Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,378, for Nelson Miller, Rhode Island
Page 1

SERVICE: R.I.

Miller, Nelson

NUMBER S.21.378
Page 2

Rhode Island

Nelson Miller of Bristol in the STate of Rhode Island who was a Sgt Major in the [illegible] by Captain       of the R.I. command by Col Church in the R.I.  for 2 years 2 months Major

Inscribed on the roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 108 Dollars     Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of August 1833 and

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833   $216.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 1833  $34.00
$270.00

Revolutionary Claim ct June 7, 1832
Recorded by DD Addison Clerk
Book D  Vol 3  Page 121

RI 521,378
Page 3

DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.
On this Sixteenth day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of [?] now sitting, Nelson Miller a resident of Bristol in the
County of Bristol, and State of Rhode-Island, aged seventy eight 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.

First he enlisted as a Drummer for eight months in April or May 1775
Thomas Church being Colonel of the Regiment, & Josiah Martindale Captain
of the Company that he served his term out and was discharged in December 1775
That he marched from Warren where he resided, to Jamaica Plain near Norton & near
the expiration of his term marched in Providence to Newport, & soon after back to near Norton.  That he enlisted again [?] in the year 1776 as Drum-Major for one year.
Henry Babcock being at first & Christopher Lippitt afterward Col of the Regiment
and Loving Peck Captain of the Company, & march through Connecticut to Harlem Heights & served his term out in that vicinity having been [?] to the fire of the enemy at the battle of White Plains, where he was discharged early in the year 1777 unpaid, & with many others begged his way home. He knew General Lee in both Conn [?] and saw General Washington in the latter. He enlisted again he thinks in January 1777 as Drum Major for fifteen months A Ivory being Col of the Regiment & Caleb [?]
Capt of the Company & served his whole time in Rhode Island partly at Bristol & partly at Howlands Ferry ,where he knew General Spencer Commander in Chief. He was born
at Warren in 1753 where his birth is recorded if any where, & when he lived until after
the war, having lived most of the time then & now living at Bristol. He has had no
written discharge that he remembers, & has no official warrant or other documentary evidence, but refers to Doctor Night his neighbors to Nathaniel Bullock
in Collector of the Fort for his character & reputed service as above stated I declaring the greatest part of the war afterwards

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.
Attest Ichabod Davis Clerk
Nelson Miller

We Henry Wight a Clergyman residing in the Town of Bristol and Nathaniel Bullock who has 
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we belive him to be seventy eight 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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Attest Ichabod Davis Clerk
Henry Wight 
N. Bullock


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 Henry Wight who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the town of Bristol and that Nathaniel Bullock who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and
that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest Ichabod Davis Clerk

Ichabod Davis Clerk of the Court of [?] hereby 
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicant Nelson Miller for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24 day of July A.D. 1832 
Ichabod Davis Clerk
P.S. Nov. 12 -23
see also the declaration of Leman Bullock as to Miller's service with him 
[?] for the applicant
Page 4

Questions propounded to Nelson Miller an applicant for a pension to whose declaration these interrogatories are annexed
1. Where & in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age & if so where is it?
3. where were you living when called into service; where have you
lived since the Revolutionary war, & where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you
volunteer or were you a substitute & if a substitute for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the
troops where you served; such Continental & Militia Regiments
as you can recollect & the general circumstances of your service.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so by whom was it given & what has become of it?
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present
neighborhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
Page 5

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
AWF/HMM




Mrs. R. F. Keeler
109 No. 3rd Avenue
Minneapolis
Minnesota.

Dear Madam:
.I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 21378, it appears that Nelson Miller was born in 1753 at
Warren, Rhode Island.
While residing at said Warren, he enlisted and served with the Rhode Island Troops as follows:

From April or May 1775 eight months as drummer in Captain Martindale's Company Colonel Thomas Church's Regiment; from early
in 1776, one year as drum major in Captain Loring Peck's Company
Colonels Henry Babcock's and Christopher Lippitt's Regiment, and was in the battle of White Plains; from in January 1777 fifteen months as drum major in Captain Caleb Carr's Company Colonel Archibald Crary's
Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 16, 1832, at which time he was living in Bristol, Rhode Island.
He died March 2, 1840 at said Bristol, leaving seven children.
Page 6

CHILDREN
John Miller  Wrentham, Massachusetts
James Miller   Wrentham, Massachusetts
Sally Munro   Bristol, Rhode Island
Rebecca Wood   Western part of State of New York
Betsey Kingsley   Fall River, Massachusetts
Polly Munro   Providence, Rhode Island
Hope Manchester   Providence, Rhode Island.

The name of his wife is not given.
The above is the history of the only Nelson Miller found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.

Very truly yours,
Earl D. Church
Commissioner.
Page 7

Rhode Island
Nelson Miller of Bristol in the State of RI
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain     of the Regt commanded
by Col Church in the R.I. line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of R I
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of Nov 1832 and sent John Stowe Bristol RI

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832  $120.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 1833  $40
$160.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by  J H M Blair Clerk 
Book D  Vol 37    Page 124.

In letter 7 Augt 1833 to Hon T. Burgess
Page 8

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Nelson Miller
of the State of Rhode Island who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Eighty dollars and  -  cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th
of March, and 4th of September, in every year

Given at the War Office of the United States,
this Twenty Sixth day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two,

Lew Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned
J L Edwards
Page 9

I, Simeon Bullock of Bristol County of Bristol
and State of Rhode Island & aged about Seventy five years, under solemn oath depose,
In the year 1776, Nelson Miller and myself entitled into Capt. Loring Peck's company of State Troops in the Regiment of Col. Lippitt for one year, we served a short time in said Bristol, and its vicinity, and there we were marched to New York at the expiration of our said time we were discharged and returned home
said Miller was during said time a drum Major in said Regiment - his rank in the regiment was with the Sergeants and their pay eight Dollars per month.
We were afterwards together in Col. Crary's Regiment in said Bristol, at Tiverton, and on Rhode Island was there at the expedition under Gen. Sullivan in 1778, said Miller was in the same capacity, a drum
major this enlistment was for fifteen months, and he served the whole time, in said station
Simeon Bullock


State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol at Bristol August 1. 1833
Personally came the above named deponent, and made solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing deposition and subscribed
the same before me. And I further certify that said deponant is personally known to me, and sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Wm Throop Justice
Court C. Pleas.


State of Rhode Island &c
Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas, County of Bristol
I hereby certify that that Wm Throop, whose signature is affixed in his own proper hand writing, to the taking of the aforegoing Depositions of William Diman, and Simon Bullock is Chief Justice of the Court aforesaid, duly commissioned under the seal of said State and engaged thereon accord ing to Law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Court this first day of August, in the year 1833. and of American Indepenence the fifty eighth
W. Bradford Clk
Page 10

I, William Diman of Bristol, County of
Bristol, and State of Rhode Island &c. aged Seventy four years, under solemn oath, depose.
I am will well acquainted with with Nelson Miller of said Bristol, and have been since I was a young man, at the commencement of the war of the Revolution.
In said war, said Miller was in the Regiment of Col Lippitt and acted as a drum Major, whose rank was with the sergeants, or non commissioned officers, also in Col. Crary's Regiment as drum Major, also, I served in said Regiment a short time as a substitute for one Sweet, the said Regiment was enlisted for fifteen months, both of said Regiments
were stationed in this time, a part of their time, of [illegible].
his
William Diman
Mark
State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol Se at Bristol August 1st 1833
Personally came William Diman, the above named deponant and made solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing deposition
and subscribed the same, before me.
And I further certify that said deponant is personally known to me and sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Wm Throop Justice
Court C. Pleas.
Page 11

your request of
for
of the military history of
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. File 21,378
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Apl. or May 75
Early 76
Jan. 77
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
8 mos.
1 year
15 mos.
RANK.
Drum.
Drum. Maj
"
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Martindale
Loring Peck
Caleb Carr
COLONEL.
Thos. [Thomas] Church
Henry Babcock
Christopher Lippitt
Archd, Crary
STATE.
R.I.
Battles engaged in, White Plains
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Warren R.I.
Date of application for pension, July 16, 1832. Allowed.
Residence at date of application, Bristol, R.I.
Age at date of application, born
1753 at Warren, R.I.
Remarks: He died Mch. [March] 2 1840 at Bristol R.I. leaving 7 children: John of Wrenthan, Mass James Miller and Sally
Munro of Bristol, R.I., Rebecca Wood of Western part of New York, Betsey
Kingsley of Fall River, Mass. Polly Munro and Hope Manchester of Providence, R.I.
Page 12


TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office,
April 9th, 1841.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Executor of Nelson Miller, decd
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Rhode Island Agency, at the rate of the hundred & eight Dollars per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the
4th of Sept. 1839. to the 2d March 1860.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.
Page 13

Providence Aug 15th 1833
Hon James L Edwards
Sir
I herewith enclose to
you the certificate of Nelson
Miller & request you to send to
me another for him as Drum Major
[illegible]
in the high
[illegible]
your
[illegible]
Tristam Burgess
Page 14

E. W. WHITAKER,
Late General Supt., B. of P.W.
Claims against the late District Gov't
A SPECIALTY.
WM. J. COOKE,
Late of Treasury Department.
Claims before the Treasury Departm't
IN ALL ITS BUREAUS A SPECIALTY.
OFFICE OF WHITAKER & COOKE,
GENERAL CLAIM AND COLLECTION AGENTS
No. 715 Fifteenth Street, opposite Riggs & Co.
Washington, D.C. Oct. 12 1875.
To the Honorable
Commissioner of Pensions.
Drum Major
21,378
Nelson Miller
[illegible] Potter
Dear Sir:
a correspondent at Bristol, R.I.
desires me to learn from the records in
the Revolutionary Pension Office at this
place to what extent Rhode Island
Soldiers took part in the battle of
"Bunker Hill". He says his state is not
credited with having any troops in that battle
and yet he knows that his grandfather Nelson
Miller, who was a private in Captain Sion
Martindales Co. in Col. Thomas Churchs r'gt was in that battle. Will you grant a
request to examine the records?
Yours very respectfully
E.W. Whitaker
P.S. I enclose letter referred to
Page 15

hon James L Edwards
Com of Penman
Washington
Page 16

Nelson Miller
He enlisted at Warren RI as drummer about May 1775 under Capt Martindale &
Col Thos Church marched to of Jamaica Plains near Boston near the
expiration of his term he was ordered to Newport RI & in a short time
the returned to Boston & dischgd [discharged] in Dec 1775
Early in 1776 he enlisted as Drum Major 
for one year under Capt Lorrig Peck
in recd at first comd by Sgt Henry Babcock, then by Col Chas Lippitt given to Harlen
Height near NY City & was exposed to the fire of the enemy (Oct 28, 1776) in battle of White Plains, at which place discharged 1777
Immediately after he volunteered as Drum Major for 15 mos under Capt Caleb Carr 
& Regt Col Arch Crary being on duty part of the time at Bristol & the other part at Howlands Ferry & on the Island of RI under Genl Sullivan
Born in Warren 1753 where lived most of the time until after this ware then removed to Bristol when sending in July 1822
He died March 2 1846 & the following
Children are reported a surviving
John Miller Wrentham Mass
James Miller Executor Bristol RI
Sally Monroe Bristol
Rebecca Wood Providence
Hope Manchester
Page 17

OWIF 21,378
Putnam, Conn. Feb. 20, 1909.
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Will you give me a copy of the pension record of
NELSON MILLER, of Warren, R. I. in Col. Lippitt's regt., Revolutionary war,
Very truly,
Mrs. F. A. Bugbee
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
FEB 23 1909
Page 18

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Adjutant Generals Office.
Providence, Nov. 13th, 1894
Hon. Wm. Lochren,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.,
Sir,
I have the honor to ask if you have in your office the record of the service of Nelson Miller said to have served as a Drum Major from Rhode Island in the Revolutionary War, and if so, if this office can be furnished with a copy of the same.
Very respectfully,
Elisha Nye
Adjutant-General
Page 19

Probate Office,
Bristol, R.I. March 23. 1841
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir, Nelson Miller a Pensioner, died here March 2d 1840. his pension was due from the 4th of Sept. 1839-- to the time of his death.
James Miller the Executor has applied for the arrears of said pension, with a Probate certificate of said appointment at the Person
Office, under the Act of Congress of June 19th 1840, but he was not able to get it, the pension Clerk informed him, he had been directed from Washington not to pay under the said act to administrators, or executors -
Mr. Miller left a number of children who are scattered and so located that it is impossible to procur a power of Attorney from them all under the former act 
Dir, John Miller, Wretham Mass
James Miller Bristol R.I. Executor
Sally Munro '' ''
Rebecca Wood, in the Western part of the State of N. York
Betty Thingsley Fall River Mass
Polly Munro Providence R.I.
Hope Manchester  do do
The amount due is about 50 dollars and the children
Page 20

of the deceased, although their shares are small, would be very glad to receive it.
Can any method be prescribed for them to receive it.
Yours respectfully,
Wm Throop
Probate Clerk
Page 21

JOHN MASON BATTEY
87 Weybosset St.
Providence, R. I., January 27, 1912.
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Revolutionary Records,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Please send me a certificate of the service of
Nelson Miller of Warren, R. I., a Revolutionary Soldier, pensioned at Bristol, R. I. Born July 26, 1755. Died March 2, 1840.
Please send me a bill for the cost of same if
required and oblige.
Yours truly,
John Mason Battey
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
JAN 28 1913
C
Page 22

-3 -
Information desired concerning one
Nelson Miller of Bristol, R.I. who
was a Revolutionary Pensioner - thot [thought]
to have been a Col. but no record to
show for it so far as I have been able
to learn.
Nelson Miller of Bristol, R.I. is one of
my ancestors in direct lineal descent.
His dau. Hope Miller b. July 5, 1792
d. Oct. 27. 1883 in Prov. R.I.
Mar. Mch. 5. 1812
Rob't Manchester - b. Apr. 21- 1790
d. Jan. 3, 1872
their son
Jos. Manchester M. Harriet Lindley
their dau.
Julianna Manchester - Married my father
Any data concerning Nelson Miller, as to
dates of birth, death, who his parents
were - who he married & when, and
as to his service in the Rev. War, most
earnestly desired.
from
J. C. Craft, 15 W. 1st St., Bayonne, N.J.
Page 23

M. R. BOOKWALTER.
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MINNEAPOLIS
August 14, 1929.
Commissioner, Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
In order to join the DAR I have to get the records of my ancestor that served in the Revolutionary War.
I am writing you to see if you have any records on Nelson Miller who was a soldier in the War and drew pensions for his service, in his later life.
only
I am sorry I cannot give you any more definite information about him.
I am enclosing a self-addressed envelope and an early reply at your convenience will be much appreciated. Thanking you kindly, I am
Very truly yours,
Mrs. R. F. Keeler
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
AUG 16 1929
Page 24

21378
INVALID.
File No. 21,378
Nelson Miller
Drum Major Rev War
Act: June 7 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 275
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1894 Dec. 5 Hist to
Elisha Dyer, Prov. R.I.
1909 Mch. 19. Hist. to Mr. F.A. Bugbee &
1913 Feb. 1. John M. Battery &
1915 Dec. 10. Miss J.G. Craft &
1929 - Oct. 18 Hist to Mrs. R. F. Keeler [illegible]
Page 25

Providence August 2d 1833
Hon James L Edwards
Sir
I address this letter to you, &
send herewith two depositions, in behalf of
Nelson Miller of Bristol in this State. You will
see by these Depos that Miller served as a Drum Major. This fact the old gentleman, who can yet make some naive, has always offered, & is [illegible] in his declaration. If not these witnesses fully confirm it. You will see by the Journal of the C. Congress Vol 1 page 129 July 29: 1775 that a Drum Major was entitled to $7.331/3 per month. This pay was gradually encreased, so that in May 27, 1778
when the army was again organized the pay of Drum Major was $9 per month: See the same Vol 2d page 567
Christopher Lippitt was appointed Col by C. Congress Sept 1776- Sour. Vol. 1 page 468; & Miller enlisted into his Regiment for one year so that his term of service ended Sep 1777. His second term of service if he enlisted immediately would enprise 15 months after Sept 1777 [illegible] is in Dec 1778, making 7 months of service at $9 per month; 1 year & 5 months [illegible] only 2 years of his sum at $7.33. According to this calculation his
pay would be $93.831/2 per an. It is not likely he enlisted
Page 26

immediately after his first time of service expired. Nay sir, he was discharged in New Jersey & you much allow about a month to get home on foot by going for up [illegible] to the north to pass the enemy at New York. The good old mans recollection is that
he rnd $8 per month, & so his witnesses testify. I presume he has refers to his average pay, & I am sure that after the first organization of the army & before the second the pay was raised altho I cannot now
[illegible] the date of the resolve of Congress by which it was done. No more than justice would therefore be done to this Veteran if he were allowed $8 per month or $96 per annum. By his certificate, you will perceive he is allowed the pay of a private only, or
$66.662/3 per mo- $80 per an. - Do [illegible] the goodness to harm this man can received. You will I know do him justice. He is very old my poor my industrious; [illegible] tho he has made more horse shoes & deck nails than any other man now [illegible], he can no longer blow the bellows or lift the horse [illegible]
4
I am Sir with high respect
your obt [illegible]
Willam Burgess