Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 33,503, for William Pratt, Rhode Island
Page 1

SERVICE
R.I.

Pratt, William

NUMBER
S 33,503

B.L. Wt. 1630_200 Lieut.
Issued Mar. 3d, 1800_
No papers.
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280 of Massachusetts Roll William Pratt 4- Capt. Seabury Lieutenant Rhode Island line inftry 6 years- in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War. Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month, to commence on the 10th of April, 1818. War Certificate of Pension issued the 30th of April 1818 and forwarded to the Pensioner at Dighton, Mass rearages to 4th Septr 1818 $96.77 4 months 26/31 96.77 { Revolutionary claims, Act 18th March, 1818,} 1890 (July) W? Watherill hatory [illegible] Jan 17 do returning to Commission 
[illegible] off under [illegible] May 15 1828 see [illegible] 30 Aug 1828 to pension agent [illegible] 1828 - Oct 22 1844.
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William Pratt's
Declaration
Sworn
Valued $60.12
No 280
April 1818
Loan Cont Sept 15 1820
Sep ‘18
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Bristol ss. Circuit Court of Common Pleas

Personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Record within & for the County of Bristol William Pratt, aged about sixty one year, residing in the Town of Freetown, County of Bristol in said Commonwealth, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on solemn oath declare That he served in the Army of the Revolutionary war as follows.  in Jany or Feb 1777 he enlisted as a Sergeant, for the term of three years, in the company commanded by Capt William Lewis in Colonel Israel Angell Regiment in the Rhode Island line of the Continental army then so called that in the spring of 1779 he was promoted to the rank of Ensign in said Regiment in which he continued to serve till the spring of 1781 when he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the same Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Jeremiah Olne.  that he continued to serve in said Regiment until June 1782 when the Officers & Soldiers where discharg'd at Saratoga in the state of New York two companies excepted in one of which he continued to serve in his said capacity till the 25 day of December 1783 when he received his final discharge from the service of his country. 
That he was at the defense of Red bank in Oct 1777, in the battle of Monmouth Plains in June 1778, in Sullivans expedition the same year on Rhode Island, in the battle at Springfield New Jersey in 1780. & at the taking of Lord Cornwallis in 1781. & that he made a previous declaration on the 10th day of April 1818 & that he has received a certificate for a Pension being cto 280. __And in pursuance of the act of Congress, pass'd May 1st 1820.__ I do hereby solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States.
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on the 18th day of March 1818. & that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or any manner whatever dispos'd of my Property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to being myself within the Provisions of an act of Congress entitled an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Sand & Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary  war pass'd on the 18th day of March 1818. & that I have not nor has any person in trust for me, any Property , securities, contracts or debts due me __nor have I any income other than what is contained in the following schedule hereunto annexed & by me subscribed_____

1 Pew in the Baptist M House $1.00
1 Family Bible  2.00
3 Washing tubs  1.00
2 Trunks  1.00
2 Brass candlesticks  1.00
3 Hoes  1.00
2 Rakes  .50
1 water pail  .12
crockery ware  4.00
Pots & Kettles   3.00
12 chairs  6.00
10 kitchen chairs  2.00
8 pewter plates  2.00
1 coper coffee kettle  1.00
1 Bureau  4.00
Silver & other spoons 1.00
1 portable cupboard 1.50
6 empty barrels 1.50
$33.62

Amount brot up    $33.62
2 small looking glasses   3.00
10 small pictures  1.00
1 Axe  .50
1 shovel  .50
4 baskets  .75
glassware   1.50
Knives & forks  1.00
5 tables  5.00
1 stand  1.00
4 iron & tin candlesticks  .25
2 pairs hand irons 4.50
Shovel & tongs  2.00
Tin ware   1.00
1 mortar, 3 small images  1.50
Sundry small articles  3.00
$60.12

Amot  E  Excepted
Wm Pratt
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The 1 3/4 Acres Land mentioned in the annexed extract is [illegible], being subject to the patent of five Legacies of fifty dollars each to Heirs of the Estator which remaining unpaid, & is rented for the benefit of said Heirs the present year at Seventeen dollars __ I have no occupation or, mechanical profession , & no income except the sum of about twelve or fifteen dollars pr annum arising from the office of Town Clerk & other employment of the Town of Freetown__ have no property except what is setofore mentioned & am much embarrass'd with debts which I am unable to pay__ my family consists of four persons viz: myself & wife both about sixty one yeas of age. both infirm & capable of duty very little labour, one daughter Twenty nine years of age. & one grandson four years old, all dependent on me for support.
Wm Pratt
(valued at $60.12)

Extract from the last will and testament of Elisha Lawton, late of New[rest of word cut off]
in the County of Newport & state of Rhode Island &c [illegible]  [illegible]
________________

[right edge of page is torn off so words are incomplete]

Second> I gie and devise unto my daughter, Mary Pratt, on half of a certain lot of Land, situate, lying and being in Newport aforesaid,  The whole of which lot contains about three acres and an half be the same mo?? or less; and is butted and bounded as follows to wit:  Easterly on the Road leading from Newport to Middletown; Northerly on land late belonging to Isaac Center deceased; westerly on the Powder ho???lot (so called) and southerly on land of Frances Thurston with all the privileges and appurtenances  to the half of said lot belonging with an equal privilege in the well of water in said Lot to hold to h???the said Mary Pratt her heirs and assigns forever

State of Rhode Island &c. Newport July 5th AD 1820.  I hereby certify that the above is a true extract from the last will & testament of the above named Elisha Lawton deceased as recorded the the Book of [illegible] of Probate Proceedings of Newport No 5 p23
Witness Jonathan Almy Probate Clerk
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No 35890
William Pratt
Mass
Act 7 June 1832
Page 9

I William Pratt of Freetown in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts , Make the following declaration in order to obtain an increase of pension, under the Act of June 7th 1832.  I am now a pensioner under the Act of May 15th 1828.  at the rate of Three hundred and twenty dollars per annum for my Revolutionary services as Lieutenant in the Rhode Island Continental line, and being informed that I am entitled under the Act of June 7th 1832, to a higher rate of pension, for my additional services as Quartermaster and as adjutant in the Staff.  I make the following statement of those services__

I enlisted in the Continental Army and entered the service early in the year 1777. and performed the duty of Quartermaster from the Spring of that year, to sometime in the Fall of the same year, we were quartered at that time at the Hospital in Coventry in the State of Rhode Island, it was about the first of May 1777l.  that we arrived at Coventry, and I there commence to act as Quartermaster, and continued to serve in that capacity until sometime in the fall of that year, I was an orderly Sergeant in the Company commanded by Capt William Lew before  I commenced service as Quartermaster, my officers were Israel Angell Colonel, Jeremiah Olney  Lieu Col. Simeon Thayer Major.__
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I also served as Adjutant of my Regiment in the year 1782, it was during the absence of our Adjutant Jeremiah Greenmail that I performed this service.  I was appointed Adjutant by my then Commanding officer Major Coggeshall Olney__(our Colonel Jeremiah Olney at that time being absent on a furlough to Rhode Island) sometime in the spring of 1782, and served in that capacity until sometime in Fall of that year, when Mr Greenman who had also been absent on a furlough returned and resumed his duties as Adjutant, we were at this time stationed below West Point on the Hudson River,  I cannot state with accuracy the term of time I served as Quartermaster and Adjutant, but am of the belief that the whole time of service in those offices was between Ten and Twelve months ,  I continued in the service until the close of the war in 1783. during which time I performed all kinds of duty from that of a private soldier to a Field Officer__

I am unable to procure any evidence to further substantiate my claim, as I cannot learn after a long and tedious inquiry of any officer's being living who served with me at that time.

For the foregoing services as Quartermaster and Adjutant , I now claim an increase of pension, which I am informed I am entitled to under the Act of
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[top right corner]
[illegible]

[printed document with fill ins]

BUREAU OF PENSION
Finance Division

JUN 29 1917 [stamped]
Chief of Rev War Section

Sir:
I have this day received from 
Mrs Florence E Young 
Cash $.75
requesting copy as per letter herewith
Wm. Pratt  S 33503
R. I. Troops Rev

Very respectfully,
W. W. Campbell

[illegible]
Chief of Division.
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[oval stamp]
Finance Division
JUN 29 1917
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

[round stamp]
PENSION
A
JUN
U    29   S.
1917
OFFICE.
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Law Cir

Received of Mrs
Florence E Young
38 West 59th St
New York, NY
75 cents for 
copies of papers 
in case of William
Pratt Lieut R. I.
Troops Rev War
Survivors File 33503 
RWB  Law
June 29, 1917

[oval stamp much of which is illegible]
CHIEF'S  [illegible]
JUN 29 [illegible]
U. S  Bureau of [illegible]
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Finance division 
Jun 29 1917
Bureau of Pensions
Pension
A
US
JUN
29
1917
OFFICE
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William Pratt S 33,503 Rev. Lieut. of R.I. troops-Photostat (uncertified) of 5 pages @ 15= $.75 for Mrs Florence E. Young’s 38 West 59 St New York City. June 29, 1917.
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Dighton, in Massachusetts,
April 11th. 1818.
Sir,
It appearing to my satisfaction, that William Pratt of Freetown in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, an Old Continental Officer, who now applies for a Pension pursuant to the Act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," served in the revolutionary war, as required by said Act, against the common enemy, I herewith transmit his declaration made under oath before me.
His two commissions, the first appointing him to an Ensigney and the second to a Lieutenantcy in the Rhode Island Line of the Army, also accompany this. Mr. Pratt requests that his commissions may be returned to him. 
I believe Mr. Pratt is really indigent. I do not know an officer of the Old Continental Army, who is in so much need of assistance from his country as he is.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servant
[signed] H. Baylies
Honble John C. Calhoun
Secretary at War.
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Copy
The United States of America in Congress Assembled -
To William Pratt Gentleman Greeting, We reposing especial trust and confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, Do by there present constitute and appoint you to be a Lieutenant in the Rhode Island regiment in the army of the United States, to take rank as such from the 14 day of May 1781. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a 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 and a future Congress for that purpose appointed, a committee of the States, or commander in chief for the time being of the army of the United States, or any of you superior officers, 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, the committee of Congress before mentioned or a committee of the States.
Witness his Excellency Thomas McKean President of the Congress of the United States of America at Philadelphia the 18 day of September 1781 and in the Sixth year of our Independence -
[signed] Thos McKean President
Entered in the War Office and examined by the Board Attest for Carleton Secretary of the Board of war

Pension Bureau
Jany 17. 1891
I certify the above the above to be a true copy of the Original delivered W.S. Wetherell
[signed] C.W. Filer
Chief of Old War & Navy Division
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I William Pratt of Freetown in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say - that in the year of our Lord Seventeen Hundred & Seventy five and as nearly as I can recollect in the month of May in that year. and at the commencement of the war. of the Revolution -
I entered as a musician in a company commanded by Captain Seabury, which company was raised by the State of Rhode Island, and after remaining in the military service of that State until the commencement of the year 1777. I enlisted as a soldier on the continental establishment and joined a company commanded by Captain William Tew and in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Israel Angell which Regiment belonged to the Rhode Island line & in which I received a sergeants appointment. Afterwards I received a commission as an Ensign in the second Rhode Island Regiment bearing date the 12th day of July 1780 and under the hand of Samuel Huntington President of the Continental Congress. and by my commission I was allowed to take rank as an Ensign from the First day of May 1779. On the Eighteenth day of September 1781, I received a commission under the hand of Thomas McKean President of the Continental Congress constituting me a Lieutenant in the Rhode Island Regiment and to take rank from the fourteenth day of May previous. The Regiment was commanded by Colonel Jeremiah Olney and I served in this Regiment as a Lieutenant until the twenty fifth day of December 1783 when I was honorably discharged after having served in the war of the Revolution in different capacities upwards of Eight years and a half. I was at the defence of Red Bank in October 1777. I was also in the Battle of Monmouth. I was in Sullivans expedition on Rhode Island. I was in the Battle of Springfield (New Jersey) in 1780. I was at the
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capture of Lord Cornwallis in the year 1781. And I now do testify and say that by reason of my reduced circumstances in life I am in need of assistance from my Country for support.
[signed] William Pratt
Dated at Dighton April 10. 1818
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss.
At a Court of Probate holden at Dighton within and for the County Bristol. on the tenth day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighteen personally appeared the aforenamed William Pratt before me the Subscriber Judge of the said Court and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him Subscribed.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the said Court of Probate on the day aforementioned.
[signed] H. Baylies Judge of said Court.
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For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an Act entitled An Act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution approved on the 15th of May 1928. I, William Pratt of Freetown in the County of Bristol, in the State of Massachusetts, Do hereby declare that I was an Officer in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution, and served as such to the end of the war, at which period, I was a Lieutenant in the Rhode Island Regiment commanded by Lieut. Colo. Comm Lt Jeremiah Olney. And I also declare, that I afterwards received Certificates (commonly called commutation certificates) for a sum equal to the amount of Five Years full pay: which sum was offered by the resolve of Congress of the 22nd of March 1783, instead of the half pay for life, to which I was entitled under the resolve of the 21st of October 1780.
And I do further declare, that I have received of the United States as a pensioner, since the 3rd. day of March 1826, the sum of Four hundred and Eighty dollars paid to me by the agent for paying pensions in the State of Massachusetts. 
Witness my hand this seventh day of August in the year 1828.
[signed] William Pratt -

Bristol Ss
Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace and Quorum in the County of Bristol in the State of Massachusetts personally appeared, The Honorable David Cobb Late a Colonel in the Revolutionary Army and Reuben L Frazer both of the said County, who did severally make oath that William Pratt by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been an officer in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated 
Witness my hand this seventh day of August in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred & Twenty Eight
[signed] Francis Baylies