Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,395, for Isaac Negus, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)
Service
R.I. 
Negus Isaac 
Number 
S.21.395
Contents
Page 2

21.215
Rhode Island 
Isaac Negus
Newport in the State of R. Island 
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Duval of the Ret
commanded
by  Col. Barton in the R Island 
line for 23 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 76 Dollars -64-  Cents
per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Aug
13th and sent John 
Cross per month R.I.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $133.34
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep
38.33
$191.67
----------
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by DD Addison Clerk
Book E Vol. 2 Page 122
Page 3

DECLARATION. 
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND 
COUNTY OF Newport } ss.
On this Eight day of September 1832. personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges
or Justices of the Court of Probate for the town of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, aged
Seventy Seven 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. 
He in the month of February 1777 entered 
as a volunteer in a company or corps. avg age in the 
flatila of boats. which were deployed in Covington with 
two Gallies at this place (Howlands Ferry) to watch the mome
-ments of the enemy - to convoy provisions and soldiers across 
Mount Rope Bay- from Providence Butts, and other fellows 
north to Tiverton, in time of Frances Expedition. and also 
at other times. And also to act as a species of naval forces. 
adapted to defend the numerous, inlets, points, and villages 
that were exposed to the depredations committed by the 
Enemys barges, on the northern and eastern shores of Narrag
-ansett Bay- This corps. used to Ready us, at Howlands Ferry 
in Tiverton where we had our head quoitern, and where we 
performed military duty on the land. when we were not on 
board of the flatilla. When we entered said  Company or 
Corps. Capt Daniel Javol had the command. David Gifford 
was Lieutenant. and he believes had the Command a short time 
Said Gifford, while he was in this position, was transferred to 
one of the Galley's as a Lieutenant. and he thinks there were 
other changes of affairs while he was in said Corps 
This Company if attached to any Regiment he thinks it was 
to Col. Barton's but was more particularly under the Command 
of General Cornell who commanded the troops of the state 
live and also under the command of Major Monroe 
^who had a general command
of the Coats and naval operations in the Bay. he 
Served in this Company till April 1778, as near as he can 
recollect, when he was discharged.
Page 4

After he was discharged from the Boat service as aforesaid
in the month of April 1778 he returned home and was enrolled
in the Militia company in Tiverton under the command
of Captain Borden ^and Howland and that time till the enemy
left Rhode filed in the fall of the 1779, he was drafted
from said Company, at divers times for one month at a time
and ordered into the public service, in guarding the shores of
Tiverton from the attacks of the British. he does not remember
the precise [the years] [scratched out] days on which there divers short services 
commenced and ended. as it appears to him like one
continued service, with short spells between, rather than distinct
periods. He believes and solemnly declares that for the time
embraced within the periods aforesaid, he served in the militia
as a drafted man for one half of the time, and drew pay from
the state for that time accordingly. during this time and
in the month of August, in ^one of the drafts aforesaid for one
month. he was ordered on to Rhode Island [scratched out] in Sull
-vian's expedition. and was on said Island during the whole
campaign in he then saw Lafayette. In the militia service
he was generally under the officers of his own company, though
he did serve under other officers having the command for
the time. his company was under the command of Col
Cook, when attached to the Regiment. Col. Cook commanded
them on Rhode Island in Sullivan's Expedition -
And said Negus overs that he truly and faith
fully served the times mentioned in the forgoing declaration 
as a militia soldier and soldier or marine ^In Sullivan service in his own
this defence in the war of the Revolution.--
And he further declares that he was
born in said Tiverton on the 12th day of October 1755.
that he resided there when he was called into the aforesaid
services. that he hath ever resided there sin, where he still
doth live. that he hath no record of his age. that he never received any written discharge from
any of said services, but was verbally discharged
therefrom by his commanding officers at the time
Page 5

That he has no documentary evidence of any of  said
services. That there is no Clergyman living in the 
his neighborhood or vicinity. but he refers to
Job Durfee and Elihu Hicks- Esquires who are his 
neighbors and citizens of said Town of Tiverton, 
who testify to his character for veracity, and to their belief 
that he was a soldier  of the Revolution. and also to the accompanying depositions. the aforesaid
services performed as a private solider. 

He hereby relinquishes ever 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. 
Sworn and Subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
Isaac Negus
Asa Grey Clerk 
We, Job Durfee Esq. residing in the Town of Tiverton aforesaid 
and Elihu Hicks Esq. residing in (the same) hereby certify that we are well acquainted 
with Isaac Negus who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy Seven 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. 
Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid. 
Job Durfee
Elihu Hicks
Asa Gray Clerk 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the in-
terrogatries 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 Job Durfee Esq.
---who has signed the preceding certificate is a --- resident in 
the said Town of Tiverton -- and that Elihu Hicks Esq. --- who has
also signed the same is a resident in the same Tiverton and are credible person(s) and 
that their statement is entitled to credit, And the Court further certifies that the Deposition of
Joshua Pelley which is hereto annexed was sworn to & subscribed this day before
this Court. and that said Deponent is a credible Person and his statement 
is entitled to credit---
I Asa Gray Clerk of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton in the County,^ & state aforesaid a Court of Record 
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applica-
tion of Isaac Negus -- for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office
this Eighth day of September in the  
Year of Our Lord one thousand Eight 
Hundred and thirty two. 
And of American Independence 
the fifty seventh 
Asa Gray Clerk of Court 
of Probate
Page 6

Isaac Negus
17002
Page 7

Jeremiah Dwelly of Tiverton in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island & of lawful age, on 
Solemn Oath do testify and say that I have been acquain
-tin with Isaac Negus of said Tiverton for he is now an 
applicant for a pension for more than Sixty years last date. 
In the [the] [scratched out] time of the Revolutionary War and I 
think in the year 1777 I saw said [certify] [scratched out] Negus  in the Company 
of Captain Daniel Davol who commanded the flatilla of 
Boats in the east passage between Howlands Ferry and 
the Island of Rhode Island. said Company went to 
quarter at Howlands Ferry when they were not in 
some active expedition. I saw him during duty in 
said Company, at several times, during a period of
several months, but how long I am unable to say. 
I also afterwards, at seven time saw him, in 
active service, in the Militia [scratched out] doing duty in guarding 
the shores of Tiverton from Howlands Ferry to Fogland  Ferry in said Town. these terms of service extended to the 
evacuation of Rhode Island by the enemy. but, 
the number of terms he served I can not say. he further 
saith not-- 
Jeremiah Dwelly 
State of Rhode Island 
County of Newport 
ss. 
Be it herein that on the 2nd Day of September 1832
Before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace
in and for said County personally appeared 
the above named Jerimiah Dwelly and made oath 
to the truth of the above Statement by him 
subscribed. And I do hereby Certify that the 
Deponent is a Credible Person. 
Abner Simmons Just. Peace
Page 8

I William Borden of Tiverton in the county 
Newport of lawful age, on solemn oath depose and say. That in the Revolutionary war, and ever since I have 
been well acquainted with [said] [scratched out] Isaac Negus, who
is want an applicant for a pension. In the years 1778 and
1779 I knew that said Negus was in the public service
doing duty at different guard posts on the shores of the
Bay. there tour of duty were for 30 days each. I have
been with said [scratched out] Negus a number of times for a
month at a time, and I Know that he has been 
in the service when I was not with him as a soldier 
Our duty was performed mostly on the shores 
to the North. of Howlands Ferry at the guard posts then. 
we quartered when on duty at the North of the ferry at the 
Barrack or Baily's show and at the Barracks at Borden's
Boat House 
William Borden 
State of Rhode Island County 
of Newport RI. 
Be it known that on this 20th day of July 
in the year 1833 personally appeared the above named William Borden and made oath
to the truth of the above statement by him
subscribed and I hereby Certify that the Deposition 
is a credible person. 
Charles Durfee Justice of the Peace
Page 9

State of Rhode Island H. 
County of Newport} ss. 
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the peace within and for the county of Newport, Isaac Negus, an applicant for 
a pension. who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason 
of old age and the Pausequent 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 furloads men-
tioned below, and in periods of the war therein, mentioned in the 
following grade: namely. In Capt. Davol's company from
February 1777 to April 1778, as a private soldier, fourteen months, 
In the 2nd Company of Militia of Tiverton under Capt. Benjamin Borden
in the months of June, August, October, and December 1779 four
months in actual service, and in the same company of 
Militia under Captain Borden from February 1779 to November 
1779 for at least five months all the above Services performed as 
a private Soldier making in all twenty three months for
which he claims a pension. 
And he further declares that during all the time above date 
he was in actual military service, and that he was not employed
in any civil pursuit, and that the Companies to which I repsect
-ively belonged were ordered unto the public service by the state
of Rhode Island. And that there is no clergyman living in his 
neighborhood or vicinity (as he before stated in Court & in his
declaration). 
Isaac Negus
Subscribed and duly sworn
at Tiverton in said County of
Newport on this 20th day of July 
1833. 
Before me Charles Durfee Justice
of the Peace
Page 10

State of Rhode Islands Providence Plantations
Clerks Office of the Court of Probate of the Town of Tiverton
in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby 
certify that Charles Durfee whose signature is affixed 
to the within Deposition of Isaac Negus and the annexed 
Deposition of William Borden is one of the Justice of 
the Peace for the Town of Tiverton & County of Newport
in the State aforesaid duly commissioned under the
Seal of said State engaged thereon according to Law
and fully qualified to act in his said capacity. 
And I further certify that the Signatures of his name 
affixed to said Depositions are his genuine Signatures
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and affixed the Seal 
of said Court at said Tiverton this  
twenty fifth day of July in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and thirty three. And of American Independence the fifty eight 
Asa Gray Clerk.
Page 11

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations 
Clerks Office of the Court of Probate for the Town of 
Tiverton in the County of Newport & State aforesaid. 
I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that 
Abner Simmons whose signature is affixed to the enclosed 
Deposition of Jeremiah Dwelly is one of the Justices of the 
Peace for the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport & 
State aforesaid, duly commissioned under the Seal of said
State, and engaged thereon according to Law. 
And I further certify that the Signature of his name to 
said Deposition is his genuine signature. 
In testimony where I have hereunto 
set my hand and affixed the Seal of said
Court, at said Tiverton this twenty second 
day of September in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and thirty two. And of the American 
Independence the forty seventh. 
Asa Gray Clerk of Court of Probate
Page 12

17002
Isaac Negus
1
Rhode Island
Private 23 Months
506
July 6 1835
P424
In Pross
Portsmouth  RI
Asa Gray Clk
Co. Tiverton RI
Page 13

BRIEF in the case of Isaac Negus 
County of Newport in the State- of Rhode Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 77 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period. 
Vol In 1777-
As of 1778
Duration of Service. 
Years, 
1
Months,  
2
Days, 
-
time not stated. 
Rank. 
As a
Flatilla of Bond 
& Howard 
Names of General and Field Officers
under who he served. 
Genl. Cornel 
Capts. Davol  Col. Berton 
Capts. Borden Col. Cook 
5. In what battles was he engaged> None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Tiverton R Island 
7. In 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? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned. 
J W. Clagett Examining Clerk.
Page 14

May 31, 1938. 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ida B. Dunlap 
237 Court Street
New Bedford, Massachusetts 
BA-J/ady
Isaac Negus
S. 21395
Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter relative to 
Isaac Negus, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. 
The data contained herein were obtained from 
the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim 
for pension S.21395, based upon the service of Isaac
Negus in that war. 
Isaac Negus was born October 12, 1755, in 
Tiverton, Rhode Island. The names of his parents 
are not known. 
While a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island, Isaac
Negus volunteered in February 1777served as a 
marine in a flotilla employed in conjunction with 
two [should have 
been galleys 
I did it
MNP]
gallies with headquarters at Howlands Ferry in 
Tiverton, all engaged in convoying provisions and 
soldiers, and in defending the inlets, points and 
villages against the enemy at the time of Spencer's 
expedition rendered military service on land also, 
all this service under Lieutenant David Gifford, 
Captain Daniel Devol, Major Monroe who had command 
of the boats and naval operations in Narragansett Bay, 
and Colonel Barton, was discharged in April 1778 and 
returned home. He enlisted and served at various times, 
in 1778 and 1779, none months in all, as private in 
Captains Benjamin Borden's and Howland's Companies, 
Colonel Cooke's Rhode Island Regiment and was in 
Sullivan's Rhode Island expedition. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed 
September 8, 1832, at which time he was a resident of
Page 15

Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island, where he
had always lived. 
There are no family data. 
In order to obtain the day of last payment
of pension, the name of persons paid and possibly the 
date of Isaac Negus' death, you should apply to The
Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records 
Division, Washington, D.C., and cite the following data:
"Isaac Negus, Certificate No. 31215. issued August 24, 1833. 
rate $76.57 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of
June 7, 1832, Rhode Island Agency".
Very Truly yours
A.D. Hiller 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
Page 16

I Joshua Petty of Tiverton, in the County of Newport and 
State of Rhode Island, age Seventy five years, on solemn 
oath depose and say, that I was during the time of the 
Revolutionary War well acquainted with Isaac Negus
of said Tiverton an applicant for a Pension under the
late Act of Congress. Sir the year 1777 while doing 
duty in the Militia in active service, frequently saw
said Isaac Negus. he was then in the Flatilla or boats 
enmployed in the river and water near Howlands Ferry
I saw him in said service, and in guarding said boats
at a time when they were hauled into a Cover for safe
keeping, at a number of times when I was out in the Militia employed as guards on the shore of said 
Tiverton, and especially when I was employed in the 
regiment of Howlands Ferry, but for what length of time 
he was in that service I am not able precisely to say, 
can however recollect that I saw him so employed 
at different times for the space of Six months or 
thereabouts; I recollect that he was under the command 
of Capt. Daniel Devol, but what other Officers I do not 
recollect. And further this Deponent saith not. 
Sworn to & Subscribed before the Court 
this 8th day of September 1832
Joshua Petty 
Asa Gray Clark
Page 17

237 Court Street
New Bedford, Mass. 
Mr. A D. Hiller, 
Dear Sir, 
Thanks for the 
information regarding Benjamin 
Branch of Kennebec County, 
Maine. 
If it wouldn't be too
much trouble, I should 
like information as to 
Isaac Negus of Tiverton, 
R.I., who was on the 
cencus [sic] Pensioners in 
1840. He was then 84 years
ld. [sic]
Thanks for your trouble. 
Yours truly 
Ida B. Dunlop
Page 18

Revolution 
21395
INVALID 
----------
File No. 21,395
Isaac Negus
Private Revolution 
---------
Act: June 7th "32"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 295
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1938 May 31. Hist. to 
Ida B. Dunlap, A.D.Y.
Page 19

17002
Isaac Negus 
New Coop E
Portmouth 
RI
Page 20

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Isaac Negus which requires
further proof of 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:  NO
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?
VI. Has he given the names of the offices 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
Page 21

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 revolu-
tionary service? 2 citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing it? No 
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? Living
Witnesses 
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness 
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, 
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulation direct?  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? 
------------------------------------------------
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 recol-
lection 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 such service I claim a pension.
Page 22

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which 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 in-
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions 
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the 
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection-
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration 
of each term of engagement ; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the 
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison ; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not em-
ployed in any civil pursuit. 
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 sent 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 of the witness, and the official character and signature of the magis-
trate 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 authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the cer-
tificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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. 
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of 
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signatures of the 
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.