Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,019, for Benjamin Tompkins, Rhode Island
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(3-1776)
Service R.I.
Tompkins, Benjamin
Number S.22.019
Contents [blank]
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[left fold]
31,625
Rhode Island
Benjamin Tompkins of Newport in the State of R. Island who was a Pri. in the Compy commanded by Captain Church of the Reg't. commanded by Richmond in the R Island line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island [illegible]nt the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of June '39, and sent to and John Cross, Portsmouth, R Island
Arrears to the 4th of March - $640.00
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank] 40.00
[total] $680.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by R [illegible last name] Clerk
Book E - Vol. 2 - Page 132

[right fold]
Le'th Ms. Cross, June 27, 1839
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Town Clerk's office Little Compton, November 16 A.D. 1838}
"Benjamin Tompkins son of Micah and Sarah his wife, was born Octr 8th, 1758"
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy from the record in my office
A. R. Brownell Town Clerk.
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832.
State of Rhode Island &c., County of Newport} sos.
In this twentieth day of September A.D. 1838; personally appeared in open Court before the judges or justices of the Court of Probate of Little Compton in s'd County of Newport, now sitting, Benjamin Tompkins a resident of said Little Compton, in s'd County of Newport, and State of Rhode Island, aged seventy nine years and upwards 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.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - that is to say - In the month of February, as near as I can recollect, 1776, I entered at said Little Compton, into Capt Church's Company in Col. Richmonds Regiment of the Rhode Island Continental line, as a private, which troops were raised for one year. William Bailey was 1st Lt. and Philip Palmer was 2d Lt. of s'd Company. In the first part of this service we were marched to and encamped near Newport on the Island of Rhode Island, where we staid through the Spring & summer of 1776. In September or October of that year the said Regiment were ordered to Long Island, where we went in boats and small vessels. After staying there a short time, we returned to Newport and were there quartered in the vicinity of the town. When the Enemy's fleet and Army arrived and took the place in December 17776 [sic]. Our Company retreated at that time from the Island of Rhode Island by way of Howlands ferry, into Tiverton - we then marched south on the shore of the Bay to Fogland ferry in this s'd Little Compton, where we staid till our times were out and I was there discharged, about the 1st of January 1777, having faithfully served in said Company for at least ten months - as the papers of said Regiment, will, if remaining, show, to which papers I humbly refer for proof of this service. I know of no one now living who was with me in said Company at that time. The late Jeremiah Dwelly di'ct of Tiverton, was the last one living of my fellow soldiers who belonged to s'd Company that I now remember.
I then, to wit, in January 1777, enlisted at s'd Little Compton into Capt. Manchesters Company in Col. Crory's Reg't. for the term of fifteen
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fifteen months, as a private - in this Company Philip Palmer was 1st Lt. Aaron Willbor 2nd Lt. and Benjamin Willcox was Ensign - these troops were called the Rhode Island State troops - soon after I joined our company we were marched to Bristol, and were quartered in that town, and on Papoosquaws Point through the spring and summer - in September of that year (1777,) as near as he can remember, our company other troops of the Regiment, were marched from Bristol to Tiverton, at the time of the contemplated attack of the Enemy on Rhode Island by the American Army under Major Gen. Spencer. After being encamped for several weeks in said Tiverton, and the attack upon the Enemy was given up - our s'd Company was marched back to s'd Bristol where we were quartered the succeeding winter, and in the month of March 1778, I was at s'd Bristol, discharged, after having faithfully served out my time for which I enlisted.
I then returned home to this town, and was here in the summer of 1778 - I belonged to Capt George Simmon's Company of the militia of s'd town. The Militia were classed of and did duty by turns. At the time of Attack of the Enemy on Rhode Island in August of this year, It was my time to serve one month, and went on to the Island, and was on there during the Battle for one month. I belonged in that service to Capt Geo. Simmon's Company in Col. Cooks Reg't.
In the month of February 1779 I went to New Bedford and entered on board of the United States armed sloop of war Providence for a cruise of ____ months. Hoystead Hacker was our Commander. Philip Brown 1st Lt. and one ____ Gardiner 2d Lt. and Doctor Cooke, an Englishman, was our Surgeon, - we carried 12 gins and had a compliment of about sixty men and boys. We sailed first from s'd Newbedford to Boston, and after staying there a short time to get supplies and arrange things for our cruise we sailed, and intended to cruise off N. York and the capes of the Delaware - having arrived upon our cruising ground off New York, we were almost continually annoyed by the Enemys armed ships. On the 6th of May 1779 we fell in with the British armed Brig Diligence of equal force in number of guns, but of superior force in number of men. After a severe conflict we made them our prisoners - we lost 12 men in Killed and wounded - our Enemy lost more - but we never knew how many. We afterwards, also learned that she had been fitted out from N. York for the express purpose
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of capturing us. It was during, and in the latter part of this engagement that I had my left arm carried away by the Enemy's shot, and my right arm severely wounded by the same fire. It was done by one the three last guns fired by the Enemy. I had the satisfaction, however, of knowing in a moment after, that we had made them our prisoners. We then took our prize in company and steered for New Bedford, but before we got in, we fell in with and captured a schooner loaded with rice. We soon after arrived at New Bedford with both of our prizes in safety. Soon after we came in, I think in the latter part of May 1779, being entirely disabled, I was discharged, carried to the Hospital, and I think in about two months was able to return to this my native town.
It is now more than fifty nine years since I lost my arm in action aforesaid in the service of my country - during which long time I have suffered much pain from the stump of my amputated arm, and from other privations easier imagined than described. Heaven in its great mercy has prolonged my days, far beyond all my expectations, and I have lived to see the full fruition of all my hopes, as regards my Country.
And the s'd Benjamin solemnly avers that he faithfully and truly served his country, in the war of the Revolution, as a private solder, and marine - the periods of time, and at the period of the war before specified namely. In Capt. Church's Co. in Col. Richmond's Reg't ten months - in Capt Manchester's company in Col. Crory's Reg't. fifteen months - Capt Simmons Co. of Rhode Island militia one month - and on board of the Sloop of War Providence Capt. Hacker three and half months, making all twenty nine and a half months service for which I claim a pension.
And he further declares that he was born in s'd Little Compton on the 8th day of October A.D. 1758, and that he hath always lived there, except when absent in the service of his country at the period aforesaid - that he hath no written discharge from any of s'd Services - nor has he any documentary evidence of the same, except a certificate of Capt. Hacker herewith enclosed. That he hath record of his age. That there is no Clergyman now residing in L. Compton aforesaid. But he refers to Nathaniel Church & Stephen Brwonell Esqr. who are his neighbors and Citizens of Little Compton, who testify to his character for veracity, and to their belief that he was a soldier of the Revolution, and also to the accompanying depositions. He also states that he is on the Pension Roll of Invalid pensioners for the agency of the State of Rhode Island and of none other, which invalid pension he doth not renounce or give up.
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid} Benjamin Tompkins
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Invalid.
File No. 22,019
Benjamin Tompkins
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32"
Index:- Vol. 2, Page 420
(Arrangement of 1870.)

[handwritten notes at top of page:] Revolution 22019
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Portsmouth R.I. July 4, 1839
Sir
Your letter of the 27th ultimo is re'd and I am happy to inform you that the Pension Certificate of Benjamin Tompkins has been duly [illegible].
I have the honor to be, very
Respectfully, your m't. obdt.
Jno. Cross

Hon. Ja's. L. Edwards
Court of Pensions
W. City
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I Thomas Remington of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island a revolutionary soldier of lawful age, being duly sworn do testify. That I have been well acquainted with Benjamin Tompkins of the adjoining town of Little Compton, from a period before the Revolution.
We have always lived near to each other. After the Enemy came to Rhode Island in December 1776 - This state raised a Brigade for fifteen months - I entered into Capt. Manchester's company in Col. Crory's Reg't. of these troops, for fifteen months, in this town, about the same time the said Benjamin enlisted into the same Company for the same time. I think I entered about the first of January 1777 into this service - and served till the 16th of March 1778 - and I know that said Benjamin served for the same time as a private soldier. When he enlisted into Captain Manchester's Company as aforesaid, he had just been discharged from Richmonds Regiment, as I then understood and believe, and had been with said Regiment in the Expedition to Long Island. From what I have heard the said Benjamin and others, a long time ago, declare, I have not the least doubt but that he was a soldier in Richmonds Regiment in the year 1776. The said Benjamin afterwards lost one of his arms in a naval engagement with the enemy and has been an invalid pensioner since s'd war. He is a man of the first character for truth and integrity, having, heretofore, held the office of Clk. of the town in which he lives. Clk. of the Court of Probate of s'd Town, and for many years a majistrate [sic] in the County.
Thomas Remington

State of Rhode Island, County of Newport} S.S.
Be it known, that on the thirty first day of November in the year 1838 before the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, personally came Thomas Remington and Subscribed his above Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same, and I further Certify that said Deponent is a credible person
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode Island &c., County of Newport} Clerk's office of the Court of Probate of Little Compton
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in the County of Newport -
I hereby Certify that Asa Gray, whose name is affixed to the taking of the within deposition of Thomas Remington is and was at the taking thereof duly appointed commissioned and qualified, according to law, as Justice of the peace in said County of Newport and that his signature is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court a Court of record, the tenth day of November A.D. 1838. - And of American Independence the sixty third
A. R. Brownell Clerk of Probate.