Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21135, James Coles, R.I.
Page 1

SERVICE
R.I.       
Coles,James      
NUMBER
S.21135
CONTENTS
Page 2

21456
Rhode Island
James Coles
Residen in the State of R.I. he was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Sheldon of the     commanded by Col. Strumball in the  for 15, monthly
Page 3

103
James Coles
F,
22178
Page 4

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Rhode-Island District, sc. August Term 1832
County of Providence
On this 18th day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court; being a
District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session- James Coles
a resident of Foster, in the County of Providence
and State of Rhode Island aged 80 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his
oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, viz.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He was born October 16th 1751 in Swansey {illegible} of which is recorded in
the Family bible, lived in Scituate R.I. when he entered the Service &
since the war the whole time in the same place now called Foster
and this applicant further states that in August 1775 he enlisted
& served on Block Island forty days as a private in Cap Stephen
Sheldons company & Col Stephen Kimballs regiment of R.I. Militia
& also on concurrent immediately following two months under
the above named Officers-
and this applicant further states that in October 1776 he was
drafted & served two months as a private at Little Compton in
Cap Isaac Paines company & Col Wests regiment of R.I. Militia
and this applicant further states that in the winter of 1777 he was
drafted & served one month as a private at Warwick in Cap
Simeon Harringtons company & Col Wests regiment of R.I. Militia
and this applicant further states that in September 1778 he
was drafted & served one month as a private at Bristol in Cap
Isaac Paines Company & Col Paine Col Wests regiment
and also in the winter following two months at Bristol under
same Officers-
and this applicant further states that in December 1779 he was
drafted & served one month as a private at Bristol in Cap Jeremiah
Davis company & same regiment in January 1780 was at Warwick in the same company & regiment-
and this applicant further states that in Dec 1781 he was 
drafted & served one month as a private at Bristol in the same
company & regiment last above named
and this applicant further states that in Nov 1782 he was 
drafted & served one month as a private at Warwick in Cap
Coomer Smiths Company & same regiment & in Decr one month
in Cap Isaac Hopkins company & same regiment & at the same place
and this applicant further states that he was in service at
other times than above mentioned as much as four & half months at
different times & places which it is impossible for him to
particularise
all of which drafts & c he served out & was honourably discharged & 
never had a written discharge
Page 5

same officers _
and this applicant further states that in December 1779 he was 
drafted & served one month as a private at Bristol in Cap Jeremiah
Davis company & same regiment & in January 1780 was at
Warwick in the same company & regiment _
and this applicant further states that in Dec-1781 he was
drafted & served one month as a private at Bristol in the same company & regiment last above named
and this applicant further states that in Novr 1782 he was 
drafted & served one month as a private at Warwick in Cap
Coomer smiths Company & same regiment & in Decr one month
in Cap Isaac Hopkins company & same regiment & at the same place
and this applicant further states the he was in service at
other times than above mentioned as much as four & half months at
different times & places which it is impossible for him to 
particularise
all of which drafts he served out & was honourably discharged &
never had a written discharge _
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.
          his
James  X   Coles
         mark
[illegible] B Cowell Clk
I John Hammond a Clergyman, residing in Foster
hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with
James Coles who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that I believe him to be
80 years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been
a soldier of the Revolution, and I concur in that opinion.
John Hammond
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. B. Cowell Clk

I John Harrington of Foster aged 80 years on oath do
testify & say that I have known James Coles of Foster who 
is now before me nearly 60 years & know that he was a soldier
of the Revolutionary War & served under Cap Stephen
Sheldon in getting off stock from Block Island & on Rhode
Island & Conanicut in all six months in the year 1775
also at Warwick in 1777 in Cap Simeon Harringtons company
also that he was in Spencers expedition, and also at Warwick
under Cap Stephen Kimball in 1778. also in Sullivans
expedition. also at Warwick under Lieut Geo Dorrance
in the fall of 1778, also at Warwick in March 1780 under
Cap Simeon Harrington, also at Tiverton in the fall of 1781
in the same company & also at Bristol in the same
company _ & I further testify that
Page 6

I John Harrington of Foster aged 80 years on oath do
testify & say that I have known James Coles of Foster who 
is now before me nearly 60 years & know that he was a soldier
of the Revolutionary War & served under Cap Stephen 
Sheldon in getting off stock from Block Island & Rhode
Island & Conanicut in all six months in the year 1775
also at Warwick in 1776 in the same company, also at
Warwick in 1777 in Cap Simeon Harringtons company
also that he was in Spencers expedition, also at Warwick
under Cap Stephen Kimball in 1778. also in Sullivans
expedition. also at Warwick under Lieut Geo Dorrance
in fall of 1778, also at Warwick in March 1780 under
Cap Simeon Harrington, also at Tiverton in the fall of 1781
in the same company & also at Bristol in the same 
company _ & I further testify that the said John is a
a man of truth & veracity this statement is entitled 
to credit
John Harrington
Sept 18, 1832
Sworn to in open Court
B Cowell clk

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 John Hammond
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the Town of Foster that James Harrington
who had testified for applicant is a resident as he states
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, BENJAMIN COWELL, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application
of James Coles for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office,
this 27 day of December AD 1832
Benja Cowell Clk
Page 7

And now on this 6th day of August AD 1833
James Coles who subscribed & made oath to
the annexed declaration Sept 18 1832 in
Court further maketh oath in explanation
thereof Said James declares that in August
1775 & September following he served forty
days as a private on Block Island as stated
that immediately afterwards to wit from said
September he served his months as a private
on Conanicut Island under the same officers
his next service was in 1776 when inactive he
was drafted & served two months at Little Comp
ton as stated as a private-
In the winter of 1777, in December according
to his best recollection, he was again drafted as a
private & served one month as stated
In September 1778 he was drafted & served
one month as a private as stated and he
says that in the winter following to wit in
December 1778 & January 1779 he volunteered
as a private & served two months at Bristol
as stated under same officers.
His next service was in December 1779 when
he was drafted as a private & served one month
Page 8

in the company & Regiment & at the place mentioned
and in Jany 1780 he served another month
at Warwick - In December 1781 he was drafted
& served one month as stated - In November
1782 he was drafted & served one month as stated
& December he served another month,
and this applicant further says that he served
at other times as he has has stated four & half months
at different times but cannot recollect the times
or place except one which was at Providence
he recollects of serving one month at Providence
in the fall of 1782.  But excepting this last service
he served fourteen months as a private
& one month more at Providence. He served in all
fifteen months for which he claims a pension
and in addition to the testimony of the Rev'd
John Hammond he now produces the testimony
of William B Davis who testifies as to his
reputation of having been a soldier
             his
James    X      Coles
            mark
August 6 1833
Sworn to before me by said James
Benja Cowell
Commission Dist
Court RI Dist
Page 9

I William B Davis of Foster in the County
of Providence on oath do testify and say
that I am well acquainted with James
Coles who has subscribed & sworn to annexed
declaration I have always understood
he was a soldier. It is so understood
in the neighborhood & I believe he
served as he has stated. He is now upwards
of 81 years of age I have been a near
neighbor to him a great many years & he has
always sustained a good moral character
& of strict integrity William B Davis
August 6 1833 Sworn to before me by said
William and I further certify that he is a
credible & respectable witness in the premises
Benja Cowell
Commissioner Dist Court
RI Dist
Page 10

221 78
James Cole
RI
Private 15 months
5 1606
July 16 1833
B. Cowell
Providence
RI
Page 11

BRIEF in the case of James Cole
Co. of Providence in the State of R.I.
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [null]
3. How old is he? 80
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[column headings] Period. | Duration of Service. Years, | Months, | Days. | Rank. As a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

August in 1775 enlisted | - | 1 | 10 | Private | Cap Shelden Col Kimball
[crossed out: Oct] 1775 drafted | - | 2 | - | “ | “ “
Octr 1776 “ | - | 2 | - | “ | Cap Paine Col West
Winter 1777 “ | - | 1 | - | “ | Cap Harrington “ “ 
Sep 1778 “ | - | 1 | - | “ | “ “ “
Winter 1779 | - | 2 | “ | “ “ “
[illegible] “ | - | 1 | - | “ | “ “ “
[illegible] 1780 no time stated | - | 1 | - | “ | “ “ “

5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Scituate R.I.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary one living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? The papers are not attached according to regulations the lengths of service is not exactly given
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Dec. 1781 | “ | - | 1 | - | “ | Cap Smith | “ “ “
Nov. 1782 | “ | - | 1 | - | “ | Capn Hopkins
[illegible] | “ | - | 1 | - | “ | “
Was in service this time | - | 1 | 15 |
1 year 3 months 25 d
Page 12

Washington August 6, 1931
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section MLB


Mrs. William Shelmerdine 
R. F. D., 
Foster Center, Rhode Island
 
Dear Madam: 
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 21135, that James Coles was born October 16, 1751, in Swansea, Massachusetts. 
While residing in Scituate, Rhode Island, he enlisted in August, 1775, and served three months and ten days as a private in Captain Stephen Sheldon's Company, Colonel Stephen Kimball's Rhode Island regiment. He enlisted in October, 1776, and served two months as private in Captain Isaac Paine's company, Colonel West's Rhode Island regiment. He enlisted in December, 1777, and served one month as private in Captain Simeon Harrington's company, Colonel West's Rhode Island regiment. He enlisted in September, 1778, and served one month as private in Captain Isaac Paine's company, Colonel West's Rhode Island regiment. He enlisted in December, 1778, and served two months in Captain Isaac Paine's company, Colonel West's Rhode Island regiment. He enlisted in December, 1779 and served two months as a private in Captain Jeremiah Davis' company, Colonel West's regiment. He enlisted in December, 1781, and served one month as a private in Captain Jeremiah Davis' company, Colonel West's Rhode Island regiment. He enlisted in November, 1782, and served one month as private in Captain Coomer Smith's company, Colonel West's Rhode Island regiment, and in December, 1782, one month in Captain Isaac Hopkins' company, Colonel West's Rhode Island regiment. 
After the Revolution he lived in Foster, Providence County, Rhode Island, where he was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832. 
There are no family data. 
Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Assistant to Administrator
[right hand margin vertical]
Next time say Sullivan’s & Spencer’s Expeditions.
Page 13

[left side]
Revolution
21135
INVALID.
File No. 21,135
James Coles
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7” 32”
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 77
[Arrangement of 1870]

[right side]
1910 Sept 10. Hist to Claribel Crandall. AW
1931 – Aug 6 – Hist to Mrs. William Shelmerdine & ltr 6 – her adv. Only 2 hist furnished each inquiry MLB
1932 Aug 26 Mrs. Wm Shelmerdine advd how to obtain date of death, MLB.
Page 14

Foster Center, Rhode Island
August 15, 1932

Pension Office,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen,
Please send me the Pension Record of Private James Coles! a soldier of the Revolution.
He was born in Swanzey, Mass. 
Oct. 16, 1751
W.S. Pension Office Record, Pension
Book #25.
To whom was the last pension
payment made and on what date?

Yours very truly,
Maud Esther Shelmerdine
(Mrs. William Shelmerdine)
Page 15

.Rev
Foster Center, Rhode Island,
R.F.D.
July 30, 1931

Veterans Administration,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:
Please send me the pension records of 
the following Revolutionary soldiers. I wish them
for D.A.R. records.

Private James Coles, residence Providence County,
W.S .Pension Office Record, Pension Book 25.
Private John Colwell, residence Providence County,
W.S. Pension Office Record, Pension Book 26.
Private James Phillips, discharged at Saratoga, N.Y.
W.S. Pension Office Record, Pension Book 55.
Private Rouse Potter, dies in Smithfield R.I. Dec. 5,
1831. W.S. Pension Office Record, Pension Book 57

Very truly yours,
Maud E. Shelmerdine.
(Mrs. William Shelmerdine)
Page 16

James Cole _ born in Glocester, Rhode Island
November 25, 1751. died in Foster, Rhode Island
1836 Will dated March. 18 _ 1828. [illegible] Dec.
5 _ 1836. served in the War of the Revolution &
received a pension _ Married Deborah Smith
born in Scituate, Rhode Island., May 11. 1754

Capt. Ezra Ormsbee's Co., Col, Nath Millers
Reg. & received pay for 15 days service, from
May 28 to June 11.
1778._ Military Retinues. S A.IV.43

Cole, James_ Private. Col. R. Elliotts Reg. as per list of balances reported due by committie Oct
1785 __from R.I.H.S.

James Cole _ Providence County _ Private
R.I. Militia Placed on Pension Roll
Sep. 20. 1833. Rec'd $50. Age 82
R.I Pension Rolls.
Page 17

                                                   3-1865
Rev. War Section.                     ___________
                              
                                     DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                          BUREAU OF PENSIONS
                                                  WASHINGTON           
August 23, 1912.


Mrs. Claribel Crandall,
     221 High Street,
         Pawtucket, R.I.

Madam:

           In response to your letter dated the 20" and received
the 22" instant, you are advised that this Bureau is unable
to furnish the record of a soldier of the Revolution, unless
a claim has been filed on account of his serviced, and in order
to identify such a claim, in addition to the soldier's full
name, some of the following data is essential: names of some 
officers under whom he served, places of residence at enlistment and after discharge, approximate dates of birth and death,
and given name of his widow.

                                  Very respectfully,
                                     J.L. Davenport.
                                            Commissioner.


                                                                       PENSION
                                                                             O
                                                                      C.   SEP     S.
                                                                              3
                                                                            1912
                                                                           OFFICE
Page 18

221 High Street Pawtucket -
Rhode Island. August 30, 1912.
Respectfully returned to
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington
I hope by the data furnished 
you may able to identify the subject of 
the inquiry.
Respectfully,
Claribel Crandall
Page 19

22778
James Cole

[illegible]

Ob. 5 & 16 
BC

B. Cowell Esq.
Providence 
R.I.
Page 20

     BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
         answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
                                      James Cole                 which require
          further proof or explanation.

I.   Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?    yy

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  yy

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
      assigned for his not doing so?

IV.   Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of war when he served? no

V.  * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
       served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension
       he is entitled? no

VI.   Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with regulations? yy

VII.   Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
        June 7, 1832? yy

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion? yy

IX.     Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy

X.      Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
         from any other seal? yy
Page 21

2 
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  [handwritten] yes
XIII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
 XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? [handwritten] yes. Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? [handwritten] yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?[handwritten] yes
 XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [handwritten] no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And if not, which of them is not so answered?[hamdwritten] yes
 EXPLANATORY NOTES. 
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For--year -- months, and --days , I served as a ----For---months and ---days, I served as a ---; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 22

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite , and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. 
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
 Queer XVI. Mode of authentication papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
[Hand pointing} In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 23

RECORD DIVISION.     3--525.
                                  _____________
...................   DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
.....................      BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
.......................        Washington, D. C. ,.......................,  19.......
...........................
     ...........................
.............
In reply to your request of..............., received.......................
for a statement of the military history of  James Coles.......
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen-
sion on file in this Bureau.    S. 21135
_______________________________________________________________________________________
   DATES OF                LENGTH OF     RANK.    OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
ENLISTMENT OR           SERVICE                      ______________________________________________________
 APPOINTMENT                                                 CAPTAIN                         COLONEL                                   STATE

Aug. 75                    3 mo. 10 d.       Priv.             Stephen Sheldon        Stephen Kimball                             R.I.
Oct. 76                     2 mo.                                    Isaac Paine                  West
Dec. 77                     1 mo.                                    Simeon Harrington        "
Sept. 78                    1 "                                        Isaac Paine                      "
Dec. 78                     2 "                                            "         "                        "
Dec. 79                     2 "                                         Jeremiah Davis               "
Dec. 81                     1 "                                            "         "                        "
Nov. 82                     1 "                                          Coomer Smith               "
Dec. 82                     1 "                                          Isaac Hopkins                 "

Battles engaged in, .......................................................................................................................................................................................
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Scituate RI ..................................................................................................................................
Date of application for pension, Sept. 18,1832...................................................................................................................................
Residence at date of application, Foster Providence Co., R.I.........................................................................................................
Age at date of application, born Oct. 16, 1751. at Swansey Mass. ............................................................................................
     Remarks: No data as to family. ...........................................................................................................................................................

Soldier also served 4 1/2 mos. names of offices and dates of
service forgotten. not added.  

                   Very Respectfully,

                                                                                                            Commissioner.

6--2856
Page 24


Washington August 6, 1931

Mrs. William Shelmerdine        Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
R. F. D.,                                      MLB
Foster Center, Rhode Island

Dear Madam:

You are advised that because of the very great number
of requests similar to your and the lack of a clerical
force available for the purpose, it has not been possible
to make a series of investigations and reports in regard
to Revolutionary War soldiers, for one person or
organization.

The records of James Cole and John Colwell are furnished
herewith.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 25

August 26, 1932

BA-J/MB
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
JAMES COLES
S. 21135

Mrs. William Shelmerdine
Foster Center
Rhode Island

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of August 15, in which you
request information relative to James Coles, a soldier of the
Revolutionary War.

On August 6, 1931, you were furnished the history of
James Coles (S. 21135), the data of which were obtained from the
papers on file in his Revolutionary War pension claim and those
papers did not show the date of last payment of pension or of
his death.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the
name of the person paid and possibly the date of soldier's death,
you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting
Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following:
James Coles, Certificate 21436, issued September 20, 1833, rate
$50 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Rhode
Island Agency.

Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator