Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15733, Sylvester Andrew, R.I.
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SERVICE
R.I.

Andrew, Sylvester

NUMBER 
S.15733

Carded
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No. 18437
Vermont

Sylvester Andrew of Bennin'n Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Roy of the Regt commanded by ----- in the R. Island Troops line for 13 months & 8 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 42 Dollars 21 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 31. day of August 1833 and sent to Wm Haswell Bennington Vt

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 84.42
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 1833 21.10
$105.52

{Revolutionary [Claims] Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D. Brown
Book E. Vol. 3 Page 50
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Sylvester Andrews
Declaration
20629


Wm. Haswell
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STATE OF VERMONT,
County of Bennington. } ss. 
On this 14th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington, now sitting, Sylvester Andrew, a resident of Arlington in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont aged 71 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That in January, 1777 at Coventry, R.I. he was drafted for one month, went to East Greenwich R.I. and served his time out under Capt. Wm Roy. That he also served under same Capt at same place at two different times, one month each time, in the year 1777, and one month and eight days in 1778, and in this last mentioned tour the applicant states that he went to Newport where there was a severe engagement with the enemy. Gen. Sullivan had the command of the American forces. 
____
In 1778 & 1779 the applicant states that he served six months, to wit, one month at a time, under Capt Asa Bennett, at East Greenwich, Newport, & Bristol.
_____
That he afterwards (and as he thinks in 1780) served one month under Capt Abel Bennett, at East Greenwich.
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That in 1781, he again served one month under Capt. Asa Bennett, at Newport,
_____
That he served one month at Little Compton, under Capt. Topping who he thinks was a regular officer.- That he served several times besides those enumerated, but cannot recollect his officers or the places where he served sufficiently to commemorate in this declaration. That he has no documentary evidence 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.
_____
In answer to the interrogatories propounded by the Court, the applicant declares 
1st That he was born at Coventry, R. on the 12th day of December 1760 
2d That he has a record of his age at his dwelling house in Arlington.
3d That he lived in Coventry, R.I when called into service, and also until two years after the revolutionary war, that he then removed to Arlington Vt where he has lived ever since. 
4th That he was drafted into the service, and that a part of the above services were rendered for his father, the applicant being obliged to serve for his father, at all times when both were not drafted.
5th He states that among the regular officers who were with the troops where he served, he recollects Gen Sullivan, Gen Spencer Col. Green, Col. Gordon, Col Topping, Major Alvin Wait, or Silverton Wait, Capt Straffin, & Capt Hopkin Cook. 
6th That he never received a written discharge. 
7th That he is known to David Hall, John Johnson residing in Shaftsbury who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
He further declares that he knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service 
Sylvester Andrew
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Wm Haswell, Register
We, David Hall residing in the town of Shaftsbury and Sylvester Andren residing in the town of Shaftsbury and John Johnson residing in Shaftsbury hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Sylvester Andrew of Arlington who has sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be aged 71 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. David Hall  John Johnson 
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion 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 David Hall who has signed the preceding certificate, is a credible person resident in the town of Shaftsbury, and that John Johnson who has also signed the same, [is a resident] in the same Shaftsbury and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, WILLIAM HASWELL, Register of the court of Probate for the District of Bennington, do hereby certify that foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Sylvester Andrew for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 14th day of August A.D. 1832 Wm Haswell
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I Isaiah Matteson, a Clergyman, residing in Shaftsbury, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Sylvester Andrew, who has subscribed and sworn to the within declaration; that I believe him to be 72 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and I concur in that opinion. Isaiah Matteson 
Sworn to and subscribed in Probate Court this 18th day of June, A.D. 1833. 
Wm Haswell Register 
I certify that Rev. Isaiah Matteson is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office. Wm Haswell Register 
Personally appeared Sylvester Andrew, before the subscribing authority and being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and 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 One year One Month and Eight Days as a private in an embodied corps, called into service by competent authority, both in field and garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. He served under Colonels Toppin, Waterman, Carson and [Gordon] and Major Wait. Sylvester Andrew
Sworn to and subscribed this 18th day of June, A.D. 1833 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office Wm Haswell Reg[ister]
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20629
Sylvester Andrews

13 months 8 days

Wm Haswell
Bennington
Vermont
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WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Pension Office, 
June 5. 1833 
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
a statement, shewing the service of Sylvester Andrew of Bennington County – Vermont
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant’s Service. Years. | Months. | Days. | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Dftd Jan 1777 | [blank] | 1 | [blank] | Private | Capt. Roy | No General or field officers recollected | Battle at New Port | from Coventry to East Greenwich & then parts of R.I. | Coventry R. Island | Traditionary Evidence No Clergyman No reason assigned
1777 | [blank] | 2 | [blank] | “ | 
1778 | [blank] | 1 | 8 | “ | “ | 
1778 & 79 | [blank] | 6 | at different times | “ | Bennett | 
1780 | [blank] | 1 | [blank] | “ | 
1781 | [blank] | 1 | [blank] | “ | 
“ | [blank] | 1 | [blank] | “ | Topping

I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
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2 
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. 
The following regulations have been adopted: 
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory, or District of County of } ss.
On this day of personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of & c. 
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
[this paragraph is bracketed] Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia. except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who was subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of & c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected . All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his Case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6.{ To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? {To an Officer {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. 
[this paragraph is bracketed] The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services [the rest of the line is illegible due to fold] the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will be low the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [ [d] and [e] are bracketed] [d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. [e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: “Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year --- months, and --- days, I served as a ---; For --- months and --- days, I served as a --- ; and for such service I claim a pension." 
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, in 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 here or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g]The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h]The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 
Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which in pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[this sentence is bracketed] [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m]The answers in the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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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. Sylvester Andrew Sur. File 15733 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
Jany 1777 | served at | Pvt. | Wm Roy [checkmark] | Topham | R.I.
[illegible faded or erased] | various | [blank] | Asa Bennett | Waterman | 
[illegible faded or erased] | times | [blank] | Abel Bennett | Carson | 
[illegible faded or erased] | 13 mos. & 8 days | [blank] | Topham | Gorton | 
[illegible faded or erased]
[illegible faded or erased]
[illegible faded or erased]
Battles engaged in, Newport [illegible faded writing]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Coventry R.I.
Date of application for pension, Aug 14, 1832. His cl was al. 
Residence at date of application, Arlington Bennington Co. Vt. 
Age at date of application, born at Coventry R. I. Dec. 12 1760 
Remarks: Soldier rendered a part of the above service for his father whose name is not stated.
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[left side]
15733
[checkmark] INVALID. ,,
File No. 15.733
Sylvester Andrew
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7” 32
Index :- Vol. 1, Page 430
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side]
Apl. 21. 1904. Histy Rear Admiral F. C. Prindle – City
1909 Dec. 4 Hist to Percy Barney V.L.M.
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[top left corner]
OWN SCL
The Cairo, Washington, D.C.,
April 15, 1904
Sir :-
I have the honor to respectfully request a statement of the military and personal history of the following named soldier of the Revolution, and an ancestor of mine, as your records my be able to give:
SYLVESTER ANDREWS, Private, Rhode Island Militia, from Rhode Island, a pensioner residing in Bennington County, Vermont, about 1831-33, and said to have been placed on the Pension roll in the latter year, etc.
Very respectfully,
Franklin C. Prindle
U.S. Navy
The Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
[rectangle stamp] U.S. P.B. OLD WAR & NAVY FILES. APR 19 1904 [/rectangle stamp]
[round stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE. A APR 16 1904 [/round stamp]
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Percy C. Barney,
CIVIL ENGINEER,
327 EAST 21ST STREET.
BROOKLYN, N. Y. Nov. 20, 1909.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I have the honor to request a statement of the military history of Sylvester Andrews, born December 12, 1760 at Coventry, R.I., a soldier of the Revolutionary war. I believe he was residing at Coventry, R. I. at the time of his enlistment, and the date of his application for pension was about August 14, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Arlington, Vt.
Very respectfully,
Percy C. Barney
[round stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE. A NOV 22 1909 [/round stamp]