Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24099, John Eathforth, Mass. Sea Service R.I.
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Service
Mass. Sea Service
R.I.

Eathforth, John
or Eathferth
Mary

Number
W. 24099
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Rhode Island 126

Mary Eathforth widow of John Eathforth dec'd of Providence in the state of R. Island who was a Mariner Sgt in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by R.I. in the -- line for 3 mos Mariner 21 " Sargeant

Inscribed on the roll R. Island at the rate of 115 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Oct 1836 and sent Benj Cowell Providence RI

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836  $632.50
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '37  $57352
$690.00

{Revolutionary claim July 4, 1836}

Recorded by DD Addison clerk
Book [blank]  Vol. 1 Page 102
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Mary Eathforth
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Utah of Rhode Island
Providence 

On this 17 day of August AD 1836 personally appeared before me Benjamin Cowell Chief Justice of the court of common pleas within & for said county, Mary Eathforth resident in the city of Providence aged 88 years, who made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of congress passed July 4th 1836 that she is the widow of John Eathforth who was a sergeant in the war of the revolution about three years between the years of 1776 & 1780, but she is too infirm & her memory is two much impaired to undertake to specify the times & places of his services but refer, to the evidence hereto annexed - 
That she was married to the said John on the sixth day of November AD 1777 that her husband the aforesaid John died on the 17th day of September AD 1805 & that she has remained a widow ever since that period as well more fully appear by the evidence hereto annexed - wherefore she prays that the pension which might have been granted to her husband if living and the act of June 7th 1832 may be granted to her. 
Mary her X mark Eathforth

Witness
Jm. B. Chace

Providence in Providence August 17th 1836
I certify that the preceding declaration was read to the said Mary & by her subscribed.
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in my presence & she seemed to comprehend the facts & had a very good recollection of her said husband services in the revolutionary war but her mental faculties seemed so much decayed I decerned it improper to administer to her the oath - I also certify she is too feeble to appear in court. 
Benj Cowell
GJCC Pleas
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Providence RI August 18, ,1836

I john B. Chace of Providence being now 54 years of age certify and say that I am well acquainted with Mary Eathforth who subscribed the preceeding declaration in my presence I have known her as many years as I can remember as a communicant in Saint Johns Chh, and as one of the poor of said church her name has been on my books (as distributor) since Jany 1823 as one of the persons to whom I have given money yearly that was contributed at Christmas & for the poor having been deputized by the wardens to make such contribution. - I also certify that in consequence of old age and the decay of her faculties she is not in my opinion qualified to take an oath. 
Jn. B. Chace
In Providence August 18, 1836
Sworn to & subscribed before me and I further certify that deponent is personally well known to me & he is a respectable & credible witness  in the premises. 
Benja Cowell
CJCC pleas
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State of Rhode Island - Island and Providence Plantations
Providence} Be it remembered that at the house of Mary Eathforh in Transit Street in said Providence widow is produced before me Gamaliel Lyman Dwight a Public Notary for the county of Providence in the state of Rhode Island, residing and presenting in the city of Providence in the county and state aforesaid an old Bible belonging to said Mary in which is the following record apparently written many years ago. 
"Mary Price, the second recender of this was born  the 24th day of December AD 1747 and was married to her John Eathforth the 6th of Advent AD 1777 - my husband Mr. John Eathforth departed this life on the 17th day of September AD 1805."

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of
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Office at said Providence on the thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six. 
Gamaliel L Dwight Public Notary

In Providence Aug 19 1836 
Sworn to thy said GL Dwight before me Benja Cowell
CJCC Pleas
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I Samuel Eathforth of Providence being now in the 82nd year of the my age on solemn oath do testify and say that in autumn of 1775 I enlisted as a private in a company first commanded by Captain Caleb Gaines afterwards by Capt. Benjamin Fry in the regiment commanded by Col. Wm. Richmond of Rhode Island troops which were taken into Continental Bay. We went to Long Island I remember several months after our enlistment my brother John Eathforth was sergeant in the same company he enlisted for a year and served out his time. In 1777 in February in March I think my brother & myself were both drafted into Capt. Southworth's company of militia of Little Compton & we served as a private in said company during the greater part of said year ten months at least we were stationed on the shores in Little Compton opposite the south and of Rhode Island to guard against the enemy & for which we rec'd pay & rations , my brother was married the latter end of this year to Mary Price. The 1778 we both of us again enlisted for and served nine months in Captain William Jaggart's Company in the goal service. This was before and during Sullivan's Expedition - I think we enlisted in May of that year he was Sergeant and I think orderly sergeant during this enlistment. In 1779 we both of us were enlisted in the service of the United States in what was called the Penosbscott expedition, although we were on board different vessels I was on board the ship Tarten a 20 gun ship commanded by Capt. Gaines he my brother I think was on board the Frig Diligent but I cannot remember the commanders name he sailed from Boston in June of said year & arrived in Penosbscott Bay in about the days in this expedition we were engaged about four months I was quarter master on board the Tarten but I forgot what my brother was on board the Diligent. My brother
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was several years older than I and this was the reason why I always preferred to go with him & be in the same service with him after he was married I lived with him, we were together more than three years in the service of our country at different periods I may have mistaken the exact periods of our service but we served together full if not more than three years in manner before stated. And I further testify that my brother the said John was married on 1777 to the woman who is now his widow. My brother died about 30 years ago in Providence leaving a widwo whose name is Mary & who has remained his widow ever since & now lives in Providence & who is now about 88 years of age. 
Samuel his X mark Eathforth

In Providence Sept. 6, 1836. Personally came before me the above named Samuel Eathforth made solemn oath to the truth of the preceding statement of facts by him sigend and I further certify that Samuel is well known to me & he is a credible witness. 
Benja Cowell
CJCC Pleas
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Rev. Widow & c
File No. 24099
Mary Eathforth
Wid of John Eathforth
Sgt Rev War

Act: June 17th 1834
Index - Vol. A Page 208

Rhode Island
Mary Eastforth
Suspended
See letter to B. Cowell
3 Oct 1836

Act 4th July 1836
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Mary Eathforth
addedun'd encl.
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Providence Oct 23, 1836

Sir, 
Since I wrote you respecting Mary Eathforth claim in answer to yours of 3d let. I have accesed the enclosed deposition in regards his marriage which I cannot but hope will be satisfactory on that point that pension will be granted. 
I am respectfully yours ...
Benja Cowell

JL Edwards
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Providence Sept. 12, 1836

Sir, 
I herewith enclose the application of Mary Eathforth an applicant for a pension under 3d section of the act of July 4th 1836 - It is an application of peculiar intent and as part as will be & evenly the papers. 
I am respectfully yours obt. se.t. 
Benja Cowell


J.L. Edwards Esq.
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Providence Oct 11th 1836

Sir, Your of the 3d inst has been received respecting the claim of Mary Eathforth in which you obscure the marriage must be processed by "the officiating clergyman on by credible witnesses" - I had supposed that the private record on entry of the marriage in the family Bible m any years ago would have been equal to paid testimony especially where there were no witness being who saw the marriage take place - In this case the certificate of the officiating clergyman was lost if was given the records of marriages in Newport where she was married are so imperfect that no evidence from that source can be obtained perhaps you are not aware that when the British evacuated Newport in 1779 they carried away the town records & the record on board of which they were part was seen in the sound and altho they were afterwards restored they were in such a mutilated & Natusak on ...
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as to he scarsely legible - there in Newport not long since I myself examined them, with the town clerk to find if her marriage was recorded but no record would be traced - Best her marriage was recorded in her bible many years ago & a notarial certificate of it taken & transmitted & since the week three of yours of 3d inst I myself have examined the bible & find it was correct - best in addition to this the deposition of Samuel Eathforth her husband's brother proves the marriage to have taken place in 1777. Mr. Eathforth character for truth & seventy stands unimpeached in this community & in my opinion is entitled to full credit - 
That you may know what the character of Mrs. Eathforth was soon after the death of her husband I send the enclosed recommendation of the warden of St. John Church in 1807. This was then going to New Bedord to teach a school & they gave it a testimonial in her behalf. Since then she continued of unbroken received until  [illegible]
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year or two part when her mind & memory became broken & she has continued to decay ever since she is not deranged but her imbecility seems the result of old age is part making any effort for herself. 
I am respectfully yours obt set.
Benja Cowell


J.L. Edwards Esq.
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To all well disposed Christians of Master denomination or sect.
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Providence June 22nd 1807 This certifies that the widow Mrs. Mary Eathforth who was formerly a resident in this town. Was when she left or removed from here an acceptable & worthy. 
Member of the Protestant Episcopal church - whose becoming deportment and seal for the true religion of Jesus Christ Justly enlisted her to a full communion & fellowship in the celebration of the Lords Supper and consequently to the esteem of every individual communicant or member of the aforesaid church. 
John James clrk
Joe F. Jenkins
Warden St. Johns Church
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Hon. Benjamin Cowell
Providence RI

Forw.d
PP Remington Esq.
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I Green Burroughs of Newport County of Newport State of Rhode Island being now seventy eight years of age on oath do testify and say that I was well acquainted with John Eathforth formerly of Newport and husband of Mary Eathforth (now residing in the city of Providence and widow of said John Eathforth as I believe) and I further testify that I well remember the time they were married as they resided in my neighborhood at that time and I was intimately acquainted with the families of both of them. They were married in the year 1777 in the month of November as near as I can recollect. The maiden name of Mrs. Eathforth was Price and John Eathforth was her second husband & was married to her at the time aforesaid to with November 1777.
Green Burroughs

Newport 
Newport October 21, 1836
Then personally came Green Burroughs and made solemnly affirmation to the truth of the aforewritten deposition and signed the same in my presence. And I further certify that said Green  Burroughs is well known to me and his testimony is worthy of full credit. 
Before me
Geo. C. Shaw Just Peace

his hope the above may answer your purpose that Cahoone of Revenue Cutter could if living tell every particular, death is past diminishing
number of those acquainted with Revol. services, should you find deficiency of testimony on that point I may perhaps on careful inquiry and who knows of that fact.
Do you intend to go to Washington? If so,
please let us know it in time to send by you.
Yours Geo C. Shaw
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation

Secretary's office Oct 22, 1836

I certify that at the session of the General assembly of said state on the first Wednesday of May last Gerge C Shaw was elected a justice of the peace for the term of Newport county of Newport for one year and has been commissioned accordingly as appeared of record. 
Witness Henry Brown Secry.
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BY HIS EXCELLENCY, 

John Brown Francis 
Governor , Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the Sate of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

BE IT KNOWN, that the name " HENRY BOWEN to the afore Inscribed proper hand wring of Her Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same was Secretary of the State aforesaid elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said also faith and credit are to be rendered in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State the affixed as Providence , this twenty second 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
HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secry
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary Office Sept. 9, AD 1836

I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said state in May last Benjamin Cowell was started Chief Justice of the court of common pleas for the county of Providence - Gamaliel Lyman Dwight Public Notary for said county ; and George C. Show a Justice of the Peace for the town of Newport in the county of Newport each for one year. 
That at the session aforesaid Charles Durfee was eluded a justice of the peace for the town of Tiverton in the county of Newport and Alexander R. Brownell a Public Notary for said County each for one year. That each of the aforenamed have been severally commissioned accordingley as appears of record in this office.
The signatures of Benjamin Cowell and Gamaliel L. Dwight are genuine. The handwriting of Geo. C. Shaw, Charles Durfee and Alex.r R. Brownell I am not acquainted with. 
Witness Henry Bowen Secry.
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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 aforewritten
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 Providence this Ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six and of Independence the sixty first
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secry
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I Benjamin Fry of Newport in the County of Newport State of Rhode Island being now in my 79 year of on oath do testify & say that in the early part of AD 1775.  I was appointed & commissioned as Lieutenant in regiment raised by the State of Rhode Island for one year commanded by Col William Richmond in the Company of Capt Caleb Garden In February following said Capt Gardner was promoted to a Major & I was promoted to retain in same Company & served as such during the term of one embattlement.  And I further certify that I well remember a man by the name of John Eathforth who as a member of and upon said John enlisted as corporal but my mission is he was promoted to a Sergeant I remember the names of three sergents & I think he was the fourth I remember he enlisted about the time I did & served out his time & was honorably discharged I once had a roll of my Company I remember his name was upon it as well as Samuel Eathforth his brother who was a private but the roll is now lost or missed I cannot find it but I remember John Eathforth very well he lived in Newport at the time when he enlisted
Benjamin Fry

Newport August 27. AD 1836
Personally came Benjamin Fry and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him signed before me, and I further certify that he is well known to me to be a respectable witness worthy of credit before me 
Geo C Shaw 
Jus Peace
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Newport

John Springer of Little Compton in the county of Newport of the age of seventy six and upwards being first duly sworn to depose the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth saith - that in the year of 1777 before and after deposted lived a nigh neighbors to John Eathforth state of Providence in said state of Rhode Island. Now deceased at the time referred to in said Little Compton that during the term of one year commencing on or about the year 1777 the said Eathforth served as a private in the company militia under the command of William Southworth stationed at Secommett Point doing duty as a guard on the shores of said Little Compton deponent states that during said time he was doing duty as a private in the same company and had opportunity to know about the services of Eathforth after leaving this company deponent states that Eathforth in July 1778 enlisted in a beat company under the command of Wm. Tagger which company did duty at what was call Howland Ferry in Tiverton in said State and at Dighton in the state of Massachusetts preserving the means of convergence to and from the eastern shores of the Namasgassett and Rhode Island have long Eathforth he continued in the serve of the boat company deponent could not state. 
John his X mark Springer
Appeared the said John Springer and before me gave & subscribed the above Deposition under oath this 31st day of August 1836
Charles Durfee Justice of the Peace
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Newport
County of Newport State of Rhode Island 
I Alexander R. Brownell a Public Notary in the county aforesaid do hereby certify that Charles Durfee of Tiverton Esq is a person well known to me & that he is duly commissioned by the General Assembly of this states as a Justice of the Peace in the town aforesaid and has officiated in that office as such & is non duly qualified and that I am acquainted with the afore named John Springer & believe his statement is enlisted to full credit. 
In witness whereof I have herto set my hand & affixed my notarial seal this 31st day of August AD 1836
AR Bronwell
Public Notary
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Mary Eathforth
N. 119

Admitted
Sergeant 21 months
Mariner 3 do
24

Benj. Cowell Esq. 
Providence
RI
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Newport

Owen Grinnel of Little Compton in the county of Newport and state aforesaid of Seventy three years and reported being first duly sworn to testify the truth the whole truth and nothing but the deposeth and saith - That in the year 1777 he deposeth was well acquainted with John Eathforth late of Providence in the county of Providence and state of Rhode Island now deceased - that in the revolutionary war the said John Eathforth served as a private in the compnay of drafted militia under the company commanded of Williams  South with stationed in said Little Compton at what is called Secomett port and that the said John Eathforth did duly as a private in said company in protecting the shores and doing duly as a guard for the term of three months and then after leaving the company commanded by the said Southwaith deponent stated that said Eathforth enlisted into a boat company under command of Wm. Taggert 
Owen Grinnell

appeared the said  Owen Grimell before me and gave and subscribed the above deposition under oath - this o31st day of August 1836
Char.s Durfee Justice of the Peace

Newport County of Newport state of Rhode Island
I Alexander R. Bromwell a public notary in the county aforesaid hereby certify that Charles Durfee of Tiverton Esq is a person well known to me & that he is duly commissioned by the General Assembly of this states as a Justice of the Peace in the town aforesaid and has officiated in that office as such & is duly qualified.
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And that Owen Grinmell whose signature he placed to the foregoing Deposition is a person whose statement is entitled to full credit. 
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed my notarial seal this 30th day of August AD 1836
AR Bronwell Public Notary