Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21159, Stephen Dexter, R.I.
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SERVICE
R. I.

Dexter, Stephen

NUMBER
S.21159
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11.640
Vermont

Stephen Dexter of Caledonia in the State of Vermont who was a Pri in the Company commanded by Captain Aldrich of the Regiment commanded by Col. Hitchcock in the Rhode Island line for 
1 mo Private.  3.33
12 Mo. 15 days Sailor  9.97
8 Mo. Fifer. $29.33
$42.63

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 42 Dollars 63 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 31st day of May 1833 A. Paul.Danvill

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 85.26
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833 21.30
$106.59

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 60
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State of Vermont}
District and County of Caledonia}  ss.
On this 23d day of July A. D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. Benj. F. Duning Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid now sitting Stephen Dexter a resident of Danville in the District and County aforesaid aged seventy six 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 provisions of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.
That he entered into the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That at Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island in the latter part of April 1775 he enlisted in the Rhode Island troops for the term of eight months in the Company of Cap'n. William Aldrich, Lt. David Dexter - in the Regt. of Col. Hitchcock.  was stationed at Jamaica plain near Boston until after the Battle of Bunker hill.  on the day of that battle was posted at Roxbury - afterwards was stationed at Prospect Hill - served the full term of his engagement and was discharged in December 1775.
That about the month of September 1776 he sailed from Providence R. I. in a schooner fitted out as a privateer - that at that time a public armed vessel called the Alfred commanded by John Paul Jones lay in Newport Harbor recruiting - the privateer on which he was aboard stopped at Newport to take in water and five men who had enlisted on board the Alfred deserted came aboard and went out in the privateer - when the privateer was returning into port near Martha's Vineyard where the privateer lay at anchor in Tarpaulin Cove the Alfred under Capn. Jones being then on her way out came to anchor at the same place and Capn. Jones sent a boat to board the privateer finding the men who had deserted from his ship - he took them
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and every other able bodied hand on board except the officers and Cook, among those thus taken was this declarant - he went onboard the ["latter of" struck through] Alfred the latter part of October or fore part of November 1776 - cruised in an easterly direction and captured several prizes, two of which arrived safe at New Bedford - one a very valuable prize containing clothing, and war stores ["for" struck through] bound to Quebec and said to be intended for Burgoyne's army - this declarant came into New Bedford on board of one of the prizes - to the best of his recollection and belief he served two and a half months for which term he was afterwards paid by Cap'n. Jones at Boston ["going" struck through] where the Alfred had arrived, giving him an order on the Paymaster at Providence.  The Lieut. of the Alfred was named Pitcher.
That at sd. Cumberland in the month of January 1777 he was drafted in the Rhode Island militia - marched to Bristol and served fifteen days - names of the officers not recollected - and at sd. Cumberland in September or October 1777 he was again drafted in the Rhode Island militia to ^go out in what was called Spencer's expedition - crossed on to Rhode Island and were driven off by the British - served in the Company of Capt. George Peck and was out at that time fifteen days
Was born at Smithfield Rhode Island - has a record of his age - at his house - was born in 1755 December 1st.  was living at Cumberland 
R. I. when called into the service before the close of the revolutionary war removed from thence to Worcester Mass. where he resided about seven years and from thence to Newport New Hampshire where he resided about four years - thence to Claremont N. H. and there resided until the year 1805 and then removed to Danville Vermont where he lived about seven years - thence to Westfield Vt where he lived eleven or twelve years - thence to Weathersfield Vt. where he resided until March last and then removed to said Danville his present residence.  That his first eight months service he served as a musician, a fifer in Capn. Aldrich's Company he does not recollect that he ever had a written discharge
Stephen Dexter
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The foregoing declaration of Stephen Dexter sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Benj. F. Duning Judge of Probate
I John Bly of Lyndon in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont depose and say, That in the time of the revolutionary war I resided at Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island - that I was well acquainted with Stephen Dexter who has made the foregoing declaration who at that time resided at said Cumberland
That in the year 1775 I was in the eight months service at Roxbury and afterwards at Prospect Hill in the Regt. of Col. Hitchcock - that I well recollect that said Stephen Dexter was in the service at that time - that he served as a fifer - belonged to the same regt. but to a different company - after so great a lapse of time I am unable to state the particular time when he entered or left the service
John Bly
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Benj F. Duning
Judge of Probate
I Archelaus Sias a Clergyman residing in Danville in the County of Caledonia and State of Vermont do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Stephen Dexter who formerly resided in said Danville and who has recently returned to said Danville to reside and who has made the foregoing declaration - that I believe him to be seventy six years of age - that it is believed in the neighborhood where he resides and in the neighborhood where he formerly resided in sd. Danville among those who have the best means of knowledge that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war - and I do not know that it is
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doubted by any one - and I believe his character for truth to be as good as men generally.
Archelaus Sias
Sworn to and subscribed this 8th day of October 1832
Before Benj. F. Duning
Judge of Probate
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that John Bly who has signed the foregoing affidavit is a credible witness and his statement is entitled to credit. - And the Court also certifies that Archelaus Sias who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in said Danville, is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
I Amos Paul Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Caledonia aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Dexter for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eighth day of October A. D. 1832
Amos Paul.
Register
Reference is made to the accompanying certificate of his Excellency Gov. Palmer
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Stephen Dexter
Caledonia C Vermont

16.494

1 mo Private. $3.33
2 Mo 15 days sailor $9.97
8 mo. Fifer  $29.33
$42.63

Amos Paul Esq.
Danville
Vt.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done.  Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus:}).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Stephen Dexter
Period when the service was rendered
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.
Rank of the claimant.
April 1775  8 months  Fifer
Octob'r 1776  2 mos. 15 days  Sailer[Sailor]
Jany 1777  15 days
Octob 1777  15 days
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Capt Alarick
Capt Paul Jones -(Alfred)-
Names of the officers not recollected -
Capt Peck
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col. Hitchcock
Spencer
Country through which he marched.
Stationed at Dama--- Plains
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period
76 years
Cumberland 
Rhode Island
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Clergyman & a living witness
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Document is page 2 of REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
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Document is page 3 of regulations
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F. W. Exr.
August 24, 1904.
I. 21159,
Rev. War.
Madam:
In reply to your recent inquiry, you are advised that the records of this Bureau fail to show any service in the above-noted claim of Stephen Dexter, in addition to that furnished you under date of August 9, 1904.
While in service under Capt. John Paul Jones, said soldier assisted in capturing various valuable prizes, (names of prizes not stated), which fact would seem to identify this soldier with the one whose services you describe.
Soldier was born December 1, 1755, at Smithfield, R. I.   The names of his parents do not appear in the claim.
The records of this Bureau fail to show any claim filed on account of the Revolutionary services of Jeremiah Dexter.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mrs. D. E. Penfield,
Warren, Mass.
Box.#245.
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dec. July 23, 1832
res. at ap - Danville
Caledonia Co. Vt.
at Cumberland R. I. at enl -
fifer
Apr. 74 Wm Aldrich
8 mos. Hitchcock  R. I.
Sept. 76, privateer
Trans. Nov 76 to "Alfred"
2 ½ mo Capt J. P. Jones
assisted in capturing several prizes
Jan 77.
15 days   R. I. mil
Sept. or Oct. 77  Geo Peck R. I. mil
15 days Spencers 
born Dec. 1, 1755 - Smithfield R. I.
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Stephen Dexter
Stamped:
OLD WAR & NAVY
AUG 19 1904
FILES.
Stamped:
US PENSION OFFICE
A
AUG 18 1904
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Stamp
WAF NAVY
Aug 19 1904
FILES
Warren, Mass. Aug 16th 1904
E. T. Ware - Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir - 
The Revolutionary War Service sent of Stephen Dexter proves to be the man I was seeking - my
great-grandfather. 
Thanks for the record.
I am anxious to determine the
family of the enclosed Stephen
and Jeremiah Dexter of Walpole
Mass. and would like any
additional record that you can give. 
I had supposed the enclosed Stephen was my great grandfather and it may be so.
Sincerely - Mrs. D. E. Penfield
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Jeremiah Dexter of Walpole Mass - private
Capt Jeremiah Smiths Co
Col John Smiths Regt which marched on the alarm of Apr 19 1775 - service 4 days.
Also
Capt Oliver Clapp's Co.
Col Benjamin Harris regt - the same as Stephen Dexter.
Would like the additional record of the above Jeremiah Dexter - date of his birth and whatever family history is given that will help to identify him.
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Jeremiah Dexter
[Stamped] US PENSION OFFICE A AUG 18 1904
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Mass Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War
Stephen Dexter, Walpole Mass., private. Capt Sabin Manis[?] Co. of minute men- Col Greaton's regt which marched on the alarm of Apr 19 1775 from Medfield [to crossed out] and Walpole, service 12 days
Also-
Capt Oliver Clapp's[?] Co., Col Benjamin Harris regt, enlisted Sept 25 1777 discharged Oct 28 1777, service 1 mo 7 days, travel included, on a secret expedition to R.I.
also
Capt Samuel Cowell's Co, Col Harris regt service from Aug 4 to Aug 26 1778
22 days at R.I. 
(see 2)
[End of note, continued on next page]
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[Note continued from previous page]
2)
Stephen Dexter
Also -
Stephen Dexter, Marine Ship "Alfred", commanded by Capt John Paul Jones, list of men entitled to prize shares in the ship "Mellish" and brig "Active" -year not given.
I would like date of birth and birth place and any further history of the above Stephen Dexter that may be on the record of his War service
Name of his parent if given
Is this the Stephen Dexter whose record you sent me-
[End of note]
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Warren Mass July 24th 1904
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Would like the Revolutionary War service of Stephen Dexter whose name appears as a pensioner from Caledonia Co. Vermont in 1833, served in the R. I. Continental line- name place on roll May 31- 1833 age given as "private, fifer and sailor"
Stamped:
OLD WAR & NAVY
JUL 27 1904
FILES.
Stamped:
US PENSION OFFICE
A
JUL 26 1904
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my great grandfather Stephen Dexter was born in Smithfield R. I. and died in Danville, Vermont.
He served in the war of the Revolution and was a pensioner, according to the statement of his grandchildren, and I suppose this may have been his service.
If date of his birth is given on the rolls I would like it as it will help in identification
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. D. E. Penfield
Warren, Mass.
Box 245
Stamped:
US PENSION OFFICE
A
JUL 26 1904
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Revolution
21159
INVALID.
File No. 21,159
Stephen Dexter
Sergt Rev War
Act:  June 7" 32"
Index:—2, Page 105
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1904. Aug. 9 - Mrs. D. E. Penfield Box 245 - Warren Mass for hist. of Service
1904. Aug. 24.  To above that no further appears in case.
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I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Stephen Dexter, now residing in Danville in the State of Vermont for more than twenty five years, and that during that time I have frequently heard him relate the circumstances of his service during the revolutionary war particularly that part while out with John Paul Jones.- all these circumstances were mentioned previous to the year 1818.
I also certify that said Stephen Dexter has always been considered an honest man and his statements entitled to credit
Danville Sep. 22, 1832
H. A. Palmer