Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3836, Johnson Fuller, Privateer R.I.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Privateer
R.I.
Fuller, Johnson
NUMBER
R. 3836
CONTENTS
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H v35287
Johnson 
Jonathan Fuller
v
Act 7. June '32
3836
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State of Vermont
District of Windsor
On this twenty sixth day of October A.D. 1841 Personally appeared in Open Court before the Probate Court for the District of Windsor now sitting.  Johnson Fuller, resident of Chester in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged nearly 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 names Officers and served as herein Stated.  That some time in the summer season of the year 1777, then Residing in the Town of Scituate (State of Rhode Island) he entered the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, as a substitute hired by Peter Fuller to take his place for the term of fifteen days, and Did actual service in a Company commanded by Lieutenant Thomas Field, in a regiment commanded by Colonel John Waterman a Continental Officer and was stationed at Warwick of Rhode Island, for the purpose of guarding the seashore & protect the continental stores deported at said Warwick and at the end of said fifteen says were discharged.  That soon after he again entered said service as a subordinate for William Salisbury to take his place in the same service for
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the term of fifteen days and did actual service in a Company commanded by Capt Comer Smith in the same Regiment commanded by Col John Waterman and stationed at said Warwick for the purpose aforesaid, and did serve the full term of fifteen days.
That afterwards to wit in the fall of the year 1777, he again entered service as a Substitute hired by Caleb Poller, to take his place in the same service, for fifteen days and did actual service in a Company commanded by Gideon Harris is the same Reg and at the same place, and actually served said fifteen days.
That in the Summer Season of 1778, he was drafted from the Militia (called Minute men to serve for the term of fifteen days, entered service at Warwick aforesaid in the same Regiment commanded by Col Ezekial Cornal does not recollect the name of the Captain, and did actual service of fifteen days.
That in the summer or fall of the year 1778 he again entered service as a Substitute hire by Ebenezer Handy to take his place in a Company in the same Regiment com. by Col Cornal & was Stationed at Warwick afores and did actual service there,fifteen days, does not recall the name of the Captain.
That in the Fall of the year 1778, he again entered service as a Substitute, hired by Theophelis Blackman to take his place in a Company commanded by Stephen Peckman
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in the same regiment, still commanded by Colonel Cornal, and did actual service 15 days.

That in the fall of the year 1778 he again entered service as a substitute for one Parker to take his place in an expedition to Warwick and Bristol, Rhode Island, at the time the British troops burnt, the church at Bristol and the meeting house and other buildings at Warren did action service at the time fifteen days does not recollect the name of the commander of the company or regiment.

That in the same season of 1778 he was again drafted to serve at Tiverton, Rhode Island, for the term of fifteen days, and they're served in the company commanded by a lieutenant... Hood, does not recollect the name of the colonel or the number of the regiment did actual service 15 days.

But in the same service of 1778, he again entered service as a substitute hired by one… Rhodes to take his place in a company commended by Gideon Cornal under commended of general Sullivan on Rhode Island, called the Sullivan expedition was stationed at Middleton, and their serve 20 days for said Rhodes afterward serviced eight days more as a voluntary service for myself making 28 days at that time.
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That after the British evacuated, Rhode Island was drafted for twenty days and served that time on Rhode Island in a company, commanded by a captain Trafman in the regiment commended by Colonel Peck.

That a few days after the last mentioned term was completed he entered the same service as a substitute hired by Abram Phillips to take his place for twenty days on Rhode Island served in a company, commanded by Captain Allen in the same regiment, commended by Colonel Peck.

That about the close of the year 1780 then, still residing at Scituate aforesaid he voluntarily engaged and entered on board a private ship Lafayette, commanded by Captain Joseph Meredith, cruised off Chesapeake Bay pursued a British craft up said bay was in sight of the naval engagement between the British and French squadrons there. Was in-service aboard, said privateer six weeks.

That he has no documentarian evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services, except a younger brother of his whose testimony is taken, and here with submitted, namely Francis Fuller he here by relinquishes every claim
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He has to a pension or annually, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any state. The word nearly being first interlined.

Johnson Fuller

Sworn and subscribed before me, Thomas F, Hammond, Judge

The following interrrogatories for professional by Nick Coast to the applicant.

1 - where and in what year were you born? Answer by applicant in Scituate Rhode Island in a year 1762
2 – have you any record of your age and if so, where is it? Answer do not know of any record what ever
3 – where were are you living when called into service? Where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live?
Answer one called into service lived in Scituate Rhode Island. Since the war in Chester Vermont where I now live.
4 - how were you called into service were drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute? And if so substitute for whom?
Answer was drafted there several times volunteered once and I substitute eight terms for first term for Peleg Fuller 2nd Williams Salzberg 3rd for Caleb Potter 4th for Ebeneezer Handy 5th for Thomas Blackman 6th for ...Parker 7th for ... Rhodes 8th for Abram Phillips.
5 - State the name of some of the regular officers, who were with the troops where you served such continental and militia.
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Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services?
Answer was acquainted with Colonel John, Waterman, Colonel Ezekiel Cornal, Captain Gomer Smith, Gideon Harris, Stephen Peckman, Gideon Cornal, and General Sullivan.
The circumstances attending the service performed were residing in Scituate, near the invading enemies, rendezvous, and belonging to the militia ruled. Minuteman was subject to drafts, and often engaged as substitute to guard the seaboard and deposits of the United States at Warwick and other places.
6 - did you ever receive a discharge from the services and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? Answer do not recollect of ever receiving a written discharge.
7th - say the names of persons to whom you are known in your personal neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution. say the names of persons to whom you are known in your personal neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution. 
Answer, Reverend Richard M Ely, Elder Rufus Bruce and Amos Healed.
Johnson Fuller
Sworn and subscribed before me, Thomas F Hammond, judge

We Rufus Bruce, a Clergyman, residing in the town of Chester Vermont, and Amos Heald, residing in the same town of Chester hereby
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Certify that we are well acquainted with Johnson Fuller who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be about eighty years of age that he's a respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Rufus Bruce
Amos Heald

Sworn and subscribe the day and year aforesaid the word "about" being first interlined.

Thomas Ave., Hammond judge

And the court do hear by declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting that interogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named  applicant was a revolutionary soldier served as he stated and they further certify that it appears to them that Rufus Bruce who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Chester, and that Amos Heald who has also signed the saying is a resident in the town of Chester and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to a credit.

Thomas Ave., Hammond judge

I Salmon F Dutton, register of the court of probate here by certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Johnson Fuller for a pension
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In testimony, where of I have here onto transfer my hand and seal of office the 26th day of October 1841.

Salmon F Dutton register
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I, Frances Fuller of Chester in the county of Windsor and State of Vermont aged 75 years on the 30th day of October instance being duly sworn do depose testify and say that I am a brother of Johnson Fuller who has sworn to, and subscribe the foregoing declaration that I resided with my father at Scituate Rhode Island from the commencement of the revolutionary war, until after the close there of and distinctly recollect, that during the war, my said brother frequently went from home for short periods, and as I've been understood, and now believe to serve as a private in the war of the revolution, that on those occasions, my said brother was dressed and equipped as a soldier that I cannot tell the number of times, my said, brother, went into the army, nor how long he served at one time nor can I tell the particular year in which his service were rendered, but according to my best recollection I must have been between the age of 10 and 14 years 
Frances Fuller Chester, October 26, 1841

Sworn to and subscribed by the sad Francis Fuller on the 26th day of October 1841 before me and I certify episode Francis Fuller is a credible witness.

Thomas F Hammond judge of probate
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Statement of Service of Applicant in Several Terms herein stated.
to wit in the year 1777 in (illegible) Company 15 days
in 1777 in Capt. Smiths Company 15 "
in 1777 in Gideon Harris Comp. 15"
in 1778 in Col. Cornels Regiment 15 
in 1778 in same Regiment 15
in 1778 in save Reg. Capt. Pickman 15
in 1778 in Comp & Reg. not recollected 15
in 1778 in Comp. comd. by Capt. Wood 15
in 1778 in Capt. Cornal's Comp. 28
in 1778 in Capt. Trapman's Comp. 20-
in 1778 in Capt. Allen Comp. 20
188

Calculating 31 days to a month is 6 monts 2 days in the militia service.
Six weeks a privateer not included expecting such service is not allowed.

Please direct return papers to Amos Heald of Chester Vermont for the applicant 
your Humbl servant
Amos Heald.
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February 8, 1933

Mrs. Frank C.  Wright
Barnett, Vermont 

Johnson Fuller 
R. 3836
BA – J/MCS.

Dear Madame

Reference is made to your request for information in regard to Johnson Fuller, who served in the revolution and Charles William Marsh, who served in the Civil War.

The data furnish below were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim R. 3836 based upon the revolutionary war service of Johnson Fuller.

He was born in 1762 at Scituate Rhode Island.

He was living in Chester Windsor district for Juan when he applied for pension on October 26, 1841 and stated that he had lived there since the revolution he a ledge that while he a resident of Scituate Rhode Island he enlisted in the summer of 1777 and surgery that you're in and in the 1778 on various tours of 15 to 20 days each amounting to 188 days in all as private with the Rhode Island troops and a lieutenant Thomas field captains comer Smith Gideon Harris Stephen Packman Peeckman Wood, Gideon Cornell, Trustman and Allen and Colonel Johnson's Waterman Ezekiel Cornell and Peck and was in Sullivan's Rhode Island expedition that about the close of 1780 he enter it on board the privateer ship Lafayette which was commander by captain Joseph Meredith and served six weeks.

His claim for pension was not allowed as he did not furnish proof of the alleged service in accordance with the requirement of the pension law.

His brother Francis Fuller, who was born October 30, 1766 was living in Chester Vermont in 1841 Johnson Fuller stated that a part of his revolutionary war service was a substitute for Peleg Fuller but he did not state relationship. The name of Johnson folders parents.
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Were not given, and there were no data relative to his wife and children.

Your letter has been transmitted to the division which furnishes information relative to soldiers of the Civil War for reply regard to Charles William Marsh.

Very truly yours, 
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to administrator
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Rev. War section.

January 29, 1918

Mrs. George C. Gwyer
315 E. Arcadia Ave., 
Peoria, IL.

Madam:

In response to your letter, dated the 21st instant you are advised that it is alleged in the revolutionary war pension claim R.3836 that Johnson Fuller was born in 1762 at Scituate, Rhode Island and while residing there enlisted in 1777 and served at various times during the year and in 1778 in the Rhode Island militia under the following officers: Captain Thomas Field, Comer Smith, Gideon Harris, Stephen Peckman , Wood Gideon Hornell, Trafman and Allen and Colonels  John Waterman. Ezequiel Cornell and Peck.
About the close of 1780 he entered on board the privateer ship Lafayette commanded by Captain Joseph Meredith and serve six weeks.

He applied for pension October 26, 1841 while residing in Chester Windsor district Vermont but his claim was not allowed as he did not prove six months, military service as required by the act of June 7, 1832, under which he applied.

It is not stated whether he had a wife or children, and the day of the dead is not recorded.

Very respectfully, 
Saltzgaber
 commissioner
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Luther Adams,

June 29/53
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470

Pension Office
June 29, 1853

Sir and reply to your inquiry, I have to inform you that no action has been had refer the case of Johnson Fuller of Vermont since 1842.

Luther Adams, Esquire,
 North Chester 
Vermont
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See let to A.Heald
Decr 2d 1841 to same
March 9 1842
papers copied for Hon J. Cottam Feb 14/49
Luther Adams June 19/53
Act 7 June 32
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Feb 14
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Pension Office
Feb 14 1849

Sir,
Agreeably to you request, I have the honor to transmit herewith the copy of the declaration of Johnson Fuller of Chester, Windsor Co. Vt.

Hon. J. Collamer 
W of R
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House of Representatives
Feb. 1, 1849

Dear Sir,
I am requested to procure the copy of the declaration of Johnson Fuller of Chester, Windsor County, Vermont made about eight years since, for a pension. I expect to pay the expense of this copy.

Respectfully 
Yours
J. Collamer

Col. J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
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Amos Heald
Decr 2d 1841
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10
Pen. Off
Dec. 2d '41

Sir
The claim of Johnson Fuller assisted for the first time has been examined & disallowed.

He claims to have served about 6 mos in the militia of R. I.d in 12 tours, eight of which were rendered as substitute and three on as a drafted militia man. If there was no objection to the peculiar aspect of this claim as presented in the above summary, it would not be allowed unless the period length & grade of each tour names of Company & Field officers, stations, &c. are set forth & established as the rules require. In on of the terms he names no officer & declares that he does not recollect the name of any one. In another he has forgotten the station & in a third the commander of the regt.
The rejection of either term reduces his service below 6 monts.
Amos Heald Esq.
Cester Vt.
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North Chester (Vt.)
April 1th 1853
To the Hon Commr. of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
An old gentleman in this place by the name of Johnson Fuller made application for a pension some years since under the act of 1832, but did not succeed in getting it. Since that time a man by the name of C.W. Bennet has procured from him a power of attorney to prosecute the claim, but he can get no intelligence from said Bennet & thinks there may be some thing not right. Will you have the goodness to say whether said Bennet has made any application for said Pension & the result of it if made? 
& much oblige

Your Obdt. Servt.
Luther Adams
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Rev. Arc
21

351 E. Arcadia Avenue
Peoria Illinois 1-21-1918

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

In my efforts to establish my eligibility to membership in the "society of the Daughter of the American Revolution" I am asking you if my great grandfather Johnson Fuller was a pensioner and in what capacity he served as a soldier of the Revolution, he is buried by the side of his wife Elizabeth in the cemetery at Chester Vermont, date of death given Sept-11-1864. The stone bears the word "A Soldier of the Revolution" Did he enlist from Rhode Island? As John or Johnson Fuller. An early reply will be appreciated by Mrs. George C. Gwyer
315 E. Arcadia Ave
Peoria Ills
1-21-1918
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1918 Jany 29 Histo. to Mrs. Geo. C Gwyer,

1933 Feb. 8 hist
to Mrs. Frank
C. Wright WeD

REJECTED

3836
P.O. Johnson Fuller

Service:

Enlisted: , 18
Discharged: , 18
Application filed: , 18

Alleges: List of suspended claims printed in 1852 shows cause of suspension as follows: "He did not serve six months."

Re-enlisted:

Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized. Contract.
Cert. of Des. Searched for , 18