Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38999, for Reuben Pearce, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
Navy
R.I.
Pearce, Reuben

NUMBER
S.38999

CONTENTS
Page 2

Statement of
Reuben Pearces
Property
$169
Page 3

I, Reuben Pearce of Providence in the County
of Providence in the State of Rhode Island &
who at the time the act to provided for certain
persons engages in the land and naval service
of the United States in the revolutionary war,,
passed on the 18 day of March 1818 lived in
the Town of North Providence
aforesaid and
am the owner and posses of the following
Property to wit.
Furniture            $75
Groceries _______100        
Shoes ___________105
Waggon _________   7
one Gold watch _  20
Cash ____________   25
Income of a lot of land which I      
hold for life worth 20 dollars per   
annumes for five years     100
---
$432
I now owe at this time    263
---
$169
I have at this time a wife three
Children and a blind father in law which
I wholly support and I am now Sixty five
years old    Providence May 19th 1820
Reuben Pearce

I Reuben Pearce do solemnly swears that
I was a resident Citisen of the united States
on the 18 day of March one thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen and that I
have not serve that time by gift sale or in
any manner whatever, disposed of my Property
Page 4

or any part thereof with intent thereof so
to diminish it as to bring myself within
the provisions 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 on the 18 day of March 1818 and
that I have not nor has any person
in trust for me any property or Security
contonusly or debts due to me nor have
I any income other than what is
contained in the Shedule here unto annexed
and by me subscribed so help me God.
Reuben Pearce

State of Rhode Island & Providence Ss
Providence  May 19 1820 Then Captain
Reuben Pearce Subscribed to the within
or foregoing Inventory and oath,
and made oath to the same agreeable
to the act of Congress in addition of an
an entitled an act to provide for certain
persons engaged in the land and naval
Service of the United States in the revolutionary
war passed May 1 1820
Witness Wheeler Martin C J C C P
Page 5

Providence Ss Special Court of Common Pleas
June 6th 1820.
In Court at my Chamber holden
on the [illegible] day of June AD. 1820
I do hereby consider and adjudge
Captain Reuben Peaces Property after
paying his honest debt is worth
$169 Dollars Witness Wheeler Martin
C J C C Pleas

Copy of the original on file
Wheeler Martin C J C C P

Rhode Island Districts

Clerk's Office Court of Common Pleas
for the County of Providence
I Dexter Randall Clerk of said Court do hereby
Certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule
thereto annexed are truly copied from the
record of said Court; and I do further certify that
it is the opinion of the said special Court that the
amounts in value of the property exhibited in the
aforesaid Schedule. is, after paying his honest
Debts, one hundred and sixty nine Dollars -

In testimony whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand. and affixed the seal of said
Court on this Sixteenth day of June AD 1820
Witness Dexter Randall Clerk of said County
Page 6

Reuben Pearce
Priv:

Col. Richmonds
R. Island Regt
1776 - 1 Year

15 Feby 1820
Wheeler Martin, Es
Providence
R. I.
The credibility vz. of Caleb
Pearce, should be certified.

Providence C of
Page 7

5768
Reuben Pearce.
Providence Co: R.I.
15. February, 1820.

[section of crossed out text]

Wheeler Martin, judg
Provide R. Island.
Recd 22 Feb. 4 1820.
Page 8

State of Rhode Island & Providence Ss
on this the fifteenth day of February AD1820.
before me the subscriber Chief Justice of the
Court of Common Pleas for the County of
Providence in said State personally appears
Reuben Pearce of Providence in the County
of Providence aged Sixty five years who by
me was first duly sworn according to law
doth on his oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the the
Provision made by the late act of Congress
entitled "an act to provide for certain persons
engaged in the same and naval service
of the United States in the revolutionary
war. That he the said Reuben Pearce
enlisted in the State of Rhode Island & in company commanded by
Captain Benjamin Dimonds in the year
AD 1776 on the first day of
January
for one year and Served Ten months in
said Company in the Regiment Commanded
by Col William Richmond which Regiment
was upon the Continental Establishment
Reserved in said Regiment untill there
came listing orders to list men for the
Ship Providence and then hewas honorably
discharged from said regiment and permitted
to enlist on board said ship.  Providence
Page 9

after hewas discharged from the ship Provident
hewas in the U States Services at the white
Plains and after which was at the
Battle of Bennington State of Vermont
in the service of his country & 
And he is reduced in his Circumstances
and Stand in need of the assistance
of his Country for support and that
he has no other evidence of his service
at command but the annexed depositions
Reuben Pearce

Sworn to and declared before me the
day and year aforesaid Wheeler Martin
C J C C P

I further Certify that it appears to my ┃
satisfaction that the said Reuben Pearce.
did serve in the revolutionary war as stated
in the preceding declaration against the
the Common Enemy and I further Certify
to the respectability of Henry Alexander
but was not acquainted with Caleb Pearce
whose depositions are here unto annexed
and I now transmit the proceedings and
Testimony taken and had before me
Page 10

I Henry Alexander of Providence in the
County of Providence of lawful age and
engaged according to law testify and say
That Reuben Pearce was a soldier in a
Company commanded by Captain Benjamin
Dimond in the Regiment commanded
by Col. William Richmond in this
Rhode Island line, that said Pearce
enlisted in said Company on the first
day of January 1776 and continued
to serve in said Company and regiment 
for ten months, when he was honorably
discharged and enlisted in the Service
of his Country on board the Ship -
Providence. That said Company and
regiment was upon the Continental
Establishment and further the deponent
saith not     Henry Alexander

Providence. Feby 15 1820
Then Ensign Henry Alexander made with to
the above deposition before me Wheeler Martin
C J C C Pleas
Page 11

State of New York }
Niagara County     } SS

Caleb Pearce of Hamburgh in
said County being duly sworn
deposeth and on his oath
sayeth that he is personally acquainted
with Reuben Pearce of Providence in the
State of Rhode Island ~ That in that
years 1776 he served[crossed out] the said Reuben
served as a Private in the company
commanded by Capt Benjamin
Deming
of Col. William Richmonds Regiment
of Rhode Island continental troops
in the service of the United States
for more than nine months- That
this deponent together with the said
Reuben enlisted in said Company a
served with him at the same time
and that this deponent has no
interest whatever in the claim
of the said Reuben on the U. St
for a pension and further Sajt
not       Caleb Parce

Sworn to and Subscribed
this 29th day of January 1820
before me
Ch. Townsend
Judge of Court of Com pleas
Page 12

State of New York
Niagara County Ss

I John E Marshall clerk of
said County do hereby certify that
Charles Townsend before whom the
within affidavit appears to have
been taken is and was on the d[illegible]
and date of the same a Judge of
the Court of Common Pleas in and
for said County [following crossed out] acting under the authority of this state[end cross out] 
duly authorised by the laws of this state to take such 
affidavit - and further that I am acquainted with the hands
writing of said Judge, and verily believe that the signature
of "Ch Townsends" is his own proper hand writing

In testimony
whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix
the County seal at Buffalo January 29, 1820
John E Marshall Clk
by. D. Remington  Dep -
Page 13

to the Secretary of the war department
Pursuant to the act of Congress passed in
the month of March 1818.
Wheeler Martin
C J C C Pleas
---
State of Rhode Island & Providence Ss

I Dexter Randall Esquire Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Providence
do certify that Wheeler Martin Esquire who
has subscribed the annexed Certificate is Chief 
Justice of said Court. In Testimony of the
truth of which I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said Court
[illegible] Feby 15 1820
Dexter Randall Clk

State of Rhode Island and Providence Ss
I Wheeler Martin Chief Justice of the Court of Common
Pleas for the County of Providence Certify that
I am well acquainted with Reuben Pearce and have
been for thirty years and that he is reduced in
his circumstances and stands in need of the
assistance of his County for support
Prov d Feby 15 1820
Witness Wheeler Martin C J C C.P
Page 14

state that the Groceries exhibited
in 1st sched: have been sold, &
the money used for support of the 
family- states his life estate has
been sold, & the proceeds used
for support of the family & for the
payment of debts. says his interest
in said land was in common
with others. Deed to Wilbur
Kelly, dated 6 May 1823 -
consideration, $300. Conveys
the land in fee but says
the land was set off to him in the
division of property belonging to
estate of his late wife.-- The
deed is not certified under seal

[illegible]
Benjn Cowell Esqr
April 24th 1826
Providence
R. I.

Let. B.B. Thornton
Jan 4/55

[right page]
R. Island

original claim - see Register
fol. 140. - 
Reuben Pearce - Private
aged 60 yr. - a shoemaker -
sickly, & cannot work at his trade
wife, 41 yr. old. - 2 sons,
& 2 daughters grown up, but do
not live in the family. -
=
served 1 yr in 1776. -
=
. Sched: exhibits "Furniture, $7[rest missing]
Groceries  100 [rest missing]
Shoes  105.2[rest missing]
Waggon   7.[illegible]
Gold watch _____20.00
Cash ____________25.00
(Life estate in land worth $20/ year 100.00
for 5 years)            $433.[illegible]
Says he owes    ___26[illegible]

Balance ___ $15,[illegible]
This claim was not admitted,
on account of property.-
=
2d Sched: dated 23 June 1823 -
& exhibits 1 old gun - 1 old silver
watch. 1 desk - 1 table. 7 chairs
shovel & tongs - 1 pr Andirons
20 pr shoes & 6 plates- the
value  by the court, at [illegible]50.
Page 15

Copy Deed
Reuben Pearce to William
Kelly
Page 16

Know all men by these Presents that I Reuben Pearce
of Providence in the State of Rhode Island in consideration
of three hundred dollars paid me by Wilbur Kelly of North
Providence in the State aforesaid, the receipt whereof I do
hereby acknowledge do hereby give grant sell and convey unto
the said Wilbur Kelly his heirs and assigns- a certain lot of
land situate in North Providence aforesaid Containing eight
acres bounded Northerly on land of Mahala Brown southerly 
and Westerly by land of William N Rhode & his wife -
and easterly by land of Martha Pearce, the right of which
I purchaced of Joseph Pearce and is the same lot set off to me
in the division of the real estate of my late wife Eve Pearce
which will fully appear by referance to the division deed
and plot on which it is numbered Two in the records of said North
Providence- To have and to hold the aforegranted premises with
its appurtenances to the said Wilbur Kelly his heirs and assigns to his
and their use and behoof forever. And I do covenant formyself my heirs
Executors and administrators with the said Kelly his heirs and assigns that I
am lawfully seized in fee of the aforegranted premises; that they are free of
all encumberances and that I will warrant and defend the same to the
said Kelly his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and
demands of all persons_ further I do hereby yeald up and surrender
and quit claim to the said Kelly his heirs and assigns forever all right
I have of possession of the aforegranted premises together with all right
of Possession I have in and to a certain lot of land set off to Martha
Pearce in the division of her mother Eve Pearces Estate, late of said
North Providence deceased - In witness where of I the said
Reu [rest torn off]
Page 17

Reuben Pearce together with my wife Catharine Pearce in token
of her relinquishing her right of dower, have hereunto set our hands
Seals this 6th day of May AD 1823
Signed Sealed & deliverd
Reuben Pearce
Catharine Pearce } Seals
in presence of-
Wm Aplin
Joseph O Pearce
Providence May 6th 1823
Then Reuben Pearce and Catharine Pearce
severally acknowledged the foregoing to be
their free act and deed before me
Wm Aplin Jus. Peace

I certify that the above
and foregoing is a true copy of a deed
recorded in North Providence May 8th. 1823
Wm N Rhodes Town Clerk

Copy Deed
Reuben Pearce to Wilber
Kelly
Page 18

Sis page 140. Reg r
Schedule of Reuben
Pearce
Page 19

United States of America
Rhode Island District
County of Providence, Special District Court.
June 23d AD 1823

On this 23d day of June AD 1823 personally appeared in open Court
being a Court of record within said District, Reuben Pearce aged 68
years residing in the town of Providence in said County, who being
duly sworn makes the following declaration in order to obtain
the provisions of the Acts of Congress of March 18th 1818, & May 1st
1820 & March 1st 1823 viz, said Reuben declares that in the month
of November 1775 he enlisted as a private in Capt. B. Dimons company
& in Col. Wm Richmond's regiment of the Rhode Island Line,
in the Revolutionary War for one year & that he continued untill
October AD 1776 when he had permission to enlist on board the
Frigate Providence which he did accordingly & was discharged from
said regiment - And the said Reuben further declares that in
the Spring of 1778 he enlisted for nine months in Col. Brewers regiment 
& was stationed at West point & was in the Brigade of Gen.
Patterson said Reuben was also in the militia at the battle of
Bennington under General Stark_

And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizin 
of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand
eight hundred & eighteen; and that I have not since that time by
gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or
any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to
bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled
"An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval
service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the
eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred & eighteens:
that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property
Page 20

or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income
other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by
me subscribed
Reuben Pearce
Schedule of property & income, necessary cloathing & bedding excepted
of Reuben Pearce - viz - 1 old gun, old silver watch. 1 common
desk, 1 table, 7 common chairs, 1 pair of shovel & tongs, 1 pair of
andirons, 20 pair of shoes, 6 plates, other than the above he has no
property of any description except as above excepted, and the
said Reuben further declares that he is a shoemaker by trade
but is entirely unable to work at that buisness in consequence of ill
health, that for the last four months he has been confined by severe
sickness to his house-- that he has a wife aged 41 years, also 2 sons 
& 2 daughters, who however do not live with him being grown up
and the said Reuben further declares that his first application
for a pension in 1820 was rejected on account of his property, & in
regard to which the following changes have taken place-- The life
interest which he had in a small real estate mentioned in sd application
which however was owned in common with others has since been sold
to Wilbur Kelly & the proceeds which belonged to him were 
appropriated towards payment of his debts, a copy of the deed is herewith
annexed - And as to the groceries mentioned in his former 
application they have been all sold & the money spent in the 
maintenance of himself & family - that at present he is almost wholly
destitute of property & being very sick & not able to work at his
trade he must depend on private charity ere long unless he 
receives assistance from his country, to which he thinks himself
entitled under the acts of Congress aforesaid-
Reuben Pearce

June 23d 1823
Sworn to in open Court
Witness Benja Cowell Clk

valuation $50-
Page 21

Rhode Island District Sc
Clerk's Office U.S. District Court.
Sep 10 1823-
I Benjamin Cowell Clerk of said Court do hereby certify, that
it appears to the satisfaction of the Court, that 
the said Reuben Pearce did serve in the Revolutionary
war, as stated in the preceding declaration
against the common enemy, for the term of nine
----
50
----
months, under one engagement, on the continental establishment
I also certify that the foregoing oath & the schedule thereto annexed
are truly copied from the records of the said Court, & 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 fifty
dollars.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed
the seal of the said Court, on this 10 September 1823
Benjamin Cowell
Clerk of said Court

and I also certify that the Depositions of Henry Alexander and
Caleb Whitman hereto annexed are truly copied from the originals
now on file in my office duly compared by me.
Benjamin Cowell
Clerk of sd Court
Page 22

I Caleb Whitman of Coventry in the County of Kent on solemn
oath do testify & say that in the month of January 1776 I enlisted
as a private in Capt. Dimon's Company & Col. Wm Richmonds regiment
in the army of the United States & in the Rhode Island Line for
one year & continued to serve therein untill my time expired & for
my services have received a pension - 
And I the said Caleb 
farther testify & say that I well remember Reuben Pearce now
residing in the town of Providence who was a private in said
Company & regiment also - said Reuben belonged to the company when
I joined it & continued therein doing his duty faithfully untill
he was permitted to go on board the Frigate Providence in October
following said Reuben had belonged to said regiment about two
months before I joined it as I understood-- these facts are within
my perfect recollection-
Caleb Whitman

Rhode Island District
In Providence Sept 9th 1823.
Personally appeared before me the above named Caleb
Whitman & made oath to the above deposition by him signed & I
further certify that said Deponent is personally known to me
& that I know of nothing to impeach his character as a 
disinterested witness in the premises -
Benja Cowell
Commissioner
Dist. Court
R.I. Dist
Page 23

I Henry Alexander of Providence in the County of Providence
in the State of Rhode Island on oath certify & say declare that
I was formerly an Ensign in Col. Richmond's regiment of the
Revolutionary army in the Rhode Island Line - that I served
in said regiment from January 1776 until the regiment was
disbanded - And I the said Henry further testify that I am
well acquainted with Reuben Pearce now resident in said 
Providence have known him ever since the war. Said Reuben was a
private in said Regiment - he belonged to it at the time I
entered, was attached to Capt. Dimons Company & continued to serve
therein untill October following when he was discharged
said regiment was revised as early as November 1775 but I
did not join it untill January following - said Reuben belonged 
to it at the time I entered it, but I cannot say at what time he
joined it. I have no dont however he joined it in November 1775
Henry Alexander
-
Rhode Island District Sc
In Providence July 17th 1823-
Personally appeared before me the above named Henry 
Alexander & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by
him signed & I further certify that said Deponent is well
known to me & that I know of nothing to impeach his credit
as a disinterested witness in the premises -
Benjamin Cowell
Commissioner of the
Dist. Court for
R. I. District
Page 24

I Isaac Burr of Rehoboth in the County of Bristol
State of Massachusetts of lawful age and engaged
according to law testify and say I am well acquainted
with Caleb Pearce of Buffaloe in the State of New York
said Caleb Pearce was born in the Town of
Swansey in the State aforesaid and he was well
known to me thirty years age and I have ever
understood he was a man of truth and to believed when
he should testify to any fact and 
further the deponent
Saith not
Isaac Burr

Sworn to before me
June 16th 1820
Wheeler Martin C J C C P

I Molly Burr of Rehoboth aforesaid do testify
and say I am well acquainted with Caleb Peace
of Buffuloe who formerly lived in Swanesy in
the State of Massachusetts, and I never understood
but he was aman of truth and was to be
believed as to any fact he should swers to
under oath and further the deponent
saith not
Molly Burr

Attest W Martin   
June 16th 1820. Sworn to before me
Wheeler Martin C J C C P
Page 25

United States of America.
State of Rhode Island &c 

I Wheeler Martin Chief Justice of the Court
of Common Pleas for the County of Providence
in the State afore said to Certify 
that I 
am well acquainted with Isaac Burr
who signed the within affidavit and have
been  acquainted with him for Twenty years
more and he is reputed as a honest
up right man in his Character and
I believe his intentions and to swear to the
truth and nothing but the truth and
his wife Molly Burr is a woman of
a reputable Character and I have no
doubt of the truth of what they have
Sworn to on the other side of this
Paper. In Testimony of the true of
which I have here unto set my
Seal. Done at Providence June 16
1820
Wheeler Martin C J C C Pleas

[seal on bottom left hand side]
Page 26

State of Rhode Island & Providence SS on this the twenty Eight
day of June AD. 1820 before me the Subscriber Chief Justice of the Court
of Common Pleas for the County of Providence in said State personally
appears Reuben Pearce of Providence in the County of Providence
aged Sixty five years who by me was first duly Sworn according,
to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the Provisions made by  the late act of Congress
entitled u 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 Reuben Pearce enlisted in the State of
Rhode Island & in a Company Commanded by Captain Benjamin
Dimonds on the first day of January AD 1776 for one year and
Served untill the last day of October or about 1776 it being nine months
and more
in said Company in the Regiment Commanded by Col William
Richmond of the Rhode Island line which said Regiment
was then recognized by the Congress of the united States as
being on the Continental Establishment, he served in said
Regiment these nine months and more and then came listing orders to
list men for the Ship Providence and then he was honorably
discharged from said regiment by the then Commanding
officer and permitted to enlist on board said ship Providence
one of the Vessels of war of the united States. after he was
discharged from the ship Providence. he was in the service of
of the United States at the White Plains and was at the
Battle at Bennington State Vermont in the service of
his country. And he is in reduced Circumstances and stands
in need of the assistance of his Country for Support and
that he has no other evidence of his service as Command
but the annexed depositions,
Reuben Pearce

Sworn to and declared before me the
day and year aforesaid
Wheeler Martin C J C C P
Page 27

I further certify that it appears to my Satisfaction that
the said Reuben Pearce did serve in the revolutionary war
as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common
enemy and I further certify to the respectiability of Henry
Alexander aman who I am well acquainted with. Caleb
Pearce I do not know. but[crossed out] Isaac Burr and Molly
Burr have made affidavit before me and there in
have declared he is aman of honesty and truth or
words to that import. which affidavits are amongst
the annext papers, and I now trans mit the -
Procedings and testimony taken and had before me
to the Secrtary of the war department pensions
to the act of Congress passed in the month of March
1818.
Witness Wheeler Martin
C J C C Pleas [Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas]
-------------
I have taken the declaration of Reuben Peace a new,
which varies but a little from that of 15 day of February
1820. I have known Reuben Pearce over thirty five years.
he has ever been an industrious man; he is now poor
having lost his property by indorsing for, others. he has
anumerious family amongst which a blind father
in cares to support. he is advanced in age and
wants his Country, aid at this time. There cannot be
any doubt of his services. for my father who was at
that time one of the Committee of safety actually
did engaged him to go into his County Service
my father is dead or his testimony would been had
Wheeler Martin
Page 28

3 - 871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Briefed by J. M. Hardy, Nov. 15, 1910.
Claim No. [blank]
Certificate No. [blank]
Claimant [blank]
Soldier Reuben Pearce, Peirce
Pearse, Pierce or Pierse
Service.
Additional Service Rev.
190.
No. ___ claim, State records ___ , 190_
No claim, combination record ___ , 190_

REMARKS:
No O.W. Inv. Wid. or
Rej. except S.F. 38999.
and hence not able
to find admitted
jacket of said claim.
______
0-8     Chief Division
Page 29

S.F. 38999
Cif. 5768.
Page 30

The law requires, that
the time of leaving the 
service. Should be stated in the
declaration.  Where the
period of service is so short
it is indispensible
22 June 1820

See new statement
Page 31

R. Island
Mr Reuben Pearce
Claim rejected on account
of amount of property

See letter of July 1820
directed to applicant care
of Wheeler Martin Esq
Providence R Id
Page 32

38 999
INVALID.

Revy

File No. 38,999
Reuben Pearce
Pri Rev War

Act: 18 March 18
Index: -  Vol. 8,  Page 389
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 33

Providence Oct 13 1832
Sir
I herewith enclose the Schedule of
Reuben Pearce, pursuant of the acts of
Congress
respectfully your obt svt
Benja Cowell

JL Edwards Esq
Page 34

PROVIDENCE R.I. OCT 17 [Postal Stamp]

150
James L Edwards Esq
Superintend t of the pension office
Washington

Page 140-Reg r
Original 
Reuben Pearce

Benj. Cowell
Providence, R.I.

Recd. 22 Octo: 1823