Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13974, for Daniel Tefft, Rhode Island
Page 1

Service
R.I.

Tefft, Daniel
Sally

Number W.13974
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Rhode Island 729
Sally Tefft
widow of Daniel Tefft dec'd. who died on 16 December 1835 of Washington in the State of R. I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Gardener of the Reg.t commanded by [illegible] in the R.I.d line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of R. I.d at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 183 [4?} [illegible to 16th Dec. 1835 to be deducted.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of April 1837 and sent  S. G. Shearman Wickford R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1837     $480.00
[illegible] allowance ending 4 Step "    40.00
                                                          $520.00

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836, 
Section the 3d.}

Recorded by DD Addision Clerk.
Book A. Vol. 1 Page 119
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[illegible] 430
Rhode Island
Daniel Tefft of Washington in the State of R. Island who was a Private in the Company command[ed?] by Captain Gardner of the Rev commanded by [name marked out] in the R.I. line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of [illegible] at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 183 [illegible]

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of Sept 1833 and [illegible] W. Updike
Kingston R Island
Arrears to the 4 of Sept 183[illegible] $200.00
[illegible] allowance ending [illegible] Mar 34 - 40.00
  $240.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk.
Book [illegible] Vol. 2 Page 132
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Application of Sally Tefft Widow of Daniel Tefft for a Pension.
S.G. Shearman
Wickford. State of Rhode Island.
Agent for the Applicant
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the Act of Congress, of the fourth of July 1836.
State of Rhode Island
County of Washington [illegible].
Court of the probate for the town of North Kingston.
On this twelfth day of December, in the year 1836, personally appeared before the Court of Probate of the town of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, [inserted illegible sentence] in the State of Rhode Island, Sally Tefft now a resident in said North Kingston, Aged eighty-one years, last August, who being first duly sworn [illegible] to Law, doth on her Oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the pension, made by Act of Congress [illegible - passed?] July 4th 1836. That she is the widow of Daniel Tefft, formerly of South Kingston now deceased, who was a [illegible-private?] in the Militia of Rhode Island, in the War of the Revolution and a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of the [illegible] of June 1832, entitled "an Act, [illegible-supplementary?] to the Act, for the relief of [illegible-certain?] living Officers and soldiers of the Revolution,  at the time of his death. And that the said Daniel Tefft, at the time of his death was possessed of a Pension certificate, under said Act, entitling him to receive Eighty Dollars per annum, for his Revolutionary War service, from the Agent of the United States, for paying pensions in Providence, in this State. And that since his death, she had been possessed of the same, and has [illegible] thereon, from said Agent, the amount due on the [illegible] from the fourth day of September 1835, to the tenth day of December 1835, the day of his death, according to said Act. She [illegible] a Certificate, from the Court of Probate of South Kingston, in which Town she resided at the time of the death of said Daniel Tefft that she was his Widow. Which said Certificate, with the Pension Certificate of the said Daniel Tefft, [illegible illegible illegible], to the said Agent for paying Pensions in Providence aforesaid, at the time of the aforesaid payment to her, as the widow of the said Daniel. She [illegible] for the history account and [illegible] the services of her said Husband, in the War of the Revolution, to his Declaration.
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Which said Declaration, was made by him, under Oath, in order to obtain said Pension, before the Court of Common Pleas, for this County, in the Month of September 1832, and which [word marked out] together with the Depositions accompanying the same, contain the History, of  his service, as a Soldier in the Revolution and all the proof which can be obtained [illegible-related?] thereto, and which she [illegible], are now in possession of the Pension Office. And she further [illegible-maketh?] [illegible-Oath], that she was married at South Kingston aforesaid, to the said Daniel Tefft who was her own Cousin, the last of January or first of February 1775. But has no certificate of the same, nor never had any. And that she does not know of any record of the same, either on the town records, amongst the Books and papers of the Family, nor anywhere else, and believes that there is none in existence,  as [illegible-search?] has been made for the same. She was married at the house of her Father Stephen Tefft, by Samuel Tefft Esq. a Justice of the Peace, for South Kingston, and Elizabeth Tefft her Niece, and Abigail Tefft, her sister, whose Depositions are hereto  [illegible], were present at the Marriage. Augustus Tefft and Solomon Tefft, were also present, one of whom lives in the State of Connecticut and the other in the State of New York, so that she is unable to [illegible] their Depositions. She knows that she was married to her said Husband, before he performed any of his revolutionary service, as she knows that she was married before the war broke out in these parts. As she heard nothing respecting the War, untill her Brother Stephen Tefft enlisted into the army the Spring following and went to Boston and [illegible] since which time, he has not been heard of.  She knows that she was married in the Winter, in January or February and also knows the year in which she was married, from the fact that the War began here the spring following and knows [words marked through]  her own Age, as she was Twenty years of Age the August after her Marriage, and will be eighty two years of Age next August. She also remembers the year of her marriage from the birth and Age of her oldest child Augustus Tefft, who was born the month of September following her Marriage, and who will be Sixty two years [word marked through], old next September. She has no documentary evidence of the
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services of her said Husband other than the Declaration and Depositions [illegible] to. The said Daniel Tefft, her said Husband, died at South Kingston, on the sixteenth day of December 1835, leaving her his Widow and she has remained his widow ever since, as will appear by the anexed[sic] depositions.

[illegible-Witness?]
Nichl. N Spink                Sally X her mark Tefft
Sworn to and [illegible illegible] in open Court the day and year [illegible] written.
Witnessed by Nichl. N. Spink Probate Clerk

The Court of Probate, for the town of North Kingston, hereby certify, that satisfactory evidence,  has this day been produced to them, that Sally Tefft, whose name is subscribed to the annexed and above written Declaration, is a person of good character for truth and (illegible-veracity?] and that her Declaration is entitled to credit, and also that she is eighty-one years of Age, and is reputed and believed to b the Widow of Daniel Tefft, late of South Kingston deceased.  Who died at said, South Kingston, on the sixteenth day of December 1835, and who at the time of his death, was a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of the seventh of June 1832. [illegible phrase inserted above the line] In testimony whereof, I the [illegible] have hereunto affixed my hand and the seal of said Court, by order and in behalf of said Court, this twelfth day of December in the year 183[illegible].
Nichl. N Spink Probate Clerk
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23667 Daniel Tefft Rhode Island

[illegible] 2 years

[illegible numbers]

W Updike 
Kingston, RI
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War Department
Pension Office

Sir: 
The evidence in support of your claim under the act of June 7, 1832 has been examined and the paper are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed  you will find marked in the margin with a brace (this {). You will when you return your papers to this department send this printed letter with them; and you will by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A statement shewing the service of Daniel Tefft, Rhode Island.

1778
1776
1777
1778
Duration of the
claimant's service
time
Rank of
claimant.
┃ Names and Rank
of the Company
officers as
whom he served.
Names and Rank
of the General
and Field officers ┃
son
-
2
and Potter
of service not
Fry
┃ Slated
Battles in which
┃ the applicant was
to
Country through
which he marched.
┃ South
┃ Kingston
┃ Bristol
┃ R Island
Place of abode
when he entered
the service, and age
at the present
period yes

┃ South
┃ Kingston

Rhode
Island
Island
ration is supported
.
Traditionary
Evidend
Several
Witness
┃ Papers not ┃
┃ authenticated

I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant 
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pi
Pensions.
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8 [area of black ink blot] Declaration of Daniel Tefft 23667

return this, or send the certificate to Wilkins Updike Esq. South Kingston
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DECLARATION:
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832. 
State of Rhode Island
County of Washington
On this 5th day of September, 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of [illegible - Common Pleas?] now sitting, Daniel Tefft, a resident of South Kingston - in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, aged Seventy Seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He was born in South Kingston, has no record of his age. sometime in the year 1775, he performed a Months duty, at a place called [illegible - Jones Hill?], in South Kingston a part of the regiment, to which he belonged being called out, as their was several British [illegible] in Narragansett Bay and the [illegible] were in the habit of landing and committing depredations on the shores, [words marked through]. Ray Sands was Captian [sic] of the Company, Samuel Potter was Leut. , Daniel Williams Ensign. In 1776 he joined an independent [illegible] company in South Kingston, called the Kingston [illegible-Reds?], of which John Gardiner was Captain, with the Rank of Colonel, Thomas Potter First Leut - Rouse J Helme a Leut., Rowland Brown Ensign, [illegible] the Company as a Private, and also is the same [illegible] given on the [illegible illegible illegible illegible], He was stationed one month, at the House of Silas Gardner, another month, at the [illegible illegible] in North Kingston near the [illegible] at the House of Rowland Robinson another month [scribble] month afterwards, at East Greenwich & [illegible]. They were ordered on to the Bristol, and transported across the Bay and remained there sometime, and also he remembers of being stationed on Rhode Island under Colonel [illegible] who had the oldest commission, and commanded the Independent Companies, when they were together, it was after the French came to Newport, and they continued there on the Island as much as two months. after being off duty for a short time, he and the company were stationed at Newport again, and remained there one Month. He was stationed [illegible, illegible, illegible, illegible] during the the war, which he cannot [illegible], but is confident, that he actually served during the war.
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in the Militia, and in said Company, as much as two years, and is confident of the same. John Waite was Commander of said company during the last of the war. He was [illegible] in my alarms, and at the taking of the British Frigate [illegible], and in Point Judith once when the enemy landed, to take off stock. He never [illegible-served?] under any Continental Officers, and has no documentary evidence of his service. He has always lived in South Kingston. William C Clarke, Timothy Peckham, [words marked out] and Samuel G. Potter, are [illegible-knowing?] to his [illegible-serving?] in said company and will testify to the same. He does not know of any Clergyman, who will [word scribbled out] testify to the report of his  being a soldier of the Revolution, but [scribble illegible] to Court to Oliver Watson & Daniel Pearce who will testify to the same, and to the goodness of his character. 
Wm. [word marked through] Helme Clk
Daniel X his mark Tefft

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
We, Oliver Watson _______ residing in the Town of North Kingston and Daniel Pearce __________ residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Daniel Tefft __________ who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven _______ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and ascribed the day aforesaid.
Oliver Watson   Daniel Pearce
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that [empty space] who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a [blank space] resident in the [blank space] and that Oliver Watson & Daniel Pearce who has also signed the same are residents in the Town of South Kingston that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common [illegible] & Gen. [illegible] of the peace do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Daniel Tefft for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventh day of February AD. 1833
Sam. Helme Clk
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, & c.}  Se. South Kingstown, Sept. [illegible mark through] 1882.
Washington County,

Personally appeared the aforenamed Samuel R Potter, William C Clarke, & Timothy Beckham
and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined and sworn to testify to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing deposition, which was reduced to writing by me, in their presence [marked through two words] signed the same in my presence. And I further certify that the said deponents are well known to me and that they sustain a fair character for truth, and that their depositions are entitled to credit.
Wilkins Updike Justice Peace.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. Washington County, & c.
I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington, & state aforesaid, do hereby certify that [illegible] Wilkins Updike,Esq. before whom the deposition annexed was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-two.
Sam. Helme Clk.
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I, Elizabeth Tefft of North Kingston in the County of Washington, on solemn Oath do testify and say that I am in the seventieth year of my Age, and shall be Seventy years of Age in the month of April next. Daniel Tefft of South Kingston now deceased who when living was a Pensioner of the United States & was a [illegible] of mine. We were first and second cousins. He married his own Cousin Sally Tefft who was aunt to me, when I was in the eighth year of my Age, in the Month of January or February.  I was present at the Wedding, they were married by  Samuel Tefft, a Justice of the Peace, for said South Kingston at the House of my Grand Father Stephen Tefft in said South Kingston, who was the Father of the said Sally Tefft. The Revolutionary War had not then began, and my Uncle Stephen Tefft, left and went into the army the spring afterward, which is the first I remember hearing about the war. My father and my Grandfather [illegible, illegible- live both?] in one House at the time of the Marriage [illegible], which was the reason of my being present at the Marriage. It was the first Marriage of our cousin. I well remember that in the Spring following I was eight years of Age. So that the Marriage must have been in the winter of 1775, in January or February according to my [illegible illegible]. Abigail Tefft my aunt & sister to the said Sally Tefft, who is now living in this Town, was also present at the Marriage. The said Daniel Tefft died last December, and left the said Sally Tefft his widow, and who is now living in this town and has remained a widow ever since.
Elizabeth Tefft her mark X
Witness Sylvester G Shearman
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I Abigail Tefft of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, on solemn Oath do testify and say that I am Seventy three years of Age, and shall be Seventy four years of Age next March. I am the sister of Sally Tefft, the widow of Daniel Tefft, late of South Kingston, deceased, who, when living was a Pensioner of the United States. I was present at the marriage of the said Daniel Tefft and was with my sister. they were our cousins, and were married at the House of my Father Stephen Tefft in South Kingston,  by Samuel Tefft, a Justice of the Peace for said South Kingston. They were married the last of January or first of February 1775. I recollect the time by my own Age, as I was twelve years old the Spring following. Elizabeth Teff, who is now living in the this town, was present at the Wedding likewise, her Father living in the same House that my Father did at the time of the Marriage. I do not [word marked through] know of any record or written evidence of the Marriage now in existence, or that there ever was any written entry of any kind respecting the same. The War had not then broke out, but my Brother Stephen Tefft enlisted into the army the month of May following & went to Boston and afterwards to Canada, and we never heard anything of him afterwards. His enlisting was the first that I heard of the War. Arnold Tefft and Solomon Tefft one of whom lived or did live a short time since  in Connecticut, and the other in the State of New York were likewise present. I knew the said Daniel Tefft to leave home, to serve as a Soldier many times in the Revolutionary War, after the Said Marriage, but cannot state any particulars of his service.  He died the sixteenth day of [word marked through] [illegible] 1835, at said South Kingston. He was eighty years of age at the time of his death, and would have been eighty one the August following. His widow the said Sally Tefft, is now living in this town & has remained a widow ever since. She is older than I am, and she was eighty one years of Age last August according to the [illegible, illegible] of the Family. She was married before she was Twenty [word marked out] years of Age.
Abigail Tefft
Witness Sylvester G Shearman
Page 18

I Stephen Tefft of North Kingston, [sentence drawn through], in the county of Washington, on solemn oath, do testify and [illegible] that I am Fifty seven years of Age. I am [illegible-acquainted?] with Sally Tefft, the Widow of Daniel Tefft, late of  South Kingston deceased, she is an Aunt to me and the said Daniel Tefft my Uncle. I have always understood in the Family that they were [word drawn through] married before the Revolutionary War, or about the time the war began.  And have always understood that she was Eighty years of Age and [illegible]. The said  Daniel Tefft, died at South Kingston, on the 16th of December 1835, leaving the said Sally Tefft his widow and she has remained his [illegible] .Her son Augustus Tefft with whom I am acquainted and have been acquainted for many years, is reputed to be sixty two years of age, or nearly so. I have understood from him and others that he would be sixty two years of age next September. [illegible] Daniel Tefft and Sally Tefft lived together as Husband and wife, ever [illegible] [illegible illegible], until his death. After his Death I received from the Court of [illegible] of South Kingston, in which town he resided when he died, a certificate, that she was his Widow, to [illegible] her, to draw the amount due on his Pension Certificate, at the time of his death.
Stephen Tefft

Washington [illegible] For North Kingston
December 10th 1836.
Personally appeared before me, Elizabeth Tefft, Abigail Tefft, and Stephen Tefft, Whose names are [illegible] to the [illegible] Depositions, who after being by me duly examined, cautioned & sworn, gave the said Depositions, which were by me reduced to writing in their presence & theirNames affixed thereto in my presence. And I further certify, that the said Elizabeth Tefft, Abigail Tefft, and Stephen Tefft, are well known to me and that their [illegible] for truth are good.
Sylvester G. Shearman Justice of the Peace
Page 19

In reply to your request of ________,
received _______ for a statement of the military history of Daniel Tefft a solider of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen-sion file in this Bureau.
W. File 13,974
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
June 1775. 1776. 1777. 1778.1779. 1780
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
[unreadable]. 5 mos. 6 mos. 6 mons. 5 mons. 3 mons.
RANK.
Private
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
[unreadable]. John [unreadable] and John Waite. [bottom row unreadable]
was in the
COLONEL.
Robert Brown. Independent Co. of "Kingstown [unreadable] " under Col. Tay [unreadable] 
STATE.
R.I.
Battles engaged in,  
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [unreadable]
Date of application for pension, Sept. 5. 1836. His claim is [unreadable]
Residence at date of application, South Kingston, Rhode Island. 
Age at date of application, seventy-[unreadable]
Remarks: he is married [unreadable]
cousin Sally Tefft  at the house of her father Stephen Tefft. 
 [unreadable] Dec 16,1835 at So. Kingston & his widow Sally [unreadable]
executed Dec. 12, 1846 while a resident of North Kingston. "aged eighty-[unreadable]  ast August. Oldest Child Augustine born September [unreadable] 1775 of Newport, R.I. in 1832 is the only child referred to. Respectfully,
285C
32
77
[unreadable]
Commissioner.
Page 20

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation Washington County [illegible]
I Thos. P. Wells, Clerk of the  [illegible-Supreme?] Judicial Court within and for the County of Washington and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Asa Potter Esq. before whom the [illegible] affidavit of Daniel Tefft was taken and sworn is a Justice of the Peace of the town of South Kingston County of Washington aforesaid, duly elected and qualified; and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing.
     In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 15th day of August 1833.
         Thos. P. Wells Clerk
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War Department
Pension Office
Jany 13, 1837

Sirs, 
I have the honor to inform you that the claim of Wm. Sally Taft widow of Daniel Taft deceased has been examined and has papers placed in our files. 
Marriages and both are so generally militaries of records, the department is con
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Town Clerks Office
South Kingston R.I. April 3, 1837
I hereby certify that I have examined the Records of said office from the year 1750 to 1785 and can no where find the record of the birth of Augustus Tefft son of Daniel Tefft, nor can I find any record of the births of any of the children of Daniel Tefft. I also certify that I have good reason to believe that but a very few [inellible, inelligble] of the births in said Town have ever been recorded in Said Office.
 [initials TRW]  Thomas R Wells Town Clerk

Sworn to before me April 3, 1837
S. G. Shearman Justice of the Peace
Page 24

I Abigail Tefft of North Kingston in the county of Washington, on solemn Oath do testify & [illegible] that I am now Seventy four years of Age.  And am the Sister of Sally Tefft of said North Kingston, the Widow of Daniel Tefft, late of South Kingston deceased & who when being [illegible] a Pensioner of the United States & am the same [several words marked through] Abigail Tefft, who before have given a Deposition, in the application of the said Sally Tefft for a Pension, relative to her Marriage, [illegible-with?] the said Daniel Tefft. She was married as I have stated in my former Deposition the last of January or first of February 177[illegible-5?] and I am quite [illegible] that there is no record of the Marriage any where to be found. And Augustus Tefft her eldest son now being at Newport in this State, was born the September following on the twenty-first day of the Month, and will be Sixty two years of Age next September. And there is no record of his birth any where to my knowledge.
Abigail Tefft
Washington [illegible] In North Kingston
March 30th 1837

Personally appeared before me the [illegible], a Justice of the Peace for said North Kingston, Abigail Tefft, whose Name is [illegible] to the afore Deposition & made solemn oath to the truth of the same, which was by me [illegible] to writing in her presence & by her signed in my presence. And I further certify that the said Abigail Tefft is well known to me & that her character for truth & veracity is good.
Sylvester G Shearman Justice of the Peace
Page 25

Washington [illegible] The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation.
Town Clerk Office of the Town of North Kingston. 
Nicholas N Spink Town Clerk of the Town of North Kingston, in the County of Washington & Clerk of the Court of [illegible] Town Councell [sic] [illegible] and North Kingston. Do hereby certify that Sylvester G Shearman, before whom the [illegible] Deposition, was taken & sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, for the said Town of North Kingston, legally chosen by the General Assembly of this State & duly commissioned by the Governor thereof, by a Commission [illegible illegible] the Ninth day of May, in the year 1836 & that he is duly engaged to said commission. And I further certify that the signature, affixed to the Certificate, [illegible] to said Deposition, [illegible] to be the signature of the said Sylvester G Shearmen, is his truly genuine signature, in his own hand writing, known to me as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto [illegible] my hand and seal, this 30th day of March, in the year 1837.
Nichs N Spink  [illegible} & Probate Clerk
Page 26

Deposition of Abigail Tefft in the [illegible] of Sally Tefft.
Page 27

Washington [illegible] In South Kingston
August 14th 1833.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, Asa Potter, a Justice of the Peace, for the Town of South Kingston, Daniel Tefft of South Kingston, in [illegible] County, an Applicant for a Pension, who being duly sworn deposed [illegible illegible] that by reason of old Age, and [illegible-commencement?] loss of Memory, he cannot swear positively with the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served [illegible-more?} [illegible] than the friends mentioned below, and in the following [illegible- guards?], and at the times and places hereafter stated.
 In the Month of June 1775, I served one Month as a [illegible] Militia Private, in the company of Militia, belonging to South Kingston, of which Ray [illegible either Sands or Lands] was Captain, Samuel Potter [illegible] & Daniel Williams Ensign. I was stationed during this Month, at Jones Hill in South Kingston.  the Enemy [illegible] [illegible] on the Coast and in Narragansett Bay, and the [illegible] were in the habit of landing therefore, and making [illegible-depredations?] carrying off both Men of Battle & setting Fire to Buildings, and the Company was stationed there, to prevent their landing and committing such depredations. Robert Brown was Colonel of the Regiment, to which the Company belonged. In the Month of May 1776, I Joined a chartered Independent Company in South Kingston, called the Kingston Reds, of which John Gardiner was Captain, with the Rank of Colonel, Thomas Potter [illegible illegible illegible]
Page 28

[illegible, illegible] & Reuben Brown Ensign, In the Month of June following I and part of the company, were called unto and marched to the shore, and stationed on [illegible -Jones Hill?] and quartered at a House called the [illegible] House, and remained there one Month,  when I was discharged and returned home.  In the [illegible] following I was again called out with part of the Company and stationed on Jones Hill again, and [illegible] there a Month.  in the Month of October in that year. I was again called out and stationed at the South Ferry two Months, and then one Month on Point Judith, and quartered at the House of Thomas [illegible] marking [illegible] Month [illegible] in 1776.  In March 1777 the Company was again called out, and I with them, and marched to East Greenwich, and stationed there & at [illegible] one Month, and in the summer of the same year I served another Month, in the same Company stationed at the House of David Greene in North Kingston, at this time John Waite and the command of the Company, Colonel Gardner having [illegible - resigned?],and Waite having been [illegible] in his stead in the Month of May in that year. In {illegible-September?] following I served in said Company, stationed in Boston Neck at the House of Colonel John Gardner one month, and two months immediately afterwards at the House [marked through 'of'] called the Smith House. In November of that year I [illegible] called out and marched to Wickford with the Company. from there we were transported [illegible] Narragansett Bay to Bristol, where we remained some time, and then were transported to [illegible], where we Joined the troops under the command of General Spencer, who [illegible] making a landing on the Island of Rhode Island.
Page 29

then in possession of the enemy, after the Idea of making a landing and abandoned, we were carried south to Bristol, and over the Bay again, to Wickford, and here we were [illegible-dismissed?}, I was absent on duty this time one Month. In 1778 in the Month of February, I was again [illegible], and stationed at the South Ferry one Month, in April I served another month at the [illegible] of Amos Gardiner, in June another Month,  on [illegible illegible], in August [line scratched out] in that year, I was marched with the Company to Wickford, and was thence, transported [illegible] the Bay to Bristol, where we remained [illegible - some little?] time, and then were carried on to the Island of Rhode Island, and Joined the troops there on the Island, under the command of General Sullivan, and [illegible] the Island was evacuated by the Americans, we were again carried over to Bristol and Wickford, [illegible] at this time one Month, In October in that year. I served another Month at the South Ferry, in November another Month at Jones Mill. In February 1779 I served one month at {illegible-Jones Mill?} in April one month at the South Ferry, we quartered this Month at the House of Silas Gardiner,  in June one Month, when we quartered at the House of Reuben Robinson, in August one Month at the Ferry, and in October of the same year one Month, at [illegible-Jones Mill?].  In 1780 I served in said Company, on the Island of Rhode Island three Months, in a Regiment of Independent Companies, commanded by Colonel Fry. I first served two Months, in the Months of August and September, and another Month in November of that year. John Waite was Captain of the
Page 30

Company, the whole time, from his Election in May 1777, My whole term of [illegible -service?],  [illegible-near?] twenty Six Months, during all the times of service, afore mentioned, [illegible]  entire duty under [illegible] and under the command, of my companies [illegible-Officers?], taken from my home and [illegible] and not engaged in any civil [illegible] or occupation, any part of the time. My Declaration [illegible-when?] I first made my application, was made [illegible illegible], and I was in a bad state of health, and my family [illegible], so that I could [illegible] them be as particular as my statement as I have now been,  nor did I know, that it was necessary,  for me to be this particular. I served always as a Private. And for the [illegible - services?] afore mentioned, I claim as Pension.
Danile Tefft X his mark.
Asa Potter J. Peace
witness to Daniel Tefft signature
Washington  [illegible] - In South Kingston August 14th 1838
Personally appeared, before me, the [illegible] one of the justices of the Peace, for [illegible] South Kingston, the Daniel Tefft, whose name, is alone written, who after being, by me, duly examined, cautioned, and sworn, made oath, to the the truth of the written affidavit, which was [illegible], to writing in his presence, and he being unable to write his name, affixed his mark thereunto in my presence and I wrote his name hereto in his presence. And I further [illegible], that the said Daniel Tefft is well known to me, and that his character [illegible illegible] is good.
Asa Potter J.  Peace
Page 31

[illegible] December 26, 1836
Mr. Edwards
Sir
Herewith I forward you the application of Sally Tefft for a Pension, under the [illegible] Section of the Act of July the fourth 1836-She is the Widow of Daniel tefft, who at the time of his Death, [illegible] Pension, under the Act of 1836. I have therefore deemed it  [illegible] to obtain every [illegible] of [illegible] Revolutionary service - [illegible] have [illegible] the Present Declaration to his [illegible] - Declaration of the Deposition thereto attested, for the History of proof of his service - You will also [illegible], that there is no certificate of the Marriage, [illegible] that it is [illegible] by the testimony of two Witnesses, present at the performance of the Marriage Ceremony, to have taken place in 1775-[illegible illegible] that you have heretofore [illegible illegible illegible] evidence of the Marriage, either from the [illegible] of the Town or Church. But it is a fact well known, and attested by the Certificate of the [illegible]. You will see in this [illegible], that but few of the marriages in this state are recorded on the Town records-[illegible illegible] few of the people [illegible] to my Church and we have no [illegible] thing [illegible]  Parrish or Parrish records in the State-The applicants Witnesses are all positive as to the time of the Marriage, & as to its taking plase [sic] before the announcement of the War and will give you reasons as you will [illegible] for  [illegible illegible] Under these circumstances. I hope the Pension, will be granted-
Yours [illegible]
S. G. Shearman
Page 36

The Deposition of Timothy Peckham of South KIngston in the County of Washington, Rhode Island, aged 75 years on oath testifies and says ] that I knew Daniel Tefft now an applicant that I saw said Tefft
in Connanicut [illegble-now?] Jamestown in thee state duty there while the enemy was in [illegible] of Newport and he served there at that time more than a month.  I saw him in General Spencers expedition of Newport in 1777. doing duty in said expedition.
    After that I saw him at the Capture of the [illegible] in Point Judith Point in South Kingstown doing duty. In 1778 I saw him doing duty on Rhode Island in Gen ['e' inserted above line] Sullivans expedition.
   In 1778 he was on R Island and whether at that date or not, can't say, but he were on duty when the French and their fleet was in [illegible] of Newport ['and was on duty' is marked through] but how long can't say. Also I have seen him on the [illegible-shore?] doing duty at times of alarm. but couldn't be particular it is so long ago. Timothy Peckham
B[illegible] Washington County 
[illegible] SouthKingston Sep: 4th 1832
Personally appeared the above named Timothy Peckham and after being carefully cautioned examined & sworn to testify to the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth gave the foregoing deposition [illegible] to writing.
Page 38

Town Clerks Office South Kingston [illegible] 
Dec.- 13th, 1836
I hereby certify that I have examined the Records of [illegible] office from the year 1770 to the year 1790 and cannot find the record of the marriage of Daniel Tefft to Sally Tefft--[illegible] I also certify  that I have good reason to believe that but very few of the Marriages that have taken place in Said Town have ever been recorded in said office.

Witness  Thomas R Wells Town Clerk
Page 39

The deposition of Judge William Clarke of [illegible] the county of Washington Rhode Island, aged 76 years on oath testifies & says that he always knew and does now well know Daniel Tefft now an applicant for a pension..that in 1777 in March, said Tefft was a private in the independent military commanded by Col John Gardner and was on duty against the enemy on Potowomut in Warwick & East Greenwich, he served there about one month..the same year I saw him garrisoned at David [illegible Green?] in Boston Neck in NorthKingston,  guarding the story. but don't know the time. After that, in same year I saw him quartered at Col. John Gardner's house in Boston Neck and at the Smalt House so called near the South Ferry. While in Boston Neck his service was about three months. And in the same year he, I and Tefft was on duty in the same company at the Capture of the [illegible] under the command of Col John Waite who succeeded Col. Gardner in the command of said Independent Company.
Previous to all this time I saw said Tefft in Col Gardners [line marked through] independent company at [illegible] Judith Point to drive off the British from carrying off stock
In 1780 said Tefft was a private in Col Martin Company and on Rhode Island under the command of Col Fry and staid [sic] there about one Month
Page 40

I have always understood and it is the general [illegible expectation?] in the town that said Tefft served as a private during the war in the independent company in the town and did duty against the enemy in guarding the story and doing such service as the law & the command of superiors directed  
William C Clarke

[The following section has been crossed out.]
Rhode Island Washington County } Je. [illegible] Kingston Sep: 4th 1832
Personally appeared the above named William C Clark and after being carefully examined, cautioned, and sworn to testify to the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth gave the foregoing deposition [illegible] to writing this day by me. I read to him  & he declared the sworn to be the truth.
Before me [illegible signature]
Page 41

The Deposition of Solomon Tefft of Grotin, in the County of New London, and State of Connecticut, aged Seventy five years, on solemn affirmation testifies and [illegible] that Daniel Tefft of South Kingston, was in the time of the Revolutionary War, with him the said Solomon Tefft, at the same time, a member, and in [illegible] Service for the term of one year, of an Independent Company, which was formed in the town of South Kingston, in the County of Kings County (now Washington), which company was at the one time stationed at East Greenwich in the State of Rhode Island.
[illegible]              Solomon Tefft his X signature

State of Rhode Island SC - Washington County } [illegible] South Kingston Aug. 25th, 1832

Personally appeared the aforenamed Solomon Tefft, and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined and affirmed to testify the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing Deposition, which was uttered to [illegible] by me in his presence, and he signed the same in my presence. And I further certify, that the said Deposer is well Known to me, and that he sustains a fair
Page 44

Decr. 23, 1903, [illegible- History?] to Albert F. Brown  Prov. Rd. 1919 Dec. 6. History to Mrs. Arthur H. Lathrop. [cent sign]
__________________________________________________

1920, Dec 4, Hist-to- Stephen K. Perry - Esq.

[Illegible] Widow, &c.
No. 1374 Sally Teft[sic] Widow of Daniel Tefft  [illegible--Pri?] Rev War
Act: July 4th 36
[illegible- ex]:-Vol. M, Page 267
(Arrangement of 1870)
Page 45

Wilford April 4th 1837

J.L. Edward Esq. 

Sir, 
Therewith I take the liberty to forward to you the deposition of Abigail Teft and Elizabeth Teft accompanied with a certificate of the town clerk. I hope the deposition and certificate will be sufficient to award the [illegible] contained in your note, to the honourable J. Peace etc, setting the application of the Tefts of the 13th of January 1837 which I forward beneath - The marriage is positively sure to have taken place probly in the year 1775 by Elizabeth Teft & Abigail Teft who are very
Page 47

[illegible scribble in margin]
Hon. H. Clay Evans
Comm. Bureau Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
I would like any record if any of Daniel Tefft Rhode Island Washington County Revolutionary War.
[office stamp in left margin]
Very Respectfully
Albert F. Brown
15 Lyon Ave
East Providence R. I.
[office stamp in lower right margin]
Page 48

Faith Trumbull Chapter
Norwich, Connecticut
November 23, 1919
To the Commisiner [sic]
Pension Bureau
My dear Sir, 
My ancester[sic] Job Shearman, a private in Capt William Humphrey Co, Alney, Colonel, enlisted from North Kingston, R.I. applied for pension, when 1 years old, August 19, 1818. residence Exeter R.I. will you please send me all available data. Another ancester [sic] Daniel "Tifft or Tefft" matched the [illegible] during the Revolutin[sic] in or near Kingston, R.I. and received a pension. this is tradition in the family. Is there any official record of [illegible]! He had a wife Laiah and a daughter Lydia. I may [illegible] a favorable reply at an early date. I am, Very  Sincerely Yours, Elizabeth Palmer Lathrop
Address
Mrs Arthur Harvey Lathrop
15 [illegible] St, [illegible]. Conn
Page 49

Hartford, Vermont
Oct 22, 1920
Department of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Revolutionary War Records Section

Gentlemen:
Will you please send me a certified copy and duplicate of the Revolutionary War Record of Job Shearman. He enlisted at North Kingston, R.I., was discharged at Saratoga, N.Y. Dec 25, 1783. He made claim for pension August 19, 1818 from Exeter, Washington Co. R.I. His captain was William Humphrey and Alney was his Colonel.
Also will you send me the same papers for Daniel Tefft. He enlisted at So. Kingston, R.I. and made application for pension Sept. 5, 1832 and his claim was allowed. He served for short periods in each year from 1775 to 1780 [illegible].
Thank you for your attention, and assuring you that I will forward necessary charges for this service.  I am, 
Very truly yours
Stephen K Perry.   [a circular stamp on the right margin]