Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4337, Jonathan Grinnell, R.I.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Grinnell, Jonathan
Martha

NUMBER
R.4337

CONTENTS
[blank]
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the 3rd sec. of the Act of Congress of 4th July 1836

State of New York
County of Oneida ss:

On this 16th day of November 1842, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said County, said court being a court of record, Martha Grinnell, a resident of the town of Rome, County of Oneida & state of New York, aged 92 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath say and 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 Jonathan grinnell of Jamestown, R.I. who was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army on Rhode Island, that he joined the Army as a soldier under Col. Dyer as she believes, she cannot now recollect the names of any of the officers of the company to which he belonged, but remembers that Jonathan Peckham of the same place was a soldier with him, serving together in Genl. Sullivan's army - that he had two or three different terms of service, one of which continued over a year and two months, as she believes, and in all, as many as thirty months, as she now avers, arguably to her best recollection & belief - that Elizabeth Barber of the same town was an inmate of her home for a considerable length of time & at different times when her husband the said Grinnell was in the army. She believes that he joined the army in the year seventeen hundred & seventy six.

She further declares that she was married to the said Jonathan Grinnell at Jamestown in the year 1772 by
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Esq. Underwood of the same town, since deceased, and that her husband the aforesaid Jonathan Grinnell died on or about the 20 day of May 1827, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by the proof hereto annexed - she further certifies that the British landed & took possession of Connanieat Island, Jamestown, & fired a volley of firearms into the house in which she resided, at which discharge she was wounded in her arm, the scar thereof remaining to this day - She has no documentary evidence of her husband's service.

her
Martha "X" Grinnell
mark

Sworn to & subscribed on the day and year above written on the 6th line 1st page, before me, & I certify & that said deponent is a credible witness, that by reason of infirmity she cannot appear in court, or write her name & therefore made her mark above in my presence.

Oneida County ss: Pomroy Jones Judge of Oneida Com Pleas

on the day & year above written, personally appeared before the above named Judge Henry Grinnell, who being duly sworn, says that Martha Grinnell above named state remains the widow of Jonathan Grinnell, & has not intermarried since his death.

Henry Grinell

Sworn & subscribed on the day & year above written, 16th Nov 1842, before me, & I certify that said deponent is a credible witness. 

Pomroy Jones Judge of Oneida Com. Pleas

The words "before" "or about" and "deponent" interlined in the foregoing Declaration before execution.
Pomroy Jones Judge JC
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Clerk's Office
Oneida County 

I, P. Sheldon Root, Clerk of said County, do certify that Pomroy Jones Esq, before whom the foregoing affidavits of Martha and Henry Grinnell were taken, was at the time of taking the same a Judge of the County Courts of the County of Oneida, duly qualified, and authorized to take the same; and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge, and verily believe that his signature to the same are genuine; In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said County this 17th day of November A.D. 1842.
P. Sheldan Root, Clerk
Inv. F. Kittle Des.
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State of New York
Erie County ss.

Be it known that on this 8th day of August A.D. 1842, Pardon Peckham personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and made oath in due form of law that he is in his eightieth year. That he resided in the State of Rhode Island at a place called Jamestown which was situated upon Conanicut Island at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, at which time he was acquainted with Jonathan Grinnell, and Martha Tenant, the latter of whom resided at his Fathers' at Jamestown aforesaid for the space of two years or more, and the former labored for his Father two summers during the time that the said Martha resided there - and that during the time the said Jonathan Grinnell and Martha Tenant were living with the Parents of this deponent, they were married by a Justice of the Peace of the name of Underwood - and this deponent further says that the said Jonathan Grinnell was reputed to have served in the Army of the Revolution under General Sullivan, in the same company in which a Brother of this deponent named Jonathan Peckham served, and that this deponent will recollect that the said Jonathan Grinnell and Jonathan Peckham were absent from home, and were reputed as being in the army at one particular time for the space of fourteen months - and this deponent further saith that the above named Underwood was an acting Justice of the Peace at the time the said Jonathan Grinnel and Martha tenant were married by him the said Underwood
(carried forward)
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and further this deponent saidth not -
Pardon Peckham
Subscribed and sworn this 8th day August 1842 before me
Henry Johnson Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named Pardon Peckham and have known him for the last thirty two years, and know him to be a person of good character, and a man of truth and veracity, and that he now resides in the town of Lancaster in the County of Erie and State of New York.
Henry Johnson

Salisbury & Clapp, Printers, Exchange Buildings, Buffalo

State of New-York,
COUNTY OF ERIE, ss.

I, NOAH P. SPRAGUE, Clerk of the County of Erie, and of the Court of Common Pleas thereof, do hereby certify that Henry Johnson Esq. whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly sworn, and acting as such. And further, That I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe the signature to said affidavit to be his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, this 25th day of August A.D. 1812.
N.P. Sprague Clerk
M. Colten [illegible paper cut off]
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State of New York
Erie County ss.
Elizabeth Barber being duly sworn depseth and saith that she knows and is acquainted with Martha Grinnell surviving relic of Jonathan Grinnell deceased who she knows was a soldier in the Revolutionary army and that she frequently used to stay with the above named Martha Grinnell while her husband was from home doing duty in the army - and this deponent further saith that she was present at the marriage ceremony of the above described individuals - and she further says the name of the person who officiated at the marriage ceremony and married the said individuals was Underwood Esq - and further this deponent saith not

her
Elizabeth "x" Barber
mark

Sworn and subscribed to this 25th day of July
S.E. 1842 before me 
Emanuel Herr
Justice of the Peace
for Erie County

State of New-York,
County of Erie, ss.

I, NOAH P. SPRAGUE, Clerk of the County of Erie, and of the Court of Common Pleas thereof, do hereby certify that Emanuel Herr Esq whose name is subscribed to the annexed affidavit was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected and sworn, and acting as such. And further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe the signature to said affidavit to be his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, this 25 day of August A.D. 1842
Noah P. Sprague Clerk
M. Colten Dep Clk Erie Co
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I certify, the reason that Elizabeth Barber made her mark is because through age and her nerves being effected so that her hand trembled she could not write her name I further certify that I believe her to be a creditable witness and worthy to be believed under oath.

July 25th 1842
Emanuel Herr J.P.

This may certify that I have been acquainted with Elizabeth Barber personally for twenty seven (27) years & I believe her to be a woman whose character for truth & veracity in never objectionable & unimpeachable under oath.
July 25th 1842 
John Hutchinson
William Shill

I certify that I am acquainted with the person who subscribed to the within affidavit for a considerable length of time and I veryly believe that her character for truth and veracity is fair and unexceptionable and that she is entitled to be believed under oath.
Amherst July 25th 1842
Othniel, F.H. Barnard
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State of Rhode Island
County of Newport

I John Remington town Clerk of the town of Jamestown in said County do on my oath say that I have made diligent search of the records of marriage in my office, & do not find any record of the marriage of Jonathan Grinnell & Martha Tenant but do well recollect that they were man and wife, for many years & knew their children that were born to them in wedlock. 
John Remington, Town Clerk of Jamestown
Sworn to before me this 29th of October 1842
E. Trevett, Just of the Court of Common Pleas

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
I Daniel C. Denham Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Eleazer Trevett is a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the tenth day of May 1842 and will expire on the first Wednesday of May 1843 and that his signature above written is genuine. Given under my hand and the seal of the said County his twenty ninth day of October 1842.
Daniel C. Denham Clerk
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[left page]
In case of 
Martha Grinnell

[right page]
Martha Grinnell
N.Y.
alt 4 July '36
m72. & 27.

4337
Jay Hathaway
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State of Rhode Island
County of Newport, ss:

Personally came before me Erastus P. Allan a Justice of the Peace in said county, Peleg Cranston now 88 years of age, formerly of Jamestown, who being duly sworn says, that he was well acquainted with Jonathan Grinnell of said Jamestown, & that said Jonathan was a soldier in the Rhode Island troops under the command of Col. Dyer for a number of months, he thinks as much as one year, & he believes longer - early in the war - he says then stationed on Rhode Island & further saith not -
Peleg Cranston
Sworn before me this 29th day of October 1842. said Peleg is a credible witness
E.P. Allan Justice Peace
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Newport ss.
Clerks Office Supreme Judicial Court
Newport October 29th A.D. 1842

I Erastus P. Allan Clerk of the Surpreme Judicial Court of the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations within and for the county of Newport do hereby certify that Peleg Cranston the subscriber to the within certificate was sworn and signed to the within certificate before me this 29th day of October A.D. 1842.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at Newport the day and year above written.
E.P. Allan Clerk
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4337
P.O. Martha Grinnell
Service: Wid of Jonathan
[stamped]
REJECTED
Enlisted: [blank], 18__.
Discharged: [blank], 18__.
Application filed: [blank], 18__.
Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [bank]
Attorney: [blank]
P.O. [blank]
[blank] Recognized. [blank] Contract.
[blank] Cert. of Dis. Searched for [blank], 18__.
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Reports in the case of Martha Grinnell
Act July 4, 36

favorable to appellant
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Pension Office
Nov

Sir,
In the case of Martha Grinnell claiming a pension under the Act of July 4, 1836, I should be disposed to allow the claim were it not that the regulations require a minute and specific statement of the tours of service, then in the Militia. The very exposed condition of R. Island at the time mentioned in the declaration it much more than probable that the militia which under ordinary circumstances were required to perform monthly tours were in fact upon duty all the time. Certain it is that surrounded as they were by the British forces of all kinds there could be no opportunity of pursing uninterruptedly evil pursuits. If you feel at liberty to disperse with the strictness of the regulations in consideration of the peculiar circumstances of this case, I think a pension for one year's service might be safely allowed.
Resp 
Yr Obt Servt
F. H. Davidge Esq

J.E. Heath Esq
Com. of Pensions
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Rome N.Y.
Nov 18 '42

Hon J.L. Edwards
Coms Pens

Sir,

I send inclosed the declaration of Martha Grinnell of this tour, to obtain the benefit of pension law. The application is one of those that merits the action of the department, every signature & attestation is of persons of character & worth. Mr. Peleg Cranston, is father of Judge Cranston, Senator State R.I. (now, a formerly.)

I have to ask to be advised of the decision of Dept.

I am very respectfully
your obvt.
Jay Hathaway
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44

Onid N.Y. Oct 23/30
Arad, Joy

Appeals from the decision of the Com of Pensions in the case of Martha Grinnell of New York; aet 1836. -

Refd to Com of Pension for a Report
Dep Interiad [?]
Oct 29, 1850
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Ovid, N.Y.  Oct 23, 1850

Sir,

I beg leave respectfully to appeal from the decision of the Coms of Pensions in the case of Martha Grinnell an applicant from New York under the law of 1836.

I refer to the proof on file, the affidavits of Peleg Cranson, Pardon Peckham, Mrs. Betsy Barber. These affidavits are minute & reasonable. I also refer you to the plea or brief on file. Also to the regulations on Document 26 - Page 89.

We suppose one year's service is well made out, and we claim no more than our just due, pension or no pension, yet we believe a pension to be due.

Most Respectfully,
Your Most Obdt Servt
Arad Joy

Hon. Alex H.H. Stuart
Secy of Interior
Washington D.C.
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Rome. Dec 30, 1842

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Coms. Pens.

Sir,

I have recd your letter in reply to mine covering the declaration of Martha Grinnell to obtain a pension.

I beg leave to ask you again to take the papers in her case under consideration, inasmuch as at this late day when contemporary witnesses have gone to their long home, minute particulars are not obtainable. I feel confident that she has substantially proven, & as I think conclusively, that her late husband did actually serve, at least one year of continuous service, in the Revolutionary army, beside other & shorter periods, unclearly proven, as her age & infirmity prevents distinct recollection of names & dates. Peleg Cranston Esq one of the oldest & most respectable inhabitants of Newport R.I. & formerly a resident of Conanicut Island Jamestown, & who was many years a neighbor of Jonathan Grinnel then a regular ferry man between R. Island & Newport, was at the date of Grinnel's service a prisoner of War [illegible]parole at Newport, & remained in the city during the period in which Grinnell remained in service on Rhode Island (in the vicinity of Newport) for the year to which he testifies - he swears to one years service of Grinnell under Col Dyer.

Mrs Grinnell testifies to the same service, remembers the fact of his going to join, & of his serving, but cannot came the year positively - nor officers - but is sure he served 14 months. Pardon Peckham swears that Jonathan Grinnell & his (sd Pardon's) brother Nye Peckham were soldiers in the Revolutionary army at Rhode Island, that they served together for many months, during the period that this
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continental troops were stationed on Rhode Island.

Mrs. Betsy Barber testifies that she was a resident at Mrs. Jont. Grinnell's house while her husband was absent in the service.

These latter deponents are strongly corroborative, certainly much stronger than "traditionary" evidence, which is called for & allowed by the rules of the department.

Mrs. G has caused diligent inquiry to be made to find some comrad living, who was with her husband in his tour of service, but has not yet found one. It is not probable that further proof can be had, that will be more satisfactory. - She was wounded herself by the dastardly fire of the British, a whole volley being fired into the house where she was, when no resistance was offered, or around men present. A pension for this suffering, would be as worthily bestowed, as that upon one or two recipients I could name. Mrs. Grinnell asks that the same rule may obtain in her case, as specially set forth Doc: No. 26, page 89, that in the absence of further & more specific proof, that which she has already made, be accepted as strongly supporting her declaration - it is certainly true in her case that "to require from the applicant positive proof of service from a contemporary survivor, would after the lapse of so many years, be to deprive her of the benefit of the law, & as no presumption is raised against the Militia by rolls in " the archives of Rhode Island, having myself inquired in the Secretary of State's office, there is nt good reason why this requisition should be extended to her.

I am, Sir very respectfully
yr obvt.
J. Hathaway
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Martha Grinnell personally appeared before a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Oneida Co. N. York, a being sworn says she is 92 years old, and makes the following Declaration to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the Act of 4th July 1836. - that she is the widow of Jonathan Grinnell of Jamestown R.I. who was a soldier of the Revolutionary army in Rhode Island - that he joined the army as a soldier under Col. Dyer as she believes - cannot now recollect the names of any of the officers of the company to which he belonged but remembers that Johnathan Peckham of the same place was a soldier with him serving together in General Sullivan's army - that he had two or three different terms of service one of which continued over a year and two months as she believes, and in all as many as thirty months, as she now avers agreably to her best recollection and belief - that Elizabeth Barber of the same town was an intimate of her house for a considerable time and at different times when her husband the said Grinnell was in the army. She believes that he joined the army in the year 1776.

Pardon Peckham sworn says that he resided in the State of Rhode Island at a place called Jamestown at the commencement of the Revt was at which time he was acquainted with Johnathan Grinnell, and that he was reputed to have served in the army of the Revolution under General Sulivan in the same company in which a brother of deponenet named Johnathan Peckham served and that he well recollects that the both were absent from home and were reported as being in the army at one particular time for 14 months.
Certificate of the Judge that he is well acquainted with deponent and that he is a man of character truth & veracity.

Elizabeth Barber sworn, says that she knows and is well acquainted with Martha Grinnell widow of Johnathan Grinnell deceased who she knows was a soldier in the Revolutionary
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army and that she frequently used to stay with the said Martha Grinnell while her husband was from home doing duty in the army.

Certificate of the Judge that he is acquainted with Deponent and believes her to a credible witness worthy to be believed under oath.

Peleg Cranston now 88 years old, formerly of Jamestown sworn, says that he was acquainted with Johnathan Grinnell of said Jamestown and that he was a soldier in the Rhode Island troops under the command of Col. Dyer for a number of months, he thinks as much as one year and he believes longer, early in the war, troops then stationed at Rhode Island.

Proof marriage on this case being admitted, the brief refer only to the testimony in relation to service.

In this case it was considered that no service whatever was set forth or proved such as the regulations of the Department require.

Colnel Dwyer was a militia officer whose terms of service were limited by law to one month. In the adjustment of a per rata pension it is indispensable that the length of service should be ascertained with satisfactory precision by the Department. Hence the rules require each claimant to furnish this in the Declaration or proofs, the necessary data of the period - length and grade of each tour, names of officers - stations & in order to sustain the claims by the best attainable proof - no parole proof known respectable can justify a dispensation of the proofs required by the rules of the office. See letters from Commissioner of Pensions, Nov. 28, 1842 Feby 25, 1843 addressed to Jay Hathaway Esq