Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11181, Elisha Waterman, R.I.
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Service: 
R.I. (Rhode Island)

Waterman, Elisha
Waterman, Elizabeth

Number:
R11181
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Elizabeth Waterman
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State of Rhode Island 
County of Providence 
On this sixth day of June AD 1843 personally appeared before me Daniel Potter Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within afore said county Elizabeth Waterman [insert] of Cumberland [end insert] in said County aged 73 years who being duly sworn according to law doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the arrears of pension due her according to the provisions of the act of Congress June 7 1832 granting pensions to them who served during the war of the Revolution. That she is the widow of Elisha Waterman late of said Cumberland deceased who served as a Captain during said war, in the Militia in the Corps  of minute men raised by the State of Rhode Island in 1775 but for the specifications of his services she must refer to the records of said State & the evidence of those who served with him or were knowing to the same -and she further declares that her husband the said Elisha Waterman departed this life in
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State of Rhode Island 
County of Providence 
On this sixth day of June AD 1843 personally appeared before me Daniel Potter Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within afore said county Elizabeth Waterman [insert] of Cumberland [end insert] in said County aged 73 years who being duly sworn according to law doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the arrears of pension due her according to the provisions of the act of Congress June 7 1832 granting pensions to them who served during the war of the Revolution. That she is the widow of Elisha Waterman late of said Cumberland deceased who served as a Captain during said war, in the Militia in the Corps  of minute men raised by the State of Rhode Island in 1775 but for the specifications of his services she must refer to the records of said State & the evidence of those who served with him or were knowing to the same -and she further declares that her husband the said Elisha Waterman departed this life in
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I Levi Lee of the town of Cumberland in the County of Providence, State of Rhode Island, aged eighty four years on oath do testify and say that in 1775 I belonged to and was a Private in Minute Company Commanded by Capt. Elisha Waterman, husband of Elizabeth Waterman, now his widow. The Company was organized the year before & we chose said Elisha Waterman for Captain and we used to often meet for exercise & discipline. In June or July in 1775 said Company was ordered to Newport and from there to Block Island where they did duty and the there following month sometimes a part of the Company come home and staid a short time and returned. I recollect I came home and went again, during all said time said Elisha Waterman commanded said Company [strikethrough] all the time [end strikethrough] I continued in said Company doing duty always when called upon until I enlisted in the State service under Col. Crary. Said Elisha Waterman died in March 1832 and since then said Elizabeth Waterman has remained his widow. Said Elisha & myself were neighbors until his decease.
Levi Lee

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations 
Providence Sc In Cumberland June 6th AD 1843. 
Personally appeared before me Levi Lee who signed the above affidavit in my presence and made oath to the truth of the same and I further certify that said affiant is a credible witness.
By
Zuriel Potter Just. G. G. Pleas
for said County of Providence
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I Lewis B Arnold Town Clerk of Cumberland do certify that I have the custody of the records of births and Marriages which have been recorded in the books kept for that purpose and it appears by said record that Elisha Waterman and Elizabeth Harrington both of Cumberland were lawfully joined together in marriage on the 26th day of April AD 1814. 
By [crossed out]
Benjamin Wilkinson Justice of Peace
Said record is in the following words and figures to wit,

I hereby certify that Elisha Waterman and Elizabeth Harrington both of Cumberland were lawfully joined together in Marriage on the 26th day of April AD 1814. 
By me Benjamin Wilkinson Justice of Peace
Recorded May 6th AD 1814
Attest Stephen Joslin Town Clerk
All of which duly appears of record
Attest Lewis B Arnold Town Clerk

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence in Cumberland June 6th AD 1848
Personally appeared before me Lewis B Arnold above named and made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Statement of facts, that the above certificate is a true copy from the record and that above is his signature. 
Zuriel Potter Just. G. G. Pleas
for said County of Providence
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Elizabeth Waterman
widow of Elisha

4 July 1836 

R J

T. R. Wise
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
State of Massachusetts 
County of Bristol 
Be it known that before the Subscriber, 
a Justice of the Peace personally appeared Amasa W. Whipple aged forty two years, who, being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, states, that he is the Administrator & grandson of Elizabeth Waterman, who was widow of Elisha Waterman of Cumberland who was Captain of a Company in the Revolutionary War
and that he believes that he is entitled to whatever is due, and that the United States are still indebted to him, under the laws of Congress, for the pension that was due Elizabeth Waterman deceased, and that for the purpose of investigating and establishing his claims as aforesaid, he appoints Tully R. Wise, of Washington D. C., his true and lawful attorney with irrevocable powers, to examine all papers on file, and to do whatever he might do were he personally present to establish his claims. 
In witness where of, I have on this twelfth day of May 1853, hereunto signed my name, and affixed my seal. 
Amasa W. Whipple
Witness: Amos Arnold
Witness: C. B. Farnsworth
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that Amasa W. Whipple has always by the community been known as grandson of Elisabeth Waterman
Dated on this twelfth day of May 1853
C. B. Farnsworth J. Peace

State of Massachusetts 
County of Bristol 
to wit: 
I hereby certify, That Claudius B. Farnsworth Esq., before whom the foregoing power of attorney was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of doing so, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the County Common [illegible]
Said County [strikethrough] Court [end strikethrough] this fourteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and fifty three
Jas. Sproat Clerk

Clerk. 

* State whether an applicant or pensioner
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Waterman, Elisha
RI 
R11181
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Tory peck
 Christopher Harris 
Onus Ariel
 Benj S Wallent
Zebediah Wilkinson
William Bowen
Christopher Whippel
Thomas Bowen
Ichabod Brown
Daniel Smith in[illegible]
Jeremiah Richmand
Elihu Brown
Ebenezer Streeten
Joab Wilkinson
Jebook Whipple inns
Jeremiah Ely
Ebenezer Metcalt
Daniel Ray
Moses Whippel
[Daniel Jencks inns-line through]
Jeremiah Scott
Nickolas Brown
Abraham Hog
Lilnenas Brown
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11181
P. O. 
Elizabeth Waterman
Service: Elisha
[stamped] REJECTED

Enlisted: ___, 18
Discharged: ___, 18

Application filed: ___, 18

Alleges: 
Re-enlisted: 

Attorney: 
P.O. 

__ Recognized. __ Contra[cut off]
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Benj Cowelle
Apr. 25,'44 & Jan 11,'45
11181
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Wihar [illegible]
low some fr [incomplete word]
of Mrs Elizabeth
Elisha Waterman f [incomplete word]
act of June 7 183 [incomplete date]
dated April 2
[illegible] and I answered
objections [illegible]
answer I
of a very respect
another minute
same author
minute co [incomplete word]
[incomplete word]ime du[incomplete word]
two of [illegible]
[incomplete word] anal
Gene
cil [incomplete word] of
fafcy
starting
referance
my case
sosi [incomplete word] widow
of Aviecle Jeru
Mrs Ballanski
in this same
imed by the
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Colony of Rhode Island & Pr[page cut off]

In General Assembly, June [page cut off]

An act for inlisting one [page cut off]
the militia of the Colony as M[page cut off]
Be it enacted by the General Assembly[page cut off]
Authority thereof it is enacted, th[page cut off]
fact of the militia of this Colony [page cut off]
Minute Men, to meet together and [page cut off]
in military discipline half a day [page cut off]
fort night; and the following here [page cut off]
are appointed in the several Co[page cut off]
them to wit; 
Newport The Captain of the [page cut off]
of militia 
Prpvidence
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Archibald Kasson Yelverton Waite
Hudson, and Benjamite Greene,
George Peirce.
Captain of the Company of Militia.
Benjamin Bosworth.
[illegible] Joseph Almey [and symbol] Pardon Cooke
Mr Perez Richmond
Mr William Barton.
Messieurs Elisha Waterman and
Elias Philbrook
Mr Simeon Clark [illegible]
Messieurs Andrew Harris, William Potter
the Captain of the third Company
Messieurs Thomas Wells the third
and Oliver Davis.
Messieurs William Hawkins and
Joseph Waterman
Mr Job Olney.
Mr Luther Martin.
be it further enacted by the authority 
at in case any of the persons hereby
all refuse to serve the Deputies of
towns to which they belong, be and
an empowered to appoint other
stead,
be it further enacted by the 
said that the following be
the enlistment for the said
to wit.
Colony of Rhode Island [and symbol] c
[partial word]ubers voluntarily enlist ourselves
men in the service of this
the immediate command
, and subject to the laws
regulating the Minute Men
there enacted by the
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authority aforesaid that the person
sted to enlist the said Minute
of the persons they shall so enlist us
live within their respective Regiment
Deputies of the major part of
are empowered to form them into
to consist of so many men as they
and direct, and appoint officers
and that they return the names of the
shall appoint to his Honor the Deputy
commissioned by the Secretary in the
that the other officers have been com
And be it further enacted by the authority
That the said Minute Men march for the 
Colony, when and as often as they
by the Colonel of the Regiment to
belong: and that the Lieutenant
General of the Colony be and the
authorized and empowered to
of the Colony wherever they or
shall think it necessary.
And be it further enacted by
aforesaid . That the following wages
and paid out of the General Treasury
officers and men to wit: For ever
shall meet and exercise each pay
receive two shillings & sixpence
each Lieutenant & ensign to
money and each other person
lawful money and when
for the defense of the Color
the Colony each Captain shall
shillings lawful money per
five shillings lawful money
Ensign four shillings law
and each other person
money per day, and
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the Colony and that the 
make his return once a month
of safety and draw the money
uther enacted by the authority
the several Independent Companies
or such of them as shall think
[____] into Companies of Minute
the same regulations and Command
tionedl, and exercise and do duty
manner, and that they receive
y and allowance.
if further enacted by the 
ousard.  That the secretary 
ay be transmit copies of 
the several Sheriffs in the 
[  ] hereby directed to forward 
first safe hands to the 
[   ] to enlist the said minute
respective Counties.
Free [_____]
Henry Bowen Leary
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Providence Oct 12 1843
Sir
I herewith enclose the application of Mrs
Elizabeth Waterman widow of Capt Elisha
Waterman for arrears of pension.  Capt
Elisha Waterman commanded a Minute
Company raised in June 1775 as will appear
by a copy of an act of the General Assembly
herewith enclosed.  During that year the
enlisted Troops of Rhode Island were all
stationed at Roxbury near Benton & the
Minute men & militia was the only defense
of the state and they were kept on duty
most of the time during that and the following
year  In August a part of them went to
Block Island as will appear by the evidence
& the order of the General Assembly & Capt
Elisha Waterman was one of the Captains
who performed this duty - and on the 19
of December 1775 an order was made by 
The Council War "that all the minute
men in the [illegible] be immediately sent 
upon R Island"  Capt Waterman marched
on this duty with his Company, for it appears
by an old [illegible] dated Middletown [illegible] 1775
(which town is on Rhode Island.) John [illegible]
[illegible] of Elisha Waterman thirty eight flints
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which receipt, with several other old documents
found among his papers containing the names
of his men an herewith enclosed - 
In the winter of 1775 & 1776, Wallace, a Captain
of a British vessel of war landed men on 
Providence Island & burnt many of the 
houses & Elisha Waterman was [illegible] also
& in the skirmish which took place, as will
appear by the evidence  The military services
of Capt Elisha Waterman have been often 
attached by applicants for pensions, who served 
under him & have been allowed.  I refer
you to the evidence on the claim of Anna
Wilkinson widow of Daniel, under the act of 
July 4 1836 & to the claim of [illegible] Darling
widow of Peter under same act both [illegible]
women.  The Court was satisfied that he
served 9 months as Captain & ordered it 
to be so satisfied and I have to request that that
amount of [illegible] may be allowed to his
widow from March 4 1831 to March 8 1832
this day of his death.
I am respectfully 
your abt svt
Benjamin [illegible]
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I Noah Butterworth of Wrentham in the County of Norfolk Commonwealth of Massachusetts swear in my eighty second year do testify and say that I was born and brought up in Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island and during the war of the Revolution lived in that town [indiscernible]. I do further testify and say that I well recollect Elisha Waterman of Cumberland was a near neighbor to him. During the first year of the war he became a Captain of a minute Company. In the year 1775 all our enlisted troops were sworn at Roxbury near Boston; and the minute were his company [indiscernible] down to Rhode Island. from there I went to Block Island and were engaged in service during all the summer fall and winter following. In the winter they went on to Rhode Island and helped drive the British off who had landed there. The minute men were called upon at that time to defend against the incursions of Capt Wallace the commander of a British vessel cruising in Narragansett Bay. We were often to land his men to commit depredations and often would steal sheep and cattle. From the knowledge I have of his stories, I have no bout he was in a [indiscernible] service more than nine months as Captain of [indiscernible] Company, during the years 1775 and 1776. He was during those years engaged in the defence of the slander in Narragansett Bay. I was not with him but knew of his going and returning and have also heard his men speak of their services.
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- under him during that time. Particularly I recalled Christopher Harris and Benjamin Tollitt who were with him, they are both now dead. 
Capt Waterman was a great liberty man and of good ability and did a great deal for his country and was always ready on all occasions. 

Noah Butterworth


Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Norfolk Wrentham August Sixteenth on thousand eight hundred and forty three. Then personally assured the above named Noah Butterworth and made oath to the truth of the above written affidavit by himself [indiscernible]. And I further certify and say that I am acquainted with Noah Butterworth and that he is a [indiscernible].

Before me Samuel Warner Esq
Justice of the peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts


Secretary's Office, Sep 29, 1843

I hereby Certify, That Samuel Warren is of Wrentham in the County of Norfolk is a Justice of the Peace for said County and has been since Feb.18.1843

in the said Commonwealth, duty constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and aught to be given, in and out of Court. 

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth , the date above written. 

Jno A Bolles

Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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I Nathan Streeter of Northbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged ninety two years, on oath do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Captain Elisha Waterman, formerly of Cumberland. I was born and brought up in Cumberland, in the State of Rhode Island and lived there during the War of the Revolution and the time Comodore Wallace, a British Commander has his vessel in Narragensett Bay, and of a time that there was a skirmish on Providence Island. I remember being down there and Captain Elisha Waterman was down there at the same time as the head of his company; how long he served there at that time I don't know. I was under him several times. This was some time after my eight month service at Roxbury, which service was in 1775. I cannot recollect where it was one or two years after. 

Nathan Streeter
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,
Providence Le. In Residence, on this Twenty-
Fifth day of September, A.D. 1843, personally 
appeared Nathan Streeter, subscriber to the
within deposition and made oath of
the truth of the name, and I certify that
said Streeter is a credible witness Before me,
Gamabiel L Dwight,
Justic of the Peace.
Page 25

[strikethrough] State [end strikethrough] Colony of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
General Assembly August 1775

It is noted and Resolved. that all the neat cattle 
and sheep upon New Shorham, expecting a sufficiency for the inhabitants be brought off as soon as possible and landed upon the Continent:  That two hundred and fifty men be sent upon that Island, to secure the stocks until it can be taken off; That the remainder of the two companies raised in the Counties of Kings County & Kent, which have not yet marched to join the Army of Observation be employed in the said service. That to compleat the numbers in the said service. That to compleat the numbers
One hundred & ninety men be immediately enlisted
who shall be allowed wages at the rate of
Three shillings a day and be billeted. That Mr. James Rhodes be the Chief Commander
of the said men and Gideon Hoxsie Esqs.
the second in command. That the said
James Rhodes and Gideon Hoxsie and George
Sheffield be and they are hereby ____
at the expence of the colony to take the most prudent and effectual measures
for removing the said stock to some place
upon the continent. That the committee
of safety supply the said men with 
the necessary arms ammunitions & Provisions,
that the following hessons be appropriated
to enlist men for the said service Thomas
Wells the second, Thomas Tefft, and in case
of his refusal Richard Bailey Senior. Stephen
Sheldon, Ebenezer Sprague, Elisha Waterman, 
Andrew Waterman, James Albio, Abial Brown,
Jonathan Hagard, Joseph Pendleton.  and
George Prince, who shall be allowed wages
at the rate of Six shillings a day and 
shall have the command of the men by them
respectively raised, subordinate to their
superior officers above named, that no
one of the above named persons raise more
than twenty men, that each person
appointed to enlist men set out for the places
of Rendezvous with the men he shall
enlist on Saturday next at Eight of the
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clocks in the morning, which are as follows
those raised in the towns of Richmond and
Charlestown to send yours at Leper Champlins
in Charlestown, those raised in North Kingstown
South Kingstown, Johnstown, Cumberland, Exeter,
and Smithfield at John Potters Esqs. and those raised in other towns at Elias
Thompsons in Westerly, that the said
James Rhodes. Gideon Hoxsie, and George
Sheffield, or any two of them be appreciated
to appraise the said stocks, which is to 
be transported at the expense & Resqur. of
the Colony. That his Honor the Deputy 
Governor be requested to issue orders to 
the said two companies belonging to Col.
Varnumy Regiment to proceed to New
Shorham and obey the orders of the
said James Rhodes, and Gideon Hoxsie,
during the said service that the said
James Rhodes and Gideon Hoxsie be
commissioned mutated mutandes in the 
same manner as the officers of the
Army of Observation ace, and that Mr.
James Rhodes draw out of the General
Treasury Two hundred Pounds, Lawful
money for the purposes aforesaid.
Thus colony of record - witness
Henry Bowen Secy
Page 27

At a meeting of the committee
appointed to act during the Recep. of
the General Assembly held at Providence
December 19th, 1775
voted that all the Minute Men in the
colony be immediately sent upon Rhode Island
for the Defence thereof, that they be
formed into one Regiment of which William
West, Esqs. be appointed Colonel & Christopher
Lippitt Esqs. Luent Col and that the said
William West be appropriated in the Room of
General Hopkins Commander in Chief of the
forces stationed, or that may be stationed
upon Rhode Island with the same Powers
and Authorities as General Hopkins is invested
with, excepting the filling sife vacancies for
which a com. is appointed and that he 
continue in that in that station during the absence
of General Hopkins, until a General officer
should answer in the mean time from the 
Continental Army, in which case such
General officer is to have the Supreme Com-
mand of all the forces.
Voted. That the forces upon Rhode Island
have the same allowance of Provisions and
necapanies for Subsistance as the Continental
Army near Boston, which are to be delivered
out to them in the same manner by
the Commissary, and that no billeting
for the future be allowed to any soldier 
unless in case of sickness
True colony of record - witness,
Henry Bowen Secry
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6175
Elizabeth Waterman
R.I.
Act 4 July 36
2nd Section
Page 29

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.
Providence. Lc
Municipal Court of the
City of Providence in the County
of Providence, and that aforesaid
exercising Probate Jurisdiction and
being the Court of Probate for
said City.
September 26th, 1843.
Be it remembered, that satisfactory tes-
timony has been this day, produced before
this Court, that Elisha Waterman late
of Camberland in said county of Providence,
was a Captain of a Company of Minute Men
during the years 1755 and 1776, and served
nine months at least in that capacity,
during said year, that he intermarried with
Elizabeth Harrington, on the twenty-sixth day
of April A.D. 1814, that they lived together
as man and wife until his death, that said Elisha died on the third day of March,
A.D. 1832 leaving the said Elizabeth his
widow, and that the said Elizabeth Waterman
is now his widow, and is living in said
Camberland.
The Court further orders it to be certified, that
full faith and credit are due to the annexed
Declaration of said Elizabeth Waterman,
and also to the annexed depreciations of Noah
Butterworth, Nathan Streeter, Levi Lee, and
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Lewis B. Arnold, Town Clerk.
In Attention whereof. J. Albert G.
Greene, Clerk of said Court, have herewith
set my hand and have affixed the seal
of said Court.
I further certify that Danile Potter, who
has signed three of the aforegoing annexed
certificates, was on the day of the date thereof,
a Justice of the Court of Common Place
within and for the County of Providence
aforesaid, duly elected, and that Anna
bel Lyman Dwight, who has signed
one of the aforegoing annexed certifi-
cates, was on the day of the date 
hereof, a Justice of the Peace within 
after said city of Provident, duly elected,
Albert G. Greene, Clerk
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providence May 7th 1776 this very Resened
of Elisha Waterman one year that belong
to the coloney that was inened, & elucidation
to Rodisland John Smith
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Received the with your Joseph Bellow
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middeltown desem[ineligible] 26 A 1775 Resend of Elisha Waterman thirty eight flints
Resend by captain Andrew Waterman and
and John Wells is a [indiscernible] Resend by us
Elijah Armstrong	John Warner
Page 34

1775

Christuphar Harris
oct 4 to cash of John Smith in prove - Lo-12-0
__________________________________________________
Jademjah Richman [crossed out]
oct 11 to [crossed out] cash payout prudence - Lo-12-0
__________________________________________________
Billiam Bowing [crossed out]
oct 11 to cash lent you [crossed out] - Lo-1-2-2
__________________________________________________
Christuphar [crossed out] Harris
oct 22 to one order upon John Smith in prove - Lo-2-0-0
__________________________________________________
Jory Peck
October 30 to one order upon dannel tilling 
nace [indiscernible] to block and law - L3-3-0
__________________________________________________
Dannel Smith
oct 30 to cash [crossed out] - Lo-1-2-0
__________________________________________________
Leuj Darling
November 3 to cash [crossed out] - Lo-5-6-0
November 5 to cash [crossed out] - 0-1-6
__________________________________________________
Page 35

1775 [Jeremjah-crossed out] Scott November 13 to cash pay you -lo-5.
Lucey Bellew now is cash lent you. Lo-3
November to casting losses got of Richard Waterman 
Christopher [crossed out]Harrison Lo-5
Glory peck[crossed off]Lo-5
JBrook Whipple 5
Daniel [crossed out]Smith [illegible] 5
Jeremjah Scott [illegible] 5
Ichabod Brown  5
Nickles Brown 5
Rufus Ariel 5