Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,875, Barnabas Clapp, R.I.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
R. I
Clapp, Barnabas
Ruth
NUMBER
W. 20,875
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Rhode Island 977
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Ruth Clapp
widow of Barnabas Clapp
R. I. 
who died on the 28 April 1795
Newport Co. in the State of R. Island
who was a Private in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Revolution for 9 months
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Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of June 1837 and sent to John Cross Esq. Portsmouth, R. I. 
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Arrears to the 4th of March 37.      180.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Ap. "  15.00
                                                      $195.00
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{Revolutionary Claim
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3 - }

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book A. Vol. 1 - Page 99
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Town Clerks Office, Little Compton October 13th 1836. I certify that Barnabus Son of Elisha Clapp & Elizabeth his wife both deceased, & Ruth Daughter of John Simmons deceased, & Lydia his wife were joined in Matrimony this Day. - 
To me Jonathan Ellis Clerk:
Dated Little Compton Jany 22 A.D. 1775 - J. E. 

All of which appears of record in this office.
Witness A. R. Brownell Town Clerk.
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Town Clerk's Office Little Compton October 13, 1836. 

      I hereby certify that Barnabas Clapp died in this town April 28th A.D. 1795.
      As appears of record in this office. 

Witness - A.R. Brownell 
Town Clerk
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(LEFT SIDE OF PAGE)

V799.

Ruth Clapp
Widow of Barnabas 

R. Island


(RIGHT SIDE OF PAGE)

Declaration -
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of July 1836.
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DECLARATION-

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport

     On this eleventh day of October A.D. 1836 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate of Little Compton in the County of Newport, Ruth Clapp a resident of Little Compton in the County of Newport and state of Rhode Island, aged Eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836- 
     That she is the widow of Barnabas Clapp, late of Little Compton, and late a revolutionary soldier in Q or north company of Militia in said town during the war of the revolution - We were married in the early part of the year 1775 and before the Battle of Lexington.  In the year 1775, the shores of this town were sometimes invaded by the enemy's ships under Wallace - his name at this time carried terror to the inhabitants of the shores - he plundered the farms of the stock, set fire to the dwelling houses and other buildings, and whenever he could, carried the men away, prisoners of war - I remember that my husband was called on, once at least, in an alarm during this period - In December 1776 the envoys fleet of seventy sail of Men of War and transports arrived at Newport and took immediate possession of the place & of the whole Island of Rhode Island.   This event made our situation most distressing, we were compelled to live almost under the Guns of our Enemy for nearly three years - And such was the course of events at that time, that many things happened which tended to exasperate the enemy and their tendered mercies towards us even cruel.  At this time, the militia were called unto actual service in Guarding the shores next to Rhode Island and the south shore.   My husband was in the service in the first place, as near as I can remember from Dec. 17 76 to April 1777, four months - and after the last-mentioned period, sd. Militia Company were divided and performed duty by turns of a month at a time.  one half of the company doing duty a month and then the other half taking their places in the service for the succeeding month, and so on.  This service continued until the British left Rhode Island in November 1779 - and besides the regular duty that each man had to perform on his own account - the whole of the Company were called out on all alarms - and these were frequent during the period last mentioned.   My husband was on Rhode Island in the Summer of 1778 under General Sullivan and was in the battle there - from April 1777 to December 1779, I declare, according to the best of my knowledge & belief, that my said husband was in the public service a solider for a term not less than fifteen months - my said husband's services were done at the Guard Posts on the western and southern shores of the tower under the Officers of said Militia Company viz. (see Comment)  - Capt. George Simmons & Rowse Pearce and John Davis were also Officers of said Company - it belonged to the Reg't. of Col. Cook.   I well remember my husband's services at that period - I had to do many things out of doors in order to make my little children, which I then had, as comfortable as our situation would permit - I cannot be precise as to the particular days on which my husband's ...
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...services began and ended - Nor have I any documentary evidence in relation thereto. 
     I further declare that I was married to the said Barnabas Clapp on the 22nd day of January (1775) seventeen hundred and seventy five; and that my said husband, the said Barnabas Clapp, died on the 28th day of April A.D. 1795; and that I have remained a widow ever since that period, as well more fully appear by reference to the proofs hereto annexed.  My said husband was never a pensioner.  
Ruth Clapp
X her mark

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day & year afore written before, and in open Court -
And said Court certifies, that they believe the statements, herein made by said Ruth Clapp are true - and that she is a credible person. 
     And said Court further certifies, that she is the widow of (said) Barnabas late of (said) town deceased - And has never married since (said) Barnabus decease(d). 
     I Alexander R. Brownell, Clerk of said Court of Probate, do hereby certify, that the foregoing, are the original proceedings, in the application of (said) Ruth Clapp for a pension. 
     In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 11th day of October A.D. 1836 And of American Independance the (sentence unfinished). 

Witness A.R. Brownell 
Probate Clerk
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Rev. Widow, &c. 

File No. 20875 - 
Ruth Clapp
Wid. of 
Barnabas Clapp
Priv. Rev. War

Act July 4th /'36
Index: Vol. A   Page 138
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Mar
Ruth Clapp - $30 per ann.
Send cert: to John Cross, Esq.  Portsmouth R.I.
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I, William Woodman of Little Compton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, being duly sworn, on my oath declare, that I was well acquainted with Barnabas Clapp, late of Little Compton deceased.   I was on guard duty with him during the revolution.  He belonged to the same company - which was called the sec'd. or North company of militia in said Little Compton. 
     At the first arrival of the British on the Island of Rhode Island our whole company were called into the public service, but soon after were divided so that one half of said Company were at the guard post at a time for one month, and then the other half changing alternately; but all were directed to be in readiness in case of an alarm - and was accordingly called out on every alarm given. 
      Our company was commanded by George Simmons, and we were stationed at the usual guard posts in said Little Compton and more especially at the Rouse House to call in protecting the west shores of said town at least fifteen months. 
     After the British left the Island of Rhode Island said Barnabas Clapp and myself were drafted in a Company of Militia under command of Rouse Pierce, and were marched on to said Island, where we stood guard, and did guard duty for one month.  Said Barnabas was the first sergeant in Said Company.  I believe it was in the year (blank) but at this remote period I do not precisely recollect. 
     I further testify that Ruth Clapp is the widow of the said Barnabas Clapp - and that she never has married since the decease of her said husband Barnabas. 
William Woodman
X his mark

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport ss.
Personally appeared before me, at Little Compton in said County of Newport on the 1st day of November A.D. 1836 the above-named William Woodman and subscribed, and was duly sworn according to law, to the above deposition.  I further certify that said William Woodman is to me personally known and is a credible witness.
Philip F. Little
Justice Peace
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State of Rhode Island
County of Newport sc.

Clerk's office of the Court of Probate, a Court of Record of Little Compton in (said) County of Newport.

I hereby certify that Philip F. Little whose signature is affixed in his own proper handwriting to the foregoing Deposition of William Woodman was at the time of taking said depositions, a Justice of the Peace within and for (said) County of Newport, duly commissioned under the Seal of (said) state and engaged thereon according to Law - And that said Phillip F. Little is duly authorized to take depositions by the Laws of said State.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of said office on this 1st day of November A.D. 1836.
A.R. Brownell
Clerk
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     I Benedict Palmer of Little Compton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, aged Eighty-two years, being duly sworn, depose and say - That I was always acquainted with Barnabas Clapp, late of this town. - and late husband of Ruth Clapp of this town, who is now an applicant for a pension.  Said Clapp and myself belonged to the same company of militia during the war of the revolution - and were in the public service together much of the time the serving occupied Rhode Island.  
     It was the North Company of Militia of this town under Capt. Simmons and John Davis was Lieut.  Said Clapp's services were all done in this town at the guard posts on the shore - when the British took Newport in 1776 our militia services became regular, during the winter the enemy came, all of the Militia in 1st Company were on duty and in the Spring the company was so divided that half only were on duty at a time, for a month at a time, and the divisions relieved each other.  I have seen (said) Clapp at the time the enemy were on Rhode Island at; The Red House and Richmond House and Rowse House, which were guard posts, doing duty as a soldier from my best recollections said Barnabas served at least eighteen months, in all from Dec. 1776 to November 1779 -in the public service as aforesaid. 
     I further testify that said Ruth Clapp is to me well known we lived (as) neighbors, and that she is the widow of said Barnabas Clapp and that she has never married since the decease of said Barnabas her husband. 
Benedict Palmer
X his mark

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport ss.
Personally appeared before me at Little Compton in said County of Newport on the 14th day of October A.D. 1836.  The above-named Benedict Palmer and subscribed and duly sworn to the foregoing deposition according to law.  I further certify that the said Benedict Palmer is to me personally known and is a credible witness. 
Philip F. Little
Justice of the Peace
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State of Rhode Island
County of Newport sc. 
Clerk's office of the Court of Probate, a Court of Record of Little Compton in (said) County of Newport. 

I hereby certify that Philip F. Little, whose signature is affixed in his own proper hand writing to the foregoing deposition of Benedict Palmer was at the time of taking said depositions, a Justice of the Peace within and for (said) County of Newport, duly commissioned under the Seal of (said) state, and engaged thereon according to Law - And that said Philip F. Little, is duly authorized to take depositions by the Laws of said State. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed my seal of said office on this 14th day of October A.D. 1836. 
A.R. Brownell
Clerk