Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13727, for Solomon Lewis, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
Lewis, Solomon
NUMBER
S.13727
Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

9576
Connecticut
Solomon Lewis
of Windham in the State of Con
who was a Pri in the Con commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Reg commanded
by Col Dyer in the [crossed out with star above]
for State service qmo
R.I.
June 30, 1906,
Records correct Jc
=================
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn
at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=================
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of May
1833 and sent Claimant
Voluntown, Windham Ct
=================
Arrears to the 4th March 33            $60-
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep 4"   12
===
$75-
===
   Revolutionary Claim,
⎨ Act June 7, 1832.      ⎬

Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk
Booke E    Vol.  3    Page 24
Page 3

BRIEF in the case of Solomon Lewis
of Windham County in the State of Connecticut
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
    a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
     ---
3. How old is he?  81. years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[table]
Period.   | Duration of Service             | Rank.      | Names of General and Field under whom he served
              |     Years,      Months,   Days |  As a       | Gen.
In 1777  |      ---           ----         40     | private   | Col. Chad Dyer
     do -   |      ---             1          ---     |   do       |       do
     do -   |      ---             4          ---     |   do       |       do
     do -   |      ---             1          ---     |   do       | Genl. Spencer
    1778   |      ---           ----         20     |    do      | Genl. Sullivan
    1780   |      ---              1          ---    |   do-      | Capt. Wilson
             ┃ Total Service  9. -                |               |

5. In what battles was he engaged?  Rhode Island of 29th Augt 1778
 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?   Exeter, Rhode Island.

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

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
   no

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

B. F. Pleasants Examining Clerk
Page 4

Declaration in Order to obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832
State of Connecticut }
County of Windham }

On this 25th day of August AD 1832 personally
appeared in open Court before the Court of
Probate for the district of Voluntown in the County Windham
and State of Connecticut now sitting, Solomon Lewis
a resident in the Town of Voluntown in the County of Windham
and State of Concord aged eighty one years who being
first duly sworn according to laws. 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 officer and served
as herein stated - viz - That in the winter of the year 1777 I was
called into the militia service as a private soldier in Capt Uriah Crandalls
company in a Regiment commanded by Col Charles Dyer
and marched from Exeter in the State of Rhode Island where I
then resided to North Kingston on the Narragansett shore opposit
to the farm of Newport of which the brittish Troops were then in
possession and they also had a Fleet in Narragansett Bay, and was
40 [in right margin] stationed there employed in guarding the shore a term of Forty days
I was then discharged and Returned to my former residence-

Immediately after my Return I was drafted for a tour of one
1 mo [in left margin] month and again marched under the said Capt Crandal and was
stationed at South Kingston during term employed in guarding the
shore - Then returned to said Exeter I think in the month of March
1777- at this time the militia company in the Town of Exeter was
divided into two classes each class to serve alternately one month
which arangment continued eight months in the space of time
I served in [the said - crossed out] Capt Samuel Gortons Company in the said
4 [in left margin] Col. Dyer Regiment at fares several times a term of four months
and was stationed at several places on the said Narraganset
shore during said time. And in the fall of the year 1777
I served as a substitute for my brother Simeon Lewis of said
Exeter in a militia company under the command of the said
Capt Gorton and marched to Tiverton in said R.I. and there Joined
Page 5

an expedition commanded by General Spencer against the
enemy then in possession of Newport on said Rhode Island, and
marched to Fogland ferry but did not go on the Island, was in this
service one month and was discharged at said Tiverton and 
1. [left margin] returned to said Exeter- And in August 1778 I was drafted
to go in Rhode Island in Genneral Sulivans expedition against 
the British troops in possession of Newport. I marched under the
said Capt Gorton to North Kingston and there went into boats and
crossed over to Bristol ferry at the north end of the Island and
landed on the said Island at said ferry & Joined the Army and
was in the Battle of the 29th of Aug on said Island and came
off in the Retreat at Howlands Ferry in said Tiverton and
was there discharded having served 20 days. And in
August in the year 1780 I was again drafted for the term
of one month and served under Capt. Wilson and marched
to Narragansett ferry and crossed over and landed at Newport
for the purpose of repairing the Fort after the enemy had
left that place was there dismised and returned to my former
residence in said Exeter -  makeing in the whole of my service
a period of Nine months-
       He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a
pension or annuity other then 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)
1 - Where, and in what year were you born? Answer in the
Town of West Greenwich in R. I. and in the year AD 1750 -
2 - Have you any Record of your age, and if so where is it
Answer I have no Record other than in my Bible
3  Where were you living when called into service, where have
you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live
Page 6

Answered the first question in my declaration I have lived since the
Revolutionary war in said Exeter and in Voluntown in Connectict where
I now live & which I have lived for about 35 years---
---
4.   How were you called into service, &c. Answered in my 
declaration.
5.   State the names of some of the regular offices who were with
the troops where you served such Continental & Milita Regiments as
you can recollect_ Answered in my declaration
6--  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service &c. Answer
I never received any written discharge-
7--- State the names of persons to whom you are known in your
present Neighbourhood and who can Testify to your character
for veracity and their belief of your service as a Sodier in the
Revolution - Nathaniel Sheffield & James Alexander
Solomon Lewis

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before the
Court of Probate for the district of Voluntown ---
we Nathaniel Sheffield a Clergyman residing in the Town of
Voluntown in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut and
James Alexander Residing in the same place hereby certify that
we are well acquainted with Solomon Lewis who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be
eighty one years of age; that he is reputed and believe in the
neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the
revolutionary war and that we concur in that opinion
Nathaniel Sheffield
James Alexander

Sworn & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before the
Court of Probate for the district of Voluntown
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the
investigation of the matter, and after putting the Interogatories
proscribed 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 Nathaniel Sheffield who has
signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Voluntown
Page 7

Voluntown and that James Alexander who has also signed the same
is a resident in said Voluntown and is a credible person and
that their statement is entitled to credit-

I Daniel Keigwin Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district
of Voluntown 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 Solomon Lewis for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
this 23d day of August AD 1832--
Daniel Keigwin Clark Probate Court

I Reynols Barber of Exter in the County of Washington
and State of Rhode Island aged seventy eight years on oath
Testify and say that during the war of the Revolution I was
well acquainted with Solomon Lewis who then lived in said
Exeter and well remember that the said Soloman served as a
soldier in the several campaigns stated by him in the 
foregoing declaration I myself having served with him in 
several of the tours mentioned & verily believe that he served
in them all the time he has stated - and further say not
Reynolds Barber

Windham County ss   Voluntown Aug 3rd AD 1832
Personally appeared Reynolds Barber signer of the foregoing
affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same and
I further certify that the above deponant is a person of
truth and veracity
Sworn before Joseph Wylie Justice Peace
Page 8

I Gideon Popple residing in the Town of Canterbury in the County
of Windham and State of Connecticut aged Eighty one years on oath
Testify and say that I was well acquainted with Solomon
Lewis then of Exeter in the State of Rhode Island where I also
then lived during the war of the Revolution and know the fact
that the said Solomon Lewis served in the Militia in that
state at several times between December 1776 and the year
1779 or 1780 under Capt Uriah Crandal_ Capt Saml Gorton &
Capt George Wilcox as much as nine months in the whole
as I served with him under each of the above named officers
we were stationed at various places on the Narragansett shore
employed in guarding against the enemy army & feet_
and further say not.
              his
Gideon   X   Popple
             mark
in presents of-
Daniel Keigwin
Nathaniel Sheffield

Windham County ss.    Voluntown August the 23rd day 1832
Personally appeared Gidion Popple signer of the foregoing
affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same-
and I further certify the the above deponant is a person
of truth & veracity
Sworn before Daniel Keigwin Justice of Peace
Page 9

I Annin Bolles Clerk of the County Court with [corner missing]
the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut do [corner missing]
certify that Daniel  Keigwin and Joseph Wylie Esquires
before whom the affidavits annexed hereunto was made and
duly enrolled as Justices of the Peace in and for said Windham
County, that the foregoing signatures of their names are in their
hand writing and that full faith and credit ought
to be given to their acts as such - 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of
said Court at Brooklyn in said County
this 29th day of August A.D. 1832
Annin Bolles Clerk

[written in right margin]
7476 Solomon Lewis
Page 10

Peohan [upper left hand corner]

13727
INVALID.
File No. 13.727
Solomon Lewis
Priv Rev War
---
Act: June 7th 1832.
Index: -- Vol. 1,  Page 221
{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 11

No 7476.
Solomon Lewis
admit gmo
Private $30 00
Page 12

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
Solomon Lewis    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?
yes
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?
Yes.
VI.   Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Yes.
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  - but it has no device or inscrpher.
Page 13

2
XI.   Has the applicant obtained 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?
    Yes.
XII.    If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not 
obtaining it?
     --------
XIII.    If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
     ----------
XIV.    If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under
his seal of office?
    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?
    Yes.
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 pension."
Page 14

3
   It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
   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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as 
well as the regiment, company, and line to which be 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticing papers.
    In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.