Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6207, for William Lawton, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Lawton, William
Sarah

NUMBER
R. 6207

CONTENTS

(right lower corner)
2 & W.
Page 2

15668
Rhode Island
William Lawton of Newport in the State of R Island who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Flagg of the Rgt. commanded by Col. Church in the R Island line for 8 months

Inscribed on the Roll of R Island at the rate of 26 Dollars 67 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of July 1833 and sent Jno. Cross Portsmouth R. I.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  $53.34
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 13.33
$66.67

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 2d.  Page 119
Page 3

444
Sarah Lawton
Widow of William
RI
Act 17 June 1844
Page 4

State of Rhode Island County of Newport SS
On this twenty ninth day of August A.D. 1846 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Newport Sarah Lawton a resident of Portsmouth in said County aged eighty nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 17th day of June 1844 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of William Lawton of said Portsmouth deceased who was a Revolutionary pensioner under act of June 7th 1832 and who was a private in the army of the Revolution and who received a certificate of Pension under date of July 9, 1833 Numbered 15,668 and received a Pension of twenty six dollars sixty seven cents per annum.
She further declares that she was married to the said Wiliam Lawton after his last term of service and before the first day of January 1846 and that her marriage with him took place on the 24th day of April 1778. and that she still remains his widow. 
In presence of Parker Lawton
Mary A Lawton

Sarah Lawton X her mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before 
Daniel C. Denham
Just. Peace
Page 5

I Daniel C. Denham Clerk of the 2d Baptist Church in Newport R. I. do hereby certify that I find recorded in the record of marriages made by Rev Gardner Thurston decd. formerly Pastor of said Church the following record viz. "seventeen hundred and seventy eight April twenty fourth William Lawton of Portsmouth and Sarah Barker of Middle(black smudge)
I Daniel C. Denham above named depose and say that I hold the office of Clerk of the 2d Baptist Church Newport R. I. and that the above is a true copy of the record above named with the exception of the date which is expressed in fair legible figures as follows ("1778 April 24,")
Newport October 29, 1846. Daniel C. Denham Ch. Clk

Sworn before me E. Trevett public notary
Page 6

State of Rhode Island County of Newport
I Daniel C. Denham Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the County aforesaid being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Eleazor Trevett is a Public Notary in the Town of Newport in the County aforesaid was appointed by the General Assembly and commissioned by the Governor of this State and is fully authorized to act in his said capacity. And that his signature before written is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Newport on this twenty ninth day of October A.D. eighteen hundred and forty six.
Daniel C. Denham Clerk
Page 7

State of Rhode Island County of Newport SC
Probate Office Portsmouth Feby 11th 1847
I Richard Sherman Clerk of the Court of Probate for the Town of Portsmouth in said County do hereby certify that at a Court of Probate holden at said Portsmouth on the ninth day of March AD 1846 Proof was produced before the said Court to the satisfaction of the Court shewing that William Lawton of said Portsmouth died on the twenty second day of January eighteen hundred and forty six and that said William Lawton was was a Pensioner of the United States at the time of his death, and that he left a widow by the name of Sarah Lawton, and I also further certify that to my knowledge the said Sarah Lawton is still living in said Portsmouth, and at this time a widow.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this eleventh day of February eighteen hundred and forty seven
Richard Sherman
Probate Clerk
Page 8

17010
William Lawton
Rhode Island

Private 8 mos

Jno Cross
Portsmouth RI
Asa Gray Clk
Court Tiverton RI
Page 10

Wm Lawton
17010
Page 11

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832.
State of Rhode Island in County of Newport}
33 - On this 13th day of Sept. 1832. personally appeared in open court before the judges or justices of the courts of probate, for the town of Portsmouth, now sitting. William Lawton a residents [sic] of Portsmouth in the County of Newport and state of Rhode Island aged twenty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated - That is to say - He in the month of May 1775, and soon after the Battle at Lexington, enlisted, at Newport into the Company of Capt. Ebenezer Flagg in Col. Church's Regiment for eight months. - In this Company Joseph Perry was Lieutenant and Noel Allen was ensign
Soon after he enlisted he was marched to Prospect Hill near Boston where he joined the american Army, then investing the enemy in Boston, he thinks that General Putnam Commander in chief he was here engaged through the season in erecting defenses on Prospect Hill and in the vicinity - here he served till the 1st day of January 1776 when his time was out. he was then, at that place discharged, and he returned home
and Henry Sherburn was Major -
Owing to the situation of his Fathers family, with whom he then lived - and also that the Enemy held possession of the Island of Rhode Island for nearly three years, which prevented his serving against them in the militias, he performed no more service, in the military line, though his will was good to aid his country in every way in his power. -
Page 17

C.W. & N. Div.
Rh6207
L.W.E.

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., August 27, 1896.

Sir:
Replying to your communication requesting information concerning the military record of William Lawton, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that he made application for pension September 13, 1832, at which time he was residing in Portsmouth, R.I., and 77 years of age, and his pension in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Capt. Ebenezer Flagg and Col. Church. He enlisted at Newport, R.I.

Very respectfully,

[Blank]
Commissioner.

Mr Edward Parker Lawton,
3 Linden Ave.,
Troy, N.Y.
Page 27

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Lawton which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  Yes

II Did the declarant make the declaration in  the county where he resides?  Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  Yes

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?  Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?  Yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  Yes
Page 29

3

It Is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for Pensions merely state they served two years in the militia,&c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed; he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance  where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticate the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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 officer, should accompany the papers.