Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,087, Stephen Waterman, R.I.
Page 1

(3─1776)

SERVICE
R. I.

Waterman, Stephen   
Winsor, Marcy or Mercy

NUMBER

CONTENTS
Former widow
Page 2

[printed form, blanks filled by hand]

R. Island. 4435.
====================
Mercy Winsor, for'ly [formerly]
widow of Stephen Waterman RI
who died on the 5th May 1794-
of Providence in the State of R. I.
who was a priv. in the Co. commanded
by Captain Williams of the_____ commanded
by _____ in the Rev. ---
line for 9 months
====================
Inscribed on the Roll of Providence
at the rate of 30 Dollars --- Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day
March, 1831.
====================
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of
Jany 1847 and sent J. F.
Simmons
Senate, U. S.
====================
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 46 $465.~
Semi-annual allowance ending Mar '47=15.~
=====
$180.~
=====

{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3d. }
Recorded by D. H. Wood Clerk,
Book C Vol 1 Page 104

Rep.
Page 3

State of Rhode Island ss 
County of Providence ss
On this 20th day of December AD 1845 personally appeared before me Josiah Westcott Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said county Mercy Winson of Johnston in said County aged 86 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to attain the benefit of the acts of Congress of July 11 1886 and March 3d 1837 granting pensions to widows viz said Mercy declares that she was married to Stephen Waterman formerly of Cranston in said County on the second Sunday of April 1776, the exact day of the month she does not recollect but there is no record of her marriage either public or private the only record she has is the one hereto annexed by which it will appear that her eldest child "Lydia Waterman" was born August 2, 1776 that she lived with said Stephen Waterman as his wife until he departed this life May 5 1794. She then lived as a widow about two years when she married Jeremiah Winsor & lived with him as his wife until he departed this life August 12 1801, since which period she has remained a widow
Page 4

And she further declares, that her first husband the said Stephen was a soldier of the Revolution she well remembers that in the winter after their marriage, at the time the British took possession of Newport her husband was called upon to do military duty. He was a private in Capt Frederic Williams Company of Militia of said Cranston & in that occasion he was drafted in said Company & marched to Hades Ferry where he was stationed & was gone about a month. This was in December 1776-
After this he was presently drafted in said Company in which he continued a  private until the end of the war & some time performed his duty at the Village of Pawtuxet & sometimes at other places He was drafted as much as three or four months in each year in 1777 1778 & 1779, according to her best recollection for which she now claims a pension
[right] her
[right] Mercy   X   Wisman [X being her mark in lieu of signature]
[right] mark

Attest Josiah Westcott [signature]

State of Rhode Island Providence ss
On this 20th day of December AD 1844 Personally appeared Before me the Subscriber Mercy Winsor and made oath to the truth of the forgoing 
Declaration by her Subscribed, And further certify that the said Mercy Winsor is a credible Person[sp] and the said Mercy Winsor because of Infirmity and her great age is wholly unable to attend Court
Before me 
[signed] Josiah Westcott J.C.C. Please
Page 5

[listing of births and deaths]

Lydia Waterman Born August the 2 Friday, Cranston 1776.
Richard Waterman Born March 18. Wednesday, 1778. Cranston
Anson Waterman Born December 25 Saturday Cranston 1779.
Cyrus Waterman Born October 31. Cranston 1781.
William Waterman Born April 14 Cranston 1783
Nehemiah Waterman Born December 10 Cranston 1784
Fanny Waterman Born October 14 Cranston 1786.
Freelove Waterman Born November 26 in Cranston 1787.
Pardon Waterman Born December 10 branston 1789
Nathaniel Waterman Born June 7 Friday 1793. In North Providence

These are the Children of Stephen Waterman Jun'r and Mary his Wife
Stephen Waterman Jun'r Born August 22 Cranston - 1752.
Marcy Waterman Born August 2, in Johnston - 1759.
Sarah Winsor Born December 29 Thursday Smithfield 1796.
James Winson Born June Sunday Smith D. 1799.

These are the children of Jeremiah Winson Esqr
Jeremiah Winsor Born February 22 in Smithfield R Island. 1742.
Stephen Waterman Junr Son of Stephen Waterman and his Mother and was Mary Brown Daughter of Jabez Brown
Stephen Waterman Died May 5th North Providence 1794. Aged 41 years & month & 13 Days -
Jeremiah Winson's Wife Formely the wife of Stephen Water
Jeremiah Born Feburary 22 in 1742 Jeremiah Winson Died August 12- Smithfield 1801.
Stephen Waterman Junr Wife Daughter of Richard Thornton
Richard Thorntons Wife was Meribah Borden Daughter of William Borden and his wife was Amy Colwell
Richard Thornton son of Joseph Thornton
William Borden wife was Elizabeth Hudson

Anson Waterman Died Monday October 27 In Savannah Georgia.
Cyrus Waterman died Sept. 3, 1832. a Monday.
William Waterman Died June 7 Tuesday Aged 20 y. 1. m. 25. 1803.
Nehemiah Waterman, Died August 3. Tuesday .1819. (In Providence)
Fanny Waterman Died October 19 in Cranston, 1786.
Pardon Waterman Died January 2 on Thursday 1812. In Kingston James, aged 21 years & 23 days
Stephen Waterman Jun'r Died May 5 in North Providence 1794. Aged 41 years 8 months & 13 Days -
Jeremiah Winsor's Wife Formerly the wife of Stephen Waterman Jr
Jeremiah Winsor Died august 12- Smithfield. 1801.
Page 6

I, Robert Wilson of Johnston in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island do certify that I am Town Clerk of said Town, and have by virtue of my Office the custody of the records of the births and marriages which have taken place in said town, and I further certify that I have examined the records of said town between the years seventeen hundred and seventy six and Eighteen hundred and cannot find any record of the Marriage of Stephen Waterman & Marcy Thornton And I further certify that I have reason to believe that many marriages have taken place in said town both before and since the war of the revolution which have never been brought to the town Clerk's Office to be recorded
[signed] Robert Wilson
Town Clerk

Johnston January 3d AD. 1846. 
State of Rhode Island ss.
Providence ss.
In Johnston this third day of January AD One thousand eight hundred and forty six personally appeared before me the above named Robert Wilson Known to me as the Town Clerk of said Johnston and made oath to the truth of the above Certificate by him signed
[signed] Paris Mathewson Justice of the Pec [Peace]
Page 7

I Reuben Smith of Cranston, County of Providence and State of Rhode Island on oath do testify and say that I am Eighty five years of age, that in the war of the Revolution I belonged to Capt Frederick Williams Company part of the time, while I belonged to that company I did many tours of duty, stationed at Pawtuxet and Warwick Neck, but my memory is now so broken and I so inform that I cannot particularize the months or the years with any certainty, I therefore refer to my declaration which Imade to obtain a pension for times, and stations of my service in said Company, I also testify that Stephen Waterman formerly of said Cranston was a private in said Company at the time and according to my best recollection he served as much as I did, whether at the same time or not. I do not recollect, Col. Jacksons regimentof Massachusetts troops were stationed at Pawtuxet at this time. I recollect that fact, they were stationed there from the fall of 1777 until they went on Sullivans Expedition on to Rhode Island in 1778
[right] his
[right] Reuben   X   Smith [X being his mark in lieu of signature]
[right] mark

Providence ss. In Cranston this 24th day of December A.D. 1895 then personally appeared Reuben Smith above named and made oath to the truth of the above statement, according to the best of his  knowledge and belief, and I further certify that in consequence of the said Reuben Smith being lame in his right arm and hand he made his mark as above and further that the said Smith is a credible witness before me
[signed] Robert Wilson, Justice of Peace
Page 8

I Elizabeth Arnold of Cranston, County of Providence and State of Rhode Island on oath do testify and say, that I am seventy seven years of age, that I was born and brought up in the Village of Pantine in said town, & said Village is a place where there was a fort and where soldiers were stationed during the war of the revolution, during said war Frederick Williams with whom I was well acquainted was a Captain of Militia of said Cranston and his company was often stationed here and also at Warwick neck, I have a distinct recollection that Stephen Waterman of said Cranston the first husband of Marcy Winsor, was a private in said Company and often did duty therein, at one time in particular I well remember that the said Stephen, quartered at our house, that the company was on its March to Warwick neck, I recollect three times in particular from certain circumstances once, when the British Commander, Wallace burnt the houses on Prudence Island, this was in Decr 1775 or Jan 76, said Stephen was then on duty in Capt Williams Company, at another time when Genl Barton took Prescott at New Port in June 1777 & at another time I recollect from the circumstance that my Father was in France, a Lieut. on board the Frigate Providence, Commodore Whipple Commander in 1778, and I believe said Stephen Waterman always did his duty as a private in said Company during the whole of the revolutionary War, Capt Frederick Williams at that time lived in the neighborhood of Pawtuxet, and his Company was often stationed in this Village. Another Circumstance I will mention, when Capt Williams Company, quartered in
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in thisVillage we took a large part of them in to our house, and I have a recollection that Stephen Waterman one of the soldiers told my mother not to be alarmed, he said we are all friends and neighbours. I have a distinct recollection and remember these words. My Father was the oldest Lieut in the American Navy at the time of the Revolutionary War
[signed]Elizabeth Arnold

Providence ss. In Cranston this 24th day of December AD. 1845 then personally appeared Elizabeth Arnold Subscribed to the above deposition and made oath to the same being true according to the best of her knowledge and belief, and I further certify that the said Elizabeth Arnold is a credible Witness
[signed] Robert Wilson
Justice of Peace
Page 10

I Sally Waterman of Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, on oath do testify and say, that I am now seventy four years of age & that Stephen Waterman who married Marcy Thornton was my Brother, after my Brother died the said Marcy, married Jeremiah Winsor, and lived with him as his wife until his death, he died many years ago how many I do not remember, since his death she has remained a widow - and I do further testify and say that I have a distinct recollection of seeing my brother the said Stephen go off to do duty as a soldier with his gun and Knapsack, We then lived in Cranston and my Brother belonged to Capt Frederick Williams Company. I recollect of these fact, although I was then a little girl
[signed] Salley Waterman

State of Rhode Island &c
Providence sc. 
In Johnston December 3d AD. 1865 Then personally appeared before me the above named Sally Waterman and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by her signed, and I further certify that she is a creditable Witness
[signed] Robert Wilson
Justice of the Peace
Page 11

I, Thankful Vallett of Johnston in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, on oath do testify and say that I am now in the Eightieth year of my age, that I am well acquainted with Marcy Winsor the widow of Jeremiah Winsor dec'd her first husbands name was Stephen Waterman of Cranston in said County and State, I have a distinct recollection of the time when the said Stephen was married to her I was a little girl about ten years old, I did not see her married, but my aunt, Ruth Lake went to the wedding, and I heard her speak about the wedding after the marriage, my said Aunt was one of the bridesmaids and stood up with her as I understood, this was about sixty nine or seventy years ago, the said Stephen Waterman and Marcy lived together as man and wife until the time of his death, she then lived a widow until she married Jeremiah Winsor, a period of about two years after the death of her first husband, and she lived with him as his wife until he died, his death took place many years ago, how many I do not remember, and since that period she has remained a widow, and now resides in said Johnston
[signed] Thankful Vallett

State of Rhode Island &c
Providence sc.
In Johnston the 3d day of December AD. 1845 Then personally appeared before me the above named Thankful Vallett and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by her signed, and I further certify that he is a credible Witness
[signed] Robert Wilson
Justice of the Peace
Page 12

6690
Mercy Winsor
R. I.
Act 4 July 36
m 75. d. 94 -
07 - 10

on list of Capt Williams Company

See M. Simmons
adm'd
9 mo pri
30 [illegible]

Hon J. F. Simmons
Senate -
Page 13

I Richard Thornton of Johnston, County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, on oath do testify and say, that I am thirty two years of age, about nine years ago, my Father Borden Thornton, carried Marcy Winsor into Providence, for the purpose of making an application to get a pension, when he returned home I asked him how he made out, he answered and said she could not get it, because she was married twice, I have heard my Father say that Stephen Waterman was a soldier of the revolution, and had done service enough for her to get a pension, if she had not been married twice, my Father was a pensioner at the time of his death
[signed] Richard Thornton

State of Rhode Island &c
Providence sc.
In Johnston December 3 A.D. 1845 then personally appeared before me the above named Richard Thornton and made oath to the truth of the above deposiion by him signed, and I further certify that he is a credible Witness
[signed] Robert Wilson
Justice of the Peace
Page 14

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantatations
Providence sc
Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas Jany 8th AD 1845
I Holder C Weeden Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Providence do hereby certify that Josiah Westcott Esq. is one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Providence and that Robert Wilson & Jane Mathewson Esquire are Justices of the peace for the Town of Johnson that they are all duly commissioned and qualified and all have acted as such in their several capacities and that their signatures heretofore written purporting to be theirs are genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the day and year above written
[signed] Holder C Weeden Clerk

[illegible Court Seal affixed above left]
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[printed letterhead, the rest typed]

[left side, top]
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services. 
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.

O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
[/left side, top]
[right side, top, typed]
L. W. B.
W. 26087.
[/right side, top, typed]

[center, top]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
December 29, 1897. [typed]
Stephen Waterman W. 28087 [handwritten]

[typed letter]
Sir: ─
Replying to your request for information concerning Stephen Waterman, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, I have the honor to advise you that Mercy Winsor, former widow of Stephen Waterman, made an application for pension on December 20, 1845, at which time she was 86 years of age and residing at Providence, Rhode Island, and her pension was allowed for the actual service of her husband as a private in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary war, for a period of nine months; a part of the time he served under Capt. Williams. He enlisted at Cranston, Rhode Island,

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Hon. John Simpkins,
House of Representatives.
[/typed letter]
Page 16

[printed letterhead, the rest typed]

[left side, top]
This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.

O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
[/left side, top]

[right side, top, typed]
L. W. B.
W. 26087.
[/right side, top, typed]

[center, top]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
January 14, 1898. [typed]

[typed letter]

Sir:─
Replying to your communication of a recent date, I have the honor to advise you that as a courtesy  information relative to Revolutionary soldiers is furnished by this Bureau when the same is desired by descendants for historical and genealogical purposes only, and then only when the soldier or his widow applied for a pension. There being no appropriation by congress for carrying on work of this character and owing to a pressure of other and more important work, the Bureau is somewhat restricted in furnishing information relative to Revolutionary war pensioners; and, with the exception of occassional instances, must decline entirely to comply with requests for copies of papers  on file in these claims.
In your December communication you simply requested information concerning Stephen Waterman, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and a short but consise statement of his services, as shown by the papers on file in the claim for pension of his former widow, Mercy Winsor, was furnished. The soldier did not apply for a pension. 
the following is a copy of that portion of the above named willow's application for pension relating to the service of Stephen Waterman:
"And she further declares that her first husband, the said Stephen was a soldier of the Revolution; she well remembers that in the winter after their marriage, at the time the British took possession of New port, her husband was called upon to do military duty. He was a private in Captain Frederick Williams' Company of Militia of said Cranston and on that occasion he was drafted in said company and marched to Slades Ferry, where he was stationed, and was gone about a month. This was in December 1776. After this he was frequently drafted in said company, in which he continued a private until the end of the war, and sometimes performed his duty at the village of Pawtuxet and sometimes at other places. He was drafted as much as three or four months in each year in 1777, 1778 and 1779, according to her best recollections and for which she now claims a pension."
Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Hon. John Simpkins,
House of Representatives.

[/typed letter]
Page 17

extracts from Asa Watermans Accts.
Page 18

Extracts from the account Books of Asa Waterman a Commissary stationed at Providence

1777 Dec 5 Book No. 5.
-----------------------------
To cash paid Capt Frederick Williams for his Company Col. Bowens Regiment for 68 men 5 days
45 Giles Rice £9. 1. 10 1/2
2 7/8 Bu Peas £0. 12. 9
23 3/4 lb Butter £0. 15. 10
85 Galls Beer £0. 15. 11
3 3/4 lb Soap £0. 1. 4 1/2
2 3/4 Candles £0. 1. 1 3/4

Provisions delivered Col. Jabez Rowens Regiment

[original table presented in narrative format for easier legibility]

Time Delivery 1777 Oct. 3 Book No 2.
whom or by whose order delivered to: Col. Bowen to Capt. Williams
No. Days: 3
No. Men: 13
No. Rations pr day: 15
Salt Beef: 45
Pork:  1/ 1 3/4
Bread: 45

Providence Nov 21 1846
I Benjamin Counce of the City of Providence certify that I have in my possession some of the original account Books of Asa Waterman a Commissary of Issues stationed at Providence during the war of the Revolution, & that the above are true extracts from said Books duly examined by me
[signed] Benja. Cowell
Page 19

Providence Ss. In Presidence November 21. 1846
Personally appeared the within named Benjamin Cowell and on oath testified to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed before me. & I also further certify that the said Benjamin Cowell is a credible witness.
[signed] Franklin Greene
Jus. Peace

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence ss.
I Albert G Greene Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence in said State do hereby certify that Franklin Greene who has signed the aforegoing Certificate is a Justice of the Peace within & for said City duly elected.
In attestation whereof I have hereunto at my hand and have affixed the seal of said Court this 23d day of November A.D. 1846.
[signed] Albert Greene Clerk
Page 20

Mr Arnolds Affidavit
Page 21

I Elizabeth Arnold of Cranston in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island now in my Seventy eighth year do further testify and say relative to the service of Stephen Waterman formerly the husband of Mary Winsor as before stated was well acquainted with Captain Frederick Williams, he lived not more than two and a half miles from my Fathers in Pawtuxet bridge I,  also well recollect the said Stephen Waterman was a private in his company during all the war of the Revolution his Company used to be stationed at Pawtuxet twice he quartered at my Fathers house I, stated in my first deposition he quartered in my Fathers house but once I now have a distinct recollection he quartered there twice, Captain Williams Company was then on their march to Warwick neck, where they were ordered to be stationed and they were stationed there a month at a time, during the time the British were in possession of New Port. the shores were lined with soldiers from Warwick Neck up to Pawtuxet, guarding against the incursions of the enemy, who landed where ever they could and carried off stock. I also recollect Samuel Aborn, was a Commissary stationed at Pawtuxet, who furnished the Companies stationed there with provision, and Charles Lippell was a Commissary who supplied the companies on Warwick neck with provisions. I should suppose, from my best recollection that Captain Williams Company was on duty nearly one half of the time in the years seventy six, seventy seven, and seventy eight, including the frequent alarms and monthly tours, although I cannot recollect the particular months, so as to state them any better then I did in my first deposition. I also recollect Reuben Smith late of said Cranston dec'd, he was also a private in said Captain Williams  Company, when he was not gone to sea, in the above mentioned years it was all Confusion. All the soldiers were constantly called upon to do duty to repel the enemy
[signed] Elizabeth Arnold

State of Rhode Island &c
Providence ss In Cranston November 27. 1846. Then personally appeared the above named Elizabeth Arnold and made oath that the above deposition by her signed is true and correct, and that she is a credible witness. Before me
[signed] Robert Wilson Justice of the Peace
Page 22

Providence Jany 9th 1846

Sir I herewith enclose the application of Mrs Mary Winsor formerly widow of Stephen Waterman for a pension under the Act of July 4 1836 & March 3d 1837. Stephen Waterman was a private in Capt Fredrick Williams Company during all the War. But I regret to say that no person is now living who served with him but Reuben Smith, whose affidavit is herewith enclosed & his memory is so broken from age & infirmity that he is unable to specify times & stations, & he however refers to the declaration which he made about 13 years ago for the account of his  services & believes Stephen Waterman served as much as he did and as the Militia in this State were obliged to serve every third month by a law of the State, there cannot be much doubt of the fact, I recollect that when I transmitted Reuben Smith papers, to the Pension office, there was an original Roll or Pay Abstract of Frederick Williams Company & to that Roll I refer you for the consideration of the testimony in
Page 23

this case from the law & testimony I have to request such an estimate of his services may be allowed as may be right & just
I am Respectfully
your obt sevt
[signed] Benja. Cowell

J L Edwards Esq
Page 24

Providence April 29 1846

Sir
I received yours of the 20 inst respecting the claim of Mercy Windsor formerly widow of Stephen Waterman, I regret to say that no further evidence can be obtained, Reuben Smith was the only person living who served with him and since he gave his testimony for this claimant he has deceased, for was it or is it now in the power of this claimant after a lapse of 60  years & upwards to specify her husbands services in a more particular manner than she has done-- When I transmitted her claim I relied more upon the law of the State respecting Military service at that time than upon the testimony. I think when it is clearly shown that by the law every one was liable to do military duty at least of a certain age & to do it every third month and this law was imperative & obliged every such person to serve, and when it is proved, as in this case that he did serve according to law & always went when it came to his turn & and when the records  of the company also shew that he was a member & served some portion of time at least, it creates such a presumption of
Page 25

service, as would Justify the allowance of the claim for a small pension at least.
When the law compels a man to serve in a certain way & it is shown that he did serve according to law, it creates as strong a presumption of service as if he enlisted. Permit me to say that the character of the law which divided the Militia into these classes was rather different from what you suppose it to have been, I have in one or two instances sent you a copy of it & will do so again, if another copy is desired. This law was passed & in Dec'r 76 just after the British took possession of Newport & at a time when there were no troops in the State & when the Militia were all the force the State relied upon for defence.
The first section provides that "all male persons in the State, liable to do duty, be drafted into these classes"
The 2d provides "that immediately upon said draught being completed the Field Officers cause the 1st
division to be formed into companies apportion to each these proper officers & cause them to March as soon as possible to such place or places for duty as the Governor or Commander for the time being shall direct"
"The 3d provides that the division on actual duty shall be relieved monthly in the order they shall be drawn out by other divisions
Page 26

and that the field officers & Commander are hereby directed to cause the relief to be made & done punctually at the time each division shall have completed its Monthly round of duty"
Now I would respectfully ask whether under such a law & at such a time too it could be doubted but what the Militia served as this law required that is generally speaking, the law says that the "division on actual duty shall be relieved Monthly" and Field officers & commanders were directed to cause the relief to be made & done punctually at the time each division shall have completed its monthly round of duty".
I would also observe that from documents which I have sent you in other cases it will appear that Capt Williams was stationed at Pawtuxet as many as 5 or 6 months in 77 & 78 They were among the Commissaries Accts of provisions delivered to Capt Williams Company.
I also refer you to the claim of Mary Field widow of David Field & Betsey Williams widow of John, At the time they applied for pensions under the Act of July 7 1838, Reuben Smiths memory & mind was good & he more particularly stated the monthly tours of Capt Williams Company
In conclusion permit me to say that it can hardly be supposed that any man in the vicinity of the shores of the Bay & liable to
Page 27

to do military duty could avoid doing enough in the course of seven years, to be entitled to a pension; and it is believed Stephen Waterman did actual service enough for this purpose, indeed under such a law as was then in force, he must have served long enough & under this view of the case 
I hope & expect his widow may receive the benefit of his service.
I am respectfully
your obt sevt
[signed] Benja. Cowell

J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 28

Providence Co
died May 5, 1794
foly [formerly] widow of
Stephen Waterman
Capt Williamson

18 1/3[sp]
30
----
450
15
-----
465
Page 29

Washington Jany 8th 1847

My Dear Sir
I have your letter proposing to allow the Widow Mercy Winsor a pension for six months service of her former husband Mr Waterman if she will accept it. On examining the papers of Mrs Winsor  accompanying her petition & the facts set forth & sworn to by her I am satisfied there is good ground for the allowance of a larger amt of service. The testimony of Mr Smith is that Waterman served as long as he did & he was allowed twelve months Mrs Winsors evidence is that that service was three or four months in each of three years making nine to twelve months - so far as I can discover from the papers there is better ground in their aspernations [assertions?] for taking either of these larger terms of service than six months - & I hope upon a review of them you will see cause
Page 30

to adopt one or the other of the longer time of service, in which case I should advise her to accept your proposition-
I am very respectfully
Your Obt St
[signed] J. F. Simmons

Honl J L Edwards
Com Pensions
Page 31

Letter to Benja. Couch Esqr
Providence R. I. 20th April 1846.

Let to Hon. J. F. Simmons
Jany 5th 1847.
Page 32

[typed with handwritten notes]

Rev & 1812 No. 15 [handwritten, upper right]

July 28, 1931

S. 21552

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 541

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Rev. War pension claim of Stephen
Waterman, W. 26087 

[handwritten]
Remitter
Kate S. Curry
1420 Girard St
Washington D. C.
[/handwritten]

15 cents 1 page
XXX
15 cents a page
not certified [handwritten]

Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 inches at top of each page & return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name & number.

Chief Rev. & 1812 Wars Sec.

[left margin, on edge]
See letter in[sp] Mercy[sp] Waterman  S 21552
Page 33

1 Page family data
beginning -
Lydia Waterman b. August th 2 Friday Cranston 1776
ending

Jeremiah Winsor died August 12 - Smithfield 1801
Page 34

[printed form, blanks filled by hand]

Revy 26 -087
WIDOW, &c.
---
File No. 2087
Mercy Winsor
Wid of
Stephen Waterman
Priv Rev. war
---
Act: July 4th '/36
Index:- Vol. W, Page 347

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 35

Dec - Jan 1 [left side]

29/94 - History to Hon. John Simpkins H of R -
4/98 - History to Hon. John Simpkins H of R - and Partial Copy -
1931 - Aug 11 Photos to Hon[sp] S. Curry - See letter in [initials] Oln 
Waterman S.21552 &  mesc[sp] Div. notd. [initials] awf