Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21640, for Joseph Pearce, Rhode Island
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(3-1776)

SERIVCE | [blank] | NUMBER
R.I | Pearce, Joseph | S.21640

CONTENTS
[remainder of form is blank]
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21,577
Rhode Island
Joseph Pearce
of Newport in the State of R.I.
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Briggs of the Rgt commanded 
by Col Hilliard in the R.I.
line doe 9 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island
at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the th day of Marc h, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of Sept
1833 and sent C.E.
Robbins Newport R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $158.33
Sem-ant allowance ending Septemb 4 31.67
[total] $190.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by D D Addison Clerk
Book E Vol. 2 Page 124
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Declaration
State of Rhode Island &c
County of Newport, Town of Little Compton ss

On this third day of Octover, A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate of the Town of Little Compton, in the count and State aforesaid, at an adjourned session thereof Joseph Pearce a resident of said Little Compton aged sixty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

1  That in the winter the British took possession of Rhode Island, December, 1776, an alarm list having been formed out of the senior class (on persons exempt from military duty in this State) for the purpose of doing guard duty to protect the stores of Little Compton from the incursions of the enemy, the father of this Declarant, Nathaniel Pearce, was draughted from said class and enrolled as a private in the militia company commanded by Captain Cornelius Briggs for the duty aforesaid, and immediately called into service: that this declarant was accepted and served as a substitute for his father, in the before mentioned company and did duty as guard in various stations in Little Compton, for six or eight months he cannot recollect which. That at the expiration of his service as a substitute, being of the age required by law for draught, he was himself draughted as a private and served in the capacity of guardsman in two several companies of militia in said town one often commanded by Captain Captain [sic] George Simmons, and the other by Capt Stephen Pearce, the whome remaining period that the British were in garrison at Rhode Island viz for every alternate month of the term of two years. That the arrangement of guard duty was to the following affect as declarant recollects it: one half of the company was called into service for one month, which was then relieved by the other half the succeeding month, and so on, alternately, so long as as [sic] the necessity for a guard continued; the whole company in the mean while being liable to duty, and ready to be called into service at a moment's warning. Declarant is informed and believes that the before mentioned draught was made under the authority and in compliance with an act of the General Assembly of this
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State pf Dece,ber 1776 draughting into three divisions all male persons, subject by law to bear arms, whether of the Militia, Alarm list or independent companies of this State, and placing them under the orders of the Governor, or commander for the time being, to be marched as soon as possible to such places and stations as said authorities should direct.

2.  Declarant further states upon oath aforesaid that after the British left Rhode Island, he was draughted as a private in Captain Rowen Pearce's company of Little Compton militia, and did duty for one month as a private, at Butt's Kill The occasion of calling out this company was an alarm that prevailed at that time, that the British were preparing to reoccupy Rhode Island and these troops and others were collected at said station to strengthen its defences and to await the event.

3.  Afterwards, and for the same object declarant enlisted in Captain John Davis's company of militia, as a private and served out a month at Rhode Island (being stationed at Cornell's and Dunfees') when the occasion for such services having ceased declarant was dismissed.

4  Declarant further states upon oath as before said that he was born in the town of Little Compton in the then Colony of Rhode Island. January 26th 1763: that a correct record of his birth is not to be found in the Town Clerk's office of said town, but many persons now living [illegible] can testify to his probably age: that at the time of his first entering the service as aforesaid, December 1776 he resided in said Town of Little Compton; that he has lived there since the Revolutionary war, and that he now lives there: that he is unable to fix with more precision than he has herein done, the day, month and year, when he entered the service, or when he left the same; that he never received any written discharge from either of the companies in which he served as aforesaid, nor was it usual in the Revolution to grant such discharges. that he has no documentary evidence of the services he has sworn to, nor did he ever possess
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any: that as to the name of his being called into service, and the names of the officers under whom he served, they are succinctly stated in t\eeh preceding part of this Declaration: and that he claims to have served in the whole one year and eight months actual duty.

5  Delcarant further states as aforesaid that he refers to Ezra Coe, and Nathaniel Taylor, as persons, to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, who can testify to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

6. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity except this present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Joseph Pearce
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year above written
Witness A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk

We Nathaniel Taylor, residing in Little Compton in the county of Newport, and State of Rhode Island, and Ezra Co, residing in the same Little Compton, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Pearce, who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration: that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age: and 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: ad that we believe him to be a person of veracity
Nathaniel Taylor
Ezra Coe
Sworn to, and subscribed in open Court, the day and year above written.
Witness A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk
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And the Court 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 Nathaniel Taylor who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of Little Compton; and that Ezra Coe who has also signed the same, is also a resident of the same Little Compton; that both are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

The testimony of the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the vicinity of the applicant having been requested, the Court think it proper to state, that the Rev. Emerson Paine, having been recently settled in this place, and the only one who could be conveniently called upon was not sufficiently acquainted with the applicant to be used as a witness.

I Alexander R. Brownell, Clerk of the Court of Probate of the Town of Little Compton in the county of Newport and State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Pearce for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set m hand, and the seal of said Court this third day of October A.D. 1832.

A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
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Stephen Brownell of Little Compton, in the State
of Rhode Island, of lawful age, upon solemn oath, deposes & says,
that he is well acquainted with Joseph Pearce, who has this day in
open court subscribed & sworn to his declaration, in order to obtain
the benefit of an act of Congress [  ] June 7th 183[]  that he is
knowing to the said Joseph Pearce having acted as a substitute for
his father,  in 1778, in the  manner stated in his declaration. that
this deponent was at that time a private, & substitute, in the same
company, commanded by Capt. Cornelius Briggs but how long now
Pearce was on duty he is unable to state. This deponent is also
knowing to and can testify to the service stated by said Pearce to have
been performed at Cornells & Durfees, after the British left Rhode Island.
having served there himself- term one month.
Stephen Brownell
Newport [] State of Rhode Island []
Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton
October 3rd, 1832.  Then personally appeared
Stephen Brownell,  subscribe to the foregoing deposition in
open court, who having first heard read the declaration of Joseph Pearce
to this court made in order to obtain the benefits of an act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832 I make solemn oath to the truth of
each and every part of said deposition, by him the said  Stephen
subscribed. And the Court further certifies, that said Stephen Brownell is a person of good reputation and standing; and that
his statements are entitled to full faith and credit. In witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of
said Court.
[].[].Brownell Probate Clerk
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Ichabod Pearce, of Little Compton, in the State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, upon solemn oath, deposes and says,
that he is well acquainted with Joseph Pearce, who has this day,
made his Declaration in open Court, in order to obtain the benefit
of an act of Congress of June 7th, 1832. that he is knowing a his (J. Pearce's)
having served as a guardsman in Little Compton, after he was [  ]
in the militia in the manner stated in his declaration. but for
what length of time he is unable to state. Deponent was frequently
on guard with said Pearce, at the Almy House at Almys Creek,
under Capt Stephen Pearce. this deponent is knowing also to said
Pearce's having served at Butt's Hill, under Capt. Rouse Pearce,
as stated in his declaration, but for what length of time he is unable to say.
Ichabod Pearce
State of Rhode Island
Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton
October 3rd, 1832: 
He personally aappeared in open court Ichabod Pearce, subscribed to the foregoing deposition,
and having first heard read the declaration of Joseph Pearce
to this court made, in order to obtainthe benefit of an act of Congress
passed June 7th1832 made solemn oath to the truth of each and every
part of said deposition by him, the said Ichabod, subscribed.
And the Court further certifies that said Ichabod Pearce is a person of good
reputation and standing, and that his statement is entitled to full
faith and credit. In witness whereof I have herunto set 
my hand and the seal of said Court.
A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk
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William Woodman, of Little Compton, in the
State of Rhode Island, upon solemn oath deposes and says, that he
is well acquainted with Joseph Pearce, who has this daysworn to
and subscribed in open court his Declaration, in order to obtain
the benefit of an act of Congress of June 7, 1832. that after said
Pearce was draughted, in his own turn, as stated in his declaration, he
the deponent is known to his  [  ] served as guard, but for what length of time
he is unable to state. This deponent was at time in the same guard
with said Pearce. William Woodman
State of Rhode Island &
Newport [] Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton
October 3rd, 1832. 
Then personally appeared in
open court, William Woodman, subscribed to the foregoing deposition,
and having first-heard read the declaration of
Joseph Pearce to this court made, in order to obtain the benefit of an
act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832) 
made solemn oath to the 
truth of each and every part of said deposition, by him the 
said William, subscribed. And the court further certifies that
the said William Woodman is a person of good reputation and
standing, and that his statements are entitled to full faith
& credit. In [  ] whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of said court
A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
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Joseph Pearce
22429
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Supplementary Declaration
State of Rhode Island []
County of Newport, Town of Little Compton
On this ninth day of August, A.D. 1833
personally Appeared in open court, before the 
Court of Probate
of Little Compton, in the county and State aforesaid, I an as
joined session thereof Joseph Pearce, a resident of said Little Compton, being the same Joseph, who made his declaration
to this court, on the third day of October A.D. 1832
(in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832) and having been duly sworn, doth on his oath make
the following supplemental declaration and affidavit, to be
annexed to his original declaration and duly authenticated.
  1. That with regard to the tour of duty
specified in the declarants original declaration, at the beginning
of the first paragraph, where declarant is represented
as having acted as substitute for his father, Nathaniel Pearce,
deceased in the company of Little Compton militita
commanded by Capt. Cornelius Briggs; Declarant now, on oath,
further avers, that he was accepted and entered upon duty,
as a substitute for his father, in said Company, on the eigth
day of December 1776, for the purpose of performing guard
service within the town of Little Compton: that he continued
on duty as a substitute for his father, in said Company on the eighth 
day of December 1776, for Little Compton: that he continues
on duty in said Company, every alternate month, from the
date of his acceptance until the eighth day of June 1777
having performed three months actual duty in a period of
six months: that he was discharged from said company
on the day last mentioned, having stood guard in various
stations in Little Compton, particularly at the Red House in that town under Capt. Cornelius Briggs and
Col. David Hilliard -  [   ] [  ] [  ] [ ] for the pension
before mentioned. William Southard was Lieut. 
& Benj Coe Ensign
of said company.

 2. that with regard to the tour of duty [  ]
specified in declarants original declaration. where he is
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represented to have been draughted and served as a private
in two different companies of Little Compton militia for
the whole remaining period of the occupation of 
Rhode Island
by the British
Declarant now on oath further avers
that on further reflection he is satisfied that he was not 
draughted at the time stated in his original declaration but
that he volunteered and enlisted in one of said companies
of Little Compton militia as a private for the purpose
of doing guard duty in said town, on the first day of July
1777, and that this company was commanded by Captain
George Simmons and John Davis Lieutenant
that the declarant did guard duty in said
company evey other month, until the 6th day of February, 1779 when he ceased to act with said company and was
discharged from said duty having performed in that [ ]
ten months actual duty in a period of one year and seven months
that on the third day of March 1779, he was
draughted and served, as a private in the militia company
of Little Compton, commanded by Captain Stephen Pearce ( Lieutant not recollected) to
serve every alternate month,
from the date of his draught, to October 1st 1777
in said company making four months active duty in a period of seven months. In the guard duty performed by the declarant he recollects particularly Col. David Hilliard,
Cols. Tom Richmond, Nathaniel Church & John Coole
guard duty however was performed by companies or detachments and not by regiments, & consequently the 
regimental and field officers are not distinctly recollected.
3. That with regard to the tour of duty specified
in the second paragraph of declarants original declaration,
as to his service in Capt Roure Pearce's company
at Butts' Hill on Rhode Island. declarant avers,
that,according to his best recollection, he was draughted for this duty
September 1st 1780 & was discharged Octoberrr 1st 1780 after
performing a months duty. Col. Leonard Bailey was on
duty at this tour. Other officers not recollected.
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4. that with regard to his tour of a month at [  ]
under Capt John Davis & Ichabod was Lieutenant
(as specified in paragraph 3rd of his
original declaration.) he further avers that he was enlisted
on the fifteenth day of March 1780 for said services. that
he immediately entered on the same. continued in service a
month, and was discharged April 15th [   ]
Nathaniel Church was our Colonel but Brigadier Genl Cornell commanded Joseph Pearce

Sworn to and subscribed in open
Court the day and year above written

[ ] A.R. Brownell
Probate Clerk.
I Alexander R. Brownell, Clerk of the
Court of Probate of the Town of Little Compton in the county of Newport and State of Rhode Island,
do hereby certify that the foregoing
papers ( attached together by one ribbon which passes under
[ ] seal hereunto set) contain all the original
proceedings of
said Court. (in the matter of the application of Joseph Pearce
for a pension) held October third, A.D. 1832: also the deposting
of Stephen Brownell, Ichabod Pearce, and William Woodman
all in the same matter of the application of said Joseph for a
pension, and taken by said Court on the third day of October
aforesaid; together with the supplementary declaration of
said Joseph Pearce, made to this court, on the ninth day of
August A.D. 1833; and now , for the first time, to said papers
annexed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my
hand and the seal of said Court this ninth day of August A.D. 1833.

A.R.Brownell Probate Clerk
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Pierce  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? No

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 amout of pension he is entitled? No-He must set forth each tour of above service 
where & when performed  the length of each tour , & the names 
of all the officers under whom he served.

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

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
[stamp] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES
43
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XI. Has the applicant 0btained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Conformed by the Citizen

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has not documentary evidence, as has not obtained the testimony of at lest one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
   If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
    Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot  swear positively as to
 the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For- year ---months, and-
days, I served as a _____ For ________months
and ____ days, I served as a ____________ and for such service I claim a p
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22429
Joseph Pierce
served 1 year &  7 mos.
Private
Capt-- Briggs Col Helliard RI
Amended by stating in
Declarations Supplementary declaration.
the tours of service and the 
names of officers as near as can be
recollected. Papers authenticate
according to the directions of the
Commissioner.
63.33
12666
31.61
158.33
C. E. Robbins [ ]
Newport
RI
9
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3
It is important in all cas
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Revolution 
2640
INVALID
File No. 21, 640
Joseph Pearce
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7 32
Index:-- Vol. 2 , Page 3[]
{Arrangement of 1870. }
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41 BOUNTY LAND WARRANT CARD*
Name Pearce, Joshua Grade Private Line Maryland
Warrant
Number 11594   Acreage 100 Issued February 7, 1790 
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 16, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.