Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,953, Henry Alexander, Mass R.I.
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Mass
Alexander, Henry
S. 11.953
R.I.

carded
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Henry Alexander Schedule

([illegible] now pending the pension office)
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                    United States of America.
Rhode Island District.

                            District Court March 26 1821.

On this 26 day of March 1821 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Record within and for said District. Henry Alexander, aged 66 years, residing in the Town of Providence in said County and District, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows: That he served one year in Col. William Richard's regiment of the Rhode Island Line as a Sergeant and Ensign, that he made a previous declaration on the 30th day of March 1818 which declaration is now pending in the Pension Office. And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighteen: and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property or any part thereof, with intent thereby do to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of  Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the eighteenth day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighteen: that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property on security, contracts as debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
                                              Henry Alexander.

A Schedule of Property and Income (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) of Henry Alexander (illegible) ten old chains, 3 tables, 2 pots, 2 kettles, 15 plates, ten cups & saucers, 2 pair of (illegible), 1 pair shovel & tongs, 8 knives & forks, 2 small cooking glasses, 1 candle stand, 2 pewter platters, 2 wash tubs, 2 stone pots, 6 spoons, 1 hog, 1 warming pan, and this Declarant that he is now and has been for the last ten years much impoverished and involved in debt that he now justly owes more than three hundred Dollars, that in fact he has not been free from debt since the revolutionary war in consequence of great sickness and other misfortunes in his family that he must doom in his advanced age resort to charity unless his pension is granted.
                                              Henry Alexander
                                                            Sworn

A3 has a wife aged 36 w/ daughter aged 20 years, no other family (illegible).
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Sworn to and declared in open Court on the 26 day of March 1821.

Witness B Cowell Elk.

Rhode Island District
25       Clerks office of the District Court A1821.

I, Benjamin Cowell, Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule hereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said county and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is Twenty Five dollars (illegible). In Testimony whereof I have hereunto let my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this Twenty Ninth day of March A1891.

Benjamin Cowell. Clerk of said Court
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10.862
Rhode Island

Henry Alexander of Providence in the State of R. I. who was a Sgt., Ens. Lt. in the company commanded by Capt. ~ of the Rgt. commanded by Col. Richmond on the R. Island line for

1 month Sergeant
8 " Ensign
15 - Lieutenant
Also Mass Line Nov. 7, '03

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 289 Dollars ~ cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of April 1833 and Leut. Benjn Cowell Providence (illegible) R. I.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833

$570.00
$142.50
$712.50

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk, Book E, Vol. 2, Page 101
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Henry Alexander
Providence

17021

Leut. 15 Mon.
Ensign 8
Sergt. 1
26

$285 pr. amm.

B. Cowell En.
Providence
R. I.
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State of Rhode Island (illegible)
County of Providence (illegible)

On this 21st day of October AD 1832 personally was present before me, William Aplin, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County being a Court of Record. Henry Alexander a resident of Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, aged 76 years, who from bodily infirmity is unable to appear in Open Court, on 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 (illegible). He was born in the Town of Newtown with the State of Massachusetts in the year 1738. This birth was recorded in the family Bible of his father and no where else to his knowledge which said Bible is long since destroyed. He resided in Attleborough in the State of Massachusetts when called into service. He resided in Providence afterwards and now resides there. And the applicant further states that on the day of the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775, he volunteered with many other young men to go and did go to Roxbury under the commanded by Capt. Elisha Mays and did duty as a soldier for eleven days in Roxbury and then enlisted to serve as a private for eight months in a company commanded by Capt. Caleb Richardson which time he served out faithfully and then was honorably discharged. And the applicant further states that on the 7 or 8 of December 1776, he enlisted for one year as a Sergeant in a company commanded by Capt. Wm. Barton of the Rhode Island State Troops and served as a Sergeant until April 1777 and then received a commission as Ensign. Capt. Barton having been promoted, our company was commanded for the remainder of the year by Capt. Abimelech Riggs, the whole of the said remainder of said year (illegible) faithfully served out by the applicant in said capacity as Ensign and he was then honorably discharged and the applicant further states that on the 10 and 17 of December 1777 to was again commissioned by the General Assembly of the ...
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State of Rhode Island as a second lieutenant in said Riggs Company while in this service he recruited and enlisted forty two men. Further service and serving a short time in said capacity of second Lieutenant he was commission as a first Lieutenant in a Company commanded by Capt. James Parker in said capacities of second and first Lieutenant he served for fifteen months. And the applicant further states that he well remember all the aforenamed officer also Col. Archibald Creny, Col. Henry Bobcock & Col. William Richmond and served more or less under all of them also Col. John Loppin all officers of the Revolution. And the applicant further state, that he never had any written discharge and has no documentary evidence of his services excepting his commission as Ensign which was sent on to the Department at the time this application when his service was formerly allowed his commission as Lieutenant he has long since lost. That for his services as above stated in Richmonds Regiment he was placed on the pension roll of the Rhode Island Agency at the rate of twenty dollars per month under the Acts of Congress of March 18, 1818 and May 1st, 1820 which pension he hereby relinquish is believing he is entitled to a larger pension under the Act of June 7, 1832 and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension an annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State except as above stated.

Henry Alexander

Subscribed hereunto before me on the day and year above stated W. Aplin Ju. C. C. Pleas 

And I the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion often this investigation of the matter and often putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states -- And I further certify that A appears to me that William Wilkinson who (illegible) signed the annexed affidavit is a resident of said Providence and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit -- 

And I also further certify that the said Henry cannot (from bodily infirmity as aforesaid) attend court --

W. Aplin Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in said County
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William Wilkinson of Providence, R. I. on oath testifies that he joined Col. Crary's Regiment of Rhode Island State Troops in July 1777 and that Henry Alexander was at the time a Lieutenant in said Rgt. and served as such until the latter part of May or first of June 1778 to the best of his recollection. He also has examined the authentic Records of the Secretary of the State of Rhode Island and finds that said Henry Alexander was appointed a Lieutenant in said Rgt. in December 1776 prior to its organization on the 16th of that month when his services commenced. The Department further states that he has personally known said Alexander from the year 1777 to the present time.

William Wilkinson

Sworn & subscribed to before me on the 25th day of October A.D. 1882.

W. Aplin Ju. C. C. Pleas


State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.

Providence, SC.

I, William R. Watson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the county of Providence in the State of Rhode-Island, do herby certify, that William Aplin is a Judge of the court of Common Pleas aforesaid, which court is a Court of Record; that the signature to the annexed document purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of the said Aplin; and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of the said Aplin.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, at Providence this sixth day of November in the year of our Lord 1832.

Wm. R. Watson
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Rev. War.
11.953

Invalid.

File no. 11.953
Henry Alexander
Sgt. H. Rev. War

Act: June 7th, 1832
Index: -, Vol. A, Page 7

Arrangement of 1870.
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This pensioner is placed on the roll as a commissioned officer pursuant to a decision of the Sec. of War, in the case of George Vaughan, of Maryland.
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18102

Rhode Island

Henry Alexander of Providence in the State of Rhode Island who was an Ensign in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Richmonds of the Rhode Island line, for the term of one year, 1776.

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence the 20th of June 1820. Also Mass Line Nov. 7, '03.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th of April 1820 and sent to Benjamin Cowell Eg. Providence. Rhode Island.

Arrears to 4th of March 1821
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1821

8 mo 12/30 4/31

$ 170.58
$ 120.00
$ 290.58

Revolutionary Claim,
Act of 18th March, 1818
1 May 1820
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IN CONGRESS.

The DELEGATES of the UNITED COLONIES of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Cattle, Kent, and Suffex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, to Henry Alexander. Gentleman, Greeting.

We reposing especial Truth and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO by there Presents constitute and appoint you to be Ensign of the Eighth company, the first Regiment of the Brigade passed by the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, which has been taken into (illegible) Day and is now part of

(illegible) the Army of the United Colonies raised for the defense of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Ensign of said company by doing and perform all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as Ensign of said company. And you are to observe and follow such Order and Directions from time to time, as you (illegible) of Congress, for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other superior officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Truth reposed in you. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress. Dated the Twenty-sixth day of August, A.D. 1776.

by Order of the Congress.

Attest. (illegible)

John Hancock, President.
S. File 11,953
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Providence 30 April 1821

Li

I herewith enclose the schedule of Henry Alexander made pursuant to the act of May 1, 1820. While at Washington in Feb. 7 last I received a communication from you in which you observed that "Henry Alexander service is admitted. So soon as he (illegible) have exhibited a schedule of his property once provided no objection to allowing his claim arise. Therefore his now will be placed on the Pension List and a certificate thereof issued once transmitted to you"

I would observe in addition this I have known Mr. Alexander for the last ten years and he is now and has been for a long while a very (illegible) meritorious man, and as his application has been pending ever since 30th March 1818. I hope he may renew his certificate without any further delay. I am Li respectfully yours.

J. E. Edwards E.

(illegible) Benja Cowell
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B. Tallman deposition
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The Deposition of Benjamin Tallman of Providence in the County of Providence & Rhode Island District being now 78 years old and engaged (illegible) to law testifies and says that he served as Major in Col: Richmond's regiment in the revolutionary war, one year beginning January 1776 and this deponent further says that Henry Alexander now of Providence whom he distinctly recounts served in said regiment in Capt. Riggs company during the year passed. According his best recollection said Alexander extend as a sergeant & served as such until he was promoted & appointed an Ensign in August when he served out the campaign & was honorably discharged --

Benja Tallman


Rhode Island District

Personally appeared before me the above named Benjamin Tallman made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed. And I further certify that said deponent is known to me & that I know of nothing to impeach his testimony as a witness --

Benjamin Cowell
Commission of the Dist.
Court for R. I. Dist.
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Depon of David Sayles
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I David Sayles of Cumberland in the State of
Rhode Island being now in the 64th year of my
age - on oath do declare and say - that in the
year 1776 I was a Lieutenant in Col Lippetts
regiment of the Rhode Island line-- said regiment
together with Col Wm Rechmonds regiment was
then stationed on the Island of Rhode Island--
said regiments were there together until
September in the above year - when Lippetts regiment
was ordered to New York State,-- while said
regiments were together on Rhode Island, I was
personally acquainted with Henry Alexander then
an Ensign in said Richmonds regiment. After the
the departure of our regiment I saw no more of
said Alexander-- I understood & I have
no doubt of the fact-- that said Richmonds ^regiment^ was ordered to Fairfield in Connecticut-- & afterwards to Long Island in New York State.--and I have no doubt
said Alexander served in sd. Regiment during--
all the Campaign.  (signed)  David Sayles
---
Rhode Island District ss
I certify that on the sixteenth day of September 1818,
personally appeared before me David Sayles subscribed to
the above Deposition & made oath to the truth of the facts
contained in the same said Deposition was reduced to writing by me & signed by the Deponent in my presence.--
Witness  Benjamin Cowell
Comm of the Dis. Court
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Aaron Arnolds
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I Aaron Arnold of Cumberland in the State
of Rhode Island being now sixty years old on
solemn oath do declare & say, that in the year1776
I was a private soldier in Capt Riggs Company-
& Col Wm Richmonds regiment which regiment
was stationed on the Island of Rhode Island.  Henry Alexander
whom I distinctly recollect & who is now present
before me, I remember well, was our Ensign.
Said Regiment remained on Rhode Island until the
latter end of September in the above year when we
were ordered to Fairfield Connecticut & from thence
to Long Island. I served one year in said regiment
before, I went into the Navy-- I know very
well that said Alexander was our Ensign during
a greater part and served as such aft. that
time except the last end of the campaign
when I believe he was promoted to a Lieutenant.
(signed) Aaron Arnold

Rhode Island District ss
I certify that on this seventeenth day September 1818 Aaron
Arnold subscriber to the above deposition came before me
& made oath to the truth of the facts set forth in the same
said deposition was taken by me at the request of Henry
Alexander to be used as evidence on his application
pension. to the District Judge and was signed the
deponent in my presence.
Witness
Benjamin Cowell
Comm'r of the Dist. Court for said District

I also certify that I know nothing to
impeach the character of the above named deponent as a witness.
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Deposition of Gilbert Grant
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I Gilbert Grant of Cumberland in the State
of Rhode Island being now in my 75th year
on oath do declare and say that in the year1776 I
was a Lieutenant in the army of the Revolution---
in Col Lippetts regiment-- said Regiment was
then stationed on the Island of Rhode Island. Col.
Wm Richmonds regiment was also stationed there
at the same time.   I knew Henry Alexander, ^who is now before me, ^then an Ensign in said Wm Richmonds regiment.
Said regiments did duty together on Rhode Island
from February in the above year until September following--
Our regiment was then ordered to join the
army at Harlem Heights in the State of New York
so that I saw no more of Alexander during the
campaign but I know that said Richmonds regiment
was enlisted for one year and I have no doubt
said Alexander was in the regiment during that
time & perhaps longer-
Gilbert Grant (signed)

16 Sept sworn to
Rhode Island District SS
I certify that on the sixteenth day of September 1818
personally appeared before me Gilbert Grant made oath to the truth of the facts contained in the Deposition by him above subscribed said Deposition was taken to be used as evidence before the District Judge for said District on the application of Henry Alexander for a pension & was signed by the deponent in my presence.
Benjamin Cowell
Comm of Dist Court
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I also certify that Gilbert Grant is personally
known to me, and that I know of nothing to impeach his testimony as a witness.
Benjamin Cowell
Commissioner

(written sideways)
Deposition of Gilbert Grant

Rhode Island District
In Providence 23 June 1820
I give full & entire credit to the depositions of the witnesses in this case: to wit David Sayles, Gilbert Grant, Benjamin Tallman & Aaron Arnold where to be used in the application of Henry Alexander for a pension under the act of March 18, 1818.
David Howell
District Judge
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To the Hon. Judge Howell,
We the subscriber being personally acquainted with
Henry Alexander of Providence formerly an officer in
the revolutionary army do hereby certify & say that we
believe said Alexander now to be in indigent
circumstances not possessing any property to support
himself & family but depending on his daily exertions
for (illegible) as his support.

(A list of signatures follows) (my best guess)
Wm. James
Wheeler Martin
Ed. Carrington
James Burrill (esq)
Philip Martin
(illegible)
(illegible)  Jackson
Samuel W. Bridgham
Sam G. Arnold
Samuel Eddy
Benj. Cliffords
Jere. Lippitt
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Henry Alexander
supplemental declaration

This declaration
of the applicant, that
he served from the date of
his commission Aug. '76 when
he was appointed Ensign, to
the end of that year; and that
he served 15 mos. afterward in Geary's
regt.; proves that he did not serve
9 mos. on the continental establishment
either as an officer or
otherwise because Richmonds regt.
to which he originally belonged &
served, it appears in examination of
the papers, from  Feby '76, was
not placed on the continental
establishment till about the time
of obtaining the commission & or within?
only from September 1776.
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Rhode Island District SS
Henry Alexander of Providence in said District maketh
this supplemental declaration in addition & explanation
of his previous declaration made on 30th day of March 1818
Said Alexander saith that on the 7th day of January
1776 he entered into Capt Riggs company & Col. William
Richmonds regiment as a Sergeant; that he served as
such in said regiment untill he was promoted &
appointed an Ensign on the 26 of August 1776 as by
his commission will appear. That after his promotion 
he served until the end of the year in that regiment
& then entered Col Crarys regiment & served fifteen
months following-- Col Crarys regiment, he is informed
was not on the Continental establishment. but Col
Richmond was & having served a year in that
regiment & having served as an officer the latter end
of said year he is entitled to the pay of an officer
according to the act of Congress of 18 March 1818.
Henry Alexander (signed)

Rhode Island District
In Providence 20 June 1820
Sworn to before me
David Howell
District Judge
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Henry Alexander (crossed out)
David Howell, Esq;
Judge
Providence, Rhode Island

Henry Alexander, Lieut.
Rhode Island line
Revolutionary Claim.

A commission of an officer
is an evidence of his appointment,
but not of his
service. The rolls of Rhode
Island now in the pension
office, being in a mutilated
State, do that contain the
name of this applicant. The
testimony, on oath, of two or
more disinterested and credible
persons, proving the service, is
required in lien thereof. The
judge is desired to certify
under the seal of the Court, that
he is satisfied, the claimant
is in indigent circumstances,
and needs the support of his
County.
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To the Honorable David Howell, Judge of the District of the United States for Rhode Island District respectfully represents -- Henry Alexander of Providence in said District that by a Commission hearing date 26 day of August 1776 -- he was appointed an Ensign in the army of the (illegible) of the United States in Capt. Abimelek Rigs (clerical error; misspelling of Abimelech Riggs) Company 2, Col. (illegible) Richmonds regiment -- in the Rhode Island line -- that he served in said army & line __ Eighteen months __ then next following the date of his commission that in the latter part of this time aforesaid he was promoted to a Lieutenancy that he is now reduced to indigent circumstances & needs the (illegible) his country for support & have of his said commission as (illegible). Henry Alexander.

Rhode Island District March 30, 1818.
Sworn to before and the Soul affixed. 
David Howell, District Judge.

Providence 30 March, 1818.
The signature of the Judge & the Seal of the District Court of the United States for Rhode Island District are herewith affixed --

Witness Benjamin Cowell
(illegible) of R. I. District
Page 29

Rhode Island District
In Providence 21 December 1819
To the Hon Secy of War
I am satisfied that the aforenamed Henry
Alexander Lived in Col. Richmonds regiment
during the revolutionary War the nine months
required by law & that he is now poor & needy.
David Howell.
District Judge

(written sideways on the page)
David Howell, Esq.
Judge
Providence, Rhode Island

Henry Alexander, Lieunt.
Rhode Island line
Revolutionary Claim.

A commission of an officer,
is an evidence of his appointment, 
but not of his service.  The rolls of Rhode
Island, now in the pension
office, being in a mutilated
state, do not contain the
name of this applicant.  The
testimony, on oath, of two or
more disinterested and credible 
persons, knowing the service is 
required in lieu thereof.  The
judge is desired to certify,
under the seal of the court, that
he is satisfied the claimant
is in indigent circumstances
and needs the support of his
country.