Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25,472, for William Tanner, Rhode Island
Page 1

(8 - 1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
Tanner, William
Sabrina
NUMBER
W. 25,472
CONTENTS
Page 2

1825
Connecticut
William Tanner
Son
Windham in the State of Connt
who was a Pri in the Conn commande
by Captain [blank] of the Reg command
by Col Tellinghort in the Connt
line for service 10 1/2 mo
=================
Inscribed on the Roll of Connt
at the rate of 34 Dollars 99 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
=================
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of June
1833
and sent Thomas
Backus Killingly Ct.
=================
Arrears to the 4th March 33 $69.98
Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 4.33 17.49
====
$87.47

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7,1832.
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 43
Page 3

Reported

1955
Connecticut
Sabrina Tanner
widow of William Tanner
 Con
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
20 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the
4 day of August 184
and sent to
day of Neel
Simon Davis
Thompson
Ct

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 357  Vol. 1
Page 4

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Connecticut        Ss   Killingly January
County of Windham ⎬ 31. 1833.

On this thirty first day of January AD 1833
personally appeared in open court before the
Court of Probate for the District of Killingly
in the County of Windham and State
of Connecticut William Tanner a resident
of the town of Killingly in said District aged
74 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 7th 1832-
That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and
served as herein states-  Viz -
That he first served under a draft as a
private militia man at Bristol R.I. one month in the
month of November (as near as he can recollect)
in a company commanded by Capt Samuel
Wilbour. The Lieutenant of said company was
Thomas Field and the Ensign William Potter, said
company was a part of a the regiment commanded
by Nathaniel Cornell and of a Brigade
commanded by General West
      Said applicant next served commencing
sometime in the month of January 1777 the
Page 5

exact day he cannot recollect) the term of two months
as a private soldier at Warwick in the
State of Rhode Island, a part of the time in a
company commanded by Capt Simeon Harrington
William Howard Lieutenant and Stephen Nelson
Ensign; and a part of the time in a company
commanded by Capt Samuel Wilbour, [illegible]
Pierce Lieut.- Edwards Ensign - Said
companies belonged to a regiment commanded
by Col William Waterman, said applicant
does not recollect the name of any general
officer connected with said period of service
and believes that they were not under the
command of any general officer at that
place- The reason of said applicants serving
in two different companies during said period
was that a part of the company in which
he first served as aforesaid including the
commissioned officers were detached to go to
Bristol or Tivertown and that he then
joined the other company  viz-- Capt Wilbour's
Said applicant next served
under a draft as a private soldier at
Tivertown in the fall of the year 1777 one
month and a half in a company commanded
by Capt Jonathan Knight the names of his
Lieut. and ensign forgotten - Col Kimball
commanded the regiment, Gen Wm West
the Brigade-
Page 6

Said applicant next served as a private soldier
and as a substitute for his father Palmer
Farmer one month on Rhode Island in
Sullivans expedition in the latter part of
the summer 1778 as near as he can recollect
the exact date not recollected - late
Simeon Harrington commanded his company
Stephen Sheldon was Lieut. Ensign not
recollected. The general and field officers
not recollected-
     Said applicant next served three
months as a private on
Rhode Island commencing the first of
March 1781 a part of the time in Capt Johanthan Knights
company, and a part of the time in
Capt Trotten's company- Gideon
Harris was Ensign in the said
Trotten's company the other company officers
in both said companies he has forgotten
Thomas Tillinghast commanded the
regiment of which said companies forms
a part- The names of other field and
general officers forgotten- 
      Said applicant also served two months
as a private soldier on Rhode Island
commencing in the month of August 1781
a part of the time in Capt Benjamin
Woods company John Wells Lieut. Oliver
Leach Ensign and a part of the time
Page 7

in Capt Jonathan Smith's company the names
of the Lieut and Ensign forgotten- The
regiment of which said companies formed
a part was commanded by Col Thomas
Tillinghast. The general and field
officers not recollected.
     Said applicant says that by reason
of old age and consequent loss of memory
he may not have stated his above period
of service with perfect accuracy but
that according to the best of his recollection
he served in the whole as a private
soldier not less than ten months and
a half for which service he claims
pension. He knows of no persons living
who can testify to his said service
except Josiah Herrington of Foster
in the State of Rhode Island, Stephen
Young Scituate in said State of
Rhode Island and Theophilus Eastin
of said Killingly, and that he has no
documentary evidence and Knows not
that there is any such in existence
He hereby relinquishes every claim what
ever to a pension or annuity except the
present and declares that his name is not
on the pension roll of the agency of any state
     The following interrogatories, were by said
Court propounded to said applicant Viz_
Page 8

24655
William Tanner
Declaration
Page 9

1. Where and in what year were you born?
Ans.  I was born in Scituate in the State of
Rhode Island the 17th day of Sept. 1758. -

2- Have you any record of your age and if so
where is it?
There was a record in my fathers bible [illegible]
is now in the possession of my brother in
Coventry R.I. - I know of no other record_

3- Where were you living when called into
service, where have you lived since the
revolutionary war, and where do you now
live?
Ans- When called into service I lived
in said Scituate where I continued to
live until two or three years after the 
revolutionary war when I removed to the
town of Poundwils[?] in the State of Vermont
where I lived about four years I
then removed to said Scituate when
I lived about two years and then
removed to Killingly Con. where I have
lived ever since and still live-

4- How were you called into service, were
you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you
a substitute and if a substitute for whom
Ans- I served under a draft during all
the periods above mentioned except two - One of which I served as a substitute for Palmer
Tanner my father in Sullivans expedition 1778-
Page 10

and for the other viz the three months that I served in
Rhode Island in 1781 under Captain Knight &
Capt Trotten I served as a Volunteer

5. State the names of some of the regular officers
who were with the troops where you served
such continental and militia regiments
as you can recollect, and the general 
circumstances of your services-
Ans-,, The only general officers recollected
by me during said service are Genls.
Sullivan and West- I cannot recollect
the names of the commanders of any regiments
except of those in which I serve. Neither
can I recollect any general circumstances
of my service worth relation except those
above mentioned -

6. Did you ever receive a discharge
from the service and if so by whom was
it given and what has become of it
Ans. No -

7. State the names of persons to whom
you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character
for veracity and their belief in your
services as a soldier of the revolution.-
Ans. Rev Roswell Whitmore and David
A. Bacon -

           his
William X Tanner
          mark
Page 11

Sworn to and subscribed on the day year
first above written before the Court of Probate
for the District of Killingly in the State of
Connecticut-  David Chase Clerk

We Roswell Whitmore a Clergyman residing
in the town of Killingly in said Windham
County and David A Baron residing in
the same hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with William Tanner who has
subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration that
we believe him to be 74 years of age
that he is reputed and believe in the
neighborhood where he resides to have
been a
soldier of the revolution and that we
concur in that opinion-
Roswell Whitmore
David A Bacon

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year
aforesaid before the Court of Probate for the
District of Killingly- State of Connecticut-
And the said Court 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 soldier of the Revolution
and served as he states. And the Court further
certifies that it appears to them that Rev
Roswell Whitmore who has signed the 
preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in
said town of Killingly and 
that David it Bacon who signed the same is a resident in
the said town of Killingly and is a credible person and their
statement is entitled to credit.

David Chase Clerk
Page 12

I David Chase Clerk of the Court of Probate
for the District of Killingly in the County of Windham
and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of
the said Court in the matter of the application
of William Tanner for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of said Court
this 31st day of January 1839
David Chase Clerk
Page 13

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of
the Act of Congress of 7th July 1838 and of June 17, 1844
granting Pensions to certain Widows

State of Connecticut
Windham County ss. Probate District of Killingly
On this 20th day of July AD 1846 personally
appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of
Killingly, holden at Killingly within & for sd District
in the State & County aforesaid, Sabrina Tanner
a resident of said Killingley aged 79 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 of the acts
of Congress passed the 7 day of July 1838 and the
Act passed the 17th day of June 1844, & March 3d 1843
     That she is the Widow
of William Tanner, who was a private in the Army
of the Revolution and who received a pension from
the War Department of the United States under the
Act of 7 June 1832 at the rate of Thirty four Dollars & Ninety
Nine cent per annum, which certificate bore date the 27th of
June 1833 she believes, and has been surrendered to the Pension
Agent in Hartford State of Connecticut
       She further declares that she
was married to the said William Tanner in the town of
Plainfield, County of Windham & State of Connecticut, on
the 5" day of October 1786, and that her husband the said
William Tanner died at Killingley aforesaid on 9" Day
of December 1845, and that she has remained his
Widow & still is as will more fully appear by the
evidence hereunto annexed and that she
refers to the evidence on file in the War Office
Page 14

of the United States for the proof of the services
of her said husband,
            her
Sabrina X Tanner
           mark
Signed in presence of  --- 
Cornwell Chase 2nd
D D Chase

Sworn & subscribed the day &
year first above mentioned
Before me
David Chase Judge of Probate
of said District of Killingly
And I further certify, that I am
personally acquainted with the
declarant and am fully satisfied
with the truth of her statements.

David Chase Judge of Probate
of this District aforesaid

The [illegible] or alteration of
the name or word Sabrina Tanner was made before signing
attest.
David Chase Judge of Probate of the
District aforesaid

State of Connecticut
Windham County ss.
   I   D. D. Chase -  Clerk of the Court
of Probate for the District of Killingley in the County & State aforesaid
do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited
to said Court, that William Tanner was a Revolutionary
Pensioner under the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832 at the rate
of Thirty four Dollars & Ninety nine Cents, per annum, was
a resident of the Town of Killingly in the County of Windham
& State of Connecticut aforesaid, & died in Killingly on the 9th
Day of December 1845, & that he left a widow whose name is
Sabrina Tanner & who is the identical person who has
signed the above Declaration in order to obtain a Pension,
In testimoy whereof I have hereunto set my
name & affixed the seal of sd Court, this
20th Day of July
AD 1846
D.D. Chase Clerk
Page 15

State of Connecticut
Windham County Ss.     Plainfield Sept. 10th 1846
I Andrew Dunning Pastor
the First Euleastical Society of the Town of
Plainfield in the County and State aforesaid
having the Custody of the Church Records of
The Church in said Society containing the
Record of Marriages as kept by the late
Rev.d Joel Benedict formerly Pastor of
E. Church, do hereby certify that the following
is a true Copy from said Records " Oct Fifth one thousand
seven hundred and Eighty six. William Tanner of Foster
and State of Rhode Island and Sabrina Phillips of Plainfield
Andrew Dunning

And I do further certify that the foregoing is a
true copy of Record, with the exception of the
date which is expressed in fair legible
figures as follows.  Viz."  Marriages, Oct 5 1786"
William Tanner, of Foster and State of Rhode Island"
and Sabrina Philips of Plainfield, "
Andrew Dunning
Page 16

I Andrew Dunning above named do
depose and say that I am Pastor as aforesaid
& have the Custody of E. Records & that the
above is a true extract from E. Records
with the exception above named as
certified by me

Andrew Dunning

Sworn before me this 10" day of
September AD 1846
Simon Davis Justice of the Peace
Page 17

I Phillips Tanner of Killingley in the County of Windham
and State of Connecticut aged 57 years and duly sworn
according to law do testify & say that I am the oldest
Child of William Tanner late of Killingley dec d, who
was a pensioner of the United States. I have most part of my
life, lived in the family & house with my father & mother
Sabrina Tanner, in latter years they boarded with me
as age incapacitated them, to take care of themselves.
     My father William Tanner died at
my house on the 9" day of December 1845 and my
Mother Sabrina, now lives with me, and has signed
the foregoing Declaration in order to obtain a pension
     I had four brother & sisters, three of whom are now
alive,
Phillip Tanner
Page 18

I Samuel Reynolds of Killingly in the County
of Windham & State of Connecticut aged 54 years & being
duly sworn according to law do testify & say that I
have resided in said Killingly for the last Thirteen years.
a recently about forty rods from the late residence
of William Tanner, died as a pensioner of the United
States, Said William Tanner died in December
last, but the day I cannot remember, at the
time of his death I went to the house & helped
lay him out, & attended his funeral & directed it,
His Widow is now alive & lives with his son
Phillips Tanner.
Samuel Reynolds
Page 19

I William C Bacon of Killingley in the County of Windham
and State of Connecticut aged 47 years & being duly sworn
according to law do testify and say, that I have always
resided in said Killingly except for a short time, and I
am by trade a Cabinet maker, & maker of Coffins, That
I have always known William Tanner late of Killingley
dece.d, he was pensioner of the United States, and lived
at the time of his Death about one fourth of a mile from
me, W. Tanner died in December last. I was called upon
to make his Coffin, & went to his residence & took the
measure to make it by and it is charged against his
Estate of the date of December 10 1845 and I have no
hesitation in saying that he died, on the 8th or 9 day of
said month, I attended his funeral,
     As long as I can remember, I have known said
William Tanner, & his Widow Sabina Tanner, who is now
alive & lives with her son at the late residence of William Farmer
They have ever been reputed as husband & wife & have had 
a family of Five Children, four of whom, I have
known
Wm E Bacon

State of Connecticut Windham County ss.
     Be it known, that on this 20 Day of July AD
1846, before the subscriber a Justice of the peace within
and for said County personally appeared Wm C. 
Bacon, Samuel Reynolds & Phillips Tanner the
signers of the foregoing depositions, and made
solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by
respectively subscribed. And I further certify
said deponents, are, to me well known as
persons of truth & veracity.
Simon Davis Justice of the Peace
Page 20

State of Connecticut
Windham County ss
I Uriel Fuller
Clerk of the County Court within and for
the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that
Simon Davis is a Justice of the Peace within
and for said County duly commissioned
and sworn, that his commission bears
date the 19th Day of June AD 1846 & will
expire on the 20th Day of June 1847, and
his signature as such to foregoing and
annexed deposition is genuine,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed the
Seal of said Court this 18th day of
August Anno Domini 1846
Uriel Fuller Clerk
Page 21

No 24655
William Tanner Windham County
Connecticut
Admitted
Private 10 ½ months

Thomas Baker Killingly
Connecticut
Page 23

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
     Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
          1. The Regular Troops.
          2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
          3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
          4. Indian Spies.
    As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first 
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of 
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is 
considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of 
County of   [blank]                                 } ss                   
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]
A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District
of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and
served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:

    {Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served 
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the 
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, 
and the country through which he marched. ->This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons 
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.}

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he 
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of [blank] 
     Sworn to and subscribed the day rear aforesaid. [blank] A. B.

      {And then will follow the certificate of the Court.}

     And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary 
soldier, and served as he states.
     I [blank] of the Court of [blank]
 do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of [blank] for a pension.
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] 
               [blank] day of [blank] &c.

     If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be 
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
     Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and 
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
     (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) 
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 
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.
                 Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
           {And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]}
     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 A. B. 
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the  [blank] 
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] 
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
     I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing 
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank]
for a pension.
                In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal 
                       of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c.

     Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; 
but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if 
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the 
services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light 
upon the transaction.
     If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will 
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful 
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his 
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 24

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal 
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be 
attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be 
expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and 
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his 
case.
     The Court will propound the following [m] interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of 
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State 
troops of Virginia.
     1. Where and in what year were you born?
     2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
     3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary 
war, and where do you now live?
     4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? 
And if a substitute, for whom?
     5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such 
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
     6. {To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it 
given and what has become of it?
         {To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what 
has become of it?
     7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can 
testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
     The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are 
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
     The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, 
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be 
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from 
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed 
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. 
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character 
and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
      The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
      Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before 
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper 
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, 
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
     Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, 
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper 
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a 
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is 
his genuine signature.
      No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the 
taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the 
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can 
procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period 
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the 
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
————————————
     [a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing go by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will 
follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
     [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not 
conforming to the rule.
     [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
     [d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
     [e] Every continental officer or soldier most give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the 
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. ln 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  [blank]  year  [blank]  months, and  [blank] 
days, I served as a  [blank]. For  [blank] months and  [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension.”
     It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, As the law 
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, 
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years 
in the militia &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is 
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent 
authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil 
pursuit.
     [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
     [g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
     [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
     [i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public 
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should
accompany the 
papers.

                    Mode of authenticating papers.
      In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which, 
contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must 
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

               Proof of Service.
     [j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, 
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the 
witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
     ->The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in this 
note [j] applies to continental troops only.
       [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
       [l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
       [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 25

V No 13094
Sabrina Tanner
Con

Rejected
Let to Simon Davis May '96

Act July 1838
Page 26

Rarf 
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 25.472
Sabrina Farmer
Wid of
William Tanner
Pri Rev War

Act Feb 2nd 1848
Index: Vol. T. , Page 266

(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 27

Set to Simon Davis
March 11. 47
Rep ?

325
Connecticut
Sabina Tanner
widow of William Tanner
who was a Private
the Revolution-
husb ? died 9th Decr 1865

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
20 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence of
the [crossed out: 4th day of March, 1844.]
9. December 1845

Certificate of Pension issued the
15th day of Jany. 1847
and sent to Simon Davis, Esq
Thompson, Windham Co
Connecticut

(Act of JUNE 17, 1844.)
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 2,   Page 57
Page 28

I Josiah Harrinton of Foster in the County
of Providence and State of Rhodeisland of
the age of seventy two years, and engaged
according to law do testify and say that I have
been personally acquainted with William Tann[er]
now of Killingly in the County of Windham &
State of Connecticut, about sixty years last pa[st]
that he served with me as a soldier in the
revolutionary war, Viz in the year 1776
I served with him one month at Bristol in
the County of Bristol & State of Rhodeisland -
under Capt Saml Wilbur Thomas Field Lieute[nant]
Wm Potter ensign. all of Scituate R.I. in Nathaniel
Connells regiment under Gen West-
I was at Warwick with said Tanner two
months the winter following Wm Waterman
Col  I was as Tiverton with sd Tanner
one months & half in the year 1777
Wm Howard Capt Peter[?] [illegible] Lieut in
General Spencers expedition - one month
of Rhodeisland in Sulivans Expedition - 
in the year 1778 august 29th
I served with said Tanner three
months on Rhodeisland in the year 178
Capt Johnathan Knight.
I was knowing to said Tanners going
a soldiering at Sundry other times - 
but did not belong to the Same Company
that said Tanner belonged to all the above
times
Josiah Harrinton
Page 29

State of Rhodeisland &c
Providence sc at Foster this 26th day
of Jany AD 1833 Personally appeared the within
named Josiah Harrinton signer to the written
Deposition and made oath to the truth of the
same according to the best of his recollection
     Before me
     Saml Burlingame J. Peace
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted 
with Josiah Harrinton Signer to the within
Deposition & consider his statement such as
may be relied on
       Saml Burlingame J.P

State of Rhode Island &c -
Providence Ss     I William R Watson Clerk of
the court of Common Pleas within and for the County
of Providence, in said State, hereby certify that Samuel
Burlingame is a Justice of the Peace within
for the town of Foster in said County State
that the above signatures, purporting to be his,
are in the proper hand writing of said Burlingame
and that he is duly authorised to administer
oaths -
In Witness whereof I hereunto
set my hand and affix the seal
of said Court at Providence this
17th day of April 1833-
Wm R Watson
Page 30

I Stephen Young of Scituate in the County of Providence
and State of Rhode Islands of Lawful age and engaged according to
law do testify and say that I was seventy three years old on
the fifth Day of July last, I have been well acquainted with
William Tanner of and of Killingly in the County of Windham
and State of Connecticut, ever since he was a small boy untill
after the Revolutionary war he born and brought up in
Scituate a near Neighbour to me and after the close of the war
a few years he removed to the State of Connecticut, and have
known him ever since, I [illegible] knowing to said Tanner's serving
one Month at Bristol in the Rhode Island Militia I think in the fall of 1776 he was drafted
in Capt. Samuel Wilburs Company Thomas Field Lieut and William
Potter Ensign all of Scituate RI. in Nathaniel Cornells Regiment
under General West, the Deponent served as a substitute in said
Company the same time for his father, the Deponent also states that
Said Tanner Served the winter following in the Rhode Island Militia
two months at Warwick one Month in Capt Simeon Harrintons
Company, William Howard Lieut and Stephen Sheldon Ensign, the other
Month in Capt Samuel Williams Company and in Col Watermans
Regiment. I think in the year of 1777. The Deponent served with
said Tanner at Warwick, the Deponent also states that he was
knowing to said Tanner serving one Month after the above tours
in the Rhode Island Militia at Tivertown in Spencers expedition
in Capt. Jonathan Knights Company in Col Kimballs Regiment, the
Deponent was not in the Company with said Tanner but was stationed
their belonging to Col Crary's Regiment he having enlisted in the State service
Page 31

The Deponent also states that he was knowing to said Tanners
Serving one Month on Rhode Island in the Militia in Gen Sullivan's
Expedition I think he served as a substitute in Capt Harrintons
Company. The Deponent also states that he was knowing to Said Tanners
Serving in the Rhode Island Militia Stationed on Rhode Island in the year
1781, part of the time in Capt Jonathan Knights Company and part
of the time in Capt Trotters Company, Gideon Harris Ensign, the term
of time I dont recollect although I was in said service
Stephen Young

State of Rhode Island &c
Providence sc at Scituate this 23rd Day of January AD 1833
Personally appeared the above named Stephen Young Signer
the above Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same
according to his best Recollection
    Before me 
    Israel G Manchester Justice of the Peace


I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Stephen
Young Signer to the aforegoing Deposition and consider his
Statement such as can be relied on.
Israel G Manchester Justice of the Peace
Page 32

State of Rhode Island &c

Providence ss    I William R Watson Clerk
of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County
of Providence, hereby certify that Israel G Manchester
is a Justice of the Peace within & for the town of
Scituate in said county - that the signatures to the
preceding documents, purporting to be his, are
in the proper hand writing of said Manchester
and that he is duly authorized to administer
oaths -     In Witness whereof, I hereunto
set my hand and affix the seal
of said court at Providence
this 17th day of April 1833 -
Wm. R Watson
Page 33

Thompson, Windham Co. Ct
Dec. 31" 1846
Sir,
     By your letter dated Nov 7" 1846
you state you have read the papers in the case
of Sabrina, Tanner Widow of William Tanner
which are satisfactory for a pension for her
for 6 months. I have not looked for further evidence
for her.
     You also state that the
papers in the care of Cyntha Rice, Widow
of Abraham Rice are also satisfactory as to the
date of the Marriage, and refer me to Records
of the State of Massachusetts & New Hampshire
for the evidence of his services, which has been
done and enclosed I send you the evidence
obtained. It appears that the Roll of Capt Hows
Co. in Col Mellen Regt is not there, and if
Mrs Rice: evidence amounts to 2 years service
I cannot tell, if it dones note, so that she can
have the same pension, her husband rec.d. I wish
I might be informed, if there is any other source
of evidence known to you, otherwise I wishe
the Certificates for both to be made out
and sent to me, at the earliest convenience
      Your obedt Sert.
      Simon Davis

Honᵉʳ  J. L Edwards Esq
Comˢˢ of Pensions Or
Page 34

Thompson, Windham Co. Ct.
January 25" 1847
Sir,
I have received from the War Department
The Certificate for Sabrina Tanner, Widow
of William Tanner, to rcieve 20 Dollars annually
only,  On refering to my papers, I find
that William Tanner Certificate was dated June
27" 1833 for $34.99/100 for myself I confess, I do not
know, nor see from any thing in the case, why
the Widow should be reduced to 20; it may
however all be right,

In your letter of 7th Nov last
"your say. " The papers in the case of Sabrina Tanner
" Widow of William Tanner, have been examined &
" filed under the act of 7 July 1838,  The evidence produced
" is satisfactory to establish the date of their marriage, but by
" reference to the service of the husband as set forth by
" himself, it appears he was allowed for two tours of
" two months each, and one of three months, in the militia
" of Rhode Island. That service was rendered in
" tours of one month each  Claimants husband was
" out, agreeable to his own statement, six times,
" A pension for six months is all that can be
" granted, upon the present exhibits, "

On seeing this, I confess I decieved myself
in supposing ,that the above would cut off, but
one
Page 35

one month, and she would get a little more than
30 Dollars a year, and she had better loose
the month, than be at the expence of proving it,

 If the service you have alluded to, is
all the husband set forth, all is perfectly right,
but if he set forth other service that intitled him
to $14.99/100, more annually and about which you
have no question of its being right, does she not
ought to draw for that?

The extream poverty
of this good old lady, urges me, to ask, in all
kindness, that she may draw all she is entitled to,

I would ask you, once more to refer
to the husbands, statement of service, that I may
be able to say to her, why she is to rcieve so
much less than her husband Rc Oc

I remain your very obeᵉᵗ
Svᵗ Simon Davis

Honᵇˡᵉ. J. L. Edwards
Comˢˢ of Pension
Page 36

Thompson, Windham Co. Ct
July 26 1848
Sir I send you enclosed the applications of 10
Widows for the benefit of the Pension act of July 2d 1848.
Viz Sarah Robbins, Anne Ringe, Molly Bixby
Tarmar Torry, Sabina Tanner Abigail
Tourtellott, Susannah Goodell, Esther Smith
Cynthia Rice, & Hannah Chaffee,
to which I beg your early convenient attention
Your ob ant Sert
Simon Davis

Honᵇˡ. J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City,
Page 37

The magistrate before whom the affidavit of the
within named Eastin was taken not being willing
to accompany it with the usual certificate
the same is not transmitted.
Return to be made to
Thomas Backus - Killingly Con
Page 38

Sabrina Tanner
ad
325-66
Admitted
Simon Davis
Thompson
CT
Page 39

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 2d February
1848, entitled "An act making further provision for surviving
Widows & Soldiers of the Revolution,
       State of Connecticut
       Windham County ss   On this 8th Day of May
1848, personally appeared before me Simon Davis a Justice
of the Peace within and for said County of Windham duly
authorized by law to administer oaths. Sabrina Tanner
a resident of Killingly in said Windham County
aged 81 years who being first duly sworn according
to law, doth on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision
made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2nd day of February
1848, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served
during the Revolutionary War,
      That she is the Widow of William
Tanner who was a private in the army or militia
during the Revolutionary War, in what company
or Regiment she cannot state. That she has
recd a Pension of Twenty Dollars per annum
under the act of June 7 1844, and is still a Widow
and refers to the evidence on file for any other particulars

Before me
Simon Davis
Justice of the Peace

Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written
[illegible] Simon Davis                

          her
Sabrina X Tanner
        mark

    Charles Tanner
I do hereby certify that said declarant is personally known
to me
attest Simon Davis Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut
Windham County ss
I Uriel Fuller Assistant Clerk of the County Court of
the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that Simon Davis
is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned
and qualified, that his commission was dated on the 19th day
of June 1847 & will expire on the 20th day of June 1848
and that his signature above written is genuine
Given under my hand & the seal of the said County
this 22nd day of June 1848
Uriel Fuller Ass Clerk