Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14923, Nathaniel Arnold, R.I.
Page 1

SERVICE
R.I

Arnold, Nathaniel

NUMBER
S.14923

carded
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No.17699
Connecticut

Nathaniel Arnold Windham Co. in the State of Conn't was a Private in the commanded by Captain of the Regt commanded (by) Col. Cornwell in the R. Island Line for 18 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 60 Dollars -- Cents per annum, (to) commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Sept. 1833 and sent to Chauncy Fenton Esq'r Pomfret Ct.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1853 150.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 1834 30.00
$180.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E. Vol. 3 Page 1
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2259
Nathaniel Arnold
No. 4

adm'd
18 mo pri
60$

viz Return to be sent to Chauncey Fenton Esq.
Pomfret
Connecticut
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[left side]
Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832 
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, COUNTY OF WINDHAM,} SS. 
On this 25 day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court of the County of Windham aforesaid, now sitting, Nathaniel Arnold a resident of the town of Pomfret in the County of Windham, and State of Connecticut, aged 72 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 7, 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
1st I was drafted in Feby 1777 ^into the Militia of the State of Rhode Island and served in a company commanded by Lieutenant William Collins in Col John Waterman’s Regiment at Warwick in Rhode Island the term of one month- 
2d I was drafted into a company command by Capt Anthony Holden and in Col John Watermans Regiment. This was in 1777 – I served one month at Warwick Rhode Island.
3rd In same year I was drafted into Capt Squire Miller's Company & in Col John Waterman’s Regiment in Genl Spencers expedition this tour I served one month at Tiverton in [crossed out: Mass] Rhode Island 
4th & 5th [illegible] 1777 I served two tours in Capt Benjamin Arnold’s company and in Col Cornwell's Regiment of one month each at Warwick Rhoda 
6th In same year I served in Capt Benjamin Arnold’s Company one month in Col Waterman’s Regiment in Genl Sullivans Expedition at Howlands Ferry.
7th in January 1776 I volunteered into the continental line in Capt Josiah Gills Company and in Col Richmonds Regiment and served the term of one year in Newport & East Greenwich Rhode Island and on long Island and was discharged 18th January 1777 
Of the services I performed in the Malitia of the State of Rhode Island I have no documentary evidence & I know of no person living who can testify of that service 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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:-- 
1. Where and in what year were you born? at Warwick in Rhode Island in 1760 
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? I have none that I know of 
3. Where you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live? In Warwick in Rhode Island. I now live & have lived since in Pomfret Connecticut.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? In the 6 tours of one month each I was drafted as above in the years’ service in the Continental Line I volunteered
5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with troops where you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. I answer as above . 
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? I had no written discharge 
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. Thos M German Esq and Mr Albermarle Stone both of said Pomfret there being no Clergyman in the neighborhood with whom I am acquainted
Nathaniel Arnold 

[right side]
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year aforesaid, before the County of Windham in the State of Co[illegible]
We Thomas M Grosvenor residing in the town of Pomfret in said Windham County,
Albermarle Stone residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Arnold who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be 72 years of age; that he is reputed and [illegible: missing] in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Thos M Grosvenor
Albermarle Stone
Sworn, and subscribed, on the day and year aforesaid; before the County Court for the County of Windam in the State of Conn
Attest Armin Bolles
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the [illegible: missing] certifies, that it appears to them that Thos M Grosvenor who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergy(man) a resident in the said town of Pomfret and that Albermarle Stone who signed the same is a resident said town of Pomfret and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
Attest Armin Bolles Clerk 
I Armin Bolles Clerk of the County Court for the County of Windham, in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 25 day of July A. D. 1832 
Armin Bolles Clerk
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Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Windham and State of Connecticut. Nathaniel Arnold of Pomfret in said County & State being the same ^person who has signed and sworn to the annexed declaration before the County Court for the County of Windham aforesaid on the 25th day of July AD 1832 who being duly sworn deposeth and saith in addition to said declaration that he served in Feby 1777 as he has stated in said declaration, with this addition, the place where the served was not correctly stated but he did this tour of duty on the shore of East Greenwich in said State of Rhode Island the capts name I have forgotten but recollect he was prevented from serving by sickness. I served as a private Soldier one month - - and was drafted We were ordered to guard the shore, to prevent, Capt Wallace who commanded a Bank Brigg and several other vessels from landing, who have previously landed and burnt buildings, and destroyed other property. Whether this months service was all in February or part in March following I am not able to tell- 
2d I served my 2d Tour as described in said Declaration with this addition he does not recollect the month he served thinks it was in the spring 1777- knows it was warm weather-- we served at old Warwick town and at Warwick neck. to guard the shore from the attacks of Wallace's shipping, which stand in that neighborhood 3 or 4 years -  he served one month.
 3rd  This service as stated in his declaration is incorrect Addition he served in Capt Squire Millers Company in Col John Waterman's Regt as substitute for Anthony Arrcola of said Warwick One month at Tiverton Rhode Island he thinks it was in August & September 1777 he knows that apples & other fruit were plenty
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John Low was Lieut Colonel of our Regt. the names of other officers of our Regt & Company I do not recollect
4&5 He served as stated in his declaration except that he was in Col Cornwell Regt one month and in Col Watermans Regt one month- his company did this duty at old Warwick town to guard the shore from the shipping mentioned before-- this was in 1777 in Oct & November, he thinks & under Col Cornwell we marched on to the South end of Prudence Island when we surprised the crew of a Barge and took them. said crew have come on shore for water and apples - Col Cornwell concealed his men near the spring where they obtained their water and on that approach find at them and killed 3 and wounded another. 6. in Col Cornwells Regt he belonged to an independent company called the Pawtuxet Rangers, Israel Arnold was next in command under Capt Benjamin Arnold
He served as stated except he thinks it was in 1778 draft in ‘77 in the month of August he served at Howlands Ferry – he was with the boats that transported the Army in Sullivans expedition from Tiverton to Newport – [illegible] Garden was Captain of the boats at the time of crossing the ferry served under him at this is ferry was not in the Battle which took place at Butts hill in Newport. I served one month as substitute for the Friends-- I was hired by the town of Warwick to supply the place of one of the Friends who refused to take part in the war 
7. Revision to the foregoing & the first of my Revolutionary services Janry AD 1776 I enlisted into Capt Giles Company in Col Richmonds Regt and served one year as stated in his declaration
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Addition He served in Newport, East Greenwich, & on Long Island Sound sound in the autumn of the same year and Regt crossed ^Long Island Sound from Stratford Island, [crossed out: (long Island Sound)] to Cow Bay where we took a company of [illegible] Gardiner was sent Col of our Regt Elisha Parker was Lieut of our company. the other officers I cannot recollect. I served in all one year and six months in all my service I served in the Capacity of a private Soldier - one year in the continual service as a Volunteer. 4 months was drafted in the State Militia of Rhode Island. 2 months - I was as a substitute as aforesaid in said Militia, I have no other documentary evidence except what is herein enclosed. I know of no living person who can testify for me except the Charles Green whose deposition is herewith enclosed
The reason why this applicant did not obtain the evidence of a Clergyman as to his belief suspecting his age and the general belief of his same relative to his revolutionary services is that all the - Clergyman in this ^town have so recently removed here that they have not had sufficient opportunity to inform themselves so as to be able to testify according to the requirements of the War department, no clergyman by reason of these facts can be obtained now. I have no other evidence of any services that I know of. I have enduranced to state them as correct
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as possible. I am confident I have served my Country as I have stated as to tours length of time as to the particular duty & month by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, I am unable to state positively but think I am nearly correct
Pomfret March 4th 1832 
Nathaniel Arnold
Sworn to, before me the subscriber, this 4th day of March AD 1833
Chauncy Fenton Justic of Peace
I Armin Bolles Clerk of the County Court within a for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut Co do hereby certify that Chauncey Fenton Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, is duly enrolled as a Justice of the Peace in in and for said Windham County, that the foregoing signature of his name is in his hand writing, and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his 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 6th day of March A.D. 1833 
Armin Bolles Clerk
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. 
May 15, 1925.
Mrs. Edith L. Perry 
148 Grove Street, 
Putnam, Connecticut. 
M
Madam:  I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S-14923, it appears Nathaniel Arnold, was born in 1760 at Warwick Rhode Island and while residing there he enlisted in January 1, 1776 and served to January 18, 1777 as a private in Captain Josiah Gibbs Company, Colonel Richmond's Rhode Island Regiment. 
He enlisted February, 1777 and served for one month in Captain William Collin's Company, Colonel John Waterman's Rhode Island Regiment.
He enlisted in the spring of 1777 and served for one month in Captain Anthony Holden's Company, Colonel John Waterman's Rhode Island Regiment. He enlisted August, 1777 and served for one month in Captain Squire Millard's Company, Colonel John Waterman's Rhode Island Regiment. 
He enlisted in October, 1777 and served for two months in Captain Benjamin Arnold & Company, Colonel Cornell's Rhode Island Regiment
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He enlisted in August 1778 and served for one month in Captain Benjamin Arnold's Company, Colonel John Waterman Regiment in General Sullivan's Expedition. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed. July 25, 1832 while residing at Warwick, Rhode Island.
There is no family data on file. 
Respectfully,
WILDER S METCALF 
Commissioner.
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[left side]
1923 May 15 History to Mrs Edith L. Perry & see her letter in Oliver Parrey; pension claim. W-25496 MDY
[right side]
Revolution
14.923
INVALID.
File No. 14.923
Nathaniel Arnold
Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index :- Vol. 1, Page 11
[Arrangement of 1870]
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I Charles Greene late of Coventry in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island but now of Southbridge in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I am now seventy Nine years of age - and that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and that a in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred & Seventy six in the month January. I entered the company of Capt Josiah Gibbs in Col. William Richmond's Regiment, and I served in said company and Regiment for the term of one year from the above date. We were stationed mostly in the State of Rhode Island during said year - and I further say that Nathaniel Arnold now of Pomfret in the County of Windham & State of Connecticut was a private soldier in said Company and served with me during the whole of said year as aforesaid. And further say not 
Charles Greene Worcester 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Worchester ss February 16. 1833
Then personally appeared Charles Greene who has subscribed the foregoing deposition and made oath that the same is here the said Green being personally known to me as a credible witness before me 
Linus Child Justice of the Peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Worcester ss. I Abijah Bigelow, Clerk of the Judicial Courts, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify that Linus Child, Esquire, before whom the within Affidavit of Charles Greene was made and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Worcester and that his signature thereto appears to me to be in his own proper handwriting
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County Seal, this nineteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. 
Abijah Bigelow, Clerk.
“sixteenth day of” erased by A. Bigelow
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Nathaniel Arnold

adm'd

Chauncey Fenton Esq
Pomfret Ct

(P72)
Page 15

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathanel Arnold which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resident 
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? in general terms only, not sufficiently specific 
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 amount of pension he is entitled? The served terms are not separately stated in sufficient detail
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
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?
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2 
XI. Has the application 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? NO 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary living witness, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? It does not appear that inquiry or [illegible] have been used to obtain the best evidence
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? 
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? 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily and if not, which of them is not so answered? 
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."
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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 he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility 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 authenticating 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.