Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,519, Thomas Cole, R.I.
Page 1

(S-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Cole, Thomas
Anna

NUMBER
W.14.519

CONTENTS
Page 2

1. 693
Rhode Island
Anna Cole
widow of Thomas Cole
[illegible text] died on the year 1818
of [illegible text] in the State of RI
who was a Pri of Bafthet in the Company commanded by Captain Perry of the Reg't commanded by Col. Gravy in the R.I
line for 12 mos. Private of Artillery
12 "     "    of Infantry

Inscribed on the Roll of R Island
at the rate of 90 dollars and 00 Cents, per ann[illegible text]
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of [Illegible text]
1838 and sent frm [illegible text]
B. Gransten [illegible text] of RI

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1837 $585.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 M[illegible text] 58. - 45.00

$630.00

Revolitionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3

Recorded by [illegible text] Addison   clerk, 
Book 4. Vol [Illegible text] Page 84
Page 3

I Ichabod Cole of Warren in the country of Bristol state of Rhode Island on solemn oath do declare and say that I am Eighty Seven years of age and upwards that I was well acquainted with Thomas Cole late of Warren. declared on I have stated in a former Deposition, and I further state that said Thomas Cole was my brother, and that I know he was married to Anna Cole his widow before the the Penobscot Expedition, so. called, but do not recalled the date of the year of that expedition, but I know that my brother said Thomas Cole never returned home after that said ship Warren was blown up until he came from the Prison ship as a prisoner, and when he did come home his wife was keeping home in my chambers so that I am certain he was married before he went on board of that ship ^ (Warren) but hoe long he was a prisoner I do not know. - I understand that after the ship was blown up, that said Thomas entered on board of a merchant Vessel which was apart and got into Eggharbor and there he enterd on board of a Privateer and was soon after taken by an English Cruiser and carried in to New York, and put on board of the old Prison ship but do not remember how long he remained as a prisoner before he was ordered to come home. 
After said Thomas Cole's services closed in Capt John Perry's Company Massachusetts Militia, he enlisted] into an artillery company commanded by either Capt Knox at first and afterwards by Capt Drury or by Capt Drury at first, I am not certain which. 
This company of artillery was in the service of Massachusetts and in their company said Thomas want to New York, and was with General Washington, though New Jersey
I want in to winter quarters at Germantown
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and came home early in the spring and was in service in this company at least twelve months.  In the winter previous to his leaving the service I saw a man in New York who said he was personally acquainted with my brother the said Thomas Cole and I sent a letter to him by this man and advised my brother to leave the service and come home.  Their troops were then said to be in winter quarters in Germantown.
My brother the said Thomas Cole was with Washington at the taking of Trenton and Princeton.
Ichabod Cole 
State of Rhode Island of Providence Plantation Bristol County Js. i Warren, November 24th 1836
This the above named Ichabod Cole, personally appearing before me the subscriber and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition to which he subscribed his name in my presence
And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Ichabod Cole, and that [crossed out] he is a credible person and his statement entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall
Justice Peace
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Bristol County Je
Clerks Office Supreme Judicial Court November 25th A.D. 1836 at Greenwood Reynolds Clerk of said Court in and for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Samuel Randall before whom the deposition of Ichabod Cole purports to have been taken i a Justice of the Peace for said County duly qualified to act in his said capacity as a Justice and that the signature at the bottom of the certificate is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day and year above written

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp] 

Greenwood Reynolds Clerk
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+ No [crossed out] 274
Anna Cole
3rd Sec
R. Island
found on Captain John Perry's Co Mifr forTom Wiley's [over crossed out words] [illegible]  Capt Thos [illegible]
[Col Co R R.I.
militia 5 months in 1776
Col Cromd/Jun 1777 [crossed out}]
admitted
1 yr P [illegible] $60.____
1 yr  @ amt          50.____
                           $90.00

Hon R.B. Cranston
N.R.
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Declaration
NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th July, 1836.
State of Rhode Island [letter crossed out] Providence Plantations County of Bristol Je.
On this twenty second day of September 1836. personally appeared before the Court of Probate of the town of Warren in the aforesaid County of Bristol, Anna Cole, a resident of said Warren aged Seventy Eight years and upwards, who being first 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 July 4, 1836; That she is the widow of [Thomas Cole {underlined}], late aforsaid Warren deceased, who was a soldier in the Militia and army in the War of the Revolution:  That according to the best of her knowledge and belief her said husband enlisted as a private Soldier, in a Company raised soon after the Lexington fight and went with said Company to Roxbury near Boston: that this enlistment was in the spring of the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy five.  She said Company was under the Command of Capt Perry and belonged to the Regiment under Col. Timothy Walker and that this service aforesaid husband she said Thomas Cole was Eight months:
That in the fore part of the year seventeen hundred Seventy Six, she thinks in January or February her said husband enlisted into an artilery [artillery] Company Commanded by Captain Drury: & was in the service under General Washington, and was marched into New Jersey & Pennsylvania and continued with said Company of Artilery [Artillery] until the spring of Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven: and that service of her said husband was something over one year.  That in Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven her said husband enlisted in
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into Capt Thomas Allen's Company in Col Cooks Regiment and that he served in this Company Nine months or more.  That he said husband was frequently on guard Service in guarding the shores in this state, and that this service she has no doubt amounted to more than six months.
And that in the year Seventeen hundred Eighty one or eighty two her said husband shiped [shipped] on board a Merchant Vessel fitting out of Boston for the West Indies, but before the Vessel sailed her said husband was pressed  on board a ship of war fitting at said Boston for the Penobscot Expedition for three month that after her said husband was discharged from this service he was taken as prisoner by the English & put on board the old Jersey Prisson [prison] Ship. where he was retained a prisoner until brought away by a flag sent from Providence, that when he came home from said Prisson ]prison] her son Isaac which was his second child after she was married to her said husband the said Thomas Cole, was several months old.  And that she verily believes her said husband served in all during the said was thirty eight months.  She further discloses that she was married to the said Thomas Cole in April Seventy nine this is, seventeen hundred seventy nine.  That her said husband the aforesaid Thomas Cole died in North Carolina previous to September A.D. Eighteen hundred Eighteen and that she has remained a widow ever since that period or will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed.
She further declares that she was married to said Thomas Cole by Elder Charles Thompson at his home in Swansey about three miles
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from her place of residence in said Warren, that at that time, there was no minister in said Warren, that she had in his possession a certificate of their marriage for many years and supposing he marriage was recorded in the town clerks office in said WArren, she did not consider said certificate of any value or consequence and did not take any care to preserve it and not being able now to find it, she verily believes it was burned up with some useless papers some years ago by her son Isaac.  She further declares that her maiden name was Anna Vose:  that she has not [letter crossed out] never had any papers or documentary evidence of her said husband's service in the said War of the Revolution.
Attest Isaiah Cole    
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
        Her
Anna   X  Cole
         cross

I Samuel Randall Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that on this twenty second day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred thirty six before said Court of Probate, as aforesaid the above written declaration was sworn to by the above named Anna Cole, and she subscribed her cross thereto in open Court, being unable to write her name and I further certify that it appears to said Court that said Anna Cole is a credible person and that her declaration is entitled to credit.  
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court the day & year above written.
Samuel Randall, Clerk

[Seal attached]

I the above named Samuel RAndall being sworn according to law, do testify & say that I am clerk of the above named Court of Probate for said town of Warren duly appointed & legally qualified to act as such, and I further testify that the above written certificate signed by me as clerk of said Court of Probate is true.  
Samuel Randall.
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State of Rhode Island             
& Providence Plantations                                 [right brace]
Town Clerks Office
Warren, Sept 24th 1836

I Samuel Randall town clerk of said town of Warren, on oath do testify and say that I have searched the Records of Marriages in this office, at the request of Anna Cole to find the record of her marriage with Thomas Cole late afsaid [aforesaid] Warren deceased and cannnot find any such records and am satisfied no such record was ever made in this office.
Samuel Randall

Bristol Js in Warren September 25, A.D. 1836 then personally appeared the above named Samuel Randall Esq. and made oath to the above certificate and the one on the preceding page:  And I certify that said Samuel Randall Esq. is a credible person with whom I am well acquainted
Alfred Bosworth Justice of the Peace
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I Elizabeth Cole of Warren in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island an doth do testify and say that I am Eighty one  years of age and more.  That I [crossed out] was well acquainted with Thomas Cole late of Warren deceased and am well acquainted also with his widow Anna Cole who is now living and has never been married since the death of her husband the said Thomas Cole.  The said Anna Cole is my sister.  In Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven in the month of August I was married and my sister Anna Cole the aforesaid widow of Thomas Cole, was married to said Thomas Cole in the month of April in seventeen hundred seventy nine.  I was not present at the marriage of my said sister but She and said Thomas Cole left her uncle's house where she then lived which was but a few mods from where I then lived, & went to Elder Thompsons, as was said, to be married, there then being no minister in Warren, after their return, they lived together as man and wife, and were always reputed such, and I never had any  more doubt that they were then married than if I had been present and asw them married.  They had one child which died in infancy before their son Isaac was born who is now living.  I know that said Thomas Cole was absent from his family after he was married to my said Sister, most of the time til the close of the Revolutionary war, and I then understood & believe he was in the service of the country against the enemy   He was at home but very little while at a time.  When he came home the last time (which was from the old Prison Jersey Ship) his son Isaac was about one year old.

Signed in presence of
sworn      Thomas E Greene

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
               her
Elizabeth X Cole
            cross
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Bristol Jr. in Warren, Sept 8th, 1836.
The the above named Elizabeth Cole, previously appearing, before me  the subscriber and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition, to which she subscribed his name in my presence
And I hereby further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Elizabeth Cole, and that she is a  credible person and that her statement is entitled to credit
Samuel RAndall
Justice Peace
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Bristol Jf. Clerks Office Supreme Judicial Court
I Greenwood Reynolds Clerk of said Court for said County of Bristol as hereby certify that Samuel Randall is the present Clerk of the Court of Probate for Warren and that said Court is one of record.
And I further certify that Samuel Randall before whom the depositions of Elizabeth Cole, Isaac Cole, Joseph Wheaton, Ichabod Cole, Nelson Miller and William Bowen, hereto annexed purport to have been taken in a justice of the Peace for said County of Bristol and that the signature at the bottom of the certificates to said Depositions is his genuine signature.  In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Bristol this seventy fourth day of september on thousand eight hundred and thirty six
Greenwood Reynolds Clerk

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
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I Isaac Cole of Warren in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island, on solemn oath do testify & say that I am the sun [son] of Thomas Cole late of Warren deceased and Anna Cole, his present widow, that I shall be fifty five years old next November of this year Eighteen hundred thirty six that I have understood that my mother has a child after her marriage to my father the said Thomas Cole, before I was born that is, that I was the second child:  That I have have seen the certificate of the marriage of my father she said Thomas Cole to my mother the said Anna Cole, twenty or thirty years ago among his my fathers papers.  I and my mother having to move from place to place frequently, I was induced some twenty years ago to destroy by burning, all the useless papers in our possession to save the trouble of moving them about with us.  And as I cannot find said certificate of their marriage, I am induced to believe and do believe said certificate was destroyed at that time.  
From                               Isaac Cole

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations. County of Bristol Jr in Warren sEpt 22, 1836.  Then the above named Isaac Cole personally appearing before me the subscriber & being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition, to which he subscribed his name in my presence.
And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Isaac Cole and that he is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit.
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
Samuel Randall
Justice Peace
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Thomas Cole
I Joseph Wheaton of Rehoboth in the in the county of Bristol in the state of Massachusetts on solemn oath do testify and say that I am Eighty three years of age and more that I enlisted as a private soldier in the company of minute men, commanded by Capt. John Perry, in the Regiment under Col. Timothy Walker, in the month of April of the year Seventeen hundred Seventy five and on the nineteenth day of April of that year we were marched to Roxbury near Boston, In ten or twelve days after, we arrived at Roxbury, the whole Company enlisted into what was called the Eight months of service which closed the first [of {crossed out}] day of January following.  Thomas Cole was one of that Company with me and served in that Company the whole Eight months.  I also understood that said Thomas Cole enlisted into the artilery [artillery] Company commanded by Capt Drury and went to New York but I was not a member of Drury's Company  & do not know that said Thomas served in that Company but understood so at the time and have no doubt it was so.
[I {crossed out}] Said Thomas Cole, at the time he enlisted into said company under Capt. John Perry resided in Rehoboth.
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
Joseph Wheaton
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Bristol Jr. in Warren Sept 11. 1836.
Then the above named Joseph Wheaton personally appearing before me  the subscriber and being personally sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition to which he subscribed his name in my presence & I hereby certify that I have satisfactory evidence that the said Joseph Wheaton is a credible person & his statement is entitle to credit
Samuel Randall Justice Peace
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Thomas Cole
I Ichabod Cole of Warren in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island on solemn oath do testify and say that I am Eighty Seven years of age and more.  That I was intimately acquainted with Thomas Cole late of Warren aforesaid, deceased, from his Earliest youth he was the husband of Anna Cole, who is now living, and has remained the window of said Thomas Cole ever since his death.  I was not present at the marriage of said Anna Cole and said Thomas Cole.  They being from my house where married, but know they lived together as man and wife always afterwards and were always reputed to be man and wife.  There was then no minister in this town and Elder Charles Thompson [crossed out] was the nearest minister, authorized to marry said Anna & Thomas were married by said Elder Thompson, as I then understood, they lived in my house after they were married two or three years.
UIn the spring of Seventeen hundred Seventy five, the said Thomas Cole enlisted into Capt. Joh Perry's Company in the Regiment commanded by Col. Timothy Walker, in what was called the Eight months Service Said Thomas Served the time out, to wit, Eight months.
Said Thomas afterwards enlisted into the Artilery [artillery] Company under the command of Capt. Drury and when the army under General Washington went to New York said Company went with said Army and went over North River to Jersey and was with Washington at the taking of Trenton & Princeton and went into winter quarters at Jersey.  In the latter part of February or March the said Thomas left the Army and came home.  The said Thomas of late enlisted into said Artilery [artillery] Company immediately after the close of the
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aforesaid Eight month campaign and must have been in the service under Capt Drury twelve or thirteen months.
The above first named enlistment under Capt John Perry was while the English had possession of Boston , and said Company were order and went to Roxbury near Boston.
After said Thomas retired from the south, he was frequently on duty in guardin the shores as a substitute for others.  I think he served in guarding the shores in all six or seven months.
After the English left Newport I believe in the 1780 or 1781 and it might be in 1782 The said Thomas Cole shiped [shipped] for a voyage to the Erst Indies in a vessel fiting [fitting] out of Boston, but before the vessel sailed said Thomas was pressed on board the ship Warren for the Penobscot expedition this service was three months.  I believe This ship Warren was fited [fitted] out and belonged to the United States, but I believe was at this time in the state Service of Massachusetts.  I am certain that this service was after said Thomas Cole was married.  I am confident that said Thomas and Anna Cole were married in Seventeen hundred Seventy Nine. 
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
Ichabod Cole

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Bristol Js in Warren sept 8th 1836.
Then the above named Ichabod Cole, personally appearing before me the subscriber and being sworn accord to law, made oath & the truth of the aforegoing Deposition to which he subscribed his name in my presence and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted
with the said Ichabod Cole and that he is a credible person and his statement entitled to truth
Samuel Randall  Justice of the peace
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Thomas Cole
I Nelson Miller of Bristol in the county of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island on oath do certify and say that I am Eighty three years of age and more that I was acquainted with Thomas Cole late of Warren, deceased, before and during the War of the Revolution.
In the year Seventeen hundred Seventy five, I enlisted as a Drummer in Capt. Josiah Martindale's Company  in Col. Church's Regiment, which Regiment was raised for Eight months to go to Roxbury in Massachusetts.
I am confident that said Thomas Cole was a soldier in that Regiment but to what company he belonged I cannot say.  
I am confident also that said Thomas Cole was on duty as a soldier in the aforesaid town of Bristol but cannot specify the time.
Nelson Miller
Sworn
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Bristol Jr. in Warren Sept 11 1836
Then the above named, Nelson Miller personally appearing before me the subscriber and being sworn according to law made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition to which he subscribed his name in my presence
And I hereby certify, that by satisfactory evidence to me given, the said Nelson Miller is a credible person and his statement entitled to credit.
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
Samuel Randall
Justice Peace
Page 19

I Wilson Bowen of Warren in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, on Solemn oath do testify & say that I am Seventy five years of age and upwards;  that I was well acquainted with Thomas Cole late of said Warren, deceased, who was the husband of Anna Cole who is now living and has never been married since the death of her said husband the said Thomas Cole.
That in the year Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven I enlisted as a private soldier in Capt Thomas Allen's Company, in Col. Cook's Regiment (state service) for nine months, and was discharged in the following March Seventeen hundred Seventy eight the end of the service.
That the said Thomas Cole was in the same Company with me during the said Nine months, but I cannot say but he had been in service in said Company before, as this Regiment was raised for one year, and had been in being three months before I enlisted and the said Thomas Cole might have enlisted and its commencement of this I do not know whether he did or did not.  
William Bowen
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Bristol Jr. in Warren Sept 24th 1836.
Then the above named William Bowen personally appearing before me the subscribed, and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition, to which he subscribed his name in my presence.  And I further testify that I am well acquainted with said William Bowen & that he is a credible person and his statement entitled to credit.
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
Samuel Randall
Justice Peace
Page 20

State of Rhode Island Je
Bristol County Jr. Town Clerk's Warren Feb. 17, 1837
I Samuel Randall town clerk of said town of Warren, do hereby certify that I have carefully examined the Records of marriages in this office, and cannot find the record of the marriage of Thomas Cole to Anna Cole or to any other person, and am certain said marriage is ot recorded in this office.
Samuel Randall
Town Clerk

I the above names Samuel RAndall being sworn according to law do testify and say that I am the Town Clerk of said Town of WArren and am legally qualified to officiate in said capacity and that the above written certificate by me signed is true.
Samuel Randall

The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations County of Bristol
In Warren February the 18th A.D. 1837.
Then the above named Samuel Randall personally appearing before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of said state and being sworn according to law made oath to the truth of the above written affidavit, to which he subscribed his name in my presence. And I hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with said Samuel Randall, that he is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit.
Levi Haile Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
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Warren Dec 13th 1837
Sir.
I now forward additional evidence, in behalf  [THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATE {stamp}} of Mrs. Anna Cole, widow of Thomas Cole, to support her pending claim to a pension and take liberty to accompany it with some remarks.
From our correspondence, heretofore, on this claim, I  presume the evidence already submited [submitted], establishes the part of services sufficient to entitle Mrs. Cole to a full pension, in case her marriage to Thomas Cole be satisfactorily proved to have taken place , "before the expiration of the last period of his service" such are the words of the act of Congress.
Now, in addition to the testimony on your files, going to show that these parties were married, in April 1779, and that Cole was in the Penobscot expedition, in the summer of that year, we now enclose the Deposition of Judge Cole, whose opportunities of knowing the precise fact, were, at least, as good as any man's, and he testifies positively, it took place, in April 1779.  It seems to me, he cannot be misstaken, where the circumstances he refers to, in connection, and contemporaneous with, the marriage, are considered, he cannot be mistaken, whither his own brother was, or was not residing,in his own family, when he embarked, is so important an expedition as that of the Penobscot not can he be misstaken [mistaken] , whether that brother ws or was not at that time, a married man , leaving his wife, at his, the witness's own house;  Nor can he be misstaken [mistaken] , in the fact, whether his brother's wife was or was not, confined with her first child, in his own chambers, while his brother was absent, nor would he be likely to be mistaken, whether the child were or were not still
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born.  It is true, Judge Cole is a very old man; but he is a remarkable instance of one ones enjoying a sound mind, memory and understanding, in a sound body.  Having been for many years, a representative from his native town of Warren, and until recent, a judge of our court of Common Pleas. he is personally known to Mr Robbins of the Senate, and, I presume to each of our Representatives in Congress as a man of truth, integrity and character.  
Further, he is confirmed, in his testimony, by Elizabeth Cole, a near connection of Thomas Cole and who, at the time of the marriage of said Thomas, resided  and ever since has resided, in that neighborhood, and, indeed, within a few rods of the spot where said Thomas commenced Housekeeping, with the Claimant.
But we now submit, in addition to the evidence of Judge Cole, as to the time of the marriage, his testimony also, as to services performed, by his said brother Thomas, as late as the fall of 1780, and to the same fact of service, the Depositions of Grindal Chase and Stephen Luther, proving that they both saw Thomas Cole, in the service, at Bristol Ferry, a number of days, in the fall of 1780, being the time, at which, the French fleet lay in Newport, and it is a matter of history that a part of the French fleet, lay in Newport, at that time, undergoing repairs.  Perhaps this new evidence of additional services, might not be sufficiently explicit, as to the exact length of time, to increase the claimants pension, on that account, still, it incontestably establishes the part of service, at that late period, which is subsequent to the time assigned for the marriage
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by the testimony of Daniel Cole, which, we are perfectly satisfied, fixes it one year later than it actually took place.
From all the evidence, therefore, we feel warranted, in the hope and expectation, that a full Pension will be granted to this  Desolate and meritorious old lady.

And, we are, 
very respectfully
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
your obedient servant
Samuel Randall
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp on left side]
Revy
WIDOW, & c.
File No. 14519
Anna Cole
Wid" of 
Thomas Cole
Trw Rev. War
Act:  July 4, 1836
Index:---Vol. a, Page 148
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 25

free
Sa [illegible] ettr    brace [section sign]
Feb 16th

Samuel Randall Esqr
Postmaster
Warren
Rhode Island

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
Page 26

Service Number
RI Cole, Thomas W.14.519
Anna
Page 27

Thomas Cole
75. Perry_ Walker_   Roxbury   8 mo Rolls  7 mo. 20 dy
76. Drury. mo Col     N.J. & Pa    artilly   12 mo
77. Allen Cook          __________         9 mo   7 mo
Nov 82" was pressed on board a ship of war Warren in the Aug. 79 .'   Penobscott expedition for 3 mo. and after discharge was taken prisoner-

Parol evidence of the marriage--Warren blown up-
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
Page 28

Anna Cole
R. Island
Suspended
let 2 Nov 1836
Greenwood Reynolds
Clk, Bristol County Court
do-ds-Hon D. J. Pearce
Dec 12. 1836
let 18 May 1837
S. Randall.
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
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Warren Feb 17th 1837
Sir, In the case of Anna Cole widow of Thomas Cole- The proof of marriage before the last service, seems to be the only obstacle in the way of her success in her application for a Pension.  The discrepancy in the testimony of Elizabeth Cole, relative to the birth of Isaac the 2nd child is explained in her 2nd Deposition.
Ichabod Cole, who I am bound to say is second to none in truth a verasity [veracity].  Let his latitude of birth and evidence be that of Rhode Island or [further {crossed out}] South or North of it has positivly [positively] sworn in two Depositions that the marriage of Thomas Cole & Anna was before the Penobscot Expedition.  I have named circumstances by which he is certain of that fact.  Now he does not swear positivly  [positively] that Thomas Cole was on board of the ship Warren, gives the circumstances which renders that fact beyond a doubt in his mind, & such as prove the fact beyond doubt, in any mind, because Mr Cole has either hatched up these circumstances to make a story favourable to Anna Cole or he has told them as they in fact were.  Now if he was going to break over the line of truth, at all, he probably would have adapted the Kentuckian's Rule and gone the whole hog.  The fact, sir, is, that these old folks just on the boarder of eternity, are scrupulously careful in their declarations, and allmost [almost] afraid to state what they do know without adding some renovation.  But Mr Cole adds no renorvation
Page 30

to his statement about the  marriage of Thomas Cole & his present widow, Anna, but the dates of expedition he did not pretend to know.  
Now it is recorded that Thomas Cole was in that expedition, it must be awarded that he was married before the last Period of his services.  Because Ichabod Cole & Elizabeth Cole both testify that said Thomas Cole never returned home after he went from Boston in ship Warren and the Penobscot expedition untill [until] he came home from the Prison ship and when he did come home from the prison ship his wife lived the chambers of Ichabod Cole and that this was after his wife had been confined with their first child which was still born, dec.
I am directed by the friends of the widow, to request you to return all the papers in that case, if these now forwarded with thos [those] before sent do not furnish sufficient evidence to sustain her claim.  I never have and never will be engaged for or assist any one in these applications unless I am satisfied their claim is just.  I am perfectly satisfied that this is of that character.
I supposed there was evidence in this case that the marriage was never recorded but on refering [referring] to you last note I find you say, that evidence must be had before panal [panel] evidence is admissible .  I have therefore made an affidavit to that fact.  
Respectfully yr obt Servt
Samuel Randall

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Page 31

Daniel Cole
Zilpha Cole's
affidavit
rec 9th March 37

Warren R.I. Feb 25 [stamp]
NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]

FREE [stamp]
01074 [written vertically on the right side]
Anna Cole
[274 {crossed out}] R. I.
[illegible]
H Mby'36
J. L. Edwards, Esquire.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.
D.C.
Page 32

Warren, Feb 25th 1837.
Sir,

The enclosed affidavit of Daniel Cole and wife as to the marriage of Anna Cole & Thomas Cole. was not received so as to be forwarded with the last Depositions in her case.  They reside at a great distance, and altho the application was made to them for their testimony as to the marriage nearly two month ago, no reply was received until this day and I hasten to forward it to you to be filed with and made apart of the Testimony in the application of Anna Cole widow of Thomas Cole for a Pension.

Remaining u
your obt Servt
Samuel Randall
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
J. S. Edwards Esquire
Comr Pensions
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Town Clerks Office Swansey October 14th 1837
I John reason Town Clerk of the town of Swansey County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do certify and say that after examination I cannnot find the marriage of Thomas Cole and Anna Vose was ever recorded in the records of said town.  I also certify that I believe that many marriages have taken place in this town many years since which never have been recorded particularly from the years 1774 to 1784
Swansey October 14th 1837 John Mason Town Clerk of Swansey
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [STAMP]
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I, Stephen Luther of Swansey in the County of Bristol in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy seven years, on solemn oath depose and say that I was formerly somewhat acquainted with Thomas Cole who died many years ago, I lived in my youth and ever since in said Swansey and he in Warren but they are adjoining towns and our homes were for all the farmer portions of our lives not exceeding three miles distant from one another-said Thomas Cole I knew very well was in the service.  I have always understood from him when speaking of the Revolution that he was with the army as a soldier at Boston the first year of that war and form thence followed the main army under Washington to New York but I was not with him in that service.  But I remember he was in Sullivan's expeditions on Rhode Island and I remember when I belonged to Captain Taber Burney's company in 1780, there was much alarm for fear the enemy would make an attack on Newport and get possession of it again and when they lay off the coast the militia were called out in  large numbers from all the county near the shore and I remember during this alarm and while I belonged to said Burney's company a number of militia were stationed for two or three weeks at the Bristol Ferry to guard the passages upto Fall Rivers, Tiverton and Swansey and I
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I recollect then of seeing Tomas Cole in that guard service, the Company that Cole was attached to was raised I think from the whole Regiment-but I am not certain whether it was caused by draft or enlistment Cole I am sure was serving then as a private soldier-Barney's Company was placed a while on Rhode Island and opposite to the Bristol Ferry Breastworks and the militia of Bristol County on the Bristol side a part of them and so they were stationed about the shores from the Ferry each way to the Narrows on one side and to Poppasquash the other way.  We used to crop the Ferry back and forth.  I remember at one time seeing Cole at the windmill near the Ferry where a number of the soldiers had got to shelter themselves from the cold and rain.  I cannot tell how long he served on this station but I know he was then serving as a soldier.  The militia were not kept out on this occasion more than four weeks nor less than two I fell very positive

Stephen Luther [signature]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol Js. October 16th 1937-  The personally appeared the above named Stephen Luther and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit and I certify that he is a man of truth and veracity before me John mason Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol Jr.
I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that John Mason whose signature is affixed to the above certificate is a Justice of the Peace in for said County.  In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal of said Court this ninth day of December Eighteen hundred & thirty seven.
A Bassett [signature
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I Ichabod Cole of Warren in the State of Rhode Island Je, Esquire, aged eighty eight years if I have till December next, on solemn oath depose and say that Thomas Cole on account of whose revolutionary services, his widow Anna Cole is now an applicant for a pension, was his this Deponents' Brother; and I further testify that this I cannot name the day of his marriage with said Anna, yet I positively testify that they were married in the month of April A.D/ 1779 and a few weeks previous to my said Brothers entering upon the Penobscott expedition which commenced in the spring or early in same of the last mentioned year.  My said Brother entering made my house his home, for several years when not in the public service, before his marriage, and on his marriage brought his wife to my house and in my family, and just began to keep house in my chambers on this farm, where I still and here his two first children were born.  Their first child was still born.  I recollect well that this born child was born a little before my said Brother got home after his going to Penobscott for after the ship Warren to which he belonged had been destroyed, my said Brother, entered on board a merchantman bound from Boston to West Indies.  On his way back, and was taken a prisoner, conveyed to N. York and put there on board a prison ship and detained as a prisoner untill the following winter.  I was not present at my Brother's marriage, which was solemnized by Elder Charles Thompson, a Baptist clergyman then settled in Swansey, at whose meeting I and my Brother were in the habit of attending- and I further testify that according to the best of my recollections I called upon Elder Thompson at my Brother's regret to notify him that my Brother wold be at his, said Thompson's house at a certain time I then named to him for the purpose of being married and I am very sure he went and was married accordingly.  And I further testify that Daniel
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Cole whose testimony has been taken as to the time of the said marriage is mistaken in stating it to have taken place in April 1780.  I was always acquainted with said Daniel as he lived from his birth, until his removal to the State of New York long since the Revolution, within half a mile of me, in the same town and neighborhood- and tho I have no doubt he is a man of character for truth and veracity I am perfectly confident he is mistaken in the time of my said mother's marriage and the more I have thought of the matter and the more I have [illegible ] to circumstances that transpired at that time the more confident am I of his mistake on this point of fact- and I further testify that after my said Brother's return from his imprisonment he became a labourer for me & laboured for me a part of the time on a farm in Bristol and a part of the time on my farm in Warren, during which time he [X {crossed out}] his family occupied a part of my house, and in the corner of his so being in my service, several detachments were made at different times from the militia, in cases of alarms, and once or more the whole militia were turned out for a few days, this alarm when all the militia of the Regiment were called out was at a time when the French Fleet lay in Newport and another attack on that place was deeply expected from the enemy- My said Brother as a member of the militia was out in such alarms with the rest of the company but I cannot specify how often nor for what period at a  time.  He was out at Bristol Ferry a few days in the alarm of September of 1780.
Ichabod Cole [signature]

State of Rhode Island HJ
Bristol Jr at Bristol this 25th day of November 1837
Then personally came Ichabod Cole above named and signed and made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition-before me-  And I further certify that I am personally acquainted with said Deponent & that he sustains a good character for truth & veracity
Jos. M. Blake Just. Peace
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I Grindal Chase of Barrington in the County of Bristol and State of Rhon\de Island, aged eighty one years, on solemn oath depose and say that I was acquainted with Thomas Cole formerly of Warren, deceased, before and during the Revolutionary was and I remember he served a good deal as a soldier in that war.  He was in Sullivan's expedition with me in the summer of 1778, and soon after entered into some naval service but I am not able to state what nor to testify concerning his services after those of 1778, except I remember seeing him out as a soldier sometime in the Fall of 1780- I then saw him at Bristol Ferry with a part of the Warren Company of militia stationed there on guard.  The Bristol had left Newport and the French Fleet or a port of it lay there and there was much alarm for fear the British Fleet would come in upon them in greater force and the militia were called out for a month and were kept out a considerable time but I believe were disbanded in less than a month and perhaps in a fortnight.  Said Thomas Cole was there as a soldier in Captain Curtis Cole's Warren Company I was there as one of the [illegible] militia. There was at this time many regular troops on Rhode Island French and American and the militia were called to be near enough to a [ ] them if Newport should be invaded
Grindal Chase [signature]
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State of Rhode Island Je 
Bristol County Jr
[section sign] 
Clerk Office Supreme Judicial Court December 13, 1837.
I Greenwood Reynolds Clerk of said Court for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Joseph M. Blake before whom the Deposition of Ichabod Cole and Grindal Chase purport to have been taken in a Justice of the Peace for said County of Bristol duly qualified to act in said capacity, and that the signature of his name at the bottom of the certificates to said Deposition is in his own hand writing and is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day and year above written
Greenwood Reynolds Clerk
NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [stamp]
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Warren Nov 30th 1836
Dear Sir,

[THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES {stamp}]
Enclosed is a second deposition relative to the claim of Anna Cole the widow of Thomas Cole.  If Thomas Cole was living [he {underlined}] undoubtedly could tell [when {underlined}] he served, and under what officers, but I doubt very much whether he could name precisely the year and the several periods of the year he served in guarding the shores during the War of the Revolution.  This kind of service was generaly by short periods, some longer [X {over crossed out letter}] some shorter.  And I have never found one of them yet that could name the year the month of the year and the days of the month he served in guarding the shores.  Oft he pretended to recollect this [precisely {underlined}]  I should not believe him unless he show me a memorandum [crossed out]kept by him at the time of his several services.  The general amount of service in guarding the shores they [know {underlined}] but in what year or parts of the year the man {himself] not precisely name if living and how shall his widow find witnesses to prove what her husband could Not [crossed out] tell himself if alive.
With regard to the service of Thomas Cole. Therewith forward a second deposition of Judge Cole of this gentlemans reputation for truth I refer you to Mr. Pearce our Representation to Congress.  But if as he has stated Drury's Company was in Massachusetts since you have the record of that state to refer to.  I his or any one's else testimony is [illegible].  Mr Cole knows for a certainty that the Marriage too place before the Penobscot Expedition.
This is a little remarkable that every widow within my knowledge that has applied for pensions who was in every
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circumstances has obtained a pension with little exertion and the extremely pour fail or partially fail of accomplishing the object.  This is altogether [furtuitous {underlined}] "Fortune oftener favours (the [Rich {inderlined}]0 than the Brave".  All my applications except that of Mrs. Mason already granted, are for widows pour & needy indeed.-  Their husbands slaves to the cause of liberty, never were paid for their services-died poor and their widows have groveled with their morsel per day untill the benevolent  law of July 4, 1836 offers them relief but are such terms as will elude their hopeful grasp like a Phantom in the dream.
With the sincerest respect 
yr obt servt
Samuel Randall
J. L. Edward Esq
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I Ichabod Cole of Warren in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island of Providence Plantations on Solemn Oath do certify and say that I am Eighty Eight years of age.  That I have given two Depositions before this on the subject of the claim of Anna Cole widow of Thomas Cole for a Pension for the services of her said husband the said Thomas Cole in the War of the Revolution and have no recollection of stating in either of them, that Isaac Cole was born when said Thomas returned from the Prison ship after the Penobscot expedition.  & that if such is stated , in any fact of wither of my former Deposition. it certainly is and was a mistake.  I now state explicitly that I do know that said Thomas Cole and said Anna Cole were married before the said Thomas Cole served in the Penobscot Expedition, in the ship Warren.  List of Boston.- I was not however an eye witness of their marriage.  They left my house to go to the clergyman's house and began soon after to keep house in my chambers which was before the Penobscot expedition and the said Anna was keeping house in my chambers the first time her said husband came home after the Penobscot expedition and when he did come home he came from the Prison Ship at New York as I then understood I believe or as I now believe.  
Ichabod Cole
State of Rhode Island Je
Bristol County Js. in Warren January 20th 1837.
Then the above named Ichabod Cole personally appearing before me the subscriber and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition, to which he subscribed his name, in my presence.  And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Ichabod Cole & that he is a credible person & his statements entitled to credit.  
Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace.
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I Elizabeth Cole of Warren in the County of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island, on Solemn oath do testify and say that I am Eighty one years of age.  That I have given a Deposition before this relating to the application of Anna Cole the widow of Thomas Cole late of Warren deceased for Pension for the services of her said husband in the War of the Revolution.  That I have no recollection of stating in my former Deposition explicitly that Isaac Cole, the son of said Thomas Cole,. was born when when the said Thomas Cole returned home from the Prisson ship after the Penobscot expedition, and if that fact is so stated, it may have occurred from the fact that there were two remarkable things of said Thomas Cole's coming home.  To wit after his first child was born he came home from the Prisson ship and was lousy.  This was I know was after his first child was born, this child was still born.  I remember the circumstance perfectly well when he did not stay but a few minutes he'd come to my house to inquire for his wife to know where she was by would not set down because he said the was lousy.  I informed him this his wife was gone to the funeral of M. Musan Butterworth the wife of Benjamin Butterworth.  Some length of time after this the said Thomas Cole came home sick with the fever and ague.  I believe he this time came from some of the Southern states and about this time of his coming his son Isaac was born, and in talking about both these cases it may have been erroneously stated in my former deposition.  I am certain that when  said Thomas Cole came home from the
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prison and was lousy, his first child had been born some time, and that he came home sick with the fever and ague, about the time of the birth of his son, Issac.

Elizabeth X [Her {written above the X mark}] late
Witness Benjamin Greene
July 18                      [National Archives of the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                United States {stamp}]

State of Rhode Island Je.
Bristol County Jr in Warren, January 18th 1837.
This the above named Elizabeth Cole personally appearing before me the subscriber, and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition to which, she subscribed her name by making her cross not being able to write in my presence.  And I hereby certify that I was personally acquainted with said Elizabeth Cole and that she is a credible person and her stat statements are entitled to end it.
Samuel Randall, Justice of the Peace.

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation Bristol Jr.  Clerk Office Supreme Judicial Court February 17th 1837 I Greenwood Reynolds Clerk of said Court is and for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that Samuel Randall before whom the deposition of Ichabod Cole and Elizabeth Cole afore written purport to have been taken in a Justice of the Peace for said County duly qualified to act in said capacity and that the signature at the signature at the bottom of the certificate to said depositions is in his own hand writing and is his genuine signature.  
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day and year above written.
Greenwood Reynolds, Clerk