Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22841, Christopher Coggshall, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
RI
Coggeshall, Cristopher
Anna
NUMBER W.22841.
CONTENTS
Page 2

11.595
Rhode Island
Anna Coggeshall, dec'd.
widow of Christopher Coggeshall
who died on the [blank]
of RI in the State of R. Island
who was a Corpl & Sgt commanded by [blank] in the Revolution in the {blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] [word crossed through: line] for one year each
Inscribed on the Roll of Providence at the rate of 104 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. & Endg [ending?] 20th Oct 1838.
Certificate of Pension issued 30th day of Decr 1853 and sent to B. Cowell, Providence R.I.
Arrears to the 4th of [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1838.}
Recorded by [H. R. Weightman?] Clerk.
Book D Vol. 1 Page 105
Page 3

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence sc.
On this 29 day of November [October crossed out] 1855 personally appeared in open Court being the Municipal Court of the City of Providence and a Court of record Robert H Coggeshall now resident in said City of Providence 62 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration as well for himself as Andia[?] Aldrich wife of Seth Aldrich, his sister, in order to obtain all [arrears?] of pension due their Mother Anna Coggeshall widow of Christopher Coggeshall late of North Kingston in the County of Washington in said State, a soldier of the war of the Revolution - The said Robert declares & says that his father the said Christopher Coggeshall served as a Sergeant as he believes in Capt. Hopkins Company & Col John Tophams Regiment of Rhode Island State Troops, from March 1778 to March 1780 two years at least That he was married to his mother on the 12th day of October AD 1780 that he departed this life on the twenty third day of January 1831, - And he further declares that his Mother the said Anna Coggeshall departed this life on the Twentieth day of October AD 1838 That at the time of her death she was entitled to a pension under the Act of Congress of July 7 1838 but died without getting it, or making any application on account of her being a member of the Society of Friends or Quakers, She was informed of her right
Page 4

[She was informed of her right: crossed through. A repeat from previous page] & requested to make application but declined for the reason above stated.
And the said Robert H. further declares that he and his said Sister [Audra?] Aldrich are the only children who survived their Mother and are now entitled, according to the provisions of the Act of Congress to all arrears of pension due their Mother at the time of her death, their father having been honorably discharged - Therefore the said Robert H as well for himself as for his said sister [Audra?] requests the same to be paid to them
[signature] Robert H Coggeshall
In Municipal Court of the City of Providence,
November 29th 1853,
Subscribed and sworn to by Robert H. Coggeshall, in open Court.
[signature] Albert G. Greene
Clerk.
Page 5

State of Rhode Island,
Town Clerk's Office North Kingston October 10, 1853.
I Sam. Peirce Town Clerk of said Town, do certify that by virtue of my office, I hold the records of Marriages which have taken place in said Town & it appears by said records that Christopher Coggeshall son of Benjamin Coggeshall, of East Greenwich in the County of Kent, & Anna Hall daughter of Daniel Hall Esq. of North Kingston in Kings County were lawfully joined in marriage the twelfth day of October one thousand seven hundred and eighty. *
The record as stands, is as follows,
These may certify that Christopher Coggeshall, son of Benjamin Coggeshall of East Greenwich in the County of Kent and Anna Hall daughter of Daniel Hall Esq. of North Kingston in Kings County were lawfully joined together in marriage in said North Kingston this 12th day of October A.D. 1780
[signature] P. Geo. Thomas Jus^t Peace
Registered in North Kingston the 13th day of October A.D. 1780
[signature] P. Geo. Thomas T. Clerk
All which appears, [signature] Sam. Peirce T. Clk.
Washington sc North Kingston Oct 10, 1853
Signed & sworn to before me by the said Samuel Peirce known to me as the Town Clerk of the said Town of North Kingston
[signature] Daniel G. Allen Justice Peace
See the Bible - filed with the Clerk
Dec 29/53
Page 6

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22.841
Anna Coggeshall
Widow of
Christopher Coggeshall
Sergt Rev. War
Act. July 7 1838
Index: Vol. A, Page 450
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 7

Look inside for the Case
Cole
Original application inside
[address written vertically]
Hon L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 8

R. Island Roll
Anna Coggeshall, decd who was the widow of Christopher, who was a Corporal & Segt
Tophams Regt R. I. troops
[An?] Act July 7, 1838
1 year Corporal $44.00
1 " [year] Sergeant " [$] 60.00
[total] $108.00
per annum
Com March 4, 1836
[illegible] Oct 20 1838
when she died - payable to
Robert H. Coggeshall,
&
Audra Aldrich, only surviving children
To
B. Cowell
Providence, R. I.
Page 9

Name unknown at [Prov?] P.O. and regret that limited clerical force precludes search of ancient records
C R Brayton [?]
P.M.
Page 10

[illegible]
Division
Department of the Interior
Pension Office.
Washington, D.C. June 11th 1877
Sir
Please furnish this office with the names and post office address of some of the descendants of Anna Coggeshall Widow of Christopher Coggeshall Sergt Rev War, who formerly resided in your County and died in 1838.
Application for Pension was made, by Surviving children in 1853, Robert H Coggeshall and Andra Aldrich, through their agent B. Cowell of Providence RI.
A bible containing a family record was filed in evidence. It is now desired to return said bible to the family. Please return this letter with your reply.
Very respectfully
[signature] J A Buelley [?]
Commissioner
[illegible]
To the Postmaster
Providence RI
Page 11

Post Office
C. R. Brayton, P. M.
Providence, R.I. Sept 15th, 1877
Comr of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
If you will send Bible filed in 1832 by Heirs of Anna Coggeshall wid of Chris Sergt Rev War - to James H. Clapp No 6 Arcade - Providence, Rhode Island - it will reach a grand daughter -
Respectfully
[signature] C.R. Brayton
P.M.
Page 12

[text on left of paper]
Providence RI
Sept^r 22 1877
J. A. Bentley Com
Dr Sir
In behalf of my wife Ruth A. Clapp who is a granddaughter of the within named Anna Coggeshall, I do hereby acknowledge the receipt of their Old Family Bible
Yours Respectfully
James H, Clapp
[text on the right of paper]
Widows
File No 22.841
Anna Coggeshall
Widow of Christopher Coggeshall
Segt Rev War
Receipt for Bible & c to be filed Sep 25/77
Evans
Clk
Page 13

N. O. W & BL Division.
Evans
Department of the Interior
Pension Office.
Washington D.C. Sep 19, 1877.
Dear Sir
I herewith transmit to your address the Old Bible sent to this office by Benj, Cowell to be filed in evidence in behalf of Mrs. Anna Coggeshall when she made application for pension.
Please acknowledge the receipt of the Bible on the back of this letter and return it (the letter) to this office in the enclosed envelope.
Very respectfully
J. A. Bentley
Commissioner
[illegible]
James H. Clapp
No 6 Arcade
Providence R. I. }
Page 14

Brief in the case of Anna Coggeshall, dcd wid of Christopher
Providence County and State of R Island Act July 7, 1838.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Record [illegible] of [illegible] and marriage
In addition to the Copy of the Roll filed with the papers, the Roll of Capt. Alexander Thomas's Company, Topham's Regiment - " Muster and Pay Rolls, Bundle No 1."
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
B. Cowell
Providence R.I.
Examining Clerk
Ogden Niles [?]
Page 15

Providence Dec 25 1853
Sir
I herewith enclose the claim of the children of Anna Coggeshall widow of Christopher Coggeshall a Sergeant in Capt Hopkins Co & Col Tophams Regt. Altho the Roll of Capt Hopkins Company (a copy of which is hereto annexed) shows only 12 months service from March '79 to March '80 yet, it must be recollected that this was the 3rd enlistment of that regiment per Act of General Assembly of R. Island. This Regiment had been raised for two several periods before. The first for 15 months ending in March 1778 & the second for 12 months ending March 1779 - It is I think conclusively proved that said Christopher served the previous enlistment before this last, from the fact that he was allowed [English pound sign] 64.14.6 for depreciation, equal at $215.95
This sum was for depreciation only and as the full pay of a Sergeant, was only $120 per annum, it is conclusively shown that he must have served two years
Page 16

and upwards to be entitled to so much depreciation, Whether he served in the same Company or not under the prior enlistment I cannot say. I believe the Company Rolls of one, at least, of the two prior enlistments are in the Pension office & to them I refer, I have only the Company Rolls of the last enlistment, & the list of those entitled to depreciation for all three enlistments, It has been often shown that the non commissioned officers & men changed companies under the different enlistments, whether it was so with Christopher Coggeshall the Rolls in your office will show - 
Mrs Anna Coggeshall was frequently urged to apply for a pension in her life time, but she declined on account of her being a "Friend" or "Quaker" She was opposed to "war" and she wanted [to] have nothing to do with the "wages of war" The marriage, services & identity having been proved I have to request that the claim be allowed
I am respectfully
your obt Svt
Benja Cowell
Hon L P Waldo
Page 17

No 15.079
Anna Coggeshall
who was the widow of Christopher
R. Island
July 7, 1838
B Cowell
Providence
RI
Page 18

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Municipal Court of the City of Providence November 29 1853.
Be it remembered that satisfactory testimony has been, this day, produced before this Court, that Christopher Coggeshall, late of North Kingston in the County of Washington, in said State, deceased, was married to Anna Hall, on the twelfth day of October A.D. one thousand seven hundred and eighty [1780]: that the said Christopher died on the twenty third day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty one [1831]. - leaving the said Anna his widow; and that she remained his widow, until the twentieth day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight [1838], when (as it appears from the testimony of Sylvania Clapp, (whose affidavit is hereunto annexed.) and by the record of her death in a Bible here in Court produced,) she died: - And that at the time of her death, she left two children only who survived her; to wit, Robert H. Coggeshall and Audra Aldrich, both of whom are now over twenty-one years of age: - and that said Christopher was a soldier of the Revolution.
In attestation whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the seal of said Court, this 29th day of November A.D. one thousand, eight hundred and fifty three [1853].
[signature] Albert G. Greene,
Clerk
[seal with ribbon affixed to left]
Page 19

I George Hunt of North Kingston in the County of Washington in the State of Rhode Island aged eighty seven years, do testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Christopher Coggeshall, who formerly lived in East Greenwich. He married Anna Hall, Daughter of Daniel Hall of said North Kingston. During the War of the Revolution he resided in said North Kingston. I have also a distinct recollection that the said Christopher Coggeshall was an enlisted soluldier [soldier] in the said War; and according to my best recollection he was an enlisted souldier [soldier] in the State troops in Col. Topham's Regiment. I recollect him very well from seeing him with his uniform on - when he was an enlisted souldier. I was very well acquainted with his family, she was a member of the Society of Friends.
[signature] George Hunt
Washington Sc. North Kingston Sept. 12. 1853
Sworn to and subscribed before me by the
Page 20

said George Hunt - and I further certify that he is a credible witness; and that his mind and memory are very good for one of his age. And I further certify that I have no interest in the application of the children of the said Christopher for a pension.
[signature] Daniel G. Allen
Jus. Peace
Page 21

I Anstis Lee of North Kingston in the County of Washington & State of Rhode Island aged Eighty Eight years do testify and say, that I was formerly well acquainted with Christopher Coggeshall. I was also acquainted [with] Anna Hall Daughter of Daniel Hall of said North Kingston. The said Christopher married the said Anna over seventy years ago. He said Daniel was a great liberty man or Whig. and I recollect the said Christopher was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army.
I cannot recollect the names of the Officers under whom he served. I never knew any other Christopher Coggeshall than the one who married Anna Hall. & she was a strict Friend or Quaker.
[signature] Anstis Lee
Washington SC North Kingston, Oct 10 - 1853
Personally appeared before me the said Anstis Lee and made Oath to the truth of the above statement, and I certify that she is a credible witness.
[signature] Daniel G. Allen Justice Peace
Page 22

I Sylvania Clapp of Warwick in County of Kent State of Rhode Island aged Seventy one years, do testify and say that I was acquainted with Anna Coggeshall widow of Christopher Coggeshall deceased, and was present when she the said Anna departed this life and helped lay her out after her death she died on the 20th Day of October AD 1838 according to my best recollection
[signature] Sylvania Clapp
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Kent sc In Warwick October 13th AD 1853
Sworn and Subscribed to before me and I further certify that said Sylvania is a credible witness
Before me [signature] Jno Clapp
Justice of the Peace
Page 23

[Copy of Muster Roll presented as a table]
Proof of the Effectives [?]
[Columns] Capt / Lieut / Sergt / Corpl / Drummer / Fifer / Private
[Rows]
Present [0] / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / [0] / 8
Absent 1 / [0] / 2 / [0] / [0] / 1 / 6
Total 1 / 1 / 3 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 14
[end of table]
I do swear that the within Muster Roll is a true state of the Company without fraud to the United States or any individual according to the best of my knowledge
signd [signature] John Welch, Lieut
Sworn before me this 13 day of March [1780 crossed through] at Newport, 1780
[signature] E Cornell B. G.
State of Rhode Island sc.
Secretary's office, Providence
Oct 18 - A.D. 1853 - 
I certify that the preceding is a true copy of an original Roll of Capt. Benjamin Hopkin's Company exhibited to me this day by Benjamin Cowell duly examined and compared by me.
[signature] Asa Potter
Secy. of State.
Page 24

[copy of Muster Roll in table form]
Commissioneds
Benjamin Hopkins Capt on command
Jon Welch Lieut
[Columns] Appointed / Sergeants / Term / Remarks
March 16 1779 / Christopher Coggeshall / 1 year / [blank]
March 16 / do [1779] / Thomas Hall / 1 do [year] / on Furlow
 do [1779] / William Wilkinson / 1 do [year] / on Furlow
[Columns] Appointed / Drum / Term / Remarks
March 16 1779 / Benja Sherman / [blank] / [blank]
[Columns] Enlisted / Privates / Term / Remarks
March 16 do [1779] / Jas Camble / [blank] / on command
do [March] 13 1779 / Andrew Harray[?] / [blank] / [blank]
do [March] 19 1779 / Cato Lyndale / [blank] / on command
do [March] 25 1779 / Nehemiah Luther / [blank] / [blank]
April 27 do [1779] / James Nitson[?] / [blank] / on Guard
June 22 do [1779] James McKay[?] / 1 do [year] / deserted
March 1 1780
April 19 do [1779] Nathan Palmer / 1 do [year] / [blank]
[Columns] Appointed / Corporals / Term / Remarks
April 6 1779 / John Dickinson / 1 year / [blank]
[Columns] Appointed / Fifer / Term / Remarks
May 19 1779 James Hall / 1 year / Deserted March 1 1780
[Columns] Enlisted / Privates / Term / Remarks
May 5 do [1779] / Charles Pachatewk / 1 do [year] / [blank]
March 24 do [1779] / Daniel Perry / 1 do [year] / [blank]
[March] 20 do [1779] / Ephraim Reggus[?] / 1 do [year] / [blank]
April 20 do [1779] / James Simms / 1 do [year] / [blank]
do [April] 27 do [1779] / Eliphalet Shelding / 1 do [year] / [blank]
March 20 do [1779] / Nathan Sweat[?] / do [1 year] / Deserted Jany 9 1780
June 22 do [1779] Simeon Major[?] / do [1 year] / do [Deserted] March 1 1780
Mustered then Capt Benjamin Hopkin's Company as specified in above Roll
Newport 13 March 1780
Danl Dexter
C J Muster pro Tem
Page 25

State of Rhode Island and Providence Planatations
Secretary's office, Providence
October, 18th A.D. 1853.
I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State in December 1777 an Act was passed for raising a Brigade of fifteen hundred men, to be enlisted for twelve months ending March 16th A.D. 1779 consisting of two Battalions of Infantry and one of Artillery and that Benjamin Hopkin was appointed a Captain in the second Battalion commanded by Colonel Barton, afterwards by Col. John Topham - 
And I further certify that at the February Session 1779 an Act was passed ordering said Battalion again to be raised and Benjamin Hopkin was appointed a Captain in the second Battalion commanded by Col. John Topham; said Brigade was ordered to be raised for twelve months ending March 16, 1780.
And I further certify that there are no Rolls of said Brigade on file in this office, but Benjamin Cowell has exhibited to me this day
Page 26

a List of all those officers and soldiers which belonged to said Regiment and who were entitled to depreciation of pay and on said List is borne the name of Christopher Coggeshall as Sergeant and the sum of [British pound sign] 64.14S.6d. [pence] allowed him for depreciation of pay for his services in said Regiment which List I believe is entitled to credit.
I also certify that Daniel G. Allen, before  whom the annexed affidavits of Samuel Pierce, Anstis Lee and George Hunt were sworn is a Justice of the Peace in said North Kingston and County of Washington; and that John Clapp before whom the affidavit of Sylvania Clapp was sworn, is also a Justice of the Peace in Warwick, County of Kent, and that each of said Justices are duly qualified to act and that full faith and credit are due to their acts as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said State this day and year before written [October 18 AD 1853]
[signature] Asa Potter
Secy of State.
[seal with ribbon affixed to left]