Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17528, for Godfrey King, Rhode Island
Page 1

Service
R.I.

King, Godfrey

Number
S. 17528

Carded
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[left side almost upside down] Date of death not on A.B.
[right side]
4901
Rhode Island
Godfrey King of Newport in the State of R.I. who was a Sergt in the company commanded by Captain --- of the Regt commanded by Col Church in the R.I. line for 9 mos Corps 1 year Sergt 3 mos P.
Inscribed on the Roll of RI at the rate of 103 Dollars – Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of Jany 1833, and sent Asa Gray Tiverton, RI
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $154.50
Semi=anl. Allowance ending 4 [illegible] 33 51.50
$206.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J H McBlair Clerk
Book D. Vol. 37 Page 119.
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Godfrey King
No. 13.367

9 months Corporal
1 year Sergeant
3 months Private

2 years

Admd

$103

Asa Gray Esq
Tiverton R.I.
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BRIEF in the case of Godfrey King of the County of Newport in the State of R. Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 82 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. | Duration of Service | Rank | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
In 1775 May | 9 months | Corporal | Col. Church, Capt. Cook
1776 | 1 year | Sargant | Col. Richmond, Capt. Church & Bailey
From 1777 Spring to 1779 Fall | 1 year | Drafted | Col. Cook, Capt. Cook, Howland

5. In what battles was he engaged? Long Island,

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Tiverton

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Levin Belt
Examining Clerk.
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13.367
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Declaration
In order obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
On this twenty second day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton now setting Godfrey King a resident of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, aged Eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He enlisted in the month of May 1775 and served nine months in the capacity of Corporal on a tour to Boston, in Capt William Corks Company of Infantry, Gilbert Manchester was Lieutenant and Israel Church Ensign, Col Thomas Church commanded the Regiment, was encamped while there at Jamaica Plains, and at Winter hill and Prospect Hill, he knew one Hitchcock a Col. in the Rhode Island troops and Major Sherburne of Rhode Island he also recollects seeing Gen. Putnam his time of service being out and he discharged in January or February 1776 he returned to said Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island, the place of his residence and at which place he had enlisted into this service.
He then at said Tiverton [enlisted] in the month of January or February 1776 enlisted and served one year in the capacity of Sargeant in the Company commanded a part of said year by Capt Nathaniel Church and a part of the year by Captain Samuel Bailey in the Regiment commanded by Col. William Richmond, and was stationed a part of the year at Newport and a part at said Tiverton. While stationed at Newport he embarked at that place in whale Boats landed on Long Island, had a brush with the enemy took two wood stoves and made
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made thirty prisoners or more, this he thinks was in November he recollects it being rather cold, he was discharged at said Tiverton when his term of service had expired. he was then enrolled in the Militia in said Tiverton and served several periods of a month at a time, as he thinks, in the Company commanded by Capt Isaac Cook, one month he was a substitute for one Abraham Brown of said Town; he was in said Capt Cooks Company in the Regiment of Col John Cook, sometimes commanded by Lieut Col Pardon Gray, in the month of August 1778, and went with said Company upon Rhode Island in Gen. Sullivan's expedition, where he remained untill our Army retreated off. He also served in the Militia of said Tiverton five months in the Company Commanded by Capt. Benjamin Howland (Since member of Congress & now deceased) in Col Samuel Bailey's Regiment; he was stationed at said time at a place on Tiverton Shore, called Nanaquaket, a part of this five months he was a substitute for one Peleg Cook of said Town this service was after Sullivan's expedition & he thinks in the year 1779.
He continued in the militia of said Tiverton until the close of the war, and was stationed several periods of a month at a time, as he thinks near Fogland in said Tiverton, but under what officers does not now recollect, he thinks at these times he was more immediately under the command of Subaltern officers, he does not now recollect in what year this service was performed, but he verily believes that he served not less than six months at said [ill] at the time the British had possession of Rhode Island a part of each of the Companies of Militia in said
Tiverton were continually on duty along the shore and those not immediately on duty had to hold themselves in readiness, to repair at a station designated at a minutes notice. He recollects one time in particular, when the enemy landed and burnt Doct Bradford's house the Church &c at Bristol, and Col Barton was wounded
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wounded, he was at that time not on duty but was summoned to repair forthwith at a place near Howland's Ferry, he there embarked with others, in Boats, under the command of Col. Gray, and proceeded to Bristol, but did not arrive till just as they ^the enemy were passing across to the Island. And he solemnly declares that he fully believes that he served in the Militia as aforesaid, in actual military 
[small paper attached over page]
State of Rhode Island &c Newport County, 
Town Clerk's Office Tiverton September 21st 1832 I hereby certify that Godfrey King, son of Benjamin King and Mary his wife, was born February 9th 1749 /50 as appears of Record in this Office Attest, Asa Gray Town Clerk [/small paper]
commanding officers; that he has no documentary evidence of any of his said services; that there is no Clergyman residing in his neighborhood, but he refers to Benjamin Borden Gent and to Charles Durfee Esq. who are citizens of said Tiverton, and his neighbors who will testify to his character for veracity, and their belief that he was a soldier of the Revolution; and also to the accompanying Depositions – 
All of said services performed as a private Soldier except the year in the Regiment of Col. Richmond when he was a Sargeant. 
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 & year aforesaid} Godfrey King
Asa Gray Clerk 
We Benjamin Borden Gent. residing in the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State of Rhode Island &c and
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wounded, he was at that time not on duty but was summoned to repair forthwith at a place near Howland's Ferry, he there embarked with others, in Boats, under the command of Col. Gray, and proceeded to Bristol, but did not arrive till just as they ^the enemy were passing across to the Island. And he solemnly declares that he fully believes that he served in the Militia as aforesaid, in actual military duly from the spring of the year 1777 until the British left Rhode Island in the fall of the year 1779. not less than twelve months, and drew pay for the same as a private soldier And said King further declares that he was born at said Tiverton on the 9th day of February 1750; that he resided in said Tiverton when he entered the aforesaid services; that he hath ever since resided & doth still reside in said Tiverton; that he hath a record of his age; that he never received a written discharge from any of his services that he can recollect, but was verbally discharged by his commanding officers; that he has no documentary evidence of any of his said services; that there is no Clergyman residing in his neighborhood, but he refers to Benjamin Borden Gent and to Charles Durfee Esq. who are citizens of said Tiverton, and his neighbors who will testify to his character for veracity, and their belief that he was a soldier of the Revolution; and also to the accompanying Depositions – 
All of said services performed as a private Soldier except the year in the Regiment of Col. Richmond when he was a Sargeant. 
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 & year aforesaid} Godfrey King
Asa Gray Clerk 
We Benjamin Borden Gent. residing in the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State of Rhode Island &c and
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Charles Durfee Esq. residing in the same Tiverton hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Godfrey King who has subscribed and sworn to the within and foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be Eighty two years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. --- Sworn to and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid} Benjamin Borden Charles Durfee
Asa Gray Clerk 
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 within named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Benjamin Borden Gent. who has signed the preceeding certificate is a  resident in the said Town of Tiverton, and that Charles Durfee Esq who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Tiverton and that they are credible Persons, and that their statement is entitled to Credit
I Asa Gray Clerk of the Court of Probate of the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State of Rhode Island &c a Court of Record, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Godfrey King of said Tiverton for a Pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed the seal office this twenty second day of September in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two And of American Independence the fifty seventh 
Asa Gray Clerk of Court of Probate
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State aforesaid 
I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that Abner Simmons whose Signature is affixed to the enclose Depositions is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Tiverton, in the County of Newport and State aforesaid duly commissioned under the Seal of said State, engaged thereon according to law and duly qualified to act in his said capacity - And I do further certify that the six several signatures of his name to said Depositions are his genuine Signatures – 
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at said Tiverton, this twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two 
And of American Independence the fifty seventh 
Asa Gray Clerk of Court of Probate
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Rev. and 1812 [top right corner] AWF
War Section
AM [handwritten]
July 10, 1926
Mrs. Bentley W. Morse 
34 Linden St 
Providence, R. I. 
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 17528, it appears that Godfrey King (son of Benjamin King and his wife Mary) was born February 9, 1750 in Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island. 
While a resident of said Tiverton, he enlisted in May 1775 and served nine months as corporal in Captain William Cook's Company, Colonel Thomas Church's Rhode Island Regiment. 
He enlisted in February 1776 and served one year as sergeant in Captains Nathaniel Church and Lemuel Bailey's Company, Colonel William Richmond's Rhode Island Regiment, and was in a skirmish on Long Island. 
He enlisted in the spring of 1777, and served about seven months at various times, in tours of one
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month each, as private in Captain Isaac Cook's Company, Colonel John Cook's Rhode Island Regiment, and was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition. 
He enlisted in 1779 and served five months as a private in Captain Benjamin Howland's Company, Colonel Lemuel Bailey's Rhode Island Regiment. After which, until close of the War, he served on various short tours, length of service not stated, a part of the time under Colonel Gray. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 22, 1832, while a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island. 
There is no data on file as to his family, except the names of his parents. 
Please accept this record in place of the negative, which was furnished the eighth instant. 
Respectfully, 
WINFIELD SCOTT 
Commissioner. 
By mistake this person was sent a negative on July 8 – 26 The files being in disorder I overlooked this claim - AWF
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[left side]
17528
INVALID.
File No. 17.528
Godfrey King
Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index :-Vol. 1, Page 208
[Arrangement of 1870]
[right side]
Aug 15’ 98 P B Sanford Boston Ma
Nov 17, 1904 Hist Lydia A Clark New Bedford
1926 – July 9 – Hist to Miss Helen M. Cook MMHF.
1726 July 10 – Hist to Mrs Bentley W. Morse – Neg. [illegible] by mistake. AWF see letter in Borden Brayton S.21087
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P. B. SANFORD, EXTRA BINDINGS A SPECIALTY
 
BOOK::
BINDER

K Sc [handwritten]
No. 24 BEDFORD STREET, 
ELEVATOR.
Boston. July 22 1898

Pension Office Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir,
Can you give me the records of the following Men who served in the Revolution 
Godfrey King Tiverton, R.I. 
Ichabod Simmons Tiverton R.I. 
Yours truly 
P. B. Sanford
[round stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE C JUL 23 1898
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New Bedford Nov 2nd 1904 
Department of the Interior 
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
Gr. Gr. Grandfather Godfrey King placed on R.I. Pension Roll. Jan. 30, 1833 at age of 84 - Will you kindly send me the record of his service in the Revolutionary War 
R.I. Pension Roll Page 29 Newport Co. 
Respectfully Lydia A. Clark 
123. Campbell Street 
New Bedford 
Mass.
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April 28, 1926

P. O. Box 431 
ALBANY, N. Y.

U.S. Pension Bureau
Washington DC
Gentlemen

Kindly send me Godfrey Kings Pension record, He was born Feb 9. 1750 died Oct 16, 1834 married on March 9, 1768, Abigail Macumber who was born Mar 4, 1751 
Sincere thanks –
Very truly yours 
(Miss) Helen M. Cook
[round stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE S APR 30 1926
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Rev.&1812 Wars Section [top right corner] MMHF
July 9, 1926

Miss Helen M. Cook 
Albany, P. O. Box 431 
New York 

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 17528 it appears that Godfrey King, son of Benjamin King and his wife Mary, was born February 9, 1750 in Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island. 
While a resident of said Tiverton he enlisted in May 1775, served nine months as corporal in Captain William Cook's Company, Colonel Thomas Church's Rhode Island Regiment. 
He enlisted in February 1778 and served one year as Sergeant in Captains Nathaniel Church and Lemuel Bailey's Company, Colonel William Richmond's Rhode Island Regiment and was in a skirmish on Long Island. 
He enlisted in the spring of 1777, served about seven months at various times in tours of one month each, as a private in Captain Isaac Cook's Company, Colonel John Cook's
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Rhode Island Regiment and was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition.
He enlisted in 1779 and served five months as a private in Captain Benjamin Howland's Company, Colonel Lemuel Bailey's Rhode Island Regiment, after which, until the close of the war, he served on various short tours, length of service not stated, a part of the time under Colonel Gray. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 22, 1832 while a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island. 
There is no data on file as to his family, except the names of his parents. 
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT 
Commissioner.
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No. 13.367
Godfrey King

Asa Gray Esqr
Tiverton R.I.
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BRIEF objection the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Godfrey King which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes 
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 
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 the war when he served? yes 
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? yes 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes 
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 
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? yes
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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? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes 
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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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? yes 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 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__months and __ days, I served as a__ For __ months and __days, I served as a___; and for such service I claim a pension."
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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. 
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. 
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.
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Robert Bailey Deposition
G.K
Page 25

I the Subscriber of Little Compton in the County of Newport & State Rhode Island, do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Godfrey King of Tiverton, County & State aforesaid, and am knowing to his being a Revolutionary Soldier for one month in the Militia That he served in Capt. Isaac Cooks Company in Col. Pardon Grays Regiment, in General Sullivans Expedition on Rhode Island in the Month of August in the year 1778 - and that I served in the Company & Regiment with him 
John Tompkins 
State of Rhode Island County of Newport} Sc
Be it known, That on the 14 day of August 1832 Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said personally appeared John Tompkins & made oath to the truth of the above Certificate by him subscribed And I hereby certify that the Deponent is a credible person 
Abner Simmons Just. Peace
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I William Borden of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State of Rhode Island do hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with Godfrey King of Tiverton County & State above state and are knowing to his being a Revolutionary Soldier in the year AD 1775 in the Rhode Island State Troops so called for the term of nine Months Said term commenced in May in said year and he served in Capt William Cooks Company of Infantry in Col. Thomas Churches Regiment on a route to Boston and that I served in the same company & Regiment with him, said term
William Borden
State of Rhode Island County of Newport} Sc
Be it known, That on the 28th day of August 1832 Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared the above named William Borden and made oath to the truth of the above Certificate by him subscribed -.  And I do hereby certify that the Deponent is a credible person.
Abner Simmons Justice Peace
Page 27

I Thomas Wilcox of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island aged 74 years one week since do hereby testify & say that I am well aquainted with Godfrey King of Tiverton County & State above said, and am knowing to his being a Revolutionary Soldier in the ^year AD 1775 in the Rhode Island State Troops (so called) for the term of nine months. said term commenced in May in said year & that he served a Corporal in Capt. William Cooks Company of infantry in Col. Thomas Churchs Regiment on a tower to Boston. And that I served in the same Company & Regiment with him, said term. 
Thomas Wilcox
State of Rhode Island County of Newport} Sc Be it known, That on the 4th Day of September AD 1832 Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and said County, personally appeared the above named Thomas Wilcox and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed, And I do hereby certify that the Deponent is a credible Person 
Abner Simmons Justice Peace
Page 28

I Robert Bailey of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State of Rhode Island aged 79 years in July last do hereby testify & say that I am well aquainted with Godfrey King of Tiverton, County & State above said, and am knowing to his being a Revolutionary Soldier in the Rhode Island Troops in the Continental line for one year, the year begining in January 1776 according to the best of my recollection. That he served a sergeant in the Company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Church a part of said year, and a part by Capt. Lemuel Bailey, in Col. William Richmonds Regiment, And that I served in the same [crossed out: company &] Regiment with him said year.
Robert Bailey his mark X
State of Rhode Island County of Newport} Sc Be it known, That in the 4th Day of September AD 1832 Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and said County personally appeared the above named Robert Bailey and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed. And I do hereby certify that the Deponent is a credible person 
Abner Simmons Just. Peace
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John Tompkins Deposition
[crossed out: J. F.] G. K.
Page 30

I the Subscriber of Little Compton, County of Newport & State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify that I am well aquainted with Godfrey King of Tiverton County of Newport &c. and am knowing to his being a Revolutionary Soldier, that he served in Capt Benj’n Howlands Company in Col Samuel [illegible] Regiment for five months in the Malitia in Tiverton County Newport & State of Rhode Island in the year 1779 - And that I served said terms with him
John Tompkins 
State of Rhode Island County of Newport} Sc 
Be it known, That on the 14th Day of August 1832 Before the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, personally appeared John Tompkins & made oath to the truth of the above Certificate by him subscribed. And I hereby certify that the Deponent is a credible person.
Abner Simmons Justice Peace
Page 31

Jeremiah Dwelley Deposition
G.K.
Page 32

I Jeremiah Dwelley of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State of Rhode Island aged 77 years in May last, do hereby testify & say that I am well aquainted with Godfrey King of Tiverton, County & State above said, and knowing to his being a Revolutionary Soldier in the Rhode Island Troops in the Continental line for one year, the year 4 begining in January 1776 according to the best of my recollection, and that he served a Servant in the Company commanded by Capt. Nathniel Church a part of said year, and a part by Capt Lemuel Bailey, in Col. William Richmonds Regiment, and that I served in the same Company and Regiment with him said year 
Jeremiah Dwelley
State of Rhode Island County of Newport} Sc
Be it known, That on the 30th day of August AD 1832 before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace or said County, personally appeared the above Jeremiah Dwelley and made oath to the Truth the above statement by him subscribed I do hereby certify that the Deponent is a credible person. 
Abner Simmons Just. Peace