Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 21,783, Benjamin Greene, Conn. R.I
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn
R.I.
Greene, Benjamin
or
Green
NUMBER
S 21.783
CONTENTS
[blank]
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10.411. -
10411 Rhode Island
Benjamin Green of Coventry in the State of R. I. who was a Sergeant in the Comp'y  commanded by Captain Traffin of the Reg't commanded by Colo Topham in the R. I. line for 
6 Months Sergeant
1 [Month] Corporal
17 [Months] Private
Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of 90 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of February
1834 and Sent to Hono. Tristam Burges H. R. 
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 $225.[illegible]
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar $45.[illegible]
[total] $270.[illegible]
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk
Book E Vol. 2 Page 111
This Certificate issued in lieu of one dated Apr 6th 1833. Cancelled
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State of Rhode Island &c.
County of Kent sc. } Court of Common Pleas August Term AD 1832.
On this Twenty first day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting Benjamin Green, a resident of Coventry in the County of Kent and State aforesaid, aged Seventy one years, who being 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 7th 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he was born the second day of September AD 1760 at said Coventry and he has always had his home and resided there ever since. That he has no Record of his birth - That he enlisted in September 1776 and served three Months on Rhode Island in a Company commanded by Capt Reuben Whitman in Col. John Cook's Regiment, and returned home in December following and was immediately [drafted crossed through] called to the Shore at East Greenwich and served there under Capt. Benjamite Green about fifteen or sixteen days until a draft took place in January 1777. He then returned home with part of the Company. That he was drafted and served at said East Greenwich in the capacity of Sergeant for the term of one Month from the fore part of March to the fore part of April of the same year under the said Capt. Benj'ite Green. That he was again drafted and served one Month in May 1777 at the Shore in North Kingstown under, as he thinks, Capt. J. Draper, in the capacity of Sergeant, and quartered at Deacon Jonathan Allens. That he was again drafted and served one Month in said North Kingston in July and August 1777 under Capt
[continued]
Page 4

Capt. Langford Weaver, that he was a corporal of said Company at this time and quartered at George Whitman's.
That he served in August and September of the same year one month under Lieutenant Abel Bennett, as a Sergeant, in the Senior Class at said North Kingstown in the room of his father, who hired him for said term. That in October 1777, he was drafted and served one Month under Capt Benedict Colvin at Tiverton in General Spencer's Expedition. That he was drafted and served under Capt. Wm Roy at East Greenwich as a Sergeant one Month in January 1778. That in the Month of March AD 1778, he was drafted and served as a Sergeant under Capt Benedict Colvin and quartered in the house of Thomas Casey at East Greenwich. That in the Month of May AD 1778, he served one Month in the Senior Class at said East Greenwich as a Substitute for his father under Capt Samuel Wall and quartered at the Freeborn house.
That he afterwards enlisted into the States Service in the Company commanded by Capt. Traffen in Col. Topham's Regiment and served therein from the sixth day of June 1778 to the sixteenth day of March 1779, being nine months and ten days and was stationed the most of the time at Tiverton and went on to Rhode Island in Sullivan's Expedition, and was in the battle on Quaker's Hill so called - That he enlisted in Pomfret in the State of Connecticut in June 1780 for six months and went and joined the Continental Army at Nelson's Point on the east side of Hudson River, North of Peekskill in Major Cleft's Company in Col. Willis Regiment, General Parson's Brigade in the Connecticut line, we went to Peekskill, crossed said River at Kings Ferry into New Jersey, remained there until fall of the year; returned across the River and were discharged in December 1780 after serving said term of six months. That he has no documentary evidence or discharge.
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He 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.
[signature] Benj'in Greene
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9373
Benjamin Green
Coventry R I 
Reviewed and admitted for
6mo Sergeant
1- Corporal
17mo private
Cap Traffin Colo Topham
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And the said Court do hereby declare their 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 the Court further states that Charles Greene, James Greene & John Whitman whose affidavits are annexed are credible Men, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I John Brown Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Greene for a pension - In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & seal of office this 23 day of August AD 1832
[signature] John Brown Clerk
[seal affixed to left]
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I James Green of Coventry in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that I lived with my father in said Coventry in the year 1780 and that I was knowing to my brother Benjamin Green's being absent from home in the Summer and fall of that year, and returned home in the beginning of Winter. And I understood, at the time that, he was in the Continental Service during his absence from home, and that he enlisted in the Connecticut line - [signature] James Greene
Kent sc Court of Common Pleas August Term AD 1832
Sworn to in open Court the third day of said Term
Witness John Brown Clk
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I John Whitman of Coventry in the County of Kent, do hereby certify that I served three months as a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Capt. Reuben Whitman in Col. John Cook's Regiment of State troops, on Rhode Island in the fall of the year 1776 and that Benjamin Green of said Coventry Esquire was a soldier in said Company and served therein for the said Term of time.
[signature] John Whitman
Kent sc. Court of Common Pleas August Term AD 1832
Sworn to in open Court the second day of the Term
Witness John Brown. Clk
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I Charles Greene of Coventry in the County of Kent and State of Rhode-Island - now a pensioner of the revolution - Testify and say that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Greene of said Coventry he was born September 1760 - in said town of Coventry he served one month in Captain Benjamite Greenes Company at East Greenwich, part of March and a part of April 1777 - he was a sergeant in said Company during the term, this was in the Militia Service on a draft - in the revolutionary War.
One month he served on a draft, on the shore in North Kingston, part in the month of May & June same year - this was under Captain Joseph Draper - Quartered at Deacon Jon'a Allens he was a Sergeant this term - he served one month as a Corporal under Capt Langford Weaver in said North Kingston, this was in July and August same year, Quartered at Col. Geo. Whitmans house - he served one Month under Capt. Benedict Colvin at Tiverton in October 1777 in General Spencers Expedition -he served one Month under Capt. William Roy at East Greenwich in January 1778 - a Sergeant in said Company - and Quartered in the Medbury house -
he served one month at said East Greenwich in March 1778 under Captain Benedict Colvin, a Sergeant in said Company and Quartered in Thomas Caseys house
he enlisted in the State service in Captain Traffins Company in Col. Tophams Regiment and served therein from the sixth day of June 1778 to the sixteenth day of March 1779 - being nine months and ten days and was most of the time stationed at Tivertown, and went onto Rhode Island in Sullivans Expedition and was in the battle on Quaker hill so called - Afterwards the report in the neighbourhood at that time, was that he was enlisted into the continental service, and he was absent from home six months or thereabout - 
I myself was in the service all these tours excepting his absence from home - whereby I know he did the service to which I have stated above - 
[signature] Charles Greene
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Kent sc. State of Rhode Island sc. Coventry August 18-1832
The within Deposition was subscribed and sworn to before me and I certify that the Deponant is a man in whom all confidence ought to be placed as to truth.
Anthony Tarbox Just. Peace
Kent sc. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks office Court of Common Pleas.
I certify that the above signed Anthony Tarbox is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Coventry in our said County that it is his proper signature in his own hand writing - and that full faith & credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 21st day of August AD 1832 at East Greenwich
[signature] John Brown Clk
[note along left margin] Testimony of Charles Greene for Benjamin Greene
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State of New York
Otsego County ss. Wardwill Green of Richfield in said county of Otsego aged Seventy four years being duly sworn deposeth and saith that in the year 1780 he this deponent was acquainted with Benjamin Green then of the town of Coventry in the State of Rhode Island and that in June 1780 the said Benjamin Green enlisted for six months as did also this deponent to be numbered in Captain Cliffs Company Colonel Willis's Regt. General Parson's Brigade Connecticut line Marched to the State of New York that the said Benjamin Green served in said Connecticut Reg. & was engaged for the Term of his enlistment as said also this deponent, in the State of New Jersey and New York and was discharged in December 1780 at West Point near the Highlands in the State of New York and further this deponent saith not.
[signature] Wardwill Green
State of New York 
Otsego County } ss. I Horace Lathrop Clerk of said County do certify that John H. Benedict before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said County & that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit is the proper hand writing of the said Justice & Signature. Witness my hand & seal of office this 2nd day of Oct'r 1832
[signature] Horace Lathrop
by L K Corg Dep'n
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No. 9373
Benjamin Green of Coventry R. I.
Private 20 Mo. 25 Days

papers not properly authenticated
Nov 19 1832

reviewed and extended
6 Sergeant
1 month Corporal
17 Private
[to the left of above] $69.44

Hon. Tristam Burges 
H. R.

[crossed through: Nathan Whiting] Coventry R.I. East Greenwich R.I.]
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Brief in the case of Benjamin Green of the County of Kent in the State of Rhode Island.
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court.
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? * 1780 June - 6 Col. Willis & Major Cleft. Genl. Parsons - 
3. How old is he? 71 years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[Start of Table]
[Column Headings] / Period. / Duration of Service. / Rank. / Names of General and field Officers under whom he served. / 
[Line 1] / In 1776 Sept. / 8 months / As a Private / Gen. Col. Cooke Capt. Whitman / 
[Line 2] / [1776] Dec. / 15 Days / Drafted / Capt. Green / 
[Line 3] / 1777 March / 1 month Sergeant / [illegible] drafted / Same / 
[Line 4] / 1777 May / 1 month [illegible] / do / Capt. Draper / 
[Line 5] / 1777 July / 1 month Corporal / Corporal / Capt. Langford. /

[Line 6] / 1777 Aug't / substitute 1 month Sergeant / Sergeant / Lt. Bennett /
[Line 7] / 1777 Oct. / 1 month private / drafted / Capt. Colvin / 
[Line 8] / 1778 Jan'y / 1 month Sergeant / do [drafted] / Capt. Roy /
[Line 9] / 1778 March / 1 month ditto [Sergeant] / do [drafted] / Capt. Colvin / 
[Line 10] / 1778 May / 9 months private 10 days / [blank] / Capt. Wall /
[Line 11] / * June 1780 / 6 months private / [blank] / Col. Topham, Capt. Traffin / 
[End of Table]
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Coventry R.I. Pomfret Ct.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the [illegible]? Living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [blank]
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt
Examining Clerk
3.15 private
16- private
6 m Sergeant
1m Corporal
allowed
6m Sergeant
1 m Corporal
17 month private
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O.W. and N. Division.
3-525.
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., [blank], 190[blank]
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of [blank] a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Benjamin Green S. File 21.783
[Table follows]
[Column Headings] / Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. / Length of Service. / Rank. / Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered. / State. /
[Line 1] / 1776 / 3 1/2 mos / [blank] / Capt. Reuben Whitman, Capt. Benjamin Greene. Col. John Cook / RI. /
[Line 2] / 1777 / 5 mos / Corpl & Sgt / Capt Benjamin Greene, Capt. Joseph Draper, Capt Langford Weaver, Capt. Benedict Colvin / RI / 
[Line 3] / 1778 / 3 mos / Sgt. / Capt. William Roy, Capt. Benedict Greene, Capt. Samuel Wall / RI / 
[Line 4] / June 6, 1778 / 9 mos 18 das / [check mark] / Capt. Traffen / RI / 
[Line 5] / June 1780 / 6 mos / [check mark]  / Capt. Clift. Col. Wyllys / Conn /
[End of Table]
Battles engaged in, Spencer's Expedition to R.I. and battle of Quakers Hill
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Coventry, Kent Co. RI.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 21, 1832 - His cl. was [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Coventry, R.I.
Age at date of application, b. Coventry, R.I. Sept. 2, 1760.
Remarks: d. Jan. 8 1842
Very respectfully, Commissioner.
31793b5m1c-07
R,I, 10.411 from L.B.
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I Pardon Tillinghast of East Greenwich in the County of Kent, a Clergyman, aged Sixty two years, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Benedict Green of Coventry in the County of Kent Esquire; the applicant for a pension, That I believe him to be Seventy one years of age; That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and in their opinion I concur - 
[signature] Pardon Tillinghast
State of Rhode Island &c. County of Kent sc. }
Subscribed and Sworn to by the above named Pardon Tillinghast at said East Greenwich this 30th day of November 1832 and I hereby certify - that the deponent is a Clergyman of good standing at said East Greenwich - 
Witness Jos J Tillinghast
Just C C Pleas
Kent sc. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Joseph J. Tillinghast is a Justice of said Court, that the above is his proper signature in his own hand writing
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office at East Greenwich this thirtieth day of November in the year 1832
[signature] John Brown Clk
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January 22nd 1911.
To the Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.
Will you be good enough to send me the war record of two of my ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War.
[in the margin] S 21867
Thomas Sisson of Westerly, Rhode Island, whose name is on the pension roll of 1840.
Benjamin Green of Coventry, Rhode Island, who, I find, served as a private in 1776 and as sergeant in 1777, '78 and '80.
I should very much appreciate an early reply.
(Miss) Lillian A. Polter.
92 Adelaide Ave.
Providence,
Rhode Island
[in left margin] S 21783
Greene
[circular date stamp] Record Division JAN 24 1911
[faint circular date stamp] U.S. Pension Office Jan 24 1911
[faint stamped date illegible]
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Revolution
21783
Invalid.
File No. 21.783
Benjamin Green
Serg Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 160
[Arrangement of 1870.]
[facing page]
Feby 28, 1903
Miss F. E. Polter
Pawtucket R. I.
1911, Jan. 22
Miss Lillian A. Polter
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Honorable Tristam Burgess [Burges] Esqr. Rep'tive in Congress
Washington City
[stamped] FREE
[circular postal stamp] East Greenwich RI  Feb 7
Page 20

East Greenwich Feby 7th 1834.
Dear Sir,
You will confer a favor on our friend Benj'n Green Esqr by presenting the enclosed Certificate to the War Department, and procuring another, which you will please to forward to me as early as possible. The Commissioner of Pensions has given assurances of augmenting the [illegible] of Judge Green.
I am Sir your most Humble Servant
[signature] Nathan Whiting
Hon'le Tristam Burgess Esqr
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B. Green
Payments to be made at Providence R I by The Pry [illegible] B Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of R. I.
Canceled
Feb. 17th 1834
G.T.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E. Vol. 2nd Page 111 by J. H. McBlair Clerk.
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War Department.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Benjamin Green of the State of Rhode Island who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution. is entitled to receive Sixty nine dollars and Forty four cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Sixth day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
[signature] Lew Cass
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. } J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
[seal affixed left]
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State of New York
Oneida County ss }
Peleg Havens of Westmoreland in said County of Oneida aged 71 being duly Sworn Says that in the year 1780 he this deponent was well acquainted with Benjamin Green then of the town of Coventry in the State of Rhode Island & that In June 1780 he knew that the Said Benjamin Green Enlisted for Six months Mustered in Capt Cliffs Co. Colonel Wyllis Regt Gen Parsons Brigade Ct. line Marched to West Point N.Y. that this deponent enlisted & marched with him & served with him six months in the State of N.Y. & New Jersey & was discharged in Dec. 1780 at the Highlands N.Y.
And further that he always understood & verily believed that the Said Benjamin Green did also Serve in the Militia at other times during the revolutionary War & particularly at the
[continued]
Page 24

times Gen. Sullivan was driven from Newport Rhode Island and further Says not 
[signature] Peleg Havens
Sworn & Subscribed this 26th day of Sept. 1832
Before Me
J. Pond Justice of the Peace
State of New York
Clerk's Office Oneida County ss. I George Brown Clerk of said County do hereby Certify that J. Pond Esq. before whom the within affidavit purports to have been taken & Sworn; was at the date of the same, One of the Justices of Peace In and for Said County and that I was well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name Subscribed to be Genuine.
Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 26th day of September A.D. 1832
[signature] Geo. Brown Clk
[seal affixed left]
Page 25

10411
Rhode Island
Benjamin Green of Coventry in the State of RI who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain [illegible] of the regt commanded by Col Cook in the RI line for 20 Mos 25 Days
Inscribed on the Roll of R I at the rate of 69 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of April AD 1833 and sent Nathan Whiting E Greenwich RI
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $138.88
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " 34.72
[total] $173.60
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. McBlair Clerk, Book E, Vol. 2nd Page 111.
[left facing page]
Letter 23 Dec 1833 to Hon T Burges