Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,017, for Nicholas Thomas, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
R.I.

Thomas, Nicholas

NUMBER
S.22,017.

CONTENTS
Page 2

15672
Rhode Island
Nicholas Thomas
Residence in the State of R Island
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain James 
of the Rgt commanded by Col Cook in the R
Island line for 9 months

Inscribed on the Roll of R Island
at the rate of 30 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of July 1833 and sent [illegible]
Cowell Providence R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $60.00
Semi-annl. allowance ending 4 Sept 15.00
$75.00
-
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act of June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by DD Addison Clerk
Book E Vol. 2  Page 132
Page 3

No 18852
Nicholas Thomas Providence
County Rhode Island
Private 9 mos
M
R
B Cowell providence
Rhode Island
Page 4

Brief in the case of Nicholas Thomas
County of Providence
in the State of Rhode 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? 76 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Enlisted - In 1776 Sept
Drafted - 1777 March
Drafted - 1777 Summer
Drafted - 1777 October
Drafted - 1778 August
Drafted - 1778 Fall
Drafted - 1779 Summer

Duration of Service.
Years,
Months,
Days.
- 3 -
- 1 -
- 1 -
- 1 -
- 1 -
- 1 -
- 1 -

Rank.
As a
private
private
private
private
private
private
private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Cap Wm James, Col Cook
Cap N. Phelps, Col. J. Waterman
Cap Col E Cornells Regt
Cap Knight Col. Brown Regt
Cap. Knight Col. Joseph Knight
Cap   Col.   Genl West

5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cranston, Rhode Island
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by Incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary, & 2 living Witnesses, Clergyman Certificate &c &c
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attached
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Key Watts Examining Clerk
Page 5

18852
Nicholas Thomas
18852
Page 6

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Rhode Island District, ss. August Term 1832
County of Providence
On this 17th day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a
District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session Nicholas Thomas a resident of Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 76
years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on this oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, viz.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He was born December 31 1755 in Scituate. his birth is recorded in his family Bible. lived in Cranston when he entered the service & further the War chiefly in Scituate where he now resides - and this applicant further states that in Sep 1776 he enlisted &
served three months as a private in Rhode Island in Cap Wm James Company & Col Cooks regiment of Rhode Island
Militia, was on Rhode Island when the British landed & drove us off to Tiverton where we served on time out - and this applicant further states that in March 1777 he was drafted & served one month as a private at Warwick in
Capt Nathan Relphs company & Col John Watermans regiment of R.I. Militia - and
this applicant further states that in the summer of 1777 he was drafted & served one month as a private at Warwick in company commanded by Lieutenant Angell [illegible] & Col
Ezekiel Cornells regiment of R.I. Militia - and
this applicant further states that in October 1777 he was drafted & served one month at Tiverton in Spencers expedition
as a private in Cap Knights company & Col Browns regiment of R. Militia - and
this applicant further states that in August 1778 he was drafted & served one month in Sullivans expedition in Cap Jonathan Knight Company & Col Joseph Knights regiment of R.I. Militia-
Page 7

drafted & served one month in Sullivans expedition in Cap Jonathan Knights Company & Col Joseph Knights regiment of R.I. Militia - and this applicant further states that in the fall of 1778 he was drafted & served one month as a private at Bristol, the Captains name he cannot remember or the Colonel, but
General West had command of the Brigade - and this applicant further states that in the Summer of 1779 he was drafted & served one month as a private at Providence in Cap Wm Howard Company, the Colonel he does not
recollect. all which drafts &c he served out & was honourably discharged but never had a 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 Nicholas Thomas
attest B Cowell Clk
We, Richard Knight a Clergyman residing in the Cranston and Stephen Harris residing in Scituate hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Nicholas Thomas who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 76
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.
Richard Knight
Stephen Harris
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
attest B. Cowell 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 it appears to them that Richard Knight who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Cranston, that Stephen Harris Oliver Arnold and Oliver Leach who have certified & [illegible] for the said applicant are resident as they state and credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, BENJAMIN COWELL, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Nicholas Thomas for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 12th day of November 1832
Benjamin Cowell clk
Page 8

April 26, 1939.
Mrs. William H. Mansfield
56 Ring Street
Putnam, Connecticut.
BA-J/ILL
Nicholas Thomas
S. 22017
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Nicholas Thomas of Scituate,
Rhode Island, and that of the husband of Margaret Paine of New Shoreham, Rhode Island, a pensioner in 1840.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited clerical force available for furnishing such
information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of that war. The record of Nicholas Thomas is furnished you herewith as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S.22017, based upon his service in that war.
Nicholas Thomas was born December 31, 1755, in Scituate, Providence, County, Rhode Island; the names of his parents are not
shown.
While a resident of Cranston, Rhode Island, he enlisted and served as a private in the Rhode Island troops at different times, shown as follows from sometime in September 1776, three months in Captain William James' company, Colonel Cook's regiment,
at Tiverton; in 1777, three tours of one month each, first in March, in Captain Nathan Relph's company, Colonel John Waterman's regiment,
next in the summer, under Lieutenant Angell Sweet and Colonel Ezekiel Cornell, and in October, in Captain Knight's company under
Colonel Brown, in August 1778, one month in Captain Jonathan Knight's company, Colonel Joseph Knight's regiment, and in the fall of that year, one month with the troops under General West, at Bristol; and in the summer of 1779, one month in Captain William Howard's company.
Nicholas Thomas was allowed pension on his application
Page 9

executed September 17, 1832, at which time he resided in Scituate, Providence County, Rhode Island. The soldier made no reference
to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite the following data:
Nicholas Thomas
Certificate #15672
Issued July 9, 1883
Rate $30.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Rhode Island Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 10

22017
Revolution
Invalid
File No. 22,017
Nicholas Thomas
Prv Rev War
Act June 7th 32
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 417.
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1921 Mar. 18 Hist to
Mn. S.L. Frost. Eu.
1939 Feb 27 Last payment of pension furnished Mr. W.F. Apgur Ill
1929 April 26 Hist to Mr.s Wm.
H Mansfield - Ill
Page 11

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Nicholas Thomas which require further proof or 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? Yes
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
Page 12

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?
yes
2 living witnesses certified credible
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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? 2 Witnesses
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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
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 so answered?
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 ; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 13

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not
ployed in any civil pursuit.
+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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates 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 ends 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 14

Oliver Arnold
Page 15

The Deposition of Oliver Leach of Scituate in the County
of Providence and State of Rhode Islands of Lawfull age and
engaged according to Law Do testify and say that I am well
acquainted with Nicholas Thomas of Scituate and served with
him one month in the Rhode Island Militia in the town of Warwick
R. I. in the month of March AD 1777 in Capt Nathan Relph's Company
in the Regiment commanded by Col John Waterman, and the Deponent
further states that in summer following that the Deponent and
said Thomas Served one month at Warwick in the Company
commanded by Lieut. Angell Sweet, under General Ezekiel
Cornell, and the Deponents further state that he was knowing
to said Thomas Serving one month in Spencers expedition
in Capt Knights Company & Col Browns Regiment
Oliver Leach
State of Rhode Island & Providence
At Scituate this 11th day of September AD 1832 personally came
the above named Oliver Leach Subscriber to the aforegoing Deposition
and after being duly sworn gave the aforegoing Deposition which
was reduced to writing by me in his presence and subscribed by
him in my presence
Before me Israel G Manchester Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with
Oliver Leach Signer of the above Deposition for several years
and believe him to be a man of truth and veracity
Israel G Manchester Just Peace
Page 16

B Cowell Clk
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence sc.
I, WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for
the County of Providence, in said State, do hereby certify that Israel G Manchester is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Scituate
in said county and State:- that he is by the laws of said State, authorised to administer oaths
and take depositions: and that the signatures to the annexed document, puporting to be
his, are in the proper hand writing of said Israel G Manchester
I witness whereof, hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at Providence, this twelth [twelfth] day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Wm R Watson
Page 17

I Oliver Arnold of Foster in the County of Providence of
lawful age and engaged according to law do testify and say
that I was a soldier of the revolutionary war with Nicholas
Thomas of Scituate, we enlisted in September 1776 & served three
months on Rhode Island in Cap James Williams company
& Col Cooks regiment of Rhode Island State Troops & was
there when the British landed & drove us off to Tiverton where we served our time out & further saith not
Oliver Arnold
Providence Sc In Foster September 14th 1832
Personally came before me the above named Oliver Arnold
& made oath to the truth of the above deposition & I certify
that the said Oliver is a man of truth and veracity & his
Statement is entitled to credit Before me 
Wm Potter  Justice Peace
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence sc.
Plantations.
I, WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for
the County of Providence, in said State, do hereby certify that William Potter is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Foster
in said county and State:- that he is by the laws of said State, authorized to administer oaths and take depositions: and that the signature to the annexed document, puporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of said Wm. Potter
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at Providence, this twelth [twelfth]
day of November in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and two
Wm R Watson
Page 18

MRS. WILLIAM H. MANSFIELD
36 RING STREET
PUTNAM
CONN.
Putnam, Conn
Mar 8, 1939
Veterans Adm,
Washington, D.C
Please send me pension service and
family data of Revolutionary soldier
Nicholas Thomas of Scituate, R. I. born 1756
was a pensioner in 1840.
Revolutionary soldier
Margaret Paine of New Shoreham, (Block Island)
R.I. born 1765 on the pension roll of 1840
please give me her husbands service
and any family data
Yours very truly
Decd
Mrs Wm H. Mansfield
56 Ring St.
Putnam
Conn.
Page 19

{imprint of stamp]
RECEIVED
MAR 9 1939
MAIL SUM-DIV.
12
Page 20

BolIVar, N.Y.
Feb 2, 1939
W.C. Black, Chief Clerk
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Question has been asked in letter of Feb 27 1939 when this was taken up 3/20/39
Dear Sir,
Will you please send
me the date that the pension
of Nicholas Thomas, Revolutionary
Soldier, ceased. only and
I find that he served at
intervals from 1755 to 1779
from the State of Rhode Island.
was placed on the pension
roll, July 9, 1833, Pension
commenced March 4, 1831
age 78; residence, Providence
County. (Rhode Island Pension
Roll 1835, p. 39)
Name appears in the
Military census of 1777
as of Scituate R.I. 
Aam in need of the date of
death, for application for
D.A.R. membership.
An early reply will be
appreciated. Respectfully,
Mrs Jennie Q. Apgar
77 South St.
Bolivar, N.Y.
77 South St.
Bolivar, N.Y.
Silver
Page 21

[imprint of stamp]
RECEIVED
FEB 3 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV.
[illegible]
READER 35
Page 22

254 GARFIELD PLACE
BROOKLYN, N.Y.
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs: - Will you kindly send
me what information you have
concerning Nicholas Thomas who
served in the Revolutionary war from Rhode Island and was on your pension list
in the 1830's.
Any charge that is customary
will be met & an early reply will be
deeply appreciated by
Yours truly
Josephine C. Frost
Mrs. T. K.
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
FEB 11 1921
Page 23

Bolivar, N.Y.
Feb. 20, 1939
Veterans Administration,
W.C. Beach
Washington, D.C
Dear Sir,
Some time ago I wrote
concerning the service of several
Soldiers of the Revolution, received
a reply saying that my communication was being given attention,
however I have received no reply.
If possible would you please
tell me the date the pension,
Private Nicholas Thomas,
Rhode Island Militia, was
discontinued; he was placed on
Pension roll July 9, 1833, pension
commenced, March 4, 1831, residence,
Providence Co. (Rhode Island
Pension Roll 1835, p. 39) It is
necessary to have the date of
death, for filling application
for membership in D.A.R.
In the census of Pensioners 1840,
I find that his age was given as
84. He resided at Scituate, R.I.
Will you please advise if
you have the service record
of Job Hoyt, born Sept 3, 1765
living in Conn. during the Revolution
Page 24

who served in Capt. Apcars
Marvin Co., of Coast guard
raised by Norwalk for its
defence, in 1782.?
Have you a record of the
Revolutionary service &
Martin Stevens of Warwick,
Mass, believed to have
served in 1775, having left
Warwick on Apr. 20, 1775 for
Boston. Martin Stevens
was born July 11, 1749 in
Petersham Mass.
An early reply will be
very much appreciated,
as I am very anxious to
make application for
Membership in the D.A.R.
Respectfully
Mrs W.F. Apgar
77 South St.,
Bolivar, N. Y.
RECEIVED
FEB 21 1939
21
Page 25

February 27, 1939.
Mrs. W. F. Apgar
77 South Street
Bolivar, New York.
BA-J/ILL
Nicholas Thomas
S. 22017
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of February 20, 1939, in which you request the date of last payment of pension of Nicholas
Thomas, whose pension commenced July 9, 1833, also, the Revolutionary War records of Job Hoyt and Martin Stevens.
As stated in our letter of February 16, 1939, there is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Job Hoyt or Martin Stevens.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of Nicholas
Thomas, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting office, this city, and cite the following data:
Nicholas Thomas
Certificate #15672
Issued July 9, 1833
Rate $30 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Rhode Island Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
See her letter
in Elisha Andrews - Rev.
S.12925
Page 26

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C. Mar. 18, 1921
In reply to your request of , received
for a statement of the military history of Nicholas Thomas 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.
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
COLONEL.
STATE.
Sept 1776
Mar. 1777
Summer 1777
x Oct. 1777.
x Aug. 1778
Fall 1778
Summer 1779
3 Mos.
1 Mo
1 Mo
1 Mo.
I Mo.
1 Mo.
1 Mo.
Pvt.
Wm James
Cooke
Nathan Relph
Jno Waterman
St. Angell Sweet
Ezekiel Cornell
Knight
Brown
Jonathan Knight
Jos. Knight
Gen. West
Wm Howard
Battles engaged in, x In Gen Spencer and Sullivans Ex.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cranston, R.I.
Date of application for pension, Sept 17, 1832. cl.al.
Residence at date of application, Scituate, Providence Co. R.I.
Age at date of application, b. Dec 31, 1755 in Scituate R.I.
Remarks: No fam. [family] data
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-- 2856