Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20678, James Barber, R. I.
Page 1

(3-1776)
Service                                          
RI.                                             
                   Barber, James Margaret
  Number  
 W. 20678
Page 2

Rhode Island 865
Margaret Barber
widow of James Barber
R.I.
who died on the [Blank] 1821
of Washington Co. in the state of R. Island
who was a private in the company commanded 
by Captain Babcock of the [Blank] commanded
by [Blank] in the R.Island
line for [Blank]

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the state of 20 Dollars [Blank] Costs per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of May
 1837 and sent to E. R. Potter,  Kingstown, R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of March '37    $120.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep. $10.00

                                                          $130.00

                                                 Revolutionary Claim,
July 4, 1836
[Blank] the [Blank]
Clerk,
Page 3

Declaratio in order to obtain the benefit of the Section of the Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836

State of Rhode Island, County Of Washington on t his  tenth day of October 1836 personally appeared before the Court of Probate of the Town of South Kingston Margaret Barber a resident of South Kingston in the County and State afresaidd aged ninety years, who being first duly sworn according to  law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836  That she the widow of James Barber of South Kingston aforesaid, now deceased which said James Barber was a soldier of the Revolutinary War  That from the commencement of said Revolutionary War until the British left Newport.  her said husband was in the service in said war every other month alternating, and that at one time during said period he did not return home for three or four months being employed as she understood to take the place of Capt Babcock, the commander of the company who was sick. That said Barber was guarding the shores in Washington County at least part of the time above mentins, but it cannot reasonably be expected  of her to state in what service he was employed the whole of said period,  That during said period the deponent and the females of the family had frequently to do the outdoors work of the farm
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while her husband and his sons were in the servies and they used to send him his proviisons from home frequently while so engaged.  That her said  husband had two sons by his former iwfe who in enlisted in the regular service and died in it.  That her said said husband died fifteen years ago this fall of a (numb  palsy) (sic) of which he was sick a fortnight before he died and that he was considerably over ninety years of age when he died.  That she does not know what rank, if any, her husband held in the service bu supposes he must of held some office as in the months he was at home the soldiers usedd frequently to come to him to receive their wages as in an old paper preserved amonh her husband's papers he is addresses as Captain James Barber That one summer durig the war said James Barber was brought home badly wounded in the thigh and was accompanied by Jonah Littleridge and that James Barber was confined to the house for three or four months and as soon as he was able to go out, he went into the service again.  The aplplicant was married to said James Barber (when  in the twenty third year of her age)  She further declares that she has remained a widow every since the death of her said husband, reference being had for the confirmation of this statement to the accompanying evidence
Margareett X Barber 
Mark
Signed and Sworn to in open Court
the T. Wells
Probate Clerk
Page 5

The Deposition of Mary Clarke of Richmond in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island aged seventy-two years being sworn according to law testifies and sas that she lived with her grandother Margaret Willcox until she died and then being about seven years of age went to live with James Barber of South Kingstown who was the husband of her mother, now Margaret Barber widow of the said James Barber and she, the depondent lived with the said James BArber and his wife until she was about twenty years of age an the depondent says that after she went to live with said James Barber and wife that the war came on with Great Britain and that the said James was very often called away from home from time to time and said to be gone from home a soldier in the service of the United States and further the depondant says that the said james BArber was brought home woulded and Josiah Lillibridge came home with him to help him home and further the depondand saith that her mother then the wife of said James Barber was obliged to hire her grass mowedand the depondant and her mother, with the rest of the family, did make and take care of the hay when mowed and other in the absence the James Barber and furthr the depondent says that the said James Barber had two sons that died from home that was in thw war and further the depondent says that the said  James was gone from home from time to time as above stated for
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for several years during the WAr and further the depondant says that in her opinion the said James Barber was gone from home when aid to be a soldiering(sic) in the service of the United States for the space of two years or more and furhre the depondant saith not

Mary X Clark
her mark

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, County of Washington Richmond September the 9th day AD 1836 Personally appeared  Mary Clarke subscirbed to the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
Nathan Moore, Justice Peace
I certifiy that the above named Mary Clarke is a woman of truth and veracity and that her testimon may be acted on in any court

Nathan Moore 
Justice Peace

Depondant 
Mary Clarke
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The deposition of Moses Barner of South Kingstpon Rhode Islad who being of lawful age and duly sworn according to law on oath deposes and says that his father James Barber late of said town died on the 10th day of October A 1821 as appears by an entry in the family Bible that said James  was ninety five years of age in the month of August previous to his decease, as the depondent has ioften heard him state,  That the depondent hath frequently heard his said fathe, while giving(?) in conversation with his friend give an account of his being in the war of the Revolutin and of his services therein, when he was drafted to guard the  shores and of his having been on the Island of Rhode Island several times during the war in the servie and that he has frequently heard him state  that he was gone from home engaged in the service as aforesaid every alternate month during almost or the whole war - had heard him speak of being is Captain Babcock's Compay and of his being Appointed  to some office in superintending the delivery  of their provisions to the soldiers.  That the two old papres acompanying this deposition were found by the depondent among the papes of said James Barber -  one of them addressed to Capt James Barber the othe paper signed by Thomas  Wooster  aide-de-camp, that he said father by being called away from home so often and so  much embarrassed in his affairs and brought in debt of all which said depodent has frequently heared said fathe speak when engaged in conversation with his friends.
The depondent further states that his mothe Margaret Barber now applying for pension still remains the widow of the aforesaid James Barber never having since his decease intermarried with any other person

Moses Barber             
South Kingston Oct 6, 1806 this day before the subscirber                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
the Justice of the Peace for said town   appeared Moses Barber and signedddd and made solemn oath in due form of law to the truth of the above deposition in due  form of law to the truth of the above deposition            
 I   further certify that said  Barber's character for  truth and vericity isd
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(/) and that the statement contained his deposition aforesaid is in my opinion entitled to full credited
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

April 25, 1924

Mrs. John S. Cole, Sr.,
"Cole Farm"
Hopkinton, Rhode Island.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 20678 it appears that James Barber of South Kingston, Rhode Island was born in August 1726, place not stated, and during 1775 served for three months guarding the shores at South Kingston, Rhode Island; in 1778 he served one month in General Sullivan's expedition to the Island of Rhode Island and was wounded in the thigh. In the spring of 1781 he was engaged on guard duty at South Kingston and Howland's Ferry, for one month. He was also in service under Captain James Babcock and Colonel Dyer, and on one occasion took place of said Captain when he was ill. He also superintended the delivery of provisions to the soldiers, dates of these services not stated. James Barber had two sons who died in the service.
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during the Revolution, their names and that of their mother are not on record. 
James Barber married, date not stated, Margaret, a widow, in her twenty- third year, and he died October 10, 1821. 
The widow Margaret was allowed pension on account of his services, on her application executed October 10, 1836, at which time she was ninety years old and lived at South Kingston, Rhode Island, where her son Moses Barber also lived. 
The widow Margaret Barber had a daughter Mary Clarke, aged seventy- two years and a resident of Richmond, Rhode Island in 1836, who stated that she lived with her grandmother Margaret Willcox, until she was seven years old, when she went to live with James Barber her mother's husband. There is no further date on file as to family.

Respectfully, 

[Blank]

Commissioner.
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Saw Witt mye Jany 2 1777
The Commissaries and Committee on the road
to Providence are revered and directed to furnish the Bearers three in Number, who have been 
by presioners, with provisions and necessaries on
their way home



By Order of Majr Genl Wooster
Thos Dafter Aid De Camp
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Form 133 Adams Express Company, H.F. Prew, Agent 24 Snow St., PROVIDENCE, R. I., May 18, 1910. Office of Pension Commissioners, Washington, D. C. Gentlemen: Please send me a certified copy of the service or services of James Barber, who was a Private in the Revolutionary War, from South Kingston, R. I.  See enclosed Revolutionary Claim made by his wife, Margaret Barber, on which she drew a pension. I wish to use this record in obtaining admittance into the Society of Sons of American Revolution. Respectfully yours, W. J. James WIJ/R enclosed returned June 1, 1910 PENSION E MAY 19 1910 U.S. OFFICE
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Capt James Barber
I understand that Joseph Hull has left my
Tour of Date as I am desirous to have  a man in
his Room you Jr and Capt James Barker (illegible) 
a watch and seeing my tower of Duty Reform
Shall be entitled to my Wages
Gidn Clarke
Page 14

The depositon of Ebenezer Smith of South Kingstown Rhode Island who being of lawful age and duly sworn according to law on oath deposes and says that he is now eighty years old and a pensioner under the act of 1818, that he was well acquainted with James Barber whose widow is now applying for a pension.  That i the year 1775 in the months of April, May, June, July, August, and September the deponent was engaged in actual military service guarding the shore of South Kingstown, that during this time the said james Barber was engaged in the samer service with the deponent and was there every other month, serving one half of the time and remaining at home the other half.
That in the year 1778 the deponent was engaged in actual service as a regularly enlisted soldier in General Sullivan's expedition on the island of RHode Island, and the deponent know that the aforesaid James Barbar was there also in actual service at the same time wher he was a month.
That in the year 1781 the depoenent knows that the aforesaid James Barber was in the spring of the year called out to guard the Shores of South Kingstown and while in service there said Barber was ordeerd round to Howland's Ferry
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and the deponent was in  the same service and saw said Barber at said Howland's Ferry.  The deponent does not know positivily how long said Barber served this time, but believes  they were all ordered out for ont month.
Sept 12, 1826
Ebenezer X SMith
Mark
Washington County
in South Kingstown

On the twelfth day of September AD 1836 befoer the subcriber a Justice of the Peace for said town personally appeared Ebenezer Smith and made solemn oath in due form of law to the truth of the aforegoing deposition and I further dertify that the charactere of said Smith is good and that in my opinion his deposition above given is entitled to full credity

Elisha R Potter
Justice of the Peace
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1910 June 1 Hist to W. J. James A. J.
1910 Sept. 7. Hist. to Albert E. Barber A.E.P.
1922. Oct. 10 Hist. to Hon Wm B. McKinley
1933 Aug. 15- Ernest Case
wife of cost of copies and
1924 Ap. 15- Ernest East advised
Jas Barber never ap for pension MMMF
1924-Apr. 25. Hist to Mrs. John S. Cole M.MMF
1924 May 6. Copies mailed to 
Ernest East, AW
1924 May 20 copy mailed to
Ernest East and also
infit no lest by James Barber in other claims
(see letter)
1930 Nov 1 Tombstone
data to  Com Br. W


Rev
File No.
WIDOW, &c.
20, 178
Margaret Barber
Widow of
James Barber
Pri Rev. War
-
Act: July 4th  '/36
Index: -- Vol. A Page 38
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17

THe deposition of Noah Wilcox of Exeter aged seventy-eight years and previously sworn according to law to testify the truth and nothing but the truth on oath deposes and says that   he was well acquainted with James Barber formerly of South Kingstown deceased and with his wife Margaret who is now applying for a pension before the revolutionary war and knows  that said James and said margaret always lived together as husband and wife and did so for several years before the revolutinary was, but  how long before he cannot state with more exactness, that said deponent has alwasys lived for his whole life within about one mile of the house whee said James Barber resided while living and where or near which his widow still lives - that said Margaret still remains thewidow of said james, having never been married since his death to the deponent's knowledge.  That although he never saw James in service himself, he has frequently heard him said James speak of his being (?) service in said revolutionary war and had also heard others in the neighborhood speak of the same and it was the general understantind in the neighborhood where we lived that h served in the revolutionary war as indeed everybody was obliged to do who was of suitable age at the time of said war
Noah Wilcox

South Kingstown , Washington County
September 26, 1836 This day before me appeared Noah Wilcox abovenamed and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition in dure form of law and I hereby certify that said Wilcox' character for truth and veracity is good and that in my opinion the statement by him made above is entitled to full credit
ER Potter
Justice of the Peace
Page 18

The deposition of Gideon Lillibridge of South Kingstown Rhode Island, aged eighty two years who being duly sworn according to law on oath deposes and says that he was well acquainted with James Barber formerly of sd South Kingstown now decd during the Revolutionary war and afterwards during said Barbers life, that in the month of August in Sullivan's expedition which he thinks was in the year 1778 the deponent was on Rhode Island as a soldier in said expedition, that James Barber whose widow is now applying for a pension was there at the same time, and that said Barber while there was badly wounded in the thigh, while in actual service, and that the brother of the deponent accompanied said Barber home, as he was obliged to leave on account of said wound. The deponent believes that said Barber was under the command of Col. Dyre but does not recollect the name of the captain under whom he served

Gideon Lillibridge

South Kingstown Sept 6, 1836 This day before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said town personally appeared Gideon Lillibridge and made solemn oath in due form of law to the truth of the aforegoing deposition. And I further certify that the character of said Lillibridge for veracity is good and that in my opinion his deposition above given is entitled to full credit

Elisha R Potter
Justice of the Peace
Page 19

Con
May 15
Margaret Barber 
R.I. 
 Kingston R, I.
May 12



Hon James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 
D. C. 

$20 per annum
Page 20

Kingston R.I. May 8, 1837

Sir

Mrs Margaret Barber has concluded to accept of the certificate which has been offered to her by the Pension department and would like to have it transmitted as soon as can be done conveniently.

I was requested to write to this effect and did a while ago but as the letter may have miscarried or been mislaid and she is very infirm and very anxious to have it settled she requested me to write again

Yours very Respectfully,
Elisha R Potter
Agent

Hon. James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
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I Gideon Popple of the Town of Canterbury County of Windham and State of Connecticut, do testify and say, that I was well acquainted with James Barber formerly of the Town of South Kingston County of Washington State of Rhode Island, a respected soldier of the American Revolution, and I was at the celebration of his marriage to Margaret Barber now residing in South Kingston County of Washington State of Rhode Island, which marriage celebration was several years before the commencement of Revolutionary war and further the Deponent saith not.

Gideon Popple his mark

Hampton Windham County ss. this 29th September 1836 Personally appeared Mr. Gideon Popple and made oath to the above deposition by him, subscribed by his mark; I furthermore say, I consider him a man of truth and veracity and his testimony can be relied on as evidence in any court

Jesse Burnham Justice of Peace
Page 22

State of Connecticut
Windham County ss } Office of Clerk of County Court

I Uriel Fuller Clerk of the County Court for the County of Windham, do hereby certify, that Jesse Burnham Esqr before whom the within affidavit was sworn, was at that time, and now is, a Justice of the Peace for said Windham County, and duly qualified by law to administer oaths and take depositions, and that the signature purporting to be his, is genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of this Court and subscribed my name this 7th day of October Anno Domini 1836--

Uriel Fuller Clerk

[inverted] There ought to be a certificate of the Clerk of the County Court that Jesse Burnham Esqr was a Jus Peace at the taking of this deposition and that the written signature of his is genuine [/inverted]
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No. 368
Margaret Barber
widow of James
R. Id

Any communication relating to this please address to E. R. Potter
Kingston
R.I.
Page 24

No. 6
Dec 19
[illegible] Rd.
4 July '36

[sideways] Kingston R.I.
Jul '14

free

James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 25

South Kingstown R.I. Dec 12, 1836
James L. Edwards Esqr

Sir

I enclose a paper relating to the pension application of Margaret Barber.

It is not very probable that any evidence can be provided to prove the times of service more particularly. The allowance must therefore depend upon the reasonable discretion of the Department

Yours Respectfully
E R. Potter
Page 26

Town Clerks Office, South Kingstown R.I
Dec 12th 1836

I hereby certify that I have examined the records of said Town from the years 1753 to the year 1775 and cannot find any record of the marriage of James Barber and Margaret Willcox. I also certify that I have good reason to believe that but very few of the marriages that have taken place in said Town have been recorded in the Books of said Town

Thomas R Wells
Town Clerk
Page 27

State of Rhode Island
Washington sc - Clerks Office of the Court of Common Pleas for said County

I Asa Potter Clerk of said Court hereby certify that Thomas R Wells Esqr is now and has for several years been Town Clerk of the Town of South Kingstown in said County and that the signature written purporting to be his is genuine. Witness my hand and the seal of said Court this thirteenth day of December A 1836

Asa Potter Clk.
Page 28

This tenth day of October A 1836 We Henry C Hubbard a regular minister of the gospel, residing in the immediate vicinity of Margaret Barber, and Phinehas Palmer, an Elder of the Baptist Church, both of South Kingstown, certify on oath that we are well acquainted with said Margaret Barber now applying for a pension, that she has always sustained an unimpeached character for truth and veracity, and that we believe her statement before written is entitled to full credit

Signed & sworn to in open Court
Henry C Hubbard Elder in a Baptist Church
Phinehas Palmer
Wts Tho. R. Wells
Probate Clerk

And the said Court after hearing said statement of said Margaret Barber and the above certificate and the accompanying evidence do certify that in their opinion the statement of the said Margaret is entitled to credit, and further certify that Henry C Hubbard and Phinehas Palmer who have signed and sworn to the preceding certificate are regular Elders or ministers of the gospel as in said certificate stated and that their certificate as above is entitled to full credit

I Thomas R Wells Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true account of the proceedings of said Court of Probate in relation to the application of Margaret Barber
Page 29

for a pension. The words relating to the applicants marriage being inserted before the declaration was sworn to. I further certify that Elisha R. Potter who has taken the accompanying depositions of Gideon Lillibridge Ebenezer Smith Noah Wilcox & Moses Barbara is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified to act in said capacity and that his signatures to said depositions are genuine. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and the seal of said Court this tenth day of October AD 1836
Thomas R. Wells, Probate Clerk
Page 30

The deposition of John Vallet of Richmond in the County of Washington and state of Rhode Island aged seventy eight years being sworn according to law testifies and says that he was a soldier in the service of the United States in the War with Great Britian and that he the Deponant was on the Island of Rhode Island in the engagement in General Sullivans Expedition that he the Deponant was under Col Charles Dyer and that he the Deponant [illegible] James Barber of South Kingstown and according to the best of my recollection he the said James Barber was a soldier in the service of the United States and he the said Deponant further says that he was personally acquainted with the above named James Barber and Margaret Barber his wife in the time of the Revolutionary War as she was reputed to be his wife and that the said James Barber and his wife Margaret lived together ever since the War as husband and wife untill the time of his death and further the Deponant saith not.
John Vallet
Page 31

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations County of Washington SS Richmond September the 9th day AD 1`836 personally appeared John Vallet subscriber to the within deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me.
Nathan Moore Justice Peace

I certify that the above named John Vallet is a man of truth and verasity and the testimony above may be relied on in any court.
Nathan Moore Justice Peace

Deposition of John Vallet
Page 32

State of Rhode Island Sc County of Washington Clerks Office of the Court of Common Pleas for sd County. I Elisha R. Potter Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that Gardner Tillinghast who has taken the deposition of Lodowich Shserman and Nathan Moore who has taken the accompanying depositions of John Vallet and Mary Clark are Justices of the Peace duly qualified to act in said capacity and that their signatures to said depositions are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and the seal of said Court this nineteenth day of October AD 1836. E. R. Potter Dlerk
Page 33

The deposition of Lodowich H. Sherman of Exeter Rhode Island who being duly sworn according to law on oath gives the following deposition. That he was himself a soldier in the Revolutionary WAr and was before and during said war well acquainted with James Barber and Margaret Barber his wife of South Kingstown and knows that they lived together as husband and wife before and during said war, that said deponent lived at that time close to the house in which said James lived, that said James was at one time drafted to go on to Rhode Island for twenty days and while there was wounded and came home at the same time the deponent went on to the Island, which the deponent recollects from the circustance of said James being wounded as above, that said deponent knows that said James Barber was away from home for a very considerable time during the continuance of said war and that the deponent understood and it was generally understood that said James was engaged in the military service of the country while so absent. Lodovick Shearman

Town of Exeter October 6th A 1836 This day Lodowich H. Sherman appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for waid town and made solemn oath in due form of law to the truth of the deposition which he has above signed. And I further certify that said deponent sustains a good character for truth and veracity and that the above statement by him made is in my opinion entitled to full credit. Attest Gardner Tillinghast Justice Peace
Page 34

The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, A. W. Brown, Manager, Davenport, Iowa, Ernest East and H. Bartholomew, District Managers, Lehmannn Bldg. Peoria, Ill., May 3, 1924 Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C. Sir: Re. Revolutionary War Section. Claims of Gideon Lillibridge, South Kingstown John Vallet Ebenezer Smith, South Kingstown Lederick Shearman, Exeter Lodowick all of Washington County, Rhode Island, and all apparently soldiers in General Sullivan's expedition to the Island of Rhode Island. Ebenezer Smith was pensioned in 1818. I desire to know if James Barber, also a soldier in General Sullivan's expedition to the Island of Rhode Island, testified in any of the above named soldiers' declarations for pension and if so please give me the number of pages of his testimony to be copied in each claim in order that I may forward money order for phostats. If this search will impose too much work on your clerical force, will you please give me the name of a clerk willing to work for compensation outside of office hours, or a genealogist who will be able to examine the records. Yours very truly, Ernest East, 611 Lehmann Bldg., Peoria, Ill. Testimony of the soldiers above named is included in the record of the pension of Margaret Barber, Widow file 20,678. Reference: Senator William McKinley Representative W. E. Hull
Page 35

FORM 2807 The Murual Life Insurance Company of New York, A.W. Brown, Manager, Davenport, Iowa, Ernest East and H. Bartholomew, District Managers Lehmann Bldg. Peoria, Ill., April 28, 1924 Apr 30 1924 BUREAU OF PENSIONS Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C. Sir: Re: Rev War Section. I desire photostat copies of the original papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Margaret, widow of James Barber, W. 20678, at the rate of 15 cents a page in accordance with your letter dated August 15, 1923. The number of pages you stated is fifteen. Money order enclosed drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior for $2.25. Yours very truly, Ernest East Ernest East 611 Lehmann Bldg., Peoria, lllinois. 15 15 75 15 2.25
Page 36

Request for Photostating (To be prepared in duplicate) M 6 Ex awl 860 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK Job no. Date May 3 24 Subject James Barber, Rev. W 20678 1 (No.) copies of 9 (No.) pieces consisting of 15 pages to be forwarded when completed to the REV. WAR SECTION Divisions Remarks: Approved: AEWilson Chief Div. Rev. War Section Chief clerk.
Page 37

[left page]
M 233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
Apr 30 1924.
Chief Rev. Section.
Sir:
I have this day received
from Ernest East.
M. O. No. 744175
for $2.25, requesting
copy as per
letter herewith.
OK not [illegible]
Copies mailed + Finance Div. notif.
AW
May 6, 24
REV. WAR SECTION
Respectfully,
O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Div.
H. C. L.
[Right page]
[illegible]stating M 6
[illegible] in duplicate)   Ex. aw
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK
Date May 3 24
Barber, Rev. W 20678
[illegible] of pieces consisting of 15 pages to be
(No.)
completed to the REV. WAR SECTION Division
Approved:
[illegible] REV. WAR SECTION
Div.
Chief Clerk.
Page 38

[stamp] FINANCE DIVISION MAY 15 1924 BUREAU OF PENSIONS
[letterhead]
FORM 3807
The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York,
A.W. Brown,
Manager
Davenport, Iowa,
Ernest East
and
H. Bartholomew,
District Managers,
Lehmann Bldg.
[typing]
Peoria, Ill, May 13, 1924
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Sir: Re: Revolutionary War section. Widow file 20, 678
I have received phostats of fifteen pages of the above
mentioned record for which I thank you.
The photo failed to include all of the signature of
Margaret Barber in her declaration. Her signature
is on page 2 of the record. Will you please, there
cause a new copy to be made of this page to include
entirely the signature of Margaret Barber. Money
order for 15 cents is enclosed to cover cost.
Yours very truly,
Ernest East,
611 Lehmann Bldg.,
Peoria, Illinois.
[handwritten in left margin]
Because it ran over onto other page
Page 39

[left page]
M 233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
May 15 1924
Chief Rev. Sect.
I have this day received
from Ernest East
M. O. No. 746040
For $15/100, requesting
Copy as per
letter herewith
Copies mailed + Finance DW notif
AW
May 20 24
REV. WAR SECTION
Respectfully,
O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Div.
H. C. L.
See second letter enclosed
[right page]
Request for Photostating     M 6
(To be prepared in duplicate)      Ex. CW
Chief REV. WAR SECTION
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK
Job No. 913
Subject James Barber, W 20678. Rev.
1 copies of 1 pieces consisting of 1 pages to be
Forwarded when completed to the REV. WAR SECTION Division
Remarks Please take photo so that the name Margaret
Barber will appear entire as I have folded it
Approved:
A. E. Wilson
Chief REV. WAR SECTION
Chief clerk.
Page 40

Cole Farm
Hopkinston R. I.
March 24th 24
U. S. Bureau of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Gents.
Can you tell me if James Barber
born Aug 11 - 1726, was a Revolutionary
soldier - the name of his widow and
the name of her 2 sons who died in
Revolutionary war service.
Also is there any record in 
Revolutionary war service of one named
Billington that was his last name. I do not know the first.
[marginal note] more information see carbon in corres. files. Asked for full name of the Commodore. 
and in the record of Commodore 
Perry- does it read that his parents
of predecessor married a Susanna
Barber..
Thanking you for any information
I am yours truly
Mrs. John S. Cole Sr.
Hopkinton
R. I.
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE L MAR 25 1924
Page 41

FORM 3807
The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York,
A. W. Brown,
Manager
Davenport, Iowa,
Ernest East
and
H. Bartholomew,
District Managers,
Lehmann Bldg.
Peoria, Ill, March 5, 1924
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Please advise if James Barber of Washington County, Rhode
Island, a Revolutionary War soldier drew a pension. I am
a descendant.
James Barber's widow, Margaret, was pensioned ( Widow
File 20678). I have information contained in these papers.
If James was pensioned, please give number of pages
to be copied as I desire photostats.
Yours very truly
Ernest East
Ernest East,
1112 Pacific av.,
Peoria, Illinois.
[stamp]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
MAR 7 1924
Page 42

[letterhead] FORM 3807
The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York,
A. W. Brown,
Manager,
Davenport, Iowa.
Ernest East
and
H. Bartholomew,
District Managers,
Lehmann Bldg.
Peoria, Ill., August 6, 1923.
Mr. H. M. Vandervort,
Deputy Commissioner,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Do the records of your office disclose whether
a person or persons named Sprague served in the War of the
Revolution, and if so will you please furnish me with the
name or names of such persons and the state in which they
were resident, and also the name of the widow, or other
dependants pensioned, if any.
This information is desired to assist in establishing
the name of an ancestor, said by his grandson to have been
a Revolutionary soldier. This grandson served in Co. G, 10th
Indiana Vol. Inf. and is on the pension rolls.
Through Senator McKinley your office recently furnished
me with the record of James Barber ( W. 20,678), also a
Revolutionary ancestor. I desire to know whether the law
permits and whether it is the practice of the Bureau to
permit photographic copies to be made of such records by
interested persons. If so, must this be done by an individual
or does the pension office furnish such copies upon payment
of a proper charge. I desire a photographic copy of the
declaration of Margaret Barber in the case above mentioned.
I thank you for your courtesy in making such a full
reply to Senator McKinley in response to my former inquiry.
Yours very truly,
Ernest East
Ernest East,
611 Lehmannn Building,
Peoria, Illinois.
15 pages
[stamp]
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
AUG 13 1923
Page 43

[letterhead] EXEMPLUM ADEST PSE-HOMO
Stated Communication Tuesday Evening on or before Each Full Moon. Annual January 17.
Franklin Lodge, No. 20,
Free and Accepted Masons.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY.
Westerly, R. I., Aug. 29, 1910.
[Typed]
Department of the Interior.,
Commissioner of Pensions.,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me a copy of the military record of the following
soldiers who enlisted or served in the Revolutionary War of -76,
and who enlisted from Washington County, R. I.
James Barber whose widow Margaret Wilcox was on the pension roll of
March 4, 1833 or 1831.
Joseph Barber who was on pension roll of 1833 or 1831.
Michel Dawley, who was on pension roll of 1831.
Thanking you in advance for the same. I am interested in the above personally.
I am.,
Years very truly.,
Albert E. Barber
Box 595.
Page 44

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.

May 20, 1924.

Ernest East,
611 Lehmann Building,
Peoria, Ills.

Sir:

I have to advise you that there is no testimony from James Barber in the Revolutionary War pension claims of Gideon Lillibridge, John Vallet, Ebenezer Smith and Lodowick Shearman of Rhode Island.

Respectfully,

Washington Gardner
Commissioner.
Page 45

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
MMHF:MLB

November 1, 1930

Office of the Quartermaster General
Cemeterial Branch
War Department
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

You are advised that it appeared from the papers In the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 20678, that James Barber of South Kingston, Rhode Island, was born in August, 1726, place not stated, and during 1775, served for three months guarding the shores at South Kingston, Rhode Island; in 1778, he served one month in General Sullivan's expedition to the Island of Rhode Island and was wounded in the thigh. In the spring of 1781, he was engaged on guard duty at South Kingston and Howland's Ferry, for one month.

He was also in service under Captain James Babcock and Colonel Dyer, and on one occasion took the place of said Captain when he was ill. He also superintended the delivery of provisions to the soldiers, dates of these services not stated.

He died on October 10, 1821.

Very truly yours,
E. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
Page 46

aw
Rev. War Section.
Aug. 15, 1923.
Ernest East,
611 Lehmann Building
Peoria, Ills.
Sir:
I have to advise you that if you desire photostat
copies of the original papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim of Margaret widow of James Barber, W. 20678,
the same will be furnished you under the provisions of
the Act of August 24, 1912, at the rate of fifteen cents
a page with twenty-five cents extra for certification if
that is desired. The number of pages to be copied is
fifteen.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau
by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary
of the Interior.
Owing to the lack of a clerical force available for
the purpose this bureau is unable to furnish the histories
of all soldiers named Sprague that are found on its
Revolutionary War records. If you are able to furnish the
full name of the soldier, place of residence at enlistment 
and approximate date of his death, a search of the
records will be made in your behalf.
Respectfully,
Washington Gardener
Commissioner.
[handwritten in left margin] all copies are pd for send all of these except pages marked omit
Page 47

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

April 5, 1924

Ernest East
1112 Pacific Ave.,
Peoria, ILL.

Sir:
I have to advise you that from the records of this Bureau it does not appear that James Barber of Washington County, Rhode Island, who died October 10, 1821 and whose widow Margaret (Widow File No. 20678) drew a pension, ever applied for a pension himself.

Respectfully, 

Acting Commissioner.
Page 48

                                                        October 10, 1933.

Honorable William B McKinley,
United States Senate.

Dear Senator McKinley:
                              In Response to your letter of the
ninth instant and the enclosed letter of Mr. Ernest East, Lehmann Building, Peoria, Illinois, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, Widow File 20,678, it appears that James Barber of South Kingston, Rhode Island, was born in August 1736, place not stated, and during 1775 served for three months guarding the shores at South Kingston, Rhode Island; in 1778 he served one month in General Sullivan's expedition to the Island of Rhode Island and was wounded in the thigh. In the spring of 1781, he was engaged on guard duty at South Kingston and Howland's Ferry, for one month.
He was also in service under Captain James Babcock and Colonel Dyer, and on one occasion took the place of said captain when he was ill. He also superintended the delivery of provisions to the soldiers, dates of these services are not stated.
Page 49

James Barber had two sons who died in the service 
during the Revolution, their names and that of their
mother are not on record.
James Barber married, date not stated, Margaret, a
widow, in her twenty-third year, and he died [illegible]
1821.
The widow Margaret was allowed pension on account of
His services, on her application executed [illegible]
at which time she was ninety years old and [illegible] South
Kingston, Rhode Island, where her son [illegible] also lived.
The widow Margaret Barber had a daughter [illegible] Clarke,
aged seventy-two years, who stated that she lived with her grandmother
Margaret Wilcox, until she was [illegible] years old,
when she went to live with James Barber, her mother’s
husband.
There is no further data on file as to family.
Very truly yours
H. M. Vandervort
Deputy Commissioner. 
(James Barber – W. 20,678 – 3 - )