Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8117, for Sands Perkins, Rhode Island
Page 1

(8-1776) 
SERVICE | NUMBER
RI Perkins, Sands R8117

CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

10976
Sands Perkins
456 11 17 16 of 
P 338
8117
Potter E
Kingston RI
Page 3

BRIEF in the case of Sand Perkins of South Kingston in the State of Rd Island (Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? on in court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
[blank]
3. How old is he? 75 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period | Duration of Service Years, Months, Days,. | Rank As a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen |
In 17
Period of service & officers under whom he served not stated.
5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? South Kingstown, Rd Island
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? [blank]
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers not attached [illegible] as required
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. Richard Cutte Examining Clerk.
Page 4

DECLARATION
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRES PASSED JUNE 7, 1832. STATE OF RHODE ISLAND COUNTY OF Washington
On this 3d day of September personally appeared in open court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Sands Perkins a resident of South Kingstown in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, aged seventy five 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.

I Sands Perkins of the Town of South Kingstown in the County of Washington and state of Rhode Island being providentially deprived of sight, by the assistance of a friend would inform your honor who control the pension list, in what response I was concerned in or with the wars of the Revolution. As my case is somewhat singular I would with your patience while in a concise manner I state the facts.
In the fall of the year 1776 being a few months short of eighteen years of age I went to the village now called Kingston to learn the gold & silver smith business of Mr John Wait afterwards called Col Wait receiving that title when he took the command of the "Kingstown Reds" The British having shut up the port of Boston there became a great excitement in expectation of a war. Col Wait was a zealous patriot and frequently assembled us in the Court House in the evening to learn the manual exercise after the Prussian order. About the latter part of winter Col Moses Barber, in whose district we were, went to Newport & brot over a quantity of arms & brot them to us to put in complete repair without delay. These arms were exceeding rusty having lain from the close of former wars, a long time, in a dense salt air. The best of them after scouring their locks were found to have Queen Arms stamps & seemed to have been manufactured before the age of bayonets, as they had neither bayonets nor bayonet fixtures. The rest had corroded both the out & inside of them, and the loops and the barrels of many of them were rusted out, as no bayonets & but few ramrods had been used with them. The screwpins & other parts of the locks & the mounting in general was entirely ruined with rust. It being out of our line of business we had to make [illegible] to shape bayonets shanks & jackets & ramrods & bayonets were first forged by a blacksmith near by. We likewise had screw plates to make. We were progressing as expeditiously as possible when the news of the Lexington battle arrived & [illegible] amongst us almost an electric shock.  Listing orders were soon issued - the people came forward with alacrity and soon a full company engaged before we had completed arms enough for them. There being no other arms in this quarter. This company marched off for Cambridge Mass under the command of Capt Christopher Gardner. The same company was afterwards commanded by Wm Potter at Red Bank & elsewhere,
Page 5

The same was ensign to the company when it left. Nathaniel Hawkins Lieutenant. We continued to repair the arms we had undertaken and the scarcity at length became so great that in one instance I had to put three pieces together to make a barrel. We at length completed the job which occupied us more than four months, for which I received no compensation and it was an entire obstruction to the trade I undertook to learn. 
My age being within the military law & being called to service by the highest military authority in the district and as Armorers were wanted as well as sitchers I humbly submit it to your honors whether it is not probale that I at least did as much to promote the cause in which we were engaged as if I had been digging in an entrenchment. 
The company first mentioned increased in numbers & discipline and was finally chartered with an ample charter free from all control of the militia, acknowledging only the authority of the Governor at whose control we were. We had liberty to raise our rank in file to a hundred with four commissioned officers The first to take rank of Colonel - the 2nd Lieut Col the 3rd Major & the 4th Capt. I held the place of sergeant We were rather a select number equipped ourselves, met frequently for improvement in military tactics, became respectable in discipline for those times and were ready and went volunteers at any particular emergency. The first call of consequence was when some British ships came to Newport and burnt a collection of houses on Jamestown. Shot their only friend who came out to meet them & burnt his house. The alarm came and we marched to the [illegible] ferry to check their attempt to come over & assist the inhabitants in their plight. Again when the enemy took possession of Rhode Island & Jamestown & while they lay in Newport we were under marching orders at the shortest notice, I therefore had to & did sleep with my arms at my bedside. The next alarm came from Point Judith, the enemy having landed to take our sheep &c. we marched down nearly twelve miles & found on our arrival they had just left. Called at a house to see a man that was then wounded & was having his wound dressed.
Page 6

& then ourselves - we were joined with the rest of the independent companies commanded by Col. Fry and having the oldest commission. We were joined by a broken regiment of Col Jacksons continl troops & put under Genl Livingston on the forlorn hope we passed down by the friends meeting house & pitched our tents beyond the windmill - was overtaken by the "French storm" not having any provisions was confined in our tents two days & nights & with the rain continually driving in our faces & the water some depth under us as we lay - preserving the vital heat only by laying close to each other - from there we marched down on the lower lines our business being to patrol between the lower sentries where we had frequent contention with parties of the enemy. Next we were called to guard in Newport then in Bristol. We were before this called on a tour of duty near David Green from North Kingstown to keep guard on the beach. At another time Capt Parker informed us that the British had landed near Greenwich; after arriving in N Kingstown 7 or 8 miles on our way we heard that the alarm was false. Next we called to guard between Litwest beach and East River - we were there joined by other independent companies. I occupied for that tour the Quarter Masters Department. If you honors think that many anxious & wakeful nights & weary steps & loss of time & property not to mention the risk of life are entitled to a small pittance of the public bounty it will be thankfully accepted by your humble servant.
(As I am unknown at Washington my name may be found attached to a deposition in the case of a pensioner a Mr. Button of Hopkinton in this state a few years back.) I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state. I have no written discharge. I was born in S. Kingstown & have always lived here since & have record except that in Bible. Sworn to & subscribed to the day and year aforesaid - Sand Perkins.
NB I was on duty seven tours -a tour was about 20 days - besides the time (4 months) in repairing arms & the time (13 days) spent at occasional [illegible] - 8 months and 33 days.
Page 7

[vertical note: "record the time (13 days"]
South Kingstown Sep 3rd AD 1832 We Elisha R Potter Esq residing in the Town of South Kingstown and John Clarke residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Sands Perkins who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; 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. Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid. Elisha R Potter John G Clarke.

And the said court except John G Clarke Chief Justice & witness do hereby declare their opinion, after 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 the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Elisha R Potter of said South Kingstown who has signed the preceeding certificate is a resident in said town and that John G Clarke Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town & near neighbor, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Ezbon Samford JCC Pleas
Sworn to Sept 3rd 1832 in open court witness Sam Helme Clk

I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions of Peace do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Sands Perkins for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, the Eighth day of September AD 1832. Sam Helme Clk. [seal affixed to left side]
Page 8

The next alarm was when the British Frigate "Lyren" had on shore on the point. We marched down & as we had no cannon she chose not to strike, untill Col. Lands of the militia brot an eighteen pounder a few salutes from which made the boys strike. 
While we were waiting for cannon - they probably put on board their boat all their most valuable things, steered toward Newport, & after a sufficient lapse of time a ship came out to their rescue, came up within cannon shot, fired a ball which struck the water a few rods from the ship and returned, seeing the collection on shore to receive her. Col Lands claimed the capture - after the prisoners were got out a number of us stacked arms & went on board to clear the ship. On my return to shore my gun was missing I never  saw it afterwards. Sometime after the capture was settled I recd seven dollars for it which was about the value of one dollar. 
We were again called to this place to escort Col Laurens who we concluded wanted information from Newport. The enemy next landed again in Point Judith to take off stock. We again proceeded to the Point. First I was so close upon them that they left one ox with rope upon his horns and one man had his leg amputated from being shattered with a ball. The enemy took off two farmers Robert Champlain & Josiah Clarke & carried them to Newport. Next we were called to guard [illegible] Beach. While there we made signal to a sloop coming in from sea. The [illegible] into the west passage put out her boat & we sent her a pilot who run her on shore on the beach. thus saving her from the enemy. she not knowing they were in Newport. This was from [illegible]. We afterwards kept guard at the Col. Garner house so called, bu the Bonnett & Old pier.
Next Col Christopher Green & Major Thayer came to the village with a plan to take the fort on Jamestown. We with some difficulty crossed the ferry in the night. At break of day started [words maybe missing from torn page] a ship that lay in the bay up the river with our cannon that she might impede our return & brot one of the enemy sentries off with us when we left. *Afterwards we were called to go on the Island with Genrl Sullivan - arrived at Howland's Ferry.. Gen Glover's Brigade took the lead. Gen Varnum's followed - next Lafayette and his suite.

* A few days afterwards we were called again to the South Ferry to repel the enemy who had landed at the North ferry come down and spiked our cannon & took off Benj Gardner & Caleb [illegible] with them to Newport.
Page 9

[crossed out text at top of page]
[Stamped: "Rejected"]

8117.
PO Sands Perkins
Service: [blank], 18
Enlisted: [blank], 18
Discharged: [blank], 18
Application filed: [blank], 18
Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [blank]
Attorney: [blank]
P.O. [blank]
[blank]Recognized. [blank] Contra
[blank] Cert. of Dis. Searched for [blank], 18
Page 10

Sands Perkins
Act 7 June 1832
Rhode Island
Rejected 7 Augt 1833
[illegible] letter to Asa Potter [illegible]
Page 11

Supplementary Affidavit of Sands Perkins for Pension To Accompany Declaration No. 10976
Page 12

Washington jc. South Kingstown R.I. May 11th A.D. 1833
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the town of South Kingstown in said county of Washington Sands Perkins who being duly sworn deposeth and says that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades
In the year 1775{I served as Armorer by order of Col. Moses Barbar.} 4 months
In the year 1776 {I served one tour of 20 days as private - and 10 days as sergeant} 1 month
In the year 1777 I served as Sergeant 1 mo. 15 days
In the year 1778 I served as Sergeant 1 mo. 20 d.
& none I think as near as I am able to recollect the two following years
In the year 1781 I served as Sergeant 25 days
_______
9 months
under the officers and in the manner stated in my declaration and for this service I claim a pension. I am not acquainted with any clergyman in my vicinity who can testify to this knowledge and belief in my neighborhood to my having been a soldier of the Revolutionary war but at the time of making out my application referred the Court to Hon Elisha R Potter Esq and John G Clarke Esq who were accepted by the court and subscribed the certificate annexed to my declaration but omitted to make an excuse in writing not knowing that it was  necessary so to do.
[signed: "Sands Perkins"]
Washington Fc. South Kingstown May 11 1883
Personally appeared before me the above subscriber Sands Perkins and after being duly examined, cautioned & sworn made oath to the truth of his affidavit annexed which was reduced to writing in his presence and by him subscribed in my presence and I further certify that the said affidavit is entitled to full and implicit credit. John T Nichols Just Peace
Page 13

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Washington SC Clerks office Court Common Pleas & General Sessions of the Peace I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Courts Aforesaid do hereby certify that John J Nichols Esq whose certificate is hereto prefixed is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of South Kingstown in the County of Washington legally chosen by the General Assembly commissioned by the Governor and otherwise duly qualified that full faith and credit ought to be given to his attestation throughout the United States of America. In testimony hereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Courts aforesaid this eleventh day of May 1833 [signed: "Sam Helme Clk"]
Page 14

Sands Perkins for Pension (No 10.976)
Page 15

I William C Clarke of South Kingstown in the County of Washington being duly sworn on oath do testify & say that I knew of Sands Perkins being in the service of the Revolution a considerable part of the time that I was, & I was in the service from two to three years. The precise time that he served & the particular "tours of duty" in which he was employed I am unable to state but know that he was in Newport in the servie in Aug 1781 when the French left the island to go and take Cornwallis & that I am seventy six years of age. William Cole Clarke

Washington SC. South Kingstown Sep 2, 1832 Personally appeared before me William C Clark subscriber to the above written affidavit & made solemn oath to the truth of the same, after being first duly sworn. John G Clarke Chief Jus Court of Comm Pl.

Washington Sc. State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Clerks Office of the Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Washington. I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court aforesaid do certify that John G Clarke Esq. whose signature is here annexed is a Judge Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Washington legally chosen & qualified as the law requires & that full faith & credit ought to be given to his certificate throughout the United States of America. I also certify that the Seal here impressed is the true seal of the court aforesaid. I further certify that the above signature is the proper signature of John G Clarke & in his own hand writing. Dated at South Kingstown this 3d day of September A.D. 1832 Sam Helme Clk of the Court
Page 16

Washington Sc. In South Kingstown Sep 3 1832
We Elisha R Potter & John G Clarke both of South Kingstown in the county of Washington do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Sands Perkins of said South Kingstown who has subscribed & sworn to the annexed declaration, that we believe him to be as old as he has stated, to wit, seventy five years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he lives to. 
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid

Washington SC Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, (one of the Justices or Judges of the Court of Common Pleas) for said county of Washington on the day & year aforesaid the above subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above statement by them subscribed.

(The substance of the above page is attached to the declaration.)

[vertically in bottom right: "Sands Perkins for pension (N. 10976)"]
Page 17

Sands Perkins [illegible] 10,976
Page 18

[There are two large "X"s over the entire text on this page]

And I the said Judge or Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Washington in the state of Rhode Island, do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the said Sands Perkins whose application is hereto annexed was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he stated And I also certify that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of the Sands Perkins who has any knowledge of the service he rendered in the Revolutionary War and that who have signed the preceding certificate are both residents of South Kingstown & are credible persons & their statement entitled to credit & that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Perkins application.
Page 19

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES FORM VAM-51 12-3-41 BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME Perkins, Theodore GRADE Sergeant LINE Massachusetts

WARRANT NUMBER 4803 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Mar 15, 1798 to --Not Shown --

* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.