Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,544, for Gideon Lillibridge, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)

Service 
R.I.

Lillibridge, Gideon

Number
S. 17,544

Contents
Page 2

4969.

Rhode Island
Gideon Lillibridge
of Washington in the State of RI
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain - of the regt commanded by Col Dyer in the RI line for 10 mos

Inscribed on the Roll of RI
at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 31st day of Jany 1833 and [illegible]
DI Pearce [illegible]

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $49.99
Semi=anl. allowance ending 21 Mar 35 16.66
$66.65

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by [illegible] Blair Clerk, Book D. Vol. 32a Page 121.
Page 3

11317
Gideon Lillibridge
Private
10 Months
[illegible]

W.C.E.
ob 10 & 16th
Jury 22, 33

Hon D.Y. McPearce

$33.33P
-209
Page 4

11517
BRIEF in the case of Gideon Lillibridge S. Kingston of Washington in the State of Rhodisland 
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 78 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
 
Period. | Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days. | Rank, As a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen
In 1775 | - 1 - | Private | Capt Hoxsie
76 | - 3 - | “ | Cap. Willcox Mj. Dyer
Spring 77 | - 1 - | “ | Cap Balcort Col Dyer
Spring 78 | - 1 - | “ | same officers
July or Aug 80 | - 1 - | “ | Cap Gardiner Col. Potter
Thinks he served Ten months in the whole

5. In what battles was he engaged? None 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Exter R. I. 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? four living witnesses 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Seals without device 
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
Wm Easton Examining Clerk. 17 Jan. 1833
77 – 1 mo
Aug 78 – 1 mo
Page 5

Declaration of #
Gideon Lillibridge
11517
R.I.

Mr Pearce
Page 6

DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
COUNTY OF WASHINGTON

On this 8th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of [illegible] now sitting, Gideon Lillibridge a resident of South Kingston in the county of Washington and state of Rhode Island, aged Seventy-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 the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

He was seventy eight years of age, the 16th Day of June last, his age is recorded, in the Family Bible, in the year 1775, he was then twenty one years of age.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following [illegible] in stated

he first listed in the year 1775. into a Company of Men, what was to be commanded by a Captain John Hoxsie, of Exeter, in what place, he then lived, the Company was to be composed of Volunteers, and [illegible] for the purpose of going on to the Island of Conanicut, in Narragansett Bay, for the purpose of protecting the Island, from the depredations of the British, as their was then, several British Vessells in the Bay, and the Crews were in the almost daily custom, of landing from this Vessells, on the Islands, and on the Shores of the Bay & making depredations, burning Houses, carrying off stock & people but they were unable to make them a sufficient number of Men, to make up a Company, and the Plan was abandoned.  Afterward in the latter part of the winter of 1775, or the fore part of winter of 1776, a part of the Company of Militia, to which He belonged, was detached for the purpose of assisting in guarding the shores, he does not now recollect, the preportion, of the Company so detached, but he was one of the members, John Hoxsie was Captain of the Company, George Sweet Jr & Elias Shearman Ensign, the detachment was commanded by Lieutenant Smith.  The detachment was marched to the shore and encamped upon Quidneset Neck in North Kingston, and continued there for one Month, when they were discharged.  After the British took possession of Newport, in 1776, a part of the Company, to which he belonged, [illegible] and placed under the command of Captain George William an Officer in another Northern Company in Exeter, for reasons to him unknown, and marched to the shore of Narragansett Bay, and were encamped near the North Ferry, as it was then called in the Town of North Kingston, [illegible] there and the whole was commanded by Charles Dyer Major of the Regiment to which the company belonged.  The Company
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was kept on duty there as much as three months agreeable, to the best of his recollection, part of the time for himself & part of the time [illegible] when they were dismissed.  In the Spring of 1777, he moved from Exeter, into the Town of South Kingston.  Newport being then a British Garrison, and the Narragansett [illegible], filled with the Enemy's Cruisers it was necessary to keep up a constant guard, on the shores of the Bay, & particularly so, on the shores of South Kingston, as scarcely a week passe, without the people, in the neighborhood of the shores being alarmed, by landings of the Enemy, who sometimes burnt Houses, carried off stock and people, part of the Company of Militia, to which He belonged, was called out, of which number he was one, to assist in guarding the shores, and stationed at the House of Colonel John Gardiner in Boston Neck, Stephen Babcock was Captain of the Company then, Joseph Carpenter Lieut and Caleb Chappell Ensign, Charles Dyer was Colonel then of the Regiment, to which the Company belonged, Ray Sands Lt Col, & Thomas Clarke Major, the Company continued at Colonel Gardiner's one month when it was dismissed & another set took its place.  He returned home, and remained home one month when he was again called out and with a detachment, from the Company, stationed at the House of Silas Gardiner near the shore in South Kingston, and continued there one month.  In the Spring of 1778, he was again called out, with a part of the Company, and stationed at the House of Silas Gardiner another Month.  At the time of General Sullivan's Expedition, to take possession of the Island of Rhode Island, in August 1778, he was again called out, with part of the Company, to which he belonged, for the purpose of joining the Forces under his command, the Company marched to East Greenwich, with the rest of the Regiment, to which it belonged, and there joined other troops, and were transported across the Bay, to [illegible], from whence he landed on the Island, the Officers of the Company were the same, except John Weeden, who was Ensign, in the [illegible] of Caleb Chappell, Charles Dyer was still Colonel of the Regiment, Thomas Potter Lt Colonel & Jonathan Maxson Major.  He was dismissed before the Americans retreated from the Island, being sick and unfit for duty, he was detained on this expedition one Month.  He was also called out, with a part of the Company, to stand guard on the shores, and stationed at the House of Rowland Robinson in Boston Neck, but wether it was before, or after the expedition of General Sullivan, cannot say, but he thinks afterwards.  In July or August 1780, the whole or a part of the company was again called out, Paris Gardiner was Captain of the Company, & Thomas Potter Colonel  of the Regiment, we rendevoused near [illegible], and went on to the Island of Rhode Island, and were detained in
Page 8

the whole one Month - Although the services before stated, amount to last ten months in the whole, and he is unable to specify, any more times when, and places where he stood guard, yet he is positive, of having serviced in the whole at least one year and thinks more.  He resided near the sea shore, and from the time of the British taking possession of Newport, untill they left it, the neighborhood in which he resided, was kept constantly in a state of alarm and excitement, owing to their depredations, and he was oftentimes called out in alarms, and marched to the shore.  He was down to the shore in Point Judith when they landed, and many other times.  He has no documentary evidence of his services, nor never was under the command of any Continental Officers, except in Sullivan's Expedition.  He knows of no Clergyman, who can testify to the report of his serving as a militia man or soldier of the Revolution, [illegible] Elisha R Potter & Joshua B. Curtis, who are acquainted with him, and will testify respecting the same

He hereby relinquishes every claim what3ever 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 scribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Gideon Lillibridge

We, Elisha R. Potter, residing in the Town of South Kingston, and Joshua B. Curtis, residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Gideon Lillibridge who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 38 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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid.
Elisha R. Potter
Joshua B. Curtis

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatries 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 it appears to them that who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a resident in the and the that Elisha R. Potter & Joshua B. Curtis who have also signed the same are residents in the Town of South Kingstown and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Gen. Sessions of the Peace do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Gideon Lillibridge for a pension.
In testimony hereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eighth  day of September 1832.
Sam. Helme Clk
I certify the above name to be the handwriting of Sam Helme and the seal that of his court.
D[illegible]
Page 9


July 25, 1939.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/CC
Gideon Lillibridge
S.17544

Mr. George R. Larkin
315 North Stratton Street,
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Dear Sir:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S.17544, based upon service of Gideon Lillibridge, in the Revolutionary War.

Gideon Lillibridge was born June 16, 1754, place of birth and names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Exeter, Rhode Island, Gideon Lillibridge enlisted in 1775, and served at various times until sometime in July or August of 1780, amounting in all to about one year, as a private in the Rhode Island troops, under Captains John Hoxie, George Willcox, Stephen Babcock, and James Gardiner, and Colonels Charles Dyer and Thomas Potter.  During his service he was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition.

In the spring of 1777, Gideon Lillibridge moved from Exeter, to South Kingston, Rhode Island.

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed September 8, 1832, at which time he was a resident of South Kingston, Washington County, Rhode Island.

No reference was made to wife or children.

In 1832, one Jonathan Lillibridge, aged eighty-one years, and one Gardner Lillibridge, age not stated, both residents of Exeter, Washington County, Rhode Island stated they knew Gideon Lillibridge in the year 1778, and know of his service in the Revolution.  No relationship stated.
Page 10

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of Gideon Lillibridge, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Gideon Lillibridge
Certificate #4969
Issued January 31, 1833
Rate $33.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Rhode Island Agency.

Very truly yours

G. H. SWEET
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 11

17544
INVALID.

File No. 17,544
Gideon Lillibridge
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 223-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1908.Dec.1 [illegible]
Mrs. J. Richard Carpenter. A.E.P.
1911 Dec. 5 Hist. To
D.L. Butler. G. Lill.

1939-July 25-Hist to
Geo R Larkin cc
Letter in file S17531
Caleb Tefft cc
Page 12

The deposition of David Greene of South Kingstown in the County of Washington, State of Rhode Island aged 72 years on oath testifies & says that he knows Gideon Lillibridge now an applicant for a pension That in the 1776 just after the British flee[illegible] came into Newport the said Gideon Lillibridge served as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Wilcox -- and that the company w[illegible] stationed at the House of Maj [illegible] at the North Ferry in North Kingstown on the Narragansett Bay and staid there until somewhere in March and that all that time the said Gideon Lillibridge was a private in said company doing duty [crossed out: as a private] in guarding the shores against the enemy.  He staid there about three months at that time.
David Greene

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, & c. Washington County,} Sc. South Kingstown, Sept. 4th 1832.
Personally appeared the aforenamed David Greene

And before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing deposition, which was reduced to writing by me, in his presence and he signed the same in my presence.  And I further certify that the said deponent is well known to me and that he sustains a fair character for truth, and that his deposition is entitled to credit.
Wilkins Updike, Justice Peace
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
Washington County, sc.
I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within, and for the County of Washington, & state, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike, Esq. before whom the deposition annexed was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this Eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty two.
Sam. Helme [illegible]
Page 13

The deposition of Sylvester Willcox of Exeter in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island aged 73 years on oath testifies & says that I am & have been well acquainted with Gideon Lillibridge now an applicant for a pension.  That I knew the said Gideon Lillibridge as a Private in Capt Stephen Babcock's company in Col Dyers Regiment and he was stationed at the Silas Gardner House [crossed out: at the Narrow River Bridge] and at other places guarding the shores in North & South Kingstown in the year 1777.  I was there two tours of one month each with him & knew that he served there that length of time.  I have always understood and it was and is now believed that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary War doing duty as a private in various companies.
X his mark
Sylvester Willcox

[illegible]de Island
Washington County} sc South Kingstown Sep: 4th 18[illegible]

Personally appeared the above named Sylvester Willcox and after being carefully cautioned examined & sworn to testify to the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth and said deposition being reduced to writing by me & read to him he declared the same to be true.
Before me W. Updike J.Peace
Page 14

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, & c. Washington County,} Sc. South Kingstown, Sept. 4th. 183[illegible] 
Personally appeared the aforenamed Sylvester Wilkes and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing deposition, which was reduced to writing by me, in his presence and he signed the same in my presence. And I further certify that the said deponent is well known to me and that he sustains a fair character for truth, and that his deposition is entitled to credit. 
Wilkins Updike Justice Peace 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. 
Washington County, sc I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington, & state, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike, Esq. before whom the deposition annexed was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this Eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. 
Sam Helme Clk
Page 15

The Deposition of Gardner Lillibridge of Exeter in the County of Washington R Island on oath testify & says that I am acquainted with Gideon Lillibridge who is now an applicant for a pension That I knew said Gideon Lillibridge in 1778 ^and that he was a private in Capt. George Willcox Company attached to Col. Dyers regiment and was stationed on the Narragansett shores in North & South Kingston at the houses of Silas Gardner and David Greene & at other places, how long he served I cannot tell but know it was a considerable time but length of time has obliterated my recollection but I know he served. I do not know of my own personal knowledge that ^he served on R Island in Sullivans expedition but know it was so said at the time and it is now the general reputation of the neighborhood he was ^in & where I live. That he was, then at the Gen. Sullivans expedition and at other place on the ^shore doing duty as a private during the revolutionary war, I have no doubt of his service as he states & full credit may be given the same 
Gardner Lillibridge 
Rhode Island [illegible] County} sc South Kingston Sep. 4th 1833 Personally appeared the above said Gardner Lillibridge and after being carefully cautioned examined &
Page 16

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND &c. Washington County, } Sc. South Kingstown Sept 4th 1832 Personally appeared the aforenamed Gardner Lillibridge and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing deposition, which was reduced to writing by me, in his presence and he signed the same in my presence. And I further certify that the said deponent is well known to me and that he sustains a fair character for truth, and that his deposition entitled to credit.
Wilkins Updike Justice Peace 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS 
Washington County, sc. I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington, & state, aforesaid do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike, Esq. before whom the deposition annexed was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this Eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty two.
Sam. Helme Clk
Page 17

[crossed out] sworn to testify to the truth the whole truth & nothing but the truth – said deposition taken & reduced to writing by me & being red to him – he declared the same to be true
Before W. Updike J.Peace [/crossed out]

[right hand side vertical]
Deposition of Case
Of 
Gideon Lillibridge
Page 18


The Deposition of Jonathan Lillibridge of Exeter in the County of Washington in the State J. Rode Isand aged 81 years on oath testify & says. That I am well acquainted with said Lillibridge That I was on Newport, R. Island in Sullivans expedition in 1778 and saw Gideon Lillibridge ^was there as a private doing duty in the regiment commanded by Col. Charles Dyer but who was the Captain of the company in which said Gideon Lillibridge was a private I have forgot, it is too long ago. He was there about one month or longer-- He performed other services during said revolutionary war but the circumstances have gone from me It has always been reputed in the neighborhood in which he lives and I have never heard it questioned but that said Gideon served more than a year in said war at various places. I have known these engaged in the war tell of said Gideon being a soldier
Page 19

and having faithfully served therein since the termination of the contest-- I have no doubt but the declaration made by said Gideon Lillibridge is impartially correct and from reputation generally I am satisfied of its truth 

Jonathan Lillibridge 

Rhode Island Washington} sc So Kingston Sep: 4th 1832
Personally appeared the above named Jonathan Lillibridge and after being cautioned examined and sworn to testify to the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. said deposition was reduced to writing by me in his presence & read to him & he declared the same to be true
Before W. Updike J.Peace
Page 20

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c.  Washington County, } Sc. South Kingstown, Sept. 4, 1832. Personally appeared the aforenamed Jonathan Lillibridge 
and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing deposition, which was reduced to writing by me, in his presence and he signed the same in my presence. And I further certify that the said deponent is well known to me and that he sustains a fair character for truth, and that his deposition is entitled to credit. 
Wilkins Updike Justice Peace 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. Washington County, sc
I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington, & state, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike Esq. before whom the deposition annexed was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this Eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty two. 
Sam’ Helme Clk
Page 21

3-595.
Record Division.
O.W. AND N. DIVISION

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
____,190__
Searched by W.T. Canboise

Original No. ___
Certificate No. ___
Claimant, ___
Soldier, Gideon Lillibridge
Service, R.I. Revolutionary War.

Remarks: 
No O. W. dm - or Wid
N. O. W. Rej as above, 
except O. W.dm 17,544
Page 22

Carthage Ill. Nov 25 1911 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
I wrote to the War Department regarding the Revolutionary War Records showing the name of Gardiner Lillibridge Pensioner. the decendant of Thomas Lillibridge R. I. Gardiner Lillibridge was born Sept 19. 1758 Revolutioner Pensioner 1835, does your Records show the same the War Department refered me to you saying that the War Department Records did not show any such man
Page 23

by that name served in the Revolutionary War, the History of the Lillibridge Family showes, Gideon Pensioner in 1840 and Gardiner Lillibridge in 1835 as above mentioned Will you please look over the Records and answer soon. 
Respectfully D. L. Cutler 
Carthage Ill.
Page 24

Rec  Eaw

Putnam, Conn. Nov. 14, 1908. 
Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 
Will you kindly give me the pension record of Gardner Lillibridge, of R. I. who was born Sep. 19, 1758
Also
Gideon Lillibridge, of R. I. who has born June 16, 1754 
Also [round stamp] RECORD DIVISION NOV 19 1909
Josias Lillibridge of R.I. or Conn, who was born Aug. 18, 1749, in Exeter, R. I., and removed to Tolland, Conn, probably after the war and think his pension was granted while in Conn. 
If pensions were granted his brothers, I would be glad of a copy, David, born Sep. 18, 1744, Jonathan, born Aug. 23, 1751, Benjamin born Aug. 14, 1756. 
R. I records are so very incomplete, I beg your assistance in this department. 
The name Josias appears in some places as Ellis, but refers to the same Lillibridge born in 1749, 
Thanking you for your kindness, 
Very truly, 
Mrs. J. Richard Carpenter,
Putnam
 Conn,
[round stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE A NOV 18 1908
Page 25

July 25, 1939.
XXXXXXXX

BA-J/CC
Gideon Lillibridge
S. 17544

Caleb Tefft
S. 11531

Mr. George R. Larkin 
315 North Stratton Street, 
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
 
Dear Sir: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Gideon Lillibridge of South Kingston, Rhode Island, and of Caleb Tefft of Washington County, Rhode Island. 
You are furnished herewith Revolutionary War records of Gideon Lillibridge and Caleb Tefft. 
Very truly yours 
G. H. SWEET 
Acting Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator.
Page 26

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
Gideon Lillibridge S.F. 17544

DATES OF LENGTH OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.

1775 or 1776 | 1 mo | Pvt | John Hoxie | [checkmark] | R.I.
1776 | 3 mos. | “ | George Willcox | Major Charles Dyer |
1777 | 2 mos. | “ | Stephen Babcock | Charles Dyer |
Spring 1778 | 1 mo. | “ | Stephen Babcock George Willcox | Charles Dyer
* Aug 1778 | 1 mo. | “ | Stephen Babcock | Charles Dyer
July or Aug 1780 | 1 mo. | “ | guarded shores James Gardiner | Thomas Potter

Battles engaged in, *Sullivans Expedition 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Exeter R.I
Date of application for pension, Sept 8,1832 His cl. was al 
Residence at date of application, South Kingston Wash’n Co. R.I.
Age at date of application, b. June 16 1754 
Remarks: [checkmark]