Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,041, George Wells, R.I.
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Service                                                       
R.I.              

Wells, George                          

Number
S. 22,041

Contents
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10.415
Rhode Island
George Wells
Kent in the State of RI
who was a  Private in the company commanded by Captain blank of the regt commanded
by Col [illegible] in the RI 
for 19  mos 1 Day

Inscribed on the Roll of RI
at the rate of 63 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Apr
1833 and  [illegible]  [illegible]
Whiting E Greenwich RI

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833            $126.88
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33      31.72
                                                              $158.50
 d. March 28, 1833
                                                 
{Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7 1832}

Recorded by J F Blair Clerk,
Book E.    Volume  [illegible]   Page 135.
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No. 9372
Geo. Wells

Private 19 Mos & 1 day

papers not properly
with [illegible], has not
Maintain with  [illegible]
[illegible] length of his  [illegible]
Mar 13 1832
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BRIEF in the case of George Wells of the County of Kent in the State of R. Island
(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? 73 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form  annexed.

Period. In 1776
Duration of Service. x Years, 3 Months, x Days.
Rank. As a drafted
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Col. Waterman, Capt. Spencer

Period. In 1777 Mar
Duration of Service. x Years, x Months, 15 Days.
Rank. As a drafted
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Capt. Johnson, same regt.

Period. In 1777
Duration of Service. Substitute for Amos Vaughn x Years, 6 for Months, x Days.
Rank. As a Private
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Same Regt. Capt. Spencer

Period. In 1777
Duration of Service. x Years, 1 Months, x Days.
Rank. As a Private
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Same 

Period. In 1778
Duration of Service. Substitute for Amos Vaughn x Years, x Months, 20 Days.
Rank. As a drafted
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Capt. Hall

Period. In 1778
Duration of Service. x Years, x Months, 20 Days.
Rank. As a drafted
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Capt. Johnson

Period. In 1779
Duration of Service.  x Years, 1 Months, Days.
Rank. As a drafted
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Col. Tillinghast, Capt. Spencer

Period. In 1779
Duration of Service. Substitute for Amos Vaughn x Years, 1 Months, x Days.
Rank. As a drafted
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Capt. Johnson

Period. In 1779
Duration of Service. Years, Months, 15 Days.
Rank. As a Private
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Capt. Spencer

Period. In 1780
Duration of Service. Years, Months, 15 Days.
Rank. As a Private
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Capt. [illegible] Col. Crary

Period. In 1780
Duration of Service. Substitute x Years,1 Months, 21 Days.
Rank. As a drafted
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Capt. Whitmarsh

Period. In 1780 Augst
Duration of Service. x Years, 1 Months, x Days.
Rank. As a drafted
Names of General and field Offices under whom he served. Capt. Johnson

In Nov. 1780 he served as a substitute for Wm. [illegible] Capt. Hopkins. No time given.

5. In what battles was he engaged? None

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  East Greenwich.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses in part

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? If so, in what respect? No certificate of clergyman or others

I certify that that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt
Examining Clerk.
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State of Rhode Island           Court of Common Pleas  August
County of Kent                     [illegible] A.D. 1832

On this twenty second day of August A.D. 1832 personally ap-
peared in open Court before the Judges or Justices of the
Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, George Wells a resident of
East Greenwich in the County and State aforesaid, aged
seventy three years, who being first 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 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the
United States under the following named officers, and 
served as herein stated. That he was born in Exeter in
the County of Washington and State aforesaid on the
fifteenth Day of November A.D. 1758. That when he
was about seven years old his Father removed from
Exeter to said East Greenwich, where this claimant
resided when he entered into the service, and where
h has ever since resided, except five years of the 
time about Twenty five years ago he lived in said Exeter for the space of five years. That his age was recorded in a bible which, by time & accident is lost. That in the be-
ginning of the winter of the year 1776, he was drafted
in the Militia, and served for the term of three months
at Warwick neck in a Company commanded by
Captain Michael Spencer in the Regiment com-
manded by Col. Waterman. That afterwards in the
first of March of the year 1777, he was drafted again, and 
served in a Company commanded by Apt. Allen John
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Johnson at old Warwick town, so called near Warwick
neck in the same Regiment for the Term of fifteen days.
Then immediately after he served in the Company
commanded by the aforesaid Capt Michael Spencer in the aforesaid
Regiment for the term of six months at said East
Greenwich. That he rendered said service last mentioned
as a substitute for other persons who were drafted, but whose
names this claimant does not now collect. From East
Greenwich he went with said Company to Tiverton and
served there one month in General Spencer's Expedition
and at the expiration of said month [illegible] there discharge
and returned home. That in the Summer of the year 1778
her served for Twenty days on Rhode Island under Captain William Wall in General Sullivan's Expedition
and was hired for said Term of time by on David Vaughn
That immediately after he was drafted for Twenty days
and he served said term on Rhode Island under Captain
Allen Johnson. General Cornell was one of the the General 
Officers whom this Claimant well knew, but did not
know the others. That afterwards in the Summer of the
year 1779, he was drafted and served one month in a Company
commanded by Captain Michael Spencer at Bristol in
the Regiment commanded by Col. Thomas Tillinghast. That
soon after the expiration of said service, this Claimant was hired
by one Amos Vaughn and served as a substitute for the term
of one month more in a Company commanded by
Capt Allen Johnson, but he does not recollect the Col. of
the Regiment at this time. That in the latter part of Sep-
tember or October of the same year this Claimant
was drafted in the Militia and served at said Bristol or
the term of fifteen days under Capt Michael Spencer
That
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9372
George Wells
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That in the month of March of the year 1780, he served at Little Compton on the East side of Narragansett Bay Twenty one 
days under Captain Malachi Hammett in Col.  [illegible]
Regiment, and was hired at this time and served as a Sub-
stitute doe his brother Francis Wells. That in the summer of 1780
this claimant served on month under Capt. Micah Whit-
marsh on Rhode Island and was hired by William Clarke
and also one month directly after being drafted, but does not recollect the captain.
The French Troops were in Rhode Island at this time
That in the Month of August of the same year he served 
one month on Rhode Island as waiter for Capt Allen
Johnson. That in the month of November of the
same year her served as a substitute on Rhode Island in
a Company commanded by Capt. Joseph Hopkins and
was hired by William Fry. That he has no Documentary 
evidence or written Discharge. According to the last of
this Applicants Recollection he served as much as Twenty
months in the aforesaid War in the whole.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declared that his name is
not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
George Wells
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I William Briggs of East Greenwich in the 
County of Kent & State of Rhode Island do 
certify that George Wells of said East 
Greenwich was a soldier in
the Militia in the Revolutionary War.
That I saw him at Warwick neck in the 
Winter or Spring of 1776 in a 
Company Commanded by Capt. Michael 
Spencer, but know how long he
served at that time. And I also know of
his serving at East Greenwich under the
said Michael Spencer. I have also seen the 
said Gorge Wells in the service several 
times on Rhode Island, but do not particularly
recollect the Capt he as under. He was there
in Sullivan's Expedition in the Summer of 1778.
And I also think I saw the said Wells on Rhode
Island in the service while the French troops
were there in 1780 & I also certify that this applicant
is [obliterated] same George Wells.
William Briggs

[illegible] Court of Common Pleas August  [illegible] 1832
 [illegible]  [illegible] to in open court the third day of
said  [illegible]     John Brown - clk

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 William Briggs who signed
the [illegible] certificate is a resident of East Greenwich,
and is a credible person, and that his statement 
is entitled to credit.
I John Brown Clerk of the said Court of
Common Pleas do hereby certify that the fore
going contains the original proceedings of the
said Court in the matter of the application 
of George Wells for pension. In testimony
whereof, I have [illegible] set my hand/seal of office
at East Greenwich the 22 day of August A.D 1832 John Brown, Clk
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June 25, 1937
Mrs. John F. Marvel  RA-J/ILL
5 Whelden Avenue. George Wells
East Providence, Rhode Island.  S. 22041

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your laster in which you request the Revolutionary War records of William Helme and George Wells, a pensioner of Rhode Island.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is not possible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of that war. The record of George Wells is furnished herein as found in pension claim, S. 22041.
George Wells was born November 15, 1758 in Exeter, Rhode Island; the names of his parents are not shown. He moved at the age of seven years with his father to Easy Greenwich, Rhode Island, and resided there during the period of the Revolutionary War.
George Wells enlisted in the early winter of 1775, served as private at various times until late in 1780, amounting in all to about twenty months, under Captains Michael Spencer, Allen Johnson,  William Hall, Malachi Hammett, Micah Whitemarch and Joseph Hopkins, and Colonels Waterman, Thomas Tillinghast and Crary in the Rhode Island troops; during this time he was in General Spencer's Expedition and in General Sullivan's Expedition in 1776.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 22, 1832, at which time he resided in East Greenwich, Kent County,Rhode Island. He had resided there ever since the Revolutionary War with the exception of five years during which he resided in Exeter, about twenty-five years before 1832. George Wells made no reference to wife or children. The soldier died March 28, 1833.
George Wells served one tour during the Revolutionary War as
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a substitute for his brother, Francie Wells. There are no further data regarding the family of George Wells. 
Very truly yours,

A. B. Hillen
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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No. 9372

George Wells - 



Nathan Whiting Esq.

Coventry R.I.
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of George Wells which require further proof of explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the  county where he resides?  yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  yes

V.  Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  no

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  yes

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  yes
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2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  no

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  no

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV.  If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  yes

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  yes - in part

XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  no

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? and, if not, which of them is not as answered?  yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:  "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, $c A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth 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 the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For____________year_________
months________and ___________days. I served as a ___________.  For __________months and
____________days, I served as a ________________;
and for such service I claim a pension."
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.

QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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The Deposition of Elisha Dexter of the City & State of New 
York, but none commorant at East Greenwich in the
County of Kent & State of Rhode Island, who being sworn ac-
cording to Law testifies and says
That he resided at East Greenwich aforesaid in the
time of the Revolutionary War. That he was well acquainted
with George Wells of said East Greenwich and resided
near him at that time. That the said Wells ser-
ved as a private soldier in the Militia in the  [illegible]
of the year 1776 at Warwick neck, for the term of three
months in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt
Michael Spencer in Col. Waterman's Regiment. After
wards in 1777 he served one Month with this Deponent at Tiverton in
Rhode Island in Genl. Spencer's Expedition in a Com-
pany commanded by the said Michael Spencer in the Regi-
ment aforesaid. And that the said Wells in the Sum-
mer of 1778 served with this Deponent in Capt Allen 
Johnson's Company Twenty Days on Rhode Island
in General Sullivan's Expedition, and were there at the
time of engagement. And this Deponent believes that 
he has seen that said Wells in the service at other times
in the War aforesaid, but does not particularly recollect
the times when, or laces where he saw him.
Elisha Dexter
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
County of Kent
Sworn to and subscribed at East Greenwich August 6th, 1832
before me the subscriber and thereby certify that I have
some acquaintance with the Deponent and believe him
to be of good character truth & verasity.
Witness Nathan Whiting Just
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Depo of Elisha Dexter
Kent fe The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation
Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas

I certify that Nathan Whiting the within 
signed is a Justice of the Peace for the
Town of East Greenwich in our said County
that it is his proper signature & in his own 
hand writing and that full faith & credit 
is & ought to be given to all his official
acts~ In witness whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of office ~ At East Green-
wich this 22nd day of August AD 1832
 John Brown Clk
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I Pardon Tillinghast of East Greenwich in the County
of Kent, a Clergyman, aged sixty two years, do hereby
certify that I am acquainted with George Well of 
said East Greenwich, an applicant for a pension. 
That I believe him to be Seventy three years of age and the his is respected and believed in the neighbor
hood to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and in 
that opinion I concur.
Pardon Tillinghast

State of Rhode Island
County of Kent fe
Sworn to and subscribed by the 
said Pardon Tillinghast at East Greenwich this
30th day of November AD 1832
And I herby certify that said despon-
dant is a clergyman of good standing of said East Greenwich
Witness Jos J Tillinghast
Just 66 Pleas

Kent fe The State of Rhode Island / Providence Plantations
Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify the Joseph J. Tillinghast is a Justice of 
said court, that the above is his proper signature
in his own hand writing.
In Witness where of I have hereunto set my name
& seal of office at East Greenwich this thirtieth
day of November in the year 1832
John Brown, Clk
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Kent County
On this Twenty fourth day of November AD. 1832 per-
sonally appeared before Joseph J. Tillinghast associate
Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of 
Kent, George Wells of said East Greenwich, an applicant
for a pension, who being first sworn according to law, doth 
on his oath, make the following statement, supplement-
tary to and explanation of his Declarations, made
before the Court of Common Pleas in said County on
the Twenty second day of August AD. 1832
That his services were rendered as a private soldier.
That his term of service in the Month if November
AD 1780 on Rhode Island under Capt Joseph Hopkins
was one month. All of which Terms of Service make
Nineteen Months and one day         George Wells

Sworn to and Subscribed this ay and year above written
Before Me Jos. J. Tillinghast
Just. C. C. Pleas

Kent fe   The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas

I certify that Joseph J. Tillinghast Esq is an [illegible]
Justice of said Court that the above is his proper sig-
nature in his own hand writing, that full faith &
credit is & ought to be given to all his official acts.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name 
& seal of office at East Greenwich this 29 day 
of November on the year 1832
John Brown, Clk
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Revolution
22041
UNVALID

File No.  22,041
George Wells
Pri  Rev War

Act:  June 7th, 32
Index:  Vol. D, Page 441

1922  Jan'y 20 Hist to George G, Edson

1937 - June 25 - Hist. to Mrs. John Marvel- Ill
Page 21

THE FILLEY SPOTLIGHT
George T. Edson, Editor
FILLEY, NEBRASKA

Jan. 3, 1922

Bureau of Pensions
Revolutionary War section,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

Would you kindly give me the records of the following two Revolutionary War pensioners?

GEORGE WELLS, private Kent county, R. I., militia: Died Mar. 28, 1833, aged about 74 years.  Granted pension 1831.

THOMAS WELLS, Groton, Conn., gunner September, 1781, Fort Griswold.  Granted pension 1831.

Thanking you very much for what information you can give me which will throw light on these men, I am

Sincerely yours,
Geo. T. Edson
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Mrs. John P. Marvel
9 Wheldon Avenue
East Providence, RI
Veteran' Administration    December 1, 1937
Washington, D.C.

Have you a revolutionary services 
for William Helme and George 
Wells of Rhode Island?
William Helme was, I think, a resident of Kingstown, RI and George Wells of Exeter, R.I.
George Wells received a pension - His 
widow, Elizabeth _____? outlive
him - I am hoping to get her maiden
name through your pension record.
Sincerely and gratefully,
Abbie W. Marvel
(Mrs. J.P.M.)
Page 23

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION,
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
S.F. 22,041

In reply to your request of __________, received___________ for a statement of the military history of George Wells 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  1776

LENGTH OF SERVICE.  Served at various times, 20 months until 1780

RANK.  Prt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.

CAPTAIN./COLONEL.
Michael Spencer/Waterman
Wren Johnson/Thomas Tillinghast
William Hall/Crary
Sholachi Hammett/Crary
Micah Whitmarsh/
Joseph Hopkins/

STATE
R.I.

Battles engage in, basic expeditions of Generals Spencer & Sullivan

Residence of soldier at enlistment, East Greenwich R.I.

Date of application for pension, Aug. 22, 1832.  His el. was at.

Residence at date of application, East Greenwich, Kent Co. R.I.

Age at date of application, b. Nov. 15, 1758 at Exeter, R.I. Died Mch. 28, 1833*

Remarks:  It is not stated whether be had a wife or children.

 * from A.B.
Respectfully,
 Brother Francis