Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 21,788, Owen Greennell, R.I.
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RI         Greennell, Owen.           S21.788
                        or
             Grennell
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21574 Rhode Island Owen Greennell of Newport State of R.I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Traftan of the Rgt. commanded by Col. Topham in the R.I. line for 2 years. Greennell W. W. G. Feb 12, 07 Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Sept. 1833 and sent C. E. Robbins Newport R.I. Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 $200.00 Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 34 - 40.00 $240.00 Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by D D Addison Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 111
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Declaration. State of Rhode Island &c County of Newport. Town of Little Compton Sc. On this third dayy of October, A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate of Little Compton, in the county and State aforesaid, at an adjourned session thereof - Owen Greennell, a resident of said Little Compton, aged sixty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. 1 That in the year 1778, in the town of Little Compton, in the State of Rhode Island this declarant was fairly draughted as a private militia man in a company, which, for two months, was commanded by Captain Gideon Simmons; and for two months, by Captainn Ephraim Simmons; and served therein a period of four months. This company was draughted, as declarant is informed and believes, under authority of the act of the General Assembly of December 1776, while the British were in possession of Rhode Island, and for the purpose of protecting the shores of Little Compton from the incursions of the enemy. Declarants company was stationed at Seaconnet Point; and the arrangement of duty was, what has been stated in many other Declarations; - viz. that one half of the company was called into service for one month, which then was 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 while, being included in the draught and ready for duty at a moment's warning. 2. That, in the spring following, viz. in March, 1779, this declarant enlisted as a private, in Col. John Topham's regiment of R.I. State troops, in the company commanded by Captain Traffor, for a period of twelve months, and served out the whole period of his enlistment. Topham's regiment was first stationed at Little Compton, previous to the evacuation of Rhode Island by the British. Afterwards, to wit, August 1779 declarant accompanied his regiment with who other on the Continental establishment, when they produred the flat-bottomed boats from Taunton, and landed on Rhode Island.
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while the British were entrenched at Butt's Hill. The British spent their cannon, decamped in the night, and entirely quitted the Island. Declarant then proceeded to Providence in this State, and performed the residue of his twelve months as a waiter to Lieutenant Samuel Northam, adjutant in Col. Greene's regiment, to which a number of the officers and men of Topham's had been previously transferred. Declarant's term of enlistment in this regiment expiring in March 1780, he was at that time discharged, and returned to Little Compton. 3 Declarant further states upon oath as aforesaid, that in     while the French were in possession of Rhode Island, he was draughted as a private, from the militia of Little Compton, and performed two tours of duty as a guardsman, one under Captain John Davis, and the other under Captain Rowse Pearce, in the regiment commanded by Col. Church - in all a term of six months. That afterwards, and while the French were still in garrison at Rhode Island, he was again draughted as a private, in the militia aforesaid, and did duty at Brenton's Point as a militiat guardsman, for different periods, in all nine months under Captains Coe, Fraffor, Grennell, and Allen. That during the same period of the occupation of the Island by the French, he was again draughted, and served, as a private, with Captain John Davis's company of militia - had for a month the command of a boat belonging to the commissariat department, and was employed in transporting provisions, officers, &c. from and to different points and stations, in the harber of Newport. That about a month subsequent to the last mentioned service he was accepted and acted as a substitute for one Jonathan Taylor, in the company of militia commanded by    then stationed at Brenton's Point and that he served in said capacity for the term of one month. That the declarant being again draughted served again in the commissariat department, and was employed in that duty, in a [illegible] boat, for the period of one other month. That taking all the above mentioned periods of service into one aggregate, this declarant served in the revolutionary war, in the militia, State troops, &c. two years and eight months actual duty.
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4 Declarant further states upon oath as aforesaid, that he was born in the Town of Little Compton in the then Colony of Rhode Island April 4th 1763; that a record of his birth is to be found in the Town clerks office of said town - a certificate of which with the attestation of the presend town clerk will be hereunto annexed; that he was living at the time of his first entering the service as aforesaid in 1778, in the said town of Little Compton; that he has liven there since the Revolutionary; and now resides there; that he is unable to fix with more precision that he has herein done, the day, month, and year, when he entered the service, or when he left the same; that he has never received any written discharge from either of said companies, nor was it usual in the Revolution to grand such a discharge; that he has no documentary evidence of the services he has sworn to, nor did he ever possess any; that as to the manner of his being called into the service, and the names of the officers under whom he served, they are succinctly stated in the preceding part of this Declaration Owen Greennell 5. Declarant further states as aforesaid that he refers to Thomas Burgess, and Nathaniel Gray, as persons to whom he is known in his present neighbourhood, who can testify to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. 6. He hereby relinquished 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. Owen Greennell Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year above written. Witness A.R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
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The Thomas Burgess, residing in Little Compton
in the County of Newport, and State of Rhode Island, and
Nathaniel Gray, residing in the same Little Compton, hereby
certify, that we are well acquainted with Owen Greennell, who has
subscribed to the above Declaration: that we believe him to be sixty
nine of age; and that he is reputed and believed in his present 
neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution
and that we concur in that opinion; and that we believe him to
be a person of veracity.
Sworn to and subscribed
in open Court, the day and year
before written.}
Thomas Burgess
Nath Gray
Witness A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interogatories 
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 Thomas Burgess
who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident
of Little Compton; and that Nathaniel Gray, who has also signed
the same, is also a resident of the same Little Compton, and that
both are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled
to credit.
The testimony of the nearest clergyman having been
requested, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of the applicant, 
the Court think it proper to state, that the Rev. Emerson
Paine having been recently settled in this place, and the only one
who could conveniently be called upon, was not sufficiently
acquainted with the applicant to be used as a witness.
I Alexander R. Brownell, Clerk of the
Court of Probate of the Town of Little Compton in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify that the foregoing 
contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the 
application of Owen Greennell for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of said Court this third
day of October, A. D. 1832
A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk
[seal]
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Town Clerks Office Little Compton January 8th 1833.
I hereby certify that Owen Greennell the son of Malicia
Greenell & Lydia his wife was born April the 4 A. 1763.
as of record doth appear.
Witness A. R. Brownell Town Clerk.
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Joseph Church of Little Compton, in the State of
Rhode Island, of lawful age, upon solemn oath, deposes and
says, that he is well acquainted with Owen Greennell, who on
the third day of October 1832, subscribed and swore to his 
Declaration in open Court, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of
Congress of June 7th 1832: that he is knowing to the service
sworn to by said Greennell in the third paragraph of his declaration, 
while the French were in possession of Rhode Island to wit the
tour of duty as a guardsman under Capt. John Davis in the 
regiment commanded by Col Church -- that this deponent was a
private in the same company & served with said Greennell the
period of one month; and he fully believes that said Greenell 
served the full time mentioned in that part of his Declaration
to wit six months under John Davis and Rowse Pearce.
Newport Sc.
Joseph Church
State of Rhode Island &
Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton
October 3rd 1832. Then personally appeared
Joseph Church, subscribed to the foregoing deposition, and having
first heard read the declaration of Owen Greennell to this Court
made, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed
June 7th 1832 I made solemn oath to the truth of each and every
part of said deposition by him the said Joseph subscribed. And the
Court further certifies that the said Joseph Church is a person of good
reputation and standing, and that his statements are entitled to credit. 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of Court.
A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk
[seal]
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Gideon Church of Little Compton in the State of
Rhode Island of lawful age, upon solemn oath, deposes and says
that he is well acquainted with Owen Greennell, who on the third
day of October 1832, made his declaration in open Court, in order
to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress pased June 7, 1832
that he is knowing to the fact that said Greennell was employed in a
decked boat in the commissarial department, while the French
were at Rhode Island as stated in his declaration-- having seen him
so employed.
Gideon Church
Newport Sc.
State of Rhode Island &c
Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton
October 3rd 1832
Then personally appeared in
open Court, Gideon Church, subscribed to the foregoing deposition, and
having first heard read the declaration of Owen Grinnell to this
Court made in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed
June 7th 1832 made solemn oath to the truth of each and every part of
said deposition, by him, the said Gideon, subscribed. And the Court
further certifies, that the said Gideon Church is a person of good repuation 
and standing, 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
A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk
[seal]
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John Springer of Little Compton in the
State of Rhode Island upon solemn oath, deposes & says - that he
is well acquainted with Owen Greennell, who has this day 
subscribed and sworn to his Declaration in open Court, that he
knowing to the truth of that part of the Declaration where said Greennell 
states that he served four months guard duty in the Little
Compton Militia, two under Capt. Gideon Simmons & two under
Captain Ephraim Simmons. This was in the year 1778, and deponent
was a private with said Grennell under the same commanders 
and stationed at Seaconnet Point. The deponent can further 
testify, that though not a private in the State troops, he was knowing 
to the fact of said Grinnell’s enlistment and service in Col. 
Topham's regiment in the year 1779 - having frequently seen him
engaged therein, while the State troops were stationed in Little
Compton and at Howlands ferry.
John Springer his X mark
C.E. Rollins
witness to signing}
Newport Sc. State of Rhode Island &
Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton
October 3rd 1832
Then personally appeared in open Court, 
John Springer, subscriber to the foregoing deposition and having
first heard read the declaration of Owen Greennell to this Court made in 
order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832) made
solemn oath to the truth of each and every part of said deposition, by
him, the said John subscribed. And the Court further certifies that  
the said John Springer is a person of a good reputation and character
and that his statements are entitled to full faith & credit
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of
Court.
[seal with ribbon]
A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
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Owen Grennell
22189
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John Carr of Tiverton in the State of Rhode
Island of lawful age, upon solemn oath, deposes and says, that
He is well acquainted with Owen Greennell, who has this day subscribed 
and sworn to his Declaration in open Court, in order to
in the benefit of an act of Congress of June 7th 1832: that
was well acquainted with said Grinnell in 1779 and knows that
was a private in Captain Traffon's company of state troops in
Topham’s regiment, which was stationed in Little Compton and at
Howlands ferry, having frequently seen him on duty. Deponent believes 
that said Greennell served in said troops the period of a 
year.  At the time the French were in possession of Rhode Island
deponent was draughted and served as a private with said Grennell 
a period of probably six months, in the company of militia
commanded by Capt. Benj. Coe. We were stationed at Brenton’s
Point at Jubleel Brenton's House.  What length of time said
Grennell served and above said period he is unable to state.
John Carr
State of Rhode Island &c
Newport Sc
October 3rd 1832
Court of Probate, Town of Little Compton
Then personally appeared John Carr in open
Court, subscriber to the foregoing deposition and (having first heard
read the declaration of Owen Greennell to this Court made in order
to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832) 
made solemn oath to the truth of each and every part of said
deposition by him the said John, subscribed. And the Court
further certifies that said John Carr is a person of good reputation 
and standing, and that his statements are entitled to full
faith and credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & seal of said Court
A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk
[seal with ribbon]
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Supplementary Declaration
State of Rhode Island &
County of Newport, Town of Little Compton Sc}
On this ninth day of August, A. D. 1833
then personally appeared in open court before the Court of 
Probate of Little Compton in the County and State aforesaid, at
an adjourned session thereof, Owen Greennell, a resident of
said Little Compton, being the same Owen, who made his declaration 
to this Court, on the third day of October, A. D. 1832 (in 
order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7 1832
and having been duly sworn, doth on his oath make the following
supplemental declaration and affidavit to be annexed to
his original declaration and duly authenticated.
1. That with regard to the guard duty at
Seaconnet Point, in the Town of Little Compton, which is
specified in the first paragraph of declarants original 
declaration, as having taken place in 1778 - declarant avers 
that owing to imperfection of memory and advanced age he has
incorrectly set it forth in said original declaration. On
further reflection, he states it on oath as follows: that he
was draughted and entered upon duty in the company of
Little Compton militia, which was detached for guard
service at Seaconnet Point at the Southern extremity of Little
Compton on the first day of November 1778. Declarant continued
on duty in said company a term of four months & was discharged
on the first day of March 1779. In two of these months
viz in November 1778, and January 1779 he served in his own
turn, as a draughted man. In December 1778, he
he served the month out as a substitute for Jonathan
Taylor, deceased; and in February he served as a substitute 
for Samuel Coe deceased for the entire month. During
two months of the before mentioned service at Seaconnet 
Point this company was commanded by Captain Gideon
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Simmons and two months by Captain Ephraim Simmons
No Colonel was on duty at that time, to the declarants 
Recollection. Samuel Coe Sen. was his Lieutenant.
2. That with regard to his service in Col. John
Topham's regiment of Rhode Island State troops for the
term of one year he begs leave to refer the Commissioner
to the second paragraph of his original declaration which
recites that service minutely. He will here add, that he swears on oath
that he enlisted in Captain Traffor’s company of Tophams
regiment on the 16th day of March 1779 and after serving
out the whole year was discharged on the 16th day of March
1780. His officers were Col. John Topham, Captain
Dufreey Traffor, 1st Lieutenant Saml. Northam; 2d Lieut. 
___ Matthews-- all now deceased.
3. That with regard to the tours of service stated
in the third paragraph of declarants original declaration, under
Captain John Davis and Captain Rouse Pearce in the
regiment commanded by Col. Nathaniel Church - and
of which the declarant was unable to fix the date in his
original declaration - he now states upon further and
better recollection, that he was draughted as a private for
said service on the first day of October 1780 and continued
continued to do duty under John Davis & Rowse Pearce for
six months viz. until the 1st day of April 1781 when he was
discharged. Other officers not recollected
4. That with regard to his tour of nine months
under Captains Coe, Traffor, Grennell, and Allen, as stated
in said third paragraph of his original declaration, he here
avers upon oath that on the third day of April 1781 
(immediately after the expiration of his last mentioned service) 
he was draughted as a private for duty at Brenton's Paul
and immediately entered thereon where he continued engaged
for nine month viz until the third day of January 1782
when he received his discharge.
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Declarant will here state that while engaged in his
six months tour under Captains Davis and Pearce - the 
regiment to which he was attached was stationed at one 
Stoddards about half way between Newport and Bristol Ferry.
And that in his nine months service at Brenton's Point they
were commanded by French officers - names not recollected.
5. That with regard to the remaining services stated
in said third paragraph, making three months duty in
the commissarial department and as a substitute for 
Jonathan Taylor, he is unable from defect of memory and his
advanced age to give any more precise information than his
declaration affords.
Owen Greennell
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court
the day and year above written}
Witness A. R. Brownell
Probate Clerk
I Alexander R. Brownell, Clerk of the Court
of Probate of the Town of Little Compton in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that the foregoing
papers (attached together by one ribbon, which passes under the
seal hereunto set) are all the original proceedings of said
Court (in the matter of the application of Owen Greennell for 
a pension) held on the third day of October A.D. 1832: also
the certificate of the birth of said Owen from the clerk of Little
Compton, dated January 8th 1833; the depositions of Joseph
Church, Gideon Church, John Springer and John Carr in the same
matter of the application of said Owen for a pension, taken
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on the third day of October aforesaid: together with the 
supplementary declaration of said Owen to this Court made on the
ninth day of August A. D. 1833, and now for the first time to
said papers annexed.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and the seal of said Court this ninth day of August
A. D. 1833
A. P. Brownell Probate Clerk
[seal with ribbon]
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Revolution
21788
INVALID. [illegible]
File No. 21,788
Owen Greennell*
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 160
[Arrangement of 1870.]
*W. D. G. Feb. 12, 07
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22189
Owen Grennell
Private
served 2 years
Amended agreeably to the
directions of the Commissioner
by stating as near as can be 
recollected different tours of service
and names of officers under
whom declarant served.
See Supplementary Declaration
Papers duly attached and authenticated.
Capt. Trafton’s Compy
Col. Topham's Regt. R. I.
Chris. E. Robbins Esq
Newport
R. I.
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Owen Grenell 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?  no
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
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? 
Certified by Citizens
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'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? 
No
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.
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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.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Greenold, Amassa GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 5876 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Sept. 29, 1790 to Cornelius Williams
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.