Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13679, for Giles Manchester, Rhode Island
Page 1

8-1776

SERVICE
R.I.

Manchester, Giles
Margaret

NUMBER
W13679
Page 2

[Form with entries in { } handwritten]

{21.110}
{Rhode Island}
{Giles Manchester}
of {Newport} in the State of {R Island}
who was a {Private} in the {Company} commanded
by Captain {Adams} of the {Rgt} commanded
by {Col. Cook} in the {R Island}
line for {12 mos Private of [illegible] }
{12 " [illegible]}

Inscribed on the Roll of {R Island}
at the rate of {90-} Dollars {-} Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of pension issued the {22d} day of {Aug}
{1832} and {sent [illegible]
{Portsmouth R Island}

Arrears of the 4th of {March 1833 $180.00}
Semi-anl allowance ending {[illegible] $45.00}
{$225.00}
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by {DD Addison} Clerk,
Book {E} Vol {2} Page {120}
Page 3

[Form with handwritten entries in { }]

[upper right] {633}
{Rhode Island}
{Margaret Manchester}
widow of {Giles Manchester dec^d}
who died on the {5th September 1834}
of {Newport Co} in the State of {R Island}
who was a {Private} in the {Company} commanded
by Captain {Adams} of the {Reg^t} commanded
by {Col Cook} in the {R Island}
line for {12 mo's Private Inf^y}  [Infantry]
{12 " Do of Artil^y.}
{R.I.}

Inscribed in the Roll of {R Island}
at the rate of {90} Dollars {00} Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831{ [illegible]}
{to 4 Sept 1834 to be deducted

Certificate of Pension issued the {24} day of {March}
{1831} and {sent  [illegible]}
{ H. Pearce Newport R.I.}

Arrears to the 4th of {March 1837 $540.00}
Semi-anl. allowance ending {4 Sept '37 $45.00}
{$585.00}

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4,1836
Section the {3rd}
Recorded by {DD Addison} Clerk,
[obscured] {A} Vol {1} Page {111}
Page 4

21241

Giles Manchester

[illegible] 12 mos
[illegible]  12
                ______
             [faint: illegible]
5 [illegible]
July 16 183[7?]

[Faint; possibly R I 24]
Page 5

[Form with handwritten entries in { } ]

Brief in the case of {Giles Manchester}
{Co} of {Newport} in the State of {R I}
(Act of 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? {Open Court}
2. If before a Judge, does it appear the the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? {73}
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[Table]

Period| Duration of Service | Rank | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
{Decemb.} In 17{76 drafted to March 1778 for one month at a time and some times for shorter duties - he has no hesitation in declaring that according to the best of his recollection he served one half the time
which would make in all about | 7 Months ...15 Days | Private | Cap Davol Col Cook
1778 enlisted | 1 Year | " [Private] | Cap Adams Col Elliot
1779 He thinks he served | 4 Months | " [Private] | " [Cap Adams] " [Col Elliot]
[Total] 1 Years 11 Months 15 Days}
5. In what battles was he engaged? {In the Battles of R.I.}
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? {Newport RI}
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by rolls? {Traditionary. Three living witnesses}
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? {the exact length of service is not given. two witnesses not certified credible
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[Signature] George Taylor
Examining Clerk
Page 6

30 . [illegible]

Giles Manchester
21241
Page 7

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate for the town of
Tiverton in the County of Newport & State aforesaid
I Asa Gray do hereby certify that I am myself a
Justice 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 said capacity
And I further certify that the enclosed Deposition of
Elihu Gifford was taken by me, and that the Signature
of my name to said Deposition was made by me, - 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said Court at said Tiverton
this Eighth 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

[Seal affixed to the left of this block of text]
Page 8

DECLARATION
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
COUNTY OF Newport
On this Eighth day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Probate of the town of Tiverton now sitting, Giles Manchester - a resident of Tiverton - in the County of Newport  -  and State of Rhode Island, 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 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.
That is to say - He  in the month of December 1776 belonged to the middle company of Militia in Tiverton then under the command of Captain [Doad?], and which said company was afterwards commanded by Benjamin Borden and Benjamin Howland in succession - the enemy now being in possession of the neighboring Island of Rhode Island and having command of Narragansett Bay - the militia were [ordered. word cut off] into the public Service to prevent the incursions of them into the country - to save our property from pillage, our houses from the flames - and ourselves from captivity - from said December 1776 to March 1778 - he was drafted from said militia Company at divers times - and as near as he can recollect for one month at a time - and if the period of service was at any time for less than a month, then the drafts were made in said Company [illegible] - Although he cannot recollect the precise time of each particular service, for it all seems to him like one continuous service - with short periods of rest between - yet he has no hesitation in solemnly declaring that he, according to the best of his recollection and belief, served at least one half of the time on actual military duty in the militia in guarding the shores of Narragansett Bay from Howlands ferry southerly to Fogland ferry and Little Compton - during this time he was generally under the officers of his own Company either the Capt or some of the subalterns - though he was sometimes placed under other officers who had the command for the time being - under Capt. [Doud?], Benjamin Howland - was Lieut - he had afterwards the command of the Company - and was also afterwards a Senator in Congress from this State - the Company was attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Cook - while in this service he was in Spencers Expedition - he thinks he was there under Capt.[Doud?] - when Capt Borden Commanded the Company - one [Soule?] was Ensign - - -
Page 9

That about the middle of March 1778 he enlisted at [mark] Tiverton into Captain Ebenezer Adam's Company led Elliot's Regiment of Artillery for one year as a private soldier & that during this service he lay with his Company at Tiverton at Fort Barton near Howlands ferry till August when he was with the regiment crossed over to Rhode Island under General Sullivan and was in the actions fought there - in this service on Rhode Island he saw General Greene - 
After the retreat of the americans from the island back to Tiverton, he with his company were again stationed at Howlands ferry - and there remained till his year was out in March 1779 when he was discharged at that place -
He again went back and was [illegible] again in said middle Company of Militia under the command of Captain Howland at this time -  and was again [illegible] as before he went into the State Service - for a month at time to guard the shores of the Bay opposite to the Island of Rhode Island - he was engaged as before, under the officers of his own Company mostly - but sometimes under others - who had to perform the like duty with ourselves, and who had Command when our own Company officers were not there - In this militia service from March 1779 until the English left Rhode Island which he thinks was in October or November of the same year. - he thinks that he served four months in actual military duty and received pay for the same for that time. he wishes it understood however, that as to the exact period [three words crossed out] of time he served in the militia he cannot now be certain - but that it was full one half of the time he feels confident and safe in attesting to that time, and he does solemnly attest that he verily believes that he was in the service of his country in the militia for one half of the time for this period aforementioned - and in the manner therein stated - all the foregoing service performed as a private soldier - And said Manchester further declares that he was [words obscured] aforesaid on the 6th day of June
Page 10

1759 - that he resided in said town when called in^to the aforesaid serving - that he hath ever since resided and still doth reside here in said Tiverton - that he hath no certificate of his age - that he never received any written discharge from any of said services, but was verbally discharged by his commanding officer at the time - that he has no documentary evidence of any of his said service - that there is no Clergyman in his neighborhood or vicinity - but he refers to [Hon] Job Durfee & Elisha Hicks Esquires who are Citizens of said Town of Tiverton and his neighbors, who testify to his character for veracity, and their belief that he was a soldier of the Revolution - and also to the accompanying depositions, - 
[printed text]
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
[signature] Asa Gray Clerk  [signature] Giles his X mark Manchester

We, Job Durfee Esq ----- residing in the Town of Tiverton aforesaid and Elihu Hicks Esq --- residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Giles Manchester --- who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy three --- 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 aforesaid
[signature] Asa Gray Clerk
[signature] Job Durfee
[signature] Elihu Hicks
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatries prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Job Durfee Esq.---who has signed the preceding certificate, is a [blank] resident in the said Town of Tiverton and that Elihu Hicks Esq who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Tiverton and [crossed out] credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. And said Court further certifies that the deposition of David Lake and Godfrey King, hereto annexed were severally subscribed and sworn to before the Court this day and [crossed out]  and that said Lake and King are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Asa Gray Clerk of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton in the County ^ & State aforesaid, 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 Giles Manchester for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Eighth day of September in the Year of Our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two.
And of American Independence
the fifty seventh
[signature] Asa Gray Clerk of Court
of Probate
Page 11

981 - 3. [illegible]
Margaret Manchester
widow of Giles

old case

adm d

12 mo [illegible]
12 - [illegible]
_______
90$
_______
deduct - paid to 4 Sept 1834

Hon. D.J. Pearce
Newport
R I^d
Page 12

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836.
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
On this third day of October A.D. 1836 personally appeared appeared {repeated] before the Court of Probate of Tiverton in the county of Newport, a Court of Record, Margaret Manchester a resident of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island aged seventy-eight years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made in the Act of Congress passed July 4th, 1836 - 
That she is the widow of Giles Manchester late of said Tiverton and late a soldier of the Revolution, and who was also late a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of the 7th day of June 1832 in that she and [word crossed out] her said husband were married in the month of October which next succeeded Sullivans Expedition on to Rhode Island, in the year 1778, and that her oldest child was born the following January in the year 1779 - that the marriage certificate, if they ever had any, is lost and that there is no record of the fact now to be found to her knowledge - That both she and her said husband, were born in Tiverton, and did & have always lived there & no where else. That they lived before their marriage near to each other and within a short distance of Howlands ferry in s^d Town of Tiverton and were well acquainted with each other from their childhood - she remembers well his service during the Revolutionary War - when he was guard on the shores in the Militia, before he enlisted into the State troops - We were married while he belonged to the State troop - and after his time was out, he my said husband did not enlist any more but went into the Militia and was away a number of monthly tours in guarding the shores on the western limits of said Town and served as long as any of the Militia who were called away on guard duty - I well remember the day of the Battle on Rhode Island - some parts  of the battle ground being plain in view, and within distinct hearing of the firing, being in a straight line not more than three miles - My said husband was then in the battle. We were then not married though it had been our intentions to have married before - during the Revolutionary War we suffered much, and my lot through life has been one of tryal and suffering - We have reared a numerous family of children, without other means than the daily labour of our hands - we have had much sickness, and have, at all times, since I was married, been poor - My husband for twenty years before his death had been unable to work at all having been bowed almost together with the Rheumatism - and before I became blind, his support devolved mainly on myself. I kept him from being a Town charge - I am now blind myself, and have been so for the last seven years - without even a hope of ever seeing again the blessed cheering light of the sun - 
For a particular statement of my late husbands revolutionary services, and the evidence in relation thereto, I respectfully refer to his original declaration on file in the pension department and to the proofs therewith - saving to myself hereafter the right to prove his revolutionary services performed after our said marriage if they are not stated & proven in said declaration - I have no other documentary evidence - 
And I further declare that I was married to the said Giles
Page 13

Manchester on the [blank] day of October Seventeen hundred & seventy eight (1778); that my husband, the said Giles Manchester, died on the 5th day of September A.D. 1834; and that I have remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proofs hereto annexed - 
Margaret her X mark Manchester

Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year afore written before and in open Court
[signature] Asa Gray, Clerk of Prob. Court
And the Court further certify that said Margaret Manchester is a credible person and that they believe the statements herein made are true, and that said Margaret is the widow of said Giles Manchester late of this town deceased, never having married since the death of her said husband -
I Asa Gray, Clerk of the Court of Probate of the town of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island etc a court of record do hereby certify that the aforegoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Margaret Manchester for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this fifth day of December in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six
And of American Independence the sixty first -
[signature] Asa Gray, Clerk of Probate Court
[Seal affixed to the left of the above text]
Page 14

April 3, 1940

Mr. Alden Coe Manchester
Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida

BA-J/MCS [handwritten] Our
Giles Manchester
W. 13679

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your request for information relative to Revolutionary War soldier, Abraham, Giles and Israel Manchester.

Because of the large number of requests for records of Revolutionary War soldiers and the lack of clerical force available for furnishing such information, it has been impossible to comply in full with requests similar to yours. You are furnished herein, the record of Giles
Manchester.

The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 13679, based on the Revolutionary War service of Giles Manchester.

Giles Manchester was born June 6, 1759, in Tiverton, Rhode Island, and was the son of Edward Manchester.

Giles Manchester served as private with the Rhode Island troops as follows: from December, 1776, until September, 1777, at various times amounting to five months in all, in Captain Davol 's Company under Colonel
Cook; from September, 1777, until March, 1778, at various times amounting
to three months in Captain Benjamin Borden's Company under Colonel Cook
and was in Spencer's Rhode Island expedition; from about the middle of
March, 1778, served one year in Captain Ebenezer Adams' Company in Colonel
Elliott's Regiment and was in General Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island
and participated in the battle there; from March, 1779, until November, 1779,
served at various times amounting to about four months in all, in Captain
Durfee's Company.
Giles Manchester was allowed pension on his application executed September 8, 1832, at which time he was living in Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island.
Page 15

Giles Manchester died September 5, 1834, at Tiverton, Rhode Island, where he had always lived.

This soldier married in October, 1778, Margaret Lake who was born in Tiverton, Rhode Island,

In 1836, William Lake, aged sixty-nine years and then living in Troy or Fall River, Massachusetts, with his son, Edward, stated that he had always lived in Tiverton until the last two years and that the widow, Margaret Manchester, was his sister and that their father was the late Richard Lake of Troy.

In 1836, Knight Springer of Tiverton, Rhode Island, stated that Giles Manchester was his cousin, that said Giles' father and his mother were brother and sister, Knight Springer married Sarah Manchester who was born in January, 1779, and was the eldest child of Giles and Margaret Manchester.

It was stated that Giles and Margaret Manchester had many children
but the only name shown is that of Sarah who was the wife of Knight Springer in 1836.

There are no further family data.

As the widow of Giles Manchester, Margaret Manchester was allowed pension on her application executed October 3, 1838, at which time she was seventy-eight years of age and was living in Tiverton, Rhode Island.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Margaret Manchester, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of the widow's death, it is suggested that you address
The Comptroller General, Records Division, General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C., giving the following data:

Margaret Manchester, widow of Giles Manchester, Certificate 1633, issued March 24, 1837, rate $90 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, amount paid to September 4, 1834, to be deducted, Act of July 4, 1838, Rhode Island Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 16

Giles Manchester R. P -90$. act 7. June - when last ss [illegible]
G.W.C.
March 24. 1837.
pd. to the 4 Sep 1834
Page 17

Town Clerk's Office, Tiverton December 6, 1836
I hereby certify that upon diligent search I am unable to find the Marriage of Giles Manchester & Margaret Manchester on Record in this Office
Asa Gray Town Clerk
Page 18

1940 Apr. 3 inst. to Mr Alden Coe Manchester. MCS

Ret
Rev WIDOW, &c.

File No. 13679
Margaret Manchester
Widow of
Giles Manchester
Pri. Rev War

Act July 4 36
Index: - Vol. M, Page 7

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

21241
Giles Manchester

I. Cross
Portsmouth
RI
Page 20


BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Giles Manchester 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 amout of pension he is entitled? no - He must specify each particular tour
of [illegible] services, the length of the same when & where performed,
& the names of all the officers under whom he served
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
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
Page 21

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Certified by Citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. * If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? 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 __ year__months, and __ days, I served as a __  For __ months and __
days, I served as a __; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 22

[page] 3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 23

RECEIVED MAR 11 1940
MAIL SUB-DIV 
Reader No. 20 
VETS ADM

Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida
March 8, 1940

Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

Will you please give me any information that you can on the following Revolutionary War soldier:

ABRAHAM MANCHESTER, born Sept. 13, 1770; Rhode Island; died July 25, 1862, Broadalbin, N. Y.; married Charlotte Durfee, dau. James and Ann (Borden) Durfee of Tiverton, R. I. She died Nov. 11, 1848, Broadalbin, N. Y. One reference says that he was a Captain. Can you tell me anything, especially about his ancestry?

GILES MANCHESTER, private, Newport, county, R. I. pension roll of 1835, allowance $90, received $270, R.I. Militia, placed
on roll Aug. 22, 1833, pension commenced March 4, 1831, ae 75.

ISRAEL MANCHESTER, drum major, Providence, county, R.I.; Pension
Roll of 1835, R. I. Militia, placed on Roll Feb. 23, 1833, pension commenced Mar. 4, 1831, ae 74.

Alden Coe Manchester
Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida
Page 24

I Knight Springer of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, a soldier of the Revolution, of lawful age, being duly sworn, declare that I was always, and well acquainted with the late Giles Manchester of said Tiverton during the revolutionary war, and always after upto the death, of said Giles, we lived near Neighbors, when we were at home  - he was my cousin - his father and my mother, was brother and sister - My present wife is the oldest child of said Giles, and she, as I have always unstood [^der] from her, was fifty seven years of age in the month of January last - I have heard the said Giles tell much of his revolutionary services - and I have heard him say that he was married while he was in the state service during the revolutionary war - I was away from home during almost all of the war, in the Continental Service, and after my discharge, and when I returned home said Giles, was married and lived in a house, in said town east ^of the [illegible] House, and had a family of children -
I further declare, on my oath, that said, Margaret Manchester, is well known to me, that she is now an applicant for a pension, that she is the widow of said Giles, and that she has never married since the decease of her husband the said Giles Manchester -
[signature] Knight his X mark Springer

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
On the third day of October A.D. 1836 Before the Court of Probate of the town of Tiverton in the County and State aforesaid a Court of Record now sitting, personally appeared the above named Knight Springer a credible person and subscribed and was duly sworn to the truth of his above deposition - Asa Gray Clerk of Prob. Court
Page 25

I Elihu Gifford of Tiverton in the County of Newport and the State of Rhode Island etc aged seventy three years on solem oath depose and say; that I have been well acquainted with Giles Manchester of said Tiverton an applicant for a pension under the late Act of Congress from our boyhood up to this time; during the Revolutionary War, I was enrolled and belonged to the Militia in said Tiverton, and was stationed at several Places along the shore of said Town; I recollect perfectly well of said Giles Manchester serving in the said Militia on duty near Fogland Ferry, and to the best of my recollection he served at said place a period of not less than two months; I am knowing to said Giles serving in the company of militia commanded by Capt Benj^n Howland, then stationed on Nannaquaket neck in said Tiverton; I think in the year 1779. I was in the same company, and I am confident that said Giles, served at this time two months; and that he served in the said Militia in active service near Howlands Ferry one month I recollect, but under what officer I cannot now say; I also saw said Giles Manchester on Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition and he was then in the Artillery, and further this Deponent saith not -
[signature] Elihu Gifford
Newport [illegible] at Tiverton, September 1st 1832 Personally came the above named Elihu Gifford and made solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing Deposition and subscribed the same - 
And I further certify that said Deponent is personally know to me and sustains a good character for truth and veracity - Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 26

I David Lake of Tiverton in the County of Newport in the State of Rhode Island & aged Seventy one years on solemn oath depose and say; that I was at the time of the Revolutionary War well acquainted with Giles Manchester of said Tiverton, an applicant for a Pension under the late Act of Congress. I served in the Militia in said Tiverton, in active service in said war and am knowing to said Giles Manchester serving in the same, which was on active duty near Fogland Ferry, but how [crossed out] long I cannot now recollect, nor exactly in what years and I am also knowing to said Giles serving in an Artillery Company as I saw him a number of times doing duty in the same, at Fort Barton near Howland's Ferry in the year 1778. and further this deponent saith not. - 
[signature] David Lake
Sworn and subscribed in open
Court this 8th day of Septem^r 1832
Asa Gray Clerk
Page 27

I Godfrey King of Tiverton, in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island etc aged Eighty two years on solemn oath depose and say; that I was well acquainted with Giles Manchester of said Tiverton, an applicant for a Pension under the late Act of Congress, during the War of the Revolution and also both before and since that time, I was frequently to the Camp near Howland Ferry, and at Fort Barton to see a brother of mine who belonged to an Artillery Company, and I perfectly recollect of seeing said Giles Manchester doing duty in the same Company at the different times aforesaid. I do not recollect whose Company it was; not belonging to it myself, but I remember it was the year of Sullivans Expedition; I was on Rhode Island in Gen. Sullivan's expedition and I then saw said Giles on there also and in the same Artillery Company and I verily believe, from the best of my recollection that said Giles did duty in said Company for one year and further the Deponent saith not - 
[signature] Godfrey King
Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court
this 8th day of September 1832
Asa Gray Clerk
Page 28

State of Rhode Island etc
County of Newport
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Newport, Giles Manchester of Tiverton in said County an applicant for a pension 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 periods of the war therein mentioned, and in the following grades; namely, in Capt. Davol's Company of Militia from December 1776 to September 1777 as a private, for at least five tours of one month each - In the same Company of Militia now under the Command of Capt. Borden from September 1777 to March 1778 not less than three months as a private - In Capt Adams Company of Artillery in Col^o Elliots Regiment from March 1778 to March 1779 twelve months as a private or [illegible] In the same company of Militia as first above named now under the command of Capt. Durfee & Lieut Howland from March 1779 to November 1779. four months as a private these last months were as near as I can recollect April, June, August & October - making in all twenty-four months, and for such service I claim a Pension
And he further declares that there is no Clergyman in his neighborhood or vicinity as he heretofore declared in Court and in his Declaration
[signature] Giles Manchester X his cross
Subscribed and duly Sworn
at Tiverton in said County
of Newport on this 20th day
July 1833
Charles Durfee Justice of the Peace -
Page 29

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate of the Town of
Tiverton in the County of Newport aforesaid - 
I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that Charles Durfee whose signature is affixed to the within Deposition of Giles Manchester and the annexed Deposition of William Albert is one of the Justice of the Peace for the Town of Tiverton & County of Newport in the State aforesaid duly commissioned under the Seal of said State, engaged thereon according to Law and fully qualified to act in his said capacity And I further certify that the Signatures of his name to said Depositions are his genuine Signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at said Tiverton this twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, and of American Independence the fifty eighth - 
[signature] Asa Gray, Clerk
[Seal affixed to the right of the above text]
Page 30

I William Albert of Tiverton in the County of Newport in the State of Rhode Island etc. aged Seventy two years on Solemn oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with Giles Manchester of this town, an applicant for a Pension, A part of the year 1777, the year 1778 and part of the year 1779 I belonged to and did duty in a Company of Militia in said Tiverton, under Capt Borden, and the said Giles Manchester with whom I was then well acquainted belonged to the same Company, I have been on duty with him employed in guarding the shores of said Tiverton opposite to Rhode Island, frequently in the year 1777 & until he enlisted into the Artillery in the Spring of the year 1778. I am not able to say what length of time he served in the militia aforesaid - but I do recollect that we were out on actual duty at least one half of the time and for periods of a month at a time and that I have served out a number of said tours with said Manchester - 
[signature] William Albert X his mark
State of Rhode Island County of Newport - [illegible]
Be it known that on this 20^th day of July in the year [1833?] personally appeared the the [repeated] above named William Albert and made oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed - and I hereby certify that the Deponent is a credible person - 
Before me Charles Durfee Justice of the Peace
Page 31

I William Lake of Troy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Sixty nine years, being duly sworn on my oath, declare that I was always acquainted with the late Giles Manchester of [crossed out: this town] ^Tiverton, a pensioner, and with his wife or widow Margaret Manchester of s^d [said] town who is now an applicant for a pension - The said Margaret is my sister, several years older than myself. Our Father was the late Richard Lake of this town - we lived during the said war, about half a mile from the late Edward Manchester of [crossed out: this] ^sd [said] town, the father of said Giles - I can well remember many of the events that occurred during the revolutionary war - and more particularly those which happened while the Enemy were on Rhode Island, - I well remember the time that my said sister was married to said Giles - It was soon after the Battle on Rhode Island - but I am not certain as to the month - said Giles was then a soldier in the Army, and after the retreat of the Americans from Rhode Island, in that year, the company to which s^d [said] Giles belonged, were encamped at Howlands ferry - within one mile of my Father's house - and he belonged to the company and was a soldier at the time they were married - At the time of the marriage, as was customary at that time, they had a merry time and had a fiddle and dancing - At the time the enemy left Rhode Island, I believe said Giles belonged to the Militia, and went to Newport. My sister, the said Margaret, at that time was very sick with a broken breast - and I went with my Father on to Rhode Island after s^d [said] Giles to come home - we found him on s^d [said] Island, about three miles out of Newport, on the west road, and he was discharged the next day and came home - I have always lived in said Tiverton, until the last two years - I now reside with my son Edward Lake, in Fall river, or Troy (just over the Tiverton line) in Massachusetts - 
[signature] William his X mark Lake
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport  }ss
On the third day of October 1836. Before the Court of Probate of the Town of Tiverton in the County and State aforesaid a Court of record, personally appeared the above named William Lake, a credible witness, and subscribed and was sworn to the truth of his aforegoing Deposition, according to Law
[signature] Asa Gray, Clerk of Probate Court
Page 32

I Sarah Springer of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, the wife of Knight Springer, of lawful age, being sworn according to Law, depose - That I am the oldest child of the late Giles Manchester of this town, who was a pensioner of the United States for his revolutionary services - And of Margaret Manchester his widow, who is now of said town, and an applicant for a pension. If I live till the month of January next, I shall be fifty eight years of age. I have many times heard my Father and Mother relate incidents that occurred during the revolutionary war - I have many times heard them say that they were married in the month of October after Sullivans Expedition. I have always understood from my earliest recollections, that I was born while the British were on Rhode Island, and in the month of January succeeding their marriage, all of which I believe to be true - 
I further declare that my Mother, the said Margaret has been blind for the last seven years, being unable to go, at all, unless she is led by the hand - And that she has never married since my s^d [said] Father's decease - 
[signature] Sarah her X mark Springer
Signed in presence of us Asa Gray
Susan Gray
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport }ss
Be it known that on the 5th day of November 1836, before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Sarah Springer and subscribed and made oath to the truth of her above Deposition and I further certify that said Deponent is a credible person
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 33

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks Office of the Court of Probate of the town of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I, Asa Gray, Clerk of said Court of Rhode Island a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Asa Gray is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Newport, duly appointed commissioned and sworn; and fully authorized to act in his said capacity. And I further certify that the signature of his name to the certificate on the within affidavit is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this sixth day of December in the year 1836 - 
Asa Gray Clerk
[faint seal to the left of signature]