Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10608, Christopher Edwards, R.I.
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Service R.I.
Edwards, Christopher
Number S.10608.
Carded
Contents
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10450
Rhode Island
Christopher Edwards of Providence in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Wilbur of the __________ commanded by ____________ in the Rhode Island line for 4 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 46 dollars 66 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of April 1833 and sent - Jonah Titus Scituate R. Island
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $93.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept " 23.33
$116.65
{Revolutionary Claim,} 
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk
Book E  Vol. 2d  Page 108
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
County of Providence
On this 15th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared before me Jesse Howard one of the Justices of the court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Providence, which co[unty] is a court of Record
Christopher Edwards, a resident of the town of Scituate in the county of Providence, and State of Rhode Island &c, Cooper aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oathe make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June
 7. 1832. That he [illegible] the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served [on or as] [illegible] States: I was born the 8th of August 1756 in said Scituate
I was living in Scituate when first called into service, and always lived in this town, except a short time, which I lived in Coventry R.I.
I first enlisted as a minute man, into Capt Joseph Knights company of minute men in the fall of 1775 & went immediately into service in his said company, and was stationed in ^about the town of Newport, Capt Knight lived in Scituate, I served as a minute man in said company till the general alarm in the fall of 1776, we marched thro Providence, R.I.  I was in the engagement on Providence Island in January 1776,  I remember that I went over from Rhode Island to Providence in Capt. William Bartons boat in Company with Wm Brown deceased, late of Scituate, and Stephen Leach Jun.  and Oliver Leach and after Wallaces fleet went down against the town of Newport I was dismissed till further orders; yet I was [illegible]
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to serve in said company when called & was called seal times
previous to the General alarm; I should say that I was in the field
from November 1775 to November 1776 as much as half of the time
and was a standing soldier all the time as before stated - the other 
officers in said company were, Lieu. Stephen Leach and Ensign
Coomer Smith; I am old and hard of hearing and cannot remember 
so well as I wish I could. I do remember being drafted in the Militia of serving
at Bristol, R.I. three times at least when Stephen Young of
Scituate was serving there, and one other time, these were month
Tours; I cannot tell exactly what time in the war these tours
of duty were done, and either I cannot remember my officers 
yet I feel confident that Capt. Samuel Wilbur of Scituate 
aforesaid commanded one of the months; soon after the general
alarm in 1776 there was what was called a draft of our
half the R. I. Militia and I was drafted; after this I served one 
half of the time under different officers but still in what
order each commanded it is impossible for me to remember. 
I well remember of being at Warwick R. I. several times 
under service, and of marching once through Providence on my
day to Newport, as I remember in going through said
Providence, one Stephen Young, and myself seeing a march.
I think this march was in 1779 I never left the service
till such times as soldiers were not needed; but whether
this was in 1779, 1780 or 1781 I cannot swear; In those 
monthly tour I served under the following officers whom 
I do remember Captains, Samuel Wilbur, Peter Pierce,
Benjamin Wood all of Scituate tho’ Pierce lived in what
is now Foster, Simeon Harrinton of said Foster, Jonathan 
Knight I think of Scituate, and one Thomas Field, then Lieu. 
of Scituate, and there were also Captains Edward Knight 
Isaac Hopkins, James Wills & Isaac Blanchard. I was under Gen. Wm. West, Gen.
Christopher Lippit commanded some, and I was some in the
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Regiment of Col. Richmond, I remember of serving Stephen
Kimball, John Waterman, Chad Brown and John Colwell
Colonels, and Gen. Ezekiel Cornell. Said John Waterman
was a good deal at Warwick.
I never received any written discharge and have no 
documentary evidence of my service.
and Moses Potter, Ira Williams, John King, Thomas Parker, 
Frances Parker, Charles Stone and Harry Stone are now
my neighbours and townsmen, and can be referred to
& can testify as to my character for truth and veracity 
and their belief of my being a soldier in the revolution. 
Such Depositions of living witnesses, as I have. I hereto annex. 
I am too infirm in bodily health to attend
Court at a distance from home.
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.
Christopher Edwards his X mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Jesse Howard G. C. C. Pleas
County of Providence
We Joseph Carpenter and Jonah Titus
residing in said town of Scituate
certify that we are well acquainted with Christopher Edwards
who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration, that
we believe him to be seventy six years of age; that he is
reported and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides
to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur
in that opinion-
Joseph Carpenter  his X mark
Jonah Titus
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before me Jesse Howard J. C. C. Pleas
County of Providence
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And I the said Jesse Howard Justice of the Court of
Common Pleas as aforesaid, do hereby declare
my opinion after the investigation of the matter and
after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the
War Department that said applicant was a 
revolutionary soldier and served as he states; and I
further certify that it appears to me that Joseph
Carpenter and Jonah Titus residing in the
vicinity of the applicant in said Scituate 
are credible persons and that their statement
is entitled to credit. And I further certify that said
applicant is unable from bodily infirmity to
attend the sitting of the court, which is by law in
Providence 14 miles from his place of residence. 
I further certify that the foregoing contains my
original proceedings in the matter of the application 
of Christopher Edwards for a pension-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand at Scituate aforesaid, this 15th day of 
August A. D. 1832-
Jesse Howard J. C. C. Pleas
County of Providence
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Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, 
A Justice of the Peace in and for the town of Scituate
and County of Providence, and State of Rhode Island &c,
Christopher Edwards of said Scituate, who
is an applicant for a pension under the act of
Congress passed June 7, 1832, who, in amendment
of his declaration for such pension, 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 two years and three
months I served as a private soldier, and for such
service I claim a pension-To wit in December
& January 1775 - 6 two months at Newport & Providence 
under Captain Joseph Knight, December & January 
1776 - 7 two months stationed at Bristol under Captain
Samuel Wilbur, in March 1777 one month stationed at Warwick
under said Wilbur, in May 1777 one month stationed
at Bristol under Captain James Wells; in June 
1777 one month stationed at Warwick under Capt. 
Peter Pierce; in October 1777 one month hired to take
the place of one Davis Vaughn stationed at Warren
under Capt. Jonathan Knight; in August & September 
1777 one month stationed at Newport under said
Capt. Samuel Wilbur; in the fall of 1778, one month
stationed at Bristol under Captain James Wills
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in the winter of 1778 on month Stationed at 
Warren under Captain Nathan Rilfik; in the
Spring of 1779 one month, stationed at Warwick, under
Captain Isaac Blanchard, in May 1779 one
month stationed at Warwick under Captain Edward
Knight, in September 1779 one month stationed
at Warwick under Captain Isaac Hopkins; 
being stationed and serving monthly tours of duty at 
the places before mentioned I well remember, and
the times when, and the names of my officers I do state
according to my best recollection and belief under the
oath I have taken. I feel confident of having
served in said war, at least two years and three
months, but am so old and broken that I cannot 
remember to give an exact amount. 
I am very poor, and wish to add, that at least
I hope to be allowed for the foregoing fifteen months. 
The two first months I served as a minute man; 
the other service except the month, when I was
hired by David Vaughan, I did upon the regular
drafts in the militia.
Christopher Edwards his X mark
Providence Sc in Scituate on the 26th day of
November 1832 the foregoing affidavit was
Subscribed and sworn to by said Christopher
Edwards Before me Jonah Titus Just. Peace
I further certify that he is the same person
Turn over
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whose pension papers have been returned
Numbered 4807 and to which this is annexed
Jonah Titus Just. Peace
State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations
Providence Sc I William R. Watson Clerk
of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the
County of Providence in said State, hereby certify
that Jonah Titus is a Justice of the Peace for
the town of Scituate in said County & State that the
above signature, is in the proper hand writing of
said titles and that he is duly authorized to administer 
oaths & take depositions.
[seal]
In Witness whereof I hereunto
set my hand and affix the
Seal of said Court at Providence
this 28th day of November 1832
Wm. R. Watson
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
PROVIDENCE, SC.
I WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for
the county of Providence in the State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify, that Jesse
Howard is a Judge of the court of Common Pleas aforesaid, 
which court is a Court of Record; that the signature to the annexed document
purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of the said Howard
and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of the said Howard
[seal]
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the
seal of said Court, at Providence this twentieth
day of August in the year of our
Lord 1832.
Wm R Watson
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4807
Christopher Edwards
Private 14 Months
R. I. 
Letter 29 Oct 1832
W. C. E
The Magistrate has not certified to the credibility of the witnesses- papers not properly authenticated has not mentioned with precision the length of his service
Jonah Titus
South Scituate
R. I
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4807
BRIEF in the case of Christopher Edwards of Scituate Prov. Cy. in the State of R. Island
(Act 7 June, 1832.)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  a Judge
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  Yes from age & bodily infirmity
3.  How old is he?  70
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Duration of Service.  Years, Months, Days.
In 1775 In the fall of- till the fall of '76
1776*#
In this year served monthly terms
He says in substance, that after the general} 
alarm in '76, he served full half the time} 
between that and either '79 '80 or '01- he} 
can't remember which}
Rank.  As a
private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Capt Jos Knight -  minute men
one of his Captains was Capt. Law. Wilbur
can't remember the other officers
5.  In what battles was he engaged?  Engagement on Providence Island in Jany '76.
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Scituate
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Several living witnesses who testify generally that he was a minute man and that he served &c &c
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  They are defective the papers being strung together without passing the ribon [ribbon] through a Seal- or signed at the bottom of each page.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. C. Easton
Examining Clerk.
*the general alarm in the fall of '76
# says he was in the field from Nov '75 to Nov '76 more than half the time
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Rev War
10608
INVALID.
File No. 10,608
Christopher Edwards
Priv.  Rev. War
Act:  June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. A, Page 110
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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I Thomas Parker of Scituate in the County of Providence 
and State of Rhode Island &c. of lawful age
and duly engaged according to Law Do testify
& say: That I am well acquainted with Mr. 
Christopher Edwards of said Scituate an applicant
for a pension; I know & well remember that he
was one of the minute men enlisted by Joseph
Knight, and that he was at Bristol, Warren and
Warwick R. I. as a soldier in the revolutionary
war in the Rhode Island Militia, I know that
he was in the Spencer’s and Sulivan [Sullivan] expeditions, and
I considered him one of the Drafted soldiers who took their 
tours in going to the shores, one month at a time
pretty much through the said War, perhaps some
of the time in the summer season they stayed 15 days
each instead of a month, and went either every
other month or every other fifteen days so that it would
be regular serving one half of the time as my 
recollection serves me. I think his general character
for truth and veracity is good, he is quite old
& feeble aged I think seventy six years.
Thomas Parker his X mark
Witness
Jonah Titus
Providence Ss in Scituate on this 31st of August
1832 personally came Thomas Parker, signer of
the above and made oath to the truth of the same;
before me Jonah Titus Just. Peace
I further certify that Thomas Parker is a credible
person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Joseph Titus Just. Peace
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I Stephen Young of Scituate in the County of Providence
and State of Rhode Island &c. of lawful age 
and duly engaged according to Law do Certify
and say, that I am well acquainted with
Christopher Edwards of said Scituate and do know
that he was at Bristol, R. I. in service as a soldier
in the Militia, in the revolutionary war at least three
months, and I was with him at Warwick R. I. as 
many as three if not four times as a soldier as above
stated, when we served as marchers a month at a
time; I was knowing to his being a minute man
under Capt. Joseph Knight & serving on Providence 
in said war; I have every reason to expect, and
do verily believe from what I know, and from
what is the general impression in the neighborhood 
of said Edwards, that he was one of the Militia
who served on a Draft after Spencer’s expedition
one half of the time till the service of soldiers
was dispensed with in said war in this State; I consider
Mr. Edwards’ Character for truth and veracity to
to be good in his neighbourhood, and every where
else, I remember of seeing said Edwards on Rhode
Island in Sullivan’s expedition; and found him out in
the cold quite chilled, and got him in and gave him
some refreshment—
Stephen Young
Providence in Scituate July 31st 1832 Personally
came Stephen Young signer of the above & made
oath to the truth of the same Before me
Jonah Titus Just Peace
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And I further certify that said Stephen Young is a 
credible person and that his statement is entitled
to credit
Jonah Titus Just Peace
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I Charles Stone of Scituate in the County
of Providence and State of Rhode
Island, being of lawful age and duly engaged according
to Law do testify and say- that I am sixty
Eight years of age, & have known Christopher 
Edwards of this town ever since I was a boy.
I have always understood, and do believe that
he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. 
I have often heard my father, who was in the
war aforesaid, speak of said Edward being in
the same; I have heard my said father speak
of Edward being one who upon a certain 
occasion in Sullivans expedition, piled up their cobs
in a great pile at the margin of one of their
officers who had forbidden the soldiers to get
corn, yet the said officer at his horse go in the
cornfield. This circumstance was remarkable as
the officers never forbid the soldiers getting the 
corn afterwards, and made a good deal of laugh and
sport. Said Edward is a poor old man, with an 
infirm, broken down constitution - his character
for truth and veracity never was called in
question to my knowledge or belief and his memory 
is very poor and he has the general character 
of having been in said war more or less from
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Its commencement to about the time of its termination. 
This character has been attached to him, to my
Recollection, ever since the war, his duty as a soldier
was done, as I believe & have been informed in this
State.
Charles Stone
State of Rhode Island &c,
Providence Ss. In Scituate on this 14th day of August
1832 personally appeared Charles Stone signer of the
above and foregoing Deposition and made solemn
oath that the facts therein stated are true to the
best of his knowledge and belief. And I further
certify that said Deponant is a clergyman, residing
in vicinity of the said Edwards and that he is a
credible person and that his statement is entitled
to credit
Before me
Jonah Titus Just. Peace
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I Francis Parker of Scituate in the County of
Providence and State of Rhode Island of
lawful age and duly engaged according to law 
do testify and say - That I am well acquainted with
Mr. Christopher Edwards of said Scituate. 
That in Spencer’s expedition I saw him at Tiverton
R. I. as a soldier in the Rhode Island Militia under
Captain Johnathan Knight, he served there a month
I think; I saw him at Bristol, R. I. under Capt. 
Samuel Wilbur but can’t say how long he was
there; and I saw him at Warwick Neck R. I. 
when he served under said Samuel Wilbur,
he served there as a drafted Soldier one half of the
time; do not know all his officers, but do know
that he was a regular drafted Soldier nearly all
the war and was on some of the [illegible] Posts his
half of the time, the drafts run in that way, as
I understood it - to serve one month and then 
be relieved by the other soldiers who served under the same
head-- Mr Edwards general Character
for truth and veracity is good, and is a man of 
great years, say seventy six years and his health
is feeble.
Frances Parker his X mark
Witness
Jonah Titus
Providence Ss. In Scituate on this 3d day of
August 1832 personally Francis Parker, signer
of the above made solemn oath that the facts
above stated are true to the best of his knowledge
& belief. Before me Jonah Titus Just Peace
I further certify that said Francis is a credible person & that his statement
entitled to credit.
Jonah Titus Just. Peace
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4807
State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations
Providence Ss. I William R. Watson Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas in the County of Providence
in the State of Rhode Island, hereby certify that Jonah
Titus is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Scituate 
in said County of Providence - that he is
duly authorized to administer oaths and take
depositions and the signatures to the annexed
documents, purporting to be his, is in the
proper hand writing of said Titus and that
full faith and credit an due to the official
attestations of said Titus.
[seal]
In Witness whereof I hereunto
set my hand and affix the
Seal of said Court at
Providence this twentieth day
of August in the year
1832
Wm. R. Watson