverton
in the County of Newport and State aforesaid-
I hereby certify that Abner Simmons whose signature
is affixed to the enclosed Deposition of Samuel Peckham
is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Tiverton in
the County of Newport and State aforesaid duly commissioned 
under the Seal of said State, and engaged thereon
according to law.  And I further certify that the
Signature of his name to said Deposition is his genuine
Signature.
And moreover I do further certify that I Asa Gray
am one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Tiverton
in the County of Newport and State aforesaid, duly commissioned 
under the Seal of said State, engaged thereon according to
Law, and duly qualified to act in said capacity, and
I further certify that the enclosed deposition of Joshua Petty
was taken by me, and that my name was affixed to the same by me.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said Court at said Tiverton,
this Eighth day of September in the
Year of Our Lord one thousand
Eight hundred and thirty two -
And of American Independence
the fifty seventh -
Asa Gray Clerk of Court of Probate
[seal and ribbon]
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[stamp] [illegible] APR 21 1906 FILES
[letterhead] S
[handwritten]
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
My dear Sir: -
Will you kindly send
me the date of birth and death of
William Albert who served in the
Revolutionary war. All I can obtain
at the R. I. State House is as
follows.
William Albert
Drum, Capt. Ellixander Thomas’ Co.
Col. Jos. Topham Reg’t U. S. Ser
Nov. 1, 1779 - Mar. 13. 1780 appointed
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Mar 16, 1779
Term 1 year
M. P. R. I. H. xx III. 435
William Albert
Private, Col. John Topham’s Reg.
raised for 3 years. Dec 26. 1776 as per list of
balance of depreciation reported, due by
Committee, Oct. 17, 1785
Manuscript R. I. H. S.
Vol 4 Barton & Deatha of Tiverton
William Albert
Private and Drummer
R. I. Contl. line
Pension roll Aug 22, 1833
77.33 age 74
R. I. Pension roll
Revised pension residing in Tiverton
June 1. 1840
age 78 given 1833 age 74
Census of Pensioner 1840 to 1847
William Albert
Col. Topham’s Reg- Time for which
engaged expires Mar 16 - return non – Com. gt
officer & private Mar 1780
Military Return
S.A. LL. 95
and greatly oblige
Boston April 20 1906
Yours truly
Viola Albert Strous
Boston
#137 Court St. Mass
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE A APR 21 1906
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Pension Office
Washington D. C.
Kindly send the military
record and data concerning
William Albert, a drummer,
Col. Topham's Reg't., Cont
Line.
Also a pensioner on the
Roll of 1835, Newport Co.
Rhode Island. Also on the
Roll of 1840 when he lived
in Tiverton R. I. (Newport Co).
(Mrs.) Louise P. Bates
Oak Lawn, R. I.