Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15516, Israel Aldrich, R.I.
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R.I.
Aldrich, Israel W.15516
Anna
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[illegible] see letters to P.Ag[illegile]
B. Aldrich March 14. 1838
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Rhode Island 1792
Anna Aldrich
widow of Israel Aldrich
who died on the 22 August 1818
of Providence in the State of R. Island
who was a Drummer in the Company commanded by Captain Aldrich of the Regl commanded by Col Brown - in the R. Island m for 9 months.
F,N. 15516
R.I.
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 33 Dollars - Cents, per annum in commerce on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of February 1838 and sent to Benj Cowell, Esq. Providence
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1837             $  214.50
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 38 16.50
                                                               $  231.00
Revolutionary Claim
Act July 4, 1836
Section the 3d
Recorded by Wm S Allison Clerk
Book A  Vol. {illegible]  Page 81
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[illegible] April 21,1773
This Marriagge is Recorded
[illegible] Danl Mowry [illegible]
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I hereby Certify that Israel Aldrich 
son of Samuel Aldrich and Anna Man 
daughter of Oliver Man  Both of Smithfield were lawfully joined together in marriage on the 25 day of March Anno Domini 1773 By me the Subscriber
Caleb Aldrich [illegible]
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State of Rhode Island

County of Providence

On this 31st day of October 1839 personally 
officiated before one Benjamin Cowell Chief Justice of the Court of Common [illegible]
within and for said County Anna Aldrich 
now resident in Smithfield in said County
aged 89 years who being duly sworn 
According to law [illegible] on her oath make 
the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of July 4th 1836 [illegible] that she is the
widow of Israel Aldrich formerly 
of said Smithfield who was a soldier
of the revolution, that he service in Capt
Simeon Aldrich's Company of Col. Brown,
regiment , and other companies but she can
not specify his services otherwise then
in the annexed depositions, her said 
husband was a drummer and generally 
served as such and as a [illegible], [illegible]
further declares that the war [illegible]
to her said husband the said [illegible]
on the 25 day of March [illegible]1773
ass appears by the original certificate
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here to annexed which has ben in 
her [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] and the
further declares that her said husband
died on the 22nd day of August 1813
and that she has remained a widow
ever since that period Wherefore
she negrets that [illegible] pension
which her said husband was
entitled to under the Act of Congress
1832 may be extended to her.
 [signed] Anna Aldrich

[illegible] [illegible]
In Smithfield Oct 31 1839
Sworn to i subscribed before me
and i further certify that said
Anna from old and [illegible]
is unable to attend court.

Benjamin Cowell
[illegible]
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I, Ohaney Aldrich of Smithfield in the 
County of Providence being now fight 
years of age on oath do testify and say that 
Israel Aldrich the husband of the said 
Anna Aldrich who has signed and sworn
to the [illegible] [illegible] dies on
the 22nd day of August [illegible] 1813. I
was with him when he died, since 
his death the said Anna has remained
a widow and ummarried.
[signed] Ohaney Aldrich

[illegible]
In Smithfield Oct 31 1837
Sworn to and [illegible] before [illegible]
and I further certify said affidavit
is a credible [illegible]
[signed] Benjamin Cowell
[illegible]
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RI
Rev Widow, &c.

File No. 15516
Anna Aldrich
wife of 
Israel Aldrich
Drummer Rev. War
Act: July 4th 1836
Index: Vol. A Page 9
[Arrangement of 1870]
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Anna Aldrich
2926

admitted
Drummer [illegible]

B. Cowell
Providence
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I Fenner Angell of the City of Providence being now in the 82 year of age on oath do testify and say that during the war of the [illegible] I resided in the Town of Smithfield and was well acquainted with Israel Aldrich the husband of Anna Aldrich now his widow and resident in said Smithfield as I understand said Israel was a drummer and served as such during several tours. To my knowledge [illegible]
January 1777 he and I served together stationed at Bristol in Captain Eddy's Company. Cole Chad Brown regiment I remember on New Year's Day a house took fire and burnt down in which were a [illegible] of soldiers celebrating the New Year'ss Day. In the same winter or beginning of spring in March I remember everything another month stationed at Providence. I remember we were quartered at the house of Joseph Brown where the old Barracks now is. Several hundred of [illegible] from Connecticut seen in Providence at the same time, Capt Eddy is as [illegible].
Captain Cole Brown [illegible] Colonel
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I remember also of his being our drummer in General Spencer's expedition in the fall of the same year or at least of his being a drummer in that expedition and served a month. I also [illegible] [illegible] of serving with himj [illegible] August 1778 in General Sullivan expedition [illegible] this expedition I was in Capt Ebenizer Frank's company but I do not remember in what company said Israel was in. It is difficult to recall that with certainty afer such a length of time but the above tour of duty which said Israel Aldrich served I remember and I have no doubt we served others stationed with each other. 
[signed] Fenner Angell

Providence
In the city of Providence
Nov 17 1837
Sworn to and subscribed before me by said Fenner Angell and I further said affidavit is a credible witness.
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State of Rhode Island [illegible]
Profividence [illegible] I Dexter Randall clerk of the town of [illegible][illegible] 
[illegible] being a [illegible][illegible] do kindly certify that Benjamin Cowell [illegible] before whom the preceding affidavit oversworn is Chief Justice of said [illegible] that Mrs George Aldrich Aldrich [illegible] before whom she proceeding avidavit [illegible] sworn is a justice of the peace in the town of Smithfield [illegible] [illegible]; that they are by [illegible] [illegible] to [illegible] [illegible] and [illegible][illegible] there to written [illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible]
1837
Dexter Randall
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Israel Aldrich
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I, David Kelley of Burrillville County of Providence State of Rhode Island now 84 year of age on oath do testify and say - I well remember of serving with Israel Aldrich now [illegible] in the war of the Revolution he was a drummer a member of [illegible] in the Rhode Island Militia - In December 1776 I will remember of his serving one month under Capt James Smith Stationed at Bristol Col. Brown Regiment. In September 1777 he served one month [illegible] at Tiverton - under Cole Brown's Regiment - In 1778 he and I served one month in August same capt and [illegible]. In July 1779 he and I served one month under Col Cornell. The four above months I well remember of his serving and was a drummer all of the time. I have not a [illegible] [illegible] others [illegible] together. 

[signed] His X mark
David Kelley

Providence [illegible] 
State, RI October 4th AD 1837

Then came before me David Kelley and made oath to the truth of above affidavit by him subscribed in my [illegible] - I further certify the said David Kelley is well known to me and is a credible [illegible] in the [illegible]

George Aldrich

Justice of the Peace
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I henry Mowry of Mendon County of Worcester, Massachusetts now at Smithfield County of Providence State of Rhode Island now 78 years of age on oath do testify and say I was well acquainted with Israel Aldrich now dead in the war of the Revolution. In May 1777 he and I served together one month stationed at Providence under Capt Simeon Aldrich, Col Chad Brrown Regiment. In September 1777 he and I served together one month General Spencer's Expedition [illegible] Colonel [illegible] at Bristol. In March 1778 he he served with me one month stationed at Tiverton same Capt and Colonel.
In August 1778 General Sullivan's Expedtion he and I served one month capt Aldrich same Colonel and went on the island of Rhode Island.
In May 1779 he and I served one month under Capt Ebenizar Trask stationed most of the month at Bristol Col Brown. I remember 1779 served one month together Capt Trask and Col Brown. In March 1780 he and I served one month Capt Frank Colonel George Peck stationed on the Island. In August 1780 one other month stationed on the island of Rhode Island under captain Frank Col Peck regiment - all of the above months was drafted
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And the [illegible] Israel Aldrich served all of this time a drummer. 

[signed] Henry Mowry

County of 
Providence
State of RI

October 17 AD 1837

Then came before me Hentry Mowry and made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed in my [illegible] I certify the said Henry Mowry is well known to me and is a credible witness in the [illegible] George Aldrich
Justice of the Peace
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[illegible] march 18 38
3
Pension Office
[illegible]

Chepachet RI
March 9
To the Hon. Joel R Poinsett
War Department
Washington DC
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Glocester, Rhode Island March 9, 1838

To the Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, Sir, 

Some time since, Anna Aldrich, widow of Israel Aldrich late of Smithfield RI called on me to know if she was entitled to a pension under the existing laws, and if so, stated that she should like to have it obtained for her. 
Agreeably to her request, I made the necessary inquiry, and informed her that she not entitled to a pension - a result with which she appeared fully satisfied. She has however, through unsolicited intrumentality of another person, obtained a certificate of pension from your Department bearing date in February last which purports to be recorded at the Pension Office, Book ct. Vol 2, page 81. Wm L. Allison clerk. Believing, as I do, that a fraud has been commited upon your department I deem it my duty to make to you the following brief statement.
Mrs Aldrich is a lady about ninety years of age, whose mental faculties have been preserved in a very unusual degree of reflection and is a lady of moral worth and whose pecuniary circumstances are far above those of penny and want; and one who would scorn the idea of receiving anything which she did not think rightfully belonged to her. She states distinctly, and has even stated, that her husband did not serve but two months personally, and that he himself a substitute two other months, making a term of four months, being the whole time his services were ever required in in his country's cause. The person who persuaded her that she could obtain a pension, undertook to procure it on [illegible] that he should have one half and for this purpose procured, (and, I believe [illegible]) testimony which is unworthy your confidence, and is a [illegible] perversion of every example of moral ineptitude - thwarting at once the benevolent designs of the pension law.
It may not be improper to state to you that the person who took Mrs Aldrich's testimony, evaded thos questions neglecting time of service [illegible] which the law implies, and by this, and similar proceeding, made up his papers, which, when received at your department, undoubtedly bore the appearance of genuine credentials. A deep sense of imperitive duty has been my only motive in enfolding to you the above face, and should you deem it proper to further investigate the transaction through the district attorney or any other channel your knowledge and judgment shall dictate, I will hencefully render whatever are may be in my power towards connecting this instance of [illegible] imposition.

Very Respectfully your [illegible]
and humble
servant,
Benedict Aldrich