Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,183, John Esten, R.I.
Page 1

SERVICE
R. I.

Esten, John.

NUMBER
S 2d. 183
Page 2

SERVICE
R. I.

Esten, John.

NUMBER
S 2d. 183

CONTENTS
Page 3

Seal of the Court
Attest. /s/ Wm B Watson Clerk of Court of Common Pleas County of Providence R I
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.

County of Providence Ss
On this Seventh day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a special Court of Common Pleas with and for said County, now in session John Esten a resident of Burrillville in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, aged 70 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, viz.
I was born in Gloucester in said County on the first day of October 1761. I have a record of my age on a paper kept by my Father at home. I lived in Gloucester when called into service, have lived in Gloucester & Burrillville since the revolution & now live in said Burrillville. In November 1776 I was called out as a soldier in Capt Mays Comp’y, Col Chas Brown’s regiment R I militia upon an alarm & was stationed one month in Providence R. I. Ezekiel Phippe was Lieut & Dan’l Matheson ensign. In December 1776 I was drafted in the same Company & was stationed in Bristol R. I. one month. The British had possession of Rhode Island. In August 1777 I was drafted in the same Company & was stationed at Mount Hope near said Bristol one month. In August 1778 I was drafted in the same Company & joined the army under Gen’l Sulivan on Rhode Island. We joined the army at the lower lines & remained there until Friday night the 28th of August when we retreated back & on Saturday the 29th we had a battle with the enemy between Butts & Quaker hills. The next day we entrenched & at night -retreated across Howland ferry to Trenton. We stayed there sometime when we were dismissed. I served at this time more than one month. Col Chas Brown commanded our regiment, Asa Kimball major & David Richmond adjutant. I was placed under the command of Capt Sprague during the action. Gen Cornell, Gen’l Greene, Gen’l West, Col John Angell, Col Christopher Greene, Col Elliot, Capt Garner were officers that I recollect in this expedition. In March 1780 I enlisted in Capt Stephen
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Winson’s Comp’y Col Chas Brown’s regiment R I militia for two months & was stationed at Newport R.I. The French were there at this time. I served my time out. In March 1781 I enlisted in the same company for one month & was stationed at Black Point on Rhode Island. In August 1781 I was drafted in the same company I was stationed on the north part of Rhode Island, one month. I never received any written discharge, it was not customary in our militia service. The testimony of such surviving witnesses as I know of is here unto annexed. Jeremiah Mowry, Stephen Bartlett and Welcome Ballow are persons who live in my neighborhood and who can testify as to my character for veracity &  their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution. The above dates are to the best of my recollection.
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 I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State. John Esten
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid in open court
Attest  Wm R Watson, Clerk

We Jeremiah Mowry and Reubin Walling residing in said Burrillville hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Esten who has subcribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 70 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.
Jeremiah Mowry Reuban Walling

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid in open court
Attest Wm R Watson Clerk

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 certifies, that it appears to them that Jer. Mowry and Reuben Walling who have signed the preceding certificate, residents in said Burrillville are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. & that no clergyman resides in the vicinity of said applicant.

I, William R. Watson, 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 John Esten for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal office this seventh day of August in the year 1882.
Wm R. Watson
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1627

Jno Esten
R I

W. C. E.

papers not properly authenticated

8 Months
Admitted
$26.66

/s/ S. Y Atwell
Glocester
R I
Page 7

1627

Brief in the case of John Esten of Burrillville Prov. Co in the State of Rhode Island
(Act 7 June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? A Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —

3. How old is he? 70

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed:

Period | Duration of Service | Rank | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served

In Nov '76 |  1  month | Private  |  Capt. May Col Chas Brown

Dec 1776  |  1  |  “  |  do-do

Aug 77  |  1  |   “  |  do-do

Aug 78  |  more than 1  |  “  |  do-do

March 80  | 2  |  “  |  Captain Stephen Winson  Col Chas Brown

March 81  | 1  |  “  |  do-do

August 81  |  1  |  “ |  do-do   

5. In what battles was he engaged?

Battle Quaker Hill

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Glocester

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls.. One living witness

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? 

Yes, the ribbon does not pass under the seal

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

W. C. Easton
Examining Clerk
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[Poor quality image-transcription is best guess, based on info from other pages in this record]

April 7,1881

Rev. A 1812 Wars Section ILL

Randall D. Esten
99 West 12th Street
Holland, Michigan

Dear Sir

You are advised that the Revolutionary war records of this bureau fail to show a claim for a pension on file on grounds of the service of John Esten who was born October 29, 1762. 

You are furnished herewith the history of the only soldier named John Esten, found in the revolutionary war records do this bureau.

From the papers in the Revolutionary war pension claim, S. 21183 it appears that John Esten, born October 1, 1762  in Gloucester, Providence County, Rhode Island.

While residing in Glochester, Rhode Island, he enlisted and served at various times as a private in Colonel Chas Brown's Regiment as follows: in November 1776, one month in Captain Samuel May’s company. At Providence in December 1776, one month in that same company, at Bristol: from sometime in August 1777, one month in Captain Sprague’s company during the battle of Quaker Hills [illegible], length of this service more than one month, from sometime in March 1780, two months in Captain Stephen Winson’s company at Black Point; and in August 1780, one month in Captain Stephen Winson’s company in the North of Rhode Island. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 7, 1832, at which time he resided in Burrillville, Providence County, Rhode Island.
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There are no family data in the papers on file.
Very truly yours,
E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner.
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[Poor quality image-transcription is best guess, based on info from other pages in this record]


September 19, 1934.

BA-J/ILL 
John Esten
S. 21183
OWN

Mrs. L. B. Hobbs
3322 Demere Street
Jacksonville, Florida. 

Dear Madam: 

The record of John Esten is furnished herein as found in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 21183, based upon service in the Revolutionary War.

John Esten was born October 1, 1761, in Gloucester, Providence County, Rhode Island. 
He enlisted and served as a private in Colonel Chas Brown’s Rhode Island regiment as follows: from sometime in November 1776, one month in Captain Samuel May’s company. At Providence in December 1776, one month in that same company, at Bristol: from sometime in August 1777, one month in Captain Sprague’s company during the battle of Quaker Hills [illegible], length of this service more than one month, from sometime in March 1780, two months in Captain Stephen  Winson’s company at Black Point; and in August 1780, one month in Captain Stephen Winson’s company.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 7, 1832, at which time he resided in Burrillville, Providence County, Rhode Island.

There are no data relative to the soldier's family. Very truly yours, A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator
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May 3, 1931
Mr. Randall D. Esten
99 W. 12th street
Holland, Michigan

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section KFL

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter of March 26, 1931 in regard to soldiers surnamed Esten, of Rhode Island, who served in the Revolutionary War. 
You are advised that on April 7, 1931, you were  furnished the history of John Esten, the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau. 

Very truly yours

E. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner.
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September 19, 1934

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mrs. L.B. Hobbs
3322 Demere Street
Jacksonville, Florida

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Andrew Poor, Benjamin Gary (Garry, Garrie), Nicholas Bragg,  Eleazer Darby (Derby) and John Esten, soldiers of the Revolution.

A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of claims for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon the military service in that war of Andrew Poor, Benjamin Gary, Nicholas Bragg or Eleazer Darby, all spellings of the surnames were used in the search.
The record of John Esten, of Gloucester, Rhode Island, has been found and his history is furnished you herewith.
 Very Truly Yours
A D Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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3322 Demere Street
Jacksonville, Florida
August 31, 1934
Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs 
Will you please give me as much information - personal and their services - for the following soldiers in Am Rev'n
 
[staff member notes transcribed above each of the numbered lines]
                     
0 - 1 Poore
(1) Andrew Poor - Mass. (Leominster )
0 
(2) Benjamin Gary (Gerry) Garrie, Etc - Mass.
0
(3) Nicholas Bragg, from Springfield, Vt.
0 [Darby] 1or C {Derby]
(4) Capt. Eleazer Darby (Derby ) Mass. Said to have been aboard a vessel in Boston Harbor at the time of the Boston Tea Party.
[checkmark]
(5) John Esten from Glocester, R. I.
Thank you,
Mrs. L. B. Hobbes
D A. R. Registrar
Page 14

[top center] 
Holland Shoe Co. 
SHOE MAKERS FOR MEN AND BOYS
[top left]
J. E. TELLING, PRESIDENT 
ED. MOORE, VICE PRESIDENT
R. D. ESTAN, SECY. & TREASURER 
[top right] 
BRANCH OFFICES 
NEW YORK - CHICAGO 
PHILADELPHIA 
LOS ANGELES 
[lower top center]
Holland, Michigan 
March 26,1931
[stamp]
REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS 
SECTION 
MAR 28 1931 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
 
[center]
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D C. 

Gentlemen: 

Would like to inquire 
if it would be possible to obtain 
a list of the Estens [underlined] coming from Rhode Island who served during the Revolutionary War. 
Thank you for this information. 

Yours very truly, 
Randall D Esten[signature] 
99 W. 12th St. 
Holland, Michigan 

R.D. Esten
MH 

[stamp] 
PENSION OFFICE U S
MAR 28  930
Page 15

Holland, Michigan
99 W. 12th Street
March 6th, 1931

Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

OWN

Gentlemen:

Would like to inquire if it would be possible to find out whether or not there was a John Esten who served during the Revolution.  Believe he was born on October 29th, 1729 and came from the vicinity of Providence, Rhode Island.

Would appreciate any information you might be able to give me about John Esten, and also would like to find out, if possible, the names of any other Estens' coming from Rhode Island who served during the Revolution.

Yours very truly,

Randall D. Esten

R.D. Esten
MB

Pension Office  (seal)
U.S.
Mar 9 1931
Page 16

Revolution  21 183
Invalid
File no. 21183
John Esten
Pri   Rev War
June 7th, 82
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 126

Arrangement of 1870
Page 17

1931 - April 6 Hist to Randall D. Esten. ILL.
1931 - May 5 Mr. Randall D. Esten a'd that he was hist of only sol surnamed Esten on April 7, 1931 EEL
1934 - Sept 19  Hist to Mrs. L B Hobbs - ILL
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I Simeon Smith of Cumberland in the County of Providence State of Rhode Island do on oath testify & say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary War as will appear by my application for a pension under the act of June 1832 - I further say that I well know George John Esten of said Burriville  I knew him as a soldier in said War, I served with him as such in Capt. Samuel Grey's Company Col Chad Brown regiment R I militia in December 1776 & was stationed at Bristol Re'd one month.  I also served with him as a soldier in the same Company, one month in August 1777.  I was stationed at Mount Hope near s'd Bristol.  I have always understood that his served at several times other than as above mentioned.
Simeon Smith

Term 30th July
State of Rhode Island 
Providence ss

In Gloucester this 30th day of July 1832 formally appeared Simeon Smith whose being first duly sworn on oath says that the above deposition by him Subscribed contains the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth before me & I do further certify that the said Simeon Smith is well known to me. That he is
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a credible pension & that his statement is entitled to credit.

John P. Evans Justice C.C. Pleas

John Esten
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State of Rhode=Island and Providence Plantations, 

Providence, sc. 

I WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, Within and for 
the county of Providence in the State of Rhode-Island, do hereby certify, that Theo P.
Evans [signature] is a Judge of the court of Common Pleas aforesaid, 
which court is a Court of Record; that the signature to the amended document 
purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of the said Evans[signature] 
and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of the said Evans [signature]  
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, at Providence this Seventh [cursive] 
day of August[cursive] in the year of our Lord 1882
Hon R Matson [signature]
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Application of                           
John Esten 

For a Pension

No. 1627
P. O.
Page 22

TO THE HON. LEWIS CASS
SECRETARY OF WAR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
HUMBLY REPRESENTS
John Esten of
of Burrillville in the County of PROVIDENCE, State of
RHODE ISLAND; that he was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War as will appear by the annexed documents. He therefore requests that a pension may be granted to him in conformity with the provisions
of an Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, entitled " an Act supplementary to the " Act for the relief of certain Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution "
and in duty bound will ever pray.
John Esten
by his Atty
Sam Y Atwell
Please address me at Glocester. R. I.
Sam Y Atwell