Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32777, Richard Greene, Mass.
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Mass
Greene, Richard
Green
S 32777
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Suspended [illegible] letter to Seth Wheaton [illegible} agent   Aug. 29, 1821

[illegible] sent August 23rd, 1821
B. Crowell Providence, Rhode Island



9,439
Rhode-Island
Richard Greene, 4 of N. Providence in the state of R. Island who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Nixon, of the Massachusetts line, for the term of three years.
 
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island, at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on 22, of June, 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16, of April, [illegible] and sent to Benjamin Cowell, Providence, Rhode Island.

Arrears to the 4th of March, 1819.      67.43.
Sei-anl. all'ce ending 4, Sept. 1819      48"
                                                          $:115.43

8 mo.s 9
            30
        x   4
            31.
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Richard Greene
N. Providence, R.I. Priv:

Judges certificate as to claimants inargent circumstances idarting.  [ this sentence has an X over it]

Also, as to his belief of [illegible] of applicant.

Nixon's of 6th Mass. Regt.

1781 for 3 years
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Richard Greene of North Providence in the 
District of Rhode Island, being now about forty eight years old on solemn oath so declare and say that in the year 1781 - being then only about fifteen years of age - I enlisted as a private soldier in Capt. Howards Company of the sixth Massachusetts regiment but was soon afterwards transferred to Capt Smith, company of fourth regiment of the Massachusetts line which regiment was of the army of the United States on the continental establishment - In which service I continued three years, this next following being the time for which I enlisted which I was honorably discharged by General Knox at West Point in the state of New York, - which - which disharge is hereto annexed - I further declare that I am now in reduced circumstances &now in need of the assistance of my Country for support, Richard Greene
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Be it remembered that on this 22d day of June 1818, come before me the within named Richard Greene and made solemn oath to the truth of the within declaration by him submitted in writing whereof I have [illegible] set my hand and have caused the seal of the Court to be hereto affixed.    David Howell

Rhode Island District 2 April 1819. Hon. Service at War.

Richard Greene above named appearing to me a proper object of the provision of the pension act of 18 March, 1818 - in regards both his military service and his poverty.  David Howell District Judge.
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Richard Greene
9439
Sept. 1819

B. Cowell, Esq
Providence R.I.
23 April 1821
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United States of America.
Rhode Island District.
Providence, sc.   District Court, Special Term, June Fifth A.D. 1820

On this Fifth day of June, 1820, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of record within and for said District, Richard Greene, aged 53 years, residing in the town of North Providence in said District & County who being first duly sworn to law, doth on his oath declare, that he serviced in the Revolutionary War as follows: That he serviced three years in Col Sprouts & Col Jacksons regiments of the Massachusetts Line that he made a previous declaration on the 22nd day of Aug 1818, and that he received a certificate of a pension, being No. 9437 And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have no since that time, by gift, sale, or in manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of Marcy, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; that I have not, nor any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.  Richard Greene

x wife Mary aged 42 years, Gilbert aged 15, Franklin aged 13, Thomas aged 11 & Charles aged7 years
 
Rhode Island District  District Court

Sworn to and declared in open Court on the Fifth day of June, 1820 before David Howell District Judge

Rhode Island District. $5
Clerk's Office of the District Court, A.D. 182
I, Benjamin Cowell, Clerk of said Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of said Court; and I do further certify, t it is the opinion of said Court, that the amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is five dollars and. I testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this Twentieth, day of July 1820
Benjamin Cowell Clerk of said court.
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Lucinda Parlow
Depositions
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Plymouth [illegible]  I Lucindia Parlow of Rochester in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts, Wife of Mes Parlow, one Solomon & as this do testify & say that Richard Greene who is now present before me, is my brother, we are both the Children of Ephraim Greene, our father, who died in the year 1781. My said Brother after the war was over settled in said Rochester and married his first wife, then, the afterward, some few years ago he remove'd with his family to North Providence, in the State of Rhode Island and where I have understood, he made application for a pension [illegible] the army & receve'd until he was discharged & then returned home. - I know he left home to go in the army, & Returned home after he received his discharge. - I have [illegible]the [illegible] his discharge in which was not honorable one. = my Brother was about 19 years old when he entered the army.    Rochester December 14th, 1822
Lucindia Parlow     

Plymouth December 14th 1822
I have personally appear'd the above [illegible] Lucinda Parlow, & I [illegible] to the above disposition by her signe'd. I further certify that the said Lucinda Parlow is personally known to me, & is a credible witness, in the [illegible] sworn to before
Nathaniel Ruggles, Justs of Peace
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Richard Greene
widowed
Recd April 29, 1826
for transfer
Mr. B. Thomas Esq
Plymouth Massachusetts

Mesr. James Barber
[illegible]
Washington
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Application for a Transfer of a Pension from one State to another, must be made the Secretary of War

Plymouth County SS
On this tenth day of April 1826, before me, the [illegible] a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth. Richard Greene formally affirmed with his oath, declaring that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Howard in his regimented commanded by Colonel Smith in hi service of the United States. Until his name was included within pension roll of the State of Rhode Island from which he has lately resided, however now residing the State of Massachusetts, where he wishes to remain and wanting his pension to be [illegible] in future illegible] 
Richard Greene
Sworn and submitted to before me this day by his appearance.
Nathaniel Ruggles Justice of Peace

Note This oath to testament before a duly qualified Magistrate whose affirmed character & signature must be properly authenticated-
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Plymouth SS    I John B Thomas petition of this Judicial Court for the County of Plymouth certify, that Nathaniel Ruggles Esq is a Justice of the Peace for said County acting under the authority of said Commonwealth & that the signature to the authentication of the deposition is the true signature of said Justice
Jno B Thomas
[seal affixed]
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deposition of R. Foot
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I Robert Foot of Rochester in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts in Solemn oath do testify & say, that I was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War. I serv'd during the war, & for my services I have rec'd a pention. - and I further testify & say that I am personally acquainted with Richard Greene, who some time since remove'd from Rochester, to North - Providence, Rhode Island & who is now present before me, & said Richard, was in the same Regiment with me, for a number of years - After the war was over I and Richard settled in said Rochester & married his first wife there & continued to live there until he moved to North Providence - I have been formally acquainted with said Richard Greene, forwards of forty years & cannot be mistaken. - and I have understood his Fathers name was Ephraim. And I know of no other Richard Greene but the above mentioned Rochester December 2, 1822 Robert Foot.

Plymouth December 2nd, 1822
Personally appeared before me the above named Robert Foot & made solemn oath to the truth of the above disposition by having signed - And I further certify that said informant is well known to me & he is a credible witness & [ & his testimony understood in the [illegible]
Taken before me Nathaniel Ruggles Just of Peace
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Greene, Richard
Mass. S3277

Blanks discharge for Greene and Notes from Captain Haskell stating to
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By The Honourable
Major-General Knox,
Commanding the American Forces on Hudson's River.
Richard Greene soldier in the fourth Massachusetts Regiment, being inlisted for Three Years, is hereby honourably discharged from the Service of the United States.
Given in the State of New York the fifth Day of January 1784 By the General's Command, Knox [illegible]
Registered in the Books of the Regiment
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Honorable John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Washington

Rec'd 16 September, 1822
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Restore Richard Greene's name to the R. Island Revo. Roll, and inform the Agent, Mr. B. Cowell, of Providence, R.I. thereof.
23 Jan 1823
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Massachusetts 9.4.39
[[Rhode Island strike through]]
Richard Greene,
of N. Providence, in the State of R. Island, who was a private in the [[blank space]] commanded by Captain [[blank space]] of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Nixon in the Massachusetts line, for the term of three years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at a rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 22d of June 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16, April 1819 and sent to Benjn Cowell, Providence R.I.

Arrears to 4th of March 1819 semi anl. all'ce ending Sept 1819.

$67"43
  48"00
$115'43

8 mos 9 30 & 4 31

Revolutionary claim Acts March 18, 1818

Certificate sent out 23, April 1821 to Benjamin Cowell Providence, R.I.
Suspension removed 23 January 1823 - sent letter to pensioner agent & Benjn Cowell
Discharge copied & sent to {illegible} Holmes, Rochester, Mass. July 24, 34
one [illegible] & discharge copy sent to R. Baldwin, Boston, May 3, 1845
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Providence, Jan 7 1823

Sir
I have recently recd a letter from you, through [illegible] Knight of the U.S. Senate, stating that the pension of Richard Green had been suspended in consequence of information communicated by Seth Wheaton agent for paying pensioners in this District, and that he had been directed to obtain the testimony of the persons who informed him of the fraud said to have been committed by Greene -

I have called on Col. Wheaton to know what testimony he has and he said [illegible] he has no evidence whatever. he says it was [illegible] that Mr Greene has made use of his fathers papers & from some circumstances he thought the repeat might be true - take some pains to trace this report and find that originated in a wanton bet between individuals in the vilage where Greene lived after his removal into this State, that he could not be old enough to have served in the Rev War
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This I am satisfied was the foundation of the report and the consequence has been, that Mr Greene has been put to the trouble of proving his innocence, even his identify of existence from his birth to the present day

In addition to the testimony already transmitted by me to this pension office I hencewith enclose two more dispositions proving that this same Richar Greene was the identical man who served in the war & The fact is he was very young when he entered the army & entered it at the close of the war & he has now a very young look for one of his age - but that he was the man who serviced, as his discharge man in the pension office knows there cannot be the least doubt - I do hope his pension may not be withheld any longer as he is a poor man [illegible] and in the winter season has but very little employment.

I am respectfully your most [illegible] Benj Cowell
JL Edwards Esq
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Providence 10 Sept 1822

Sir
Sometime ago, I think last January I had the honor to forward to the War Department some documents related to on Richard Greene, a pensioner under the acts of Congress of 18 March1818 and May 1 1820, - whose pension I understood was stoped in consequence of some intimations made at the pension office that he had obtained his pension by fraud by making use of his fathers papers - Whose documents most clearly & explicitly found that those intimations were without the least foundation - they were the deposition of his former neighbors when he lived in Massachusetts & among them was the deposition of Major Haskell now living in or near Charleston S.C. a man as I understand of of the most unblemished character
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and who was an officer in the same regiment with said Greene. I have written once or twice since they were transmitted but have not as yet any answer although a long time has elapsed- On his behalf I request to know whether those documents have been examined. If he is innocent of the charges alleged against him his pension ought not to be withheld if he is guilty I have not a word to say in his favor but his service and identity of person was well established by the depositions that I cannot myself doubt of his innocence in this respect -

I am most respectfully your able servant
Benjn Cowell

Hon. J. Calhoun
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Office B. U. F. Providence
January 6, 1823

J.L. Edwards Esq

Sir
Your letter of the 28th ult. came duly [illegible]; since the receipt thereof I have considered the subject, & think it will be impracticable to pursue the course you have prescribed as to the taking of depositions. I find on further inquiry, the information given was forward on the supposition that Greene was too you to have served in the War of the Revolution, and it was generally considered he must have personated his father or some relative. At the time he presented himself to receive his pension, after your direction to strike his name from the roll, his youthful appearance & other causes induced me to interrogate him on the subject; his answers were that he was born in Brookfield, County of Worcester of Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was 48 years old in June 1821: that he was enlisted by the town of Charlemont in said County of Worcester in the spring of the year
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1782, & served as a waiter to Major Elnathan Haskell in Col. Sprouts Regt & that he did not perform any other service, that he was discharged in the winter of 1783 at West Point; that his father was named Ephraim Greene and died in the year 1782 & never was in the army.
Enclosed is the disposition of Nathl. Haskell & a certificate from the town clerk of Brookfield which corroborate in some manner the forgoing. Major Haskell now resides in Charleston S.C., from him the fact as to the kind of service performed by Greene may be easily obtained.
I am with great respect your [illegible[ servant Seth Wheaton Providence
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Rochester Ms
July 7      free

Rd. Greene

Act 1818

J.L. Edward Esq.
[illegible] copies of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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Rochester Mass  July 7, 1834

J.L. Edwards Esq.

Sir, Among the papers forwarded by Richard Green to obtain a pension under the law of 1818. was his discharge from the service. That paper is important to him to make good his claim for land under a Resolve of the General Court of Massachusetts. If you would be so kind as to transmit it as an certified copy of it to me as to service, it would most oblige him. He want of it has taken to prevent his obtaining land bounty to which he is entitled.
I am respectfully your able servant JL Homes.

P.S. I add, [illegible} would probably [illegible], I accept at this request.
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Nathaniel Ruggles Esq.
Rochester via Boston
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Charleston 15th Oct. 1821

Sir
I have received your letter of the 29th ult. requesting me to give all the information in my power resecting the revolutionary services of Richard Green.
Unfortunately my company books and all others which could give accurate information on this subject lent during the last war and have been mislaid or destroyed.  It is not to be supposed after a lapse of nearly forty years a man can remember names or transactions of daily occurrence unless from a record.
I fear the information required by law to intitle a soldier to be put on the pension list is not in my power to give. I will however state to the best of my recollection what I
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recollect. Richard Green was a solider in the war of the Revolution in the Regt. in which I serviced, and I think in my Company, inlisted for three years or during the war & was regularly and honourably discharged.
He served me part of the time as a waiter or servant. The man I mean was of middle stature of the State of Massachusetts & resided immediately after the war in the Town of Rochester where I saw him.
To this I am ready to make oath if it is requisite.

I am sir your most able servant.
E. Haskell

Nathl. Ruggles, Esq.
Rochester, M.A.
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Personally appeared before me E. Haskell and made oath that the foregoing relative to Richard Green to the best of his recollection is just & true: Charleston S. Carolina Octo. 17, 1821
Sworn before me this 17th. day of October 1821
Thomas Morris [illegible}
and
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J.L. Edwards Esqur.
Pension Office
Washington
ansd. Aug. 29, 1821
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Office of Dinount & Depont
Providence Aug. 25th 1821
Sir
You letter of the 20th inst. with the accompanying documents was received this morning. It has been stated to me recently that Richard Green (whose name is returned as having complied with the act of the 1st of May 1820) obtained the certificate for his Pension fraudulently; having used the papers belonging to his deceased Father. When last paid, May 20th 1820, his appearance was such as induced me to inquire his age; his reply was, about 48; that he served as a waiter with Col. Sprout. He appeared an able bodied man, and had just returned from Savannah, where he had laboured during the winter and spring as a Bricklayer; I did not believe him so old as he represented himself

Under these circumstances I shall wait your instructions, and not pay without further orders. 
I have the honour to be very respectfully yours.
Seth Wheaton, Prov

John C Calhoun Esqr.
Secretary of War
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March 15, 1845
Copy due
Richard Green.
Mr. Wilson
James L. Edwards Esqr.
Comm. of Pensions
Washington.
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Fairhaven Bristol County Masstts.
March 8th, 1845

Sir,
Will you have the goodness to furnish me with a copy of the Declaration of Richard Green, and of the accompanying documents which were forwarded by him as proof in support of his claim to a Pension under the Act of Congress of the 18th March 1818. Said Richard Green is one of the Plymouth County Pensioners undersaid Act; and alleges that his original discharge was forwarded with his other papers. He has employed me, as you will [illegible] to claim the State Gratuity of $50. to which he is entitled, and a copy of the documents referred to, are necessary as proof in support of his said claim. Which copy of synopsis thereof, I hope may be forwarded to me at Boston Massachusetts, accompanied by the enclosed papers.

 Very respectfully yours I am your obedient servant
Rueben Baldwin

James L. Edwards, Esqu.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington.
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Providence 16th January 1822

Sir
By request of Richard Greene, who has heretofore been a pensioner on the Rhode Island agency herewith forward to the pension office, the enclosed depositions - said Richards pension was duly granted & recei'd under the law of March 18 1818 and afterwards under the law of May 1, 1820, but in consequences of some suggestion of fraud of his having made use of his fathers papers in obtaining his pension, his pension has since been denied him - The enclosed depositions clearly prove that those suggestions were totally false & would  have been made with no other view, than to injure him -
The deposition of William Parlow proves the identify of his person as well as his services in the Revolutionary War - The deposition of Lucinda Parlow proves that his fathers name was Ephraim who was never in the army, while that of Major Haskell, whose character I presume is well known to the Secretary of War, also proves his services &
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honorable discharge.
I would also [illegible] that since the above suggestions have been made I have also [illegible] & closely examined him, and I have no hesitation in saying that he appears entirely innocent of the charge alleged against him
Should the enclosed, be satisfactory to the Department, I wish the agent may be instructed to pay him, when the others, who were entitled to their pensions last 4th of September, are paid
If, again, you will be so kind as to attend to this business [illegible] will very much, oblige you & with much respect
Benj Cowell

J. L. Edwards Esq
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Rec.d 25 Feb. 1822

James L Edwards, Esquire
[illegible] of the pension office
Washington
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I William Parlow of Rochester in the County of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts on oath certify and say that Richard Greene, who is now present before me & whom I personally know & remember, was a solider in the revolutionary army & has an honorable discharge after having served three years = and I further certify and say that this is the same Richard Greene, who has recently resided in North Providence in the State of Rhode Island where he has received a pension from the United States as I have understood.

Wm. Parlow

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth in Rochester - December 31st 1821 personally appeared before me the above named William Parlow & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed and I further certify that said William is personally known to me, & that he is a credible witness in the [illegible] before me  Nathaniel Ruggles, Just. of Peace
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To whom it may concern -
I hereby certify that I have examined the Records of Births & Deaths for the Town of Brookfield & cannot find the name of Ephraim Green or Richard Greene therein. In the year 1816 & month of May, the building which contained the Town Records was destroyed by fire, & one volume of "Births & Deaths" was consumed. After which the Town employed the Clerk to collect information of the inhabitants respecting Births & Deaths in their families, and there were no persons of this Green family then living in Brookfield, & it being nearly 40 years since they moved from the Town, it does not appear strange that no record should have been made of them again. In an old volume which was not destroyed, there is no such person mentioned as Ephraim Green or Richard Green. I have conversed however with some old people who remember this Ephraim Green, know the farm which he owned, to whom it was sold, etc.
John Homas Clerk of the Town of Brookfield
Brookfield Sept. 10th 1821.
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Nathl Haskell
Deposition
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I, Nathaniel Haskell of Rochester in the County of Plymouth of Commonwealth of Massachusetts of legal age to testify & say that I am acquainted with Richard Green of Rochester in the County of Plymouth & Common Wealth aforesaid & he this  said Green served as a soldier in the Revolutionary Army as a waiter to my brother Elnathan Haskell of the same Rochester who was a Major in said Army. I saw him several times whilest he belong'd to the said Army & I know him this said Richard to be the same person that was in the said Army - and I further say I have know him the said Green discharge from said Army & then the [illegible] with oath.
Rochester June 20th 1822  Nathl Haskell

Common Wealth of Massachusetts Plymouth County  June 20th 1822.
This personally appeared Nathaniel Haskell above name'd & swore to the truth of the above deposition by him sign'd. and I further certify that I am acquainted with the said Nathaniel Haskell, & he is a man of integrity & truth.
NathL Ruggles Just. of Peace
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32777
Revy INVALID.

File No. 3277
Richard Greene
Priv Rev War

Act: 18th March 1818
Indes: - Vol. 2, Page 493

Arrangement of 1870
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I Lucinda Parlow of Rochester in the County of Plymouth Wife of William Parlow do testify & say that I am acquainted with Richard Greene formerly of North Providence and was residing the the Town of Rochester in the County of Plymouth & he is the identical man who served in the Revolutionary army for three years on during the war I am acquainted with said Richards Father & his name is Ephraim Green he never was in the Service in the Revolutionary army illegible]
Rochester December 11th 1821 Lucinda Parlow

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth December 11th 1821
Thus personally appeared the above named Lucinda Parlow & swore to the truth of the above deposition by being signed - I am personally acquainted with said Lucinda Parlow 7 she is a person of integrity
Nathaniel Ruggles Just. of Peace
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North Providence June 16th 1818

[illegible] the subscribers do certify that Richard Greene in our opinions really stands in need of assistance and is intitled to a pention under the late act of Congress providing for indigent soldiers 
John [illegible]
David Wilkinson
Thomas Shears
Daniel Wilkinson