Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,281, Nathaniel Gladding, R.I.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
Gladding, Nathaniel
Phebe
NUMBER
W.24,281
CONTENTS
[blank]
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Gladding, Nathaniel
R. I. W24281
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21
Rhode island
Phebe Gladding of Providence in the State of R.I. who was a [blank] in the [blank] commanded by Captain R I of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the [blank]
Widow of Nath'l Gladding dec'd who was a Capt. Lt. of Artillery in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 400 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Aug 1836 and Sent Philip Crapo Esq Providence R. I.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1836 $2000.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept [$] 200.00
[Total] $2.200.00
Act 4 July 1836
{Revolutionary Claim,}
Recorded by D D Addison Clerk
Book [blank] Vol 1 Page 104
[left facing page]
2
1890
Sept 10 Chas F Gladding Sent two commissioner copies within Prov
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Gladding, Nathaniel
R.I. W24281
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
City of Providence Lc.
Municipal Court of the City. of Providence, in the County of Providence and State aforesaid. being a Court of Records.

Be it Remembered, that on this ninth. day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty six, personally appeared before said Municipal Court of the City of Providence, Phebe Gladding, a resident of said City of Providence, widow of Lieutenant Nathaniel Gladding late of said Providence deceased, aged seventy six years; who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th A.D. 1836:

That she is the widow of the above-named Nathaniel Gladding who was a Captain Lieutenant in the Train of Artillery under the command of the late Colonel Robert Elliot, raised by the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and serving in the Revolutionary Army: that in his said capacity of Captain Lieutenant in the regiment of artillery under the command of the said Elliot, he served in Providence, on the Island of Rhode Island, in Bristol and in Warren; all within said State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.

She further declares, that she was married to the said Nathaniel Gladding, on the ninth day of August in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven; that her husband, the aforesaid Nathaniel Gladding, died on the sixth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen; that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear, by reference to the proof hereto annexed.

Phebe gladding[signature]
In attestation whereof, and also in attestation that satisfactory evidence has been this day adduced before said Court to prove that said Phebe Gladding is a credible person, and that her Declaration under oath
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is entitled to full faith and confidence, I have hereunto set my hand, and have affixed the Seal of the said Court, on the day and year first above written.

Albert G. Greene, Clerk

[blank seal]
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Gladding, Nathaniel
R. I. W 24281
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No. 85
Phebe Gladding
application for pension under Act of July 4th 1806 
Widow of Capt Lt Nath'l Gladding
R.I.
Let. to Philip Crapo
August 15th 1836
On Rolls
Nath'l. Gladding Captain Lieut R. I. State troops
Artillery -
admd
2 years Capt Lieut't of artillery
Philip Crapo Esq
Providence
R. I.
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I do hereby certify that Capt Nathaniel Gladding son of Samuel Gladding late of Bristol in the County of Bristol deceased and Phebe Sherman Daughter of Joseph Sherman of Tiverton in the County of Newport &c. Esq. was lawfully joined together in marriage in Tiverton aforesaid the ninth day of August A.D. 1777 by me the Subscriber.
Walter Cook Justice Pls
State of Rhode Island &c.
County of Newport - ss. Tiverton August 19th in the year 1836 - I Asa Gray, Town Clerk of the town of Tiverton, in said County of Newport do hereby certify the above certificate of marriage to be a true copy taken from the records of marriages in the Town Clerk's Office in said Tiverton - 
Asa Gray Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Newport ss. - Tiverton August 19th 1836
Then personally appeared before me Job Durfee, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of the State aforesaid, the above named Asa Gray known to me to be the Town Clerk of said town of Tiverton and as such to be by Law the keeper of the records of births and marriages for said Town and made oath to the truth of the above Certificate by him subscribed.
Job Durfee
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[octagonal date stamp] O. W. & N. Received Sep. 4 1890
[circular date stamp] U. S. Pension Office A Sept 2 1890
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[letterhead]
J. B. Bunce, President.
J. M. Holoomre, Vice-President.
C. H. Lawrence, Secretary.
Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company,
Hartford, Conn. Sept 1st 1890
[note in left margin] Widow Phebe 24381
Hon. Green B. Raum
Comm. of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir
Yours of Aug. 26 is at hand. In reply would say my Father Sam'l. Gladding of Providence R. I. is the nearest of Kin Son to Capt Nath'l. Gladding whose Commission I desire to possess. I have written for a certificate to that effect from him, and also that he desires me to be the possessor of that document. This paper with my certificate and promise as required will be forwarded at an early date when I shall expect the commission will be sent me
Yours Very Truly
Chas. F. Gladding
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Revy
Widow, &c.
File No. 24281
Phebe Gladding
Widow of
Nathaniel Gladding
Capt Rev War
Act: July 4th 1836
Index:- Vol. A, Page 277
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Let. to Philip Crapo
16 July '36
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[same as previous document but rotated 180 to read the note at the bottom of the page]
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Providence (Rhode-Island) August 9th 1836
Hon. James L. Edwards
Sir,
I this day forward the evidence of Phebe Gladding to obtain a pension in consequence of the services of her husband Nathaniel Gladding in the revolutionary War, directed to the Secretary of War, which I apprehend to be the proper course. In preparing those papers I have endeavoured to follow your instructions litter[illegible: hole in document] I found it impossible. Three of the depositions [illegible] Justices of the Peace in different parts of the State, whose Signatures to their captions could not be known to the Secretary of State who has certified their respective offices, as he did not see them write their names and therefore he declined, very properly, certifying the genuineness of their respective Signatures, as provided in the tenth Section of your instructions. I hope a want of compliance with this section will not impair the force and validity of these depositions or the claim of the Widow, especially as there will be found among the papers two other depositions taken before the Judge of the District Court for this District, tho' of a more secondary nature than the others. There is also much documentary evidence.
If those papers, when all taken together, shall be found deficient, I wish them returned to me, as soon as may be, with the deficit pointed out, [illegible] deficit may be cured if possible.
With consideration of high respect
Your Obedient Servant
Philip Crapo
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[reverse of the preceding document]
Gladding, Nathaniel
R. I. W24281
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[initials upper left]
[circle with "Seal" written in center]
By the Honorable Nicholas Cooke, Esquire, Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief of and over the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
To Nathaniel Gladding, Gentleman - Greeting.
You the said Nathaniel Gladding, being appointed a Captain Lieutenant in the Train of Artillery in the Brigade ordered to be raised by the General Assembly of this State, held at Providence on Thursday the Twelfth Day of December, A. D. 1776, for the Defence thereof in particular, and of the United States of America in general, are hereby, in the Name of the Governor and Company of this State, authorized, empowered, and commissioned, to have, take and exercise, the Office of Captain Lieutenant of and over the Company aforesaid - - And to command, guide and conduct the same, or any Part thereof, and in Case of an Invasion or Assault by a common Enemy, to infect or disturb this or any of the said States, you are to alarm and gather together the Company under your Command, or any Part thereof as you shall
[continued]
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an Invasion or Assault by a common Enemy to infect or disturb this or any of the said States, you are to alarm and gather together the Company under your Command, or any Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, you are to resist, expel, kill and destroy them, in order to preserve the Lives, Liberties and Properties of the good People of this and the other United States. You are also to follow such further Instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall, from time to time, be given forth, either by the General Assembly, or your superior Officers. And for your so doing this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant.
Given under my Hand, and Seal of the said State, this Third Day of January in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-seven.
(signed) Rich'd Cooke
By His Honor's Command
(signed) Henry Ward, Sec'y
Pension Bureau
September 10, 1890 -
This is to certify that the above is a correct copy of the original Commission which has [this?] day been forwarded to Charles F. Gladding at Hartford Conn -
A Robinson
Act'g Chief of Old War and Navy Division
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In Congress
The Delegates of the United Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to
Nathaniel Gladding Gentleman....Greeting.
We reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, Do by these Presents constitute and appoint you to be Second Lieutenant of the Company of the Train of Artillery in the Brigade raised by the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, which has been taken into Continental Pay, and is now Part of the Army of the United Colonies raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile Invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Second Lieutenant of said Company by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly
[continued]
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charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command to be obedient to your Orders as Second Lieutenant of said Company. And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies or Committee of Congress, for that Purpose appointed or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of the United Colonies, or any other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress. Dated the Twenty sixth Day of August A.D. 1776
By Order of the Congress
(Signed) John Hancock President.
Attest (Signed) Chas. Thomson Sec'y
Pension Bureau
September 10, 1890 -
This is to certify that the above is a correct copy of the original Commission which has this day been forwarded to Charles F. Gladding at Hartford Conn
A. Robinson
Act'g Chief of Old War and Navy Division
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I Barrington Anthony of Providence in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, Marshal of the District of Rhode Island, being sworn according to law, do depose & say, That I was well acquainted with Nathaniel Gladding formerly of Bristol in said State but last of Providence aforesaid, and his wife Phebe, (who was my mother's sister) from the earliest period of my recollection up to the time of his death which took place on or about the sixth day of March A.D. 1814, and with his said wife ever since to this time; that the said Phebe Gladding is now living and has never been married since the decease of her said husband, that there has ever been a tradition among my family connections and acquaintances, that the said Nathaniel Gladding was an officer in the United Train of Artillery in the Revolutionary Army in the State troops and served in it for a term exceeding two years, and I never heard the same to be contradicted, and that I verily believe said tradition to be true and correct.
[signature] Barrington Anthony
United States of America
Rhode Island District sc. In Providence August 8th 1836
Then personally appeared the above named Barrington Anthony and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed before me and I also certify that the said Barrington Anthony is worthy of credit as a man of veracity
John Pitman
District Judge U. S.
for Rhode Island District
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I Philip Crapo of Providence in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island aged sixty eight 68 years on Solemn oath Say that I have been the advising counsellor of Mrs Phebe Gladding in the collection of her documents and obtaining her testimony in the case of her application for a pension or annuity under the act of July 7th 1836 in consequence of the Service of her late husband Nathaniel Gladding. That I became acquainted with the said Nathaniel in the fall of the year AD 1794 and continued that acquaintance intimately till the time of his death, he being my Barber with whom I shaved and dressed yearly and every year till within a few months of his decease. That I became acquainted with his Wife the said Phebe in the Spring of the year 1801 living next door to her which acquaintance has continued to this time. That when dressing in the said Gladding's store, I often heard the said Gladding's Services in the revolutionary army spoken of by the company present and by himself; That from those conversations I took it for granted that he served in said Army for several years as an officer, and now verily believe that he did so serve for more than two years; That I supposed at the time he served as a Captain from the circumstances of his being addressed by that title; That many years ago I saw and again within a few days have seen in the hands of Charles Lippett Esquire who was formerly a member of our State legislature the copy of an abstract of claims prepared to present to the legislature of the State by the officers and soldiers of Col Elliot Regiment and two other State Regiments praying for an allowance for the depreciated State of the paper money which they received in payment for their services in which abstract each applicant's name was written and against it the amount of the depreciation of the paper money by him received as pay, at the time of payment; That the name of the said Nathaniel Gladding was inserted in said abstract and the sum of [British pound sign]199:13:10 lawful money of the State being six shillings to the dollar, being equal to six hundred and sixty five dollars and sixty three cents set against his name.
And I further say that Mary Hammond whose deposition is in said case has been well known to me for many years that she and the said Phebe Gladding retain their mental [illegible] well for persons of their ages and are reputed to be persons of truth and veracity and that I have no interest directly or indirectly in said application
[signature] Philip Crapo
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United States of America
Rhode Island District sc: In Providence in said District on the 8th day of August A. D. 1836 Personally appeared the within named Philip Crapo and was solemnly sworn to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed before me and I certify that he is a gentleman of truth & veracity
John Pitman
District Judge U. S. for Rhode Island District
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Deposition
Richard Clark
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I Richard Clark of Providence in the County of Providence State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations being of the age of Seventy four years and upwards, and engaged according to law do depose and say That I was enlisted in the spring of the year 1778 as a private into the United Train of Artillery by Captain Lieutenant Nathaniel Gladding late of Providence who held that office under Lager who was Captain of said company with the brevit rank of Major - That I served in that company during that year; that I understood from the Officers & men of said Company while in service that the said Gladding had served in like capacity for the term of one year next before. I further say that said Company was attached to the Regiment of Artillery commanded by Col. Robert Elliot, and that the said Lager was usually addressed by the title of Major and the said Gladding by the title of Captain, that we served first in Providence, then on the Island of Rhode-Island in Sullivan's expedition, and afterwards in Bristol and Warren in the State of Rhode Island, that we were in but one engagement during said year & that was on Rhode Island during Sullivan's expedition there, that most of the men who served at that time being dead it is difficult obtaining direct evidence of the service of the officers & soldiers during that time, and that the above services were rendered in the State troops of the Revolutionary Army - 
[signature] Richard Clark
Providence sc. In Providence this fourth day of August A.D. 1836
Then personally appeared the above named Richard Clark and made oath to the aforegoing Deposition by him given & subscribed before the subscriber - 
And I further certify that said deponent is a person of credibility & entitled to belief - 
[signature] Thomas White
Justice of the Peace
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I William Shearman of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State of Rhode Island aged Eighty years, on solemn oath depose and say. That in the spring of the year 1778, but the particular month I do not recollect, I enlisted into an Artillery Company then commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Gladding, the Company was stationed at Freetown in the State of Massachusetts when I enlisted into it. We were first marched to Providence, then to Warren and then to Tiverton and thence upon Rhode Island in Gen. Sullivan's expedition; we then came off with the Army to Tiverton again, and soon went to Bristol where we were stationed throughout the winter and I was discharged in the Spring of the year 1779 and returned to Tiverton, having served one year in said Company, which was commanded by said Nathaniel Gladding all the time I belonged to it, and also at the time I was discharged, but how much longer I know not, said Nathaniel Gladding served the whole of the year that I was in said Company to my certain knowledge -
[signature] William his X mark Shearman
State of Rhode Island &c.
County of Newport} ss. At Tiverton in said County of Newport on this 2nd day of August 1836 before me, Asa Gray, a Justice of the Peace, in said Tiverton & County of Newport, personally appeared William Shearman, and made oath to & subscribed his aforegoing Deposition. And I further certify that said Deponent is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit.
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
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Deposition
Mary Hammond
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I Mary Hammond of Providence in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations widow of the late Deacon James Hammond of said Providence aged Seventy seven years & upwards, being engaged according to law, do depose and say that I am the sister of Nathaniel Gladding formerly of Bristol in said State, but last of Providence aforesaid, that in the year 1777 said Nathaniel was married to Phebe Sherman, that the said Nathaniel at the time of his marriage was an officer in the State troops in the Revolutionary Army, and then was, & for upwards of two years before had been, in actual service in said troops & army and so continued for a long period afterwards which I cannot ascertain, but am confident it was more than one year after said marriage, that the said Phebe Gladding wife of said Nathaniel is now living, and that said Nathaniel died in the month of March A.D. 1816, that the said Phebe Gladding has never been married since the decease of her said husband, - that after said marriage the said Phebe resided in the family of me and my mother, and the said Nathaniel visited her there while belonging to the Army as frequently as he could have a permit for that purpose.
[signature] Mary Hammond
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State of Rhode Island &c
Providence sc. In Providence this 4th day of August A.D. 1836 - Then, personally appeared Mary Hammond who subscribed & made oath to the aforegoing Deposition before me.
And I further certify that said Deponent is a person of credibility & entitled to belief - 
Thomas White
Justice of the Peace
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Secretary's Office Rhode Island &c.
August 4, 1836.
I Certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State on the first Wednesday of May last, Thomas White was elected a Justice of the Peace for the city of Providence, and Asa Gray a Justice of the Peace for the town of Tiverton - in said State - each for the term of one year, and that they have been severally commissioned accordingly: as appears of record in this office.
Witness Henry Bowen Secry
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BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-
Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name " HENRY BOWEN" to the afore-
written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire,
who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid,
duly elected and qualified according to law : Wherefore unto his said attestation,
full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Providence, this fourth day of August
in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- six
and of Independence the sixty- first
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secry
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.
In General Assembly December AD 1776.
An act for raising, embodying, supplying and paying two Regiments of Infantry, each consisting of seven hundred & fifty men, and a Regiment of train of Artillery, consisting of three hundred men, for the defence of the United States in general, and of this State in particular.
Whereas our Enemies have invaded this State with a powerful armament, and are now in possession of of the Island of Rhode Island, whereby we are imminently exposed to still more hostile attacks, which renders it necessary that a considerable addition be made to the Forces of this State:
Be it therefore enacted by this General Assembly, and by the authority thereof it is Enacted, That two regiments of Infantry, each consisting of seven hundred & fifty men including officers, as also a Regiment of Artillery, consisting of three hundred men, officers included, be immediately raised for the defence of the United States in general, and of this State in particular. 
That the said three regiments be formed into one Brigade, under the command of a General: That each regiment be commanded by one Colonel, one Lieutenant Colonel, and one Major: That there be appointed for each regiment, One adjutant, one surgeon, and one surgeon's mate: That each of the Regiments of Infantry consist of eight companies which shall be commanded by one Captain, two Lieutenants and one Ensign: And that the said regiment of Artillery consist of five  Companies, which shall be commanded by one Captain, and such other officers as shall be hereafter appointed.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That each officer appointed in said Regiments, shall be entitled to and receive the same wages as officers of the same rank in the Continental service: and that every person who shall inlist as a Soldier into either of said Regiments shall be allowed and paid as wages three Pounds per month.
True copy of first and third paragraphs of the aforesaid act.
Witness
Henry Bowen Secry
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I certify that at the foregoing session Robert Elliott was appointed Colonel of said Regiment of Artillery.
That at the adjourned session of the General Assembly holden in said month of December, Nathaniel Gladding was appointed Captain Lieutenant of Captain Joshua Sayers Company in said Regiment of Artillery. That at the session of the General Assembly holden in February seventeen hundred seventy eight, Nathaniel Gladding was appointed Captain Lieutenant in Capt Sayer's Company - in Col. Elliott's Regiment of Artillery.
That at the session in August seventeen hundred seventy-six among the officers appointed are the following: "Officers of the Train of Artillery. Robert Elliott Captain, William Bull Captain Lieutenant, Joshua Sayer first Lieutenant, Nathaniel Gladding second Lieutenant, Rhodes Packard Lieutenant Fireworker."
Witness Henry Bowen Secry.
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BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-
Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name " HENRY BOWEN" to the afore-
written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire,
who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid,
duly elected and qualified according to law : Wherefore unto his said attestation,
full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Providence, this fourth
day of August
in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six
and of Independence the sixty- first
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secry
Page 35

Providence R. I. August 19th 1836
Honorable J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir,
Accept my thanks for your communication of the 15th instant which was received in due course of mail, pointing out the defect in Mrs Phebe Gladding's papers. I now forward you another certificate of her marriage authenticated conformable to your instructions.
With consideration of high respect
Your Obt Servant
Philip Crapo
Page 36

I do hereby certify that Capt. Nathaniel Gladding son of Samuel Gladding late of Bristol in the County of Bristol deceased, and Phebe Sherman Daughter of Joseph Sherman of Tiverton in the County of Newport Esqr. were lawfully joined together in marriage in Tiverton aforesaid the ninth day of August A.D. 1777 by me the Subscriber. Walter Cook Justice Pls.
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport} Tiverton August 1, 1835
I hereby certify the aforegoing to be a true Copy taken from the records of Marriages in the Town Clerk's Office for the town of Tiverton - 
Asa Gray Town Clerk
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BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-
Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name " HENRY BOWEN" to the afore-
written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire,
who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid,
duly elected and qualified according to law : Wherefore unto his said attestation,
full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Providence, this twentieth
day of August
in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- six
and of Independence the sixty- first.
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henny Bowen Secry
Page 38

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's Office August 20th 1836.
I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State in May last Job Durfee was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State for one year, and has been Commissioned accordingly, as appears of record in this office.
I further certify that the signature "Job Durfee" to the paper annexed is in the proper hand writing of said Durfee.
Witness Henry Bowen Secry
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[writing on reverse of document]
Thos F Gladding [illegible]
Revy May 31, 1890
Lt Nath Gladding R I 
[illegible] Ex
[circular date stamp] U.S. Pension Office Jun 2 1890
Page 40

[letterhead]
Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company,
J. B. Bunce, President.
J. M. Holcombe, Vice-President.
C. H. Lawrence, Vice-President.
Hartford, Conn., May 31 1890
To the Comm. of Pensions
Washington D. C. 
Honored Sir.
A good many years ago, a pension was granted my Grandmother Phebe Gladding, wife of "Capt Lieut." Nathaniel Gladding of Newport R. I. a soldier of the Revolutionary War. To obtain this pension certain papers were sent to Washington, among these the Commission of said Capt. Lieut. Nathaniel Gladding, signed by John Hancock of Revolutionary fame. This paper is of great value to me and I wish to possess and keep it, - If consistent and possible I would like it sent to me. Can I have it. The peculiar wording "Capt. Lieut" was explained by my father in that Nathaniel Gladding was an artillery officer doing duty as an Infantryman.
Very Respectfully Yours
Chas. F. Gladding
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[circular date stamp on reverse of previous letter] U.S. Pension Office A Sep 4 1890
Page 42

[letterhead]
Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company
Jonathan B. Bunce, President.
John M. Holcombe, Vice-President.
Charles H. Lawrence, Secretary.
Hartford, Conn. Sept 3d 1890
Hon. Green B. Raum
Comm'r. of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir.
In compliance with my letter to you of the 1st I now enclose the certificate and request of my father for the Pension Bureau to deliver to me the Commission of Capt. Nathaniel Gladding now held with pension papers of Phebe Gladding. You will also find my promise to surrender the document to the Government on demand as required in your letter of Aug 26th. Trusting this fully complies with the requirements and that the Commission will be forwarded me at your earliest convenience.
I am Very Truly Yours
Chas. F. Gladding
Page 43

[circular date stamp on reverse of previous letter] U. S. Pension Office Sep 4 1890
Page 44

[letterhead]
Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company
Jonathan B. Bunce, President.
John M. Holcombe, Vice President.
Charles H. Lawrence, Secretary.
Hartford, Conn. Sept 3d 1890
This is to certify that I Chas. F. Gladding of Hartford Conn. promise that when the Commission of Capt. Nath. Gladding now held by the Pension Bureau at Washington D.C. comes into my possession, I will safely hold and preserve the same subject to the demand of the U.S. Government for its return to the Pension Bureau for amicable adjustment and possession by such descendant of Capt. Nathan. Gladding as they may decide lawfully entitled to its possession.
Signed
Chas. F. Gladding
Witnesses
Thomas R. Loomis
James Waters
To Hon Green B. Raum
Comm'r. of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 45

[octagonal date stamp] O. W. & N. Sep 6 1890 Received
Page 46

This is to certify that I Samuel Gladding of Providence R. I. am the nearest of kin now living of Capt. Lieut. Nathaniel Gladding (my father) a soldier of the Revolutionary War and as such nearest of kin am entitled to the possession of the Commission of said Capt. Lieut. Nath'l Gladding. As it is the desire of my son Chas. F. Gladding of Hartford Conn. to be the possessor of this document, I herewith request that said Commission be delivered to him and be by him safely kept until demanded of him, as required by the U.S. Government custom governing such case.
Signed
Sam'l Gladding
Witnesses
William W. Gardner
Joseph J. Smith
Providence R. I. September 1st 1890.
To Green B. Raum
Comm of Pensions 
Washington D. C.