Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10,763, William Grinnell, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Grinnell, William

NUMBER
S 10.763

carded

CONTENTS
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27139
Massachusetts ["Rhode Island" crossed out]

William Grinnell of Little Compton in the State of RI who was a private in the Compy. [Company] commanded by Captain Coe of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the RI. line for 6 months 26 days
Private

Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of 21 Dollars 86 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Feby [February] 1834 and sent to A. R. Brownell Esqr. Little Compton R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 $54.63
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar 34 10.93
$65.58

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by George Taylor Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 2 Page 111
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To Mass Ss 4 Sept 1849,
non seal, with letter, to
Hon Z. Scudder in June 1852
Let to Wm A Gordon 28 Oct '32
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29257
William Grinnell
Little Compton R.I.

Admitted for pri. [private] 6 month 26 days
Cap [Captain] Coe
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Declaration

State of Rhode Island &c
County of Newport, Town of Little Compton. Sc—

On the ninth day of December A.D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the court of Probate of Little Compton in the County and State aforesaid at a special session thereof, William Grinnell a resident of said Little Compton, aged seventy years who being first 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 June 7th A.D. 1832.

That while the British were in possession of Rhode Island he was drafted as a private in the Militia company of Little Compton, in said state Commanded by Capt. [Captain] George Simmons for the purpose of protecting the shores of that town from the incursions of the enemy. The Declarant entered upon duty in said company and continued to serve therein capacity of Guardsman for the term of five months and sixteen days.

That the said Grinnell claims to have served ten day on Rhode Island on the east side of said Island, about two miles from Howlands [Howland's] ferry (so called under Capt [Captain] Rouse Pearce after which he was marched on Brentons [Brenton's] neck on the Island of Rhode Island, stationed at the General Brenton House, for the term of one Month, under the Command of Capt [Captain] Benjamin Coe, Coronell [Colonel] not recollected by said Grinnell.
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Declarant further states upon oath as aforesaid, that he was born in the town of Newport in the Colony of Rhode Island, October 24th A.D. 1763. that in the year 1775 in Sept. he was with his Father moved to Little Compton, where a record of his birth is to be found in the Town clerks [clerk's] office of sd [said] town a certificate of which with the attestation of the present town clerk will be herewith annexed, that he was living at the time of his first entering the service of the revolution in said town of Little Compton, that he has lived their [there] since the Revolutionary War, and that he now lives there that he is incapable of [illegible] with precision the day month or year further than he has don [done] when he entered the service, or when he left the same. that he never received any written discharge from either of the companys [companies] in which he served as aforesaid, nor was it usual n the Revolution to grant such discharge, that he claims to have served in the whole Ten Months and twenty six day actual duty.
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Declarant further states as aforesaid, that he refers to Isaac Brownell & Samuel Willbour as persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, who can testify to his character for veracity and their beliefe [belief] of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pention [pension], or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the pention [pension] roll of the agency of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court, the day and year above written.
William Grinnell

Witness A. R. BROWNELL Probate Clerk.


We Isaac Brownell residing in Little Compton in the County of Newport, & state of Rhode Island and Samuel Wilbour residing in the same Little Compton, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Grinnell who has subscribed to the above Declaration, that we believe him to be seventy yeas of age, and 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; and that we believe him to be a person of veracity

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court, the day and year above written.
Isaac Brownell
Samuel Wilbour

Witness A. R. BROWNELL Probate Clerk.
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And the said Court do hereby relinquish the Testimony of the several Clergymen having been requested, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of the applicant, the Court think it proper to state that the Rev. Emerson Paine having been recently settled in the place, was not sufficiently acquainted with the applicant to be used as a witness

Witness A. R. BROWNELL Probate Clerk.
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Owen Greennell of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island, & of lawfull [lawful] age, upon solemn oath deposes and says, that he is well acquainted with William Grinnell an applicant for pention [pension] under the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832, that after the British left Rhode Island he new that in the summer of the year 1789 said William Grinnell was a Soldier and belonged a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt. Benjamin Coe, for the term of one Month stationed at the Generle [General] Brenton House, on Brentons [Brenton's] neck (so called) on the Island of Rhode Island, being at the end of sd [said] term dismissed from that station, as for any other service that said Grinnell did in the Revolutionary war I am unable to state.

Witness A. R. BROWNELL Probate Clerk
Owen Greennell


Newport Sc. State of Rhode Island &c.
Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton, December ninth A.D. 1833 then personally appeared in open Court, Owen Greennell, subscriber tot he foregoing deposition, and first having heard read the Declaration of William Grinnell to this Court made in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832 made solemn oath to the truth of said deposition, by him, the said Owen Subscribed, And the Court further certify, that the said Owen Greennell is a person of good reputation & standing and that his statement are entitled to full faith and credit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of said Court

A. R. BROWNELL Probate Clerk.
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Ichabod Pearce of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island of lawful age, upon solemn oath deposes and says, that he is well acquainted with William Grinnell an applicant for a pention [pension] under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832;

that after Sullivans [Sullivan's] expedition in August of the following year, this deponant [deponent] was in the same company of Militia commanded by Capt. Rouse Pearce, Nathaniel Church Col. - we was [were] marched to and station [stationed] at Howlands [Howland's] Ferry on the west side of said ferry on the Island of Rhode Island about two miles for said ferry, ten day [days] in actual service we was [were] at the end of said ten day [days] discharged and returned to Little Compton, after which I was not with said Grinnell on duty during the war, being returned at other places.

Witness A. R. BROWNELL Probate Clerk
Ichabod Pearce


Newport Sc State of Rhode Island &c. Court of Probate,
Town of Little Compton December 9th A.D. 1833.

Then personally appeared in open Court Ichabod Pearce subscribed to the foregoing deposition, and having first here read the Declaration of William Grinnell to this Court made in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832 made Solemn oath to the truth of each and every part of said deposition by him the said Ichabod Pearce subscribed. And the Court further certify, that the said Ichabod Pearce is a person of good reputation and standing and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit - In witness whereof I have hereunto set, my hand and the seal of said Court.

A. R. BROWNELL Probate Clerk.
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Town Clerk's Office Little Compton December 9th 1833.

I hereby certify that William Grinnell Son of Zebedee Grinnell & Sarah his, wife, was borne [born] October 24th A.D. 1763 as appears of record.

Witness A. R. BROWNELL Town Clerk.
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Gideon Church of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island, or lawfull [lawful] age, upon solemn oath deposes and says, that he is well acquainted with William Grinnell of said Little Compton who has made his application for a pention [pension] under an Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832

that in the year of Seventy nine or Eighty not shure [sure] which, this deponent is knowing to said Grinnell being stationed at the Col. Richmond House on the Little Compton Shores, being a substitute for my Farther [Father]
William Church every other month, am not able to positively to state the length of time said Grinnell served but should say from five to six Month, my time every other month being on a nother [another] station, when with said Grinnell we were commded [commanded] by Col William Richmond

Witness A. R. BROWNELL Probate Clerk
Gideon Church


Newport Sc - State of Rhode Island &c Court of Probate
town of Little Compton December 9th A.D. 1833, then personally appeared in open Court Gideon Church, subscriber to the foregoing deposition and having first heard said Declaration of William Grinnell to their Court made in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress passed June 6th 1833, made Solemn oath to each and every part of said deposition by him the said Gideon subscribed. And the Court further certify that the said Gideon Church is a person of good reputation and standing and that his statements are entitled to full faith & credit

In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court.

A. R. BROWNELL Probate Clerk
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APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.

Massachusetts
County of Bristol ss.

On this Twenty Seventh day of May 1852, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Bristol personally appeared William Grinnell who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Benjamin Cole in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Lemuel Bailey in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Rhode Island whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State, ["(District, or Territory,)" crossed out] of Massachusetts where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing them from Rhode Island to Massachusetts

viz that his only daughter was living in Massachusetts and he desired to live with her
William Grinnell
x his mark

Sworn and subscribed to before me, the day and year aforesaid} Thomas D. Eliot, Justice of Peace

________________
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.

The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.

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 office, should be sent with 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 which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.

I, James Sproat, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county of Bristol, do hereby certify that Thomas D. Eliot Esq. whose genuine signatures are affixed to the within & following certificate, is and was on the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at [illegible] this twenty eighth day of May in the year eighteen hundred fifty two.

Jas Sproat


I William M Allen of New Bedford Massachusetts do solemnly swear that William Grinnell who is not present and who has taken and subscribed the written oath is the person described in the said affidavit.
New Bedford
May 27, 1852
William M Allen

Bristol ss. New Bedford May 27, 1852. Now the said William M. Allen signed and made oath to the truth of the above certified [illegible]
Before me
Thomas D. Eliot
Jus. Peace.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., [blank], 19[blank]

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of William Grinnell a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (["or his widow's" crossed out]) application for pension on file with this Bureau.

S. 10.763

[column headings] DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.
[Row 1] [blank]. 5 mos. 16 days. Pvt. Captain George Simmons. R.I.
[Row 2] August 1779. 10 days. Captain. Rouse Pearce. Colonel Nathaniel Church.
[Row 3] Summer 1780. 1 mo. Captain Benjamin Coe. Colonel Lemuel Bailey.

Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Little Compton, Newport Co. R.I.
Date of application for pension, Dec. 9, 1833. His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Little Compton, Newport Co. R.I.
Age at date of application, born in Newport, RI., Oct. 24, 1765 son of Zebedee ["Remarks:" crossed out] and Sarah Grinnell, in 1852 soldier resided in Massachusetts with his only daughter. Name not stated, there is no further family data on file

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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New Bedford Oct 25, 1832
The Commission of Pensions
Washington

Sir,
By a letter from F. Greene, acting agent at Providence, I am informed that William Grinnell was transferred to the Massts [Massachusetts] Agency in the 10th of June last as he was advised by a letter from you of that date. But the Pension Clerk at Boston - one G. T Bulfinch writes me that he does not find the name of William Grinnell so transferred.

Will you please advise me how to proceed in attaining the Pension for W. Grinnell. It is much more convenient to me that it should be paid at Boston & I hope it may be.

I have written requesting Mr Bulfinch to furnish me with the necessary [illegible] & informing him that I had written you on the subject of the Transfer.

Respectfully
Wm A. Gordon
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Mr Cole will please examine these papers - the M Congress from the 10 Dist [District] Massachusetts is in my room. & will want an answer - he states that the Pensioner has not drawn since '45 -

Say if the papers are sufficient to authorize payer 3d audrs [auditors] office.
JEA
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Rhode Island Roll Act 7 June 1832
Wm Grinnell, pri. $21.86 per annum

Paid to 4th Sept. 1849
BLB
Cole
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Jan 5th 1915

Commissioner of Pensions

My dear Sir

Could you kindly give me the services in the Revolution of my great-grand father, one Wm Grinnell, given in the R.I. Pension Roll p.p. 514-29, as Wm Grinnell Feb 4, 1834 aged 71 yrs Newport County R.I.? also would like to know whether the Wm Grinnell who was 1st Lieut of John Paul Jones sloop; Providence, was his father or not? if you have any means of telling. This is for the Sons of the American Revolution Records and I am anxious to get it right. Thanking you in advance. I remain,

Yours very Truly,
Albert W Lyon
33 Schuyler St
Boston Mass
Roxbury Trust
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Rev War
10763
INVALID.

File No. 10,763
William Grinnell
Priv. Rev. war

Act: June 7th 1832.
Index:- Vol. A, Page 152

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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1915. Jan 7. history to Mr. Albert W. Lyon.
M.B.H.