Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,657, Thomas Brightman, R.I.
Page 1

SERVICE
 R.I. 

Brightman, Thomas

NUMBER
S.21.657

CONTENTS
Page 2

21,901
Rhode Island
Thomas Brightman
Hopkinton in the State of the Island
was a Private in the Comp command
Capt Thurston of the Reg.t commanded
by Col. Noyes in the Massatts
line for 18 months and 15 days
R.J.

Inscribed on the Roll of Rho. Island
at the rate of 61 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Nov.
1833
and sent to Seth R Babcock
Westerly

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33
$154, 118
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mnths
30.83
$185.01

{Revolutionary Claim,
A. June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Go. C Stiles, Clerk
Book E Vol. 2, Page 2
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State of Rhode Island 
County of Washington

On the eleventh day of October AD 1832, personally appeared in open court being the supreme judicial court; now in session at south Kingston within and for the county of Washington. Thomas Brightman as resident of Hopkinton in the county of Washington  and state of Rhode Island, aged eighty one 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, AD 1832, viz, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he was born in Newport on Rhode Island on the 4th day of August AD 1751. The same being entered on his family record, and at the age of about fourteen years removed to Hopkinton aforesaid, where he has always since lived and now resides - And the applicant further states that he was first drafted in the month of December AD 1776 in Capt. George Thurston; Company in Col. Joseph Noyes regiment and served one month stationed as a guard on shore at Bostonneck in South Kingstown soon after the British took possession of Rhode Island. He states that he next enlisted in the month of February AD 1777 in Capt. Thomas Thompson's company in Col. Thomas Potter regiment afterwards commanded by Col. Joseph Stanton for the term of fifteen months and first marched through Narragansett, Greenwich and Warwick to Providence there to Tiverton and was then stationed at or near Howland's Ferry and served until his time expired and was discharged and the applicant further states that he next went as a substitute for John Lawton in Capt. George Thurston company in Col. Joseph Noyes regiment for one month in June 1778, marched to Tiverton and then served until his time expired - He next went as a substitute for a man by the name of Wait Rogers (of Richmondtown) in Capt. John Clark company in Col. Charles Dyer's regiment on Rhode Island
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in Sullivan's expedition for one month at which time there was an engagement with the British in August 1778 - He next was drafted in the Spring of 1779 for half a month in Capt. George Thurston's Company and Col. Joseph Noyes' regiment and was stationed as a guard on shore at Point Judith, quartered at the house of Henry Green and served until his time expired and was honorably discharged at the expiration of the several periods of his service but had no written discharge - 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 in open court
Thomas his X mark Brightman
Witness Mathew Waite clk

We, Aaron Kinyon residing in the town of Hopkinton and Francis B. Segan residing in the same town, county of Washington hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Brightman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty one 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. 
Aaron Kinyon
Francis B. Segan
Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid in open court 
Witness Matthew Waite Clk

And the court do hereby declare their opinion of the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary solder and served as he states and the court further testifies that it appears to them that Aaron Kinyon and Francis B. Segan who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in said town of Hopkinton and that they are credible persons and that their statement [illegible]
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We are well acquainted with Thomas Brightman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty one 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. 
Aaron Kinyon
Francis B. Segan
Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid in open court. 
Witness Matthew Waite Clk

And the court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations provided 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 Aaron Kinyon and Francis B. Segan who have signed the proceeding certificate are residents in said town of Hopkinton and that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I Matthew Waite clerk of the supreme judicial court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the court in the matter of the application of Thomas Brightman for a pention(sic) in testimony whose of I have here to set my hand and the seal of office this eleventh day of October 1832.
Matthew Waite Clk
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15.763
Thomas Brightman
R. I. 

Return to - 
Private 18 months 
Aom'd

Rowse Babcock
Westerly
R.I.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
8 November 1833
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 compling [complying] with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Thomas Brightman
Period when the service was rendered.
Draf 1776
77
78
78
79
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.
1 month
1 year 3 months
1 month
1 month
15 days
Rank of the claimant.
private
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Cap. Thruston
Col Moyes
Col Potter
Col Noyes
Col Dyer
Col Noyes
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
81 years
Hopkinton R. I.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Witnesses
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Page 2 of REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE , 1832.
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Page 3 of REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE , 1832.
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In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Thomas Brightman a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.  27. 21657

Widows
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Dec. 1776
Feby 1777
June 1778
Aug 1778
Spr 1779

LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
1 mo
15 "
1 "
1"
½ "

RANK. [blank]

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Geo. Thurston
Thos. Thompson
Geo. Winston
John Clark
Geo. Thurston

COLONEL.
Joseph Noyes
Thos. Potter
Jos. Stanton
Jos. Noyes
Chas. Dyer
Jos. Noyes

STATE 
R.I.

Battles engaged in, Sullivan Exped
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hopkinton, R. I.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 11, 1832 Allowed.
Residence at date of application, Hopkinton, Wash, Co. R. I.
Age at date of application, B. Newport R. I. Aug. 4. 1751.
Remarks:
no further fam. data

Very respectfully,
Page 11

Revolution
21657

Invalid

File No. 21, 657
Thomas Brightman
Priv Rev. War

Act June 7, 32
Index: Vol. 2 Page 50

[Arrangement of 1870]

Nov. 8, 1902
Dr. AA Burdick
Balto, MD

1906 Aug 17 History to Ernest Kenyon
1906 Oct. 15 Letter to Ernest K. Kenyon
1912 Mar. 12 to Mrs. Courtland P. Chipman
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Alred A. Burdick, MD
1640 E. Baltimore St.

Office Hours
8 to 9am
3 to 4pm
6 to 8pm

Baltimore
Oct 20th 1902

Commissioner of Pensions
Der Sir, 
Would you kindly send me the military record of my great grandfather Thomas Brightman of Hopkinton RI a solder of the Revolution. he was a pensioner. 
Also the naval records or military record of Rowland Burdick. He served in the war of 1812 at 
New London Con.. Would like to get his age & want to know his parents I do not know whether he was my great grandfather or his uncle or his cousin as they all had this name & if I get his age I can tell which he was. 
Thanking you for the favor.
Yours truly, 
AA Burdick
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PO Box 846
Providence RI
Aug 9, 1906

Commissioner of Pension
Washington, DC

Dear Sir; 
I am searching for the place of birth and death of one Thomas Brightman who served in the Revolutionary War and was granted a pension March 4, 1831.
Any information you can give me in regard to the above will be greatly appreciated. 
Yours truly, 
Ernest Kenyon
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Westerly RI
March 5, 1912

Dear Sir, 
Can you tell me if the name of Thomas Brightman (which I think there was no father and con) that drew pensions and if they did it must have been in the Revolutionary War or facts you can give me concerning them will be appreciated. 
Respectfully
Mrs. Courtland P. Chipman
Westerly RI
Box 625
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Established 1863 - Incorporated 1906
Elsbree-Valleau Company
Hatters, Furriers, Men's Furnishers, 
101 Westminster St.

Providence, RI October 2, 1906

Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington DC

Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly send me a certificate of record of Thomas Brightman a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He was born at Newport, RI August 4, 1751. Date of application for pension October 11, 1832. 
Will you also send me a certificate of record of Andrew Chapman, a solder of the Revolutionary War. He was born at North Stonington, Conn. May 10, 1754. 
Any information you can give in regard to the above will be greatly appreciated. 

Yours very truly, 
Ernest K. Kenyon
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Oct. 15, 1906

Mr. Ernest K. Kenyon, 
101 Westminster St., 
Providence, R.I.

Sir: 
In reply to your letter dated the 2nd instant and received on the 4th, you are advised that a careful search of the records of this Bureau fails to show a claim for pension filed on account of the services of Andrew Chapman of Connecticut, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. 
A statement of the military history of Thomas Brightman born August 4, 1751, was furnished you under date of August 17, 1906.

Very respectfully, 
Commissioner.
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Thomas Brightman

15763
Page 18

Nathan Barber of Westerly in the county of Washington and state of Rhode Island on oath testifies that he is acquainted with Thomas Brightman and well knows that said Brightman did serve one month on "Boston Neck" in the guard in December 1776 and January 1777 in Capt. George Thurston's company and Col. Joseph Noyes' regiment. He further states that said Brightman did serve one month on Rhode Island in Sullivan's Expedition in August 1778 in Capt. John Clark's company and Col. Charles Dyer's regiment. I certify  this from my own personal knowledge having served at the same time with the said Brightman at Boston Neck in Capt. Jesse Burdick's company and on Rhode Island in the company commanded by Capt. Henry Wells. 
Nathan Barber

State of Rhode Island
Washington sc. Westerly October 5th 1832. Personally appeared before me Nathan Barber and after being by me duly examined cautioned and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, gave the foregoing deposition which was recorded to writing by me in his presence and by him subscribed before me. Said department is well known to me and is entitled credit for truth and veracity. 
Jed. W. Knight Justice of the Peace


Timothy West of Westerly in the county of Washington and state of Rhode Island , maketh oath that he knows Thomas Brightman and well remembers that said Brightman did served as a private in Capt. Thomas Thompson's company in regiment commanded, first by Col. Thomas Potter and afterwards by Col. Joseph Stanton for the term of fifteen months at Tiverton in the years 1777 and 1778. I certify this from my own personal knowledge having served in the same company and at the same time with said Brightman. 
Timothy West

State of Rhode Island
Washington Sc. Westerly Oct. 5, 1832. Personally appeared before me Timothy West and after being by me duly examined cautioned and sworn to testify the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth gave the foregoing deposition which was recorded to writing by me in his presence and by him subscribed. 
Jed. W. Knight Justice of the Peace
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Newport Nov. 14. 1833.
I certify that Jesse Maxson is Clerk of the Court of Probate for the town of Westerly and that the above signature is his proper handwriting and that the seal of said Court has no device.
Dutee J. Pearce
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I Jedidiah W. Knight a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Westerly, County of Washington and State of Rhode Island before whom the foregoing Depositions of Nathan Barber and Timothy West were taken, do certify that said Deponents are personally known to me, and that their statements are entitled to full faith and credit for truth and veracity.
Given under my hand at Westerly aforesaid the 22nd day of April 1833.
Jed. W. Knight  Justice of the Peace
I, Amos R. Wells, a Clergyman residing in the town of North Stonington, in the State of Connecticut, adjoining the town of Westerly in Rhode Island, hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Thomas Brightman, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that I believe him to be eighty one years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion.
Amos R Wells
Westerly R. I.  April 22nd AD 1833.
State of Rhode Island and providence plantations  Washington County ss
At a Court of Probate holden in Westerly in said County April 22nd AD 1833 personally appeared the above subscribed Amos R Wells, and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the foregoing affidavit and the said Court hereby Certify that the said Amos R Wells is at this time a Respectable Clergyman, and weekly officiates as such in this Town  And I Jesse Maxson Clerk of the Court aforesaid hereby certify that the above contains the proceedings of said Court Reference to the foregoing certificate of Amos R Wells, and I also further Certify that Jedidiah W Knight who signed the above Certificate is now a Justice of the peace in this Town and Legally qualified to act in said Capacity.  In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 22d day of April AD 1833.
James Maxson  P. Clerk
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington sc  Supreme Judicial Court
October Term AD 1832
I hereby Certify that Jedidiah W Knight Esqr is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Westerly in the County and State aforesaid and that the within Signature of his name is his own and proper signature and as a Justice of the Peace he is Duly and Legally Qualified to act as such  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this Eleventh Day of October in the Year 1832
Matthew Waite Clk