Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21537, William Tourgee, R.I.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
R I. Tourgee, William S.21537
CONTENTS
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[Illegible]
Wm Tourgee
of Washington Co in the State of R.I.
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Segur of the Rgt commanded
by Col Brown in the R. I.
line for 20 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 66 Dollars 67 - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 183[?]
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Aug
183[?] and sent Asa
Potter Kingston R.I.
Arrears to the 4th of March $33.34
Semi-anl. allowance ending [illegible] $33.33
$166.67
Revolution Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by D D Addison
Book [?] 2 Vol. 2 Page 13[?]
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No. 6 [illegible handwritten note in circle in top left corner]
DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
COUNTY OF Washington Se-
On this [?] day of September 183[?] personally 
appeared in open court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common [illegible] now sitting, William Tourgee a resident of South Kingston in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, aged Eighty 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 was born in North Kingston in said County of Washington, but has no record of his age nor does not know, that it is recorded in any 
any Book of Records, in 1776 when the English took possession of Wentworth, the company of Militia, to which he belonged, or a part of said company of which part he was one, was called out, and marched to the South Ferry, Samuel Potter as Captain of the Company, Gideon Babcock, Leut & Jonathan Card Ensign, Robert Brown was Colonel of the Regiment,
Jesse Champlin Lt Col, Jesse Maxson Major, we were kept stationed at the South Ferry one Month to guard the shore for the depredations of the Enemy, at the end of the month he and his commands were dismissed, some others took their place, as a constant guard, kept along the shore of the Bay, he stand at home one month, him and some others, were again called out & stationed at the [illegible] Farm, as it was then called & as it now is Bristol Neck. Through the whole summer of 1777, he was called out every other month & stood guard on the shore at same place, but cannot [illegible] them all, Samuel Potter was then Captain of the Company. In the fall of 1777, in the month of October the company to which he belonged, and the whole regiment, [illegible] near Wickford, for the purpose of being marched to join the Forces, under General Spencer, who was going to attempt to take the Island of Rhode Island, from the English Charles Dyer was then Colonel of the Regiment, May Sands Lt Col & Thomas Clark Major. The force collected at Wickford, recollected at Milford, which were mostly the Militia of this County were [illegible] over to Warren, [illegible] then they marched
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Slade Ferry in Massachusetts, where they [illegible], and went to [illegible] in Little Compton, after staying there some time,
they marched to Howlands Ferry, where they were dismissed, without making any landing on the Island. He was absent on this Expedition one month. He was repeatedly called upon afterward to stand guard along shore, and did perform the duty always, when called upon, but cannot state the particular places, nor dates of the periods. In the month of August 1778, the Company, with the Regiment or part of it, was again called out, for the purpose of
of Joining the Forces of General Sullivan, who contemplated an attack on the British Forces at Newport, Charles Dyer was Colonel of the
Regiment then, Thomas Potter Lt Col. Jonathan Maxson Major, Timothy Lahnar Captain [illegible], Daniel Tefft [crossed out]/Ensign/[crossed out] Leut & William Steadman Ensign, they [illegible] near what is now called Wickford, and were [illegible] over to Rhode Island, and landed on the west side of the Island. The [illegible] Day after the landing, the fighting began. A Company of Boatmen, was then detailed from the Company, to which he belonged, to man the Boats at Bristol Ferry, to carry out the Barggage[?] of the Army, he was one of the Company & had charge of a scow[?]. He cannot now state how long, he was absent on this expedition, to a certainty but thinks it was one Month or about that time. He was called on several times afterwards, to stand guard along the shores, and always performed the service when called on, but cannot state particulars. But he knows that he was out in [illegible] in actual service, & under arms during the [illegible] of the Revolution, standing Guard on the shores & in General Sullivan's Expedition lasting Months, besides being often called upon in alarms. He never served under any Continental [illegible] except in the expeditions before mentioned, nor knew any except the commanding Generals. Henry Northrop & Gideon Greenman, belonged to the same Company of Militia or with him, and now being [illegible] testify to his service before stated-He resided in South Kingston, at the time of performing the service before stated-that he is not acquainted with any [illegible] who can testify to the general [illegible] of his service[?], but refers[?] the Court to William Peckman & Timothy Peckman with whom he is acquainted, who will testify to the [illegible] of his service & in his [illegible]                 
City Far was Captin her, Daniel Test Cent & William
Headman Every the rendemized near what is now called
Wick and were caried over to Rhode Island, and landed on the
west side of the Island. The third day after the land the
Eighting year. A company of Boatmen, was the detached from
Company to which he belonged to man the oath at Bristol
to carry on the Baggage of the Army, he was one of the
Company & had charge of a son, I cannot now state how
of
long, he was absent on this expedition, to a county at this
it was one month or about the time. I was willed on several times
demand to stand guard along the shall, and also hispered the same
when called on, but cannot state particulars. But know
that he was enter to be in actual service, & under arms during the
war of the Revolution standing Guard on the shore & in Shall
Sole Execution Entry Month, besides being after called upon
in alarms. Hener and under any Continental Opil, except in
the expeditions of mentioned, nor knewary except the commanding
General Henry Northern Giden Greenman, belonged to the same
Company of Militia with him, are now living or will testify
to his services. He recole in South Kingston, at the time of her
the same are stated that he is acquaint the
who are not to to general report of his is entitled the Court to
---
William Perham & Irmeth Cahan with whom he is acquaint
who will try to reputation of his served in his ment
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3B
Declaration of
William Tourgee
[illegible] 14168.

Sent to W Updeke
Kingston R. I.
[illegible] Peace
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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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. by
[illegible handwriting] 
William his mark Tourgee
We, William Peckman & Timothy Peckman, residing in the town of South Kingston [crossed out]/and/[crossed out] [blank] [crossed out]/residing in the same)/[crossed out] hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Tourgee who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty 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.  William Peckham
Timothy Peckham
Sworn to Sept. 1832 in Open Court
Winn Sam. Helme Cler
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatries 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 [blank] and that William Peckham & Timothy Peckham who has also signed the same [crossed out]/is a/[crossed out] are residents in the Town of South Kingston, and [crossed out]/is a/[crossed out] are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. The Court also certify that from their Examination and knowledge of Gideon Greenman and Henry Northup the preceeding Deponents the Court Consider their Testimony contained in their preceeding Depositions Entitled to Credit
I Samuel Helme Clark of the Court of Common Pleas & Gen. [illegible] of the Peace do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of William Tourgee for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, 
this Eighth day of September 1832
Sam Helme Clk
I certify this name to be S Helme's Holmes
writing & the seal his courts
[illegible] J. Pane
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14, 168
Wm Tourgee
Private 20 months
[illegible]
[illegible] 5.10 [illegible] 6
Jany 26th 33
14 & 1606
April 9 1834
P 215
A Potter, Esq
Kingston RI
Mr[?] Pearce,
Mr[?] [crossed out]/Updike/[crossed out]
[crossed out]/Kingston/[crossed out] RI
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14,168
BRIEF in the case of Wm. Tourgee
of [illegible] 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? 80
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Years, Months, Days. As a. Gen.
In '76. 1. (private). Capt Segur. Col Brown.
" " a month after. (militia). ".
x1777. fall. 1. ". Capt Potter Col Dyer.
1778 augt. thinks 1. " Capt Lock &.
Says he was out altogether 20 months-besides being called out on alarms.
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? South Kingston
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?
Seal to Declaration without device [illegible crossed out writing] 
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned.
Wm C Easton
Examining Clerk.
17 June 1832
xThrough the whole course of '77 he stood guard every other month--
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[illegible]
for a statement of the military history of William Tourgee 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.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. 1776
Length of Service. 1 mo.
Rank. Priv.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
Captain. Samuel Segar
Colonel. Robert Brown
State. R.I.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. 1776
Length of Service. 5 mo.
Rank. Priv.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
Captain. Samuel J. Potter
Colonel. Charles Dyer
State. R.I.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. 1777
Length of Service. 7 mo.
Rank. Priv.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
Captain. Samuel J. Potter
Colonel. Charles Dyer
State. R.I.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. 1778
Length of Service. 7 mo.
Rank. Priv.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
Captain. Samuel J. Potter-Timothy Lock
Colonel. Charles Dyer
State. R.I.

Served as Private & Orderly Corporal.
Was in General Sullivan's expedition.

Battles engaged in, -
Residence of soldier at enlistment, South Kingston, R.I.
Date of application for pension, Sept 3, 1837-[illegible]
Age at date of application, 80 years, born at North Kingston, R.I.
Remarks: No data as to family.
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your official character & signature must in ever instance be certified by the proper officer under his seal of office. The papers are not properly authenticated
Penn off
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Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of South Kingston in the County of Washington in the state of Rhode Island & Providence [illegible] William Tourgee of South Kingston aforesaid who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear 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 the year 1776 on month under Captain Segar.
For the year 1777 three months under Capt. Samuel J Potter and in the fall of the same year under Capt. Potter four months-C Dyer, Col. of the regiment.
For the year 1778 Seven months under Capt. Potter C Dyer Colonel.
For the year 1776 Five months under Capt. Potter-C Dyer Colonel of the Regiment. And during all the service aforesaid I was a private only and orderly Corporal. As for such service I claim a pension.
His Mark X
William Tourgee
Witness to Wm. Tourgee's signature Wilkins Updike
State of Rhode Island & Providence  [illegible] Washington County SS South Kingston, Feby 28th 1833
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Personally appeared the aforesaid William Tourgee and made oath to the truth of the aforesaid supplemental affidavit & that the same was true before me
Wilkins Updike
Just Peace

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington 
Clerks Office Court Common Please & General Sessions of the Peace
I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Courts aforesaid do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike Esq whose signature [obscured] his own proper hand writing is hereto prefixed is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of South Kingstown in the County of Washington legally chosen and 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 & seal of office this nineteenth day of April AD 1833
Saml Helme Clk

25Cn
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I Gideon Greenman of South Kingstown in the county of Washington being duly sworn according to law do on oath certify and say: that I am acquainted with William Tourgee through War and that he [obscured] to the same Militia Company that I did and was often out with no standing given on the [illegible] in a Company commanded by Samuel Potter a great part of the time who came in Captain immediately after Samuel Segur. I was in Sheneach Expedition and also I [illegible] him to be in Sullivans and I think I am knowing to his doing duty as much as twenty months
Gideon Greenman his X mark
Witness Sylveste G Sheaman 
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court Sept 1832
Witness Sam Helme Clk

I Henry Northrop of South Kingstown in the County of Washington being duly sworn according to the Law, do on oath certify and say; that I was acquainted with William Tourgee; the within named applicant through the war of the Revolution & that he belonged to the same Militia Company with me, & which Samuel Potter was Captain and did duty as a member of said Company guarding the shores of the Bay at various places, I also knew him to be in Sheneach Expedition  I was knowing to his doing duty as much as twenty months
Henry Northrop
Sworn to and subscribed in open Ct
Witns Saml Helme
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Revolution
21537
INVALID
File No. 21537
William Tourgee
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: Vol. 2, Page 420
(Arrangement of 1870.)

July 19 1900
His A W Tourgee
U.S. Consul Bordeaux France
1909 June 18 Hist to Mrs Reuben W Peckham &c
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21537
Wm Tourgee
Sept 3 1832
So Kingstown R. I. 80
Born So Kingstown RI.

1776 Capt Saml Seguir 
Col Robt Brown
1 mo

every other month in summer of 76 he was in service
Capt Samuel Potter

Fall 77 Capt Potter
Col Chas Dyer
1 mo

Aug 78
Capt Timothy Lock
Col Chas Dyer
1 mo
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76
Capt Seguir
Col Robt Brown
1 mo

76 Capt David J Potter
Col Chas Dyer
5 m

77 Potter
Dyer
7 m

78 Potter
Dyer
7 mo
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3-871

Record Division
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions

Briefed by L.D.L.
Claim No. [blank]
Certificate No. [blank]
Claimant [blank]
Soldier Wm Tourgee
Service R.I.
Additional Service Rev. War

No [blank] claim, State records [blank], 190[blank]
No claim, combination records [blank], 190[blank]

REMARKS:
No claim except I. # 21537

Chief Division
0-8
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14168

Wm Tourgee
M Pearce
1
7
7
5
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Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Wm Tourgee which require further proof or 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?
[not applicable]

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
Yes

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?
No [struck thru]
4 moths cul only
20 mo in all

VI. Has he given the names of the officers 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?
No
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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 revolutionary service? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at lease one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
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? Yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation or of such and age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
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 in not so answered? Yes
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 no 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 of 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 of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper office, 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 in not written of 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 officers, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.