Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21166, Robert Durfee, R.I.
Page 1

Service R.I
Durfee, Robert
Number S.21166
Page 2

2253
Rhode Island
Robert Durfee
of Glocester in the State of RI
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain             of the () commanded 
by Col Brown in the RI
Line for 2 years


Inscribed on the roll of RI
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Mar
1832 and 

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1832 $120--
Itemized allowance ending  () 33 40--
$160--
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by J F Mc Blair  Clerk
Book ?   Vol.  ?   Page 107

[Left hand side]
Date of death
not on A.B
Page 3

No. 7579
Robert Durfee of 
Glocester
Private
2 Years
papers not property
authenticated
Mar 8 1832

a Smaller

$80.00



S.Y. Atwell
Glocester R.I.
Page 4

Brief in the case of Robert Durfee of the county of Glocester in the State of R. Island (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? bodily infirmity
3. How old is he? 73 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and field Officers under whom he served.
In 1776 April 1 Years As a Private under Col. Lippitt, Capt Kimball
In 1777 Oct. substitute for my Father 15 days. under Col. Benson, Capt. Collins
In 1778 Augt. 10 Days as a drafter under Col. Peck, Capt. Wilmouth
In 1780 June 8th 6 Months as a Private under Col. Green, Capt. Burlingame
In 1781 March 1 Months as a Lieutenant. Capt. Winder.
In 1781 June substitute 2 Months for Benoni as a Pearce under Col. Potter, Capt. Lewis
In 1782 Apl. 30th 4 Months as a Private under Col. Stannard, Capt. Rouseau
5. In what battle was he engaged? Morristown & Rhode Island
6. Where did he reside when he entered service? Glocester
7. Is his statement supported by living witness, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
X certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Leon Bell
Examining Clerk.
Page 5

(Inkblot)                                     
Seal of the Court
Attest W Watson Clerk
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence County Sc.
On this thirteenth day of July 1832 personally appeared before me Ira P Evans Justice of the court of Common Pleas in & for said County the same being a Court of record,
Robert Durfee of Glocester in said County & State aged Seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth in his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7"1832. The he was born in Scituate RI in 1759 that there was a record of his age on a paper written by his father which is now in the premise of the wife of Joseph Andrews, his half sister. When called into the service he lived in Glocester RI + has resided in Glocester aforesaid ever since the revolutionary war, up to the present time. He first enlisted in April 1776 in Capt Asa Kimballs Company of Col Christopher Liippitts regiment for one year. The Company first went to Newport RI + stayed there until the first of September following. They then went to Middletown + from thence to White Plains New York. While at White Plains from the 13" to the 29" of October there was fighting with the enemy. This declarant was not himself engaged his company not being brought into action Gen Washington commanded the army at this time. On the 29" of [?] October this declarant with his company + the rest of the army crossed the Hudson river a little below West Point + marched to Brunswick in New Jersey from thence they marched through Trenton + Princeton to Morristown + when when his regiment had got about 14 miles beyond Morristown they turned around back + had a battle + took he thinks 380 Hessians this was on the 25th or 26th of December 1776.
Page 6

This declarant did not as he remembers cross the Delaware. Gen Hearth he believes commanded his brigade. After the Hessians were taken this declarant returned with his regiment + they were ordered to go down to Princeton to join Gen Greene, when they arrived at that place they former Gen Greene retreating + they came back with him to Morristown. There were two assignments of Jersey militia with us at Morristown who went off with the prisoners when this declarants regimens was to join Gen Greene. On the 28" of December 1776 this declarant received a furlough + came home + did not join the army again before his time was out. He hereby states that he presents the evidence of his service in Lippitts regiment during the time aforesaid can be found on the rolls of said regiment which he thinks are in the War office as they were on the continental establishment. This declarant kept his furlough for many years but has lost it. When he marched through to New Jersey Benjamin Hoppin of Providence commanded his company Capt Kimball having thrown up his commission. Abraham Tourtelote was was Lieutenant + John Cowen  Ensign. The day before the Hessians were captured was one of the most stormy days he ever knew. The snow and  hail fell about three days. about half an hour before sunset it cleared away, + the soldiers were supplied with dry cartridges. After I the declarant returned home I went as a substitute for my Father into the militia of Rhode Island who went on Capt Thomas's expedition in Oct 1777 + served 15 days. We went to Tiverton RI Capt Thomas Collins commanded our Company Col Chad Brown the regiment. About the 20" of August 1788 I this declarant was drafted into the RI militia who went in Gen Sullivans expedition + went on to the island of Rhode Island in Capt Timothy Wilmouths Company + Col Peck's regiment of light infantry. We had a fight on Rhode Island. I was on
Page 7

the picquet guard when the fight commenced, we were drawn off + went to Butt’s hill + refreshed + then went to Quaker Hill. we retreated from the island by the way of Tiverton in the night from the 30th of August 1778 we were dismissed In the year 1780 on the 8th of June. I this declarant enlisted in Capt Chandler Burlingames Company Col Christopher Greenes regiment of continental troops for six months. The regiment was mustered in Providence R.I. from thence marched to Bristol thence to the island of Connanicut + thence to Newport. The next day after we arrived at Newport I was detained detached to serve as guard on board a prison ship, which came to Providence where we lay 18 days. I then rejoined the regiment in Middletown R I. where we lay until the last day of October 1780, when we went to Butt’s Hill R.I. + then remained until my Six months had expired - when I returned home. In March 1781 I volunteered in Capt Stephen Winsors Company State Militia for one month, + went to Black point on R Island + from thence to Newport + stayed there until my month was out. In June 1781 I went as a substitute for Benoni Pearce in Capt Peter Lewis’ Company Col John Potters regiment State Militia + was stationed on Brenton point on R Island. I served on this tour two months and after as a seargeant. We were called over in consequence of an alarm occasioned by the appearance of British ships at Rhode Island. On the 30th of April 1782 I enlisted in Capt James Ransoms Company Col. Standards regiment of New York State Militia for four months. We marched from Poughkeepsie to the Susquihanna + back + was there discharged. I served 8 days. Gen [Cornell?] Gen Varnum, James Livingston Henry Livington were officers in Sullivans expedition.  I have no documentary evidence in my possession to prove my service. I never received any regular discharge + I was always dismissed when my time expired, except as in the case of the furlough as before stated. The annexed declaration will prove some part of my service as far as I can prove the same by surviving witnesses.  The rolls of Lippitts + Greenes regiments which I presume an in the war office
Page 8

will prove a part-- Jesse Armstrong William Tourtelott  Amasa Eddy Jr. & Cyrus Cook Esquire are persons in my neighborhood to whom I am known & who can testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services a soldier of the revolution-

He the said declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

Robert Durfee
His mark [indicated by “t”]

Sworn to & Subscribed at said Glocester in the day & year aforesd. before me 
Ira P. Evans Justice C.C. Pleas 

We Amasa Eddy Jr & Cyrus Cooke both residing in said Glocester hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert Durfee who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood when he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion 

Amasa Eddy Jr 
Cyrus Cooke 

Sworn to & Subscribed at sd Glocester the day & year aforesaid before me 

Ira P. Evans Justice C.C. Pleas
Page 9

And I the said Ira P. Evans Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Providence do declare my 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 I do further certify that it appears & is well known to me that Amasa Eddy Jr & Cynrus Cooke Esqr who signed the preceeding Certificate are residents in the sd town of Glocester and that they are credible persons & that they are entitled to credit
I further certify that there is no clergyman residing in the immediate vicinity of said applicant & that the said applicant is unable from bodily infirmity to attend the Sitting of the Court which by law sits in Providence 16 miles from his place of residence

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Glocester aforesaid this thirtyth day of July in the year 1832

Ira P. Evans Justice C.C. Pleas
Page 10

October 19, 1933
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ROBERT DURFEE
Miss Bertha Ramsey  s. 21166  am
63 sexton river street ba-j/MLB  am


Reference is made to your letter of October 11, in which which you request information relative to robert durfey and Arthur Nesmith, soldiers of the revolutionary War. 

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States based upon military service of soldiers in that war.

A careful search of the records fails to show a claim for pension or bounty land on file on account of the revolutionary war service of a soldier named Arthur Nesmith. 

You are furnished below the history of the only soldier named robert durfee found in the revolutionary War records of this office, upon whose service in the revolution a claim for pension was made to the United States. 

Robert durfee ( the spelling of the surname under which he was pensioned ) was born in 1759 in scituate, rhode Island; the names of his parents are not shown. 

While residing in gloucester, rhode Island, he enlisted in april, 1776, served as private in captains asa kimbell's and Benjamin hoppin's company,  colonel Christopher lippitt's rhode Island regiment, and was in the battle on December 26, 1776, when the large number of hessians was captured,  after which on December 28, he was furloughed and returned home.  He then enlisted as a substitute for his father in General spenser's rhode Island expedition in October,  1777, and served fifteen days as private in captain Thomas Collins' company,  colonel Chad brown's rhode island regiment.  He enlisted and served about ten days in general Sullivan's expedition to rhode island,  as private in
Page 11

Captain Timothy Wilmarth's company, Colonel Peck's Rhode Island regiment, was at the battle of Rhode Island and was discharged August 30, 1778. He enlisted June 8, 1780, at Providence, Rhode Island, served as private in Captain Chandler Burlingame's company, Colonel Christopher Greene's Rhode Island black regimen marched to Newport where he was detached to serve as a guard on board a prison ship which lay eight days at Providence, then rejoined his regiment in Middletown, Rhode Island, and was discharged December 24, 1980. He volunteered in March, 1781, and served one month as private in Captain Stephen Winsor's Rhode Island company in an alarm. He enlisted in June, 1781, and served two months in which he acted as sergeant in Captain Peter Lewis' company, Colonel John Potter's Rhode Island regiment. He enlist April 30, 1782, and served eight days in Captain James Ransom's company, Colonel Standard's New York regiment. 
        
Robert Burgee was allowed pension on his application executed July 13, 1832, while a resident of Gloucester, Providence County Rhode Island. 
         
No reference was made in the claim to wife or children. 
         
In 1832 the soldier referred to his half sister who was the wife of one Joseph Andrews, but did not state her name nor place of residence. 

Very truly yours 

A.D. HILLER 
Assistant to Administrator 

- 2 -
Page 12

Revolution
21166
INVALID

File No. 21166
Robert Durfee
Pri Revolutionary

Act:  June 7 31

Index:  Vol. 2, Page 113

[Arrangement of 1875]
Page 13

July 10' 96 said 
pe(??) W
E P Durfree LWB
Providence RD
___________________
1933 Oct 17- That to miss Bertha
Ramsey __               MLB
Page 14

To the Hon Lewis Cap Secretary of War
United States of America
Humbly represents Robert Durfee, that he
was a soldier of the revolution as will more fully appear by the application and documents hereunto annexed. He therefore requests that a pension may be granted to him in Conformity with the provisions of an act passed by the Congress of said United States June 7th 1832 entitled, "An Act of Supplementary to an Act for the relief of Certain Surviving officers & soldiers of the Revolution" and as in duty bound will ever pray 
Robert Durfee
by his Atty. Sam Y Atwells
Please correspond at Glocester RI
S Y Atwells
Page 15

I Seth Ross of Burrillville in the County of Providence State of Rhode Island by being duly sworn on oath testify & say that I was a Soldier in the revolutionary war & am an applicant for a pension under the bill of June 7 1832. I further say that in June 1780 I enlisted as a soldier in Capt [ILLEGIBLE] Chandler Burlingame's Company Col Christopher Greenes assignment Continental troops for 1 month I was discharged in December 1780 my time being out. I further say that I well know Robert Durfee of Glocester in  said County he was a soldier with me in said company during the whole of said period. The regiment was stationed in Rhode Island. 
Seth Ross
State of Rhode Island & Providence Sc
In Glocester this 22nd day of August 1832 before me personally appeared Seth Ross who is well known to me & who being duly sworn on oath says that the above deposition by him signed is just & true in all parts & I further certify that the said Ross is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to Cricut
Attest
Ira P Evans Justice C. C. Pleas
Page 16

I
Daniel Warner of Glocester in the County of
Providence State of Rhode Island & of lawful age & being first duly sworn on oath testify & say that I was a soldier in the revolution & am a pensioner under the act of March 1818. I further say therein June 1778 I enlisted as Sergeant in Capt Chandler
Burlingames Company Col Christopher Greenes regiment of continental troops & remained in his Company until December 1780 as a Seargeant when I was discharged. The regiment was stationed on the island of Rhode Island. I further say that I well know Robert Durfee of said Glouster. He was a
soldier with me in said Company during the
whole of said period I served as such in the same six months.
Daniel Warner
State of Rhode Island + Providence Sc
In Glouster this 20" day of August
1832 before me personally appeared Daniel Warner who is known to me & who being duly sworn on oath say that the above deposition by him signed is just & true in all its parts. I further say that the said Daniel is a
credible person & that his statement is entitled to Cricut
Attest
Ira P. Evans Justice C. C. Pleas
Page 17

I John Kimball formerly of Glocester in the State of Rhode Island & now of Moira in the County of Franklin in the State of New York being of lawful age on oath do
testify & say that Robert Durfee of said Glocester was a soldier with me in Captain Ara Kimballs Company of Col Christopher Lippitts regiment. I State troops from the beginning of May 1776 to the first of September 1776 when I left said Company + the first December went as I understood with the regiment
to New York to Join Gen Washington's army. I joined said Company in May as aforesaid as a substitute for my brother Amherst Kimball & left it in September 76 when Capt. Asa Kimball resigned his Commission.
I further say that on the 8th day of June 1780 I enlisted in Chandler Burlingame's Company Col Christopher Greene's black regiment of Continental troops for six months
the aforesaid Robert Durfee enlisted at the same time in the same company & served with me in said Company until the said six months expired when we were discharged. The regiment mustered in Providence R.I. went to Bristol & Newport & to Middletown R.I. where we remained until the start of October 1780 when we went into Winter quarters at the fort on Butts Hill R.I. & then remain
until the 24th day of December when we were discharged. As said Durfee served as aforesaid during the whole of said period.
In March 1781 I joined as a volunteer Capt Stephen Levison Company State Militia & was stationed at Black Point & at Newport R. I. I served one month& the said Robert Served in said Company as a soldier the whole of said month
John Kimball
Page 18

State of Rhode Island &
Providence Sc.
In Glocester this thirteenth day of July personally appeared John Kimball (who is personally known to me) & who being duly sworn an oath says that the within deposition by him, subscribed is true in all its parts,
Before me Ira. P. Evans Justice C.C Pleas
_
Providence Sc.
Glocester August -24"  1832 I hereby certify that the within named John Kimball is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit.
Attest
Ira P. Evans C.C Pleas
Page 19

I Daniel Hicks of Glouster in the County of Providence
State of Rhode Island of lawful age & being duly
Sworn do testify & say that on the 8th of June 1780
I enlisted for 6 months as a soldier in Capt Chandler
Burlingame's Company Col Christopher Greene's black
regiment of Continental troops. The regiment
mustered in Providence RI. & marched to Bristol
& from thence to Newport & Middletown R. Where
we stayed until the last of October 1780 when we
went to the fort on Butts hill R.I. for winter
quarters & was then discharged on the 24" of Dec 1780 + I returned home. I further say that Robert
Durfee of said Glocester enlisted as a soldier with me
on the said 8th of June 1780 in said Company & Continued
to serve as a soldier in the same with me until I
was discharged on the 24th of Dec aforesaid. In
the month of March 1781
I served as a Soldier in Capt
Stephen Winsons Company State Militia, we were
called on upon an alarm & were stationed at Black
point & at Newport R. I. I served two months in said
Company & the aforesaid Robert Durfee Served one
month of said time to wit the month of March
Daniel Hicks
his mark
Page 20

State of Rhode Island
Providence Sc. 

In Glocester this thirteenth day of July 1832 Personally appeared Daniel Hicks (who is personally known to me) & who after being duly sworn on oath says that the deposition oath the new did written & by him subscribed is just & true in all its parts
before me
Ira P. Evans Justice C.C. Pleas

State of Rhode Island
Providence Pl. Clerks office of court of common pleas county of providence July 14, 1832
I William R Watson, clerk of the court of commons pleas within and for the county of Providence in the state of Rhode Island do hereby certify that Ira P. Evans whose name is above and within written is a judge of the court of common pleas aforesaid a court of record; that the signatures to the above and within documents purporting to be his are in the proper hand writing of said Ira P. Evans and that full faith and credit an due to the official attestations of said Ira P. Evans - 
In ... whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said court this 14 day of July 1832. 
William R. Watson
Page 21

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

PROVIDENCE, SC.

I WILLIAM R. WATSON, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the county of Providence in the State of Rhode-Island, do herby certify, that Ira P. Evens is a Judge of the court of Common Please aforesaid, which court is a Court of Record; that the signature to the annexed documents purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of the said Evens and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of the said Evens
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, at Providence this 28th day of August in the year of our Lord 1832.
Wm R Watson
Page 22

7579
Application
of Robert Durfee
|for pension
Page 23

Providence July 2 1896
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir;
Will you kindly furnish
me with such information as
may be on your files in regard
to Robert Durfee private R.I.  line militia and continental.

This person was place on
roll Nov 22 1833 the information
is sought in preparing a history
of the family and not for the
purpose of establishing any claim
against the government.

Respectfully Yours
Elisha P. Dunfee
15 Byron St.
Providence 
R.I,
Page 24

October 11, 1933.

Veterans administration,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
I would like  to know if you have
information concerning Robert Durfey and his wife Anna Place.   I think that he was in the Rev. War and may have
enlisted from Rhode Island.  Their daughter Susan Dunfey was my great grandmother.
She was born June 7-1804 at Chepachet. R.I.

Am also seeking for the records of Arthur Nesmith born Apr 3-1721 at
Londonderry, N.H., son of Dea. James Nesmith
the emigrant.  This Arthur Nesmith married Margaret Hopkins.  He enlisted in the
Rev. War from Londonderry, N.H
I am trying to prove that they
had a daughter Mary born about 1753;
died Sept 8-1839 at Greenfield, N.H, the
wife of James Ramsey b. 1747 died Nov 28-1795
at Greenfield, N.H.  I have proved my line to this James and Mary Nesmith Ramsey.
Thanking you very much indeed
I am, yours sincerely
Miss Bertha Ramsey,
63 Saxtons River St.,
Bellows Falls, vt.
Page 25

0. W. N. Div. 
I. 21166
L. W. B. 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS, 
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 10, 1836.

Sir:

       Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Robert Durfee, a solder of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that he made application for pension July 13, 1832, at which time he was residing at Glouster, R. I., and 73 years of age, and is pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary War. A part of the time he served under Capt. Kimball and Col. Christopher Lippitt. He enlisted at Glouster R. I. 

Very respectfully, 

Acting Commissioner. 

Mr. Elisha P. Durfee, 

15 Byron Street,

Providence, R. I.