Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,642, for Joshua Palmiter, Rhode Island
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(3 - 1776) SERVICE CONTENTS NUMBER 
R. I.  Palmiter, Joshua S. 4642 
carded
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Ohio Pittsburgh 
Joshua Palmiter
of Cuyahoga Co. the in State of Ohio
who was  a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Burdick of the Regt. commanded
by Col Joffring in the R. Island 
line for 10.Months, 15 Days
$35
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pittsbrugh 
at the rate of 35 Dollars 00 Cents per annum 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of April 1833 and sent to Geo Houdly, 
Cleveland Ohio.  
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1833. 
70
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 33. 17.51
$87.51 
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Wm. K. Palmeer Clerk
Book [illegible]    Vol. 8. Page 123
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entered
Joshua Palmiter
22609
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The State of Ohio
Cuyahoga County
Common Pleas
November Term AD 1832
On this seventh day of November AD 1832
before the Judges of the Common Pleas in open Court personally came Joshua Palmiter aged seventy three years last July a resident of Warrensville in said Cuyahoga County, who having been duly
sworn according to law doth on his oath make 
the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of an Act of Congress passed
7 June AD 1832
that he entered the service of the United States and served as hereinafter stated
In the year the British invaded Rhode
Island he was out three times-- half
a month each time guarding the coast about
Point Judith under
Lieutenant Wait Burdick
and Capt John Burdick by draft as a militia man
In the year 1778 he enlisted at Hopkinton  Rhode Island with the State troops. He joined the troops in June and served nine months until
16 March 1779. He marched to Tiverton, crossed over to the island, was in the battle in Rhode Island
[illegible] to Tiverton and at the close of June in dismissed at Tiverton, the time of enlistment having expired. His officers were General Cornwall, Col John Topping, Lt. Col. Hawkins Major Philips
Capt. Wm Sullivan commander in chief
The applicant was born in Westerly R.I. 
At six years of age, removed to Sterington Con
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When fifteen years old removed to Nassau, N.Y. His master joined the Tories, and the applicant joined the American troops - After the war he lived in East Windsor one year and
eighteen or nineteen years at Suffield, then
he removed to Phelps Ontario County
New York where he continued until last
June when he came to Ohio and has since
resided in Warrensville a few miles from
Cleveland
He has no documentary evidence,
[illegible] or living witnesses except his brothers William Palmiter formerly of Phelps N.Y. but now in Upper Canada upon a visit-- and his brother John Palmiter of Bedford Ohio
The Reverend N.C. Haines of Bedford and
Charles Goodrich of Bedford both living near
me can testify to my reputation. There
is no other clergyman in Warrensville beside
myself who am a minister of the Seventh
day Baptist Church
He herby relinquishes every claim
whatever to any pension or annuity except 
the present and declares his name is not on
the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State
Joshua Palmiter
Sworn to and Subscribed in
open Court Nov. 7th 1832
Horace Perry
Clerk Com Pleas
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We N.C. Haines, a clergyman of the
Methodist Church and Chach Goodrich both
residing in Bedford, Cuyahoga County Ohio
do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reverend Joshua Palmiter who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believes in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Nathaniel C. Haines
Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court
November 7th 1832 Horace Perry
Clerk Com pleas
Charles Goodrich
I also concur with Mr Haines and Mr. Goodrich. I was in the battle of Rhode Island with my brother as he has stated
John Palmiter
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 within named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as
the states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that
Nathaniel C Haynes who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman
resident in the town of Bedford, and that Charles Goodrich who has also
signed the same is a resident of the town aforesaid in this County and
is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
The State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County ⎬
I Horace Perry Clerk of the Court of Common pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joshua Palmiter for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this fourteenth day of November one thousand eight hundred
and thirty two.
Horace Perry - Clerk to
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22609 7979
Joshua Palmiter
Ohio
Adm for 10 months
& 15 days from 1777-
33.33
1.64
[striketrhough] 34.99 
$35.
G Hoadly
Cleveland
Cuyahoga County
Ohio
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
183
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, showing the service of Joshua Palmiter, Ohio
Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.
Months.
Days.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
in the year the British invaded R.I. 
73
born in R.I.
and entered the service in R.I.
now Lives in Ohio
was out 1. 15 private
Cpn Burdick
1778 under State troops
9
Cpn West Col Doprssring
Certificate of a Clergyman
and a Common Witness
a surviving witness who
served with him in the last tour
not certified as credible
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 [musicians] 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
On this
day of personally appeared (a) before 
A.B.  a resident (b) 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.
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 has
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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8
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
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 or account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the
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
To an Officer
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
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.
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
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 of any person, who may have died before 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 follow 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] 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 as 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 their 
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 worn, deponeth 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 [illegible] 
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the about three 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 there 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 the 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.
T[i] he 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 end 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. 
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 rites of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by  [illegible] 
note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispenable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
Page 11

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
EEL
September 16, 1929
Mr. E. E. Palmiter
Harbor Springs
Michigan
Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, S. 4642, it appears that Joshua Palmiter
was born in July, 1759, at Westerly, Rhode Island. When
he was six years of age, he moved to Stonington, Connecticut
and when fifteen, moved to Nassau, New York.
He enlisted the year the British invaded Rhode Island
and was out three times, half a month each time guarding
the coast under Captain Jesse Burdick.
He enlisted in June, 1778, and served until March 16, 1779, in Captain New's Company, Colonel John Topham's Rhode
Island Regiment, and was in the battle of Rhode Island.
After the Revolution, he lived for one year at East Windsor, and eighteen or nineteen years at Suffield, then
moved to Phelps, Ontario County, New York, where he resided
until June, 1832, when he removed to Warrensville, Cuyahoga
County, Ohio, of which place he was a resident when he was
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allowed pension on his application executed November 4, 1832.
He was a minister of the Seventh Day Baptist
Church.
It is not stated whether soldier was ever married.
Very truly yours, 
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Date of death not on HB
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1929 - Sept 16. Hist. to
E.E. Palmiter
EEL
4642
Revolutionary
INVALID
File No. 4642

Joshua Palmiter

Pri. R.I. Line
---
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 287
Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 14

E. E. PALMITER FLORIST
Stamp Enclosed
HARBOR SPRINGS, MICHIGAN
-- Established 1882 --
Plants and Cut Flowers -- Gladiolus, Pansies and Sweet Peas
FOREST TREES
Elm, Maple, White Birch, Spruce, Balsam, Cedar and Ferns
Mountain Ash and Perennial Phlox a Specialty
Juniper, Fancy Shrubs and Outlining Trees
Commissioner of Pensions
12
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
What information can you
furnish about for Joshua [illegible] Palmiter a
soldier in the Revolutionary in
Capt. Benjamin Wests' Co. Col. John
Topham's Regiment R. I.
He also served
in Van Schoonhoven's Regiment Albany
Co. N.Y. Militia. His name I understand appears on a list of certificates
returned into the treasury by
Col. Van Schoonhoven which is dated
New York Sept. 3th 1785 No. of certificate 20176 and the amount S7D7.
I received this foregoing information
2 years ago. Kindly advise me all
you know of Jolina Palmiter's record
He was my grandfather
Respectfully
E.E. Palmiter
her R.L.D.
Harbor Springs Mich.
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
Jun 13 1929
Page 15

Cleveland Ohio
Jany 30. 1833
To the War Department
Washington DC.
Enclosed are the Pension Papers
of John Palmiter
Joshua do
and Thomas Aiken
which have been examined and approved
the Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga
County.
If satisfactory to the department
requested the Certificates of Allowance
may be sent to the subscribers
Respectfully
Geo. Hoadly