Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,236, for Peleg Peckham, Rhode Island
Page 1

Service
R.I.
Peckham, Peleg
Number
S 11236
carded
Page 2

[left page]
Date of death not on
AB

[right page]
70/88
Rhode Island
Peleg Peckham
of Westerly in the State of R Island
who was a mate in the company commanded 
by Captain Cole of the Rgt commanded
by Col. Frank in the R Island
line for 9 months

Inscribed in the Roll of R Island
at the rate of 30 Dollars ___ Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of May 1833 and sent Mr P Newill S Compton R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 15.00
                                                          $75.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by [illegible signature] Clerk
Book E Vol. 2d Page 124
Page 3

DECLARATION
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE 
benefit of the [added by hand]
ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.

State of Rhode Island,
County of
Washington [added by hand]
[The above grouped with a curly bracket and the number 83.]

On this
sixth [added by hand]
day of 
September [added by hand]
personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of 
Common Pleas [added by hand]
now sitting, 
Peleg Peckham [added by hand]
a resident of
Westerly [added by hand]
in the County of 
Washington [added by hand]
and State of Rhode-Island, aged
Seventy -- [added by hand]
years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following names officers, and served as herein stated

[The following added hy hand]
That is to say; In October A.D. 1778, when he
belong... [end of word possibly lost due to destroyed edge of paper]

to a company of militia in the Easterly part of Westerly, and in the command of Capt John Ganch, he was drafted to guard the shores from Watch Hill Point to Quonochontaug Neck at which Neck was posted two field pieces.
Into this service when his being drafted is immediately entered. He was quartered at this time in a house belonging to Rowland Champlin.  Col Jas. Noyes had the chief command from the time he enlisted this service till the latter part of the year A.D. 1779.  He was called and performed public service under the afore named officers, for that periods of from one to two weeks at a time, in guarding the shores as aforementioned.  He cannot now state the exact dates of the different periods he served, but has no hesitation in declaring that it amounted altogether to more than three months; for which period of service he secured pay and rations, as other troops.  In June 1780, he enlisted into Capt. Cole's company as said Westerly for the term of six months, in the continental line.  David Johnson was his Lieut--Samuel Ward Lieut Col. and Flag major.  From Westerly he was marched to Providence where we were encamped or those times often marched to Newport.  In the month of [unreadable due to crossing out or smudge, but looks like April or August ] of this year 1780, the Regt to which he belonged was ordered on to the Westward and was marched to Greenwich on the Westerly side of the Narrgansett Bay.  Then we staid a third time and then ended back to Newport.  The French Army than lay at Newport.  We were encamped the last part of the time on the Westerly part of the Island of R.I., near the Friend's Meeting house in the town of Portsmouth
Page 4

till December A.D. 1780, when he was discharged as said Portsmouth.  In this last of August as or first of September A.D. 1781, he took the place of a substitute of Nathan Peane belonging to the First Company of militia in the town of Charlestown in said county of Washington [crossed out] for thirty days.  He was attached to a company said duty during said thirty days at Boston's Neck near Wickford.  But the company was composed of men from different parts of the state.  The officers names he is not able now to recollect. He thinks that New Haven was burnt at this time.

And thus said Peckham declares that he in fact faithfully named and all this afore mentioned of service in defense of his country in the revolution; and he further declares that he was born in said town of Westerly on the 9th day of May 1702.  That he has no certificate of his birth paper; that he resided in said town of Westerly at the times he performed all the afore said service
Page 5

any evidence of any of his said
services; that he is not acquainted
with any clergyman in
his vicinity in neighbourhood, but
refers to Nathan F. Dixon & Stephen Sanders
Esq who on his neighbours testifying
of the town in which he resides, who
testify to his character for veracity
 & their belief that he was a
soldier of the revolution & to the accompanyingdepositions
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
in Open Court
Wm Helme Clk
Peleg Peckham

We Nathan F. Dixon
residing in of Westerly and Stephen Saunders
residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Peleg Peckham
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we
believe him to be seventy
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion

Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid
in Open Court
Witn . Sam Helme Clk
Nathan F. Dixon
Stephen Saunders

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatries
prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that
who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a
resident in the
and that Nathan F. Dixon and Stephen Saunders who has also signed the same are residents in the Town of Westerly
and are credible persons and
that their statement is entitled to credit
Also that Clarke Hiscox and Silas Harvey
who have given Depositions in this application are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to Credit

I Samuel Helme
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Gen Sessions of the Peace do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Peleg Peckham for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office,
this Eighth day of September 1832
Sam. Helme Clk
Page 6

I Clarke Hiscox of Westerly in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island  aged seventy in years on oath do depose & say. 
I served in the revolution with Great Britain six months in the year 1780 in R. Island under
Lieut Col Ward (?) against the enemy & Peleg Peckham then & now of Westerly aforesaid served there during the same period & in
the same service
that I did. Peckham & myself belonged
to said Westerly when we served together
as aforesaid
Clarke Hiscox

Taken, Subscribed &
Sworn to in Open Court
Sept 6. 1832
Witn, Saml Helme Clk
I Silas Harvey of Charlestown in the County
of Washington State of R Island aged Seventy one years, on oath do depose
Page 7

I say that in 1780 I served in
Rhode Island against the enemy in Lieut Col Ward's Regt six months
I know that the said Peleg Peckham 
has as referred to in the succeeding deposition
of Clark Hiscox, which deposition I have examined, served these during the same period same & the same Regt

Witn Sam Helme
Taken Sworn & Subscribed
in open Court Sept 6 1832
as
Witn Sam Helme Clk

          his
Silas     X    Harvey
          Mark
Page 8

BRIEF in the case of Peleg Peckham
of Westerly in the State of Rhode Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [left blank]
3. How old is he? 70 years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 

[Categories to be listed]
Period, Duration of Service, Rank, Names of Generals and Field Officers under whom he served
In 1778 3 months As a private Capt. Gavit & Col Noyes
In 1780. 6 months As a private Capt Cole, Major Flagg & Lieut Colo Ward

5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Westerly Washington Co RIsland
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by 
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary of two living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No device Clerk's seal

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk.
Page 9

February 19, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Mr. Irving E. Burdick
295 Madison Avenue
New York City.

PELEG PECKHAM
S. 11236
BA-J/MMHF:MLB

Dear Sir:

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 11236, based upon service in the Revolutioary War of Peleg Packham.

Peleg Packham was born May 9, 1762, in Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island, names of parents not stated.

While a resident of Westerly, Rhode Island, Peleg Peckham, in October, 1778, belonged to Captain John Gavit's company, stationed
in Rowland Champlin's house under command of Colonel Joseph Noyes in the eastern part of Westerly. This company was called out to
guard the shores from Watch Hill Point to Quonochontaug Neck, at which neck two field pieces were posted; during the period from
October, 1778, until the latter part of the year 1779, Peleg Peckham was called out under those officers on short tours, amounting in all to more than three months, to guard the shore as stated. He enlisted in June, 1780, at Westerly, served in Captain Cole's company, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Ward's Rhode Island regiment, marched to Providence, thence to Newport, thence to Greenwich where
he remained a short time, then returned to Newport and during the latter part of his service was encamped near the friends Meeting House in Portsmouth where he was discharged in December, 1780, having served six months. He entered the service the last of August or first of September, 1781, as substitute for one Nathan Pearce who
belonged to the 1" Company of Militia in Charlestown, Washington County, Rhode Island, and served thirty days at Barton's Neck near Newport.

After the Revolutionary War Peleg Packham lived at different periods in Westerly and in adjoining towns of Hopkinton and Charlestown. He did not state that he ever lived in Connecticut.
Page 10

This soldier was allowed pension on his application executed September 6, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Westerly,
Rhode Island.

Nathan F. Dixon and Stephen Saunders, both of Westerly, Rhode Island, stated in 1832 that they were well acquainted with Peleg
Peckham and believed that he served in the Revolutionary War. In the same year, Clarke Hiscox, of Westerly, Rhode Island, and Silas
Harvey, of Charlestown, Rhode Island, both then aged seventy-one years, stated that they served in 1780 with said Peleg Packham.

There are no data whatever, in this claim in regard to the family of Peleg Packham.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the
name of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of Peleg Peckham, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the
following:

Peleg Peckham
Certificate #10988
Issued May 15, 1833
Rate $30 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
Rhode Island Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
2
Page 11

Peleg Peckham

Private
G Mathis

Wm P Neville Esq
Kingston
RI
Page 12

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered 
in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Peleg Peckham which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [left blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no grades
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity
with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? No device
Page 13

2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  [Handwritten answer:  Yes but no clergyman]

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there a reason assigned for not obtaining it?  [Handwritten answer:  Yes]

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  

XIV.  If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  [Handwritten answer:  Yes]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as to the regulations direct?

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  [Handwritten answer:  Yes]

XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  [Handwritten answer:  No]

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily:  And if not, which of them is not so answered?  [Handwritten answer:  Yes]

EXPLANATORY NOTES
Quere V.  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, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For [blank space] year [blank space] months [blank space] and [blank space] days, I served as a [blank space]; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 14

3
It is important, in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite
and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 objection able. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.

In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 15

18/95 Mil Hist to Mrs.
James Schoonmaker (?) 994
Hague Ave St, Paul, Minn
 Mant in
1913. Dec 1 - Hist to Mrs Frank
Larkin  MBR
1923 June 4. Hist. Mrs. H.E. Magner  AWF
1936 Feb 19 Hist to Mr, Irving E.
Burdick   [illegible] HF:MLB

Rev War
11236
INVALID.
File No.11236
Peleg Peckham
Priv. Rev War
Act: June 7th
Index: -- Vol. A Page 293
Arrangement of 1870
Page 16

TEL. CALEDONIA 5-4636
CABLE ADDRESS
WESTERN UNION
BURDICORIA

IRVING E. BURDICK
COUNSELLOR AT LAW
295 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK, January 29, 1936

Stamped:  RECEIVED JAN 31 1936 
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM. READER #27[Arrow on stamp points to "4"]

Pension Office, 
Washington, D. C. 

Re:  Peleg Peckham, Private Soldier, Revolutionary War

Gentlemen:

Would you kindly send me photostats or copies of the application for pension or other papers giving information about the above named pensioner.  I believe he was born in Westerly, Rhode Island in 1762 and died about 1845.  He was a Revolutionary soldier and engaged in the defense of Fort Green near Newport.  He removed to Stonington, Connecticut prior to the War of 1812 in which he joined his sons in the defense of Stonington.  He was on the pension roll of 1840.

Thanking you for your courtesy, I am, Very truly yours, 

[Signed:  Irving E. Burdick]
Page 17

98 Beach St. 
Westerly, R. I. 
11-22-13

To:  The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C., 
Dear Sir,
Will you please send me the pension record of Peleg Peckham [written above name, "Only one"], R. I. State Troops, Mar 4 - 1831 - 72 yrs and greatly oblige
Yours truly
Mrs. Frank Larkin
Page 18

[Top left edge of page illegible]

Wellsville, N.Y.
April 17, "23.

Pension Dept. 
Bureau of Rev. War records

Gentlemen -
Will you please send me record of service of Peleg Peckham who served in the Rev. War in Washington Co. R. I. Troops. 
Trusting to hear from you soon - you will greatly oblige.
Yours truly,
Mrs. W. E. Magner
103 Maple Ave.
Wellsville, N.Y.
Page 19

Wellsville, N.Y.
June 1 "23
[Right margin - Rev. MK 1]

Pension Dept.

Dear Sirs - 
About two months ago I wrote and asked you to please send me - record of service of Peleg Peckham who served in the Rev. War in Washington Co. R. I. Troops.  If there are any charges for papers - will you please let me know at once.  I am anxious to have
Page 20

these papers for meeting of D.A.R.'s June 15 -.

You will greatly oblige.
Yours truly
Mrs. W. E. Magner
103 Maple Ave.
Wellsville, N.Y.
Page 21

TEL. CALEDONIA 5-4636
CABLE ADDRESS
WESTERN UNION
BURDICORIA

IRVING E. BURDICK
COUNSELLOR AT LAW
295 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK, February 24, 1936

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.

Attention of Mr. A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Re:  Peleg Peckham - S. 11236 BA-J/MMHF:MLB

Dear Sir:

I thank you for your letter of February 19 with enclosures relating to my ancestor Peleg Peckham.  I shall communicate with the office of the Comptroller General for further information.

Thanking you for your promptness and courtesy, I am, Yours very truly,
[Signed:  Irving E. Burdick]

Stamped:  Received FEB 27 1936
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM. READER #29
[Arrow on stamp points to "3"]
Page 22

[Form] 3-525
RECORD DIVISON,
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D. C. [Date lines blank]

In reply to your request of [blank space], received [blank space] for a statement of the military history of [handwritten:  Peleg Peckham] a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out: or his widow's] application for pension on file in the Bureau.  [Handwritten:  S. 11.236.]

[Form has six columns]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[Handwritten:  Oct. 1778; June 1780; Aug or Sept 1781]

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
[Handwritten:  3 Mos.; 6 Mos.; 30 days.

RANK.
[Pvt.; "; "]

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
[Handwritten:  John Gavit; [No first name] Cole]

COLONEL.
[Handwritten:  Joseph Noyes; Samuel Ward - last line "in the militia at Barton's Neck"]

STATE.
[Handwritten:  R.I.; "'; "]

Battles engaged in, [Handwritten:  Home stated.]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [Handwritten:  Westerly Washington Co. R. I.]
Date of application for pension, [Handwritten:  Sept. 6, 1832.  His claim was allowed.]
Residence at date of application, [Handwritten:  Westerly, Washington Co. R. I.]
Age at date of application, [Handwritten:  (70) born in Westerly, R. I., May 9, 1762.]
Remarks:  [Handwritten:  There is no family data on file.]

Very respectfully, Commissioner.
[Name not entered]

6-2856
Page 23

[Form] 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
Bureau of Pensions, [Far right: M.E.C.]
Washington, D. C., February 18, 1895

[Greeting line incomplete]

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Peleg Peckham a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[6 columns]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Oct. 1773; June 1780; Sept. 1731

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3 mos.; 6 mos.; 1 mo. 

RANK.
Pvt.; Pvt.; Subst.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
John Gavit; [No first name] Cole; Not Stated. 
COLONEL.
Joseph Noyes; Samuel Ward; Not stated.

STATE.
R.I.; R.I.; R.I.

Battles engaged in, None.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Westerly, R. I.
Date of application for pension, September 6, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Westerly, R. I. 
Age at date of application, Born at Westerly, R.I., May 9, 1762.

Remarks:

Very respectfully,
Mrs. James Schoonmaker,
Commissioner.
[1904blm] 994 Hague Ave.,
St Paul, Minn.
Page 24

February 19, 1935
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mr. Irving E. Burdick
295 Madison Avenue
New York City

PELEG PECKHAM
S. 11236
BA-J/MMHF:MLB

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter of January 29, in which you request photostatic copies of papers on file in Revolutionary War claim for pension based upon service of Peleg Peckham who was born in 1762, in Westerly, Rhode Island, prior to the War of 1812 removed to Stonington, Connecticut, joined his sons in the defense of Stonington, was a pensioner in 1840 and died about 1845.  

The papers on file in pension claim, S. 11236, based upon service of Peleg Peckham in the Revolutionary War are very brittle and frail indeed.  The process of making photostatic copies requires extra handling, of course, and is necessarily injurious to these old documents, for which every effort is being made for their preservation.

A very careful examination has been made of all papers in this pension claim and the data found in regard to residences, services, etc., have been incorporated in a report enclosed herewith.  These official reports have been accepted by various historical, patriotic and genealogical societies as authentic and it is hoped that this report will be just what you need in your research.  If, however, it proves inadequate, the matter will be given further consideration. 

Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

[Handwritten in left margin:  See his letter of thanks attached]