Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9240, for Joseph Pratt, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Pratt, Joseph
Margaret

NUMBER
W. 9240

CONTENTS
Page 2

18.249-
Rhode Island
R
Joseph Pratt of Newport in the State of R. Island
who was a Drummer in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Richmond of the R. Island line, for the term of one year -
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 18th of April 1818-
Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd of Augs. 1821 and sent to B. Cowell, Esq. Providence, R.I.
Arrears to 4th of March 1821- 276.64
Semi anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept. 21- 48.00
2 yrs. 10 Mos - 18/31
$324:64
Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
21st May 1820-
Providence Coy.
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Joseph Pratt,
R Island
The troops raised
1775 and led for
a shorter period 
than nine months
[illegible]
Page 4

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
NEWPORT, SS.
On this Eighteenth day of April 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport, personally appears Joseph Pratt
aged Seventy years, resident in Newport in
the said County, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled ""An act to provide
for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war:" That he the said Joseph Pratt enlisted in in Little Compton as a Drummer in the State of of Rhode Island
in the company commanded by Captain
Lemuel Bailey of the Regiment Com by Col. Wm. Richmond that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States,  Twelve month it being the term for which he was enlisted when he was discharged from service in Newport, State of Rhode Island,
that he was in the battles of [blank] 
and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support;
and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Joseph Pratt[crossed out]
Nichs. Taylor

Nichs. Taylor Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, That it appears, to my satisfaction, that the said Joseph Pratt did serve in revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the
proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress.
Newport April 18th, 1818
Nichs. Taylor

Clerk's office Court of Common Pleas
County of Newport 23d April 1818

I hereby certify that Nicholas Taylor Esq whose
Signature is affixed to the above statement
and certificate is Chief Justice of the Court of
Common Pleas within & for the County of Newport.  State aforesaid in testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court

Robert Rogers, Clk C
Page 5

Joseph Pratt
Rejected Richmond's Regt was only continental
from Sept. 76


July 7. 1820
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District of Newport, State of Rhode Island
On the twenty sixth day of June 1820 personally appeared in open court, being the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport, in the State aforesaid. Joseph Pratt a citizen of the town of Newport, aged
Seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 1 May 1820 that he the said Joseph Pratt enlisted as a drummer for the term of eight months in the year 1775 in the company commanded by Capt Topham, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Church, in the line of the State of Rhode Island on the Continental Establishment that he continued to serve in the said Corps until the expirations of his term of enlistment, when he was honorably discharged from the said service in
November 1775 in the State of Massachusetts,
And the said Joseph Pratt further declares that
he enlisted for the term of 12 months in the year 1776 as a Drum major in the company commanded by Nathaniel Church, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Richmond in the line of the State of Rhode Island on the
Continental Establishment that he continued to serve in the said corps untill the expiration of the term of his enlistment viz from the commencement of the year 1776 to the
commencement of the year 1777, when he was honorably discharged from the said service - that he has no other evidence now in his power of said services except what is contained in his papers now in the Pension Office in Washington.
And in pursuance of the Act of the 1st day
1820 I do solemnly affirm, that I was a resident
citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not, since that time, by gift
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sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any
part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it, to bring myself within the provissions of an Act of Congress
entitled an Act to provide for certain persons engaged
in the land and Naval service of the United States
in the Revolutionary War, passed the 18th day of March
one thousand, eight hundred & eighteen, and that I
have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any
property or securities contracts or debts, due to me,
nor have I any income other that what arises, from
that labour which my (illegible) frame enables me to
do in my occupation, nor any property, other than
that which is contained in the schedule hereto
annexed, and by me subscribed.

Schedule of all the property of Joseph Pratt
consisting wholly of articles of Household furniture
& working tools. viz.
One Bible….25
1 Looking Gass .. 1.25
1 Trunk….2 —
10 Plates Cups
& Saucers ie.} 1.75
3 Pans…..50
1 Iron Pott…33
1 Tin Oven…1 —
1 Bake Pan, 2 Tubs 50
1 Pail & 1 tea kettle 1.25
1 Sugar Box…12
4 Chairs….75
2 Baskets….25
1 Saucer 1 Cannister 33
1 Chest…..50
2 Stove Pans…25
1 Tin Kettle…63
1 Coffee Pott…50
2 Axes & 2 Augers..1.75
1 Handsaw..50
1 Hammer….12
1/2 Bellows…25
 3 Drawing Knives.50
1 Holdfast…50
2 Beds & Bedding 				}
and articles of Clothing.
					25 —
$40.79
Page 8

The said Joseph Pratt is by occupation a (illegible) Hoop maker, but owing to his advanced age is hardly capable of doing a days work; his family consists of himself and wife only, who is also a very infirm person of the age of 48 years; her occupation is that of a tailoress, by which she is unable to assist a little towards their common support.
Joseph Pratt


Sworn to and declared on the twenty sixth day of June, AD 1800 in open court
H. Y Cranston Clk

I Henry Y. Cranston Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Newport & State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is forty dollars & seventy nine cents

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on the twenty sixth day of June in the year of our Lord 1820
H. Y Cranston Clk
Page 9

I William Pratt of Freetown in the county of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts - being now at Newport - Do at request hereby testify & say That Joseph Pratt of Newport, State of Rhode Island, he entered the service of the United States in the Rhode Island line of the Army against the common enemy at the commencement of the war of the revolution with great Britain - in the month of May 1775,  as a drummer in a Regiment Commanded by Colonel Church & company commanded by Capt. John Lapham, since Colonel Topham late of said Newport deceased - for the term of eight months to serve at the siege of Boston - that at the expiration of said term he the said Joseph returned to Rhode Island & joined a line of new raised Troops composed of two Regiments of Infantry commanded by Colonels Sippett & Richmond & a company of Artillery - as Drum major for one year - say the year 1776 In which capacity (for ought I ever knew) he served thro, said year to universal satisfaction - at the conclusion of which period he the said Joseph ceased from further serving as aforesaid - making in the whole a term of one year & eight months, when he recd. an honorable discharge, since lost or mislaid - That the said Joseph is an infirm man upwards of seventy years of age in indigent circumstances, & as such needs the assistance of his government for the support of his family & himself -
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The undersigned further testifies & declares that he served all the year one thousand seven hundred & seventy six in the same corps with the said Joseph - 
Dated_ Newport R.I. July 16, 1818_ William Pratt

Newport ss at Newport this 16 July in the year 1818 personally appeared the above named William Pratt now in Newport aforesaid and made Solemn Oath to the Truth of the above written Certificate by him Subscribed. And I hereby certify that said William Pratt is a credible witness. 
and I further certify that Joseph Pratt is a poor man and in indigent circumstances and needs the assistance of his country for his support. 
Whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year above written - 
Daniel Denham Justice of the Court of Common Pleas
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks office Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the peace for the County of Newport. 
I hereby certify that Daniel Denham whose signature is affixed to the foregoing attestation is a Justice of the Court aforesaid duly commissioned & engaged under the Seal of said state. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this Tenth Day of September in the year of Lord one thousand eight hundred & eighteen & forty third of American Independence. 

H Y Cranston Clk
Page 12

The deposition of Joseph Rawson of Providence in the County of Providence who being engaged according to law testifies and says that in the month of December 1775 he enlisted into Capt L Westcoats company & into Col. William Richmond regiment of the army of the United States & Rhode Island line, for one year as a private & that he continued to serve in said corps untill his time expired & longer when he was honorably discharged.

And this deponent further testifies that he well remembers Joseph Pratt now residing in Newport, who was a drummer in said regiment . Said Pratt entered the regiment soon after this deponent did as a drummer in Capt. Church company, and continued to serve as drummer and drum major untill the end of the campaign when the regiment was disbanded in Jany 1777, when he was with the rest of the regiment discharged
Joseph Rawson

State of Rhode Island In Providence April 23d 1821

Personally appeared before me the above named deponent and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed, and I further certify that the said Lawson is well known to me and he is a credible and uninterested witness in the pensions
Wm H Smith Justice of Peace
Page 13

the deposition of Henry Alexander of Providence in the County of Providence who being engaged according to law testafies (sic) and says that in the month of January 1776 he enlisted as a sergeant in Capt. Riggs Company & Col. William Richmond's regiment of the Rhode Island line in which capacity he he served untill (sic) he was promoted to the rank of an Ensign, he then served as an officer untill (sic) the end of the campaign, in December or the first of January following.  And this deponent further testafies, (sic) that he well remembers Joseph Pratt of Newport, who was a drummer in said regiment said Pratt entered the regiment as a drummer in Capt Churches Company, about the time this deponent did & continued the service as drummer and drum Major untill (sic) the end of the Campaign, in the latter end December following or the first of January 77 when he was honorably discharged.
(signed) Henry Alexander

Providence }  In Providence 23d April 1821.
Personally appeared before me the above name deponent and made oath to the truth of the deposition by him signed & further certify that said deponent is personally known to me & is a credible & disinterested witness in the in the (illegible)
(signed) Wheeler Martin CJCCP
Page 14

Joseph Pratt
Drummer
Rhode Island line
Col Richmonds Rmt
November 1775 - 12 mo

18 April 1818

Applicant aged 70 yrs.
wife, 48 yrs old - no other family

Service proven by 3 witnesses one of whom was an Ensign in the same company with applicant

Schd:  $40.

Admd & (illegible)
J. L. E. 

Newport
Page 15

State of Rhode Island Secretarys Office
Providence Plantations }  May 7 1821.

I certify that at the Session of the General Assembly of said State holders at Newport on the first Wednesday of May AD 1818 Daniel Denham was elected second Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and for the county of Newport for the term of one year and commissioned accordingly.  That at the session of said Assembly holders at said Newport on the first Wednesday of May AD 1820 Henry Y Cranston was elected Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within said county for the term of one year; that at said last mentioned session Wheeler Martin was elected Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within the county of Providence for said term; and that at the same session William H. Smith
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was elected a Justice of the Peace for the town of Providence during said term; and that they have been (illegible) commissioned accordingly.  Wherefore (illegible) their several attestations aforesaid full faith and credit are to be rendered.
Witness:  Henry Bowen  Secry
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By his Excellency William C. Gibbs Esquire Governor Captain General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

Be it known that the name Henry Bowen to the foregoing certificate subscribed is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen Esquire who at the time of subscribing the same was Secretary of S and State duly elected and qualified according to Law wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.

Given under my hand and the Seal of said State at Newport this seventh day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one and of Independence the forty fifth
(signed) Wm C Gibbs

By His Excellency's Command
(signed) Henry Bowen Secry
Page 18

755
Rhode Island 
Margaret Pratt
widow of Joseph 
R.I.
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a drummer

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 3rd February 1853

Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd day of June 1853 and sent to Danl C. Denham Newport R.I.

Recorded on roll of pensioners under act July 29, 1848 Page 53 Vol. A, 1818
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 3rd February 1853 State of Rhode Island County of Newport

On this twenty eighth day of March A.D. 1853 personally appeared before George W. Taylor Esq. Judge of Probate of the town of Newport Margarett Pratt, formerly Margaret Daniels, a resident of Newport in said County aged eighty three years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of provisions made by the act of Congress, passed February 3, 1853, that she is the widow of Joseph Pratt who was a musician in the service of the United States in the War of the Revolution and who obtained a pension of ninety six dollars per year, that he resided in Newport State of Rhode Island and received his pension from the agent of the United States for paying pensions in Providence State of Rhode Island. 
She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Pratt on or about the tenth day of October in the year eighteen hundred and fifteen by the Rev. Daniel Webb, now deceased, that she has no evidence of her marriage other than a living witness who was present at the marriage; that her husband the aforesaid Joseph Pratt died on the fifth day of February A.D. eighteen hundred and thirty eight; that she was married to him at the time above stated. She further swears that she was a widow at the passage of the act, and is still a widow, and that she has never before made application for a pension.  
Margaret Pratt
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year before written
before George W. Taylor
Judge of Probate
And I further certify that the said Margaret Pratt was too aged and infirm to appear in open court and that the oath was administered to her at her place of residence and that she subscribed the same in my presence. George W. Taylor 
Judge of Probate
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State of Rhode Island }
County of Newport } ss

I hereby certify that George W. Taylor Esq before whom the foregoing declaration was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing Judge of Probate in and for the town of Newport in said county, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature aforewritten is genuine.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office as  Clerk of the Court of Probate of said town of Newport., this thirtieth day of March AD eighteen hundred and fifty three
(signed Benj.  B  Harland Prob. Clk

{Seal}

At a Court of Probate holders Newport March 5, 1838.
Be it remembered that sufficient evidence was addressed to prove to this Court that Joseph Pratt late of Newport deceased was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States in the State of Rhode Island in conformity with the laws of the United States of the 18th of March 1818 and 1 of May 1820 he having been late a drummer in the army of the Revolution and inscribed on the Pension list roll of the Rhode Island agency at the rate of Eight dollars per month commencing on the Eighteenth day of April 1818 as appears by a certificate of pension from the War Office of the United States dated the second day of August 1821 and signed by J. C. Calhoun, Secretary of War, and that said Joseph Pratt died at said Newport on the fifth day of February A.D. 1838 and that Margaret Pratt now living in said Newport still remained his widow, and that the evidence adduced is to the satisfaction of said Court.
Thereby certify that the above is a true copy of a record of said Court as recorded on the 10 of March 1838 Witness my hand and the seal of said Court this thirtieth day of March eighteen hundred and fifty three. 
(signed) Benj B. Harland Prob. Clk

[ Seal ]
Page 21

State of Rhode Island }
Newport  } ss

Town Clerks Office Town of Newport
March 30 1853

I Benjamin B Harland Town Clerk of the Town of Newport hereby certify I have examined the record of Marriages in this Office and do not find any record of the Marriage of Joseph Pratt and Margaret Pratt formerly Margaret Daniels.

Attest Benj B Harland Town Clerk

State of Rhode Island }
County of Newport    } ss
I Sarah Peckham of the town and county of Newport and State of Rhode Island being Fifty years of age on solemn oath do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Margaret Pratt formerly Margaret Daniels and now the widow of Joseph Pratt deceased late a pensioner of the United States for services rendered in the War of the Revolution that she is now living in Newport Rhode Island and is also an applicant for a pension, and that I well recollect being present at their marriage I do not recollect the year but know t was in the Fall of the year and believe it to be the time stated in the declaration of Mrs. Pratt.  Mr. Pratt was my mother's Brother I well recollect that we first went  to the Moravian Minister Rev. Mr. Towle and from thence we returned to the residence of Mrs. Pratt, when the Rev. Daniel Webb the Methodist Minister who performed the marriage ceremony in my presence was sent for and came to the house and the marriage took place at her house in  Clark Street, and I further testify that the said Margaret Pratt is now living.
(signed) Sarah Peckham

the words between 5th & 6 line from bottom done before signing.

Newport ss.  Newport April 15, 153 Then came Sarah Peckham above named and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition before me, and I certify that she is to my knowledge entitled as a witness to full faith. 
(signed) Wm. Douglas Lake Justice of the Peace
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State of Rhode Island }
County of Newport } ss   Clerks Office Supreme Court
I William Gilpin Clerk of the Supreme Court within and for the county of Newport do hereby certify that William D. Lake is a Justice of the Peace in the town of Newport in said county duly elected commissioned and sworn and is fully authorized to act in his said capacity and that by the laws of this State he is authorized to administer oaths and that his signature aforewritten is Genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court on this sixteenth day of April AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
(signed) Wm Gilpin
Clerk Sup. Court
[ Seal ]
Page 23

Newport April 18th 1853

Hon. Lorenzo P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
I send enclosed the application of Margaret Pratt widow of Joseph Pratt decd. for a pension under the act of Congress passed February 3d 1853, will you please give the same your attention as soon as convenient and forward certificate to me

Respectfully Yours
Daniel C. Denham
Page 24

Pension Office,
June 16, 1853.

Sir,
Please certify the time to which Joseph Pratt, a revolutionary pensioner, was paid; or (if the information be on file in your office,) the date of his death. He was inscribed on the Rhode Island Rolls, as a drummer, at $8 per month, under the act of March 18, 1818 - pension payable at the Providence Agency.
Very Respectfully
Your Ob't Servt.
L P Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions 

Died 5th Feb. 1838, Paid to his death 
F Burt Auditor

Francis Burt Esq
Third Auditor,
Treasury Department.
Page 25

April 20/1800

No 1504
Appl of Margaret Pratt

widow of Joseph Pratt

Rhode Island
S.21
Admitted $96 per annum
Commencing 3d Feb 1853
Act 3d Feby 1853

Revy:

Danl C. Denham
Newport
R Island

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Pension Office, Official Business
Page 26

Pratt
Page 27

Brief in the case of Margaret Pratt, widow of Joseph Pratt, Newport County and State of Rhode Island act 3d February 1853.

Claim, ("original")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.   Husband was a pensioner under the Act of March 18, 1818.  Marriage proved by parol testimony, only certified to be credible.

(If for increase.)  
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?  


Daniel C. Denham Esqr
Newport,
Rhode Island
Name and residence of Agent

(signed) R. Geddes
Examining Clerk.
Page 28

FREE (STAMPED)

Addressed:  Hon. Lorenzo P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Postmarked:
NEWPORT
APR 15
R. I. 

(ILLEGIBLE) Written across the address
Page 29

O. W. & N. Division.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,

3

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Jos Pratt W.9240, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you will please find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1775
LENGTH OF SERVICE.  8 mo
RANK.  Drummer
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Topham  Colonel  Church 
STATE  R. I.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPINTMENT 1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE.  1 yr
RANK.   Drum Maj.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Lem Bailey and Captain Nathaniel Church, Colonel Wm. Richmond
STATE.  R. I.

Battles engaged in,  none
Residence of soldier at enlistment:,  Little Compton, RI
Date of application for pension, Apr 18 1818
Residence at date of application, Newport R.I.
Age at date of application,  70 yrs.
Remarks:  (illegible)

J P Mumford
Nat Bk Ref.
Phila.

Very respectfully, 

(blank)
Commissioner. 

13603 b--3 m
Page 30

J. P. Mumford
National Bank of the Republic

P

Philadelphia, Jan13/93

Dear Sir

I am desirous of getting the record of Joseph Pratt who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War enlisted a Private in Col Topham Regiment of the Brigade from Rhode Island.

Joseph Pratt lived and died in Newport R. I. (d. about 1838 and at his
Page 31

death & for some year previously he was a pensioner of the US and his name & record are therefore will probability  make roll in your Bureau.
Page 32

May I ask to whom I must make application for this information.

Pardon me for writing to you but I know of no other place to apply.

Yours Respectfully
J. P. Mumford

Gen. W. Lochren
Comm of Pensions.
Page 33

Feb 2  HIst 
Mumord Phila Pa

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No.  9240
Margaret Pratt
Wid
Joseph Pratt
Drum Rev War

Act:  July 29  1848
Index: -- Vol.  M,  Page 140

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

1894
J P