Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21480, for Eber Shearman, Rhode Island
Page 1

SERVICE
R.I.

Shearman, Eber

NUMBER
S. 21480

CONTENTS [blank]
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21.042
Rh: Island

Ebers Shearman [Wa]shington Co in the State of Rh. Island was an Ensign in the Comp commanded by Captain Horne of the Regt commanded [by] Col. Brown on the R. Island [line] for 10 mos. |
3 Ens |

Inscribed on the Roll of Rh. Island [at] the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, [to] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Aug. 1832 and sent to W. Updike Kingston

Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 32 $136.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep '33 31.66
$158.33

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
[Recor]ded by Go C. Stiles, Clerk
[Book] E. Vol. 2 Page 129
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16,992
Eber [crossed out: Eber] Sherman

Private 10 Month
Ensign 3
W.C.E. [illegible]

[crossed out] of 4, 5, 6, 10, & 10th

Jany 21st 1833

P - 209
Wilkins Updike E
Kingston R.I.

Mr. Pearce [crossed out]
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16.992 
BRIEF in the case of Eber Sherman of Wash in the State of R Island (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? 85 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 

Period. | Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
In ’75 when Enemy took R. Island | - 3 - | Ensign | Capt Jno Horne – Col Brown
77 | - 3 - | Private | Capt. Bissell –
[blank] | - 3 - | “ | [blank]
[blank] | - 3 - | “ | [blank]
[blank] | - 1 - | “ | [blank]
Says he thinks he served as much as a year in the whole through the War
5. In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Exeter R.I. 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  living witnesses 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
The declaration improperly stuck together with wafers. The seal have no device, The authentication of the affidavits not properly attached to them
*Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
Wm C. Easton 
Examining Clerk. 
19 Jany 1833
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[top of page]
Eber Sherman
Declaration
16 992 [faded lettering]

Not admitted
No [illegible]

[bottom of page]
Mr Pearce

[vertical writing]
Please return this or the certificate to [crossed out] [illegible] Taylor [/crossed out] W. Updike 
Kingston R.I.
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DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832. 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND COUNTY OF Washington} ss
On this 6th day of September 1839 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Eber Shearman a resident of Exeter in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, aged 85 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 here in stated. In 1776 when the British took possession of Newport, he lived in to Town of Exeter, the company of Militia to which he belonged, was called out and marched to Wickford, John Hoxsie was Captain of the Company George Sweet Jun Lieut and he was Ensign of the Company, and had a Commission, which he has lost, Robert Brown was Colonel of the Regiment, George Pierce Lieut Col & Charles Dyer [illegible paper torn], they continued there under arms [crossed out] Fifteen Days [/crossed out] ^one month Soon after [illegible paper torn] Company or part of the same, were called out or drafted, he cannot say where, and stationed a month at Fridneset Neck in North Kingston, to guard the shores, and in many other places. He was not elected Ensign in 1777, but was placed in what was called the [illegible] Class 6, and ordered in service he was called for, [crossed out: and] but cannot ^state particulars to [illegible] the discharge, and the distance of time. He recollects of being on Rhode Island once with Samuel Bissell, was in the command of the company to which he was attached but does not know his rank. Whilst he had a commission of Ensign, he was not in continental service, at [illegible] places, much as half of the [illegible] following the landing of the British at Newport. He served as much as a year in the whole, at least thereof that year. Paul Ennis and Gardiner Lillibridge was with him [illegible], who will testify to his service, he has no written evidence of his services, and [illegible] [illegible] under any Continental Officers, nor knew none. He was born in the Town of North Kingston, and has no record of his age. He had lived in Exeter for the last seventy years, he is unacquainted with any Minister, who will testify to his character or to the belief of his having been a soldier, but [illegible] the Court to – Jonathan James & Gardiner James, who both are acquainted with him – although they live in Richmond,  some [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
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A mile of him”
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.  Eber Sh[paper torn] his mark +
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesid 
Wm. Sam. Helme Clk 
in open Court  Wm Sam. Helme Cler
We, Jonathan James residing in the town of Richmond in the County of Washington and Gardiner James residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Eber Sherman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 85 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 Gardiner James Jonathan James
Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid 
in Open Court Will Sam. Helme Cler 
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 who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a resident in the and that Gardner James & Jonathan James who has also signed the same is a resident in the  and is a credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
The County Washington} Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Gen Sessions of the [illegible] do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applica- [tion of] Eber Sherman for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eighth day of September A.D. 1832
Sam. Helme Clk
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in reply to your request of ____,received _______for a statement of the military history of Eber Shearman a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. File  21480 

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
June 1776 | 3 mos. | Ensign | John Hoxsie | Charles Dyer [crossed out: Robert Brown] | R.I.
1777 | 3 mos. | Pri. | Jonathan Bates | Charles Dyer | 
1778 | 3 mos. | “ | “ ”|
 1779 | 3 mos. | “ | “ “ |
1780 | 1 mo. | [blank] | Samuel Bissell | Thomas Potter | 

Battles engaged in, [checkmark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Exeter, R.I.
Date of application for pension,  Sept 6 1832
Residence at date of application, Exeter, R.I.
Age at date of application, 85 born at North Kingston, R.I.
Remarks: 
Very respectfully, Commissioner.
31793b5m10-07
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[left side]
Revolution
21480
INVALID.

File No. 21,480
[crossed out: Ebenezer] Eber Shearman
Ensign Rev War

Act: June 7" 32"
Index :- Vol. 2, Page 343

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side]
1911 Apl. 11. History to Frank Dempster Sherman  [cent symbol]
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BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
Samuel H Arnold 
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations. 
BE IT KNOWN, that the name "HENRY BOWEN." to the afore-written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Providence , this twenty eighth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three and of Independence the fifty seventh 
Samuel H Arnold 
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND. 
Henry Bowen Secry
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State of Rhode Island and 
Providence Plantations. 
Secretary's Office March 28th 1833.
I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State [holden?] in June, one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, Eber Shearman was elected Ensign of the second company of militia in the town of Exeter in King's County (now Washington) for and until the first Wednesday of May then next: as appears of record in this office.  
[illegible] Henry Bowin [illegible].
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[Illegible]
affidavit in the 
application 
of 
Eber Sherman
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Deposition case of 
Eber Sherman
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND & C.
Washington County,} Sc. South Kingstown, Sept. 5th 1832 
Personally appeared the aforenamed Rufus Shearman, Stephen Champlin, Gardiner Lillibridge & Paul Ennis and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing deposition, which was reduced to writing by me, in thier presence and they signed the same in my presence. And I further certify that the said deponents are well known to me and that they sustains a fair character for truth, and that their deposition are entitled to credit. 
Wilkins Updike Justice Peace. 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. Washington County, sc. 
I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington, & state, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike, Esq. before whom the deposition annexed were taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. 
Sam. Helme Clk
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The deposition of Gardner Lillibridge [Lethbridge?] of Exeter in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island on oath testify & says that he is 73 years of age that he [well?] knows Eber Sherman of Exeter now an applicant for a pension that in the year of 1786 I was on Newport in Col. Thomas Potter's regiment and I saw said Eber Sherman there as a private in Capt. [Samual Bifsells?] company which was in the same regiment & under the same Col Thomas Potter. The French were there at Newport - said Sherman did [cross out] duty but how long can't say
Gardner Lillibridge [Lethbridge?]
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Deposition of 
Gardner Lethbridge 
in the application of 
Eber Sherman
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The deposition of Paul Ennis of [Illegible] in the County of Washington State of Rhode [cutoff, but should be Island]
aged 77 years on oath [illegible] & says tha[t] he knows Eber Sherman new an applicant [cut off] a pension - When the British came into Newport in December 1776 [I saw crossed out] the malitia were [cutoff] to Wickford [illegible] Updike Newtown & saw [to?] Eber Sherm at said Wickford acting as en [cut off] in Capt. John [illegible] Company. George [Illegible] and he served there as [illegible] one [cutoff] at what other times he served I don't know but have heard & understood at the time [cutoff] he served much longer 
Paul Ennis
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Deposition of 
Paul Ennis
application of 
Eber Shearman
Page 19

The [illegible] of Rufus Shearman of [illegible] in the County of Washington State of Rhode Island aged 74 years and an oath [illegible]  says that he well knows Eber Shearman now an applecant for a pension that before [illegible] [illegible] but how long before cannot now recollect I saw he said Eber Shearman on Newport Rhode Island as a private in Capt Jonathan Bates's company of malitia and served there under said Bates as a private one month - [illegible][illegible] was [illegible].
[illegible] I knew the said Eber Shearman as a private in Capt Bates's company and was stationed at the Roome farm in [illegible] North Kingston in the County of Washington doing duty in guarding the shores on the Narragansett Bay and served there one month and was there discharged but the time I cannot now remember
[illegible] to [illegible] Shearman Rufus [line out] Mark Shearman
Signature [illegible]
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[illegible] [illegible] 
Eber Shearman
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The [illegible] of Stephen Champlin of [illegible] in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island aged 72 years on oath [illegible] [illegible] that I know Eber Sherman now an applicant for a [pension?].  That I saw the said Eber Sherman as a private in Capt Jonathan [illegible]'s company [crossed out] and was quartered at the Roome farm [illegible] called in Boston Neck in North Kingstown and did duty in guarding the shores in North Kingstown on the Narragansett Bay & he served [one month] at that time - I have seen him doing duty [illegible] a private at other times but cannot [illegible] [illegible] whom or how long but it has been always [illegible] & understood that he served a [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] in the Revolutionary war
Stephen [illegible]
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Washington Sc - in South Kingston 
February 11th 1833. 
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace, for the Town of South Kingston, in the County of Washington, Eber Shearman of Exeter in said County, an applicant for a Pension, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of 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 & in the following grades.
In 1776 I held the commission of Ensign in a company of Militia, in the town of Exeter, of which John Hoxsie was Captain & George Sweet Jun Lieut, Charles Dyer was Colonel of the Regiment, to which the company belonged, & I served the month as Ensign -  during said year. In 1777 I gave up my commission and served as a private in a company of Militia commanded by Captain Jonathan Jenks three months, in 1778 I served as a private in said Company three months, in 1779 I served as a private in said company three more months, in 1780 I served as a private in a company of Militia of which Samuel Bissell was Captain, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Potter and 1 month & for this service I claim a Pension
Eber Sharman his mark +
Witness Silvester G Shearman
State of Rhode Island &c
Washington County Sc
In South Kingstown Feby 11th 1838 
Personally appeared before me, Eber Shearman, of Exeter in said County, and after being [illegible] duly
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Examined, cautioned and sworn, made oath to the truth, of the annexed supplemental Affidavit, which was reduced to writing in his presence, and his mark and signature thereto affixed in my presence, and I further certify, that the said Eber Shearman, is well known to me, that his character for truth and veracity is good, and that said supplemental Affidavit, is entitled to full an implicit credit
Wilkins Updike Just Peace 
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations—
Washington Sc}  Clerks Office Court Common Pleas 
I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike Esq. whose signature in his own proper hand to writing is hereto prefixed ^was at the date of his certificate & now is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of South Kingstown in the County of Washington Legally Chosen by the General Assembly Commissioned by the Governor & there Qualified as the law requires that full faith and credit ought to be given to his attestation throughout the United States of America. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court aforesaid this third day of July in the year 1833. 
Sam. Helme Clk
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[faded small round stamp]
RECORD PENSION APR 6 1911

[round stamp]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE. D APR 6 1911

[ink stamp] [illegible] 1911
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158 West 105th Street.
New York. April 5th 1911.
Dear Sir: 
Apologizing for my somewhat large list of "Revolution" and "War of 1812" pensioners, and thanking you for enlightening me as to the Bureau rules as to limitation of records that may be sent to any one person, I beg to ask for such details as the Bureau may possess concerning the families of the following Soldiers [possibly punctuation?] of Washington Co., Rhode Island. 
S. 21480 on Pension Roll Age
Eber Shearman 1835 87 Rev.
S21972
Lodowick Shearman 1835 76 "
.S21477
Remington Shearman 1835 73 "
S43127
Henry Shearman 1835 65 1812 [1812 crossed out] Rev.
Of the above four soldiers I desire to learn the names of wives and children, also the dates of births, marriages and deaths, so far far as may be of record. 
Very respectfully yours,
Frank Dempster Shearman. [name underlined]
Hon. J. L. Davenport,
Commissioner, 
Bureau of Pensions [vertical squiggle]