Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 12613, for Rouse Pearce, Rhode Island
Page 1

3-1776
SERVICE
R.I. 
Pearce, Rouse
Mary 
NUMBER
W.12613
CONTENTS
Page 2

1788
Rhode Island
1788
Mary Pearce
widow of Rouse Pearce decd. 
who died on the 24 December 1830
of Newport Co. in the State of R. Island 
who was a Pri Ensign & Lt. in the Company commanded 
by Captain ------ of the Reg & command
by Col Richmond in the R Island 
line for 19 1/2 months Private 
R.I. 2 " Ensign 
2/12 " Lieutenant 
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island 
at the rate of 118 Dollars 33- cents per annum 
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of April 
1837 and sent A. 
Gray Tiverton R. Island 
Awaits to the 4th of March 1837 
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept "
$709.90
59.14
---------
$769.14
----------
{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act July 4, 1836.
Section the 3rd 
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk  
Book 4 Vol. 1 Page 115
E
Page 3

Town Clerk's office Little Compton Sept. 30th. 1836.
I hereby, certify ^that Rouse Pearce Son of Jiles Pearce [&] [scratched out] and Mary 
his Wife was born July 3rd, 4th, 1755 as appear of Record of 
this Office .
Himself A.R. Brownell Town Clerk 

Town Clerk's Office Little Compton Sept. 30th. 1836.
I hereby certify that Mary Brownell is Daughter of Stephen Brownell 
and Edith his Wife was born July 4th, 5th 1754 as appear of 
Record of this Office. 
Himself A.R. Brownell Town Clerk
Page 4

Town Clerk's office, Little Compton Sept. 12th 1836.
I hereby certify that Rouse Pearce Son of Jiles Pearce
& Mary his wife & Mary Daughter of Stephen Brownell
& Edith his wife [?] were joined in Matrimony this 
19th of December of 1776 Mr. Jonathan Ellis Clerk. 
as appears of record in this office Himself A.R. Brownell Town Clerk. 
State of Rhode Island 
County of Newport ss. 
Be it known that on the 19th day of September 1836
before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and
for said County of Newport, personally appeared 
Alexan-
-der R. Brownell  and made oath to the truth of the 
above certificate by him subscribed. And I further 
that said Alexander R. Brownell is the Town 
Clerk of the town of Little Compton in said County
of Newport and as such has the keeping of the 
Records of Marriages and resides in said Town, 
and the signature of his name above written is his 
proper hand writing 
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 5

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of
the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836.
State of Rhode Island &c
County of Newport
On this third day of October 1836 personally appeared
in open Court before the Judges or Justices of the Court of
Probate for the town of Tiverton, in the County of Newport
now sitting, Mary Pearce, a resident of said Tiverton
in said County of Newport and State of Rhode Island
aged Eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according 
to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the
act of Congress passed July 4, 1836
That she is the widow of Rouse Pearce late of Little
Compton in said County of Newport. who entered into the
service of the United States, at said Little Compton, as a
Private and a Commissioned officer in the Revolutionary 
War, and served according to the best of her knowledge
and belief, as herein stated.
He in November in the year 1775 enlisted and served
one full year as a private in the Company of Capt Christo
pher Manchester, in Col. W. Richmond's Regiment
stationed most of said year she believes on Rhode Island.
she well remembers that he was just out of the years
service when they were married in December 1776.-
He, as soon as discharged from the years service, and as
early as the first of December 1776 was enrolled in the
North or second Company of Militia in said Little Compton
commanded by Capt George Simmons, and in the Regi
-ment of Col. John Cook, and he continued in said Com
-pany and performed his full share of service therein from
said December 1776 until the close of the war, both as a
Private and a commissioned Officer -
That according to the best of her knowledge and belief her
said husband, served as a private in said militia Com
-pany, in tours of a month at a time, not less than six months
in the year 1777 - in the year 1778. Six months, and in the
year 1779. two months, stationed when performing said mi
litia services on the shores of said Little Compton, at the
Red house, (so called) the Rows house, (so called, and at
Page 6

John Almy's house, at that time occupied by Gideon Seabury;
He, within the time the enemy held Rhode Island, from
December 1776 to October 1779. performed other military service
beside that in the North Company under Capt George Simmons,
He performed one months service within said period
of time under Capt. Ephraim Simmons in said Little Compton,
and in the winter of the year 1778-9 he took the place
of one Benjamin Paine, in a Company in Col. Crary's Reg-
iment, then stationed in said Little Compton, and served
in said Company three months, as a private. she does
not recollect the Captains name, he being from a distance.
this service in Col. Crary's Regiment she is not able to
prove, but she perfectly recollects, that he performed it.
In September 1779. her said husband was appointed an
Ensign in said North or second Company of Militia in
Little Compton, and ever after during the continuance of
the war was a Commissioned officer of said Company
By reason of old age and the consequently loss of memory
she cannot state with precision the services he performed
while he was a commissioned officer of said Company, and
for the same reason, she is unable to prove, from the
very few now living known to belong to said Company, but
a small part of his services while a Commissioned Officer;
but living directly across the river opposite the southerly
part of Rhode Island, a point it was always necessary to
keep guarded, it is strong in her memory that there were
frequent alarms after the British left Rhode Island in
1779. and that her said husband was often called out
to do military service and was absent from home sometimes
for a month at a time, and sometimes not so long
from the best of her recollection, she verily believes he
served two months in the summer of the year 1780, and
not less than two months in the year 1781. and one month
in the year 1782-3. all this service she believes was done
near Newport, and on other part of Rhode Island, as 
a Commissioned officer of said Malitia Company, & in the
Regiment of Col Church, & also of Col. Lemuel Bailey but the
particular months she is unable to tell; for his grades of
office in said years, she refers to the Proof annexed.
she declares that said Rouse Pearce was born at
said Little Compton on the 4th day of July 1755, and
always resided therein, that she has a record of his age
Page 7

she never knew of his having any written discharge from
any of his services, and she has no documentary evidence
of his services. That she has seen the Commissions
he had for the office he held in the Militia, but
they have been lost. he never had a pension
That there is no Clergyman living in the neighborhood
where her said husband resided, but she refers to Godfrey
Pearce and David Tompkins Esqr. of said Little Compton
who were our Neighbors. who will testify to my character
for truth, and to their belief that said Rouse Pearce
was a soldier of the Revolution and also to the Dep-
-ositions herewith
and also to the Dep
she further declares that she was married to the
said Rouse Pearce, on the nineteenth day of December
in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy six;
that her husband the aforesaid Rouse Pearce, died
at sd. Little Compton on the twenty fourth day of
December, in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty
and that she has remained a widow ever since that
period, as will more fully appear by reference to the
Proof hereto annexed
Sworn to and Subscribed
on the day and year above written
before said Court
Asa Gray Prob. Clerk
her
Mary Pearce
mark
We Godfrey Pearce & David Tompkins residing in said
Little Compton, hereby certify, that we were near neighbors
to Rouse Pearce, late of said town, that we were well
acquainted with him, that we believe him to have
been seventy five years of age at the time of his decease
that he died on the twenty fourth day of December 1830.
That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood
where he resided, to have been an Officer and a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
We further certify that we are well acquainted with
Mary Pearce who has subscribed and sworn to the afore-
-going Declaration, that she is a person of truth and
veracity, that she was the wife of the said Rouse Pearce.
that she now resides, in our vicinity, in the the town of
Tiverton; that she never has married since the
Page 8

death of her husband the said Rouse Pearce, and
that she remains his widow
Sworn to and Subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
before said Court
David
Asa Gray Prob. Clerk
Godfrey Pearce
David Tompkins 
And the said Court do hereby declare there opinion
after the investigation of the matter, that the said
Rouse Pearce was a soldier and Officer of the Revolution-
-ary Army and served as stated in the above Decla-
-ration. And the Court further certifies that Godfrey
Pearce & David Tompkins who have signed and sworn to
the preceeding certificate are residents in the town 
of Little Compton, in the County of Newport, and are
credible persons, and their statement is entitled
to credit.
I Asa Gray, Clerk of the Court of Probate of the
town of Tiverton, County of Newport and State of
Rhode Island &c. a Court of Record do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
application of Mary Pearce for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand and the
Seal of said Court, this Seventeenth
day of October in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred
and thirty six and of American
Independence the Sixty first
Asa Gray, Clerk
Page 9

I Ichabod Pearce of Little Compton in the County
of Newport and State of Rhode Island aged Seventy four
years on solemn oath do testify and say, that I have
always been well acquainted with Rouse Pearce of
this town, to the day of his death, which was about six
years ago. we were near neighbors in the year 1778
in November I became 16 years of age and was imme-
-diately enrolled in the North Company of Militia in said
Little Compton. I was then called out upon duty in
tour of a month at a time, and as often as every other
month till the Fall of the year 1779 when the enemy
left Rhode Island. I was mostly stationed at the
house of Gideon Seabury just South of Fogland a
little below Almy's Creek. I was under Capt. Stephen
Pearce. said Rouse Pearce was stationed with me
at the same guard post [with me][scratched out], how many tours
he served with me, I do not recollect, but I well
remember that he was on duty there at the time
The British left Rhode Island in 1779. after the
British left Rhode Island, and I think in the year
1782 or 3 it was in the summer or first part of Autumn
for I recollect it was after getting in our grain and
the time of beginning to make new cider; I was called
out and marched on upon Rhode Island in Col.
Church's Regiment, or he was our Col. and the said Rouse
Pearce was Captain of my Company, The first
night we staid at Abraham Browns in Tiverton
and the next day crossed over at Howlands Ferry. we
were stationed on the North end of the Island near to
Butts hill. we were out on this excursion according 
to the best of my recollection not less then two weeks.
Mary Pearce now residing in Tiverton is the widow of said
Rouse Pearce, I have always lived in said Little Compton
and never knew any other person in said town of the
name of Rouse Pearce.
Ichabod Pearce 
State of Rhode Island &c
County of Newport
Be it known, that on the 26th day of September A.D. 1836
before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of
Newport, personally appeared Ichabod Pearce and subscribed
his aforegoing deposition and made oath to the truth of the 
same; And I further certify that said deponent is a credible
person before me,
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 10

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate of the town of
Tiverton in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray, Clerk of the Court of Probate of the
Town of Tiverton, in the County of Newport aforesaid
a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Asa Gray
is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County
of Newport, in the State aforesaid, duly appointed
Commissioned and sworn, and fully authorized
to act in his said capacity. And I further certify
that the signatures of his name to the certificate
on the annexed Depositions of Ichabod Pearce.
William Woodman and Benedict Palmer, are his
genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal
of Office this first day of December
in the year of our Lord one thous-
-and eight hundred and thirty six
And of American Independence
the Sixty first.
Asa Gray, Clerk
Page 11

I Isaac Simmons of Little Compton in the County of 
Newport and in the State of Rhode Island aged Seventy 
two years on solemn oath, do depose and say 
that I was well acquainted with Rouse Pearce of 
said Little Compton previous to and during the war of the Revolution and since up to the time of his death
which took place about six years ago. according to the 
best of my recollection it was in the Spring of the year
1780. it was after the British lift Rhode Island. Served 
one month in a Company of Militia made up by drafts
and volunteers. Stationed on Rhode Island about four
miles from Newport at the Cornel house of this Company
Joh Davis was Captain and Rouse Pearce above named 
was Lieutenant during said month. I also served
one month with said Rouse Pearce in a Company of 
Militia under Capt. Ephraim Simmons, stationed at the
real hour to called in Little Compton. This I believe was 
in the fall of the year 1776 or Spring of 1777: when under
Simmons he was a private soldier. The widow of said 
Rouse Pearce, whose name was Mary Brownell before her 
marriage now resides in Tiverton  Isaac Simmons
State of Rhode Island 
County of Newport R.Is. 
Be it known that on the 19th day of September 1836
before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and 
for the County of Newport, personally appeared Isaac 
Simmons and subscribed and made oath to 
the truth of his above Deposition, and I further 
certify that said Deponent is a credible person
before me Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 12

I Benedict Palmer of Little Compton in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island aged eighty two years being 
duly sworn, do certify and say that I was acquainted with 
Rouse Pearce late of Little Compton die from his youth 
to the time of his death. I have before givien a Deposition 
to  be used in the application of his widow Mary Pearce
for a Pension. said Rouse Pearce in the year 1777 was enrolled in and belonged to the North Company of Militia 
in said Little Compton under Capt. George Simmons in 
the Regiment of Col. John Cook. I belonged to the same Company in said year 1777 and afterword all the time the 
British held Rhode Island. In the year 1777 said Pearce
was in actual service in said Company not less than 
Six months in different tours of a month at a time. 
In the year 1778 said Pearce served in said Company as 
many as six tours of a month at each tour. he in the
year 1779 served in the same Company four months. 
In all said Sixteen months he was stationed in said 
Little Compton opposite Rhode Island and was in 
actual Military Service. from the time that has eloped 
and the loss of memory I cannot state the particular months 
that he entered the service but I believe that his first 
service in said Company was in January 1777. it was 
soon after the British took Newport. The services were 
performed at different times and alternating from the begin
ning to the end of the year. In the year 1778 or a part of 
said year I believe John Davis had the command of 
said Company. Stephen Pearce was also an officer in 
said Company. I was stationed with said Pearce Rouse
Pearce, while performing the said services at the Rouse 
house, and at the house of Col. Richmond, and also 
down near Second Point. while in said service we 
were together on an excursion to Norland's Ferry.
and at another time to the "Harbor" in Newport
after brats. said Pearce I well remember was in the service a great deal. I know he served in actual Mand
-itory duty his own tours of duty which were as often as every 
other month, and I believe he also served some as 
a substitute for others. 
Signed in my presence
Matilda Tompkins 
his
Benedict Palmer 
mark
Page 13

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport   S.s. 
Be it known that on the 25th day of November 1836
before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and 
for said County of Newport, personally appeared, the within 
named Benedict Palmer and Subscribed his within
Deposition and was duly sworn to the truth of the same
And I further certify that said Deponent is a credible 
person. 
before me, 
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 14

I William Woodman of Little Compton, in the County of New
port and State of Rhode Island age Seventy nine years being 
duly sworn do certify and say that I was acquainted with Rouse
Pearce, late of this town deceased. I have before given a Deposition 
relating to his Services in the War of the Revolution for the use
of Mary Pearce, his widow. I know he was a Soldier of the 
Revolution in the year 1777 and ever after while the war continued 
he was a Soldier and an officer in the North Company of Militia 
in said Little Compton. from the period of time that has 
passed I cannot state positively the number of months said Pearce 
served in said Company. but according to the best of my knowl
-edge and belief he served not less than six months in the 
year 1777 and six months in the year 1778, in periods of a month at a time. I am unable to state the particular months 
his services commenced, but they were continued through the 
whole of each year every alternate month, in the year 1779. I
believed he served in said Company not less than five months 
in tours of a month at a time and ending in October of said
year. George Simmons commanded the Company in 1777 & 1778-
in 1779 or a part of said year John Davis was Captain, and it was 
in the Regiment of Col. John Cook. I belonged to said Company 
all of said time and have been on duty with said Pearce often
in each of said years. all said Services were performed by 
said Pearce in said town of Little Compton and were actual 
Military Services performed in the Service of his Country. 
we were stationed together at the Rouse house in said Little Compton and at the other places in said town. he was a good 
soldier and performed his full share of service. after he was an officer of said Company I was with him at the North 
end of Rhode Island. We were there some days I think 
two weeks, but am uncertain he had the command of the Company, and I believe it was in the year 1781 or 1782.
Stationed near Butts Hill. 
Signed in my presence. 
Phebe Woodman
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport R.Is. Be it known that on the 28th day of November 1836 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within &
for said County of Newport, personally appeared the above named 
William Woodman and subscribed his above Deposition and was 
duly sworn to the truth of the same. And I further certify 
that said Deponent is a credible person. 
Before me,  Asa Gray Justice of the Peace

his 
William Woodman
mark
Page 15

I Ichabod Pearce of Little Compton, in the County of
Newport and State of Rhode Island age Seventy four 
years being duly sworn, do testify and say that I was well
acquainted with Rouse Pearce late of said Little Compton
deceased. I have before given a Deposition relating to his services in the War of the Revolution for the use of Mary
Pearce, his widow. we were enrolled and did duty together in the North Company of Militia in Little Compton in 
the regiment of Col. John Cook. Stephen Pearce had the command of the Company in 1779 when I was on duty. 
said Rouse Pearce was in actual military service with 
me in said Company four months in the year 1779 in 
separate tours of a month at a time. We were in the service
together in said Company at the time the enemy left Rhode 
Island in 1779. performing our months service and I remember
he was then an Ensign in or Company. I believe in the year 1782, but I am not positive as to the year. I know it
was in the summer after moving time. I was in said 
Militia Company stationed near Butts hill on Rhode 
Island two weeks and said Rouse Pearce commanded the 
Company, but what was his grade of Office I do not know.
There were other troops stationed near Butts hill at the same
time and to work on the fort there. his services in 1779
were performed at the military forts in said Little Compton 
I recollect that when we were on Rhode Island at Butts hill we were without an Ensign and Job Manchester
and George Earl were put up for the office, and the 
Company voted for George Earl to be the ensign.
I was enrolled in said Militia Company in November
1778. being then 16 years of age. 
Ichabod Pearce
State of Rhode Island 
County of Newport s.s. 
Be it known that on the 25th day of November 1836 
before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for 
said  County of Newport, personally appeared the above 
name Ichabod Pearce and Subscribed his aforegoing 
Deposition and was duly sworn to the truth of the same
And further certify that said Deponent is a credible person. 
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 16

I Garner Thomas of Fall River in the County of Bristol and 
State of Massachusetts of Seventy six years of age on my solemn 
oath do certify and say that in the fall of the year 1775
or about the last of said year I went from Tiverton, where
I resided to Newport, and there enlisted into the States ser-
-vice in the Company of Capt. Nathl Church, in the
Regiment of Col. William Richmond for one year. 
I then ad there became acquainted with Rouse Pearce 
of Little Compton in the state of Rhode Island. 
I was not acquainted with him before this time though
I had heard of him. I have been some acquainted 
with him since we came out of the service. 
At the time I entered into said Company in the  Regi-
-ment of both Richmond said Pearce was in the same 
Regiment in the Company of Capt. Christopher Manchester, 
and served a year therein I fully believe, I remember
him well. he was a very active man, and always 
ready to do his duty. he was with us when we went
upon Long Island and took about Seventy prisoners and 
I well recollect the expresion he made when we had
them surrounded- to wit, "God we have got them havent 
we'- Our enlistments into said service at that time
were for a year. I served out my time and was discharged
and I remember said Pearce was discharged very near
and I believe at the same time I was. we were 
stationed the greatest part of said year at Newport
and vicinity [and] [scratched out] on Rhode Island. we were discharged
the last of November or first of December 1776-
I have always lived in Tiverton State of Rhode Island 
till near four weeks ago when I came to reside in 
the adjoining town of Fall River. 
Garner Thomas 
State of Rhode Island ss. 
County of Newport 
Be it known that on the 1st day 
of October A.D. 1836, before the subscriber a Justice  of the Peace in & for 
the County of Newport personally appeared Garner Thomas, and subscribed & 
was sworn to the truth of his aforegoing Deposition. And I further certify 
that said Deponent is known to me & is a credible person 
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 17

I Benedict Palmer of Little Compton in the County of 
Newport in the State of Rhode Island age Eighty two 
years on Solemn oath do testify and say, that I was well
acquainted with Rouse Pearce of said Little Compton 
from his youth to the time of his death. we were both of the same age. in the year 1776 when the British took Rhode Island we both belonged to the North 
Company of Militia in said Little Compton, under Capt. 
George Simmons and did duty together in said Compa-
-ny in said Little Compton from December 1776 to 
October or November 1779. I have been stationed 
with him at the Rouse house in said town, near 
the shore a good many months at different times
in the years 1777-.778, 79. I have been on guard
with him frequently in said years up North of said
Rouse house. towards the Creek that makes into 
Nonquit Pond , near Fogland. I cannot recollect  
positively the exact amount of his services in each 
year. but I have no hesitation in saying that he
served in the Militia as much as any other man-
our tours were for a month at a time, and we were 
on Service every other month, and I have no hesita-
tion in saying that said Rouse Pearce, served
in said Company on the Shores of Little Compton 
at least one month in December 1776. not less
than six months in 1777. and Six months in 1778
though I do not recollect him in Sulivans expedition 
and six Six months in 1779. he was a very active and 
enterprising man and I fully believe he served more 
than I have stated. we were together on guard a
great deal. I am acquainted with Mary Pearce
who was the wife and is now the widow of the said
Rouse Pearce. she is said to live in Tiverton with her daughter. 
his
Benedict Palmer 
mark 
Witness and Signature 
of Benedict Palmer 
Mary Wilbur 
State of Rhode Island &c
County of New Port ss. 
Be it known that on the 19th day of September 1836
before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace within and for
the County of Newport, personally appeared Benedict Palmer
Page 18

and subscribed his aforegoing Deposition and and 
was duly sworn to the truth of the same, and further 
certify that said Deponent is a credible Person. 
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 19

I Stephen Brownell of Little Compton in the County of 
Newport and State of Rhode Island aged Seventy four years
on Solemn oath depose and say that I was always 
acquainted with Rouse Pearce of Little Compton from his
boyhood to the time of his death. In the time of the war
of the Revolution he belonged to the North Company of 
Militia in Little Compton and I to the South. I do not 
know personally of his Service in the Militia as we
were in different Companies and stationed at different
places. but I frequently heard of him doing duty on the Shore of said Little Compton, north of me towards 
Fogland. and I fully believe he performed his full
share of Service, which could be less than half of 
the time in tours of a month at a time from December 1776 up to November 1779.- he was a very active and 
spirited man and always ready to do his duty. 
in the Spring of the year and according to the best of 
my recollection in March 1781 I served in a Com
pany under Capt. John Davis for one month stationed 
near Newport, of this Company said Rouse Pearce was 
Lieutenant during said month. Mary Pearce, now widowing in the town of Tiverton was the wife of said 
Rouse Pearce and never has been married since the 
death of her husband the said Rouse Pearce. 
Stephen Brownell 
 State of Rhode Island 
County of New Port ss. 
Be it known that on the 19th day of September 1836
before the subscribed , a Justice of the Peace within and for the 
County of Newport, personally appeared Stephen Brownell
and Subscribed and made oath to the truth of his
above Deposition. And I further certify that said Deponent is a credible person. 
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 20

476.
Mary Pearce
RP
Allown.
Pri 19 1/2 mo. R5.00
Ens. 2 - 20-
Lieut. 21/2- 33.33
--------------------
118.33

no deduction 
A Gray Esq
Tiverton RI.
Page 21

BY HIS EXCELLENCY, 
John Brown Francis 
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-
Island and Providence Plantations 
BE IT KNOWN, that the name "HENRY BOWEN" to the afore-
written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, 
who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, 
duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation, 
full faith and credit are to be rendered. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Provi-
dence, this eleventh 
day of October in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six
and of Independence the sixty first. 
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLECY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secry
Page 22

State of Rhode Island and 
Providence Plantations 
Secretary's Office Oct. 11. AD 1836
I Certify that at the session of the General Assembly 
of said State on the second Monday of September 
seventeen hundred seventy nine, Rouse Pierce
was elected Ensign of the second Company of Militia 
in the town of Little Compton in the County of Newport 
for and until the first Wednesday of May then
next 1780. That at and after said May session 1780. 
until May 1781. no officers were appointed for said 
Company, nor do I find the usual vote continuing 
all officers not reelected and in whose places no others 
have been appointed. 
t the session in May seventeen hundred eighty 
one, Rouse Pearce was elected Lieutenant of said 
Company and so continued until May 1783 when 
he was elected Captain thereof, for one year. 
That at the session in February seventeen hundred
eighty one Rouse Pearce was elected a Lieutenant 
in Church's Regiment ordered at said session to 
be waived for one month. 
As appears of record. 
Witness Henry Bowen Secry.
Page 23

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations 
Clerks Office of the Court of Probate of the town of 
Tiverton in the County of Newport State aforesaid
I Asa Gray, Clerk of said Court of Probate a Court 
of Record. I do hereby certify that Asa Gray whose
name is affixed to the given annexed certificate 
and affidavits, is a Justice of the Peace in and for
said County of Newport, duly appointed Commissioned 
and Sworn, and fully authorized to act in his said 
capacity, and the said Signature of his name are
his own proper hand writing 
In testimony where of I have 
hereunto set my hand and 
affixed the seal of the said 
Court this Seventeenth day 
of October in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hund
-red and Thirty Six 
Asa Gray, Clerk of Courts 
of Probate
Page 24

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations 
Clerks Office of the Court of Probate of the town of
Tiverton in the County of Newport & State aforesaid
I Asa Gray, Clerk of said Court of Probate, a Court
of Record. I do hereby certify that Asa Gray whose
name is affixed to the seven annexed certificate
and affidavits is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Newport, duly appointed, Commissioned 
and Sworn, and fully authorized to act in his said 
capacity, and the said Signature of his name are 
his own proper hand writing. 
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the Seal of the said 
Court this Seventeenth day 
of October in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hund
-red and Thirty Six 
Asa Gray, Clerk of Court 
of Probate
Page 25

I William Woodman of Little Compton in the
County of Newport and State of Rhode Island aged 
Seventy nine years on solemn  oath do testify and say 
that I was always acquainted with Rouse Pearce of said 
Little Compton from our youth to the day of his death. 
in the War of the Revolution, we both lived in said 
Little Compton within the limits of and belonged to 
the North Company of Militia in said town mostly
under the command of Capt. George Simmons, while 
the British were on Rhode Island. this Company
all the time from December 1776 when the enemy 
took Rhode Island till November 1779 when they had
left, were called out and did duty in two divisions . 
one division or one half of the Company were called
upon duty for one month when the month had expired
it would be dismissed for a month, and the other half of
the Company would be called on duty for a month. We were in this service employed in guarding the shores to 
prevent the excursions of the enemy. mostly stationed
at the Rouse house so called in said Little Compton
and doing duty Northerly towards Fogland & Southerly 
on the shores opposite Rhode Island. besides our regular 
tours of monthly duty the other half of the Company or division 
whose turn it was not to be on duty was frequently called out
in alarms when the enemy would be expected of and the whole company would be on duty the same time. said 
Rouse Pearce was in said Company according to the best
of my recollection all the time from said December 1776
to November 1779 and I fully believe he served in said 
Company within said period of time not less than Seventeen 
months, his own regular tours of monthly dutiy in said Little 
Compton. we were also together in said Company or a 
part of said Company stationed at Howland Ferry a fortnight
at same time during the period the enemy were on 
Rhode Island. after the enemy left Newport but whether 
in 1780-81 or, 82 I cannot recollect I was on 
Rhode Island
in a Company in which said Rouse Pearce was an officer
either Captain, or Lieutenant or ensign. I do not now 
recollect which we were stationed at the North [unsure] end of 
and were under Col. Church, am not certain how long 
were were there. 
William Woodman
Page 26

State of Rhode Island 
County of Newport SS. 
Be it known, That on the 26th day of September 1836
before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and 
for the County of Newport personally appeared William 
Woodman and Subscribed his written Deposition and 
made oath to the truth of the same. And I further 
certify that said Deponent is a credible person. 
Before me Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 27

R.I. 
Rev WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 12,613
Mary Pearce 
Wid" of 
Rouse Pearce 
Lieut Rev
Act: July 4"
Index:-Vol. M, Page 121
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 28

1775. For E. C. Manchester 12 mo. GE Richmond was by Thomas All
76 " & off Cap Simmons 1 mo summing 12.
77. " 6 mo. pvt. B Palmer 6 mo.
78 " 6 mo. pvt B Palmer 6 mo 
15 Mo pri
Sept 19 En. 
80- 2 mo Leuit Rouse Simmons Woodman 
to wit. have himney Woodman
81- 2 mo. 
82 1 mo. Leuit J Pearce 2nd Capt. 
Sept 79 Rouse Pearce was again Ensign until May 
noff  app from said May until May 1781
2 ½ Lot.
Es-
May 1782 Rouse Pearce was elected Capt. May 1783

2... Ensi
2 Leuit 
1/2 or 4 1/2 Ens. 

60                 26.66
333               6.11
167              --------
-------           3332
6500

19 1/2 prv--- 115
2 1/2 Leuit. 33 37
2 En --- 20--
-------------------
24        $118.33