Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,688, Joseph Church, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
Church, Joseph
NUMBER
S.21.688
CONTENTS
[blank]
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27138
Rhode Island
Joseph Church 
of Little Compt^n [Compton] in the State of R.I. who was a private in the Comp^y commanded by Captain Cole of the Reg^t commanded by Col. Richards in the R.I. line for 17 months private
Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Feb^y. 1834 and sent A. R. Brownell Little Compton RI
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833. $141.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 [$] 28.33
[Total] $169.98
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 2 Page 105
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Declaration
State of Rhode Island &c
County of Newport, Town of Little Compton sc.}
On this eighth day of January A.D. 1833, personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate of Little Compton in the county and State aforesaid, at an adjourned session thereof, Joseph Church, a resident of said Little Compton, aged sixty eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That at the time the British took possession of Rhode Island, December 1776, an alarm list having been formed out of the senior class (or persons exempt from military duty in this State) for the purpose of protecting the shores of Little Compton from the incursions of the enemy, the father of this Declarant, Ebenezer Church, was draughted from said class, and enrolled as a private in Captain Cornelius Briggs company of militia of Little Compton, and immediately called into service, that the declarant, not being of the age for draught, was accepted and served as a substitute for his father in the before mentioned company ^March 1777^ and did duty as guard in Little Compton for the period of a month. That immediately after the expiration of said service he was again accepted and served as a substitute for Lebedee Stoddard, James Brownell, Elisha Woodward & others, all now deceased, and continued on duty as guard & as a substitute aforesaid, during the whole time that the British were in possession of Rhode Island. viz. for a period (including the months first mentioned) of two years and six months. Declarant recollects that the arrangement of guard duty was to the following effect, viz. that one half of the company was called upon duty for one month, which was then relieved by the other half the succeeding month and so on alternately so long as the necessity for a guard continued. The whole company in the mean while
[continued]
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being ready for duty and liable to be called into service at a moments warning. But declarant avers that living near the sea shore, and being convenient to the business, he served as substitute aforesaid, without intermission, from March 1777 until the English finally evacuated Rhode Island Sept 1779
Declarant further states, that he is informed and believes that the before mentioned draughts were made under the authority and in compliance with an Act of the General Assembly, draughting into three divisions all male persons liable to bear arms in this State, whether of the militia, alarm list or independent companies and placing them under the orders of the Governor & commander for the time being, to be marched as soon as possible to such places and stations as said authority should direct.
Declarant further states upon oath as aforesaid that when the French were in garrison at Rhode Island, he was draughted as a private in the company of Little Compton militia, commanded by William Southard, and did duty at Butts Hill, on the Island of Rhode Island, for the period of a month when he received his discharge.
The spring following the last mentioned service a rumor prevailing that the British were expected at Rhode Island, declarant enlisted in Capt. John Davis's company of militia - was marched to the Island; stationed at Cornell's on the West road, and continued there a month. At the expiration of this period, declarant was discharged.
That in 1781, while the French were in possession of Newport, he served as a substitute for Elisha Woodward (now deceased) a private in a company of militia commanded by Benjamin Coe. This company was marched from Little Compton to Rhode Island - did duty at Jahleel Brenton's house in Brenton's neck, and continued there a month when declarant was discharged.
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Declarant further states on oath as aforesaid that he was born in the town of Little Compton. in the then Colony of Rhode Island, February 29th 1764: that a certificate of his birth is to be found in the Town Clerk's office of said town a certificate of which with the proper attestation of the present Town Clerk is hereunto annexed. That at the time of his first entering the service as aforesaid, in March 1777, he was living in said Little Compton; that he has lived there since the revolutionary war; and that he now lives there; that he is unable to fix with more precision than he has herein done the day, month, and year, when he entered the service, or when he left the same; that he never received any written discharge from either of the companies, in which he served as aforesaid, nor was it usual in the Revolution to grant such discharges; that he has no documentary evidence of the services he has sworn to, nor did he ever possess any; that as to the manner in which he entered the service, and the names of the officers under whom he served, they are succinctly stated in the preceding part of this Declaration. In addition to the officers here named he can mention Col. John Cook of Tiverton and Col. Wm. Richmond of Compton - both of whom were known to the present Declarant. Declarant claims to have served, in the whole, two years and nine months active duty
Declarant further states as aforesaid that he refers to Christopher Brown, and George C. Bailey as persons, to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, who can testify 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.
[signature] Joseph Church
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court, the day and year above written.
Witness
A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk
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We Christopher Brown, residing in Little Compton, in the county of Newport, and State of Rhode Island; and George C. Bailey, residing in the same Little Compton, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Church, who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration,; that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age; and 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; and that we believe him to be a person of veracity.
[signature] Christopher Brown
[signature] George C Bailey
Sworn to and submitted in open Court, the day and year above written}
Witness A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk
And the Court do hereby [certify crossed through] declare their opinion, after 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 Christopher Brown, who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of Little Compton; and that George C. Bailey, who has also signed the same, is also a resident of the same Little Compton. That both are credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
The testimony of the nearest clergyman having been requested, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of the applicant the Court thinks it proper to state,  that the Rev. Emerson Paine having been recently settled in this place, and the only one who could be conveniently called upon, was not sufficiently acquainted with the applicant to be used as a witness. 
I, Alexander R. Brownell, Clerk of the Court of Probate, of the town of Little Compton in the county of Newport and State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of Joseph Church for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and the Seal of said Court this eighth day of Jan'y 1833.
[signature] A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk
[seal attached to the left]
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Town Clerk's Office Little Compton January 8th AD 1833.
I hereby certify that Joseph Church Son of Ebenezer Church & Hannah his wife was born February ye 5th AD 1757 as the record doth appear.
Witness [signature] A.R. Brownell Town Clerk.
[faint seal at top]
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Gideon Church, of Little Compton, in the State of Rhode Island, ["upon" crossed through] of lawful age, upon solemn oath, deposes and says, that he is well acquainted with Joseph Church, who has this day made his Declaration in open Court, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, and is knowing to the fact that he did duty as guard in the manner and at the time pointed out in his Declaration. but whether for the whole time that the British were in possession of Rhode Island he is unable to say. He knows that said Joseph did guard duty for twelve months together at one house in Little Compton (Deacon William Taylors) at the time before mentioned. This deponent knows that the declarant Joseph Church was also a guard at several other houses in Little Compton, but for what length of time he is unable positively yo say - probably from six to eight months.
This deponent is knowing also to the fact that said Joseph Church did duty for a month at Butt's Hill as stated in his Declaration, having served with him in the same company under Capt. William Southard.
That this deponent was also a fellow soldier with said Joseph Church, when stationed in Capt. John Davis' company at Cornell's on Rhode Island & that he is knowing to the fact that he served there a month as stated in his declaration.
Deponent recalled also that Joseph Church was a private in Capt. Benj. Coe's company, when stationed at Jahleel Brenton's house in Brenton's neck in 1781. Deponent was not a fellow soldier at that time with the declarant, but being his neighbor recollects distinctly that he went on that service.
[signature] Gideon Church
State of Rhode Island sc
Newport sc.
Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton
January 8th, 1833
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Then personally appeared in open court Gideon Church, subscriber to the foregoing deposition, and (having first heard read the declaration of Joseph Church to this Court made in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832) made solemn oath to the truth of each and every part of said deposition, by him the said Gideon subscribed.
And the Court further certifies, that the said Gideon Church is a person of good reputation and standing, and that his comments are entitled to full faith and credit.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court
[signature] A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk
[seal affixed to the left]
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Revolution
21688
Invalid.
File No. 21,688
Joseph Church
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th '32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 68
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Joseph Church
22423
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Owen Greenell, of Little Compton, in the State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, upon solemn oath deposes and says, that he is well acquainted with Joseph Church, who has this day made his Declaration in open Court, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832: that he is knowing to the fact that said Church did guard duty in Little Compton in the manner stated in his Declaration; he recollects particularly that he served one month as a private at the Deacon Wm. Taylor house, under Captain Benj^n Coe, having served himself in the same company with said Church. Deponent knows also that said Church was on duty as guard the succeeding month, having seen him while engaged in that service.
Deponent further testifies, that he was a fellow soldier with the Declarant (Joseph Church) at Butts Hill at the time mentioned in his declaration; and that he knows that he served there a month.
Deponent was also a private in Capt John Davis' company of militia which was marched to Rhode Island and stationed at Connell's, on the West road. He recollects, that Joseph Church was a private in said company and served a month therein, as stated in his declaration.
Deponent finally states on oath, that he was a waiter to Captain Benjn Coe, when stationed in 1781 at Jahleel Brenton's house on Brenton's neck. That he is knowing to the fact that said Joseph Church was a private in Capt. Coe's company and did duty for the time mentioned in his declaration at the house aforesaid.
[signature] Owen Greenell
State of Rhode Island &c
Newport sc.
Court of Probate Town of Little Compton, January 8th, 1833.
Then personally appeared in open court
[continued]
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Owen Greenell, subscriber to the foregoing deposition, and (having first heard read the declaration of Joseph Church to this court made in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832) made solemn oath to the truth of each and every part of said deposition, by him the said Owen subscribed. And the Court further certifies, that said Owen Greenell is a person of good reputation and standing, and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court.
[signature] A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
[seal affixed to the left]
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Stephen Brownell, of Little Compton, in the State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, upon solemn oath deposes and says, that he is well acquainted with Joseph Church, who has this day made his Declaration in open Court, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he distinctly recollects, that said Joseph was a private in Captain John Davis' company of militia as stated in his declaration; that said Joseph and this deponent were both at Connell's, on the West road of Rhode Island, where the company was stationed - and that he knows that he served for the period of a month.
[signature] Stephen Brownell
State of Rhode Island &c.
Newport Sc.
Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton, January 8th 1833.
Then personally appeared in open court, Stephen Brownell, subscriber to the foregoing deposition, and (having first heard read the declaration of Joseph Church to this Court made, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832) made solemn oath to the truth of each and every part of said deposition, by him the said Stephen subscribed. And the Court further certifies, that the said Stephen Brownell is a person of good reputation and standing, and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court.
[signature] A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk
[seal affixed to the left]
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Joseph Church
22423
Admi^d 17 mo private
Cap Coe Col Richards
A.R. Brownell Esq. Little Compton R.I.
[seal affixed to the right]
By the Court
A.R. Brownell P. Clerk
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Declaration
State of Rhode Island &c.
County of Newport, Town of Little Compton sc
On this fourteenth day of October A.D. 1833, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate of Little Compton in the county and State aforesaid at a Special session thereof Joseph Church a resident of said Little Compton, aged sixty nine years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That when quite a lad (being uncommonly tall and large of his age) to wit on or about the first day of March, A.D. 1777, he volunteered and was accepted as a private, in the company of Little Compton militia commanded by Captain Benjamin Coe for the purpose of doing guard duty in the town of Little Compton and protecting the shores  of that district from the incursions of the enemy. Declarant immediately entered upon duty in said company & continued to act in his capacity of guard every other month from said March 1777, until late in September 1779 (when the British evacuated Rhode Island) making one year & four months actual duty in a period of two years and seven months, according to his best recollection John Bailey was Lieutenant of his company. Guard duty being performed in Little Compton by companies & parts of Companies & no by regiments. The Field officers if any are not so distinctly recollected - but declarant remembers, that Col. W. Richmond, Nathaniel Church, and John Cook, were also in command of the regiment at different periods of service - & were frequently at the
[continued]
Page 17

Deacon William Taylor Houses in Little Compton, where declarant was principally stationed. - The arrangement of guard duty in Little Compton was to the following effect viz. that one half of the company was upon duty for one month, which was then relieved by the other half the succeeding month. and so on successively so long as the necessity for a guard continued; the whole company in the mean while being liable to duty, and ready to be called into service at a moments warning - Declarant understands that the draught of the company, in which he served as a volunteer, was made under an act of the General Assembly of this State of December 1776 which placed all male persons liable to bear arm in this State under the orders of the Governor or Commander for the time being to march to such places and stations as said authorities should direct.
That on the 1st of September 1780 he was draughted and served as a private in the company of Little Compton militia commanded by Captain William Southard and Lieutenant Isaac Wood - and was immediately marched to the Island of Rhode Island and stationed at Butts Hill at the northern extremity thereof. Declarant continued on duty at this place as a private in said company and a waiter on Capt Southard for the term of one month when (to wit on the 1st of October 1780) declarant was discharged. Field officers in command are not recollected.
That in March 1781 (to wit on or about the first day of that month) declarant was again draughted and served as a private in the company of Little Compton militia commanded by Captain John Davis and Lieutenant Rowse Pearce - and was immediately marched to
[continued]
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Conells on the west road of Rhode Island, where he was stationed and did duty for a month. Declarant was a waiter at this time on Col. Nathaniel Church, who had the command at Conells & a private in said company. He was discharged April 1st 1781.
That in June 1781 - about the tenth of that month he [words crossed through: was again draughted and] entered upon duty as a private and a substitute for one Elisha Woodworth, deceased, in the company of Little Compton militia commanded by Captain Benjamin Coe and Lieutenant John Bailey; and was immediately marched to Brenton's Point near Newport, and stationed at the Brenton's House for the period of a month. Having performed this tour on the 10th day of July 1781, declarant was discharged.
Declarant further stated upon oath as aforesaid that he was born in the town of Little Compton in the Colony of Rhode Island, February 27th 1764: that a record of his birth is to be found in the Town Clerks office of said town: a certificate of which with the attestation of the present town clerk will be hereunto annexed; that he was living at the time of his first entering the service as a volunteer as aforesaid in said town of Little Compton; that he has lived there since the revolutionary war and that he now lives there; that owing to his advanced age and very imperfect memory he incorrectly stated in a former declaration that he entered the service as a draughted man - when a months' reflection might have satisfied him, or any one else, that the statement was incorrect; that now, and on further reflection he has stated all the parts in regard to his service with as much precision
[continued]
Page 19

and fidelity or his memory will permit; and he here solemnly avers on oath, that in his former imperfect statements he had no intention whatever to diverge in the least from the truth, or in the slightest degree to impose upon the confidence and liberality of the Government: that he never received any written discharge from either of the companies in which [he] served, as aforesaid; nor was it usual in the Revolution to grant such discharges; that he has no documentary evidence of the services he has sworn to nor did he ever possess any; that as to the manner of his being called into service and the names of the officers under whom he served they are succinctly, and to the best of his recollection, stated in the preceding parts of this declaration: and that he claims to have served in the whole One year and seven months actual duty.
Declarant further states that he refers to John Tompkins and Christopher Brown, as persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, who can testify to his character for veracity and to 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.
[signature] Joseph Church
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year before written in open Court}
Witness A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk
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We John Tompkins residing in Little Compton in the county of Newport and State of Rhode Island - and Christopher Brown - residing in the same Little Compton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Church, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; and 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; and that we believe him to be a person of veracity.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year before written.}
[signature] John Tompkins
[signature] Christopher Brown
Witness A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare, their opinion, after 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 that the Court further certify that John Tompkins who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of Little Compton; and that Christopher Brown who has also signed the same is a resident of the same Little Compton; that both are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit
The testimony of the nearest clergyman having been requested, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of the applicant, the Court think it proper to state that the Rev. Emerson Paine having been recently settled in this place, was not sufficiently acquainted with the applicant to be used as a witness
[signature] A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk
Page 21

I, Alexander R. Brownell, Clerk of the Court of Probate of the Town of Little Compton, in the county of Newport and State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application at this present term October 14 1833 of Joseph Church for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court this fourteenth day of October 1833.
[signature] A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
[faint remains of a seal to the left]
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Town Clerk's office, Little Compton October 14. 1833.
I hereby certify that Joseph Church son of Ebenezer Church & Hannah his wife, was born February ye 27th 1764, as appears of record
Witness A.R. Brownell Town Clerk.
Page 23

Gideon Church of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, upon solemn oath deposes and says, that he is well acquainted with Joseph Church who has this day made in open Court his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he knew the said Joseph at the commencement of the Revolution (being neighbors and cousins) and has since known him intimately well: that at the time mentioned by said Joseph of his first entering the service (March 1st 1777) the said Joseph was of an uncommon stature and size for his age - being as tall and stout as most men are found at eighteen years of age & upwards - that from that circumstance the deponent believes that Captain Benjamin Coe was induced to accept said Church as a volunteer - at the very early age which the declarant mentions: that said Joseph is now a man of at least six feet two inches in height: This deponent knows that said Joseph Church was on duty as a private in Capt Benjamin Coe's company of militia at the time indicated in his declaration having served in the same company of militia with said Joseph at the Deacon William Taylor house in Little Compton - & done duty with him for a year at least - at that and similar stations. Deponent has no doubt - whatever, that said Joseph was on duty the whole length of time mentioned in his declaration, as guard, from having seen him repairing to his post & otherwise engaged in military service when not on duty with himself.
That the declarant was in the same company of Little Compton militia, commanded by Capt. William Southard with said Joseph Church when stationed at Butts Hill in the year 1780 - & knows that he performed there a months duty, but whether in August or September of that year he is unable to recollect.
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This deponent is also knowing to the fact that said Joseph performed a months tour at Conell's on Rhode Island having served with him in March 1781 under Capt. John Davis & Lt. Rowse Pearce at the station aforesaid.
He has also the full belief (though he cannot swear to it positively) of the deponent, that said Church performed a months tour at Brenton's Point as stated in his declaration and his [illegible] on this point is so strong that he is almost willing to attest that such was really the fact.
[signature] Gideon Church
Witness A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
State of Rhode Island &c
Newport sc
Court of Probate Town of Little Compton October 14th 1833.
Then personally appeared in open Court, Gideon Church, subscriber to the foregoing deposition and (having first heard read the declaration of Joseph Church to this Court made, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th,1832) made solemn oath to the truth of each and every part of said deposition by him the said Gideon subscribed. And the Court further certifies that said Gideon Church is a person of good reputation and standing and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court
A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
Page 25

County of Newport
Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton, October 14th 1833
The undersigned, Judges of the Court of Probate for the Town of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island - in the matter of the application of Joseph Church of Little Compton for a pension - take the liberty to state to the Hon. Commissioner that in their opinion, the statement of said Church in his former declaration, that he [multiple words crossed through] was draughted & served in that capacity as a private, when he was but thirteen years old, was the result of accident and his imperfect memory - & without the least intention of imposing upon the Department. The Court have no doubt that Mr. Church volunteered at the age before mentioned and served as he stated on his forms and present declaration. It is known to many aged persons in this vicinity, that at the time he has indicated he was uncommonly large of his age & fully equal in strength & stature to a fulfillment of his military duties. It may be proper to add, that the applicant (Mr. Church) has ever maintained a fair character for integrity and truth, and in the opinion of the Court is justly entitled to the remuneration he solicits
[signatures]
Pardon Brownell
Nathaniel Church
Christopher Brownell
Clark Brownell

Witness A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk
[seal affixed to left]

[text visible at bottom from document underneath]
different periods of his service - twice frequently at the