Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17252, Benjamin Barber, R. I.
Page 1

SERVICE
R.I.

Barber, Benjamin

NUMBER
S.17252

carded
Page 2

4964

Rhode Island

Benjamin Barber
(illegible) in the State of R.I.
who was a privation the company commanded
by Captain --- of the regiment commanded
by Col. Manser in the R. I.
line for 1 year (illegible)
1 year (illegible)

Inscribed on the Roll of R.I.
at the rate of 53 dollars 33 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 31st day of January 1833 and sent Hon.  D. J. Search
H of Reps.

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832. $79.99
Semi-anl. allowance ending 21 Mar 33 $26.66
$106.65

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by J. H. P. Blair Clerk
Book D Vol 3, Page 10
Page 3

This may certify that Benjamin Barber son of Nathan Barber and was born November 20th AD 1763 as appears by record at the town clerk's office in Hopkinson in the State of Rhode Island this 2nd day of September in the year 1832.
Witness
Christopher C Lewis. C Clerk
Page 4

Benjamin Barber
Declaration
Page 5

12.582
Page 6

DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS,
PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, 
COUNTY OF WASHINGTON ss

    On this 8th day of September personally appeared in open court, before the Judges or Justice of the Court of Common Pleas - now sitting, Benjamin Barber - a resident of Washington - in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, aged 69 --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 herein stated was born in 1763 Nov. 20th. as by certificate annex'd, have lived in the towns of Washington and Westerly in Washington County, entered the service of the Revolution.  I recollect Gen'l. Washington was there and served one month. In 1781 I entered into the artillery company in Westerly under Capt. Echabod Bardrick, Nathan Barber, then Nathan Barber was Lieutenant for one year and (unintelligible) for one year and served in the company in guarding the shores in Westerly and Charleston and the Long Island Sound.  Had many battles with the British barges on said shores - he served as a private during this time and has no documentary evidence in (unintelligible). 
     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.
Witness Sam. Helme Clerk     Benjamin Barber
                                               X his mark

We, William B. Bliven - residing in the Town of Exeter and Nathan Willcox of Richmond hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Barber who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 69 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. 
William B. Bliven
Nathan Willcox

     And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 the Court further certifies that it appears to them that ......who has signed the proceeding certificate, is a ----resident in the ---- and that William B. Bliven and Nathan Willcox who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Exetor & Richmond and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I, Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Gen'l Justice of the Peace do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Benjamin Barber for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth day of September 1832
Sam'l. Helme Clk. 

I certify the above name to be the handwriting of Sam Helme and the seal that of his court. 
Justice Jos. (unintelligible)
Page 7

DECLARATION. IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832. STAtE OF RHODE ISLAND, COUNTY OF Washington Ss. On this [illegible] day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Benjamin Barber a resident of Hopkinton in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, aged 69 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 here in stated. Was born in the 1763 Nov. 20th as by [illegible] annexed, Have lived in the Town of Hopkinton and Westerly in Washington County entered the service In the Revolution In 1780 under Capt. Joseph Peckham as a volunteer Went on to the Island of Rhode Island I recollect Genl Washington was there and served one Month In 1781 I enlisted into the Artillery Company in Westerly under Capt. Echabod Burdick, Nathan Barber, Then Nathan Barber [illegible] was Lieutenant for one year and served for one year and served in said Company. In guarding the shores in Westerly and Charleston On the Long Island Sound, had many Battles with the British Barges on said shores. he served as a private during said time, and has no documentary evidence in relation to this [illegible]. 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. his mark X Benjamin Barber Witn. Sam. Helme Cler. We, William B. Blevins residing in the Town of Exeter and Nathan Willcox of Richmond hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Barber who was subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 69 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. William B. Bliven Nathan Willcox And the said Cort 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 who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a resident in the and that William B. Blevin and Nathan Willcox who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Exeter & Richmond and an credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Genl Supreme of the Peace do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Benjamin Barber for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eighth day of September 1832. Saml Helme Clk I certify the above name to be the handwriting of Sam Helme and the seal that of his court. [illegible] J. Pearce
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12,582
Benj Barber 2d
Of Hopkinton R. I.
Private of Artillery 1 year
Do “ Infy 1 month
W. C. E.
adm
ob so & le
Jany 22d 1833
$53.33 
P 209
W. Pearce
H. R.
Page 9

12.582
BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Barber
of Washington [illegible] in the State of R. Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 69

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
In 1780
1781

Duration of Service.
Years,
-
1
Months,
1
-
Days,
-

Rank.
As a
Private
Artillery

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt. Peckham Co Maxson
Capt Burdick "

5. In what battles was he engaged?
Many battles with British barges

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Hopkinton & Westerly

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by tradtionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
One living witness

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Seal on Declaration &e has no dence

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the vase above mentioned.
Wm. C. Easton
Examining Clerk.
17 Jan 7 1833
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3--525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
S.F. 17.252
Washingotn, D.C.,  , 19

In reply to your request of   , received
for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Barber 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.
1780
1781

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
1 mo.
1 year

RANK.
Pvt
"

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Joseph Peckham
Ichabod Burdick
COLONEL.
Jesse Maxon

STATE.
R.I.

Battles engaged in, many battles with British barges
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Washington Co. R.I. (Hopkinton & Westerly)
Date of application for pension, Sept. 8. 1832 His cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Hopkinton, Washington Co. R.I.
Age at date of application, born Nov. 20. 1763 at Hopkinton, R.I.
Remarks:
There is no data on file as to his family

Respectfully,
3--285C
Commissioner
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17 252
INVALID.

le No. 17.252
Benjamin Barber
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32

Index:--Vol. 1, Page 433
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1918 June 21 Hist. to Albert J. Barber
Page 12

STATED COMMUNICATION TUESDAY EVENING ON OR BEFORE EACH FULL MOON. ANNUAL JANURAY 17

FRANKLIN LODGE, No. 20
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

WESTERLY, RHODE ISLAND June 13, 1918

The Interior Department.,
Bureau of Pensions.,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:--or Dear Sir:--

Will you kindly send me a copy of the military record of one Benjamin Barber who served in the R.I.M. and was placed on the pension roll Jan 31, 1833. Washington County, R.I. (Town of Richmond) R.I. Also Benjamin Barber 2nd. who served in the Artillery and was placed on the pension roll Jan 31, 1833. Washington County, R.I., (Town of Richmond.) R.I
Benjamin the first received $180.00
Benjamin the second received $159.90
Thanking you in advance for the same. I remain.

Yours truly.
Albert E Barber. Box 126, Westerly, RI.
Page 13

Samuel Sims of Westerly in the County of Washington and state of Rhode Island on  Oath testifies and says that some time in the year 1780 he volunteered with Benjamin Barber of Hopkinton in a Company commanded by Cap Joseph Peckham in the Regiment of Col. Jesse Maxzon, and served in said Company with said Barber in an expedition to Rhode island when Gen. Washington was there, and that, immediately after returning from said expedition, he enlisted in a Company of Artillery, with said Barber, commanded by Capt Ichabod Burdick, and served with him one year in said Company,  stationed at Watch Hill and the ajacent shore for the protection of the same, in Nathan Barber[name crossed out] which Company Nathan Barber of Westerly was Leiutenant.
Samuel Sims

Washington sc. Westerly September 13th 1832 Samuel Sims personally appeared and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition and in my presence affixed his mark to the same before me Jed W. Knight Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island & Pro.
Plantations

Washington Sc } Clerk's Office Court Common Pleas
I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court - Aforesaid do hereby certify that Jedediah W. Knight Esq whose Certificate is hereto annexed is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Westerly Legally chosen and qualified as the Law requires that full faith & credit ought to be given to his certificate throughout the United States of America in Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & Seal of Office this Eighteenth day of September 1832
Sam. Helme Cl'k
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Samuel Sims Deposition
Samuel Sims the deponent within
named is a reputable man whose
character for truth and veracity has
never been questioned
[illegible] J. Peace
Page 15

12.582 P.
Benjamin Barber
of Hopkinton R.I.
cred of Sam Sims of
Hopkinton

Mr. Pearce
Page 16

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Barber which require further proof or explanation.

I. 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?  Yes

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?  Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  No[crossed out] 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?  No
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergymen and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No.[crossed out]

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No[crossed out]

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 he had?

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  No  Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  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?  No to 5. 6. 7[answer crossed out]

EXPLANATORY NOTES

QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely ho long he served, he should amend his declaration by making and 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 [Blank] year [Blank] months and [Blank] days. I served as a [Blank]. For[Blank] months and [Blank] days, I served as a [Blank]; 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 the 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.
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 authenticated 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 end 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.