Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23917, for Gideon Simmons, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)

Service
RJ

Simmons, Gideon

Number
S23917

Contents
Page 2

Let O.P. Granger
Sept. 26/57
Let the Hon F. (crossed out text)
Died Aug. 25, 1840.
A.B.

4465 Dapl
New York
---
Gideon Simmons
of Eaton in the State of New York
who was a Cap Gilet in the Company commanded
by
Captain _________ of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Hilliam in the Rhode Island
line for 6 Mos a Capt
4 "" Lieut.
10 ""Private
---
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 206 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Janry.
1833 -- and sent to Claimant
Eaton , Madison Co
Arrears to 4th of Sep. 1832
$309.99
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4th M. 3. 1'33 
103.33
$413.32
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Geol. Stiles
Clerk
Book D Vol. 5 Page 207
Page 3

State of New York
Madison County personally appeared before me
the undersigned, a justice of the peace in & for the County of Madison Gideon Simmons who being duly sworn deposeth and 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 his best recollection he served as is stated in his declaration not less than the periods
mentioned below, and in the following grades- for six months he served as captain of the Militia
of Little Compton Commencing on the seventh of December 1776 and ending on the 7th of June 1777.
For four months he had command of an alarm company While on duty viz from June 1777 to June 1778 (one third of the time the same being on duty it was a colonels company &
commanded by Colonel Gray of which he was first Lieutenant during the same period of time he acted as a substitute for Thomas Brownell who was a private in his company for four
months- viz four months when he was not on duty as a Lieutenant.  Tho he had command of the alarm company and served as
is captain, during this year he received pay as a private. He was commissioned as Lieutenant of the alarm company in June 1778, and served on the Island in Sullivans expedition and as a guard in Little Compton four months & received
Lieutenants pay during this year before the British retreated from Rhode Island.
In the year 1775 he served two months as a private on Rhode Island as stated in his declaration. He served in Spencers expedition
but his recollection of it is too indistinct to state particularly as to it, it was therefore omitted in his declaration is not now stated
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recapitulation of service as Captain 6 months; as Lieutenant 8 months; as a private 6 months 9 months of the time he served as Lieutenant he received only the pay of a private
No Clergyman as is certifyed resides in the neighborhood or with whom
I am acquainted and for such service above stated I claim a pension
Gideon Simon
State of New York
Madison County ss.
R. Root
a Justice
of the peace of the town of Eaton in & for the County of Madison duly qualified do certify that Gideon Simmons who has subscribed
the foregoing affidavit appear before me on this 21 day of December 1832 and made oath to the same in due form of law. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name title of office the
day year aforesaid
B. Rool Justice Peace
State of New York Clerks office
Madison County B.
I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Madison do certify that Royal B. Root who has subscribed the foregoing certificate is a justice of
the peace in & for the County of Madison duly qualified and that I am acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe the signature of his name a title of office genuine I also certify that the
name of Ebenezer Howard to the addition made to the certificate of the affidavit of Stephen Pearce is genuine in his hand writing. I further certify that annexed and appended to this affidavit is the captains
Commission of Gideon Simmons his original declaration and the prescribed certificates and the affidavit of Stephen peace with the certificate thereon. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal of office this twenty first day of December
one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
A.S. Sloan Clerk by E. Barnard Depot
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of New York
Madison County B. On this 8th day of September
in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty two
I James B. Eldredge first Judge of the Court
of Common Pleas in & for the County of Madison, certify that personally appeared before me Gideon Simmons who from bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court, and the said Gideon Simmons resident of the town of Eaton
in the County of Madison and State of New York aged eighty seven years December the 25th 1831, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make
following declaration, in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
That he entered the service under the following
named officers and served as herein stated. That in the summer of the year 1775 on an alarm occasioned by the blockade of Rhode Island by the British squadron under the command of Wallace he was drafted into the service of the United States and marched from his
residence in Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island on to Rhode Island under the command of Colonel Richmond and that he served one month in the company of Captain George Simmons as a private when he was dismissed. The
other officers of the regiment to company are not remembered nor the month or day of the month when he was drafted or when he was dismissed. In the fall of the same year on another
alarm he was drafted a marched on to Rhode Island under the command of the same officers and served one month when he was dismissed. The precise time is not recollected. In
the month of May 1776. he received a Captains commission in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Hilard of which was Lieutenant Colonel and Church was major of his company Ephraim Simmons was Lieutenant and William Bailey Ensign. This regiment was raised in the
towns of Little Compton and Severton frontier towns on
Seconnet river & directly opposite Newport. On the 7th of
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of December 1776 the British obtained possession of Rhode Island and the Militia of Little Compton were ordered out
in mass to guard the town having a shore of more than six miles in entent opposite Newport he with his company continued in service for six months when the militia companies of that town were divided into three classes and served alternately by alotment one third at a time during the time the British kept possession
of Rhode Island or until the 7th or 8th day of October 1779. In the year 1777, he was appointed first Lieutenant of the alarm company of Militia but received no commission tho he had command of the company and acted as its commander during that and the succeeding year
and was on duty as an officer one third of the time and one third of the time he performed the duty of a private as a substitute for Thomas Browsnell in his company in the month of May 1778 he was commissioned first Lieutenant of said company and acted as its captain
until the British retreated from Rhode Island - Alarms were frequent and guards were kept at six stations on seconnet river day & night during the whole time the British kept possession of Rhode Island. During the time the troops served they drew pay & rations, and during the
whole time the British continued on Rhode Island he had command of the guard his alotted turns of time which was four months in each year or in that proportion after the first six months and including three weeks he served in Sullivans Expedition in 1778. he served six months
as a captain & eight months he had a captains command but held four months of the time no commission and four months a first Lieutenant commission in the whole one year a two months - and also four months as a substitute for
the above named private-- In Sullivans expedition he and one half of his company were drafted or detached and served
on Rhode Island under the following named officers Col. Cook Major Manchester other officers not recollected - No regular
troops were ever stationed at Little Compton. He was in no battle. He was born at Little Compton on the fourteenth day of December 1794 old still. He has no record of his age but supposes there is a record of his age &c Little Compton in Rhode Island
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he resided at Little Compton when ordered into service. He continued to live there from 1779 when he was discharged until 1795 and then removed to Madison in the County of Madison
in the State of New York where he resided till the year 1826 and now resides at Eaton in said County and has resided there for six years past. The two first periods of service he was drafted into the service. he and his company after
possession was taken of Rhode Island by the British were ordered out in mass & continued in service six months. the remaining two years & five months the company was divided into three
classes and served one month at a time and the officers served by lot for the same term four months he served as a private and a substitute for Thomas Brownell in Sullivans expedition he was detached or drafted.
No regular troops were stationed in the town where he comanded and he knew none of the regiments or officers while on Rhode Island except as above declared.
The commission hereunto appended shows by whom and when it was given & is the only documentary evidence in his possession a first Lieutenant commission was received in 1778 & was given by gov-Green given name not recollected and is lost.
The testimony of Stephen Pearce is herewith transmitted and is the only testimony within his knowledge, or which can be obtained of his service, Albert Howard Samuel Clark and Judson Booth are his neighbours in the town of Eaton I may be called upon to testify as to his character
for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
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
Gideon Simmons
Sworn and subscribed, the day year
aforesaid. James B Eldridge first Judge
Madison
We Albert Howard residing in the town of Eaton in the County of Madison & State of New York and Samuel Clark residing in the same place hereby certify, that we are well acquainted
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with Gideon Simmons who has subscribed and sworn to above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty seven years of age on the 25th of December 1831. that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier and officer of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion & that no clergyman resides in the vicinity of the said Gideon Simmons.
Sworn and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
J.B. Eldridge fort Judge

Albert Howard
Samuel Clark
and I the said Madison County Judge
do hereby declare my opinion, after investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary officer and soldier and served as he states. And I do further certify that it appears to me that Albert Howard & Samuel Clark who have signed the certificate above made are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit, and I further certify that the said Gideon Simmons is unable to attend Court from or by reason of bodily infirmity. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand a name the day year aforesaid
James B Eldridge first
Judge Madison Co
by Hiram D. Cloyes Deputy
State of New York, Clerks office
Madison County SS. 
I Andrew L. Sloan Clerk of
the Court of Common Pleas in for the County of Madison the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing tains[contains] the original proceedings of in the matter of Gideon
immons [Simmons] in his application for a pension and I further certify that James B. Eldridge is first Judge of the Court of Common pleas in for the County of Madison
and that the signatures above written of him the said Judge are genuine as I verily believe and I further certify that I am acquainted with his hand writing. In testimony whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 11th day of September
in the year one thousand eight hundred September in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty two- Hiram D Cloyes Dept Clk
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State of New York
Madison County Ss. Stephen Pearce being first duly sworn doth depose and say that he was seventy six years old in December last that he now resides in the town of Passaic in the County of Oneida in the State of New York that he resided during the period of the Revolutionary war at Little Compton in Rhode Island. He further saith that he knows Gideon Simmons
of the town of Eaton in the County of Madison and State of New York and that he knew him when he resided in Little Compton during the revolutionary war and knew him to be a captain by reputation of what is called the South company of Militia in the town of Little
Compton, that he the deponent was Ensign in the North company that immediately after the British took possession of Rhode Island on the 7th day of December 1778. the Militia were called out in mass and served until May or June of the next year when they were divided
into three classes and served alternately one month at a time as a guard on the shore or bank of secounet [Sekonnet] River opposite to New Port, that there were six stations in that town where guards were constantly kept day and night-- there guards were kept up until
the British retreated from the Island in the 17th or 8th day of November 1779. that the officers of the companies after the first six months when the militia served in mass served or had command of the guard of the respective companies in rotation. that he had seen the said Captain Simmons on duty and knew by information of his service in the grade of Captain at the stations under the immediate charge and command of the south company, during the time the British kept possession of Rhode Island alarms were
frequent and at no time were guards dispensed with by day or night of the town was a frontier town & lay directly opposite New Port. The Militia of Little Compton and Tiverton formed a regiment which was commanded
first by Col. Hilliard afterwards by Col. Cook & Gray-- This deponent belonging to the north company did not always know
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the particular officer on duty or command at other stations but from information and from a knowledge of his having command of a company in Little Compton & from occasionally seeing him in command he has no reason to doubt the said Gideon Simmons served for the term of fourteen months as a captain and verily believes that he did so serve. The officers & soldiers drew pay & rations after ordered into service during the time they were in service and further this deponent saith not-
Stephen Pearce
State of New York
Madison County SS: I Ebenezer Howard a Commissioner of deeds of the town of Madison in the County of Madison and State of New York duly authorized to administer oaths and take affidavits to be read in all courts of law
& Equity in said State do certify that Stephen Pearce who has subscribed the forgoing affidavit appeared before me on this twenty eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty two and made oath to the same in due form of law. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and title of office this twenty eighth day of August one thousand eight  hundred & thirty two. In addition to the above the I have no
personal knowledge of Stephen Pearce, from information belief to appearance & justify
him to be a credible witness. Ebenezer Howard
added December 16. 1832
Ebenezer Howard Commissioner of Deeds
State of New York Clerks office by Hiram D. Clay Dep Clk
Madison County ss: I Andrew J Sloan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Madison do certify that Ebenezer Howard who has subscribed the foregoing certificate is a commissioner of deeds of the Count
of Madison duly qualified to administer oaths and take affidavits to be read in all courts of law and equity in said state and I further certify that I am acquainted with his hand writing
and verily believe the signature of his name title of office by him to the above certificate is genuine in his hand writing. In testimony where
I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 17th day of September
one thousand eight hundred & thirty two. Hiram D Cloyes Dept Clk
Page 11

June 10, 1940.
Mrs. Flora Knapp Dickinson
489 - 5th Avenue
New York, New York.

BA-J/ILL
Gideon Simmons
S. 23917
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 23917, based upon service of Gideon Simmons in the Revolutionary War.
Gideon Simmons was born December 14 (Old Style) or 25, 1744 in Little Compton, Rhode Island. He resided there at the time of the Revolutionary War.
Gideon Simmons enlisted in the summer of 1775 and served one month as private in Captain George Simmons' company, Colonel
Richmond's Rhode Island regiment, and in the fall of that year served another month as private under these same officers; no relationship
between him and said Captain George Simmons was stated. Gideon
Simmons was commissioned May 6, 1776, Captain of the 1st Company of Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island and served from December 7, 1776 until June 7, 1777 under Colonels Hillyard and Cooke; from June 1777 until June 1778, he served on different tours under Colonel Gray in the Rhode Island troops, in all amounting to four months as lieutenant and four months as private; he was commissioned 1st Lieutenant and served four months under Colonel Cooke, during which he was in
General Sullivan's Expedition.
This officer continued to reside in Little Compton, Rhode Island, until 1795, then moved to Madison County, New York.
Gideon Simmons was allowed pension on account of his service in the Revolutionary War on his application executed September 8, 1832
at which time he resided in Eaton, Madison County, New York. He had lived in that town since 1826. He made no reference to his wife. This
Page 12

officer died August 25, 1840. In 1851, one Otis P. Granger of Morrisville, New York, referred to children of this pensioner, Gideon Simmons, but he did not state their names.
In order to obtain the name of the person to when the last payment of pension was made, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the
following data:
Gideon Simmons
Certificate #4465
Issued January 16, 1833
Rate $206.66 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
New York Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 13

Gideon Simmons
NY @ 32
Page 14

P.S. I also wrote you some time since in behalf
of the children of Gideon Simmons dec'd
inquiring if he was not entitled to an increase of
Pension. He rec'd a pension of $206.66 during his
life time. I have rec'd no answer.
Otis P. Grange
Mansile Madison County NY Aug 12th 1802
Page 15

Revolution
23917
INVALID.
File No. 23,917
-
Gideon Simmons
Capt Rev War
---
Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 367
(Arrangement of 1870.}
1907 Mch. 27. History to
J. W. Boynton, C
1932. March 26. Hist. to Florence
Bectel- JLL.
1940 - June 10. Hist. Mrs. Flora Knaff
Dickinson - JLL
Page 16

United States Post Office,
SMYRNA, N. Y.

J. W. BOYNTON, P. M.

3/13 1907
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C
Sir, I am seeking information
of my Great Grandfather
Gideon Simmons
Captain Rhode Island
Militia Soldier of the
Revolution, Rhode Island
Pensioner residing
in Madison NY placed
on Pension Roll Jan 16
1833, Pension commenced
Mr 4, 1831 Age 87
Yours Respectfully,
over
P. M.
Page 17

United States Post Office,
SMYRNA, N.Y.

J. W. BOYNTON, P. M.
2
190
I wish very much
to learn the name of
Rhode Island town
in which he was
born also day, month
& year of birth also
date of death
can this information
be obtained from
your office and
is there a fee for
information. The
above is wanted to
complete a family history
Yours Respectfully,

J. W Boynton, P. M.
Smyrna NY
Page 18

U.S. W. & N. Div
Mar 18 1907
FILES
Page 19

By the Honorable Nicholas Cooke, Esquire,
Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of and over the English Colony of Rhode-Island, and Providence
Plantations in New-England, in America.
TO Gideon Simmons Gent. GREETING.
You Gideon Simmons being, by the General Assembly of this Colony, elected and chosen to the Place and Office of Captain of the first
Company or Trained band of the Town of Little Compton in the County of Newport in the Colony aforesaid, are hereby, in the name of
the GOVERNOR and COMPANY of the said Colony, authorized, empowered, and commissioned, to execute the Office of Captain of and over the Company aforesaid; and to command, guide and conduct the same, or any part thereof: And in case of an Invasion or Assault of a Common Enemy to infest or disturb this Plantation, you are to alarm and gather together the Company under your Command, or such part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, you are to resist, expel, kill, and destroy the same, in order to preserve the Interest of
the good People in these Parts. You are also to follow such Instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall from Time to Time, be further given forth, either by the General Assembly, the Governor and General Council, or other your superior Officers. And for your so doing, this Commission shall be your sufficient
Warrant and Discharge,
GIVEN under my Hand, and Seal of the said Colony, the Sixth day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-six
By His HONOR's Command,
Henry Ward Secy
Nicholas Cooke
Page 20

June 10, 1940.
Mrs. Flora Knapp Dickinson
489 5th Avenue
New York, New York.
BA-J/ILL
Gideon Simmons
S. 23317
Isaac Wilson (See Letter in this claim
S. 18661

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Captain Gideon Simmons of Little Compton, Rhode Island, a pensioner in 1833, and Captain Isaac Wilson, of
Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who fled from the Wyoming massacre and settled later in Ohio and you believe, married -- Phillips.
The records of Gideon Simmons and Isaac Wilson are furnished you herewith as found in claims for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 21

March 26, 1932.
Florence Bectel
104 Lexington Avenue, N.W.
Grand Rapids, Michigan.

BA-J/ILE

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter requesting information in regard to Gideon Simmons, a captain in the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein
are obtained from the papers on file
in pension claim, S. 23917, based upon his service in that war.
Gideon Simmons was born December 14, 1744 (old style), in Little Compton, Rhode Island.
While a resident of Little Compton, Rhode Island, he enlisted in the summer, 1775, and served one month as private in Captain George
Simmons' Company (no relationship to the soldier Gideon Simmons stated).
Colonel Richmond's Rhode Island Regiment; in the fall, 1775, he served one month under these same officers, dates not stated. He was commissioned May 6, 1776, Captain of the 1st Company, or Trained band, of Little Compton,
Newport County, Rhode Island, and served from December 7, 1776 to June 7, 1777, under Colonels Hillyard and Cooke; from June, 1777 until June, 1778, he served on different tours under Colonel Gray, amounting to four months
as lieutenant and four months as private; he was then commissioned 1st  lieutenant, served four months under Colonel Cooke and was on Sullivan's
 
After the war, the soldier resided in Little Compton, Rhode Island, until 1795, when he moved to Madison County, New York.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 8, 1832, at which time he resided in Eaton, Madison County, New York; he
moved to Eaton in 1826.
He died August 25, 1840.
It is not stated that the soldier was married.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 22

O. W. and N. Division.
Sur File 23917
Rev.

3 -- 525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., Mch 27, 1907

In reply to your request of__, received __
for a statement of the military history of Gideon Simmons 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.
Sum 75
Fall 75
Dec 7 76
June 77 to June 78
June 78
--
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
1 mo
1 mo
6 mos
4 mos
4 mos
4 mos
--

RANK.
Pvt.
"
Captain
1 Lieut of alarm company
Pvt.
--
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.

CAPTAIN.
Geo.Simmons

Sullian Exped

COLONEL.
Richmond
Hillyard & Cooke
Gray
Cooke
STATE.
R. I.
---
Battles engaged in, none.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Little Compton
Date of application for pension, Sept 8, 1832
Residence at date of application, Eaton, Madison Co., NY
Age at date of application, B Dec 14, 1744 O.S. Little Compton, R.I.
Remarks: "Died Aug. 25 1840." Endorsement Bureau record-
No further fam data
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
27225631 - 07
Page 23

Feb 15 - 1932
Director of Pensions
Washington, D.C

The Adjutant General's
office has referred me to your office for the army record of Gideon Simmons who served in the
Revolutionary war, as I understand, as a Captain.
Can you help me?
Resp'y

Florence Bectel
144 Lexington Ave. N.W
Grand Rapids
Michigan
(A great-grand-daughter)

Received Feb 18 1932 
Pension Office
Dept Section
Page 24

173
Pension Office
March 17, 1832
Sir 
In answer to the enclosed letter, I
have to inform you that Gideon Simmons,
served 6 months as Captain; 4 months as
Lieut and 10 months as private, which service entitled him to a pension, under the
act of 7 June 1832, at the rate of 206.66
per annum, and no more,
No application for an increase of
this pension has been filed in this
office
Hon T. Jenkins,
H of R
Rev
Page 25

Hon. James E. Heath
Com of Pensions
Dir Sirs
I send you the enclosed letter of Otis P. Granger
Esq. in regard to the matter Mr.
Gideon Simmons, Mr. Granger
is a reputable lawyer serving at Morrisville N.Y.
Will you have the business
to furnish me an answer to
his enquire & return both Grangers letter with your answer to me

H. of K. 16 Feb 52
your abl Lent,
Timothy Jenkins