Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21571, Peregrine White, R.I.
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R. I. White, Peregrine  S21571
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29909
Pg Rhode Island
Pregreine White widow 29909

Newport in the State of Rhode Island
who was a private in the compy commanded
by Captain Wilbur of the Rg commanded by
W Church in the R I troops line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831, until 29 Sept 1832

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of April  1825 and sent A R Brownett
Little Compton R. I
Arrears to the 4th of Sei-anl allowance ending 3
125.54
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded [page corner torn off] Vol. 2 Page 135
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State of Rhode Island & Newport Sc.

Services of Peregrine White, of Tinerton, in thhe State of Rhode Island, as taken down in writing September, 1832, from his own statement in presence of Alex R. Brownele and others - a short time previous to his last sickness and death, by Chris E. Robbins.

Peregrine White, of Tinerton, in the State of Rhode Island, a revolutionary soldier, age 83 years / would have been 84 in November 1832/ for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress of June 7th, 1832, declares and says, that in May 1775, in consequence of the alarm spread through the country by the Lexington fight, there was a beat for volunteers, and the act passed the General Assembly of this State for the immediate raising of a brigade of eight months men, to consist of three regiments - one to be commanded by Col. Thomas Church, one by Col. Hitchcock of Providence, and the third and last by Col. Varnum from the west part of the State. Genl. Nathaniel Greene was the Brigadier General. The men in these regiments were enlisted for a term of eight months, commencing in May 1775.
The said Peregrine White was a private in the company commanded by Captain Aaron Wilbur in the regiment before mentioned of Col. Thomas Church; enlisted about the twenty fifth day of May 1775, and entered in the service the whole of said term. Major Sylvester Brownett now resided in Little Compton was a private in the
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same company with the said White, and is knowing to these facts. The regiment equipped themselves for service and marched immediately to Boston. The said White was stationed at Jamaica Plains, near Roseburg (Mass) and, when the battle of Bunker Hill was fought, was ordered with the rest of the Rhode Island regiments to the [?] fence of that town, where the enemy was confidently expected. 
Their next post was Prospect Hill, in the same neighborhood, where White continued with his company until about January 25th 1776 when their terms of service expiring, the whole of the company was discharged. When the terms of enlistment had ended no written discharge was furnished them, but they were drawn up in line, and dismissed by their commanding officer.
said White served as before mentioned in this company eight entire months.
Having returned to Rhode Island in the winter of 1775-6. White went to sea; was captured by a British sloop of war and carried into Jamaica. Having finally obtained his release, White returned to Rhode Island in the winter of 
1776-7
Near the last day of January 1777 - the British being then in great force at the island of Rhode Island, said White was draughted, and immediately enter upon duty as a private , in one of the companies of militia in Little Compton, for the purpose of standing guard on the shores of that town to check the incursions of the enemy. White continued engaged in this duty from the date last mentioned until September 1779 when the British finally evacuated the Island - with the exception of one month, when he served as a private and substitute for Thomas Wilbur in the
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expedition prepared and intended to be conducted by Major General Spencer against the enemy at Rhode Island, but which was eventually given up. The arrangement of guard duty in Little Compton was to the following effect, [?]] one half of the company was called up on duty for one month, which was then relieved by the other half the succeeding month, and so on, alternately, so long as the necessity for a guard continued, the whole company in the mean time being liable to duty and ready to be called into service at a moment's warning.

Said White was engaged in guard duty in his own turn, and five months as a substitute for his father /deceased/ and others not recollected - making in the whole twenty one months actual duty as guard. He recollects Capt. David Hilliard and Capt. George Simmons as the officers who were chiefly in command during the service aforesaid.

As mentioned in the last passages apl. preceding of this statement, said Peregrine White served one month also as a private and substitute for Thomas Wilbur deceased in a company of Little Compton militia, whih was engaged in the expeditions under Genl Spencer in July 1777   Having served out the term of his order principal - said White was discharged and returned as before stated to his guard duty in Little Compton. Spencers troops were collected on the main land in the adjoining States of Massachusetts & Rhode Island -  with a view of making a descent on the Island then garrisoned by the British  but it was finally given up.

Immediately after the French troops under the Count Rochambeau had proceeded from Rhode Island on the march to the South /78 said White was again draughted and served one month as a private in
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the company of Little Compton militia commanded by Capt. George Simmons, which was ordered and marched to Rhode Island to do garison duty after the departure of the French. Said White was employed as a private of this company in the management of a boat to convey rations tools ia from Newport to Brenton's Point
where the company was stationed. After a months service therein, White was discharged.

Thus the services of Peregrine White of Tinerton R. I. in the Revolutionary war comprehended the following periods and terms of service, viz.
1. Eight months service in the regiment of State troops commanded by Col. Thomas Church, employed at the commencement after Revolution in and about the neighbourhood of Boston.
2 Twenty one months service as a private in his own term, and as substitute/ in the companies of Gittie Comp. ten militia employed to guard the shores of that town from the incursions of the enemy.
3. One months service as a private in the army 
of Gen. Spencer, July 1777
4. One months service in Capt. Simmons company of Little Compton militia after the departure of the French from R. I.

Making in the whole thirty one months or two years, seven months, actual duty, as a private in the war of the Revolution.
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State of Rhode Island & Newport Sc.
Alexander R. Brownell of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, upon solemn oath deposes and says, that some time in September 1832 Peregrine White of Tinerton in the same state - a revolutionary soldier -aged 83 years, came to his house in Little Compton for the purpose of furnishing minutes of his service to E. E. Robbins Esq - who had engaged to draw his delaration - that owing ng to the press of business at that time and so many attending for examination, minutes of his service were taken by said Robbins - but no declaration drawn into forms, that said White then returned to Tinerton - and prior to the subsequent meeting, when his declaration would have been attended to, sickened and died.
This deponent - further states, that the statement now annexed to the minutes these papers conforms in every particular to the minutes before mentioned as taken by him said White - and as he believes is an exact & faithful account of his Revolutionary services
This deponent further states upon oath, that he was present & heard the narrative of said White as detailed to his counsel - and that he| the said White always had the reputation in this neighbourhood of having served in the Revolution- - and of being a man of truth

Ar F. Brownell
Court of Probate Town of Little Compton 
August 30th 1834
Then personally appeared, Alexander
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R. Brownell, subscribes to the foregoing deposition and having first heard said the statement of Peregrine White deceasedt tents appended | made solemn oath that said deposition contains the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The bond further certifies; that said Alexander R Brownell is a man of good character of truth & veracity.

n witness whereof I, Jediah Shaw, find, Judge of said Court,  have hereunto set any/ or and these 'of Court  the day & year above written.
Jediah Shaw (signature)
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State of Rhode Island & Newport Sc.

Gideon Church of Little Compton in the county of Newport and State aforesaid, of lawful age, upon solemn oath, doth testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Peregrine White, late o Teverton, deceased, the statement of whose services has this day been read to me in open Court - that he is knowing to the facts that said White, a short time previous to his death, came to the house of Alexander R. Brownelle at the Commons in Little Compton for the purpose of furnishing the materials for drawing his declaration - that a statement was then taken down by C. E. Rollins Esq in writing, from the narrative of said White - which, as he well recollects informed in every particular to the statement now furnished.  Deponet also has often heard said White in his life time relate to his friends the same facts.  That owing to the press of business & the number of persons attending with their statements, it was impossible at that time to frame his declaration. And that said White, having returned to his home in consequence of his infirmities and very advanced aged was afterwards unable to attend, and soon sickened and died.

This deponet is well knowing to the service stated by said Peregrine White, in the company of State troops commanded by Captain Aaron Wilburn in Col. Thomas Church's regiment - which marched to Boston May 1775 - and White performed therein eight months duty twas discharged January 1778.
Deponent recollects distinctly  that White
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was engaged also in guard duty in Little Compton, during the occupation of Rhode Island by the British  and he  has no doubt that he served for the whole length of time mentioned in his statement. He recollects parts and only that White was a private in this service in the company commanded by Captain David Hilliard - was stationed at the Red House, where to his certain knowledge he did duty for six months -
Gideon Church (signed)

Court of Probate Town of Little Compton, August 30th 1834

Then personally appeared Gideon Church of Little Compton, subscriber to the foregoing deposition and | having first read the statement of Peregrine White hereto appended & made solemn oath, that said deposition contains the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The Court hereby certifies that said Gideon Church is a person of good character veracity - that his statements are entitled to credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set the seal of said hand - the day and year before written
A.r  R Brownell  Probate Clerk
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State of Rhode Island & Newport  Sc

John Brown of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, upon solemn oath deposes and says, that he was well acquainted with Peregrine White, late of Tineston, deceased, the statement of whose services has this day been read to him in open court - that he has full confidence & belief that the services therein set forth were all rendered by said Peregrine, who was a man of fair character & unimpeached veracity - & who to the knowledge of this deponent made a similar statemen, when he came to this place, September 1832 for the purpose of furnishing materials for his declaration  which from press of business was not drawn.  That soon after that meeting said White was confined, as the deponent was informed & believes to his house by sickness --
where in a few weeks, he died.

This deponat further swears on oath, that he is knowing to the fact, that said White was a private and served organized duty in Little Compton, during the time of the occupation of Rhode Island by the British - particularly in a company of militia, where deponent was a private; commanded by Captain David Hilliard, at the Red House, a noted station in that town..
This deponent knows, that said White served there a term of six months actual duty - one half in his own account, and the other half as a substitute for his father.  That he served elsewhere & for the length of time stated  he has no doubt whatever
John Brown
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Court at Probate - Town of Little Compton, August 30th 1834

Then personally appeared John Brown, subscriber to the foregoing deposition, and | having first heard read the statement f Peregrine White (hereto appendex) made solemn oath, that said deposition contains the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The Court hereby certifies; that said Brown is a person of good character and veracity, and that his statements are entitled to credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the sal of said hand, the day and year above written. 
A R. Brownell  Probate Clerk
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7
State of Rhode Island & Newport Sc

Sylvester Brownell of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, upon solemn oath, doth depose and say, that he was well acquainted with Peregrine White, late of Tiverton deceased, whose statement of services in the time of the Revolution had now been read to him in open Court - and that he has full faith and confidence, that every part thereof is correct and true  Said White was a soldier of the Revolution, and always was ?  a fair character for integrity and truth.  This deponent can speak with certainty as to one period of the services of said White.  In April or May 1775 - soon after Lexington battle - and in consequence of the alarm in the country - three regiments of State troops were raised in Rhode Island, one under Col. Varnum - ones commanded by Col. Hitchcock of Providence - and one by Col. Thomas Church.  Nathaniel Greene, afterwards as Celebrated in the Revolution, was the Brigadier General.
Said White was a private in Capt. Aaron Wilbur's company of Col. Thomas Church's regiment.  enlisted in May ( he thinks) 775 & served the whole term for which said regiment was raised. The troops were first stationed in Rosebury Mass. - afterwards at Prospect Hill in Cambridge in the same state and were dismissed Jany 1776 after eight months service. Of White's service, deponent can speak with confidence who was a fellow soldier  with him in the same tent.
Said White came to Little Compton September 1832 to make a statement of his service, but before his declaration was put into form- he returned home, and after
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Court of Probate Town of Little Compton, 
August 30th 1834

Then personally appeared Sylvester Brownell of Little Compton, subscriber to the foregoing deposition of and the statement of Peregrine White hereto appended having first been read to him, made solemn oath that the same contains the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The Court further certifies that said Sylvester Brownell is a man of good character and veracity - and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court the d  ay and year before written
A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk
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Tinerton 9 Aug 1832
This may certify that Peregrine Whight was with me ? as a Soldier in Col Churches regiment & Capt Aaron Willborn company Eight months in State Troops Raised in Rhode Island, servis preform at Rosbeery & Cambrig in the year 1775
John Davis
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Certificate & opinion of the Court

Under the peculiar circumstances of this case, and in compliance with the printed instructions of the War Department, under date of June 27th 1832, the undersigned Judges of the Court of Probate of the Town of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island respectfully certify to the Commissioner of Pensions -
that the party interested in procuring the allowance of a pension to Peregrine White late of Tinerton deceased from the 4th of March 1831 to the day of his death has herewith transmitted such evidence as can be procured - taken and authorized before this Court,| a Court of Record| showing the services of the deceased, the period of is death, the opinions after neighborhood respecting such services and the titles of the claimant. The Court will proceed to state its options upon the whole matter in compliance with the request of the Department.  They have no doubt then of the accuracy or truth of the facts stated in relation to said White. He has always had the reputation of having served in the Revolutionary war - & the witnesses testifying to his services are men of reputation & standing as was White himself, and fully to be credited in whatever they have testified. This known also to some of the Judges of this Court, that White attended here in September 1832 for the purpose of stating the particulars of his service - that owing to the press of business - no declarations were at that time drawn & that previous to the subsequent meetings of the applicants for pensions, said White
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was confined to his bed and died. The Court have no doubt that the statement now transmitted conforms to the minutes at that time taken from White & that it is fully entitled to credit.
Jediah Shaw
Nathaniel Church
Christopher Brownell
Clark Brownell
Elisha Brownell

In witness of the above opinion of the Court I have hereunto set the Probate seal this thirtieth day of August 1834

?. A. R. Brownell  Probate Clerk
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Town Clerks office Little Compton August 30th 1834.
I hereby certify that Peregrine White the son of Christopher White and Elizabeth his wife was Born November 19th A.D. 1748 as appears of record.
Witness A. R. Brownell Town Clerk
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At a Court of Probate holden within and for the Town of Little Compton on the thirtieth day of August 1834.
I Alexander R. Brownell Clerk of the Court aforesaid in the Town of Little Compton in the County of Newport do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence is assured to this Court that Peregrine White late of Tiverton was or would have been entittled to a Pension from the United States in the State of Rhode Island  under the act of June 7. 1832 | that he died at Tiverton on the 
twenty ninth day of September 1832. that Mrs. Patience White is the Widow of the said Peregrine White, and now resides in Little Compton aforesaid and has resided there for the spaice of fifteen months past, and still remains his widow.
Given under my hand and the seal of the said Court, this thirtieth day of August 1834.
A. R. Brownell  Probate Clerk
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Pereguin White
R. I. 32013
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Declaration
State of Rhode Island in 
County of Newport, Town of Little Compton

On this tenth day of November A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate of the Town of Little Compton in the county and State aforesaid at a Regular session thereof Patience White, a resident of said Little Compton, aged Sixty Nine years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 viz
That she the said Patience White is the widow of Peregrine White late of Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island, deceased, a revolutionary soldier, who died on the twenty ninth day of September A.D. 1832 in Tiverton aforesaid.
That said Peregrine White was the son of Christopher White and Elizabeth, his wife, as stated in the certificate of the Town clerk of Little Compton dated August 30th, 1834 - and was born November 19th A. D. 1748.
That he was married to declarant on the twenty third day of Dec 1804, and that they continued to live together as man and wife to the day of his death - and that from that time to this foresaid signing of this her declaration - she continues his widow. The declarant further states that at the date after death of said Peregrine White he was eighty three years of age, and that she has often heard from his own life a narrative of his service in the revolutionary war as near as she can recollect to the following effect -

That soon after Lexington battle, which took place April 15th, 1775 he enlisted as a private in a company of eight months men commanded by Captain Aaron Wilbur in the regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Church. This
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regiment was a part of the brigade commanded by Genl. Nathaniel Greene which was raised by order of the General Assembly of Rhode Island to march into Massachusetts for the relief of Boston then held by the forces under the British General Gage. The said Peregrine White enlisted in said company on or about the twenty fifth day of May 1775 and continued in service the whole of the term for which the company had been enlisted to said eight months. Major Sylvester Brownelle, whose deposition accompanies this declaration, was a private in said company with White, and is knowing to the truth of the foregoing and the following facts.  The regiment of this brigade equipped themselves for service and marched immediately to Boston. Peregrine White was stationed with his company at Jamaica Plains, near Roxbury (Mass) and at the time of the battle of Bunker Hill was ordered with the other Rhode Island companies to the defence of that town, where the enemy was constantly expected.
Afterwards said White was stationed at Prospect Hill in the same neighbourhood where he continued with his company till or about the twenty fifth of January 1776 - when the eight months enlistment having expired, the whole of the company was discharged. No written discharge was furnished to said White, as this declarant has often heard him mention. The men were drawn up in line and simply dismissed by the commanding officer.

In the winter of 1775-6 said Peregrine White went to sea and was captured by a British sloop of war and sent into Jamaica. His release was effected in the course of that year and he returned to his family in Rhode Island some time in the early part of the winter of 1776-77.

Near the last day of January 1777 said Peregrine White was draughted and entered upon duty as a private in one of the companies of militia of the town of Little Compton for the purpose of doing duty
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as guards and protecting the shores of that town from the incursions of the enemy. The British had taken possession of Rhode Island December 1776, and by means of their numerous forces and an ? control of the Bay, kept the adjoining towns and Little Compton particularly in continual alarm. To meet this state of things, as the declarant is informed & believes, the General Assembly of Rhode Island, at their December session 1776 passed certain votes or resolutions, by which all male persons, subjects by law to bear arms, whether of the militia, alarm list, or independent companies within this State was directed to be draughted, and afterwards marched as soon as possible to such place or places as the Governor in Command for the time being shall direct -
The intention of the Legislature was, that this draughted force being arranged into three divisions - a division should serve a months duty and then be relieved by another division for the succeeding month - and as on in regular rotation. But this being found impracticable, in consequence of the presence of the enemy in the very heart of the State, the draughted companies in Little Compton, and elsewhere, were divided each into two divisions -and one division was of a company was called upon duty for one month which was then succeeded by the other division the succeeding month; and as on alternately so long as the necessity for a guard continued.
The said Peregrine, as he aways refers to and declared served as a private as aforesaid every other month from the last of January 1777 to September 1779 (being nearly the whole time that the British were in possession of Rhode Island) with the exception of one month when he served as a substitute for Thomas Wilbur deceased, in the expedition undertaken (but afterward relinquished ) by Major General Spencer. Thus his service as a guard, in his own town, was sixteen months actual duty in the town of Little Compton. In addition to this the said
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Peregrine White further represented and declared, that he served as a private and substitute in the same company of Little Compton militia for his father Christopher White, deceased and others not recollected, for five of the intervening months of said period between January 1777 and September 1779 - when not engaged on duty as aforesaid - making in the whole a service of twenty one months as private and guard in Little Compton  in his own term and as a substitute for others. Said White recollected Capt. David Hilliard and Capt. George Simmons, both deceased as the officers who were chiefly in command and during his services aforesaid.

The said Peregrine White also further declared and avened?, that he serve one month as a private and substitute for one Thomas Wilbur deceased in a company of Little Compton militia, which was engaged in the expedition under Major General Spencer, July 1777,

Also that he was draughted and served as a private for one month in the company of Little Compton militia, commanded by Captain George Simmons 178_ immediately after the evacuation by the French of the island of Rhode Island. Said White declared that he was employed as a private of this company in the regiment of a boat to carry rations, tools & from Newport to Brenton's Point whre said company was stationedl

Thus said Peregrine White claimed to have served in the revolutionary war as a private Eight months in the state troops under Col. Thomas Church = 8
Twenty one months in the Little Compton militia in his own town and as a substitute for others = 21
One month in the army of Genl. Spencer = 1
One month in garrison at Newport after the departing of the French = 1
______
31 mos.
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The said Patience White further declares on oath that Mrs. Said Peregrine White had no written or documentary evidence of the foregoing or any other services in his possession during his lifetime nor has she, or any other person in possession any such evidence. That he ever received any pension or annuity of any kind from the State or the United States, nor was his name ever on the pension rolls of the agency of any State. The said Patience further avows, that the evidence of the birth, death, character and revolutionary services of the said Peregrine are contained in the certificates heretofore & now in committed to the Pension Office and in the several depositions that accompany the same.
Sworn to & subscribes the day & year aforesaid
Patience White

State of Rhode Island Vz   
Little Compton, Nov. 11, 1832
We, Isaac Brownelle and Edward Gray, both of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Patience White, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we know her to be the widow of Peregrine White late of Tiverton on said State, a revolutionary soldier deceased, and that full faith and credit is to be given to her said declaration.
We further certify, that we were male acquainted with the said Peregrine White during his life time; that we believe him to have been at the time of his death eighty three years of age, and that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he rended? to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur with that opinion.
Isaac Brownell
Edward Gray
Sworn to & submited the viz ? ? written
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigating the matter and putting the proper interrogatiions to the said Patience White, widow of Peregrine White, that the husband of the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as is stated in the declaration of said Patience. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Isaac Brownell and Edward Gray, who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of Little Compton and credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.  The Court think it proper also to certify the facts that the said Peregrine White died in Tiverton, Rhode Islaned on the twenty ninth day of Septm, 1832; and that Patience White the present applicant is known to them to be the widow of said Peregrine, and is a person of credible character. The Rev. Emerson Paine being recently settled in the parish & not well acquainted with the declarant was not called  upon to testify.

I, Alexander R. Brownell, Clerk of the Court of Probate of the Town of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Patience White, widow of Peregrine for the pension due her husband at the time of his death.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court this tenth day of November 1834
A. R. Brownell  Probate Clerk
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This certifies that Mr. Peregrine White of Tiverton in the County of Newport State of Rhode Island, and Miss Patience White Wet part in the County of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts, appeared before me the subscriber and were joined in Marriage on the twenty third day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four at Westport afforesaid

By me  William Almy, one of the justices of the peace for the county of Bristol afforesaid.
Recorded in Little Compton R. I. in Marriage Book No. 2 Page 75, as appears of Record of this office.
Witness A. R. Brownell   Town Clerk

I hereby certify that Peregrine White, died at Tiverton R. I. on the twenty ninth day of September A.D. 1834 as appears by the record of this officej.
A. R. Brownell     Town Clerk
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Resolution
No. 21,571
Peregrine White
Pri. Rev. War
Vct: June 7,32
Vol 2 Page 447
[Arrangement of 1870]
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Patience White
widow of
Peregrine White 
? 29 Sept 1832
2 year
$80 -
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Commons Little Compton March - 1834
Dear Sir -
I again forward the papers in the case of :Peregrine White for a Pension, for the benefit of his widow Patience White, with the additional papers in the case which I hope will be satisfactory to the Department,
Should your Hon's want any thing further In relation of this case I must refer you to the Hon. Arhad Robbins who is at Washington & probably be at your Office.
A very respectfully & fond  Obt Servant
A. R. Brownell

J.D. Edward Gray
? srevisase Pensions